OK, you'll admit that using a theory that proposes that Ezekial's prophecy actually alludes to an event written about several hundred years later to prove that angels have free will is not exactly the most persuasive argument in the world, right?
No I won't do any such thing. (although Ezekiel's prophecy is merely a drop in the bucket of the argument, only a very small proof - the words of Christ, the apostle Paul and St. John are much more telling) The dates of the writing of the books of Revelation and Ezekiel are irrelevant for anyone who believes, as most orthodox Christians do, that they are both inspired Word.
I'd caution that "persuasive arguments" in matters of faith are entirely subjective to worldview. I'm sure there are many on the board who find
both of our positions that there is even any evidence of the existence of Angels amusing.
I dont see how believing them both to be inspired word (whatever that means) means that the earlier gets its meaning by allusion to the later, as opposed to what it means on the surface level.
But if you are unwilling to admit a basic premise in textual examination then there is really nothing more to talk about. Thanks.
If you don't know what 'inspired word' means, then I can see the confusion. I apologize for making assumptions about your educational background based upon your username and my own limited experience.
I had assumed, perhaps wrongly, that you accepted Ezekiel and Isaiah as prophets with direct revelation from God. If that's not the case, then discussing what otherwise would be the rantings of lunatics is pointless. If that assumption was correct, then the time frame at which various prophecies are codified has no relevance whatsoever regarding my belief that
part of the meaning of the passage can be elucidated upon by other prophecies.
A basic premise in textual examination is a good start, but without an underlying belief that God can reveal otherwise humanly unknowable matters to man, is nothing more than an excercise in the study of historical documents.
