Would an angel do that?

[Athetotheist]

"The angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the earth lifted up his hand to heaven and swore by Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things that are in them, and the earth and the things that are in it, and the sea and the things that are in it, that there should be no more delay." (Rev. 10:5-6)

"At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus." (Rev. 19:10)

The author of the book of Revelation, who identifies himself as John, tells of numerous angelic encounters. What difficulty arises from the two mentioned above? The issue is this:

"Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one." (Matthew 5:33-37)

Would an angel, being one of John's fellows in the service of Jesus, do something prohibited by Jesus?

[Athetotheist]

[Replying to Athetotheist in post #1]

You're surprised to find inconsistencies in the Bible? What did you expect to find?

Did I say I was surprised?

No, but you did say this:

"Would an angel, being one of John's fellows in the service of Jesus, do something prohibited by Jesus?"

How would you classify this statement?

It isn't a statement; it's a question.

The underlying point is that Jesus' statement about oath-taking (Matthew 5:33-37) contradicts Moses (Numbers 30:1-2).

[Tcg]

[Replying to Athetotheist in post #1]

You're surprised to find inconsistencies in the Bible? What did you expect to find?

Did I say I was surprised?

No, but you did say this:

"Would an angel, being one of John's fellows in the service of Jesus, do something prohibited by Jesus?"

How would you classify this statement?

It isn't a statement; it's a question.

The underlying point is that Jesus' statement about oath-taking (Matthew 5:33-37) contradicts Moses (Numbers 30:1-2).

I'll take you word for it. No one should be surprised to find that the tacked-on Christian religion contradicts the earlier Israelite religion. If it didn't there'd be no need for a change.


Tcg

[Athetotheist]

[Replying to Athetotheist in post #1]

You're surprised to find inconsistencies in the Bible? What did you expect to find?

Did I say I was surprised?

No, but you did say this:

"Would an angel, being one of John's fellows in the service of Jesus, do something prohibited by Jesus?"

How would you classify this statement?

It isn't a statement; it's a question.

The underlying point is that Jesus' statement about oath-taking (Matthew 5:33-37) contradicts Moses (Numbers 30:1-2).

I'll take you word for it. No one should be surprised to find that the tacked-on Christian religion contradicts the earlier Israelite religion. If it didn't there'd be no need for a change

Indeed, they don't fit together at all. While composing post #7, I was thinking of the question Jesus asks in Matthew 12:27. The influence of Zoroastrian dualism is highly evident in the Christian texts.