The answer is to be found in an article by Ellen White in the Nov 25, 1884 Review and Herald. On page 738 she recommends William Miller's booklet in which he gives fourteen principles of Bible interpretation (Views of the Prophecies and Prophetic Chronology, pages 20-24). She specifically points to these as the proper way of understanding the Bible. The one that appears to be applicable is number 11, which reads: "How to know if a word is used figuratively: If it makes good sense as it stands, and does no violence to the simple laws of nature, then it must be understood literally; if not, figuratively."
Cannibalism is not nearly as widespread in human society as most people believe. A literal interpretation of this text does "violence to the simple laws of nature." But another principle, allowing the Bible to explain itself is important. Jesus understood that his disciples were not offended by his reference to eating flesh, but to his reference to having come down from heaven.(Joh 6:61) Does this offend you? (Joh 6:62) What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?
But Jesus does not leave us to wonder what he means by eating his flesh. He states that flesh is not to be taken literally in (Joh 6:63) It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
Eating his flesh means to accept his words. By simply understanding that words are figurative when they do violence to the simple laws of nature, and that the Bible explains itself, we find the correct answer.
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written by Esther Mary, January 12, 2010
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written by Phoebe Sue Deatras, December 01, 2009
! Thanks for the article which enlighten the minds of the stupid readers. . .
In addition to that , eating Jesus's flesh and drinking His blood is also called as the Lord's Supper. The Church is participating the Lord's Supper because it is a remembrance of Christ's crucifixion in the Calvary.
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