Hi Rene,

 

In reply to your post called  "WHY U MUST BELIEVE THIS ABOUT JESUS (& what is it about Snow White???)" at http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/sep2012/rene95-1.htm   I doubt that the forbidden fruit in the garden of Eden that Eve and Adam ate was red grapes because the forbidden fruit was taken from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, and red grapes don't grow on a tree.  Red grapes grow on the branches of a grape vine.  Wouldn't that make our eating red grapes forbidden too if they were forbidden to Adam and Eve?  Also if Adam and Eve obtained blood from red grapes as you suggested was likely, why can't blood be obtained from eating red grapes today instead of getting a blood transfusion at a hospital? Sounds kind of silly.  However, since the life of the flesh is in the blood according to Lev. 17:11, it sounds like we were created with blood; and sin somehow tainted the blood so that we get sick and die since the wages of sin is death. 

 

As for our sins being like scarlet, in the accounting business, the numbers or figures written in red ink mean that you are in the hole, or in debt and owe money which is why I think that our sins are like scarlet because our sins would place us in the hole of hell, and no amount of money could ever buy our way out of hell. When we sin, we owe a debt. That is why the sacrifice of the sinless blood of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins was necessary.  One version of the Lord's prayer says, Forgive us our debts (sins or transgressions) as we forgive our debtors (those who sinned against us.)  So yes, Isaiah 1:18 does say, "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."  1 John 1:7 tells us that "...the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin," and 1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  Our scarlet sins are cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ so that they are white as snow.

Jesus is the true vine and we believers are the branches.  John 15:5, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every [branch] that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast [them] into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you."

 

There is also a different vine called the vine of the earth and her grapes are fully ripe according to Revelation 14:18-20.  These clusters of grapes are cast into the great winepress of the wrath of God. It sounds the unrepentant wicked receiving the wrath of God.

 

I look forward to reading your Cinderella story that you mentioned you might post next week.  Will Cinderella being wearing the filthy rags of our righteousnesses (Isaiah 64:6) as a born again believer who sees herself as a sinner?  And will her step-sisters being wearing the gowns of self-righteous who don't see themselves as sinners?  Will Cinderella walk in the Spirit in the glass slippers that only fit her feet with her life transparent before God? It will be interesting to see what scenario you come up with.