Hi RR,

Yes, and there were many others before Newton and later in the nineteenth century. You need to take a look at the Rainbow magazine and some of the material unearthed by Carl Olof Jonsson. Without wishing to be unkind in any way, let me say that too often you seek to find materials that confirm your ideas rather than testing those ideas by looking more broadly. And when I challenge you, you go silent. I know, of course, that because of the nature of chat groups we all fail to respond as we should, and I am as guilty as others. But I do feel that you too often suffer from the Bible Student/Witness habit of saying to yourself "don't bother me with the facts, I've made up my mind."

As for the subject of parousia, while in many cases it does mean presence, in others it does not. The term can also mean a royal visitation. The other day while talking to Rud, he referred me to Deissmann's Light from the Ancient East. I think you need to look at it.

On the topic of the Diaglott, did you know that Wilson was the founder of the Church of God - Abrahamic Faith? He did not believe in a personal pre-existence and therefore was not an Arian. If you read the prologue to the Gospel of John carefully this will become evident. While Donbodo will feel positive about this, I don't think you will.

Interestingly, While Newton believed that those in the first resurrection would be spiritual, Mede did not, and the Church of God follows Mede rather than Newton.

Jim