2257. again I was inspired to retort, whether the rest of the Jews also would live to eternity. For if they were to die after a few years just like the rest, what profit would they have from their Messiah? There is nothing, except what is eternal. Everything else, which is temporary and for the moment, which expires and becomes nothing, is nothing. They answered that they would die, but that that messiah would still rule them in another life, because he would teach them that there is another life, and convince them. Now again I was inspired to ask them whether, as Isaiah and other prophets declare, he would be lowly, and despised, and ride on the foal of a donkey [Is. 53:3, Zech. 9:9, Matt. 21:5, John 12:15]-or whether he would be magnificent. Whether he would not be cut off, as the prophet says [Is 53:8], besides other sayings of the prophets. Finally, when they could think of nothing further to make up, they said it would happen with him just as the prophets say, and they cannot answer any differently, for they have it from the prophets that he will come. 1748, 9 June.