(06/12/2013) Missing Information?

Today, the focus and intent of the Bible comes into view through a question about the siblings of Jesus; and there is more on the statement of Jesus that night cometh.  A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “Kurjack” (Level 2 with 285 points, a member since May 15, 2013) posted the following:

Did Joseph and Mary hire a babysitter when they presented Jesus in the temple?

Luke 2:22 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. 43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day.

Did Joseph and Mary hire a babysitter to take care of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon and his sisters? If Joseph and Mary had at least six children other than Jesus, then why did they not bring them when they went to the Jewish Festival? Surely they would have had to have at least one other child by the time Jesus was twelve years old if they were to have at least six children in addition to Jesus.

Additional Details

So I guess that there is no solid answer proves that the Catholics are right that Jesus was an only child.

THE BATTLE AXE:  Night Cometh (06/11/2013)— (5)  For Jesus, night was that time when he could be alone for communion with the Father in prayer.  By declaring to his disciples that “night” was approaching, Jesus further exhorted his followers to be diligent, dutiful and faithful in their ministry as witnesses.  Anchored in spiritual truths from GOD, believers are to stay alert, and to be watchful.  Thus, his warning against the night is also an encouragement to continue in holy service that will resist and overcome bereavement, imprisonment, opposition, persecution, and divine wrath revealed as tribulation.  See Nehemiah 4:  1-23, Matthew 26:  36-45, Mark 13:  31-37 and Luke 21:  5-38, KJV.

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.  And further, by these, my son, be admonished:  of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.  Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:  Fear God, and keep his commandments:  for this is the whole duty of man.  For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.  (Ecclesiastes 12:  11-14, King James Version)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Jesus, A Party Animal? (05/03/2013); Jesus Lives! (05/04/2013); Why Jesus Authored No Books? (05/01/2013); Recognizing True Prophets (05/02/2013); The Childhood of Jesus? (03/06/2013); Non-existent Debt? (03/07/2013); Missing Years? (02/25/2011); A Reborn Heart (02/26/2011)

Kurjack, here are some points relied upon by many mature Christian believers to maintain proper focus, and avoid spiritual confusion:

(1)  The holy writings are not intended for amusement and entertainment as are secular biography, history, novels and short stories.  The Bible focuses upon sacred events, divine operations, and the eternal purposes of divinity as demonstrated and portrayed upon the earth, and through mankind. 

(2)  Often, what unbelievers call “missing” information has not been included in the divine record because, it merely fosters awareness of the world and the flesh, and does not promote correct focus upon divine intent and sacred process.  While many questions a reader might ask are answered by “common sense;” there are others that must be examined, condemned and avoided as carrying no useful information, yet, generating confusion, doubt, waste, and unbelief.  Also, what appears as “missing” to those in unbelief, is continually provided through the imparted, indwelling Spirit from GOD.

(3)  The Bible is a divine tool given to mankind, and that functions in harmony with ones spirit substance.  Data, facts, academic information with intellectual and mental process are not the most essential aspect of the Bible.  The Scriptures are to convey and install added spirit content from the make-up and person of GOD.  Included are consciousness of GOD, faith, holiness, hope (i.e., expectation), longsuffering, wisdom and wrath against sin.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (4)  The Scriptures focus upon Jesus as the first-born; and, while there is no direct mention of “bar-mitzvah”, Jesus was at an age to be publicly recognized as a son-of-the law.  The law established from the time of Moses demanded attendance of all the first-born at annual festivals acknowledging GOD.  By the judgment against the first-born of Egypt, GOD proclaimed his place in covenant relationship as one of authority, awe, and terrible majesty.  Every first-born in Israel was to serve as the heir to their own natural father, and would inherit the promises of GOD, including responsibility as caretaker for the promised land, heads of families and households, and peculiar duties of anointed priesthood.)   Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(12/19/2012) The Ascension of Christ?

      The return of Jesus to heaven by ascension, how believers overcome skepticism, and titles for Jesus as heir of GOD are topics, today. The “Yahoo! Answers” writer using ID “Agent Sixty Three” (Level 2 with 792 points, a member since September 13, 2011) posted the following:

Did Jesus ‘ascend’ into heaven ‘physically’?

Is that phrase literal? Does it mean what it says or is it another one of those twisted, mistranslated, misunderstood, poetic, allegorical, or figurative phrases?

Because I thought heaven was NOT ‘up’ but in a completely different dimension.

And I thought heaven was NOT a physical place, as physical bodies are the cause of most sins to begin with.

So what’s going on here?

Let’s hear some excuses.

THE BATTLE AXE: The Firstborn, Higher than Kings? (12/18/2012)—The title “firstborn” applied to Jesus as Son and heir of GOD goes beyond merely identifying the primary actor in a legal process to preserve an estate, dispose of a deceased person’s belongings, or to transfer ownership of carnal and material substance. The Son of GOD is declared to be preeminent; and Jesus is titled “firstborn from the dead.” As with the titles “begotten” and “firstfruits”, Jesus is distinguished as generated from Spirit, and born of a woman from flesh, under the law, yet, not conceived, fashioned and made through human reproduction. More than this, Jesus is again generated from Spirit, “born again” as the planting and seed of GOD, restored in resurrection, under the law, yet, not through human methods of husbandry. (See Galatians 4: 1-7; Acts 13: 29-31; 1st Corinthians 15: 20-28 and 32-58; Colossians 1: 9-20, King James Version.)

THE GOLDEN ARROW: For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. (Hebrews 9: 24-28, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: A Golden Ticket? (11/30/2012); Given the Cloud of Witnesses (11/29/2012); How Was GOD Known Before Jesus? (10/06/2012); Jesus King of Earth? (10/07/2012); A Man in Heaven? (09/23/2012); Aliens? (09/24/2012); Reason to Believe (01/12/2012); On Going to Heaven (01/13/2012); Spirit or Word? (12/11/2010); Justification? (12/12/2010)

      Understanding the things of GOD provided by the ministries of Jesus Christ (upon the earth, and from heaven) requires a broad awareness of spiritual reality that begins in the fact that GOD is a spirit; and we —though created beings and living creatures bearing flesh and blood—must worship him relying upon our own inner spirit, and our human disciplines for sharing truth (see John 4: 19-26, King James Version). Among mankind, the divine spirit uses devices and demonstrations that can be recognized and understood as aspects and details of a comprehensive truth. Together, various visible features describe godly provisions, divine processes, and otherwise unseen sacred purpose. Included are incarnation, birth, anointing, sanctification, death, resurrection, judgment, salvation, and eternal life.

      Everyone who comes to Christ begins with a measure of disbelief that blocks, and interferes with the operation of the imparted Spirit from GOD that must abide within the believer as their guide and teacher. Study of the holy writings that document the action and presence of GOD among men, nourishes and strengthens the human spirit; and redirects emotional and mental energies away from fantasy and imagination. Old ideas about what is possible or impossible are gradually altered, and the ability to recognize the many aspects of divinity in the earth (i.e., true spiritual discernment) is established. This was true for all those whom Jesus called as his apostles, and continues to be true unto this day.

      Mature Christian believers stand firm in the truth that GOD did appear in human form as Jesus of Nazareth to fulfill divine promises and complete sovereign works that were begun in the Creation. Jesus demonstrated authority over both the natural and spirit world through miracles that included exorcism, feeding, healing, and raising the dead. More than this, Jesus demonstrated and embodied the righteousness contained in divine law as well as the godly wisdom requisite for divine judgment.

      There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, the proclamation that Jesus would return in the same form and manner that was used in his leaving is consistent both with the covenant promises of GOD, and the expectations commanded (we say “hope”) granted to mankind for final resolution of the mystery of GOD, and a full revelation of the GODhead. GOD continues to exist using the form of a man in heaven by the Person of Jesus Christ.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(12/18/2012) The Firstborn, Higher than Kings?

      Birth order, inheritance and Jesus as “firstborn” are topics along with more on vows and covenants, today. A Yahoo! Answers writer using the ID “Ismael” (Level 1 with 91 points, July 27, 2012) posted the following:

Christians, why was David called the “firstborn”, when he was the youngest son?

Psalm 89:27,

THE BATTLE AXE: Vows and Covenants? (12/17/2012)—Through covenant, invisible, yet, abiding and marvelous aspects of divinity are revealed to mankind; particularly grace, love, mercy, and unmerited favor. In addition, covenant permits the special provision of judgment that a remnant is sufficient to fulfill all the terms of divine commitment. (For examples, see Ezra 9: 1-15, Isaiah 1: 1-31, Ezekiel 14: 21-23, Zephaniah 3: 1-20, Romans 3: 1-31 and Romans 11: 1-36, King James Version.)

THE GOLDEN ARROW: And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David. Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption: But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption. Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. (Acts 13: 32-39, King James Version)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Given the Cloud of Witnesses (11/29/2012); Son of Man? (11/28/2012); Begotten not Made (09/08/2012); About False Witness (09/09/2012); Set Free To… (03/27/2012); Grandchildren? (03/23/2011); A To Do List (03/24/2011); Lion of Judah (01/10/2011)

      The title of “firstborn” (from GOD) is higher than that for “king” because it proclaims the bearer an heir of GOD. As a social process and expression of flesh, birth order determines the heir through custom and tradition. As a divine process and expression of spirit, the duties and privileges of the heir are obtained by anointing and divine appointment, faith, grace, sacred law, divine prerogative, and sovereign authority.

      Many accounts recorded in the Bible portray the principle that the elder shall serve the younger; that twins are distinguished for sacred service before their birth and throughout their lifetime; and acquiring the blessing as heir to the ministry from heaven that was given to Adam is determined by GOD. Cain and Abel, Esau and Jacob, Reuben and Joseph, Ephraim and Manasseh, and the promotion of Judah above Levi all display the operation of GOD to establish salvation in the earth. A similar operation is seen in miraculous births by women known to be barren, elderly, and already experiencing menopause (consider Samson, Samuel, John the Baptist), as well as the birth of Jesus through a virgin.

      There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, until mankind has been made completely immortal and incorruptible through the ministries by the Son of GOD, eternal GOD will continue in uninterrupted relationship with finite beings through elements structured by timeless law. More than simply the power of GOD to control birth, death, and resurrection, there has been sacred presence, and performance of godly will through adoption, covenant, dynasty, family, forgiveness, inheritance, priesthood, promise, promotion, prophecy, and prosperity.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC