(03/28/2013) The Passion at Gethsemane

      Focus, today, is upon the passion of Christ, and there is more on the Advent of the Holy Spirit. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using ID “Billy” (Level 1 with 95 points, a member since March 27, 2013) posted the following:

Why did jesus sweat blood?

THE BATTLE AXE: The Spirit and Pentecost (03/27/2013)—The holy seeds planted by Christ were words of proclamation, promise, and prophecy while the actual harvest was to be the glory of the earth contained as the imparted, indwelling spirit from GOD. Called the “promise of the father” (see Acts 1: 4 and 8, KJV), the Comforter (John 14: 26, KJV) and the Spirit of Truth (John 15: 26, KJV), the Spirit found in Jesus was to indwell and transform mankind. The entire Holy Spirit as a person of the GODhead cannot be deposited into mankind. However, mankind receives peculiar gifts that are divine substance representing the life of Jesus, and permitting the further revelation of GOD. As joint-heirs with Jesus, only partial authority and power are bestowed upon mankind, while Christ as the firstborn from death is exalted and preeminent above all (Matthew 28: 17-19 and Colossians 1: 18, King James Version).

THE GOLDEN ARROW: And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up. (2nd Samuel 15: 30, King James Version)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Accomplished in Christ? (01/16/2013); The Need to Purify Heaven (01/17/2013); Did Jesus Know? (12/22/2012); The True Miracle (12/23/2012); (09/15/2011) Dispatch 36: His Grace; (08/24/2011) Dispatch 16: The Ally (Wounded); To Save Jesus? (03/12/2011); Having Life? (03/13/2011); The Lord’s Prayer (12/18/2010); Awesomeness? (12/19/2010)

      Billy, many mature Christian believers understand the passion and suffering of Jesus began immediately following the last Passover meal and introduction of the Lord’s Supper that we call “Holy Communion.” His thoughts regarding the purposes of GOD became increasingly troubled and unclear. Jesus did not doubt, yet, he experienced a frightening uncertainty, and an overwhelming sense of sorrow. The agony of crucifixion began within his spirit through the separation for betrayal that was committed by Judas. Just as the rebellion of Absalom against his father King David displayed the wrath of GOD against David in particular, against his entire household and against the covenant nation, Judas leaving the assembly depicts the rejection of Christ by the Temple elders, by all Israel, and by the world as described through the Roman Empire. More than this, Jesus again saw the unchanging wrath of GOD against sin leveled against all the earth as at Noah’s day, and that, both the condemnation and salvation for mankind was being sealed.

      The holy writings report his prayers at that time (see Matthew 26: 36-46 and Mark 14: 32-43, KJV). Specifically we read: And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. (See Luke 22: 44, King James Version.) Many read this as saying, Jesus was pouring out his life as he prayed. More correctly, the aspects of flesh are brought into view, for sweat represents effort (works rather than faith) as well as uncleanness (we say “dis- fellowship,” “enmity” and “sin”). His mortality is affirmed, and his death is again foreshadowed as the sweat is swallowed up by the earth (from dust thou art…).

      There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, in spirit, the trial initiated by Judas was a continuation of the trial from Satan that followed the baptism by John at the Jordan River (e.g., Matthew 4: 1-11, KJV). Many things were unknown to Jesus, and he had to go forward on the basis of his faith not having seen or heard the testimony from heaven that had been given to John (the dove, the voice). Forty burning days and freezing desert nights without food and drinks challenged Jesus to commit himself to a total dependence upon GOD, as would the lash, the crown of thorns, the nails and splinters of the cross.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(11/01/2012) After the Rapture?

     The possibility of repentance following the Rapture, and more on salvation through childbearing appear, today.  The “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “Larissa” (Level 1 with 90 points, a member since October 30, 2012) posted the following:


After the rapture will it be to late to repent?


THE BATTLE AXE:  Saved in Childbearing (10/31/2012)—While every female may come into increased attention, honor and respect from her family, friends, and community by giving birth to a child, the love of GOD and salvation are not conferred through the animal and human acts of copulation, impregnation, labor, and delivery.  A woman’s awareness of her place in divine purpose must be transformed.  All her core beliefs and ideas for existence must expand and shift.  Included are her feelings and thoughts on change, condemnation, death, duty, fear, forgiveness, health, growth, innocence, love, maturity, obedience, pain, parenting, truth, strength, and eternal life.  Contrary to the initial plan, Adam (the name used by GOD for both the male and female) was made to be mortal after their self-will had been yielded to sin, and the full endowment of Spirit from GOD deposited within them had become inaccessible to them, lost and suppressed.   As created beings, finite, mortal and temporal, that would have no continuity and permanence, mankind could no longer exist in correct relationship to eternal divinity.  Birth followed by rebirth are sacred processes and operations to install the divine image, person and spirit content where reproduction determines only kind, form and species.  Going further, everlasting life and the hallowed inheritance of the divine nature within mankind is fostered, generated and preserved through nonnegotiable provisions of eternal law serving as the expressed will of GOD.  Thus, childbearing also is seen as essential to the integrity and soundness of sacred law that was in place before all life began.


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:  Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.  But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.  To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever.  Amen.  (1st Peter 5:  6-9, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  The Gospel not Logical? (09/16/2012); Chances for Change (09/15/2012); Returning To GOD (02/23/2012); The Prophets (02/24/2012); Binder 37:  We Have Waited (11/03/2011); Binder 36:  All Things New (11/02/2011)


     Here are some understandings important to mature Christian believers:

     The Rapture (also called his appearing, the Second Advent, the Second Coming) is spoken of as Christ reaping the harvest of souls that has grown up from the seeds planted through his ministries in the earth, and from the heaven.  Continuing to use the agricultural and farming metaphor, the harvest must be mature, ready and ripe before the work of ingathering begins.  Because bad seed has been planted by the Devil and his children, many hateful and noxious plants have also grown up, and are ripe.  Thus, the work of ingathering must also be a work of separation whereby the products of good seed are embraced, and the products of bad seed are cut down, removed, and destroyed by fire.  While they were still only seed and seedlings, no clear difference could be seen consistently between the bad and good plants.  In their final stages of growth, however, their fruit and byproducts are openly displayed before mankind, before GOD, and before all the host of heaven.

     Many trust that there is a period of possibility following the departure of the sanctified and saved.  They hold that those raised from the dead along with the living that remain in the earth have opportunity to change, repent, and return to GOD.  However, all the elements vital to salvation will no longer exist in the earth.  Included are acknowledgment of divine law, the anointed assemblies, the preaching of the Gospel, the holy Scriptures, and the imparted, indwelling spirit of Christ, the Holy Ghost.  The unhindered influence of angry and self-destructive spirits will make it that sin is unrestrained.  The lake of fire will become the mercy of GOD to release the unregenerate from their misery.

     There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, the Rapture is also called the first resurrection.  In that sacred event, believers are “caught up to meet him in the air,” because the earth will be too defiled and polluted from sin for him to set foot upon it.  All those taken up to GOD in that sacred event are called “blessed.”  In the second resurrection that follows, Christ does not approach the earth at all.  The wicked are brought before him as the judge who sits upon the great white throne.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIXWashington, DC