(07/13/2018) The Discernment of Godliness

 

Today, topics include the appearing of Jesus Christ on the earth to continue ongoing judgment, the discernment of godliness within his disciples by Jesus Christ, the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, and final judgment as an acknowledgment of Christlikeness and the divine image.  Jesus, operating in his authentic humanity, had to use the deposit of spirit content from the makeup of divinity that resided within himself as a standard to recognize and respond when the same imparted, indwelling spirit substance was present within events, other persons, prophecy, the holy writings, etc.  One of the fighters in the “Yahoo! Answers” Religion and Spirituality forum using the ID “Anonymous” (no profile data appears) posted the following:

 

Is John 6:70 literal?

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing:  the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.  But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.  And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.  From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.  Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?  Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.  And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.  Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?  He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon:  for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.  (John 6:  63-71, King James Version, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Discernment And Godly Love (06/26/2018); When Speaking Of Christlikeness (06/25/2018); Judas Kept The Bag (03/22/2018); Duties of a Christian? (03/13/2018); What Is A Spirit? (03/06/2018); Eating and Drinking Christ? (07/03/2017); Become Like Jesus Christ? (10/27/2016); To Drink Holy Blood? (02/16/2015)

 

“Anonymous”, spiritual things must be compared to spiritual things.  To say, ones spirit content and makeup are shown through their deeds, and to say, “Judas Iscariot was a devil” are as “literal” as saying, “all have sinned and come short of the glory of GOD.”  Among mature Christian believers, the words of Jesus Christ [John 6:  30, King James Version (KJV):  70 Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?] were spoken to further reveal the operations of divinity appearing in human form (we say, Incarnation); certify the godly benefit of communion and joining through a memorial of the Lord’s Supper; instruct his disciples about his approaching death on the cross; and demonstrate the sacred gift of prophetic discernment, rather than to merely accuse or expose the hypocrites and false followers within his inner circle.  We often miss the truth that Jesus came into the world continuing the eternal purpose and work of divine judgment.  In that instance, Jesus was speaking in particular of the Apostle Judas, who would soon betray the Savior in the darkness of night by using the intimate greeting of a friend (i.e., an embrace and a kiss) to expose the Lord for capture.  Judas was not identified as being Satan (the Adversary; many say, the Devil, the slanderer) himself.  Judas was being described as a fruit, and an offspring of the Devil; and someone at enmity against GOD.  Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

(1.)  Malachi 3:  16-18, King James Version (KJV):  16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another:  and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.  17 And they shall be mine, smith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.  18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.

(2.)  Ephesians 5:  5-7, KJV:  5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.  6 Let no man deceive you with vain words:  for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.  7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

(3.)  Matthew 13:  36-43, KJV:  36 Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house:  and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.  37 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;  38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;  39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.  40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.  41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;  42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire:  there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.  43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (4.)  Romans 8:  5-9, KJV:  5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.  6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God:  for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.  8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.  9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(07/03/2017) Eating and Drinking Christ?

 

Today, focus is on the reactions to Jesus’ requiring that believers also must receive his blood and body.  Jesus did not cancel the earlier meanings of Passover and covenant meals.  Rather, heretofore hidden meanings and unseen aspects of Atonement, Redemption and Salvation are being unveiled.  The Passover meal speaks to deliverance from condemnation, death, and wrath against sin as well as an entrance into covenant relationship with GOD through conditions of conformity, inheritance, and obedience before a proclamation of continuing sacred law.  Both the meal that Esau received from his brother Jacob, and the meal Isaac received from his son Jacob, sealed the disinheritance of Esau and the election of Jacob, who later would be named Israel.  The meal at Mizpeh shared by Jacob with Laban established the independence and integrity of Jacob critical to his becoming a nation fulfilling divine promise and covenant through Abraham.  The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Bruce” (Level  7 with 108,493 points, a member since August 12, 2007) posted the following:

 

If Jesus’ teaching about eating his body was a metaphor, why didn’t he explain it when many disciples were leaving him?

John 6:53-55: “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed.”

60 Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it?”

66 From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Ye have said, It is vain to serve God:  and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?  And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.  Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another:  and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.  And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.  Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.  (Malachi 3:  14-18, King James Version, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Fed From The Altar? (06/19/2017); GOD’s Peculiar People (12/11/2016); Frequency of The Lord’s Supper? (10/30/2016); The Loaves and Fishes (08/09/2016); To Drink Holy Blood? (02/16/2015); Modern Communion? (08/11/2014); How Can Christians Believe? (08/12/2014)

 

“Bruce”, here are some points that many mature Christians have found helpful:

1.  The ministry on earth of Jesus Christ was not only intended to re-awaken and spark interest in sacred knowledge and practices among the Jews that were being forgotten, supplanted and suppressed by both religious and worldly customs and traditions, an entirely new testament was being introduced capable of establishing a new covenant people. 

2.  It had been more than 400 years since Malachi, the “last” prophet after the model of Moses and Samuel.  There were many immutable and unchanging principles and standards acknowledged as the “law and the prophets,” however, emphasis on interpreting and keeping of the law became a denial of imparted spirit, personal relationship where GOD is the Father, and the possibility of service to both GOD and mankind as sacred spokespersons (we say, prophets), rather than as priests having responsibility for making sacrifices. 

3.  The process for pubic ministry used by the Savior was not that for exchanging or transmitting secular information.   Jesus provided proclamation (broadcasting official decrees), comfort, edification, exhortation, and prophetic demonstrations that used actions in place of words.  Those who came to Jesus were led to discover their own commitment and faith on the basis of guidance and things revealed. 

4.  In the same way parables were used to identify the extent of preparation and understanding among the people within the crowds, Christ provided commandments, judgments, ordinances, and sacred practices (we say, sacraments) that would crystallize and make manifest hidden and unseen faith.  Separation of the sheep and the goats are begun on the same platform as the separation from Eden:  faith as ones own spirit content along with trust. 

There is far more to be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, 5.  Jesus did reveal that emblems of bread and wine were to be used by those on the earth to receive him into oneself.  The divine triumph over death and sin requires operations of flesh and Spirit at the same time.  There must be a complement and matching of Creator and created in oneness without sameness.  Jesus is revealed as the divine High Priest during his last Passover supper with his apostles.  The new testament with its peculiar gift of fulfilling sacred law through faith and righteousness is sealed through a covenant meal.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

 

(04/07/2017) A Matter of Conscience

 

Today, reply is made on whether all who attend church should have the same access to the Lord’s Supper.  While the church founded by Jesus Christ often appears to be having an “open house” for sinners, there are many practices, programs, and pursuits provided only for those participating as members (e.g., baptism, judgment, ordination).  Many agree that the terms for membership of assemblies and congregations may vary among denominations and localities.  Even so, the conditions, sacred operations, and standards for existence and life with Christ and the Father are recorded in the holy writings as immutable and unchanging.  The Communion meal pertains to the fullness and unity of GODhead, and mature believers are commanded to become one with divinity by symbolically eating the flesh and drinking the blood of Jesus Christ.  The occasion of the Last Supper (the Lord’s final Passover meal with his disciples) occurred hours before his arrest and death on the cross, and saw the unveiling of an observance to cultivate and nurture the new creation that would appear on the day of Pentecost.  Properly understood, Communion is a sacred event wherein those who manifest the righteousness of the law through faith in Jesus Christ apprehend aspects of his relationship with the Father and the Holy Spirit.  While on earth, the living receive only an earnest or “good-faith payment” from the full spiritual treasure intended by GOD.  Thus, multiple sacred events have been provided to prepare mankind to exist with divinity who displays oneness without sameness.  The transformation of mankind to exist on the new earth is not simply a matter of managing formal  organizations, providing fellowship, and supporting social activity.  Men must receive the flesh, heart, mind, and spirit—the full makeup of Christ.  A writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Jim” (Level 7 with 38,359 points, a member since February 20, 2011) posted the following:

 

Is it right for all church goers to take communion?

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.  I am that bread of life.  Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.  This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.  I am the living bread which came down from heaven:  if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever:  and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.  The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?  Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.  Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.  For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.  He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.  As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father:  so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.  (John 6:  47-57, King James Version, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Frequency of The Lord’s Supper? (10/30/2016); Becoming A Christian Believer (08/08/2016); To Drink Holy Blood? (02/16/2015); Modern Communion? (08/11/2014); How Can Christians Believe? (08/12/2014); Eat His Body, Drink His Blood (03/21/2013); Foolish For Not Believing? (03/22/2013)

 

“Jim”, here are a few points I may share.  The Bible includes reliable instruction regarding the Lord’s Supper (we also say, Communion, the Communion Supper, the Eucharist), however, for many participation is a matter of individual conscience.  Consider the following points of belief and the Scriptures that speak to them:

(1.)  Many receive Communion as a memorial meal established to fulfill and continue an earlier sacred event (the Passover instituted by Moses).  The community of believers are to acknowledge the Incarnation of divinity as well as the provision of atonement, divine revelation, sacred events (we say, miracles), consecrated ministry and anointing as High Priest, sacrificial death, resurrection, ascension, the reign of Jesus as Risen Lord, and the commanded expectation (we say, hope) that those belonging to Christ will be harvested from the earth at his coming (we say, the Advent, the Rapture, the Second Coming).  1st Corinthians 11:  24-26. King James Version (KJV):  24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat:  this is my body, which is broken for you:  this do in remembrance of me.  25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood:  this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.  26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.

(2.)  Communion has been provided as a meal that signals and seals a believer’s entrance into covenant relationship. Everyone eating and drinking the emblems of bread and wine that represent the Lord’s blood and flesh accept the terms of a new covenant agreement between mankind and divinity.  The “new Passover” was not to annul or remove existing law, or the customs and traditions among the Jews so much as it was to provide an expression of the same meanings and values in clearer, more complete terms.  Hebrews 8:  6-10, KJV:  6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.  7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.  8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:  9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.  10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts:  and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: 

(3.)  Communion speaks to sinners undergoing permanent change and receiving divine substance necessary for the transformation of mankind to exist as immortal, incorruptible companions to Deity.  Hebrews 9:  14-16, KJV:  14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?  15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.  16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, those who receive adoption through the Holy Spirit and experience rebirth through baptism become sons and daughters of GOD as well as joint-heirs with Christ.  They are granted a fresh endowment of spirit substance from the makeup of divinity that includes faith, holiness, joy, longsuffering, lovingkindness, wisdom, and wrath against sin.  Once “born again” believers are to display the active presence of GOD and are accountable as vessels of the Spirit.  (4.)  1st Corinthians 11:  27-29, KJV:   27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.  28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.  29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

 

(12/11/2016) GOD’s Peculiar People

 

Today, topics include access to divinity, acceptable animals for food and worship, and prohibitions against eating pork.   What began as the specific provisions to nourish life upon the earth would be reconfigured to serve as a mechanism to repair the relationship of oneness without sameness between the Creator and the created.  Inseparable aspects of the spirit content within the full GODhead would be imparted to indwell and transform mankind such as faith, forbearance, forgiveness, holiness, joy, love, purity, and truth.  Confirmed believers are to maintain themselves as fit and ready to receive, now, the emblems of bread and wine that transmit the sacred blood and body of Jesus Christ, and, later, to receive the Savior at his appearing (we say, the Advent, the harvest, the Rapture, the Second Coming).  The writer at “Yahoo! 7 Answers (Australia) using the ID “William” (Level 1 with 1 point, a member since November 08, 2016) posted the following:

 

Can gentiles eat pork? but its only forbidden for Jews and musslims?

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah.  But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself:  the LORD will hear when I call unto him.  Stand in awe, and sin not:  commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.  Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.  (Psalms 4:  2-5, King James Version, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Material Things in Heaven? (11/10/2016); Become Like Jesus Christ? (10/27/2016); More Than Food and Drink? (04/12/2016); Pork, A Stumblingblock? (03/06/2015); To Drink Holy Blood? (02/16/2015); Denying GOD by Eating Shrimp? (11/17/2013); The Dead in Christ? (11/18/2013)

 

“William”, it has been found that worms may be transmitted through pork as food, through the bare feet, through the eyes, and in other ways that are epidemic.  Even so, mature Christian believers generally hold that the Bible disciplines, laws, and teachings on diets and food have all been established in new light through the ministry of Jesus Christ:  The spirit content of a person must become recognizable as an appearance of inseparable substance from GOD (e.g., faith, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, wisdom, wrath against sin).  At Creation, all living were to be nourished through the soil by grains, herbs, plants, seeds, and the fruit from trees.  Following the sin of the first pair, Adam, a divine curse was placed upon the ground in order to benefit mankind.  Later, when Noah entered the ark, he did so as a priest (one anointed to make offerings to GOD, such as praise, prayer, atoning blood), a prophet or spokesperson of GOD, and a vessel to preserve divine law, not merely as a fugitive from the flood.  Two classes of animals were identified, those that could be brought to the altar as offerings and sacrifices (the clean, fit) and those that should never be used in sacred service (the unclean, unfit).  After the flood, the eating of animals was permitted, as was the lawful killing of those who would murder.  Men would also be separated for service on the basis of their fitness and purity; and through the covenant of Moses, a detailed tradition of Levitical law would emerge on maintaining ones fitness and readiness for sacred service.  Even such things were addressed as correctly recognizing leprosy infections, the menstrual cycle of women, nocturnal emissions (wet dreams) among men, differences for restoring women to the congregation following the birth of female and male children, and quarantine for those displaying discharge, mucus, and pus from sexually transmitted diseases.  Consider again the following:

(1.)  Deuteronomy 14:  1-7, King James Version (KJV):  1 Ye are the children of the LORD your God:  ye shall not cut yourselves, nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead.  2 For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.  3 Thou shalt not eat any abominable thing.  4 These are the beasts which ye shall eat:  the ox, the sheep, and the goat,  5 The hart, and the roebuck, and the fallow deer, and the wild goat, and the pygarg, and the wild ox, and the chamois.  6 And every beast that parteth the hoof, and cleaveth the cleft into two claws, and cheweth the cud among the beasts, that ye shall eat.  7 Nevertheless these ye shall not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the cloven hoof; as the camel, and the hare, and the coney:  for they chew the cud, but divide not the hoof; therefore they are unclean unto you.

(2.)  1st Peter 2:  6-10, KJV:  6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious:  and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.  7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious:  but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,  8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient:  whereunto also they were appointed.  9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;  10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God:  which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (3.)  Romans 8:  5-9, KJV:  5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.  6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God:  for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.  8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.  9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(10/30/2016) Frequency of The Lord’s Supper?

 

 

Today, a reply is made to the question how often believers should celebrate the Lord’s Supper.  The Lord’s Supper, accounted as a gathering of the saints and spirits from every age, may be organized and structured, however, is not regulated according to frequency or time limits.  Similarly, the Lord’s Supper is not restricted to specific physical locations (e.g., a cathedral, a chapel, the consecrated sanctuary within a church), and may be offered without a quorum (minimum number present) upon a battlefield, in a hospital room, in a hospice, or within a private home that serves as a place of assembly for praise and prayer.  Holy Communion accomplishes multiple sacred operations among those within the body of Christ.  Included are comfort, Creation, edification, Incarnation, Judgment, purification, sanctification, and unification.  The focus of the Lord’s Supper is the removal of separation between the fullness of GOD (we say, the GODhead) and the created.  Duration, existence, life, personness, continuing purpose—in brief, all divine life essence (breath, spirit, word) emanated and sent forth from GOD—are to return, and again reside within the GODhead.  The grace of the Father along with the blood and body of his Son are to be sufficient for the church so that there need be no animal sacrifices, no persecution and killing of one another by its members, no murder, revenge, and slaughtering of enemies, or abandonment of her offspring.  By receiving and consuming the emblems of bread and wine that correspond to the blood, body, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, sinners are restored to the oneness without sameness that existed within the GODhead before the creation of the heaven and the earth.  The will of GOD (divine law) is to reside within each believer as the endowment of “righteousness”.  The writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “ari” (Level 7 with 45,458 points, a member since March 02, 2014) posted the following:

Is communion to be celebrated weekly or once a year?

I saw a question relating to this and I would like a mature Christian who knows the word to help on this

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.  The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?  For we being many are one bread, and one body:  for we are all partakers of that one bread.  (1st Corinthians 10:  15-17, King James Version, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Becoming A Christian Believer (08/08/2016); To Drink Holy Blood? (02/16/2015); Modern Communion? (08/11/2014); How Can Christians Believe? (08/12/2014); The Bread of GOD (03/01/2014); Belief, Faith, and Proof (03/02/2014); Eat His Body, Drink His Blood (03/21/2013); Foolish For Not Believing? (03/22/2013)

 

“ari”, the Lord’s Supper should be understood as a life experience that is outside the frameworks of death, time and space.  For mature Christian believers, the sacrament (sacred practice) of the Lord’s Supper (some say, Communion, the Holy Eucharist) acknowledges the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Even so, the Lord’s Supper is not the “breaking of bread” where food is shared to relieve hunger; and does not center upon expressing bereavement, mourning, and sorrow.  Holy Communion has not been instituted as an annual feast or convocation after the pattern of sacred events established through Moses.  The community of faith is to realize their own existence as his church is the resurrected body of Jesus on the earth.  Where the Ten Commandments (some say, the Decalogue) proclaims covenant relationship with the Creator and divine law for mankind upon the earth, it does so as a carnal, material, natural, and social revelation of GOD.  Jesus Christ appears as an embodiment (we say, Incarnation) of Deity, and directs mankind toward the things of heaven, to the law as a “spirit substance,” and to the spiritual apprehension of the law.  Sinners are to receive and undergo permanent changes through operations of the imparted, indwelling Spirit from GOD (we say, You must be born again.).  Transformation of the believer to perfection must go forward as comfort, edification, gradual growth, sacred knowledge, sanctification, and more.  Having divine DNA through baptism and rebirth (so to speak), believers are a new creation containing divine seed that only is nourished through such features as confession, fellowship, praise, prayer, reverence, service, study of the holy writings, thanksgiving, and worship.  Awareness and self-will within the living are to discern and operate as aspects of the active presence of divinity in the earth as well as to increasingly display the unchanging aspects of eternal life.  Earlier covenants established using promises and prophecy are now grounded in sharing the same spirit matter that was breathed into Adam and continues to exist within Jesus as the Risen Lord.  Consider the following from the Scriptures:

(1.)   1st Corinthians 11:  23-29, KJV:  23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:  24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat:  this is my body, which is broken for you:  this do in remembrance of me.  25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood:  this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.  26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.  27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.  28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.  29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.

(2.)  1st Corinthians 11:  20-22, KJV:  20 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord’s supper.  21 For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper:  and one is hungry, and another is drunken.  22 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? what shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.

(3.)  1st Corinthians 11:  33-34, KJV:  33 Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another.  34 And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (4.)  Colossians 1:  16-22, KJV:  16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers:  all things were created by him, and for him:  17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.  18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.  19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;  20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.  21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled  22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

 

(08/09/2016) The Loaves and Fishes

Today, the miracle of Jesus feeding 5,000, mankind’s participation in divine judgment, the Lord’s Supper, and eternal life all come into view.  Multiplying the material gift of loaves and fish was not the most godly aspect of the feeding events.  The marvel and wonder were to be seen in the appearance of GOD through order, sacrifice, trust, and unselfishness.  The core and essence of salvation goes beyond humans changing their own attitudes and conduct, and even goes further than divine operations to eliminate sin.  As in the imparting of life to both Adam and Eve, there has to be a joining of flesh and spirit substance from the makeup of GOD.  The writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Digital” (Level 3 with 2,306 points, a member since March 12, 2014) posted the following:

 

In the parable of Jesus feeding the 5000 what do the loaves and fishes represent?

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:  And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat:  this is my body, which is broken for you:  this do in remembrance of me.  After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood:  this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.  For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.  Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.  But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.  For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.  For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.  For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.  But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.  (1st Corinthians 11:  23-32, King James Version, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Becoming A Christian Believer (08/08/2016); To Drink Holy Blood? (02/16/2015); Why Jesus Used Parables (11/03/2013); Denying Baptism to Others (11/04/2013); Eat His Body, Drink His Blood (03/21/2013); Foolish For Not Believing? (03/22/2013)

 

“Digital”, among mature Christian believers, the different accounts of Jesus feeding the multitude are reports of “sacred events” (we say, miracles) that pertain to the full revelation of divinity, rather than simply parables that provide doctrine through illustrations, and object lessons.  Sacred events must be apprehended through discernment (i.e., using ones own divine spirit content to recognize and respond to eternal purpose and spirit matter within actions, messages, oneself, other persons, prophecy, Scripture, etc.).

Many understand the feeding events to be covenant meals that signal agreement and commitment.  These miracles serve as emblems (like a policeman’s badge) granted to the Son of GOD indicating the lawful authority, sovereignty, and unity with the Father and the Holy Spirit whereby the Son appears as Creator, owner, and ruler over all that exists.  Divine order and sacred law are established as the people are arranged in groups of 50.  An overwhelming abundance and plenty are signaled through use of a fragment and portion.  Acceptance and trust are manifest, rather than anxiety, or fear there may not be enough to include me also.  Through the ministry of Jesus Christ, in addition to the things needed for sustaining “the flesh” (i.e., appetite, sensation, emotion/mental functions), the entire range of resources for spiritual life are pledged and supplied.  Included are cleansing, forbearance, forgiveness, healing, hope (i.e., specific expectations), joy, meekness, mercy that comes only by judgment, rebirth, resurrection, and sanctification.

The loaves and fish become devices to further make visible the “active presence” of GOD who is spirit, and the special truth that GOD must abide as Spirit within the living.  Consider again how some of this is stated using language from the Bible:

(1.)  John 6:  27-30, King James Version (KJV):  27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you:  for him hath God the Father sealed.  28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?  29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.  30 They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?

(2.)  John 6:  47-53, KJV:  47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.  48 I am that bread of life.  49 Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.  50 This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.  51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven:  if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever:  and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.  52 The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?  53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.

(3.)  John 6:  54-58, KJV:  54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.  55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.  56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.  57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father:  so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.  58 This is that bread which came down from heaven:  not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead:  he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.

There is far more to be said, carefully examined, and spiritually understood.  (For example, (4.)  Romans 8:  5-9, KJV:  5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.  6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God:  for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.  8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.  9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

 

(08/08/2016) Becoming A Christian Believer

Scripture points are shared, today, on acquiring sacred substance, sharing the Lord’s Supper, and transubstantiation.  Many are disappointed and frustrated because what they truly want is an experience of GOD using their own flesh, or their own mind, and not using their own indwelling Spirit.  Typically, those who are immature and unstable as Christian believers are unable to briefly and correctly state what life is in a manner consistent with the Scriptures.  Also, they are unable to provide or transmit the peculiar spirit content from GOD that demonstrates how the imparted, indwelling Spirit is received, maintained, nourished, and refreshed.  The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Kodiak” (Level 1 with no points shown, a member since June 18, 2016) posted the following:

 

Honest Question here, Does anyone else find the Catholic belief of eating the body and drinking the blood of Jesus DISTURBING?

I read a lot about the transubstantiation process in which the bread and wine turns into body and blood of Jesus LITERALLY.
But still , I find it very disturbing. I can’t image Catholics drinking and eating from Jesus body literally

No offense meant, this is the main Catholic theology which makes me think I will never become a Catholic christian

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?  This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.  For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost:  and these three are one.  And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood:  and these three agree in one.  If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater:  for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.  He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself:  he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.  And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.  He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.  These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.  (1st John 5:  5-13, King James Version, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Two Signs of Covenant (05/09/2016); To Drink Holy Blood? (02/16/2015); Modern Communion? (08/11/2014); How Can Christians Believe? (08/12/2014); The Bread of GOD (03/01/2014); Belief, Faith, and Proof (03/02/2014); Eat His Body, Drink His Blood (03/21/2013); Foolish For Not Believing? (03/22/2013)

 

“Kodiak”, the things of Christian belief are accomplished through faith that resides within GOD, never through finite human intellect, “imagination”, philosophy, reason, or science.  Every person who becomes a mature Christian believer (Catholic or Protestant) begins as “just another sinner” whose approach to God, religion, salvation, etc. is mostly on the basis of their own carnal, material, and social living.  This includes multiple feelings of anger, anxiety, disbelief, distrust, doubt, fear, suspicion, and uncertainty that are generated as much by lack of direct contact, exchange, and interaction within ongoing relationships shared by people who are mature believers as well as by lack of genuine communion with divinity.  The sinner who becomes a believer must acquire an entirely new set of feelings, defining ideas, and life essence (breath, spirit, word) through operations carried out by GOD.  Thus, sacred events and divine processes come into view such as atonement, baptism (death and burial of ones inborn spirit, “rebirth” from divine DNA, so to speak), discernment, forgiveness, incarnation, prophecy, revelation, and sanctification.  Given it is true, the very existence of created beings and living creatures requires spirit substance from the makeup of divinity, the authority, duration, possibilities, power, and quality of the living will vary in accordance with the expression, nourishment, refreshing, and renewal of ones imparted, indwelling Spirit from GOD.  Consider again how some of this is stated using language from the Bible:

(1.)  John 4:  23-24, King James Version (KJV):  23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth:  for the Father seeketh such to worship him.  24 God is a Spirit:  and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

(2.)  John 6:  53-59, KJV:  53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.  54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.  55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.  56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.  57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father:  so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.  58 This is that bread which came down from heaven:  not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead:  he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.  59 These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.

(3.)  John 6:  63-69, KJV:  63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing:  the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.  64 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.  65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.  66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.  67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?  68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.  69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

(4.)  Romans 8:  5-9, KJV:  5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.  6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God:  for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.  8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.  9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

There is far more to be said, carefully examined, and spiritually understood.  (For example, (5.)  Romans 8:  13-19, KJV:  13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die:  but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.  14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.  15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.  16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:  17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

 

(05/09/2016) Two Signs of Covenant

Christ dying upon the cross, and the rainbow given to comfort and encourage Noah following the flood are in view, today.  Mature Christian believers are continuing to trust that, through operations of the Holy Spirit, blood, correction, and truth from the cross are flowing to here and now.  The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Royal” (Level 1 with 6 points, a member since December 30, 2014) posted the following:

 

Who created the rainbow?

All my friends say the leprechauns did but i dont believe them

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  And there came an angel of the LORD, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite:  and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.  And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.  And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt? but now the LORD hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.  And the LORD looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites:  have not I sent thee?  And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.  And the LORD said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man.  And he said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, then shew me a sign that thou talkest with me.  Depart not hence, I pray thee, until I come unto thee, and bring forth my present, and set it before thee. And he said, I will tarry until thou come again.  And Gideon went in, and made ready a kid, and unleavened cakes of an ephah of flour:  the flesh he put in a basket, and he put the broth in a pot, and brought it out unto him under the oak, and presented it.  And the angel of God said unto him, Take the flesh and the unleavened cakes, and lay them upon this rock, and pour out the broth. And he did so.  Then the angel of the LORD put forth the end of the staff that was in his hand, and touched the flesh and the unleavened cakes; and there rose up fire out of the rock, and consumed the flesh and the unleavened cakes. Then the angel of the LORD departed out of his sight.  And when Gideon perceived that he was an angel of the LORD, Gideon said, Alas, O Lord GOD! for because I have seen an angel of the LORD face to face.  (Judges 6:  11-22, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  The Forms of Prophecy? (04/26/2016); Sign of Divine Love? (04/14/2016); …Ears That Hear Not? (01/18/2016); Why Did Jesus Heal? (02/03/2015); Prophetic Demonstrations (09/06/2013);  Why GOD Prayed to GOD (09/07/2013); A Relationship not Just Knowledge? (06/25/2013); Lost Without GOD? (06/26/2013)

 

“Royal”, mature Christian believers trust that the Creator has been in an ongoing relationship with the created from the beginning of the earth, and uses many devices to communicate, interact and share with the living.  Included are covenant agreements, sacred events (we say, miracles), divine law, proclamations, promises, prophecy, and sacred spokespersons (we say, apostles, messengers, prophets).  In the same way, Jesus dying upon the cross is a “prophetic demonstration” (i.e., a visible, not just an audible or oral,  display to declare eternal purposes and divine intent), what we call a “rainbow” is also a “sign” (i.e., a show of divine authority and power that appears in the natural world as evidence that a promise or prophetic statement actually is from GOD, and will definitely be carried out or performed—no matter how long it may take, and whatever the divine “cost”, so to speak).  The rainbow, said to be upon GOD’s shoulders, indicates the active presence of divinity; and that, despite judgment and punishment as seen with Noah and the flood, mankind will not be abandoned, or destroyed “out of hand.”  The cross is the sign of the “new testament in the blood of Jesus,” and signifies that atonement, forgiveness, and mercy in judgment absolutely will be granted those who embrace Christ through his resurrection, and their own rebirth.  Consider how this is stated using language from the holy writings:

(1.)  Genesis 9:  12-16, KJV:  12 And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations:  13 I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.  14 And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud:  14 And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud:  15 And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.  16 And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth.

(2.)   Revelation 4:  1-5, KJV:  1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven:  and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.  2 And immediately I was in the spirit:  and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.  3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone:  and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.  4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats:  and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.  5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices:  and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

(3.)  Isaiah 7:  14, KJV:  14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

There is far more to be said, understood, and spiritually taken in.  (For example, (4.)  1st Corinthians 11:  23-29, KJV:  23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:  24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat:  this is my body, which is broken for you:  this do in remembrance of me.  25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood:  this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.  26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.  27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.  28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.  29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

 

 

(02/16/2015) To Drink Holy Blood?

Today, points are shared on the intent and value of the Lord’s Supper that is observed among Christian believers.  A fighter at “Yahoo! Answer” using the ID “Will” (Level 2 with 556 points, a member since January 20, 2015) posted the following:

 

Why did Jesus want his buddies to drink his blood? Did he had some kind of blood drinking fetish?

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.  Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father.  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.  I am that bread of life.  Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.  This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.  I am the living bread which came down from heaven:  if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever:  and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.  The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?  Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.  Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.  For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.  He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.  (John 6:  45-56, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  How Can One Man Die? (02/09/2015); Modern Communion? (08/11/2014);  How Can Christians Believe? (08/12/2014); The Bread of GOD (03/01/2014); Belief, Faith, and Proof (03/02/2014); Forgiveness Through GOD? (02/02/2014); Obliged to Disregard? (02/03/2014); Everything a Lie? (10/05/2013); Sacrificed and Risen? (10/06/2013); Eat His Body, Drink His Blood (03/21/2013); Foolish For Not Believing? (03/22/2013)

 

“Will”, many of those who traveled everywhere Jesus would go became offended, and would no longer follow once he began to teach of his crucifixion and their need to drink his blood.  They ignorantly believed this meant they should become “cannibals”.  Here are a few points that have helped many Christian believers avoid such confusion about the things given mankind by GOD appearing incarnate (having human form):

(1.)  The operations of GOD to establish existence for the universe and all it may contain are also through created beings and living creatures serving as vessels of divine content.  Those who endure as eternal companions, heirs, and the offspring to divinity must display inseparable aspects from the makeup of Deity such as faith, holiness, love, longsuffering, mercy, righteousness, wisdom, and wrath against sin.

(2.)  The many sacred acts that permit recognition of divine person and active presence include atonement, Creation, judgment, forgiveness, incarnation, rebirth, redemption, resurrection, salvation, and sanctification.  While many err thinking these merely to be demonstrations of human behavior and emotion, consciousness of GOD requires multiple sacred operations that are carried on using unseen agents.  Because carnal, mechanical, physical and social elements must appear complementing and harmonized with things that are invisible, we speak of unity for the natural with the supernatural, the flesh with the spirit.

(3.)  As far as we know, transfusions and the modern-day medical techniques to exchange and introduce blood into a living person did not exist during the ancient ministry of Jesus upon the earth.  Yet, it was understood that “blood is the life;” and the eating of blood was forbidden.  Blood is a material mechanism and vehicle that may carry the essence of life (we say, breath, spirit, word) to the various parts of ones body.  Using the commonly held understandings of the day, the Lord spoke in terms of human appetite and processes of the flesh (eating and drinking).  Yet, his blood was not to be thought of as some magic elixir.  It is the imparted, indwelling spirit of Christ that must be internalized and received for there to be healing and spiritual power as well as for the correct recognition, response, and resistance against sin.

There is far more to be said, correctly understood, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (4.)  Only those in an intimate relationship with GOD through Christ are privileged to receive the blessings that come by eating the sacred bread and drinking the consecrated wine that are emblems of divinity.  Rightly understood, only those being accountable, discharging sacred duties, and alive through the Holy Spirit are those to be nourished through the Lord’s Supper (some say, Holy Communion, the Eucharist).  Jesus demonstrated no sexual fantasies and fetishes that you may have learned of in becoming a psychiatric health professional, or worker in psychology.  The Lord’s profession while on earth was that of a counselor, judge, king, mediator, pastor, priest, prophet, redeemer, and savior.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith and spiritual maturity.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(02/01/2015) Masturbation and Religion?

Appetite, pornography, repentance, and human sexuality are in view, today.  In the same way we count it wisdom that we do not eat or drink everything we can put into our mouths, it is wisdom not to surrender our minds and bodies to every human feeling and impulse.  Masturbation is not simply a “bad habit” or physical act—it is a framework of exchange and interaction within relationship.  Thus, those who selfishly use their partner in marriage are practicing masturbation.  Where masturbation can not be separated from selfishness, it is a subtle (barely visible; unseen) influence whereby marriages may result in divorce.  The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “usrnameunav” (a member since January 07, 2009; Level 1 with 123 points) posted the following:

 

Masturbation and religon.?

Ok, so today I went to confession and confessed my sins, particularly masturbation and watching pornographic material. I usually confess every few weeks and for the same things, sexual sins. Well, I confessed today because I wanted to receive the host tomorrow at church. Well after being out all day, when I got home and was relaxing in bed, I unconsciously started looking at naked girls pictures on my phone and began to touch myself. Then the thought of confession came into my head and I immediately stopped, I realized what I was doing. I unconsciously was masturbating, but immediately stopped when I realized what I was doing. So my question is, since I committed the act unconsciously, did I commit sin, and am I still able to receive the host tomorrow at church or do I need to confess again before I receive it?

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well.  Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets.  Let them be only thine own, and not strangers’ with thee.  Let thy fountain be blessed:  and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.  Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.  And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?  For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.  His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.  He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.  (Proverbs 5:  15-23, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Sermons About Good Sex? (08/25/2014); About Good Sermons? (08/26/2014); Denying GOD by Eating Shrimp? (11/17/2013); The Dead in Christ? (11/18/2013); The Church as a Bride? (05/15/2013); How Do I Repent? (05/16/2013); A GOD of Love? (05/07/2013); Commanding the Storm? (05/08/2013); Pornography from the Bible? (11/26/2012); More Than Salvation (11/27/2012); Appetite (10/14/2010); Why Clothing? (10/15/2010)

 

“usrnameunav”, here are a few points to consider that must also be shared with those who acknowledge the death of Jesus upon the cross for the benefit of those who would receive Him:

(1.)   Those outside the church are not able to give the advice that comes from Christ by the Holy Spirit.  Such persons only give advice and counsel against the holy writings, against the things provided from GOD for new life as followers of Jesus, and against the imparted Spirit that now resides in you.

(2.)  You are one who is entered into Christ, and He into you through baptism (death of ones inborn spirit, rebirth from divine DNA, so to speak).  The things of your spirit are permanently changed, yet, the things of your flesh, or the material and social world remain the same.  Just as humans are born experiencing hunger and thirst, we also have sexual cravings until death.  Appetite can not be dismissed simply by using intellect, logic, mathematics and science.  Yet, we can use “common sense,” discernment, discipline and regimen to make those choices for when and how we respond to any urgings.

(3.)  Born again, all believers also must “grow up again” by applying their own awareness and self-will to meet the challenges of life upon the earth.  All will be tested, and endure “growing pains.”  Coming into maturity and perfection is a gradual process, and there are many points where a believer will “hunger” for intervention and the active presence of GOD.  Ones spiritual appetite is to be answered through fellowship with other believers, praise, prayer, study of the holy writings, and  unselfish service.

There is far more to be said, correctly understood, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (4.)  You are not ignorant of the process shared by the church, and you need ask no questions from others regarding what your own personal faith and understanding demands from you.  Your act of “penance” to rejoin with Christ before the Father seems to require that you control your environment, and remove the things excite generate unwanted excitement.  For all (male and female), it is not because we don’t enjoy our sexuality; it is because we do that we must exercise care.  All porn pertains to the snare of prostitution, and quickly becomes addictive.  More than this, all sexual joining is not physical; and will always be emotional, psychological, and spiritual as well.  Thereby, the defilement and destruction that comes by fornication is being joined to unseen spirits.  Thus, the bottom line for believers has to be something like this:  I know what I want for my Self; what do I want for Christ.  I know what Christ wants for me; I know what He has already done for me.  I know what I can do for me; what shall I do to acknowledge Him.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to the measure of your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC