(09/24/2017) Our Glory From GOD

 

Today, focus is on divine glory and the endowments of divinity imparted to mankind.  What mature Christians understand to be “divine glory” pertains to how we apprehend and discern the active presence of spirit substance who is GOD.  Given the truth that GOD beams, emanates, and puts forth aspects of his own makeup when establishing all that exists or lives, his glory is all that we may perceive and realize as eternal, exalted, holy, and sanctified.  Because the glory of GOD further displays the spirit character and nature of GOD, the full glory of GOD is proclaimed as a single GODhead of multiple persons who share oneness without sameness.  Glory is more than a visual presentation and something you see such as blazing, gleaming, illumination, shining, or sparkling.  The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” who uses the ID “GRANNY NORINE” (Level 1 with 31 points, a member since May 16, 2014) posted the following:

 

What Does II Corinthians 3:18 Mean? How Do “…We all…change from GLORY to GLORY…”?

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:  I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.  Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me:  for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.  (John 17:  22-24, King James Version, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Sacred Baptism, Divine Resurrection?  (09/14/2017); On Men Wearing Veils (08/13/2017); Clothed In Divine Light? (08/02/2017); Inheritance Must Become Commitment (05/15/2017); The Hope of Glory (03/02/2017); Called, Justified, and Glorified? (01/08/2017)

 

“GRANNY NORINE”, here are some thoughts I can share that might be helpful.  The process of GOD established for the consciousness of mankind can be described as one of continuous change and gradual growth as well as of acquiring sacred knowledge through multiple streams of truth (we say, revelation).  Created beings and living creatures all enter fixed levels and plateaus of existence and life process, and pass on to higher or lower levels that manifest the completeness and fullness of their spirit content from the makeup of Deity. 

In the same way the angels are described as ascending and descending Jacob’s Ladder to fulfill their sacred assignments and missions, and this reflects that they are trusted and worthy to serve, mankind may be understood as rising, falling, and being lifted to new heights through sacred operations, and is being made fit to serve as a true companion to divinity.  Sinners must be transformed and undergo permanent changes by the sovereign will of GOD that moves them from faith to faith, glory to glory, and hope to hope.

The Apostle Paul taught that there are various appearances of “glory” (e.g., that of the sun, the moon, the stars), and they are not all the same.  Most properly understood, only GOD is immortal and incorruptible; and only GOD has divine glory and full sovereignty.  Thus, when Moses returned to the camp after receiving the tables of stone bearing the covenant law, his face shone with glory; yet, the glory was not his own.  Moses was a reflection and transmitter of the divine glory, and an appearance of to the people of the same burning bush he himself had encountered.  At his Advent (we say, his appearing, the harvest, the Rapture, the Second Coming) Jesus Christ will display the Incarnation for 3 persons in GODhead.  Believers will discern and recognize his own glory with that of the Father and that of the Holy Spirit.  Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

(1.)  Isaiah 42:  8, King James Version (KJV):  8 I am the LORD:  that is my name:  and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.

(2.)  Isaiah 48:  10-12, KJV:  10 Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.  11 For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it:  for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another.  12 Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last.

(3.)  Exodus 34:  29-30, KJV:  29 And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses’ hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him.  30 And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him.

(4.)  John 17:  1-5, KJV:  1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:  2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.  3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.  4 I have glorified thee on the earth:  I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.  5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

There is far more that should be considered and properly understood.  (For example, (5.)  2nd Corinthians 3:  7-16, KJV:  7 But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:  8 How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?  9 For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.  10 For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.  11 For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.  12 Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:  13 And not as Moses, which put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:  14 But their minds were blinded:  for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.  15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.  16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

 
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

 

(05/15/2017) Inheritance Must Become Commitment

 

Focus, today, is on Jacob and Esau, divine inheritance, and coming into covenant relationship with GOD.  The priesthood granted to Adam became an inheritance to all the Patriarchs.  Included were Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  Even so, inheritance must become more than simply duty and privilege; inheritance must become ones own choice to be in continuous acknowledgment, exclusive devotion, personal commitment, and solemn promise.  The writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “John” (Level 1 with 95 points, a member since May 14, 2017) posted the following:

 

If my mother is Jewish and my father is catholic and I was raised as a catholic what am I?

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran.  And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep.  And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven:  and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.  And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac:  the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;  And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south:  and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.  And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.  And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not.  And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.  And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it.  And he called the name of that place Bethel:  but the name of that city was called Luz at the first.  And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,  So that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God:  And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house:  and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.  (Genesis 28:  10-22, King James Version, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Church Attendance and Inheritance (09/11/2016); An Eternal Inheritance? (06/26/2016); GOD Appearing in Dreams? (05/03/2015); A Kingdom Now and One To Come? (09/05/2014); Comfort? (09/06/2014); Blessing and Inheritance from Abraham? (06/05/2014); On Christians Executing Judgment (06/06/2014); Contradictions (09/21/2012); The Spirit by Measure (09/22/2012)

 

“John”, consider again the words, You must be born again.  The process of divinity for establishing continuing relationship once began through inheritance, the peculiar spiritual gifts and status one receives as a child or an offspring of a parent who is in covenant with Deity.  The principles of inheritance that are described throughout the holy writings explain somewhat the devices and mechanisms used by GOD to restore personal relationship with mankind that was effectively lost through our first parents, Adam and Eve.  Because the Creator did not present the law written in stone (as for Moses and those who left Egypt), many now complain that GOD did not fully explain the law and its sanctions (declarations of consequences for obedience and violation—we say, provisions for correction and punishment.  Thinking the pair were ignorant, and “taken by surprise,” there are those who argue that GOD has been unjust and unrighteous.  Yet, divine law (i.e., commandments and statements to share the otherwise hidden intent and will of GOD) was provided to the pair that included, Be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth as well as, From all the trees of the garden you may eat, except….  The full expression of their “offence” was not merely “transgression” and violating the “letter of the law;” the pair did not acknowledge and respond to divine love with acceptance, respect, and trust.

For this reason, there is a new conversation shared by believers in Jesus Christ that centers upon sinners receiving a fresh endowment of the inseparable sacred substances from the makeup of GOD that were imparted to Adam (the divine name given both the male and female).  Included are faith, holiness, hope, joy, longsuffering, lovingkindness, wisdom, and wrath against sin.  Multiple sacred operations now must be completed that will allow mankind to exist as a companion to GOD, who must remain immortal, incorruptible, and invisible except as revealed in the person of Jesus Christ.

The account of Jacob that appears in the Bible goes a long way in illustrating the sacred truths that are here:  At a time when Esau was hungry, and felt he was starving to death, Jacob had already gotten his twin brother to “sell” for a bowl of beans his birthright and legal status as the firstborn and heir to Isaac.  Urged by his mother, Jacob then used deceit and guile (trickery) to steal the only sacred blessing Isaac could give as the heir of Abraham and true caretaker of mankind’s inheritance from GOD.  When Esau discovered how he had been deprived of his future under GOD, he swore to kill Jacob as soon as his father was dead.  His mother counseled Jacob to flee for his life, and to hide in the home of her brother.  On his way there, Jacob made camp for the night, and had a dream that was sent to him by GOD where he saw angels going up and down a ladder.  When he awakened he was filled with awe (the fear of the Lord), and he offered—where GOD would protect him, and prosper him in the way he would go—he would acknowledge the GOD of his father as his own GOD.  Like many of us today, Jacob did not recognize any connection between the birthright, his father’s blessing, his salvation from death at the hand of his brother (Cain and Abel), and the dream of revelation.  Even so, the principle, here, is that only on the basis of specific conditions, promises and their own works can the sons of Adam and Abraham enter into personal relationship with GOD.

Of course, there is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, through Jesus Christ sinners now may become the offspring (sons and daughters) of GOD, and joint-heirs with Jesus, the Son of the Highest.  As the children of GOD believers must display commitment, discernment, and responsiveness to the active presence who is GOD (we say, the imparted, indwelling Spirit) through their lifestyle and daily routine.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

 

(09/05/2014) A Kingdom Now and One To Come?

Government by GOD, divine hierarchy, and political order are topics, today.  A “Yahoo! Answers” fighter using the ID “Grey Tower” (Level 7 with 132,287 points, since July 13, 2007) posted the following:

 

Christians, do you REALLY believe God’s Kingdom will come? If so, how so? 

Update : Reason I ask is because a Jehovah’s Witness has just answered this question, but the asker has me blocked, so I can’t respond. Sunshine, feel free to answer this question (because I don’t have you blocked).

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran.  And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep.  And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven:  and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.  And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac:  the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;  And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south:  and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.  And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.  And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not.  And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.  And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it.  (Genesis 28:  10-18, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Prince of Peace? (07/18/2014); Separation of Church and State (07/04/2014); The Point of Wisdom? (07/05/2014); The Ruler Of the Earth? (05/01/2014); Parables About the Kingdom? (05/02/2014); Loving Someone Unseen? (05/03/2014); Hierarchy (11/14/2013); The Benefit of Law? (11/15/2014); The Crux of the Matter (10/26/2012); Women Ordained to Minister? (10/27/2012)

 

“Grey Tower”, here are a few points to consider that have been important to many Christian believers:

(1.)  The familiar idea and language of “kingdom” is used to simply describe eternal operations of divinity that have place as existence, and the active will of GOD.  By ascribing awareness and will to GOD, we are able to speak of the Almighty as having such features as intellect, person, and purpose.  Such functions and roles may then appear as Creator, Father, Judge, Maker, Ruler, and Sovereign.

(2.)  GOD is a spirit who has put forth created beings and living creatures, the spheres of life (e.g., earth, heaven, the universe), the conditions for their growth, interaction and survival as well as the conditions for their termination.  The expressed will of GOD appears as sacred law that establishes the divine order that governs and maintains the universe.

(3.)  Political order is a tool established among mankind (we say, by the world) expressing a mix of carnal, emotional, psychological, social, and spiritual concepts.  Divine hierarchy (we also say, courses, degrees, rank) is different from political order, because it pertains to ones sacred content and eternal purpose (i.e., how you have been fashioned, why you exist).  Ones place in hierarchy tends to be a fixed condition that can not be changed through self-promotion.  Hierarchy is a tool used by GOD both in heaven, and upon the earth.

(4.)  For mankind aspects of divine government center in admonitions and warnings, sacred law, divine counsel and guidance, property management (we say, ownership), and judgment (i.e., resolution of conflicts and the settlement of disputes through law).  In addition to contracts for adoption, marriage and covenant relationship, there also are regulation of dynasty and inheritance as well as development of consensus and unity.

There is far more to be said, correctly understood, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (5.)  Using the finite human frameworks of time and space, we may say, a kingdom of GOD now exists, and there is a better, greater kingdom on its way.  However, correctly understood, the kingdom is an eternal, yet, organic and unchanging spiritual condition.  The perfected kingdom will be like a living entity that breathes, and increases or diminishes perpetually.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(09/22/2012) The Spirit by Measure

      Today, topics include whether or not GOD “hates” homosexuality, what it means to be “children of GOD,” and the view that we must “have GOD’s spirit” within us. Also, there is more on contradictions found in the Bible. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “Taylor” (Level 5 with 7,350 points, a member since March 18, 2011) posted the following:

Why do christians say we arnt all Gods children, we dont all have Gods spirit?

I chat in religious rooms on yahoo Messenger and according to some of the christians ive met on there im going to hell for being gay. they said im not a child of God and i don’t have Gods spirit. but I don’t agree with those assertions. I think we are all children of God and that we all have Gods spirit within us and I dont think God hates homosexuality. two of them said I have no authority to talk about the bible because im bisexual and not perfectly and holy like them lol basically.

THE BATTLE AXE: Contradictions (09/21/2012)—In the same way the holy angels ascend and descend upon Jacob’s ladder, believers in Jesus go up and down through levels of service and understanding guided by the holy writings. The Bible is received as “an evidence of things unseen”, and is not alone as a guide for being in right relationship with GOD. Divine supply to mankind includes the recorded examples from earlier men and women of faith; the service of apostles and prophets; the life and ministry of Christ; the sacred truth as expressed in the life of present day clergy and believers; and ones own anointing through the imparted, indwelling spirit from GOD. Testimonies presented in the Scriptures do not have to be exact quotes and historical accounts, or the same, precise statements of truth from chapter to chapter, and book to book. However, taken together, the writings are to “corroborate” and be in harmony supporting one another as revelation of divine purpose. Those who insist the Bible is tainted by humanity, or filled with factual errors, generally go out of their way to discover problems and find fault. As a result, they often, fail to acknowledge that what the Scriptures have given operates as defining truth that must be accepted for understanding of all else that follows. Consider again how, in arithmetic and mathematics, children are introduced to “one plus one is two,” and meaning for a point and a line are established at first as “givens.” Only later are logical arguments stated as assumptions, propositions and corollaries that supply a procedural proof and validity for the concepts. Don’t spend any more time seeking to find scriptural infirmity and weakness. It truly is a device of the Adversary, a distraction from prayerful study, and a foil intended to foster spiritual confusion. Such narrow focus and nitpicking characterizes those who make such arguments that, where Paul rebukes “Cephas” (not “Peter”), the apostle challenges his primacy as head of the Church, and so the two names, Peter and Cephas, cannot refer to the same person. (The deadly poison hidden here includes division on the basis of whether the Pope is rightful successor to the one man named by Jesus.) Meanwhile, mature believers accept that Christ alone is head of the body.

THE GOLDEN ARROW: He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all. And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony. He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3: 31-36, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Gospel not Logical? (09/16/2012); Father Forgive (09/06/2012); Yet If I Judge (09/05/2012); Sin Without Wrongdoing? (08/28/2012); The Young Less Religious? (08/18/2012); Wrong to Love? (08/17/2012)
    

     Be encouraged as you consider this understanding that has been shared with me: All created beings and living creatures were to contain a full measure of the divine spirit that was breathed forth (i.e., exhaled, imparted, uttered) during their initial Creation. Where angels, and then humans, operated in self-will influenced by sin, instead of the will of Almighty GOD, the measure of divine spirit in the living, and the integrity and power of human will, became corrupted and defiled; and, from generation to generation has continued to diminish and lessen. For humans, death is the primary provision of GOD that can stop corruption from sin; for angels there must be termination in the lake of fire. Even so, salvation by GOD through Jesus Christ (repentance, death and rebirth), can both stop and reverse the various processes of corruption in a person’s life, including that begun through the sin of Eve and Adam.
 
      The force and purity of human will has continued to decay since the transgression that occurred in Eden. The resource that was needed then—that GOD would have been present in full majesty—now is supplied through a greater measure of the spirit imparted from GOD, that was “purchased”, so to speak, for mankind at the Cross. Through the Holy Spirit, the nature and person of GOD are deposited within believers, who obey the Gospel. There is an infusion of divine will (we say “anointing”, “endowment”, “unction”, “divine DNA”) along with such sacred substance as faith, forgiveness, holiness, humility, longsuffering, love, mercy, righteousness, wisdom, and wrath against sin. (Keep in mind that, as the actual being of GOD, these sacred substances are inseparable; where one is found, all appear.)

      There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, self-will and human consciousness may be dominated by appetite (e.g., hunger, thirst, sexual craving), sensation (e.g., hearing, seeing, tasting, touching) and faculties of mind (e.g., fantasy, forgetting, imagination, memory). Together, these are called “the flesh.” Mastery over the flesh is typically sought using the intellect, logic and rational mind. Following the flesh, mankind is blind and totally unable to recognize when sin—a “foreign”, non-human, outside influence—is present, and altering their attitudes, conduct, goals, and motives. Divine law has been given to assist mankind in realizing when sin is active along with the holy writings, the lives and testimonies of the apostles and prophets, the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus, the examples of parents, spouses, children, clergy, and other men and women of faith, as well as the imparted, indwelling spirit from GOD, the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Truth.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC