(05/13/2013) Must We Really Die?

Whether or not death is inevitable and unavoidable is the topic, today. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “Stephen” (Level 1 with 132 points, a member since April 20, 2013) posted the following:

Do we really have to die?

Do you ever think about death? Do you ever fear falling asleep that you won’t wake up? Why? Why do we go about worrying about our short 80-some years of life? Why if we were only meant for some 80 years would we think of living forever? Why is there so much to do but so little time? Why is eternity on our hearts? Could it be that there is something else beyond death? If so how do we know how we can get eternal life? Why is our conscience always telling us right from wrong? How does it know? How does it know lying, stealing, torture of others, unequal rights, hitting people,etc. Is wrong? Could it possibly be getting it’s info from somewhere like a Devine being? I know I disobeyed this law embeded inside of me so eternal life probobly isn’t an option. Who will save me? What Devine being can save me from not making it into eternal life? Was there already one that came? Tell me!

THE GOLDEN ARROW: All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. (1st Corinthians 15: 39-49, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Death Has Been Transformed (05/09/2013); Loving the Enemy? (05/10/2013); What’s The Way Out? (04/20/2013); Kindness to Mary? (04/21/2013); Suddenly Absent, Suddenly Present? (03/31/2013); A Family Affair? (04/01/2013)

Yes, Stephen, in the same way we have to get wet when splashed by water. Here are some points you might find helpful that agree with Christian belief, and are in line with doctrines and teachings contained within the Bible:

(1.) Mortality as a material and physical condition in the natural world for the continued being of humankind is completed and finished only through the second death (called, being cast into the lake of fire), translation (called walking with GOD, and being lifted up) or transformation described as change that takes place during the divine harvesting of the earth (called the putting on of immortality and incorruption).

(2.) The fact of death does not have to be emotionally and psychologically overwhelming. Christians trust that they are receiving divine comfort, edification (i.e., being built up, strengthened) as well as preparation by and for bereavement through the death of their loved ones now along with multiple sacred promises and proclamations (we say prophecy) that reveal divine intent.

(3.) The possibility of eternal life is established as an aspect of divine revelation whereby GOD makes divinity known, visible, and understandable to created beings and living creatures. Existence within the universe of GOD is shown to embrace more than simply life and death. (Many things exist that do not have life.) Many dimensions of being must come into view including capacity for affiliation, consciousness, duration, and purpose.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) Restoration of life to those once dead occurs as revival (raising the dead, reanimation) and resurrection. The holy writings describe resurrection as a device to further establish the righteousness of divine judgment. See again 1st Corinthians 15: 50-57 and 1st Thessalonians 4: 13-18, KJV.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(05/09/2013) Death Has Been Transformed

Whether or not believers are required to die on the cross is the topic, today. Also, there is more on Jesus rebuking the storm. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using ID “Ken” (Level 1 with 182 points, a member since May 1, 2013) posted the following:

Why does Jesus require all of us die on the cross?

That’s what my pastor says. If I gotta, I gotta.

THE BATTLE AXE: Commanding the Storm? (05/08/2013)—(5.) In order to fulfill prophecy and further implement the promises of GOD, Jesus reproduced, improved upon, and portrayed many actions and events from the lives of earlier patriarchs, prophets and kings. Included were acts of covenant, deliverance, exorcism, fasting, healing, power over aspects of the natural world, prayer, submission, and spiritual surrender. The Savior’s rebuke of storms compares to Moses, Joshua, Elijah, and Elisha opening the Red Sea, and going over the Jordan River on dry ground (see Exodus 14: 21 and 2nd Kings 2: 1-15, KJV). In the same way Moses demonstrated authority from GOD calling water from a rock, and instructing them regarding the gift of manna as a food for the covenant people, Jesus fed thousands to clarify his authority to forgive sins, raise the dead, and to establish eternal life through priesthood and judgment (see John 4: 46-54, Luke 5: 18-26, Hebrews 7: 24-26 and John 6: 1-71, KJV).

THE GOLDEN ARROW: Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1st Corinthians 15: 50-57, King James Version)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Magical Resurrection? (03/20/2013); Eat His Body, Drink His Blood (03/21/2013); Foolish For Not Believing? (03/22/2013); Life and Death (09/26/2012); Mob Rule and Violence (09/27/2012); The Divine Tool of Death (08/11/2012)

Ken, I trust you will agree, there are many things that must fit together for us to understand all that GOD is accomplishing through the Incarnation, the death, the resurrection, and eternal ministry of Jesus Christ as Risen Lord. Please consider the following points:

(1.) In the same way our existence within a natural order continues to require that people get wet when standing in the rain, all mankind and believers in salvation from GOD through Christ also continue to meet natural demands for change that include aging, decay, forgetting, sickness, and decease. 
 
(2.) The existence of mankind within the divine order that generates created beings and living creatures has been altered by the process of sin. Sin first appeared among the holy angels, who are spirit beings. In their creation, the angels were made finished (we say, perfect) in terms of their capabilities, living process, and sacred content. The angels and sacred beasts of heaven were not made subject to death, and the fear of termination. Even so, in the heaven, only GOD is immortal.

(3.) Death was introduced as a divine tool to make visible the direction, effect, and presence of sin. The existence of mankind was made temporal (i.e., of limited duration); and the completion of our condition as mortal is called “death.” Sin has not been created by GOD, and contains no spirit substance as do all things made by GOD, including mankind. Sin may dominate self-will in created beings and living creatures; however, sin cannot influence the will of GOD.

(4.) Through the birth, ministry, sufferings, death and resurrection of Jesus, the meaning and power of death for mankind has been reconfigured and transformed. Spiritual reality and truth are clarified and established revealing death as temporal, and a necessary stage for mankind to be made immortal and incorruptible.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (5.) To acquire and experience the benefits intended for mankind, believers must become aware of Christ as the controlling aspect within their own person. In that sense, they become one with the Son, and through him, with the Father. Death is then described as an aspect of spiritual meaning with rebirth from divine content (we say, holy DNA). There then must be further sacred process including repentance and sanctification. Human will becomes armored against sin, where men once were incapable of detecting or resisting sin.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(03/24/2013) How To Love GOD?

Developing spiritual love, and more on the value of law and science are topics, today. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using ID “Wimean” (Level 2 with 798 points, a member since January 18, 2013) posted the following:

How can I love god..?

THE BATTLE AXE: Science and the Laws of Nature? (03/23/2013)—The value of natural laws and science are called into question by many Christian believers, because those who lack faith mistakenly attribute greater authority to these products of mankind than to GOD, our Creator. As a result, natural law and science may be seen as idols, and man-made devices that promote defiance, ignorance, irreverence, false worship and unbelief. As was found with the covenant of Moses, where knowledge (science) or law is taken to be the ultimate good and an end in itself, these tools are not rightly applied as a means to higher purpose and correct sacred relationship. Conflicts, limitations and shortcomings of the law may become an obstacle to full realization of truth. The righteousness intended by the law may be lost through a focus upon its letter, rather than its spirit. The covenant of Moses was not “bad” or wrong, yet, a better covenant had to be supplied (see Hebrews 8: 1-13 and Hebrews 12: 18-29, KJV). Similarly, natural law and science are not “bad” or wrong within their limited sphere of application; and a better system of experience and knowing are demanded to explain the origins of life and the fullness of such sacred process as death, rebirth, resurrection, sanctification, and eternal life.

THE GOLDEN ARROW: No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also. (1st John 4: 12-21, King James Version)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: My Sheep Hear My Voice (03/08/2013); Wanting To Have Our Way (03/09/2013); Our Need for a Son (03/04/2013); The Love of GOD (03/03/2013); Love in Christ (10/23/2012); Escape from Racism (10/24/2012); Wrong To Love? (08/17/2012); The Young Less Religious? (08/18/2012); Unconditional Love (03/28/2012); On Properly Setting Our Sights (03/29/2012)

Wimean, here are some thoughts you and your readers may find helpful:

Where men and women (boys and girls) fail to develop their human potential to embrace others as a dimension of the Self, they continue to exist and operate only through their animal nature. Combativeness, defensiveness, self-awareness and self-promotion dominate human consciousness through the peculiar mechanisms of the flesh. Included are appetite (e.g., hunger, thirst, craving for sexual climax), sense experience (e.g., hearing, seeing, tasting, touching) and mental functions (e.g., fantasy, fear, imagination, recall, projection). Along with other temporal elements that frequently and quickly come and go (such as affection, anger and other emotions, lust and passion), the flesh breaks-off awareness of divinity that is generated from within ones inner spirit provided through Creation.

Love for GOD, who is a spirit, can only be accomplished as an operation of the spirit from GOD that has been deposited into created beings and living creatures. Love is never merely a product of the body and the mind. (Even what we call “making love” is not just a physical or mental act; at the same time, there are emotional, psychological and spiritual events taking place.) Because love is an expression of the whole person, the commitment of body and mind are also important to any full and sincere expression of love.

Showing love for GOD may be thought of as beginning when a person expands their spiritual awareness, and prepares for direct encounter with GOD by first learning about GOD through accounts and experiences of others. Here, the Bible is invaluable along with the personal testimonies of living believers in the church. Obedience and persistence in practicing and performing those things that are recorded as commanded by, and pleasing to GOD, are recognized by most believers as expressions of love toward GOD. Included here are charitable giving, praise, prayer, prophesying, truth-speaking, and unselfish service.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, when love is properly understood as the goal of benefiting another without seeking payment or reward for oneself, obedience is clearly seen as one of the highest aspects of love, for to obey is to put aside ones own will to carry out the will of another. Similarly, sacrifice, sharing and suffering pertain to love; and in Jesus Christ we see the multiple demonstrations of perfected love.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(03/23/2013) Science and the Laws of Nature?

Topics, today, include laws of nature, science, and the World. Also, there is more on why disbelief is foolish. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using ID “David G” (Level 5 with 8,424 points, a member since August 25, 2007) posted the following:

Is it true that God created nature’s laws, such as gravity?

THE BATTLE AXE: Foolish For Not Believing? (03/22/2013)—Given the enormous benefit that may be gained, or the horrible loss that must be endured on the basis of one having or lacking right relationship with GOD, no truly intelligent person fails to investigate thoroughly for themselves the claims of GOD in Christ. People are accounted as foolish when not believing GOD, because the Divine Person maybe experienced as perfect in relationship, righteousness, and truth. The sacred motive of GOD to extend being and substance to mankind can be discovered, and correctly apprehended; and it may be known with certainty that in him there is no darkness at all. When speaking of atheism, disbelief and spiritual confusion, the word “foolish” is used to describe a broad mix of self-destructive attitudes, behaviors, character flaws and weaknesses. Included are arrogance, carelessness, ignorance, immaturity, imprudence, inattentiveness, indecisiveness, laziness, negligence, presumption, pride, recklessness, rigidity, sloppiness, slothfulness, and stubbornness.

THE GOLDEN ARROW: If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. (1st Timothy 6: 3-5, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Dispatch 25: Comparing Spiritual Things (09/04/2011); Mankind’s World? (11/20/2010); For Our Sins? (11/21/2010); Things? (11/13/2010); Mealtime Grace (11/14/2010)

Most mature Christian believers hold that the many cycles, patterns, regularities and relationships that exist within the material context of human reality, in fact, have place as aspects of divine Creation. The World, a system describing the emotional, psychological, and social frameworks for human living, is man-made. The heaven and the earth have been created by GOD as an expression of divine being, eternal presence, and sacred purpose. However, the World has been created by mankind as an expression of human makeup, a tool for acquiring, exchanging, and replenishing resources, and an array of related devices to ensure human survival. Included are agriculture, finance, education, history, language, politics, science, and technology.

The process of the World relies heavily upon measuring, observing, recording, counterfeiting, and manipulating things created by GOD. Among the various goals of science is that mankind have detailed knowledge of the biosphere and environment wherein we experience our lives. While the aims of science also include being able to control, influence and predict the behavior of objects and continuing events, present human makeup will never allow mankind to “create something from nothing,” or bestow life upon any object totally void of organic substance.

The work of science that centers upon the discovery and statement of laws to describe nature uses such methods and materials as demographics, experimentation to test hypotheses, forecasting, population sampling, statistical analysis, and theory-building. Two of the most important issues are that (1) findings from science must be reliable (i.e., others who use the same approach, materials, etc. must obtain the same outcomes), and conferences, mass media, and other tools must be in place for dissemination (i.e., spreading new ideas, results from studies, etc.).

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, the divine spirit that presently exists within created beings and living creatures is also identified and documented using aspects of what is called the “scientific method.” Like the wind that cannot be seen, or tasted, and itself makes no sound yet is known by its action upon objects that are visible (e.g., a scrap of paper tossed, clouds being driven, trees bending), presence of the imparted, indwelling Spirit of Christ absolutely is known by the demonstrations of the church, and has been described in detail through the holy writings. Science insists upon denying the Spirit as a fit object for academic discussion and study, because there can be no control or manipulation of divinity. (So to speak, GOD may not come under science; science must come under GOD.) For, full and correct knowledge of GOD only comes by such divine operations as obedience, rebirth, repentance, trust, sanctification and submission to GOD.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC