(04/28/2013) Destroyed in Noah’s Flood?

      The destruction wrought on earth through Noah’s flood is today’s topic. Also, there is more on repentance before resurrection. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using ID “Clorox” (Level 1 with 102 points, a member since April 25, 2013) posted the following:

What happened to plants when Noah’s Ark was floating above the Flood?

Did they drown and how did they get reborn, like trees and things?

THE BATTLE AXE: Repentance Must Come Before Resurrection (04/27/2013)—(7.) The focus of final judgment is not placing blame and finding fault; and neither is the punishment or the recovery of sinners. Judgment is the further revelation of GOD whereby the full extent of divine righteous is made known and visible as unchanging and eternal truth. (8.) Every one appears before GOD in judgment already sealed. In addition to the mark of the beast that many will receive as the result of their own human choices, men also become sealed through persistent anger, covetousness, envy, fear, lust, pride and violence. Once fixed in their spirit content, created beings and living creatures can no longer receive the repentance from their sins that must come by operation of the imparted, indwelling spirit of Christ. The regular processes of carnal living continue (e.g., aging, decay, growing older); however, possibilities for spiritual life such as baptism, rebirth, regeneration and sanctification are completely cut off. The major sealing events include apostasy (i.e., backsliding, falling away), blasphemy of the Holy Ghost, denying forgiveness to others, rejecting the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and physical death. Only those immortal, incorruptible, and having the seal of GOD will be allowed to enter or abide within the New Jerusalem.

THE GOLDEN ARROW: 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. And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. 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. 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. (Revelation 4: 1-4, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Noah, A Second Adam (03/25/2013); GOD Hiding in Plain Sight (03/26/2013); Put Every Man His Sword By His Side (01/01/2013); The Common Danger (01/02/2013); The “Lake of Mercy” (11/03/2012); New Covenant? (01/08/2011); Annulled? (01/09/2011); Lion of Judah (01/10/2011)

    
     Clorox, here are some ideas that mature Christian believers have found useful when considering the flood of Noah:

(1.) The judgment of GOD against sin upon the earth was to be demonstrated by the destruction of all containing the “breath of life.” Purging the earth from sin, and removing all sin within the earth requires multiple sacred operations such as the use of death, burial or return to the earth, absolution, re-birth, and resurrection. The ark constructed by Noah was intended as a storage chest, not a boat or sea-going vessel, and was to preserve and protect the remnant of created beings and living creatures from the earth as the vessels of sacred law, divine spirit, and holy word.

(2.) The mixing of waters (e.g., fresh, rain, running, salt and standing) rendered them foul, poisonous, polluted, and no longer capable of sustaining life. Fish and even such water plants as kelp and seaweed were overwhelmed in the flood.

(3.) The power and rush of the flood waters snapped tree trunks as twigs, tore trees up from the ground with their roots, and dashed them together. Once the ground was ripped open, the soil was loosed and torn in great chunks. Also, boulders and rocks were hurled like darts and missiles.

(4.) When Noah and his family finally left the ark, the world they saw was a world in ruin (much like what modern TV news reports show for the survivors of cyclones, earthquakes and tsunami). In addition to the confusion of crevices, rocks, and trees, cadavers and carcasses of the dead were all about.
    
     There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (5.) In view of the darkness and horror they were confronted by, Noah and his family were not discouraged or disheartened. They had been prepared by GOD. The hard work of building the ark had continued for some 120 years. The daily chores of tending animals had included removing their waste. They responded to the assignment of cleaning and rebuilding the earth with faith, hope and joy. More than this, the Invisible GOD gave Noah a sign whereby his active presence could be known and recognized, and one that would rejoice and uplift the hearts of all living: the rainbow.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(03/15/2013) On Titles and Respect

Continuing our prayers to encourage GOD’s blessing upon the church of Jesus Christ, the newly elected Pope Francis I, and all who serve as spiritual leaders in the earth, our topic today focuses on titles and respect shown to clergy and others. Also there is more on the eternal person of Christ. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using ID “Beyondthebox” (Level 4 with 3,948 points, a member since June 19, 2010) posted the following:

Although Jesus said, call NO man your father, teacher, rabbi?

( i’m pretty sure that includes guru, pastor and pope) sheeple will always insist on having a king to follow right?
Since sheeple insist on having to follow a king, don’t wish that the new pope will use his influence to promote kindness toward all, oppression of no one. genuine kindness doesn’t pick and choose?

THE BATTLE AXE: Before Abraham Was… (03/14/2013)—Just as the sudden removal of all plant life from the earth would result in a chain of destruction and upheaval, the sudden removal of all who are presently tainted by sin would cause disproportion and ripples of imbalance throughout the universe. The salvation of mankind is therefore carried out as an aspect of perfecting all that is. As the primary agent in the divine process, Christ who may be within all, also must be above all.

THE GOLDEN ARROW: Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country: And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise. But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him. When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen? (Matthew 21: 33-40, King James Version)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: My Sheep Hear My Voice (03/08/2013); Wanting to Have Our Way (03/09/2013); Idols of Flesh? (03/12/2012); The Work of Jesus (03/13/2012); Dispatch 45: Partakers (09/24/2011); Dispatch 42: Unprofitable Servants (09/21/2011); Why No Answer? (08/25/2012); To Be or Not To Be (08/26/2012); Respect? (01/02/2011); Not Accepted? (01/03/2011); Spirit or Word? (12/11/2010); Justification? (12/12/2010); Faith Forced? (12/13/2010)

The counsel of Jesus, to call no man on earth “Father”, is a warning against idolatry, and the promotion of clergy, family, and all temporal leaders as false gods. Eternal life and salvation from judgment against sin do not result from actions by created beings and living creatures operating apart from Almighty GOD. The flesh generates many devices and mechanisms that are distractions for the people of GOD, and will interfere with their pursuit of the Gospel. 
 
Mature Christian believers generally agree that those who are consecrated and sanctified for service to the church often have greater emotional, psychological and spiritual burdens placed upon them, for they are accountable to GOD, and under scrutiny within themselves and by the full assembly in ways that constitute continual (though not always correct and righteous) judgment. See 1st Timothy 3, King James Version.

Given that experience, gifts, skills and understandings of spiritual truth varies from person to person, it remains that there are many who are not prominent, yet may make unique contributions to a body of believers. Where such persons serve as clergy, cooperation, obedience and respect are to be shown their authority and service, even where their character, demeanor and personality do not make them likeable (see John 10: 36-38, 1st Timothy 5: 17-18, KJV).

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, the high standard of cooperation, mutual support and respect that should appear in the church is often called “love.” Even the lowliest servant within the household of GOD is not to be abused, insulted, mistreated, or obstructed in their work, or spiritual growth (see Matthew 18: 6, Luke 12: 42-38 and Romans 14: 4, KJV). Consider how this also might include both Death and Satan.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC