(01/25/2017) Rulers Who Are Prophets?

 

Today, focus is on discernment to detect spokespersons from GOD among elected officials, rulers, and the people they serve.  (Did you spot the wolf among the sheep in the photo above?)  It is not unusual that heads of government make “forward-looking” public statements intended to describe possible events and their outcomes, yet, that are intended in no way to be statements of commitment, foreknowledge, “hard fact,” proclamations of faith and private belief, or sacred promises that are to be carried out and fulfilled by GOD.  Their announcements and comments may be more to provide admonition, affirmation, assurances, encouragement, instruction, and practical guidance.  Only those having the imparted, indwelling Spirit of GOD will speak openly in the authority of the divine name, and operate as spokespersons sent by divinity.  The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers (Philippines)” using the ID “BOOM” (Level 5 with 5,913 points, a member since March 27, 2007) posted the following:

 

The Bible says beware of false prophets. Is donald trump a false prophet?

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.  But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,  Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.  And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also.  Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.  And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.  For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.  And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.  And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.  But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest:  for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.  (Luke 6:  26-35, King James Version, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Installing The New President (01/20/2017); When the Donkey Speaks? (11/03/2016); Called To Be Servants? (11/25/2015); The Spirit of Truth? (02/11/2015); Malachi (01/02/2015); Doing GOD’s Plan (02/20/2014); “Prayer Death”? (02/21/2014)

“BOOM”, Donald Trumpet is to be respected as the 45th President of the United States of America, and true American citizens will perform their duties acknowledging this.  For many people the key to recognizing counterfeit currency is not being familiar with the many alterations that may appear on false bills; instead, it is having a correct knowledge of the “legal tender” that comes by its regular use.  Similarly, for Christian believers, the key to recognizing and responding to authentic prophets from GOD is having sound “sacred knowledge” acquired through fellowship with divinely anointed believers (i.e. those whose spirit content has been nourished, tested, and made stable), through praise, prayer, hearing the Gospel preached, sacrifice and unselfish service, regular study of the holy writings, and through the  endurance of suffering.  At some point, every elected official, leader, or head of state must energize their citizens or community with goals, objectives, action plans, and a “vision” that establishes a sense of accountability, continuity, direction, energy, opportunity, possibility, and lasting value.  Just as government administrators and rulers do not “predict” the future, yet, provide “forward-looking” secular tools such as five-, ten-, and twenty-year budgets with schedules for the completion of various public works, divinely sent prophets do not predict the future.  As spokespersons for divinity, they share the revelation of character, nature, and substance for the Creator that has been repeatedly bestowed since the beginning.  Christians are not alarmed when leaders seek to share ideas that are optimistic or speak about things yet unseen.  Such speakers do  does not automatically contradict and oppose the law of GOD, the shared hope commanded to believers, or the many sacred proclamations, promises, and prophecies.  Believers are confident that deceivers, “false prophets” and imposters can be detected, counteracted, overcome, resisted, and repelled.  What they produce as their “fruit” will be clearly seen as counterfeits, distortions, errors, false teachings, omissions, and spiritual confusion.  Consider the following:

(1.)  Matthew 7:  13-17, King James Version (KJV):  13 Enter ye in at the strait gate:  for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:  14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.  15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.  16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?  17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

(2.)  Matthew 24:  24-27, KJV:  24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.  25 Behold, I have told you before.  26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth:  behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.  27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (3.)  1st John 4:  1-6, KJV:  1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God:  because many false prophets are gone out into the world.  2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God:  Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:  3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God:  and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.  4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them:  because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.  5 They are of the world:  therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.  6 We are of God:  he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

 

 

(02/21/2014) “Prayer Death”?

Today, I share some points (below) on faith healing, and recent media reports on what is being called a second “prayer death.”  (A Pennsylvania couple worshiping as Pentecostal believers, who are the parents of seven remaining children, were already serving out their sentence in a 10-year probation for the death of their two-year old.  They now have been sentenced as guilty of third degree murder regarding the death from treatable pneumonia in their eight-month old child.)  Additionally, there is more on doing GOD’s plan.  As my regular readers should now know, I operate in no formal role as clergy, have no ambition to start a new church, no desire to be a “religious celebrity,” or any intention of exercising authority over other believers.  Christ is sufficient for all; and it is the force of truth that establishes all sovereignty.  In the conviction of a disciple and an ordinary believer, then, I minister from the truths acquired from my own experiences of healing, continuous study, and duty as a joint-heir with Christ—as all other responsible believers are challenged to do.

 

THE BATTLE AXE:  Doing GOD’s Plan (02/20/2014)—Believers are all given a new and better way to “think about it,” where judgment against Judas is the natural consequence of sin within his makeup, and the love, power and eternal purposes of GOD are clarified, and revealed to be righteousness.  Foreknowledge and intellect within created beings and living creatures may derive from operations of their appetite (e.g., hunger, thirst, craving for sexual contact), their senses (e.g., hearing, seeing, tasting, touching), and their mental functions (e.g. fantasy, imagination, recall).  The many events in nature appear as predictable, because they regularly occur as part of a familiar cycle or series.  Awareness and information on sacred events and divine operations all come as aspects of divinity, life essence (we say, Spirit) and utterance (we say, the word).  Included are praise, prayer, proclamations, promises, and prophecy.  Judas did not obey (i.e., put aside ones own will to carry out the will of another, the will of the community expressed in law, or the will of GOD incarnate as Jesus Christ); nor did he make an unselfish sacrifice of himself for others.  At best, Judas offered himself to an idol, a human tradition of covetousness, error, and presumption.  See again Matthew 15:  1-14, Colossians 2:  6-9 and Acts 1:  12-26, KJV.

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging.  And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.  And many charged him that he should hold his peace:  but he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me.  And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called.  And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.  And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.  And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?  The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.  And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.  (Mark 10:  47-52, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Why Christians Pray for Others (01/12/2014); GOD is Jesus? (01/13/2014); Miracles are Sacred Events (12/20/2013); Resisting Sin (12/21/2013); Naaman the Leper (12/21/2012); Did Jesus Know? (12/22/2012)

 

(1.)  Nothing is Impossible.  For GOD, nothing is impossible; yet all things are in accordance with sacred law, in agreement with eternal purpose, in keeping of divine order, and upon condition.  For created beings and living creatures, all things of their existence are in accordance with divine imperatives, finite limits, and the operations of spiritual truth. See Matthew 19:  23-30 and Mark 14:  32-39, KJV.

(2.)  Defiance of Civil Law.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ does not instruct believers to behave as a “law unto themselves”; to be hostile toward, ignore, or neglect the demands of civil government, the bond and entity whereby an aggregate of people may operate as a legal corporation and commonwealth.  In fact, government is upheld as a mechanism from GOD for the benefit of all who must be comforted, corrected, instructed, nourished and protected.  Included are children, spouses, the members within congregations and communities of faith.  See Romans 13:  1-10, KJV.

(3.)  Intercession by the Body.  Even where everyone assembled in the crowds who came to Jesus did not offer prayers for healing while Jesus was ministering, we may assume all the disciples and apostles did so.  Following the example of the world, believers often hold that decisions about, diet, foods and health are personal, and private.  As a result, they deny their obligation to the body, the community of faith, and the community at large.  They do not properly apply the truth that blessings and divine interventions are supplied to address the needs of all in covenant; to continue and complete divine operations; and to fulfill divine promise, establish prophecy, and implement eternal purpose.  Members are not to be cut off, or isolated as though their need is merely one of me-myself-and-I.  Therefore, the Scriptures command that, believers request anointing, intercessory prayers, laying on of hands, and other support that comes from the elders and leaders of their assembly.  Accountability is to be corporate.  See James 5:  13-16, KJV.

(4.)  Knowledge of the Right Way.  Healings and miracles appeared as operations of divinity (the Scriptures say, virtue, and we say, the Holy Spirit) that resided within Jesus.  Many, who in fact have received gifts from the Holy Spirit, mistakenly assume they have all the same virtue that was in the Lord.  However, like the disciples and apostles, they may still be ignorant of divine operations.  Saying this another way:  Childlike and simple faith is not the same as collective, experienced, mature faith, and the faith that results by long practice and repeated confirmation.  Many believers are unaware of the sacramental practices associated with healing, and have been provided little formal instruction on how to obtain relief by prayer.  There is no fixed formula, or single prayer that may be relied upon to always result in immediate healing.  In this sense, each case is unique; and, alone, every believer goes about to “reinvent the wheel.”  There can be no certainty or confidence in what believers are able to do; the certainty is primarily that GOD is able to hear, and answer.  See Numbers 15:  30, Psalms 19:  12-13 and Mark 9:  14-29, KJV.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (5.)  Outcomes of Sin.  Healing is not provided to continue and fortify sin.  Focused upon the flesh, many miss the connections and subtleties (barely visible differences; hidden truths) of judgment that also appear with sickness.  The Scriptures report that King David—who wore the ephod offering sacrifice as a priest, and uttered proclamations and prophecy as a spokesperson for GOD—fasted and prayed that the life of his sick child be spared.  The best doctors within the household of the king were most likely consulted.  However, the child would have been an offspring from David’s adultery with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite.  Despite David’s personal fasting, tears, and humiliation by sackcloth and ashes, the child was taken away; and the house of David would endure the wrath of GOD against sin for many generations.  See 2nd Samuel 12:  1-23, KJV.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.  But there is a spirit in man:  and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.  Great men are not always wise:  neither do the aged understand judgment.  Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion.  (Job 32:  7-10, KJV)

 

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(02/20/2014) Doing GOD’s Plan?

Accountability, foreknowledge, free will, and Judas are topics, today, along with more on snake handling.  The “Yahoo! Answers” writer using ID “heart” (Level 6 with 15,519 points, a member since November 24, 2007) posted the following:

 

Wasn’t Judas just doing God’s plan?

ok follow me please..Judas. He betrayed Jesus then killed himself. Jesus KNEW that was going to happen (him hanging himself, then Jesus being imprisoned and crucified) but that’s what was supposed to happen right? I mean if you think about it, Judas sacrificed his life like Jesus did because someone had to betray Jesus in order for him to go on the cross to die for everyone’s sins right??

 

THE BATTLE AXE:  Snake Handling? (02/19/2014)—Prophetic demonstrations are a series of actions and nonverbal presentations used by a spokesperson from GOD to proclaim a divine message, and may use gestures, movements, objects arranged in patterns, and symbols in the place of words.  Miracles and signs are sacred events performed by GOD, and through operations of the Holy Spirit, and are not continuing and regularly scheduled sacred practices of men.  Also, Faith cometh  by hearing, and hearing by the word of GOD.  Thus, apart from the word, snake handling is no different than snake charming (a natural process of the material world), and at its best is only a “good work” that can not serve as the foundation of ones salvation.  Miracles and signs do not edify (build up) as do sacred law and prophecy.  Demonstrations of boldness and confidence that oppose the natural order may increase doubt, fear, and uncertainty without also imparting spirit content from Christ.  Where there is no word from GOD, there should be no confirmation that follows.  See Deuteronomy 13:  1-3, Psalms 78:  31-39, John 10:  36-38, Ezekiel 4:  1-17, Acts 28:  1-6, Matthew 16:  1-4 and John 3:  11-12, King James Version.

 

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, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Resisting Sin (12/21/2013); When People Covet (12/22/2013); Freewill is Finite (06/30/2013);  GOD Intervenes? (07/01/2013); GOD Knows Tomorrow? (04/12/2013); Did Jesus Know? (12/22/2012); The True Miracle (12/23/2012)

 

“heart”, here are a few points to consider that agree with Christian belief, and fit with the full system that makes up the Gospel:

(1.)  Divine foreknowledge of human events pertain to the operations of GOD among created beings and living creatures, and to the fulfillment of eternal purpose.  It works the same way all Americans now know a new President will be chosen on a specific Tuesday, in November of a forthcoming year, and may determine exactly when by looking at their calendars, yet, have no knowledge of actual details on whom the Nation’s choice will be (e.g., age, eye color, height, marital status, name, party affiliation) until that time.

(2.)  Angels are not mortal, are not omniscient (all-knowing), and may only decide the future as do men, by establishing consequences and effects from their actions and choices.  Only GOD who is a spirit  is immortal, incorruptible and unchanging.  Believers may speak of the foreknowledge of GOD as an aspect of divine will (specifically intent, law, purpose, the sanctions of the law), proclamation, and prophecy.  In this sense, Adam knew death would come upon mankind before the pair laid eyes upon the fruit; and Jesus knew both mankind, and all the things he must do to fulfill his ministry.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (3.)  Foolish men and angels lacking necessary endowments from GOD, insist upon a “free will” that allows disruption of divine order, the annulling of GOD’s will, and the termination of their own existence as an aspect of the divine person revealed.  The many non-negotiable conditions for mankind’s continued awareness and being as created include being cold in snow, and wet in rain.  There is no free will; and the plans of any to set aside divine love, final judgment, and sacred truth only come by lack of imparted spirit content from GOD.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

 

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC