(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

 

(01/02/2017) The Firstborn of GOD

 

Today, language in the Bible is considered that speaks of Jesus Christ as begotten and firstborn.  Saying that Jesus was “first created” (i.e., the first created thing) would not be correct, because that suggests his existence had a beginning (i.e., that he is not eternal), and his active presence began through the same process as that for all Creation.  Included would be that for beasts, fowl, insects, and physical objects that were either crafted or spoken into being.  Divinity has no beginning or end, however, Christ is associated with the beginning and end of Creation as the First and the Last, the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the Ending.  The Son of the Highest (also called, the Word) was revealed and made visible as an aspect of the full GODhead by using various created forms and materials that had been fashioned by divinity, yet, could only exist as mortal and as having temporal duration.  Christ appears through unseen sacred process in order to be known using flesh and blood.  The writer at “Yahoo! Answers (India)” using the ID “Lesley” (Level 5 with 6,880 points, a member since July 23, 2014) posted the following:

 

What is the meaning of the Bible word “firstborn” in Colossians 1:15 regarding Jesus in light of Jeremiah 31:9?

Are we to understand “firstborn” as literally meaning the person who was the first to be born? And why doesn’t the Bible say Jesus was first created?

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.  And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?  And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.  And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.  And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not:  behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.  And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.  And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.  And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.  And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof:  for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;  And hast made us unto our God kings and priests:  and we shall reign on the earth.  (Revelation 5:  1-10, King James Version, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  The Meaning of Christmas? (12/22/2016); Blessing and Inheritance from Abraham? (06/05/2014); On Christians Executing Judgment (06/06/2014); Errors of King Solomon? (06/07/2014); Missing Information? (06/12/2013); The Firstborn, Higher than Kings? (12/18/2012); The Ascension of Christ? (12/19/2012)

 

“Lesley”, the standing and status as firstborn pertains to specific requirements in sacred law and covenant relationship as well as preeminence over all in existence.  Jesus Christ comes to mankind as that aspect of divinity that fulfills all the demands of divine law on behalf of all Creation.  For the mortal to be in relationship with the immortal, there must be several devices (e.g., longevity, promise, family, inheritance, dynasty) to maintain continuity and stability that can not be interrupted by death.  Jesus appears on the earth using flesh and form that have been created, yet, appears through direct, unseen operations of the Holy Spirit (we say, Incarnation).  In the same way, the Lord appears as the image of GOD, he also is destroyed upon the cross as the embodiment of sin.  The Savior lawfully represents every creature that is the first child born to their own mother, for the first child inherits accountability, benefits, duties, and “life conditions” that include being in relationship with Deity as an offering and sacrifice as well as their being servants, priests and kings.  So to speak, Jesus redeems a portion of all that exists and all who lives by himself being the required payment for all liens and fines against the living.  Things from the earth that belong to and are offered to GOD must be “sent” to him using fire upon an altar.  Not placed on the altar, they must be utterly destroyed, or made to be a living sacrifice through redemption.  Reuben was the first child born to Jacob; however, Ephraim, the son of Joseph, came out of Egypt, and was adopted with his older brother by his grandfather Jacob, who blessed and promoted the younger as the firstborn, indicating election by GOD, not simply carnal birth.  Consider again the following:

(1.)  Numbers 18:  15-17, King James Version (KJV):  15 Every thing that openeth the matrix in all flesh, which they bring unto the LORD, whether it be of men or beasts, shall be thine:  nevertheless the firstborn of man shalt thou surely redeem, and the firstling of unclean beasts shalt thou redeem.  16 And those that are to be redeemed from a month old shalt thou redeem, according to thine estimation, for the money of five shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, which is twenty gerahs.  17 But the firstling of a cow, or the firstling of a sheep, or the firstling of a goat, thou shalt not redeem; they are holy:  thou shalt sprinkle their blood upon the altar, and shalt burn their fat for an offering made by fire, for a sweet savour unto the LORD.

(2.)  Hosea 11:  1-4, KJV:  1 When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.  2 As they called them, so they went from them:  they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.  3 I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them.  4 I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them.

(3.)  Colossians 1:  17-19, KJV:  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;

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (4.)  Galatians 4:  1-7, KJV:  1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;  2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.  3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:  4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,  5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.  6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.  7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

 

(07/10/2016) Cultural, Political, Spiritual Growth?

Today, points are shared on how America and all its people must undergo continuous change that appears as development, learning, and growth.  As we receive correction, those of us who are wise also change.  With their people, nations rise or fall by responding to challenges, issues, and obstacles against their various routines for daily living.  A commonwealth or state must have at its core commitment to life, peace, progress and stability.  The justice of GOD as well as diversity, flexibility, integrity, and variety then can be seen as benefits that enrich the shared quality of life throughout the entire community.  For mature Christian believers, growth to full citizenship means embracing the best and highest values of an America that also gradually changes.  Commitment to the Nation is a further expression of agreement with the doctrine and teachings of the faith:  None of us are completely matured and spiritually perfected, yet; and we are to encourage, nourish, be patient with, and protect one another.  The gradual revelation of divine righteousness and truth call the living into accepting permanent and irreversible changes.  At the coming of Jesus to harvest those who are “ripe” from the earth the present ongoing transformation will be completed—in the twinkling of an eye.  Areas that now should display divine alteration, improvements, and increase include awareness of divine intent, commitment to eternal purposes, holy boldness, longsuffering, meekness, sacred knowledge, self discipline and self restraint.  The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Bobby” (Level 1 with 1 point, a member since March 10, 2012) posted the following:

 

Obama thinks that I’m a bitter religious fanatic because I believe that men should go to the men’s restroom and women to the women’s?

Isn’t it sad how much society has DEGENERATED that this is now controversial?

When I was a kid it wasn’t!

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  For the LORD hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God.  For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee.  In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.  For this is as the waters of Noah unto me:  for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee.  For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.  O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires.  And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones.  And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.  In righteousness shalt thou be established:  thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear:  and from terror; for it shall not come near thee.  Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me:  whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake.  Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy.  No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.  (Isaiah 54:  6-17, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Once We Know Better? (07/01/2016); Natural and Spiritual Law? (06/30/2016); About Other People’s Beliefs (06/22/2016); The Cross and Arbitrary Differences (06/17/2016); Sodom and Gomorrah Again? (05/30/2016); Where Society Is Headed? (01/11/2016); One Faith, One Lord? (09/26/2014); Healing is By Relationship? (09/27/2014)

 

“Bobby”, society has not degenerated so much as we have acquired greater secular knowledge, and are now being challenged to respond to issues and other Americans who have been ignored, overlooked, and rejected, yet, were calling for acknowledgment all the time.  Just as a child may receive status as a Christian by inheritance (i.e., by being born to Christian parents) and by their own water baptism that depicts death and burial of their inborn spirit, and rebirth from divine DNA, most of us are born into status as Americans.  Despite our being acknowledged as citizens, while we are minor children we are without full understanding of the cultural heritage, guiding principles, political process, and provisions by law that distinguish our Nation.  As surely as children must experience growth of their physical bodies and their inner spirit content, they also must acquire mature (i.e., balanced, complete, consistent, effective, productive, stable) understandings of the major ideas and values for prosperity, success, and survival within their family, their home, the larger society, and the world. 

Since the beginnings of our Nation, all Americans have not had the same depth and level of access, knowledge, or participation, regarding Democracy, civil rights, franchise, taxation, the three branches of America’s government, or voting rights.  There were many passionate debates and exchanges with adjustments in ones perception and position that finally resulted in the Declaration of Independence.  A goal was set and put into place that described achieving an ideal or perfect State; and, in effect, it was agreed, we may not make it, but our time won’t be wasted if we try (another leader of a revolution is credited with something similar, The journey of a thousand miles begins with one small step….). 

There is far more that could be said, must be carefully examined, and spiritually understood.  (For example, in the Bible, King Solomon complains that unfair and unfruitful aspects of life never seem to change, and there is nothing new under the sun.  In the course of meeting challenges to our continued existence, Americans at every economic, educational, emotional, psychological, and social level have had to learn, grow, and accept change.  America operates as though a living entity, and therefore, we may describe the Nation as being dynamic, empathetic, forward-looking, full of surprises, organic, and proactive.  From its beginnings America has included Africans, Christians, Europeans, immigrants, Indigenous Peoples, Latinos, migrants, non-Christians, the poor, the wealthy, and those struggling with the common “growing pains” of personal development that include sexual appetite, sexual identity, and sexual preference.  Where America will continue to be an expression of life, rather than death, America must also be careful to nourish righteousness, and the Spirit of Truth.)  Even so, I am sure this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

 

(06/28/2016) Many Sons of GOD?

Scripture points are shared, today, on those in relationship to divinity as sons of GOD.  Repenting sinners who become disciples and followers of Jesus Christ are to understand that through the Savior’s ministry upon the earth, death upon the cross, and ongoing service as Risen Lord, believers now have position and status as a new creation, and are the children and heirs of GOD.  The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” who uses the ID “SUPERSTAR” (Level 6 with 12,843 points, a member since November 28, 2009) posted the following:

 

Was Jesus Christ the only son of God?

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.  For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.  For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one:  for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,  Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.  And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.  Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;  And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.  For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.  Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.  For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.  (Hebrews 2:  9-18, King James Version, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Priesthood and The Cross (03/20/2016); In The Divine Household? (05/05/2016); Offspring of GOD? (12/23/2015); Son of Adam and of GOD? (06/16/2014); Focus of Believers? (06/17/2014); Our Need for a Son (03/04/2013); Unless You Repent (03/05/2013)

 

“SUPERSTAR”, mature Christian believers acknowledge several figures from the holy writings as “sons” to GOD.  Included are Adam, David, Solomon, and Jesus Christ with his apostles James, John, and Peter.  While Adam received life by an out-breathing of divine spirit (we also say, breath, life essence, divine word), mankind has generally received standing as the offspring of GOD through their inheritance in covenant relationship as the chosen and elect successors to Adam.  The “sons of GOD” have been set apart (we say, consecrated, ordained, sanctified) to maintain upon the earth a priesthood modeled after that in heaven.  Thus, the Scriptures identify Abel, Seth, Enoch and the Patriarchs as notable among the myriad sons and daughters of Adam.

Jesus Christ is said to be “begotten and not made,” and is preeminent as the only son of GOD who has come through divine conception, and virgin birth.  Only Jesus has served as Redeemer and Savior.  More than this, only Jesus has been witnessed as having suffered, died upon the cross, been made an incarnation of sin, been raised from the dead, and ascended into heaven.  Both aspects of the flesh and operations of divinity establish Jesus as a carnal, material, and social appearance of GOD who is a spirit. 

Through the ministry of Jesus as an eternal High Priest within the heavens, atonement is being made for sinners who are yet upon the earth.  There is now access to divinity through rebirth and “adoption of the Holy Spirit” such that as many who repent become acknowledged as children of GOD and joint-heirs with Christ.  Consider again how these ideas are stated using language from the Bible:

(1.)  1st Chronicles 29:  10-13, King James Version (KJV):  10 Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation:  and David said, Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever.  11 Thine, O LORD is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty:  for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.  12 Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.  13 Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.

(2.)  1st Chronicles 28:  4-7, KJV:  4 Howbeit the LORD God of Israel chose me before all the house of my father to be king over Israel for ever:  for he hath chosen Judah to be the ruler; and of the house of Judah, the house of my father; and among the sons of my father he liked me to make me king over all Israel:  5 And of all my sons, (for the LORD hath given me many sons,) he hath chosen Solomon my son to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel.  6 And he said unto me, Solomon thy son, he shall build my house and my courts:  for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father.  7 Moreover I will establish his kingdom for ever, if he be constant to do my commandments and my judgments, as at this day.

(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.

There is far more that should be carefully said, thoughtfully examined, and spiritually understood.  (For example, (4.)  Romans 8:  14-17, KJV:  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 am sure this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

 

(06/02/2016) The Remission of Sin?

The richness of divine revelation, sacred process, and the cross are in view, today.  Scriptures are shared to show that remission of sin requires more than ceremonies using animal blood to expunge ones condemnation, guilt, shame, and standing as unrighteous acquired through sin.  It must become possible for created beings and living creatures to correctly discern and recognize the surpassing authority, power and sovereignty of GOD in every aspect of the unfolding.  The Son of the Highest must become the embodiment of sin, and be destroyed upon the cross.  Through grace, mercy in judgment, and transformation that amounts to rebirth, Jesus must become one with and reside within every disciple and follower who will embrace him as Savior.  As depicted by the Lord’s Supper that uses the emblems of bread and wine, there must be a “breaking” and reconfiguration within a unified body of unseen consecrated bonds (we say, the GODhead), and the believer’s ingestion of spirit substance that may rightly be spoken of as eternal life.  One of the many fighters at “Yahoo! Answers” who uses the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information provided) posted the following:

 

Christians, what does the remission of sins mean? based on bible.?

Update: Thanks for all the wonderful answers given here, well informed, and students of the Scripture and very thorough–reading all these answers, has given me nuggets, from all of the scriptural responses here. Thanks to everyone who took the time to respond.

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;  From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.  For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.  Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us:  for after that he had said before,  This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;  And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.  Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.  Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,  By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;  And having an high priest over the house of God;  Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.  (Hebrews 10:  12-22, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Divine Meanings and Values? (03/31/2016); Atonement and The Cross? (02/29/2016); Life Is In Blood (12/08/2015); More Than Death Needed (12/07/2015); The Lamb of GOD (08/19/2015); The Return to Dust? (06/14/2015); That All Were Prophets! (08/09/2014); The Need to Purify Heaven (01/17/2013)

 

“Anonymous”, through the death of Jesus Christ upon the cross, many mature Christian believers understand the remission of sin is a formative operation of divinity in judgment carried out by the Holy Spirit.  The active presence and eternal purposes of GOD are revealed in such expressions as atonement, deliverance, divine love, forbearance, forgiveness, grace, mercy, reconciliation, sacrifice, godly sorrow, and suffering.  Those whom Jesus will harvest from the earth as “ripe” at his appearing (we say, the Advent, the Rapture, the Second Coming) will have been “born again” and “matured again.”  Divine love is not “unconditional” in a way that eliminates judgment.  The errors, offenses, and sins of the beloved will continue to appear within the Books of Life and other sacred records such as the Bible; however, the meaning and value of such accounts will be transformed.  Thus, the errors of Moses, David, and Solomon are no more to be erased or removed than the nail prints in the Savior’s hands.  So to speak, because of, and not “in spite of ” their sins, believers will be granted status as “blameless”, “redeemed”, “resurrected”, and “sanctified”.  Consider again how these ideas are shared using language from the Bible:

(1.)  Mark 1:  3-5, King James Version (KJV):  3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.  4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.  5 And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.

(2.)  Hebrews 9:  19-22, KJV:  19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,  20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.  21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.  22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

(3.)  1st Thessalonians 5:  19-24, KJV:  19 Quench not the Spirit.  20 Despise not prophesyings.  21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.  22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.  23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

There is far more that should be said, must be carefully examined, and spiritually understood.  (For example, (4.)  Matthew 26:  26-29, KJV:  26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.  27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;  28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.  29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

 

(12/08/2015) Life Is In Blood

Today, definitions and explanations are shared to clarify the connections among blood, death, inheritance, life and sin.  Sin is inherited as a condition for all human existence upon the earth, yet, sin is not a physical trait passed on from parents to their children like ethnicity or eye color.  More correctly understood, sin is a person’s standing (status) with divinity based upon their own deposit of spirit content from the makeup of GOD.  Consider again the following from the New International Version of the Bible (NIV) and the presentation that appears below:    1st John 3:  8-10, NIV:  8 The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.  9 No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God.  10 This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are:  Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.  Also, Ezekiel 18:  19-23, NIV:  19 “Yet you ask, ‘Why does the son not share the guilt of his father?’ Since the son has done what is just and right and has been careful to keep all my decrees, he will surely live.  20 The one who sins is the one who will die. The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them.  21 “But if a wicked person turns away from all the sins they have committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, that person will surely live; they will not die.  22 None of the offenses they have committed will be remembered against them. Because of the righteous things they have done, they will live.  23 Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?  The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information shared) posted the following:

 

Are the father’s sins passed to his children through his blood?

Sin is in blood.

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—  To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law.  Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come.  But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!  Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin:  The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification.  For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!  Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people.  For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.  (Romans 5:  12-19, NIV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Accountability and Challenge, Not Blame (09/03/2015); Sin As Our Inheritance? (06/08/2015); Meanings That Support Eternal Existence? (06/02/2015); To Drink Holy Blood? (02/16/2015); What Is Life? (02/06/2015); The Ones Not Knowing Jesus? (12/11/2014); The New and Living Way (12/12/2014); The Gift of Life Despised? (10/13/2014); The Life That Endures (10/14/2014)

 

“Anonymous”, among Christian believers, life within humans is believed carried and distributed to all the parts of a material body by the blood.  Eternal life is that condition and state of being established by divine operations to enable and continue unending, intimate association and interaction with GOD.  To say, blood is on someone’s hands or head speaks to their accountability in judgment for termination of life.  Divinity (divine content) is imparted and manifest only through operations of the Holy Spirit (we also say, the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Prophecy, the Spirit of Truth).  Life and blood both have part in sacred operations for atonement and unification (i.e., being joined to Deity).  Blood itself is not life; and life is correctly spoken of as breath, essence, spirit, and word.  Spirit itself is the vessel to transport spirit.  Existence is an aspect of spirit; and all things that exist do not have blood, do not have life.  Sin is no carnal, material or tangible thing that exists separate from the active processes of the living that include unseen features (such as attitudes, desires, emotion, intellect, logic, and reason).  Sin is not so much a substance as a continuing condition that alters the course of existence for the living.  Because sin induces the living to be in conflict with divinity, death was instituted as a divine tool for preservation of Creation.  The sin condition was not begun, created or introduced by divinity; and the operations of sin become visible in mankind through human awareness, self-will, and separation from GOD for integrity of being (we say, independence).  Sin opposes the continuing existence of divine law, and promotes non-existence.  Given that sin lacks the character and nature of objects in existence, created beings and living creatures are unable to destroy, eliminate, or even correctly recognize sin as contrary to life.  Through the ministry of Jesus Christ upon the earth as Son of Man and from the heaven as Risen Lord, humanity is receiving divine gifts that provide power to discern, expose, and resist sin.  Included are covenant, law, promise, prophecy, rebirth, repentance, sanctification, and testimony.  Consider the following points from Scripture:

(1.)   Leviticus 17:  10-12, New International Version (NIV):  10 “‘I will set my face against any Israelite or any foreigner residing among them who eats blood, and I will cut them off from the people.  11 For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.  12 Therefore I say to the Israelites, “None of you may eat blood, nor may any foreigner residing among you eat blood.”

(2.)   Ezekiel 33:  1-7, NIV:  1 The word of the Lord came to me:  2 “Son of man, speak to your people and say to them:  ‘When I bring the sword against a land, and the people of the land choose one of their men and make him their watchman,  3 and he sees the sword coming against the land and blows the trumpet to warn the people,  4 then if anyone hears the trumpet but does not heed the warning and the sword comes and takes their life, their blood will be on their own head.  5 Since they heard the sound of the trumpet but did not heed the warning, their blood will be on their own head. If they had heeded the warning, they would have saved themselves.   6 But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes someone’s life, that person’s life will be taken because of their sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.’  7 “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me.

(3.)   John 6:  51-56, NIV:  51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”  52 Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”  53 Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.  54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.  55 For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink.  56 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them.

There are many other verses that should be carefully considered, correctly understood, and made a part of ones spiritual arsenal.  (For example, (4.)  1st Corinthians 15:  21-26, NIV:  21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in turn:  Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.  24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power.  25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.  26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide

(11/06/2014) Holy Wars?

Divine pursuit of judgment and warfare are topics, today, along with more on repentance, and the duty of Christian believers to continue as sinless until Advent.  The writer at “Yahoo! Answers Canada” using as her ID “Catherine Tanya Gee” (Level 4 with 3,280 points, a member since October 02, 2013) posted the following:

 

The holy wars are the people that beat up Jesus against the people who will fight against the people that beat up Jesus?

No one helps God, God does it all himself? We must sit, relax and wait for a paradise, no work required?

 

THE BATTLE AXE:  Sinless Until Advent? (11/05/2014)—(5.)  Christian believers are to abide (i.e., continue to live) in a sacred condition established by atonement and propitiation (i.e., favor won on their behalf) through the ministry of Jesus Christ.  Salvation pertains to divine judgment, and is first provided as a legal status in the same way as birthright, crowning of a monarch, and inheritance.  An employee must first describe their ability through job applications and interviews, be hired, arrive to work on time consistently, and perform necessary tasks before finally being paid according to a pay schedule and agreement.  Believers are to maintain fellowship with others committed to Christ, carry out sacred practices, maintain self-discipline, and continue their spiritual growth meeting the same challenges, difficulties, and hardship as all others upon the earth.  However, believers will be strengthened by sacred knowledge of divine covenants, promises, proclamations, and prophecies from GOD that provide certainty, comfort, hope, joy, prosperity, and peace.  As a result believers complete their preparation, and are granted full acceptance and access into the divine presence at the second coming of Christ as the redeemer and savior who provides eternal life.  Consider again John 17:  3, 2nd Corinthians 7:  10, James 1:  12, 1st Peter 4:  11-13, 1st John 5:  20, Revelation 2:  10-11 and 21:  6-8, KJV.

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.  And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the LORD:  even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.  And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court,  And said, O LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?  Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever?  And they dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name, saying,  If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help.  And now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir, whom thou wouldest not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them, and destroyed them not;  Behold, I say, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of thy possession, which thou hast given us to inherit.  O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do:  but our eyes are upon thee.  And all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.  (2nd Chronicles 20:  3-13, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Finding Peace Through the Bible? (06/02/2014); Disliking Other Christians? (06/03/2014); To Live As a Sacrifice (03/08/2014); A Perfected Body (03/09/2014); Are We the Spoils of War? (01/08/2014); The Fullness of GODhead? (01/09/2014); A Culture of Judgment? (03/20/2014); Beyond Punishment (03/21/2014);  A GOD of War? 03/12/2013);  “Authorized Personnel Only (03/13/2013)

 

“Catherine Tanya Gee”, here are a few points that agree with Bible-based Christian belief:

(1.)  GOD has never declared or pursued war against mankind for control of the earth and conquest.  However, divinity has created armies as instruments who serve in judgment against covenant-breakers.  Those who left Egypt with Moses to enter the Promised Land are a clear example.

(2.)  Those pursuing holy war, jihad, and other religious conflicts usually do so as humans and individuals having no ongoing relationship with divinity such as prophecy and revelation, who are convicted of peculiar teachings from holy writ.  Such fighters have political aims of establishing human government, controlling commerce and trade, imposing ethnic and cultural traditions upon others, possessing real property (we say, land), reenacting events from earlier historical eras regarded as a “golden age” as well as outlawing or regulating public and private worship.

There is far more to be said, correctly understood, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (3.)  Those who serve as divine agents in judgment also themselves must endure judgment, and are not exempt from obedience to sacred law.  Christian believers who submit to perform the will of GOD are to be in a direct communication with GOD established by an imparted, indwelling spirit having the makeup of divinity (e.g., faith, holiness, longsuffering, joy, peace, wisdom, wrath against sin).  The Holy Spirit (some say, the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Prophecy, the Spirit of Truth) establishes that human awareness and self-will wherein correction is above punishment, mercy above condemnation, and salvation above eternal torment.  Otherwise, the focus of warfare is only death, destruction, domination, and selfishness; and only the bestial and sin nature of mankind will be displayed.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC