(09/12/2019) Focus On Things Revealed

 

Today, reply is on the proper focus for investigation and study among Christian believers. Sinners are not saved simply by acquiring more knowledge, nor are believers saved by continuing in carefulness and worry. Being those who receive salvation as a free gift and the expression of divine love, developing and mature believers are not required to become all-knowing and omniscient regarding the things of GOD. Believers need not continue to pose questions on every detail of divine operations and sacred events, need no longer continue making doubtful projections intended to foretell the future, and should no longer speculate about the possibilities for events that have only finite meaning and value. Through the holy writings that record appearances of GOD upon the earth using thousands of events, within thousands of lives, over the course of thousands of years, divinity has presented a complete agenda and syllabus to those seeking salvation; and the major aspects of sacred truth we now require have been summarized. Included are admonitions and warnings; covenants; divine law; histories of priestly families, tribes and nations; prophetic demonstrations; principles for communication, exchange, and interaction as sacred communities; examples from the ministry of Jesus Christ; gospel testimonies; and end time revelation. It is written: Revelation 1: 1-3, King James Version (KJV): 1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: 2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. 3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. A fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” public forum on Religion and Spirituality who uses the ID “Evokal (Level 3 with 1,525 points, a member since December 22, 2009) posted the following:

 

As far as God is concerned, are there questions we shouldn’t ask? Or is everything on the table?

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. (Matthew 6: 33-34, King James Version, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: A Single Sacred Revelation (01/09/2019); Asking Questions in Heaven? (11/15/2018); Mysteries Of The Kingdom? (09/28/2018); Life And Divine Purpose (05/04/2018); “The End Is Near” (03/14/2018); Idolatry — Exalting Human Devices? (09/21/2017); The First Divine Thought? (07/31/2017); About Revelation not Punishment? (11/25/2016)

 

“Evokal”, revelation is the sacred process wherein divinity willingly makes themselves knowable, known, accessible, and approachable to created beings and living creatures. Curiosity and the human desire for secular knowledge (e.g., intellect, logic, philosophy, carnal reason, science) arises from aspects of the flesh, while the appetite for sacred knowledge arises from the inseparable aspects of spirit we receive as a fresh endowment from the makeup of GOD. Included are faith, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, oneness without sameness, personhood, wisdom, and wrath against sin. The guidance and instruction from GOD provided to mankind through the holy writings do include many admonitions and warnings against meddling, exaggerated pride, and presumption. Many seek knowledge displaying what is called “vainglory” (i.e., in order to boast, compete, manipulate others, and subordinate their peers). Those who are impenitent and insist on the operations of sin in their lives reject the necessary atonement and remission for sin provided through Jesus Christ as our High Priest. Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

1. Ecclesiastes 5: 1-2, King James Version (KJV): 1 Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil. 2 Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.

2. Numbers 15: 29-31, KJV: 29 Ye shall have one law for him that sinneth through ignorance, both for him that is born among the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them. 30 But the soul that doeth aught presumptuously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people. 31 Because he hath despised the word of the LORD, and hath broken his commandment, that soul shall utterly be cut off; his iniquity shall be upon him.

3. Proverbs 9: 6-10, KJV: 6 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding. 7 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. 8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. 9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. 10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

4. Colossians 3: 1-4, KJV: 1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended (for example, 5. Revelation 22: 16-21, KJV: 16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. 17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. 18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. 20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. 21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

 

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THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(11/08/2018) A Possible “Home Remedy?”

 

Today, reply is to a teen on family prayer and shared Bible study as a remedy to conflict and division within the home. Because the goal is to establish family unity, a full reading aloud of as few as 12 books may be taken up and treasured as a family’s own sacred inheritance from divinity, and their own special anchor and grounding from GOD. A fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” public forum on Religion and Spirituality, who uses the ID “Nicholas” (Level 1 with 41 points, a member since June 24, 2017) posted the following:

 

Am I crazy?

Ill try to make this quick. Im 19. Ive been a baptist for 4yr now. My Catholic parents dont allow me to go to the church i want and say under there roof i need to go to a catholic church. I finally decided to leave. I have 500.00 and no car. I dont have a job either. Am i crazy to leave home cause of religion? Am i in the right or are my parents? Im thinking of trying to get into job corps. Any advice on what i should do?

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW: Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18: 15-20, King James Version, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Sacred Ministry or Parenting? (05/10/2018); Honoring Our Own Parents (04/09/2018); What Young People Need? (06/26/2017); Becoming A Full Person (02/12/2017); In Her father’s House? (02/08/2017); Many Forms of Christianity? (04/30/2015); Choosing a Church? (05/31/2014); Why Not One Bible? (11/02/2013); Why Jesus Used Parables (11/03/2013)

 

“Nicholas”, put your thoughts about leaving your parents aside until you have considered these points that have been helpful among mature Christian believers whose household needed a “home remedy” that would supply divine healing:

1. Sinners must be “born again,” become “developing believers,” and “grow up again” (i.e., there must be rebirth of a person’s inner character and makeup; they must receive a fresh endowment of life essence (breath; spirit; word) from the makeup of GOD). Water baptism depicts the sacred operations wherein the inborn spirit is slain, buried, and raised from the dead, so to speak.

2. Inseparable aspects of divinity are imparted to indwell and gradually increase within the believer. Included are faith, forbearance, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, oneness without sameness, righteousness, wisdom, and wrath against sin.

3. The followers of Jesus Christ are all admonished: In the same way religious customs and traditions have been mistakenly respected as though they were sacred law, young people often confuse conscience, independence, integrity of personhood, and self-will; while parents and other caretakers often confuse self-control and holding to personal regimen with discharging sacred authority and the ministry of divine will.

4. Within the home a primary, yet, often unmet need is for shared experiences of discovery, fellowship, learning, and service. Through cooperative communication and exchanges such as family prayer and Bible study, spiritual maturity can be nourished, and will become visible through such elements as accord, adult accountability, balance, completeness, consistency, sobriety, and stability.

5. Where those within the shared household can come together and agree that (1.) no one present is an enemy, (2.) there is a clear need for something that may provide spiritual benefit to everyone present, and that (3.) it is not likely to harm anyone to participate in a family reading of a minimum of 12 books from the Bible, take turns reading aloud and let the reader share their thoughts and feelings. The declaration from the Apostle Paul may help to get things started: I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. (1^st Timothy 2: 1-6, King James Version, KJV)

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, 6. 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.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(10/11/2018) Catholic and Protestant Bibles?

The List of Bible Books Also Showing “the Apocrypha”

 

Today, reply is on the differences among Catholic and Protestant Bibles. Developing believers are wise to embrace the holy writings as sources and tools to nourish spirit content from the makeup of GOD, provide divine guidance, and further supply sacred knowledge. Even so, the permanent change and transformation of the believer is through operations of the Holy Spirit (also called, the Comforter; the Holy Ghost; the Spirit of Prophecy; the Spirit of Truth). All those on the earth who will be acknowledged by Jesus Christ as his harvest at his coming will not be labeled Catholics, Jews, or Protestants, yet, all will be children of the Father and joint-heirs with Christ. Acknowledging the truth that all have sinned and come short of the glory of GOD, it is correct to consider that (1) there are only two kinds of people in the world, impenitent and penitent sinners; (2) there are no black Christians, there are no white Christians, there are only “Christian” Christians; (3) there will be no denominations of believers, only those who are perfected through GOD; and (4) the elements that now contribute to disunion (e.g., arrogance; ethnicity; exaggerated pride; racism; regionalism; relying on earthly languages and tongues such as Greek, Hebrew, or Latin) will not exist within the perfected church of Jesus Christ. The fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” Religion and Spirituality public forum who uses the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information shared) posted the following:

 

Do catholic and protestant bibles have a significant difference in their bibles?

 

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. (John 6: 63, King James Version, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Christ Is The Head (07/12/2018); Knowing What To Believe? (12/31/2017); The Apocryphal Books? (08/07/2015); Those Who Read? (02/17/2015); Catholics, Protestants and The Trinity? (10/12/2014); The Gift of Life Despised? (10/13/2014); The Bible is Unchanging? (03/23/2014); Genuine Repentance? (03/24/2014)

 

“Anonymous”, among the followers of Jesus Christ, many hold that authentic Christian belief and practice appear only by believers becoming “born again” and receiving fresh endowments of spirit substance from the makeup of GOD (e.g., faith, gratitude, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, wisdom, wrath against sin), rather than by church attendance, doctrine, policy, sacrifice, and service. The differences among the Bibles shared by Catholic and Protestant believers result from significant differences in their discernment and acknowledgment of oneness without sameness among sacred texts; their apprehension of covenant relationships and sacred law; their historical development as institutions and social organizations that express carnal, material and political views; their reliance on sacred knowledge rather than academic, scholastic, and secular knowledge as well as the differences among what they acknowledge as their continuing divine commission, their eternal purpose and work in the things yet to be fulfilled, and the nearness of the Advent of Jesus Christ (we also say, his appearing; the harvest; the Rapture; the Second Coming). Correctly understood, the Bible is a collection of holy writings (we say, a library of sacred books) that share a divine “point of view” with finite created beings and living creatures, and has been provided by GOD using thousands of events occurring within the lives of thousands of people over the course of thousands of years. Inseparable aspects of the divine fullness (we say, the Godhead; the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit) will be conveyed to every believer as rebirth (life essence, breath, spirit, word). However, the instantaneous and sudden process of GOD is gradual and progressive in such a way that divinity is not to be understood as being “everywhere” “all the time” responding to the specific needs of believers, for believers will go “up and down” Jacob’s ladder, so to speak, and believers will exist having different levels of insight, maturity, and strength. Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

(1.) Ephesians 4: 4-7, King James Version (KJV): 4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

(2.) Romans 6: 3-6, KJV: 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

(3.) Ephesians 4: 11-16, KJV: 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) 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.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(09/11/2018) Atheists And The Word?

 

Today, the reply is on why the Scriptures are held to be difficult and offensive among some atheists and disbelievers. For developing Christian believers the holy writings are challenging because the Scriptures also should be thought of and dealt with as an appearance and manifestation of divinity that is simple yet profound. One of the fighters in the “Yahoo! Answers” Religion and Spirituality forum using the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information shared) posted the following:

 

Why do atheists hate the Word of the Lord?

Atheists claim to follow reason, yet they ignore reason when it comes to the fact that God exists and Jesus died for everyone’s sins. The Bible says that God exists, so it must be true, otherwise why would millions of freedom loving Christians follow Christ so much?

Morality comes directly from Christianity, through the teachings of Jesus. Yet atheists deny morality in favour of drugs, unmarried sex, homosexuality, murder, and other things. If anything, Atheists have rejected God in favour of immorality, so that they can feel “free” (which they obviously aren’t, since God loves each and everyone of us, and God gave us morals).

Why don’t they want moral Christians to tell them how to live your lives in a better way? Why don’t they want moral Christians to establish God’s Rule in politics?

What is it about morality that offends them? What is it about the better way that moral Christians offer them that offends them?

Why are they so delusional? Why do they hate morality so much? Why do they wish death on we the faithful?

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW: There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? (John 3: 1-12, King James Version, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: The Witness of Oceans (06/28/2018); Divine Knowledge And Wisdom (06/24/2018); Bible Language About Spirit? (06/13/2018); Condemned By The Bible? (06/08/2018); Life And Divine Purpose (05/04/2018); Relying on Sacred “Evidence” (11/20/2017); Bible and Spirit (04/26/2014); Personality? (04/27/2014)

 

“Anonymous”, you may find this godly counsel: Many resent being labeled as “sinners” and regarded as somehow deficient because they have made no adult or mature study of the Bible, and because they lack both the sacred knowledge and rebirth as a vessel of Spirit that the holy writings are intended to nourish. Atheists refuse to accept that mankind on the earth is to be permanently changed and transformed by actions and operations of divine fullness (we say, Deity; the GODhead; the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit). Dismissing the truth of GOD as an aspect of human experience past, present and future, such thinkers can not correctly apprehend the fullness of Creation, the range of divine possibilities displayed and shared by mankind, and the integrity mankind is to maintain in order to exist as more than a brute beast or savage animal.

The Scriptures gradually become open to those who acknowledge themselves capable of being in a continuing relationship with GOD as vessels who have received divine substance. Through water baptism (i.e., the death, burial, and resurrection of ones inborn spirit), a sinner becomes “born again” and receives a fresh endowment of life essence (we say, breath; spirit; word) from the makeup of Deity. Included are faith, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, personhood, righteousness, wisdom, and wrath against sin. Those who are born again must “grow up again” and become mature as the offspring and heirs of GOD living on the earth until the Advent of Jesus Christ (we also say, his appearing; the harvest; the Rapture; the Second Coming). amenable to the existence, process, and eternal purposes of GOD.

Many fail to receive blessing by the Scriptures because what the seek is by and from the flesh. The finite tools of human imagination, intellect, logic, philosophy, carnal reason, secular knowledge and science cannot replace or surpass the provision of spirit substance from the makeup of GOD. In the same way a person’s own consciousness, thoughts and self-will are important along with their material and physical body to their having or feeling completeness, the spirit aspect within the living also is important to our existing as complete and whole. Developing believers will be edified and grow in their relationship with divinity by practicing discernment, discovery, fellowship with other believers, prayer, regular study of the Scriptures, and unselfish service. Like others on the earth, believers may experience times of disappointment, hardship, reversals, sorrow, and suffering. While there are many assurances and promises from GOD written in the Scriptures that comfort a believer, there also are calls to duty, exhortations, urging and warnings intended to spark immediate action, godliness, obedience, and vigilance.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

 

 

(06/12/2018) And There Was War?

The picture depicts the fall of Lucifer and those who followed him.

 

Today, the appearance of sin among the host of heaven and the fall of Lucifer are considered.  As a further revelation of the character, nature, purity, and righteousness of the Creator, the war that was begun in heaven must, now, be completed and resolved upon the earth.  The consequences, operations and substance of sin oppose the continued existence of sacred law, of the Lawgiver, and of the divine order essential for Creation.  Sin promotes return to the conditions before the founding of heaven and earth that describe chaos, flux, and continuous streaming of formless content.  The holy writings document the pattern of things in heaven using the things provide to and through the Prophet Moses.  Careful study permits Christian believers to discover that sin first appeared among the host of heaven as a complaint that the many admonitions, discipline, and regulations were shameful, superfluous, and unbecoming.  The law was to be seen as a challenge and an obstacle to ones fullness and integrity of being.  More than this, there should be no limitations and restrictions on glorification, praise, and worship by holy ones like themselves.  One of the fighters in the “Yahoo! Answers” Religion and Spirituality forum using the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information appears) posted the following:

 

Why was lucifer kicked out of heaven?

Being arrogant an haughty, disobeying a command, thinking you are better than someone else. These are sinful and deserve punishment, but surely this isn’t the root of all evil. Someone who is the most wisest and beautiful of course is going to be a bit arrogant in the face of sinners. Men are sinners and sure they should not be punished and killed for their sinful nature. But it just seems so excessive to sentence someone to the most painful punishment that will last eternity for making this slip. And lucifer said to god ‘because you have put me in the wrong, I will put man in the wrong until the day of judgement, except those who do not stray from faith’ – And so God granted him permission to do so, and all the pain that humans suffer is because of this. Sounds more like the abrahamic god is the source of evil, powerfulo people in the world do not need to use threats and forceful commands to make people do something – to damn gays for being born gay, to damn fornicators, etc. The only thing in scripture that introduces a new notion of dealing with adversity is jesus when he teaches to ‘turn the other cheek to them if someone slaps you in the face’ as opposed to an eye for an eye. And he sacrifices his life for human sin, and god supposedly changes his outlook. Jesus sounds a lot more moral than god

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,  Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;  Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:  Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.  For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?  And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.  And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.  But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever:  a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.  Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.  And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:  They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment;  And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed:  but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.  (Hebrews 1:  1-12, King James Version, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Self-Will And Christian Integrity (06/11/2018); Weapons Of Our Warfare? (05/18/2018); Opposing The Divine Will (03/30/2018); Points On Spiritual Warfare (03/19/2018); What Do Christians Expect? (01/09/2018); The Servitude of Angels (08/28/2017); Judgment, Peace and Warfare? (03/26/2017)

 

“Anonymous”, there are many subtleties (barely visible differences; hidden shifts in meaning, quality, and value) when considering sin among the holy angels.  For example, they can not apprehend forgiveness, or repentance as mankind.  Presumption violates the sacred law, Thou shalt not steal, for presumption entails acting without permission,  taking authority, influence, and privilege properly displayed and exercised by another.  Here are some verses important among bible-believing Christians that promote conviction and discernment regarding the opposition to divine law in heaven that was voiced among the angels through one of the covering cherubs:

(1.)  Proverbs 21:  23-24, King James Version (KJV):  23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.  24 Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.

(2.)  Proverbs 21:  30-31, KJV:  30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.  31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle:  but safety is of the LORD.

(3.)  Numbers 16:  1-10, KJV:  1 Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men:  2 And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown:  3 And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them:  wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD?  4 And when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face:  5 And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, Even to morrow the LORD will shew who are his, and who is holy; and will cause him to come near unto him:  even him whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him.  6 This do; Take you censers, Korah, and all his company;  7 And put fire therein, and put incense in them before the LORD to morrow:  and it shall be that the man whom the LORD doth choose, he shall be holy:  ye take too much upon you, ye sons of Levi.  8 And Moses said unto Korah, Hear, I pray you, ye sons of Levi:  9 Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them?  10 And he hath brought thee near to him, and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee:  and seek ye the priesthood also?

(4.)  Hebrews 9:  24-28, KJV:  24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:  25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;  26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world:  but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.  27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:  28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

(5.)  Ezekiel 28:  11-15, KJV:  11 Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,  12 Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.  13 Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold:  the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.  14 Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so:  thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.  15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

 

(03/14/2018) “The End Is Near”

 

Today, focus is on false prophets, the need for divine end time prophecy, and the fullness of sacred revelation through Jesus Christ.  Instruction on the end times are not intended to frighten believers, threaten sinners with death, or cause panic and upheaval among the faithful.  For many, end time prophecy focuses solely on recognizing and responding to current events and conditions that may be seen within the present geopolitical system and world order (we say, signs of the Apocalypse, and that the world as we know it is ending).  Specially sensitive are time prophecies that attempt to calculate and predict a specific day, year, or hour for the return of Jesus to harvest the earth (we also say, his appearing; the Advent; the Rapture; the Second Coming).  While no angel, apostle, disciple, preacher, prophet, or other spokesperson from GOD has been entrusted with, ordained to disclose, or sent to reveal the secret information regarding the Day of the Lord, there have been men and church groups on the earth who—insisting on the authority of the Bible, and the righteousness of their own faith—foolishly have preached a time for the Last Day based on their discoveries through prayerful and scholarly study.  The fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” forum using the ID “Grandma” (Level 1 with zero (no) points shown, a member since November 09, 2007) posted the following:

 

Don’t preachers who keep saying “Jesus is coming soon” realize they are damaging credibility of Christianity?

And playing into the hand of the scoffers of II Peter 3:3-4? Saying “the end is near” repeatedly is like crying wolf when there is no wolf.

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!  O Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts.  Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the LORD.  They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The LORD saith:  and the LORD hath not sent them:  and they have made others to hope that they would confirm the word.  Have ye not seen a vain vision, and have ye not spoken a lying divination, whereas ye say, The LORD saith it; albeit I have not spoken?  Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye have spoken vanity, and seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you, saith the Lord GOD.  And mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies:  they shall not be in the assembly of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I am the Lord GOD.  Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace; and one built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered morter:  Say unto them which daub it with untempered morter, that it shall fall:  there shall be an overflowing shower; and ye, O great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall rend it.  (Ezekiel 13:  3-11, King James Version, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  The Coming(s) of Christ (03/11/2018); Recognizing True Christian Prophets (02/26/2018); Avoiding Confusion About Antichrist (11/08/2017); Sharing The Correct Message (01/30/2017); Sodom and Gomorrah Again? (05/30/2016); About The End Of The World (08/30/2015); The Imminent Return of Christ? (07/19/2015)

 

“Grandma”, Christians are commanded to not be “troubled” by talk that the “end is near.”  The process of GOD for salvation is not one dependent on the finite human tools of intellect, logic, carnal reason, and science.  Christian believers become joined to GOD through the consciousness and self-will that continues within Jesus Christ, and that present sacred substance in place of the approaches for compiling data, recording observations, and making various tests of the soundness of ones conclusions.  Rather than say, “the end is near,” developing believers proclaim that completion, fulfillment, transformation, and the will of GOD are near.

The Gospel (we also say, good news) proclaimed by Jesus Christ and his followers to advance the revelation of divine fullness (we say, the GODhead; the Trinity; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) includes guidance, instruction, promises, signs, and warnings that enable disciples of the Lord to avoid error, false prophets, and spiritual confusion.  In the same way divinity has appeared through the works of Creation, existence and life, the majesty, righteousness, and sovereign mercies of GOD will appear through judgment, resurrection, and the second death.

Mature Christians who center their awareness on eternal purposes and sacred knowledge will not rely as much on the frameworks of time and space that generate such finite features as destiny, doom, fate, history, politics, science, secular knowledge, and speculation.  The proclamations of GOD received as declarations of love, divine law, promise, and prophecy are as shining truth that always dispels the darkness of “the unknown.”  Sinners who become “born again” are to receive a fresh endowment of inseparable spirit content from the makeup of GOD that includes certainty, faith, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, oneness without sameness, personhood, wisdom, and wrath against sin.  Similarly, the operations of end time prophecy further establish sacred joining and relationship to divinity along with readiness, security, vigilance, and zeal.  Already Christians are to acknowledge they exist as the new creation through Jesus Christ.  Even so, at present, only GOD is immortal and incorruptible (not the holy angels, the sacred beasts of heaven, nor the 24 elders).  Both heaven and earth are temporal, and all the things of heaven and earth will undergo permanent change.  Consider the following that uses language from the Bible:

(1.)  Isaiah 65:  16-18, King James Version (KJV):  16 That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes.  17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth:  and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.  18 But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create:  for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.

(2.)  2nd Peter 3:  9-14, KJV:  9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.  10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.  11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,  12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?  13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.  14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

(3.)  2nd Thessalonians 2:  1-4, KJV:  1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,  2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.  3 Let no man deceive you by any means:  for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;  4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

There is far more to be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (4.)  Revelation 21:  1-3, KJV:  1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth:  for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.  2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(03/13/2018) Duties of a Christian?

 

Today, the reply addresses duties, obligations, and responsibilities for developing Christian believers.  The church is more than a community center for recreation or social welfare programs.  More than anything else, the church is to be a location for praise, prayer, prophecy, revelation, sacred studies, and worship.  Disbelievers usually have little knowledge of the many disciplines, lifestyle practices, and daily routines willingly used by Christian believers to express their gratitude, faith, and hope in the things from GOD through Jesus Christ.  Church attendance can be the most important aspect of the “new life” for developing Christian believers because it provides organization and structure for godly comfort, discovery, gradual growth, repentance, sorrowing for sin, and the ongoing exchange of sacred knowledge.  Believers are not to be passive, simply gathered like sheep to be fed, watered, made to wait for the coming of the Shepherd, or continually behave as servants to clergy and others.  A writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Disco Stu” (Level 3 with 1,840 points, a member since September 16, 2010) posted the following:

 

Do you have to go to church every week to be a Christian?

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:  old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;  To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.  Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us:  we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.  (2nd Corinthians 5:  17-21, King James Version, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Christian “Thoughts and Prayers” (03/01/2018); Attend Chapel or Church? (02/04/2018); Attending Church a “Chore”? (01/23/2018); The First To Help? (12/22/2017); Free Speech in Church? (12/18/2017); Not All Are Welcome (11/28/2017); As An Anointed Body (10/04/2017)

 

“Disco Stu”, many sacraments (sacred practices), divine gifts,  and endowments of sacred knowledge are found only within the church.  Some mistakenly respond to communities of faith because they are seeking a greater level of social acceptance, personal freedom, opportunities to express their own beliefs, and the rewards that may come through volunteer service.  More correctly, those turning to Christ by becoming members of a standing congregation are acknowledging accountability; agreeing to fulfill the duties and obligations of membership; joining themselves to divinity through fellowship, ministry to others, and unselfish service as well as continuing to ripen (mature) for harvest by the Lord at his Advent (we also say, his appearing, the Rapture, the Second Coming).

The sinner who turns to Christ must be “born again;” his inborn spirit must die, be buried, and raised from the dead, so to speak; and those who once were sinners become the offspring of GOD, vessels of divine spirit, and the new creation of Jesus Christ.  A developing believer must “grow up again” by facing the same life challenges, “growing pains,” hardships, and suffering as others on the earth.  However, they now are endowed with spirit substance imparted from the makeup of GOD.  Included are faith, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, wisdom, and wrath against sin.  As with saying, “I love you”, there is no quota or rule for how often one should practice forbearing, forgiving, praise, sharing, study, unselfishness, and worship with others within the body.  However, meaningful sacred exchange, interaction, and support will require mature communication, divine order, regularity, respect, and stability.  Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

(1.)  Hebrews 10:  23-26, King James Version (KJV):  23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)  24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:  25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another:  and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.  26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

(2.)  Mark 10:  42-46, KJV:  42 But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.  43 But so shall it not be among you:  but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:  44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.  45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

(3.)  1st Corinthians 11:  23-29, KJV:  23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:  24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat:  this is my body, which is broken for you:  this do in remembrance of me.  25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood:  this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.  26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.  27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.  28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.  29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.

There is far more to be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (4.)  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.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

 

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(01/10/2018) Proper Training For Belief?

PROVERBS 22:  6

 

Today, reply is on the place of discipline and proper training for expressing Christian belief.  “Do as you please” and “ones own opinion” are not the cornerstone of Christianity any more than they may serve as platforms for genuine citizenship within a nation.  Many in modern America now are insisting on freedom to exercise their civil rights; however, some  appear to be cancer cells within a healthy body insisting that they, too, have a lawful place and should be privileged to remain, for they exist and are alive; and their function and purpose are a matter of their own choice.  Similar arguments are being made by hypocrites, nominal Christians, and those who profess to belong to GOD, yet, are false.  They insist that they too are part of the Creation, and divinity has no right to eliminate their presence and process simply because of their sin.  The followers of Jesus Christ all are called to spread the doctrine, standards and values shared from GOD; however, all are not called to the same offices.  Some will serve as bishops, deacons, pastors, and pulpit preachers who are educated and ordained for their service.  Others will be caretakers, lay persons, and teachers.  Because the goal is to nourish the image of GOD and the imparted, indwelling Spirit within developing Christian believers, the sacred process and tools to be used are not the same always as those for instructing divine law as a secular work, or establishing the continual practice of ceremonies, memorials, and prophetic demonstrations as acceptable cultural and social activity.  In the effort to establish objectivity and remove bias, formal settings and procedures are used to transmit precise data and structured information such as law, policy, and rules.  By contrast, the sharing of spirit content must be continuous, gradual, organic, and personal like tenderly repeating the words, “I love you.”  The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” who uses the ID “ari” (Level 7 with 94,408 points, a member since March 02, 2014) posted the following:

 

Is belief in God a discipline or the lack of discipline?

Does it require proper training to believe in God or is it due to the lack of proper training that a person believes in God

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.  For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:  For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.  (Isaiah 28:  9-11, King James Version, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Giving, A Divine Discipline? (10/09/2017); Tools For Knowing Divinity (05/12/2017); The Relationships With GOD? (11/30/2016); Become Like Jesus Christ? (10/27/2016); Discipline and The Cross (06/16/2016); Divine Discipline? (12/24/2015); Belief, Content And Works? (02/12/2016); Foolish For Not Believing? (03/22/2013); Science and the Laws of Nature? (03/23/2013)

 

“ari”, features such as academic discipline, child-rearing, and military regimen rely primarily on aspects of the flesh (e.g., appetite, sensation, emotion/mind).  Christian belief is a response to multiple sacred operations provided to make sovereign divinity knowable, known, accessible, and approachable.  Along with commitment, meekness, unselfish service, and zeal, sinners begin to manifest belief as a fruit of the divine seed that is planted by GOD (we also say, the divine fullness; the GODhead; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit).  Water baptism provides a picture of the unseen process for the death, burial, and rebirth of a sinner’s inborn spirit (we say, they must be “born again” from divine DNA, so to speak).  As the children of GOD, joint-heirs, and the new creation through Jesus Christ, these will go on to display the inseparable aspects of divine fullness in their own lifestyles and daily living routines.  Included will be faith, forbearance, forgiveness, holiness, joy, longsuffering, lovingkindness, oneness without sameness, righteousness, wisdom, and wrath against sin. 

Through operations carried out by the Holy Spirit (also called the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Prophecy, the Spirit of Truth), the life essence within those who are “born again” will be nourished so that the developing believer can “grow up again,” endure “growing pains,” meet life challenges on the earth that may include hardship and suffering, and become mature/ripe.  Developing believers are to acquire and apply sacred knowledge in place of secular knowledge by continuing fellowship with more mature believers (e.g., clergy, their own parents, and co-workers); regular study of the holy writings; ones private praise, prayer, sharing, and worship; sacred practices (we say, sacraments that also may require church attendance, such as baptism, confession, holy matrimony, the Lord’s Supper); and work to build up and maintain the community of faith as well as the place(s) sanctified through prayer for celebration, gathering, work, and rest.

Those who will be sealed as belonging to Christ will all have undergone permanent changes as part of their complete transformation to exist as companions to immortal, incorruptible GOD.  Like everyone else on the earth, mature Christian believers will have been increased through experiences of discovery, gradual growth, learning, and unlearning.  However, relatively little spiritual growth will have come by use of finite human tools such as emotion, intellect, logic, carnal reason, philosophy, and science.  The process of one becoming perfected is endless and everlasting.  At the return of Jesus (i.e., the Advent, his appearing, the harvest, the Rapture, the Second Coming) those who are saints of the kingdom are to be taken up from the earth, and made fully “perfected” for the “beginning of forever” in an instant as they meet him in the air.  Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

(1.)  Deuteronomy 6:  4-9, King James Version (KJV):  4 Hear, O Israel:   The LORD our God is one LORD:  5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.  6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:  7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.  8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.  9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.

(2.)  Galatians 3:  26-29, KJV:  26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.  27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.  28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female:  for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

There is far more to be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (3.)  1st Thessalonians 4:  13-18, KJV:  13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.  14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.  15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.  16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God:  and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air:  and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

 

Washington, DC

 

(01/01/2018) “New Creation” and Life

 

We begin the New Year sharing points on the new creation, the acceptance of water baptism by Jesus Christ, and the Lord’s identity as the Second Adam.  In the same way, the existence of heaven and earth are accomplished through the accord and action of the Word and the Holy Spirit as primary agents from the fullness of divinity, Salvation, eternal life for mankind, and the new creation upon the earth are begun and will be completed through the Incarnate Son and the Holy Spirit.  Jesus Christ appeared as the “second Adam” and “the faithful witness” to all the works of GOD for creation, dominion, revelation, and sacred truth among created beings and living creatures.  Developing Christians are to suspend their use of secular knowledge and carnal reason by relying instead on the Spirit and Word of “new life.”  A fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” forum using the ID “?” (Level 3 with 2,007 points, a member since June 19, 2013) posted the following:

 

Jehovah’s witnesses….was Jesus Christ born again?

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth:  and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.  But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create:  for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.  And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people:  and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying.  There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days:  for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed.  And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them.  They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat:  for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.  They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them.  And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.  The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock:  and dust shall be the serpent’s meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.  (Isaiah 65:  17-25, King James Version, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Knowing What To Believe? (12/31/2017); Jesus Demonstrated Perfected Humanity (10/29/2017); Christ Our High Priest (10/25/2017); Undergoing A Sacred Transformation (10/24/2017); Accepting Christ, Accepting Change (10/20/2017); Divine Forgiveness Not Enough? (09/22/2017); Adam, Family and Law (07/05/2017)

 

“?”, I will not answer as a Catholic, a Jehovah’s Witness, a Messianic Jew, a Seventh Day Adventist, or any other category of denomination/community of faith.  Yet, as one encouraged to be a joint-heir with Jesus Christ, I feel I have some points to share that will help developing Christian believers “see with new eyes”:

(1.)  Jesus acknowledged the operations of GOD through water baptism, and was willing to be joined to the prophetic ministry of John the Baptist who was filled with the Holy Spirit (also called, the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Prophecy, the Spirit of Truth).

(2.)  Although raised and nourished on holy ground and the offerings of the covenant people of GOD, John left the Temple community at Jerusalem to be an evangelist in the wilderness, and to serve as the forerunner and herald authenticating “the faithful witness” who would demonstrate and proclaim divinity as Incarnate (i.e.,  manifest on the earth in flesh as one anointed and imparted from the fullness of GOD—we say the Christ, the Messiah).

(3.)  Water baptism depicts the death, burial, and resurrection of ones inborn spirit.  More than simply that sinners are cleansed, they are “born again” from divine DNA in the sense that they become filled with sacred seed, must “grow again,” and become mature/ripe for harvest.  Their repentance goes forth powered by inseparable aspects of divine substance imparted from the spirit makeup of GOD.  Included are balance, completeness, faith, forbearance, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, meekness, oneness without sameness, personhood, wisdom, and wrath against sin.

(4.)  Jesus accepted baptism as an expression of sacred laws pertaining to the offering of sacrifices for atonement and propitiation of sin.  The letter of the law was not being carried out, rather, the righteousness in the law was being performed.  The frameworks of time and space did not apply as though the Christ would be offered on the cross the very next hour or day; and the baptism of Jesus became his ordination as well as the declaration of his standing as Son of the Highest, and the firstborn heir who is to fulfill the will of the Father in his absence.

(5.)  The birth of Jesus signaled the new creation wherein the Anointed One appears as the Second Adam.  As surely as an inheritance of sin came upon mankind through the first Adam, an inheritance of priesthood modeled after the one existing in heaven and administered by Jesus as High Priest was shared as an inheritance for mankind on the earth.

There is far more to be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (6.)  The nativity of Jesus at Bethlehem through his mother, Mary, is to be understood as a “birth” of the Word (breath, life essence, Spirit) who has always existed among the three persons of the GODhead (the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).  As developing believers continue their study of the holy writings, many will discover that the resurrection of Jesus from the tomb of crucifixion may be described as his rebirth.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

Washington, DC

 

(12/04/2017) Saul Different From David?

Saul Attacking David (1646) by Giovanni Francesco Barbieri (Guercino)

 

Today, reply is made on divine impartiality in judgment as the first kings of Israel, Saul and David, are contrasted.  In general the works of Saul may be spoken of as political and secular, while the works of David included a broad range of spiritual acts and prophetic demonstrations that furthered the order and beauty of priesthood.  As the heirs of Adam, both men were sinners, both were labeled by GOD as “bloody”, both men were mortals who eventually died, and both should be carefully considered for their use by divinity to make visible the aspects of sacred makeup such as faithfulness, forgiveness, longsuffering, mercy, patience, repentance, wisdom, and wrath against sin.  A fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” forum using the ID “Capricorn” (Level 1 with zero (0) points shown, a member since March 09, 2017) posted the following:

 

Why did YHWH condemn Saul to death, but he didn’t do the same to David who also sinned against God?

Scripture tells us that both Saul and David have disobeyed God, but Saul was (effectively) condemned to death, whilst God commuted David’s death penalty.

So why did God kill only one person, but not both of them if they both sinned against him?

What made Saul different from David that he should fall onto his sword and have his head put on display by his enemies?

Why was God more lenient towards David although they have both sinned against him?

Why should they be treated differently if they have both sinned against Jehovah.

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David enquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites.  And the king called the Gibeonites, and said unto them; (now the Gibeonites were not of the children of Israel, but of the remnant of the Amorites; and the children of Israel had sworn unto them:  and Saul sought to slay them in his zeal to the children of Israel and Judah.)  Wherefore David said unto the Gibeonites, What shall I do for you? and wherewith shall I make the atonement, that ye may bless the inheritance of the LORD?  (2nd Samuel 21:  1-3, King James Version, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Prophesying By Music Ministers (11/06/2017); David, Goliath and GOD (05/26/2017); The Sin of Witchcraft? (01/24/2017); The Living Baptized for the Dead? (03/27/2015); Ark of the Covenant? (03/17/2015); The Sin of Pride? (08/13/2014); Judged For Acts and Thoughts? (08/14/2014); A Hardened Spirit? (06/12/2014); Mary (06/13/2014); Lot and the Angels (05/04/2014); Expulsion from Eden (05/05/2014)

 

“Capricorn”, the revelation of GOD is about Jesus Christ, and the lessons we are given use nations and kings such as Judah and Israel, Saul and David.  There are multiple operations and tools used by GOD to make immortal, incorruptible, unseen divinity knowable, known, accessible, and approachable.  Through the Bible we are allowed to “see” GOD from a divine point of view (i.e., appearing through thousands of events within thousands of lives over the course of thousands of years).  The peculiar study methods of comparing (showing how two figures are the same) and contrasting (showing how figures are different) appear throughout the Scriptures.  In some instances there is a direct pairing of figures (e.g., the brothers Abel and Cain, or Esau and Jacob; the prophets Balaam and  Moses; the High Priests Aaron and Melchizedek); others can be discovered easily and made the focus of detailed studies (For example, the Judge Samson can be compared to King Solomon as the judge who determines the true mother of a child in a dispute between two prostitutes.  The ruin for both these sacred figures came through their weaknesses relating to women.  Samson yielded to the nagging of one woman; while Solomon yielded to those among his 700 wives and 300 concubines.)  Keep in mind, when GOD proclaimed his glory before Moses, he declared the sins of the fathers will challenge the following four generations (i.e., as much as 160 years).

The character and spirit content of Saul began to come into view when he was introduced to divine service through an encounter with the prophet Samuel.  Saul was seeking animals (property) that had strayed from his home.  Before being supported in public as the chosen king of Israel, much to his surprise and that of everyone else, Saul first experienced an anointing among a group of prophets who were strangers to him.  At first, Saul displayed no ambition to be prophet or king, and even hid himself to avoid being taken.  Later, his determination to establish his own continuing dynasty became a form of insanity and madness.  His first “official business” as king that gained him favor was a military intervention where he would be the champion for Jabesh-gilead against the Ammonites.  (The Gibeonites in fact were Amorites (Gentiles) who had tricked those under Joshua into making a forbidden covenant.  Later, Saul would seek to eliminate them all, and following his death, Israel would be cursed with famine for three years.)  Saul accused Ahimelech of rebellion and aiding of David, and commanded 85 from the line of priests be slaughtered at Nob.  When Saul realized he no longer had the favor of GOD, and following the death of his adviser, Samuel, Saul went so far as to seek knowledge from the dead through a witch, rather than repent, or step down from being king over Israel.  Saul’s death was by suicide after being wounded in battle.

Before the defeat of the Philistine champion, Goliath, David had been anointed to be king by the Prophet Samuel.  David challenged the giant in reverence to GOD.  Even so, David’s ascendance to the throne of Israel required a full generation (40 years) that included tempering and testing through life as a fugitive, serving as a leader of refugees and those also persecuted by Saul, secretly fighting against the enemies of Israel as well as serving as king over Hebron.  David expressed devotion to GOD from his youth, and throughout his lifetime displayed a sacred anointing that included faith, gratitude, humility, longsuffering, meekness, and repentance.  GOD would not allow David to pursue his selfish plan to build a temple at Jerusalem; yet, granted that his dynasty would reign, and pledged that the promised prophet and ruler of Israel (many say, the Messiah) would come from his line. 

There is far more to be said, correctly examined, and made a part of our own spiritual grasp.  (For example, David died at home in bed as did Jacob.  In addition to service as king, the anointing upon David also was that of judge, priest, and prophet.  Thus, David recovered the Ark of the Covenant, created a new tent of meeting, established the liturgy for worship as well as the schedules of service for the Levites.  Because of the coronation of Solomon before his death, Israel as a united kingdom had two consecrated monarchs on a single throne at the same time, the father and the son.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC