(11/10/2012) Before the Fruit?

     Adam and Eve, corruption, and answer to the charge that the Creation of GOD was imperfect are featured, today. Also, there is more on the importance of Julius Caesar as a symbol in Christian belief. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “Jack” (Level 1 with 90 points, a member since November 8, 2012) posted the following:



Didn't Adam and Eve sin before eating the fruit?

God apparently told Adam and Eve not to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, and when the serpent came and convinced Eve to eat the fruit, she disobeyed god and ate it anyway. Isn't disobediance to your authority figures considered sin? So apparently Adam and Eve weren't so perfect to begin with, because if they were they wouldn't have rebelled.



THE BATTLE AXE: Unto Caesar…? (11/09/2012)—Within the framework of the Scriptures, Julius Caesar is a symbol and a “type” representing the material world as well as the belief system created by mankind called “humanism”, “secular reality,” “spiritual confusion” and “the world.” Like Pharaoh, or Saul, Jeroboam, and Herod (earthly kings who disobeyed GOD and violated the Mosaic covenant), Julius Caesar, Nero and others portray government marked by corruption, decadence, and pride; and are figures of the Adversary, Satan. When challenged on the point of paying tribute to Caesar, Jesus made a peculiar re-statement of the law declared through Moses, and thereby addressed divine inheritance, the giving of sacrifice and tithes as well as the sovereignty of Almighty GOD (see Deuteronomy 12: 1-16, King James Version).



THE GOLDEN ARROW: And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. (1st Corinthians 15: 45-49, King James Version)



THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Sin Inherited? (01/22/2012); Trouble For The Good? (01/15/2012); Binder 35: Whom The Lord Loveth (11/01/2011); Binder 14: The Day That GOD Created (10/11/2011); Dispatch 16: The Ally (Wounded) 08/24/2011; Adam Saved? (12/03/2010)



     Many mature Christian believers now understand that neither GOD nor mankind may be mocked as imperfect because of sin. Using only human knowledge, skills, and talents, mankind cannot eliminate sin. Sin pertains to actualities of existence, and goes beyond behavior, conduct and thought. Sin is not a created thing, and has neither dimension, purpose, or divine substance. Even so, sin has direction, effect and presence, and may dominate the self-will of created beings and living creatures.

     Sin—corruption, decay that operates as opposition to holiness, divine law, and the existence of GOD—was first realized as present among the angels, whose endowment of knowledge included sacred truth, praise, service and worship while providing no information on the operations of sin, repentance from sin, and the destruction of being that results by sin. Sin emerged despite the innocence and purity that described content of the angels. Sin is not an expression of, nor may sin control or influence the will of Divine Person. Because sin is immaterial, foreign to all being, and insubstantial, sin cannot be known through discursive thought and foreknowledge.

     Among the various aspects that comprise life for the living, there must be a continuous acknowledgment of GOD along with animation, consciousness, person, presence, purpose, and self-will. Divine substance deposited within mankind establishes humanity and the “living soul.” The recovery of mankind from “non-existent” yet devastating sin, demands a broad range of sacred processes. Included are birth, death, judgment, repentance, rebirth, resurrection, and salvation.

     Such language as disobedience, evil, iniquity and rebellion is used among developing believers like “mama” and “dada” are used among children in the first stages of language acquisition. Simple ideas and natural speech must be used to communicate sacred relationship and spiritual realities that are profound (i.e., deep; all-encompassing and far-reaching in application, and consequence): Before Eve ate, she looked, she imagined, she formulated a desire, and she yielded to curiosity. Eve forgot both Adam and GOD, placed trust in an Adversary as if he were equal to GOD, and discounted the word from GOD that was law. Both the law and the punishment for its violation were determined and proclaimed long before Eve made choice to commit any error.

     There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, with GOD, Creation is not a one-time event. The excellence of mankind is that, as the centerpiece of Creation, mankind conveys the image of GOD, and proclaims the sacred truth that divinity is immortal, immutable and unchanging, yet is capable of operating as continuous and progressive.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC