The return of Jesus to
heaven by ascension, how believers overcome skepticism, and titles for Jesus as
heir of GOD are topics, today. The “Yahoo! Answers” writer using ID “Agent
Sixty Three” (Level 2 with 792 points, a member since September 13, 2011) posted
the following:
Did Jesus 'ascend' into heaven
'physically'?
Is that phrase literal? Does it mean what it says
or is it another one of those twisted, mistranslated, misunderstood, poetic,
allegorical, or figurative phrases?
Because I thought heaven was NOT 'up' but in a
completely different dimension.
And I thought heaven was NOT a physical place, as
physical bodies are the cause of most sins to begin with.
So what's going on here?
Let's hear some excuses.
THE BATTLE AXE: The
Firstborn, Higher than Kings? (12/18/2012)—The title “firstborn” applied to
Jesus as Son and heir of GOD goes beyond merely identifying the primary actor in
a legal process to preserve an estate, dispose of a deceased person’s
belongings, or to transfer ownership of carnal and material substance. The Son
of GOD is declared to be preeminent; and Jesus is titled “firstborn from the
dead.” As with the titles “begotten” and “firstfruits”, Jesus is distinguished
as generated from Spirit, and born of a woman from flesh, under the law, yet,
not conceived, fashioned and made through human reproduction. More than this,
Jesus is again generated from Spirit, “born again” as the planting and seed of
GOD, restored in resurrection, under the law, yet, not through human methods of
husbandry. (See Galatians 4: 1-7; Acts 13: 29-31; 1st Corinthians 15: 20-28
and 32-58; Colossians 1: 9-20, King James Version.)
THE GOLDEN ARROW: 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: Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest
entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; 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. And
as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 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. (Hebrews 9: 24-28,
KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: A Golden
Ticket? (11/30/2012); Given the Cloud of Witnesses (11/29/2012); How Was GOD
Known Before Jesus? (10/06/2012); Jesus King of Earth? (10/07/2012); A Man in
Heaven? (09/23/2012); Aliens? (09/24/2012); Reason to Believe (01/12/2012); On
Going to Heaven (01/13/2012); Spirit or Word? (12/11/2010); Justification?
(12/12/2010)
Understanding the things of GOD provided by
the ministries of Jesus Christ (upon the earth, and from heaven) requires a
broad awareness of spiritual reality that begins in the fact that GOD is a
spirit; and we—though created beings and living creatures bearing flesh and
blood—must worship him relying upon our own inner spirit, and our human
disciplines for sharing truth (see John 4: 19-26, King James Version). Among
mankind, the divine spirit uses devices and demonstrations that can be
recognized and understood as aspects and details of a comprehensive truth.
Together, various visible features describe godly provisions, divine processes,
and otherwise unseen sacred purpose. Included are incarnation, birth,
anointing, sanctification, death, resurrection, judgment, salvation, and eternal
life.
Everyone who comes to Christ begins with a
measure of disbelief that blocks, and interferes with the operation of the
imparted Spirit from GOD that must abide within the believer as their guide and
teacher. Study of the holy writings that document the action and presence of
GOD among men, nourishes and strengthens the human spirit; and redirects
emotional and mental energies away from fantasy and imagination. Old ideas
about what is possible or impossible are gradually altered, and the ability to
recognize the many aspects of divinity in the earth (i.e., true spiritual
discernment) is established. This was true for all those whom Jesus called as
his apostles, and continues to be true unto this day.
Mature Christian believers stand firm in the
truth that GOD did appear in human form as Jesus of Nazareth to fulfill divine
promises and complete sovereign works that were begun in the Creation. Jesus
demonstrated authority over both the natural and spirit world through miracles
that included exorcism, feeding, healing, and raising the dead. More than this,
Jesus demonstrated and embodied the righteousness contained in divine law as
well as the godly wisdom requisite for divine judgment.
There is far more to be said, correctly
applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, the proclamation that Jesus
would return in the same form and manner that was used in his leaving is
consistent both with the covenant promises of GOD, and the expectations
commanded (we say “hope”) granted to mankind for final resolution of the mystery
of GOD, and a full revelation of the GODhead. GOD continues to exist using the
form of a man in heaven by the Person of Jesus Christ.) Even so, I trust this
fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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