Today, focus is upon divine revelation by the cross, mature Christian belief, and “world peace.” Curiously, developing believers often appear no different than those who disbelieve, and who oppose the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Lacking discernment (i.e., ability to apply sacred knowledge and the experience that comes by observing divine sacraments—we say, sacred practice), both classes express ignorance of the divine nature, eternal purpose, and ongoing godly operations to fulfill prophecy, complete the “new creation,” and continue the full revelation of GODhead. In place of meekness, they display ingratitude, exaggerated pride, and stubbornness that sets them apart as ones who can not be reasoned with, relied upon as co-laborers, or fully trusted as allies. Those born again, ultimately, are to serve as apostles, prophets, and offspring of GOD who speak and utter the will of divinity, rather than their own desires, complaints, feelings, and opinions. One of the many fighters at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information shared) posted the following:
If jesus was the messiah then why didn't he fufill the prophecy of world peace christians?
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. (Matthew 10: 32-39, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: To Have True Peace? (11/12/2015); Conflict Because of Religious Belief? (01/30/2015); The Christmas Spirit? (12/23/2014); Peace The Gift of Christmas? (12/24/2014); Prince of Peace? (07/18/2014); Finding Peace Through the Bible? (06/02/2014); Disliking Other Christians? (06/03/2014)
“Anonymous”, when “born again” Christian believers “grow up again” following their rebirth through water baptism, and begin to enter into their maturity as those who proclaim “the good news” of GOD from the cross (i.e., atonement, forgiveness, propitiation, redemption, salvation), they realize that there are multiple meanings for “peace”. Their focus is not upon the carnal, material and social existence we describe as “the world,” and they are free to apprehend sacred knowledge that reveals the character, nature and substance of Deity.
Foremost is the understanding that “peace” is never the outcome of war that generates bitterness, cruelty, death, and destruction. Peace is the outcome of divine judgment, the resolution of conflicts and the settlement of disputes by using divine law and other enduring standards established by GOD (e.g., covenant, promise, prophesy). Going further, peace is the entrance into divine rest as foreshadowed by the Sabbath, the “sleep” of Adam during the creation of Eve, and the time Jesus remained within the tomb.
Because of Adam’s transgression, all mankind has continued under condemnation and a “sentence of death” that is only lifted by Jesus dying upon the cross. Before the first pair committed any offense, warnings were given, and the provision of death was described as a condition that thereafter would pass upon all that live in the earth, because thereafter the operations of sin would pass upon all who would be born upon the earth. The appearance of divinity in flesh (we say, Incarnation) would be required, and even the death of GOD appearing in human form, before the many unseen demands of death and sin could be conclusively addressed.
There is far more that should be said, understood, and spiritually taken in. (For example, the peace that is to come as the final elimination of all deceit, ignorance of GOD, sin, and wickedness will occur with completion of the second death.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
Washington, DC
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