Today, topics include connections among divine judgment, peace, and sacred warfare. The life and ministry of Jesus Christ demonstrated Spirit growth. The message Jesus proclaimed in the end of his ministry on the earth was not the same as what he was expected to share as a disciple of John the Baptist. The doctrines of baptism, repentance, and the coming kingdom would be eclipsed by his announcement of a new testament in his blood. Jesus would be built up, edified, and permanently changed in accordance to divine laws for human growth, maturity, and service as a vessel of GOD. His life would include sacred events that crystallized and refocused his message such as 40 days and nights fasting and praying in the wilderness, being confronted and tested by Satan, and meeting with Elijah and Moses in the mount of transfiguration. In addition to making the exalted character and spirit makeup of the Creator knowable and known, revelation also declares divine wrath against sin, the opposition of sin to the continued existence of divine law, and the ongoing warfare for, against and within the spirit substance of created beings and living creatures. Desire for revenge, further fighting, and vendetta are often outcomes of war, however, peace is usually the outcome of judgment that sees the application of law for the resolution of conflict and the settlement of disputes. The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Bob Johnson” (Level 5 with 8,978 points, a member since November 30, 2006) posted the following:
Why did Jesus say "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God"?
Then turn around and say “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword."
Update: Contrast "Blessed are the peacemakers" with "I did not come to bring peace."
THE GOLDEN ARROW: My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart. God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day. If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready. He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors. (Psalms 7: 10-13, King James Version, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Sharing The Correct Message (01/30/2017); The Peace of Christmas? (12/25/2016); The Divine Peace Process? (09/27/2016); World Peace Is Coming? (05/08/2016); A Note On Spirit Warfare (01/06/2016); To Have True Peace? (11/12/2015); Prince of Peace? (07/18/2014)
“Bob Johnson”, lacking sacred knowledge that comes by study of the holy writings, maturity that comes by practice of the sacraments (e.g., confession, baptism, prayer) and regular fellowship with mature believers, those “born again” must “grow up again”, and can not correctly or consistently acknowledge and apply instruction provided through the imparted, indwelling Spirit sent from Christ. Many assume the early teachings of Jesus are no different than his teachings during the period when he was approaching his death on the cross. Similarly, many assume that his public teaching in the precincts of the Temple at Jerusalem were the same as his open discourses with the multitudes on the hillside or the sea shore. In part, such error is repeated because the revelation from divinity was intended only for those who were called, chosen, elect, faithful to “the law and the prophets,” and who were to serve as eyewitnesses that he truly was raised from the dead. Deity appeared to Moses as a god of judgment. Jesus appeared as a more complete embodiment of divinity (we say, Incarnation) than Moses received, and directly spoke to more than simply covenant relationship, a divine inheritance upon the earth (the Promised Land), and the Ten Commandments law. The ministry of Jesus also included judgment, death, rebirth, resurrection from the dead, and eternal life. The wrath of GOD against sin is expressed in sanctions declared through the law, and carried out as correction, punishment, and warning. The plagues against Egypt and warfare against the seven tribes who broke covenant with GOD are examples of judgment that appears through warfare. The apostles and disciples of Jesus were to acknowledge that his ministry was not one of compromise intended to maintain a status quo described by complacency, indifference, negligence, the flesh, tradition, and worldliness. Consider the following:
(1.) Exodus 34: 5-8, King James Version (KJV): 5 And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. 6 And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, 7 Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation. 8 And Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped.
(2.) Romans 8: 29-30, KJV: 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
(3.) Matthew 13: 10-17, KJV: 10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? 11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. 12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. 13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. 14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: 15 For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. 16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. 17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) Revelation 3: 15-19, KJV: 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.) 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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