(05/31/2017) Politics and The Kingdom?

 

Today, government, politics, and the kingdom of GOD are topics.  Benefits within the kingdom of GOD are distributed on the basis of divine prerogative, freely-given gifts, grace, need, and outcomes of lawful judgment.  Government officials and politicians conform to standards that project two very different systems for response to the same people who are in covenant as a “commonwealth”.  The conflicts and disagreements between the two systems center on such features as accountability, authority, balance, benignity, compassion, duty, integrity, justice, law, trust, and truth.  While politicians often claim to monitor and exercise a healthy oversight of government to ensure the completion of good works, the elimination of waste, or the observance of ethical measures, without careful review and detailed scrutiny, the public instead will see only interference, meddling, and presumption.  One of the fighters at “Yahoo! 7 Answers (Australia)” using the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information appears) posted the following:


What does Jesus think about covfefe?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee.  They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power;  To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.  (Psalms 145:  10-12, King James Version, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  First Seeking the Kingdom (03/03/2017); A Gift of Franchise? (09/06/2016); Jesus As America’s President? (05/20/2015); Faith not Politics? (12/02/2014); Ye Are Not In The Flesh (12/03/2014); A Kingdom Now and One To Come? (09/05/2014); Comfort? (09/06/2014)


“Anonymous”, within the World system, “government” may be understood as a man-made institution or organization to discharge and express “the will of the people” (we say, their commitment, desire, determination) to participate in and maintain a shared covenant (i.e., law) that establishes a permanent association for pursuing common goals that include acquiring and exchanging goods, exercising ownership and property rights as well as achieving personal goals, security, and survival.  The kingdom of GOD is the divine government that exists through covenant relationship, eternal purpose, oneness without sameness, and the multiple sacred operations performed by the persons of the GODhead (Father, Son, Holy Spirit).  The divine kingdom is made visible among the living upon the earth in accordance with sacred law that embodies the person, presence and sovereign will of divinity.  Those who belong to the kingdom all receive rebirth and must mature as the offspring of GOD, who exist having endowments of Spirit from the makeup of Deity such as faith, holiness, longsuffering, meekness, wisdom, and wrath against sin.  As a primary service provided by government, the distribution of resources (e.g., appropriations in budgets, funding, jobs, surpluses) comes into view as the target of politics.  Through appeals, competition, private means, and even illegal procedures, politics appear alongside of lawful government as an independent system to alter and modify the covenant, exercise influence, impose control, determine advantage, and manipulate “the will of the people.”  Where government must acknowledge duties and obligations expressing law, priorities of need and truth, politics acknowledge otherwise marginal features such as consumerism, envy, popular culture, social media, fake news, and “covfefe”.   Consider again the following from the Bible:

(1.)  Romans 13:  1-4, King James Version (KJV):  1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God:  the powers that be are ordained of God.  2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God:  and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.  3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:  4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain:  for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

(2.)  Colossians 1:  12-18, KJV:  12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:  13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:  14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:  15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:  16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers:  all things were created by him, and for him:  17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.  18 And he is the head of the body, the church:  who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (3.)  Romans 8:  3-9, KJV:  3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:  4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  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

 

(05/30/2017) Reconciliation Provided By Christ

 

Today, a response is shared on the message of reconciliation provided by Jesus Christ, and the ministry of reconciliation to be carried out by believers.  There is an irrevocable condemnation against sin, and a standing sentence of death from GOD that applies to all mankind.  Both judgment and mercy are provided to establish balance against the mechanical specificity and wrath of the law, for correctly understood, the divine law is exceeding excellent, impossible to take an opposing view about and inarguable.  In spite of humanity’s imperfection, inability to independently repent, and lack of a self-will when separate from GOD that can bring about permanent change to correctly resist and eliminate sin, GOD is reconciled to mankind on the basis of the love, perfection and divine righteousness of Jesus Christ.  Mankind is reconciled to GOD “by the death of Jesus Christ” as the living acknowledge the atonement and propitiation for sin purchased with his sufferings, and through his blood from the cross.  More than this, believers are reconciled “by the life of Jesus” as they show themselves to be vessels of divinity through their lifestyles and daily routines that display praise, eternal purpose, sacred knowledge, thanksgiving, and unselfish service.  The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers (New Zealand)” who uses the ID “witness of jesus” (Level 7 with 222,577 points, a member since March 01, 2007) posted the following:


I was visiting at a biblegateway and the teacher gave this lesson Does the ministry of reconciliation mean similar to a 4th gospel?

2 Cor. 5: 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;  

[Later, this writer also posted:   there is the gospel of Jesus Christ, the first definition for many people to believe its the resurrection of Jesus. then there is the gospel, good news, the gospel of remission of sins, and of course Paul says he has his own gospel, and now they were also given the ministry of reconciliation. four different types of the message of Jesus Christ.]


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:  Sharing The Correct Message (01/30/2017); Divine and Unconditional Love (09/18/2016); Divine Focus and Process (07/19/2016); The Life Of GOD? (06/01/2016); The Cross and Mankind (05/13/2016); Justified Through Christ? (08/26/2015); GOD Does the Divine Part (01/05/2014); Sin in Mind not Deed? (01/06/2014)


“witness of jesus”, many Christian believers understand the “reconciliation” of divinity to mankind and Creation as being depicted by the process of lovers who have quarreled, and must “kiss and make up.”  Spiritual confusion often results from that idea, because there is a subtle emphasis upon discounting, dismissing, forgetting, and ignoring sin.  The operations of sin absolutely must be recognized, resisted, and eliminated.  GOD is the origin and source for all that has existence, life, authority, power, presence, and duration.   Sin is no material object or spirit substance, has not been put forth by divinity, yet the operations of sin have “direction” and “effect“, and may dominate awareness and self-will within created beings and living creatures.  Sin opposes the continuation of all divine order established and maintained through sacred law, promotes nonexistence, and restores conditions and patterns in place before creation.

The “reconciliation” demonstrated through the ministry of Jesus Christ is far from being an acceptance or endorsement of sin as a natural, normal condition for mankind.  Sin is contrary to man’s intended character and makeup.  By appearing in flesh as the Son of Man, the GODhead has provided an acknowledgement of existing conditions, the continued excellence of human potential and divine possibility, the need for permanent change, and that only through divinity asserting accountability can there be recovery for Adam from the fall, and salvation that restores mankind as a companion to immortal, incorruptible GOD.  In the same way, GOD is to be seen as accountable, mankind is to manifest a new level of integrity, and acknowledge his own level of accountability.

The ministry of “reconciliation” through Jesus Christ is the ongoing transformation of mankind, and the imparting of Eternal Life through fresh endowments of sprit substance from the makeup of GOD.  Included are faith, forbearance, holiness, joy, longsuffering, lovingkindness, wisdom, and wrath against sin.  Sinners must experience rebirth that entails the death, burial, and resurrection of their inherited, inborn spirit (we also say, breath, life essence, word).  While the divine invitation through grace is “come as you are,” it is to be understood, the sinner may not “stay as you are.”  Those “born again” also must “grow up again” as vessels of divine spirit upon the earth.  Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

(1.)  Genesis 6:  5-8, King James Version (KJV):  5 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.  6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.  7 And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.  8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

(2.)  Genesis 18:  23-26, KJV:  23 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?  24 Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city:  wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein?  25 That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked:  and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee:  Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?  26 And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.

(3.)  1st Corinthians 15:  21-22, KJV:  21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.  22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (4.)  Romans 5:  7-10, KJV:  7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die:  yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.  8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.  10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

 

(05/29/2017) ...Gathered In My Name

Today, focus is on differences in the character, purpose, and substance of sacred gatherings of believers as distinct from contacts that occur by chance.  While enthusiasm, joy, and zeal are to be seen in the life of a believer on a continuing basis there also should be accountability, balance, circumspection, and restraint.  Attitudes, behavior and speech appropriate in the place of worship is often disruptive and divisive in the classroom, the public forum, the workplace, or the home.  Believers are commanded to love, avoid meddling, and to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”  Even long-time members within the congregations may lose sight of their own place regarding the core issues and divine operations of the church such as revelation, completing judgment, serving as joint-heirs, unselfish ministry to others, and preparing for the coming of Jesus Christ to harvest the earth of those who belong to him and who are ripe (mature).  With this in view, the church may only be made up of those who willingly submit themselves to the Lord, and freely give just as they have been given to.  There can be no communion through coercion, deceit and indifference, or lies, slander, threats, and violence.  The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers (India)” using the ID “BRIAN” (Level 6 with 20,686 points, a member since August 02, 2015) posted the following:


Why are Christians so different outside church?

I've been exploring church for a few months and on Sunday my Christian "friends" are so nice to me.
They explain about the service and after it ends, they make sure I get some coffee and biscuits. Then they hug me tightly and say "God bless"
However, when I see the same people through the week, they ignore me, even though I know they see me.
One guy nearly broke his leg, as he jumped over paint tins in a hardware shop!! Yet 2 days later he gave me a hearty handshake and said "good to see you in church today"
Why?
WHY???
Is this a Belfast Metropolitan church thing only???


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  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:  19-20, King James Version, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  The Answer From GOD (05/19/2017); The Quality of Life? (03/29/2017); ...Because GOD Loves You (03/05/2017); Become Like Jesus Christ? (10/27/2016); Good Christians and Church? (10/19/2016); A Fool of the Church? (01/26/2016); Any Way For Men To Behave? (09/06/2015); Jesus, A Party Animal? (05/03/2013); Jesus Lives! (05/04/2013)


“BRIAN”, Christian believers will encounter one another  regularly as a community of faith within a sanctuary cleansed and set apart by their prayers, reverence, sacrifices (we also say, giving), and sacred truth.  Called “the body of Christ” the church seeks and creates a setting very different from that offered by the world.  The active presence who is GOD is invoked and welcomed.  There are shared purposes for spirit growth, service to others, and acceptable worship.  The shared life of the church is not one of rejoicing only; there also are times of fear, humiliation, isolation, persecution, and uncertainty.  Becoming emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually mature as a Christian believer is a lifetime work accomplished by completing such tasks as acquiring sacred knowledge; maintaining specific shared practices (we say, sacraments) meanings, and values; enduring bereavement, loss, and strained relationships along with pursuing readiness to receive Jesus Christ at his coming in spite of opposition, sin and suffering.  All within the body of believers must undergo operations of the Holy Spirit whereby they become “born again.”  More than this, all must “grow up again” and become mature as living vessels of spirit substance from the makeup of GOD.  By receiving deposits of holy seed (we also say, divine DNA), sinners become the offspring of GOD through Jesus Christ.  Included are faith, forbearance, forgiveness, gratitude, holiness, hope, joy, longsuffering, lovingkindness, meekness, wisdom, and wrath against sin.  Just as the fullness of divinity (we say, the GODhead) appears presenting oneness without sameness among three divine persons (Father, Son and Holy Spirit), the members of the church are diverse, and will display different levels of commitment, discernment, maturity and understanding as well as different spiritual abilities and gifts.  Where believers encounter one another on the street and “in the world” they often must operate with a different sense of alertness, focus, spiritual freedom, and clarity of process.  Consider again the following from the Bible:

(1.)  Romans 8:  5-9, King James Version (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.

(2.)  1st  John 2:  15-17, KJV:  15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.  17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof:  but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

(3.)  John 17:  14-19, KJV:  14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.  15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.  16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.  17 Sanctify them through thy truth:  thy word is truth.  18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.  19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (4.)  Malachi 3:  16-18, KJV:  16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another:  and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.  17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.  18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(05/28/2017) Law and Divine Process

Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed - Daniel 2:  28

Today, focus is on divine law that responds to the human error of acknowledging things in the natural world as being “gods”.   For the first pair, the basis for ongoing relationship as companions to the Creator were such gifts as grace, divine love, promise, and respect.  The offense committed by Adam and Eve was their turning away from GOD within their desires, feeling, and thoughts—immaterial aspects of their makeup—and endorsing things as having sovereign authority because they were carnal, material, social, and visible.  The process of GOD to recover mankind and the Creation must address the origins and sources of their error in terms of the divine endowment that was lost, their lack of sacred knowledge, and their need to be replenished with spirit substance from divinity.  Strangely enough, the making and worship of graven images is not the expression of denying GOD and unbelief so much as it is the expression of being in spiritual confusion, being deceived, desiring a right relationship with divinity, and being separated from GOD by differences in spirit content —the absence of oneness without sameness, not just the inequalities of awareness and self-will (will power).  The same drive to know GOD was in Abraham, and is seen through his digging of wells for water, his journeying as a nomad seeking the City of GOD, his building and consecration of altars along with his willingness to sacrifice the son received as a gift from GOD.  At no time did the Patriarch pursue false gods, or man-made objects thought to contain and conceal divine beings.  The response of GOD to mankind through Jesus Christ continues to be through sacred law and immutable promises.  The writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Good As Gold” (Level 6 with 11,082 points, a member since July 12, 2011) posted the following:


Does "Do not put other gods before me" mean there are other Gods?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by his understanding.  When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens; and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth:  he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures.  Every man is brutish by his knowledge; every founder is confounded by the graven image:  for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them.  They are vanity, the work of errors:  in the time of their visitation they shall perish.  The portion of Jacob is not like them; for he is the former of all things:  and Israel is the rod of his inheritance:  the LORD of hosts is his name.  Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war:  for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms;  (Jeremiah 51:  15-20, King James Version, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  David, Goliath and GOD (05/26/2017); Divine Law Expresses Love (05/10/2017); Christianity Is Not Mindless (05/02/2017); Holy Fire From GOD? (04/27/2017); The Sin of Witchcraft? (01/24/2017); No Other gods? (08/14/2015); Unto Caesar…? (11/09/2012); Before the Fruit? (11/10/2012)


“Good As Gold”, from the beginning with Adam, Eve, and the serpent, mankind has repeatedly erred by responding to figures and objects in the natural world as if they were divine.  Using such finite tools as “carnal reason,” fantasy, imagination, and “critical thinking,” man has sought to acquire and control sacred knowledge by secular means.  Those who insist that secular knowledge, material objects, and social relationships are acceptable as a foundation for the living sphere that is the universe have shown themselves willing to worship idols (e.g., a tree, a man-made object like the computer, or a cherished, chosen loved one).  Divine law that was provided for encouragement, guidance and nourishment of the first pair included “sanctions” (i.e., statements describing consequences and effects that would result by obedience/disobedience); yet, divine law has not proclaimed simply to bully, coerce , “crack the whip,” and threaten the weak.  The foundation for life was to be divine love, sacred promise, and continuous relationship through spirit (we also say, breath, life essence, word).  Mature Christian believers acknowledge the law of GOD as a peculiar appearance of Deity that allows created beings and living creatures to continue in communication and exchange with their immortal, incorruptible, invisible Creator.  Law as a tool in the process of GOD is provided for revelation (i.e., disclosure, divine self-exposure, sharing otherwise secret knowledge), reshaping the consciousness and self-will of the living, introducing and maintaining permanent changes in receptiveness to GOD as well as preparing the entire universe for the further transformations that will manifest divine fullness.  The GOD we serve as joint-heirs with Jesus Christ is a GOD who reveals himself through law and judgment.  Where men will practice obedience to divine law—even where they lack formal education and a detailed knowledge of the law—they become conformable to standards that express the character, nature, and substance of the persons that make up full divinity (we say, the GODhead, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).   Consider again 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.)  Galatians 3:  16-23, KJV:  16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.  17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.  18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise:  but God gave it to Abraham by promise.  19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.  20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.  21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid:  for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.  22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.  23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (3.)  Psalms 115:  1-8, KJV:  1 Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake.  2 Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God?  3 But our God is in the heavens:  he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.  4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.  5 They have mouths, but they speak not:  eyes have they, but they see not:  6 They have ears, but they hear not:  noses have they, but they smell not:  7 They have hands, but they handle not:  feet have they, but they walk not:  neither speak they through their throat.  8 They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

 

(05/26/2017) David, Goliath and GOD

Today, focus is on the account of David and Goliath that appears within the Bible as part of the full revelation of GOD.  While the precipitating events that resulted in the death of Goliath were little more than name-calling and taunting Israel to challenge them in battle, Goliath represented and was the “stand-in” for all the Philistines, and was condemned as guilty before GOD their Maker and Judge as being idolatrous, lawless, rebellious, and unrepentant.  As a foreshadowing to the coming of Jesus Christ, the express will of GOD (we say, the law) was made incarnate, and appeared having material form as a shepherd boy, who served as an officer of the Divine Court (the Executioner).  That a teenager (David) would be used on a battle-field against a veteran soldier who had physical stature as a giant was to make clearly visible to Israel, the Philistines, and all mankind that GOD will impose judgment upon created beings and living creatures, and will operate as the highest authority, power, and sovereign-will present in human affairs.  The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” who uses the ID “Kumquat May” (Level 6 with 10,357 points, a member since April 17, 2012) posted the following:


The bible says thou shall not kill and turn the other cheek but when david brains Goliath dead with a rock suddenly he's a great guy?

Goliath's five year old daughter: "Mummy, mummy, when's daddy coming home. I made a thing in school out of pasta that says world's best dad!"

Mrs Goliath: "Sit down, my poor daughter, I have terrible news. Daddy won't be coming home. He was murdered at work today. Some short man called David threw a rock at his temple and he died having a seizure in the dirt. You'll never see Daddy again, and now we no income it's prostitution for me and slavery for you, if David's army don't rape and kill us before that happens"

Goliath's five year old daughter: " Noooooo! But won't the Lord punish him, Mum, he's against that sort of thing? It's one of the commandments"

Mrs Goliath: "No dear, not this time. I've already heard he's mind controlling one of his zombie writers to put it in his book about how great the man who murdered your father was"


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised:  it may be that the LORD will work for us:  for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.  And his armourbearer said unto him, Do all that is in thine heart:  turn thee; behold, I am with thee according to thy heart.  Then said Jonathan, Behold, we will pass over unto these men, and we will discover ourselves unto them.  If they say thus unto us, Tarry until we come to you; then we will stand still in our place, and will not go up unto them.  But if they say thus, Come up unto us; then we will go up:  for the LORD hath delivered them into our hand:  and this shall be a sign unto us.  And both of them discovered themselves unto the garrison of the Philistines:  and the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves.  And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armourbearer, and said, Come up to us, and we will shew you a thing. And Jonathan said unto his armourbearer, Come up after me:  for the LORD hath delivered them into the hand of Israel.  And Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and upon his feet, and his armourbearer after him:  and they fell before Jonathan; and his armourbearer slew after him.  (1st Samuel 14:  6-13, King James Version, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Making and Keeping Justice? (05/25/2017); Judgment, Peace and Warfare? (03/26/2017); Teach Me To Pray (03/21/2017); Carrying Out Divine Law? (03/20/2017); Restoring the Divine Presence? (03/09/2017); The Wisdom of Years? (10/31/2016); Kingdom and One-world Empire (09/08/2016); The Accounts of Giants (05/24/2016); A Note On Spirit Warfare (01/06/2016); Why So Much Murder? (01/12/2013); Confusion 2013 (01/13/2013)


“Kumquat May”, in the account of David and Goliath, GOD is the Judge, and David is a legitimate officer of the divine court, the Executioner.  Among mature Christian believers the account of David and Goliath is received as part of the full revelation and “self-disclosure” whereby the active presence who is GOD is made knowable, known, and “visible” to created beings and living creatures.  The Bible displays the operations of GOD upon the earth from a divine perspective—that is, using thousands of events, within thousands of lives, over the course of thousands of years.  Taken from its context, spiritual confusion surrounds that and many other accounts.  Often “David and Goliath” has been presented as merely a story or adventure tale to amuse and entertain, as questionable secular history from the Middle East, and as a peculiar form of communication using diverse literary and poetic devices (e.g., allegory, epic, hyperbole, metaphor, symbolism).  Dominated by their appetite, emotion, sensation and mental functions (we say, the flesh) awareness and self-will directs a listener or reader to focus primarily on elements such as the heroism, weakness, vulnerability, and youth of David, or the arrogance, cruelty, prowess and size of Goliath.  In effect, mockers, scoffers, sinners and unbelievers remain blind, and fail to see the actions and operations of the account’s most important figure, GOD.  They would have to be “born again” in order to clearly discern, recognize, and properly respond to the account as imparting spirit content from the makeup of GOD (such as faith, holiness, hope, longsuffering, wisdom, wrath against sin).  Using their own endowment of life essence from GOD (we also say, breath, spirit, word), the listener/reader as a new creation will experience the account as demonstrating divine integrity, righteousness in covenant relationship, the fulfillment of promise and performance of duty, and the inarguable authority, prerogative and privilege of the Creator that may appear as deliverance, judgment, salvation and victory.  Consider the following from the Bible:

(1.)  1st Samuel 17:  33-37, King James Version (KJV):  33 And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him:  for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.  34 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:  35 And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth:  and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.  36 Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear:  and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.  37 David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.

(2.)  1st Samuel 17:  45-48, KJV:  45 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield:  but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.  46 This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.  47 And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear:  for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give you into our hands.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (3.)  2nd Chronicles 20:  15-18, KJV:  15 And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.  16 To morrow go ye down against them:  behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel.  17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle:  set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem:  fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them:  for the LORD will be with you.  18 And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground:  and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, worshipping the LORD.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(05/25/2017) Making and Keeping Justice?

 

Today, death, judgment, justice, and divine law are considered.  The establishment of lasting divine justice requires attention to sacred principles, and multiple subtleties (i.e., barely visible differences; hidden shifts in meaning and value) along with deeds and events that have been fully witnessed only by GOD.  Through the judgment of GOD against Adam and Eve, the living all come under a “divine sentence of death.”  Humans are released from sin where they complete and fulfill the natural condition of mortality.  Even so, the consequences from sin include final judgment, and the operations of a person’s sin may continue indefinitely long after the death of the sinner.  The second death is the divine penalty imposed against the spiritual conditions of corruption, lawlessness, sin, and wickedness.  Through use of the Lake of Fire the fullness of divine wrath against iniquity and unrepentant sinners will be completely revealed; and the influence and operations of sin will be concluded and ended forever.  Presently, imposing death and killing an offender often does reestablish and maintain balance, eternal purpose and divine order, yet, many of the aspects of justice are not visibly addressed.  Included are the provision of atonement, divine love, healing, repayment, and restitution.  One of the fighters at “Yahoo! Answers (India)” who uses the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information shared) posted the following:


Why is it wrong to kill someone if they violate god's commadnments?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.  But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.  (Romans 7:  5-6, King James Version, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Carrying Out Divine Law? (03/20/2017); Temporal and Eternal Judgment (02/15/2017); Cast the First Stone? (01/12/2017); About Revelation not Punishment? (11/25/2016); Having Not The Law? (10/06/2016); Law, Vengeance, and Punishment? (09/30/2016); Sacred Operations To Give Life? (06/29/2016); The Death Penalty? (10/08/2015); Justice Not Revenge? (01/15/2015)


“Anonymous”, the revealed objective of GOD is eternal life.  Thus, many mature Christian believers now understand that death/sleep came into existence as a tool to be used by GOD in Creation, and its purpose was to allow additions and corrections to be made where GOD would either approve as consistent with the divine impulse, or be displeased with the form, nature, substance and overall spirit-makeup of what might be put forth.  Before the “fall” of Adam and any transgression of divine law (we say, sin), death was proclaimed as a “sanction” in the law (i.e., a statement of consequences and effects that would result by obedience and disobedience).  Capital punish, execution for sinners, and killing offenders are contrary to the eternal purposes of GOD.  However, corruption and sin are without logic or reason; promote non-existence and self-destruction; and oppose the continued existence of divine law, the Law Giver, and the entire universe.  In addition to death/sleep as mortality and a natural condition, the second death is now to be applied (we say, annihilation, elimination, total destruction) to permanently remove those who no longer display aspects of spirit that will respond to divine will.

In the same way death existed as a divine possibility before there were operations of “sin”, judgment appeared as a process displaying aspects of the divine makeup wherein sacred law (called, “the express will of GOD”) serves as a reliable, unchanging standard to (1) assign duration (e.g., brief and temporal existence; mortality, immortality, transience) along with meaning, quality, and value; and to (2) resolve conflicts and settle disputes.  Rightly understood, the law is eternal, immutable, incorruptible, and displays divine perfection. 

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example:  Divine justice (we say, balance, equality, fairness) must characterize both the process and the outcomes of judgment.  Thus, “let he who is without sin, cast the first stone.”  The law of GOD may shape and supply the content of  awareness and mind within created beings and living creatures.  Even so, the law itself does not serve as “self-will” or “will power” within the living that is necessary for them to carry out, fulfill, and perform all the divine intent and purpose stated by the law.  Divine judgment becomes a further revelation of divinity wherein forgiveness, impartiality, and mercy are made visible as the righteousness of GOD.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

 

(05/24/2017) The First Common Ancestor?

The Creation of Adam

Today, reply is made to errors concerning GOD being in relationship as an ancient ancestor to mankind.  Rather than as business partners, family, and members who share other temporal social relationships among humankind, created beings and living creatures are perpetually joined to immortal, incorruptible divinity through operations that are spirit in their anointing, oneness without sameness, purpose, and substance.  Examples are seen with adoption, covenant, marriage, priesthood, and rebirth.  Correctly understood, Jesus Christ “appears within the frameworks of time and space” (we say, manifests), is “begotten” as well as “made” (see Psalms 2, John 1 & 3, and Hebrews 1 & 5), and is also to be revealed (Revelation 1).  The Lord is properly understood as having been “reproduced” from the flesh of Adam, yet, is to be known as an eternal aspect of the active presence who is GOD.  The Savior, Jesus, was born of a woman, under law first given by GOD to mankind in the form of a covenant spoken aloud by GOD to the men, women, and children assembled with Moses, and later detailed, refined and reinforced with recorded decisions and judgments.  More than this, the Lord was born under promises uttered by GOD in the hearing of the first pair, Adam and Eve that they appropriated as hope and certain expectation.  The existence of Jesus Christ within the fullness of Deity before the creation of heaven and earth is described through the holy writings in the Gospel According to John, where Christ is the aspect of GODhead called “the Word” (see Chapter 1).  It is no error that the genealogy of Jesus Christ written in the Gospel According to Luke traces the Savior as the Son of Man from Adam, who was fashioned to exist as a son of GOD, and was not begotten from GOD through sexual reproduction.  This is later edified in the Scriptures through the Epistle to the Hebrews where Christ is proclaimed the Son of GOD through mysteries of Incarnation, divine promise, and prophetic proclamation.  The fighter at “Yahoo! 7 Answers (Australia)” using the ID “mr. mojorisin” (Level 1 with 2 points, a member since October 24, 2014) posted the following:


If we go back to the beginning is God the first common ancestor to each living organism? That means God is my Great, Great... Grandfather?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of GOD.  (Luke 3:  35, King James Version, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  The Flesh, Then Beyond (05/23/2017); The Fullness of GOD? (05/21/2017); Human Nature, Divine Spirit? (05/18/2017); The Holy Spirit “Begotten”? (02/27/2017); Many Sons of GOD? (06/28/2016); The Firstborn, Higher than Kings? (12/18/2012); The Ascension of Christ? (12/19/2012)


“mr. mojorisin”, following the example of Jesus Christ that maintains plainness of speech, many mature Christian believers only say “Abba” and “Father” when speaking to  GOD in private prayer.  The language that speaks to origin and source is directed to process within the frameworks of time and space, while language such as “common ancestor” speaks to social relationships, inherited substance, inseparable aspects of shared makeup, and the multiple endowments that have established created beings and living creatures.  Going “back to the beginning,” GOD must be understood as an active presence and the only summation containing all spirit matter (we say, the GODhead) who displays such features as communication, exchange, life essence (we say, breath, spirit, word), person, eternal purpose, and oneness without sameness.

GOD is to be known and spoken of on the basis of divine deeds and works, rather than a single appellation (name) or title.  Thus, believers acknowledge that divinity emanates material and spirit substance, puts forth the living and the environments and spheres of life where they endure, determines duration both for existence and life among the living, and establishes levels of access and intimacy along with spiritual tools for ongoing interaction (e.g., divine law, status as sons and daughters of GOD, priesthood, sacred knowledge, spokespersons, holy writings).  Going further, divinity both assigns meaning, quality, and value, and resolves conflicts and disputes by applying sacred law as a standard (i.e., judgment).

Believers in Jesus Christ are embraced as the offspring of GOD through operations of the Holy Spirit that include repentance and baptism (death and burial of ones inborn spirit with rebirth from divine DNA, so to speak).  Because Christians are a new creation and vessels of divinity, they also are “joint-heirs” with their Savior.  Even so, those who are “born again” also must “grow up again” to become ripe (mature) for harvest at the appearing of Christ (we say, the Advent, the Rapture, the Second Coming).  Consider the following from the Bible:

(1.)  Isaiah 63:  16, King James Version (KJV):  16 Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not:  thou, O LORD, art our father, our redeemer; thy name is from everlasting.

(2.)  Romans 8:  14-17, KJV:  14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.  15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.  16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:  17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

(3.)  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.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (4.) 1st John 3:  7-11, KJV:  7 Little children, let no man deceive you:  he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.  8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.  9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him:  and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.  10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil:  whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.  11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(05/23/2017) The Flesh, Then Beyond

 

Today, reply is made to errors regarding the ethnicity, mortality, and worship of Jesus Christ.  It is correct to say that Jesus came to mankind through the Jews, yet, his origin and source was the fullness of divinity (we say, the GODhead), not mere flesh and blood.  Rather than as a matter of ethnic pride, special accomplishments of the Jewish people, or GOD being indebted to the Jews, the importance of Jesus appearing as a Hebrew, a prophet, the heir to King David, and the Anointed One had to do with the fulfillment of divine covenants, sacred promises, and solemn prophecies.  One of the fighters at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information appears) posted the following:


Why do christians worship a dead Jew ?

Update:  Christians do worship Jesus, Jesus is Jew.

Update 2:  @ Fireball : Jesus never said he was not Jewish anymore.

Update 3:  @L'nya : I said why, I don't care about what your cult said about the death of Jesus : it does not change the fact that this guy is a Jew.


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.  (2nd Corinthians 5:  17, King James Version, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Blame, Sin and Salvation? (02/13/2017); Also Called “The Amen” (01/29/2017); Does GOD Hate Jews? (10/03/2016); A Servant and More (08/17/2016); Discernment and Common Sense (05/17/2016); Tools for Revelation? (10/26/2015); The Evidence GOD Exists? (09/29/2015)


“Anonymous”, your way of thinking and speaking about Jesus Christ does not seem to come from the same origin and points of reference relied on by mature Christian believers.  Those who acknowledge that GOD is a spirit, also must accept definitions, meanings and values that are different from those that agree with secular instead of sacred knowledge, the domination of awareness and self-will by sin, and the enmity, imbalance, and partiality found in the world.  It may help you understand why others insist upon disagreeing with you where you will consider the following points:

(1.)  Many acknowledge Jesus as having come in flesh, was killed on the cross, resurrected from the dead, and lifted up again into heaven.  For them, Jesus is not dead today, will never die again, is justified of GOD, and is now immortal, incorruptible and soon to be glorified.  Thus it is written:  Romans 6:  8-10, King James Version (KJV):  8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:  9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.  10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once:  but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.

(2.)  Given their continuous covenant relationship and the special operations of divinity upon their character and nature, what it means to be a “Jew” goes beyond carnal, material, and social understandings.  Thus, it is written:  Romans 2:  28-29, KJV:  28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:  29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

(3.)  Given that Christ was born to engage and carry men beyond their condition of flesh and blood to being a new creation through the Spirit, his authority, “credentials” and substance must be known in terms of divine promise, prophecy, and eternal purpose.  Thus it is written:  Isaiah 11:  1-5, KJV:  1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:  2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;  3 And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD:  and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:  4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth:  and he shall smite the earth:  with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.  5 And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (4.) Worship of divinity that is acceptable and genuine to GOD goes beyond sinners agonizing over sins, or “legalism” (believers rendering mindless and slavish obedience to the strict letter of the law).  The divine nature is to be discerned, conformed to, and displayed.  The righteousness in the law is to be maintained as active and present.  Thus it is written:  John 4:  23-24, KJV:  23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth:  for the Father seeketh such to worship him.  24 God is a Spirit:  and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.)   Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC