(07/07/2020) According To Divine Schedules

Today, the reply centers on the frameworks of time and space, and the availability of divine schedules and timetables that show specific dates for sacred end time events. Properly understood, time and space have been provided as a device from divinity to provide structure for consciousness within created beings and living creatures. Acts of GOD that reveal the active presence of spirit are discerned through their content of authority, balance, consistency, focus, power, eternal purpose, and stability. As seen through miracles and selected natural events, divinity appears using time and space; however, the operations, process and substance of divine fullness are not forced to operate only in accordance with requirements generated by time and space. Throughout the holy writings, there is no indication that divinity requires either the light that facilitates the sight and vision in angels, animals, humankind, or sacred beasts, nor does divinity require the comprehension and grasp regarded within the living as enlightenment. The multiple forms and levels of light and darkness known to GOD are not all perceptible or useful to mankind. It is written: Genesis 1: 14-19, King James Version (KJV): 14 And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: 15 And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so. 16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also. 17 And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, 18 And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good. 19 And the evening and the morning were the fourth day. The fighter in “Yahoo! Answers” Religion & Spirituality who uses the ID “Tracy” (Level 3 with 1,236 points) posted the following:

God have a set day and time when he will bring this wicked world to an end?

THE GOLDEN ARROW: And the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD; If ye can break my covenant of the day, and my covenant of the night, and that there should not be day and night in their season; Then may also my covenant be broken with David my servant, that he should not have a son to reign upon his throne; and with the Levites the priests, my ministers. As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured: so will I multiply the seed of David my servant, and the Levites that minister unto me. Moreover the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying, Considerest thou not what this people have spoken, saying, The two families which the LORD hath chosen, he hath even cast them off? thus they have despised my people, that they should be no more a nation before them. Thus saith the LORD; If my covenant be not with day and night, and if I have not appointed the ordinances of heaven and earth; Then will I cast away the seed of Jacob, and David my servant, so that I will not take any of his seed to be rulers over the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: for I will cause their captivity to return, and have mercy on them. (Jeremiah 33: 19-26, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: In The Last Days (09/13/2019); Recognizing The End Times (04/16/2019); Messiah Already Has Come (04/14/2019); Divine Preparations for Advent (03/17/2019); His Words About Returning (12/02/2018); The Fullness of GOD? (05/21/2017); GOD and The Framework of Time (09/20/2014); About Knowing the Name of GOD (09/21/2014)

“Tracy”, while there are recorded proclamations, promises, and prophesies that detail divine prerogative, celestial commitment, eternal purpose, and the sovereign will of GOD, no sacred calendars or schedules from GOD that show appointed times for divine actions have been provided or revealed to mankind. Divinity is to be known through spirit and truth that are not given form and substance by time (past, present, future) and space. Mature Christian believers often acknowledge the character, process, quality, and substance of GOD as immortal, immutable (unchanging), incorruptible, and invisible. The frameworks of time and space are understood as aspects of divine order and sacred law that permit the universe to serve as the sphere of life for mankind. Even so, time and space were not created to meet any needs among divinity; they were provided as benefits and tools for the created beings and living creatures. The divine fullness (we also say, Deity; the Godhead; the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit) exist both outside of and within the frameworks that further delimit and impose divine definition for mankind. Divinity has provided descriptions, indicators, and signs that authenticate sacred events, however, the sacred materials are very different from the products of human bible study and other research to develop predictions and time prophecies have not been provided from GOD. Although they consist in things of the flesh, there is a certain predictability to what GOD will do in accordance with the courses for feast days, observations and seasons, however, material objects, locations and times are not used to establish certainty, faith, or commanded expectation (hope). The life process given the church sees specific sacred events recorded as history in the holy writings continued and repeated as timeless through exchange and interaction of doctrine, the Gospels, sacred practice, suffering, and unselfish service. Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible, and a selection from the music ministry of John Michael Talbot:

(1.) John 3: 6-15, King James Version (KJV): 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. 9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? 10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? 11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? 13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

(2.) 2^nd Corinthians 4: 17-18, KJV: 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

(3.) 1^st John 1: 1-3, KJV: 1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; 2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) 3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

(4.) 2^nd Peter 3: 8-14, KJV: 8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (5.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=292oVAbThuA.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

Image downloaded 2:58 PM, July 06, 2020 @ https://www.clg.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/I-the-Lord-do-not-change.jpg

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(04/19/2017) Why An Easter Season?

Today, reply is made on why there are so many days of “Easter season.”  Becoming full and mature as a Christian believer requires a person gain mastery by meeting many challenges; acknowledging doctrine and teachings that involve multiple subtleties (barely visible differences; hidden shifts in meaning and value) as well as by regularly practicing discernment (using ones own spirit content to recognize and respond to Spirit content from the makeup of GOD).  Rebirth as a believer may be instantaneous and miraculous, yet, growth as a believer will be gradual, and throughout ones lifetime.  A fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Nicole” (Level 1 showing no points, a member since March 02, 2016) posted the following:


Why people and kids don't celebrate 50 days of Easter with Easter eggs and the Easter bunny ? and why only Easter Sunday if it is 50 days ?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  For a testament is of force after men are dead:  otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.  Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.
For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,  Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.  Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.  And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.  It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.  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:  (Hebrews 9:  17-24, King James Version, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Chocolate Bunnies!  Easter Eggs! (04/18/2017); Completing Divine Unfinished Business (04/17/2017); Resurrected With The Lord (04/16/2017); The Holy Week Continues (04/14/2017); Benefits of His Kingdom? (04/11/2017); The Hope of Glory (03/02/2017); The Resurrection of Jesus Acknowledged? (04/03/2015)


“Nicole”, the calendar for Christian believers includes the 40 days of Lent and a Holy Week in response to the fact that multiple sacred events (we also say, mysteries) from throughout the Bible are fulfilled in the earthly life of the Son of GOD, and are to be acknowledged along with his death, burial, resurrection and ascension.  For example, just as Moses endured 40 days and 40 nights upon the mountain of GOD fasting, praying, and humbling himself to the Most High before GOD responded by granting him the divine law (the Ten Commandments), following his baptism at the Jordan River, Jesus was separated by the Holy Spirit, and spent 40 days and nights fasting, praying, and supplicating to GOD before he would receive the power to serve as Redeemer and Savior.  Both Moses and Jesus endured a trial of severe suffering—hunger, thirst, the burning sun by day, the freezing temperatures at night, the powerful winds—to prepare them for the opposition they would meet from the people they were sent to serve.  For Jesus, this also meant the challenges of Satan, his Passion at the Garden of Gethsemane followed by arrest, humiliation, scourging, and death on the cross.

The life and ministry of Jesus included events that, in effect, established a second creation of mankind that is to be followed by a second creation of heaven and earth.  Along with baptism, the Ordinance of Humility (foot-washing), the Lord’s Supper, and the new testament in his blood, Jesus established atonement and propitiation for sin, and also prepared mankind to receive the imparted, indwelling Spirit from GOD.  With this in view, it is acceptable to start small children with simple ideas and instruction that must become greater and greater as they progress to adulthood.  Marshmallow chicks, multi-flavored and multicolored jelly beans, and Easter bonnets are mild and pleasant ways to introduce the covenants, promises and new testament of GOD through a season that is one of both planting and harvest.

To experience the full joy of Resurrection Sunday, believers also must sorrow, suffer, and wrestle against sin in their own lives and the lives of others around them; must pass through death and rebirth (we say, must be born again) to “grow up again” and become mature as sons and daughters of GOD who contain fresh deposits of divine spirit; and must focus upon sacred knowledge and sacred practices that will allow them to recognize and respond to spirit content from the makeup of GOD residing within events, themselves, other persons, the holy writings, etc.

I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(01/10/2017) 1st “Poem-fall” 2017: THE SNOWFLAKE BALL

From the first “poem-fall” of 2017, a piece continuing to celebrate the New Year:

THE SNOWFLAKE BALL

The ballroom sky their dance floor
The flakes as sharp dressed men
Or gowned tiara crowned and shining
Like familiar whispers from GOD
That never before have been
Yet who curl and spin as familiar
Renowned, most excellent

The lifting wind of waltzes
They drive without collision
The perfect order of youth
Desire, grand parade
And yet each flake is different
Each one newborn, fresh made
As if there can be numberless

Ones and twos and threes
Not yet discovered
Hungry and ready for hidden love
Revealed within the dance
Afraid, unsure how long to stay
Bold because a smile was shared
Committed to taking a chance

The confidence of moonlight
Forbids all thought of drab
Grey-shadowed day
Knowing whispers of scandal
Will be scattered
By flurries of cleansing sun
The secret partners sway

And swirl to silent airs
The crystal beauty light
Anthems of joy
They pirouette as though
On a staircase of flame
How brief the spark that fills the lonely night
A celebration with no name

The smooth intrigue of romance
As a spring sprout love in fall
Is an awkward rhyme
Like a two-step out of time
That makes one linger late
In the winter’s first
snowflake ball

©Michael Andrew Williams, 2017.  All rights reserved worldwide.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(11/03/2015) More On Sacrificial Giving

Today, more is shared on sacrificial giving using examples from the Bible along with instances of daily offerings commanded by GOD, free will offerings (we say, optional gifts), and required seasonal offerings (we say, tithes).  Like the celebration of Passover, the daily burnt offerings were fundamental to the full range of sacred operations for covenant bond (e.g., atonement, expiation, forgiveness, memorial).  Free will offerings are given voluntarily, and are not demanded as duty and obligation.  Tithes (one-tenth) are required from continuous income (such as salary and wages) and from each harvest of livestock (such as cattle and sheep) as well as for crops from ones field.  Thereby tithing becomes understood as seasonal on an annual and semi-annual basis.  Sacrificial giving requires releasing and sharing despite burden to the giver as cost, damage, inconvenience, and loss.  With this in view, the “$1,000 dollar seed” also may appear as acts of compassion, courage, reverence, and unselfishness.

daily offerings

Numbers 28:  2-8, King James Version (KJV):  2 Command the children of Israel, and say unto them, My offering, and my bread for my sacrifices made by fire, for a sweet savour unto me, shall ye observe to offer unto me in their due season.  3 And thou shalt say unto them, This is the offering made by fire which ye shall offer unto the LORD; two lambs of the first year without spot day by day, for a continual burnt offering.  4 The one lamb shalt thou offer in the morning, and the other lamb shalt thou offer at even;  5 And a tenth part of an ephah of flour for a meat offering, mingled with the fourth part of an hin of beaten oil.  6 It is a continual burnt offering, which was ordained in mount Sinai for a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD.  7 And the drink offering thereof shall be the fourth part of an hin for the one lamb:  in the holy place shalt thou cause the strong wine to be poured unto the LORD for a drink offering.  8 And the other lamb shalt thou offer at even:  as the meat offering of the morning, and as the drink offering thereof, thou shalt offer it, a sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.

free will offerings

Numbers 6:  13-15, KJV:  13 And this is the law of the Nazarite, when the days of his separation are fulfilled:  he shall be brought unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation:  14 And he shall offer his offering unto the LORD, one he lamb of the first year without blemish for a burnt offering, and one ewe lamb of the first year without blemish for a sin offering, and one ram without blemish for peace offerings,  15 And a basket of unleavened bread, cakes of fine flour mingled with oil, and wafers of unleavened bread anointed with oil, and their meat offering, and their drink offerings.  16 And the priest shall bring them before the LORD, and shall offer his sin offering, and his burnt offering:  17 And he shall offer the ram for a sacrifice of peace offerings unto the LORD, with the basket of unleavened bread:  the priest shall offer also his meat offering, and his drink offering.  18 And the Nazarite shall shave the head of his separation at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shall take the hair of the head of his separation, and put it in the fire which is under the sacrifice of the peace offerings.  19 And the priest shall take the sodden shoulder of the ram, and one unleavened cake out of the basket, and one unleavened wafer, and shall put them upon the hands of the Nazarite, after the hair of his separation is shaven:  20 And the priest shall wave them for a wave offering before the LORD:  this is holy for the priest, with the wave breast and heave shoulder:  and after that the Nazarite may drink wine.  21 This is the law of the Nazarite who hath vowed, and of his offering unto the LORD for his separation, beside that that his hand shall get:  according to the vow which he vowed, so he must do after the law of his separation.

1st Chronicles 29:  13-18, KJV:  13 Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.  14 But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.  15 For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers:  our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding.  16 O LORD our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee an house for thine holy name cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own.  17 I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things:  and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee.  18 O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their heart unto thee:

Romans 12:  1-9, KJV:  1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  2 And be not conformed to this world:  but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.  3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.  4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:  5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.  6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;  7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering:  or he that teacheth, on teaching;  8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation:  he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.  9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

tithes

Deuteronomy 12:  17-18, KJV:  17 Thou mayest not eat within thy gates the tithe of thy corn, or of thy wine, or of thy oil, or the firstlings of thy herds or of thy flock, nor any of thy vows which thou vowest, nor thy freewill offerings, or heave offering of thine hand:  18 But thou must eat them before the LORD thy God in the place which the LORD thy God shall choose, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates:  and thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God in all that thou puttest thine hands unto.

2nd Chronicles 31:  5-7, KJV:  5 And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly.  6 And concerning the children of Israel and Judah, that dwelt in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the tithe of holy things which were consecrated unto the LORD their God, and laid them by heaps.  7 In the third month they began to lay the foundation of the heaps, and finished them in the seventh month.

Nehemiah 10:  32-39, KJV:  32 Also we made ordinances for us, to charge ourselves yearly with the third part of a shekel for the service of the house of our God;  33 For the shewbread, and for the continual meat offering, and for the continual burnt offering, of the sabbaths, of the new moons, for the set feasts, and for the holy things, and for the sin offerings to make an atonement for Israel, and for all the work of the house of our God.  34 And we cast the lots among the priests, the Levites, and the people, for the wood offering, to bring it into the house of our God, after the houses of our fathers, at times appointed year by year, to burn upon the altar of the LORD our God, as it is written in the law:  35 And to bring the firstfruits of our ground, and the firstfruits of all fruit of all trees, year by year, unto the house of the LORD:  36 Also the firstborn of our sons, and of our cattle, as it is written in the law, and the firstlings of our herds and of our flocks, to bring to the house of our God, unto the priests that minister in the house of our God:  37 And that we should bring the firstfruits of our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, of wine and of oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground unto the Levites, that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage.  38 And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes:  and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure house.  39 For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the corn, of the new wine, and the oil, unto the chambers, where are the vessels of the sanctuary, and the priests that minister, and the porters, and the singers:  and we will not forsake the house of our God.

sacrificial giving

1st Kings 17:  10-16, KJV:  10 So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks:  and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.  11 And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand.  12 And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse:  and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.  13 And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said:  but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.  14 For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth.  15 And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah:  and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days.  16 And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah.

Luke 21:  1-4, KJV:  1 And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.  2 And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.  3 And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:  4 For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God:  but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.

Acts 3:  1-10, KJV:  1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.  2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;  3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.  4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.  5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.  6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee:  In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.  7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up:  and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.  8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.  9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God:  10 And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.

Mark 14:  3-9, KJV:  3 And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.  4 And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?  5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.  6 And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.  7 For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good:  but me ye have not always.  8 She hath done what she could:  she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.  9 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

Of course, there is far more that could be said and shared.  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(09/20/2014) GOD and The Framework of Time

The nature of divinity, Sabbath, and time are topics, today.  Also, there is more on why believers say, the Bible makes sense.  The “Yahoo! Answers” fighter using the ID “Sherry” (Level 1 with 1 point, a member since July 19, 2007) posted the following:


Questions to those who say God is "outside of time" or in the "eternal now"?

There are some who use Psalm 90:4 and II Peter 3:8 to "show" that God is outside of time. I see problems with this view/interpretation:

1. If this were true, God would not have known when someone violated the Sabbath
2. He would not know if the Jews showed up at Jerusalem at the three appointed Feasts each year

3. He would not know if the Jews cultivated the land six years and let it rest the seventh year

4. He would not know if some one delayed obedience or not. Some say "delayed obedience is disobedience" but this would be impossible

5. There would be no difference in age between a 1914 Model-T and a 2014 Soul Kia

6. How would He know whether or not a sacrifice being offered in the Old Testament was the correct age?

All of these example and more show that God is aware of human time.


THE BATTLE AXE:  Why The Bible Makes Sense (09/19/2014)—(5.)  The Bible has been crafted and shaped by GOD to meet specific spiritual needs of mankind.  While the content and substance of the Bible is often spoken of as doctrine, precepts, principles and values, the holy writings are ordered and structured as though an historical narrative presenting events that are chronological and linear in sequence.  Multiple episodes and examples are provided that impart spirit content, encourages vicarious learning, and permits application of human developmental tools such as anticipation, discovery, trial and error, exploration, insight, and intuition.  Thus, for example, the appearance of Moses, Aaron, and their sister Miriam as sacred servants to GOD is read with the knowledge of their origins in the “friendship” of Abraham and GOD, the history of conflict between Abraham’s offspring (Ishmael and Isaac; Jacob and Esau) as well as the prophesies and visions granted to Jacob and Joseph.  At the very onset of ones introduction to the things that document the operations of GOD among created beings and living creatures, all believers are taught the correct focus, proper application, and purpose of the Scriptures.  It is through such experience and having such light that healthy minded readers accomplish clear appreciation of the divine record intended for mankind.

(6.)  The GOD described by the Bible is in agreement with ones fundamental awareness that they now exist within an environment that was created and developed apart from their own appetite, consciousness, and self will.  Along with human intelligence, logic and reason, even common sense requires that GOD be described as “almighty” (we say, all powerful, omnipotent), boundless, faithful, immortal, incorruptible, invisible, pure, righteous, separate, sovereign, trustworthy, unchanging, and wise.  No full or accurate declaration of GOD can omit such distinct aspects of divinity as forgiveness, glory, holiness, joy, longsuffering (often confused with patience), majesty, and wrath against sin.  GOD may not be correctly conceived of as one who does not love, or as one who governs through hatred, oppression, and violence.  Having ability and authority to direct and orchestrate events and occurrences within all the spheres of existence, including the material and physical realm (we say, the forces of nature, the natural world), GOD also has control over conception, fertility, birth, aging, death, decay, growth, maturation, and resurrection.  On the one hand, GOD must be understood as assigning value to all that exists through orderly processes (we say, grace, divine judgment, divine prerogative).  On the other hand, the eternal value of created beings and living creatures is only determined by the divine content (we say, the image of GOD) displayed by the living.  GOD is the only source for the full revelation of deity and GODhead, the divine order that joins and relates the many discreet aspects of the universe, the godliness and integrity of Creation, specific spiritual truths, and the imparted Spirit that must indwell the living.  GOD must be described within human awareness as one who is awesome (greater than death, flesh, life, time, all things in expectation as well as the unknown).  GOD is complete, comprehensive, cannot be manipulated, and is to be acknowledged, honored and respected by all having potential to know or to be known—even fetuses and unborn offspring, babies, infants, and persons hospitalized in coma. 

(7.)  Ultimately, the Bible makes sense because GOD transforms human consciousness by providing believers with fresh endowments of spirit content from the makeup of divinity.  In the same way persons who immerse themselves in reading or some task may not be aware how much time has passed, yet, when asked whether it is day or night (without looking out of their windows, that is, not by sight) might correctly answer on the basis of their understanding of time as a cycle and process of recurring change, believers correctly answer questions about the meaning of Bible messages, verses and passages (without looking to human history and ongoing social events, that is not by human and secular truth) on the basis of their understanding of fixed elements (e.g., divine covenants, sacred operations, promises, prophecies, eternal purposes) and recurring changes within the full presentation of the holy writings.  See 1 Corinthians 1:  17-29, 1st Timothy 3:  16 and 6:  3-12, 2nd Timothy 2:  7-16 and 3:  16-17, KJV.


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever:  nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it:  and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.  That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.  And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there.  I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked:  for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.  (Ecclesiastes 3:  14-17, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Salvation Before Christ? (06/24/2014); All Sins Are Equal? (06/25/2014); Changing Times and Laws? (05/14/2014); Should Men Take Their Hats Off? (05/15/2014); To Keep It Holy (02/23/2014); “Godly” Sins? (02/24/2014); Must We Really Die? (05/13/2013); Can GOD Die? (05/14/2013); Time Before the Sun? (04/14/2013); The Obedience of Jesus? (04/15/2013)


“Sherry”, here are  a few points that have been helpful among those choosing to exalt GOD in their understanding:

(1.)  GOD is an eternal spirit who has put forth the initial form, nature and process for all that exists.  Included are carnal, material and immaterial objects (e.g., clouds, darkness, planets, sunlight, trees); the body, characteristics and form for all created beings and living creatures (e.g., animals, angels, insects, men, sacred beasts); the conditions for their duration; the spheres wherein finite creatures may operate (e.g., earth, heaven, the universe); and the awareness and self-will that establish the image (we say, likeness, manifestation) of GOD.

(2.)  The frameworks of time and space that structure human consciousness further allow divine order, direct the living to acknowledge the Creator, and permit behavior in harmony with the fullness of life throughout the universe.  Mind in the living embraces huge amounts, and multiple levels of data and information.  In addition to appetite (e.g., hunger, thirst, sexual cravings), sense (hearing, seeing, tasting, touching), and emotions/mental functions (e.g., anger, desire, fear, imagination, recall), the mind also must make response to the revelation of divinity.

(3.)  Secular knowledge and “human events” can not completely and correctly establish right knowing of GOD.  Therefore, divinity operates through Incarnation, sacred events (we say, miracles), and an imparted Spirit whereby the active presence of GOD is made known or visible.

There is far more to be said, correctly understood, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (4.)  Sabbath is not a period of time (e.g., day, hour, month) established by the movement of the moon, stars and sun.  The Sabbath is bound to the awareness, identity, and person of GOD, who is immortal, immutable and unchanging.  Thus, Sabbath is an aspect of continuing relationship with divinity that itself does not age or alter.  As with all the divine covenants and acknowledgments of GOD, human observances and practices regarding the Sabbath have shifted from age to age, culture to culture, and people to people.  This is in keeping with  divine operations for continuity through inheritance, diversity, rebirth, and new growth.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(08/21/2014) Poem—Ferguson, MO 2014

August 9th was my birthday, however, it also was a Sabbath.  I spent most of my celebration hours acknowledging the Creator, and being refreshed after his word, his will, and his way.  The difficult events in Ferguson, Missouri were not brought to my attention right away (my heart was being drawn to Hamas and Israel); and now that they are threatening greater ruin than men may manage without GOD, I’ve chosen to share some of my thoughts in a way that challenges a reader to stop, and think.  Those of us who carried out and endured the losses of earlier days are still willing to call for justice, only, not as a lynch mob, a street gang, suicidal thugs, or a pack of roaming marauders.  Having been taught by our being there, we understand, it is an unexplainable loss of all control.  Psychotic breaks (we say, nervous breakdowns) can be the sign of a broken heart and a broken spirit, and the beginning of a breakthrough from GOD.  For the broken all require what only GOD can do.  Because an unarmed teenager was shot in the back, and then gunned down while facing the police officer holding both hands up in surrender, many want to make this the longest and hottest summer of them all.  In memory of Michael Brown, we also say, let us do all we can to make it the very last of its kind in this our Nation.

THE LONG HOT SUMMER:  Ferguson, Missouri, 2014

The fireflies used to light up the night
Just like they’re spose to do come summer
The easy insect songs in darkness
Sparkling like rhinestones sprinkled
Cross the shirt of one of those
Country, western singers
The mosquitoes and the June bugs made no hollar
Yet, the katydids woke up and claimed
That all Creation now is theirs.

How can it be that those so long asleep
May now declare all season, wisdom
Life and blood at their own discretion
With alien sounds no longer outside
But spilling all over the house
Jubilee canceled, unfinished marches for rights
Or freedom, ignoring that justice and outrage
Are now aligned against themselves, the search for summer 
love, and they should be doused in ice water challenge.

The dead are not mourned as if loved or alive in their hearts
The living are not obeyed as if guides to a dream of safety
A jar of ice water, and a breeze from North to South
Unfiltered by the mesh screen, the TV by the window so’s you 
Can see and hear when you sit out on the porch
The steady sounds of rockin chair, or that old love seat
Swing from granddad’s day where, in spite of poverty
We grew up.  The memories of summer where the gas blown 
Up from down in the town now choke one with sorrow.

How can men be satisfied with no more than the knowledge
That their minds and hearts are right
That they have built their home without lies
Without murders, without failing and railing against GOD
How can a man believe himself of value without swearing
Against government, law, patience, and forgiveness
Or look into the face of those to whom his life is pledged
Having created nothing better than a Black Ku Klux Klan
Or a cesspool of godless and lawless liars?

The locust fill the night with plagues, and moans, and fear
Why is there judgment against our quiet days
Surely the burning past that now engulfs the concrete
And the blacktop will soon engulf our future fields
Like rockets launched by Hamas to alter GOD’s
Perpetual divine.  Sleepless, temporarily insane
The problem is some must embrace the problem
The long hot nightmare travels through the mind
The insomnia of riot follows rage.  Cherchez le femme

©Michael Andrew Williams, 2014.  All rights reserved.

There is far more to be said, correctly understood, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, consider again Isaiah 3:  10-12, Isaiah 5:  13-24, Jeremiah 4:  13, Lamentations 5:  15-17, Luke 11:  52 and Luke 17:  1, KJV.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.



THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(04/19/2014) Resurrection Sunday

Today, I share a brief Bible study with a chart (see below) on the death, burial and reappearance of Jesus Christ.  Many will celebrate Resurrection Sunday, the name increasingly used among Christian believers to repel spiritual confusion, and silence those insisting that Easter should be remembered as an ancient pagan festival to worship a goddess, or a change in the seasons.  Where the ministry of Jesus is seen put forth in three and one half weeks to fulfill prophecy, it may also be understood as three and one half years along with Sunday through Wednesday afternoon, three and one half days.  Given that among the Jews days were measured from sundown to sundown, the nights come before the morning and other daylight hours.

 


Where the ministry of Jesus is seen put forth in three and one half weeks to fulfill prophecy, it may also be understood as three and one half years along with Sunday through Wednesday afternoon, three and one half days.  Given that among the Jews days were measured from sundown to sundown, the nights come before the morning and other daylight hours.  Jesus and his disciples ate their “Last Supper” of the old covenant on Wednesday evening.   Jesus was arrested and tried during the Thursday night that began after sundown Wednesday.  The crucifixion was completed during the daylight hours of Thursday.  Joseph of Arimathea requested the body of Jesus on Thursday, and hastily placed the body within his private tomb with the intent of later providing the full ceremony to anoint, mourn, and preserve the Lord’s body.

Consider the following and the chart (above):  The Lord was entombed Thursday during daylight (day 1) and before evening hours (the day of preparation for Sabbath); Friday evening, during Sabbath (night 1), followed by daylight hours (day 2); Saturday evening followed by dark (night 2) with morning and sunlit hours (day 3); concluded by Sunday evening then dark (night 3) without the morning and daylight hours.

SOME THOUGHTS ON

 

38 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.

 

39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:

 

40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

 

 

Daniel 9:  25-27 (KJV)  25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks:  the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.  26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.  27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

 

Matthew 27:  1-2 (KJV)  1 When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:  2 And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.

 

Matthew 27:  31-37 (KJV)  31 And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.  32 And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name:  him they compelled to bear his cross.  33 And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull,  34 They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall:  and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.  35 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots:  that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.  36 And sitting down they watched him there;  37 And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

 

Matthew 28:  1-9 (KJV)  1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.  2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.  3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:  4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.  5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.  6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.  7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.  8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.  9 And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail.  And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.

 

John 20:  18-20 (KJV)  18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.  19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.  20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.

 

Mark 15:  42-47 (KJV)  42 And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath,  43 Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus.  44 And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead.  45 And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph.  46 And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre.  47 And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid.

 

John 19:  31 (KJV)  31 The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.

 

Mark 16:  9-15 (KJV)  9 Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.  10 And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept.  11 And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.  12 After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.  13 And they went and told it unto the residue:  neither believed they them.  14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.  15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

 

John 20:  26-31 (KJV)  26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them:  then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.  27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side:  and be not faithless, but believing.  28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.  29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed:  blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.  30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:  31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

 

Acts 1:  1-10 (KJV)  1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,  2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:  3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:  4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.  5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.  6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?  7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.  8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.  9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.  10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;  11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

 

 

There is far more to be said, properly shared, and spiritually understood.  Readers are encouraged to add the Bible verse or passage you feel would add to understanding in the comments area (see below).  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to the workings of the Spirit of Prophecy, the Spirit of Truth, and the Testimony of Jesus in you.  Grow in grace.

 

Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?  (2nd Corinthians 13:  5)

 

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(02/24/2014) 7 “Godly” Sins?

Divine law, sacred authority, sin and the GODhead are among the topics, today.  Also, there is more on the Sabbath.  A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “Brett”  (Level 1 with 180 points, a member since December 25, 2013) posted the following:


Why is God allowed to be above his own law?


THE BATTLE AXE:  To Keep It Holy (02/23/2014)—(5.)  The Sabbath is an event that occurs within spirit, rather than an event that occurs within the framework of time.  The temporal cycles known to mankind are all marked by recurring changes of the moon and the sun (e.g., harvest, planting, days, months, years, the rainy season).  Additionally, continual observance of the Sabbath is a condition for lawful covenant, and an act of covenant-keeping.  The Sabbath is marked primarily by the spirit of worship, and is carnally recognized through light and darkness even on days with rain or snow (i.e., when the sun does not shine, and the stars do not come out).  In spite of being finite, mortal, and dependent upon frameworks of time and space, mankind is further endowed through the Sabbath to have continuous relationship with GOD who is eternal.  The keeping of Sabbath may be an act of faith or an act of obedience, yet, full participation in Sabbath is more than a simple “good work,” or a work of the flesh.  See Exodus 20:  9-11, Exodus 31:  15-17, Isaiah 56:  1-7 and Isaiah 58:  6-14, KJV.


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Blessed is the man that endureth temptation:  for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.  Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God:  for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:  But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.  Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin:  and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.  Do not err, my beloved brethren.  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.  Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.  Therefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:  For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.  Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.  But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.  (James 1:  12-22, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Immortality (02/08/2014); The Male, the Female, and GOD (02/09/2014); Sin Causes Death? (02/04/2014); The Fullness of GODhead? (01/09/2014); World Without End? (01/10/2014); We Are Still Sinning? (11/30/2013); Like a Thief? (12/01/2013); Angels, Law and Sin (10/18/2013)


“Brett”, where you are adult enough and strong enough to receive it, here are a few points to consider that are repeatedly overlooked and rejected by atheists, fools, and those harboring an antichrist spirit; however, Christian believers have found them very meaningful:

(1.)  Divine Law.  GOD is a spirit who has put forth all created beings and living creatures as well as their environment and sphere of existence.  Awareness, intellect, eternal purpose, and sovereign-will are inseparable aspects of full divinity.  Therefore, sacred law conveys and expresses the makeup and substance of GOD.  Included are faith, forgiveness, gratitude, holiness, humility, joy, longsuffering, love, truth, wisdom, and wrath against sin.

(2.)  Divine Sovereignty.  The authority of GOD binds (we say, gives cohesion) and maintains the universe as an emanation of divine substance.  Given that GOD is the source of all that exists, all Creation continues as an object to the Almighty, is subservient (we say, beneath GOD), and is totally dependent.  Sentient creatures (those having awareness and self-will) interact with and respond to GOD in such a way that intimate relationship to GOD is possible.  However, such intimacy depends upon peculiar operations of GOD such as atonement, baptism, birth, death, election, incarnation, judgment, rebirth, resurrection, revelation, and sanctification.

(3.)  Condemning GOD.  Among believers, it is usually pride that makes an issue of authority, rather than zeal to finish ones job quickly and smoothly (we say, well done).  It is usually hate that makes an issue of divine love, rather than appreciation and respect.  Sin opposes the continued existence of sacred law, of divinity, and of all things created.  Sin is not a divine substance, or anything that can be detected simply using things of the flesh (e.g., appetite, sensation, mental functions).  Sin may alter and dominate awareness and self-will in created beings and living creatures.  However, sin does not influence divine will.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. ( For example, (4.)  Limits Upon GOD.  GOD does acknowledge demands  that exist as aspects of being and interaction for the full process of GODhead (we say, of his own inner being); and the Almighty actively maintains the integrity of all divine utterance (we say, out-breathing, outpouring of his holy spirit, the word of GOD).  In this sense, GOD is “allowed” to act above all because there is agreement, oneness, and unity that goes beyond, resides in, and transcends all.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.  (Proverbs 14:  22, KJV)


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(12/06/2013) The Barren Tree?

The account of Jesus cursing a fig tree, and more on grieving the Holy Spirit are topics, today.  A writer at “Yahoo! Answers Malaysia” using the ID “Fahad” (Level 2 with 366 points, a member since November 24, 2013) posted the following originally asked on Yahoo Answers Canada:


Christians, why didn't Jesus know beforehand the fig tree had no fruit?

Mark tells us as follows: “The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs.” (Mark 11:12-13).

First, Jesus did not know that the tree had no fruit until he came to it. Second, he did not know that it was not the right season to expect figs on trees.
What does that tell you? Jesus was limited in knowledge?


THE BATTLE AXE:  To Grieve the Sprit? (12/05/2013)—To grieve the Holy Spirit is not a reference to bereavement and mourning as when a loved one dies.  Rather, to grieve is to discourage, displease, interfere with, and oppose the workings of the Spirit as he serves Christ and the Father.  Thereby, divine order and sacred purpose are contested and resisted.  The Holy Spirit is to be understood as endowed with person, in humans an aspect of being expressed through feeling and thought.  Moreover, the Spirit may operate projecting the image and person of Christ (see Philippians 2:  5-7, KJV).  While the Spirit indwells those who are carnal, material, physical and social, the Spirit himself is not driven by appetite (such as hunger, thirst, craving for sexual contact), by sense (such as hearing, tasting, touching), or by mind (such as imagination, intellect, recall).  The Scriptures declare that, as a full partner in divine salvation with the other persons of the GODhead, the Spirit makes intercession on behalf of created beings and living creatures with “groanings which cannot be uttered.”  The Spirit is spoken of as “fire,” and so there are commands that believers walk in his light, and not quench his burning.  See Ephesians 4:  21-32, Romans 8:  26-28, 1st Corinthians 12:  4-11, 1st Thessalonians 5:  18-20, King James Version.


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.  And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.  And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.  (Mark 11:  20-22, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Law in Christian Belief? (09/03/2013); A Need to Know? (09/04/2013); Jesus and the Pharisees (07/14/2013); How Could Angels Fall? (07/15/2013); Blessings, Curses and Woes (10/03/2012); After We Die? (10/04/2012)


“Fahad”, here are a few points many Christian believers apply when reading the account of Jesus cursing the barren fig tree:

(1.)  The account is not intended to speak regarding divine foreknowledge, omniscience, or earthly wisdom.  Rather, it speaks to the revealing of divine authority, the power of faith, and the operation of sovereign will.  Jesus was on his way to the Temple the morning after he had engaged the money-changers and sellers, who had no anointing as priests or Levites, yet, nonetheless were regular fixtures upon holy ground, and influenced all as though true agents of GOD.  The Lord elected to end a period of fasting (where fasting is not simply missing several meals; it is taking ones nourishment from the Spirit, from the Word of GOD, and through prayer, not from the flesh).  Jesus knew it was not the season for figs; even so, from a distance, the tree projected a display of leaves and fullness, as if it were ready for harvest.  It was to bear in obedience to his sacred will, not the climate, the weather, or the hour of the day.

(2.)  The account is held to speak of Israel, and their lack of readiness as watchmen in covenant to GOD.  Through the law and the prophets, rather than law, sacrifice, and tradition, all were to be ready to receive Messiah.  While there was much ceremony, display, and even some rejoicing, the Temple was barren, and divine substance to truly nourish the people of GOD was not correctly in abundance.  See Isaiah 55:  20-22, King James Version.

There is far more to be said, reasonably shared, and spiritually understood.  (For example, (3.)  The prophet Moses was provided as a type to prepare the tribes of Jacob.  Moses was used to reveal that Jesus would someday come.  Through commandment (law) and prophecy, a process of GOD was revealed wherein salvation is conditional.  Divine blessing and curses are bound together, and are obtained by choosing, by obedience, by righteousness as well as by application of faith and self-will in submission to GOD.  See again Deuteronomy 11:  26-32, King James Version.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC