Today’s presentation
(below) focuses on the church of Jesus Christ as an endowment for the
holy angels; and there is more on the value to full Christian belief for those
portions of the Bible printed in red ink and identified as the words spoken by
our Savior.
THE BATTLE AXE: Reading Only
The Red Part (11/19/2012)—As surely as setting a glass of milk or a magazine
atop the closed Bible was punishable by “tongue-lashing”, one could never throw
a Bible into the trash that had frayed, missing and torn pages. The element of
fear in many homes that surrounded the Scriptures, was as serious and solemn as
when a flag must be burned after the desecration that occurs when the flag is
dropped and touches the soil. Many regarded the red-letter Bible as actually
printed using the blood of Jesus, and the red part was not from any book-maker’s
ink. Even among scholars, forms of Bible-olatry are found where various
collations, footnotes, languages, and translations are exalted as “more
scholarly than thou.” Where the Old Testament writings may be characterized as
forecasts and projections, New Testament writing is witness and testimony that
affirm completed events, and continue the revelation of things already in
process that are yet to be fulfilled. Mature believers, who themselves have
been touched by the spiritual power of the Bible, generally endorse the counsel
given by the Apostle Paul to Timothy, the first bishop and elder appointed to
raise up churches among the Gentiles: All scripture is given by inspiration of
God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness: (2nd Timothy 3: 16, King James
Version)
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Unto me,
who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should
preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; And to make all
men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning
of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To
the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly
places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In
whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
(Ephesians 3: 8-12, King James Version)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: To See
With New Eyes (11/06/2012); A Partnership? (11/05/2012); Seeking and Being
Sought (11/04/2012); When Prayer Works (10/11/2012); Sin Unknown? (10/10/2012);
The Gender of Angels? (10/09/2012); Repelled by the Bible? (08/13/2012);
Marriage and Civil Law (08/14/2012); Coveting The Throne (03/07/2012); Bible
Boring? (09/29/2010); Swearing? (09/30/2010)
As I sat with my older brother and sister at
Sunday morning breakfast, my brother strongly disagreed when I made point based
on a Bible verse that is found in the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the
Ephesians. Proclaiming the supremacy of GOD over heaven and earth, I declared
that mankind is on display before the holy angels and the living creatures of
heaven. The church of Jesus Christ is an instrument for divine purpose that
includes communicating sacred truth regarding sin, repentance, and the prolonged
existence of spirit being.
The angels were created as “finished” beings
containing the full measure of divine endowment they would use throughout their
presence and service before GOD. Included were such gifts as authority, joy,
knowledge, and self-will. These holy beings were made having neither mortality
nor immortality; and were not to be all-knowing or able to predict the future.
Given that GOD did not create sin, sin is not spirit matter, and divine purpose
does not include the operation of sin among the created, angels of the host were
given no knowledge and understanding of sin, of repentance from sin, or of the
evil (i.e., widespread damage, sudden reversals, upheaval) that results by sin.
This permits us to say, both men and angels have been created with a peculiar
ignorance. Even so, sin first appeared within the heavens; and various divine
procedures are now in effect as an endowment that enables all to detect and
resist sin.
For mankind, embracing the earthly ministry,
death, resurrection, and eternal priesthood of Jesus through spiritual re-birth
establishes a divine nature and sacred will that are untouchable by sin. The
breath of life bestowed upon mankind at Creation is increased and supplemented
through the Holy Ghost (also called the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, and
the Spirit of Prophecy). The divine content that resided within the heart and
mind of Jesus are imparted as indwelling spirit. Such features should be seen
as awe, faith, hope, humility, longsuffering, love, obedience, truth, wisdom and
wrath against sin. When men hear, internalize and live the tenets of the
Gospel, their spirit content is transformed; and they begin to operate as sons
and daughters of GOD, who display incorruptibility, eternal life, and
immortality.
Thus, for the heavenly host, mankind serves as
a living declaration from GOD that depicts otherwise invisible, and unknowable
sacred purpose, and spirit truth. The angels do not know family and intimate
relationships as men and women; and the ministering spirits are organized
according to hierarchies and ranks that include dominions, powers
principalities, and thrones. The church revealed as a mate and paramour to GOD
perfected by Jesus Christ expresses and proclaims spirit-person and divine will
just as Creation, the law, judgment, and prophecy.
There is far more to be said, correctly
applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, those angelic beings that
seek to have dominion in the earth (called demons, devils, unclean spirits) are
finite beings who were endowed to exist as princes and rulers within the
heavens. These are not suited to reign upon the earth and within the same
frameworks and limitations of mankind (e.g., flesh, mortality, time and space).
Their efforts to rule will always be frustrated, and smashed apart by such
features as death, fear, human error, lack of divine perspective, and mankind’s
physical weaknesses.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it
unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK
PHOENIX
Washington, DC
No comments:
Post a Comment