Wednesday, December 19, 2012

(12/19/2012) The Ascension of Christ?

      The return of Jesus to heaven by ascension, how believers overcome skepticism, and titles for Jesus as heir of GOD are topics, today. The “Yahoo! Answers” writer using ID “Agent Sixty Three” (Level 2 with 792 points, a member since September 13, 2011) posted the following:



Did Jesus 'ascend' into heaven 'physically'?

Is that phrase literal? Does it mean what it says or is it another one of those twisted, mistranslated, misunderstood, poetic, allegorical, or figurative phrases?

Because I thought heaven was NOT 'up' but in a completely different dimension.

And I thought heaven was NOT a physical place, as physical bodies are the cause of most sins to begin with.

So what's going on here?

Let's hear some excuses.



THE BATTLE AXE: The Firstborn, Higher than Kings? (12/18/2012)—The title “firstborn” applied to Jesus as Son and heir of GOD goes beyond merely identifying the primary actor in a legal process to preserve an estate, dispose of a deceased person’s belongings, or to transfer ownership of carnal and material substance. The Son of GOD is declared to be preeminent; and Jesus is titled “firstborn from the dead.” As with the titles “begotten” and “firstfruits”, Jesus is distinguished as generated from Spirit, and born of a woman from flesh, under the law, yet, not conceived, fashioned and made through human reproduction. More than this, Jesus is again generated from Spirit, “born again” as the planting and seed of GOD, restored in resurrection, under the law, yet, not through human methods of husbandry. (See Galatians 4: 1-7; Acts 13: 29-31; 1st Corinthians 15: 20-28 and 32-58; Colossians 1: 9-20, King James Version.)



THE GOLDEN ARROW: 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: Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. (Hebrews 9: 24-28, KJV)



THE DOUBLE DAGGER: A Golden Ticket? (11/30/2012); Given the Cloud of Witnesses (11/29/2012); How Was GOD Known Before Jesus? (10/06/2012); Jesus King of Earth? (10/07/2012); A Man in Heaven? (09/23/2012); Aliens? (09/24/2012); Reason to Believe (01/12/2012); On Going to Heaven (01/13/2012); Spirit or Word? (12/11/2010); Justification? (12/12/2010)



      Understanding the things of GOD provided by the ministries of Jesus Christ (upon the earth, and from heaven) requires a broad awareness of spiritual reality that begins in the fact that GOD is a spirit; and we—though created beings and living creatures bearing flesh and blood—must worship him relying upon our own inner spirit, and our human disciplines for sharing truth (see John 4: 19-26, King James Version). Among mankind, the divine spirit uses devices and demonstrations that can be recognized and understood as aspects and details of a comprehensive truth. Together, various visible features describe godly provisions, divine processes, and otherwise unseen sacred purpose. Included are incarnation, birth, anointing, sanctification, death, resurrection, judgment, salvation, and eternal life.

      Everyone who comes to Christ begins with a measure of disbelief that blocks, and interferes with the operation of the imparted Spirit from GOD that must abide within the believer as their guide and teacher. Study of the holy writings that document the action and presence of GOD among men, nourishes and strengthens the human spirit; and redirects emotional and mental energies away from fantasy and imagination. Old ideas about what is possible or impossible are gradually altered, and the ability to recognize the many aspects of divinity in the earth (i.e., true spiritual discernment) is established. This was true for all those whom Jesus called as his apostles, and continues to be true unto this day.

      Mature Christian believers stand firm in the truth that GOD did appear in human form as Jesus of Nazareth to fulfill divine promises and complete sovereign works that were begun in the Creation. Jesus demonstrated authority over both the natural and spirit world through miracles that included exorcism, feeding, healing, and raising the dead. More than this, Jesus demonstrated and embodied the righteousness contained in divine law as well as the godly wisdom requisite for divine judgment.

      There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, the proclamation that Jesus would return in the same form and manner that was used in his leaving is consistent both with the covenant promises of GOD, and the expectations commanded (we say “hope”) granted to mankind for final resolution of the mystery of GOD, and a full revelation of the GODhead. GOD continues to exist using the form of a man in heaven by the Person of Jesus Christ.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

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