The eternal person of Christ, false doctrine, and the universe are in view, today, along with more on how the Decalogue was received. Again, I could not share my response (below) with the “Yahoo! Answers” writer who posted the question. The person using ID “Sincity” (Level 2 with 273 points, a member since September 27, 2012) posted the following:
Does "before abraham I am" show jesus says he was god?
Or is it just a false doctrine invented by men?
THE BATTLE AXE: “Authorized Personnel Only”? (03/13/2013)—The more than 400 year sojourn for the twelve tribes of Jacob within Egypt not only resulted in their acculturation and assimilation into Egyptian society, many aspects of their sacred inheritance had become suppressed and forgotten. Included were circumcision, expiatory sacrifice, the ministrations of priesthood, tithing, sacred promises and prophesies. While Hebrews were segregated and lived mostly within the area of Goshen restricted to despised occupations as herders and keepers of livestock, many aspired to full citizenship, and copied secular Egyptian customs, dress and manners. Arriving at Mount Sinai, many remained essentially unchanged in their attitudes and desires despite having witnessed (1) the wrath of GOD against sin displayed as plagues against Egypt, (2) miraculous deliverances through the parting of the sea and the Passover (3) as well as the provision of water in the wilderness for men, women, children and cattle. The followers of Moses had been chosen to become a nation, however, genuine commitment, faith and unity were not yet as widespread that they could all enter into the divine presence to receive the law graven in stone by the finger of GOD.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. (1st Peter 1: 18-25, King James Version)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: The Need to Sanctify Heaven (01/17/2013); The Price of Humanity? (12/13/2012); Spirit Matter (10/21/2012); How Was GOD Known Before Jesus (10/06/2012); Jesus, King of Earth (10/07/2012); Divine Self-Sacrifice? (09/30/2012); Binder 7: The GODhead (10/04/2011); GOD’s Favorite (02/19/2011); Confess? Yes! (02/20/2011)
In describing the operations of GOD that pertain to the establishment of a Creation that would continue as eternal, and that also includes the transformation of mankind to be incorruptible and immortal, it is correct for mature Christian believers to accept that the ministry of Jesus was established before the foundation of the earth.
The eternal being of Christ (some say “Messiah”) and the existence of divinity in multiple persons (for example, see Genesis 1: 1-3; John 1: 1-4 and 17: 4; and Ephesians 1: 3-6 KJV) are teachings that agree with, and further endorse what mankind has received as knowledge about divine intent, sacred process, and sanctified purpose.
While a major focus of the Bible is the creation of mankind and life upon the earth, the scope of divine action and presence extends to a universe of GOD. The teachings from Scripture also promote our understanding that, at the time Adam was put forth, (1) Heaven was already filled with angels, sacred beasts and other created beings; (2) behavior and beliefs were expressed among the angels that later are called “sin” and “rebellion” (Ezekiel 28: 11-17, KJV); (3) cleansing for sin and sacrificial worship was introduced in heaven through the Temple and Sanctuary; (4) sin was initiated upon the earth by a celestial being disguised as a serpent (Genesis 3); and (5) mankind became fixed as mortal and temporal.
Divine action to recover the earth must address the fullness of Creation. As a result, such features as rebirth, redemption, repentance, judgment and salvation are being applied throughout the living system that is our universe, and are more than simply mechanisms to favor mankind. Hidden connections, dependence and unseen relationships are now in place, and make it that destruction of sinners, and elimination of sin must be accomplished in a manner that will preserve divine order, undo spiritual confusion, and make permanent those creations that, in fact, fulfill divine will.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, for the earth, flesh and spirit must be unified by transformation of inner content and sacred substance from the person of GOD. GOD is a non-material spirit; and may be understood as consisting of peculiar elements such as faith, grace, holiness, joy, longsuffering, love, wisdom and wrath against sin. GOD has used birth, carnal form, death, resurrection and ascension to appear among mankind through Jesus Christ; and, mature Christians believe, continues incarnate.) 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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