(05/31/2016) Satisfaction by The Cross?

Changes to the flesh, and satisfaction with the things from GOD are in view, today.  Believers do not doubt that the Spirit of GOD may command the flesh to accomplish the divine will in ways that are unusual, such as the Judge Samson defeating 1,000 men in combat using the jawbone of an ass, or the prophet Elijah running to Jezreel before the chariot of Ahab.  Even so, because ones flesh is unable to respond in the same way as ones spirit to the sacred operations for salvation, growth and service to GOD as the new creation from Jesus Christ is not always a smooth process having no challenges, disappointments, obstacles, and problems.  Baptism will not instantly change a person’s eye color, height and weight, their psychological makeup, or their sexual practice.  Thus, some have gone down in water baptism as a “dry devil” only to come up as a “wet devil.”  The disciples and followers of the Lord are commanded and instructed to maintain specific, well-defined, godly expectations (we say, hopes).  Our satisfaction, then, is by the certainty generated from such sacred changes and gifts as forgiveness, eternal life, divine love, mercy, repentance, righteousness, truth, wisdom, and wrath against sin.  A fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Owen (Level 1 with 94 points, a member since May 28, 2016) posted the following:

 

How does god give you satisfaction?

It's been said that true satisfaction is found in god. So how does god give that to us? Or is it a way of thinking where we're satisfied all the time by him? Should we be able to stare at a wall all day and say "yay for god"? I wouldn't personally want to have a thinking like the wall example .

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  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.  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.  Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,  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?  Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.  Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.  (2nd Peter 3:  9-14, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Waiting For His Appearing (02/09/2016); Contentment, Happiness And Joy? (11/09/2015); Sermons About Good Sex? (08/25/2014); About Good Sermons? (08/26/2014); GOD Does the Divine Part (01/05/2014); Sin in Mind not Deed? (01/06/2014); That We Might Know (01/07/2014)

 

THE BATTLE CRY:  I have begun to receive from the music ministry of Byron Cage, who now has his own record label.  Those ready to “take a praise break” should hear “Like No Other,” his new digital single available as an MP3 file, as well as YouTube videos.

 

“Owen”, unselfishness (i.e., being glad when others receive good) is the “key” to continually experiencing joy; and we are given the “blessing” upon the Son of GOD—even triumph over death and sin by grace, love and resurrection—as a reason to always be rejoiced.  Mature Christian believers trust that “satisfaction” with the things of divinity come gradually as an aspect of being “born again,” and beginning to “grow up again” to have full spiritual maturity.  As depicted by water baptism (i.e., death and burial of ones inborn spirit followed by rebirth from divine DNA, so to speak) permanent changes unfold that establish a believer as “ripe” for harvest and one who will be taken from the earth at the coming of Jesus Christ in glory (we say, the Advent, the Rapture, the Second Coming).  Little by little, the origins and platforms for feeling, thought and action will be shifted within believers.  Thus, “the flesh” does not magically change because of rebirth; and there may be no immediate healing, moderation of appetite, or shifts in emotional/mental focus away from things carnal, material, and social.  Those born again become perfected as they meet the same life challenges as all others upon the earth.  Through operations of the Holy Spirit, blood, correction, and truth from the cross must flow to here and now, liberating and preparing all for the final transformation that will be completed as they meet the Lord in the air.  Consider again how these ideas are stated using language from the Bible:

(1.)  2nd Peter 1:  2-4, King James Version (KJV):  2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,  3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:  4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises:  that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

(2.)  2nd Corinthians 5:  4-10, KJV:  4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened:  not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.  5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.  6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:  7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)  8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.  9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.  10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

(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 that could be said, must be carefully examined, and spiritually understood.  (For example, (4.)  Revelation 19:  6-9, KJV:  6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia:  for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.  7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him:  for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.  8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white:  for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.  9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(05/30/2016) Sodom and Gomorrah Again?

Today, points are shared on the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah, current advocacy of LGBT issues, and end time prophecy.  The issues of divine judgment are more likely to acknowledge divine substance manifest through Jesus Christ, the presence of sacred content shown within the deeds of the living, and the quality of each person’s sacred commitment, than dwell upon the details and mechanics of emotionally charged behavior expressing sexual preferences, or strivings for political freedom and social acceptance.  One of the many fighters at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information shared) posted the following:

 

Are we living in the days of sodom and gamora?

due to the legalization of same-sex marriage? and due to our schools teaching our children that homosexuality is normal and acceptable? and all the movies and television shows trying to convince us that homosexuality is the proper way to live? the bible's book of deutoromney talks about how god destroyed the cities of sodom and gamora for practicing homosexuality. is god about to do the same once again to our decadent modern world? are these the end times?

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,  Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,  Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like:  of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,  Meekness, temperance:  against such there is no law.   And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.  (Galatians 5:  19-24, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  The Cross Condemns Fornication (05/20/2016); Gender, Sex and Christian Beliefs? (05/18/2016); On Controlling Lust (01/05/2016); The Judgment Against Sodom? (04/10/2015); Lot and the Angels (05/04/2014); Expulsion from Eden (05/05/2014); Blasphemy Against the GODhead (05/06/2014)

 

“Anonymous”, born again Christians who have not yet “grown up again” often embrace commonly held ideas existing outside of the faith that seem biblical and religious, that are not part of the Gospel, and that may not be found written in the Bible.  Being still focused upon issues that are carnal, emotional, material, psychological and social, these believers even may cling to such errors as (1) “original sin” means sex; (2) “fornication” (i.e., defilement of ones spirit through sexual joining) means having sex before marriage, too often, or with too many partners (i.e., promiscuity); and (3) avoiding premarital sex is about maintaining purity and virginity, rather than becoming correctly mature to independently be accountable for ones own sexual behavior and its consequences (e.g., controlling the time and place; disease; family planning and pregnancy; “paying the cost to be the boss”).  The prophecies that describe the woeful state of mankind upon the earth just prior to the appearing (we also say, the Advent, the Rapture, the Second Coming) of Jesus go beyond sexual excess and deviant behavior.  The ongoing examination of mankind and the tribunal the wicked must face as final judgment both center upon the evidence of spirit substance from the makeup of GOD recorded in the Books of Life.  Neither Christ nor Satan will serve as “accuser”; the convicted will have been “betrayed” by accounts of their own deeds.  Consider again how these ideas are stated using language from the Bible:

(1.)  Ezekiel 16:  49-50, King James Version (KJV):  49 Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.  50 And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me:  therefore I took them away as I saw good.

(2.)   2nd Timothy 3:  1-5, KJV:  1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,  3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,  4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;  5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:  from such turn away.

(3.)  1st Corinthians 6:  9-11, KJV:  9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived:  neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,  10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.  11 And such were some of you:  but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

There is far more that could be said, must be carefully examined, and spiritually understood.  (For example, (4.)  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.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(05/29/2016) Discernment and The Cross?

Discernment, election, a prayer made by the Son to the Father, and schism among believers are topics, today.  A fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Pyriform” (Level 7 with 48,417 points, a member since March 13, 2010) posted the following:

Why does it appear that Jesus' prayer in John 17:20-21 failed?

"Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me."

Since there are very many Christian denominations which are divided against each other (to the point of killing people, in the past), it is pretty clear that those who believe in Jesus are not as one, so it would seem that Jesus' prayer failed. As he specified this as the criterion by which the world should judge that he was sent by the Father, why should we believe that he was?

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown:  And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them:  wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD?  And when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face:  And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, Even to morrow the LORD will shew who are his, and who is holy; and will cause him to come near unto him:  even him whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him.  This do; Take you censers, Korah, and all his company;  And put fire therein, and put incense in them before the LORD to morrow:  and it shall be that the man whom the LORD doth choose, he shall be holy:  ye take too much upon you, ye sons of Levi.  And Moses said unto Korah, Hear, I pray you, ye sons of Levi:   Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them?  And he hath brought thee near to him, and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee:  and seek ye the priesthood also?  For which cause both thou and all thy company are gathered together against the LORD:  and what is Aaron, that ye murmur against him?  (Numbers 16:  2-11, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Many Are Called… (10/15/2015); Adulterating Scripture? (10/06/2015); Many Forms of Christianity? (04/30/2015); Catholics, Protestants and the Trinity? (10/12/2014); The Gift of Life Despised? (10/13/2014); Why Jesus Used Parables (11/03/2013); Denying Baptism to Others (11/04/2013)

“Pyriform”, discernment is the ability to recognize the character and nature of spirit substance within events, other persons, purposes and statements.  Until they are born again through water baptism (death of ones inborn spirit, rebirth having divine DNA, so to speak) the living lack the fresh deposits of inseparable spirit substance from the makeup of GOD that are to be imparted to the followers of Jesus.  Included are faith, holiness, joy, longsuffering, meekness, wisdom, and wrath against sin.  Discernment is essential to correctly acknowledge, apply, and comprehend the many subtle (i.e., barely visible differences; hidden shifts in meaning and value) points of sacred knowledge, and divine process.  It is only by operations of divinity that we our made aware of a private conversation (prayer) between the Father and the Son prior to his death upon the cross, the Holy Spirit (we also say, the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Prophecy, the Spirit of Truth) being the only living person in witness.  Having discernment, mature Christian believers are able to “see” that, through operations of the Holy Spirit, blood, correction, and truth from the cross are flowing to here and now.  In the same way the promises of GOD to “all Israel” are answered by those who continue as a “remnant”, the church of Jesus Christ and the kingdom of GOD are achieved by those who are elect.  Simply put, we say, many are called, and few are chosen.  The genuine believers can be recognized on the basis of their spirit content and practice; however, they are to be known to the Father and Son, rather than to the World.  Consider again how these ideas are shared using language from the Bible:

(1.)  Isaiah 43:  9-11, King James Version (KJV):  9 Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled:  who among them can declare this, and shew us former things? let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified:  or let them hear, and say, It is truth.  10 Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen:  that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he:  before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.  11 I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.

(2.)  Acts 10:  40-42, KJV:  40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;  41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.  42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.

(3.)  1st Corinthians 9:  24-25, KJV:  24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.  25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

There is far more that could be said, must be carefully examined, and spiritually understood.  (For example, (4.)  Matthew 13:  24-30, KJV:  24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:  25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.  26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.  27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?  28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?  29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.  30 Let both grow together until the harvest:  and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them:  but gather the wheat into my barn.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(05/27/2016) The Cross and Judaism?

Today, points are shared on Jesus dying upon the cross, Judaism, and Israel's denial of the Messiah.  In an effort to maintain their secular culture along with their heritage and oracles from GOD, the Jews as a Nation rejected and resisted change, and the departures from tradition that were displayed in the ministry of Jesus.  Included were attributing doctrine, prophecy, and other teachings to GOD; claiming relationship as an offspring of GOD; performing sacred events (we say, miracles) such as exorcism, healing, raising the dead; and presuming to exercise authority understood as held only by GOD such as forbearance and forgiveness of sin.  While it is true mankind deals with a Creator who is immortal, immutable, and incorruptible, even so, lasting change must occur within humankind for the living to apprehend fulfillment, growth, learning, and perfection.  The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Peter” (Level 3 with 2,421 points, a member since October 19, 2012) posted the following:

 

How come Jesus has nothing to do with Judaism?

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?  For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy:  and if the root be holy, so are the branches.  And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;  Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.  Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.  Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:  For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.  Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God:  on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness:  otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.  And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in:  for God is able to graff them in again.  For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree:  how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?  For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.  (Romans 11:  15-25, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  World Peace Is Coming? (05/08/2016); The Cross Broke Every Curse? (02/25/2016); Academic Language? (12/10/2015); The Remnant? (10/12/2015); Instruments, Tools and Workers? (07/23/2015); Christ Brought A New Nature? (07/15/2015); More About the Trinity? (03/30/2015); Signs of Messianic Belief? (12/16/2012); Vows and Covenants? (12/17/2012)

 

“Peter”, trusting that, through operations of the Holy Spirit, blood, correction, and truth from the cross are flowing to here and now, the issue is not that Jesus has nothing to do with Israel and Judaism, rather, the Jews as a people in covenant with GOD have denied and rejected the one sent.  A revelation of grace that is an aspect of divine, living person must come into view.  Specific terms of their covenant during the days of Moses eventually established the compact with the tribes of Jacob as (1) consecrated, (2) eternal, and (3) indissoluble (we say, unbreakable).  They went so far as to agree that God should use affliction, death and suffering to chastise and correct the Nation, instead of replacing them as he was forced to do when his original partners (the seven tribes of Canaan) repeatedly violated their covenant.  Manipulated by the Sadducees who ruled the Temple community (who did not believe in angels, spirits, or resurrection from the dead), the crowds insisted the Lord be crucified, acknowledging it also meant they and their future generations would come under the divine curse for shedding of innocent blood (we say, murder).  When openly displayed upon the cross as “King of the Jews”, the hearts of the Nation had become hardened like that of Pharaoh, and they showed contempt and disdained the Savior.  It is not possible that the salvation from GOD that provides cleansing from all sin and eternal life as companions to divinity be accomplished by obedience to covenant law, or countless offerings and animal sacrifices for sin.  The necessary fulfillment of promise and prophecy that were expected to come through the Messiah was demonstrated in Christ only to those who were spiritually receptive.  Jesus was condemned for the crime of blasphemy because long-held doctrine and tradition among the Jews could not allow for divinity appearing incarnate (using the form and process of humankind).  Nor could there be an imparting of divine substance from GOD (we say, breath, life essence, word) to indwell the living.  Even so, only in the Anointed One could atonement, forgiveness, divine government, and lasting change be displayed to prepare mankind for the further operations of GOD.  Consider again how these ideas are shared using language from the Bible:

(1.)  Romans 10:  1-4, King James Version (KJV):  1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.  2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.  3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.  4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

(2.)  Hebrews 10:  1-5, KJV:  1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.  2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.  3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.  4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.  5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:

(3.)  John 1:  10-14, KJV:  10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.  11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.  12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:  13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.  14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

There is far more that could be said, must be carefully examined, and spiritually understood.  (For example, (4.)  Philippians 3:  7-10, KJV:  7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.  8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord:  for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,  9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:  10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(05/26/2016) The Cross Reaches Back

Today, points are shared on the provisions for divine judgment, redemption, and salvation before GOD appeared in flesh as Jesus Christ.  In the same way godly law existed before appearing as the covenant of Moses, divinity has appeared Incarnate through the living before Jesus Christ, and was manifest through hierarchy, judgment, law and divine order with diverse expressions of ownership, righteousness, sovereignty, sacred will, and inexhaustible virtue.  The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “razzledazzleem” (Level 1 showing no points, a member since December 14, 2006) posted the following:

 

In the old testament, how does God decide who gets into heaven and who goes to hell?

Does it have anything to do with obeying things like the ten commandments or the noahide laws?

People didn't have Jesus yet so how could a person have gotten saved back then?

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW:   But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.  And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.  And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you:  whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.  For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;  And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;  And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;  And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:  (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)  The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:  But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.  (2nd Peter 2:  1-10, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Revelation and The Cross (03/27/2016); Jesus Known As Word (01/17/2016); All Have Sinned? (07/29/2015); A Creator No Longer Needed? (02/19/2015); Salvation Before Christ? (06/24/2014); All Sins Are Equal? (06/25/2014);  Son of Adam and of GOD? (06/16/2014); Focus of Believers? (06/17/2014)

 

“razzledazzleem”, just as the cross has reached forward to us, it has reached back to Adam; and the “plan of salvation has unfolded showing many different phases and stages.  During Old Testament times “people had Jesus” as an inheritance from the first pair, the Patriarchs, and their own parents the same way we do, today, as an expectation, a promise, and a platform for continuing respect and trust in GOD.  Mature Christian believers acknowledge, before the Creation that centers around mankind was put into place, Jesus Christ was eternally present within the fullness of divine person (we say, the GODhead).  In the beginning, the Lord did not exist having human form and measurable dimension; however, he did exist.  The distinction of Christ as the “Son of GOD,” co-existing with the Father and the Holy Spirit, is a simple, yet, profound device for revealing otherwise unseen aspects of divinity (i.e., making Deity knowable, known, and accessible through personal relationship).  While alive, all created beings and living creatures have deposits of life essence (we say, breath, spirit content, word) from the makeup of GOD.  The living may communicate, have contact, exchange, and interact with divinity through divine utterance that includes commandment, counsel, dreams, sacred law, praise, proclamations, promises, prophecy, and visions.  What we generally call “divine order” and Incarnation are the appearances of GOD who is immortal, immutable, and incorruptible.  Divine order embodies and expresses awareness, character, identity, operations, and substance that are eternal.  Thus, when GOD provided the Ten Commandments to Israel, they were entered into covenant relationship with a “god of Judgment,” who has always assigned value, and determined duration for his own handiwork.  Consider how some of this appears stated in the language of the Bible:

(1.)  John 1:  1-5, King James Version (KJV):  1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  2 The same was in the beginning with God.  3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.  4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.  5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

(2.)  Colossians 1:  16-20, KJV:  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.  19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;  20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

(3.)  Ephesians 1:  3-7, KJV:  3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:  4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:  5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,  6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.  7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

There is far more that could be said, must be carefully examined, and spiritually understood.  (For example, (4.)  Acts 13:  38-39, KJV:  38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:  39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(05/25/2016) Going To The Cross?

The importance of church membership and regular participation are in view, today.  Rightly understood, becoming alive and active within the body of Christ is essential to existence as new creatures through the ministry of the cross.  Only within the church will the full range of sacred elements be available to the believer.  Included are atonement, confession, forbearance, forgiveness, healing, inheritance, prophecy, purification, sanctification, meaningful service, and worship.  The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Alice” (Level 1 with 6 points, a member since October 22, 2012) posted the following:

How important is going to church?

My neice is 17, and she hates going to church. She thinks it's too conservative but her mom makes her go. In protest she dresses really conservatively, like turtlenecks, layers, completely covered head to toe.

I'm worried she's going to like pass out from the heat. Should I tell my aunt to just let her stay home or is going to church that important?

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;  That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;  Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;  Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:  Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:  In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:  Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:  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:  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.  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.  (Colossians 1:  9-18, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  On Doing Good Deeds (02/02/2016); A Fool of the Church? (01/26/2016); Thoughts On The Kingdom? (11/18/2015); Skipping Church A Sin? (11/17/2015); A Spirit Church? (04/04/2013); My Brother’s Keeper (04/05/2013); According to the Eternal Purpose (11/20/2012); Henceforth, Of This Fruit (11/21/2012)

“Alice”, think of going to church as going to the cross.  There is no substitute for church attendance and participation in a faith community.  Necessary communication, contact, exchange, and interaction among those sharing as the “new creation” of Jesus Christ is not provided anywhere else, or through gatherings that focus upon carnal, material, secular and social themes.  Maturity of ones spirit content is the goal for Christian believers following their experience of water baptism (i.e., death and burial of ones inborn spirit, with  rebirth from operations of divinity that are “divine DNA,” so to speak).  The “born again” believer must “grow up” again, and become perfected while continuing to meet life challenges upon the earth.  All receive a fresh endowment of inseparable spirit substances from the makeup of GOD that were present in Jesus Christ.  Included are faith, gratitude, joy, holiness, humility, longsuffering, love, meekness, wisdom, and wrath against sin.  The benefits of genuine Christian fellowship impact the level of ones commitment in terms of the believer sharing sacred knowledge, continuing sacred practice (we say, sacraments), in addition to having access to correction, instruction, and sound guidance.  Consider how some of this appears stated in the language of the Bible:

(1.)  John 3:  6-8, 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.

(2.)  John 10:  14-16, KJV:  14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.  15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father:  and I lay down my life for the sheep.  16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold:  them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

(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 that could be said, must be carefully examined, and spiritually understood.  (For example, (4.)  Hebrews 10:  23-26, KJV:  23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)  24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:  25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another:  and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.  26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(05/24/2016) The Accounts of Giants

Today, points are shared on giants upon the earth appearing in the Bible along with the longevity of the patriarchs.   Accounts of giants are shared in Scripture as admonition regarding divine judgment against sin, secular history or “matter-of-fact” reports, and are not intended as stories for amusement, entertainment, and hilarity.  Where we correctly approach the holy writings for authentic statements from GOD to establish and reinforce spirit content in the living, there is no error concerning “make believe,” monsters, and mythology.  The writer at “Yahoo! Answers (Australia)” using the ID “Love Unites” (Level 7 with 38,553 points, a member since May 08, 2013) posted the following:


R&S, do you believe giants once existed? Such as the giants in the Bible?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  I was at ease, but he hath broken me asunder:  he hath also taken me by my neck, and shaken me to pieces, and set me up for his mark.  His archers compass me round about, he cleaveth my reins asunder, and doth not spare; he poureth out my gall upon the ground.  He breaketh me with breach upon breach, he runneth upon me like a giant.  I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, and defiled my horn in the dust.  My face is foul with weeping, and on my eyelids is the shadow of death;  Not for any injustice in mine hands:  also my prayer is pure.  O earth, cover not thou my blood, and let my cry have no place.  Also now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high.  My friends scorn me:  but mine eye poureth out tears unto God.  O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour!  When a few years are come, then I shall go the way whence I shall not return.  (Job 16:  12-22, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  The Cross and Today (03/22/2016); Our Beginnings Were Perfect? (12/14/2015); Asked To Teach On Adam? (10/30/2015); Stories Repeated in the Bible? (08/30/2014); Why Similar Accounts (08/31/2014); Bible Authors and Truth? (06/19/2013); On Testing GOD (06/20/2013); Why Clothing? (10/15/2010); Known by GOD? (10/16/2010)


“Love Unites”, Christian believers are to accept the accounts of “giants” that appear within the holy writings in the same way they are to acknowledge the longevity for Patriarchs (nearly 1,000 years for Adam), and the Son of GOD dying upon the cross.  His height measured in cubits (generally, 18 inches, a foot and a half), Goliath of Gath, the Philistine champion defeated by David, is not described merely to provide an exciting “bedtime story.”  Faith and the unseen must come into view.  Just as the Patriarchs lived as vessels of oral history, the Scriptures are for “revelation” (divinity being made knowable and known), and the imparting of sacred knowledge.  The Bible shares a divine point of view whereby readers who have received spirit content imparted from GOD (e.g., faith, holiness, longsuffering, wisdom, wrath against sin) are able to discern and recognize the operations of GOD displayed through thousands of events in thousands of lives, over the course of thousands of years.  Many forget the earth was once “brand new,” and the present pollution from automobiles, machines, over population, and human waste did not always exist.  Many understand that the original pair (Adam) was as much as 10 feet tall.  It was a long time before the operations of sin corrupted and debilitated the divine plan of healthy food for healthy bodies to where is today.  The Watusi tribe of North Central Africa have long been celebrated in the modern world as a race of giants.  Also, those of us who have seen the many athletes over 7 feet tall in the National Basketball Association (NBA), and big men such as Shaquille O’Neal repeatedly lift a 300 pound body off the floor and up to the net, have no doubt that it is possible for GOD, who clothed Adam and Eve with the Spirit, to have scaled Adam and Eve as what we might call “giants”.  Consider how some of this appears stated in the language of the Bible:

(1.)  Genesis 6:  3-5, King James Version (KJV):  3 And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh:  yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.  4 There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.  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.

(2.)  Numbers 13:  32-33, KJV:  32 And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature.  33 And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants:  and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.

(3.)  Deuteronomy 3:  10-12, KJV:  10 All the cities of the plain, and all Gilead, and all Bashan, unto Salchah and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan.  11 For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of giants; behold his bedstead was a bedstead of iron; is it not in Rabbath of the children of Ammon? nine cubits was the length thereof, and four cubits the breadth of it, after the cubit of a man.  12 And this land, which we possessed at that time, from Aroer, which is by the river Arnon, and half mount Gilead, and the cities thereof, gave I unto the Reubenites and to the Gadites.

There is far more that could be said, must be carefully examined, and spiritually understood.  (For example, (4.)  1st Samuel 17:  4-7, KJV:  4 And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.  5 And he had an helmet of brass upon his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass.  6 And he had greaves of brass upon his legs, and a target of brass between his shoulders.  7 And the staff of his spear was like a weaver’s beam; and his spear’s head weighed six hundred shekels of iron:  and one bearing a shield went before him.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC