(03/15/2019) GOD Is With Us

Today, reply is on the process of GOD, and why holy names in the Bible are used along with titles that seem to change or become different. Many of the changes we see recorded in the holy writings are in agreement with the fact that humankind relies on the finite frameworks of time and space to maintain focus, order, and stability. While mankind has used many different cultures, customs and traditions to speak of GOD, divinity is immutable and unchanging—particularly with regard to covenant oaths, sacred judgment, eternal purpose, divine order, and the acknowledgment of spirit substance imparted to the living from the makeup of GOD. Men are not to dismiss that GOD would abide within a tabernacle on the earth for 40 years, or that the divine presence would be made known by using visible pillars of cloud and fire, the daily falling of manna, and regular observance of the Sabbath. Nor is it coincidence that the prophecies of revelation proclaim that mankind is to prepare for divinity to abide upon the earth. It is written: Revelation 21: 1-5, King James Version (KJV): 1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. The fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” public forum on Religion and Spirituality who uses the ID “Carol” (Level 7 with 58,748 points, a member since January 19, 2014) posted the following:

The angel told Mary to call the baby Jesus. Another said call him Christ. A third one said call him Emanuel. What's that all about?

THE GOLDEN ARROW: And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations. Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. (Matthew 1: 16-23, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Lost For 40 Years? (09/17/2018); Jesus Called “Almighty GOD?” (12/21/2017); The Generation That Wandered (06/14/2017); The New Testament Name (05/01/2017); The Title of “Savior” (01/27/2017); Passover After The Cross? (03/09/2016); Use Holy Names Not Titles? (08/17/2015)

“Carol”, most sinners who turn to GOD for change, correction, and forgiveness are surprised when they find that there is single, unchanging answer provided by divine fullness (we also say, divinity; the GODhead; the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit). GOD must be apprehended, realized and understood through ones own life process; and sacred knowledge must have a higher place than worldly and secular knowledge. The Creator of all that exists, the various environments and spheres of life, and the frameworks for meaning and value, makes himself knowable, known, accessible, and approachable by appearing to created beings and living creatures using multiple forms and sacred operations. The Bible is a record prepared in many different places and at different times where divinity appears through thousands of events, within thousands of lives, over the course of thousands of years. Because divinity is made up of inseparable, invisible spirit substance (e.g., faith, holiness, longsuffering, personhood, righteousness, wisdom, wrath against sin), communication, exchange and interaction with GOD requires the acknowledgment of active presence and spirit through such features as divine law, judgment, covenant relationship, life essence (we say, breath; utterance; word), promise, prophecy, rebirth, and resurrection from the dead.

The holy names used among mankind when speaking of divinity change in accordance with the experience and preparation of mankind, yet, GOD is immutable and unchanging. Human needs include accomplishment, customs, hope, novelty, and possibilities. Thus, the heirs of Abraham, who called GOD Jehovah and were set apart (sanctified) for divine service also were influenced by the idolatry, sorcery, and unbelief of the Egyptians until the time of the Exodus. Those who left Egypt with Moses knew GOD as “I AM.” How the people of GOD later spoke and thought of divinity also was altered by the Assyrian captivity and Babylonian exile. Jesus was challenged by both the Roman empire, and the spiritual confusion and traditions that existed among the Jews. Without initiation to the sacred priesthood, it is almost impossible to correctly see that diversity appears in place of change; and that such elements as divine prerogative, eternal purpose, and the sovereign will of GOD continue as though uninterrupted.

The names “GOD with us” (Emmanuel), “the Anointed One” (Christ) and “Savior” (Jesus) speak to the workings of divinity using the forms both of Spirit and of human flesh (we say, Incarnation). That GOD agreed to accompany Moses and those leaving Egypt, that a Passover deliverance was provided as a permanent figure signaling salvation, and that sacred guidance and rule were promised to the living through an anointed High Priest, judge and king (Messiah) are all addressed through the One Sent, Jesus Christ. It is written:

1. Exodus 33: 15-17, King James Version (KJV): 15 And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence. 16 For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth. 17 And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.

2. Exodus 13: 20-22, KJV: 20 And they took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness. 21 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: 22 He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.

3. Hebrews 8: 1-6, KJV: 1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; 2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. 3 For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer. 4 For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law: 5 Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount. 6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, 4. Matthew 28: 18-20, KJV: 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC