(08/21/2019) Christian Teachings About Devils

James 4: 7, King James Version (KJV): 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Today, reply is on the devils and unclean spirits arrayed against Jesus Christ and his saints. All Christian believers are instructed that devils can appear within their lives and gatherings for worship as deceivers, destroyers, false prophets, and heretics who spread toxic doctrine. Rather than fear, or submit themselves to those who have lost their first estate, believers are to continually affirm the sovereign authority of Jesus Christ as Redeemer, Savior, and the head of the church. The true nature and personhood of opposing spirits can be discerned and exposed by the spiritual fruit they produce through their works, their opposition to divine law, their hostility to the every genuine ministry of salvation through Jesus Christ, and their efforts to block the unchanging purposes of divinity that include the establishment of Creation and life. Even so, it is written: 2^nd Corinthians 11: 12-15, King James Version (KJV): 12 But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. 13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. One of the fighters in the “Yahoo! Answers” forum on Religion and Spirituality who uses the ID “Anonymous” (no profile was shared) posted the following:

Do Christians believe that devil is out to get you & turn you away from GOD?

by using atheists & school & more

THE GOLDEN ARROW: Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. (John 8: 42-45, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: The Sower Went Forth (08/19/2019); Doing The Devil’s Work? (02/21/2019); Incurring “The Second Death” (04/02/2018); What Is A Spirit? (03/06/2018); The Place of Torment? (08/21/2017); About Lucifer in Scripture (02/18/2016); The Origin of Sin? (07/31/2015); False Angels of Light? (08/16/2014); An Attack on Creation? (12/08/2012); The Focus of Judgment? (12/09/2012)

“Anonymous”, the ministry of Jesus Christ while on the earth included exorcism (we say, casting out devils; releasing those in whom unclean spirits were residing). Where spirit beings invade the body and flesh of the living, they may destroy the integrity and authentic humanity of their host by dominating their awareness and self-will (willpower). The invader will continually influence what their host will display as the character, intent, and nature within mankind. Mature Christian believers acknowledge the existence of such spirits that display consciousness, counterfeit authority, direction, hierarchy, malice, personhood, and opposition to the sovereign will of GOD. Satan (we also say, the Adversary) is thought to command a host of angels and others who foster conflict and sin. Sin opposes the continued existence of divine law, the Lawgiver, and, therefore, all divine order throughout the universe. Sin promotes the total destruction of Creation, and a return to the conditions of chaos, flux, and directionless streams of substance that were in place before the founding of heaven and earth (we say, preexistence).

Christians are not to maintain a morbid focus on such themes as darkness, devils, evil, sin, superstition, the occult, and wickedness. Strength and balance are required along with other inseparable aspects from the makeup of divinity that fit believers to a spiritual warfare. Included are faithfulness, holy boldness, humility, joy, longsuffering, lovingkindness, oneness without sameness, righteousness, wisdom, and wrath against sin. Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

1. Luke 10: 16-21, King James Version (KJV): 16 He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me. 17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. 18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. 19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. 21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.

2. Ephesians 2: 1-9, KJV: 1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

3. Ephesians 5: 5-11, KJV: 5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, 4. Colossians 3: 1-11, KJV: 1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. 5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: 7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. 8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

Image downloaded 10:03 AM, August 20, 2019 @ https://regenerationandrepentance.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/apollyon-211x300.png

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(06/04/2019) Prophets After Jesus Christ?

Today, reply is on Bible reports describing the divine use of prophets on the earth following the ministry of Jesus Christ; the process of prophecy; and prophecy sealed through the Book of Revelation. The birth, life, ministry, death, resurrection, and return of Jesus to heaven did address and fulfill many major divine promises and prophecies. Even so, the full range of sacred works required for redemption, salvation, and eternal life are yet to be completed; and divine works expressing prophecy will continue to appear on the earth. Included will be the first and second resurrections; the judgment and distribution of rewards; the Garden of Eden returned to the earth; and the descent of the Holy City from heaven to the earth. Christian workers will continue to occupy such offices as ambassadors, apostles, evangelists, prophets, and spokespersons; yet, none will be exalted above others through competition, hierarchy, or vainglory. Jesus Christ will reign as Messiah and High Priest. It is written: 1^st Thessalonians 4: 16-18, King James Version (KJV): 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words. One of the writers in the “Yahoo! Answers” public forum on Religion and Spirituality who uses the ID “jane” (Level 1 with 135 points, a member since May 15, 2019) posted the following:

What Does the Bible Say About Prophets After Jesus?

THE GOLDEN ARROW: And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them. Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. (Acts 19: 11-17, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Recognizing The End Times (04/16/2019); Divine Preparations for Advent (03/17/2019); Challenges To The Church? (03/01/2019); Divine Revelation Not Showmanship (02/03/2019); How GOD Is Communicating (10/31/2018); A “Successor” To Jesus? (02/22/2018); Succession (02/05/2014); On Youth Doing Enough (02/06/2014)

“jane”, within the system of Christian belief, the entire movement of prophecy and revelation from the time of Adam has been the declaration of divinity appearing incarnate using human form as Jesus Christ. The ministry on the earth completed by Jesus for the transformation of mankind to exist as immortal and incorruptible will be completed through operations of the Comforter who has been sent as his chief agent and representative. (We also say, the Holy Spirit, the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Prophecy, the Spirit of Truth.) Because the full manifesting of Christ is the “end of the law” (i.e., the essential principle, process, and divine substance embodied within sacred law), no human replacement, successor, or follower of Christ is named in Scripture. Moreover, the further appearance of apostles, prophets, and spokespersons does not appear so much as admonitions and cautions against the antichrist spirit, instruction regarding false prophets, and description of specific patterns among end time events.

Within the church founded by Jesus, men and women will continue to be anointed and ordained serving as child-bearers, healers, sacred messengers, priests, kings, miracle-workers, evangelists, and teachers. Developing and mature Christian believers should not expect or look for any new proclamation, or fresh revelation that contends against the Bible record concerning the operations of GOD for salvation and eternal life. While many notable modern-day figures and workers have been promoted publicly as genuine agents of Christ (e.g., Joseph Smith; Ellen G. White; Oral Roberts; Kathryn Kuhlman; Billy Graham) the prophecies do not describe any alternatives to Christ, or religious figures who become prominent through self-promotion except the Antichrist. Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

1. 1^st John 4: 1-6, King James Version (KJV): 1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. 4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. 6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

2. Daniel 7: 21-27, KJV: 21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; 22 Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom. 23 Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. 24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings. 25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. 26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end. 27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.

3. Revelation 13: 7-10, KJV: 7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. 8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. 9 If any man have an ear, let him hear. 10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, 4. Revelation 22: 17-19, KJV: 17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. 18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

Image downloaded 3:10 PM, June 03, 2019 @ https://focusonjerusalem.com/030306q.jpg

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(02/11/2018) The Option of Atheism

ASTRONOMER CARL SAGAN

Today, the reply is on atheist disbelief existing as an aspect of reason and science, yet, being no alternative to acknowledgement, commitment, and faith that respond to the existence of divine fullness.  The problems generated by atheism center on false and logically flawed professions to justify disbelief; the endorsement of pseudo-intellectualism; and the communication, proliferation, and transfer of vanity (the lack of divine content and sacred substance).  Using the disciplines and rules for genuine scientific inquiry, there are multiple times and settings where divinity is an inappropriate hypothetical concept that does not further clarification, discourse, and formal dialog.  In such cases, divinity correctly should be excluded as an unworkable abstraction.  That this is so does not discount the truth that spiritual events and operations require discipline, knowledge, and practice that are sacred in content, operation, and outcome as seen through fasting, prayer, and exorcism.  One of the many fighters in the “Yahoo! Answers” forum who uses the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information shared) posted the following:


Why is it that by many definitions atheism is very stupid?

Even Carl Sagan said

"An atheist is someone who is certain that God does not exist, someone who has compelling evidence against the existence of God. I know of no such compelling evidence. Because God can be relegated to remote times and places and to ultimate causes, we would have to know a great deal more about the universe than we do know to be sure that no such God exist"


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit;  And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him:  and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.  He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.  And they brought him unto him:  and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.  And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.  And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him:  but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.  Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.  And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.  When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.  And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him:  and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.  But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.  And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out?  And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.  (Mark 9:  17-29, King James Version, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  We Begin Within GOD (02/06/2018); Truths To Live By (02/02/2018); Secular History, Sacred Revelation? (01/11/2018); The Most Important Thing (12/28/2017); Confused By Spiritual Puzzles (11/13/2017); Standing On The ABCs? (11/09/2017); “and without Him nothing” (08/14/2017); About Deluding Yourself? (09/22/2014); Delusions and Revelation (09/23/2014)


“Anonymous”, science does not go far enough in reaching all human needs.  Finite carnal reason and logic that serve as the platform for atheist thought are not complex, truly intellectual, or profound.  Simply put, and using common sense terms, two rules prevail:  (1) “seeing is believing;” and (2) the only phenomena of life that is fit for the focus of science must display measurable dimensions (e.g., amount, density, height, length, weight), and must be subject to experimental manipulation.  The human mind is bombarded with enormous amounts of data and information from moment to moment.  Included are signals from organs and tissues that make up the material body, emotions (e.g., anger, fear, sorrow), operations of the mind (e.g., clairvoyance, imagination, recall, thought), and sensations (e.g., hearing, seeing, tasting, touching).  There must be principles, rules and standards in place that establish order, determine benefit, and permit the recognition of priority conditions and unmet needs.  

Properly understood, science and its promotion of secular knowledge, is a peculiar accord and covenant for shared meaning, quality, and value that denies and excludes consideration of everything that has divinity as its cause, makeup, origin, and process.  The excellence and usefulness of science turns on its attention to detail through analysis; its establishment of predictability and validity through precise measurement and repetition; and its being able to identify fixed points of reference within complex, hidden, or obscured sequences.  Thus, in the same way, children who can recite their ABCs, are not foretelling the future, or reading the mind of their teacher when saying the alphabet, yet, they know “XYZ” is coming, science, too, is a limited, plain, and simple element for understanding the fullness of life.  (While children may recite the alphabet perfectly, many still can not read and write.  They must gain skill to perform the routines of combination and permutation used when sounding out or spelling words; and they must practice to develop comprehension.)

Like the frameworks of time and space, secular knowledge is an adjunct, an additional tool, and a further provision from divinity along with sacred knowledge, and is not in place of sacred knowledge.  (Has the automobile completely eliminated the usefulness of a bicycle?)  Mankind has very real, unmet emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs that even medical science does not address.  Included are needs for forgiveness, peace, relief from human error and sin (even scientists are included within the class of “sinners”), respect, and truth that directs and sustains the highest levels for human potential.  Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

(1.)  John 4:  24,  King James Version (KJV):  24 God is a Spirit:  and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

(2.)  Romans 10:  1-9, 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.  5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.  6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)  7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)  8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart:  that is, the word of faith, which we preach;  9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

There are many more verses and passages that could be cited.  (For example, (3.) Romans 1:  16-22, KJV:  16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:  for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.  17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith:  as it is written, The just shall live by faith.  18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;  19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.  20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:  21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.  22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIXWashington, DC

(08/21/2017) The Place of Torment?

A Depiction of the “Harrowing of Hell”

Today, a reply is shared on Christ having gone to the place of torment after dying on the cross.  Relying upon the tools important for life in the flesh, even Christian believers may not completely and correctly apprehend the state of the dead, and the many divine operations that occur focused on and that thereby involve the dead.  The intellect and the mind must employ the frameworks of time and space.  However, this may introduce flawed concepts and notions of “a material place” that has boundaries, partitions, and walls to contain disembodied spirit matter once deposited within the created from the makeup of divinity to their  existence and life.  Where we argue an “abyss”, a “bottomless pit,” “limbo” or “purgatory” we often appeal to extra-biblical sources that may further introduce inconsistency and what appear as departures from the Gospel.  It is not an error to focus upon a “more sure word of prophecy,” rather than upon extrapolations from doctrine, orthodoxy, or tradition.  By focusing on the higher issues of Advent and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, many of the questions concerning punishment, salvation, hell, and the dead are superseded, and put to rest.  One of the fighters at “Yahoo! Answers” who uses the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information appears) posted the following:


Why did Jesus go to Hell when he died? Did he do something bad?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.  And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,  And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled:  and after that he must be loosed a little season.  And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them:  and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.  But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.  Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection:  on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.  And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,  And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle:  the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.  And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city:  and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.  And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.  (Revelation 20:  1-10, King James Version, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Forgiveness, Grace and Merit (06/22/2017); Hell and The Cross? (04/10/2016); Is Hitler Now in Hell? (07/02/2015); The Harrowing of Hell? (02/10/2015); How To Accept Bible Truth? (04/17/2013); About Preaching the Gospel (04/18/2013); Understanding Hell (01/09/2013); The Golden Age? (01/10/2013)


“Anonymous”, some of the most difficult teaching from the holy writings are those points that speak to the death of Jesus on the cross, and what the Savior then accomplished that is often called “the harrowing of hell.”  The divine process for imparting sacred knowledge, here, is one that employs contemplation, discernment, discovery, and growth.  Even so, believers are not to rely upon the finite tools of intellect, secular knowledge, logic, and carnal reason.  Here are some points to help developing Christian believers avoid spiritual confusion:

(1.)  Revelation of divinity to created beings and living creatures began with their creation, and has continued ever since.

(2.)  The Incarnation (i.e., divinity appearing on the earth using the form of a man) required that Jesus respond to multiple streams of authority and law.  As well as parental, civil, and other social standards, the Son of GOD had to respond to the natural law and operations for life upon the earth that included completing mortality; the laws for covenant relationship with divinity; the demands of promise and prophecy; and the unseen, yet, active divine laws of eternal existence.

(3.)  Hell as the grave and a repository for the dead is distinct from hell as the place of torment.  We accept that Jesus was buried, and went to the grave.  However, the Savior did not undergo the usual corruption, decay and rot of death.  Representations of this appear throughout the Bible that may only be correctly recognized and responded to by using ones own spirit content from the makeup of GOD to discern the spirit that is present within such features as events, other persons, prophecy, and the holy writings.  An example is seen in the separation by a pillar of fire (judgment) during the night between Moses and the pursuing army of Pharaoh.  Another is in the parable of the rich man in torment, and the beggar in the bosom of Abraham.

(4.)  Where the place of torment is spoken of as a realm or region where the dead have awareness and self-will for eternity, believers are to be very cautious.  Again, the serpent’s lie to Eve comes into view:  Ye shall not surely die.  Acknowledgement and embrace of the serpent’s truth also requires embracing the Lake of Fire, and the annihilation of the wicked in the second death.  Because all will be judged according to the record of their own deeds out of the book of life, final judgment will have no accuser.  Satan is cast into the Lake of Fire before the resurrection and final tribunal of the wicked.

(5.)  The understanding that Jesus Christ appeared to Adam and the other Patriarch’s, those from the time of the Judges, and those from the times of Covenant through Moses is understood in two ways:  First, that Jesus appeared using angelic and other material forms to be knowable, known, and capable of affiliation and exchange with mankind (Before Abraham was I AM.).  Secondly, Jesus visited the place of rest and safekeeping for those who died in hope of eventual restoration to GOD and salvation.  Here, the separation of spirit from flesh at death is accounted as a parting of the divine and eternal substance imparted to the living from the person of GOD away from the carnal, instable elements from the earth that were established by the Holy Spirit (from dust thou art, unto dust thou shalt return).

There is far more to be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (6.)  Believers are to be judicious, and to carefully consider the agreement and consistency among their own beliefs.  What sinners and developing believers have been given as the Gospel of Jesus Christ is sufficiently challenging that mature believers tend to forgo questionable studies on death and hell.  As with considering exorcism and encounters with Satan such as that experienced by Jesus following his baptism, many become “puffed up,” from exaggerated pride, others become “swallowed up” by conjecture, speculation, errors regarding the occult, and superstition.  Avoiding commitment to whatever generates ungodly conflict and division, the sacred doctrines and practices acknowledged and shared within ones congregation are usually a safe path that has been approved by GOD.)   Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(07/18/2017) Miracles Are Not Everlasting

Today, reply is made on the duration and lasting effects of sacred events (miracles).  By the operations of GOD, one-time events that are completely broken off and ended within their physical settings and temporal intervals may endure and exist as continuous, ongoing, and unfinished within consciousness as well as within spirit.  Also, while faith may produce miracles, miracles do not always produce faith.  Miracles often appear as marvels, or wonders that result from the interruption and suspension of the regularities acknowledged as “natural law” among such academic disciplines as Astronomy, Biochemistry, Genetics, and Physics.  However, correctly understood, miracles rarely occur as disturbances or disruptions of divine order.  Miracles expressing the authority and sovereign will of GOD are temporal events directed to carnal, material, and social conditions, and always appear in accordance with divine law, eternal purpose, and sacred process.  Without the preparation that comes through faith, sacred knowledge, and regular practice of divine sacraments, the sudden, unexpected appearance of miracles results in sinners having increased disbelief, fear, skepticism, and spiritual confusion.  The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “maulporphy” (Level 5 with 8,905 points, a member since March 24, 2016) posted the following:


If Jesus cured the sick and raised the dead, how come they're not still alive?

Seems like a perfect man would perform perfect miracles


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed:  and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.  And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.  And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?  For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?  But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.  And he arose, and departed to his house.  But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.  (Matthew 9:  2-8, King James Version, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Fed From The Altar? (06/19/2017); Benefits of His Kingdom? (04/11/2017); A Ministry to Cripples? (03/14/2017); Diversity and Prophetic Gifts (11/22/2016); On Really Seeing Angels (10/09/2016); Sight to the Blind? (07/30/2015); Power Against Sin? (04/12/2015); Why Did Jesus Heal? (02/03/2015); Help Thou Mine Unbelief (12/31/2014)


“maulporphy”, for Christian believers, the presence of unseen things are being established on the basis of faith, not on the basis of what is seen.  On the one hand, the revelation of divinity to created beings and living creatures addresses multiple aspects of their consciousness (e.g., intellect, logic, imagination, recall), and must use finite devices, events, and tools to make immortal, invisible GOD, who is active presence and spirit, knowable, known, and accessible through regular contact, exchanges and interactions (we say, ongoing relationships).  On the other hand, to apprehend divine fullness (we say, the GODhead; the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) one must contain and rely upon their own endowment of spirit substance imparted from the makeup of GOD.  Included are inseparable aspects of Deity such as faith, forbearance, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, wisdom, and wrath against sin. 

The perfection of Jesus Christ (the Father, or the Holy Spirit) must be known using discernment and sacred (not secular) knowledge.  The manifesting of GOD in the Son is more than a matter of the Savior’s deeds and works to benefit mankind; for the divine operations of Creation, judgment, salvation, and eternal life are grounded in proclamation, promise, prophecy, and actualizing utterance (word).  Both the ministry of Jesus on the earth, and the spiritual gifts that have been received by his followers are in the nature of a partial payment, or “good faith” deposit.  In addition to acts of faith and prophetic demonstrations, the revelation of GOD through Jesus Christ has shared admonition, exorcism (casting out unclean spirits), commanded expectations (we say, hope), healing, judgment, preaching, sacred events (we say, miracles) as well as raising the dead.  Yet to be seen are the conclusion of final judgment, the second death, and the distribution of rewards to those who have worked for Christ.  Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

(1.)  2nd Corinthians 1:  21-22, King James Version (KJV):  21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;  22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

(2.)  Romans 1:  18-21, KJV:  18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;  19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.  20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:  21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

(3.)  Ephesians 1:  9-14, KJV:  9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:  10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:  11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:  12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.  13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation:  in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,  14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

There is much more to be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (4.)  1st Corinthians 2:  7-14, KJV:  7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:  8 Which none of the princes of this world knew:  for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.  9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.  10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit:  for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.  11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.  12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.  13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.  14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God:  for they are foolishness unto him:  neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(09/04/2016) Become An Anointed Healer

Today, healing as a minister of the Gospel is compared with service through careers as an actor and as a psychoanalyst.  Among Christian believers, exorcism to remove unclean spirits and healing are different from miracles (we say, sacred events).  The gift of healing has been given to the church as a body, and we say, the church has the power of healing.  Yet, the gift of healing is not given to every member of the church, and appears only through the work of those selected by the Holy Spirit.  Actors, comedians, dancers, singers, and other entertainers are often effective at providing catharsis that enables a peculiar form of purification, release of unexpressed emotions, and rebalance among aspects of ones spirit that are in conflict.  This form of benefit and healing also is found among those who prophesy using music ministry as the boy David did for King Saul.  The timely sharing of otherwise hidden truth can dispel depression, despair, inner turmoil, and self-destructive impulses.  Those who propose to heal the mind using psychoanalysis and other closed systems of meaning and value generally rely upon secular knowledge, medical procedures that may include use of drugs and brain surgery, as well as academic studies and structures.  As with entertainers, their vocation does not put forward the operations of faith through Jesus Christ.  Because the process of being in correct relationship with GOD requires acknowledging and exalting the will of GOD above ones own desires and intent, there must be obedience to divine law, and conformance to the things proclaimed and revealed through Jesus Christ.  The successful accomplishment of a private agenda emphasizing things carnal, material and social, or divine endorsement of ambitions and lusts that promote the flesh and the world will always be questionable, and unpredictable.  The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “?” (Level 1 with 74 points, a member since July 14, 2014) posted the following:

I'm not sure whether to train as an actor or as a psychoanalyst (Jungian): How do I discern God's will?

Update: Cognito: As you aren't connected to God, your thoughts on God are irrelevant to me. However, I take what you say about other actors on board. Working with "people like that" wouldn't bother or upset me in the least.

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.  And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.  And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.  But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.  For to one  is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;  To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;  To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:  But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.  For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body:  so also is Christ.  For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.  For the body is not one member, but many.  (1st Corinthians 12:  4-14, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Faith and The Cross? (03/30/2016); Humility and The Cross? (03/15/2016); ...Ears That Hear Not? (01/18/2016); The Correct Prescription? (11/19/2015); Why Did Jesus Heal? (02/03/2015); Healing is By Relationship? (09/27/2014); Certainty by Faith or by Tradition? (06/19/2014); “Prayer Death”? (02/21/2014); The 2nd Prayer Death (02/22/2014)

“?”, consider what it means to be a healer from GOD.  For mature Christian believers a person’s focus and training to do GOD’s will begins with their commitment to completely and correctly embrace Jesus Christ.  The operations of sin may dominate awareness and self-will in created beings and living creatures.  Thus, the most necessary provisions from GOD for health of our body, mind and spirit are the Gospel of Jesus Christ, becoming “born again” through water baptism (i.e., death and burial of ones inborn spirit, rebirth from divine DNA), receiving the imparted, indwelling Spirit from the makeup of GOD, and “growing up again” through continuous service that reveals the “active presence” of divinity, demonstrates the sacred operations carried out by Deity, fulfills the promises of GOD, and realizes eternal purpose.  Much of the darkness, disease, and sickness within our lives are the visible outcomes forced by conflicts among our values, exaggerated pride, the practice of deceit and lying, and unseen sin that opposes the continued existence of divine law, the Law Giver, and the Creation that relies upon sacred law for divine order.  With this in view, careers in the performing arts as an actor (we also say, entertainer, hypocrite, story-teller), and within those professions that attempt to examine, monitor and shape patterns of behavior, emotion, and socialization all are “distractions”, diversions, and obstacles to the proper work of the living.  The benefits from secular knowledge, practices, and tools are always discrete, limited, and temporary.  Thus, backsliding, further deterioration, relapses, and regression may appear.   There are no counterfeits or substitutes that are more fruitful for healthy living upon the earth than permanent change and communion through forbearance, forgiveness, unselfish giving, humility, intercession with GOD on behalf of others, praise, prayer, repentance, acquiring and applying sacred knowledge, suffering, and worship.  Consider again the Scriptures:

(1.)  2nd Chronicles 7:  14, King James Version (KJV):  14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

(2.)  Psalms 51:  6-13, KJV:  6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts:  and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.  7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean:  wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.  8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.  9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.  10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.  11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.  12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.  13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

There is far more to be said, carefully examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (3.)  2nd Timothy 1:  7-10, KJV:  7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.  8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner:  but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;  9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,  10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(03/30/2016) Faith and The Cross?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFYICnBgWiE

Today, I share a personal reflection (account, testimony) trusting that, despite time and space, through operations of the Holy Spirit, blood and truth from the cross are flowing to here and now.  For many the huge issue of faith is whether we have the authority to command the will of GOD be done.  Often, for me, the great problem of belief is not having to accept what Christ and others acting in his name have done; rather, my issues of faith tend to be what I can or cannot do, have, and have not done.  After viewing the video someone sent to me at Facebook (use the link above to see “Child not walking healed by Him” shared by BN Tamil Christian Fellowship; published October 24, 2015), I cautioned myself to reflect carefully upon what I had seen.  I felt challenged to consider again Matthew 9:  5, King James Version (KJV):  5 For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?  The corollary immediately came to mind as well:  Whether is easier, to say, I believe Christ died upon the cross to release humanity from sin, or to say, I believe that the name of Christ has made a child able to walk?

The holy writings include a report that the apostles, John and Peter, responded to a beggar as they were entering the Temple in Jerusalem.  It is written:  1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.  2 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;  3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.  4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.  5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.  6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.  7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.  8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.  9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God:  10 And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple:  and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.  (Acts 3:  1-10, KJV)

Initially, forgiveness of sin and repentance did not impress me as the primary focus for either of the two healing miracles.  The healing of the child first appeared as an example of the divine ministry of exorcism; while the act of the apostles appeared as a further falling of Spirit blessing (we say, gifts), and Pentecost.  After some reflection I decided the two sacred events are one in their purpose and substance.  Both continue the revelation from Jesus Christ, and they both charge the believer to accept and receive him.  Consider again:  Mark 9:  37-40, KJV:  37 Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me:  and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.  38 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us:   and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.  39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not:  for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.  40 For he that is not against us is on our part.

There is far more to be said, understood, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, 2nd Peter 1:  5-11, KJV:  5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;  6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;  7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.  8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.  10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure:  for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:  11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.)  Like arriving at perfection, arriving at peace is a process of gradual change.  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(12/31/2014) Help Thou Mine Unbelief

Doubt, exorcism, faith, and prayer are topics, today.  A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using an ID that my not be shown here (a member since November 09, 2013 on Level 3 with 1,686 points) posted the following:


Christians, can a person pray to God to remove doubt in His existence from their heart?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:   Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.  By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts:  and by it he being dead yet speaketh.  By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him:  for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.  But without faith it is impossible to please him:  for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.  By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.  (Hebrews 11:  3-7, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  The Scriptures and Perfection? (10/27/2014); Faith Comes By Hearing? (09/03/2014); Perfection and Prayer? (08/27/2014); The “Talking Cross”? (02/13/2014); On Being Merciful (09/01/2013); A Divine Trickster? (09/02/2013); Acknowledging Divinity? (03/30/2013)


Here are a few points that all Christian believers must embrace to avoid error and spiritual confusion:

(1.)  Many questions that are posed by those who seek sacred knowledge must be answered by fitting together what seem to be contradicting, separate and unrelated lessons that all are contained within the holy writings.  Subtleties (barely visible differences; unseen shifts in focus and meaning) often may be present.  For example, when the Apostle Peter saw Jesus walking on the water, and wanted to have that same experience, he declared that, if Jesus would command it, he would be able to approach Jesus by walking on the water.  Jesus called Peter, who then left the boat, stood upon the water, and began to take steps.  When the waves began to swell, and Peter could no longer see Jesus, he was overwhelmed by fear, he began to sink, and cried out, Lord save me!  Immediately Jesus was beside him, grabbed his hand, and assisted Peter back into the boat.  He verbally chastised Peter and the others for their lack of faith saying, O ye of little faith.  For the prayerful reader, the basis for relationship with divinity comes into view as faith rather than obedience to commandment and law.

(2.)  Because all followers of Jesus Christ must be born again and mature through gradual growth and spiritual transformations carried out by divinity through their life experiences upon the earth (we say, rebirth, perfection, sanctification), at some time, most believers also will be challenged by feelings of incompleteness, lack of power, and uncertainty.  There are multiple ongoing sacred operations that continue “in the background” and unseen (so to speak) as Christ continually cleanses, refines, and sharpens his chosen ones.  Thus, the Bible reports, on one occasion, Jesus was away from the crowd that usually followed him seeking healing.  His apostles, who all had done so before, were asked by a boy’s father to cast out a devil (we say, perform an exorcism), and the apostles could not.  When Jesus returned, the father pleaded for his help.  When asked by the Savior whether he believed Jesus could successfully do the exorcism, the father replied, I believe, help thou mine unbelief.  He may have come a long distance in hope of help for his child.  Seeing others blessed, he may well have become discouraged when his child could not be improved.  Even so, he did not leave and go home after the repeated failures of the apostles.  Again, the focus must be seen as faith and the content of the father’s spirit, rather than such finite human tools as intellect, logic, medicine, philosophy, or science.  Ones understanding that GOD is and that GOD is able must be as much a part of oneself as their own hand, their foot, or their offspring.

There is far more to be said, correctly understood, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (3.)  On several occasions the apostles observed Jesus maintaining the sacred discipline of prayer.  Wanting to be more like Jesus, they asked that he give them more faith.  The Savior responded saying, in effect, the problem is not the amount or size of a person’s faith.  Where you have faith as small as a grain of mustard seed it is enough.  This is true because faith is an aspect of divinity, and is inseparable from other features within the divine makeup such as forgiveness, holiness, joy, love, righteousness, truth, wisdom and wrath against sin.)  I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.



THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(03/30/2013) Acknowledging Divinity?

      Belief in the divinity of Jesus, damnation and salvation are topics, today, along with more on the blasphemy of Ananias and Sapphira. The “Yahoo! Answers” writer using ID “Nikolas” (Level 1 with 95 points, a member since March 29, 2013) posted the following:


To Christians: Would a just God send a good man to hell for questioning the divinity of Jesus Christ?

Hello, I’m asking this question because I was wondering if someone who followed all the teachings of Jesus Christ and was genuinely a good person (as far as not stealing, or cheating, or wishing harm on others, etc., and lives by the golden rule) would still be condemned to an eternity of pain and torment simply because they found it very hard to believe that a man from 2000 years ago was the son of a deity without any empirical evidence. I recognize that Christianity is based on faith, but is it Just or fair to say that if you do not fully, with all your heart believe this tiny little impossible thing that you must suffer an eternity in a fiery,uncomfortable hell? Would a Just God do that to someone he/ it loved?

If you have any biblical verses to add to this discussion I would very much appreciate it. Thank you!


THE BATTLE AXE: Separated and Sealed? (03/29/2013)—Ananias and Sapphira were not guilty of disobeying the laws of Moses, or any specific commandment from Jesus. The two did not preach doctrines that were heretical, did not violate longstanding custom and tradition, and made no open and public display that would immediately cause schism within the holy congregation. As he had done with Adam and Eve, the Adversary entangled the pair through subtlety, and used them as instruments to introduce defilement of spirit to the early church. The “children of disobedience” can not be recovered by dis-fellowship, excommunication, or a simple act of exorcism that would cast out unclean spirits seeking to shelter themselves within an unsuspecting victim. For those who are the “children of the devil” their original, inborn spirit (we say, their nature) becomes increasingly combative against GOD, and generates awareness, presence and self-will that no longer respond to divine law, divine righteousness, and sacred truth. Judgment was necessary that would supply more than simply punishment, warning and instruction. A strong carnal, and visceral message had to be sent throughout the flourishing church—a physical body in the earth to contain the Spirit from Jesus in the heavens. (See Ephesians 2: 1-9, 1st John 3: 10, and John 8: 42-51, KJV.)


THE GOLDEN ARROW: For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him. (1st Peter 3: 18-22, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER: GOD Hiding in Plain Sight (03/26/2013); The Spirit and Pentecost (03/27/2013); The Love of GOD (03/03/2013); Our Need for a Son (03/04/2013); Did Jesus Know? (12/22/2012); The True Miracle (12/23/2012); More Than Salvation (11/27/2012); Son of Man (11/28/2012); Given The Cloud of Witnesses (11/29/2012); Love in Christ (10/23/2012); Divine Self-Sacrifice? (09/30/2012)


Nikolas, here are some thoughts from an older person (senior citizen, golden-ager, etc.) you may find helpful. The judgment of created beings and living creatures is more a matter of their content of divine substance than a matter of their sins:
      
     Apart from various devices introduced to mankind by the Creator, human beings cannot focus their awareness to maintain a correct relationship to GOD as a person. In addition to limits imposed by the frameworks of time and space, human minds repeatedly shift and switch the location of control among various mechanisms of the flesh. Included are appetite (such as hunger, thirst, craving for sexual contact), sense (such as hearing, seeing, tasting, touching), and mental function (such as desire, dreaming, forgetting, imagination, recall, thought).

      GOD is a spirit, and ordinarily does not reside in visible, material form (like fog, mist or smoke). Mature Christian believers trust that GOD has appeared to mankind in the flesh (called Incarnation), and has made himself known to the flesh as the person, Jesus of Nazareth. The divinity of GOD and Jesus is one; however, the humanity of GOD is only in Jesus, and through Jesus, in mankind. The many sacred operations and divine tools used by GOD to show himself to Creation must also include birth, death, divine law, judgment, re-birth, resurrection, revelation, sanctification, and wrath against sin. Saying this another way: GOD may only be known as an aspect of ones own makeup and spirit by exclusively using the tools supplied from GOD.

      Sin splinters the constant awareness of GOD that was originally deposited within created beings and living creatures. GOD has not created sin; and sin is no carnal, material or spirit thing. GOD is not subject to sin; and sin contains no divine substance. We say, sin is “no thing” having dimension; yet, sin has direction, effect, and presence. Sin may dominate the self-will of created beings and living creatures. Angels and mankind have not created sin; nonetheless, sin was first “discovered” among the holy angels who opposed the existence of divine law, of divine person, and thereby, of all that exists. Through a serpent that was used as a device by a renegade from heaven, sin became a permanent aspect of human existence upon the earth.

      There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, the salvation of mankind is through the grace of GOD, and not by our good behavior, pleasant conduct and efforts to appear noble before GOD. Because belief is temporal (comes and goes), and resides along with our tainted collective conscience, and our rebellious self-will that are subject to sin, mankind can not understand the things concerning Jesus Christ through mere conversation, logic, and reason any more than a newborn understands “mama” and “dada” without the complex experience that internalizes the sounds, their significance, and the know-how of when and where to use them.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC