(01/15/2018) The Shared Divine Glory?

While many in America and around the world are honoring Citizen, Martin Luther King, Jr., today, our blog is on the sharing of glory among the three persons of the full GODhead (the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) and the glory bestowed by Christ upon his disciples.  When speaking of Deity and sacred persons, glory is understood as the excellence attributed to divine actions and deeds, that may include marvels, sacred events (miracles), signs, and wonders.  Divine traits and defining features also are spoken of as glory such as humility, the thoughts of GOD, and virtue.  A fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” forum using the ID “fixerken” (Level 7 with 30,276 points, a member since August 30, 2006) posted the following:

At John 17:22 it speaks of God's glory [do'-ksä] that the Heavenly Father gave his?

only begotten Son Jesus Christ that Jesus gave to his disciples so they could be one just as Jesus and his Father are one! What is this glory Jesus is speaking of?

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;  Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.  And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.  Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility:  for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.  Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:  Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.  But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.  To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.  (1st Peter 5:  2-11, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  From Glory to Glory (11/14/2017); Our Glory From GOD (09/24/2017); The Hope of Glory (03/02/2017); Recognizing Jesus in Glory (02/05/2017); To Give Glory? (11/11/2015); The Glory of GOD? (06/23/2015); Filling the House With Glory? (08/17/2014); False Angels of Light? (08/16/2014)

“fixerken”, glory has to do with how divinity is known by what is shared as well as by what is distinct or separate among the consecrated persons (i.e., the divine name; reputation).  Glory may be thought of as a facet of divine dominion, majesty, sovereignty, and splendor.  There are multiple appearances, displays, and forms that have served and been used to reveal the glory of full divinity.  Included have been the covering that was on Adam who was made in the image of GOD; the Tabernacle fashioned on earth patterned after that in heaven; the Ark of the Covenant; the Shekinah who rested on the seat of judgment within the veil; Jesus Christ Incarnate in his hour of transfiguration; the Resurrected Christ ascending into heaven; and the Holy City (New Jerusalem) that will descend from heaven to the earth.  Commitment, correction, forbearance, forgiveness, mercy, and purity should all be discerned as displays of divine glory.  The earth itself and the universe that envelopes the earth also are expressions of the glory of GOD who is their Creator and Maker, and who continues to put forth existence, duration, judgment, life, righteousness, and truth. 

Sinners who become “born again” will become vessels containing spirit substance from the makeup of GOD.  As those who will become known as Christians, “developing believers,” and the sons and daughters of GOD, they may be thought of as sharing glory from the Son of the Highest in the same way guests are to share the joy of a bride and groom becoming blessed through holy matrimony, yet, do not receive the same authority, presence, privilege, and relationship as the divinely blessed pair. 

The appearances of divine glory display differences in their expanse, extent, and fullness.  Even so, members of the church headed by Jesus, and saints within his kingdom will exist eternally as inseparable aspects of the personal glory manifest by the Son before the Father, the Spirit, the Host of heaven, and before all that has ever existed and, will ever exist.  Glory should be understood as pertaining to the integrity of divine being, oneness without sameness for the full GODhead, the multiple elements of sacred personhood, and their mutual affirmation that is the bond of perfection (we say, love).  Consider again the following that use language from the Bible:

(1.)  Isaiah 48:  9-11, King James Version (KJV):  9 For my name’s sake will I defer mine anger, and for my praise will I refrain for thee, that I cut thee not off.  10 Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.  11 For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it:  for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another.

(2.)  1st Corinthians 15:  39-50, KJV:  39 All flesh is not the same flesh:  but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds.  40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial:  but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.  41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars:  for one star differeth from another star in glory.  42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:  43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory:  it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:  44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.  45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.  46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.  47 The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven.  48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy:  and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.  49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.  50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

There is far more to be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended regarding the person of Jesus Christ.  (For example, (3.)  Revelation 3:  17-21, KJV:  17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:  18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.  19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten:  be zealous therefore, and repent.  20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock:  if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.  21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

Washington, DC

(01/14/2016) GOD Appearing As Word

Today, points are shared on the holy writings as a manifestation of divinity.  For many mature Christian believers the Bible has been experienced as more than simply another book.  The Holy Scriptures have been an incarnation (material form) used by Deity to appear in the earth.  Consider again the following from Scripture, and the points shared below:  John 1:  1-3, 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.  Also, John 6:  63, KJV:  63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing:  the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.  Romans 16:  25-27, KJV:  25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,  26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:  27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.  Genesis Pongho, who participates with me in THE BIBLE STUDY GROUP (a Public Group on Facebook presently having 22,604 members), invited discussion by posting the following:


Hello Ankongnda Valery,do you know that that very scriptures we read is the word of God and those who studied it did not understand when that word became flesh?The Bible will forever remain scripture to us ok?But the tell you that the person who spoke to the Romans did not quote any scripture but by the power of the spirit of his age.We are not the first to make such a debate ok?Many in the old also debated and when the creator came to them,they did not understand heavenly movement on earth because they thought they could have life in studying the scriptures.listen to what the word that became flesh told them in John 5:39-40, so know you that if you want to fight this truth with the knowledge you must have acquired from reading the scriptures and other books,it will only kill you because you will not see that alcohol is for the flesh and that very kingdom you talk of does not have anything to do with the flesh you drink alcohol.The truth is the alcohol you take,only go to satisfy your flesh and has nothing to do with your soul ok?So there is a spiritual alcohol for your soul.So which one should we take as Christians,that of the flesh or that of the soul?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.  For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.  And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:  (Colossians 2:  8-10, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  A GOD Without Form? (12/27/2015); Justified for Attacking The Bible? (06/28/2015); The Words Are Spirit? (06/03/2015); Can The Bible Be Increased? (05/31/2015); Those Who Read? (02/17/2015); The Love of GOD (03/03/2013); Our Need for a Son (03/04/2013)


Be encouraged!  Your point on the Spirit nature of Scripture is very well taken.  There are many ways of stating the same truth just as we might address the same fellow as Dr. Johnson, Joseph, or Joey displaying different levels of formality and relationship.  The Bible allows us to discern, recognize, and understand things done and spoken in Spirit.  Where we insist upon the form or “letter” (i.e., precise repetition of statements that may appear) using intellect, logic, philosophy and science, we become narrow in focus, miss the divine intent, and operate having spiritual confusion.  See again John (Yochanon) 5:  39-44 in three different presentations:

King James Version (KJV):  39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.  40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.   41 I receive not honour from men.  42 But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.   43 I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not:  if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.   44 How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?

New International Version (NIV):  39 You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me,  40 yet you refuse to come to me to have life.  41 “I do not accept glory from human beings,  42 but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts.  43 I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him.  44 How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?

Orthodox Jewish Bible (OJB):  39 You search the Kitvei Hakodesh because you think in them you have Chayyei Olam. And those are the ones giving solemn edut about me.  40 And you do not want to come to me that you may have Chayyim.  41 I do not accept kavod (glory) from Bnei Adam.  42 But I have had da’as of you, that the ahavas Hashem (the love of G-d) you do not have in yourselves.  43 I have come b’Shem Avi and you do not accept me. If another comes in his own name, him you will accept.  44 How are you able to have emunah, when you receive kavod from one another, and the kavod from the only Elohim HaEchad you do not seek?

There are many other points that should be carefully considered, correctly understood, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, While the Bible may be received as an abiding appearance of divinity, the Bible itself is not to be revered, respected as an idol, or worshiped as a god.  The task of focusing upon spirit content may become clearer for Christian believers when different versions and translations of Scripture appear.  The challenge is not to promote a single, correct presentation having fixed meaning and value for all, for the believer is not to judge right and wrong so much as receive what has weight as appropriate and useful during their temporal process of growth and learning.

1st Corinthians 13:  8-12, KJV:  8 Charity never faileth:  but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.  9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.  10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.  11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child:  but when I became a man, I put away childish things.  12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face:  now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.  13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

The inseparable Spirit substances that make up the Scriptures (e.g., faith, holiness, promise, prophecy, truth) exchange and interact among themselves forming new patterns for discovery and growth.  This permits us to say, the Scriptures are alive, dynamic, and organic continually balancing and re-balancing as full truth and increasingly clearer sacred vision.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  We are having encounter with majesty and glory.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(12/30/2013) Fear & GOD?

Awe and right respect for divinity are topics, today.  Also, there is more on “the Alpha and Omega” as a holy name and title for Jesus.  Readers now see a verse or passage out of the Scriptures appearing in italic type as a conclusion to each blog.  This signifies my personal “bottom line,” and signature to what appears above as genuine bible-based belief and understanding.  A writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Mr. Acyut” (Level 3 with 1,069 points, a member since June 07, 2012) posted the following originally asked on Yahoo Answers India:


What's the relation between Fear & God ?


THE BATTLE AXE:  Alpha and Omega (12/29/2013)—(4.)  Many mistakenly take this title “the beginning and the end” as a statement regarding the Savior’s immortality and divine authority over mortal life and death.  More correctly, believers are directed to the death of Jesus upon the cross, his burial, resurrection and ascension as one-time, sacred events.  Many other of the divine operations for the redemption and salvation of mankind are continuous, ongoing and eternal.  This allows us to say, many workings of GOD are without beginning, and without end.  Included are divine love, judgment, prayer, praise, and sanctification.  Language in the Scriptures that describe Christ as the “beginning and the end” when applied to the law, refers to his primacy and exalted place over all as well as his fulfillment of the divine goals, objectives and purposes of the law, not to any annulment, destruction, or termination of the law.  Consider again Romans 10:  1-4, Romans 14:  8-9 and 1st Thessalonians 3:  12-13, King James Version.


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,  To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,  And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.  See that ye refuse not him that speaketh.  For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:  Whose voice then shook the earth:  but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.  And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.  Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:  For our God is a consuming fire.  (Hebrews 12:  22-29, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  A Need to Fear? (12/02/2012); On Seeing Jesus Serve The Poor (12/03/2012); The Fear of GOD (10/30/2012); Saved in Childbearing? (10/31/2012); Why Courage? (10/14/2012); Christian Modesty (10/15/2012)


“Mr. Acyut”, here are a few points to consider that are usually helpful to Christian believers:

(1.)  To have or know “fear of the Lord” is to experience the awesome majesty and power of GOD, and to have a correct awareness that divinity cannot be bound or limited by the strength and will of created beings and living creatures.  Thus, fear of the Lord appears as humility, loving obedience, right respect, and reverence.

(2.)  Given that the correct way for guilty sinners to approach judgment is with humility, and a balanced response to the workings of law and justice, fear of the Lord also should appear.  Hope for acquittal, correction, discovery of hidden and missing truth, dismissal of charges, mercy in punishment, resolution of all conflict, and righteousness throughout the entire process and in the final determinations also may appear; and make it that fear of destruction and harsh sentencing is removed and softened—even to the point of accepting a verdict against oneself, and acknowledging the justice of the outcome.

There is far more to be said, properly shared, and spiritually understood.  (For example, (3.)  Believers in Jesus Christ are trusting that the awesome GOD, who has established all life and the material universe, continues to reign and rule over the processes of final judgment of mankind through Jesus, as Son of the Highest.  Thereby, judgment is a display and a revealing of GOD, particularly, divine love and sovereign righteousness.  All intimidation is put aside in the lowliness of Jesus, in that he has endured and suffered as one in flesh, even, unjust imprisonment, scourging, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Grow in grace.


For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.  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;  (2nd Timothy 1:  7-8, KJV)


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC