(12/30/2016) The de facto Covenants?

 

Today, thoughts are shared on the birth of Jesus and the establishment of lasting covenants among the Jews as a people through their rejection of the Lord as Messiah and Savior.  Christian believers are commanded to pray for Jerusalem and all Israel.  As we go forward to the year 2017, many around the world also are willing to discharge their duty to be allies with the Jews by sharing admonitions, cautions, prophecy, reminders, and sacred warnings.

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:  Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:  In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:  Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers:  all things were created by him, and for him:  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.  And he is the head of the body, the church:  who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.  For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;  And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.  And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled  In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:  (Colossians 1:  12-22, King James Version, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Christus Natus Est Nobis (12/29/2016); A Child Is Born (12/28/2016); The Birth of Jesus (12/27/2016); The Divine Christmas Gifts? (12/26/2016); The Peace of Christmas? (12/25/2016); Built Upon the Rock (12/23/2016); The Meaning of Christmas? (12/22/2016)

 

The kingdom of GOD proclaimed through the birth, death on the cross, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ generated only one authentic covenant from GOD for a new Creation to replace the universe soiled by sin both in heaven and upon the earth.  The Savior appeared as a newborn king among the Jews in furtherance of the ongoing covenant of Moses, and fulfillment of divine promises and prophecy.  A new covenant also was advanced in his blood that would permit access to GOD through atonement and propitiation for sin.  Where the Jews rejected the Nazarene as the Messiah who should come, they also unknowingly entered into accords that were in opposition to divine law and the eternal purposes of GOD.  Included were agreements to (1) dismiss the miracles, acts of faith, reverence for the law, and prophetic demonstrations shared by Jesus and his followers; (2) engage the “law and the prophets” without “the prophets”; (3.) as Sadducees, deny the resurrection of Jesus and the existence of the imparted Spirit from GOD; (4) unanimously demand the crucifixion of Jesus; (5) submit themselves and their future generations to whatever would be the consequences or punishment for rejecting the Redeemer as the promised Messiah; (6) put forth false witness against Christ in judgment; (7) quench the hope of Jesus returning soon Judge and King of Kings; and (8) limit themselves to expressing only an “antichrist spirit.”  Consider again the following from the holy writings:

(1.)  Isaiah 28:  5-13, King James Version (KJV):  5 In that day shall the LORD of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people,  6 And for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate.  7 But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.  8 For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so that there is no place clean.  9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.  10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:  11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.  12 To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing:  yet they would not hear.  13 But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

(2.)  Romans 10:  2-10, KJV:  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.  10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (3.)  John 1:  10-13, KJV:  10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.  11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.  12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:  13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(04/08/2015) Secular Israel?

Today, points are shared on the Kingdom of GOD, and America and Israel as modern states.  The Israel created by the United Nations General Assembly in 1947 is not the same as the Israel created by Jehovah at Mount Sinai.  Many are confused that the influence and place of Israel as an instrument in divine judgment does not appear to be the same as in ancient times.  Yet, at some stage as they develop or follow paths that were not available in their beginning, all nations appear to betray their founding fathers and pioneers.  Maniacal dissatisfaction and frustration with world leaders should be expected to increase where they are promoted as celebrities, demigods, and idols.  Exaggerated expectations appear when hero-worship and idolatry are practiced.  Foolish critics attack the President and Prime Minister of America and Israel as though a single person is permitted to make every decision for their State without input from experienced professionals, military, scholars and other experts, and as if they are not restricted from unilateral action by existing procedures and protocols that are rigorous and demanding.  Correctly understood, it is absurd to blame one man for the challenge that comes by shared goals and motives pursued among millions of men.  Fault-finding, placing blame and political invective are primarily fueled by anger, bitterness, ignorance, and immaturity.  Accusations against the United States and its leadership have long included the insinuation that greed, imperialism, pride, self-promotion, and vainglory are the only national agenda for those who serve through the American Presidency.  However, popular and world culture often seek to promote peculiar ideas of anonymity, defiance, freedom, and lawlessness without also pursuing disciplined logic, critical thinking, and the careful scrutiny required for developing and implementing accountability, consensus, sound policy, and stable government.  The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Harold” (Level 3 with 2,300 points, a member since June 24, 2009) posted the following low blow:


Is Obama going against God by opposing Israel?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:  Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.  And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it.  And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there:  go not after them, nor follow them.  For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day.  But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation.  And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.  They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.  Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;  But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.  Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.  (Luke 17:  20-30, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Human Law, Divine Favor? (03/23/2015); The American Covenant? (03/03/2015); Correctly Knowing Israel? (03/01/2015); Why Prophets Were Sent to Israel (11/23/2014); The Need for Prophecy Then and Now (11/24/2014); The Bible is All About GOD? (07/27/2014); No Mystery in Lawful Judgment (07/28/2014); Separation of Church and State (07/04/2014); The Point of Wisdom? (07/05/2014); Holy Ground (03/30/2014); The Temple Mount (03/31/2014)


“Harold”, in these times, Christian believers are careful to focus upon prophecy, Scripture, and spiritual truth, rather than temporal events.  Consider the following:

(1.)  Israel and America are not the Kingdom of GOD.  While ancient Israel may have functioned as a monarchy with kings and prophets having authority as visible agents for divinity, America and modern-day Israel are operating as independent secular states within a global economy.  Those who belong to the kingdom are citizens through their spirit content, and are not in a mere cultural or political relationship.

(2.)  The sovereign authority and power of Deity is not appearing as inarguably active and present through the lifestyles, policies, and public presentations from existing states.  National goals do not include maintaining, expanding, or ratifying any covenant with divinity.

(3.)  Israel has compromised the historical, traditional and spiritual commands to destroy the worship places of those in the territory they would be given as their Promised Land.  After victory during the 1967 Six-Day War, instead of destroying the al-Aqsa Mosque, Israel transferred its control to an Islamic trust that is independent of the Israeli government.  Despite Israeli desire to exist as a state having the boundaries described within the Scriptures (see the Fourth Book of Moses, called Numbers, chapter 34), multiple peace accords and agreements have now seen concession of land to demonstrate their commitment to participate within a community of nations on the basis of international law.

(4.)  Many around the world now attack President Obama as our head of State, and as a representation of the American people.  Their displays of hatred, venom, and violence are as much the product of sin and their true spiritual content as of deception, lies, propaganda and slander.  Those who misread Scripture even apply the following to accuse Obama of being the Antichrist:  2nd Thessalonians 2:  3-4, KJV:  3 Let no man deceive you by any means:  for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;  4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

The holy writings provide far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually understood.  For example, (5.)  Ezekiel 14:  13-14, KJV:  13 Son of man, when the land sinneth against me by trespassing grievously, then will I stretch out mine hand upon it, and will break the staff of the bread thereof, and will send famine upon it, and will cut off man and beast from it:  14 Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord GOD.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  May your prayers ever be answered according to correct sacred knowledge and your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC