(05/29/2020) The Ones Called "Sheep"

Today, reply is on the character and properties among sheep that promote their use by divinity to provide atonement for sin, to further communication and covenant relationship for created beings and living creatures on the earth, and to fulfill revelation to mankind. Sheep often are used to depict and represent an ideal pastoral condition within the church of Jesus Christ. As creatures that stay together in small family groups, yet also are communal for their survival, sheep may be gathered in large groups without conflict, competition, defying authority, rebellion, and violence against one another. Christ who is head of the church is also the lamb of GOD who takes away the sin of the world. Mankind has existence and life within both the Creation and the Creator. The kinship of mankind to divinity first appears and is manifest through divine content, sacred law, mystery, prophecy, spirit process, and other sacred elements that can reside within human consciousness and self-will. Those who become born again are to exist on the earth displaying the image of GOD, and demonstrating divine guidance, sacred knowledge, resurrection life, and their own fresh endowment of inseparable spirit imparted from the makeup of GOD. Included are balance, commitment, faith, holiness, lovingkindness, oneness without sameness, personhood, righteousness, wisdom, and wrath against sin. The sacrifice provided by divinity on behalf of mankind includes sacred blood and substance for atonement, propitiation, and reconciliation. It is written: Psalms 100: 3, King James Version (KJV): 3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. The fighter who uses the ID “Alex” (Level 3 with 1,120 points) in the “Yahoo! Answers” public forum on Religion & Spirituality posted the following:

Why are "most" religious people such sheep? And if Jesus talks about peace why do these hypocrites feel the need to bash other people?

THE GOLDEN ARROW: Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. (Acts 17: 29-31, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: A Habitation of Spirit (04/05/2020); TWO Kinds of People? (02/21/2020); Do Animals Have “Souls”? (01/19/2020); Fully Communicating Human Potential? (09/30/2019); Divine Spirit Within Animals? (09/05/2019); To Be Jesus’ Sheep (06/10/2019); My Sheep Hear My Voice (11/16/2016)

“Alex”, the ones you call “sheep” exist as those who are in personal relationship with the Creator through obedience, reverence, and trust. The sheep patiently and quietly respond to such elements as authority, grace, sacred law, divine prerogative, eternal purpose, and the sovereign will of GOD. Because divinity is immortal, incorruptible, and invisible, the process and substance of GOD first were made known to mankind using finite figures and operations that have meaning and value at the level of human consciousness and self-will. Where there has been spiritual growth and maturity, divine fullness (i.e., divinity; the Godhead; the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit) may be discerned through fresh endowments of the life essence imparted at Creation to mankind from the makeup of GOD and that are now available through the ministries of Jesus Christ. Inseparable aspects of what/who we know as GOD are being bestowed on mankind that include balance, faith, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, oneness without sameness, personhood, wisdom, and wrath against sin. Such divine operations must appear as atonement, edification, judgment, prophecy, redemption, revelation, salvation, and unselfish service. The transgression of sacred law committed by the first pair (i.e., the fall of Adam) disrupted divine order and continuing existence on multiple levels throughout the universe. In the same way sleep (death) was used to preserve the male when his rib was removed to create the female, divinity has been using the death, the blood of Jesus Christ, and his resurrection from the dead to further fashion the character, nature and quality of mankind. Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible and a selection from the music ministry of Steve Amerson:

(1.) Ezekiel 34: 11-17, King James Version (KJV): 11 For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out. 12 As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. 13 And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country. 14 I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel. 15 I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD. 16 I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment. 17 And as for you, O my flock, thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I judge between cattle and cattle, between the rams and the he goats.

(2.) Ezekiel 34: 30-31, KJV: 30 Thus shall they know that I the LORD their God am with them, and that they, even the house of Israel, are my people, saith the Lord GOD. 31 And ye my flock, the flock of my pasture, are men, and I am your God, saith the Lord GOD.

(3.) John 10: 7-17, KJV: 7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. 17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMd4o8HoH10&list=FLD-fEmPQDdXFIv9qj8rBJVA&index=12&t=0s.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

Image downloaded 3:00 AM, May 29, 2020 @ https://i.pinimg.com/736x/cf/e2/2a/cfe22a0ae04f5542fc5efd212a324691.jpg

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(01/19/2020) Do Animals Have "Souls"?

Today, the reply is on whether animals and other living creatures have “souls”. At Creation, dominion over the earth was granted to mankind; the awe, humility, and submission shown to man by other creatures is to display and make visible what is to be humanity’s relationship with GOD who remains invisible and unseen. While all that exist and are alive on the earth have come into presence through GOD, consciousness and self-will within all created beings and living creatures may be dominated by the operations of sin. The holy writings do not include instruction that divinity responds to every living thing as having equal ability and presence with GOD, yet, there are many acknowledgments of the Creator’s concern, grace, and provision to even the least of them. It is written: Psalms 84: 1-3, King James Version (KJV): 1 How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts! 2 My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. 3 Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God. Also: Job 38: 35-41, KJV: 35 Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go and say unto thee, Here we are? 36 Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart? 37 Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of heaven, 38 When the dust groweth into hardness, and the clods cleave fast together? 39 Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion? or fill the appetite of the young lions, 40 When they couch in their dens, and abide in the covert to lie in wait? 41 Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat. One of the writers in the “Yahoo! Answers” forum using the ID “Josephette Maria (Level 1 with 162 points) posted the following:

Do only mammals have souls? What about simpler creatures like birds, turtles and fish?

THE GOLDEN ARROW: And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God. (Luke 12: 4-9, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Fully Communicating Human Potential? (09/30/2019); Divine Spirit Within Animals? (09/05/2019); Was Creation A Failure? (05/13/2019); How Did Noah Know? (10/14/2018); A Species of Animal? (01/31/2017); GOD’s Peculiar People (12/11/2016); Spirit, Spirit Beings, Spirit Persons? (10/13/2015); Another Gospel? (10/19/2013); A Visit from an Angel? (10/20/2013); The Head Not The Tail? (10/21/2013)

“Josephette Maria”, relying on the holy writings for guidance and instruction, many mature Christian believers agree that a “living soul” is a created being or living creature whose form has been fashioned by divinity, and who has been infused with consciousness, self-will (we also say, willpower), and inseparable spirit substance from the makeup of GOD. Included are angels, animals, mankind, and the sacred beasts of heaven. Diverse finite abilities, properties and tools are found among them such as alertness, intelligence, logic, carnal reason, and discursive thought. Only divinity is immortal and incorruptible. Through the operations of sin, death and mortality continue as a condition of challenge and limitation for all living on the earth; and the duration of celestial creatures (who are neither mortal nor immortal) is on the basis of divine prerogative, eternal purpose, and the sovereign will of GOD.

The earth is to be inhabited, and was created as a home for Adam, who was fashioned to be a companion to divinity. Of the many creatures on the earth, only mankind has received life essence in his nostrils (as breath; spirit; word) imparted from GOD. However, through transgression of sacred law, there now is enmity between the created and the Creator. Following the flood survived by Noah and the animals on the ark, new covenant relationships were provided for those on the earth. Even so, only humans are allowed to become reborn through operations of the Holy Spirit to exist as offspring, and the children of GOD. Acknowledging Jesus Christ as the Son of the Highest, the Lamb of GOD, sinners may receive fresh endowments of divine DNA, so to speak. Then, as developing Christian believers, joint-heirs with Jesus Christ, and the new creation, repenting sinners are to display the image of GOD, and are to resemble, reflect, and reveal the character and likeness of Jesus Christ. Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible, and a selection from the praise, prophecy and music ministry of Steve Amerson:

(1.) Genesis 2: 4-7, King James Version (KJV): 4 These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens, 5 And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground. 6 But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground. 7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

(2.) Ezekiel 18: 20-23, KJV: 20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. 21 But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. 22 All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live. 23 Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?

(3.) Ecclesiastes 3: 19-21, KJV: 19 For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity. 20 All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again. 21 Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?

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

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (5.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yd8nVLtnAA.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

Image downloaded 2:05 AM, January 19, 2020 @ https://i.pinimg.com/736x/77/1d/6f/771d6f8ec17c5c61439d46d34534c475.jpg

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(09/30/2019) Fully Communicating Human Potential?

A depiction of Jesus Christ and Nicodemus.

Today, reply is on death and the character of symbols we see that are used to communicate Christian beliefs and sacred knowledge. Christian belief is far from being morbid and death-centered. When speaking to the things of divinity, mankind must regard elements that are invisible, unseen, and without material form because they consist of Spirit. The separations for man and beast center primarily in their consciousness and self-will (willpower) imparted from the makeup of GOD that is entirely of spirit (e.g., faith, holiness, righteousness, wisdom, wrath against sin). Human potential allows for mankind to display self-expression and self-government by behavior and conduct that are recognized as animal, human, or divine. Humans portray divinity where they serve as vessels containing divine spirit. Their use of such finite tools as language, law, mathematics, and carnal reason, make humans seem to be on a level of existence that is higher than that for animals. Properly understood, that mankind communicates among themselves regarding their own life process relative to the immortality and incorruptibility of divinity is the primary distinction between animals and mankind. Described as spiritual awareness, just as mankind has consciousness of mortality and its completion, there is knowledge of connection with a sovereign Creator as well as knowledge of duration for life through resurrection from the dead. Animals do not sorrow for sins and violations of sacred law, yet, as seen through the account of Noah and the flood, divinity holds animals accountable with mankind for transferring sin from the earth to the Sanctuary in heaven. Animals make no penance and do not repent; and they neither make a choice to embody Jesus Christ, nor do they acknowledge the atonement for sin offered mankind by the Son of the Highest. Where Solomon operating under the influence of the flesh, rather than the imparted, indwelling Holy Spirit, bewails the brevity, frustration, limited vision regarding future events, and vanity (i.e., the lack of sacred substance within mankind), his initial mistaken conclusion is recorded within the holy writings: Ecclesiastes 3: 18-21, King James Version (KJV): 18 I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts. 19 For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity. 20 All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again. 21 Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth? One of the fighters in the “Yahoo! Answers” forum on Religion and Spirituality who uses the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information shown) posted the following:

Why do Christians use the brutal execution of a guy as the symbol of their beliefs? Is it not a macabre symbol?

THE GOLDEN ARROW: For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. (1^st Corinthians 1: 18, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Bible Language About Spirit? (06/13/2018); The Loaves and Fishes (08/09/2016); Represented by The Cross? (03/08/2016); The Meaning not the Object (05/26/2015); Not Images Used in Worship? (09/14/2014); Death is a Divine Tool (09/15/2014); A Sleep and a Second Death (09/16/2014)

“Anonymous”, among many mature Christians, death is understood as a divine tool used to fashion life; therefore, reflecting on death does not generate feelings of anxiety, depression, fear, and revulsion. More important than death are forgiveness, divine love, and mercy in judgment that make visible the righteousness of GOD. However, these are sacred things that may only be fully communicated to mankind by using simple elements. Human potential as a creation of divinity allows the character, nature, and substance of mankind’s life process and makeup to be displayed through attitudes, behavior, emotions, and conduct that may be described as animal, human, or divine. In a given moment, some will display all three at the same time, resulting in confusion. The continuous communication of the Creator and the created has been corrupted and degraded through the operations of sin that oppose the continued existence of divine law, the Lawgiver, and divine order throughout the universe. Sin promotes nonexistence, and a return to the conditions of chaos, confusion, and flux that were in place before the founding of heaven and earth. Sin contains and puts forth no spirit substance from the makeup of GOD, yet, sin may dominate consciousness and self-will (willpower) within created beings and living creatures. Where divinity makes an outreach to explain these things to mankind, ones usual way of thinking and speaking must undergo permanent change. The finite tools of intellect, logic, philosophy, carnal reason, and science are best fitted for exchanging academic information, for detailing secular knowledge, and for manipulating things that are material, political, and social. Relying on verbal communication or “word of mouth” is made to be graphic to be made memorable. The issues addressed by Christian belief and sacred knowledge are to be received as spirit content from the makeup of divinity (we say, revelation) whereby GOD becomes knowable, known, accessible, and approachable. Inseparable aspects of divinity are provided that include faith, holiness, joy, longsuffering, lovingkindness, oneness without sameness, personhood, wisdom, and wrath against sin. These allow Christians to apprehend the realities of origins for mankind, his sphere of life, and the full extent of life essence (we also say, breath; spirit; word) imparted from the Creator; the elements of imagination, mind, and recall for fashioning and preserving information; and the sacred law, principles for relationships with GOD, eternal purposes, and the immutable and unchanging truth from divinity that serve as the reliable standards for all that have existence and life. Consider the following that uses language from the Bible, and a presentation from the music ministry of Steve Amerson:

1. James 1: 16-22, King James Version (KJV): 16 Do not err, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. 18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. 19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. 21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

2. John 3: 1-7, KJV: 1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended (for example, 3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJ-iXt14nrg). Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

Image downloaded 11:56 AM, September 29, 2019 @ https://jeremyberg.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/jesus_nicodemus.jpg

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(09/05/2019) Divine Spirit Within Animals?

A depiction of Abraham like Adam receiving a ram from GOD to be offered in sacrifice for sin in place of his heir.

Today, reply is on the need among animals to read the Bible, and to receive prophecy, revelation, and sacred knowledge. Animals have an innate consciousness of GOD as part of their makeup and substance. Human beings have no reason to doubt that animals also can apprehend and respond to the operations of divine fullness (we say, divinity; the Godhead; the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit). Animals are an appearance and manifestation of the sovereign will of GOD as Creator. Mankind was fashioned and formed by the divine hand, and completed using life essence from the Creator (we say, breath, spirit, word). The beasts and living creatures appeared as acts of GOD when spoken and uttered into existence. While animals continue in covenant relationship with divinity from the times following their deliverance on the ark of Noah, their survival does not depend on their finite intellectual skills and traits. Mature Christians readily accept that the animals gathered to the ark did so in response to promptings by the Holy Spirit, not the preaching of Noah; the ravens who fed the prophet Elijah at the brook-side, were commanded and guided by GOD; and the lions who demonstrated divine restraint while the prophet Daniel was present within their lair acknowledged the divine Creator and Maker. Our pets (and we ourselves) operate as having animal intelligence that includes consciousness, emotions, empathy, instinct, and intuition; and many display an ability to communicate among themselves. Even so, languages and literacy as seen among mankind has not been observed and reported among the many beasts living on the earth. It is written: Romans 8: 22-23, King James Version (KJV): 22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. The fighter in the “Yahoo! Answer” public forum on Religion and Spirituality who uses the ID “Night city light” (Level 2 with 253 points, a member since August 20, 2019) posted the following:

Why is Bible only for humans, why can't animals read Bible, does that mean other beings are less important in God eyes?

THE GOLDEN ARROW: 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: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; (Colossians 1: 19-23, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Was Creation A Failure? (05/13/2019); How Did Noah Know? (10/14/2018); Multiply, Replenish and Rule (08/27/2017); A Species of Animal? (01/31/2017); The Covenant of Noah? (12/16/2014); Atone, Judge and Replenish (12/17/2014); Animals Do Not Sin? (09/29/2013); GOD is Acknowledging (09/30/2013); Money-changers in The Temple? (06/23/2013); Believers and the Cross (06/24/2013)

“Night city light”, angels and animals are not “living souls” within the Creation, and their needs for divine process and sacred knowledge are not the same as that among humankind. Only mankind is challenged to communicate, exchange, and interact with divinity by having the same awareness and sacred knowledge granted to Adam, and given to them in the form of life essence (breath; spirit; word) from the makeup of GOD. Because animals were put forth having aspects of the same inseparable spirit content, they also respond to the Maker as authority, power, active presence, and sovereign will, however, they do not relate as offspring, or sons and daughters of GOD. The primary focus of divine judgment is the presence and expression of spirit content from GOD. Human consciousness and self-will (willpower) are to display spirit content and influence that go beyond emotion and feelings. The endowment of sacred spirit imparted to the living includes faith, holiness, longsuffering, lovinkindness, personhood, wisdom, and wrath against sin.

While some people will show favor and disfavor to others because they are able to read and recite the things that are written in the Bible, our Father in heaven does not demand that all created beings and living creatures be able to quote from the divine law, memorize the advice and counsels recorded as Scripture, or read and write the full collection of documents, epistles, messages, and prophecies preserved as the Bible. Whether a person will be accepted by divinity, accounted worthy to be granted eternal life, and whether they will be approved as having meaning, quality and value as life companions to GOD depends on things that describe divinity more than on things that describe mankind.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, divine judgment and salvation go forward on the basis of the forgiveness, grace, impartiality, eternal purpose, and righteousness of GOD, rather than the flaws, infirmities, and sins of the living. The character, possibilities and potential of men and angels continue to be shown through behavior that is animal, human, or divine; and is often put forth as a mixture of the three. Finite human awareness and self-will can be determined by operations of sin—even though divinity has never created or put forth sin.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

Image downloaded 12:30 PM, September 04, 2019 @ http://alittleperspective.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/gen-22-13-web-watermarked-1024x560.jpg

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(05/13/2019) Was Creation A Failure?

A depiction of the flood and Noah's ark (image reference below).

Today, reply is on the Creation not displaying divine failure, the operations of sin, and the grace of GOD revealed at the time of Noah. One of the fighters in the “Yahoo! Answers” public forum on Religion and Spirituality who uses the ID “Anonymous” (no profile is shared) posted the following:

Why did God flood the earth? Were people acting differently than he thought they would when he made them? His creations were a failure?

THE GOLDEN ARROW: For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. (2^nd Peter 3: 5-14, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: From Spirit Not Mud (02/26/2019); Satisfying Creation and Law (01/22/2019); The Elimination of Sin (11/25/2018); How Did Noah Know? (10/14/2018); Adam’s Imperfection and Sin? (08/10/2017); Did GOD Lose Control? (03/23/2017); Lessons From The Flood (01/21/2016); The Covenant of Noah? (12/16/2014); Atone, Judge and Replenish (12/17/2014); Animals Do Not Sin? (09/29/2013); GOD is Acknowledging (09/30/2013)

“Anonymous”, the great flood to destroy the world was a divine response to defilement of mankind and the earth through sin. Many developing Christian believers make the error of thinking that the great flood to destroy the earth means the Creation of GOD was a failure. As mature Christians they will realize that the operations of sin are an enigma: Sin opposes the continued existence of divine law, the Lawgiver, and the universe that requires divine order; sin has not been created by divinity; the makeup of sin has no material or spirit substance; sin may dominate awareness and self-will (i.e., willpower) within created beings and living creatures; and sin promotes a return to the conditions of chaos, confusion, and lack of eternal purpose that was in place before the founding of heaven and earth.

Sin continues on the earth, and has not been eliminated by the death of sinners, divine forgiveness, or the sacred promises of GOD. Even so, in the same way the great flood permitted a re-populating of the earth, the appearance of divinity in flesh as Jesus Christ has permitted mankind to receive a fresh endowment of life essence from the makeup of GOD, and men willingly may exist as a new creation. Divinity established an everlasting covenant with Noah and the living creatures that survived the flood ensuring there never would be another global flood. Other means would be used to deliver mankind, preserve the earth, and provide salvation.

The creation of existence, the earth, and all life was by divinity; the creation of the world as a man-made system for communication, exchange and survival was by mankind. Through the appearance of divinity in flesh as Jesus Christ (we say, the Incarnation), mankind becomes an ark (storage chest), and a vessel containing divine substance. The living become the offspring of divinity, children of GOD, and joint heirs with Jesus. Their divine content includes inseparable aspects of divine fullness: faith, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, personhood, wisdom, and wrath against sin. Engaging their own content of sacred substance, believers now are more completely and correctly able to discern, recognize, reject, and resist the operations of sin. Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

1. Genesis 1: 31, King James Version (KJV): 31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

2. Genesis 6: 11-19, KJV: 11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. 12 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. 13 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. 14 Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch. 15 And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits. 16 A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it. 17 And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die. 18 But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons’ wives with thee. 19 And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female.

3. Ezekiel 18: 20-23, KJV: 20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. 21 But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. 22 All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live. 23 Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?

4. Genesis 9: 8-16, KJV: 8 And God spake unto Noah, and to his sons with him, saying, 9 And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you; 10 And with every living creature that is with you, of the fowl, of the cattle, and of every beast of the earth with you; from all that go out of the ark, to every beast of the earth. 11 And I will establish my covenant with you, neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth. 12 And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: 13 I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. 14 And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud: 15 And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. 16 And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, 5. Isaiah 55: 7-13, KJV: 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. 12 For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. 13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

Image downloaded 11:04 AM, May 12, 2019 @ https://maasaiboys.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/noahs-flood.jpg

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(11/13/2018) A Battleaxe on War

Continuing reflections on divinity, peace, and World War, a blog is reprinted that was originally published as THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD: (01/31/2017) A Species of Animal?

Today, deaths from war, human nature, and mankind’s divine potential are considered.  For many, it is love and the giving and keeping of life that makes a nation great.  Even so, others now express cynicism and negativity declaring they would rather give their love to animals than to human beings, or to the dead instead of the living, because, then, their love would be acknowledged and returned.  For Christians, GOD is the true origin and source for the greatest human achievements.  Ability to recognize and respond to spirit content from the makeup of our Creator (i.e., discernment) is required to consistently and correctly acknowledge that the divine spirit content is appearing within such features as events, holy writings, oneself, other persons, prophecy, relationships, and sacred teachings.  A writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “John” (Level 1 with 3 points, a member since February 22, 2009) posted the following:

Why are christians afraid that they might be a species of animal?

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.  For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them:  as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast:  for all is vanity.  All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.  (Ecclesiastes 3:  18-20, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Fearfully and Wonderfully Made (09/07/2016); An Habitation of GOD (07/24/2016); The Cross and Mankind (05/13/2016); The Creation Of Mankind? (09/16/2015); What Faith Makes Possible (04/25/2014); Bible and Spirit (04/26/2014); Animals Do Not Sin? (09/29/2013); GOD is Acknowledging (09/30/2013)

“John” the question of mankind’s true nature is “profound” (i.e., has simple, yet, broad and far-reaching application).  Many in the world today agree that how we value one another (and ourselves) as living creatures does make a difference in what we understand can be the quality of life we now experience, the benefit and value for ongoing relationships with immortal divinity, and our further possibilities for life in spite of our mortality.  Our sciences and secular history may insist that human potential only express an animal or mechanical nature (as if we are mere machines or accidents from a random process).  Even so, mature Christian believers hold that our humanity is more completely and correctly understood as expressing interactions within an animal, human and divine nature.  Christians all pursue the fullest development of their divine nature on the basis of multiple goals, needs, sacred knowledge, and strengths acquired through such features as fellowship, prayer, sacred practices (we say, sacraments), study, shared worship, and unselfish service.  Consider the following points that have led many to seek the greater possibilities for mankind:

(1.)  Casualties reported for major U. S. wars numbered from the Revolutionary War to the Iraq War are a total 1, 343,812 deaths, 1,529,230 wounded, and 38,159 missing.

(2.)  Total casualties for Word War I are 37 million and include 9,720,450 military casualties, 8.5 million killed, 19.7 million wounded soldiers, and 7.7 million missing.

(3.)  Statistics reported for World War II include 690 million served (world-wide), and there were 72 million deaths.

(4.)  2nd Peter 1:  2-11, King James Version (KJV):  2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,  3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:  4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises:  that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.  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.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (5.)  Romans 8:  5-9, KJV:  5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.  6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God:  for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.  8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.  9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

Statistics are from www.statisticsbrain.com (1.)  August 08, 2016, (2.)  August 01, 2016, and (3.)  April 02, 2015.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(11/06/2018) Salvation Must Be Eternal

The painting depicts the continual offerings and sacrifices practiced in the Tabernacle and the Temple.

Today, points are shared on existence, sin, animal sacrifices, and why the Son of GOD dying on the cross was required. Sin, that now may be recognized, rejected, and resisted must be permanently eliminated by the workings of divinity; and the fruit of redemption and divine salvation must exist as eternal. A fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” public forum on Religion and Spirituality, who uses the ID “Weedy” (Level 1 with 102 points, a member since October 17, 2018) posted the following:

Why did god have to sacrifice his son? Couldn't he just of sacarfise an animal?

THE GOLDEN ARROW: But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. (Hebrews 9: 11-15, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Changed And Made Christ-like? (06/19/2018); Jesus Paid It All (04/04/2018); Yes, Jesus Did Die (04/01/2018); Divine Priesthood on Earth (01/31/2018); Divine Wrath Against Sin? (10/17/2017); Salvation Goes Beyond Forgiveness (06/30/2017); Consecrated in Christ? (06/21/2014); Why Blood? (04/13/2013); Time Before the Sun? (04/14/2013)

“Weedy”, from my view, answering your question requires speaking to the truth for Christian believers that GOD is the source of all that has existence; here are some important points to consider:

1) Despite that the angels, mankind, and other living creatures (e.g., animals, sacred beasts in heaven; the 24 Elders) must contain life essence from the makeup of GOD (we say, breath; spirit; word), many do not correctly display and perform according to the character, nature, personhood, eternal purpose, and process of divinity. The living again must become subject to the operations of divine will.

2) The offense against divinity by Adam must be realized as directed against the personal aspects of divine fullness. Animal blood only has been used to give a picture, and illustrate the simple (yet profound) operations by Spirit that must be used to restore the original possibilities provided to Creation and mankind. Blood is a carnal, material substance that carries life to all the organs and tissues of a living body, and blood itself is not life. It is impossible for a material thing to eliminate sin. Just as blood carries life, divine spirit that establishes existence must be emanated to the multiple appearances, expressions, forms, and vessels that will contain divine being.

3) Consciousness and self-will (we also say, willpower) within the living may be dominated by sin; and sin is no ordinary material thing that can be destroyed, removed, and resisted by relying on ones own willpower. In this sense, sin does not exist, promotes nonexistence, and restores conditions of chaos, confusion, and flux that were in place before the founding of earth and heaven. Sin opposes the continued existence of sacred law, the Lawgiver, and divine order throughout the universe. Sin has not been created by GOD; contains no divine substance; and does not respond to the will of GOD without divine action.

4) Sinners must become developing Christian believers by being “born again” in water baptism, and receive fresh endowments of divine will and other spirit substance from the makeup of GOD. Following their rebirth, believers are challenged to “grow up again,” and must mature and ripen as the offspring of GOD upon the earth. Through discovery, gradual growth, fellowship, practice and study, believers engage, apply, and display their own spirit content they have received as offspring of the Creator, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. Included are faith, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, righteousness, wisdom, and wrath against sin.

5) Divinity is to be acknowledged as immortal, incorruptible, invisible, and unchanging; yet, GOD makes divinity known, approachable, and accessible as active presence and as sacred fullness (we say, the Godhead; the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit). GOD is not an abstraction, or mental construct projected from the imagination or mind of mankind; and GOD willingly communicates and interacts with the living (we say, maintains living relationship) using frameworks that respond to their integrity and wholeness.

6) There are multiple aspects of existence and divine process used by GOD that respond to the condition of the living as conscious, finite, mortal, temporal, and having separate self-will. The eternal sacred processes of GOD (e.g., atonement, Incarnation, proclamation, promise, prophecy, revelation) are subject to interruption by death of the living (we say, sleep), and therefore must also be directed to balance, closure, completeness, finality, fulfillment, preparation, and resolution.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. For example: 7) The holy writings provide a record of actions already taken by GOD appearing to, and through created beings and living creatures using thousands of events, within thousands of lives, over the course of thousands of years. The Scriptures also describe actions now in progress and that are to be completed by the living acting in accord with divinity. Included are the first and second resurrection of the dead; judgment of the righteous followed by that of the wicked; the distribution of rewards to the righteous; and the second death. Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(10/14/2018) How Did Noah Know?

Today, reply is on human knowledge, the flood, and the operations of GOD to preserve Creation from the devastating spread of sin. The ability, knowledge, and grasp upon sacred law that was granted to Adam in the beginning was so great that mankind was fully equipped to have dominion and rule over the entire earth, and every living creature. The knowledge gained through the transgression of the pair only fitted them for struggle and survival. The fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” Religion and Spirituality public forum using the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information shared) posted the following:

How did Noah know of the species from the new world seeing the new world hadn't been discovered yet?

THE GOLDEN ARROW: And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation. Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female. Of fowls also of the air by sevens, the male and the female; to keep seed alive upon the face of all the earth. For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth. And Noah did according unto all that the LORD commanded him. And Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of waters was upon the earth. And Noah went in, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons’ wives with him, into the ark, because of the waters of the flood. (Genesis 7: 1-7, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Firstborn Of Every Creature (05/09/2018); “New Creation” and Life (01/01/2018); Jesus Demonstrated Perfected Humanity (10/29/2017); Lower Than The Angels? (09/12/2017); Multiply, Replenish and Rule (08/27/2017); The Covenant of Noah? (12/16/2014); Atone, Judge and Replenish (12/17/2014)

“Anonymous”, in agreement with the Scriptures, here are some of the points regarding Adam, Jesus, Noah and the flood that Christian believers continue to receive as part of the full revelation of GOD to mankind:

(1.) Neither angels nor mankind were created as “all-knowing”, as “knowing the future,” and as having fore-knowledge. The angels (who are neither immortal nor mortal, and whose duration is according to divine prerogative, eternal purpose, and sovereign will) do not acquire knowledge by discovery, gradual growth, and learning as do men; and the angels were endowed at their creation with the full measure of the knowledge they would use throughout their service to GOD.

(2.) Adam was created to exist as a companion to immortal, incorruptible divinity, and lived for nearly a full millennium (1,000 years) on the earth that did not have the present day problems of automobile gridlock, air and water pollution, disease, or sanitation and waste removal for plastic straws. The capacity of mind provided for the first male, Adam, was on a scale such that the man could name, recall, and recognize every animal presented to him by the Creator.

(3.) As a patriarch himself and the heir to the priesthood of Adam, Noah lived for hundreds of years, and proclaimed prophecy from GOD through the operations of the Holy Spirit (we also say, the Comforter; the Holy Ghost; the Spirit of Prophecy; the Spirit of Truth). Aspects of Noah’s knowledge had been handed down as inheritance and instruction through oral traditions; other elements, like the animals being drawn to the ark, were provided by the same Spirit that worked during Creation.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) The figure or type represented by Noah in the holy writings is that of “the second Adam,” one we also see applied to Jesus Christ. Adam and Noah both were commanded to be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth. Jesus, however, established new life, rebirth, resurrection, and a new creation.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC