(01/28/2020) Divinity Commanded the Void

Today, reply is on preexistence; the commandment by GOD that resulted in illumination to displace the multiple forms of darkness, and institute a process for time; and some of the obstacles to human knowledge concerning mankind’s beginnings. GOD is active presence and spirit. Divine fullness is to be known and spoken of as the source of all light, yet, does not beam or radiate as a glowing, shining object. It is written: Genesis 1: 3-10, King James Version (KJV): 3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. 4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. 5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day. 6 And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. 7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. 8 And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day. 9 And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so. 10 And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good. The fighter in “Yahoo! Answers” public forum on Religion & Spirituality who uses the ID “🌟👑Stevan 👑🌟” (Level 1 with 35 points) posted the following:

Who was God speaking to when he said, Let There Be Light?

THE GOLDEN ARROW: Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance? Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counsellor hath taught him? With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding? Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing. And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt offering. All nations before him are as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity. To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him? (Isaiah 40: 12-18, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Not Impossible With GOD (01/06/2020); Sin Opposes All Existence (12/13/2019); GOD Is The Creator? (07/04/2019); Possibilities Through “Active Presence” (04/30/2018); Wisdom In A Mystery (11/22/2017); About Using “Sacred Logic” (11/19/2017); Existence, Mortality and GOD? (08/31/2017); “and without Him nothing” (08/14/2017)

“🌟👑Stevan 👑🌟”, the major focus of mature Christian believers correctly has been on salvation and the revelation of divinity appearing in human form and using flesh as Jesus Christ, rather than the operations and process of Creation. Even so, many acknowledge the accounts found in the holy writings as complete and satisfactory guidance regarding the origins of heaven and earth, mankind, and preexistence. The active presence did not command a “who”; command was made to the void. What we now know as darkness, and the material and physical forms, objects, and points of focus that mankind relies on today were not in place. Chaos, confusion, and multiple streams of motion without direction continued until divine fullness (we also say, divinity; the Godhead; the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit) gave expression to divine order through sacred law expressing dominion, consecrated prerogative, eternal purpose, judgment, and the sovereign will of GOD. Existence and order were emanated (put forth) by the accord and the oneness without sameness that characterized the active presence, the Word, and the Holy Spirit. The major obstacles to mankind having full knowledge of our beginnings result from such elements as dependence on the flesh and on finite human tools such as appetite, emotion (e.g., anger, fear, sorrow), intelligence, irreverence, exaggerated pride, lack of the fresh endowment of spirit substance imparted from the Holy as life essence (i.e., breath; spirit; word), science, secular knowledge, sensation, and the operations of sin. There is no record of divinity creating demons, devils, or sin. Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible, and a selection from the music ministry of John Michael Talbot:

(1.) Genesis 1: 1-3, King James Version (KJV): 1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. 3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

(2.) Isaiah 45: 8-13, KJV: 8 Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it. 9 Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands? 10 Woe unto him that saith unto his father, What begettest thou? or to the woman, What hast thou brought forth? 11 Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me. 12 I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded. 13 I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives, not for price nor reward, saith the LORD of hosts.

(3.) John 1: 1-5, 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. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

(4.) Acts 17: 24-31, KJV: 24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; 25 Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; 26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; 27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: 28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. 29 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. 30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31 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

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

Image downloaded 7:30 PM, January 27, 2020 @ https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0T4LVxodfx0Aw3V9HgtLAqyJIWk5tuoy3WyUxIDsx1o6Z6td3BfzXWdelmWXTuDneAd2Jck6OTgiaiL1LRTHxLuGRlu9vEAgdut8ucAd5m2FVXZPFfvHjreEkdL06eSIO_Ey10PIcnBjs/s1600/Big+Bang.jpg

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(02/07/2018) Divinity In Continuing Incarnation

Today, reply is on the further operations of divinity using Incarnation, and the sacred process of prophecy.  Just as the followers of Christ are to be understood as a new creation, Christ himself is acknowledged as distinctive, one-of-a-kind, and unique apart from any person or thing we may identify as human or divine, yet, he is joined in all ways to the fullness of divinity.  One of the many fighters in the “Yahoo! Answers” forum who uses the ID “Anonymous” (no profile data appears) posted the following:


If Jesus is God why did he say the following while he was God in heaven?
Revelation 3:11,12
11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12 The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name.

Why is he calling somebody his God?

Since he was a Jew, is he referring to the Jewish God, Jehovah?

How can he be God and yet claim a God as his own?


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, King James Version, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  The Divinity of “Word” (01/26/2018); Jesus Came To Fulfill? (01/16/2018); Flesh As Divine Vessels? (01/14/2018); Jesus Called “Almighty GOD?” (12/21/2017); Thoughts On Divine Personhood (12/07/2017); The Device of Incarnation (10/18/2017); An Incarnation of Divinity? (10/12/2017); Transformation Not Obedience Alone (07/02/2017)


“Anonymous”, the statements you have focused on from the Book of Revelation are difficult for many developing Christian believers because they appear within a book of prophecy specifically directed to the followers of Jesus Christ.  Until they become mature as Christians, most understand the operation and purpose of prophecy to be foretelling future events, predicting doom and suffering, or pronouncing divine judgment and wrath against sin.  More correctly, prophecy is to comfort, edify (build up; enlighten; nourish), and exhort (initiate, spark, and urge immediate action) by making divinity knowable, known, accessible, and approachable.  Divine intent and eternal purpose are shared through sacred law, proclamations, promises, prophetic demonstrations, and visions.

In addition to the unchanged conditions and needs of the full Creation that first required divinity to appear using human form (we say, the Incarnation as Jesus Christ), the character and makeup of divine fullness (we say, the GODhead; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) operating within and through mankind continues and persists to this very hour.  Because mankind is to exist as an immortal, incorruptible companion to divinity, multiple divine operations now are going forward to cleanse, heal, and prepare the living to be perfected at the Advent of Jesus (we say, his appearing, the harvest, the Rapture, the Second Coming).  While ministering on the earth Jesus demonstrated that there is divine forgiveness for sin; however, sin has not been eliminated, the living continue as mortal and having consciousness of their own vulnerability to death, and the wicked are challenged to acknowledge the second death. 

Christ continues in human form as an aspect of divine truth being apprehended as immutable and unchanging.  The features of adornment, form, and visible traits that support discussion of secular knowledge about divinity must be put aside.  In their place, sacred knowledge should be applied that speaks to the divine content within the living, the image of GOD provided, and the oneness without sameness established through the life essence (we also say, breath, spirit, Word) imparted to mankind from the makeup of GOD.  Included are faith, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, restraint, wisdom, and wrath against sin.  Where you will accept the word of divinely appointed spokespersons, consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

(1.)   Romans 6:  19, King James Version (KJV):  19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh:  for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

(2.)  James 1:  12-15, KJV:  12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation:  for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.  13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God:  for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:  14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.  15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin:  and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

(3.)  Acts 1:  6-11, KJV:  6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?  7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.  8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:  and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.  9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.  10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;  11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

There is far more to be discovered, correctly examined, and spiritually valued.  (For example, (4.)  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.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(02/06/2018) We Begin Within GOD

Today, reply is on divinity as the source of existence, life, purpose, and value.  Adam was first set apart for divine use as only a figure made from clay, and was not complete to exist as a “living soul” until he received the spirit imparted from GOD.  The same spirit was imparted to Eve, and the pair were to “be fruitful, multiply, and replenish the earth.”  The created beings and living creatures who became manifest through the active presence who is GOD all had to be within “the grasp” and “reach” of GOD as well as accessible by the inseparable aspects of divine fullness throughout the sacred operations that resulted in their appearance having integrity of person and separate will.  With this in view, we may understand, the universe is more than a heap, or disjointed mass of astronomical “stuff” that rests within the context of space; and the universe must have duration within the consciousness, or some other aspect of divine fullness.  Mature Christian believers will be able to discern that the desire to have children, to reproduce, and to survive as a species are imperatives of ones indwelling spirit not the flesh, and pertain to more than the covetousness, desire, lust, and self-awareness expressed by individuals.  A fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” forum using the ID “Billy” (Level 4 with 3,668 points, a member since February 19, 2014) posted the following:


Christians, how can you have existed before you were conceived?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  For Adam was first formed, then Eve.  And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.  Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.  (1st Timothy 2:  13-15, King James Version, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  A Beginning And End? (06/01/2017); Reflections on Existence (12/19/2016); It Is Our Wisdom To Ask (05/18/2015); Our Beginnings Were Perfect? (12/14/2015); The First Book of the Bible? (11/20/2014); The Beginning of Wisdom? (11/21/2014); Son of Adam and of GOD? (06/16/2014); Focus of Believers? (06/17/2014); The Male, the Female, and GOD (02/09/2014); Destroying the Resurrected Body? (02/10/2014)


“Billy”, because the question you pose addresses existence, life, and divine possibilities, truly meaningful answers must provide more that mere secular knowledge; and there must be acknowledgement that our beginnings are grounded in divine law, sacred operations, eternal purposes, and the sovereign will of GOD.  Mature Christians are anchored in the truth that it is not impossible to know and understand the things that are given us and revealed.  The focus on biological and sexual reproduction restricts ones consciousness to the things that are carnal, material, social, and “of the flesh” (e.g., appetite, sensation, emotion/mind).  Just as Adam began and first existed as a figure formed from dust having no life essence (we also say, breath, spirit, Word), where men complete their own mortality (die) they exist as a lifeless form (we say, a cadaver, a corpse); and where men have not received the fresh endowment of Spirit substance from the makeup of GOD (we say, become born again; experience rebirth) they do not exist as the new creation of GOD through Jesus Christ.  Having place within the heart and mind of divinity means existing within higher, purer frameworks than those we call “time” and “space”.  Included are completeness, faith, glory, grace, holiness, personhood, righteousness, wisdom, and wrath against sin.  So long as we are in the thoughts of GOD, we are in the hand of GOD, and we will have duration.  Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

(1.)  Deuteronomy 29:  29, King James Version (KJV):  29 The secret things belong unto the LORD our God:  but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.

(2.)  Isaiah 55:  8-11, KJV:  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.

(3.)  Psalms 71:  5-7, KJV:  5 For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD:  thou art my trust from my youth.  6 By thee have I been holden up from the womb:  thou art he that took me out of my mother’s bowels:  my praise shall be continually of thee.  7 I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge.

(4.)  Jeremiah 1:  6-10, KJV:  6 Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak:  for I am a child.  7 But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child:  for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.  8 Be not afraid of their faces:  for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.  9 Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.  10 See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.

(5.)  Jeremiah 1:  17-19, KJV:  17 Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee:  be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them.  18 For, behold, I have made thee this day a defenced city, and an iron pillar, and brasen walls against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land.  19 And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the LORD, to deliver thee.

There is far more to be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (6.)  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.

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(11/13/2017) Confused By Spiritual Puzzles

Depicts a Jigsaw Puzzle Based on the Pac Man Computer Game

Today, points are shared on whether to avoid spiritual confusion developing believers should rely more on divine law or the imparted Spirit.  The operations of Christian belief present a pattern of waiting for hope, promises, and prophecies to be fulfilled, and so require such divine provisions as correction, discernment, longsuffering, patience, resilience, trust, and truth.  Even for those who become “born again,” all the elements of gradual growth, regeneration and ripening can appear.  Included are “growing pains,” indecisiveness, lapses of attention where a believer’s every effort seems to “draw a blank,” missteps, risk-taking, trial-and-error, and uncertainty.  The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” who uses the ID “First” (Level 1 with 148 points, a member since October 01, 2017) posted the following:


Now I'm even more confused. Some Spirit-filled Christians who only obey God here say God instructs us to obey the Torah.?

Other Spirit-filled Christians who only obey God here say God instructs us to follow Christ and accept his grace only. Let's start there as it seems to be the most fundamental. Which is it and how do you know the spirit is leading you to a correct understanding of God's will?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans;  In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.  And I set my face unto the Lord GOD, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:  And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;  We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments:  Neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, which spake in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.  O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee.  O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee.  To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him;  Neither have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets.  (Daniel 9:  1-10, King James Version, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Avoiding Confusion About Antichrist (11/08/2017); Detecting Counterfeit Human Nature (11/02/2017); The Word of GOD (09/05/2017); “Occupy Till I Come” (08/30/2017); Miracles Are Not Everlasting (07/18/2017); One Complete Divine Revelation (07/09/2017); Thoughts On The Commandments (06/27/2017); That GOD Is Immutable (05/04/2017); Working to Pay GOD? (02/23/2017)


“First”, grace does not cancel or contend against law from GOD.  It is sin that opposes the continued existence of divine law, the law giver, and all divine order that emerges by law.  Just as the work of learning our ABCs is one of recalling a set pattern or sequence of letters, acquiring sacred knowledge and internalizing the law from GOD is accomplished by listening, practice, and study to expand our knowledge base pertaining to Deity, and is not so much one of “doing the impossible,” performing miracles, applying psychic powers, or calling forth occult spirits.  Reciting the ABCs is not a matter of reading another person’s thoughts, or predicting future events, yet, once we know the full pattern, when shown a single letter we can say, HIJK…, LMNOP…, or whatever will be next.  What many like about jigsaw puzzles is that, when a piece is correct, it will fit in perfectly, and the person solving the puzzle has immediate feedback telling them, You are right!  This is not the case for the enigmas and puzzles of life, where we are to know by the operations of commitment, conviction, discernment, discovery, and faith.

Those who seek an intimate and personal relationship with divinity, wherein GOD is no longer an abstraction or remote figure, must be anchored by fixed truth and standards that keeps a seeker from losing their way, and maintains their knowledge of the way back home, so to speak.  Part of beginning is making the decision that—whatever disappointments or surprises might occur—you will wait, you will not quit, and you will not “turn back.”  One must begin with a “made up” mind.  Also, there must be the understanding, that Father, Son and Holy Spirit will do much of the most difficult work.  Those who are “born again” receive aspects of inseparable spirit content from the makeup of GOD that include “boldness”, “certainty”, faith, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, person, wisdom, and wrath against sin.  Divine law is as necessary to becoming mature Christians who will construct and determine their own lifestyle and daily routines as rebirth, and a sinner becoming a new creation through operations of the imparted Spirit, for sacred law expresses the heart, mind and sovereign will of GOD.

When people begin to fit a jigsaw puzzle together, they usually start with a mix of disconnected pieces, however, they also should have some picture of what the puzzle will look like once they finish.  Most who want to solve jigsaw puzzles rely on finite human tools such as emotion, intellect, intuition, and carnal reason.  In the same way, a solver must test and try the fitness for every piece he takes up, a developing Christian believer must test and try many different claims, events, messages, and statements.  That something is unfamiliar, or fails to fit, does not mean the solver is inept, unskilled, wrong, or that important missing pieces do not exist.  It only means a single, possible solution was not correct; and the solver is to continue examining patiently other possibilities.  Consider the following that uses language from the holy writings:

(1.)  Habakkuk 2:  2-4, King James Version (KJV):  2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.  3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie:  though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.  4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him:  but the just shall live by his faith.

(2.)  John 4:  23-24, KJV:  23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth:  for the Father seeketh such to worship him.  24 God is a Spirit:  and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

(3.)  Hebrews 11:  6, KJV:  6 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.

Of course, there is far more to be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (4.)  2nd Peter 1:  2-11, 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.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(06/01/2017) A Beginning And End?

 

Today, focus is again on the character, substance, and process of divinity.  Given that divinity may not be known as having a beginning and an end, sacred events, spiritual practices, and many operations of GOD may not be spoken of as conclusive, finite, and temporal. Rather, they are ongoing, recurring, and unending.  The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” who uses the ID “Mhs” (Level with 1 point, a member since January 12, 2014) posted the following:


God does not have a beginning or end. Then why do Christian claim that God can have a beginning and end like a human?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.  And further, by these, my son, be admonished:  of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.  Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:  Fear God, and keep his commandments:  for this is the whole duty of man.  For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.  (Ecclesiastes 12:  11-14, King James Version, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  How Christ Is Known? (04/24/2017); Proclaiming A New Kingdom? (04/13/2017); Hosanna In The Highest (04/09/2017); The First Book of the Bible? (11/20/2014); The Beginning of Wisdom? (11/21/2014); Alpha and Omega (12/29/2013); Fear & GOD? (12/30/2013)


“Mhs”, the revelation of divinity (i.e., how GOD is made knowable, known, and “visible”) to created beings and living creatures must respond to multiple sacred operations that include acknowledging and applying both divine and natural law, cyclic and mechanical process, the frameworks of time and space, the many inseparable aspects of spirit content from the makeup of GOD (e.g., faith, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, wisdom, wrath against sin) as well as unchanging expressions of the heart, mind and sovereign will of GOD that appear as eternal purpose.  Because GOD is a spirit whose substance is immaterial, GOD may be understood as boundless, diffuse, and without limit (we also say, omnipresent).  Yet, there are essential aspects of order vital to communication, exchange and interaction with Deity that also must be in place such as existence, life, person, and presence.  In addition to the High Priest Melchisedec, the Prophet Moses, and Israel as a covenant partner to GOD, Jesus Christ has been provided to crystallize and clarify the divine use of physical form, and the outworking of GOD as an active presence who resides within sequential process as proclamation, promise and prophecy.  Where a believer agrees that all things are possible with GOD, it is also correct to understand that with divinity there can be many “beginnings” and many “ends”.  Consider the following that uses language from the Bible:

(1.)  John 1:  1-5, 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.  4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.  5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

(2.)  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.

(3.)  Hebrews 7:  1-6, KJV:  1 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;  2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;  3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.  4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.  5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:  6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.

Of course there is far more to be said, carefully considered, and fully embraced.  (For example (4.)  Revelation 21:  5-8, KJV:  5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write:  for these words are true and faithful.  6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.  7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.  8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone:  which is 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

 

(09/13/2016) The Best Starting Point?

Today, reply is made to a parent who promotes the “common  understanding of history” and the “Great Books” as basic to helping children realize the common moral imperatives.  Given that acquiring godliness and resisting sin are more than an intellectual process that depends upon exchanging secular data and information, the finite human tools for academics, history, philosophy, science, and technology are inappropriate and insufficient.  Believers can not go beyond what GOD is providing and supplying; nor may they go at a pace faster than that set by the active presence of divinity.  For Christian believers, the process of conveying and transmitting spiritual standards and values to ones own children actually is no less than that of divine revelation.  Divinity must appear emanating and imparting through daily living routines the divine spirit matter the parents themselves have received through new birth, fellowship with other believers, study of the holy writings, and ongoing experiences of growth in Christ.  Included should be such inseparable aspects of the divine makeup as awe (fear of the Lord), faith, forbearance, forgiveness, holiness, humility, longsuffering, meekness, wisdom, and wrath against sin.  The fighter at “Yahoo! 7 Answers (Australia)” using the ID “Taylor” (Level 5 with 6,254 points, a member since August 03, 2016) posted the following:

Theist and Atheist parents should start out from the common understanding of history?

This is so untrue from my experience. Any honest parent, believer or not, would emphasize the one common moral imperative ::

“More consequences for thought and action follow the affirmation or denial of God than from answering any other basic question.”

- Mortimer Adler

(Great Books of the Western World (Chicago: Encyclopedia Britannica, 1

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;  One Lord, one faith, one baptism,  One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.  But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.  Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.  (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?  He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.  (Ephesians 4:  4-16, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Possible For Intelligent People? (02/07/2016); Correct Awe and Respect (02/04/2016); To Study the Book of Judges (09/09/2015); Awe? (08/09/2015); The First Book of the Bible? (11/20/2014); The Beginning of Wisdom? (11/21/2014); GOD in Schools? (12/20/2012); Naaman the Leper (12/21/2012)  

“Taylor”, divine law, sacred principles, the knowledge of the Holy, and living relationship with our Creator must be the starting point for acquiring sacred knowledge and practice (we say, sacraments).  On the surface, History as a field of academic discipline and Social Science offers reliable and tested methods for growth and learning that can produce lasting structures for a person’s mind and lifestyle.  However, closer examination shows that focus upon natural and secular history center upon animal and carnal behavior, human events, and life process described as cyclic, mechanical, and repetitive.  To be grounded primarily in the study of history is to be grounded in a focus upon human errors that include teachings supporting an unprofitable theory of evolution. 

Theories are intended to generate questions, and in turn, the questions are to suggest and lend direction for discovering the answers.  (So, ask the right questions, to get the right answers.)  The communication, dialog and discourse that theories may foster also includes much that is errant and “vain”—that is, lacking sacred substance; without life essence (we say, breath, spirit, word); having no power or value as revelation from GOD.

Sinners are to take up the holy writings, begin fellowship with mature believers, and start their own careful study to internalize the doctrines and principles within the Scriptures that speak to maintaining intimate relationship with divinity as children, heirs, and the offspring of GOD.  The focus then is the revelation of GOD, how invisible divinity has made Deity knowable and known using thousands of events, appearing in thousands of lives, over the course of thousands of years throughout all the diverse spheres of life (e.g., earth, heaven, the universe). 

Every believer begins with errors, gaps in knowledge, ignorance, and a multitude of things they ought to know, yet are lacking.  Having correct information from GOD is like having cool water on a blazing hot day.  Therefore, the best starting point is a commitment to GOD wherein a person displays humility, respect, willingness to listen, and a sincere desire to receive maturity and permanent change.  Consider how some of this is stated using language from the Bible:

(1.)  Genesis 1:  1-3, King James Version (KJV):  1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.  2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.  3 And God said, Let there be light:  and there was light. 

(2.)  Proverbs 1:  7-10, KJV:  7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge:  but fools despise wisdom and instruction.  8 My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:  9 For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.  10 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.

(3.) Proverbs 9:  6-10, KJV:  6 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.  7 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame:  and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.  8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee:  rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.  9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser:  teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.  10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom:  and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

There is far more to be said, carefully examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (4.)  Revelation 22:  12-17, KJV:  12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.  13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.  14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.  15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.  16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.  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.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(12/14/2015) Our Beginnings Were Perfect?

Themes of corruption, perfection and purity are in view, today.   Readers are encouraged to reflect on the following from the New International Version (NIV) of the Bible, and my thoughts appearing below:  Titus 1:  15-16, NIV:  15 To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted.  16 They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.  Also, 1st John 1:  5-9, NIV:  5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you:  God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.  6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.  8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.  9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  Romans 5:  13-15, NIV:  13 To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law.  14 Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come.  15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!  The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” who uses the ID “badwolf” (Level 1 with 13 points, a member since August 01, 2014) posted the following:


Why does god corrupt perfection of spirit by putting us in a human body..is he a sadist?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  “Yet you have not called on me, Jacob, you have not wearied yourselves for me, Israel.  You have not brought me sheep for burnt offerings, nor honored me with your sacrifices.  I have not burdened you with grain offerings nor wearied you with demands for incense.  You have not bought any fragrant calamus for me, or lavished on me the fat of your sacrifices.  But you have burdened me with your sins and wearied me with your offenses.  “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.  Review the past for me, let us argue the matter together; state the case for your innocence.  Your first father sinned; those I sent to teach you rebelled against me.  So I disgraced the dignitaries of your temple; I consigned Jacob to destruction and Israel to scorn.  (Isaiah 43:  22-28, NIV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  The Choice of Knowledge? (10/28/2015); The Return to Dust? (06/14/2015); Relationship With Our Creator? (03/16/2015); Before the Fruit? (11/10/2012); Why "Mysterious" (11/11/2012); Why Clothing? (10/15/2010); Known by GOD? (10/16/2010)


“badwolf”, Christian believers do not hold any idea that divinity has corrupted Creation.  Adam lived to be nearly 1,000 years old, as did many other of the Patriarchs.  The earth was undefiled by epidemic disease, air and water pollution, and the problems from garbage, “fossil fuels,” and human waste.  The beginnings for mankind are understood as having been with a perfect Spirit, within a perfect body, within a perfect environment and sphere of life.  More than this, believers typically agree that it is equally absurd and unthinkable that the Creation of GOD would have no value to the Creator, and the Creator would have no value to his Creation.  GOD is aware of all our present flaws, imperfections, and shortcomings, yet, GOD is more concerned with saving our lives than destroying our lives.  Deity may only be known by judgment, rebirth, and revelation.  The choice to embrace secular rather than sacred knowledge resulted in the terrible loss of consecration, intimate relationship, divine respect, and essential trust.  Aspects of the endowment granted to mankind as human makeup were rendered incapable of fulfilling eternal purpose; and mankind would be continually challenged by the operations of sin that relate to chaos, confusion, and non-existence.  Consider again the following from the holy writings:


(1.)  Romans 8:  18-25, New International Version (NIV):  18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.  19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.  20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope  21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.  22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.  23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.  24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?  25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.


(2.)   Jeremiah 6:  14-16, NIV:  14 They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious.  ‘Peace, peace,’ they say, when there is no peace.  15 Are they ashamed of their detestable conduct?  No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush.  So they will fall among the fallen; they will be brought down when I punish them,” says the Lord.  16 This is what the Lord says:  “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.  But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’


(3.)  Galatians 5:  16-18, NIV:  16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.  17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.  18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.


There are many other verses that should be carefully considered, correctly understood, and made a permanent aspect of ones spiritual fullness.  (For example, (4.)  Romans 5:  1-5, NIV:  1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,  2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.  3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;  4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.  5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC


Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®

 

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(07/08/2015) Starting From Scratch?

Today, Scripture points are shared on the “basics, essentials, and must-haves” for a new Christian congregation.  More than simply an ability to express optimism, pleasantry, and positive attitudes in the midst of crises and troubles, a body of believers must contain life essence (we say, spirit) from the makeup of Deity, display the godly character and nature of Jesus Christ, and continually operate using principles given by the Creator to continue the existence and integrity of the divine Creation.  A writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “WinonaGal” (Level 7 with 32,029 points, a member since May 24, 2006) posted the following:


If you were starting a new church from scratch, what are your ideal must have things?

I'm trying to help out a bit. My church just had a long term minister retire and we are at a point of change. I think it might be a good exercise to ask this question and see what people want in a church.
This is a Christian Church.
Please, I'm not up for derogatory comments about my faith, be respectful.


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour:  for we are members one of another.  Be ye angry, and sin not:  let not the sun go down upon your wrath:  Neither give place to the devil.  Let him that stole steal no more:  but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.  Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.  And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.  Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:  And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.  (Ephesians 4:  25-32, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  A Price for Religious Liberty? (06/30/2015); Respect to Our Religious Beliefs? (04/21/2015); Relationship With Our Creator? (03/16/2015); A Pillar and Ground? (04/13/2013); Palm Sunday (04/14/2013); The Right Place to Get Knowledge? (02/17/2014); Arguing Against the Bible in Church? (02/18/2014)


“WinonaGal”, because a congregation must operate as an instrument of divinity, its believers must all possess a correct knowledge of eternal purpose, sacred process, and the expression of divine will through law.  All must acknowledge rebirth through baptism (i.e., death of ones inborn spirit, new life from divine DNA, so to speak) with the necessary task of gradual growth for permanent change by enduring life challenges upon the earth.  There should be mutual acceptance among the members, commitment, humility, and respect.  However, friendliness, pride, self-regimen and sentiment are less vital than faith that manifests the righteousness of divine law, hope for the soon coming of Jesus, and a continuing sorrow for sins.  Consider again these admonitions and encouragements we share from the Scriptures:

(1.)  The Holy Spirit.  Romans 8:  5-9, King James Version (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.

(2.)  Confidence.  Philippians 1:  6, KJV:  6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

(3.)  Discernment.   1st Corinthians 2:  11-14, KJV:  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.

(4.)  Gratitude.  Psalms 100:  1-3, KJV:  1 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.  2 Serve the LORD with gladness:  come before his presence with singing.  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.

(5.)  Prayer.  Acts 4:  29-31, KJV:  29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings:  and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,  30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.  31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

(6.)  Truth.  John 16:  12-14, KJV:  12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.  13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth:  for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak:  and he will shew you things to come.  14 He shall glorify me:  for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

Of course there are many more Scriptures that should be shared, correctly understood, and spiritually taken into account.  (For example, (7.)  Trust.  Psalms 22:  2-4, KJV:  2 O my God, I cry in the day time, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.  3 But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.  4 Our fathers trusted in thee:  they trusted, and thou didst deliver them.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
 Washington, DC

(11/21/2014) The Beginning of Wisdom?

Today, more is shared on the Book of Genesis, sacred knowledge, and divine revelation.  Throughout the Bible, the name of GOD, and how divinity is to be known, are proclaimed as a record of sacred deeds.  The holy writings have been given to mankind as tools for spiritual admonition, correction, guidance, and divine judgment.  The Scriptures make visible and reveal salvation, and are not intended for those who want to meddle in or manipulate the things of GOD.  For thousands of years, the word of GOD was shared as history and personal testimony spoken by living witnesses.  In the same way divine law (sometimes called, the covenant) was first provided to mankind in written form through the service of Moses as prophet and seer (the Ten Commandments, the Decalogue), the five books of Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, also sometimes called, the law) were all produced through operations of the Holy Spirit (we say, inspiration) to evidence and preserve sacred knowledge for the elders, priests and spokespersons who would serve the covenant people.  All earlier divine covenants had been established with Patriarchs (i.e., heads of families; selected individuals such as Adam, Abel, Seth, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) who themselves experienced personal interactions with divinity.  Their households and offspring were to continue specific observances and practices as their duty and inheritance from GOD.  While priesthood and prophecy would continue to be transmitted through the mechanisms of family and inheritance, using Moses, GOD would create a sacred nation made up from the tribes of Jacob and the mixed multitude of non-Hebrew peoples (we say, Gentiles) that accompanied them out of Egypt.  The things found in Genesis will always be necessary for full understanding of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, for the context (we say, background and setting) of the things pertaining to judgment, rebirth, sanctification, and salvation from GOD also must come forth in accordance with divine order.  The sin of Adam and Eve (betrayal; disobedience of the law; discounting and ignoring the word spoken from GOD) permanently altered many aspects of human development, and the ongoing process whereby mankind may continue in right relationship with divinity.  The fellowship that was to be maintained through intimate contact, love, respect and trust, became subject to law and ordinances.  Thus, many occurrences that were the first of their kind are recorded in Genesis:  the establishment of sacred institutions to be maintained among mankind (e.g., fellowship with divinity through faith, intercessory prayer, marriage, Sabbath, sacrificial worship); the first physical conflict arising from the different spirit of worship that existed within two brothers, and resulted in death through violence; the first divine act to cleanse the entire earth from sin using the waters containing and surrounding the earth as a flood.  In Genesis the Spirit of God (also called the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Prophecy, the Spirit of Truth) is introduced as that aspect of the full divine person that performs and completes such sacred operations as the formation of heaven and earth to serve as spheres for life.  The use of carnal beings having awareness and self-will as instruments and repositories of sacred law and purpose are also generated and carried out in mankind today through the same divine essence (we say, breath of life, holy spirit, word) originally imparted to Adam.


THE BATTLE AXE:  The First Book of the Bible? (11/20/2014)

Genesis 5:  1-8, KJV—This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him;  2 Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created.  3 And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, and after his image; and called his name Seth:  4 And the days of Adam after he had begotten Seth were eight hundred years:  and he begat sons and daughters:  5 And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years:  and he died.  6 And Seth lived an hundred and five years, and begat Enos:  7 And Seth lived after he begat Enos eight hundred and seven years, and begat sons and daughters:  8 And all the days of Seth were nine hundred and twelve years:  and he died.

Deuteronomy 29:  29, KJV—The secret things belong unto the LORD our God:  but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.

Proverbs 9:  9-10, KJV—Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser:  teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.  10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom:  and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

Psalms 111:  2-10, KJV—The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.  3 His work is honourable and glorious:  and his righteousness endureth for ever.  4 He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered:  the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.  5 He hath given meat unto them that fear him:  he will ever be mindful of his covenant.  6 He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.  7 The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure.  8 They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.  9 He sent redemption unto his people:  he hath commanded his covenant for ever:  holy and reverend is his name.  10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom:  a good understanding have all they that do his commandments:  his praise endureth for ever.

Deuteronomy 17:  8-13, KJV—If there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, being matters of controversy within thy gates:  then shalt thou arise, and get thee up into the place which the LORD thy God shall choose;  9 And thou shalt come unto the priests the Levites, and unto the judge that shall be in those days, and enquire; and they shall shew thee the sentence of judgment:  10 And thou shalt do according to the sentence, which they of that place which the LORD shall choose shall shew thee; and thou shalt observe to do according to all that they inform thee:  11 According to the sentence of the law which they shall teach thee, and according to the judgment which they shall tell thee, thou shalt do:  thou shalt not decline from the sentence which they shall shew thee, to the right hand, nor to the left.  12 And the man that will do presumptuously, and will not hearken unto the priest that standeth to minister there before the LORD thy God, or unto the judge, even that man shall die:  and thou shalt put away the evil from Israel.  13 And all the people shall hear, and fear, and do no more presumptuously.

Judges 17: 6, KJV—In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

Deuteronomy 17:  14-20, KJV—When thou art come unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and shalt dwell therein, and shalt say, I will set a king over me, like as all the nations that are about me;  15 Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee, whom the LORD thy God shall choose:  one from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee:  thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which is not thy brother.  16 But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses:  forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.  17 Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away:  neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.  18 And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites:  19 And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life:  that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them:  20 That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left:  to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel.

2nd Peter 1:  16-21, KJV—For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.  17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.  18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.  19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:  20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.  21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man:  but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

Exodus 31:  18, KJV—And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.

Exodus 32:  19, KJV—And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses’ anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount.

Exodus 34:  4-8, KJV—And he hewed two tables of stone like unto the first; and Moses rose up early in the morning, and went up unto mount Sinai, as the LORD had commanded him, and took in his hand the two tables of stone.  5 And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD.  6 And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,  7 Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.  8 And Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped.

Exodus 34:  27-28, KJV—And the LORD said unto Moses, Write thou these words:  for after the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with thee and with Israel.  28 And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments.

Deuteronomy 6:  4-9, KJV—Hear, O Israel:  The LORD our God is one LORD:  5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.  6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:  7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.  8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.  9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.

Deuteronomy 4:  31-40, KJV—(For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.  32 For ask now of the days that are past, which were before thee, since the day that God created man upon the earth, and ask from the one side of heaven unto the other, whether there hath been any such thing as this great thing is, or hath been heard like it?  33 Did ever people hear the voice of God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as thou hast heard, and live?  34 Or hath God assayed to go and take him a nation from the midst of another nation, by temptations, by signs, and by wonders, and by war, and by a mighty hand, and by a stretched out arm, and by great terrors, according to all that the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?  35 Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the LORD he is God; there is none else beside him.  36 Out of heaven he made thee to hear his voice, that he might instruct thee:  and upon earth he shewed thee his great fire; and thou heardest his words out of the midst of the fire.  37 And because he loved thy fathers, therefore he chose their seed after them, and brought thee out in his sight with his mighty power out of Egypt;  38 To drive out nations from before thee greater and mightier than thou art, to bring thee in, to give thee their land for an inheritance, as it is this day.

Deuteronomy 10:  1-5, KJV—At that time the LORD said unto me, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first, and come up unto me into the mount, and make thee an ark of wood.  And I will write on the tables the words that were in the first tables which thou brakest, and thou shalt put them in the ark.  3 And I made an ark of shittim wood, and hewed two tables of stone like unto the first, and went up into the mount, having the two tables in mine hand.  4 And he wrote on the tables, according to the first writing, the ten commandments, which the LORD spake unto you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly:  and the LORD gave them unto me.  5 And I turned myself and came down from the mount, and put the tables in the ark which I had made; and there they be, as the LORD commanded me.

Deuteronomy 31:  7-13, KJV—And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage:  for thou must go with this people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it.  8 And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee:  fear not, neither be dismayed.  9 And Moses wrote this law, and delivered it unto the priests the sons of Levi, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and unto all the elders of Israel.  10 And Moses commanded them, saying, At the end of every seven years, in the solemnity of the year of release, in the feast of tabernacles,  11 When all Israel is come to appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing.  12 Gather the people together, men and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the LORD your God, and observe to do all the words of this law:  13 And that their children, which have not known any thing, may hear, and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.

Deuteronomy 31:  16-22, KJV—And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers; and this people will rise up, and go a whoring after the gods of the strangers of the land, whither they go to be among them, and will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them.  17 Then my anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide my face from them, and they shall be devoured, and many evils and troubles shall befall them; so that they will say in that day, Are not these evils come upon us, because our God is not among us?  18 And I will surely hide my face in that day for all the evils which they shall have wrought, in that they are turned unto other gods.  19 Now therefore write ye this song for you, and teach it the children of Israel:  put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel.  20 For when I shall have brought them into the land which I sware unto their fathers, that floweth with milk and honey; and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxen fat; then will they turn unto other gods, and serve them, and provoke me, and break my covenant.  21 And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are befallen them, that this song shall testify against them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed:  for I know their imagination which they go about, even now, before I have brought them into the land which I sware.  22 Moses therefore wrote this song the same day, and taught it the children of Israel.

Deuteronomy 31:  24-30, KJV—And it came to pass, when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law in a book, until they were finished,  25 That Moses commanded the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, saying,  26 Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee.  27 For I know thy rebellion, and thy stiff neck:  behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been rebellious against the LORD; and how much more after my death?  28 Gather unto me all the elders of your tribes, and your officers, that I may speak these words in their ears, and call heaven and earth to record against them.  29 For I know that after my death ye will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the latter days; because ye will do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands.  30 And Moses spake in the ears of all the congregation of Israel the words of this song, until they were ended.

Isaiah 46:  9-10, KJV—Remember the former things of old:  for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,  10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

Deuteronomy 30:  6, KJV—And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.

Jeremiah 4:  4, KJV—Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem:   lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.

John 5:  39-47, KJV—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?  45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father:  there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.  46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me; for he wrote of me.  47 But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?

Luke 24:  26-27, KJV—Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?  27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

2nd Timothy 3:  14-17, KJV—But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;  15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Romans 2:  12-16, KJV—For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law:  and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;  13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.  14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:  15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)  16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

Ezekiel 36:  17-27, KJV—Son of man, when the house of Israel dwelt in their own land, they defiled it by their own way and by their doings:  their way was before me as the uncleanness of a removed woman.  18 Wherefore I poured my fury upon them for the blood that they had shed upon the land, and for their idols wherewith they had polluted it:  19 And I scattered them among the heathen, and they were dispersed through the countries:  according to their way and according to their doings I judged them.  20 And when they entered unto the heathen, whither they went, they profaned my holy name, when they said to them, These are the people of the LORD, and are gone forth out of his land.  21 But I had pity for mine holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the heathen, whither they went.  22 Therefore say unto the house of Israel, thus saith the Lord GOD; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name’s sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went.  23 And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.  24 For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.  25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean:  from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.  26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you:  and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.  27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

Hebrews 1:  1-4, KJV—God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,  2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;  3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:  4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

Joshua 1:  7-9, KJV—Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee:  turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest.  8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein:  for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.  9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed:  for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

2nd Corinthians 3:  1-9, KJV—Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you?  2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:  3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.  4 And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:  5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;  6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit:  for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.  7 But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:  8 How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?  9 For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.

Hebrews 2:  1-10, KJV—Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.  2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;  3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;  4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?  5 For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.  6 But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man that thou visitest him?  7 Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:  8 Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.  9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.  10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

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