(04/02/2019) The Presence of GOD

(see reference below)

Today, reply is on the cloud spoken of in the holy writings that appeared as a visible manifestation of the presence of GOD (we also say, the angel of GOD; the glory of GOD; the Shekinah). Accounts of GOD appearing and becoming known in the awareness of created beings and living creatures include the appearance of divinity to Moses as a burning bush, the star that appeared over Bethlehem, and the presence that rested within the Sanctuary (also called the Holiest of Holies; the Most Holy Place) on the judgment seat upon the Ark of the Covenant. It is written: Leviticus 16: 1-2, King James Version (KJV): 1 And the LORD spake unto Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they offered before the LORD, and died; 2 And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat. A fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” public forum on Religion and Spirituality who uses the ID “Lunablossom” (Level 2 with 278 points, a member since September 24, 2010) posted the following:

Can you tell me more about the shekinah/ gods presence?

Is the shekinah god or idolatry?

THE GOLDEN ARROW: And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them: And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night. (Exodus 14: 19-20, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: GOD Is With Us (03/15/2019); Not By Bread Only (02/22/2019);Divine Holiness and Sanctity (12/25/2017); Idolatry -- Exalting Human Devices? (09/21/2017); Acknowledging the Divine Presence (02/22/2017); Ark of the Covenant? (03/17/2015); Filling the House With Glory? (08/17/2014); Holy Ground (03/30/2014); A Second Adam? (03/25/2013); GOD Hiding in Plain Sight (03/26/2013)

“Lunablossom”, many mature Christian believers agree that the Garden of Eden first served as the meeting place for divinity and mankind. When Adam and Eve were thrust out, mankind would assemble “in the gate” with blood offerings for sin, and with petitions for indications and signs that would express the divine will. The sons of Jacob (Israel), and those who joined them in leaving Egypt with Moses themselves were to be the sanctuary, dominion, and abiding place of GOD. Later, the tabernacle (fashioned according to the pattern of things in heaven that was revealed to Moses) and the house of GOD (the temple fashioned in accord with the things revealed to Solomon), became the places of assembly for the consecrated priests and Levites. These things were to serve as sanctified and set apart for the presence of GOD, yet, they were not idols that would embody divinity, receive worship, or serve as man-made objects having authority, dominion, personhood, or power as gods. Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

1. Genesis 3: 6-9, King James Version (KJV): 6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. 7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. 8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.

2. Exodus 40: 32-38, KJV: 32 When they went into the tent of the congregation, and when they came near unto the altar, they washed; as the LORD commanded Moses. 33 And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the hanging of the court gate. So Moses finished the work. 34 Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. 35 And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. 36 And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys: 37 But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up. 38 For the cloud of the LORD was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.

3. 1^st Kings 8: 6-11, KJV: 6 And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD unto his place, into the oracle of the house, to the most holy place, even under the wings of the cherubims. 7 For the cherubims spread forth their two wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubims covered the ark and the staves thereof above. 8 And they drew out the staves, that the ends of the staves were seen out in the holy place before the oracle, and they were not seen without: and there they are unto this day. 9 There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone, which Moses put there at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt. 10 And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD, 11 So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, 4. 2^nd Chronicles 5: 13-14, KJV: 13 It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD; 14 So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

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THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(11/29/2012) Given the Cloud of Witnesses

     Faith, miracles, and the persistence of unbelief regarding the resurrection of Jesus are shared, today, along with more on the Savior as the “Son of Man.” A “Yahoo! Answers” contributor using the ID “Ford” (Level with points, a member since December 17, 2007) posted the following:

Christians: If many witnessed Christ's resurrection in scripture, then why do many still not believe?

THE BATTLE AXE: Son of Man (11/28/2012)—The peculiar duty of a son and firstborn heir is not merely to carry on the family business, or the family name (i.e., reputation) after the decease of ones father. While ones parents are yet alive, all their offspring are divinely charged to enrich the lives and relationships of everyone within the family, grow, learn, obey, continually show respect, and mature as believers in sacred truth. When the firstborn son receives inheritance of goods, property and substance from their departed father, a double portion is provided because he is the one that must complete the “unfinished business” from his father. In addition to supervising burial of ones parent, this may include canceling and collecting debts; completing assignments; fulfilling contracts, covenants, pledges and promises; and providing suitable memorials of the deceased. More than this, the son is to answer the challenges that derive from the father’s errors and sins. Rightly understood, it is an heir’s duty to apologize, correct and restore. Thereby the heir gives his father a new reputation performing service or sharing in his name, and establishing for the deceased things whereby he may be remembered as one righteous. Thus we see Solomon as son of David building a Temple at Jerusalem; and Jesus as son of Adam building a church in the earth patterned after the Temple in the heavens.

THE GOLDEN ARROW: Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. (Hebrews 12: 1-3, King James Version)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Thoughts on Faith and Miracles (01/25/2012); Sin Against The Spirit (01/26/2012); Why “Mysterious” (11/11/2012); Attending Church? (11/12/2012); Life and Death (09/26/2012); The Gospel not Logical? (09/16/2012); Unwelcome Gifts? (09/17/2012); The Divine Tool of Death (08/11/2012); Is That All It Takes? (03/18/2012)

     As a mature believer in Jesus Christ being an appearance of Almighty GOD among mankind (called Incarnation), my answer to your question about why there has been widespread disbelief in the resurrection of Jesus speaks to the divinity of faith. In the same way huge crowds were present when Jesus performed various miracles, yet all did not accept him as Messiah or as the Promised One sent from GOD, only those prepared beforehand as apostles and disciples were granted the necessary endowment from GOD that permits one to operate as a witness of sacred process. Faith is not always an outcome or product of miracles. Even though miracles conform to specific divine laws, men are easily confused through the seeming contradiction by miracles of laws controlling nature. As a result, miracles also may generate doubt, fear, hysteria, madness and exaggerated self-focus. Miracles are of greatest value as products of spiritual commitment, obedience and faith.

     Faith is itself a spirit substance, and is inseparable from such aspects of divine person as holiness, humility, joy, longsuffering, righteousness, truth, wisdom, and wrath against sin. Through the operation of sin, corruption afflicts created beings and living creatures altering and reducing the focus and power of their original endowment from GOD that was provided at Creation. The ministry of Jesus Christ, first upon the earth and now from the heavens, permits those who submit their consciousness to GOD to receive death, re-birth and new life through operations of the Holy Spirit. Spoken of as the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, and the Spirit of Prophecy, the imparted, indwelling Spirit is also described as the mind of Christ.

     There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, for mankind, here, in the natural world, the flesh easily dominates our existence, and determines our awareness of good/bad, right/wrong, true/false. Included as the flesh are appetite (e.g., hunger, thirst, sexual cravings), sense (e.g., hearing, smelling, seeing, tasting, touching) and mind (e.g., desire, emotion, imagination, recall). Without the endowments from GOD, the spirit aspects of our make up as human beings cannot truly be comprehended and displayed through the flesh.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC