(03/23/2018) "I Never Knew You"

Today, the reply is on the unimportance of “being a majority of humanity” to the sacred operations of divine judgment and salvation through Jesus Christ.  Christian belief is not on the basis of popular opinions, or practices that are in fashion as customs, traditions, and trends.  The fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” forum who uses the ID “STEVAN THE HEATHEN” (Level 1 with 34 points, a member since August 10, 2017) posted the following:


The majority of humanity do not believe in a christian god. Is the majority wrong?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious:  and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.  Unto you therefore which believe he is precious:  but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,  And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient:  whereunto also they were appointed.  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;  Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God:  which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.  (1st Peter 2:  6-10, King James Version, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Being A Holy Nation (02/20/2018); Mankind’s Priesthood in Heaven (02/16/2018); Standards For Godly Behavior (02/01/2018); Without the Divine Image? (10/15/2017); All Have Come Short (10/11/2017); Did Jesus Want Popularity? (06/11/2015); The Needs of the Many? (03/08/2015); What GOD Demands (05/10/2014); The Body of Moses (05/11/2014)


“STEVAN THE HEATHEN,” while the demonstration by Moses and those who left Egypt says that faith is required for deliverance and the salvation of GOD, coming into divine blessing is not a matter of a “head count,” and how many people are involved.  (Only 2 from the army of more than ½ million actually set foot on their portion of the Promised Land; neither Aaron nor Moses was one of them).  Here are some points and selected verses from the Bible to consider regarding the new creation that is being established by divinity through Jesus Christ:

1.  The process of judgment is a fixed, non-negotiable aspect of divine existence whereby created beings and living creatures will be assessed and examined in terms of their character; effect; preparation, readiness, and willingness to be perfected; and their fullness of substance required for existing eternally as a companion and joint-heir with Christ.

2.  The demands and righteous standards of divine judgment and sacred relationship discourage lawlessness and slackness.  Given that Adam (the male) was created to exist as a companion to immortal, incorruptible divinity, it was not until mankind (the pair) required permanent change to recover from transgression of divine law that Adam became mortal (subject to death), would multiply and reproduce as the animals, and would have to thrive under the dominion of forces and influences that were not divine. 

3.  The integrity of GOD (we say, majesty, glory, righteousness) requires that every utterance by divinity of proclamation, promise, and prophecy be properly executed and fulfilled.  Included are the sanctions and warnings within sacred law that describe punishments and rewards.  

4.  Satisfaction of eternal purpose and sacred process may be accomplished through operations by divinity on behalf of mankind (we say, grace), and often will not require direct action and participation by a crowd, a multitude, or all living.  There may be delay, expiation, forgiveness, hierarchy, joining for oneness without sameness, mercy, representative sacrifice, substitution, the use of emblems, and use of a part to represent the whole.  It is written:

(1.)  Judges 7:  1-3, King James Version (KJV):  1 Then Jerubbaal, who is Gideon, and all the people that were with him, rose up early, and pitched beside the well of Harod:  so that the host of the Midianites were on the north side of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley.  2 And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me.  3 Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early from mount Gilead. And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there remained ten thousand.

(2.)  Matthew 7: 21-23, KJV:  21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you:  depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

(3.)  Luke 13:  22-24, KJV:  22 And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.  23 Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,  24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate:  for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. 

(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.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (5.)  1st Peter 3:  18-22, KJV:  18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:  19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;  20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.  21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:  22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(12/24/2015) Divine Discipline?

Discipline among believers, covenant law, and divine order within the early church are topics, today.  Guided by prophecy and the imparted Spirit, believers were to maintain a lifestyle with strict order that would distinguish the early church as a “peculiar people.”  Consider the following from the Bible, and the points shared below:  Titus 2:  11-14, King James Version (KJV):  11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,  12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;  13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;  14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.  Also, Ephesians 4:  11-15, KJV:  11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;  12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:  13 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:  14 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;  15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:  One of the fighters at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Anonymous” (the required profile information is not shared) posted the following:


Did Corinthian Christians care about the effect of disfellowshipping on this former member?

1 corinthians 5:11-13 and 2 corinthians 2:5-8


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:  That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;  And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;  And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.  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:  21-32, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Punishment To Show Love? (11/29/2015); Rebuked, And Not Baptized? (10/22/2015); We Judge Each Other? (10/04/2015); Old Testament Laws Today? (08/06/2015); Why Punish Innocence? (05/22/2015); Divine Love Seen As Hate? (01/29/2015); Beyond Punishment (03/21/2014); A Guarantee of Heaven? (03/22/2014) 


“Anonymous”, the primary concerns and duties for the early church centered upon enduring persecution, continuing the revelation of Jesus Christ, spreading the Gospel, and displaying rebirth, resurrection and new life.  Believers were challenged to operate with balance and circumspection despite danger, diversity, excitement, and zeal.  While not pursuing all the ceremonies and rituals of earlier covenants, the church would not eliminate sacred law, and—like the law and tradition—the church was to expose and rebuke sin; resolve conflict; continue community.  Keep in mind, the early church as a standing organization developed from a loose affiliation among those who repeatedly came out to see Jesus in the crowds that began to follow him.  Included were churchmen, curiosity seekers, skeptics, those who came for healing, and those looking to secure political advantage and favor within the new kingdom they expected to appear.  While feeding and healing the thousands that assembled has been acknowledged as sacred events, the Savior’s first and greatest miracle on those occasions is often overlooked:  Christ always began by requiring “divine order” through the same Holy Spirit that established the firmament of heaven and earth.  The covenant (law) of Moses would be modified and become a new testament through the blood of Jesus Christ, yet, the original commandments that were to  establish and uphold a divine nation would not be altered or suspended.  Following the sacred events of Pentecost, early believers would develop procedures to maintain order, propriety and stability.  The apostles would authenticate and witness to sacred manifestations (the gifts of the Spirit) by preaching, and through the laying on of hands.  There would be new roles and the division of labor (apostles, bishops, deacons, evangelist); regular routines for gathering; rules for continuing communication, exchange and interaction as well as liturgy for worship.  The ministry to those in error included correction, forbearance, forgiveness, “godly sorrow,” guidance, and punishment.  Consider again the following points that should be familiar from the holy writings:

(1.)  1st Corinthians 14:  29-33, King James Version (KJV):  29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.  30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.  31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.  32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.  33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

(2.)  1st Corinthians 14:  40, KJV:  40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

(3.)  Acts 21:  24-26, KJV:  24 Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads:  and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.  25 As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.  26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.

There are many other verses that should be carefully considered, correctly understood, and made a part of ones spiritual arsenal.  (For example, (4.)  Matthew 18:  15-17, KJV:  15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone:  if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.  16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.  17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church:  but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

 
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

About these ads

(06/11/2015) Did Jesus Want Popularity?

Celebrity, fame, popularity, showing-off, and vainglory come into view, today, as I respond to a writer using the ID “Anonymous” (no other information shared) who posted the following at “Yahoo! Answers UK & Ireland”:


Jesus got a lot of attention from the crowds, but did he enjoy it?
did he crave it in a way like a celebrity would?

I will update this soon, to say more.

Update: Would it be fair to say he was modest about it.

He wanted to be away from the crowds at times, but they found him and he relented, to help them. It wasn't some ego trip for him.

Update 2: Anyway, that is kind of why I think that he wouldn't want the attention and hype at Christmas time. And not all of it is honorable, but excessive.


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.  He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth:  he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.  He was taken from prison and from judgment:  and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.  And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.  Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief:  when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.  He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied:  by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.  Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death:  and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.  (Isaiah 53:  6-12, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:   Prayer in Public? (02/24/2015); A “Good” Verse? (05/09/2014); What GOD Demands (05/10/2014); The Body of Moses (05/11/2014); Jesus, A Party Animal? (05/03/2013); Jesus Lives! (05/04/2013); Christian Modesty (10/15/2012); The Meek Will Inherit (10/16/2012)


“Anonymous”, the holy writings are intended to reveal divine consciousness of life throughout the universe; the correct attitudes, behaviors and operations for exchange and interaction with Deity (e.g., confession, obedience, praise, prayer, sacrifice, and sanctification); and the peculiar elements that establish fruitful personal relationship to the Creator (such as acknowledgment, discernment, obedience, mercy, reverence, and worship).   The priority is to demonstrate and expose the character, makeup, nature, and eternal purposes of Divinity to created beings and living creatures using events that appear within thousands of lives, over the course of thousands of years.  With this in view, there is no detailed discussion of divine temporal feelings, sentiments, material and social expectations, or desires and lusts.  Believers are to become vessels who contain the same spirit that resided within Jesus Christ, and that he displayed when discharging the grave duty and privilege of a consecrated minister, and heir to Deity.  Consider again the following:

(1.)  Jesus appeared in order to affirm, complete and fulfill divine judgments, proclamations, promises, and prophecies.  With John the Baptist, Jesus restored the office of prophet that had been denied to Israel for more than 400 years.  Thus, the Anointed One also appears as a circuit-rider, a nomad, and a wanderer (like Abraham, Moses, Isaiah and David), while also the elder and head over a school-of-the-prophets and the sons-of-the-prophets through his apostles and disciples (like Samuel, Elijah and Elisha).

(2.)  Isaiah 42:  1-3, King James Version (KJV):  1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him:  he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.  2 He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.  3 A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench:  he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.

(3.)  Isaiah 53:  1-5, KJV:  1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?  2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground:  he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.  3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief:  and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.  4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows:  yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.  5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities:  the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

(4.)  John 7:  16-18, KJV:  16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.  17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.  18 He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory:  but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.

(5.)  Matthew 6:  1-2, KJV:  6 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them:  otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.  2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

There is far more to be said, correctly understood, and internalized as aspects of the Spirit from GOD.  (For example, (6.)  Hebrews 12:  1-4, KJV:  1 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,  2 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.  3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.  4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith and spiritual maturity.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC