(03/16/2017) The Passion of Christ?

Today, focus is on what the Lord endured before the cross at the hands of those denying both his deity and humanity.  As we are progressing to the annual Christian observance of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, acknowledging the passion and suffering of the Savior before his death and burial also require attention from mature believers.  Acceptance of Jesus Christ as Redeemer and Savior will appear where sacred operations of faith, holiness, trust in GOD, and other aspects from the makeup of divinity are confirmed to be active and present by the holy writings, and through living relationships.  The rejection of Jesus of Nazareth by all mankind as Messiah, Son of Man, and Son of GOD was accomplished by an unlikely pairing of the secular establishment (pictured in Pontius Pilate and Rome) and the religious establishment (pictured in Israel, the Sanhedrin, and the Temple at Jerusalem).  While remembrance of those sacred events may arouse dormant feelings of fear, guilt, shame, and spiritual weakness, successfully passing through the peculiar snare of challenges, feelings, and negative thoughts that oppose a sinner’s commitment to the Lord can result in holy fruit.  Like when limbs and boughs of a tree are pruned to produced more fruit, remembrance and godly sorrow within a believer should produce stronger faith.  One of the many fighters at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information shared) posted the following:

Last night, Jesus appeared to me in a dream and told me the Romans sodomized him before the crucifixion. Was he actually sodomized?

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:  Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:  Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death:  because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.  For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:  Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:  Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.  Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.  Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.  Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;  He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.  This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.  (Acts 2:  22-32, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  The Complete Divine Revelation? (03/10/2017); GOD Knowing the Price? (06/15/2016); To Foster Godly Sorrow (03/11/2016); Jesus Under Judgment? (12/16/2015); Messiah and the Unthinkable? (09/25/2015); Divine Knowledge of Human Hurt? (03/02/2015); Jesus Scourged (04/05/2014); Brothers, Not Equals (04/06/2014); The Judges Who Condemned Jesus? (01/17/2014); About the Second Coming? (01/18/2014)  

“Anonymous”, the question you have posed is posted in some form on a daily basis in the Public Forum and here at “Yahoo! Answers.”  Many Christian believers also continue to ask the same question (without using the insinuating, insulting, and suggestive language and wording).  Knowing that popular culture portrays ancient Egyptian, Greek, Roman and heathen peoples as delighting in many sexual practices that join cruelty, physical violence, debasing and despising others, and methods to “break” a person’s spirit, it is “natural” to consider whether the Savior was subjected to such treatment before being executed on the cross.

For most Christians, the thought of Christ being sexually abused is hateful, loathsome and repugnant, therefore, such considerations and issues are quickly dismissed, rejected, and suppressed.  However, young believers, “beginners” and those whose faith is still underdeveloped often become fascinated and fixed by what is believed a twisted, perhaps sick, and less productive focus.  The “official” record Christians rely on reports that Jesus was physically struck, spat upon, forced to wear a crown of thorns, scourged and whipped, yet, indicate that the Lamb of GOD did not endure any corruption and defilement during his arrest, during his trial, upon the cross, or within the grave.  This also includes defilement by fornication (i.e., impurity, pollution, and uncleanness of a person’s spirit content that can result through sexual joining).

Efforts were made while he was Incarnate on the earth, and are being made to this day while he is in the heaven as Risen Lord, that deny both the deity and the humanity of Jesus Christ.  Christian believers are cautious when assigning value to (i.e., approving, reviewing, judging) such sources as motion pictures, novels, and secular history.  A filmmaker shapes popular culture by delivering entertainment and products of imagination that may alter and distort the truth, however, believers are to be concerned with the sacred knowledge and spirit content a film may impart.  One now important source, THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST by Mel Gibson, has portrayed the sacred events surrounding the crucifixion in a manner many believers accept as authentic.  Even so, others feel the presentation of Christ being dehumanized is exaggerated and extreme.  Critics include those who express disappointment because the film did not show explicit scenes of debauchery, fornication, and graphic cinema sexuality.  In its place they found a shocking and sobering presentation of contempt, anti-Christ sentiment, and violence against Messianic belief.  Thus, the “final analysis” and evaluation for Gibson’s film proclaimed among mature believers should be that from their role as prophets and spokespersons for divinity, rather than expressions of a believer’s individual faith, lusts, or products of secular knowledge, carnal reason, popular science, and technical excellence.  Consider the following from the holy writings:

(1.)  Matthew 15:  17-19, King James Version (KJV:  17 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?  18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.  19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

(2.)  Mark 8:  27-33, KJV:  27 And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi:  and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am?  28 And they answered, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets.  29 And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ.  30 And he charged them that they should tell no man of him.  31 And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.  32 And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him.  33 But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan:  for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.

(3.)  Luke 22:  19-22, KJV:  19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you:  this do in remembrance of me.  20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.  21 But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.  22 And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined:  but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!

(4.)  John 19:  1-7, KJV:  1 Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.  2 And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe,  3 And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands.  4 Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.  5 Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!  6 When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him:  for I find no fault in him.  7 The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.

(5.)  Hebrews 7:  25-27, KJV:  25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.  26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;  27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s:  for this he did once, when he offered up himself.  28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (6.)  Philippians 4:  8, KJV:  8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(11/30/2015) Time Is Not A Deity

Today, Scripture points are shared on idols and objects of devotion among mankind that are not living.  Many are caught in systems of idolatry that exaggerate their acknowledgment of other persons, the achievements and contributions of others, and even their own possibilities for growth and prosperity.  They embrace new, non-traditional, and untested concepts that deny the nature and actual substance of divinity by the inclusion of subtleties (i.e., barely visible differences; hidden and unseen shifts in meaning or value).  A fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Tim M” (Level 7 with 104,236 points, a member since July 23, 2010) posted the following:


So If Time is the great giver and taker of all things, would Time not be considered God ?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king:  at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.  Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens.  He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.  When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures.  Every man is brutish in his knowledge:  every founder is confounded by the graven image:  for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them.  They are vanity, and the work of errors:  in the time of their visitation they shall perish.  The portion of Jacob is not like them:  for he is the former of all things; and Israel is the rod of his inheritance:  The LORD of hosts is his name.  (Jeremiah 10:  10-16, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  No Other gods? (08/14/2015); The Meaning not the Object (05/26/2015); Not Images Used in Worship? (09/14/2014); Death is a Divine Tool (09/15/2014); A House of gods? (08/31/2012); Heaven For Muhammad? (09/01/2012)


“Tim M”, among Christian believers, time should not be spoken of as having the attributes and qualities of divinity such as character, consciousness, person, presence, and will.  Time is a framework provided by GOD for created beings and living creatures as a system for organizing and processing mechanical and natural events as well as sacred occurrences and revelation (i.e., effects that make the active presence and eternal purposes of GOD known, recognizable, and visible).  Where the living promote, or respond to time and other aspects of Creation that are not alive as though they were living entities (e.g., birth, death, government, intellect, romantic love, skill, wealth), and as though they have authority, power or existence independent from the Creator, such features have been exalted as idols (we say, false gods).  While idols are usually material objects used as representations, or vessels said to contain a god, idols also appear in the form of abstractions, things coveted, and objects men may lust after (e.g., freedom, heroes, leaders, weapons, an Islamic state).  For Christians, the earth has been created by GOD as a sphere of life, while the world is a man-made system to establish exchange, interaction, and survival among those living upon the earth.  Features of the world include currency, family, history, language, philosophy and science.  Consider the following points from the holy writings:

(1.)  Job 31:  26-28, King James Version (KJV):  26 If I beheld the sun when it shined, or the moon walking in brightness;  27 And my heart hath been secretly enticed, or my mouth hath kissed my hand:  28 This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge:  for I should have denied the God that is above.

(2.)  Psalms 115:  1-8, KJV:  1 Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake.  2 Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God?  3 But our God is in the heavens:  he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.  4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.  5 They have mouths, but they speak not:  eyes have they, but they see not:  6 They have ears, but they hear not:  noses have they, but they smell not:  7 They have hands, but they handle not:  feet have they, but they walk not:  neither speak they through their throat.  8 They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.

(3.)  Isaiah 44:  14-17, KJV:  14 He heweth him down cedars, and taketh the cypress and the oak, which he strengtheneth for himself among the trees of the forest:  he planteth an ash, and the rain doth nourish it.  15 Then shall it be for a man to burn:  for he will take thereof, and warm himself; yea, he kindleth it, and baketh bread; yea, he maketh a god, and worshippeth it; he maketh it a graven image, and falleth down thereto.  16 He burneth part thereof in the fire; with part thereof he eateth flesh; he roasteth roast, and is satisfied: yea, he warmeth himself, and saith, Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire:  17 And the residue thereof he maketh a god, even his graven image:  he falleth down unto it, and worshippeth it, and prayeth unto it, and saith, Deliver me; for thou art my god.

There are many other verses that should be carefully considered, correctly understood, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (4.)  Isaiah 44:  8-11, KJV:  8 Fear ye not, neither be afraid:  have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any.  9 They that make a graven image are all of them vanity; and their delectable things shall not profit; and they are their own witnesses; they see not, nor know; that they may be ashamed.  10 Who hath formed a god, or molten a graven image that is profitable for nothing?  11 Behold, all his fellows shall be ashamed:  and the workmen, they are of men:  let them all be gathered together, let them stand up; yet they shall fear, and they shall be ashamed together.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

 
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(01/14/2014) GOD is Showing You

The need for rebirth through baptism before one may “see” GOD is the topic, today, along with more on GOD in the person of Jesus.  A writer at “Yahoo! Answers Singapore” using the ID “Jordan” (Level 1 with 142 points, a member since 16 December 2013) posted the following originally asked at Yahoo Answers United States:


How come every time someone tells me they found god and i ask to see him?

know one ever shows me


THE BATTLE AXE:  GOD is Jesus? (01/13/2014)—As an omnipotent spirit being, GOD may appear as a human, and continue in flesh indefinitely without any damage to, or loss of divine substance.  As a carnal, human being, Jesus is not omnipotent, must acquire knowledge gradually, must complete stages of development through growth and learning, and only displays multiple aspects of Divine Person on a scale appropriate to mortal existence.  Jesus displays the more complete apprehension of divinity intended for all mankind, and that will be bestowed upon all who are his at the Lord’s coming to harvest the earth.  The dead in Christ will be raised along with those who are living, and will be made immortal and incorruptible.  Of course, Deity and humanity are not the same; and how long one may endure or remain alive is not the most important criteria for identifying the divine nature and sovereign authority of the Almighty.  Both the Father and Son transcend all differences continuing as one in divine process, eternal purpose, and sacred truth.  GOD is one, and exists completely and exclusively as GOD; yet, GOD also contains and subsumes all that is possible for the existence of mankind and other living creatures.  It will never be correct to deny that GOD has authority and entitlement (we say, the right) to assume form in flesh, spirit or utterance.  Similarly, it is absurd to argue that GOD does not have the power or any way to accomplish Incarnation.  No intelligent being throughout the universe of GOD can deny that there is a need for an extreme divine intervention that will totally preserve and recover Creation after totally eliminating sin. Correctly understood, then, questions for those who are developing faith only may focus upon describing the three aspects or persons whereby GOD has (1) appeared through sacred events among mankind, (2) are reported as having been used by GOD to function, (3) have been employed to make divinity known, and (4) that GOD continues to utilize when responding to prayer and worship.  The limitations of created beings and living creatures that permit a person to acknowledge that the GODhead exists will never also allow intellect, logic, reason, or science to generate detailed and full comprehension of the spiritual substance, exalted eminence, and supremacy of the GODhead.  While belief in the Incarnation of GOD as Jesus Christ does, in fact, express and produce faith and godliness among men, disbelief and quarrels against this doctrine repeatedly result in ignorance, morbid speculation, spiritual confusion, ungodliness, and violence.  Consider again Psalms 145: 10-13, Isaiah 9: 5-7, Isaiah 40: 28, 2nd Corinthians 4: 18, Colossian 3: 12-14 and 1st Timothy 6: 12-16, KJV.


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;  That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;  Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;  Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:  Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:  In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:  Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers:  all things were created by him, and for him:  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.  And he is the head of the body, the church:  who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.  For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;  And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.  (Colossians 1:  9-20, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Reveal Himself To All? (12/03/2013); Is Science the Right Tool? (12/04/2013); Why Jesus Used Parables (11/03/2013); Never Taught It? (10/13/2013); Without Pointing A Finger? (10/14/2013); Come As You Are? (06/29/2013); Freewill is Finite (06/30/2013); Words Spoken by GOD? (06/05/2013); Teachings on Judgment (06/06/2013)


“Jordan”, maybe it is not that no one shows you; it is that your present makeup is not open, and does not allow you to see and understand.  As a natural human being relying upon flesh (i.e., appetite such as hunger, thirst, sexual cravings; sense such as hearing, smelling, tasting; emotional and mental functions such as desire, fantasy, imagination, intuition, reason, recall) and the frameworks of time and space, it is nearly impossible to have experience and correct knowledge of being and substance that are totally spirit in their composition and nature.

As a spirit being, GOD is not a material or physical object for the awareness of created beings and living creatures.  GOD is invisible (we say), and must reveal and show himself by using flesh and blood in various ways.  This is accomplished in part by GOD having appeared as Jesus (we say, Incarnation), and by the present indwelling of GOD as a spirit imparted to the living.  In the same way the presence of the wind is made visible by its action upon things that may be seen (e.g., the clouds, the trees, a scrap of paper), GOD is made visible by his action upon the behavior, expectations, practices and utterance of the created.

There is far more to be said, properly shared, and spiritually understood.  (For example, people only gain the ability to discern and recognize the actions and presence of GOD around as well as within themselves by experiencing permanent changes in the content of their own makeup.  Attitudes, focus, goals, intentions, knowledge, and sense of purpose all must be altered; so we say, a person must be born again having divine DNA.  Through baptism and multiple operations of GOD that include forgiveness, repentance, and sanctification, a natural man or woman becomes a “new creature” after the pattern of Christ.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.


Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us:  we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.  (2nd Corinthians 5:  20-21, KJV)


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC