(09/01/2020) Our Desires Are Weighed

A depiction of the Holy City, the New Jerusalem

Today, reply is on whether believers must have a desire to “go to heaven,” and whether GOD might force a person to appear and continue in the celestial presence. Properly understood, the going to heaven has to do with fulfilling the sovereign will of GOD by completing multiple sacred tasks, and is not a matter of having human independence and carnal preferences. Such works as further construction and allocation of portions within the Holy City may be required along with building and cleansing within the Sanctuary, providing witness to the tribunals of final judgment, and the distribution of rewards to the laborers for Christ. Many now on the earth feel they already have a healthy and positive relationship with divinity. However the connection they speak of may not be grounded in divine covenant, doctrine, obedience to divine law, sacred practices (i.e., sacraments), revelation, study of the holy writings, unselfish service, or suffering. It is written: Romans 1: 18-22, King James Version (KJV): 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, The fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” public forum on Religion & Spirituality who uses the ID “ringostarr (Level 4 with 3,556 points) posted the following:

If i'm a righteous person and i worship God but i don't want to go to heaven, would God force me to?

Maybe i want to just rest and not be alive anymore. Would he force me to go to Heaven or throw me in Hell because of it?

THE GOLDEN ARROW: Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD. They say still unto them that despise me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you. For who hath stood in the counsel of the LORD, and hath perceived and heard his word? who hath marked his word, and heard it? Behold, a whirlwind of the LORD is gone forth in fury, even a grievous whirlwind: it shall fall grievously upon the head of the wicked. The anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have executed, and till he have performed the thoughts of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly. (Jeremiah 23: 16-20, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Divine Character Must Appear (08/13/2020); The Outcomes Of Judgment (06/28/2020); Acknowledging And Confessing Sin (06/21/2020); The Justification Of Divinity (04/06/2020); The Purpose Of Worship (10//10/2019); “Sneak Previews” Of Heaven (09/16/2019); Expect Challenges In Heaven (08/12/2019); The Penalty of Death? (04/26/2019)

“ringostarr”, mankind is to exist on the earth as immortal and incorruptible with GOD following a one thousand year period of work in heaven. Many Christian believers agree that the final judgment by GOD of mankind and the full Creation includes divinity assigning meaning and value to the desires, hopes, and eternal purposes of all created beings and living creatures including those on the earth. To be in an ongoing relationship with GOD who is Creator requires acknowledgment of his authority, divine prerogative, dominion, immutable, unchanging self-expression, sacred law, and sovereign will. The language used tends to speak in terms of acknowledgment, love, reverence, and the acceptance of ones connection to GOD through their own endowment of substance imparted from the makeup of divine fullness (we say, the Godhead; the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit). Inseparable aspects of the divine makeup should appear within the living such as balance, commitment, faith, holiness, mutuality, oneness without sameness, personhood, wisdom, and wrath against sin. Conceived to exist as life companions to divinity, mankind is to display the image of GOD in terms of character, focus, nature, and purpose. While life in the flesh often demands concern for exchanges and interaction to gain material and social advantage, or ensure ones duration and survival, the living are to exist as vessels of consecrated life essence (i.e., divine breath; spirit; utterance; word). Sinners who turn to Jesus Christ are to reflect, resemble, and reveal the character and likeness of Jesus. What many are willing to call “unkindness” and even “cruelty” on the part of GOD comes into view as fulfillment of divine imperatives and sacred terms of authentic covenant relationship with our Maker. At this time in the plan of GOD, Christians are not called to present their own righteousness. Rather, by their display of sacred content using their lifestyle and daily routines, developing and mature Christians are to establish the presence of Christ upon the earth. Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible, and a selection, Rescue, from the prophecy and music ministry of Acappella:

(1.) Leviticus 26: 12-21, King James Version (KJV): 12 And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people. 13 I am the LORD your God, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, that ye should not be their bondmen; and I have broken the bands of your yoke, and made you go upright. 14 But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments; 15 And if ye shall despise my statutes, or if your soul abhor my judgments, so that ye will not do all my commandments, but that ye break my covenant: 16 I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it. 17 And I will set my face against you, and ye shall be slain before your enemies: they that hate you shall reign over you; and ye shall flee when none pursueth you. 18 And if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins. 19 And I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass: 20 And your strength shall be spent in vain: for your land shall not yield her increase, neither shall the trees of the land yield their fruits. 21 And if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me; I will bring seven times more plagues upon you according to your sins.

(2.) Hebrews 6: 4-12, KJV: 4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. 7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: 8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. 9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. 10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

(3.) 1^st Peter 1: 3-12, KJV: 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. 10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

(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.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPSt7tynaBk.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

Image downloaded 11:52 PM, August 31, 2020 @ https://rapturewatcher.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/the-magnificent-new-jerusalem.jpg

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(03/29/2020) Divine Acceptance of Homosexuality?

The image is being used to depict the challenges regarding repentance and salvation compared to those regarding homosexual conduct and lifestyles.

Today, a Battleaxe continues the discussion of Adam, Eve, and homosexuality. GOD is impartial, and the same condemnation and provisions for salvation are made on behalf of both heterosexuals and homosexuals. Sinners must change to exist before GOD in spirit, rather than in flesh, for there are many conditions and considerations that change the godliness of otherwise lawful conduct. Ones duty to GOD is to change their affection for others, rather than their affections change their duty to GOD. Belief in social privilege as completely the expression of human process and substance denies the effect and power for human life from fixed mechanical process and natural laws as well as from unchanging aspects of divine truth. Many of the present day demonstrations on behalf of homosexuality are not genuine expressions of divine intent. It is as if a committee of those desiring orange juice at breakfast conducted increasingly disruptive and violent protests demanding that apple trees also produce orange juice. Their marches and placards declare there are clear violations of economic opportunity; practices of bias, discrimination, and prejudice; and a withholding of benefits to various groups in the larger population (e.g., those drinking grape juice, grapefruit juice, and tomato juice at breakfast). Insisting that science and technology actually can meet the challenge, the apple growers offer the o-j-lovers the “emperor’s new clothes” requiring that the agitators be warned that the new juice product may have the aroma, calorie count, color, and flavor of apple juice. The ministry of Jesus Christ is not man-made, and does not center in human desire, or what may be accomplished through finite self-will (willpower); rather, the origin and focus of the salvation being offered to all are divine prerogative, eternal purpose, and the sovereign will of GOD. It is written: 1^st Corinthians 3: 16-23, King James Version (KJV): 16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. 18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. 20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. 21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are your’s; 22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are your’s; 23 And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.

THE GOLDEN ARROW: He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1: 11-13, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Adam, Eve, and Homosexuality (03/27/2020); The Fall of Mankind (05/16/2019); Responses To Clergy Scandals (03/28/2019); Discernment And Godly Love (06/26/2018); Natural and Spiritual Law? (06/30/2016); Gender, Sex and Christian Beliefs? (05/18/2016); The Judgment Against Sodom? (04/10/2015)

THE BATTLE AXE: Adam, Eve, and Homosexuality (03/27/2020)—(5.) 1^st Corinthians 6: 17-20, KJV: 17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. 18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. Fornication is the defilement of spirit substance through sexual joining. Because our appetites and emotional commitments as living persons on the earth may corrupt and defile our relationships with divinity, the operations of human self-will can condemn mankind to irreversible separation from the Creator. Desire appears in the living as a focusing of consciousness and self-will in response to appetite, emotion (e.g., anger, fear, guilt, shame, sorrow), material objects, operations of mind (e.g., fantasy, recall, carnal reason, thought), experiences of sensation (e.g., hearing, seeing, tasting, touching), and operations of sin. Even so, the authority, dominion, and power of consecrated spirit are not to be despised, ignored, overthrown, or suppressed.

(6.) Ezekiel 18: 20-23, KJV: 20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. 21 But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. 22 All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live. 23 Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live? Just as a community may display a statue in the town square, and does not automatically encourage blasphemy, ungodliness, and the worship of idols, all sexual expression has not been labeled by GOD as “original sin” and the transgression of divine law. Among mankind, the judgment of sexual conduct continues to be liberal and tentative, for there are many points of subtlety (i.e., barely visible differences; sudden shifts in meaning and value). Sexual behavior always occurs on many different levels (emotional, physical, psychological, and spiritual) all at the same time. Thus, because of its intent to express love, holding hands and a kiss on the cheek (oral sex) may have enduring power for both partners in a relationship who desire to express continuing innocence and sexual desire. Christian belief, redemption, and salvation acknowledge multiple operations on behalf of mankind that can be carried out only by GOD. Included are atonement, forgiveness, Incarnation, rebirth, redemption, resurrection from the dead, and the second death. Conforming to the standards generated by GOD, who is immortal, incorruptible and invisible, requires that the living receive inseparable aspects from the makeup of divine fullness (e.g., faith, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, wisdom, wrath against sin). While divinity is active presence, and may appear on the earth using human form and flesh, divinity remains spirit, and may indwell the consciousness and self-will of the living.

(7.) Galatians 5: 16-24, KJV: 16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. Sin opposes the continued existence of divine law, the Lawgiver, and of the divine order that establishes the universe. In the same way authentic human existence now imposes gender, mortality, and other aspects of human makeup that can not be permanently altered or removed by mankind, the presence and process of life essence (breath; spirit; word) imparted from divinity to mankind in Creation does not allow full human control of existence, life, personhood, and purpose. For mankind to exist as a companion of GOD in fruitful relationship also requires that men are to display the image of GOD, and to resemble, reflect, and reveal the character and likeness of Jesus Christ.

(8.) Romans 6: 12-16, KJV: 12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. 15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. 16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? Many mistakenly understand the liberty granted by divinity to mankind through grace to be a suspension of all demands for discipline; for restriction; and for rule through divine law, sacred practice, and the observance of consecrated principle. Sinners who become developing Christian believers may continue to desire approval and endorsement of self-assessment, peer review, and their own strivings to obtain vainglory. Human emotions and feelings of love do not consecrate self-expression and operations by the flesh. The focus of men and women to have lawful relationships in society (same sex marriage) is very different from the process of transformation for eternal life that is being advanced by divine fullness (we also say, divinity; the Godhead; the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit). The issues of being born again and becoming mature/ripe for harvest by the Lord at his appearing (we also say, the Advent; the Rapture; the Second Coming) pertain to the permanent dominion and ownership of Creation, not merely to the privilege for sexual expression within the celestial precincts or among the living on the earth.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (9.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyAyVT8asxQ.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

Image downloaded 10:27 AM, March 29, 2020 @ https://aaacomputer4christ.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/20151116-054010.jpg?w=1000

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(03/08/2017) For Wanting Great Pleasure?

MATTHEW 6:  33, King James Version (KJV)

 

Today, correction, homosexual pleasure, and the nature of divine love are considered again.  Humans are not condemned and despised by divinity simply for displaying emotional, psychological, and sexual desires and needs.  There can be no sexual freedom without there also being accountability; and growth to having a full sexual maturity acceptable to Deity is possible.  For those on the earth, becoming perfected as those who belong to GOD is never simple without also being profound.  Even so, the created are not to despair, give up, or quit seeking to know the Creator within their own lives.  Believers are to fight the good fight of faith.  Many aspects of sexuality gradually draw a person in and suddenly overwhelms them.  Yet, sexual activity is a gift from GOD that can impart joy, and—carefully applied like every other strong medicine not to be abused or overly relied upon—can release us from depression, fear, isolation, certain forms of sickness, and sorrow.  Just as sexual joining can result in improved circulation and an increased heart rate, sharing sexual contact can result in permanently binding spirits to complement, edify, heal, and reinforce one another.  Because casual sex is not focused on reproduction and producing a holy seed (e.g., adultery, masturbation, pre-marital longings, same sex entanglements), sexual excitement not shared with ones life companion and sanctified partner is imperfect, and serves as a divine tool cautioning sinners to apprehend their need for repentance and reconciliation to GOD.  In the same way, the living may not answer GOD in judgment to justify sin with the explanation “I was dying of thirst” or “I had not eaten for days,” though it may be the truth to say “I was sexually aroused,” “my “normal” sexual appetite and overactive hormones made me do it,” or “I could not resist my urges,” such words will not be enough to turn away divine disfavor.  The honest replies from divinity might well include, “you  did not confess it to me,” “when you saw the condition was not changed, you did not importune in prayer for relief, or strength to bear it.”  It is sin to neglect divinely assigned duty, promote self-will above divine will, deny GOD because of what we desire or feel, and to shut GOD out as though he is the enemy.  A female fighter at “Yahoo! Answers (Singapore) using “Anonymous” as her ID (no profile information appears) posted the following:

 

How is God a loving parent by administering punishment just because I choose to give into homosexual urges?

All I want to do is feel good. I want to feel amazing. And homosexuality (or lesbianism, since I'm a woman) gives me that.

I get punished for wanting to feel great pleasure? I'm perfectly normal, my desires are perfectly healthy and normal and I'm not hurting anybody else.

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?  Ye lust, and have not:  ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain:  ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.  Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.  Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.  Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?  But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.  Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.  Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep:  let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.  (James 4:  1-10, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Thoughts on Sexual Relationships (03/07/2017); First Seeking the Kingdom (03/03/2017); The Flesh An Obstacle? (07/29/2016); Natural and Spiritual Law? (06/30/2016); Flesh Against the Spirit? (06/19/2016); The Cross and Arbitrary Differences (06/17/2016); Gender, Sex and Christian Beliefs? (05/18/2016)

 

“Anonymous”, all sexual activity at first seems pleasurable, yet, sex is dangerous, unpredictable (never the same twice),  and deceitful.  There is a “better way” than the “seeking pleasure” way.  Your conversation has been put forth by “the flesh,” however, any answer that will provide a sacred benefit to you must be put forth by “the Spirit.”  In our ignorance, and because we do not feel it directly, the consequences and the harm we do can be at the level of spirit and that that is unseen.  Divine punishment is administered only to those who, being incorrigible, despise authority, ignore admonition and warning, or refuse correction and thoughtful instruction.  Desire for “great pleasure” may also be called covetousness, envy, and “inordinate desire;” thus, lust for great pleasure also will appear as acceptance and complacency when it comes to brutality, deceit, killing, and stealing.  (When those who murder begin to hate it, then, they break it off.)  Sin opposes the continued existence of divine law, the Law Giver, and the divine order essential to Creation.  Sin has no element of intellect, logic or reason; so, sin favors and promotes death and nonexistence.  Those who are not disgusted, loathe, and have wrath against destructiveness, malice, exaggerated pride, savagery, selfishness, and sin are those who lack the imparted, indwelling Spirit from GOD.  As humans we are born and may be raised to express only our animal and human aspects without concern for the spiritual potential and possibilities that also are important to a full experience of life from the Creator.  Sexual appetite begins at birth, and is little different from hunger and thirst.  Just as we must learn to direct, discipline, restrain, and properly satisfy those urges and mechanical aspects of the body that may dominate awareness and self-will (as does sin), so it is with our sexuality.  GOD will correct, punish, and hold back from utterly destroying only those who belong to him, and who acknowledge his ownership by love, obedience, respect, and right reverence.  Through operations of the Holy Spirit, the living may receive a fresh endowment of the “life essence” (we say, breath, spirit, word) that continues mankind as a companion to eternal Deity.  Inseparable spirit matter from the makeup of GOD will appear in those “born again” such as faith, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, wisdom, and wrath against sin.  Consider again the following:

(1.)  Hebrews 12:  4-9, King James Version (KJV):  4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.  5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:  6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.  7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?  8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.  9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence:  shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?

(2.)  Romans 8:  3-9, KJV:  3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:  4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  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 to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (3.)  Revelation 3:  17-21, KJV:  17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:  18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.  19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten:  be zealous therefore, and repent.  20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock:  if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.  21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(02/20/2017) Hope That Is True

Today, hope and sacred truth are topics.  Authentic and godly hope always consist in expectations begun, confirmed, and sustained by divinity.  While hope appears within the frameworks of time and space as promoting change, targeting future events, and “forward-looking,” correctly understood, hope pertains to the continuity and full revelation of things eternal and immutable, yet, presently unknown.  With this in view, hope is different from imaginings and projections based on confirmed secular knowledge, and the operations of finite human intellect.  A fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “2017” (Level 7 with 61,162 points, a member since December 25, 2008) posted the following:

What is hope? is it true?

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy, and say thou unto them that prophesy out of their own hearts, Hear ye the word of the LORD;  Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!  O Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts.  Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the LORD.  They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The LORD saith:  and the LORD hath not sent them:  and they have made others to hope that they would confirm the word.  Have ye not seen a vain vision, and have ye not spoken a lying divination, whereas ye say, The LORD saith it; albeit I have not spoken?  Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye have spoken vanity, and seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you, saith the Lord GOD.  And mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies:  they shall not be in the assembly of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I am the Lord GOD.  Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace; and one built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered morter:  Say unto them which daub it with untempered morter, that it shall fall:  there shall be an overflowing shower; and ye, O great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall rend it.  (Ezekiel 13:  2-11, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Eternal Life From GOD (10/24/2016); The Problem of Faith? (05/22/2016); It Takes The Cross (04/22/2016); About The End Of The World (08/30/2015); A New Year’s Message, 2015: Great Expectations? (01/01/2015); Begotten Unto A Lively Hope? (10/04/2014); Of Sure Hope and Certainty (09/05/2013); Prophetic Demonstrations (10/06/2013)

“2017”, sinners repeatedly confuse “hope” with selfish desire, dreams, fantasy, and wish-fulfillment—things that are carnal, material and social that can be “all in the mind” of an individual.  Mature Christian believers should understand hope as an aspect of existing in an ongoing relationship with GOD through the person of Jesus Christ.  Crucial are acceptance, respect, trust, and truth.  As the new creation through Christ, “born again” believers eventually “grow up again” to acknowledge hope as a spirit substance from the makeup of divinity imparted through baptism that is inseparable from other aspects of Deity revealed in the life and person of the Savior.  Included are faith, holiness, joy, longsuffering, lovingkindness, wisdom, and wrath against sin.  Along with joy, hope operates as power and strength that eliminate despair and fear during times of hardship and suffering.  While all things are possible with GOD, a believer’s hope is “realistic” only when it centers upon the things that are in agreement with divine law and have been proclaimed, promised, prophesied, and revealed.  To hope is to anticipate, expect, and look forward to the actualization and fulfillment of things commanded and unfolding through legitimate operations of GOD that will complete sacred projects, conform to pre-set divine patterns, and implement eternal purposes.  The Christian has certainty that their hope is sound for it is grounded in divine substance (e.g., breath, life essence, spirit, word).  Consider the following from the Scriptures:

(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.)  Lamentations 3:  21-24, KJV:  21 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.  22 It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  23 They are new every morning:  great is thy faithfulness.  24 The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

(3.)  Romans 15:  1-7, KJV:  1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.  2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.  3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.  4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.  5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:  6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (4.)  Hebrews 6:  16-20, KJV:  16 For men verily swear by the greater:  and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.  17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:  18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:  19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;  20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(07/31/2015) The Origin of Sin?

Scripture points are shared considering blame, Satan, and the cause, nature and origin of sin.  For Christian believers, divine love, rebirth, new life, and salvation are more to be themes for focus than damnation, darkness, sin, and wickedness.  Before acquiring correct sacred knowledge from the holy writings, many mistakenly believe that Satan disguised as a serpent was the creator of all sin and wickedness, particularly among mankind and upon the earth.  However, sin first emerged separate from desire (i.e., no one asked for it, or craved it), and operated as corruption (we say, decay, defilement, rot) within the holy angels of heaven.  At first hidden and invisible, sin became revealed through attitudes, behavior, conduct, utterance, and orientation.  While sin is often described using organic characteristics and forms of human behavior, and emotion (e.g., ambition, envy, greed, hate, malice, possessiveness, pride, selfishness, violence), in fact, sin is abstract and intangible, akin to the chaos, vanity, and lack of divine substance that existed before Creation.  The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Hercules” (Level 1 with 4 points, a member since May 21, 2013) posted the following:


Who tempted the devil to be sinful? Don't say he had free will because that nullifies any need for mankind to have a tempter to commit sin?

...unless you're claiming that angelic free will is somehow different to human free will, which, as far as I'm aware isn't mentioned anywhere in scripture


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.  And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee:  is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?  Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.  And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.  And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD stood by.  And the angel of the LORD protested unto Joshua, saying,  Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.  Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee:  for they are men wondered at:  for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the Branch.  For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes:  behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.  In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree.  (Zechariah 3:  1-10, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Only Divine Spirit Exists? (06/09/2015); Sin As Our Inheritance? (06/08/2015); Is Sin a Matter of Temptation? (04/22/2015); The Testing of Job? (10/06/2014); Knowing the Spirit is Inside? (10/07/2014); The Ruler Of the Earth? (05/01/2014); Parables About the Kingdom? (05/02/2014)


“Hercules”, Christian believers first must receive the imparted, indwelling Spirit from the makeup of GOD to correctly apprehend as spiritual truth the cause, nature and origin of sin as presented within the holy writings.  While various operations that serve as the divine response to sin have been completed by Jesus Christ as a single aspect of full divinity, it is an error to think one may simply place “the blame” for sin upon any single individual, or to think sin may be eliminated or removed without permanent change as an alternative to total upheaval.  Sin is the transgression of the law, where law is the expressed will of GOD.  While sin has not been created or put forth by divinity, sin behaves as a non-material, non-spirit influence upon awareness and self-will within the created.  Sin opposes the continued existence of divine law, the law giver, and all divine order established through sacred law.  Sin is not a living entity, contains no spirit matter from GOD, yet, displays direction, effect, and presence.  In a sense, sin is self-destructive and sin does not exist; however, sin pertains to aspects of full existence (e.g., duration, form, inclusion, person, presence, substance); divine intent and eternal purpose; and the broad spectrum of sacred operations (e.g., acknowledgement, assigning value (we say, judgment), atonement, birth, commandment, death, incarnation, rebirth, sanctification, utterance).  Many fear Satan will be the accuser of mankind in final judgment.  However, Satan already will have been cast into the Lake of Fire; and only ones own deeds recorded within the Books of Life will accuse or commend them as they answer before the throne of Grace.  Here are a few points from the Bible that Christians rely upon to avoid error and spiritual confusion regarding Satan and sin:

(1.)  Ezekiel 28:  16-18, King James Version (KJV):  16 By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned:  therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God:  and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.  17 Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness:  I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.  18 Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee.

(2.)  John 8:  43-45, KJV:  43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.  44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own:  for he is a liar, and the father of it.  45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.

(3.)  2nd Timothy 2:  22-26, KJV:  22 Flee also youthful lusts:  but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.  23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.  24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,  25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;  26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

There is much more that could be said, and that must be correctly understood and spiritually taken into account.  (For example, (4.)  Ephesians 2:  1-6, KJV:  1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;  2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:  3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.  4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,  5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)  6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:)  Even so, I trust this small collection of verses will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC