(07/18/2017) Miracles Are Not Everlasting

Today, reply is made on the duration and lasting effects of sacred events (miracles).  By the operations of GOD, one-time events that are completely broken off and ended within their physical settings and temporal intervals may endure and exist as continuous, ongoing, and unfinished within consciousness as well as within spirit.  Also, while faith may produce miracles, miracles do not always produce faith.  Miracles often appear as marvels, or wonders that result from the interruption and suspension of the regularities acknowledged as “natural law” among such academic disciplines as Astronomy, Biochemistry, Genetics, and Physics.  However, correctly understood, miracles rarely occur as disturbances or disruptions of divine order.  Miracles expressing the authority and sovereign will of GOD are temporal events directed to carnal, material, and social conditions, and always appear in accordance with divine law, eternal purpose, and sacred process.  Without the preparation that comes through faith, sacred knowledge, and regular practice of divine sacraments, the sudden, unexpected appearance of miracles results in sinners having increased disbelief, fear, skepticism, and spiritual confusion.  The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “maulporphy” (Level 5 with 8,905 points, a member since March 24, 2016) posted the following:


If Jesus cured the sick and raised the dead, how come they're not still alive?

Seems like a perfect man would perform perfect miracles


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed:  and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.  And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.  And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?  For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?  But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.  And he arose, and departed to his house.  But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.  (Matthew 9:  2-8, King James Version, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Fed From The Altar? (06/19/2017); Benefits of His Kingdom? (04/11/2017); A Ministry to Cripples? (03/14/2017); Diversity and Prophetic Gifts (11/22/2016); On Really Seeing Angels (10/09/2016); Sight to the Blind? (07/30/2015); Power Against Sin? (04/12/2015); Why Did Jesus Heal? (02/03/2015); Help Thou Mine Unbelief (12/31/2014)


“maulporphy”, for Christian believers, the presence of unseen things are being established on the basis of faith, not on the basis of what is seen.  On the one hand, the revelation of divinity to created beings and living creatures addresses multiple aspects of their consciousness (e.g., intellect, logic, imagination, recall), and must use finite devices, events, and tools to make immortal, invisible GOD, who is active presence and spirit, knowable, known, and accessible through regular contact, exchanges and interactions (we say, ongoing relationships).  On the other hand, to apprehend divine fullness (we say, the GODhead; the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) one must contain and rely upon their own endowment of spirit substance imparted from the makeup of GOD.  Included are inseparable aspects of Deity such as faith, forbearance, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, wisdom, and wrath against sin. 

The perfection of Jesus Christ (the Father, or the Holy Spirit) must be known using discernment and sacred (not secular) knowledge.  The manifesting of GOD in the Son is more than a matter of the Savior’s deeds and works to benefit mankind; for the divine operations of Creation, judgment, salvation, and eternal life are grounded in proclamation, promise, prophecy, and actualizing utterance (word).  Both the ministry of Jesus on the earth, and the spiritual gifts that have been received by his followers are in the nature of a partial payment, or “good faith” deposit.  In addition to acts of faith and prophetic demonstrations, the revelation of GOD through Jesus Christ has shared admonition, exorcism (casting out unclean spirits), commanded expectations (we say, hope), healing, judgment, preaching, sacred events (we say, miracles) as well as raising the dead.  Yet to be seen are the conclusion of final judgment, the second death, and the distribution of rewards to those who have worked for Christ.  Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

(1.)  2nd Corinthians 1:  21-22, King James Version (KJV):  21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;  22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

(2.)  Romans 1:  18-21, 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.

(3.)  Ephesians 1:  9-14, KJV:  9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:  10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:  11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:  12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.  13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation:  in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,  14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

There is much more to be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (4.)  1st Corinthians 2:  7-14, KJV:  7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:  8 Which none of the princes of this world knew:  for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.  9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.  10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit:  for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.  11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.  12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.  13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.  14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God:  for they are foolishness unto him:  neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(07/06/2017) Called To Serve Unselfishly

Today, focus is on why life expressing Christian belief is described as ministry, unselfish service, and suffering.  Christians should be thought of as “sinners in transition,” and not as those who are already flawless and perfect.  Believers are to develop obedience, sacred knowledge, and full understanding by meeting life challenges and engaging in sacred experiences while on the earth.  They then emerge as a new creation through divine operations of faith, expectation (we say, hope), promise, and prophecy.  More important than individual achievement, self-promotion, and the things from our material world, are the shared and vicarious experiences of oneness without sameness, and of the spirit content from GOD deposited within the body of believers.  A fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “….” (Level 6 with 17,824 points, a member since December 28, 2007) posted the following:


Why do Christians have all the answers for everyone else but none for themselves when trouble comes?

They suffer as much as anyone else and die like anyone else. If God does nothing for us in this life while we have faith in Him to do so how can we know in the next life if he will or not like in this life?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.  And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.  For we are saved by hope:  but hope that is seen is not hope:  for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?  But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.  (Romans 8:  22-25, King James Version, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Transformation Not Obedience Alone (07/02/2017); Christianity Is Not Mindless (05/02/2017); Proclaiming A New Kingdom? (04/13/2017); The Gift of Humility (02/19/2017); Servants To The Body? (01/17/2017); The Transfiguration of Christ (11/14/2016); Instruments in His Ministry? (10/07/2016)


“….”, for mature Christian believers, the relationship of Creator and created now is on the basis of faith, promise, and things that are to come.  The process that appears as Christian belief is intended to manifest (make known and visible) the active presence who is GOD, and further reveals the fullness of divinity (we say, the GODhead—the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit).  The transformation of sinners to become immortal, incorruptible companions to Deity is not a sudden, one-time event; what is called “salvation” is accomplished through multiple sacred operations.  Included are atonement, death, forgiveness, judgment, priesthood, prophecy, rebirth, regeneration, resurrection, and sanctification.  Followers of Jesus Christ all must become “born again,” “grow up again” and mature as offspring of GOD who contain divine DNA, so to speak.  Inseparable aspects of the spirit makeup of GOD must be received such as faith, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, oneness without sameness, person, wisdom and wrath against sin.  While believers may now be spoken of as adopted through the Holy Spirit, sons and daughters of GOD, and joint-heirs with Christ, there has not yet been the full endowment of spirit gifts and substance crucial for eternal life.  Believers have been given an earnest or “good-faith payment” by demonstrations of the Spirit within congregations and communities of faith.  While all might not be able to display or perform in specific ways, or show themselves equally capable and mature, the gifts and enabling by GOD often may be clearly seen in the lifestyles, living routines, and service of clergy, ordinary believers, men, women, and children.  Like our Savior, all Christians are to be seen as ministers, servants and agents carrying out the will of the Father.  Consider again the following:

(1.)  2nd Peter 1:  2-4, King James Version (KJV):  2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,  3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:  4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises:  that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

(2.)  Mark 10:  45, KJV:  45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

(3.)  2nd Corinthians 5:  4-10, KJV:  4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened:  not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.  5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.  6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:  7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)  8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.  9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.  10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

(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 to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (5.)  Romans 8:  14-17, KJV:  14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.  15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.  16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:  17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(11/14/2016) The Transfiguration of Christ

The Transfiguration of Christ (oil on panel),
Titian (Tiziano Vecellio) (c.1488-1576)

Today, points are shared on the faith of Jesus, prophecy, and the Savior’s preparation for crucifixion.  The transfiguration of Jesus Christ is one of the greatest divine mysteries (i.e., events from the life of the Lord upon the earth).  At a time when Jesus was being followed by crowds, yet, knew the days of cruel suffering swiftly were approaching, Jesus would be acknowledged openly by emissaries from the kingdom of heaven, further reinforcing and strengthening his faith, and unveiling his divine glory and majesty.  The early prophets received the Savior in ways his apostles and living witnesses on the earth could not do.  Living as a man in the flesh, Jesus had to acquire sacred knowledge gradually the same as you and I; and the Lord would be given evidence for the truth of eternal life for mankind.  The appearance of the two prophets after thousands of years was also evidence of divine forgiveness, mercy in judgment, and reconciliation.  More than this, the Father would speak, and proclaim his continuing love.  The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” whose ID is “2.718281828459045235360287471352662” (Level 7 with 124,902 points, a member since February 26, 2006) posted the following:

Matthew 17:1-8. Do you ever suspect the story of Jesus being visited by two dead prophets may actually be false?

I mean look at this this way. When did anybody in the Bible ever get visited by two dead prophets before or since? Could it be that Jesus made up this story just to make himself look holy? What are your thoughts on this?

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

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  The Baptist and The Tishbite? (02/18/2015); The Body of Moses (05/11/2014); GOD Permits Evil? (05/12/2014); To Live As a Sacrifice (03/08/2014); A Perfected Body (03/09/2014); Immutable GODhead (03/10/2014); Prophetic Demonstrations (09/06/2013); Why GOD Prayed to GOD (09/07/2013)

“2.718281828459045235360287471352662”, most mature Christian believers acknowledge that there are many points of sacred truth presented through the account of the transfiguration of the Lord.  Jesus approached his crucifixion having many concerns and was in need of assurances by the Father more than evidence from the apostles, or the multitudes that now followed him.  Consider again some of the following:

(1.)  The active presence of divine Spirit (also called, the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Prophecy, the Spirit of Truth) is first described in the account of the Creation.  In the beginning, Adam (the first pair) had direct access to the Creator.  The use of prophecy, prophetic demonstrations, and sacred events (e.g., angel visitations, dreams, miracles) first became necessary when Adam transgressed divine law, violated trust, and sought to hide, rather than confess, seek forgiveness, or ask for mercy.

(2.)  The provisions of GOD where the offspring of Adam do not complete mortality by death include translation (described with Enoch), and being taken up (described with Elijah).  Healing and restoring life to the dead (e.g., Lazarus) are practiced and demonstrated by Elisha and Jesus.  Resurrection is a temporary restoration of life specifically so that one may appear alive in judgment.  As many of the prophets before him, Just as John and many of the other prophets were slain through disbelief, injustice, and persecution, Jesus would also die as the memorial of their deaths.  Jesus is called the “firstborn from the dead” to set him apart as preeminent, not because he is the first person resurrected from the dead.

(3.)  Until John the Baptist appeared, no authentic prophet operating in the manner and style of Moses and those who followed him had been provided to Israel since the days of Malachi, more than 400 years earlier.  In the same way rule by anointed kings and consecrated priesthood became corrupt and vain (i.e., lacked spirit substance from GOD), prophecy became defiled and profane through human error, imagination, and sentiment.  The divine use of prophets as spokespersons sent from divinity, who also could petition GOD and serve as spokespersons on behalf of mankind (we say, mediators) was restored specifically to introduce the ministry of Jesus Christ as a further revelation of divinity, the satisfaction of all demands from the divine law, and the fulfillment of all prophecy.

(4.)  The birth of John the Baptist to elderly parents was accounted as a miracle demonstrating that the immutable, unchanging GOD who had blessed Abraham was continuing both in covenant and in word of promise.  John was endowed with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother’s womb.  He was fed with the tithes and holy things from the altar in the Temple at Jerusalem.  Yet, moved by the Holy Spirit, John surrendered his inheritance as the son of an Aaronic priest to serve as the herald who would announce and prepare the way for the Anointed One (we say, Christ), the coming King.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (5.)  In the same way men receive only an earnest or “good faith payment” of their divine inheritance while upon the earth, while Jesus was still upon the earth, he received only an earnest of the glory and perfection that later would be restored to him.  The apostles who were eyewitnesses represent the mixed multitude that left Egypt with Moses and the remnant of Israel as well as and those belonging to Christ and taken out of death.  The voice of acknowledgment heard was the same as that at his baptism, and at the Temple during the feast of Tabernacles (Booths, Ingathering). )  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC