The
topic today is eternal life, and experiencing the living presence of
Jesus Christ. GOD is invisible and un-seeable to the finite eye. More
than this, being unable to comprehend and correctly understand what may
physically appear before us is as serious a form of blindness as having two eyes without healthy optic nerves. For all blindness to be removed, a person must receive both sacred knowledge and spiritual discernment
through operations by the imparted, indwelling Spirit from GOD.
Consider the following verses of Scripture, and the presentation below:
Job 19: 23-27, King James Version (KJV):
23 Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a
book! 24 That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock
for ever! 25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: 26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: 27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.
John 12: 20-22, KJV:
20 And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at
the feast: 21 The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida
of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. 22
Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell
Jesus.
John 20: 18-20, KJV: 18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her. 19 Then the same day
at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut
where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and
stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.
Ephesians 4: 17-19, KJV:
17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth
walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18 Having
the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God
through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their
heart: 19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto
lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
John 3: 11-13, KJV:
11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and
testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. 12 If I have
told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I
tell you of heavenly things? 13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
The
writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Kelsey” (Level 1 with no
points shown, a member since March 25, 2014) posted the following:
If you never died for some reason would you ever see God or Jesus?
If
for some reason God kept you alive and you never aged lets say from the
age of 30, would you ever see Jesus or God? Also I don't understand why
you can't see Jesus while you're still alive, I mean God resurrected
him when he was dead for three days.
THE
GOLDEN ARROW: But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not
with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him,
We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his
hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the
nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. And after
eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it
into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas
answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him,
Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. (John 20: 24-29, KJV)
THE
DOUBLE DAGGER: GOD Is Invisible... (02/01/2016); Sight to the Blind?
(07/30/2015); Living In The Light? (01/18/2015); Belief, Faith, and
Proof (03/02/2014); Miracles and Visitations? (03/03/2014); All Lying
Forbidden? (03/04/2014); GOD is Jesus? (01/13/2014); GOD is Showing You
(01/14/2014)
“Kelsey”,
in the plan for salvation through the Son of GOD that has been revealed
to mankind, all Christian believers will see Jesus Christ as an
appearance of full divinity. The holy writings plainly state that GOD
is a spirit. However, there is no indication that the Father and the
Holy Spirit (also called, the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of
Prophecy, the Spirit of Truth) will be visible to the human eye. At the
coming of our Savior in glory (we say, Advent, the Second Coming, the
Rapture), all who are alive upon the earth will see and recognize the
Lord without first having to be raised from the dead. Many will not
experience decease, “the grave” and what we call
“death”. Even so, the character, nature, and substance of every
believer must still be completely transformed for them to continue as
living companions to divinity in heaven as well as upon the earth made
new. In general, congregations, today, do not accept confessions and
testimonies from believers claiming to have seen Jesus already. His
ascension back up to heaven is considered by many as the “final”
appearance of Deity incarnate (using human form) until the harvesting of
earth. Those who are spiritually mature and “ripe” will be taken up to
meet the Lord in the air. Seeing the Lord in prophetic dreams and
visions (as did Jacob, Solomon, and the Apostle Paul) are not counted as
authentic, for there is a continuing hope of a direct
encounter with Jesus (as did Eve in the Garden of Eden, and Mary at the
tomb). Unfortunately, thereby they also deny possible operations of the
Holy Spirit. For many believers, the problem is not that Jesus does
not make contact with the living, it is that we do not correctly
“discern” and recognize his active presence. (When Satan first
appeared to challenge and examine Jesus following the Lord’s baptism,
Satan could not recognize him as the same one who had ruled in heaven.)
Consider again the proclamations and promises from the Bible:
(1.)
1st Thessalonians 4: 16-18, King James Version (KJV): 16 For the Lord
himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the
archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise
first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught
up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and
so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another
with these words.
(2.)
1st Corinthians 2: 12-14, KJV: 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.
(3.) 2nd Timothy 4: 1-3, KJV: 1 I charge thee
therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the
quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word;
be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all
long suffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will
not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to
themselves teachers, having itching ears;
There
is far more to be said, understood, and spiritually apprehended. (For
example, (4.) John 14: 15-19, KJV: 15 If ye love me, keep my
commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you
another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even
the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth
him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with
you, and shall be in you. 18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will
come to you. 19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but
ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.) Even so, I trust this
fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
Living encounters with Christ and ones personal testimony are the topic, today, along with more on belief, faith, and proof. A “Yahoo! Answers” fighter using the ID “Steven A” (Level 4 with 2,997 points, a member since February 7, 2011) posted the following:
Question for those who profess to love the Son of God?
I read a lot of people do not believe in Jesus? In Mt 7:21-23, Jesus knew that there would be false representatives claiming to be saved, or born again, thats why in Jn 14:21, he said he would "manifest" himself to those who truly love him and keep his word.
Please share with these people, who dont believe, how Jesus manifested himself to you.
Can u honestly say Jesus is real? Did he manifest himself to you? Or do you fall under Mt 7:21-24? "And then I will profess to them, I never knew you; depart from me ye workers of iniquity?"
THE BATTLE AXE: Belief, Faith, and Proof (03/02/2014)—(5.) Those “seeking a quarrel against GOD” often attack using the complaint that, the doctrine, teachings and tools (i.e., Bible translations) shared by Christians do not all agree. Believers present conflicting and diverse interpretations of Christian belief. The variety of expression and ministry among believers is as legitimate as the multiple forms and fragrance for the rose. The would be critics of GOD usually lack spiritual discernment and focus that would permit their correct recognition of divine substance in others as well as in themselves. They often are confused and disappointed, because they look to see “sameness” for surface things, where there is to be oneness of the invisible, divine spirit, and unity. See Ephesians 4: 4-7 and 1st Corinthians 12: 4-14, KJV. (6.) There are many special points of truth one must accept in order to have a clear and complete explanation of why and how GOD has appeared among mankind in human flesh. When most simply put, GOD has used the birth process within a virgin as a tool for revealing that (a.) divinity exists, (b.) has authority over all that exists throughout the universe, and (c.) is establishing relationship for created beings and living creatures through operations of spirit and truth. Included are such sacred works as adoption, atonement, baptism (we say, death and rebirth), forgiveness, healing, judgment, miracles, resurrection, and sanctification. See 2nd Kings 19: 28, Isaiah 7: 3-15; Isaiah 51: 16; Luke 1: 26-35 and Galatians 4: 4-6, KJV.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. (John 20: 19-29, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Miracles are Sacred Events (12/20/2013); Resisting Sin (12/21/2013); Assurances of Salvation? (10/07/2013); Of War and Judgment (10/08/2013); All Things Possible? (09/17/2013); Can One Escape? (09/18/2013); A Need to Know? (09/04/2013); Of Sure Hope and Certainty (09/05/2013); On Seeing Jesus Serve the Poor (12/03/2012); Hero or Zero? (12/04/2012)
“Steven A”, given that the tone of what you have written is more a challenge than a godly request for information, I may reply with only a few thoughts intended for those who are willing to receive the salvation of GOD that is available through Jesus Christ:
(1.) My sharing of personal truth and the testimony of Jesus also can include an experience of seeing Christ during my years in graduate school at a Midwestern university. Following the example of the Apostle Paul, I decline to detail, boast, brag, show off, or “to speak of revelations,” because such do not always foster faith. As with sacred events (we say, miracles, visitation), such conversations often generate anxiety, conflict, confusion, doubt, and uncertainty. Faith is the core and foundation for miracles and any encounters with divinity; however, miracles can not serve as the foundation for faith. Consider again the counsel of Jesus to Thomas (John 20: 29, KJV).
(2.) While change and transformation of ones spirit content may occur in an instance, commitment, conviction and consistency only appear gradually and over time. Saying this another way: Once “born again” a believer must “grow up” again by facing the same life challenges as all others upon the earth, and within human society.
There is a lot more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually understood that may not be presented, here, at this time. (For example, (3.) There are many who believe who are not yet mature, and do not yet comprehend what is being shared with you, here. Believers are mainly to “discover” and “see” Christ through the operations of divine substance within themselves. The imparted, indwelling Spirit is a fresh endowment of the same life essence breathed into Adam. Inseparable aspects from the makeup of GOD are deposited within believers through baptism. Included are faith, gratitude, holiness, humility, longsuffering, love, trust, wisdom, and wrath against sin.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
In addition, Jesus has privileged me to say:
Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him: But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined. Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. (Job 23: 8-12, KJV)
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
Poverty and prosperity are topics, today, along with more on aliens, and how believers are equipped by GOD for new experiences and strange encounters. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “Pray for the world.” (Level 7 with 53,416 points, a member since April 15, 2011) posted the following:
How does the prosperity of fools destroy them? Is it better to be poor?
We all have some foolishness in us, right? Just wondering what you think. Thanks for responding.
Proverbs 1:32 (KJV)
32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
Also, not saying it’s okay to be foolish either, but you see a rich person and do they spend money in all the right ways? Not the way you would do it for sure, but people are people and like to think for themselves and do it their own way.
THE BATTLE AXE: Aliens? (09/24/2012)—The benefit Christian believers desire will not come by magic, science or space exploration. Eternal life comes by covenant, divine grace, and love. Some of the clearest demonstrations of human need for divine guidance regarding the things of life are repeatedly seen in the way many seek authority over the truth, and through the truth. Rightly understood, truth is the master and exists having its own excellence, fullness, and integrity. For Christian believers, the imparted Spirit of GOD (also called the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Prophecy, and the Spirit of Truth) establishes a comprehensive description of reality for the mind of man. Men and women in the earth must come to know the eternal being and existence of Almighty GOD through consciousness of their own being as well as through the existence of others like themselves. More than this, mankind must prepare for and receive with balance a divine revelation that necessarily includes what men account as astounding, evil, impossible, impractical, intimidating, miraculous, shocking, and wonderful.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things. Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich. Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father. (Proverbs 28: 5-7, King James Version)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Spiritual Needs? (01/27/2011); Finders, Keepers? (01/26/2011); Things? (11/13/2010); Rich Yet Saved (11/11/2010); Divine Blessing (10/22/2010)
Be encouraged as you consider the following. It is better to be unafraid, and to have the sense that there are alternatives and godly possibilities (some say “freedom”) for addressing ones needs:
Christians who embrace poverty as an important aspect of spiritual life often do so with the understanding that the activity, and concerns associated with money and wealth are obstacles and stumbling blocks to becoming mature believers. Money is seen as a tool of the flesh (appetite—such as hunger, thirst, sexual craving; sensation—such as hearing, seeing, touching; and mind—such as dream, fantasy, imagination, recall), and does not directly and immediately build up or convey the content of ones spirit. Similarly, money is understood as simply another tool supplied by the world (i.e., the system created by mankind to facilitate survival through sharing and exchange of resources). Like language, a butter knife, or a monkey wrench, money does not operate as a living entity; money is subject to “human error;” money has no power of “self-will;” and money is understood as an expression or symbol of such carnal features as human desire, emotion, lust, motivation, passion, pride and self-centeredness.
Affluence and wealth are accounted as “deceitful” in that getting and keeping riches routinely entail hidden risks, and are temporal (last only a short time). As such money and lucre are unpredictable, unreliable, and unstable as platforms for fulfillment of both ones human and divine potential. More than this, many mature Christians regard the greatest “danger” of wealth as centering in how money may determine a person’s self-awareness, and their estimations of others (we say, money “warps a person’s judgment”). While we generally agree, Money can’t buy you love, many withhold affection, respect and trust on the basis of the material goods and property amassed, controlled and owned by themselves as compared to others.
In our present culture, all learn to manage money, and it is common for everyone to have skill with money from children to the oldest seniors. Even so, many are intimidated by money; and are afraid of the important duties, obligations, privileges, responsibilities, and hard work (e.g., accounting, investing, saving, tithing) that accompany having lots of money. Afraid to be labeled as indebted, lazy, proud, selfish, snobbish, or wasteful, there are those who feel money will separate them from loved ones, and that, were they to have money, they would be ashamed, and condemned by GOD. Others mistakenly hold that money should be rejected because it is the source of all sin, and the troubles of mankind. Declaring that money brings out the worst in people—and brings the worst people out—they fail to correctly recognize how the potential for good works is increased exponentially through money. Money is not automatically and necessarily a tool of sin and sinners.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, the Scriptures teach that, where the love of money dominates human awareness in place of the Holy Spirit from GOD, that love (not money itself) is the root of all evil—the foundation and underlying cause of upheaval, calamity and disaster (not wickedness). The exaggerated fear of money is no different than the exaggerated love of money. Thus, fear also can be the root of all evil; and where money is feared, loved or held in awe, money is then exalted and worshiped as the false god, Mammon.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
