(06/30/2019) The Requirements for Relationship

Christ and Nicodemus

Today, reply is that the full presentation of Jesus Christ in the Scriptures to proclaim his work as the architect of salvation, chief shepherd, redeemer, and savior also must proclaim his work as divine avenger, high priest, sacred judge, and executioner in final judgment. Christ will speak with lawful authority, sacred knowledge, inarguable wisdom, and vision that reveals the content of eternity. The full transformation of mankind to exist as an immortal, incorruptible companion to the divine fullness (i.e., the Godhead; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) requires that the living receive a fresh endowment of life essence (breath; spirit; word) imparted from Deity. Through the ministries of Christ on earth and from heaven, those who are “born again” are granted opportunities to “grow up again” and become mature/ripe for harvest as the offspring of GOD, joint heirs with Christ, and the new creation. It is written: John 3: 11-13, King James Version (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. One of the fighters in the “Yahoo! Answers” public forum on Religion and Spirituality using the ID “Anonymous” (no profile is shown) posted the following:

Did Jesus of Nazareth talk arrogantly?

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. (John 15:5-6 NIV)

Update: Arrogantly: characterized by or proceeding from arrogance, or a sense of superiority, self-importance, or entitlement: (www.dictionary.com)

THE GOLDEN ARROW: Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it. 10 For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine. 11 And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible. I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir. Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger. (Isaiah 13: 9-13, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: The Character of GOD (06/27/2019); Tested By Secular People (06/05/2019); Baptism Is Not DIY (05/28/2019); What Divine Salvation Requires (05/15/2018); Firstborn Of Every Creature (05/09/2018); Redemption Through Ordinary Flesh? (04/20/2017); The Firstborn of GOD (01/02/2017); A Personal Relationship? (04/03/2014); GOD Everywhere? (04/04/2014)

“Anonymous”, Christ is most to be recognized among men through his acknowledgment of the Father along with his obedience, respect, and reverence. Redemption and salvation from sin are secured by mankind having an eternal and unbreakable relationship with divinity, who has appeared on the earth as Jesus Christ using the forms and process of human flesh (we say, the Incarnation). The character, makeup imparted from GOD, and divine fullness of Christ must be discerned and recognized through such elements as the operations of divine law, sacred promise, prophecy, unselfish service, and suffering. Inseparable aspects of divinity must appear within Christ as both the Son of Man and Son of GOD that include balance, the distance and impartiality that establish authority as authentic, faith, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, oneness without sameness, personhood, wisdom, and wrath against sin. Christ is also to be recognized in the absence of brawling, cheap talk, covetousness, deceit, envy, politics, self-promotion, slander, and violence. Consider again the following from the Bible:

1. Psalms 40: 4-8, King James Version (KJV): 4 Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. 5 Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered. 6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. 7 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, 8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.

2. Isaiah 28: 14-19, KJV: 14 Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem. 15 Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves: 16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste. 17 Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place. 18 And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it. 19 From the time that it goeth forth it shall take you: for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night: and it shall be a vexation only to understand the report.

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

4. 2^nd John 1: 7-10, KJV: 7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. 9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, 5. John 7: 37-46, KJV: 37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) 40 Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet. 41 Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee? 42 Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was? 43 So there was a division among the people because of him. 44 And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him. 45 Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him? 46 The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

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THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(05/26/2017) David, Goliath and GOD

Today, focus is on the account of David and Goliath that appears within the Bible as part of the full revelation of GOD.  While the precipitating events that resulted in the death of Goliath were little more than name-calling and taunting Israel to challenge them in battle, Goliath represented and was the “stand-in” for all the Philistines, and was condemned as guilty before GOD their Maker and Judge as being idolatrous, lawless, rebellious, and unrepentant.  As a foreshadowing to the coming of Jesus Christ, the express will of GOD (we say, the law) was made incarnate, and appeared having material form as a shepherd boy, who served as an officer of the Divine Court (the Executioner).  That a teenager (David) would be used on a battle-field against a veteran soldier who had physical stature as a giant was to make clearly visible to Israel, the Philistines, and all mankind that GOD will impose judgment upon created beings and living creatures, and will operate as the highest authority, power, and sovereign-will present in human affairs.  The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” who uses the ID “Kumquat May” (Level 6 with 10,357 points, a member since April 17, 2012) posted the following:


The bible says thou shall not kill and turn the other cheek but when david brains Goliath dead with a rock suddenly he's a great guy?

Goliath's five year old daughter: "Mummy, mummy, when's daddy coming home. I made a thing in school out of pasta that says world's best dad!"

Mrs Goliath: "Sit down, my poor daughter, I have terrible news. Daddy won't be coming home. He was murdered at work today. Some short man called David threw a rock at his temple and he died having a seizure in the dirt. You'll never see Daddy again, and now we no income it's prostitution for me and slavery for you, if David's army don't rape and kill us before that happens"

Goliath's five year old daughter: " Noooooo! But won't the Lord punish him, Mum, he's against that sort of thing? It's one of the commandments"

Mrs Goliath: "No dear, not this time. I've already heard he's mind controlling one of his zombie writers to put it in his book about how great the man who murdered your father was"


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised:  it may be that the LORD will work for us:  for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.  And his armourbearer said unto him, Do all that is in thine heart:  turn thee; behold, I am with thee according to thy heart.  Then said Jonathan, Behold, we will pass over unto these men, and we will discover ourselves unto them.  If they say thus unto us, Tarry until we come to you; then we will stand still in our place, and will not go up unto them.  But if they say thus, Come up unto us; then we will go up:  for the LORD hath delivered them into our hand:  and this shall be a sign unto us.  And both of them discovered themselves unto the garrison of the Philistines:  and the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves.  And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armourbearer, and said, Come up to us, and we will shew you a thing. And Jonathan said unto his armourbearer, Come up after me:  for the LORD hath delivered them into the hand of Israel.  And Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and upon his feet, and his armourbearer after him:  and they fell before Jonathan; and his armourbearer slew after him.  (1st Samuel 14:  6-13, King James Version, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Making and Keeping Justice? (05/25/2017); Judgment, Peace and Warfare? (03/26/2017); Teach Me To Pray (03/21/2017); Carrying Out Divine Law? (03/20/2017); Restoring the Divine Presence? (03/09/2017); The Wisdom of Years? (10/31/2016); Kingdom and One-world Empire (09/08/2016); The Accounts of Giants (05/24/2016); A Note On Spirit Warfare (01/06/2016); Why So Much Murder? (01/12/2013); Confusion 2013 (01/13/2013)


“Kumquat May”, in the account of David and Goliath, GOD is the Judge, and David is a legitimate officer of the divine court, the Executioner.  Among mature Christian believers the account of David and Goliath is received as part of the full revelation and “self-disclosure” whereby the active presence who is GOD is made knowable, known, and “visible” to created beings and living creatures.  The Bible displays the operations of GOD upon the earth from a divine perspective—that is, using thousands of events, within thousands of lives, over the course of thousands of years.  Taken from its context, spiritual confusion surrounds that and many other accounts.  Often “David and Goliath” has been presented as merely a story or adventure tale to amuse and entertain, as questionable secular history from the Middle East, and as a peculiar form of communication using diverse literary and poetic devices (e.g., allegory, epic, hyperbole, metaphor, symbolism).  Dominated by their appetite, emotion, sensation and mental functions (we say, the flesh) awareness and self-will directs a listener or reader to focus primarily on elements such as the heroism, weakness, vulnerability, and youth of David, or the arrogance, cruelty, prowess and size of Goliath.  In effect, mockers, scoffers, sinners and unbelievers remain blind, and fail to see the actions and operations of the account’s most important figure, GOD.  They would have to be “born again” in order to clearly discern, recognize, and properly respond to the account as imparting spirit content from the makeup of GOD (such as faith, holiness, hope, longsuffering, wisdom, wrath against sin).  Using their own endowment of life essence from GOD (we also say, breath, spirit, word), the listener/reader as a new creation will experience the account as demonstrating divine integrity, righteousness in covenant relationship, the fulfillment of promise and performance of duty, and the inarguable authority, prerogative and privilege of the Creator that may appear as deliverance, judgment, salvation and victory.  Consider the following from the Bible:

(1.)  1st Samuel 17:  33-37, King James Version (KJV):  33 And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him:  for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.  34 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:  35 And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth:  and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.  36 Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear:  and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.  37 David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.

(2.)  1st Samuel 17:  45-48, KJV:  45 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield:  but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.  46 This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.  47 And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear:  for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give you into our hands.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (3.)  2nd Chronicles 20:  15-18, KJV:  15 And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.  16 To morrow go ye down against them:  behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel.  17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle:  set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem:  fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them:  for the LORD will be with you.  18 And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground:  and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, worshipping the LORD.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(01/13/2013) Confusion 2013

      Blasphemy, slander, wordplay and spiritual confusion come into view; and there is more on law, murder and sin, today. A “Yahoo! Answers” Top Contributor using the ID “Devoted to Truth” (Level 3 with 2,028 points, a member since October 7, 2012) posted the following:


The Bible says “God is not a man” & Jesus called himself the “Son of Man”…?
So which man did Jesus mean? Yep, I just proved Jesus isn’t the son of God, you can thank me later Christians.


THE BATTLE AXE: Why So Much Murder? (01/12/2013)—The enormity of divine forgiveness, love, mercy, righteousness, and understanding of the anguish felt by all created only become clear for mankind when viewed against the dark and ugly backdrop of human deeds, death, and punitive judgment. The beauty and blessing of sacred law is “invisible” and understated without there also being graphic display of human error. The law does not “predict the future,” however, by stating the consequences for violations, the law gives a sense of what is likely and probable. The awareness that must be established within mankind must go beyond the aspects of flesh: appetite (e.g., hunger, thirst, sexual arousal), sensation (e.g., hearing, seeing, touching), and mental functions (e.g., desire, imagination, recall). Many never realize they have made a mistake until after they have taken action, and they have to be told. Because their error was committed without forethought or malice, we say “it was by accident;” and their knowledge of truth must come by correction or reflection. In pride, once told they have erred, many refuse to acknowledge they are wrong! (Knowing it would be a mistake, action should not be taken; the mistake should not exist, and should never be made.) Had those offending known in advance the outcome of their choice, they could have avoided unpleasantness. Cautions and warnings ignored, or not taken seriously always result in damage, injury, loss and pain. Murder usually may be classed as iniquity (i.e., imbalance in covenant; deliberate and premeditated pursuit on a path of error and sin). Murder derives from aspects of animal nature such as fear, self-centeredness, self-promotion, and self-will, and may never be described as obedience to sacred law, or a correct expression of the divine will. An executioner is a legitimate officer of the court; and carries out the sentence of judgment in accordance with lawful processes grounded in truth. The assassin may be an agent of a state, operating in accordance with priorities for its national security. Similarly, a warlord or leader of battles (some say king), operates under the “will of the people, ” and this allows for no personal or private agendas to kill. The holy writings document the absolute need for judgment among created beings and living creatures; and the absolute need for judgment makes it that there is an absolute need for a righteous judge. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is taken as an assurance that he has been appointed as the most qualified to preside over all judgment (Acts 17: 30-31, KJV).


THE GOLDEN ARROW: From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. (Matthew 16: 21-27, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER: The Firstborn, Higher than Kings? (12/18/2012); The Ascension of Christ? (12/19/2012); The Price of Humanity? (12/13/2012); Remembering the Holocaust? (12/14/2012); Son of Man (11/28/2012); Given the Cloud of Witnesses (11/29/2012); How Was GOD Known Before Jesus? (10/06/2012); Jesus, King of Earth? (10/07/2012); Binder 6: The Plan Of This Work (10/03/2011); Q and A? (10/09/2010)


      Most educated Christian believers now understand the divinity and humanity of Jesus without spiritual confusion, because the imparted, indwelling Spirit from GOD bestows ability to receive the language of the Scriptures in accordance with divine purpose. The phrase you have taken out of context, butchered and sought to use for mockery, “God is not a man,” speaks to divine substance and integrity that cannot be known among created beings and living creatures except through the operation of GOD.

      Your error regarding the Incarnation—the ability of GOD to appear in human flesh (or any other form)—fails to embrace the simple ideas shared among children in the true church: the sovereign being and substance of GOD is spirit, and we must worship him in spirit and in truth. GOD is known (recognized) as active and present through aspects of sacred content and sanctified process. Included are authority, faith, holiness, humility, judgment, life, love, redemption, wisdom, and wrath against sin.

      There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, the phrase you chose to portray as false declares that GOD is NOT a liar. Your blasphemy saddens mature believers, for they see you in a terrible predicament, that is likely to become worse. You and all you love are in jeopardy. You may have to give greater thought to what you are saying, and reexamine your need for repentance that comes only by the operation of GOD in us.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC