(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

(02/08/2017) In Her father's House?

Today, reply is given to a teenager struggling with issues of Christian belief, parental approval, racism, and sexual relationships.  Being related by blood is called “kinship”, being related through love, respect and trust are called “family”.  Young people often are impractical, express exaggerated pride, and insist they can rely upon the certainty, protection and security provided by genuine feelings of love.  Even so, the combination of desire and imagination can produce an uncontrollable fantasy of love.  Weeds of deceit, fornication, and “playing the whore” can infest the places intended for the plantings of marriage.  Considered in the light from Scripture, both the law of ones father (and its alternative, the law of the husband) come into view along with the provisions for young women becoming released from their promises to GOD.  Our youth often fail to correctly acknowledge the fact that, while they are under the authority and protection of their parents, the law requires that what they account as their own private affairs must be approved, monitored, and supervised by their adult caretakers.  In innocence and ignorance, the offspring willingly make promises to surrender the life and property of their parents for payment of the debts and obligations of their children.  Thus, it is legitimate that parents oversee marriage, courtship, and dating because unseen legal obligations may be cemented that include liability through misunderstood and unintended verbal contracts and promises, incurring unexpected and unwanted debts as well as having to seek relief for a fair division or return of shared personal property.  The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers (New Zealand)” using the ID “Joe” (Level 1 with 95 points, a member since February 07, 2017) posted the following:

Kicked out and disowned for having a black/mixed boyfriend? Help..?

I'm 18, and as I grow older I have only been attracted to colored men. I have tried dating my own race (white) but its just hard and annoying. In the past, my ex was black and my mom kicked me out until I broke up with him and came back. She also took the car she gave me (i paid 300 dollars on it!) And gave it to my brother. I stayed at my current boyfriends house and got depressed and lost my job. I look back and shouls have kept the job but i was younger and upset by my mom. But today, I am talking to a boy i really really like, he's mixed. My mom claims to be "strict Christian" and said mixing races is bad. Yet she sleels with men she isn't married to and judges people, she thinks kicking me out is a lesson and only because i dont follow her rules i cant live in her house. Though i am good at school, working, and i clean. I don't do anything bad but date other races. She verbally abuses me daily and reminds me everything i never do. I just want to have a normal relationship.. go to prom and my mom take pictures, i wish she would be happy for me. And also, my redneck dad said if i had a mixed baby he would disown me.. yet he loves my sister and her mixed baby.. its stressful and i dont know if i can move out yet.. i have to wait for my new job so i have no money. Help please..

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  If a woman also vow a vow unto the LORD, and bind herself by a bond, being in her father’s house in her youth;  And her father hear her vow, and her bond wherewith she hath bound her soul, and her father shall hold his peace at her; then all her vows shall stand, and every bond wherewith she hath bound her soul shall stand.  But if her father disallow her in the day that he heareth; not any of her vows, or of her bonds wherewith she hath bound her soul, shall stand:  and the LORD shall forgive her, because her father disallowed her.  And if she had at all an husband, when she vowed, or uttered ought out of her lips, wherewith she bound her soul;  And her husband heard it, and held his peace at her in the day that he heard it:  then her vows shall stand, and her bonds wherewith she bound her soul shall stand.  But if her husband disallowed her on the day that he heard it; then he shall make her vow which she vowed, and that which she uttered with her lips, wherewith she bound her soul, of none effect:  and the LORD shall forgive her.  But every vow of a widow, and of her that is divorced, wherewith they have bound their souls, shall stand against her.  And if she vowed in her husband’s house, or bound her soul by a bond with an oath;  And her husband heard it, and held his peace at her, and disallowed her not:  then all her vows shall stand, and every bond wherewith she bound her soul shall stand.  But if her husband hath utterly made them void on the day he heard them; then whatsoever proceeded out of her lips concerning her vows, or concerning the bond of her soul, shall not stand:  her husband hath made them void; and the LORD shall forgive her.  Every vow, and every binding oath to afflict the soul, her husband may establish it, or her husband may make it void.  (Numbers 30:  3-13, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Can Christians Be Racists? (07/25/2016); Flesh Against the Spirit? (06/19/2016); Discipline and The Cross (06/16/2016); On Controlling Lust (01/05/2016); Growing Up Again? (12/09/2015); Understanding Spiritual Growth? (03/13/2015); Not Yet Delivered From Racism? (12/21/2014); Racism Is Not From GOD (12/22/2014)

“Joe”, for there to be a “happy ending” at your father’s house there are many important points for you to consider.  You seem to be confusing issues of being respected as an adult, Christian belief, race, and sexual freedom.  Mature Christian believers regard themselves as “married” and bound to GOD through Jesus Christ.  Nowadays, as they are developing to be full persons, young females encounter many intense emotional and psychological challenges; and they are likely to be exploited, overwhelmed, and “kicked to the curb.”  Like anyone else, you want to be free and pursue your own feelings and thoughts, however, you are not yet an independent or mature adult.  (Maturity is marked by balance, completeness, consistency, and stability.)

All lasting relationships and adult notions of love—be they with family, friends, or romantic interests—require that one be accountable, committed, and also willing to show love through restraint, sacrifice (i.e., doing whatever is demanded; paying every cost, even, laying down ones life), and self-denial.  Where you are prepared to talk about what you want from others, you also must be prepared to say what you are willing to give in return.  Parents are not unreasonable to deny “sexual relationships” to their daughters while they are living at home.  It is not that they are ignorant of how powerful and demanding sexual appetite in young people can be.  Nor is it that they can read people’s minds, or foretell the future so much as it is a matter of recognizing familiar patterns.  Once you see ABCDEFG, it is reasonable to think XYZ is on the way, and not 8-9-10-11.

In the same way it sends a message about how you value your parents for you to say, I can not stop smoking for two or three years while I am in my father’s house, I can not stop drinking alcohol, or attending foot ball games until after I am married, to say, I can not stop dating tells them there is a serious problem that goes beyond their having authority, duty, and willingness to trust you as their offspring.  It sends a message regarding what you think of yourself.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, the benefits of going to school and taking on small jobs include gaining self-confidence and acquiring self-discipline.  Having “a future” with the big life-accomplishments of career, marriage, and family are not possible for those who do not first learn to patiently wait, and while waiting direct their energy into things that will make them stronger and more well prepared for the things they truly want that remain ahead.  Where you and your male companions insist you are adult enough to maintain sexual relationships, you should only do so on your own terms, and in your own shared place.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX 
Washington, DC

(11/13/2015) Beyond Anything We Imagine?

Imagination, knowing GOD, and revelation are topics, today.  Consider again the following from the Bible, and the discussion appearing below:  1st Corinthians 2:  9-10, King James Version (KJV):  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.  The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Daniel” (Level with points, a member since October 21, 2015) posted the following:


Why do Christians say, God is beyond anything we can imagine and then go on to say, here's what he's like?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?  14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist:  some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.  15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?  16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.  17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona:  for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.  (Matthew 16:  13-17, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  The Evidence GOD Exists? (09/29/2015); The God Concept? (02/13/2015); Believers and Evolution? (02/02/2015); About Deluding Yourself? (09/22/2014); Delusions and Revelation (09/23/2014); Reveal Himself to All? (12/03/2013); Is Science the Right Tool? (12/04/2013)


“Daniel”, for Christian believers, “imagination” is an operation generated by self-will among the full set of emotional/mental events that occur within created beings and living creatures.  Along with such elements as delusion, dreams, fantasy, instinct, intuition, recall, and discursive thought, imagination may be understood as a product of the carnal mind and the flesh.  Flesh and mind appear as multiple recurring chemical, mechanical and organic exchanges and interactions by members, organs and tissues of ones finite body.  Attitudes and behavior should emerge from ones own spirit content imparted at Creation from the makeup of divinity.  However, the operations of flesh and sin now may dominate consciousness and self-will in created beings and living creatures.  Behavior may be routinely generated by appetite (e.g., hunger, thirst, sexual cravings), sensation (e.g., hearing, seeing, tasting, touching), emotion, and mind.

Sin is not carnal, material, or even social, is no living thing, and has not been created or put forth by divinity; yet, sin opposes the continued existence of divine law, of GOD as Law Giver, and of all order that derives through sacred law.  GOD is a spirit who has put forth created beings and living creatures (e.g., angels, animals, mankind), their spheres of life (e.g., earth, the sea, the universe), and the terms for their duration (e.g., mortal, immortal, temporal).  The makeup of GOD may be spoken of as inseparable sacred substance such as faith, holiness, longsuffering, purity, righteousness, truth, wisdom, and wrath against sin.  Correctly understood, knowledge about and from GOD comes only through continuing operations of sacred substance.  Included are forgiveness, Incarnation, judgment, miracles, rebirth, repentance, resurrection from the dead, and revelation.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, revelation and “knowing” GOD go beyond human mental operations of intellect, logic, philosophy, and science.  In the same way, all decisions on what would be created came forth as divine prerogative, what is revealed goes forth on the basis of divine intent.  Deity imparts aspects of divinity that permit covenant and continuing intimate relationship between the created and the Creator.  Included are comfort, divine law (the expressed will of GOD), meekness, might (we say, will power), personness, promise, eternal purpose, and zeal.  GOD must be an active presence within whom we exist, and who exists within us.  Thus, some have said, “you have to feel GOD in your gut”, others say “you have to sense that GOD is there the way you feel your way around in your room when the lights are out, and sense the location of the bed or chair.”  However, when speaking that way, they are relying upon the flesh, and they dismiss submitting to the imparted, indwelling Spirit.  Consider again the holy writing that says:  Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.  Hebrews 11:  3, King James Version (KJV) ).  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(03/20/2013) Magical Resurrection?

The importance of resurrection to Christian belief is topic, today, along with further discussion of divine grace. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using ID “Howard” (Level 2 with 359 points, a member since March 13, 2013) posted the following:


Can a Christian not believe in the magical resurrection of Mr. Christ and still be a Christian?

Additional Details

"I don't believe in any 'magical' resurrection, and I'm a Christian." The preacher man was dead and decomposing for three days. His stinking corpse was infested with maggots. Then he rose from the dead. That is one heck of a magic trick.

My question: Is this disgusting fantasy a required belief in Christianity?

THE BATTLE AXE: The Benefit of Grace (03/19/2013)—Many confuse grace with forbearance, forgiveness, longsuffering and patience. In the holy writings, grace repeatedly comes into view as we speak of acceptance, approval, and being assigned positive value despite events that display ongoing judgment against sin. (For examples, see Genesis 6: 8 and 19: 19, Exodus 33: 17 and Ezra 9: 7-9, KJV). Men do not obtain grace from GOD on the basis of their obedience, service and good works as though grace is payment or divine reward. This allows us to say, grace is endorsement that comes through perfect dependency upon GOD, and through the elevation of divine will over self-will within created beings and living creatures. Grace does not serve to eliminate or remove challenge, condemnation, pain and suffering. Awareness of grace gives power to face up to and endure opposition. For mankind, grace is revealed and becomes most visible through human confrontations against fixed conditions of being, experience, sacred law (i.e., judgment), and human suffering. While suffering is associated with compassion and pity, suffering is not the sole cause for their appearance. Similarly, suffering has no power to generate, or call forth divine grace. While grace neither causes nor takes suffering away, ones awareness of grace continues discernment of divine presence, and permits continuous focus upon divinity throughout the outworking of divine process.

THE GOLDEN ARROW: Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. (Acts 17: 29-31, King James Version)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Why So Much Murder? (01/12/2013); Understanding Hell (01/09/2013); Put Every Man His Sword By His Side (01/01/2013); The Common Danger (01/02/2013); The Price of Humanity? (12/13/2012); Remembering the Holocaust? (12/14/2012); Given the Cloud of Witnesses (11/29/2012); A Golden Ticket? (11/30/2012); After the Rapture? (11/01/2012); Opportunity to Repent (11/02/2012); Magick and Prayer? (10/29/2012); The Fear of GOD (10/30/2012); After We Die? (10/04/2012)

Dear Howard:

your question, and the way you have stated your feelings indicate that what you think you know about Christian belief is distorted, profane, unbiblical and warped. The mocking title (Mr. Christ), tells us you do not know Jesus in a personal way, and you presently are not welcoming a right relationship with GOD through Christ. Even so, consider the following points:

(1) It is logical and reasonable to believe that an almighty, eternal GOD having power to create all that is in the earth, the sea, and the heavens also has power over life and death. On the basis of their content of divine substance, the Creator continually examines and assigns value to the objects within the full sphere of divine presence, and thereby determines the duration of their existence. Such a divine operation could be called “judgment.”

(2) Presently, only GOD, who is spirit, is immortal. There are no created beings and living creatures that are immortal (including angels, devils, and the sacred beasts of heaven). Mankind is mortal, and must complete and fulfill specific criteria that describe human experience. Included are birth, growth, kinship, learning, repentance, and suffering.

(3) Given that self-will in the living may be dominated by sin, death is a divine tool to establish eternal life, and a stage necessary for the transformation of human makeup. Through the use of death and resurrection, mankind may be established as incorruptible and immortal.

(4) By raising Lazarus from the dead, Christ demonstrated on earth the power of GOD in heaven to revive all the dead. Nonetheless, Lazarus later died, as did Jesus. Resurrection is more than merely the reanimation of the dead; it is the entrance into divine presence and realization of ones own eternal person.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, the holy writings teach that there must be two resurrections, one for the just, one for the wicked. Just as here on earth, every person must appear in the presence of GOD for their own judgment to personally answer the charges and indictments against themselves. That judgment is only upon the living further reveals the righteousness of GOD, the divine Judge.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC