(03/01/2020) Why Is Passover Important?

Today, the reply is on the Passover event that was carried out by divinity in Egypt to sanctify the heirs of Abraham. The Passover memorialized by the preparation and sacrifice of a lamb eaten in a meal to seal a perpetual covenant relationship with divinity demonstrated the authority of GOD as Creator, Judge, Redeemer and Savior as well as the Sole Possessor and Sovereign who may apportion and deny inheritance of the earth to mankind. It is written: Exodus 12: 11-13 King James Version (KJV): 11 And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD’s passover. 12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. 13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. A fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” public forum on Religion & Spirituality who used the ID “Anonymous” (no profile data shared) posted the following:

The importance of the Passover?

THE GOLDEN ARROW: Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. (Exodus 19: 4-6, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Joseph Received Divine Spirit (01/16/2020); Moses Was Not Divine (04/24/2019); Abraham In Divine Judgment (03/10/2019); Divinity Embodied In Flesh (12/30/2018); The Priesthood of Adam (11/02/2018); Eating and Drinking Christ? (07/03/2017); Passover After The Cross? (03/09/2016)

“Anonymous”, here are some points that may be helpful: The Passover continued the priesthood granted to Adam, received by Abraham, and fulfilled in Jesus Christ as a divine High Priest. Mature Christian believers acknowledge the Passover introduced to mankind through divine interventions on behalf of the twelve tribes of Jacob as one of the most important sacred events (miracles) preparing humanity (the sons of Adam) to receive divinity using the form and flesh of a created being (we say, the Incarnation; the Revelation of Jesus Christ; the new creation). Thought of by many as only a deliverance of the Jews from the cruelty of a tyrannical ruler (the Pharaoh of Egypt), the Passover identified the GOD of Abraham, who had judged and destroyed Sodom, Gomorrah and the cities of the plains as also a savior, as a keeper of covenant promises, and as a divinity to be acknowledged as a loving father who blesses his children with inheritance. During the years of famine seen by Pharaoh in a dream that was interpreted for him by Joseph, the people of Egypt sold their livestock, their land, and themselves to become slaves of the Pharaoh. Just as no Egyptian families except that of Pharaoh would have inheritance within the one-world-empire, no Hebrew families or citizens whose origin were other nations would have part in the wealth of Egypt through its law. In addition to the ethnic arrogance, bigotry, injustice, and prejudice that were practiced because of the separation of the Hebrews to the living area of Goshen, Jews were despised as keepers of sheep, rather than bulls, horses, and other cattle. As within other early empires, there were many forms of idol worship, occult practices, spiritual confusion, superstition, and witchcraft among the Egyptians. Hebrews were denied rights to serve the living GOD as Abraham had done, digging wells for water, building altars, and offering animals and sacrifices of blood. An exodus of some 3 million men, women and children would be carried out to set the Hebrews apart as a peculiar people through the operations of GOD. The twelve tribes would be reconfigured to exist as a single nation responding to a shared law, and a sacred inheritance from GOD. Consider the following that uses language from the Bible, and a selection from the music ministry of Donnie McClurkin:

(1.) Genesis 46: 31-34, King James Version (KJV): 31 And Joseph said unto his brethren, and unto his father’s house, I will go up, and shew Pharaoh, and say unto him, My brethren, and my father’s house, which were in the land of Canaan, are come unto me; 32 And the men are shepherds, for their trade hath been to feed cattle; and they have brought their flocks, and their herds, and all that they have. 33 And it shall come to pass, when Pharaoh shall call you, and shall say, What is your occupation? 34 That ye shall say, Thy servants’ trade hath been about cattle from our youth even until now, both we, and also our fathers: that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians.

(2.) Exodus 4: 21-23, KJV: 21 And the LORD said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go. 22 And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn: 23 And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn.

(3.) Exodus 12: 21-27, KJV: 21 Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover. 22 And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the basin; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning. 23 For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you. 24 And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever. 25 And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which the LORD will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this service. 26 And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service? 27 That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the LORD’s passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped.

(4.) 1^st Corinthians 5: 7-8, KJV: 7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: 8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

(5.) Hebrews 9: 19-28, KJV: 19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, 20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. 21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. 22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. 23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: 25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; 26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.  27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example (6.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ub_krMDExk.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

Image downloaded 8:11 PM, February 29, 2020 @ https://i0.wp.com/www.quantumtorah.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/PESACH-blood-on-the-door.jpg

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(01/16/2020) Joseph Received Divine Spirit

The image depicts Joseph son of Jacob who ruled over the Egyptians as a vizier and second in command to Pharaoh.

Today, reply is on the response by Joseph to his wicked brothers who had sold him into slavery. Joseph expressed no anger or bitterness, no desire for revenge, and no self-pity as an innocent victim of hatred and malice. Instead of denying them, forcing them to endure imprisonment for more than ten years as he had done, or even refusing to provide food to them and their families, Joseph behaved as their deliverer, and a truly wise ruler. It is written: Genesis 50: 14-21, King James Version (KJV): 14 And Joseph returned into Egypt, he, and his brethren, and all that went up with him to bury his father, after he had buried his father. 15 And when Joseph’s brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him. 16 And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying, 17 So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him. 18 And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants. 19 And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? 20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. 21 Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them. A fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” public forum on Religion & Spirituality who uses the ID “Annie” (Level 2 with 620 points) posted the following:

If you were Joseph and you became a powerful official in Egypt, would you forgive your brothers for selling you to slavery or execute them?

I saw the film Prince of Egypt and was puzzled how Joseph would forgive his brothers after they hurt him so much.

Selling your own sibling to slavery is just unthinkable. I wouldn't be so forgiving, but why was he?

THE GOLDEN ARROW: And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life. For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest. And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt. Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me, tarry not: And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy children, and thy children’s children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast: And there will I nourish thee; for yet there are five years of famine; lest thou, and thy household, and all that thou hast, come to poverty. (Genesis 45: 4-11, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Pray For Your Enemies? (01/03/2020); Presuming To Judge Others? (12/16/2019); Violating Commandments On Love? (10/13/2019); Willingness To Forgive Others? (05/24/2019); Sacred Characters, Not Fictional (12/12/2018); Kingdom and One-world Empire (09/08/2016); Slaves to Sin? (04/13/2015)

“Annie”, Joseph was an instrument and a living tool used by GOD to provide divine grace. Many mature Christian believers, who practice discernment and the careful recognition of spirit substance appearing within events, themselves, and other persons, willingly acknowledge that Joseph was a prophet and spokesperson prepared and sent by divinity. As the son of Jacob, and heir to Adam, Abraham and Isaac, Joseph demonstrates divine government by Messiah/the Christ; and he serves in multiple sacred roles. Included are that of a judge; a high priest; a primary heir among the tribes of Jacob (who was not determined by law or tradition promoting the firstborn and birth order); a living sacrifice; a savior to the then known world; the father to 2 new tribes in Jacob (Ephraim and Manasseh); and a father to those who left Egypt to form Israel as a new nation under GOD, in place of Pharaoh.

Like those called to be Christian believers, today, Joseph was to display authentic humanity made in the image of GOD; and to resemble, reflect, and reveal the character and likeness of Jesus Christ. In addition to forgiveness for those who have practiced betrayal and transgression of sacred law (we say, sin), Joseph demonstrated mercy in judgment toward those clearly guilty. Moreover, rather than condemn his brothers following the death of Jacob, while they were still mourning their father, Joseph was a source of comfort, healing and lovingkindness. Joseph practiced sacred redemption, and affirmed the device of perpetual covenant between divinity and mankind that appears through family, kinship, and blood relation.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, during the years of famine, the Egyptian people sold their livestock, their land, and themselves as slaves to Pharaoh; the Hebrews continued to acknowledge the dominion of I AM. In all Egypt, earthly inheritance existed only for the Pharaoh. The eternal kingdom of GOD, spiritual inheritance, and sovereign rule through sacred law are contrasted against that of a one world empire having rule generated from the extremes of the flesh (e.g., anger, covetousness, imbalance, pride). Joseph also represents divine grace, the fulfillment of promise, freedom, and manifesting the righteousness within the law, rather than idolatry, poverty, strict obedience, and relying on the letter of the law.) Even so, I trust this fragment that includes a selection from the music ministry of Shirley Caesar (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HV9TqW-_fkU) will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

Image downloaded 9:35 PM, January 15, 2020 @ https://mattsbibleblog.files.wordpress.com/2016/07/joseph-of-egypt.jpg

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(06/29/2018) A Second Sacred Pair

A depiction of Abraham, Sarah and Isaac

Today, reply is on the divine use of Abraham and Sarah as a sacred pair sharing a single personhood in relationship with the Creator through divine appointment and marriage.  Marriage as a sacred tool is intended to produce “godly seed” (see Malachi 2).  As with Noah and Moses among the Patriarchs, and Jesus Christ who has provided the new creation, his church, Abraham is spoken of among Christian believers as a “second Adam.”  Developing believers are, first, to acknowledge, and then understand, that authority, dominion and power over existence, duration, and everlasting life are with the Lord our GOD.  The many occasions and sacred events (we say, miracles) where divinity has operated according to divine laws, rather than natural laws to bring about human reproduction, birth, and new life include the birth of Samson, a Judge of Israel; the birth of Samuel, who is called the last of the Judges/the first of the prophets; the birth of John the Baptist, the son of a Levitical priest who was born full of the Holy Ghost; the birth of Jesus Christ as the Son of Man; and the birth of every repenting sinner who is “born again” through water baptism.  A fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” Religion and Spirituality forum using the ID “Love Unites” (Level 7 with 57,636 points, a member since May 08, 2013) posted the following:


Why did God condone Abraham's marriage to his half sister?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.  Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.  How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.  And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised:  that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:  And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.  For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.  For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:  Because the law worketh wrath:  for where no law is, there is no transgression.  Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,  (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.  Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.  (Romans 4:  8-18, King James Version, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Abraham Demonstrates Spiritual Growth (05/30/2018); Christianity Is A Relationship (04/05/2018); The Heir To Abraham (10/23/2016); An Eternal Inheritance? (06/26/2016); Ye Are Abraham’s Seed (07/10/2015); Blessing and Inheritance from Abraham? (06/05/2014); On Christians Executing Judgment (06/06/2014); Circumcision and Promise? (07/16/2013); The Bible and Stupid People (07/17/2013)


“Love Unites”, Abraham found grace in the eyes of the Lord.  Adam (the first male and female) were held to be one and a sacred pair before GOD by virtue of their creation.  Abraham and Sarah are to be accounted as one on the basis of their both having been chosen to fulfill eternal purposes that expressed divine prerogative and sovereign will; on the basis of their spiritual joining through marriage; and on the basis of their having received endowments of spirit content from the Creator that allow displaying oneness without sameness.  For Adam and Abraham, marriage was not a man-made or social institution structured by law regarding family and maintained for human survival so much as it continued to be a tool of divine fullness (we say, the Godhead; the Trinity; the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit) for making actual the multiple possibilities of sacred law, divine incarnation, inheritance, judgment, eternal life, and the necessary revelation of GOD to his own created beings and living creatures.  Abraham’s experience of divinity incorporated both prophetic visions and divine visitation.   Abraham was called by GOD to live as a nomad on the earth; and the Patriarch eventually commanded a household that may have numbered thousands, for it included the families of his male servants who also served as an army of more than three hundred.  Everywhere he traveled he dug life-giving wells for water; built altars for sacrifice; continued circumcision and covenant relationship; practiced intercession, praise, and prayer; and demonstrated worship of the true GOD.  Together with Sarah, Abraham was to accomplish a sacred event (miracle), the birth of a firstborn to a barren woman pass the age of fertility.  The birth of Isaac was to be a platform for the birth of Jesus Christ as Messiah.  Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

(1.)  Genesis 18:  1-5, King James Version (KJV):  1 And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre:  and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;  2 And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him:  and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,  3 And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:  4 Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:  5 And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on:  for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said.

(2.)  Genesis 18:  23-28, KJV:  23 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?  24 Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city:  wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein?  25 That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked:  and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee:  Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?  26 And the Lord said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.  27 And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes:  28 Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous:  wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it.

(3.)  Genesis 18:  9-14, KJV:  9 And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent.  10 And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him.  11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.  12 Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?  13 And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?  14 Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (4.)  Genesis 18:  17-22, KJV:  17 And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do;  18 Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?  19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.  20 And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;  21 I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.  22 And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom:  but Abraham stood yet before the LORD.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(05/30/2018) Abraham Demonstrates Spiritual Growth

Today, reply is on the demonstration of spiritual growth provided by the faith and works of Abraham.  While Abraham is spoken of in Scripture as one of the most prosperous and wealthy of the Patriarchs and the “Friend of GOD,” Abraham did not start out as one who was “perfect”.  Abraham’s beginnings were those of a simple man, a youth, challenged to commit himself to a lifestyle that included many trials and uncertainties.  Like most of us today, Abraham had to take on new knowledge, sacred knowledge, and become a new creation of Jesus Christ.  Abraham had to respond to divinity with correcting his own mistakes, discovery, gradual growth, learning, and becoming mature in the things of divine fullness (we say, the GODhead; the Trinity; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit).   A fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” Religion and Spirituality forum using the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information appears) posted the following:


Why did Abraham question God when he was going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, but never questioned him when he was told to kill his child?

It's odd that he didn't trust that God had good reason to destroy the city, but then trusted that Good knew best when it came to having him slaughter house own child...


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.  For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:  Because the law worketh wrath:  for where no law is, there is no transgression.  Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,  (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.  Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.  And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb:  He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;  (Romans 4:  13-20, King James Version, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Firstborn Of Every Creature (05/09/2018); The First “Chosen” People (05/03/2018); Demonstrations of Spirit Truth (02/28/2018); The Heir To Abraham (10/23/2016); Why Was Lot Spared? (12/20/2015); The Judgment Against Sodom? (04/10/2015); A Common Heritage? (07/13/2014); Asleep Through the Holocaust? (07/14/2014)


“Anonymous”, you are speaking of both the faith and works of Abraham.  Along with building sacred altars, offering sacrifices to GOD, and demonstrating acceptable worship, Abraham dug life-giving wells of water, maintained a coherent community of thousands while living and regularly traveling as a nomad, and led his entire household into a covenant of circumcision.  Here are some other points to consider:

(1.)  Abraham did not challenge or question whether GOD had good reason to destroy Sodom; Abraham sought to know whether judgment to punish would also display divine righteousness (e.g., correction, forbearance, forgiveness, impartiality, mercy, reconciliation, thoroughness without giving attention to arbitrary details).

(2.)  The account of Abraham interceding for Sodom and Gomorrah is presented within the Scriptures chapters before the account of Abraham challenged to sacrifice Isaac.  The meaning of Isaac in the covenant of circumcision was no different from that for Ishmael.  However the meaning of the two was not the same in prophecy and in revelation.  Thus, Isaac was the “firstborn” and promised heir to Abraham, as is Jesus Christ, where Ishmael was the “first born” foreshadowing the trials that would be endured by the descendants of Abraham in Egypt.

(3.)  By his acknowledgements and responses to the Creator, Abraham increasingly expressed faith that was being edified, nourished, and built up by GOD himself.  Abraham experienced similar spiritual growth and the permanent changes that are made within those who are “born again” through Christian baptism.

(4.)  In Abraham, the personhood of divinity and mankind were joined through commanded expectation (we say, hope), obedience to divine law, patience, promise, and prophecy.  Reverence and trust were built up gradually within multiple settings (i.e., through time and space) by divine deliverance, fulfillment, and the bearing of fruit.  Consider again the following verses from the Bible:

1.  Genesis 18:  17-21, King James Version (KJV):  17 And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do;  18 Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?  19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.  20 And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;  21 I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.

2.  Genesis 22:  6-8, KJV:  6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together.  7 And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father:  and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood:  but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?  8 And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering:  so they went both of them together.

3.  Hebrews 11:  7-19, KJV:  17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac:  and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,  18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:  19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, James 2:  19-24, KJV:  19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well:  the devils also believe, and tremble.  20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?  21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?  22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?  23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness:  and he was called the Friend of God.  24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(05/09/2018) Firstborn Of Every Creature

A depiction of Noah and the ark with animals.

Today, reply is on the meanings for “first born” and “firstborn” in descriptions and titles applied to Jesus Christ through sacred law.  Just as full divine law for created beings and living creatures addresses obedience, inheritance and the transfer from the deceased to the living of real property (i.e., land and chattel), and the offering of gifts, sacrifices and service to divinity, divine law also reveals the sacred operations for redemption, resurrection, salvation, tribunals for divine judgment, permanent release from the conditions generated by mortality and sin as well as deliverance from the second death.  Through the workings of divine law, the followers of Jesus become the new creation in Christ that will be harvested from the earth at his Advent (we also say, his appearing; the Rapture; the Second Coming).  Because he displayed and fulfilled both divinity and perfected humanity on the earth, the Son himself is called the “firstborn” and “firstfruit” raised from among the dead by the Father through his sovereign glory, grace, love, and mercy.  The writer in the “Yahoo! Answers” Religion and Spirituality forum who uses the ID “GRANNY NORINE” (Level 1 with 224 points, a member since May 16, 2014) posted the following:


What does Colossians 1:15 mean; Jesus is "the firstborn of every creature" when Gen 1:27 says Adam was first "created"?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:  Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:  In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:  Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers:  all things were created by him, and for him:  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.  And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.  For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;  And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.  And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled  In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:  (Colossians 1:  12-22, King James Version, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Called “The Anointed One” (05/08/2018); His Enemies A Footstool (04/29/2018); Jesus Came To Fulfill? (01/16/2018); Christ Is The Firstborn (12/26/2017); The Line of Messiah? (09/03/2017); The Heir To Abraham (10/23/2016); Word, Son, and Christ? (08/24/2016); The Firstborn, Higher than Kings? (12/18/2012); The Ascension of Christ? (12/19/2012)


“GRANNY NORINE”, where “first born” usually speaks to birth order, for mature Christian believers, “firstborn” speaks to accountability, rebirth, and imparted spirit content for those in relationship with GOD.  The appearance of divinity in human form on the earth as Jesus Christ was to ratify multiple divine covenants, promises, and prophecies that were to be fulfilled by the seed of Adam (the first pair), and could not otherwise be made actual and satisfied by created beings and living creatures.  Included were the accords established through Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Aaron, David, and Israel as a nation.  A principle and term of covenant is established that a people of GOD (a family, collection of tribes, nation, anointed ruler) may serve as the agent, representative, and spokesperson(s) on behalf of all Creation in continuing relationship with divinity.  Redemption is required to set apart and recover the defiled fruit of the earth that are required to be destroyed in accordance with divine law.  Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

(1.)  Genesis 3:  14-15, King James Version (KJV):  14 And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:  15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

(2.)  Genesis 9:  8-13, KJV:  8 And God spake unto Noah, and to his sons with him, saying,  9 And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you;  10 And with every living creature that is with you, of the fowl, of the cattle, and of every beast of the earth with you; from all that go out of the ark, to every beast of the earth.  11 And I will establish my covenant with you, neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth.  12 And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations:  13 I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.

(3.)  Exodus 13:  11-16, KJV:  11 And it shall be when the LORD shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanites, as he sware unto thee and to thy fathers, and shall give it thee,  12 That thou shalt set apart unto the LORD all that openeth the matrix, and every firstling that cometh of a beast which thou hast; the males shall be the LORD’s.  13 And every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb; and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break his neck:  and all the firstborn of man among thy children shalt thou redeem.  14 And it shall be when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What is this? that thou shalt say unto him, By strength of hand the LORD brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage:  15 And it came to pass, when Pharaoh would hardly let us go, that the LORD slew all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of beast:  therefore I sacrifice to the LORD all that openeth the matrix, being males; but all the firstborn of my children I redeem.  16 And it shall be for a token upon thine hand, and for frontlets between thine eyes:  for by strength of hand the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt.

(4.)  Numbers 3:  39-41,KJV:  39 All that were numbered of the Levites, which Moses and Aaron numbered at the commandment of the LORD, throughout their families, all the males from a month old and upward, were twenty and two thousand.  40 And the LORD said unto Moses, Number all the firstborn of the males of the children of Israel from a month old and upward, and take the number of their names.  41 And thou shalt take the Levites for me (I am the LORD) instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel; and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the firstlings among the cattle of the children of Israel.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (5.)  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.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(01/16/2018) Jesus Came To Fulfill?

Today, points are shared on the multiple works to provide fulfillment of sacred law and eternal purpose that were performed by divinity appearing Incarnate as Jesus Christ.  Divine law is itself an embodiment of the heart, mind, spirit substance, and will of GOD.  The full body of law for Israel as a human tool to resolve conflicts, govern diverse groups, families or tribes, and to settle disputes over property was limited (we say, cursed) by bias, bribery, human error, and injustice; and bad rulers also decreed bad laws.  The law could expose and identify the operations of sin, yet, could not eliminate sin, or reverse its effects.  Thus, the Scripture records also include laws that endorse abuse of marriage with forms of prostitution and slavery.  There are benefits and pleasures that result through sin, however, they are not lasting, and do not remove or satisfy ones obligations to GOD.  Jesus appeared to reveal the consecrated personhood expressed in the law as well as to apply the law through rebirth and reconciliation as a framework for transforming sinners to exist as his new creation.  The comprehensiveness of what he has accomplished includes that he served as sacrifice for atonement, a divinely appointed judge, the one accused, and as a firstborn, kinsman-redeemer who restores and secures inheritance.  A fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” forum using the ID “Georgie” (Level 5 with 5,361 points, a member since July 02, 2015) posted the following:

What does it mean that "Jesus came to fulfill the law"?

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together.  Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,  Master, which is the great commandment in the law?  Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.  (Matthew 22:  34-40, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Sin No “One-time” Event (01/03/2018); Law of the Spirit (12/27/2017); Christ Is The Firstborn (12/26/2017); The Commandments of Jesus (12/17/2017); Waiting On The Lord? (06/16/2017); Christ Brought A New Nature? (07/15/2015); Fulfilling Divine Law? (07/14/2015)

“Georgie”, here are a few points I may share:

Multiple streams of sacred truth come together as Christians speak of the works by divinity to fulfill the terms of covenant relationship, sacred law, divine proclamation, promise, and prophecy.  In addition to “bringing about and making things happen,” “completing what was started earlier,” and “demonstrating dutifulness, faithfulness, and obedience required by the law” the Savior’s work of fulfillment is to be recognized in Christ “assuming accountability,” “displaying spirit content from the makeup of GOD,” “dying on the cross as an embodiment of sin” as well as making possible the imparting of spiritual gifts to mankind.

Correctly understood, the law is a complete living process among the people of GOD, therefore, included are more than simply commandments and rules.  There also are admonitions, cautions, and warnings; imperatives and instruction through prophecy; the outcomes of judgment and tribunal; and imparted spirit substance (we say, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Prophecy, the Spirit of Truth) from the makeup of divine fullness (we say, the Godhead; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit).  With this in view, we discover somewhat why the holy writings were called “the law and the prophets,” for the prophets were spokespersons who continued communication, exchange and interaction both on behalf of GOD, and on behalf of mankind. 

The work of Jesus was not to cancel or deny the law from GOD that was provided to Israel.  His work was to serve, like the ram caught in the thicket, as an offering for sin, and thereby, to meet and satisfy the demands (we say, sanctions) of the law that declare both the outcomes for obedience and for disobedience (from Mount Ebal and Gerizim, we say, the spiritual blessings and curses of the law).  Jesus would use new language and introduce new points of emphasis regarding the eternal purposes of GOD accomplished through the law.  Thus, performing the “whole law” was shown to mean displaying the personhood of GOD, his righteousness, and other inseparable aspects of divine spirit within the law—that is, divine grace—not merely behaving according to “the letter” of the law.

There is far more to be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (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.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

Washington, DC

(01/01/2018) "New Creation" and Life

We begin the New Year sharing points on the new creation, the acceptance of water baptism by Jesus Christ, and the Lord’s identity as the Second Adam.  In the same way, the existence of heaven and earth are accomplished through the accord and action of the Word and the Holy Spirit as primary agents from the fullness of divinity, Salvation, eternal life for mankind, and the new creation upon the earth are begun and will be completed through the Incarnate Son and the Holy Spirit.  Jesus Christ appeared as the “second Adam” and “the faithful witness” to all the works of GOD for creation, dominion, revelation, and sacred truth among created beings and living creatures.  Developing Christians are to suspend their use of secular knowledge and carnal reason by relying instead on the Spirit and Word of “new life.”  A fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” forum using the ID “?” (Level 3 with 2,007 points, a member since June 19, 2013) posted the following:



Jehovah's witnesses....was Jesus Christ born again?



THE GOLDEN ARROW:  For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth:  and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.  But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create:  for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.  And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people:  and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying.  There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days:  for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed.  And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them.  They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat:  for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.  They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them.  And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.  The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock:  and dust shall be the serpent’s meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.  (Isaiah 65:  17-25, King James Version, KJV)



THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Knowing What To Believe? (12/31/2017); Jesus Demonstrated Perfected Humanity (10/29/2017); Christ Our High Priest (10/25/2017); Undergoing A Sacred Transformation (10/24/2017); Accepting Christ, Accepting Change (10/20/2017); Divine Forgiveness Not Enough? (09/22/2017); Adam, Family and Law (07/05/2017)



“?”, I will not answer as a Catholic, a Jehovah’s Witness, a Messianic Jew, a Seventh Day Adventist, or any other category of denomination/community of faith.  Yet, as one encouraged to be a joint-heir with Jesus Christ, I feel I have some points to share that will help developing Christian believers “see with new eyes”:

(1.)  Jesus acknowledged the operations of GOD through water baptism, and was willing to be joined to the prophetic ministry of John the Baptist who was filled with the Holy Spirit (also called, the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Prophecy, the Spirit of Truth).

(2.)  Although raised and nourished on holy ground and the offerings of the covenant people of GOD, John left the Temple community at Jerusalem to be an evangelist in the wilderness, and to serve as the forerunner and herald authenticating “the faithful witness” who would demonstrate and proclaim divinity as Incarnate (i.e.,  manifest on the earth in flesh as one anointed and imparted from the fullness of GOD—we say the Christ, the Messiah).

(3.)  Water baptism depicts the death, burial, and resurrection of ones inborn spirit.  More than simply that sinners are cleansed, they are “born again” from divine DNA in the sense that they become filled with sacred seed, must “grow again,” and become mature/ripe for harvest.  Their repentance goes forth powered by inseparable aspects of divine substance imparted from the spirit makeup of GOD.  Included are balance, completeness, faith, forbearance, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, meekness, oneness without sameness, personhood, wisdom, and wrath against sin.

(4.)  Jesus accepted baptism as an expression of sacred laws pertaining to the offering of sacrifices for atonement and propitiation of sin.  The letter of the law was not being carried out, rather, the righteousness in the law was being performed.  The frameworks of time and space did not apply as though the Christ would be offered on the cross the very next hour or day; and the baptism of Jesus became his ordination as well as the declaration of his standing as Son of the Highest, and the firstborn heir who is to fulfill the will of the Father in his absence.

(5.)  The birth of Jesus signaled the new creation wherein the Anointed One appears as the Second Adam.  As surely as an inheritance of sin came upon mankind through the first Adam, an inheritance of priesthood modeled after the one existing in heaven and administered by Jesus as High Priest was shared as an inheritance for mankind on the earth.

There is far more to be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (6.)  The nativity of Jesus at Bethlehem through his mother, Mary, is to be understood as a “birth” of the Word (breath, life essence, Spirit) who has always existed among the three persons of the GODhead (the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).  As developing believers continue their study of the holy writings, many will discover that the resurrection of Jesus from the tomb of crucifixion may be described as his rebirth.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

Washington, DC

(12/26/2017) Christ Is The Firstborn

Today, acknowledging the miraculous birth of Jesus, reply is on Christ as the head of the church and the first to provide demonstration of death and burial without corruption.  Jesus is the stand-in and substitute provided from GOD to fulfill the obligation proclaimed by sacred law to sacrifice and surrender the first born of all created beings and living creatures.  Prophetic demonstration of life being restored to the dead is first reported in the Old Testament (e.g., see the prophet Elisha in 2nd Kings 8:  4-6 and 2nd Kings 13:  20-21, King James Version, KJV).  This is not the same as the first and second resurrection that both pertain to the eternal purpose of judgment.  The language of the holy writings permit the use of the earth and the grave as a figure of the womb; and we may comprehend Christ as the divine seed planted and “born again” following his crucifixion.  The disciples of Christ enter into his death, his resurrection, and the judgment against him for sins as well.  A fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” forum using the ID “fixerken” (Level 7 with 30,210 points, a member since August 30, 2006) posted the following:


At Col 1:18 (AS) we read: And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead;?

that in all things he might have the preeminence. Firstborn (prō-to'-to-kos) is explained in the Bible concordance as being: the first born of all that is to follow. The dead (nekros) is explained in the Bible concordance as meaning: one that has breathed his last, lifeless, destitute of life, without life, inanimate. Christendom’s clergy says we have a soul/spirit that leaves our body wouldn’t Col 1:18 show that teaching to be false? If Christ was the first, what of all those before him that died in good standing before God?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.  If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?  And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.  And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:  That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.  He that believeth on him is not condemned:  but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.  And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.  But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.  (John 3:  11-21, King James Version, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  The Wages of Disobedience (08/04/2017); The Peace of Christmas? (12/25/2016); The Divine Christmas Gifts (12/26/2016); The Meaning of Christmas? (12/22/2016); Blessing and Inheritance from Abraham? (06/05/2014); On Christians Executing Judgment (06/06/2014); The Firstborn, Higher than Kings? (12/18/2012); The Ascension of Christ? (12/19/2012)


“fixerken”, just as Christian believers, today, are acknowledging the birth of Jesus Christ as a sacred event (i.e., miracle) in fulfillment of divine promises and prophecies, Christians acknowledge Jesus Christ as the “firstborn” (i.e., foremost; primary heir; lawful successor of GOD, the ruler over existence and life) through the sacred event of resurrection from the dead.  In agreement with The Most High (we also say, the Father), the church is a new creation established on the earth through the ministry of the Son of GOD, and the operations of the same Holy Spirit that worked to found heaven and earth.

Jesus is known as “the faithful witness” for he has testified (i.e., made statements “under oath” that have power as “evidence in judgment” (like fingerprints and eyewitness report) because they are “the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth”) to mankind of things delivered to him from the fullness of divinity (we say, the GODhead), and of things seen and shared only among the three sacred persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) that include divine forgiveness of sin, mercy in final judgment, reconciliation, the coming of the Holy City (New Jerusalem) as well as the heaven and earth made new.

In accordance to birth order and human reckonings, Adam was the first man to appear on the earth as an offspring and “son of GOD.”  In accordance with the divine law provided through Moses, Jesus appears as “firstborn” and the son of Jacob, who became primary heir of Abraham and Isaac through grace, divine prerogative, and sovereign will.  Properly understood, the heir receives a double-portion of the inheritance that may be shared with many sons and daughters.  Thus, where there are six siblings, there must be seven shares.  The second portion to the heir is not to grant them greater wealth than the others; it is to ensure the heir may complete the unfinished business of the deceased.  Included may be providing for the burial and memorials; cancelling debts; and “giving the deceased a new name” (a positive and respectable reputation).

As for us today, those who died from Adam to Moses and others to the death of Christ, all may come under the atonement and propitiation for sin accomplished by Jesus dying on the cross, and returning to heaven as High Priest in the Temple, there.  Their salvation is not established in their having lived responding to the law given Moses.  It is by their lives of faith on the basis of what Adam and Eve overheard spoken to the serpent in the Garden of Eden.  Those who lived acknowledging the redemption declared by GOD (who does not lie) to be a promise certain of fulfillment, also belong to Christ, even the Friend of GOD (before Abraham was, I am).  Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

Hebrews 1:  1-4, King James Version (KJV):  1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,  2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;  3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:  4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

(2.)  Galatians 4:  4-7, KJV:  4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,  5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.  6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.  7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

(3.)  Romans 6:  3-7, KJV:  3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?  4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death:  that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.  5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:  6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.  7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.

Of course, there is far more that could be said.  (For example, (4.)  Galatians 2:  19-21, KJV:  19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.  20 I am crucified with Christ:  nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me:  and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.  21 I do not frustrate the grace of God:  for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

   

Washington, DC