(03/17/2020) "Because You Are Believers"

Today, reply is on the church of Jesus Christ being the successor to Israel as the “chosen nation” of GOD that appears within divine prophecy and revelation. While the holy writings describe the rise and fall of material nations on the earth such that specific cultures and states are identifiable to students of secular history, politics, and world events, for Christian believers, the focus is properly that of participating within a spiritual body whose members will exist on the earth throughout eternity. It is written: Romans 8: 5-9, New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition) [NWT]: 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh,+ but those who live according to the spirit, on the things of the spirit.+ 6 For setting the mind on the flesh means death,+ but setting the mind on the spirit means life and peace;+ 7 because setting the mind on the flesh means enmity with God,+ for it is not in subjection to the law of God, nor, in fact, can it be. 8 So those who are in harmony with the flesh cannot please God. 9 However, you are in harmony, not with the flesh, but with the spirit,+ if God’s spirit truly dwells in you. But if anyone does not have Christ’s spirit, this person does not belong to him. A fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” public forum on Religion & Spirituality who used the ID “TeeM” (Level 7 with 9,141 points) posted the following:

Who is the nation that replaced the nation of Israel as God's chosen people?

(Matthew 21:43) “43 This is why I say to you, the Kingdom of God will be taken from you and be given to a nation producing its fruits. . .”

(1 Peter 2:7-10) “7 It is to you, therefore, that he is precious, because you are believers; but to those not believing, “the stone that the builders rejected, this has become the chief cornerstone” 8 and “a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.” They are stumbling because they are disobedient to the word. To this very end they were appointed. 9 But you are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for special possession, that you should declare abroad the excellencies” of the One who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 For you were once not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not been shown mercy, but now you have received mercy.”

THE GOLDEN ARROW: But I say, Keep walking by spirit+ and you will carry out no fleshly desire at all.+ For the flesh is against the spirit in its desire, and the spirit against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you do not do the very things you want to do.+ Furthermore, if you are being led by spirit, you are not under law. Now the works of the flesh are plainly seen, and they are sexual immorality,*+ uncleanness, brazen conduct,*+ idolatry, spiritism,*+ hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, dissensions, divisions, sects, envy, drunkenness,+ wild parties,* and things like these.+ I am forewarning you about these things, the same way I already warned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit God’s Kingdom.+ On the other hand, the fruitage of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,* kindness, goodness,+ faith, mildness, self-control.+ Against such things there is no law. Moreover, those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed to the stake the flesh together with its passions and desires.+ If we are living by spirit, let us also go on walking orderly by spirit.+ (Galatians 5: 16-25, NWT)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Acknowledging Christ as Son (03/08/2020); TWO Kinds of People? (02/21/2020); Disciples and “Little Christs” (11/05/2019); How GOD Speaks Today (12/10/2018); The First “Chosen” People (05/03/2018); Cultural, Political, Spiritual Growth? (07/10/2016); Divine Inheritance and Resurrection? (07/06/2016); Thoughts On The Kingdom? (11/18/2015)

“TeeM”, many mature Christian believers acknowledge the “holy nation” spoken of in the Scriptures is not a kingdom or sovereign state identified by geopolitical boundaries and land measurements, rather it is the church, the new creation of the Son of GOD. Through Jesus Christ, the present day operations of divinity among mankind may be understood as in a season of grace and reconciliation that is spirit in process and substance. Mankind is not being challenged with mysteries and questions that require years of academic instruction and secular research. Rather, humanity has been granted a revelation whereby otherwise invisible and unknown aspects of divinity are made accessible, alive, approachable, and indwelling. Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, mankind now may receive a fresh endowment of the same life essence (breath; spirit; word) that was imparted to Adam at Creation from the makeup of GOD. Inseparable aspects of divine fullness are imparted that include balance, commitment, faith, forbearance, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, oneness without sameness, personhood, wisdom, and wrath against sin. As vessels of divine DNA (so to speak), believers are to exist and mature on the earth as the children and heirs of GOD until the appearing of Jesus Christ to harvest the earth. Consider again the following that uses language from the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition) [NWT]:

(1.) John 18: 33-37, NWT: 33 So Pilate entered the governor’s residence again and called Jesus and said to him: “Are you the King of the Jews?”+ 34 Jesus answered: “Are you asking this of your own originality, or did others tell you about me?” 35 Pilate replied: “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What did you do?” 36 Jesus answered:+ “My Kingdom is no part of this world.+ If my Kingdom were part of this world, my attendants would have fought that I should not be handed over to the Jews.+ But as it is, my Kingdom is not from this source.” 37 So Pilate said to him: “Well, then, are you a king?” Jesus answered: “You yourself are saying that I am a king.+ For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth.+ Everyone who is on the side of the truth listens to my voice.”+

(2.) Romans 10: 1-4, NWT: 10 Brothers, the goodwill of my heart and my supplication to God for them are indeed for their salvation.+ 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God,+ but not according to accurate knowledge. 3 For because of not knowing the righteousness of God+ but seeking to establish their own,+ they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.+ 4 For Christ is the end of the Law,+ so that everyone exercising faith may have righteousness.+

(3.) Ephesians 2: 18-22, NWT: 18 because through him we, both peoples, have free access to the Father by one spirit. 19 So you are no longer strangers and foreigners,+ but you are fellow citizens+ of the holy ones and are members of the household of God,+ 20 and you have been built up on the foundation of the apostles and prophets,+ while Christ Jesus himself is the foundation cornerstone.+ 21 In union with him the whole building, being harmoniously joined together,+ is growing into a holy temple for Jehovah.* + 22 In union with him you too are being built up together into a place for God to inhabit by spirit.+

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) John 18: 33-37, KJV: 33 Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews? 34 Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me? 35 Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? 36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. 37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

Citations from the NWT Translation of the Bible were downloaded 11:56 AM to 1:15 PM, March 16, 2020 from the Watchtower Online Library site @ https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/b/r1/lp-e/nwtsty/40/21#study=discover&v=40:21:43. New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition). Copyright © 2020 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania.

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(01/14/2018) Flesh As Divine Vessels?

A depiction of the church as the body of Christ

Today, focus is on the human body as a dwelling place for the fullness of divinity appearing as spirit substance.  In the same way Adam (both the male and female) became a living soul by spirit content from the makeup of GOD being imparted to indwell the pair, the “new creation” through Jesus Christ is by the imparting of divine spirit.  A temple is a place consecrated and set apart where divinity may continually abide as active presence, and complete necessary sacred practices (sacraments) and divine works.  Similarly, the Church exists as a “material” and “social” body of Christ on the earth whose “limbs” and members are from diverse cultures, origins, and nations.  Communication, exchange, and interaction among the members of the body are to be continuous, fluid, and organic.  The early church existed in an “atmosphere” of mixed beliefs that included errors in doctrine, idolatry, operations of sin, relying on carnal reason and secular knowledge, witchcraft, and false worship.  One of the major, wide-spread, and recurring issues that caused division was the sharing of food and meals that were portions from offerings to idols.  Many thought that the purity and sanctification of the church was defiled and profaned through those members and their families who were not alert to the hidden possibility for transgression of divine law.  This resulted in gatherings of the apostles and evangelists of the faith as well as  instructions and messages of testimony to the churches circulated by epistles.  A writer from the “Yahoo! Answers” forum who uses the ID “Citadel” (Level 2 with 276 points, a member since June 02, 2013) posted the following:

When Paul describes us as a temple (2 Cor 6:16, 1 cor 3:16 etc) what is he talking about?

Is he saying that the church as a whole is the temple or that we individually are?

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body:  so also is Christ.  For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.  For the body is not one member, but many.  If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?  And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?  If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?  But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.  And if they were all one member, where were the body?  But now are they many members, yet but one body.  And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee:  nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.  (1st Corinthians 12:  12-21, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  In Order To Understand (12/01/2017); Restoring the Divine Presence? (03/09/2017); GOD’s Peculiar People (12/11/2016); An Habitation of GOD (07/24/2016); Death, Forgiveness, Sin and Spirit? (05/28/2015); What Is Life? (02/06/2015); The Bread of GOD (03/01/2014); Belief, Faith, and Proof (03/02/2014)

“Citadel”, where believers acknowledge that the character, makeup, and substance of GOD is spirit (we also say, breath, life essence, Word) the enormous divine accomplishment of putting forth all created beings and living creatures along with their spheres for life and everything within them immediately can be recognized and understood as expressing more than human authority, consciousness, knowledge, power, vision, sovereign will, and wisdom.  The operations of invisible, unseen divinity are to be known and “seen” (we say, revealed) as complete, comprehensive, detailed, and on a scale that embraces all.  Given what appears as obvious and “self-evident” regarding the possibilities and actualities of GOD, the living must undergo permanent change of their consciousness, substance, and self-will to truly exist having duration as full companions to immortal, incorruptible Deity.  Sinners are to be “born again” and become filled through fresh deposits and endowments of inseparable divine spirit content that includes faith, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, meekness, oneness without sameness, personhood, and wrath against sin.

That “the flesh” is a collection of patterns and regularities governed by what we call “mechanical” and “natural” law (e.g., appetite, circulation, elimination, respiration, sensation, emotions/mental functions) requires the transformation that has been prophetically demonstrated by the Incarnation.  The flesh does not consistently display and obey the things of divine law.  The operations of sin can appear through attitudes, behavior, desire, and self-expression (e.g., ones body language, speech, thought); yet, sin does not control where there is genuine expression and acknowledged presence of the divine will.  Sin opposes the continued existence of divine law, the Law Giver, and the divine order that nourishes and supports the platforms of Creation.  Sin is indiscriminate, and has no consciousness or ability to assign value.  Sin promotes annihilation (i.e., sudden and total destruction of all that exists), the chaos and flux that were in place before the founding of earth and heaven, and the operation of GOD spoken of as the second death. 

Every sinner must be “born again” to become a living vessel of divine substance (we say, an offspring, son or daughter  of GOD, joint-heir with Jesus Christ).  Each one is to participate in the eternal purposes of divine fullness (we say, the GODhead; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit).  As those having integrity of being and accountable for the fruit from the plantings of self-will, repenting sinners become developing Christian believers, and are to mature on the earth until the return of Christ (we say, Advent, the harvest, the Rapture, the Second Coming).  Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

(1.)  Romans 6:  3-6, King James Version (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.

(2.)  Ephesians 2:  8-10, KJV:  8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:  it is the gift of God:  9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.  10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

(3.)  Ephesians 2:  18-22, KJV:  18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.  19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;  20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;  21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:  22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

There is a lot more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually understood.  (For example, (4.)  1st John 4:  10-19, KJV:  10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.  11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.  12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.  13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.  14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.  15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.  16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.  17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment:  because as he is, so are we in this world.  18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear:  because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.  19 We love him, because he first loved us.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

Washington, DC

(12/01/2017) In Order To Understand

Today, points are shared on the church, and the Bible as divine tools for revelation and the appearing of divinity among the living.  The church has been crafted by the Lord, and is his handiwork.  Divinity is to exist alive within created beings and living creatures.  In the same way the Bible brings together diverse streams of sacred knowledge (e.g., divine law; doctrine; sacred history; proclamations and promises attributed directly to GOD), the church brings together diverse people who serve as agents displaying divine spirit.  Rather than use only isolated individuals, the process of GOD for divine revelation has been to use groups of joined persons including marriage pairs (Adam and Eve), families, households, kinships, tongues, tribes, kingdoms, nations and empires as well as spiritual bodies (e.g., apostles, elders, judges, multiple forms of priesthood, schools of the prophets).  Where sacred law and covenant once were the basis for communion and continuing fellowship with GOD, Jesus Christ appeared to be a primary cause and reason for human association.  The church over whom Jesus serves as head is to make the mind, heart, and essence of GOD accessible, approachable, and even “visible”.  The writer in the “Yahoo! Answers” forum using the ID “wqfdqf” (Level 1 with 75 points, a member since November 30, 2017) posted the following:


Why do we say that in order to understand the Bible we need the Church?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.  Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;  That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:  But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.  For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;  Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;  And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:  And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.  For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.  Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;  And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;  In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:  In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.  (Ephesians 2:  10-22, King James Version, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  As An Anointed Body (10/04/2017); Becoming Free From Sin (07/16/2017); How Would We Understand? (03/17/2017); Restoring the Divine Presence? (03/09/2017); Built Upon the Rock (12/23/2016); An Habitation of GOD (07/24/2016); GOD Appearing As Word (01/14/2016)


“wqfdqf”, here, you need the understanding that both the church and the holy writings are appearances of the active presence who is GOD.  GOD is a spirit, however, divinity may not be correctly acknowledged, known, or responded to by created beings and living creatures as a mere abstract concept.  Sacred knowledge and an inner makeup oriented to embrace spiritual truth are required before mankind may fully interact with GOD, and be more than a material object to the Maker.  Academic studies such as secular history, philosophy, and science do not take the place of the necessary divine provision.  The living (e.g., angels, animals, men) contain spirit content and divine substance, yet, are finite and limited by multiple temporal conditions, and must be provided with endowments from the makeup of divinity to operate in personal exchange and covenant relationships with the Creator.  Consider the following points:

(1.)  In the same way divinity imparted life essence (we say, breath, spirit, Word) into single figures formed from dust and from a rib, spirit matter from the makeup of GOD is imparted to a collective (we say, the body, the church).

(2.)  The entire Creation is a manifesting or appearance (we also say, an embodying; an Incarnation; a revealing) of inseparable, unseen aspects of divine fullness (we say, the Godhead; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit).  Included are faith, holiness, person, presence, eternal purpose, sovereign will, wisdom, and wrath against sin.

(3.)  The church is to exist as a life companion to immortal, incorruptible divinity, and therefore is supplied to continue in the same oneness without sameness shared among the persons of GODhead. 

(4.)  Mankind and the multiple spheres of life must undergo permanent change carried out by the same Spirit that operated in the creation of Adam, Eve, and the earth.  This is depicted in water baptism where ones inborn spirit must pass through death, burial, and resurrection from the dead.  Consciousness and self-will in the living (that may be dominated and influenced by the operation of sin through appetite, sensation, emotion/mental functions, things carnal, material, secular and social) must be replaced by divine DNA, so to speak. 

There is far more to be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (5.)  The church exists among men and allows the development and discovery of necessary spirit content and divine process.  Included are accountability, awe, forbearance, forgiveness, gratitude, humility, longsuffering, lovingkindness and peace as well as unselfishness that appears in commitment, obedience, sacrifice and service.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(08/27/2017) Multiply, Replenish and Rule

Today, some thoughts are shared on the original divine commission to mankind, human reproduction, and evolution.  The first pair were to populate, maintain, and overspread the earth.  Through them the earth would continue to be held accountable to GOD.  Adam was formed from substance out of the earth, and was given life by substance out of GOD.  The new creation through  Jesus Christ, the church, has been formed from his blood, body and spirit, and through the Holy Spirit establishes mankind on the earth as a habitation of GOD.  The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” who uses the ID “Omar” (Level 1 with 199 points, a member since February 01, 2014) posted the following:


God said multiply... how reproduction can fit in evolution theory? without reproduction there will be no evolution, no natural selection.?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.  Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;  That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:  But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.  For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;  Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;  And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:  And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.  For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.  Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;  And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;  In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:  In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.  (Ephesians 2:  10-22, King James Version, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Adam, Family and Law (07/05/2017); Word, Son, and Christ? (08/24/2016); The Glory of GOD? (06/23/2015); The Male, the Female, and GOD (02/09/2014); Destroying the Resurrected Body? (02/10/2014); Saved in Childbearing? (10/31/2012); After the Rapture? (11/01/2012)


“Omar”, where the earth must be acknowledged as the creation of GOD, the world as a system of interrelated meanings, practices, and values that allow communication, exchange and survival of the living has been the creation of mankind.  Many mature Christian believers avoid and forgo discussions of evolution and the teachings of natural science because they usually deny the most fundamental fact required for sacred knowledge—GOD is a spirit who must be known through revelation, discovery, and ongoing personal relationship.  Where Adam was told to “multiply” he was given more than simply a command and a direction to engage in a mechanical process of reproduction.  He could not of himself repeat what GOD had done—neither his falling asleep, nor the removing of a rib—to grant him a life companion.  Substance from the makeup of divinity (we say, breath, life essence, spirit, utterance, word) is imparted, and with it mankind is established having authority, direction, and purpose.  In the flawed human terms of science that are finite, carnal, material, and social, the first pair are merely told to populate the earth with their own kind competing and operating as one of the animals.  From the aspect of a Christian, the pair are an appearance (i.e., incarnation) of divinity, and are to manifest the active presence within heaven throughout the earth.  This is as much to be performed as a matter of caretaking and service as it is a matter of dominion and rule.  The plan of GOD for the earth was in no way intended to alter or interfere with the plan of GOD for heaven.  Despite the language of “natural selection” and “survival” that has come from the world, mankind continues as the emblem of divine ownership of the earth.  Consider again the following that use language from the Bible:

(1.)  Genesis 2:  18-23, King James Version (KJV):  18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.  19 And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them:  and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.  20 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.  21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept:  and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;  22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.  23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh:  she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

(2.)  Acts 17:  24-31, KJV:  24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;  25 Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;  26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;  27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:  28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.  29 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.  30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:  31 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.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (3.)  Psalms 115:  14-18, KJV:  14 The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children.  15 Ye are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth.  16 The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD’s:  but the earth hath he given to the children of men.  17 The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence.  18 But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the LORD.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(03/09/2017) Restoring the Divine Presence?

 

Today, focus is on why King David wanted to build a Temple at Jerusalem.  The incontestable evidence of divine acceptance for Israel as a peculiar people belonging to GOD was to be the abiding presence of God among them, first, within the Sanctuary of the Tabernacle as they journeyed through uninhabited areas on their way to the Promised Land, and later within the Temple that would be a fixed and permanent structure provided at Jerusalem through the house of David.  A fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Kamram Masood” (Level 1 with 221 points, a member since December 10, 2016) posted the following:

 

Why did King David want his son King Solomon to build a temple? I don t understand the reason why?

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people:  As for me, I had in mine heart to build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and for the footstool of our God, and had made ready for the building:  But God said unto me, Thou shalt not build an house for my name, because thou hast been a man of war, and hast shed blood.  Howbeit the LORD God of Israel chose me before all the house of my father to be king over Israel for ever:  for he hath chosen Judah to be the ruler; and of the house of Judah, the house of my father; and among the sons of my father he liked me to make me king over all Israel:  And of all my sons, (for the LORD hath given me many sons,) he hath chosen Solomon my son to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel.  And he said unto me, Solomon thy son, he shall build my house and my courts:  for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father.  Moreover I will establish his kingdom for ever, if he be constant to do my commandments and my judgments, as at this day.  Now therefore in the sight of all Israel the congregation of the LORD, and in the audience of our God, keep and seek for all the commandments of the LORD your God:  that ye may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance for your children after you for ever.  And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind:  for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts:  if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.  Take heed now; for the LORD hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary:  be strong, and do it.  Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch, and of the houses thereof, and of the treasuries thereof, and of the upper chambers thereof, and of the inner parlours thereof, and of the place of the mercy seat,  And the pattern of all that he had by the spirit, of the courts of the house of the LORD, and of all the chambers round about, of the treasuries of the house of God, and of the treasuries of the dedicated things:  Also for the courses of the priests and the Levites, and for all the work of the service of the house of the LORD, and for all the vessels of service in the house of the LORD.  (1st Chronicles 28:  2-13, King James Version, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  First Seeking the Kingdom (03/03/2017); Thoughts On The Kingdom? (11/18/2015); Solomon Punished For Sins Of David? (08/28/2015); GOD Rules (07/07/2015); Ark of the Covenant? (03/17/2015); Was David a “Good” Man? (01/13/2015); The House Ye Build Unto Me? (07/31/2014)

 

“Kamran Masood”, King David had multiple purposes for himself seeking to establish a holy temple as a dwelling place for divinity among the people of Israel.  Included were:  (1)  petitioning for forgiveness and demonstrating repentance for sin; (2) reviving the relationship established through Moses that GOD would be present among the covenant people; (3) lifting the curse upon the Aaronic priesthood that was incurred by Eli with his sons Hophni and Phinehas; and (4) relocation of the Holy Place so that the King would have immediate access to the prophetic counsels of GOD available through the regalia of the High Priest (the ephod, Urim and Thummim) as well as the Mercy Seat above the Ark of Covenant.  When denied by GOD on the basis of “uncleanness” (i.e., unfitness) as one having repeatedly shed blood in war, like Abraham, David sought to “bring about” promise and prophecy that he would be father to a dynasty of kings, and through them the will of GOD would be accomplished in the earth.  David began to stockpile and  prepare materials that could be used in building a “house of GOD;” and the work of the temple was to continue the ongoing relationship between heaven and earth.”  The purposes of Solomon included (1) obeying his father David; (2) fulfilling prophecy; and (3) displaying a greater, more prosperous kingdom than that of his father.  Neither David nor Solomon conceived the new covenant in blood, the eternal kingdom, and the “habitation of GOD” through the imparted, indwelling Spirit that would be established by Jesus Christ as the Son of Man, the son of David, and the Son of GOD.  Consider again the following verses from the Bible:

(1.)  1st Samuel 2:  30-35, King James Version (KJV):  30 Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever:  but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.  31 Behold, the days come, that I will cut off thine arm, and the arm of thy father’s house, that there shall not be an old man in thine house.  32 And thou shalt see an enemy in my habitation, in all the wealth which God shall give Israel:  and there shall not be an old man in thine house for ever.  33 And the man of thine, whom I shall not cut off from mine altar, shall be to consume thine eyes, and to grieve thine heart:  and all the increase of thine house shall die in the flower of their age.  34 And this shall be a sign unto thee, that shall come upon thy two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas; in one day they shall die both of them.  35 And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in mine heart and in my mind:  and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before mine anointed for ever.

(2.)  Daniel 7:  21-27, KJV:  21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;  22 Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.  23 Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.  24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise:  and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.  25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws:  and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.  26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.  27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (3.)  Ephesians 2:  13-22, KJV:  13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.  14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;  15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;  16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:  17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.  18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.  19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;  20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;  21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:  22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(12/23/2016) Built Upon the Rock

Today, focus is on the Son of GOD as the groundwork and platform of Creation, judgment, revelation, and salvation.  Until the creation of Adam, the Word existed as unseen, and known through faith, law, praise, proclamation, promise, and prophecy.  The Son of the Highest would appear upon the earth and use finite materials such as  blood, human form, flesh, and water.  The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Trilobiteme” (Level 3 with 2,346 points, a member since September 29, 2011) posted the following:

God loves faith and blessed are those who believe and never seen but God hides secrets and signs in the Bible to prove He is God?

Jesus Christ is Lord

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God:  because many false prophets are gone out into the world.  Hereby know ye the Spirit of God:  Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:  And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God:  and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.  Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them:  because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.  They are of the world:  therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.  We are of God:  he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.  (1st John 4:  1-6, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Divine Appearances Using Form? (12/20/2016); Different Form, Same Relationship? (11/20/2016); Birth, Self-will and Sin? (11/13/2016); The Need for Incarnation? (09/29/2016); Christ The Solid Rock? (08/07/2016); Son of Adam and of GOD? (06/16/2014); Focus of Believers? (06/17/2014)

“Trilobiteme”, the works of GOD to establish and maintain Creation have been grounded upon a foundation that can be known and seen.  All sacred knowledge, fellowship, practice, and process have been built up rooted in the things of GOD through Jesus Christ.  Because the fullness of the GODhead will always be oneness without sameness, and will manifest spirit that is comprehensive, diffuse and invisible (yet not abstract, impersonal, and indifferent), divinity must use devices that are carnal, material, and social to be in meaningful relationships with created beings and living creatures.  The living are to be instruments and vessels containing and expressing the character, nature, and substance of GOD.  Inseparable aspects of divine makeup must be imparted to indwell the living that include faith, holiness, joy, longsuffering, lovingkindness, wisdom, and wrath against sin.  The Creator appeared on the earth in the person of Jesus Christ, and himself became the necessary platform and stable foundation of soil, rather than dust or sand.  In this sense, divinity could not avoid coming to us as a baby miraculously born to a virgin.  Consider again the following:

(1.)  Deuteronomy 12:  5, King James Version (KJV):  5 But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, even unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come:

(2.)  1st Corinthians 3:  11, KJV:  11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

(3.)  Luke 2:  8-14, KJV:  8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them:  and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them,  10 Fear not:  for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,  14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

(4.)  Matthew 7:  24-27, KJV:  24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:  25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not:  for it was founded upon a rock.  26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:  27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell:  and great was the fall of it.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (5.)  Ephesians 2:  13-22, KJV:  13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.  14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;  15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;  16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:  17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.  18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.  19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;  20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;  21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:  22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(07/24/2016) An Habitation of GOD

Today, Scripture points are shared on how the living are to exist as depositories and vessels for spirit content from the makeup of divinity.  Believers are the living stones, and members of the sacred body that are the house of GOD, the Church.  Sinners who become the followers of Jesus are a “new creation” through the fresh endowment of divine substance they receive as believers.  As those “born again,” believers contain that same life essence (we say, breath, spirit, word) that was imparted to Adam, and appeared as perfection within Jesus Christ.  The writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Angel Guevara” (Level 1 with 114 points, a member since June 10, 2016) posted the following:

Is God a Spirit? Am I a Spirit?

In John 4:24, "God is a Spirit and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth." and according to Matthew 26:41 it says "the Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak"

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.  Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;  And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;  In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:  In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.  (Ephesians 2:  18-22, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Many Sons of GOD? (06/28/2016); Guided By Divine Truth (06/20/2016); The Life Of GOD? (06/01/2016); Offspring of GOD? (12/23/2015); Spirit, Spirit Beings, Spirit Persons? (10/13/2015); The Spirit of Truth? (02/11/2015); Knowing the Spirit is Inside? (10/07/2014)

“Angel Guevara”, according to the holy writings, awareness and self-will within finite created beings and living creatures are generated and put forth by operations of divinity that include atonement, birth, death, forgiveness, incarnation, inheritance, judgment, rebirth, revelation, and sanctification.  Because the form and process of mankind is carnal, material and social, fresh deposits of spirit substance from the makeup of Deity must be provided to mankind allowing flesh to operate in continuing relationships with divinity—you must be “born again.”  Consider again how this is stated in language from the Bible:

(1.)  1st Corinthians 3:  16-17, King James Version (KJV):  16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?  17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

(2.)  1st John 4:  1-6, KJV:  1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God:  because many false prophets are gone out into the world.  2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God:  Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:  3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God:  and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.  4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them:  because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.  5 They are of the world:  therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.  6 We are of God:  he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

(3.)  1st Corinthians 2:  11-14, KJV:  11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.  12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.  13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.  14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God:  for they are foolishness unto him:  neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

(4.)  1st John 4:  12-16, KJV:  12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.  13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.  14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.  15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.  16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

There is far more to be said, carefully examined, and spiritually understood.  (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