(09/28/2016) Divine Knowing, Finite Will?

Today, focus is upon the confusion and familiar errors associated with “free will”, divine knowing, and “predestination”.   While there are “freedom”, “latitude when applying the law”, “liberty”, and self-will within the living that may be understood as provided from GOD, there is no such thing as “free will” that makes a person exempt from divine judgment, or releases the living from having to respond to conditions for existence, the fulfillment of sacred promises, and the accomplishment of prophecy in place from before the foundation of the world.  One of the many fighters at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information appears) posted the following:

Are free will and omniscience a contradiction?

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;  As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:  But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;  Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.  And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:  Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;  But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:  Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,  Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.  (1st Peter 1:  13-21, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  The Cross and Critical Thinking? (04/13/2016); Knowing? (05/24/2015); The Philosophy of Free Will? (04/08/2014); The Name(?) of GOD (04/09/2014); Doing GOD’s Plan? (02/20/2014); “Prayer Death”? (02/21/2014); No Free Will? (10/19/2010); Speaking of GOD (10/20/2010)

“Anonymous”, lacking correct sacred knowledge, many of us have confusions about divine authority and “free will” (i.e., that there is no accountability or duty to answer and serve GOD; there should be no limits upon self-will in created beings and living creatures).  The issue is not one of contradiction; it is many and includes betrayal, defiance, disobedience, and rebellion.  Sinners must go beyond the idea that divinity “reads your mind,” “programs you like a computer,” and “knows all your private thoughts and secrets.”  Mature Christians will agree both that self-will within finite created beings and living creatures appears as a product from divine consciousness and sovereign will, and that self-will has been provided to the living so they may carryout and fulfill eternal purposes that have been established as basic to their own lives.  Sacred (rather than secular) knowledge is comprised of information, principles, and expressions of divine will such as law, miracles and sacramental events, proclamations and utterances by spirit beings as well as promise, prophecy, revelation, and relationships that have their origin and value through GOD.

The process of “knowing” that exists among mankind as a requirement to participate in the world is carnal, mental, and social, and relies upon such limited tools as appetite, emotion, imagination, logic, philosophy, science, and technology.  By contrast, awareness and “knowing” for divinity may be spoken of as a kaleidoscopic spirit process wherein inseparable content from the makeup of GOD are ceaselessly positioned, joined, patterned, and reconfigured.  As a movement of spirit substance, divine knowing is active, detailed, diffuse, organic, quickened and unspecified, yet, must be acknowledged as immutable, incorruptible, and unchanging.  Existing as a “godhead” (summation of all divine person and power) that displays oneness without sameness, Deity is incarnate as well as at once selfless and continually self-engaged.  Thus, we speak of divine knowing as categorical, comprehensive and unbounded even when appearing in communication, exchange, focus, interaction, and judgment.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(05/11/2014) The Body of Moses

The death, burial and resurrection of Moses are in view, today.  Also, there is more on what GOD demands from humans.  A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “mohammad” (a Level 1 member with 95 points active since May 11, 2014) posted the following:


 Is the body of Moses was taken up by God ?


THE BATTLE AXE:  What GOD Demands (05/10/2014)—(4.)  It is in the nature of relationship that GOD is no more demanding of humanity than humanity is demanding of GOD.  Just as the dimension, the nature, and the quality of material objects focus and limit how they may be used as tools or weapons as well as how long they endure and display value, created beings and living creatures, the conditions and spheres for their existence, and the operations and processes for their exchanges and interactions have been established and generated in accordance with aspects of divinity.  All that is must have place within, and respond to, such frameworks for being as divine order, eternal purpose, and spirit makeup.  Boundaries are not imposed on an arbitrary, random, or subjective basis.  Restraints and restrictions are imposed only to allow and provide such benefits as balance, change, completeness, definition, direction, fertility, growth, opportunity, prosperity, protection, revelation, safety, and vision.  It is an aspect of divine integrity within relationship that humans are not asked to serve as though they were angels.  Thus, self-generated expression for mankind is to be maintained.  Moreover, the peculiar beauty and strength of mankind are also established through humanity’s dependence, infirmity, and vulnerability.  Even so, the expressed will of GOD as divine law and judgment are also to be maintained.  Consider again the Scriptures:  Psalms 127:  1-2, Psalms 149:  3-4, Jeremiah 9:  23-24, Ezekiel 18:  23, Matthew 11:  28-30, 1st Corinthians 10:  13 and Revelation 4:  11, KJV.


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts:  and by it he being dead yet speaketh.  By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him:  for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.  But without faith it is impossible to please him:  for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.  (Hebrews 11:  4-6, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Anointed? (04/28/2014); No More “Mr. Nice Guy”? (04/29/2014); Resurrection from the Dead? (04/23/2014); Not A Matter Of Opinion? (04/24/2014); Moses Killed? (09/23/2014); A Guarantee of Heaven? (03/22/2014); Face to Face Like Moses? (01/28/2014); Covenants and Relationships (01/29/2014); Salted with Fire? (09/24/2013); “Authorized Personnel Only” (03/13/2013)


“mohammad”, here are a few points recorded in the Holy Bible:

(1.)  The Scriptures report that Moses died in the land of Moab.  Although he was 120 years old, he continued to show health and stamina (his natural force was not abated, or diminished).  In obedience to GOD, Moses went up to Mount Nebo, and the top of Pisgah, and did not return to his people.  Moses was not translated as was Enoch, nor taken up by a chariot of fire, as was Elijah.  Later, Moses appeared as an evidence of resurrection from death.

(2.)  A 30-day period of mourning was observed for Moses as if his body had been recovered, and as though he had been given the full rites of burial.

(3.)  The Scriptures report that the archangel Michael disputed with the devil about the body of Moses, yet would not violently assault the Adversary.

(4.)  The Scriptures report that in preparing for his crucifixion, Jesus went to the top of a mountain accompanied by three of his apostles.  There, the Savior met with Moses and Elijah, and was transfigured before these eye-witnesses, who also heard the voice of the Father.  While the miracle of water to wine was the first display of divine glory as power by Jesus, the transfiguration was the first bodily display of his divine glory.

There is a lot more to be said, correctly understood, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (5.)  Where these things may be found:  See Genesis 5, Deuteronomy 34, 2nd Kings 2, Jude 1, Matthew 17, and Mark 9, KJV.).  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.


Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.  For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living:  for all live unto him.  (Luke 20:  37-38, KJV)


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(09/17/2013) All Things Possible?

The truth that nothing is impossible for GOD is the focus, today.  Also, there is more on the limit to believing.  A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using ID “Laura” (Level 1 with 3 points, a member since June 24, 2013) posted the following:



Some say, "with god, all things are possible." Therefore all things are possible even without god?  

Additional Details

This would have to be true, otherwise "all things" wouldn't be possible.



THE BATTLE AXE:  (09/16/2013) The Limits to Believing?— (4.)  Where believing is an act of self-will in created beings and living creatures there are operations of intelligence and mind that we describe as human judgment.  A person assigns value to data and information as factual, and as truth.  Such believing is subject to human error, lapses in logic, and unforeseen changes that occur as new information is developed.  Belief and certainty that are awareness that comes by presence of divine spirit are expressions of organic being, and operate like self recognition, and the natural acceptance of ones own body parts.  See 1st John 3:  7-11, 4:  1-7 and 4:  13-17, KJV.



THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.  But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful:  for he had great possessions.  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.  And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.  When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?  But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.  (Matthew 19:  21-26, KJV)



THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  On Testing GOD (06/20/2013); GOD Grants License? (06/21/2013); Can GOD Die? (05/14/2013); The Church as a Bride? (05/15/2013); The Ascension of Christ? (12/19/2012); GOD in Schools? (12/20/2012); A Man in Heaven? (09/23/2012); Aliens? (09/24/2012)



Laura, the way you present your idea of “all things possible” makes perfect sense to those who have not yet embraced their own salvation through Jesus Christ.  It works very well for those who enjoy philosophy (i.e., love of argument and discourse), riddles, semantics (i.e., the study of language, meanings and symbols, and what they represent), and word play.  Where Christian believers speak to what is possible for GOD, there are many far-reaching points to consider.  Included are the following that are very useful among Christian believers:

(1.)  The “things possible” for GOD pertain to the establishment of existence for all created beings and living creatures.  Almighty GOD has created physical and spiritual spheres for human existence.  Included are “the earth,” “the universe” “the covenant” and the “church.”  However, mankind has created the emotional, psychological and social spheres for exchange, interaction and survival that we call “the world.”

(2.)  Things possible for GOD also include “revelation” wherein GOD is made known to possess attributes of person; commands and communicates with those he has created; is understood; and becomes “visible” to those who are in flesh.  GOD is a spirit, and therefore has no form or substance immediately recognizable to humans.  GOD is not a cloud, a fog, a mist, or smoke—material and physical matter.  The make-up or content of GOD includes such inseparable aspects as faith, holiness, love, truthfulness, wisdom, and wrath against sin.

(3.)  GOD uses multiple sacred operations to transform awareness in created beings and living creatures.  Included are birth, death, divine law, baptism, re-birth, forbearance, forgiveness, promise, prophecy, judgment, resurrection, and sanctification.  Consciousness may be dominated by the flesh (appetite such as hunger, thirst, sexual craving; sense such as hearing, seeing, tasting; and features of mind such as desire, fantasy, imagination, and recall).  Where the spirit content of a person also includes the imparted, indwelling Spirit from GOD provided through Jesus Christ, they continue as believers in intimate relationship to GOD.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually understood.  For example, (4.)  GOD operates through specific patterns of lawful order, yet, it is possible for GOD to employ creation (i.e., call things into being from nothing that presently exists); GOD may use evil (i.e., sudden and sweeping change; we say, calamity, catastrophe, disaster, upheaval, not wickedness); and GOD may use miracles (i.e., interventions that alter and reverse ongoing process.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.  Love has spoken.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC