Today, points are shared on
giants upon the earth appearing in the Bible along with the
longevity of the patriarchs. Accounts of giants are shared in
Scripture as admonition regarding divine judgment against sin, secular
history or “matter-of-fact” reports, and are not intended as stories for
amusement, entertainment, and hilarity. Where we correctly approach the holy
writings for authentic statements from GOD to establish and reinforce spirit
content in the living, there is no error concerning “make believe,” monsters,
and mythology. The writer at “Yahoo! Answers (Australia)” using the ID
“Love Unites” (Level 7 with 38,553 points, a member since May 08, 2013) posted
the following:
R&S, do you believe giants once
existed? Such as the giants in the Bible?
THE GOLDEN ARROW: I was at
ease, but he hath broken me asunder: he hath also taken me by my neck,
and shaken me to pieces, and set me up for his mark. His archers compass me
round about, he cleaveth my reins asunder, and doth not spare; he poureth out my
gall upon the ground. He breaketh me with breach upon breach, he runneth upon
me like a giant. I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, and defiled my horn in
the dust. My face is foul with weeping, and on my eyelids is the
shadow of death; Not for any injustice in mine hands: also my prayer
is pure. O earth, cover not thou my blood, and let my cry have no
place. Also now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high. My
friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God. O
that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his
neighbour! When a few years are come, then I shall go the way whence I
shall not return. (Job 16: 12-22, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: The Cross
and Today (03/22/2016); Our Beginnings Were Perfect? (12/14/2015); Asked To
Teach On Adam? (10/30/2015); Stories Repeated in the Bible? (08/30/2014); Why
Similar Accounts (08/31/2014); Bible Authors and Truth? (06/19/2013); On Testing
GOD (06/20/2013); Why Clothing? (10/15/2010); Known by GOD?
(10/16/2010)
“Love Unites”, Christian believers are to accept
the accounts of “giants” that appear within the holy writings in the same way
they are to acknowledge the longevity for Patriarchs (nearly 1,000 years for
Adam), and the Son of GOD dying upon the cross. His height measured in cubits
(generally, 18 inches, a foot and a half), Goliath of Gath, the Philistine
champion defeated by David, is not described merely to provide an exciting
“bedtime story.” Faith and the unseen must come into view. Just as the
Patriarchs lived as vessels of oral history, the Scriptures are for “revelation”
(divinity being made knowable and known), and the imparting of sacred
knowledge. The Bible shares a divine point of view whereby readers who have
received spirit content imparted from GOD (e.g., faith, holiness, longsuffering,
wisdom, wrath against sin) are able to discern and recognize the operations of
GOD displayed through thousands of events in thousands of lives, over the course
of thousands of years. Many forget the earth was once “brand new,” and the
present pollution from automobiles, machines, over population, and human waste
did not always exist. Many understand that the original pair (Adam) was as much
as 10 feet tall. It was a long time before the operations of sin corrupted and
debilitated the divine plan of healthy food for healthy bodies to where is
today. The Watusi tribe of North Central Africa have long been celebrated in
the modern world as a race of giants. Also, those of us who have seen the many
athletes over 7 feet tall in the National Basketball Association (NBA), and big
men such as Shaquille O’Neal repeatedly lift a 300 pound body off the floor and
up to the net, have no doubt that it is possible for GOD, who clothed Adam and
Eve with the Spirit, to have scaled Adam and Eve as what we might call
“giants”. Consider how some of this appears stated in the language of the
Bible:
(1.) Genesis 6: 3-5, King James Version (KJV): 3
And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with
man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and
twenty years. 4 There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after
that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare
children to them, the same became mighty men which
were of old, men of renown. 5 And God saw that the wickedness of man
was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the
thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
(2.) Numbers 13: 32-33, KJV: 32 And they brought
up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of
Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a
land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in
it are men of a great stature. 33 And there we saw the giants, the
sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight
as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.
(3.) Deuteronomy 3: 10-12, KJV: 10 All the
cities of the plain, and all Gilead, and all Bashan, unto Salchah and Edrei,
cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan. 11 For only Og king of Bashan remained
of the remnant of giants; behold his bedstead was a bedstead of iron;
is it not in Rabbath of the children of Ammon? nine cubits was
the length thereof, and four cubits the breadth of it, after the cubit of a
man. 12 And this land, which we possessed at that time, from Aroer,
which is by the river Arnon, and half mount Gilead, and the cities
thereof, gave I unto the Reubenites and to the Gadites.
There is far more that could be said, must be
carefully examined, and spiritually understood. (For example, (4.) 1st Samuel
17: 4-7, KJV: 4 And there went out a champion out of the camp of the
Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a
span. 5 And he had an helmet of brass upon his head, and he
was armed with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was
five thousand shekels of brass. 6 And he had greaves of brass upon his
legs, and a target of brass between his shoulders. 7 And the staff of his spear
was like a weaver’s beam; and his spear’s head weighed six
hundred shekels of iron: and one bearing a shield went before him.) Even so, I
trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your
faith.
THE BLACK
PHOENIX
Washington, DC
Themes of
corruption, perfection and purity are in view, today. Readers are
encouraged to reflect on the following from the New International
Version (NIV) of the Bible, and my thoughts appearing below: Titus 1:
15-16, NIV: 15 To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are
corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds
and consciences are corrupted. 16 They claim to know God, but by their
actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for
doing anything good. Also, 1st John 1: 5-9, NIV: 5 This is the
message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him
there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him
and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship
with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all
sin. 8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the
truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just
and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Romans 5: 13-15, NIV: 13 To be sure, sin was in the world before the
law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where
there is no law. 14 Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam
to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a
command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come. 15 But the
gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of
the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the
grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! The fighter
at “Yahoo! Answers” who uses the ID “badwolf” (Level 1 with 13 points, a
member since August 01, 2014) posted the following:
Why does god corrupt perfection of spirit by putting us in a human body..is he a sadist?
THE GOLDEN
ARROW: “Yet you have not called on me, Jacob, you have not wearied
yourselves for me, Israel. You have not brought me sheep for burnt
offerings, nor honored me with your sacrifices. I have not burdened you
with grain offerings nor wearied you with demands for incense. You
have not bought any fragrant calamus for me, or lavished on me the fat
of your sacrifices. But you have burdened me with your sins and wearied
me with your offenses. “I, even I, am he who blots out your
transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.
Review the past for me, let us argue the matter together; state the case
for your innocence. Your first father sinned; those I sent to teach
you rebelled against me. So I disgraced the dignitaries of your temple;
I consigned Jacob to destruction and Israel to scorn. (Isaiah 43:
22-28, NIV)
THE DOUBLE
DAGGER: The Choice of Knowledge? (10/28/2015); The Return to Dust?
(06/14/2015); Relationship With Our Creator? (03/16/2015); Before the
Fruit? (11/10/2012); Why "Mysterious" (11/11/2012); Why Clothing?
(10/15/2010); Known by GOD? (10/16/2010)
“badwolf”, Christian believers do not
hold any idea that divinity has corrupted Creation. Adam lived to be
nearly 1,000 years old, as did many other of the Patriarchs. The earth
was undefiled by epidemic disease, air and water pollution, and the
problems from garbage, “fossil fuels,” and human waste. The beginnings
for mankind are understood as having been with a perfect Spirit, within a
perfect body, within a perfect environment and sphere of life. More
than this, believers typically agree that it is equally absurd and
unthinkable that the Creation of GOD would have no value to the Creator,
and the Creator would have no value to his Creation. GOD is aware of
all our present flaws, imperfections, and shortcomings, yet, GOD is more
concerned with saving our lives than destroying our lives. Deity may
only be known by judgment, rebirth, and revelation. The choice to
embrace secular rather than sacred knowledge resulted in the terrible
loss of consecration, intimate relationship, divine respect, and
essential trust. Aspects of the endowment granted to mankind as human
makeup were rendered incapable of fulfilling eternal purpose; and
mankind would be continually challenged by the operations of sin that
relate to chaos, confusion, and non-existence. Consider again the
following from the holy writings:
(1.) Romans 8: 18-25, New
International Version (NIV): 18 I consider that our present sufferings
are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19
For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to
be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by
its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21
that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay
and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. 22 We
know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of
childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we
ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we
wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.
24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at
all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what
we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
(2.) Jeremiah 6: 14-16, NIV: 14
They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious.
‘Peace, peace,’ they say, when there is no peace. 15 Are they ashamed
of their detestable conduct? No, they have no shame at all; they do not
even know how to blush. So they will fall among the fallen; they will
be brought down when I punish them,” says the Lord. 16 This is what the
Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient
paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
(3.) Galatians 5: 16-18, NIV: 16 So I
say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the
flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the
Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each
other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are
led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
There are many other verses that should
be carefully considered, correctly understood, and made a permanent
aspect of ones spiritual fullness. (For example, (4.) Romans 5: 1-5,
NIV: 1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have
peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have
gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we
boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also glory
in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces
perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And
hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out
into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.)
Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according
to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®
Edit
The change to eating flesh and other conditions for mankind upon the earth following the fall and the flood are considered today. A writer at “Yahoo! Answers Canada” using the ID “Gisher John” (Level 3 with 1,548 points a member since September 02, 2008) posted the following:
In The Bible, when did people start eating meat? In the time of Adam and Eve, it was only fruits and veggies correct?
THE GOLDEN ARROW: And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth. And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered. Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things. But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat. And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of man. Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man. And you, be ye fruitful, and multiply; bring forth abundantly in the earth, and multiply therein. And God spake unto Noah, and to his sons with him, saying, And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you; 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. (Genesis 9: 1-10, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Sin and the Great Flood (11/03/2014); Remembering Lot’s Wife? (11/04/2014); Denying GOD by Eating Shrimp? (11/17/2013); The Dead in Christ? (11/18/2013); Animals Do Not Sin? (09/29/2013); GOD is Acknowledging (09/30/2013); Destroyed in Noah’s Flood? (04/28/2013); Both Born Holy? (04/29/2013); Why Blood? (04/13/2013); Time Before the Sun? (04/14/2013)
“Gisher John”, here are a few points based upon the Scriptures that have been helpful for many Christian believers:
(1.) Before the disobedience of Adam (we say, the fall), the makeup and substance of all created beings and living creatures upon the earth was to be maintained through the eating of “every green herb for meat” (we say, vegetables for food). Eating fruit from certain of the trees had been forbidden, and death was introduced as a consequence for behavior contrary to the law (i.e., the expressed will of GOD). The Lord came to the Garden, seeking fallen man.
(2.) Through their error, the Garden of Eden was no longer an acceptable setting for the pair; and life experience and process for the entire earth would have to be changed, not so much as punishment as “for man’s sake” (instruction, preparation, survival, transformation). Priesthood was established upon the earth to maintain atonement for sin.
(3.) Longevity for the patriarchs (hereditary and spiritual heads of families) was not merely based upon their diet. The earth was not yet defiled and polluted as we find in the present-day. Adam (930 years), Seth (912 years), Enosh (905 years) and others served as an unbroken line of oral historians, priests (those authorized to offer blood sacrifice) living witnesses and spokespersons (we say, prophets) continuing relationship with divinity.
There is far more to be said, correctly understood, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) Following the flood that was to purge (we say, clean both inside and out) the earth that was in ruin through sin, GOD established a new covenant for Creation with Noah and his family. The conditions and terms for mankind would continue divine law and eternal purpose, and establish penalties against those who kill. The use of animals for food would be allowed; and men would be required to shed blood to execute divine judgment.) I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
Reply is made to a writer who expresses fear that eternal life will be static, lacking change and having no excitement. The “Yahoo! Answers” writer using ID “Alice” (Level 1 with 155 points, a member since September 15, 2012) posted the following:
Am I the only Christian who is afraid of eternal life?
Hi everyone:)
I am a born again Christian and strive to spread the word of God with others so that they too can feel the happiness that I feel. I know I am saved and I love my savior Jesus Christ more than anything. I am proud to call myself a child of God and a Christian. But...I'm terrified of eternal life? Just the thought of living forever and forever and forever scares me. Maybe eternity will only seem like a day, I don't know! I can't wait to meet my Heavenly Father in Heaven, but, please tell me I'm not a bad Christian for being scared. I really hope I am not the only one.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron: I will also make thy officers peace, and thine exactors righteousness. Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise. The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory. Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended. Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified. A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the LORD will hasten it in his time. (Isaiah 60: 17-22, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Embodied Afterlife? (10/11/2013); Commandments in the Light of Christ? (10/12/2013); Can One Escape? (09/18/2013); Gentiles and the Law? (09/19/2013); A Relationship not Just Knowledge? (06/25/2013); Lost Without GOD? (06/26/2013); When Does Judgment Begin? (06/27/2013); The Fear of GOD (10/30/2012); Saved in Childbearing? (10/31/2012); Love in Christ? (10/23/2012); Escape from Racism (10/24/2012); Unwelcome Gifts? (09/17/2012); Does Believing Make It Happen? (09/18/2012)
Alice, here are a few points about fear and about life that may be shared among Christian believers:
(1.) Fears that arise by focusing on the bad things that are possible and that may occur without warning are always overcome by (a) acknowledging the certain truth that divine promises will be fulfilled, (b) that divine intent and sacred purpose is to bestow good upon created beings and living creatures, and (c )that our “happiness” no longer depends only upon what we do for ourselves as if GOD has no care for us, and will not answer all our need.
(2.) The human idea of what “life” is must be replaced by divine concepts of being, existence, and interrelationship. As believers in Jesus Christ, we are born again from divine DNA, so to speak. We are now in a godly process of growth wherein we gradually acquire a permanent awareness of spirit being and sacred substance in the place of things that are carnal, material, and secular.
(3.) The special blessing of GOD through Jesus Christ is not simply longevity. The purpose of eternal life is eternal relationship, and unlimited interaction with he who is sovereign above all that is in the universe.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually understood. (For example, (4.) Once judgment of the wicked is completed, mortality will be ended. All mankind will be made immortal and incorruptible. Alienation, decay, enmity, hostility, loneliness, and all forms of violence will be banished. There can be no boredom, pain without healing, unwanted isolation, or lack of understanding to make believers feel that they are prisoners, victims, or unwelcome guests.) I trust this fragment will be useful. Even so, be it unto you according to your faith. The time of our Savior’s coming is nearer than before. Grow in grace rejoicing!
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
How to recognize true prophets is the topic today. Also, there is more on why Jesus authored no books to keep his teachings “pure.” The “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “Andrew” (Level 1 with 58 points, a member since April 30, 2013) posted the following:
CHRISTIANS: What are the marks/signs of a true prophet?
In the bible God says he reveals himself in dreams, what other ways does God speak (if he still does) to people today?
THE BATTLE AXE: Why Jesus Authored No Books (05/01/2013)—(5.) The plan of GOD has long been the preservation of divine truth upon the earth through created beings and living creatures. The longevity of Adam (930 years, nearly one millennium) and that of the several Patriarchs ensured eyewitness accounts, and a living oral history would be in place along with the sacred priesthood for offerings and sacrifices. In the accounts of Noah (who was a husbandman, a farmer) and Abraham (who accumulated wealth despite being a nomad, yet avoided the baggage of books, and established no libraries), we continue to see GOD maintaining divine truth through flesh and mankind. Building upon the widespread herding, pastoral and oral traditions of the Jews, GOD introduced written law through Moses after first proclaiming the covenant to all those who had left Egypt. David and those who served after him, contributed the rich treasury of hymns, music, psalms and sacred song along with prayer and proverbs as further tools to preserve and transmit gifts and resources from divinity. Oral traditions rely upon face-to-face exchange, and communicate feelings as well as thought using body language, facial gestures and nonverbal expression. Christ encouraged and promoted specific forms of truth. Included were parables (we say “object lessons”), personal testimony, preaching, proclamation, promise, prophecy, and witness. Unlike the impersonal technology of writing used by governments and those of a merchant class, personal word of mouth provides interaction cues for trust, and continuing relationship. (6.) In the plan of GOD that is being carried out through Jesus Christ, faith comes by hearing, and is certified by miracles and other sacred works. The breath of life, and divine utterance, are the imparting of awareness, life and virtue. The Holy Scriptures convey spirit substance inseparable from faith. Included are forbearance, holiness, humility, joy, longsuffering, meekness, righteousness, wisdom, and wrath against sin. See Romans 10: 10-17, Nehemiah 8: 1-12, Ecclesiastes 12: 11-13 and Romans 8: 1-18, KJV. (7.) The union with GOD, and the oneness mankind is to achieve is not “sameness”. Diversity is the tool of Divine Person that must be used to establish the peculiar completeness and fullness of GOD, who is immortal, who is spirit, and who does not change. Thus, the revelation of GOD to created beings and living creatures is by their discovery of shared identity in Jesus Christ.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. (Revelation 19: 5-10, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Confusion 2013 (01/13/2013); Why A “Spokesperson” (01/14/2013); No Contradictions? (01/15/2013); How To Have Conviction (11/24/2012); A Text for Lives Today? (11/25/2012); Pornography from the Bible? (11/26/2012); Signs of a Prophet (03/14/2012); The Rules for Sharing Christ (03/15/2012); The Prophets (02/24/2012); Bad Luck (02/25/2012); Prophecy Fails? (03/15/2011); Bible Benefit? (03/16/2011); Prophets? (10/28/2010)
Andrew, in the course of their growth, most mature Christian believers also have asked the question you pose, because it’s in line with ones desire to know whom to trust for sacred truth, and how to be certain that ones own experience of what appears as divinity is truly coming from GOD. Where you will first acknowledge GOD in prayer with gratitude and respect, you will be more well prepared to recognize whether or not the following points are being shared with you in obedience to Christ:
(1.) True prophets are sent from GOD as messengers, and do not pursue a personal agenda, secular and social goals, self-justification, or self-promotion. Even so, they also provide eyewitness reports and personal testimonies (i.e., spoken evidence in judgment) that pertain to their experience of GOD.
(2.) In Christian belief, the proclamations, promises and prophecies declared by the true prophets are corroborated and harmonize with the words and works of all the prophets sent before them as well as that of those who will come after them. Even so, it is not the “sameness” of their message that reveals their genuine identity as holy and sent by GOD. It is the oneness of Spirit.
(3.) True prophets all operate through spiritual endowments from the makeup and substance of GOD. Included are faith, holiness, humility, longsuffering, truth, wisdom, and wrath against sin. Where one of these sacred elements appear, all of them must appear; for they are inseparable. False prophets are recognized by their self-contradictions and display of such devices as accusations, covetousness, cowardice, deceit, envy, fear mongering, lying, pride, scorn and slander.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) The holy writings serve as a proven standard that allows those endowed from GOD to correctly discern and recognize eternal purpose, sacred operations, and the anointed agents and representatives sent by GOD. Also, believers quickly and correctly recognize those under the Adversary (Satan), spiritual confusion, and sin. See Isaiah 8: 20, Hebrews 4: 12 and 1st John 4: 1-6, KJV.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
