Where the holy writings speak of light, the revelation of GOD to created beings and living creatures should come into view along with the things spoken of as the gospel, the vision of the holy city, and the promises of eternal life. Through the ongoing operations of the Holy Spirit, all death, foolishness, sin, and works of darkness are being dispelled by light.
SOME THOUGHTS ON
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. (John 3: 18-21, KJV)
Job 24: 12-17 (KJV) 12 Men groan from out of the city, and the soul of the wounded crieth out: yet God layeth not folly to them. 13 They are of those that rebel against the light; they know not the ways thereof, nor abide in the paths thereof. 14 The murderer rising with the light killeth the poor and needy, and in the night is as a thief. 15 The eye also of the adulterer waiteth for the twilight, saying, No eye shall see me: and disguiseth his face. 16 In the dark they dig through houses, which they had marked for themselves in the daytime: they know not the light. 17 For the morning is to them even as the shadow of death: if one know them, they are in the terrors of the shadow of death.
Amos 5: 7-9 (KJV) 7 Ye who turn judgment to wormwood, and leave off righteousness in the earth, 8 Seek him that maketh the seven stars and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death into the morning, and maketh the day dark with night: that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD is his name: 9 That strengtheneth the spoiled against the strong, so that the spoiled shall come against the fortress.
James 1: 17 (KJV) 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
Isaiah 60: 1-3 (KJV) 1 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. 2 For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. 3 And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.
Romans 13: 12-14 (KJV) 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. 14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
John 1: 1-10 (KJV) 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
Ephesians 5: 14 (KJV) 14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
John 12: 34-36 (KJV) 34 The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man? 35 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. 36 While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.
2nd Corinthians 4: 6 (KJV) 6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
John 12: 44-46 (KJV) 44 Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. 45 And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. 46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
1st John 1: 6-8 (KJV) 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
2nd Timothy 1: 7-10 (KJV) 7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
2nd Peter 1: 16-21 (KJV) 16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. 19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
1st Corinthians 4: 5 (KJV) 5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
Revelation 22: 1-7 (KJV) 1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: 4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. 5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. 6 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. 7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
Today, the focus and intent of the Bible comes into view through a question about the siblings of Jesus; and there is more on the statement of Jesus that night cometh. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “Kurjack” (Level 2 with 285 points, a member since May 15, 2013) posted the following:
Did Joseph and Mary hire a babysitter when they presented Jesus in the temple?
Luke 2:22 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. 43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day.
Did Joseph and Mary hire a babysitter to take care of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon and his sisters? If Joseph and Mary had at least six children other than Jesus, then why did they not bring them when they went to the Jewish Festival? Surely they would have had to have at least one other child by the time Jesus was twelve years old if they were to have at least six children in addition to Jesus.
Additional Details
So I guess that there is no solid answer proves that the Catholics are right that Jesus was an only child.
THE BATTLE AXE: Night Cometh (06/11/2013)— (5) For Jesus, night was that time when he could be alone for communion with the Father in prayer. By declaring to his disciples that “night” was approaching, Jesus further exhorted his followers to be diligent, dutiful and faithful in their ministry as witnesses. Anchored in spiritual truths from GOD, believers are to stay alert, and to be watchful. Thus, his warning against the night is also an encouragement to continue in holy service that will resist and overcome bereavement, imprisonment, opposition, persecution, and divine wrath revealed as tribulation. See Nehemiah 4: 1-23, Matthew 26: 36-45, Mark 13: 31-37 and Luke 21: 5-38, KJV.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd. And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. (Ecclesiastes 12: 11-14, King James Version)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Jesus, A Party Animal? (05/03/2013); Jesus Lives! (05/04/2013); Why Jesus Authored No Books? (05/01/2013); Recognizing True Prophets (05/02/2013); The Childhood of Jesus? (03/06/2013); Non-existent Debt? (03/07/2013); Missing Years? (02/25/2011); A Reborn Heart (02/26/2011)
Kurjack, here are some points relied upon by many mature Christian believers to maintain proper focus, and avoid spiritual confusion:
(1) The holy writings are not intended for amusement and entertainment as are secular biography, history, novels and short stories. The Bible focuses upon sacred events, divine operations, and the eternal purposes of divinity as demonstrated and portrayed upon the earth, and through mankind.
(2) Often, what unbelievers call “missing” information has not been included in the divine record because, it merely fosters awareness of the world and the flesh, and does not promote correct focus upon divine intent and sacred process. While many questions a reader might ask are answered by “common sense;” there are others that must be examined, condemned and avoided as carrying no useful information, yet, generating confusion, doubt, waste, and unbelief. Also, what appears as “missing” to those in unbelief, is continually provided through the imparted, indwelling Spirit from GOD.
(3) The Bible is a divine tool given to mankind, and that functions in harmony with ones spirit substance. Data, facts, academic information with intellectual and mental process are not the most essential aspect of the Bible. The Scriptures are to convey and install added spirit content from the make-up and person of GOD. Included are consciousness of GOD, faith, holiness, hope (i.e., expectation), longsuffering, wisdom and wrath against sin.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4) The Scriptures focus upon Jesus as the first-born; and, while there is no direct mention of “bar-mitzvah”, Jesus was at an age to be publicly recognized as a son-of-the law. The law established from the time of Moses demanded attendance of all the first-born at annual festivals acknowledging GOD. By the judgment against the first-born of Egypt, GOD proclaimed his place in covenant relationship as one of authority, awe, and terrible majesty. Every first-born in Israel was to serve as the heir to their own natural father, and would inherit the promises of GOD, including responsibility as caretaker for the promised land, heads of families and households, and peculiar duties of anointed priesthood.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
The meanings of darkness and night as they appear in a prophecy spoken by Jesus are topics, today. Also, there is more on how death as the end of pain and suffering relates to self-will and sin. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using ID “pray for the world.” (Level 7 with 68,843 points, a member since April 15, 2011) posted the following:
Christians, what did Jesus mean by night coming when no man can work?
John 9:4 (ESV)
4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.
THE BATTLE AXE: The End of Pain? (06/10/2013)— (6) Self-will in created beings and living creatures is defiled by sin and made spiritually unclean. Saying this another way: will in temporal beings (those who are not eternal) decays and rots; and ones spiritual endowment from GOD is diminished. Through the influence of sin upon self-will (we say, will-power), it is now widely-held error within the awareness of created beings and living creatures that GOD is an arbitrary cause of death, that death occurs randomly and serves no purpose, and that the end of GOD will bring the end of death. Ones desire for their own continuity and permanence as well as that for their loved ones cannot be satisfied through operations of human will. Sin results in death by blocking and interrupting divine growth, learning, maturation, and perfection.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. (1st Thessalonians 5: 1-11, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Jesus Lives! (05/04/2013); Time Before The Sun? (04/14/2013); The Obedience of Jesus? (04/15/2013); Did Jesus Know? (12/22/2012); The True Miracle (12/23/2012)
“pray for the world.”, many mature Christian believers who deeply love Jesus as our Redeemer and Savior would agree that anyone who desires a full and mature knowledge of the Gospel, should also consider the following points:
(1) Throughout the holy writings, day and night are recurring conditions in human experience, and the natural world. Day is the time of light when meaningful work and honest activity may be completed. As an extended period dominated by darkness, many repeatedly choose night as the time to commit sins, and pursue pleasures that are offenses against GOD. Transgressors gain a heightened confidence that, cloaked and covered by night, they will remain anonymous, their wrongdoing will not be detected or interrupted, they will have greater opportunity to escape, and, even when seen by witnesses, they will not be easy to identify in the light.
(2) Along with blindness, darkness and night also speak to ignorance of revealed truth from GOD. In addition to preaching a prophetic message, teaching from the holy writings, and witness as his ministry from GOD, Jesus performed works that included exorcism (i.e., casting out devils and unclean spirit beings that attempt to conceal themselves from divine sight by hiding within human bodies, who debase and defile their hosts), forgiving the condemned in judgment, healing the blind, and raising the dead.
(3) Because of depression, despair, and sorrow without godly hope, death is spoken of in the world as darkness, and night. (The earth is the creation of GOD; the world is the man-made system for exchange and survival upon the earth.) Through Jesus Christ, mankind receives the demonstration of resurrection, the promise of eternal life, and the expectation of unending light provided by the permanent presence of GOD.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4) Jesus prophesied his own death as unavoidable, and highlighted the truth that the continuing work of his disciples and apostles as vessels of the Holy Spirit would be the primary spark of GOD upon the earth until the time of his second coming.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
