(03/26/2019) Water That Imparts Holiness?

A depiction of the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove and conveyed from the holy writings as a splash of water (see reference below)

Today, the reply is on idolatry, the sacredness of holy water, and the imparting of holiness to reside within vessels fashioned by divinity or within man-made objects. To the carnal mind, it sounds impossible that water may contain divine spirit; however, nothing is impossible for GOD. Divinity and the Holy Spirit may appear and be manifest using breath, flesh, oil, speech, and water along with many other visible forms and objects. Even so, through their disobedience and transgression of divine law, the spirit content from the makeup of GOD that had been imparted to Adam and Eve became permanently changed and diminished; their flesh and that of their offspring could no longer be used as a divine temple without the appearance of divinity in flesh as Jesus Christ (we say, the Incarnation). Mankind now craves there be restoration of the sacred gifts that were lost, fresh deposits and endowments of sacred substance, and a full indwelling of the Holy Spirit (we also say, the Breath of Life; the Comforter; the Holy Ghost; the Spirit of Prophecy; the Spirit of Truth). Thus, the life essence from GOD is often described in the Scriptures using figures and tokens that depict mankind and the Promised Land as dry, thirsty, lacking willpower, longing for the early and the latter rain, and continually alert to the appearing of new streams and wells of living water. One of the fighters in the “Yahoo! Answers” public forum on Religion and Spirituality who uses the ID “Anonymous” (no profile is shared) posted the following:

Is holy water really any different from any other water?

THE GOLDEN ARROW: There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.) Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle? Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. (John 4: 7-14, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Bible Language About Spirit? (06/13/2018); The Cross Proclaims Victory (05/12/2016); A Dry Thirsty Land (05/01/2016); Holy Water? (09/28/2015); GOD Known By Action Not Form? (03/18/2015); Believers and the Cross (06/24/2013); A Relationship not Just Knowledge? (06/25/2013); The Dove (12/28/2012); Purchased With Blood? (12/29/2012); On Religious Items (08/29/2012); On Cults (08/30/2012)

“Anonymous”, many Christians continue to acknowledge multiple benefits and privileges from receiving water that has been consecrated by divine operations as an acceptable aspect of their regular sacred practices (we say, sacraments). In the same way the emblems of bread and wine are venerated as the body of Christ during the Lord’s Supper (Communion), “holy water” is provided as an emblem from the cross. Often, such believers also accept that holiness remains inseparable from the full array of sacred substances within the character, makeup and nature of GOD. Included are faith, forbearance, oneness without sameness, personhood, righteousness, wisdom, and wrath against sin.

There is what we call “holy water” that has been set apart (sanctified) by men through prayer for divine use, and may first have come from any of several natural sources (e.g., distilled water; running water from a brook, stream, or river; spring water; standing water from a lake or pond; water from melting and thawed ice). There also is “holy water” whose nature and substance has been changed by deposits and endowments of spirit content from the makeup of active presence (we also say, divine fullness; the Godhead; the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit).

In the same way, divine life essence (breath; spirit; word) may be imparted to the soil establishing “holy ground” as in the account of Moses, the Holy Spirit operates to cleanse and prepare man-made objects, and the followers of Jesus to exist as vessels who contain and embody spirit content from GOD. Such vessels are not to be exalted or worshiped as though they were idols that contain gods, or could bestow benefits and privileges to the living apart from the divine fullness. As living sacrifices and tools to be used for sacred works, there are “holy men” (apostles, priests, prophets, and spokespersons; kings, princes, and rulers; and standing for the disciples of Jesus to be known as the offspring of GOD, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ); and there may be divine utensils and vessels for service at a consecrated altar. Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

1. 1^st Corinthians 12: 3, King James Version (KJV): 3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

2. 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.

3. 2^nd Corinthians 4: 5-11, 5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. 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. 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, 4. John 19: 31-35, KJV: 31 The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. 32 Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. 33 But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: 34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. 35 And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

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THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(06/28/2018) The Witness of Oceans

Today, reply is on the existence of the ocean as a “proof” of the existence of divinity.  Correctly understood, the living are to be the witness that GOD lives; and divine spirit is the highest, most legitimate “evidence” for divinity.  A fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” Religion and Spirituality forum using the ID “Anonymous” (no profile data appears) posted the following:


Are the oceans proof of God? Without the oceans, no rain. No rain, no life on earth?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen:  that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he:  before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.  I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.  I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you:  therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God.  Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand:  I will work, and who shall let it?  (Isaiah 43:  10-13, King James Version, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  “I Am The Resurrection” (03/25/2018); Heaven Temporal, GOD Eternal (12/12/2017); Relying on Sacred “Evidence” (11/20/2017); Proof That GOD Exists? (10/16/2016); GOD Is A Spirit (12/07/2014); The Mystery of His Appearing (12/08/2014); The Fullness of GODhead? (01/09/2014); World Without End? (01/10/2014)


“Anonymous”, the acknowledgment of divine fullness (we say, the Creator; the GODhead; the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit) as the origin and source for all that exists and lives is not to be on the basis of appetite (hunger, thirst, sexual cravings), sensation (hearing, seeing, tasting, touching), emotion/mental process (fantasy, intelligence, logic, carnal reason), or the material objects of the natural world (forests, lakes, mountains, rivers, the sun, moon and stars) so much as on the basis of divine consciousness and spirit content imparted from divinity to indwell created beings and living creatures.  While many things reveal and serve as tools to make the inseparable aspects of unseen divinity visible as an active presence, it is the makeup and spirit substance of GOD that most directly communicates to created beings and living creatures.  Included are faith, forbearance, forgiveness, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, oneness without sameness, personhood, wisdom, and wrath against sin.  Here are some points you might find useful as you continue your study that use language from the Bible:

(1.)  Psalms 19:  1-6, King James Version (KJV):  1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.  2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.  3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.  4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,  5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.  6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it:  and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

(2.)  Jeremiah 5:  21-23, KJV:  21 Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not:  22 Fear ye not me? saith the LORD:  will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it:  and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it?  23 But this people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone.

(3.)  1st Corinthians 2:  7-14, KJV:  7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:  8 Which none of the princes of this world knew:  for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.  9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.  10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit:  for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.  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.)  Romans 1:  16-23, KJV:  16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:  for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.  17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith:  as it is written, The just shall live by faith.  18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;  19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.  20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:  21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.  22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,  23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

There is far more to be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (5.)  Revelation 21:  1-4, KJV:  1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth:  for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.  2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.  4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain:  for the former things are passed away.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(05/09/2013) Death Has Been Transformed

Whether or not believers are required to die on the cross is the topic, today. Also, there is more on Jesus rebuking the storm. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using ID “Ken” (Level 1 with 182 points, a member since May 1, 2013) posted the following:


Why does Jesus require all of us die on the cross?

That’s what my pastor says. If I gotta, I gotta.


THE BATTLE AXE: Commanding the Storm? (05/08/2013)—(5.) In order to fulfill prophecy and further implement the promises of GOD, Jesus reproduced, improved upon, and portrayed many actions and events from the lives of earlier patriarchs, prophets and kings. Included were acts of covenant, deliverance, exorcism, fasting, healing, power over aspects of the natural world, prayer, submission, and spiritual surrender. The Savior’s rebuke of storms compares to Moses, Joshua, Elijah, and Elisha opening the Red Sea, and going over the Jordan River on dry ground (see Exodus 14: 21 and 2nd Kings 2: 1-15, KJV). In the same way Moses demonstrated authority from GOD calling water from a rock, and instructing them regarding the gift of manna as a food for the covenant people, Jesus fed thousands to clarify his authority to forgive sins, raise the dead, and to establish eternal life through priesthood and judgment (see John 4: 46-54, Luke 5: 18-26, Hebrews 7: 24-26 and John 6: 1-71, KJV).


THE GOLDEN ARROW: Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1st Corinthians 15: 50-57, King James Version)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Magical Resurrection? (03/20/2013); Eat His Body, Drink His Blood (03/21/2013); Foolish For Not Believing? (03/22/2013); Life and Death (09/26/2012); Mob Rule and Violence (09/27/2012); The Divine Tool of Death (08/11/2012)


Ken, I trust you will agree, there are many things that must fit together for us to understand all that GOD is accomplishing through the Incarnation, the death, the resurrection, and eternal ministry of Jesus Christ as Risen Lord. Please consider the following points:

(1.) In the same way our existence within a natural order continues to require that people get wet when standing in the rain, all mankind and believers in salvation from GOD through Christ also continue to meet natural demands for change that include aging, decay, forgetting, sickness, and decease. 
 
(2.) The existence of mankind within the divine order that generates created beings and living creatures has been altered by the process of sin. Sin first appeared among the holy angels, who are spirit beings. In their creation, the angels were made finished (we say, perfect) in terms of their capabilities, living process, and sacred content. The angels and sacred beasts of heaven were not made subject to death, and the fear of termination. Even so, in the heaven, only GOD is immortal.

(3.) Death was introduced as a divine tool to make visible the direction, effect, and presence of sin. The existence of mankind was made temporal (i.e., of limited duration); and the completion of our condition as mortal is called “death.” Sin has not been created by GOD, and contains no spirit substance as do all things made by GOD, including mankind. Sin may dominate self-will in created beings and living creatures; however, sin cannot influence the will of GOD.

(4.) Through the birth, ministry, sufferings, death and resurrection of Jesus, the meaning and power of death for mankind has been reconfigured and transformed. Spiritual reality and truth are clarified and established revealing death as temporal, and a necessary stage for mankind to be made immortal and incorruptible.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (5.) To acquire and experience the benefits intended for mankind, believers must become aware of Christ as the controlling aspect within their own person. In that sense, they become one with the Son, and through him, with the Father. Death is then described as an aspect of spiritual meaning with rebirth from divine content (we say, holy DNA). There then must be further sacred process including repentance and sanctification. Human will becomes armored against sin, where men once were incapable of detecting or resisting sin.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(11/03/2012) The "Lake of Mercy"

Judgment, the lake of fire, and divine mercy are topics, today. (No BATTLE AXE appears.) A regular reader at thoughts.com using the ID “Southern_Grace” responded to (11/01/2012) After the Rapture? and posted the following:



The lake of fire will become the mercy of God. That is an interesting statement. Would you expand on your thoughts?



THE GOLDEN ARROW: And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped. And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs. (Revelation 14: 13-20, KJV)



THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Does GOD Feel? (10/05/2012); How Was GOD Known Before Jesus? (10/06/2012); Life and Death (09/26/2012); Doom (09/20/2012); Contradictions? (09/21/2012); Mercy is Just? (12/17/2010); The Lord’s Prayer (12/18/2010)



The idea of a “lake of mercy” wherein wickedness is destroyed, and the idea of rain from heaven that destroys wickedness by completely covering the earth, are ways of describing divine judgment against sin while further revealing the surpassing love of the Creator for created beings and living creatures. Correctly understood, salvation and judgment are sacred processes to accomplish the purposes of GOD, not those of mankind. The intent of GOD revealed in Creation has not changed, and through Creation GOD is known as immutable, invisible and unchanging. The need for peace throughout Creation is recognized and provided for. Peace, and the resolution of conflict are not the outcome of war; rather, they are the outcome of judgment (i.e., the end of contention and quarrels, and the settlement of disputes through law). Created beings and living creatures endowed with self-will continue in conflict with their Maker, and with one another calling for a reconciliation of flesh and spirit made present as both divinity and matter. The grace and mercy of GOD invested within the law are made manifest in the person of Jesus Christ, who is anointed as Judge and the primary overseer of divine judgment. Just as GOD is revealed in the sacred process of Incarnation, GOD is made visible through the sacred process of judgment that displays grace, justice, mercy, righteousness, wisdom and wrath against sin.

Throughout the Scriptures, language that speaks of burning, fire from heaven, holy fire, and the wrath of GOD are used pertaining to judgment against sin. Fire from heaven as a device in divine judgment is first reported in the book of Genesis, and appears as “a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life” (Genesis 3: 24, King James Version). Immediately, we grasp that this flame is not produced by common fire, such as we use to cook and warm ourselves. We next understand the appearance of holy fire in judgment of mankind by the account of sacrifice from the sons of Adam. Both Abel and Cain were granted the instruction from GOD as heirs to the priesthood from heaven that was demonstrated to Adam upon the earth. Adam was shown how to prepare an altar as the holy table, and the point of connection between heaven and earth. Also, he was taught the correct way to transfer sin to a living creature, kill, eviscerate, portion and present the lamb, sprinkling the blood for atonement and thanksgiving. Almighty GOD then introduced holy fire to consume the sacrifice, that could, all at once, destroy the sin laid upon it, and release to GOD the divine spirit substance from both the innocent substitute, and the priest making sacrifice. While both Abel and Cain built altars, and made offerings based upon their labor, only Abel’s sacrifice was performed in obedience to the pattern from heaven. The Scripture reports, “And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering:” (Genesis 4: 4, KJV). Holy fire from heaven is understood as the device that was used by Almighty GOD to acknowledge the obedience of Abel, and to indicate divine pleasure.

In the same way that law existed in heaven long before creation of the angels and sacred beasts, holy fire existed as the tool of GOD in Creation of the heaven and the earth long before lightening and natural fire. Judgment existed as an aspect of divine person and (before sin) continued as assessment, evaluation and the weighing of alternatives in decision-making and accomplishing sacred process. The holy angels, who are neither mortals nor immortal beings, were completed as finished spirit-beings along with their spirit-place (the celestial heavens), and were not given the same ability to change through growth and learning that was bestowed upon Adam. More than this, angels and others were not made capable of spiritual repentance. When sin became known among the holy angels, holy fire first became a tool for judgment against rebellion and willful behavior by created beings, and is called “everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels” by Jesus (Matthew 25: 41, KJV).

The idea of fire from heaven having a form similar to that of water comes into view in the account of judgment against the cities of the plain, when the Lord rained brimstone and fire (Genesis 19: 24, KJV). This is similar to the accounts of flood waters used for judgment against mankind in Noah’s day as well as hail and fire used in judgment against the One World empire of Egypt at the time of Moses. Many suppose that Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed by common fire, and because of idolatry, fornication, and perverted sexual practices. In fact, Scripture declares: Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy (Ezekiel 16: 49, KJV). The phrase “lake of fire” first appears in Scripture at Revelation 19: 20 describing the destruction of the false prophet and beast that were instruments of Satan. This second death is first described as a second harvesting of the earth commanded by an angel that comes out from the altar in heaven having power over fire, and in service to Christ (Revelation 14: 18-20, KJV).

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, mercy is exclusively an artifact of divine judgment: No judgment by GOD, no mercy; no mercy from GOD, no perfect judgment. Such elements as balance, impartiality and righteousness characterize divine judgment through its inclusion of mercy. Judgment that results in the second death is both the eternal release from sin, and the eternal release from divine displeasure and punishment.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC