(09/26/2019) The Kingdom Within You

Today, reply is on choosing among and between different presentations and translations of the same Scripture. 

Identifying the divine essence, meaning, substance, and value (we say, the spirit) for what is presented can be more important than its exact repetition as a quotation from divinity (we say, the letter; the word of GOD).  Correctly understood, the dominion and rule of the Creator extends over the awareness and self-will of every created being and living creature. The kingdom of GOD that is to indwell mankind is not a material place or physical realm. Rather, it is a consciousness of divine presence, eternal purpose, and the sovereign will of GOD. All Christian believers are in a continuing process of becoming mature and fulfilling their spiritual growth as those who are vessels of divine Spirit. Inseparable aspects of spirit content from the makeup of GOD are provided to sinners releasing them from sin, and making them the new Creation of Jesus Christ. Believers are guided by long-held principles and standards recorded as the holy writings (e.g., the Gospel, the apostolic epistles; the prophecies of revelation). Disciples and followers of Christ are to become increasingly aware of the things that pertain to divinity, and acknowledge accountability for their own sacred beliefs. Their choices and decisions eventually should display balance, completeness, consistency, and stability; and each believer will operate on the basis of their own commitment, discovery, fresh endowment of life essence, gradual growth, sacred practice, and self-government. It is written: Luke 17: 20-21, King James Version (KJV): 20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: 21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. One of the fighters in the “Yahoo! Answers” public forum on Religion and Spirituality who uses the ID “Anonymous” (profile information not shown) posted the following:

“The kingdom of God is within you”, or “the kingdom of God is in your midst” Luke 17:20. Two bibles say drastically different things?

“nor will they say, 'Look, here it is!' or, 'There it is!' For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst."-NewAmerican Standard bible

“nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you”—King James Version

The first one seems to be saying Jesus Christ is the kingdom of God. The second one seems to say we are God? Which is right?

THE GOLDEN ARROW: All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2^nd Timothy 3: 16-17, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Kings, Popes, Priests, Prophets? (09/22/2019); Conflict Among Multiple Wills? (09/20/2019); Now Are Ye Light (09/18/2019); Heaven Speaks Using Mankind (09/15/2019); GOD’s Will Be Done? (03/27/2019); Mysteries Of The Kingdom? (09/28/2018); Proclaiming A New Kingdom? (04/13/2017); Benefits of His Kingdom? (04/11/2017)

“Anonymous”, reading the holy writings is a sacred process different from academic and secular reading. Those who are in Christ read the Bible with the understanding that all sacred truth will conform to the clear revelation of divinity made through the Savior appearing on the earth in flesh and blood (we say, the Incarnation). A reader’s consciousness must be filled by their own endowment of spirit substance imparted from the makeup of GOD. Inseparable aspects of divine fullness must be active, rather than merely the finite human tools of emotion, intellect, logic, and carnal reason. Included as the active presence of divinity are faith, holiness, hope (commanded expectation), joy, longsuffering, lovingkindness, oneness without sameness, personhood, willingness to forgive, wisdom, and wrath against sin. Reading the Bible and other sacred writings requires the practice of discernment. The deposit of Spirit from GOD that one has received must be used as the standard to acknowledge, recognize, and correctly respond to the same authority and influence as he appears within events, oneself, other persons, prophecy, etc. Both because the Bible is a collection of writings that provide multiple streams of sacred truth, and because Bible readers are in a divine process of discovery and gradual growth, their reading of statements from the Scriptures may alter and shift over time. Therefore, developing and mature Christians focus on unchanging divine intent and principles for permanent change, rather than literal statements made within the frameworks of time and space. Consider the following that uses language from the Bible, and a presentation from the music ministry of Steve Amerson:

1. 2^nd Corinthians 3: 5-7, King James Version (KJV): 5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; 6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

2. 1^st John 2: 27-28, KJV: 27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. 28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

3. John 6: 63, KJV: 63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing:  the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, 4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dT_SuD6Mz7M.)  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

(05/22/2017) Fear, Revelation and Desire

Today, topics include awe, judgment, and having trust in relationships with divinity.  While sinners are being drawn, recruited, and welcomed into the kingdom of GOD, they also are being admonished, cautioned, and warned to “know their place” and not to become arrogant, irreverent, overfamiliar, presumptuous, proud, or self-promoting.  Salvation is provided as a free gift, yet, the sincere believer is expected to labor and toil sharing the Gospel and their abundance from GOD through their own ongoing lifestyle and daily routines as well as by their sacred practices, studies, and worship.  As new believers, many make the mistake of thinking that being in Christ means “have what you want, do as you please.”  For a long time they may fail to realize that their growth to spiritual maturity is primarily by resolving conflict, meeting challenges, enduring suffering, and preparing for the coming of Christ.  The writer at “Yahoo! Answers (India)” using the ID “Breakthrough” (Level 6 with 15,889 points, a member since June 29, 2013) posted the following:


The bible says that God fulfills the desires of those who fear Him - so how does one fear God?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  It is as sport to a fool to do mischief:  but a man of understanding hath wisdom.  The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him:  but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.  As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more:  but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.  (Proverbs 10:  23-25, King James Version, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  The Fullness of GOD? (05/21/2017); No Fear In Love? (05/17/2017); The Hope of Glory (03/02/2017); Hope That Is True (02/20/2017); Correct Awe and Respect (02/04/2016); Awe? (08/09/2015); His Authority in Judgment? (10/03/2014)


“Breakthrough”, effort, toil, and work are conditions for obtaining ones desires.  On the basis of shared agreement, covenant, meanings and values, GOD provides all the spirit process and substance necessary for the living to exist and operate within the spheres of Creation.  The genuine need of the living for gifts from GOD primarily has been for revelation and sacred knowledge, rather than for material goods, and the things of passing desire.  For created beings and living creatures to experience continuous intimate and personal relationships with divinity they must be “made in the image of GOD.”  That is, they must contain and display specific attributes and aspects of the divine makeup that will allow ongoing communication, exchange and interaction using such carnal, material, and social roles as children of GOD, the primary heir, a spouse to GOD, a steward in the divine household, and a trusted servant.  In addition to such features for sound relationships as affection, honesty, integrity, respect, and mutual trust, fruitful relationships with Deity require the living to have a correct awareness of the awesomeness of GOD (we say, fear of the Lord; reverence), gratitude, humility, unselfishness, and willing submission.  While GOD does not appear as having desire, lack, need or want, we understand Deity pursues direction, intent, and unchanging eternal purpose.  For a believer, a healthy fear of the Lord will appear as balance, self-discipline, self-government, and self-restraint.  Elements such as anxiety about the future, apprehension, being intimidated, dismay, panic and worry about the outcomes of judgment are not aspects of the Spirit that GOD will impart to a sinner for their rebirth and transformation.  In effect, the inborn spirit must die and be buried; and the sinner is “born again” having divine spirit substance from the makeup of GOD.  Included are faith, forbearance, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, wisdom, and wrath against sin.  Consider again the following:

(1.)  Psalms 7:  9-13, King James Version (KJV):  9 Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just:  for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.  10 My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart.  11 God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.  12 If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready.  13 He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors.

(2.)  Psalms 140:  7-9, KJV:  7 O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.  8 Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked:  further not his wicked device; lest they exalt themselves. Selah.  9 As for the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.

(3)  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.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (4.)  Romans 8:  28-32, KJV:  28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.  29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.  30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called:  and whom he called, them he also justified:  and whom he justified, them he also glorified.  31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?  32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC