(10/03/2018) These Three Are One

Today, reply is on the divine fullness described in the Bible as speaking in the persons of GOD the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” Religion and Spirituality public forum who uses the ID “😌” (Level 6 with 10,663 points, a member since June 16, 2013) posted the following:

If the Holy spirit has spoken and Jesus has spoken and God has spoken to Jesus during his baptism, Luke3:22 aren't they 3 individual Gods?😌?

Just curious please, each of them have spoken for themselves, according to the Trinity. So what do you say is happening?

Holy spirit speaking - Acts 13:2

Jesus speaking - John 6:38

God speaking to Jesus and calling him his Son - Luke 3:22.

All 3 spoke before and God spoke of Jesus as his Son from heaven while Jesus was on earth. In verse 21 of Luke 3, the Holy spirit is coming down upon Jesus from heaven while Jesus is on earth, before God speaks and says those words from heaven..Three seperate Gods?

THE GOLDEN ARROW: This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. (1^st John 5: 6-8, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Mysteries Of The Kingdom? (09/28/2018); The Witness of Oceans (06/28/2018); The Divinity Of Christ? (06/14/2018); Called “The Anointed One” (05/08/2018); What Is A Spirit? (03/06/2018); Thoughts On Divine Personhood (12/07/2017); Standing On The ABCs? (11/09/2017); Jesus Demonstrated Perfected Humanity (10/29/2017); Becoming Joined To GOD (10/13/2017); The Word of GOD (09/05/2017); Names For Sacred Persons? (08/01/2017)

“😌”, the sacred knowledge from GOD that is shared with sinners who choose to become developing Christian believers is not the same as the information we create and share with one another as ordinary human beings in material settings. Consciousness in created beings and living creatures continues to function in agreement with multiple aspects of the flesh (e.g., appetite; sensation; emotion/mind); may be dominated by the operations of sin; and primarily rely on such finite tools as imagination, intelligence, logic, carnal reason, philosophy, politics, science, and secular knowledge. In order for someone to apprehend the existence of divine substance that has form only as active presence (we also say, breath; life essence; spirit; word) a profound transformation of human makeup must occur (we say, a person must be “born again”).

Divinity (we also say, the Godhead; the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit) is the origin of all that exists and has life. Divinity may be described as the full collection of inseparable spirit substances that exist throughout the universe. Included are faith, forbearance, forgiveness, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, righteousness, wisdom, and wrath against sin. Existence and life have been imparted to created beings and living creatures, yet, none may endure as completely independent and separate from GOD. In addition to the character, makeup, and substance of GOD being understood as having completeness, Christians also ascribe to GOD coherence, immortality, integrity, oneness without sameness, personhood, divine prerogative, eternal purpose, and sovereign will.

While GOD does not age or grow old, and divinity is immutable and unchanging, he appears (becomes manifest) and is made visible using created objects that include the living. GOD has completed many divine works by appearing as Jesus Christ and ministering on the earth using human form (we say, the Incarnation; being born, aging, dying, being raised from the dead). Divinity may embody or indwell living beings, however, does not use man-made objects such as graven images and idols.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, those who become “born again” by acknowledging GOD through baptism (i.e., a death and burial of their inborn spirit, with rebirth from divine seed, so to speak) must “grow up again” and become mature/ripe for harvest from the earth by Jesus Christ at his appearing (we say, the Advent; the Second Coming). As the new creation, developing believers will increasingly display the same Spirit that was in Jesus Christ.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(05/18/2018) Weapons Of Our Warfare?

Today, reply is on the sword of GOD.  Divine tools for Christian ministry are provided to accomplish eternal life, spiritual growth, salvation, and peace with GOD.  Even so, graphic images and language that pertain to combat, military service, and warfare are used throughout the holy writings to convey prophetic admonition, the awesomeness and terror of GOD, warnings, and divine wrath against sin.  Also, the acumen and keenness of discernment that are brought by Deity to judgment should come into view.  One of the fighters in the “Yahoo! Answers” Religion and Spirituality forum who uses the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information appears) posted the following:



What is the sword of God according to the Bible?



THE GOLDEN ARROW:  The LORD of hosts hath sworn by himself, saying, Surely I will fill thee with men, as with caterpillers; and they shall lift up a shout against thee.  He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by his understanding.  When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens; and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth:  he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures.  Every man is brutish by his knowledge; every founder is confounded by the graven image:  for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them.  They are vanity, the work of errors:  in the time of their visitation they shall perish.  The portion of Jacob is not like them; for he is the former of all things:  and Israel is the rod of his inheritance:  the LORD of hosts is his name.  Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war:  for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms;  And with thee will I break in pieces the horse and his rider; and with thee will I break in pieces the chariot and his rider;  With thee also will I break in pieces man and woman; and with thee will I break in pieces old and young; and with thee will I break in pieces the young man and the maid;  I will also break in pieces with thee the shepherd and his flock; and with thee will I break in pieces the husbandman and his yoke of oxen; and with thee will I break in pieces captains and rulers.  And I will render unto Babylon and to all the inhabitants of Chaldea all their evil that they have done in Zion in your sight, saith the LORD.  (Jeremiah 51:  14-24, King James Version, KJV)



THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Points On Spiritual Warfare (03/19/2018); Judgment, Peace and Warfare? (03/26/2017); The Two-edged Sword (01/09/2017); A Note On Spirit Warfare (01/06/2016); The Greatest Weapon? (12/17/2015); Prince of Peace? (07/18/2014); War and Peace? (07/17/2014); A Discerner of the Thoughts and Intents (10/28/2013)



“Anonymous”, using language from the Bible, the sword of GOD also is called the rod (standard), the breath (sentence in judgment; word), and the two-edged sword.  Consider the following:

1.  Isaiah 11:  1-5, King James Version (KJV):  1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:  2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;  3 And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD:  and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:  4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth:  and he shall smite the earth:  with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.  5 And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.

2.  Jeremiah 50:  24-26, KJV:  24 I have laid a snare for thee, and thou art also taken, O Babylon, and thou wast not aware:  thou art found, and also caught, because thou hast striven against the LORD.  25 The LORD hath opened his armoury, and hath brought forth the weapons of his indignation: for this is the work of the Lord GOD of hosts in the land of the Chaldeans.  26 Come against her from the utmost border, open her storehouses:  cast her up as heaps, and destroy her utterly:  let nothing of her be left.

3.  2nd Corinthians 10:  3-5, KJV:  3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:  4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)  5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

4.  Hebrews 4:  12, KJV:  12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, 5. Revelation 1:  15-18,  KJV:  15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.  16 And he had in his right hand seven stars:  and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword:  and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.  17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:  18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(05/07/2018) Speaking According To Faith

Today, reply is on the state of the dead, the difference between angels and spirit content from men, and Christian ministry to children in their bereavement.  At death the spirit content that projects the character, personality, and spirit makeup within the living is removed, and separated from the flesh.  The lifeless body (we say, cadaver; corpse) may be buried or interred; while the spirit matter returns to GOD.  The tool Christian believers have been given for comforting one another during their bereavement is called “prophecy”.  How sacred truth is presented and shared with children may vary from how the same truth is shown to adults, however, there is only one faith, one Lord, one baptism, one God and Father of all.  There is no teaching from the Bible that says spirit content that leaves a human body and goes to live and interact in heaven among the angels and other sacred creatures there.  The dead praise not GOD; do not watch over and protect the living; and the dead have no carnal, mental, and social abilities (e.g., communication, talking, exchange).  The dead must be restored to life (i.e., there must be resurrection) for judgment according to divine law.  One of the fighters in the “Yahoo! Answers” Religion and Spirituality forum who uses the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information shown) posted the following:



Religion- I told my son his late mom is now with the angels when he asked me. Am I deceiving him?



THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:  But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:  Which none of the princes of this world knew:  for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.  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.  But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit:  for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.  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.  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.  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.  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.  (1st Corinthians 2:  6-14, King James Version, KJV)



THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Lower Than The Angels? (09/12/2017); Signs From The Dead? (01/15/2017); Life Is GOD’s Intent (11/15/2016); On Really Seeing Angels (10/09/2016); Spirit, Spirit Beings, Spirit Persons? (10/13/2015); Getting It Right About Angels (05/10/2015); Comfort? (09/06/2014)



“Anonymous”, non-biblical teachings on the angels often result in spiritual confusion; this is also true during times of bereavement when honest expressions of ones developing belief and faith may contain and impart errors and misunderstandings.  Expressions of our own individual affection and feelings of love can not replace, or accomplish all the sacred work required to be done within the household of faith by proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the love of GOD.  Among Christian believers there also are specific sacred things that are to be shared as comfort with those who endure bereavement.  Believers are to minister to one another from what they themselves have received as deposits and endowments of spirit substance from the makeup of GOD through Jesus Christ.  Included are expectation (we say, hope), faith, gratitude, joy, longsuffering, lovingkindness, oneness without sameness, personhood, purpose, resilience, regeneration, and renewal of the mind.  Such consolations are effective during grief and mourning because a believer’s consciousness is centered on, and interwoven with streams of prophecy and divine revelation.

The Creator has made it that every man, woman, and child must be prepared to endure the completion of their own mortality and separation(s).  Loss of a parent, a child, a spouse, and other loved ones will be experienced throughout every aspect of the emotional, material, psychological, social, and spiritual order fitted together within ones own person.  Thus, many experience bereavement as a form of temporary insanity.  The sudden introduction of absence and imbalance should not be met by dismissing reality and truth, or relying on exaggeration, fantasy, and extremes of imagination.  Regaining balance, self-discipline, firmness, purpose, and stability are reasonable goals and practices.  Existing as “born again,” finite, and mortal, children and adults who belong to Christ are continually challenged to “grow up again” (mature/ripen) on the earth before being harvested by Jesus Christ at his appearing (we also say, the Advent, the Rapture, the Second Coming).

Where we counsel children and those who are only beginning the long journey to fullness and maturity in their bereavement we must acknowledge the existing level of their grasp and understanding; and it is not incorrect or unkind to speak to them using (1) their own language, (2) the shared language within relationship as well as (3) the new language provided from GOD intended to carry them forward in the divine will.  Often, where children mistakenly appear to be lying by adult standards, the young ones are answering with responses that correctly and sincerely express their heartfelt desire, their faith imparted from GOD, their intent, their perseverance, and their efforts to apply and focus their own self-will (willpower).

Even within the communities and families of Christians those enduring a loss may operate as though it is acceptable to use commonly held and familiar doctrine and teachings that are not found within the holy writings.  Some feel they are justified on the basis of the importance of behaving as accepting, non-judgmental, supportive, and understanding.  Others feel that children may be weaned from the devices used as short-term solutions while they are being brought gradually to the fullness of Christ.  Because there are many subtleties (barely visible differences; hidden shifts in meaning, quality, and value) involved, those who take up alternatives to Christ should be cautioned, for in effect they say, “I am right when I am wrong, because….”  Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

(1.)  1st Corinthians 12:  25-27, King James Version (KJV):  25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.  26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.  27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

(2.)  Matthew 18:  10, KJV:  10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.

(3.)  Colossians 2:  8-12, KJV:  8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.  9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.  10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:  11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:  12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

(4.)  Colossians 2:  18-19, KJV:  18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,  19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (5.)  1st Thessalonians 4:  13-18, KJV:  13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.  14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.  15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.  16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God:  and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air:  and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(10/20/2010) Speaking of GOD

Anthropomorphism, and the use of language that humanizes GOD are the focus of today’s presentation.  The writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using the screen ID Buss W@nkers! says i love Liverpool FC” posted the following:


Why do people talk about God. like he's a man?


THE BATTLE AXE:  No Free Will? (10/19/2010)—Rightly understood, there is no such thing as free will for angels, for mankind, for any other created being, or for any living creature.  However, for all, there is the reality of self-will.  The problems surrounding application of will center in the distinction between self-will and the will of GOD.  In the same way all human beings are obliged to breathe oxygen (like it, don’t like it), all are obliged to operate under the influence of either sin, or divine will.  The presence and action of sin is invisible and undetectable to all human senses and faculties of mind.  Thus, sin’s dominion over human will is not a matter of human choice.  Rather, it is a matter of human content, existence, and the framework of all being.  Awareness of sin is only by the operation of the Spirit of GOD.  Just as men are not deprived by having no ability to breathe underwater, men are not damned and persecuted by having to acknowledge GOD.  Men are challenged; and meeting the challenge, men have applied human intelligence, and the focused operation of our full potential and will to develop diving gear, snorkels, and even submarines.  Similarly, men are challenged by sin and must continually direct conscious being and person to achieve right relationship where the will is properly surrendered and yielded to GOD.  When human will conforms to, expresses and performs divine will, mankind prospers.  When divine will is despised, forgotten, neglected, or refused the human condition becomes one of agony, desolation, misery and wretchedness.


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,  Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;  (Hebrews 1:  1-2)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Two Wisdoms? (10/12/2010); Systems (09/10/2010); Sin Defined? (06/28/2010)



The task of providing a “language” that would allow us to speak about GOD in clear, direct, effective ways has best been met through the holy writings we call the Bible.  However, the use of holy scripture to know the fullness of divinity is comparable to the use of bananas in order to speak about watermelon:  On the one hand, the two are exactly the same—both are fruit, have the same function of distributing and protecting seed, and both are fairly tasty!).  On the other hand, there are major differences in their several characteristics (color, shape, size, texture, weight).  Where we maintain a strict focus on  their sameness, and for the sake of meaning ignore their various differences (counting them as insignificant, and irrelevant), we definitely can use bananas in place of watermelon, have meaning, still make sense, and connect in understanding.

When communicating to one another about GOD, and the things that exist totally as spirit, mankind is forced to apply language that basically comes from, and is designed to express carnal, material, and social realities.  In the same way, one must be born again to acquire divine substance that establishes correct awareness and consciousness of the active presence, intent, and purposes of GOD; one must be reborn in order to hear, grasp, and speak the new language given by the Bible for the revealed truth of GOD.

There is far more to be said, correctly understood, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, the Bible provides a divine perspective on human experiences of GOD:  thousands of lives, and thousands of years are reported.  While many sinful acts come into view, the focus is less upon “crime and punishment,” and more upon the revealing divine person as the most complete expression of compassion, forgiveness, justice and righteousness.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC