(09/23/2018) Christian Beliefs Are Forward-looking

Today, reply is on the character and process of the Scriptures as forward-looking. Salvation often requires a clear and complete break with the past (we say, “burning our bridges behind us,” and “new wine into new bottles.”). We should recall Israel’s lament looking back (Numbers 11: 4-6, King James Version (KJV): 4 And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat? 5 We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick: 6 But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes.); and Jesus taught, “Remember Lot’s wife.” (Luke 17: 32, KJV) Christians are to face the future without fear, and continue to acknowledge the Old and New Testament Scriptures because both provide many immutable and unchanging truths. Followers of the Lord are wise to consider that, in the same way it is an error to long for and set our hearts on present circumstances and carnal things, it is an error to examine present events seeking signs and portents from GOD that will foretell the future. For those who will stand before GOD in judgment as disciples of Jesus Christ, their past condition as sinners and transgressors that was written within the Book of Life will be covered by the blood of atonement, and their condemnation is cast into “the sea of forgetfulness” through sacred practices such as rebirth, faith, forgiveness, and hope (the expectation of divine fulfillment for things promised and prophesied). The fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” Religion and Spirituality forum who uses the ID “Anonymous” (Level 1 with 3 points, a member since February 16, 2016) posted the following:

What does the Bible say about missing the past?

I really miss the 90’s and early 2000’s those were the good days, but I heard somewhere that God says don’t look back but keep looking forward, so I was wondering is it a sin?

THE GOLDEN ARROW: What do ye imagine against the LORD? he will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time. (Nahum 1: 9, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: “The End Is Near” (03/14/2018); On Facing The Future (01/17/2018); Time and Sacred Events? (03/30/2017); Sin Must Be Personal (04/29/2016); A Dry Thirsty Land (05/01/2016); Sin Turned To Goals (05/02/2016); They Shall Not Be Mentioned (05/03/2016); Remembering Lot’s Wife (11/04/2014); Sinless Until Advent? (11/05/2014)

“Anonymous”, be encouraged! Christian believers are to look to the past for admonition, correction, guidance and warnings; even so, their consciousness is to be forward-looking and focused on the Advent of Jesus Christ (we say, his appearing; the harvest; the Rapture; the Second Coming). The revelation of divine fullness (we say, the GODhead; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) is given to make the Creator knowable, known, accessible, and approachable to all created beings and living creatures. In place of mysteries, puzzles, riddles and secular knowledge sinners who turn to GOD are provided with comfort and edification through gifts that include divine law, sovereign proclamations, covenant promises, prophecy, sacred knowledge, a structured lifestyle, and multiple opportunities for service and sharing within a community of believers. Sinners must become “born again” through baptism, become joined to GOD through the Holy Spirit, and “grow up again” as “developing believers.” Consider the following that uses language from the Bible:

(1.) Deuteronomy 32: 1-7, King James Version (KJV): 1 Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. 2 My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass: 3 Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. 4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. 5 They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of his children: they are a perverse and crooked generation. 6 Do ye thus requite the LORD, O foolish people and unwise? is not he thy father that hath bought thee? hath he not made thee, and established thee? 7 Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee.

(2.) Ecclesiastes 7: 9-11, KJV: 9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools. 10 Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this. 11 Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.

(3.) Ezra 3: 10-13, KJV: 10 And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the LORD, after the ordinance of David king of Israel. 11 And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. 12 But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy: 13 So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.

(4.) James 4: 13-17, KJV: 13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: 14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. 15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. 16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. 17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

(5.) Matthew 16: 1-4, KJV: 1 The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven. 2 He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. 3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? 4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (6.) 1^st 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

(05/07/2017) Sanctify Yourselves for Tomorrow

Today, focus is on Christian believers becoming consecrated, sanctified, and set apart from the world.  In the same way Moses prepared those who left Egypt for the appearing of GOD at Sinai by saying, Sanctify yourselves, the followers of Jesus are commanded to sanctify themselves for his coming to harvest from the earth those who belong to his kingdom that are mature and “ripe” (we say, his appearing, the Advent, the Rapture, the Second Coming).  More than a physical separation, distinction by wealth, or political advantage, believers are to continuously display awareness and self-will influenced by the imparted, indwelling Spirit from GOD.  The writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Colonel Williams” (Level 1 with 7 points, a member since November 16, 2014) posted the following:


Why do people become Monks and Nuns if Matthew 5:16 tells Christians to be a light in the world?

How can you be a light in the world if you're secluded from society in a monastery?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  If ye were of the world, the world would love his own:  but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.  (John 15:  19, King James Version, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Benefits of His Kingdom? (04/11/2017); Servants To The Body? (01/17/2017); GOD’s Peculiar People (12/11/2016); His Children Are Sanctified (10/12/2016); The World and The Cross? (04/19/2016); Sanctify Yourselves? (06/26/2014); Inheriting the Kingdom? (06/27/2014)


“Colonel Williams,” GOD created heaven and earth, however, created beings and living creatures created the World as a system of beliefs, meanings and values to ensure their own survival.  Because mankind responded to divine love and sacred law with disobedience, distance, and distrust through Adam and Eve, multiple ongoing operations of divinity now are required wherein the active presence who is GOD is made knowable, known, and “visible”.  The revelation of divinity to the living is intended for those on the earth, yet, is apprehended primarily through sacred knowledge and practice, rather than carnal reason, material objects, secular knowledge, and social transactions.  Sin opposes the continued existence of divine law, and promotes chaos, nonexistence, and self-destruction.  Sinners are to turn away from the beliefs and process of the world (we say, repent, return to GOD), and maintain lifestyles and daily routines that display spirit content from the makeup of GOD.  Included are faith, holiness, hope, joy, longsuffering, lovingkindness, meekness, wisdom, and wrath against sin.  Christian believers are “called out” from the world system, and become separate as those who are “born again” who must “grow up again,” and are part of the new creation through Jesus Christ.  Being vessels having fresh endowments of divine substance, believers are offspring, the children of GOD, and joint-heirs with Christ.  Such communities and corporate expressions as monks, nuns, and clergy are useful for continuing and nurturing sacred consciousness, selfless service, and spiritual growth as focused and uninterrupted.  Consider the following that uses language from the Bible:

(1.)  Deuteronomy 14:  2, King James Version (KJV):  2 For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.

(2.)  1st John 2:  15-17, KJV:  15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.  17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof:  but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

(3.)  Philippians 2:  14-15, KJV:  14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:  15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

(4.)  John 17:  8-11, KJV:  8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.  9 I pray for them:  I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.  10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.  11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.

(5.)  John 17:  14-19, KJV:  14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.  15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.  16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.  17 Sanctify them through thy truth:  thy word is truth.  18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.  19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

(6.)  James 1:  27, KJV:  27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (7.)  Revelation 18:  3-5, KJV:  3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.  4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.  5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

 

(04/12/2013) GOD Knows Tomorrow?

      Focus, today, is upon divine foreknowledge, omniscience, and predetermination for events in the lives of created beings and living creatures. Also, there is more on faith, language, and “mystery.” A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “Isis” (Level 1 with 37 points, a member since August 3, 2011) posted the following:


Does god know what will happen tomorrow?


THE BATTLE AXE: Faith, Language, and “Mystery”? (04/11/2013)—The understanding of “mystery” as special knowledge appears frequently within the holy writings. Even so, the meaning of “mystery” is fluid, and changes as we broaden or narrow focus. For example, consider again 1st Corinthians 4: 1, 1st Corinthians 13: 1-3, Ephesians 3: 2-12 and Ephesians 5: 31-32, KJV. Mystery is an aspect of spiritual relationship, a working of divine power, the dispensation of grace, eternal purpose, prophecy, the duties and works of priesthood, and a specific truth addressing divine acts to simultaneously separate and join (woman/man and Christ/the church). Here are some other awkward, yet repeatedly useful ideas and ways of regarding the “mysteries” of GOD. (1.) When reciting the prayers of the Rosary, a believer is to contemplate selected events from the life of Jesus and his mother Mary, that are spoken of as “mysteries.” (2.) The mystery of the kingdom of GOD is a shared reality and truth that unfolds within ones awareness through their continued being and existence. The kingdom is not a place in time or space, nor is the kingdom “all in ones mind.” Participation in the mysteries of the kingdom may be instructed and taught using parables, because as open-ended object lessons, parables grant believers latitude to assign meaning based on their own divine content of faith and hope. See Matthew 13: 10-12 and Luke 8: 9-11, King James Version.


THE GOLDEN ARROW: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. (Ephesians 1: 3-12, King James Version)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Life Given By Knowledge? (04/03/2013); A Spirit Church? (04/04/2013); Did Jesus Know? (12/22/2012); The True Miracle (12/23/2012); Sin Unknown? (10/10/2012); When Prayer Works (10/11/2012); Blessings, Curses and Woes (10/03/2012); After We Die? (10/04/2012); Why Is GOD Blamed? (08/23/2012); Fire Baptism (08/24/2012); GOD Does Exist (03/20/2012); On Being Careful (02/13/2012); A New Earth (02/14/2012); The Afterlife? (12/30/2010); Diet and Food? (12/31/2010)

    
     Isis, here are a few points I may share as a mature Christian believer that speak to GOD “knowing” the future. They will probably make most sense to you after you again show respect to GOD in prayer:

(1.) It is most correct to say that GOD is omniscient when speaking of divine purpose, sacred process, and the fulfillment of prophecy. The idea that GOD is aware of and recalls every detail for every event from the life of every created being or living creature is less correct. GOD is a spirit, and we must worship him (i.e., acknowledge him and know him) in spirit and in truth (John 4: 24, KJV). There are statements found in Scripture suggesting the breadth and depth of divine commitment to Creation as well the connection of many hidden truths for valuing human life. However, in no way should believers understand that GOD goes about filled with a “superfluity of naughtiness” and trivia. See Matthew 10: 29-31 and Luke 12: 6-7, KJV.

(2.) The foreknowledge of GOD seems to be made up of, and determined by the fixed decisions and set goals for Creation. In the same way a Washington Nationals fan may decide his son will be a baseball player (not a Capitol’s hockey star, or Wizard’s basketball great) long before the child is born or takes his first steps, may rush about buying bats, cleats, and gloves, and must then carefully maneuver his child to the sport as his own career goal; GOD has predetermined life, and eternal life for mankind. Believers are being moved through various preset sacraments, sacred experiences, and spiritual works to establish them in relationship with GOD and with one another. See Ephesians 2: 4-10 and 1st Peter 1: 13-21, KJV.

      There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (3.) GOD knows that self-will in created beings and living creatures may be dominated by sin. The full nature of humanity is expressed through both animal and divine aspects. (There must be an outworking of divine truth, a blossoming of holy seed, so to speak.) GOD has no final knowledge of ones deeds until after they have been manifest; and (so to speak) GOD does not go about with a catalog of errors and sins on his mind. Thus, the device of the books of life further come into view as vital for judgment and reward of mankind. See 1st Corinthians 3: 8-15 and Revelation 20: 11-13, KJV.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to the measure of faith you now contain.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC