(09/07/2020) Chosen Because Already Committed

A depiction of the Angel Gabriel announcing to Mary that she is to be the mother of Jesus

Today, reply is on whether the Virgin Mary was free to refuse carrying out the will of GOD, and could quarrel against the Angel Gabriel who announced to her that she was chosen by divinity to become the mother of Jesus. The visitation she received was in the nature of a sovereign proclamation to publish a royal decision, rather than a request for acceptance and accord, or a secret communication intended to preserve confidentiality and trust. The purpose of the visit to Mary was not the foretelling of future events or an occasion for her to worship an angel so much as the making visible of otherwise invisible and unseen divine purposes. There would be no question and answer sessions; and the young woman would have to develop her understanding through such tools as discovery, gradual growth, edification by the Spirit, study of the holy writings, and suffering. Mary was raised as one dedicated, sanctified, and set apart for divine service. Her lifestyle and daily routines would encourage no defiance, no hesitation to serve, and no rebellion. She was chosen to serve because she was both committed and prepared. It is written: Luke 1: 28-35, King James Version (KJV): 28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. 29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. 30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. 34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. A fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” public forum on Religion & Spirituality who uses the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information shared) posted the following:

What if Mary had said "No thanks" to the angel?

THE GOLDEN ARROW: Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. (Galatians 4: 3-7, KJV)

DOUBLE DAGGER: Angels Appearing As Men (04/09/2020); Divinity and Human Reproduction (11/08/2019); The Virginity of Mary (01/14/2019); Mary and Joseph Followed (11/28/2018); Jacob Wrestled With GOD? (09/26/2018); Doctrine, Faith and Mary? (09/01/2017); The Mother of GOD? (12/09/2016)

“Anonymous”, the Annunciation should be accepted as another important aspect of full gospel truth. Christian believers have found that conjecture and speculation that contradict Bible truth often generates confusion and does not edify or increase their spiritual growth. Mary was chosen to serve as the female vessel for the birth of Jesus because she was sanctified and connected to GOD through her faith. Mary’s responses to angelic visitation flowed from her inner spirit that had been nurtured and prepared to unselfishly serve and exalt Almighty GOD. The divine process and substance of such sacred events center in the message, and not in the appearance or manner of the messenger. The one who receives a divine communication has understanding of the event by exercising discernment. Only through operations by the Holy Spirit are the authority, origin, source, value, and weight of the message established and proclaimed as authentic expression of divine prerogative, eternal purpose, prophetic revelation, and the sovereign will of GOD. The frameworks of divine law, covenant relationship, redemption and salvation are correctly understood as the context wherein the message must fit, more than the frameworks of politics, secular knowledge or time and space. As servants who also carry out and perform aspects of the divine will that include judgment, angels are privileged to use admonition, sharpness, and warnings even when dealing with those beloved and blessed of GOD. Because matters having eternal consequences and effects are involved, the messenger expects and requires displays and responses of accountability, gravity, maturity, and sobriety. The angels are to tolerate no challenges, impropriety, presumption, or skepticism. Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible describing the birth of John the Baptist, and a selection from the music ministry of the Pro Musica Girl’s Choir from Hungary acknowledging the Angelus that was offered as daily prayer by Catholic believers:

(1.) Joshua 5: 13-15, King James Version (KJV): 13 And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? 14 And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my LORD unto his servant? 15 And the captain of the LORD’s host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.

(2.) Luke 1: 9-20, KJV: 9 According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. 11 And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. 14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. 15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb. 16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. 17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. 18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. 19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. 20 And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.

(3.) Luke 1: 59-66, KJV: 59 And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. 60 And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John. 61 And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. 62 And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. 63 And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all. 64 And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God. 65 And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea. 66 And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.

(4.) Luke 1: 67-79, KJV: 67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, 68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, 69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;  70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began: 71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; 72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; 73 The oath which he sware to our father Abraham, 74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, 75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. 76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; 77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, 78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, 79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (5.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kV7l0uqOD_8&list=PLN-HWgUQXbLN0d5BuUaMYlRM-Z4tim65s&index=4&t=0s.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

Image downloaded 3:23 PM, September 07, 2020 @ https://billditewig.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/annunciation.jpg

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(12/09/2019) The Tools Of Divinity

A depiction of the Angel of the Divine Presence, Melekh HaMaschiach (King Messiah), the Captain of the Host who appeared to Joshua

Today, reply is on the sacred events (miracles) recorded in the Bible where Joshua is visited by the Captain of the Host, and GOD caused the sun to remain in the sky shining over a battle on the earth. Readers are to understand that GOD is active against sin, and will pursue sacred law through judgment and warfare as one who is jealous, immutable, righteous, and sovereign. The seven tribes that occupied Canaan were in covenant relationship with GOD before Moses and the others left Egypt. GOD promised their territory would be given to the descendants of Abraham, because the seven tribes betrayed their divine covenant partner through pride, idol worship, and sin. All of their peoples were to be removed from the land by Moses, Joshua, and the tribes of Israel. Developing believers and those who mistakenly impose secular knowledge, mechanical process, and natural law upon the sacred events of Scripture repeatedly misapply the accounts provided to make visible the character, eternal purpose, and exalted substance of divinity. The focus of the holy writings are not human conflicts, conquest, and self-promotion; rather, they highlight the appearance and interventions of GOD that make divinity known throughout Creation, existence, and life. It is written: Joshua 10: 10-14, King James Version (KJV): 10 And the LORD discomfited them before Israel, and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them along the way that goeth up to Bethhoron, and smote them to Azekah, and unto Makkedah. 11 And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the going down to Bethhoron, that the LORD cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died: they were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword. 12 Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon. 13 And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day. 14 And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the LORD hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the LORD fought for Israel. A fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” public forum on Religion & Spirituality who uses the ID “thesun” (Level 6 with 5,680 points) posted the following:

If the Bible is divinely inspired by God the creator, why did Joshua ask God to stop the sun in the sky to make the day last longer..?

Instead of asking god to stop the world from turning for a while so he could finish slaughtering the Canaanites?..it is obvious that it was written by someone who thought that the earth was the centre of all creation and the sun revolved around it.

THE GOLDEN ARROW: And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. (Revelation 19: 11-16, KJV)

And I saw Shomayim having been opened, and, hinei, a sus lavan (white horse) and the one riding on it is called Ne’eman and Yashar, and in Tzedek [DANIEL 9:25] He judges and makes milchamah (war). [SHEMOT 15:3; TEHILLIM 96:13; YESHAYAH 11:4] And the Eynayim of Him are as a flame of eish, and on the head of Him are many atarot, and He has a Name inscribed of which no one has da’as except Himself. And He is robed in a kaftan dipped in dahm, and His Name is called, “The DVAR HASHEM.” [YESHAYAH 63:2,3] And the Tzivos Hashem (the Army of Hashem), the Tzivos HaShomayim, were following Him on susim levanim (white horses). They were dressed in fine linen, lavan (white) and tahor (clean). And out of the peh (mouth) of Him goes forth a sharp cherev, that with it He may strike the Goyim, and He will shepherd them with a shevet barzel, and He treads the press of the yayin of the fury of Charon Af of Hashem, El Shaddai. [YESHAYAH 11:4; TEHILLIM 2:9] And He has on His kaftan and on His thigh a name inscribed: MELECH HAMELACHIM AND ADON HAADONIM. (Hisgalus 19: 11-16, Orthodox Jewish Bible, OJB)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: The Sovereignty Of GOD (11/24/2019); Divine Anger at Harvest? (05/26/2019); Judgment Against The Canaanites (08/01/2018); Sacred Operations By GOD (04/12/2018); GOD Is Imparting Truth (10/30/2017); Sun Worship? (07/27/2015); Time Before the Sun? (04/14/2013)

“thesun”, the focus of Scripture is neither mankind nor the earth. Here are some ideas that may be new for many readers, yet, have been available through those in covenant relationships with GOD as carefully preserved oral and written accounts for many centuries. Among mature Christian and Messianic believers astronomical and material Creation, the created beings and living creatures of heaven and earth, all things that have existence and life (angels, animals, spiritual beasts, etc.) are to be understood as instruments and tools used by divinity to express divine prerogative, eternal purpose, sacred presence, and the sovereign will of GOD. The holy writings document the operations, process, and substance of GOD (we also say, divine fullness; the Godhead; the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit) provided as divine order and priesthood that appear both in heaven and on the earth. Divinity remains invisible, incorruptible, and undetectable by finite human tools of the flesh and mind (e.g., smelling, tasting, touching, intellect, logic, carnal reason). Even so, the Bible is a record of GOD appearing on the earth through thousands of events, occurring within thousands of lives, over the course of thousands of years. As companions to divinity, men are to resemble, reflect, and reveal the image of GOD, and the likeness of his character and nature presented in Jesus Christ. Divine fullness is made knowable, known, accessible, and approachable to the living through devices that include discovery, fellowship, gradual growth, judgment, sacred practice (e.g., fasting, offerings, praise, prayer), study, unselfish service, and the endurance of suffering. More than this, the tools of divinity that include birth, damnation, death, and resurrection of the dead also feature imparting sacred substance from the makeup of GOD. Endowments of inseparable aspects of divine fullness are imparted to the living such as balance, completeness, faith, holiness, integrity, longsuffering, lovingkindness, oneness without sameness, personhood, wisdom, and wrath against sin. Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible, and a selection from the music ministry of Wintley Phipps:

(1.) Joshua 5: 13-15, King James Version (KJV): 13 And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? 14 And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant? 15 And the captain of the LORD’s host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.

Yehoshua 5: 13-15, Orthodox Jewish Bible (OJB): 13 And it came to pass, when Yehoshua was there by Yericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, hinei, there stood an ish in front of him with his cherev drawn in his yad; and Yehoshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? 14 And he said, Lo (no); but as Sar Tze’va Hashem am I now come. And Yehoshua fell on his face to the ground, and did prostrate himself, and said unto him, What saith Adoni unto his eved? 15 And the Sar Tze’va Hashem said unto Yehoshua, Take off thy sandals from off thy feet; for the makom whereon thou standest is kodesh. And Yehoshua did so.

(2.) Exodus 23: 20-24, KJV: 20 Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. 21 Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for my name is in him. 22 But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries. 23 For mine Angel shall go before thee, and bring thee in unto the Amorites, and the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites: and I will cut them off. 24 Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their works: but thou shalt utterly overthrow them, and quite break down their images.

Shemot 23: 20-24, OJB: 20 Hinei, I send Malach before thee, to be shomer over thee in the derech, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. 21 Pay heed to him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your peysha’im; for My Shem is in him. 22 But if thou shalt indeed obey his [bat] kol, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries. 23 For My Malach shall go before thee, and bring thee in unto the Emori, and the Chitti, and the Perizzi, and the Kena’ani, the Chivi, and the Yevusi; I will cut them off. 24 Thou shalt not bow down to their elohim, nor serve them, nor follow after their works; but thou shalt utterly overthrow them, and completely break down their matztzvot (memorial columns dedicated to idols).

(3.) 1^st Timothy 3: 16, KJV: 16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Timotiyos I 3: 16, OJB: 16 And confessedly great is the sod of chasidus [in Moshiach 3:9], who was manifested in basar, was vindicated [proven just] by the Ruach HaKodesh, was seen by malachim, was proclaimed among the Nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in kavod.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_z3ffJcyO9I.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

Orthodox Jewish Bible (OJB) Copyright © 2002, 2003, 2008, 2010, 2011 by Artists for Israel International

Image downloaded 5:05 PM, December 08, 2019 @ https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&id=36CE62B57B300733A0B0148AAAAA181474F92238&thid=OIP.YCDcx1xac3iP3hAd-haPyQHaKv&mediaurl=http%3A%2F%2Fdestination-yisrael.biblesearchers.com%2F.a%2

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THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(10/09/2019) Christ Displayed Authentic Humanity

The image depicts the compassion and authentic humanity of Jesus as he wept over Jerusalem, and as he acknowledged the death of his friend Lazarus

Today, the reply is on the display of authentic humanity by Jesus Christ while in flesh on the earth. Following the fall of Adam, mankind could not embody divinity except by coming and going in what we might call “episodes” and “visitations”. The “hand of the Lord” (i.e., the Holy Spirit) might fall on someone (e.g., Ezekiel, Samson, Saul, Daniel), however, the spirit would not remain. Jesus would show the abiding image of GOD for the new creation that would have a fresh endowment of the same divine spirit imparted to Adam from the makeup of GOD. Also, the doctrine and teaching of the Father shared by Jesus along with the gospel of the cross and his resurrection, would be the foundation whereby every member of the church headed by Christ would be enabled to receive the indwelling Holy Spirit (we also say, the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Prophecy, the Spirit of Truth). It is written: John 14: 15-21, King James Version (KJV): 15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. 20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. 21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. The fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” public forum on Religion and Spirituality who uses the ID “Norine” (Level 1 with 37 points, a member since October 01, 2019) posted the following:

Re: Matt 12:28 "If I cast out devils by the Spirit of God the Kingdom of God has come unto you" who is the Holy Spirit. Did Jesus fulfill...?

Update: THE PASSOVER IN LUKE 22:16; 18 WHEN HE SAID

"...I WILL NOT ANY MORE EAH THEREOF, UNTIL IT ***BE FULFILLED*** IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD" (LUKE 22:16)?

AND

..."I WILL NOT DRINK OF THE FRUIT OF THE VINE, UNTIL THE KINGDOM OF GOD ***SHALL COME" *** (LUKE 22:18)?

ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 12:28 THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS THE HOLY SPIRIT! DID JESUS FULFILL SETTING UP "TABLES" AS THEY DID UNDER THE "FIRST COVENANT" (HEB 9:1-2) ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST (ACTS 2:2-3)?

THE GOLDEN ARROW: No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. (1^st John 4: 12-16, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Entered Into Divine Glory (09/03/2019); Understanding Oneness Without Sameness (08/27/2019); Spirit Using Human Form (08/16/2019); Moses Was Not Divine (04/24/2019); GOD’s Will Be Done? (03/27/2019); Flesh As Divine Vessels? (01/14/2018); An Habitation of GOD (07/24/2016); The Cross and The Pharisees? (04/21/2016)

“Norine”, an important way to understand the distinct operations on the earth by Jesus Christ and by the Holy Spirit is to continually acknowledge that, at all times while in flesh, Jesus was required to display and manifest authentic humanity. His behavior, conduct, and speech were always fashioned, formed, and made to be consistent with such finite human elements as appetite, sensation, and emotions/mind at the same time he was being permanently altered through operations of the Holy Spirit that determine accountability, commitment, discovery, godliness, gradual growth, ability to serve unselfishly, and the endurance of suffering. Jesus would proclaim the truth that fresh endowments of the same life essence (we say, breath; spirit; word; the law and the prophets) imparted to Adam at Creation will be imparted from GOD to abide and indwell the church he would found. The appearing of Jesus on earth presenting mortality as the Son of Adam and the Son of GOD does not conflict with or contradict his appearing in the heaven as an aspect of full Godhead and as the Word. The inseparable sacred substance of divinity includes faith, holiness, joy, longsuffering, lovingkindness, oneness without sameness, personhood, wisdom, and wrath against sin. Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

(1.) Philippians 2: 5-13, King James Version (KJV): 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

(2.) Hebrews 12: 1-4, KJV: 1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. 4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

(3.) Luke 17: 20-24, 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. 22 And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it. 23 And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them. 24 For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) Romans 6: 19, KJV: 19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

Image downloaded 11:00 PM, October 08, 2019 @ https://nallifollowthelight.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/jesus-crying.jpg

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(10/06/2019) To Fulfill All Righteousness

Today, reply is on baptism as a divine witness displaying the character and makeup of divinity, resurrection, eternal life, and righteousness, rather than ceremonies, exercising authority over others, obedience, and the letter of the law. The forms of baptism depict a range of sacred operations that include absolution, atonement, judgment, refreshing, remission for sin, and restoration. Baptism does not complete the full transformation and perfecting of mankind to exist as immortal and incorruptible. Even so, the importance and sacred value of baptism is on record as inarguable. It is written: 1^st John 5: 9-12, King James Version (KJV): 9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. 10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. 11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. The fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” public forum on Religion and Spirituality who uses the ID “Norine” (Level 1 with 11 points, a member since October 01, 2019) posted the following:

Why when knowing only the baptism of John when there is a more perfect way of God do you continue in water baptism (Acts 18:25-26)?

Update: JOHN SAID IN JOHN 1:33

"...HE SENT ***ME*** TO BAPTIZE WITH WITH WATER...[BUT] THE SAME IS ((( HE ))) WHICH ((( BAPTIZETH ))) WITH THE HOLY GHOST."

ACTS 19:4 SAYS "JOHN BAPTIZED WITH WATER WITH A BAPTISM OF ((( REPENTANCE ))) >>>BELIEVING THAT JESUS IS COMING"<<<

IS THAT WHERE TODAY'S "CHRISTIANS" ARE; >>>"BELIEVING THAT JESUS IS COMING"<<< CONTINUING IN A BELIEF OF A WATER BAPTISM THAT WAS DONE ((( UNDER THE LAW )))???

THE GOLDEN ARROW: If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true. Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth. But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved. He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light. But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me. And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. (John 5: 31-39, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Through Faith And Patience (10/02/2019); Following The Apostle Paul (09/24/2019); Now Are Ye Light (09/18/2019); Focus On Things Revealed (09/12/2019); Life Because of Righteousness (08/29/2019); Our Displays of Divinity (06/19/2019); Baptism Is Not DIY (05/28/2019); The Testimony From Jesus (08/05/2016)

Norine”, trusting that yours is a case of “gradual growth,” not one of “ever learning and never coming into the knowledge of the truth,” the continuation of water baptism among mature Christian believers is established by “the testimony of Jesus.” All who tarried in the Upper Room, and received the gifts of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, first received water baptism, just as Jesus himself. Baptism that appears by the operations and visitation of the Holy Spirit is distinct from that carried out and performed as a ceremony and ritual manifesting the faith of men. The two are not interchangeable, nor does one cancel the other. In the same way multiple gifts of the Spirit are bestowed by divinity within the church that do not annul or eliminate divine law, adoption of the Spirit and other sacred operations complement one another, and are to edify the church. Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

(1.) Matthew 3: 13-17, King James Version (KJV): 13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. 14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? 15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. 16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

(2.) 2^nd Corinthians 5: 20-21, KJV: 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

(3.) Romans 10: 2-4, KJV: 2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, 4. Revelation 19: 9-11, KJV: 9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. 10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. 11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

Image downloaded 2:46 AM, October 06, 2019 @ https://www.pccmonroe.org/from-death-unto-life.html

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(05/14/2019) Authentic Experiences From GOD

Today, reply is on authenticity for experiences of divine visitation. One of the fighters in the “Yahoo! Answers” public forum on Religion and Spirituality who uses the ID “Anonymous” (no profile is shown) posted the following:

What would you say if I told you that Jesus is sitting right here next to me?

I would guess that even Christians would call me a troll and a liar, to which I say-

Wait a minute- I thought you said that Jesus was coming back! How do you know He wouldn't pick a random person to help Him get started? There's a lot of logistics to consider here-

such as easing into it via radio, tv and/or social media announcements, avoiding mass panic, coordinating traffic, etc.

So, what do you say now?

THE GOLDEN ARROW: 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: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it. And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them. For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day. (Luke 17: 20-24, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Prophecy Over Personal Testimony? (06/29/2017); Proof That GOD Exists? (10/16/2016); On Really Seeing Angels (10/09/2016); The Testimony From Jesus (08/05/2016); Knowing GOD For Yourself (07/13/2016); Seeing Jesus While Alive? (02/05/2016); What To Say To A Friend? (03/29/2015); A Visit from an Angel? (10/20/2013); The Head Not The Tail? (12/21/2013)

“Anonymous”, “child, please!” Nothing is impossible with GOD, however, claiming experiences of encounters with divinity is no laughing matter. Sacred knowledge rather than secular knowledge is always a gift that should be received with joy, yet, with gravity, meekness, respect and sobriety. Within the church established by Jesus Christ with the Holy Spirit, occurrences and reports of encounters with divinity must be respected as intended to edify and build spirit value. Every member is to receive inseparable spirit matter from the makeup of GOD that includes faith, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, oneness without sameness, personhood, wisdom, and wrath against sin. Until shown to lack authenticity, a report is to be accounted as testimony within the process of ongoing divine judgment (i.e., a statement under oath bearing penalties for perjury, and therefore, “the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth”). For sinners who become “born again,” the sacred process is one of multiple changes, discovery, gradual growth, learning, and study. Ones integrity and justification as a believer comes by being anchored in the testimony of Jesus, the Spirit of prophecy.

Many within the body argue that no one is to see the resurrected Jesus in a one-on-one experience of prayer, or of private revelation (as did the Apostle Paul on the road to Damascus). Paul wrote: (1^st Corinthians 15: 3-8, King James Version (KJV): 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. Also, the promises recorded as the revelation given to Jesus to share with his church state that “every eye will see him” at his appearing (we also say, Advent; the harvest; the Rapture; the Second Coming).

Developing and mature Christian believers are encouraged to “try the spirits” (i.e., examine the character, makeup, origin, divine process, sacred purpose, and divine substance) within events, oneself, other persons, prophecy, holy writings, etc. Believers are to focus on the claims and reports that come from divinity, avoiding material that displays only self-promotion, sensationalism, and vainglory. There should be accord and agreement with the things already proclaimed, promised, and recorded for the body of Christ as well as those things that are in their ongoing fulfillment. Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

1. 2^nd Peter 1: 2-4, King James Version (KJV): 2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, 3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

2. 1^st Corinthians 12: 3-13, 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. 4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

3. 1^st John 4: 1-3, KJV: 1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, 4. Revelation 19: 9-10, KJV: 9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. 10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

Image downloaded 3:11 PM, May 13, 2019 @ https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cw80EIZXgAAHr2p.jpg

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(06/29/2018) A Second Sacred Pair

A depiction of Abraham, Sarah and Isaac

Today, reply is on the divine use of Abraham and Sarah as a sacred pair sharing a single personhood in relationship with the Creator through divine appointment and marriage.  Marriage as a sacred tool is intended to produce “godly seed” (see Malachi 2).  As with Noah and Moses among the Patriarchs, and Jesus Christ who has provided the new creation, his church, Abraham is spoken of among Christian believers as a “second Adam.”  Developing believers are, first, to acknowledge, and then understand, that authority, dominion and power over existence, duration, and everlasting life are with the Lord our GOD.  The many occasions and sacred events (we say, miracles) where divinity has operated according to divine laws, rather than natural laws to bring about human reproduction, birth, and new life include the birth of Samson, a Judge of Israel; the birth of Samuel, who is called the last of the Judges/the first of the prophets; the birth of John the Baptist, the son of a Levitical priest who was born full of the Holy Ghost; the birth of Jesus Christ as the Son of Man; and the birth of every repenting sinner who is “born again” through water baptism.  A fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” Religion and Spirituality forum using the ID “Love Unites” (Level 7 with 57,636 points, a member since May 08, 2013) posted the following:


Why did God condone Abraham's marriage to his half sister?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.  Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.  How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.  And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised:  that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:  And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.  For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.  For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:  Because the law worketh wrath:  for where no law is, there is no transgression.  Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,  (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.  Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.  (Romans 4:  8-18, King James Version, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Abraham Demonstrates Spiritual Growth (05/30/2018); Christianity Is A Relationship (04/05/2018); The Heir To Abraham (10/23/2016); An Eternal Inheritance? (06/26/2016); Ye Are Abraham’s Seed (07/10/2015); Blessing and Inheritance from Abraham? (06/05/2014); On Christians Executing Judgment (06/06/2014); Circumcision and Promise? (07/16/2013); The Bible and Stupid People (07/17/2013)


“Love Unites”, Abraham found grace in the eyes of the Lord.  Adam (the first male and female) were held to be one and a sacred pair before GOD by virtue of their creation.  Abraham and Sarah are to be accounted as one on the basis of their both having been chosen to fulfill eternal purposes that expressed divine prerogative and sovereign will; on the basis of their spiritual joining through marriage; and on the basis of their having received endowments of spirit content from the Creator that allow displaying oneness without sameness.  For Adam and Abraham, marriage was not a man-made or social institution structured by law regarding family and maintained for human survival so much as it continued to be a tool of divine fullness (we say, the Godhead; the Trinity; the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit) for making actual the multiple possibilities of sacred law, divine incarnation, inheritance, judgment, eternal life, and the necessary revelation of GOD to his own created beings and living creatures.  Abraham’s experience of divinity incorporated both prophetic visions and divine visitation.   Abraham was called by GOD to live as a nomad on the earth; and the Patriarch eventually commanded a household that may have numbered thousands, for it included the families of his male servants who also served as an army of more than three hundred.  Everywhere he traveled he dug life-giving wells for water; built altars for sacrifice; continued circumcision and covenant relationship; practiced intercession, praise, and prayer; and demonstrated worship of the true GOD.  Together with Sarah, Abraham was to accomplish a sacred event (miracle), the birth of a firstborn to a barren woman pass the age of fertility.  The birth of Isaac was to be a platform for the birth of Jesus Christ as Messiah.  Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

(1.)  Genesis 18:  1-5, King James Version (KJV):  1 And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre:  and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;  2 And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him:  and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,  3 And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:  4 Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:  5 And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on:  for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said.

(2.)  Genesis 18:  23-28, KJV:  23 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?  24 Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city:  wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein?  25 That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked:  and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee:  Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?  26 And the Lord said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.  27 And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes:  28 Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous:  wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it.

(3.)  Genesis 18:  9-14, KJV:  9 And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent.  10 And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him.  11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.  12 Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?  13 And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?  14 Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (4.)  Genesis 18:  17-22, KJV:  17 And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do;  18 Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?  19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.  20 And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;  21 I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.  22 And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom:  but Abraham stood yet before the LORD.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(08/07/2017) Prophets and Christian Ambassadors

Today, reply is made on whether writers on the Internet are “good ambassadors” for Christ.  Ambassadors, apostles, prophets, and spokespersons are only “good” to the degree they repeat completely and correctly what they have been sent to speak.  The banishment of Absalom—a son of King David, who would one day force his father to flee from Zion to save his own life, and that of the kingdom—is recalled, and the ploy by the king’s General and nephew (Joab) that used an old, wise woman of Tekoah to induce the king to commute the sentence against Absalom.  The principles of forgiveness, mercy, and righteousness in judgment are proclaimed along with reconciliation, renewal, and salvation.  One of the fighters at “Yahoo! Answers (UK & Ireland)” using the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information shared) posted the following:


Are the Christians on this site good ambassadors for Christ or are they rotten ones turning people away from the faith?

We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us
2 Corinthians 20


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:  Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:  In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:  Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers:  all things were created by him, and for him:  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.  And he is the head of the body, the church:  who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.  For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;  And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.  And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled  In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:  (Colossians 1:  12-22, King James Version, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  The Practice of Love (07/27/2017); Reconciliation Provided By Christ (05/30/2017); Proclaiming A New Kingdom? (04/13/2017); Rulers Who Are Prophets? (01/25/2017); The Sure Mercies of David (09/19/2016); As Agents of Divinity (06/12/2016); How To Treat Unbelievers? (01/13/2016)


“Anonymous”, many within the body of Christ understand the work of a Christian ambassador to be that of a spokesperson (we say, prophet) having to serve as a personal representative of the anointed monarch, an embodiment of his authority, kingdom and rule, and a trusted agent who negotiates agreements and treaties with other governments and kingdoms to establish mutual benefit.  To prophesy is to speak only as commanded, neither adding ones own opinions and thoughts, nor omitting anything that has been imparted.  Thus, the substance of prophecy is comfort, edification (we say, enlightenment; building up the body), and exhortation (urging action) to those of the church.  Within the body, believers display great diversity, and come under a principle of “oneness without sameness.”   They are not all at the same level of maturity, sacred knowledge, and sacred practice.  Where developing believers leave the community of faith they become as those in captivity, or those banished and exiled through sanctions of the law, or the disfavor of the king.  The work of an ambassador, then, is to embrace those gone astray, or lost by inviting and facilitating their return to Christ.  In practical terms this may mean performing works of visitation; encouraging or hearing the confession of others; proclaiming atonement, forgiveness and continuing sacred love through Jesus Christ; and further revealing the mercy and righteousness of divine judgment.  Consider again the following:

(1.)  2nd Samuel 14:  9-14, King James Version (KJV):  9 And the woman of Tekoah said unto the king, My lord, O king, the iniquity be on me, and on my father’s house:  and the king and his throne be guiltless.  10 And the king said, Whoever saith ought unto thee, bring him to me, and he shall not touch thee any more.  11 Then said she, I pray thee, let the king remember the LORD thy God, that thou wouldest not suffer the revengers of blood to destroy any more, lest they destroy my son. And he said, As the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of thy son fall to the earth.  12 Then the woman said, Let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak one word unto my lord the king. And he said, Say on.  13 And the woman said, Wherefore then hast thou thought such a thing against the people of God? for the king doth speak this thing as one which is faulty, in that the king doth not fetch home again his banished.  14 For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person:  yet doth he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him.

(2.)  Psalms 51:  11-17, KJV:  11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.  12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.  13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.  14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation:  and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.  15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.  16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it:  thou delightest not in burnt offering.  17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit:  a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

(3.)  1st Thessalonians 5:  14-15, KJV:  14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.  15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

There is far more to be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (4.)  2nd Corinthians 5:  17-21, KJV:  17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:  old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;  19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.  20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us:  we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.  21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC