Focus,
today, is upon GOD appearing as Jesus Christ to provide a new
dispensation and sacred mechanisms for mankind’s access to divinity,
commitment, and eternal life. When speaking about Deity and spirit,
familiar language devices must be used in order to make explanations and
instruction continue within the awareness of believers as concrete and
memorable. Yet, the lasting consciousness that spirit exists, is
active, and is present may only be imparted and maintained using spirit
substance itself, not finite elements such as emotion, intellect, logic,
and philosophy. In the holy writings, marriage and the imagery of
banquets and wedding feasts have been used to clarify, depict, and
suggest divine operations and sacred events that pertain to the ministry
of Jesus upon the earth and from the heavens. Christ is to be received
as the only provision from GOD embodying all the divine attributes
essential for salvation (e.g., forbearance, forgiveness, longsuffering,
resurrection, rebirth, sanctification). The language of a divine wedding garment
that appears in the New Testament may be traced to Genesis where Adam
is clothed in a covering for the human body made from glory, light, or
spirit. While yet in the Garden of Eden, the parents of mankind lost
their sacred covering also thought to be innocence and purity. After
disobeying divinity by eating the forbidden fruit, the first pair
discovered they were “naked”, and hid themselves from the Creator. The
two would be covered again by GOD, however, it would require using
divine operations that included such elements as atonement, blood,
burning, death, faith, forgiveness, perfect obedience, selfless
sacrifice, and suffering. Consider again the following from Scripture,
and the presentation below:
Isaiah 54: 4-5, King James Version (KJV):
4 Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded;
for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of
thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any
more. 5 For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.
Isaiah 62: 1-5, KJV:
1 For Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I
will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness,
and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. 2 And the
Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou
shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name. 3 Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD,
and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God. 4 Thou shalt no more be
termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate:
but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married. 5 For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.
1st Corinthians 3: 11-15, KJV:
11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is
Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold,
silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man’s work shall
be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be
revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort
it is. 14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he
shall receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall
suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
Revelation 21: 1-3, KJV:
1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the
first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2 And I John
saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven,
prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a great
voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
Revelation 22: 16-17, KJV: 16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and
the bright and morning star. 17 And the Spirit and the bride say,
Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst
come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
A writer at “Yahoo Answers” using the ID “Fred XXOO I” (Level 7 with 51,405 points, a member since June 28, 2010) posted the following:
Matthew 22:2, The Kingdom of heaven is like a king who reppared a wedding banquet 4 his son. what did that say 2 you? thank u.?
THE
GOLDEN ARROW: Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto
the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is
the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore
as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be
to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even
as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might
sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he
might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or
wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without
blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that
loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own
flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For
this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined
unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great
mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless
let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and
the wife see that she reverence her husband. (Ephesians 5: 22-33, KJV)
THE
DOUBLE DAGGER: The Male, the Female, and GOD (02/09/2014); Destroying
the Resurrected Body? (02/10/2014); Relating to GOD? (11/05/2013); Does
Satan Know? (11/06/2013); The Church as a Bride? (05/15/2013); How Do I
Repent? (05/16/2013); A Life Companion? (11/07/2012); On Asking Why
(11/08/2012); Speaking of GOD (10/20/2010); Eat and Run? (10/21/2010)
“Fred XXOO I”, see
with new eyes: The holy angels and all those in covenants (i.e.,
lawful relationships established by GOD with Adam, Abraham, Moses,
David, and others joined to divinity through inheritance) were welcomed
to embrace divinity through a new relationship with GOD manifest upon
the earth in flesh (we say, incarnate). All were to
acknowledge a new creation (the church) that would be a “spouse” to the
Son of the Highest. Many of those who were specially “invited”, granted
place, and welcomed to share in the multiple sacred events establishing
eternal life, refused to acknowledge Jesus as the legitimate
fulfillment of divine promise, or even respond with respect to his
matchless revelation of divine grace and exclusive devotion. In their
place, mankind in general is being welcomed to have intimate
personal relationship to Jesus Christ as a church that will be a life
companion to the Son of GOD in the same way a married couple becomes
permanently joined by the union of their spirit content.
Throughout his
ministry (we could say, courtship and dating) upon the earth, Jesus
Christ planted seeds of an eternal dispensation from GOD to preserve
mankind and all Creation. However, the Lord was challenged to speak
using terms that would be correctly recognized and understood only by
those already having a peculiar spirit content from the makeup of
divinity (e.g., faith, godly sorrow, holiness, purity, wisdom, wrath
against sin, zeal). Parables were a popular teaching tool of the
day—and along with comparisons, contrasts, metaphors and similes—were
used as a “filter” to discover and ignite spirit substance in those who
were genuinely “called”, “elect”, and prepared through prophecy and the
discipline of obeying sacred law for encounter with GOD in the person of Christ.
Through divine
operations of covenant, judgment, and promise, all mankind to the time
of Christ’s birth (for millennia) had been given admonition, comfort,
encouragement, and guidance to restore the communion, intimacy and trust
that was lost at Eden. In addition to a relationship of blessing with
Deity, Adam (the single divine name for the male and female) lost
special sacred abilities, qualities, opportunities, and possibilities.
Full restoration requires permanent changes to mankind that include the
end of mortality and receptiveness to corruption as well as the removal
of dependency upon frameworks of time and space for sacred knowledge.
By GOD appearing in flesh as Christ and Messiah, atonement for sin and
new access to divinity were being established. Divine spirit content is
to be the basis of identity in mankind (we say, the image of GOD).
Through “water baptism” (death of ones inborn spirit, rebirth from
divine DNA, so to speak) and “fire baptism” to acquire spiritual
authority and power, mankind is given a fresh endowment of divine life essence (we say, breath, spirit, word).
There is far more
to be said, understood, and spiritually apprehended. (For example,
those who are “ripe” after developing and maturing upon the earth will
be harvested by Jesus as his church at his Advent (Second Coming).
These will be accounted as the “fruit” of his planting, and will be
offered and presented to the Father before the host of heaven. Because
many angels and other created beings lost their place in heaven through
sin, there now are places there to be filled for special events to be
properly witnessed to, and completed. Included are concluding final
judgment, finishing the New Jerusalem, distributing rewards for service
to divinity, and allotting places to the saints within the Holy City.)
Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according
to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
The correctness of free will as an idea when speaking of the “kingdom of heaven” is considered, today, along with more on the miracle of Jesus changing water to wine. A fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Ivan” (Level 1 with 24 points, a member since December 25, 2013) posted the following:
So is there free will in heaven?
If there is, wouldn't there be sin in heaven? And if there's not, doesn't that mean that free will is a bad thing?
THE BATTLE AXE: A Worthy Miracle? (04/07/2014)—(6.) The account that appears in the holy writings (John 2: 1-11, KJV), reports only that the ruler of the feast (who tasted and approved the wine as excellent), gave credit to the bridegroom as being frugal and shrewd, yet, did not acknowledge Jesus, or give glory to GOD. The disciples who accompanied the Lord, who already were beginning to grow in faith, and had been prepared by GOD, were the only ones who knew the source of the wine, were aware that the Lord had worked, and experienced the presence of GOD through praise. Jesus used the miracle to proclaim the kingdom of GOD, not to promote his own popularity and reputation. By proclaiming the kingdom of GOD, Jesus also declared new covenant based upon yet-to-be-fulfilled promises through the prophet, King David. The miracle of water to wine signals divine abundance and sacred presence as a foundation for the security in marriage as well as for security within the new covenant relationship. The identity and integrity of Jesus as heir to David is not yet at issue; however, in the same way David was anointed by Samuel to be king, and was reluctant to promote himself as monarch (especially after the popular acceptance of Saul), Jesus displayed a hesitance to “take up the crown.” Through his new television program at iTBN celebrating the pioneering broadcasts of a Catholic Bishop, Fulton J. Sheen, the Franciscan monk, John Michael Talbot, has also shared that, physical labor (we may say, deeds, works) of bearing the water further points to the union of flesh and divinity as a combined power for the establishment of divine benefit and blessing. The water into wine should also be recognized as a foretaste from a second sacred event, the great feast of Passover, with its miracles establishing the Lord’s Supper, where the wine becomes blood, and the bread becomes the consecrated body of the Son of GOD. Consider Genesis 49: 10-12, Isaiah 49: 25-26, 1st Chronicles 11: 15-19 and John 6: 25-69, KJV.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 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; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. (2nd Corinthians 10: 4-6, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Doing GOD’s Plan? (02/20/2014); “Prayer Death”? (02/21/2014); Freewill is Finite (06/30/2013); GOD Intervenes? (07/01/2013); No Free Will (10/19/2010); Speaking of GOD (10/20/2010)
“Ivan”, those who have not received Jesus as their Savior hate the answer I have to share with you, however, trusting that you are not spiritually blind, ignorant, or as stubborn as the Pharaoh of Egypt who insisted upon denying GOD and Moses, here are a few points you should consider:
(1.) “Free will” is an idea that comes from human philosophy, political theory, and secular studies. Christian belief and doctrine (we may say, the official teachings) do not speak to operations of will in created beings and living creatures so much as to operations of divine spirit.
(2.) Participation in what is called “the kingdom of heaven” is not an expression of the finite will that appears in all created beings and living creatures. Kingdom life emerges from the spirit matter that determines ones makeup and active presence (we may say, what you are, that you are) within any of the spheres for life established by GOD (e.g., earth, heaven, the universe).
(3.) Sin was first found to exist among the holy angels of heaven, however, was not understood as destructive, harmful and malicious. The process of sin has been “allowed” to crystallize and develop (become fully visible to all) as a further expression of divine righteousness (we say, judgment). Sin is not a living entity, contains no spirit matter, and is not created by GOD. Yet, sin may dominate and permanently change awareness and self-will in created beings and living creatures.
(4.) Sin opposes the existence of heaven, of divine law, of the continued existence of divinity, and of all Creation. As a nonmaterial, non-spirit aspect of experience, sin is subtle (i.e., displays barely visible differences, is covered and hidden), and cannot be detected, eliminated, recognized, removed or resisted without using special spiritual tools provided from GOD. Human intellect, logic, philosophy, reason, and science are not enough.
There is a lot more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (5.) Not all human error is sin; and for mankind, learning may go forward by decision-making or trial and error as well as by imitation, modeling, and taking calculated risks. (Consider, learning “mama” and “dada”, counting to ten, or first reciting the ABCs.) The challenge is to internalize, and to make something from outside oneself a permanent part of ones own consciousness. Because sin resides within the living, it may not be seen as abnormal, foreign, strange or unnatural.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to the measure of divine faith that resides in you.
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2: 20, KJV)
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
The first public miracle of Jesus (changing water to wine) is in focus, today. Also, there is more on being brothers to Christ, yet, not being equal to Christ. A “Yahoo Answers” fighter using the ID “Felix” (Level 1 with 87 points, a member since November 29, 2010) posted the following:
Is helping people to get sozzled a worthy miracle?
Jesus.
He goes to a wedding party, they run out of wine, he turns water into wine so they can party further.
If true Jesus is one party dude.
THE BATTLE AXE: Brothers, Not Equals(04/06/2014)—(6.) In the same way, the authority, influence, and power of older brothers and sisters is not the same as that of the youngest sibling, there are no liars, thieves, and unbelievers who are the same (we say, equals) as those having status as joint heirs with Christ, and who are the sons and daughters to GOD through the Holy Spirit imparted in water baptism. Just as believers are set apart by covenant agreement, believers are further set apart (we say, sanctified) by the added divine gifts from the indwelling Spirit bestowed upon believers that serves as power in their work of spreading the Gospel by their lifestyle, preaching, and unselfish service. GOD carefully examines the makeup, and the fruit of (we say, the effects, what is produced by) all his handiwork of Creation (we say, GOD will judge). While righteous judgment must go forth upon all with attention to detail, balance, and impartiality, the outcome is always that those who satisfy the divine standard, and please GOD, are not treated as those who fail to do so. There is a difference, however, one based on divine love, sacred law, fairness, and justice. See again Genesis 18: 24-26, Leviticus 26: 13-35, Deuteronomy 28: 1-3, Matthew 10: 32-33, 2nd Corinthians 5: 10, and Revelation 3: 14-22, KJV.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 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. (John 14: 8-17, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Miracles Are From GOD (03/14/2014); Giving Forgiveness? (03/15/2014); Miracles and Visitations? (03/03/2014); All Lying Forbidden? (03/04/2014); Miracles are Sacred Events (12/20/2013); Resisting Sin (12/21/2013); All Things Possible? (09/17/2013); Can One Escape? (09/18/2013); Both Born Holy? (04/29/2013); Scripture at Funerals? (04/30/2013)
“Felix”, here are a few points a person should consider before “closing the book” on the first miracle of the Lord’s prophetic ministry:
(1.) After his public anointing with the help of John the Baptist, Jesus was isolated and “tested” by Satan. Just as the devil is not all-knowing and can not predict the future, Satan does not have the same gift of spiritual discernment that has been given to mankind through the Holy Spirit. The Adversary could not recognize in Christ what the Son of the Highest had displayed when before the host of heaven. Satan wanted to ask “are you the Son of GOD?” without displaying his ignorance and weakness. Satan challenged Christ on the basis of the humanity of Jesus, and appealed to appetite, fear, greed, ignorance of the Scriptures, and pride.
(2.) Miracles are “prophetic demonstrations” and “sacred events” that describe divine processes (e.g., forgiveness, rebirth, repentance), express eternal purpose (we say, conditions that will fulfill divine intent), and present utterance (breath, spirit, word) from GOD through action, physical objects, and persons (we say, the flesh). Miracles may result through the operations of faith, however, faith does not always result from miracles. Many times the outcomes have been increased confusion, doubt, fear, and skepticism. Even so, miracles may establish an “appetite” for spiritual truth, and may serve as stimulants of curiosity that draw men to GOD as Moses was drawn by the “burning bush.”
(3.) Jesus revealed that the process of GOD for mankind would entail a union of flesh and Spirit. The need of all created beings and living creatures had become so great only a comprehensive transformation could be effective. Thus, men must be “born again” having divine DNA (so to speak); and all the aspects of divine order for the entire universe are now being reconfigured. Included are birth, death, growth, law, love, perfection (we say, maturity), relationship (e.g., as heirs, as servants, as sons, as spouses), and sanctification (we say, cleansing, being set apart to serve GOD).
There is a lot more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) Jesus first displayed his divinity by helping those who were disabled, injured, and sick—that is, by addressing the flesh. Yet, the healings and exorcisms (casting out demons) performed by Jesus are not accounted as miracles. In the process of GOD for mankind, the rule is “first, that which is natural, then, that which is spiritual.” The foundations of belief, reverence and worship were to shift away from ceremony, customs, institution, law, ritual, and tradition. Relationship with GOD is to be grounded in ones own endowment of the Spirit of Prophecy (we say, the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth). Through Jesus Christ, mankind receives spirit matter from the makeup of GOD that will enable new awareness and self-will.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to the measure of divine faith that resides in you.
Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. (Isaiah 55: 1-3, KJV)
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
