(10/01/2017) The Vengeance of GOD?

Today, reply is on the righteousness of GOD in the administration of vengeance (justice).  Correctly understood, the vengeance of GOD is the fulfillment of all promise and prophecy that follow the completion of final judgment.  One of the fighters at “Yahoo! Answers” who uses the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information shared) posted the following:


Someone in another question mentioned the vengeance of God. I'm agnostic, but I ask Christians, is God's vengeance "righteous"?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  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.  And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain:  for the former things are passed away.  And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write:  for these words are true and faithful.  And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.  He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone:  which is the second death.  (Revelation 21:  3-8, King James Version, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Balance, Forgiveness and Justice (08/08/2017); Christian Beliefs About Sin (07/20/2017); GOD Indwells Divine Law (07/14/2017); Making and Keeping Justice? (05/25/2017); On Accepting Divine Judgment (02/26/2017); The Respect of Persons? (10/14/2016); Law, Vengeance, and Punishment? (09/30/2016)


“Anonymous”, the administration of comprehensive justice is a sacred operation.  Mature Christian believers understand “divine vengeance” to mean lawful judgment by GOD that is balanced, impartial, and thorough, for included within the responses of Deity are compassion, empathy, forbearance, forgiveness, mercy, and love.  Vengeance is not the outcome or result of being made angry, insulted, or divinity “losing self-control.”  Vengeance is an aspect of eternal purpose and sacred revelation whereby divinity is made fully knowable and known to created beings and living creatures.  Through vengeance the righteousness of divinity appears that would otherwise remain invisible and unseen.

Understanding divine judgment is difficult for those who have not received the endowment of spirit substance from the makeup of GOD that is imparted to those who are born again.  They fail to discern that, along with authority and power, there also are commitment, longsuffering (the ability to endure), and patience are aspects of the divine glory; and the GOD who appeared to Moses is a GOD of judgment.  Relying on consumerism, materialism, carnal reason and secular knowledge (e.g., finance, history, politics, science), human ideas of justice center on equality, fairness, indebtedness, and parity.  In the purview of GOD, justice must extend to maintain all existence, not merely to settle conflicts and resolve disputes among the living over property.  The vengeance of GOD must accomplish the elimination of all sin as well as make an irrefutable display of divine perfection. 

Sin opposes the continued existence of divine law, of the divine Law Giver, and all divine order throughout Creation.  Sin promotes non-existence, and a return to the conditions that were in place before the establishment of heaven and earth (we say, anarchy, chaos, confusion).  While sin has no existence as spirit substance (e.g., authority, glory, majesty), sin may dominate awareness and self-will in the living.  Sinners must receive inseparable aspects of the same consciousness and sovereign will that were displayed in Jesus Christ as the Son of Adam and the Son of GOD.  Consider the following that uses language from the Bible:

(1.)  Deuteronomy 32:  34-36, King James Version (KJV):  34 Is not this laid up in store with me, and sealed up among my treasures?  35 To me belongeth vengeance and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time:  for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.  36 For the LORD shall judge his people, and repent himself for his servants, when he seeth that their power is gone, and there is none shut up, or left.

(2.)  Ephesians 4:  25-27, KJV:  5 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour:  for we are members one of another.  26 Be ye angry, and sin not:  let not the sun go down upon your wrath:  27 Neither give place to the devil.

(3.)  James 1:  19-21, KJV:  19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:  20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.  21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

There is far more that should be considered and properly understood.  (For example, (4.)  Romans 3:  3-6, KJV:  3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?  4 God forbid:  yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.  5 But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man)  6 God forbid:  for then how shall God judge the world?)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(11/28/2016) Events During Final Judgment?

Salvation and events during the times of final judgment are considered today.  No new alarm or further warning to prepare will be provided beyond the things already on record in the holy writings; thus, the “day of the Lord” will appear like “a thief in the night.”  The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “2.718281828459045235360287471352662497757247093699” (Level 7 with 125,124 points, a member since February 26, 2006) posted the following:

I've heard it said that on Judgment Day the God may decide to save or damn us randomly. What do you think of this idea?

It goes like this. On Judgment Day the God and the Satan will be standing there in the great hallway counting out souls as they file by "One For You, One For Me, One For You, One For Me" and so on... If this turns out to be the case, and you were one of the holy people, and spent your entire life on Earth in a state of fervent belief and pious church attendance, won't you feel a little embarrassed to discover your salvation or damnation will be based purely on chance?

Earnest replies appreciated.

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD:  the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.  That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness,  A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers.  And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD:  and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung.  Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD’s wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy:  for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.  (Zephaniah 1:  14-18, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  About Judgment By GOD (08/29/2016); Belief, Content And Works? (02/12/2016); Destroying the Resurrected Body? (02/10/2014); For They Shall Be Ashes (02/11/2014); When Does Judgment Begin? (06/27/2013); Our Present Comfort? (06/28/2013); Teachings on Judgment (06/06/2013); Those Who Never Heard? (06/07/2013) 

“2.718281828459045235360287471352662497757247093699”, judgment is an aspect of the divine character, makeup, and substance, and should be understood as a continuous divine process that is occurring right now.  Mature Christian believers rely upon the holy writings from Genesis to Revelation for information regarding the final judgment that alone will fulfill many of the specific proclamations, promises, and prophecies from GOD.  No one knows the exact day or hour for what we also call “the close of judgment,” yet, all are to be certain of its nearness.  The “day of the Lord” is described as a day of awe, dread, terror, and weeping, for the wrath of GOD against sin will be unleashed upon disbelievers, the wicked, and those rebelling against the sovereign will of GOD.  The day of the Lord is often confused with the Advent (we say, the Rapture, the Second Coming) when the Savior will appear in the air to receive those who belong to him and are “ripe” (balanced, complete, mature) as GOD’s harvest from the earth.  The Scriptures speak of two harvesting events.  As the Scriptures speak of two resurrection events, where resurrection is the granting of life to the dead required for them to appear in the presence of GOD:  the first for the just (i.e., the righteous), and the second for the unjust (i.e., the wicked).  Similarly, the Scriptures speak of the first death where the living complete their mortality, and their physical body is separated from their inherited as well as their imparted spirit content received through baptism (death of ones inborn spirit, rebirth from divine DNA, so to speak).  In the second death, those who no longer have a spirit that is immediately recognizable as from GOD will be annihilated and totally removed from existence.  They will be cast into the Lake of Fire that was prepared for the destruction of the devil and his angels.  The devil will not exist as a prince or ruler over dead sinners in a place where he has authority, glory and privilege.  He will be cast into the Lake of Fire, and will neither be allowed to set foot in the New Jerusalem nor serve any longer as an accuser of the brethren.  All will be judged on the basis of the spirit appearing through their own attitudes, deeds, habits, and purposes as recorded in the Book of Life.  Consider the following:

(1.)  2nd Peter 3:  9-13, King James Version (KJV):  9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.  10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.  11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,  12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?  13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

(2.)  Revelation 20:  1-6, KJV:  1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.  2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,  3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled:  and after that he must be loosed a little season.  4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them:  and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.  5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.  6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection:  on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

(3.)  Revelation 20:  7-11, KJV:  7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,  8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle:  the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.  9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.  10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.  11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (4.)  Revelation 20:  12-15, KJV:  12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened:  and another book was opened, which is the book of life:  and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.  13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them:  and they were judged every man according to their works.  14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.  15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(01/30/2015) Conflict Because of Religious Belief?

Human nature and the final outcome for conflicts and disputes based upon religion are the focus, today.  Because the origin of many differences in the earth should be understood as the inner spirit content that resides within created beings and living creatures, the resolution of certain conflicts can only come by operations of divinity, and through divine law.  A writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Flowerchild” (not correctly shown here because it is framed with floral and smiley dingbats) is on Level 3 with 1,535 points, a member since May 11, 2013, and posted the following:


Where, precisely, do you think all the wrath, hatred, and bitterness towards religion, faith, and spirituality ultimately heading to?

Since the internet began, knowledge of spirituality, religion, and faith has been spreading deep understandings of the lessons they teach, along with the importance of love. It has been a source of direction, strength, and hope for generations, and is proving to be the same for this generation too. Even researchers admit that it is a part of human nature, which will continue.

On the other hand, some people who have argued against the study of spirituality, religion, and faith (often from the fallacious position of personal incredulity, which is not understanding it, or misunderstanding it), have gone beyond disagreement, and fortify positions of bitterness, wrath and hatred towards those who seek the deep lessons of spirituality, religions, and faith. Often, when you try to determine why this is, it stems from a petty or biased understanding of things.

We have seen what extreme measures the bitter, negative, and hateful ideals can lead to, as they dominated the headlines of the 20th century. But despite this, people still continue growing hatred, bitterness, and wrath towards spirituality, faith, and religion.

Where is this heading? Another genocide? What is its ultimate end game?

Why not love one another and work towards harmony?

*P.S.: Please answer the question without trying to avoid the main theme, or divert it. Yes, people can disagree, but this is not about disagreements, but people who take it beyond disagreement into bitterness, hatred, and wrath.


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Then say thou, Thus saith the Lord GOD, The city sheddeth blood in the midst of it, that her time may come, and maketh idols against herself to defile herself.  Thou art become guilty in thy blood that thou hast shed; and hast defiled thyself in thine idols which thou hast made; and thou hast caused thy days to draw near, and art come even unto thy years:  therefore have I made thee a reproach unto the heathen, and a mocking to all countries.  Those that be near, and those that be far from thee, shall mock thee, which art infamous and much vexed.  Behold, the princes of Israel, every one were in thee to their power to shed blood.  In thee have they set light by father and mother:  in the midst of thee have they dealt by oppression with the stranger:  in thee have they vexed the fatherless and the widow.  Thou hast despised mine holy things, and hast profaned my sabbaths.  In thee are men that carry tales to shed blood:  and in thee they eat upon the mountains:  in the midst of thee they commit lewdness.  In thee have they discovered their fathers’ nakedness:  in thee have they humbled her that was set apart for pollution.  And one hath committed abomination with his neighbour’s wife; and another hath lewdly defiled his daughter in law; and another in thee hath humbled his sister, his father’s daughter.  In thee have they taken gifts to shed blood; thou hast taken usury and increase, and thou hast greedily gained of thy neighbours by extortion, and hast forgotten me, saith the Lord GOD.  Behold, therefore I have smitten mine hand at thy dishonest gain which thou hast made, and at thy blood which hath been in the midst of thee.  Can thine heart endure, or can thine hands be strong, in the days that I shall deal with thee? I the LORD have spoken it, and will do it.  (Ezekiel 22:  4-24, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Not Yet Delivered From Racism? (12/21/2014); Racism Is Not From GOD (12/22/2014); Prince of Peace? (07/18/2014); Mankind Destroyed? (01/24/2014); What Salvation Is (01/25/2014); Bible Justice? (01/26/2014); Why Christians Pray for Others (01/12/2014); GOD is Jesus? (01/13/2014); GOD is Showing You (01/14/2014); Understanding Peace? (11/20/2013); Adversary or Servant? (11/21/2013)


“Flowerchild”, many share your concern for the future along with dismay and shock that religious beliefs, today, all appear to be generating condemnation of others, conflict, irreconcilable divisions, and unjustified violence.  Even so, here are a few points regularly shared among Christian believers that continue balance, focus, and peace of mind:

(1.)  Given that anger, fear, hatred and bitterness are made up of emotional and intellectual substance, these conditions and states are temporal (we say, they come and they go).  As operations of the flesh (appetite such as hunger, thirst, sexual cravings; sensation such as hearing, seeing, tasting, touching; emotional/mental functions such as desire, imagination, recall), emotions and mental functions have great influence and power upon awareness and self-will. 

(2.)  Presently, where individuals or groups pursue such motives as reprisal, retribution and revenge they are often persistent, relentless and uncompromising.  Yet, as the alternative to destruction, genocide and warfare to eliminate opposition, the primary responses to accomplish change and reconciliation tend to be emotional and practical appeals that are inappropriate and irrelevant.

(3.)  The full framework of Christian belief describes the course of human development and transformation focusing upon the divine spirit content within mankind, the peculiar purposes of divinity, and the multiple sacred events and operations that are being carried out to establish a permanent harmony and peace for all who will live within the active presence of Deity.  Thus, themes of atonement, forgiveness, death, judgment, rebirth, spirit growth, and sanctification must come into view.

(4.)  Current conflicts have been “foretold” and prophesied, however, not in terms of their specific details.  Believers are not to become emotional and fearful, distraught, or confused.  Present day events are affirmations and evidence of their faith being valid.  Yet, for our faith to also be fruitful and productive, we are to continue our positive efforts to build a world that is godly, righteous and divinely beautiful.

There is far more to be said, correctly understood, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (5.)  As surely as diverse cultures maintain distinctive behaviors, language and approaches to life experience, we are not correct to think that all systems of religious belief are directed to the same goals, must employ the same means, and can accomplish the very same objectives.  There remain many who seek to thrive upon the sufferings of others.  Christians are encouraged to trust that the peace sought by honest-hearted men and women throughout the world definitely will be supplied on the basis of divine purpose and the grace of our Creator.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to the measure of your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(10/04/2012) After We Die?

      The sacred events that follow a person’s death are in view, today, along with more on blessings, curses and woes. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using ID “Devin” (Level 1 with 68 points, a member since August 23, 2012) posted the following:


When you die do you see the actual creator of heaven and earth? (the god that started it all)?


THE BATTLE AXE: Blessing, Curses and Woes (10/03/2012)—Blessing and cursing are regarded as evenhanded, impartial, “mechanical” and nonjudgmental because they are announced as conditional, and occur as aspects of pre-set progressions, that only go into effect when triggered by ones own choices, actions and specific related events. Genuine processes of judgment and law go forth, however, not the exact same ones as when GOD is active conducting and presiding over trials, or when determining and enforcing sentences derived through formal tribunal. The word “woe” is often used to say, “misery” “suffering” and “wretchedness.” Used in prophecy, woe refers to divine evil—not covenant-breaking, violating sacred law, wickedness or wrongdoing by GOD—the demonstrations of divine wrath against sin made substantial, tangible and visible in the form of calamity, reversals, sudden and widespread disaster, and the overturning of natural order. Woes are carried out and performed in contrast to miracles, prosperity and triumph.


THE GOLDEN ARROW: And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. (Revelation 22: 1-7, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Mob Rule and Violence (09/27/2012); Life and Death (09/26/2012); The Gospel not Logical? (09/16/2012); Chances for Change (09/15/2012); The Old Testament and Parables (08/12/2012); The Divine Tool of Death (08/11/2012); End of Strife? (03/14/2011); Having Life? (03/13/2011); The KJV Bible? (02/13/2011)


      It is the faith of most mature Christian believers that when a person dies, they lose all human awareness and sensation. The dead are unable to dream, feel, think or do anything they used to do when living. This includes appealing to GOD in prayer, and standing before GOD in judgment. Life must be restored to the dead so that they may appear in the presence of GOD, and this is spoken of as “resurrection.” Only the living “see” GOD.

      The Bible teaches that there are two resurrections. In the first resurrection, those returned from the dead are accounted as the righteous who “belong” to Christ through their acceptance of his death for atonement of their sins. The first resurrection is often spoken of as the Advent, or Second Coming of Christ to harvest his saved ones from the earth. Another name given this sacred event is “the Rapture.” This first resurrection follows a continuous judgment that occurs during the life of a believer.

      In the second resurrection, those accounted as wicked and unjust are raised to appear in tribunal where Jesus will preside as Judge. Here, the nature of judgment is more clearly seen to be centered in acknowledging revealed truth. The judgment is not a matter of accusing people of their crimes, or announcing and justifying punishments meted out. Those things are done through admonition, instruction and the law; and are accomplished while the wicked are still living, and before they make choice to commit their offenses.

      There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, even at this very moment, all created beings and living creatures are being examined by GOD in various forms of ongoing judgment. Judgment is a peculiar expression of godly being, and is provided as a defining truth of divine existence for the consciousness of mortal and other life forms. (Angels are not mortal and do not die; neither are they immortal.) Also, judgment is a sacred device whereby the righteousness of GOD is revealed to the living.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC