(12/21/2017) Jesus Called "Almighty GOD?"

Today, focus is on the use by Jesus Christ of names and titles from prophecy when speaking of himself.  A writer in the “Yahoo! Answers” forum using the ID “Michael” (Level 5 with 8,331 points, a member since July 08, 2014) posted the following:



Where does Jesus in the Bible calls himself God Almighty?



THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?  Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?  Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me:  what hast thou done?  Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world:  if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews:  but now is my kingdom not from hence.  Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.  Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.  (John 18:  33-38, King James Version, KJV)



THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Jesus Demonstrated Perfected Humanity (10/29/2017); Names For Sacred Persons? (08/01/2017); The New Testament Name (05/01/2017); Also Called “The Amen” (01/29/2017); The Title of “Savior” (01/27/2017); The Lion of Judah (01/22/2017); Blasphemy and The Cross? (03/10/2016); Jesus Known As Word (01/17/2016); The Lamb of GOD (08/19/2015); Use Holy Names Not Titles? (08/17/2015)   



“Michael”, believers today often encounter confusion by the way Jesus is spoken of over the thousands of years of prophecy and the way he presented and spoke of himself.  The title, “GOD Almighty” (El Shaddai) that appears in the Old Testament, was apparently used by divinity during the thousands of years Adam and the Patriarchs descended from him were alive on the earth.  Where GOD enters into a new aspect of ongoing relationship with mankind through Abram, who is called the Friend of GOD, the Patriarch’s personal name is changed to Abraham, and the name of GOD to be used by men is changed to Jehovah.  Other holy names and titles appear in the Scriptures that reflect the changes and operations of human history that may be “missed” and overlooked (e.g., the arm of the Lord; the zeal of the Lord); and some of the most powerful holy names attributed to Jesus Christ include “the mighty GOD, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.”

The Prophet Moses proclaimed that the tribes of Jacob and the mixed multitude of Gentiles that left Egypt together would become a nation to whom GOD would send a divine  Prophet and spokesperson (King, Messiah).  The title, “Christ”, has been used by believers in prophecy to say, “the anointed one,” the One Sent, and the one divinely anointed as Judge, King, High Priest, Prophet, and Messiah.  Many acknowledge Jesus Christ to be an appearance of divine fullness using flesh and human form (we say, Incarnation).  Jesus does label and title himself “the son of Man” (i.e., the son of Adam who is recorded as the first offspring and son of GOD).  Also, many respected Jesus using the title “Son of David,” and even were willing to violently overthrow the government of King Herod and Rome in order to crown Jesus as David’s heir and rightful King over Israel.  David was the son of Jesse named by many of the prophets, who himself reigned as king, and, like his son Solomon, also served as a divinely anointed judge, priest, and prophet.

One of the many curios aspects of Christian belief is that Jesus Christ was humble, meek, and avoided self-promotion, yet, went about accomplishing many of the most important deeds and works possible whereby a person could be recognized as sent from GOD, and genuinely divine in their own makeup and substance.  The process of the Gospel was to be one of discovery, insight, public proclamation, and sharing by word-of-mouth.  In addition to providing doctrine, prophecy and sacred lessons from GOD the Father, Jesus showed himself to be the Son of the Highest by healing the sick, feeding thousands, casting out devils, and restoring life to the dead.  Not only did Jesus himself avoid boasting, bragging, and “vainglory”, he often required that others be discrete and not speak of his works on their behalf (until after his ministry would be concluded).  When Jesus was directly confronted by the High Priest Caiaphas whether Jesus was the Christ, the Savior answered by prophesying.  Consider again, then, the prophesies of Isaiah that spoke of Jesus using the name Immanuel (God With Us) and other points using language from the Bible: 

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

(2.)  Isaiah 11:  9-10, KJV:  9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain:  for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.  10 And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek:  and his rest shall be glorious.

(3.)  Isaiah 9:  6-7, KJV:  6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:  and the government shall be upon his shoulder:  and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.  7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

There is far more to be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (4.)  Matthew 26:  62-66, KJV:  62 And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?  63 But Jesus held his peace, And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.  64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said:  nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.  65 Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.  66 What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(12/20/2017) An Act of GOD?

The Crucifixion by Tintoretto, 1565

Today, reply is on discernment and recognizing events on the earth as actions performed by divinity.  Existence and the life essence (breath, spirit, Word) imparted to the living permit their consciousness and response to actions by unseen divinity.  Thus, created beings and living creatures “know” the active presence who is GOD by his distinctive deeds and ongoing sacred works.  A writer in the “Yahoo! Answers” forum using the ID “Alan” (Level 1 with 106 points, a member since November 09, 2017) posted the following:


If the chance of an event happening was one in a million, would that convince you it was an act of God?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation:  and David said, Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever.  Thine, O LORD is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty:  for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.  Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.  Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.  But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.  For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding.  (1st Chronicles 29:  10-15, King James Version, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Coincidence or Answered Prayer? (11/15/2017); Divine Wrath Against Sin? (10/17/2017); Knowing the Invisible GOD (09/17/2017); Storms to Punish America? (09/08/2017); Growth Is Through Edification (06/20/2017); Putting GOD First? (06/02/2013); Need for A New Holy Spirit? (06/03/2013); Magick and Prayer? (10/29/2012); The Fear of GOD (10/30/2012)


“Alan”, many become spiritually confused because men on the earth as well as angels and devils are being used as instruments to accomplish divine intent.  For Christians, the basis for regarding an occurrence as the “act of GOD” is not how many lives and persons are involved, how often or regularly it appears, the mathematical and statistical probability for the event repeating, or how global and widespread the event may be.  Christian believers are commanded and encouraged to acknowledge that the death of Jesus on the cross is an example of “an act of GOD” as was the Creation of heaven and earth, the forgiveness of the sins and offenses against GOD they have committed as well as sinners becoming “born again” and being received as a new creation (we say, sons and daughters of GOD, and joint heirs with Christ).

Once sinners are reborn through water baptism (death, burial, and resurrection of their inborn spirit) they are to “grow up again” as offspring from divine DNA, so to speak.  Developing believers receive fresh endowments of inseparable sprit content from the makeup of divinity that includes faith, forbearance, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, meekness, oneness without sameness, wisdom, and wrath against sin.  All are to meet the challenges of life and “growing pains” on the earth, and become ripe (mature) for harvest by the Lord at his return (some say, Advent, the Rapture, the Second Coming).

Developing believers are to be edified (built up) through discovery, gradual growth, fellowship with believers more mature than themselves (e.g., clergy, co-workers, their own parents), through sacred knowledge in place of secular knowledge, through observing sacred practices (sacraments) through study of the holy writings as well as by unselfish service through their lifestyle and daily routines (e.g., praise, prayer, worship).

Believers are to become skilled using discernment (i.e., use of ones own spirit content imparted from the makeup of GOD as a standard to recognize and respond to the spirit substance within events, other persons, prophetic demonstrations, purposes, etc.)  Acts of GOD are distinct, for they express the heart, mind and sovereign will of GOD, and do not exalt or express the will of mankind, or any other created being and living creature.  Acts of GOD, therefore, will all appear as in accord with divine law and sacred judgment; with eternal purpose; with the proclamations, promises, and prophesies from GOD; with the terms of covenant relationship; and with the revelation of GOD whereby divinity is made knowable, known, accessible and approachable.  Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

(1.)  John 1:  11-14, King James Version (KJV):  11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.  12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:  13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.  14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

(2.)  Romans 8:  14-17, KJV:  14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.  15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.  16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:  17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

(3.)  Romans 8:  5-9, KJV:  5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.  6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God:  for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.  8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.  9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

There is far more to be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (4.)  Colossians 1:  12-22, KJV:  12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:  13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:  14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:  15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:  16 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:  17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.  18 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.  19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;  20 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.  21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled  22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: )  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(12/19/2017) GOD Protects the Faithful

The Shepherd David Triumphant (1895) by Elizabeth Jane Gardner

Today, thoughts are shared on David the shepherd boy, divine protection, and sacred process within covenant relationships.  What Christian believers once regarded as their need for divine interventions and protection will become permanently changed, for Christians all are in an ongoing process that transforms their consciousness, and the operations of their self-will.  The full revelation of divinity to mankind requires both that humanity endures suffering and that GOD also suffers incarnate (i.e., using flesh and material form).  In place of anxiety, fear, and uncertainty, born again and developing believers are to abide in the assurances from GOD through his Son, Jesus Christ.  Sacred events (miracles) are hidden amidst the disasters.  Loss, tragedy, and suffering are overcome when properly seen in the light of unchanging principles, sacred promises, and prophecies that are still unfolding.  One of the fighters in the “Yahoo! Answers” forum who uses the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information shown) posted the following:
 


Christians, why does't god/Jesus protect the faithful? and in times of suffering, he suffers with you, but does nothing to really help.?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities:  for we know not what we should pray for as we ought:  but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.  For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.  Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called:  and whom he called, them he also justified:  and whom he justified, them he also glorified.  What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?  He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?  (Romans 8:  26-32, King James Version, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Continuing A Perpetual Covenant (08/03/2017); What Young People Need? (06/26/2017); The Greatest Weapon? (12/17/2015); GOD is Faithful (12/03/2015); That GOD Is Faithful? (08/31/2015); No Divine Protection? (10/02/2014); His Authority in Judgment? (10/03/2014); Prince of Peace? (07/18/2014)


“Anonymous”, at a time when we have multiple incidents of violence occurring in churches, the revelation from GOD declares that he is faithful; and the focus must be that his created become faithful as well.  When David—the shepherd boy who was anointed by the Prophet Samuel to later reign as king over Israel—was attacked by a lion and by a bear, GOD did not intervene to deliver David by slaying the two beasts for the boy.  So to speak, David was to do for himself what was required, and what he was equipped to do.  David had prepared himself for such a confrontation by practicing long hours to develop accuracy and power with the sling shot, a military weapon of its day.  This skill also would later be used by David in praise to GOD on the battlefield against the giant warrior Goliath.

Where sinners first approach Christ, many are anchored in appetite, lust for material things, carnal reason, and ambition for social standing.  The “mechanical” and routine challenges of life are often thought of as suffering (e.g., bereavement and having to complete mortality; having to buy food repeatedly; paying for shelter by a mortgage or rent; arriving to work on time; keeping ones word in a relationship; having to endure the enmity of friends).  More correctly, Christian believers are to acknowledge that those things are for preparation.  Mankind and other finite, created beings and living creatures are being used by divinity to make the character and substance of GOD knowable, known, accessible, approachable, and even, visible.  It is the integrity of the living to exist as interdependent, self-aware, and separate from GOD by having discrete consciousness, personhood, and self-will (willpower).  

The divine protection most needed by mankind is not against the Adversary (the Devil), for like David, born again and developing believers are all disciplined and equipped for violent confrontations.  Thus, the shield that only GOD may provide includes atonement and propitiation; protection against corruption (decay, defilement, rot) of ones life essence (breath, spirit, Word) imparted from the makeup of GOD; discernment (ability to apply and use ones own spirit content as a standard to recognize and respond to deposits of divine spirit within sacred law, events, oneself, other persons, practices, prophecy, the holy writings, etc.); sacred knowledge in place of secular knowledge that exposes the operations of sin that oppose the continued existence of divine law, the law giver, and the fullness of Creation; and judgment that annuls the second death.

The divine process for mankind is one of transformation that includes resurrection from the dead.  The grace of GOD is to be acknowledged as sufficient for mankind; and the sacred need of the living is more for assurance and sealing, rather than deliverance, protection, and rescue by emergency response teams.  Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

(1.)  James 4:  6-8, King James Version (KJV):  6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.  7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

(2.)  Isaiah 54:  17, KJV:  17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

(3.)  2nd Corinthians 1:  21-22, KJV:  21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;  22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

There is far more to be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (4.)  John 10:  27-29, KJV:  27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:  28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.  29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(12/18/2017) Free Speech in Church?

The camp of Israel depicting holy convocation, divine order, and the gathering of saints in the Apocalypse

Today, focus is on the church as a place set apart (we say, sanctified) for receiving and exchanging sacred knowledge and truth from Jesus Christ, and for being nourished by spirit substance from the makeup of GOD.  Free speech as practiced in the public forum has no place in the church.  The commitment to participate regularly within a church community is a commitment to seek and endure full growth through multiple levels of ones spirit personhood.  The church is specially cleansed and prepared as a consecrated house wherein divinity may appear (become manifest) and communicate with those who are willing sons, daughters, servants, and stewards of GOD.  Believers trust that GOD will appear in their midst through prayer, praise, the imparted Spirit, the holy writings, and various sacred practices.  Developing believers who practice discernment will be apprehended by the Lord, and used as instruments to acknowledge his exalted sovereignty, and execute his will for mankind.  Because GOD will always be a deity who performs judgment, members of the body, should never assemble in ignorance as they might for carnal, casual, political, and social events.  Every gathering to appear before GOD should be understood as an occasion for awe, humility, and judgment against sin.  A fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” forum using the ID “James” (Level 3 with 1,299 points, a member since March 20, 2015) posted the following:

 

Christians- What about a church service where anyone can say what they want?

Church is too structured for me. The sermon isn't always relevant to my daily life. The clergy could still facilitate the day. With free speech there is always the potential for hearing things you don't like, but in your church you control power to the microphone, and indeed who gets on stage. but if the idea of even hearing a view point different from yours is too scary, I sincerely understand. Humans automatically fear the unknown. When you think you know personally, the creator of all things, it makes one feel very safe.


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,  And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:  (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:  And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)  But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,  To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,  And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.  See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:  Whose voice then shook the earth:  but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.  And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.  (Hebrews 12:  18-27, King James Version, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  As An Anointed Body (10/04/2017); What Young People Need? (06/26/2017); Fellowship With the Father (06/13/2017); ...Gathered In My Name (05/29/2017); ...Because GOD Loves You (03/05/2017); Become Like Jesus Christ? (10/27/2016); Good Christians and Church? (10/19/2016); Can A Church Not Be “Religious”? (07/27/2016); On Wearing Sports Jerseys? (11/20/2015); Relationship With Our Creator? (03/16/2015)


“James”, in the same way Jesus cast out a demon while in the synagogue, everyone who appears in church is not fully submitted to GOD.  Christian church assemblies and congregations make public presentations and welcome new members from the larger community, however, they must exist as private membership groups that maintain a shared lifestyle, a concentrated knowledge base, and specific practices (we say, sacraments).  In general, as a household of faith containing believers in covenant agreement, churches do not encourage or permit academic studies that focus on secular knowledge; rely on argument, debate, and forensics; allow challenging the integrity of the founder and members; or indulge conjecture and philosophical speculation.  Members maintain the church building, other property, and various ongoing and special programs by collecting donations, pledges, promissory notes, and sacrificial offerings by the enrolled members that may include tithe offerings as well as bestowing ones estate at their decease.

The process of the church has to be one of proclaiming the Word from GOD.  While GOD is an invisible, yet, active presence, he makes himself knowable, known, accessible and approachable by using anointed and ordained spokespersons (e.g., apostles, clergy, judges and those who administer divine law, kings, parents, prophets).   Authentic messages, prophetic demonstrations, and revelation will conform to the same standard established to confirm the validity of the holy writings.  Thus, the elders and leaders of the body should be seen as examples of the balance, discipline, restraint, and zeal that appeared in the early church, for both the GOD believers are responding to, and his eternal purposes are immutable and unchanging.

The transformation of sinners to become companions of divinity through the church is not a one-time event, such as praying the sinner’s prayer.  Permanent changes must occur that are gradually completed by operations of the Holy Spirit.  Thus, water baptism depicts the death, burial and resurrection of ones inborn spirit, and their rebirth as vessels of divine seed.  Those who are “born again” are divine offspring and the children of GOD, yet, they are not ripe for harvest (mature), and must “grow up again” by living on the earth, enduring life challenges, and even suffering.  Consider once again the following points that use language from the Bible:

(1.)  1st Corinthians 12:  27-29, King James Version (KJV):  27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.  28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.  29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?

(2.)  Ephesians 4:  11-16, KJV:  11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;  12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:  13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:  14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;  15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:  16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

(3.)  1st Timothy 3:  1-9, KJV:  1 This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.  2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;  3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;  4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;  5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)  6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.  7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.  8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;  9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.  10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.  11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.  12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.  13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

(4.)  1st Corinthians 14:  1-5, KJV:  1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.  2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God:  for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.  3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.  4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.  5 I would that ye all spake with tongues but rather that ye prophesied:  for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

(5.)  1st Corinthians 14:  36-40, KJV:  36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?  37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.  38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.  39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.  40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

There is far more to be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (6.)  Romans 8:  5-9, KJV:  5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.  6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God:  for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.  8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.  9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(12/17/2017) The Commandments of Jesus

A Depiction of the Disciples of Jesus Feeding the 5,000

Today, reply is made on the “commandments” given by Jesus Christ to his church.  The process of salvation through the Son of GOD is one of transforming the human makeup by imparting fresh endowments of life essence (breath, spirit, Word) from the fullness of divinity (we say, the GODhead, Father, Son and Holy Spirit).  As vessels for the same eternal purpose and spirit substance contained within the law, mankind should display obedience and respect to the expressed will of GOD more completely, continually, and correctly.  Sinners should receive water baptism representing the death, burial and resurrection of ones inborn spirit along with rebirth from divine DNA, so to speak.  Performing ones duty and service to GOD, then, comes forth as an aspect of ones own awareness, their exercise of self-will, and their becoming mature through discovery, learning, and gradual growth.  A fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” forum using the ID “Fibea” (Level 1 with 151 points, a member since December 04, 2017) posted the following:


Does being Christian require following the commandments of Jesus, or just believing that Jesus is the son of God and has come to save us?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.  And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.  But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat?  And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?  Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.  So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants:  we have done that which was our duty to do.  (Luke 17:  5-10, King James Version, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  In Spirit and Truth? (10/02/2017); Conforming to Divine Standards (06/18/2017); Inheritance Must Become Commitment (05/15/2017); Addressed by the Spirit, Not the Letter? (03/31/2015); Miracles are Sacred Events (12/20/2013); Resisting Sin (12/21/2013); The Limits to Believing? (09/16/2013); All Things Possible? (09/17/2013)


“Fibea”, Christians are to exist as a new creation containing spirit content from the makeup of GOD (e.g., faith, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, wisdom, wrath against sin).  For followers of Jesus Christ, grace and shared love are the basis for relationship between the Creator and the created, therefore, authority, commandments, and law are not annulled, eliminated or ignored, yet, those who serve as his disciples are to respond with dutifulness and obedience as the expression of genuine faith, divine righteousness, and sacred will imparted from GOD.  Christians are not given a new set of laws to replace the ancient covenants from the Jews so much as they are to observe certain memorials and practices to encourage their continuing as his body, and the disciples of Christ (the church).  Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

(1.)  John 15:  5-17, King James Version (KJV):  5 I am the vine, ye are the branches:  He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit:  for without me ye can do nothing.  6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.  7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.  8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.  9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you:  continue ye in my love.  10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.  11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.  12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.  13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.  14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.  15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth:  but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.  16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain:  that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.  17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.

(2.)  Mark 6:  34-44, KJV:  34 And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.  35 And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed:  36 Send them away, that they may go into the country round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread:  for they have nothing to eat.  37 He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat?  38 He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes.  39 And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass.  40 And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties.  41 And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all.  42 And they did all eat, and were filled.
43 And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes.  44 And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men.

(3.)  Matthew 28:  18-20, KJV:  18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.  19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:  and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

(4.)  Galatians 2:  20-21, KJV:  20 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.  21 I do not frustrate the grace of God:  for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and carefully made a part of ones full belief.  (For example, (5.)  1st Corinthians 11:  23-29, KJV:  23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:  24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat:  this is my body, which is broken for you:  this do in remembrance of me.  25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood:  this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.  26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.  27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.  28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.  29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(12/15/2017) The Spirit of Meekness

Today, thoughts are shared on meekness as a divine spirit content imparted by GOD to believers who receive Jesus Christ so they may nourish the growth of godliness within others.  Unlike counterfeit and false professions of Christian belief, genuine godly behavior is generated and put forth only by divine spirit.  While meekness relates to gentleness, goodness, humility, and peace, many appear to be offended by the idea of meekness as a spirit substance from the makeup of GOD; and increasingly scriptures that speak of the fruit of the Spirit are presented omitting meekness as being associated with cowardice, intimidation, and weakness.  More correctly, meekness is a planting and product through the workings of GOD along with fervor, holy boldness, and zeal.  One of the many fighters in the “Yahoo! Answers” forum who uses the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information appears) posted the following:

Christians, How does one qualify as meek?

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.  For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh:  and these are contrary the one to the other:  so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.  But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,  Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,  Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like:  of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.  And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.  Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.  (Galatians 5:  16-26, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Jesus Demonstrated Perfected Humanity (10/29/2017); Meekness, Mortality and Salvation? (07/13/2017); Discernment, Focus and Meekness? (07/07/2017); The Gift of Humility (02/19/2017); As Newborn Babes.... (10/13/2016); Humility and The Cross? (03/15/2016); The Meek Will Inherit (10/16/2012)
 
 

“Anonymous”, here are some thoughts I may share that are expressions of Jesus Christ within me:

In the same way sinners are to be born again by receiving spirit content from the makeup of divinity through water baptism where there is the death, burial, and resurrection of ones inborn spirit, believers are to “grow up” again and become mature as children of GOD and joint-heirs of the Father along with the Son of the Highest.  Rebirth to exist as a developing believer requires that one receive inseparable aspects of imparted spirit substance from Deity that includes balance, completeness, faith, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, personhood, meekness, restraint, wisdom, and wrath against sin.

Developing believers are to acquire sacred knowledge by fellowship with mature believers who may be clergy, leaders, their own parents and siblings as well as others who are  workers within the community of faith; by continuing communication with GOD through prayer; by observing sacred practices (we say, sacraments); by repentance and turning away from disobedience of divine law, from sin, and from wickedness; by study of the holy writings; by unselfish service; and by enduring hardship, persecution, and suffering.  With this in view, salvation is not a “one-time” event; salvation is a process of discovery, gradual growth, learning, and undergoing permanent change.

Every Christian believer does not receive an anointing that allows them to serve in the offices of apostle, healer, pulpit preacher, or prophet.  Yet, all are “recruited” to provide ministry wherein they share through their own lifestyle and daily routines, gifts that provide spirit content from GOD.  As a believer becomes “ripe for harvest” they become able to display and share sacred fruit (manifestations; outcomes; products) from the Holy Spirit (we also say, the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Prophecy, the Spirit of Truth). 

Believers who speak of Meekness as a fruit of the Spirit acknowledge that the many aspects of divinity can not truly be analyzed and treated as separate, secular objects.  Even so, meekness is often described as the voluntary expression of humility, praise, and submission whereby one continues in relationship with the Creator as teachable, and as having readiness, responsiveness, and willingness to be led by the Holy Spirit.  Jesus displayed the spirit of meekness by refusing to be appointed as king at Jerusalem, avoiding self-promotion, and ascribing his works to the Father.

Where the Bible speaks of Moses as having been chosen by GOD because of his meekness, we understand that meekness is essential to being used as an instrument in sacred operations to benefit mankind.  While the Spirit imparted to Moses was so abundant that GOD would supply 70 elders of Israel from the endowment the Prophet had received, and Moses continued with a greater measure than all of them put together, the spirit granted Moses was not the same fullness as was outpoured during Pentecost and for the beginnings of the new creation, the church.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and made a part of those who are responding to developing belief.  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(12/14/2017) Heritage of the Servants?

Today, the reply addresses judgment against divinity by created beings and living creatures.  What many take to be Bible accounts of GOD punishing mankind, in fact, are sacred testimonies that report demonstrations of the divine commitment to mankind—even to the extreme of overturning death through atonement, Incarnation, forgiveness, reconciliation, resurrection, and the imparting of divine spirit content from the makeup of Deity.  Those grounded in Christ are to remain vigilant against unbelievers who seek to destroy salvation from the Lord by making accusations and appeals against GOD on the basis of family feeling, kinship, and love, or human error, indignation and outrage.  The fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” forum using the ID “Donald Michael Vicks Dog” (Level 6 with 11,065 points, a member since June 06, 2015) posted the following:

Isn't the christian god great? He will let his arch enemy murder your whole family in a bet?

And give you a replacement family as a reward for not complaining?

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.  Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, those that remember thee in thy ways:  behold, thou art wroth; for we have sinned:  in those is continuance, and we shall be saved.  But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.  And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee:  for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities.  But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.  Be not wroth very sore, O LORD, neither remember iniquity for ever:  behold, see, we beseech thee, we are all thy people.  (Isaiah 64:  4-9, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Heaven Denied to Mankind? (12/08/2017); A Lawless, Violent GOD? (11/16/2017); GOD Is Imparting Truth (10/30/2017); Divine Wrath Against Sin? (10/17/2017); “Occupy Till I Come” (08/30/2017); Discernment, Focus and Meekness? (07/07/2017); Divine Inheritance and Resurrection? (07/06/2016); An Eternal Inheritance? (06/26/2016); Called To Be Servants? (11/25/2015)

“Donald Michael Vicks Dog”, just as the sacred process of judgment by divinity must address many subtleties (i.e., points of truth that display barely visible differences as well as hidden shifts in meaning, quality and value), and so may only be accomplished by an impartial, righteous, and thorough GOD, judgment against GOD requires a breadth and depth of sacred knowledge instead of secular knowledge, a comprehensive awareness of eternal purpose that generates divine action and serves as the context and focus for examining consequences and results from active presence, and the correct discernment and recognition of spirit substances (and their products) that may only be imparted through the operations of Deity.  Included are awe, boldness, faith, gratitude, holiness, and wrath against sin.

The judgment of those in flesh repeatedly expresses bias, presumption, and exaggerated sentiment.  Sinners who become “born again” through baptism (death, burial and resurrection of their inborn spirit) are to exist having divine DNA, so to speak, and, therefore, receive a fresh endowment of life essence (breath, spirit, Word) from the makeup of GOD.  As children and offspring of GOD, developing believers share a “divine point of view” that allows them to discover, see, and more correctly display the balance, completeness, integrity, lovingkindness, restraint, and wisdom of the Creator. 

Mature Christian believers (who have “mellowed” and outgrown their arrogance, defiance, and “self-righteous indignation”) immediately recognize there is no victory over GOD by the Adversary recorded in the account of Job.  For the account to provide authentic revelation regarding the character, makeup, and substance of divinity, Job must display the absolute dependence on GOD by all living that is not merely for life and death; it is also for access to Deity, for  duration, for expectation (we say, hope), for existence, for possibilities, for unchanging value, and more.  Divine grace, ownership, prerogative, and sovereign will may not be dismissed, or ignored.  See with new eyes:  Throughout the holy writings, it is the victory of GOD that mankind can not be overwhelmed and removed from the earth by such devices as betrayal, corruption, death, decay, hardship, lies, persecution, and tribulation.  Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

(1.)  Jeremiah 18:  3-12, King James Version (KJV):  3 Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.  4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter:  so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.  5 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,  6 O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.  7 At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it;  8 If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.  9 And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it;  10 If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.  11 Now therefore go to, speak to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I frame evil against you, and devise a device against you:  return ye now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good.  12 And they said, There is no hope:  but we will walk after our own devices, and we will every one do the imagination of his evil heart.

(2.)  Isaiah 29:  16, KJV:  16 Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter's clay:  for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding?

(3.)  Romans 9:  14-24, KJV:  14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.  15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.  16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.  17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.  18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.  19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?  20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?  21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?  22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:  23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,  24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

There is far more to be said, correctly examined, and made a part of our own developing belief.  (For example, (4.)  Psalms 149:  4-9, KJV:  4 For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people:  he will beautify the meek with salvation.  5 Let the saints be joyful in glory:  let them sing aloud upon their beds.  6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand;  7 To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people;  8 To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;  9 To execute upon them the judgment written:  this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC