tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57141048891649223672024-02-21T02:00:26.127-08:00godamongusThis site is dedicated to revealing God among us.godamongushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783580274771793995noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5714104889164922367.post-69004580322629958532009-12-02T07:00:00.000-08:002009-12-23T15:43:50.607-08:00HOME PAGE:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6yLLd1tLaHIm-3vCMUXJfOED_wohPvSj3pxqWVyDrrXLYu482_8UTv4QtIw9IvcplhIphn4UpaaQ-7qZUXY9b8qbTjCwDOM8O1nBULPhU1wxbUucdmy_HmN7vqHFiC0TsMw-mersUhfX/s1600-h/TheCreationofAdam.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 443px; height: 204px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6yLLd1tLaHIm-3vCMUXJfOED_wohPvSj3pxqWVyDrrXLYu482_8UTv4QtIw9IvcplhIphn4UpaaQ-7qZUXY9b8qbTjCwDOM8O1nBULPhU1wxbUucdmy_HmN7vqHFiC0TsMw-mersUhfX/s400/TheCreationofAdam.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410591616337447570" border="0" /></a>Click sequentially on the topics below to experience God's presence among us:<br /><br /><a href="http://godisamongus.blogspot.com/2009/02/i-am-who-i-am.html"><u>1. "I am who I am</u>" </a><br /><a href="http://godisamongus.blogspot.com/2009/02/2-being-understood-from-what-has-been.html">2. "Understood from what has been made"</a><br /><u><a href="http://godisamongus.blogspot.com/2009/02/3-male-and-female-he-created-them.html">3. "Male and female"</a></u><br /><u><a href="http://godisamongus.blogspot.com/2009/03/4-breathed-into-his-nostrils-breath-of.html">4. "The breath of life"</a></u><br /><u><a href="http://godisamongus.blogspot.com/2009/06/5-be-fruitful.html">5. "Be fruitful"</a></u><br /><u><a href="http://godisamongus.blogspot.com/2009/06/6-multiply.html">6. "Multiply"</a></u><br /><a href="http://godisamongus.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2009-06-11T21%3A58%3A00-07%3A00&max-results=1">7. "Replenish the earth"</a><br /><u><a href="http://godisamongus.blogspot.com/2009/06/7-have-dominion.html">8. "Subdue it: and have dominion"</a><br /><a href="http://godisamongus.blogspot.com/2009/06/8-sown-natural-bodyraised-spiritual.html">9. "Sown a natural body;Raised a spiritual body"</a><br /><a href="http://godisamongus.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2009-07-17T07%3A00%3A00-07%3A00&max-results=1">10. "We shall judge angels"</a><br /><a href="http://godisamongus.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2009-09-25T07%3A00%3A00-07%3A00&max-results=1">11. "The evening and the morning"</a><br /><a href="http://godisamongus.blogspot.com/2009/10/12-your-father-devil.html">12. "Your father the devil"</a><br /><a href="http://godisamongus.blogspot.com/2009/11/13-they-would-not-have-crucified-lord.html">13. "They would not have crucified the Lord of glory"</a><br /><a href="http://godisamongus.blogspot.com/2009/11/14-woman-why-weepest-thou.html">14. "Woman, why weepest thou?"</a><br /><a href="http://godisamongus.blogspot.com/2009/12/15-this-is-what-he-said.html">15. "This is what he said"</a><br /></u><div><u><br /><br /></u>Inside each topic, click the "home" button or your browser's back button to return to this home page.</div><div><br />If you like, feed the fish by clicking in their water.</div><div><br /></div><div>Share comments below:<br /><u><br /></u><br /><br /><!--INFOLINKS_ON--></div>godamongushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783580274771793995noreply@blogger.com55tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5714104889164922367.post-1975024006650957942009-12-01T09:09:00.000-08:002010-01-11T16:48:29.262-08:0015. "This is what he said"<b>Matthew 5:1-2</b> <b>~</b><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL',charis,Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:'Charis SIL',charis,Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" >When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">This is what he said</span></b>:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL',charis,Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/index.php?search=matt%205&version=MSG&interface=print">The Message</a>)</span><br /><div><br /></div><div><b>INTERPRETATION</b>: Anointed by God for the mission of restoration (See topic <a href="http://godisamongus.blogspot.com/2009/11/13-they-would-not-have-crucified-lord.html">#13-"They would not have crucified the Lord of glory</a>"), Jesus passionately taught others about the coming Kingdom of God. His moral and ethical teachings, his exhortations, even his prayers all related to the Kingdom. Due to his crucifixion at the young age of 33, he was not able to teach us all that he wanted, as expressed in <span style="font-weight: bold;">John 3:12, "</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;">If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">"</span> and, <span style="font-weight: bold;">John 16:25, "</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;">These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you </span><b style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;">plainly</b><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;"> of the </span><b><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;">Father.</span>"</b> Yet, while we eagerly await his 2nd coming, it is good for us to keep faith in the core teachings he was able to deliver. His Sermon on the Mount may be likened to <b>the Constitution of the Kingdom of God</b>. The Sermon on the Mount, which gives us the clearest behavioral guide for citizens of the Kingdom, is translated below from The Message Bible (a plain English translation):</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:'Charis SIL',charis,Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:large;" >This is what he said:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><div class="result-text-style-normal" style="font-family:'Charis SIL',charis,Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><h5><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I. You're Blessed</span></h5><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-9920">3</sup>"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.</p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-9921">4</sup>"You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.</p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-9922">5</sup>"You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.</p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-9923">6</sup>"You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.</p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-9924">7</sup>"You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for.</p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-9925">8</sup>"You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.</p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-9926">9</sup>"You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.</p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-9927">10</sup>"You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.</p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-9928">11-12</sup>"Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.</p><h5><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">II. Salt and Light</span></h5> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-9929">13</sup>"Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.<p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-9930">14-16</sup>"Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.</p><h5><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">III. Completing God's Law</span></h5> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-9931">17-18</sup>"Don't suppose for a minute that I have come to demolish the Scriptures— either God's Law or the Prophets. I'm not here to demolish but to complete. I am going to put it all together, pull it all together in a vast panorama. God's Law is more real and lasting than the stars in the sky and the ground at your feet. Long after stars burn out and earth wears out, God's Law will be alive and working.<p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-9932">19-20</sup>"Trivialize even the smallest item in God's Law and you will only have trivialized yourself. But take it seriously, show the way for others, and you will find honor in the kingdom. Unless you do far better than the Pharisees in the matters of right living, you won't know the first thing about entering the kingdom.</p><h5><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">IV. Murder</span></h5> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-9933">21-22</sup>"You're familiar with the command to the ancients, 'Do not murder.' I'm telling you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder. Carelessly call a brother 'idiot!' and you just might find yourself hauled into court. Thoughtlessly yell 'stupid!' at a sister and you are on the brink of hellfire. The simple moral fact is that words kill.<p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-9934">23-24</sup>"This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God.</p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-9935">25-26</sup>"Or say you're out on the street and an old enemy accosts you. Don't lose a minute. Make the first move; make things right with him. After all, if you leave the first move to him, knowing his track record, you're likely to end up in court, maybe even jail. If that happens, you won't get out without a stiff fine.</p><h5><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">V. Adultery and Divorce</span></h5> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-9936">27-28</sup>"You know the next commandment pretty well, too: 'Don't go to bed with another's spouse.' But don't think you've preserved your virtue simply by staying out of bed. Your heart can be corrupted by lust even quicker than your body. Those leering looks you think nobody notices—they also corrupt.<p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-9937">29-30</sup>"Let's not pretend this is easier than it really is. If you want to live a morally pure life, here's what you have to do: You have to blind your right eye the moment you catch it in a lustful leer. You have to choose to live one-eyed or else be dumped on a moral trash pile. And you have to chop off your right hand the moment you notice it raised threateningly. Better a bloody stump than your entire being discarded for good in the dump.</p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-9938">31-32</sup>"Remember the Scripture that says, 'Whoever divorces his wife, let him do it legally, giving her divorce papers and her legal rights'? Too many of you are using that as a cover for selfishness and whim, pretending to be righteous just because you are 'legal.' Please, no more pretending. If you divorce your wife, you're responsible for making her an adulteress (unless she has already made herself that by sexual promiscuity). And if you marry such a divorced adulteress, you're automatically an adulterer yourself. You can't use legal cover to mask a moral failure.</p><h5><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">VI. Empty Promises</span></h5> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-9939">33-37</sup>"And don't say anything you don't mean. This counsel is embedded deep in our traditions. You only make things worse when you lay down a smoke screen of pious talk, saying, 'I'll pray for you,' and never doing it, or saying, 'God be with you,' and not meaning it. You don't make your words true by embellishing them with religious lace. In making your speech sound more religious, it becomes less true. Just say 'yes' and 'no.' When you manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong.<h5><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">VII. Love Your Enemies</span></h5> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-9940">38-42</sup>"Here's another old saying that deserves a second look: 'Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.' Is that going to get us anywhere? Here's what I propose: 'Don't hit back at all.' If someone strikes you, stand there and take it. If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.<p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-9941">43-47</sup>"You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy.' I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.</p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-9942">48</sup>"In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you."</p><p></p></div><div class="publisher-info-bottom"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><div class="result-text-style-normal" style="font-family:'Charis SIL',charis,Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><h5><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">VIII. The World Is Not a Stage</span></h5> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-9943">1</sup> "Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don't make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but the God who made you won't be applauding. <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-9944">2-4</sup>"When you do something for someone else, don't call attention to yourself. You've seen them in action, I'm sure—'playactors' I call them— treating prayer meeting and street corner alike as a stage, acting compassionate as long as someone is watching, playing to the crowds. They get applause, true, but that's all they get. When you help someone out, don't think about how it looks. Just do it—quietly and unobtrusively. That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out.<h5><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">IX. Pray with Simplicity</span></h5> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-9945">5</sup>"And when you come before God, don't turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for stardom! Do you think God sits in a box seat?<p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-9946">6</sup>"Here's what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.</p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-9947">7-13</sup>"The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They're full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don't fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this:<br /><br />Our Father in heaven,<br />Reveal who you are.<br />Set the world right;<br />Do what's best— as above, so below.<br />Keep us alive with three square meals.<br />Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.<br />Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.<br />You're in charge!<br />You can do anything you want!<br />You're ablaze in beauty!<br />Yes. Yes. Yes.</p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-9948">14-15</sup>"In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can't get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God's part.</p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-9949">16-18</sup>"When you practice some appetite-denying discipline to better concentrate on God, don't make a production out of it. It might turn you into a small-time celebrity but it won't make you a saint. If you 'go into training' inwardly, act normal outwardly. Shampoo and comb your hair, brush your teeth, wash your face. God doesn't require attention-getting devices. He won't overlook what you are doing; he'll reward you well.</p><h5><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">X. A Life of God-Worship</span></h5> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-9950">19-21</sup>"Don't hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it's safe from moth and rust and burglars. It's obvious, isn't it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.<p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-9951">22-23</sup>"Your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a dank cellar. If you pull the blinds on your windows, what a dark life you will have!</p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-9952">24</sup>"You can't worship two gods at once. Loving one god, you'll end up hating the other. Adoration of one feeds contempt for the other. You can't worship God and Money both.</p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-9953">25-26</sup>"If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.</p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-9954">27-29</sup>"Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.</p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-9955">30-33</sup>"If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with <i>getting</i><i>, </i>so you can respond to God's <i>giving</i>. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.</p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-9956">34</sup>"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.</p><p></p></div><div class="publisher-info-bottom"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><div class="result-text-style-normal" style="font-family:'Charis SIL',charis,Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><h5><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">XI. A Simple Guide for Behavior</span></h5> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-9957">1-5</sup> "Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It's easy to see a smudge on your neighbor's face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, 'Let me wash your face for you,' when your own face is distorted by contempt? It's this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.<p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-9958">6</sup>"Don't be flip with the sacred. Banter and silliness give no honor to God. Don't reduce holy mysteries to slogans. In trying to be relevant, you're only being cute and inviting sacrilege.</p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-9959">7-11</sup>"Don't bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This isn't a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we're in. If your child asks for bread, do you trick him with sawdust? If he asks for fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? As bad as you are, you wouldn't think of such a thing. You're at least decent to your own children. So don't you think the God who conceived you in love will be even better?</p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-9960">12</sup>"Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. Add up God's Law and Prophets and this is what you get.</p><h5><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">XII. Being and Doing</span></h5> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-9961">13-14</sup>"Don't look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don't fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention.<p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-9962">15-20</sup>"Be wary of false preachers who smile a lot, dripping with practiced sincerity. Chances are they are out to rip you off some way or other. Don't be impressed with charisma; look for character. Who preachers are is the main thing, not what they say. A genuine leader will never exploit your emotions or your pocketbook. These diseased trees with their bad apples are going to be chopped down and burned.</p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-9963">21-23</sup>"Knowing the correct password—saying 'Master, Master,' for instance— isn't going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience—doing what my Father wills. I can see it now—at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, 'Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.' And do you know what I am going to say? 'You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You don't impress me one bit. You're out of here.'</p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-9964">24-25</sup>"These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock.</p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-9965">26-27</sup>"But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don't work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards."</p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-9966">28-29</sup>When Jesus concluded his address, the crowd burst into applause. They had never heard teaching like this. It was apparent that he was living everything he was saying—quite a contrast to their religion teachers! This was the best teaching they had ever heard.</p><p><br /></p><p></p></div><div class="publisher-info-bottom"><strong><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/versions/Message-MSG-Bible/">The Message</a> (MSG)</strong><p>Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/versions/?action=getVersionInfo&vid=65">Eugene H. Peterson</a></p></div></span></b></div></span></b></div></span></div><div></div>godamongushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783580274771793995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5714104889164922367.post-23320417172302101462009-11-22T06:30:00.000-08:002009-12-04T16:44:42.368-08:0014. "Woman, why weepest thou?John 20:15 ~<br /><br />"<span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Jesus saith unto her, </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Woman, why weepest thou?</span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away</span>" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%2020:15&version=KJV">King James Version</a>)<br /><!--INFOLINKS_ON--><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">INTERPRETATION</span>: Mary Magdalene was at Jesus' tomb in the above verse and was the first person who Christ revealed himself to after his resurrection. She is described, both in the canonical New Testament and in the New Testament apocrypha, as an extremely devoted disciple of Jesus who, as stated in John 12:3, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">took a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and <span style="font-weight: bold;">wiped his feet with her hair</span>." </span>She is considered by the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Anglican churches to be a saint, with a feast day of July 22. She is also commemorated by the Lutheran Church with a festival on the same day.<br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">A Woman of Substance</span></span><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Mary Magdalene's name identifies her as the "Mary of Magdala," after the town she came from, on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, where stood her family's castle, called Magdalon; she was the sister of Lazarus and of Martha, and they were the children of parents reputed noble, or, as some say, royal descendants of the House of David. On the death of their father, Syrus, they inherited vast riches and possessions in land, which were equally divided between them. Her name distinguishes her from the other Marys referred to throughout the New Testament. Yet the life of the historical Mary Magdalene is the subject of ongoing debate. Of particular interest is the question of her supposed identity as a prostitute, for which there is no direct biblical evidence. Her devotion to Jesus has led to a tradition that she may have been Jesus' intended bride.</p><p><br /></p>Luke 8:2-3 states, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others<span style="font-size:100%;">, </span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">which ministered unto him of their substance</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;">.</span>" In other words, Mary Magdalene was one of the women who provided Jesus with money or supplies.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">A Penitent Woman</span></span><br /><br />Legend has it that Lazarus went into the military life; Martha ruled her possessions with great discretion, and was a model of virtue and propriety, perhaps a little too much addicted to worldly cares; Mary, on the contrary, abandoned herself to luxurious pleasures and became at length so notorious for her extravagant lifestyle that she was known through all the country round only as <i> 'The Sinner'</i>. Her discreet sister, Martha, frequently rebuked her for these disorders and at length <span style="font-weight: bold;">persuaded her to listen to the exhortations of Jesus, through which her heart was touched and converted</span>. The seven demons which possessed her, and which were expelled by Jesus, were the seven deadly sins common to us all. The struggles of these seven principal faults are; first, Gluttony or the pleasures of the palate; secondly, Fornication; thirdly, Covetousness, which means Avarice, or, the love of money, fourthly, Anger; fifthly, Dejection; sixthly, "Accidie," which is the sin of spiritual sloth or sluggishness; and seventhly, kenodoxia, which means ego, foolish pride or vain glory.<br /><br />The traditional Roman Catholic feast day dedicated to Mary Madgalene celebrated her position as a penitent. However, this was changed in 1969, with the revision of the Roman Missal and the Roman Calendar, and now there is no mention in either of Mary Magdalene as a sinner.<br /><br /><p>Magdalene became a symbol of repentance for the vanities of the world of various sects, both Catholic and non-Catholic. Magdalene was the patron of Magdalen College, Oxford, and Magdalene College, Cambridge (both pronounced "maudlin"). In contrast, her name was also used for the Magdalen Asylum, institutions for "fallen women," including the infamous "Magdalen Laundries" in Ireland.</p><p><br /></p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">First Person to Whom Christ Risen Revealed Himself</span></span><br /><br />John 20:16-18 states, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. Jesus saith unto her, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Touch me not</span>; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the LORD, and that he had spoken these things unto her</span>."<br /><br />Hence, after the Crucifixion she watched by his tomb, and <span style="font-weight: bold;">was the first to whom he appeared</span> after the resurrection; her unfaltering faith, mingled as it was with the intensest grief and love, obtained for her this peculiar mark of favour. It is assumed by several commentators that Jesus appeared first to Mary Magdalene, because she, of all those whom he had left on earth, was his beloved and in most need of consolation; that is, the disciples went away unto their own; but Mary stayed without the sepulcher and wept, as shown in the 1876 classic painting by Jules Lefebvre below:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDikeUHyvVUgAIes03VNU59jLgaOjAdfZa8xlevlzpgY8doGiQ6_5dOmH9cEcURAmrj7vbbMkrPUeqCswi4ZpCDnqHrSFRqQZZUMJcPB_MdXWGk2wVaFDWkviV8Vr31xOTPBEQ9vQxyG5z/s1600/MaryMagdaleneWeeping1876JulesLefebvre.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 261px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDikeUHyvVUgAIes03VNU59jLgaOjAdfZa8xlevlzpgY8doGiQ6_5dOmH9cEcURAmrj7vbbMkrPUeqCswi4ZpCDnqHrSFRqQZZUMJcPB_MdXWGk2wVaFDWkviV8Vr31xOTPBEQ9vQxyG5z/s400/MaryMagdaleneWeeping1876JulesLefebvre.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406966906057780338" border="0" /></a><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Easter Egg Tradition</span></span></p><p><br /></p><p>For centuries, it has been the custom of many Christians to share dyed and painted eggs, particularly on Easter Sunday. The eggs represent new life, and Christ bursting forth from the tomb. Among Eastern Orthodox this sharing is accompanied by the proclamation "Christ is risen!," and the person being addressed would respond "Truly He is risen!"</p><p><br /></p><p>One tradition concerning Mary Magdalene says that following the death and resurrection of Jesus, she used her position to gain an invitation to a banquet given by Emperor Tiberius Caesar. When she met him, she held a plain egg in her hand and exclaimed "Christ is risen!" Caesar laughed, and said that Christ rising from the dead was as likely as the egg in her hand turning red while she held it. Before he finished speaking, the egg in her hand turned a bright red, and she continued proclaiming the Gospel to the entire imperial house.</p><p><br /></p> Another version of this story can be found in popular belief, mostly in Greece. It is believed that after the Crucifixion, Mary Magdalene and the Virgin put a basket full of eggs at the foot of the cross. There, the Eggs were painted red by the blood of the Christ. Then, Mary Magdalene brought them to Tiberius Caesar. Hence, the red colored Belarussian Easter Eggs shown below:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH1SgA1foU5GbIxS79wcy71mc6oYMgCvyS5OV1PKIzRlbODKOKB6guUig7iX5UUNmFw15cjU7Wd5cRyn5hyBjGioYaZoIF44Zy0jyYICyOak8o_BwfDsveQ4CggQXRmLwleScVHMRUy6nv/s1600/RedColoredBelarussianEasterEggs.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH1SgA1foU5GbIxS79wcy71mc6oYMgCvyS5OV1PKIzRlbODKOKB6guUig7iX5UUNmFw15cjU7Wd5cRyn5hyBjGioYaZoIF44Zy0jyYICyOak8o_BwfDsveQ4CggQXRmLwleScVHMRUy6nv/s400/RedColoredBelarussianEasterEggs.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406974841038691090" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Gospel of Mary</span></span><br /><br />For one early group of Christians Mary Magdalene was a leader of the early Church and possibly even the Beloved Disciple, to whom the Gospel of John is normally ascribed. The Gnostic, apocryphal <i>Gospel of Mary Magdalene</i> survives in two third century Greek fragments and a longer fifth century translation into Coptic. These manuscripts were first discovered and published between 1938 and 1983, but as early as the third century there are patristic references to the <i>Gospel of Mary.</i> The Beloved Disciple in Da Vinci's Last Supper is thought by some to be Mary Magdalene, as shown below:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6PDtUHIvOoV_ES0SYykBmha_wqPdDdCpKN6ZQMGXQ7zDZXrFKUwZCgek0-mJNI91cGGhdYYYUaVlx1Z7kQcI8NE0tg4SbnZB_q4nmRq8Lyoe-lThSS45wgoe1ICJCPPQaF75SnG-KRgI4/s1600/BelovedDisciple.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6PDtUHIvOoV_ES0SYykBmha_wqPdDdCpKN6ZQMGXQ7zDZXrFKUwZCgek0-mJNI91cGGhdYYYUaVlx1Z7kQcI8NE0tg4SbnZB_q4nmRq8Lyoe-lThSS45wgoe1ICJCPPQaF75SnG-KRgI4/s400/BelovedDisciple.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406973726278489730" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Inaccurate Identification as a Prostitute</span></span><br /><br />The identification of Mary Magdalene with Mary of Bethany and "the woman who was a sinner" is reflected in an influential sermon Pope Gregory I gave in 591, which said: "She whom Luke calls the sinful woman, whom John calls Mary (of Bethany), we believe to be the Mary from whom seven devils were ejected according to Mark."<br /><br /><p>While the Catholic Church has not issued a binding view on this, Catholics have traditionally agreed with Gregory and identified both Mary of Bethany and the sinful woman of Capernaum with Mary Magdalene. Eastern Orthodox Christians distinguish between Mary Magdalene on the one hand and Mary of Bethany, "the woman who was a sinner," on the other hand. Protestant views on the issue vary widely.</p><p><br /></p>On the basis of her identification as the "sinful woman" of Capernaum, Mary Magdalene is often referred to as a prostitute, but she was never called one in the New Testament.<br /><br /><p>Religion scholar Jeffrey Kripal wrote, "Migdal was a fishing town known, or so the legend goes, for its perhaps punning connection to hairdressers (medgaddlela) and women of questionable reputation. This is as close as we get to any clear evidence that Mary Magdalene was a prostitute". (Jeffrey L. Kripal, <i>The Serpent's Gift: Gnostic Reflections on the Study of Religion</i> (University Of Chicago Press, 2006. ISBN9780226453811), 52)</p><p><br /></p> <p>In his sermon, Gregory identified Mary as <i>peccatrix,</i> a sinful woman, using her as a model for the repentant sinner, but he did not call her <i>meretrix,</i> a prostitute. However, he also identifies Mary with the adulteress brought before Jesus (as recounted in the <i>Pericope Adulterae,</i> John 8), supporting the view of third and fourth century Church fathers that had already considered this sin as "being unchaste." Gregory's identification and the consideration of the woman's sin as sexual later gave rise to the image of Mary as a prostitute.</p><p><br /></p> <p>This viewpoint is also espoused by much medieval and Renaissance Christian art. In many, if not most, medieval depictions, Mary Magdalene is shown as having long red hair, which she wears down over her shoulders. This was generally taken to be a sign of sexual impropriety in women at the time. The other women of the New Testament, in similar depictions, ordinarily have dark hair that is kept beneath a scarf.</p><p><br /></p> This image of Mary as a prostitute was followed by many writers and artists until the twentieth century. Even though it is less prevalent nowadays, the identification of Mary Magdalene with the adulteress is still accepted by some Christians. Anthony Frederick Augustus Sandy's 1860 painting of Mary Magdalene is shown below:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6AgQjRFFMhEfRw-yqBjTFOVBQpe6ffXGzRGXZ3GMDHg-CPnzkgwcd_yEI_cd9rdR9Eiq1PdssqBeLlfiGC_M1PT_p_3TdfEYePlKMvHX0Bx3NF4pKKtQ_T6xWs6D44IM_DUPwl023sAs/s1600/AnthonyFrederickAugustusSandyMagdalene1860.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 321px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6AgQjRFFMhEfRw-yqBjTFOVBQpe6ffXGzRGXZ3GMDHg-CPnzkgwcd_yEI_cd9rdR9Eiq1PdssqBeLlfiGC_M1PT_p_3TdfEYePlKMvHX0Bx3NF4pKKtQ_T6xWs6D44IM_DUPwl023sAs/s400/AnthonyFrederickAugustusSandyMagdalene1860.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406980108548512322" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Veneration</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A. In the East</span><br /><br />The Eastern Orthodox Church maintains that Mary Magdalene, distinguished from Mary of Bethany, retired to Ephesus with the Theotokos (Mary the Mother of God) and there died. Her relics were transferred to Constantinople in 886 and are there preserved. Gregory of Tours, writing in Tours in the sixth century, supports the tradition that she retired to Ephesus.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">B. In the West</span><br /><br />Western tradition, however, includes the idea of Magdalene settling farther north and west. How a cult of Mary Magdalene first arose in Provence has been summed up by Victor Saxer in <i>La culte de Marie Magdalene en occident</i> (1959). <p>Mary Magdalene's relics were first venerated at the abbey of Saint-Maximin Vézelay in Burgundy. Afterward, since September 9, 1279, the supposed body of Mary Magdalene was also venerated at Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume, Provence. This cult attracted such throngs of pilgrims that the earlier shrine was rebuilt as the great Basilica from the mid-thirteenth century, one of the finest Gothic churches in the south of France, shown below:<br /></p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihQ8ZdZo-hZgx9jK0fbeOuBi_RcvqHlHDPdB5OiKWa2ZfdaxplcxLrbknq359Qxtc61bPBqdEWOYTY3VL7jhjHWMy7I_2FiZfrsvKaFEvsNlAPCbnc30wYWuKX3GifjeM4tPV9_msBt077/s1600/BasiliqueSaintMarieMadeleineAtVezelay.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihQ8ZdZo-hZgx9jK0fbeOuBi_RcvqHlHDPdB5OiKWa2ZfdaxplcxLrbknq359Qxtc61bPBqdEWOYTY3VL7jhjHWMy7I_2FiZfrsvKaFEvsNlAPCbnc30wYWuKX3GifjeM4tPV9_msBt077/s400/BasiliqueSaintMarieMadeleineAtVezelay.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406983376120927602" border="0" /></a><br />The French tradition of Saint Lazare of Bethany is that Mary, her brother Lazarus, and Maximinus, one of the Seventy Disciples, together with some companions expelled by persecutions from the Holy Land, traversed the Mediterranean in a frail boat with neither rudder nor mast and landed at the place called <i>Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer</i> near Arles. Mary Magdalene came to Marseille and converted the whole of Provence. Magdalene is said to have retired to a cave on a hill by Marseille, La Sainte-Baume ("holy cave," <i>baumo</i> in Provencal), where <span style="font-weight: bold;">she gave herself up to a life of penance and lived as a hermit for 30 years</span>. When the time of her death arrived she was carried by angels to Aix and into the oratory of Saint Maximinus, where she received the viaticum; her body was then laid in an oratory constructed by St. Maximinus at Villa Lata, afterwards called St. Maximin. In 1279, when Charles II, King of Naples, erected a Dominican convent at La Sainte-Baume, the shrine was found intact, with an explanatory inscription stating why the relics had been hidden. The Abbey of Sainte-Baume is shown below:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-96rvx0cinJ2rasIracDlYYigYzCNq8jHBHvp0pFexjvkZd0Ymoehe-C6ZyU5VEq1lEYvshyE_4rb0rQv_S_ODhCfxHCkpMgwRN9BObqhg6owNfS354OgCyS84BAk0bW0OX4sGJZNzUGF/s1600/AbbeyStBaume.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 122px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-96rvx0cinJ2rasIracDlYYigYzCNq8jHBHvp0pFexjvkZd0Ymoehe-C6ZyU5VEq1lEYvshyE_4rb0rQv_S_ODhCfxHCkpMgwRN9BObqhg6owNfS354OgCyS84BAk0bW0OX4sGJZNzUGF/s400/AbbeyStBaume.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406986803806421906" border="0" /></a><br />The chapel in the cave at St. Baume where Mary Magdalene is believed to have lived for 30 years as a hermit following the death of Jesus is shown below:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZPTenT_gLv7dc9knZDH4ir-A3fKSiNdBC8q7E0BoszaDCy2xB8PJeF0mzRKcJvILVnThfoZZR4SKEe3g0tzixzhxJOKxLLSpP2ExAj6mcK9LSzDt93UEgul-0fdk6EYQ199D3bMPQDGQ/s1600/ChapelCaveStBaume.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 285px; height: 205px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZPTenT_gLv7dc9knZDH4ir-A3fKSiNdBC8q7E0BoszaDCy2xB8PJeF0mzRKcJvILVnThfoZZR4SKEe3g0tzixzhxJOKxLLSpP2ExAj6mcK9LSzDt93UEgul-0fdk6EYQ199D3bMPQDGQ/s400/ChapelCaveStBaume.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406987039170711762" border="0" /></a><br />In 1600, the relics were placed in a sarcophagus commissioned by Pope Clement VIII, the head being placed in a separate reliquary. The relics and free-standing images were scattered and destroyed at the Revolution. In 1814, the church of La Sainte-Baume, also wrecked during the Revolution, was restored, and, in 1822, the grotto was consecrated afresh. The head of the saint now lies there and has been the center of many pilgrimages, as shown below:<span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:78%;" ><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJW_oOHz9an3aXctBgSqDCq8XE-8u6cGibaHJrZr0F0uahVY-dNFNNdUg0YkdTQ7QpRMQWOjd2zA3Fgy1sGY-B_5OnoG7T-WcmfGNgHH7T8XFFSZmAXvxX8C6nwoHSjlI4vKA0boGegdqL/s1600/ReliquaryOfMaryMagdalene.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 146px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJW_oOHz9an3aXctBgSqDCq8XE-8u6cGibaHJrZr0F0uahVY-dNFNNdUg0YkdTQ7QpRMQWOjd2zA3Fgy1sGY-B_5OnoG7T-WcmfGNgHH7T8XFFSZmAXvxX8C6nwoHSjlI4vKA0boGegdqL/s400/ReliquaryOfMaryMagdalene.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406990206012888962" border="0" /></a>The Mary Magdalene Reliquary (above left) is located in a crypt beneath the Basilica to Mary Magdalene in Saint Maximin de Provence, France (above center) where Mary Magdalene is purportedly buried. The reliquary contains what many believe is Mary Magdalene's skull (above right). </span>godamongushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783580274771793995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5714104889164922367.post-35897826907092826902009-11-17T15:33:00.000-08:002009-12-20T04:49:02.044-08:0013. "They would not have crucified the Lord of glory"1 Corinthians 2:8 ~<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">"Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, <span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >they would </span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">not </span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">have </span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >crucified the Lord of glory</span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">."</span> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20cor%202:8&version=KJV">King James Version</a>)<br /><!--INFOLINKS_ON--><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">INTERPRETATION</span>: After reading this topic, you will understand why St. Paul stated above that had people known and understood God's will for Jesus, <span style="font-weight: bold;">they would not have crucified him</span>. It was a grievous error to crucify Jesus Christ!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Introduction</span></span><br /><br />As discussed in topic <a href="http://godisamongus.blogspot.com/2009/10/12-your-father-devil.html">12. "Your father the devil"</a> , God blessed Adam to be the Lord of all creation in the heavenly order, including dominion over the angels, as diagrammed vividly below:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">click to enlarge</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCro6745kghKCjt8XYSaaSK9RgzCd8VSEuj779g1hH9K-HZelCq8ksOqqrmZ2XBkx5lEbE1C6zre8IkkKI-Tr7M5IFKY65-fDL6UBrGb-Knn-4B1StJbWviqQFYZZ_qVxUJDkINAJC2nNq/s1600-h/HeavenlyOrderAfterAdamAndEve.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 216px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCro6745kghKCjt8XYSaaSK9RgzCd8VSEuj779g1hH9K-HZelCq8ksOqqrmZ2XBkx5lEbE1C6zre8IkkKI-Tr7M5IFKY65-fDL6UBrGb-Knn-4B1StJbWviqQFYZZ_qVxUJDkINAJC2nNq/s400/HeavenlyOrderAfterAdamAndEve.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402018668387977490" border="0" /></a><br />As explained in Topic <a href="http://godisamongus.blogspot.com/2009/06/6-multiply.html">6. "Multiply"</a>, Adam and his wife, Eve, were intended to grow to full emotional, intellectual and spiritual maturity by "being fruitful"; and, on that basis to "multiply" a family that would fully embody and express God's love and family values.<br /><br />God's will was <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">not</span></span> for Adam and Eve to commit the original sin and "grieve Him to His heart" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=gen%206:6&version=KJV">Genesis 6:6</a>), but was for them to become the well-spring of His love for larger communities - the society, nation and world, in fulfillment of the blessings outlined in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=gen%201:28&version=KJV">Genesis 1:28</a>.<br /><br />As diagrammed below, God's will, according to the bible, was a world without sin with humanity as His seed and children, springing from a sinless Adam and Eve as the first parents, multiplying through God-centered, "sinless sex":<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">click to enlarge</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd-SLyS-AO1ERaNqLvZ7H5xIN4TVzy6gtIfFflRaIz-s4wbmUZimgJguKFfIAielIGPRP8VBOPxdB8Qt9kOzDlIm0Un2mqLPjsXY4ItEWyUEtR9k4EbHcs00EmKHYJV1913Jp1-WG8ovRb/s1600-h/KingdomOfHeavenOnEarthAndSpiritWorld.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 346px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd-SLyS-AO1ERaNqLvZ7H5xIN4TVzy6gtIfFflRaIz-s4wbmUZimgJguKFfIAielIGPRP8VBOPxdB8Qt9kOzDlIm0Un2mqLPjsXY4ItEWyUEtR9k4EbHcs00EmKHYJV1913Jp1-WG8ovRb/s400/KingdomOfHeavenOnEarthAndSpiritWorld.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402019026693283170" border="0" /></a><br />However, as explained in topic <a href="http://godisamongus.blogspot.com/2009/10/12-your-father-devil.html">12. "Your father the devil"</a>, by disobeying God's word and acting upon the serpent's word, committing the original sin, the heavenly order was reversed placing a fallen angel, meant to be a servant, above Adam and putting <span style="font-weight: bold;">self-centered, God-less love</span> at the core beginning of history, causing all humanity to inherit and pass on <span style="font-weight: bold;">family values of finger-pointing</span>, rooted in the deprivation of God's love.<br /><br />The original sin seeded a kingdom of hell on earth and in the spiritual world from "the father of lies;" "your father the devil;" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%208:44&version=KJV">John 8:44</a>) as, "the God of this world;" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20cor%204:4&version=KJV">2 Corinthians 4:4</a>) and, thwarted the realization of the Kingdom of God, giving rise to the tremendous pain and suffering that comprises the record of human history.<br /><br />Satan's version of topic <a style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);" href="http://godisamongus.blogspot.com/2009/06/5-be-fruitful.html"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">5.</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> "be fruitful"</span></a> is <span style="font-weight: bold;">a sinful world of liars, mistrust, broken hearts and killing</span>, perpetuated and topic <a style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);" href="http://godisamongus.blogspot.com/2009/06/6-multiply.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">6.</span> </a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><a style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);" href="http://godisamongus.blogspot.com/2009/06/6-multiply.html">"multiplied"</a> </span>through sinful, self-centered, God-less love and sinful sex between masses of spiritually dead men and women entered into by Satan and driven by their fleshly desire to hunt for sex as a sport to "get my orgasm" [I got mine, you need to get yours mentality] in an environment of rampant greed, devoid of topic<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><a style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);" href="http://godisamongus.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2009-06-11T21%3A58%3A00-07%3A00&max-results=1"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">7. </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">"replenishing the Earth,"</span></a> where money is their God and how to get money is their religion, surrounded by racial hatred and prejudice, wrapped in petty, jingoistic nationalism with rates of divorce skyrocketing, where the slang phrase "broker than the 10 commandments" is truly the behavioral norm, baking in an oven of global warming and climate change as our version of topic <a style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);" href="http://godisamongus.blogspot.com/2009/06/7-have-dominion.html"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">8. </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">"subdue it: and have dominion,"</span></a> where the phrase "what do you expect, I'm only human" should be changed to "what do you expect, I'm only a sinful, contaminated human choosing to act on the inherited nature of "my father the devil"; and, where occasionally we obey snippets of the original nature of God within us speaking to us through our consciences so that we occasionally toss in a few good deeds to alleviate our guilt in a cut-throat, dog-eat-dog world of selfishness that is, as Jesus called it in Matthew 23:23, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Ye serpents, ye generation of </span><b style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">vipers</b><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?</span>"; as shown below:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">click to enlarge</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXyHPG1cUjvHHLM8Vzp8_JGoYxfjepglWmRm6e2ynuJ5WckFeXeQbDU-Y9kBisM-G5SYMaX2zpr_RCuictrOYjeaOEMTSmDwrNpcFcNkB1F2KH4FK4veYXiGXRI39ikEWpNMld3fwl9Qwk/s1600-h/KingdomOfHellOnEarthAndSpiritWorld.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 331px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXyHPG1cUjvHHLM8Vzp8_JGoYxfjepglWmRm6e2ynuJ5WckFeXeQbDU-Y9kBisM-G5SYMaX2zpr_RCuictrOYjeaOEMTSmDwrNpcFcNkB1F2KH4FK4veYXiGXRI39ikEWpNMld3fwl9Qwk/s400/KingdomOfHellOnEarthAndSpiritWorld.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402019835778484114" border="0" /></a><br />Satan's spiritual grip on humanity's mind is similar to the Matrix described by clicking on the video below:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGw3iuh82jo&feature=player_embedded"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1hJaD8pu78syraRbX7ewbWqOyuV5zkeO5UJY4fX9B6ouzZQjiTswWv9mxzqCLxsop_-PO9sV-sPF6LAo62ZXHTSHiO5uz915tpSjdi93b8lfDAWbvwyLSeqUB-4QV75nHB1qgDKHOnm09/s400/TheMatrix.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416302979279341906" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">I. What is Salvation?</span></span><br /><br />Salvation is restoration - to save a dying, sick person is to restore him to his normal, healthy state, in which case, you need a doctor; to save a drowning person is to rescue him and restore him to the state he was in before he began drowning, in which case, you need a lifeguard.<div><br /></div><div>Hence, God's salvation of humanity means God's restoration of fallen, sinful people to their original sinless state of being "very good" and in position to fulfill the purpose of creation, <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">not just in the afterlife</span>, but physically "on earth as it is in heaven"</span>, as stated in Genesis 1:28, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">And God blessed them, and God said unto them, <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Be fruitful</span>, and <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">multiply</span>, and <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">replenish</span><span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> </span></b></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">the earth</span></b>, and <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">subdue it: and have </span></b><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">dominion </span>over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.</span>" Hence, the savior or sinless messiah's purpose is similar to a spiritual doctor or lifeguard to rescue or restore man's position to fulfill the blessings stated in Genesis 1:28. The sinless messiah is the third human being free of the original sin, since Adam and Eve - prior to their committing the original sin and contaminating all of their descendants. Below, the blessings of Genesis 1:28 are examined in relation to their need for the sinless messiah:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A. The blessing to "<span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Be fruitful</span>" and the sinless Messiah</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkAvt7iAgcPdhKc1wWPhjV59X4hvEcF0GDIh2a9kP5OMa_xjKj8voopUZPMf0L3iJ2nw5wGFDkUK4CF9cTWcRq3HPVT8ltpF1Fy31ycAvDmFonP7Bp_Tegc1vuSrR91r7VnFxn7J2jrsGV/s1600-h/perfectperson.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 198px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkAvt7iAgcPdhKc1wWPhjV59X4hvEcF0GDIh2a9kP5OMa_xjKj8voopUZPMf0L3iJ2nw5wGFDkUK4CF9cTWcRq3HPVT8ltpF1Fy31ycAvDmFonP7Bp_Tegc1vuSrR91r7VnFxn7J2jrsGV/s200/perfectperson.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412891532872688338" border="0" /></a><br />As explained in <a href="http://godisamongus.blogspot.com/2009/06/5-be-fruitful.html">Topic 5. "Be fruitful</a>", to see a perfected individual is to see the masculine or feminine attribute of God fully expressed in the flesh, as stated by Jesus in Matthew 5:48, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect</span>." Just as those who are not drowning have no need of a rescuer, perfected individuals, who are sinless, have no need of a savior. However, as stated in Romans 3:23, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God</span>"; and, in Romans 5:12, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that </span><b style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">all have sinned</b><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">.</span>" 1 John 1:10 expresses it as, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us</span>." St. Paul expressed our inherent conflicting natures in Romans 7:22-24 as, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?</span>" Hence, the blessing to "be fruitful" (i.e. individual perfection) is sick and drowning in sinful humanity contaminated with Satanic nature and needs restoration by a savior or sinless messiah!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">B. The blessing to "<span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Multiply</span>" and the sinless Messiah</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcmUGOQrEgwIuzh4WS6wdSn1I7KzBbzOpEdDAFjWcHFrDlRshxVVJPIg4wEJAFA5KcnrP90b_nmWTyQ0C4K6ZNclV4V6061_7LtsOGP578GnQ5-QRi5U3mxugO-7hNXjrvM4yRZUzakZlg/s1600-h/family.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 174px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcmUGOQrEgwIuzh4WS6wdSn1I7KzBbzOpEdDAFjWcHFrDlRshxVVJPIg4wEJAFA5KcnrP90b_nmWTyQ0C4K6ZNclV4V6061_7LtsOGP578GnQ5-QRi5U3mxugO-7hNXjrvM4yRZUzakZlg/s200/family.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412892466196201826" border="0" /></a><br />As explained in <a href="http://godisamongus.blogspot.com/2009/06/6-multiply.html">Topic 6. "Multiply</a>", if Adam and Eve had achieved the blessing to "be fruitful", they would have embodied goodness in their hearts and grown into marriage partners who reflected God's love, and led by God they would have raised their children in this spirit becoming the origin of an enlightened and God-hearted clan, society, nation and world. Over time, the original family values, reflective of God's heart, would have gradually expanded, ultimately developing into a global, world family. At the core of this global family would have been one set of God-centered parents, Adam and Eve, representing God's parental love and values as traditions to all their descendants. Hence, the blessing to "multiply" is sick and drowning in sinful humanity's false, Satan-inspired traditions of God-less sport and predator sex and needs restoration by a savior or sinless messiah, who brings heavenly knowledge of "sinless sex!"<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">C. The blessings to "<span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Replenis</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">h </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">the earth</span>" and to "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Subdue it: and have </span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">dominion</span>" and the sinless Messiah</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdp55ageZEHWaIJqoyWYtEEWyBB5wmLlYYYlkvIQh8g4fX2DX7_PARZESSclEv3scG1SYuVSKatVhbv_Bd9iJkICdX-adZsf2jf83ZhM22AIjPc7GETg59hbTJOhr11q0h23ytVsFnkJa6/s1600-h/dominion.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 129px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdp55ageZEHWaIJqoyWYtEEWyBB5wmLlYYYlkvIQh8g4fX2DX7_PARZESSclEv3scG1SYuVSKatVhbv_Bd9iJkICdX-adZsf2jf83ZhM22AIjPc7GETg59hbTJOhr11q0h23ytVsFnkJa6/s200/dominion.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412892905005137778" border="0" /></a><br />As explained in Topic <a href="http://godisamongus.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2009-06-11T21%3A58%3A00-07%3A00&max-results=1">7. "Replenish the earth</a>" and Topic <a href="http://godisamongus.blogspot.com/2009/06/7-have-dominion.html">8. "Subdue it: and have dominion</a>", centered on the global family traditions of a perfected Adam and Eve, as described above, the Kingdom of Heaven on earth would have emerged with God's love and values flowing through humanity to all creation, including the angelic world. Yet, as expressed in Romans 8:19-22, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.</span>" Hence, the blessings to "replenish the earth" and to "subdue it: and have dominion" are sick and drowning in sinful humanity's false, Satan-inspired traditions that are raping and destroying planet earth and needs restoration by a savior or sinless messiah!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">D. What would a "saved" world be like?</span><br /><br />If we think of what a "saved" world would be like, we must think of a world free from the common enemies of man - tyranny, poverty, disease and war itself. We can envision a world where the strong are generous and the weak secure, where as stated in Amos 5:24, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.</span>" It would be a world in which humanity's ancient hope for peace was realized, and our desire for material well-being met. It would be, in effect, <span style="font-weight: bold;">a Garden of Eden that had been restored on a global scale</span>. It would literally be the sinless, Kingdom of God on the earth and in the spirit world, with all the angels working joyfully as the servants of humanity.<br /><br />Of course one may wonder if such a world could actually be realized. The record of human history is not promising. Nevertheless, the bible points out that such a vision relies not primarily on man, although man has his responsibility and role to play, but on God, His angels and spiritual capabilities. And for God to be God, He must one day realize his original ideal. Those who have followed God have on occasion been blessed with insights about His will and ultimate purposes. For example, the prophet Isaiah wrote in Isaiah 2:4, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more</span>;" and, he wrote in Isaiah 46:11, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">...I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it</span>." Hence, in the fullness of time, God will surely accomplish His purpose. As the God of love, He could never leave us in this current state, for we were created as His child and He will continue to educate and guide us into lives of love, justice and brotherhood.<br /><br />To realize this state, prophets and holy men have appeared, directed by God, at various points in history. However, the central manifestation of God's redemptive work was the advent of Jesus of Nazareth, the savior and sinless messiah.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">II. The Purpose of the Sinless Messiah</span></span><br /><br />It is for the purpose of salvation, as explained above, that the bible records God as working with Adam and Eve's descendants to lay the groundwork for the birth of a baby free of the original sin named Jesus, as savior and sinless messiah to this world. As expressed in 1 Corinthians 15:22, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">For as in </span><b style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Adam</b><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive</span>." The purpose of the sinless messiah is to restore the heavenly order, whereby all creation receives God's love through humanity, as shown below:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">click to enlarge</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2a_mC7X0rDyxyiUbXM4d0OqwPysAZ4MpN7z5wb-eEG8twmgNIRbgQdjvP8Guhyphenhyphensf_9yrgHkRgHT-eOk4qMAgJdl54aWFzrqAYaWzbzJKr92sSNO7jvZtFLzEYqo6WP9iCZy2FTpycDmwV/s1600-h/RestoredHeavenlyOrder.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 231px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2a_mC7X0rDyxyiUbXM4d0OqwPysAZ4MpN7z5wb-eEG8twmgNIRbgQdjvP8Guhyphenhyphensf_9yrgHkRgHT-eOk4qMAgJdl54aWFzrqAYaWzbzJKr92sSNO7jvZtFLzEYqo6WP9iCZy2FTpycDmwV/s400/RestoredHeavenlyOrder.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402020475093640930" border="0" /></a><br />Hence, the purpose of the messiah is to stand before God as a perfected human being who has achieved the blessing to "be fruitful", thus restoring the individual failures of Adam and Eve and their descendants and <b>piercing <span style="font-size:130%;">the matrix</span> of satanic domination and accusation by subjugating the fallen angel back to a subservient position, destroying his "iniquity" once and for all with God's justice and righteousness</b>.<br /><br />By subjugating Satan, the messiah will stand in the position of Adam, prior to the original sin, at the moment Eve came to him to tempt him to follow her in "eating the fruit." At that moment, had Adam kept his faith in God's word, God could have directed him in a manner to restore and provide salvation to Eve; in other words, Adam could have been the sinless messiah to Eve. However, Adam also abandoned God's word and united with Eve, who was listening to the serpent, and he too fell into spiritual death.<br /><br />Hence, <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 0, 0);">as the 2nd Adam, the sinless messiah must choose a sinful woman of faith, as the representation of Eve at the moment she tempted Adam to eat of the fruit, and restore her as Adam failed to do, by working with God to forgive her of her sins, guide her, educate her in the ways to "be fruitful", take her as his bride and restore the blessing to "multiply" with her in the flesh, through "sinless, god-centered sex" as intended and designed by God. Together, they must establish a sinless family which embodies and expresses God's love</span>. Jesus expressed this concept in Matthew 22:2 as, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son...</span>"<br /><br />On the foundation of his bride and their children as role models, the sinless messiah is to build an ideal nation and world through gradually forgiving, guiding and educating the rest of humanity by adopting us into his sinless family, as expressed in Romans 8:23, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for <b>the adoption</b>, to wit, the redemption of our body</span>."<br /><br />As shown vividly below, through establishing his sinless family, the messiah begins the process of providing <b>complete salvation</b> to mankind; that is, the complete restoration of the blessings of <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=gen%201:28&version=KJV">Genesis 1:28</a>. The process will start very small, from <span style="font-weight: bold;">one sinless man</span> looking in the mirror, but with the help of God and His angels, will grow to cover the world, as Jesus described in Mark 4:30-32, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it:</span>"<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">click to enlarge</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQanZYV5Uaz1y4ajZjMbJEGRZjJqBRWRGQUOLgRHnJYldAJTbn4-NT0-arET3f7Lgau-kBISDVxLvTlGO3Rw2ZRVDy__ojIm5eCiujsfHhyphenhyphenurkSn5p-4t4BhZPBcyhxi5HVCSJmDrwFpr/s1600-h/CompleteSalvation.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 332px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQanZYV5Uaz1y4ajZjMbJEGRZjJqBRWRGQUOLgRHnJYldAJTbn4-NT0-arET3f7Lgau-kBISDVxLvTlGO3Rw2ZRVDy__ojIm5eCiujsfHhyphenhyphenurkSn5p-4t4BhZPBcyhxi5HVCSJmDrwFpr/s400/CompleteSalvation.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402021292483059570" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">III. If the Purpose of the Sinless Messiah is to Restore the Blessings of Genesis 1:28, then Why was Jesus Crucified?</span></span><br /><br />Similar to the way organized crime, or an illegal drug cartel will use all of its capabilities to fight and kill law enforcement officials to maintain its illegal empire, Satan will use all of his capabilities and followers to kill the sinless messiah. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Do not think for one moment that Satan will sit idly by and watch the messiah "take root like a mustard seed," grow, and bring his devilish reign to an end.</span><br /><br />Just as Satan knew God's will well enough to tempt Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden to commit the original sin, he knows that in order for the sinless messiah to succeed in restoring the blessings of Genesis 1:28 the messiah must "take root" by capturing the hearts, minds and institutions of the people. Satan knows well that God loves the whole world and wants much more than just one "saved" person, the sinless messiah, on earth and in the spirit world.</div><div><br /></div><div>Hence, Satan knew well that he would have only <b>2 methods </b>to kill Jesus:</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Method #1-The direct Method: </b> Attack Jesus directly, fallen angel talking straight to sinless man, and tempt him to forsake God's word for his satanic, substitute word, the same tactic he used and that worked on Adam and Eve (i.e. - TRUST ME, God does not have your best interest at heart like I do), thus killing Jesus spiritually if Jesus falls for his temptation; or,</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Method #2-The indirect Method: </b> Attack Jesus indirectly through the people around him, hoping that they will fall into the faithlessness necessary for Satan to enter them and manipulate them to kill the sinless messiah. Satan knew well that at some point, Jesus would have to begin a "public ministry" to take root capturing the hearts, minds and institutions of the people. Keep in mind that as long as people are faithful and cling to God's word, Satan's power is useless, just as it would have been useless had Adam and Eve kept faith in God's commandment to Adam in the Garden of Eden (See Topic <a href="http://godisamongus.blogspot.com/2009/10/12-your-father-devil.html">12. "Your father the devil"</a>).</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-weight: bold;">A. Satan's first attempt at killing Jesus (utilize method #2 - The indirect method)</span><br /><br />Satan's first effort to kill Jesus was to work through Herod, as stated in Matthew 2:11-21, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh. And <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">being warned of God in a dream</span> that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. And when they were departed, behold, the <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream</span>, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him</span></span>. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son. Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, <span style="font-weight: bold;">and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.</span> Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, in Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not. But when Herod was dead, behold, an <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph</span> in Egypt, Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life. And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.</span>"</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Hence, Satan failed in his first attempt to kill Jesus because Jesus was surrounded by very, very faithful parents in Joseph and Mary, who believed and heeded God's word immediately. They did not vacillate, second-guess, hee-haw around, seek second opinions, or roll over and go to sleep on the message God gave them. They demonstrated unyielding, untiring, undying, unwavering, absolute faith by clinging to and acting upon, with all their being over many years, God's message from a mere dream. As a child, as long as Jesus was <span style="font-weight: bold;">surrounded by people of strong, unwavering faith</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> like Joseph and Mary</span>, Satan had no basis to attack Jesus. Of course, <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">if Joseph and Mary had been <span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >faithless </span>and <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">not </span></span>heeded God's word, Jesus would have been <span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >killed by Satan</span> then and there</span>. <span>Joseph and Mary set the example for the type of faith in Jesus required to defeat Satan.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Hence, Satan had to wait for another chance</span>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">B. Satan's second attempt at killing Jesus (utilize method #1 - The direct method)</span><br /><br />After Jesus had matured into a man and left his parents, Matthew 4:1-4 states, "</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God</span>.</span>" The stones with which Satan tempted Jesus symbolized Jesus himself as the true rock (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20cor%2010:4&version=KJV">1 Corinthians 10:4</a>) and the bread symbolized Jesus as the bread of life (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+6:35&version=KJV">John 6:35</a>). Jesus' answer to Satan's first temptation meant that even if he were at the point of starvation, bread for the physical body is not the real issue. Jesus had to triumph over Satan's temptation and become the living bread of God's word, the bread capable of giving life to all mankind. In essence, Jesus overcame Satan's grip on the blessing to "<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">be fruitful</span>."<br /><br />Matthew 4:5-7 states, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, and saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God</span></span>." Jesus was the sinless, living temple in which the spirit of God was dwelling, so, Satan's urging him to throw himself down from the pinnacle of the temple was symbolic of Jesus yielding his rights as the living temple, meaning Satan would continue as false master of the temple. Jesus' answer to Satan's second temptation meant that Satan should leave him and stop tempting God's representative and true son. Jesus had to triumph over Satan's temptation and become the main temple and the true father of mankind. In essence, Jesus overcame Satan's grip on the blessing to "<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">multiply</span>."<br /><br />Matthew 4:8-10 states, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve</span></span>." Because of his original sin, Adam had lost his authority as Lord of the creation and became dominated by Satan, so, Satan wanted the 2nd Adam to yield to him just as the 1st Adam had done in the Garden of Eden. Jesus' answer tells Satan that angels are under his dominion, not the other way around. Although Jesus might have gained all of the kingdoms of the world and their glory if he had yielded to Satan, his purpose as the sinless messiah would have been lost. In essence, Jesus overcame Satan's grip on the blessings to "<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">replenish the earth</span>" and to "<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">subdue it: and have dominion</span>."<br /><br />Luke 4:13 states, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">And when the devil had ended all the temptation, <span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">he departed from him</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> for a season</span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">.</span>" Hence, Satan knew that he had failed in killing Jesus spiritually and that he was no match for Jesus on an individual basis, so he departed from him for a season, meaning until the opportunity would arise where he could attack him through faithless people.<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">C. Satan's third attempt at killing Jesus (utilize method #2 - The indirect method, again)<br /></span></span><div><br />The bible is very clear that <span style="font-weight: bold;">FAITHLESSNESS is never God's will!</span> Indeed, the bible is a clear record that faithlessness results in negative consequences.<br /><br />For example, as a result of his faithlessness in God's word, Genesis 3:17 records the negative consequence for Adam as, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life.</span>"<br /><br />To have faith or faithlessness is a free-will choice! Accordingly, there were only 2 possible responses to the sinless messiah - either he could be received and supported by the people through faith in him, or, he could be rejected by the people through faithlessness. It is God's responsibility to send the sinless messiah, but it is man's responsibility to believe and have faith in him. In line with these 2 possibilities, the bible clearly reflects the alternative paths A vs. B of history in Isaiah's Old Testament prophecies, as shown below:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">click to enlarge</span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUq8uVPZhNmmXd4FUhAvxhltQD8YSxnB228r36FWBfcbcmjeeTg9qH6DUYP6uQTov9MkOpuOkrHov0gR7lZRIVsZqCGR21WcRvhMxngzKX_BY823B3s-1wISfeOVsDVP1qxUcI-9SB-qRw/s1600-h/ProphecyOfAlternativePaths.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUq8uVPZhNmmXd4FUhAvxhltQD8YSxnB228r36FWBfcbcmjeeTg9qH6DUYP6uQTov9MkOpuOkrHov0gR7lZRIVsZqCGR21WcRvhMxngzKX_BY823B3s-1wISfeOVsDVP1qxUcI-9SB-qRw/s400/ProphecyOfAlternativePaths.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402022521762569314" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Path A - Faith; Jewish People fulfill Responsibility and unite with Jesus (King of Kings alternative):</span><br /><br />Isaiah 9:6-7 states, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">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, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 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.</span>"<br /><br />Isaiah 11:6-9 states, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den. 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.</span>"<br /><br />Isaiah 60:17-22 states, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron: I will also make thy officers peace, and thine exactors righteousness. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Violence shall no more be heard</span> in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise. The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory. Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended. Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified. A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the LORD will hasten it in his time.</span>"<br /><br />Luke 1:31-33 also expressed the outcome of faith as, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.</span>"<br /><br />Had the Jewish people had the same type of faith as Joseph and Mary had, the above prophecies would have come true 2,000 years ago, centering around Jesus and his bride and the restoration of the blessings of Genesis 1:28 would have occurred beginning the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth. Unfortunately, by rejecting Jesus, the Israelites failed their responsibility resulting in alternative path B occurring, discussed below. It is important to understand that, as stated in Matthew 11:12-13, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;">For all the prophets and the law prophesied <span style="font-size:130%;">until </span>John</span>." Hence, the above "king of kings" prophecies were indeed projected to occur, assuming <span style="font-weight: bold;">FAITH </span>by the people, at the time of John the Baptist; that is, during the time Jesus walked the earth 2,000 years ago!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Path B - Faithlessness; Jewish People fail Responsibility and reject Jesus (Suffering Servant alternative):</span><br /><br />Indeed, when Jesus as the long-awaited sinless messiah finally came to the people, he was most sadly treated, particularly by the religious leaders. Some of the people listened to Jesus and often marveled at him, but their response was often focused on his miracles and healing rather than the truth he brought. A few came to recognize him by the truth of his words, but the priests, scribes and Pharisees, perhaps threatened by Jesus' works, consistently criticized his teachings as being contrary to the law of Moses. They viewed his miracles as coming from Beelzebub, the devil (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=mat%2012:24&version=KJV">Matthew 12:24</a>). They denied his messiahship by saying that he blasphemed in referring to himself as having the power to forgive sins while he walked the earth in Mark 2:5-10, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. But there was certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts? Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? But that ye may <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins</span></span>, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)</span>." <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">IMPORTANT NOTE</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">:</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Jesus did not have to die or shed blood as many wrongly believe, in order to forgive humanity's sins, he could do it and was doing it while he walked the earth!</span> If only they had faith in him and believed in him.<br /><br />By their frequent condemnation of Jesus, the Jewish institutional leadership alienated the people from him. Ultimately, they bribed one of his disciples to betray him. In this hostile context, Jesus was clearly not able to disclose all that he wanted to disclose. For example, John 3:12 states, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?</span>" We can only imagine the heavenly things concerning the Kingdom that Jesus wished to share.<br /><br />The Gospel record indicates that Jesus did everything possible to persuade people to recognize and believe in him. He had preached about the Kingdom of Heaven he had come to establish. He frequently performed miraculous works in the hope that the people might see who he was. He had loved them with his whole being. Nevertheless, critical elements of Hebrew society failed to accept him as the sinless messiah, and repudiated his words and works. Matthew reported a frustrated Jesus rebuking them for their faithlessness in 11:21, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.</span>"<br /><br />Jerusalem, the city of the Temple, had rejected Jesus, the true temple. To them Jesus stated in Matthew 23:37-38, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.</span>"<br /><br />In Luke 19:42-44, Jesus stated, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.</span></span></span>"<br /><br />With the slowly developing conviction that his primary (path A) task of Kingdom-building was becoming less and less possible, due to <span style="font-weight: bold;">FAITHLESSNESS </span>by the people, Jesus was forced to change his course. A critical event in this transformation was Jesus' experience on the Mount of Transfiguration. Luke reports that at one point Jesus went up on a mountain to pray, with Peter, John and James accompanying him. During his prayer Moses and Elijah appeared to Jesus, and his inevitable suffering, due to <span style="font-weight: bold;">FAITHLESSNESS </span>by the people, was revealed to him as stated in Luke 9:30-31, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: Who appeared in glory, and <span style="font-weight: bold;">spake of his decease</span> which he should accomplish at Jerusalem</span>."<br /><br />The Gospels indicate that Jesus began to intimate to his disciples that he would have to go to Jerusalem and be killed. Significantly, the disciples are shocked. Matthew tells us that Jesus' chief disciple Peter was so alarmed as to exclaim in Matthew 16:22, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.</span>" The obvious implication is that Jesus' remarks concerning his suffering were upsetting because such statements were in complete contrast to everything Jesus had taught up until then.<br /><br />Jesus had endeavored to make his fellow countrymen recognize him by his words, his works, and his prayers, but it was all in vain. It was in this context that Jesus began to speak of the return of the "son of man." Jesus did not mention a Second Advent from the beginning of his ministry. He did so only after it became apparent that the <span style="font-weight: bold;">FAITHLESSNESS </span>of the people was so hardened that his primary intention (path A) - that of inspiring and leading the construction of a physical and spiritual Kingdom of God on earth - could not be realized 2,000 years ago.<br /><br />Jesus had been rejected by God's chosen people, the very people who had fasted, prayed, offered tithes, prophesied, served God, and longed for the sinless messiah throughout their suffering.<br /><br />Hence, the prophecy of Isaiah 53 came true, which states, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.</span>"<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >IV. Why was </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >John the Baptist's </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Faithlessness and Failure so Critical?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A. Elijah, John the Baptist and the sinless messiah - Jesus</span><br /><br />As discussed in <a href="http://godisamongus.blogspot.com/2009/06/8-sown-natural-bodyraised-spiritual.html">Topic 9. "Sown a natural body;Raised a spiritual body"</a>, in paragraph "3. Saints (spirit bodies) awake and actively completing their life's mission through another living person!", it was explained that <span style="font-weight: bold;">Jesus rested his ministry on his claim that John was the 2nd coming of Elijah the prophet</span>.<br /><br />Elijah was a great prophet of Israel who lived 900 years before Jesus. There is record of his having ascended into heaven on a chariot of fire (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20kings%202:11&version=KJV">2 Kings 2:11</a>), as pictured below:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">click to enlarge</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_52LRa_7NuPU9h4UtU942u1QSwoeBs6WN4opYBp8uMEWNh4gWwb5N7isqHt8oR5j32IEYdnWQc7zCs6QBpCMwFCSkySackkblEN0DE4y0vbtApEML_N5XXiFya2SF9ebETo5CUk0PFVtF/s1600-h/ElijahInChariotOfFire.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_52LRa_7NuPU9h4UtU942u1QSwoeBs6WN4opYBp8uMEWNh4gWwb5N7isqHt8oR5j32IEYdnWQc7zCs6QBpCMwFCSkySackkblEN0DE4y0vbtApEML_N5XXiFya2SF9ebETo5CUk0PFVtF/s400/ElijahInChariotOfFire.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402023868093247538" border="0" /></a><br />The Old Testament did not clearly foretell when the sinless messiah would come, but clearly indicated in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=mal%204:5-6&version=KJV">Malachi 4:5-6</a> that Elijah would come first, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">before </span></span>the great and dreadful day of the Lord.</span>" In the Hebrew mind, Elijah had always been expected as a forerunner to the sinless messiah. To this day, at Jewish Passover seders, a cup of wine is provided for Elijah in the anticipation of his arrival prior to that of the sinless messiah. Elijah is famed for his dramatic victory over 450 prophets of Baal on Israel's Mount Carmel (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20kings%2018:20-40&version=KJV">1 Kings 18:20-40</a>). However, due to the subsequent spiritual lapses and faithlessness of the people, his work had to be redone. Only after this task was accomplished could the sinless messiah come; thus, as Malachi prophesied in 4:5, Elijah had to return first.<br /><br />It was under this mindset of the times, with many looking to the sky expecting Elijah to literally return from the clouds of heaven, that Jesus appeared on the scene proclaiming himself to be the sinless messiah. Hence, when Jesus disciples went out among the people of Israel, testifying to Jesus, the doubtful scribes challenged the disciples by asking where was Elijah, since Elijah must precede the sinless messiah. Naturally, the disciples turned around and asked Jesus, as stated in Matthew 17:10, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?</span>" [<span style="font-weight: bold;">Note: In the new testament, Elijah is translated as Elias.</span>] Jesus replied to them in Matthew 17:11-12, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.</span>" Matthew 17:13 states, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.</span>"<br /><br />Although Jesus' own disciples could accept Jesus' explanation as believable, the religious establishment of Israel and the scribes had trouble believing it. In their minds, John the Baptist did not come down directly from heaven; yet, to be sure, they put the question directly to John as stated in John 1:19-21, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. And they asked him, What then? <span style="font-weight: bold;">Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, <span style="font-size:130%;">No</span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">.</span>"<br /><br />Jesus understood the serious meaning of the scribes' important question and sensing their trouble in believing his explanation, stated in Matthew 11:14-15, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">And <span style="font-weight: bold;">if ye will receive it, this is Elias</span>, which was for to come. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear</span>." Yet, since John emphatically contradicted Jesus and denied it, it opened a tiny window of doubt through which Satan could slip in and begin working his will in the minds of the people, nudging them more and more towards faithlessness in Jesus. After all, Malachi 4:5 was the last major prophecy in the last book of the Old Testament, written 400 years before the birth of Jesus. The religious power brokers of the times were quite familiar with its significance. Hence, the credibility of Jesus' assertion rested to a large extent on the reputations and manner in which Jesus and John were viewed. Who are you going to believe, Jesus or John the Baptist?<br /><br />First, let's remember how Jesus appeared to the Israelites of the time? Jesus was an obscure young man raised in a humble carpenter's home and was not known to be experienced in spiritual disciplines. Yet, Jesus proclaimed himself "Lord of the Sabbath" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2012:8&version=KJV">Matthew 12:8</a>), was rumored to be one who was destroying the law and the prophets (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%205:17&version=KJV">Matthew 5:17</a>), was the friend of tax collectors and sinners and rumored to be a glutton and drunkard (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2011:19&version=KJV">Matthew 11:19</a>). He put himself on equal footing with God, the father (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2014:9-11&version=KJV">John 14:9-11</a>) and told the people that they had to love him more than their own mother or father, or even son or daughter, as stated in Matthew 10:37, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;">He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.</span>" It became easy for the Jewish leaders, in their increasing faithlessness, to begin a smear campaign against Jesus and even go so far as to claim Jesus was working by the power of Beelzebub, the prince of demons (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2012:24&version=KJV">Matthew 12:24</a>).<br /><br />John the Baptist, on the other hand, displayed much more impressive qualifications. He was the son of a priest and prominent family, and, the miracles surrounding his conception and birth were known throughout the country (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%201:5-66&version=KJV">Luke 1:5-66</a>). Living on locusts and wild honey in the wilderness, he was regarded by many as leading an exemplary life of faith. In fact, John was held in such high esteem that high priests, as well as the common people, asked if he were the sinless messiah, as stated in Luke 3:15, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;">And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not</span>."<br /><br />Under these circumstances, the people of Israel viewed John as more credible in his emphatic denial that he was not Elijah than Jesus who told them that John the Baptist was Elijah, "if they were willing to accept it." Ultimately, they decided that Jesus' view of John as Elijah was not credible, thinking that Jesus conveniently made such a statement merely to make his claims about himself believable. Even today, many Jews still look for the coming of Elijah, as prophesied by Malachi 4:5, and reject Jesus as the sinless Messiah for this reason.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">B. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">John the Baptist's </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">critical mission and how he failed it through faithlessness</span><br /><br />According to the New Testament, Jesus regarded John the Baptist as the anticipated Elijah. In Matthew 11:13-14, Jesus states, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.</span>" The people of Israel, believing the words of the Old Testament literally, assumed that the original Elijah would actually come down from heaven. Instead, God chose John and sent him with the mission of Elijah.<br /><br />The New Testament states that John had been chosen even in the womb. Luke tells us that the angel Gabriel had announced to Zechariah that his wife, Elizabeth, would bear a son who would prepare his people for the Anointed One, as stated in Luke 1:11-22, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">even from his mother's womb</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And <span style="font-weight: bold;">he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children</span>, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; <span style="font-weight: bold;">to make ready a people prepared for the Lord</span>. And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season. And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple. And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.</span>"<br /><br />The entire course of John's life was subsequently a preparation for his later task of witnessing to the sinless messiah: his lonely period in the desert, his time of meditation and study and his exercise in ascetic piety.<br /><br />According to Mark and Matthew, John modeled his life style - including his clothing - after Elijah. He adopted as his own the rough camel hair garb and leather belt which were the marks of the prophetic office ever since ancient times. Like Elijah, the Baptist poured fiery judgment on the society around him. Everyone felt the effect of his withering denunciations.<br /><br />In addition to all this, John was apparently aware that he was a forerunner of a greater one yet to come (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%203:28&version=KJV">John 3:28</a>), to "make straight the way of the Lord" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%201:23&version=KJV">John 1:23</a>). Being a man with such a unique and important mission, John, by his own wisdom, should have known that he himself was Elijah, and not contradicted the testimony of Jesus Christ.<br /><br />Many of the chief priests as well as the people of Israel respected John to the extent that some thought he might even be the sinless messiah; yet, John corrected them in Luke 3:15-16, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not; John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.</span>" Hence, if John had supported Jesus' testimony by proclaiming that he was Elijah in lock-step with Jesus' assertion about him, then Jesus' family background and seeming lack of experience in spiritual disciplines would not have mattered. Yet, John's purpose was to be more than a character reference for Jesus. All four Gospels agree that John attracted large crowds and had a substantial following of his own disciples, as shown in the picture below:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">click to enlarge</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmbEEUkQYTyYjDLFpuelMnUG2oa0lKjfTK03dh2orPIUoQBuukyojTNBMEdn428vV6W2qTImeTYjvS2b1UxuMRVLikU1qwdPvpH-FfowWcBztDoV_WqAxBPPDZ9ZvURhfYE6EvBSln7gi5/s1600-h/JohnTheBaptistAndFollowers.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 298px; height: 350px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmbEEUkQYTyYjDLFpuelMnUG2oa0lKjfTK03dh2orPIUoQBuukyojTNBMEdn428vV6W2qTImeTYjvS2b1UxuMRVLikU1qwdPvpH-FfowWcBztDoV_WqAxBPPDZ9ZvURhfYE6EvBSln7gi5/s400/JohnTheBaptistAndFollowers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402024324733426834" border="0" /></a><br />In John 1:29-34, John the Baptist stated, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. <span style="font-weight: bold;">And I knew him not</span>: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. <span style="font-weight: bold;">And I knew him not</span>: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. <span style="font-weight: bold;">And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God</span>.</span>" Hence, God gave John the Baptist a direct revelation that Jesus was indeed the Son of God so that John knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jesus was the sinless messiah. This was no mere dream, like Joseph and Mary had unyielding faith in, but a message from God given directly to John, awake and in broad daylight! Yet, although John did initially testify during that moment with his words to Jesus Christ, regretfully, <span style="font-weight: bold;">he did not testify with his actions throughout his life with faith in Jesus of the caliber of Joseph and Mary</span>!<br /><br />After meeting the sinless messiah, as expressed by Jesus, we must love him with all our mind and actions even more than our own mothers and fathers and sons and daughters, throughout our entire lives. <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">This was especially true for John the Baptist, who really was the first person to know beyond a shadow of a doubt who Jesus really was</span>. Hence, John should have immediately began serving and attending to Jesus as one of Jesus' most supportive disciples and should have yielded all of his followers to Jesus by his own example.<br /><br />Yet, John began vacillating in his behavior toward Jesus. For example, even though Jesus was eagerly searching for followers, as stated in Luke 10:2, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest</span>," John the Baptist and his followers remained separate and apart from Jesus. Matthew even reports a dispute arose between the disciples of Christ and those of the Baptist in Matthew 9:14, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?</span>" As another example of John not following Jesus, John 3:22-26 states, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. For John was not yet cast into prison. Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying. And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, <span style="font-weight: bold;">the same baptizeth, and all men come to him</span></span>." John's response to his disciples in John 3:30, "<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">He must increase, but I must decrease</span>," clearly showed his misunderstanding of his role in relation to the sinless messiah. As Jesus stated in Matthew 10:37, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me</span>;" hence, loving the messiah in the manner Jesus described is not a "he must increase, but I must decrease" situation. It is not a "he wins/I lose" scenario, but rather, "he must increase, and I will be right there helping him to increase," which is a "he wins/I win" scenario; that is, "win/win" for all. The bottom line is that John, due to his own attitude problem, refused to be a follower of his younger cousin, Jesus!<br /><br />John was arrested and put into prison, not for witnessing, serving, attending or testifying about Jesus as the sinless messiah, but for his own message that had nothing to do with the activities of Jesus - the greatest activities in the history of mankind! Why many Christians convince themselves that John had some mission more important than directly helping the sinless Son of God is beyond comprehension.<br /><br />As stated in Matthew 3:11-14, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and <span style="font-weight: bold;">put him in prison for Herodias' sake</span>, his brother Philip's wife. <span style="font-weight: bold;">For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her</span>. And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet. But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod. Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask. And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger</span>. And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath's sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her. And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison. And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother</span>." Ultimately, as shown below, John was beheaded over an issue that had nothing to do with helping the sinless messiah who was walking in his midst:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">click to enlarge</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_FzQ8ydOMT-PacPCydwhF0m4LpepOsc-ooWtIaQ6Kdb6A5fqQoG8cV8Qn3Hwc3bzFwcE1GExjFb5CJ0HxVX5k1qKhR1qSxZfu8X_qakSlX0LwBw6LrIyxGRzTAgDigJ_t7Z6DFL6njWpL/s1600-h/JohnTheBaptistBeheaded.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 347px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_FzQ8ydOMT-PacPCydwhF0m4LpepOsc-ooWtIaQ6Kdb6A5fqQoG8cV8Qn3Hwc3bzFwcE1GExjFb5CJ0HxVX5k1qKhR1qSxZfu8X_qakSlX0LwBw6LrIyxGRzTAgDigJ_t7Z6DFL6njWpL/s400/JohnTheBaptistBeheaded.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402027206078845586" border="0" /></a><br />Just before he was beheaded, while waiting in prison, having lived his life without fulfilling his mission to serve Jesus, John began to have doubts concerning his life and sent his disciples to Jesus to ask, as stated in Matthew 11:3, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, <span style="font-weight: bold;">or do we look for another?</span></span>" This scripture proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that John had fallen into utter faithlessness toward Jesus! John was given a crystal clear, daytime vision from God that absolutely answered this question when he baptized Jesus. From a mere nighttime dream, Joseph and Mary clung to God's message and unwaveringly acted upon it for years; yet, John has completely forgotten his awake, day-time vision from God whereby the dove descended; and worse, pesters Jesus with such a ridiculous, FAITHLESS question about that which God had long ago, clearly answered for him.<br /><br />Jesus was indignant at such faithlessness by John and answered in Matthew 11:4-6, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And <span style="font-weight: bold;">blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me</span>.</span>"<br /><br />Hence, the great John the Baptist, the prophet living at the time the sinless messiah walked the earth, who had a direct revelation as to who he was, who was literally in a position to give Jesus the keys to the city, so to speak, ended his life beheaded as a wager for a dance, questioning and doubting who Jesus really was, clearly lost in faithlessness! Common sense tells us that if John had served Jesus well, fulfilling his responsibility, he would have become Jesus' chief disciple and that his life would not have ended in such a meaningless fashion. Truly, there are negative consequences for <span style="font-weight: bold;">FAITHLESSNESS</span>! John the Baptist, who's life was prepared by God to have the faith toward Jesus similar to that of Joseph and Mary, instead became the very faithless linchpin that Satan was looking for to knock the wheels off the bandwagon of the sinless messiah.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">C. Jesus' assessment of John the Baptist</span><br /><br />While John was in prison, the bible records Jesus as assessing John's role in a very negative light. Many have tried to spin Jesus' assessment of John into something positive; yet, it is very clear that Jesus was very disappointed in John's faithlessness and his failure to unite with him. For example, in Matthew 11:11, Jesus stated, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding <span style="font-weight: bold;">he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he</span>.</span>" Clearly, Jesus said this because, John was born at the most important time in human history and had the unique privilege to serve Jesus directly in the flesh. Common sense tells us that John should have brought everything he had - his experience, his knowledge, his large following - and offered them to Jesus, the sinless messiah. Because of his great influence and popularity - an influence that extended to the religious establishment, God could have truly used John as a catalyst to lead many influential people to Jesus. <span style="font-weight: bold;">It is clear from the biblical record that being such a catalyst is the very reason why God had blessed John to become a great prophet.</span> Hence, Jesus described John as "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">the greatest born of women</span>" because the opportunity before him was such a great one. But the sad fact is that John failed to seize the moment and grasp the opportunity; hence, John became "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">less than the least in the Kingdom of heaven</span>." Spin it all you want to make this a positive, but, it is not a complement at all by Jesus. Actually, Jesus defined what "least in the kingdom of heaven" meant in Matthew 5:19, which states, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so</span>, he <span style="font-weight: bold;">shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven</span>: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven</span>." Sadly, John <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">"knewest not the time of thy visitation."</span></span><br /><br />In another example of Jesus' disappointment with John, he stated in Matthew 11:12, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force</span>." Once again, you can spin it all you want; yet, there is nothing positive that Jesus is saying about John. As expressed earlier, common sense as well as all of the biblical evidence tells us that if John had served Jesus well, fulfilling his responsibility, he would have become Jesus' chief disciple; but, because he failed, Peter, a humble Galilean fisherman of no political or religious influence became the leader of the Twelve. Even without any prior contact or knowledge of Jesus, Matthew 4:18-20 states, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him</span>." Because John failed to fulfill his critical mission, he unknowingly relinquished his glorious place in the Kingdom to the most humble believer; and, was subsequently beheaded, as vividly shown above.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">D. The motive for John the Baptist's failure</span><br /><br />It appears that John's pride and ego blinded his better judgment and caused him to forget and lose faith in the very vision that God gave him in John 1:29-34, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">And I knew him not</span>: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. And John bare record, saying, <span style="font-weight: bold;">I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him</span>. <span style="font-weight: bold;">And I knew him not</span>: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.</span>" Although John testified that day that he saw the spirit, like a dove, descend and remain on Jesus, over time he vascillated back to his original perspective of "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;">I knew him not</span>."<br /><br />Possibly John let doubts about some of the things Jesus was saying get the best of him; after all, Jesus' teachings were quite out of the ordinary, such that he was accused of undermining conventional Hebrew morality and Mosaic teachings. Observing Jesus' background and achievement, John may have gathered that the long-awaited sinless messiah could not be as commonly human as was Jesus - of questionable birth by Mary (who was the cousin of John's mother, Elisabeth, making Jesus John's younger 2nd cousin by 6 months or so), dubious education, a mere carpenter, and without a well-developed following. In addition, John may have compared himself to Jesus and found the comparison quite unflattering to this alleged, sinless messiah. While John was the son of a Temple priest, Jesus was formally uneducated and frequently seemed to contradict the Hebrew scriptures. Also, the followers around Jesus were men of little education and competence. John lived a very ascetic life while Jesus ate, drank and stayed with tax collectors, prostitutes and others considered undesirable by society.<br /><br />Possibly John may have been too influenced by the prevailing conception of the messiah-to-come that permeated Jewish thinking at the time of Jesus. Generally speaking, the expectation was an apocalyptic one. It was a period of eager anticipation of imminent dramatic events, both a sense of despair about history and yet a hope that God would act dramatically to change things utterly and forever. Influence by the Book of Daniel, many sincere believers of that day literally expected the sinless messiah to come on the clouds of heaven, as written in Daniel 7:13-14, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Son of man came with the clouds of heaven</span>, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed</span>."<br /><br />Finally, short of such a cataclysmic event as the sinless messiah coming on the clouds of heaven, other Israelites strongly believed that the messiah would come as a forceful, violent, warring, mighty, military deliverer who would raise the standard of national freedom and would lead a revolt to defeat and drive out the Romans. For those who held this view, a "prince of peace" messiah made no sense.<br /><br />Whatever the reasons, John the Baptist failed because of his own disbelief, ignorance and FAITHLESSNESS toward Jesus. Moreover, his personal FAITHLESSNESS led not only to his individual loss and beheading, but also opened the window Satan had long been waiting for to enter the people's minds and hearts so that he could manipulate them to do his will, which was to kill the sinless messiah and prevent him from "taking root like a mustard seed." Hence, Satan's efforts at utilizing his indirect method #2 on the 3rd try proved successful for him.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">V. Due to Faithlessness, a Ransom must be paid to Satan</span></span><br /><br />God truly loved his chosen people, the Israelites, who were to be the foundation of faith on a national level like Joseph and Mary were to Jesus on a personal level; that is, to protect the messiah and provide a fertile environment where he could "take root" and grow like a mustard seed. Many times God prophesied the coming of the messiah, and He even warned the people to remain alert and to wait for him. God even prepared a great witness, John the Baptist, to testify to him when he arrived on the scene. In fact, the nation of Israel was passionately longing for the messiah to arrive. Tragically, even with all of that preparation, they "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">knewest not the time of thy visitation</span>." (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke%2019:44&version=KJV">Luke 19:44</a>)<br /><br />Jesus described the situation in John 3:14 as, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up</span>." It is important to note that Moses had to lift up the serpent in the wilderness because of faithlessness, which was not God's will; so, similarly, Jesus would have to be lifted up because of faithlessness, which once again, was not God's will. If the Jews had not fallen into faithlessness in the wilderness, Moses never would have had to go through the exercise of lifting up the serpent to save them.<br /><br />Christians have traditionally believed that Jesus' death on the cross was predestined as the original plan of God. No, it was not! It was a grievous error to crucify Jesus Christ. The crucifixion of Jesus was the consequence of the sheer ignorance of the people of Israel concerning God's dispensation. God's will was clearly for the chosen people to accept, have faith, and believe in Jesus and to receive Complete Salvation as described above. Clearly, the Kingdom of Heaven could have begun 2000 years ago with the restoration of the blessings of Genesis 1:28 beginning with Jesus as the sinless messiah, if only the people had not been FAITHLESS!<br /><br />In Matthew 21:33-43, Jesus stated the following parable descriptive of the situation, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country: And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise. <span style="font-weight: bold;">But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will <span style="font-size:130%;">reverence </span>my son</span>. But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him. When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen? They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons. Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.</span>"<br /><br />However, once it was clear that the chosen people had rejected the sinless messiah, Satan had claimed them and thus could do as he pleased with the world. Hence, as stated in John 3:16, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">For <span style="font-weight: bold;">God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son</span>, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life</span>." God wants all mankind, not just one son, Jesus!<br /><br />Even in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus wept and prayed three times the cup of suffering might pass from him, not because he was a weak human as many Christians wrongly teach! The first martyr, Stephen, who died by stoning, went to his death with a joyful heart. Likewise, it is said that Peter, faced as Jesus was by crucifixion, reacted simply by requesting he be allowed to be crucified upside down. Even beyond the religious sphere, the revolutionary war patriot Nathan Hale was sorry he could "die only once for his country." How dare some Christians portray Jesus as less heroic and brave than even these individuals. Jesus prayed so desperately, even three times, because he knew his death on the cross was not God's primary will, as expressed above as "path - A" of Isaiah's prophesies, which was to become the King of Kings beginning 2000 years ago, thus beginning the Kingdom of Heaven on earth at that time.<br /><br />We may also note that if Jesus' crucifixion had been God's predetermined plan, the role of Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus, should have been a heroic act in God's sight. Yet, Luke 22:3 clearly states that, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Then <span style="font-weight: bold;">entered Satan into Judas</span> surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve</span>." Matthew 27:3-5 states, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, <span style="font-weight: bold;">repented himself</span>, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Saying, <span style="font-weight: bold;">I have sinned</span> in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and <span style="font-weight: bold;">hanged himself</span></span>." Clearly, Judas was not doing the will of God to betray Jesus. In Matthew 26:24, Jesus stated, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man <span style="font-weight: bold;">if he had not been born</span></span>."<br /><br />Clearly, the cross was not the primary intention of Jesus nor the will of God; yet, it became necessary because of the faithlessness of the Jews. Jesus came to restore and fulfill God's original ideal, as expressed in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=gen%201:28&version=KJV">Genesis 1:28</a>.<br /><br />Through the cross, Satan was finally able to do to Jesus what he had wanted to do to him even as a baby, he just had to wait until the window of faithlessness came open, which was cracked by John the Baptist's faithlessness that let the devil's winds blow in.<br /><br />John 18:38-40 states, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, <span style="font-weight: bold;">I find in him no fault at all</span>. But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews? Then cried they all again, saying, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Not this man, but Barabbas</span>. Now Barabbas was a robber.</span>" Mark 15:7 states that, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who <span style="font-weight: bold;">had committed murder</span> in the insurrection.</span>" John 19:1-3 states, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe, And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands</span>." These verses of the bible are enacted in the video below:<br /><br /><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/MGVU-QblQ8c&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/MGVU-QblQ8c&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object><br /><br />2. John 19:4-22 states, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that <span style="font-weight: bold;">I find no fault in him</span>. Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man! When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, <span style="font-weight: bold;">they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him.</span> Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him. The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law <span style="font-weight: bold;">he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God</span>. When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid; And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer. Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: <span style="font-weight: bold;">therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin</span>. And from thenceforth <span style="font-weight: bold;">Pilate sought to release him:</span> but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar. When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King! But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar. Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away. And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst. And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews. Pilate answered, What I have written I have written</span>.</span>" These verses from the bible are enacted in the video below:<br /><br /><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/NUaiSJukt_k&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/NUaiSJukt_k&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object><br /><br />It should be noted that Pilate's wife said in Matthew 27:19, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Have thou nothing to do with that just man</span>: for <span style="font-weight: bold;">I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him</span>.</span>"<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">VI. The Victory of the Resurrection</span></span><br /><br />Had John the Baptist fulfilled his mission by uniting with Jesus through faith, and had the Jewish people done the will of God and "believed in him whom He had sent" through faith, Jesus would not have been crucified and world history would have unfolded along very different lines. Isaiah's prophesies of Jesus as a "King of Kings" would have become true 2,000 years ago.<br /><br />Following Jesus as the sinless messiah, along with his bride, the people of Israel would have become the enlightened center of a glorious new world. The pain and conflict that humanity has faced over the past 2,000 years would have been avoided. Also, since the sinless messiah would have been able to deliver COMPLETE SALVATION as defined above, there would be no need for the prophesied Second Coming of Christ. Yet, as a result of the crucifixion, the physical selves of mankind are still subject to satanic invasion, as St. Paul expressed in Romans 7:14-23, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. <span style="font-weight: bold;">For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing</span>: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.</span>"<br /><br />However, because Jesus never lost his faith in God, even during his crucifixion, God was able to resurrect him. The resurrection gave new religious life to those who unite with Jesus in spirit. Because God sacrificed the son He loved the most for the sake of those who rejected him, Satan no longer had a base from which to accuse God. The cross was Satan's victory, but the resurrection was God's. Through the resurrection, based on Jesus' unyielding and undying faith, God could begin a "spiritual salvation" through the resurrected Jesus. Even though a physical hell remains on earth, still under the yoke of Satan, Jesus was able to "prepare a place for us" in the spiritual world. (See Topic <a href="http://godisamongus.blogspot.com/2009/06/8-sown-natural-bodyraised-spiritual.html">9. "Sown a natural body;Raised a spiritual body</a>")<br /><br />To inherit God's love and grace, we need parents who can represent God to us as we are growing and maturing. Adam and Eve should have been the first parents to provide such guidance; however, as has been discussed, they passed on values of selfishness and finger pointing, devoid of God's love due to their original sin. In this sense, Jesus came as the "everlasting father" (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=is%209:6&version=KJV">Isaiah 9:6</a>) in place of Adam; and, he is able to provide this role spiritually because of the victory of the resurrection.<br /><br />Just as for physical birth, for spiritual birth to occur the comforting love of a father and mother is needed. Consequently, after the crucifixion and resurrection, God sent the holy spirit to inspire and comfort the human heart, leading us back to God. The Holy Spirit is traditionally known as the comforter. Through give and take of the love of Jesus and the Holy Spirit, spiritual rebirth out of the spiritual lineage of Adam and Eve into the spiritual lineage of Jesus and the Holy Spirit is available to all who love the Lord, Jesus. As expressed in 1 Peter 1:17-25, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with <span style="font-weight: bold;">the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:</span> Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: <span style="font-weight: bold;">Being born again</span>, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.</span>"<br /><br />Jesus expressed the necessity of re-birth in John 3:3 as, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be <span style="font-weight: bold;">born again</span>, he cannot see the kingdom of God</span>."<br /><br />Hence, through the victory of the resurrection, partial salvation, which is only spiritual, is available to believers, as diagrammed below:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">click to enlarge</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7GqLoXRhPsVzz0pcWA4k2R3Quufd0_8cTyu3nxZ1EaV6iQp6lnuus5c2GEpq97rcmrRhtNuzCeLfXjEQ1C3F7m8xktY3N8oao0j93lKedtoyxrz9xYz0QZU-LacCCawSF7ZtYOLvTSX9/s1600-h/PartialSalvation.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 339px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7GqLoXRhPsVzz0pcWA4k2R3Quufd0_8cTyu3nxZ1EaV6iQp6lnuus5c2GEpq97rcmrRhtNuzCeLfXjEQ1C3F7m8xktY3N8oao0j93lKedtoyxrz9xYz0QZU-LacCCawSF7ZtYOLvTSX9/s400/PartialSalvation.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402027632351089426" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">VII. The Second Coming of Christ</span></span><br /><br />Although much more will be discussed concerning the Second Coming of Christ in future topics on this blogsite, Complete Restoration or Complete Salvation as defined above requires more than just spiritual rebirth. The division between spirit and body so poignantly described by Paul (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=rom%207&version=KJV">Romans 7</a>) needs to be completely healed. This further dimension of rebirth will take place through the Second Coming.<br /><br />Furthermore, the Second Coming of Christ will restore the blessings of Genesis 1:28 on earth as it is in heaven, as expressed in Revelations 19:7, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready</span></span>.</span>"<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">VIII. Historical Notes</span></span><br /><br />During the forty years from Jesus' death to the destruction of the temple (70 C.E.) the Jews were divided over whether to humbly submit to Roman rule or rebel and throw off the Roman yoke. Many Pharisees preferred a peaceful course, but the Zealot party grew in strength, until ultimately they convinced the people to revolt.<br /><br />During this time, Jewish-Christians of Jerusalem preached Jesus' peaceful message of the Sermon on the Mount. They taught non-resistance to Roman rule. One of the Romans' most irksome practices was to force Jewish men to carry their equipment. To this Jesus said, "If anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile." (Matthew 5:41) Jesus refused to resist paying taxes, saying, "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's." (Matthew 22:21) It is conceivable that the Jewish-Christians represented a genuine peace movement, vying for the hearts and minds of the Jerusalemites to steer them away from a tragic war with Rome.<br /><br />During this period Judaism had many diverse streams, and the Jewish-Christians under James the brother of Jesus were tolerated and even respected by many Jews. But in time the Jewish leadership hardened against them and the Jewish-Christians became isolated, their message of peace ignored. The Jews revolted against Rome, and they were crushed, with Jerusalem reduced to ruins. The Romans put down the Jewish Revolt with great cruelty, destroying Jerusalem, killing over a million people, and deporting hundreds of thousands as slaves. Due to the faithlessness of the Jews, destruction came as Jesus predicted in Luke 19:42-44, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, and shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and <span style="font-weight: bold;">they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another</span>; <span style="font-weight: bold;">because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation</span></span>."<br /><br />Sadly, we can only imagine the different courses history could have taken had the Jewish-Christians, lead by James the brother of Jesus, prevailed with their message of peace rather than the forceful, violent strategy of the zealots. Even more so, we can only dream of the Kingdom of Heaven that Jesus and his bride could have begun and led, had John the Baptist and the Jews united with and supported Jesus, the sinless messiah rather than having him crucified through their faithlessness.<br /><br />Our early Christian brethren were persecuted by the Romans for nearly 400 years, being fed to lions in the coliseums and enduring other atrocities against them. Eusebius of Caesarea states that Paul was beheaded in the reign of the Roman Emperor Nero; this event has been dated to the year 64 C.E., when Rome was devastated by a fire. Tradition holds that the Roman authorities sentenced Peter to death by crucifixion. According to a story in the apocryphal Acts of Peter, he was crucified head down. The Roman Martyrology assigns June 29 as the feast day of both Peter and Paul.<br /><br />By their strong faith, without using violence or weapons, Christianity conquered the Roman Empire and became its official religion.<br /><br />Galerius issued an edict permitting the practice of the Christian religion under his rule in April 311. In 313 Constantine I and Licinius announced toleration of Christianity in the Edict of Milan. Constantine would become the first Christian emperor. By 391, under the reign of Theodosius I, Christianity had become the state religion. Constantine I, the first emperor to embrace Christianity, was also the first emperor to openly promote the newly legalized religion.<br /><br />In the end, it was the fervent faith of the early Christians, who were persecuted and fed to lions, that allowed God and His angels to change the hearts of the Roman Empire. They understood that faith is the key to unlocking the spiritual power that God and His angels could unleash on the Romans to change their hearts, not physical force and violence, as the zealots thought. If only the Jews could have had such fervent faith in Jesus, as was clearly God's will for them to have done. Even more spiritual power would have been unleashed, changing the hearts of the Roman Empire within Jesus' lifetime. Today, 2,000 years later, we would be living in the restored, global Garden of Eden, called the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. Instead, we now look forward to and await the 2nd coming of Christ, blessed through his undying, unyielding faith even hanging on the cross, victoriously resurrected by God and gaining spiritual salvation through re-birth for all who believe in, follow and have faith in him until he comes again, as he has promised.<br /><br /></div></div>godamongushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783580274771793995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5714104889164922367.post-11163446504290912952009-10-26T12:50:00.000-07:002009-12-27T02:14:50.936-08:0012. "Your father the devil"<span style="font-weight: bold;">John 8:44 ~<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">"Ye are of <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">your father the devil</span></span>, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, an</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">d the father of it."</span> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%208:44&version=KJV">King James Version</a>)<!--INFOLINKS_ON--><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">INTERPRETATION:</span> After reading this topic #12, you will understand why Jesus said "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">ye are of your father the devil</span>," as well as the origin of evil in our world. As revealed in previous topics #1 through #11 (see <a href="http://www.godisamongus.blogspot.com/">Home Page</a>), God created us, beginning with Adam and Eve, to be His children and blessed us in Genesis 1:28 to "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Be fruitful, an</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">d multiply, and replenish the eart</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">h, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.</span>" If God's blessings had been respected and achieved, the Kingdom of Heaven would have begun ages ago, springing from the family values of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden; and, today we would be living in a utopian, joyful society with God's will being done "on Earth, as it is in heaven."<br /><br />Yet, the scripture tells us that due to the original sin, Adam and Eve hid from God in an emotional state of fear, guilt and shame and that their first son killed his younger brother. Even today, the values of the first family permeate our generation with fear, guilt and shame and the killing of our brothers continues. For example, nothing captures the reality of the human condition better than the video below called the "falling man." It shows that as recently as 2001, some humans chose to fly jetliners into the World Trade Center to kill as many other humans as possible:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The Falling Man (Parental discretion advised)<br /></div><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/BXnA9FjvLSU&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/BXnA9FjvLSU&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">I. The Meaning of the Symbols in Genesis</span></span><br /><br />The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines symbolism as <span style="font-weight: bold;">1</span>: the art or practice of using <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/symbols" class="formulaic">symbols</a> especially by investing things with a <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/symbolic" class="formulaic">symbolic</a> meaning or by expressing the invisible or intangible by means of visible or sensuous representations: as <strong>a</strong> <strong>:</strong> artistic imitation or invention that is a method of revealing or suggesting immaterial, ideal, or otherwise intangible truth or states <strong>b</strong> <strong>:</strong> the use of conventional or traditional signs in the representation of divine beings and spirits. <strong>2</strong> <strong>:</strong> a system of <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/symbols" class="formulaic">symbols</a> or representations.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">A. Is The Fruit Literal or Symbolic?</span></span><br /><br /><span>Gen</span><span>esis 1:1-3 states, "</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">the fruit</span> of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.</span>"<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5sjxkNYG0safFljX4piHgQge6tMQncIGtLGBwOPb0VQAsQ-4wgFkgfRGD0r5i4YgeuCwK06vSpV94bM7W162dIUKG_WFBshRc_N7HYyEDwOGuFCw0F5lxS2xKXFo7PjRbGgBH9XngIfS/s1600-h/LiteralOrSymbolic.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 310px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5sjxkNYG0safFljX4piHgQge6tMQncIGtLGBwOPb0VQAsQ-4wgFkgfRGD0r5i4YgeuCwK06vSpV94bM7W162dIUKG_WFBshRc_N7HYyEDwOGuFCw0F5lxS2xKXFo7PjRbGgBH9XngIfS/s400/LiteralOrSymbolic.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397260906932181970" border="0" /></a><br />The following 4 reasons reveal that "the fruit" is a symbol within Genesis 1:1-3, representing a deeper intangible truth. The fruit is symbolic, as follows:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. Literal fruit does not grow on symbolic trees. </span><br /><br />Prior topic <a href="http://godisamongus.blogspot.com/2009/06/5-be-fruitful.html">5. "Be Fruitful"</a>, concluded that "the tree of life is a <span style="font-weight: bold;">symb</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">ol </span>of the individual goal we all seek - perfection of God's image within us; that is, "to be fruitful." Additionally, prior topic <a href="http://godisamongus.blogspot.com/2009/06/6-multiply.html">6. "Multiply",</a> concluded that "the tree of the knowledge of good and evil is a <span style="font-weight: bold;">symbol </span>of the different outcomes, good and evil, that Adam and Eve could choose based on the fruitfulness of their relationship with God." The <span style="font-weight: bold;">tree symbols</span>, reflecting the goal of individual perfection as the tree of life and the subsequent goal of family perfection, or lack thereof, as the tree of knowledge of good and evil, are repeated below:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKNEi6OIWWt3y38WIsDstHDIYev_MZ1V2UbPwELigTTb2MPbVw9EIVsow0p_1wAfBa8oY-PltXE_lau5UhDH6e3IltTFGkm2pfYxlIgrEKvEpy_pXMaj6QanqEda-6pM6Aafc89Z0NcQGU/s1600-h/TreeSymbols.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKNEi6OIWWt3y38WIsDstHDIYev_MZ1V2UbPwELigTTb2MPbVw9EIVsow0p_1wAfBa8oY-PltXE_lau5UhDH6e3IltTFGkm2pfYxlIgrEKvEpy_pXMaj6QanqEda-6pM6Aafc89Z0NcQGU/s400/TreeSymbols.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397272867329178578" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. God is a God of love</span><br /><br />James 1:13 states, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Let no man say when he is </span><b style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">tempt</b><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">ed, I am </span><b style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">tempt</b><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">ed of God: for God cannot be </span><b style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">tempt</b><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">ed with evil, neither </span><b style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">tempt</b><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">eth he any man:</span>" Even common sense tells us that God would not be interested in testing the obedience of His children, particularly at the possible cost of their lives. Would any parent place poisonous food in front of their children with the intention of testing their obedience? Clearly, the answer is no!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. Fruit is not worth more than life</span><br /><br />The fruit must represent something of tremendous value; because, no one would be willing to risk their lives to eat a literal fruit. After all, they could eat anything else and there were plenty of other fruit in the garden. Surely, hunger played no role. Yet, Eve took a risk, that she did not have to take, and ate of it after having been told that <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">"for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4. The effects of the fruit are hereditary</span><br /><br />The human heart is the place where we are to perfect God's love and spirit dwelling within us. Yet, the effects of the fruit damaged the hearts of the entire human race so that even today we suffer from its consequences. In Matthew 15:11-20, Jesus stated "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.</span></span> Then came his disciples, and said unto h</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">im, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. Then answered Peter and </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">said unto him, Declare unto us this parable. And Jesus said, Ar</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">e ye also yet without understanding? Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? But those things which pr</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">oceed out of the mouth come forth from the <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">heart</span></span>; and they defile the man. For <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">out of the heart proceed evil thoughts</span></span>, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.</span>"<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >B. Is The Serpent Literal or Symbolic?</span><br /><br />Revelations 12:7-9 states, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">And there was war in heaven: M</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">ichael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">that </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan</span></span>, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >and his angels</span> were cast out with him.</span>"<br /><br />Hence, the "old serpent" in the garden of Eden was no ordinary snake, but once lived in heaven, which is in the spiritual dimension, as expressed in the verse above. Additionally, Genesis 3:1 states, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Now the serpent was <span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">more subtil than any beast of the field</span></span> which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hat</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">h God sai</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">d, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?</span>"<br /><br />The serpent knew God's word well enough to bring the fruit to Eve's attention. He was crafty enough to speak to her and to exact his design upon her, the daughter of God. He was able to communicate in a manner that set him apart from any "beast of the field." He knew about the commandment from God that had been communicated to Adam, as stated in Genesis 2:17, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.</span>" And, he knew that Adam had in turn communicated the commandment to his wife, Eve.<br /><br />Clearly, the serpent is a symbol of a spiritual being, which as shown below, is an angel:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Revelations 12:9</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUfj57hB3JW5wvSd56WAZCaYGIn-_u2UCVwFfE64rntImWRvqWiR1QF0x8-ImnFETyTIe16mBastTxSu_X1b1TEcKouLskqZYvl8f8LEOJN2kJl3Qsl176sUSYCbS3dPspAMOSBqnt0F6T/s1600-h/SerpentEqualAngel.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 201px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUfj57hB3JW5wvSd56WAZCaYGIn-_u2UCVwFfE64rntImWRvqWiR1QF0x8-ImnFETyTIe16mBastTxSu_X1b1TEcKouLskqZYvl8f8LEOJN2kJl3Qsl176sUSYCbS3dPspAMOSBqnt0F6T/s400/SerpentEqualAngel.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397377819720655746" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >C. Did God create Satan?</span><br /><br />Genesis 1:31 states, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">And God saw <span style="font-weight: bold;">every thing</span> that he had made, </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">and, behold, it <span style="font-weight: bold;">was </span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">very good</span></span>. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.</span>" This verse of scripture tells us that at the conclusion of God's creative process, every being was "very good." Hence, it was a "very good" being of position and status in heaven that became an evil force in human affairs. Essentially, a "very good" being that was created by God entered into a corruption process and became the corrupted being we now call "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">the Devil, and Satan.</span>"<br /><br />This concurs with the view expressed above in Genesis 12:7-9, which states, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">neither was their place found any more in heaven</span>." Also, it expresses that this being had an affiliation with angels in heaven who were "cast out" with him. Clearly, the scripture is describing a "very good" being who became dissatisfied with his station in heaven and was cast out with his angels. Hence, we must conclude that God did not create Satan but that he came about through a corruption process of a "very good" being, as will be explained further down in this topic.<br /><br />Other bible verses also speak about a corruption process. For example, 2 Peter 2:4 states, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved u</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">nto judgment.</span>" Similarly, Jude 1:6 states, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day</span>." Also, Job 1:6 states, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. </span><sup style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" class="versenum" id="en-KJV-12877">7</sup><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, <span style="font-weight: bold;">From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.</span></span>" Additionally, Genesis 6:2 states, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose</span>."<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >D. Who is <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">this being</span> called Satan?</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;">Further examination</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> of Revelation 12:7-9 above reveals that "</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">there </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels." </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Hence, <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">this being</span> had angels under his stewardship, governance and leadership and held a position or station in heaven on par with Michael, with whom he battled. Jude 1:9 states, "</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Yet Michael <span style="font-weight: bold;">the archangel</span>, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Lord rebuke thee.</span>" Thus, <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">this being</span> is able to function on the archangel level. The word “archangel” derives from the Greek <i>arche</i> (ruler) and <i>angelos</i> (messenger). Archangels serve a variety of functions in the heavenly hierarchy including the administration of heavenly duties and the daily operation of the cosmos.<br /><br />Ezekiel 28:13-15 identifies <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">this being</span> in the Garden of Eden, prior to the original sin, as "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Thou hast <span style="font-weight: bold;">been in Eden the garden of God</span>; every precious</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapp</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">hire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. Thou art the </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">anointed <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">cherub </span>that covereth</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee</span>." The cherubim, singular <i>cheru</i><i>b,</i> are believed by most to be beyond the throne of God; they are the guardians of light and of the stars. Their rank among angels is uncertain but they are always categorized in the first sphere. Cherubim are said to have perfect knowledge of God, surpassed only by the love of the Seraphim.<br /><br />Isaiah 14:12 names <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">this being</span> by stating, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">How art thou fallen from heaven, O <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Lucifer</span></span>, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.</span>" The application of the name Lucifer to Satan has existed since the third century A.D., and ties to Luke 10:18, in which Jesus stated, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;">I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.</span>"<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">click to enlarge</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6BunO9CYV6cyxUJ5Z-xWBdemvVrKqGM3AOB4VniaWRfzabBYBV4lly9JaNPoyLJa4a6KhR70qdbgGT4DXTREw0rZckC4BExv7bxsRfeWa-89gsrdt5MaIEQcSJwDCds0BYTlbCo7Y0TjG/s1600-h/Lightning.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6BunO9CYV6cyxUJ5Z-xWBdemvVrKqGM3AOB4VniaWRfzabBYBV4lly9JaNPoyLJa4a6KhR70qdbgGT4DXTREw0rZckC4BExv7bxsRfeWa-89gsrdt5MaIEQcSJwDCds0BYTlbCo7Y0TjG/s320/Lightning.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401241627241105938" border="0" /></a><br />Hence, Lucifer is no literal serpent or snake at all, but is a <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">spiritual being</span>, an angel with the powers of archangels and cherubim and is symbolized as a serpent because he enacted his design upon the daughter of God, Eve, and enticed her to eat the fruit, abandoning her position as God's daughter by disobeying God's commandment as told to her by her husband, Adam. He is called a serpent because of the way he used his wisdom. As a "covering cherub," he was supposed to be a guardian angel to safeguard God's purpose for Adam and Eve to fulfill the blessings of genesis 1:28; instead, he became corrupted and misled the daughter of God, Eve.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPSKUmuoBflPOHR3t3XFnIeqTyxbdTSdtPTEfmPxsvmDAKRmbSfGH0z46FSf6bNxOt2Imf5xbwZvx5WP50Zu0TBlb68SfLRLA_ETZRUwfHqG7Xk5eHAiiFtvjU-mMRf9MK9YzhW10JUORx/s1600-h/BeingIsLucifer.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 122px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPSKUmuoBflPOHR3t3XFnIeqTyxbdTSdtPTEfmPxsvmDAKRmbSfGH0z46FSf6bNxOt2Imf5xbwZvx5WP50Zu0TBlb68SfLRLA_ETZRUwfHqG7Xk5eHAiiFtvjU-mMRf9MK9YzhW10JUORx/s400/BeingIsLucifer.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397472066361396322" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">II. Lucifer's Motive for Corrupting the Daughter of God, Eve</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">Lucifer was "very good," </span><span style="font-size:100%;">"every precious stone was thy covering," "the anointed cherub that covereth," "wast upon the holy mountain of God," "wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created," "till iniquity was found in thee;" So, what happened?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A. Heavenly Order Prior to the Existence of Adam and Eve</span><br /><br />Before Adam and Eve even existed, there was a time period when Lucifer, with all his beauty, wisdom and stature in heaven, could go directly to God. Considering that he was the angel that later had direct access to God's precious children, Adam and Eve, he was the angel most trusted by God. It is similar to parents desiring a most trusted baby-sitter for their children, preferably a family member, relative, or very close friend. Hence, prior to Adam and Eve's existence, Lucifer enjoyed a status second to none in heaven, as diagrammed below:<br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-21170"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /></span></sup><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQkDJg0xIwBMtQ_Gll5CzGHd8QPfBC4u9B5CtuthUOwlrO4vAFI2DC8asfH9p7XFqCnP3FO-s03juQb8l4uuipKWTvnYtaKV3v2GHaRVgbSSVkxv4T4a1nV-ZiBYX8NRj1P-ZiUpOa2vqA/s1600-h/HeavenlyOrderBeforeAdamAndEve.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 274px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQkDJg0xIwBMtQ_Gll5CzGHd8QPfBC4u9B5CtuthUOwlrO4vAFI2DC8asfH9p7XFqCnP3FO-s03juQb8l4uuipKWTvnYtaKV3v2GHaRVgbSSVkxv4T4a1nV-ZiBYX8NRj1P-ZiUpOa2vqA/s400/HeavenlyOrderBeforeAdamAndEve.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397678583348933554" border="0" /></a><br />As the "anointed cherub that covereth," Lucifer had intimate knowledge of God's purpose for Adam and Eve and knew why God would command them not to eat of "the fruit." As shown above, prior to Adam and Eve's existence, Lucifer stood atop the heavenly order, which glorified God and all stood waiting for the revealing of the son of God, Adam. All of the heavens waited for the crowning moment, the denouement of God's creation, his image incarnate in the first man and woman. And then it happened, "God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them."<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">B. Heavenly Order after the Existence of Adam and Eve</span><br /><br />As discussed in topic <a href="http://godisamongus.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2009-09-25T07%3A00%3A00-07%3A00&max-results=1">11. "The evening and the morning</a>," except for Adam and Eve, every creation reached perfection through the force of natural law. However, man's growth through the indirect dominion occurs through a combination of natural law plus man completing his portion of responsibility, which for Adam and Eve involved heeding God's commandment, with 100% of their effort, not to eat of "the fruit." By embodying God's word to them, they would have grown through the indirect dominion and into the direct dominion of God's love. Once that level of relationship with God is achieved, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God."</span> (Romans 8:38-39) Then, they would "be fruitful" and would have the maturity and stature to "multiply" and handle the responsibilities of parenthood as God's representatives.<br /><br />Hence, the role and purpose of Adam and Eve inevitably place the heavenly order in its final hierarchy, as shown below:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTjbdpSjDpUva4HtCgrTYbtOQ1fuxadKUBABe_Od9IC10tSd-6iWuhIzzD70xAodinwHP7ELebfgiCba2XKu3NkGbK6VWVH6lZ92FhLnHeJpv6aH-YedknlZ59btnNtewmhu4s7kxmUpin/s1600-h/HeavenlyOrderAfterAdamAndEve.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 249px; height: 461px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTjbdpSjDpUva4HtCgrTYbtOQ1fuxadKUBABe_Od9IC10tSd-6iWuhIzzD70xAodinwHP7ELebfgiCba2XKu3NkGbK6VWVH6lZ92FhLnHeJpv6aH-YedknlZ59btnNtewmhu4s7kxmUpin/s400/HeavenlyOrderAfterAdamAndEve.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397746720580562722" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">C. The Changing of the Guard</span><br /><br />As shown vividly above, the heavenly order is different before and after the existence of Adam and Eve. Ultimately, as expressed in I Corinthians 15:27-28, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.</span>" This is the position of Adam in perfection, and, would have been the 1st Adam's position had he not engaged in the original sin. And of course, as will be explained in later topics, this is the position of the 2nd Adam, Jesus, who stated it best as "no one comes to the father but through me." This was the 1st Adam's purpose, had he not sinned.<br /><br />The changing of the guard can be understood by thinking of Adam and Eve like a prince and princess that are young in maturity. God can be thought of like the King and Lucifer like the palace tutor, who has a temporary charge to educate and guide the young prince and princess. Yet, the tutor knows all along that the day will come when the young prince and princess take authority over him. Another way to think of it is like a trustee charged with guarding an inheritance until the heirs become of age. In any case, Lucifer's iniquity emerged as he had a problem with giving up his direct access to God and humbling himself to go through Adam, as diagrammed above.<br /><br />Lucifer's situation can be compared to that of a child who is suddenly displaced by a newborn baby. Until the new infant arrived, the older sibling was the sole recipient of his mother's love. Now, however, he may feel that his mother's love for him has decreased and he may become burdenend with feelings of rejection and envy. Similar behavior has been observed in pets that were their master's best friend, until their master had his first child. Clearly, Lucifer began to struggle with the idea of coming to God through his son, Adam. The struggle has played throughout human history.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">III. The Process of the Original Sin</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A. Lucifer failed to take God's point of View</span><br /><br />When we don't take God's point of view, then what is left? Who's viewpoint do we take? When we don't see things from the perspective of what is good for God's will, then we take things from the viewpoint of our own interests. Our thoughts become, "what's good for me...what's in it for me...this is no good for me!" This is exactly what Lucifer did. Rather than accept that God's plan was to rule all things through His children, Lucifer and his posse of angels refused to acquiesce to that authority. That authority was best expressed by St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 6:3, "know ye not that we will judge angels?" (See topic <a href="http://godisamongus.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2009-07-17T07%3A00%3A00-07%3A00&max-results=1">10. "We shall judge angels"</a>)<br /><br />Clearly, Lucifer did not do a good job of dealing with his struggle about Adam's position. Instead, he concluded that, "I am just not going to do that." He didn't see coming to God through Adam as the way for him and he rejected that standard. And by rejecting the channel of God's love, through Adam, he started to feel like God didn't love him. It's similar to an older sibling who decides to run away from home because of the new baby in the house, completely oblivious to his parents point of view, thinking only that, "this is no good for me."<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">B. Lucifer Left His Position</span><br /><br />Since God's love was to flow to Lucifer through Adam, by rejecting God's plan Lucifer separated himself from the channel of God's love. What happens when we leave the channel where God's love can reach us? We start to feel very empty inside because we cannot feel God's love. Lucifer began to sulk..."poor me... nobody cares about me.... after all I've done." Basically, Lucifer became full of himself. Rather than realize that he did not feel God's love because he was out of position to come to God through Adam, Lucifer began to feel that God had changed on him and had led him on to think He loved him, only to stiff him for Adam. In his mind, since God was not absolute, but changing in His love, then it was okay for him to use whatever means necessary to get what he wanted. And since he felt he was not getting the love he wanted from God, he gravitated toward Eve with the suggestion to eat "the fruit." The only thing standing in the way was the commandment from God, not to eat of it, as had been told to her by her husband, Adam.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">C. Lucifer Prevents the Changing of the Guard and Reverses the Heavenly Order</span><br /><br />Eve should have been strong in her faith in Adam's word to her, not to eat of "the fruit." She should have had faith in what God commanded them to do and not do. The moment had arrived in her spiritual growth where she should have declared to Lucifer, "You must listen to me! I am not supposed to listen to you! Get thee away from me with your craziness and go and right yourself with God! I am going right now to tell my husband, Adam, what you are trying to do."<br /><br />In Genesis 3:4-5, the moment the serpent, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil,</span>" he had rejected God's word and inserted his own replacement word. Basically, he told Eve, "God doesn't have your best interest at heart, like I do...TRUST ME!" It is at that moment that Lucifer took God's position, convincing Eve to reject God's word and to take his word. Rather than subjugate Lucifer through her own faith in God's word, she allowed Lucifer to entice her into having faith in him and his "substitute word!" She believed Satan's word and acted upon it, empowering him as her God and ruler.<br /><br />Of his own volition, Lucifer cannot become God and ruler over anyone, just as a dictator cannot take control of a nation by himself. Unless he can elicit Adam and Eve's voluntary submission to his will, all he would have been was a disgruntled angel, who would have eventually got himself back together with Adam as his Lord and ruler. The key is that Adam and Eve empowered him and elected him, over God's word, as their dictator. Hence, the heavenly order was reversed resulting in a contrary god with us stuck in the middle feeling internally conflicted within ourselves. St. Paul expressed the internal conflict in Romans 7:22-24 as, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">For I delight in the l<span style="font-weight: bold;">aw of God after the inward man:</span> But I see <span style="font-weight: bold;">another law in my members</span>, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?</span>"<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">D. Lucifer Multiplied the Evil</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">As is so often the case when someone does wrong, they attempt to make it okay by convincing everyone else to join in the mob. Hence, Lucifer lead the angels under his governance to follow his actions. In like manner, Eve set forth to make her actions okay by convincing her husband that he had got it all wrong and that he, too, should trust the word of Satan.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">IV. The Meaning of "the Fruit"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A. Fornication</span><br /><br />Proverbs 30:20 states, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.</span>" Similarly, Eve ate, wiped her mouth, and said, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;">The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.</span>"<br /><br />Song of Solomon 4:12-16 states, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">A garden inclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed. Thy plants are an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits; camphire, with spikenard, Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices: A fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, and streams from Lebanon. Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">eat his pleasant fruits</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">.</span>" Clearly, the fruit is a symbol of love and eating the fruit is symbolic of a sexual relationship. In the garden of Eden, the only sin that man would possibly commit at the risk of his life was a sin involving love.<br /><br />The root of sin is not the first human ancestors eating a literal fruit, but their establishing a blood relationship through fornication with Lucifer, who was symbolized by the serpent. The blood relationship is the reason the sin is passed on from generation to generation.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">B. Ashamed of their Nakedness</span><br /><br />Job 31:33 states, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">If I <span style="font-weight: bold;">covered my transgressions as Adam</span>, by hiding mine iniquity in my bosom...</span>" Job's words indicate that Adam concealed his transgression, which means that if the fruit were a literal fruit, then Adam and Eve should have covered their mouths to conceal their transgression of eating it. Yet, we know that Adam and Eve covered the sexual parts of their bodies.<br /><br />Prior to the original sin, Genesis 2:25 states, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.</span>" Yet, after being tempted by the serpent and committing sin, Genesis 3:7 states, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">aprons</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">.</span>"<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">C. We await adoption</span><br /><br />Adam and Eve forsook God, their true father, and became one with a false father, Satan, which is expressed in Romans 8:23, which states, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">adoption</span></span>, to wit, the redemption of our body.</span>" The fact that we are waiting for adoption into God's lineage tells us that we are not of God's lineage. Because of the original sin, God lost his seed.<br /><br />2 Corinthians 4:4 states, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">In whom the </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">god of this world</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.</span>" Hence, Lucifer became the god of this world.<br /><br />John 12:31 states, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">prince of this world</span></span> be cast out." Hence, Lucifer became the prince of this world.<br /><br />John 8:44, the opening passage of this post, Jesus states, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Ye are of <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">your father the devil</span></span>, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it</span>." Hence, Lucifer became the father of this world.<br /><br />Genesis 6:5-6 states, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">grieved him at his heart</span></span>.</span>"<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">D. A 2nd Adam must Come Back</span><br /><br />Hence, Adam must come back and claim his rightful position. Adam must return so that all can come to God through a pure, divine son of God. Adam's return, as the goal of history, will be discussed in future topics on this blogsite.<br /><br />In conclusion, we all were ignorant of the sexual nature of our genitals as children. We all, including Adam and Eve, began by thinking of our genitalia for urination purposes only. At some point, each of us acquired sexual knowledge through either self-exploration, observation, or molestation. Of course, the worst way to acquire sexual knowledge is through molestation. Sadly, molestation is the best description of how Eve acquired her sexual knowledge from Lucifer. <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);">There is nothing more dangerous than opening the sexual eyes of an immature person</span></b>.<br /><br />Of course, Eve and Lucifer could not produce offspring; but, their union caused her spirit to die the day she ate of the fruit, just as God had warned. By fornicating with Lucifer, she became one body with him in selfishness, contaminating the fruit of her womb with spiritual death and casting her heart far away from God's love. A mutation occurs when a DNA gene is damaged or changed in such a way as to alter the genetic message carried by that gene. Naturally, the spiritual message within the DNA genes were radiated within Eve's contaminated womb. When Eve, in turn, convinced Adam to forsake God's word and to eat the fruit, she of course became pregnant with Cain, the result of a spiritually defiled sperm and egg.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVJfXwfltwpCXo4I7gJfKpILfRSpGe4ZEKe4a66JD-xLpQp_4EwPouooZKucgZLe5CrFCRcnz45nd-AJXTGQ6bGFCf7puHTyl8sOkyAAAm2KNu85EF9Iuo2EqqJqWOjED2Dvmzd0oNrBCy/s1600-h/sperm.egg.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 137px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVJfXwfltwpCXo4I7gJfKpILfRSpGe4ZEKe4a66JD-xLpQp_4EwPouooZKucgZLe5CrFCRcnz45nd-AJXTGQ6bGFCf7puHTyl8sOkyAAAm2KNu85EF9Iuo2EqqJqWOjED2Dvmzd0oNrBCy/s200/sperm.egg.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413292411590703986" border="0" /></a><br />Hence, they began to multiply before they were "fruitful" or mature. It was akin to spiritual babies having physical, contaminated babies in an emotional state of fear, guilt and shame. Even though Adam and Eve lived to be hundreds of years old, physically, spiritually they were dead, very much like walking <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">zombies</span></span>. Truly, their hearts were broken, trust was destroyed, and <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">finger-pointing became their family values</span></span>. God did not lie to them about the consequences of "eating the fruit." This is why Jesus stated in Matthew 8:21-22, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="font-size:130%;">let the dead bury their dead</span>.</span>" Jesus meant, let the spiritually dead, bury the physically dead, follow me to obtain life.<br /><br />Today, Satan continues to influence world affairs through his legions of fallen angels, called demons. He does this by influencing our minds and spirits, through the opening that each of us inherited from the original sin. A good example of this is found in Luke 22:3, which states, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Then <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">entered Satan into Judas</span></span> surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him [Jesus] unto them.</span>" Only through strong faith in God's word, coupled with prayer and sincere actions, can we prevent Satan from entering. It is time to stop repeating the mistake of Adam and Eve.<br /><br />As St. Paul stated in 1 Corinthians 6:16-18, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Flee fornication</span></span>. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.</span>"<br /><br />1 Corinthians 7:7-9, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that. I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, it is good for them if they abide even as I. But <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">if they cannot contain, let them marry</span></span>: for it is better to marry than to burn.</span>"godamongushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783580274771793995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5714104889164922367.post-20340949953936007182009-09-25T06:49:00.000-07:002010-01-28T16:05:44.856-08:0011. The evening and the morningGenesis 1:5 ~<br /><br />"<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">And God called the light Day, and the darkness he c</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">alled Night. And </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >the evening and the morn</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >ing</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> were the first day</span>." (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=gen%201:5&version=KJV">King James Version</a>)<!--INFOLINKS_ON--><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">INTERPRETATION</span>: The bible describes God creating our universe in six days and marking the passage of time each day with "the evening and the morning." Some choose to debate whether the days represent literal 24 hour periods or as expressed in II Peter 3:8, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">one day is with the Lord as a thousand years</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">, and </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">a thousand years as one day</span>."<br /><br />Regardless of the length of time, everyone agrees that stages of development are described in the bible as opposed to an instantaneous "POOF" of the universe into existence by God. Interestingly, the six biblical days of creation correlate to six ages many scientists say the earth passed through in its development. For example, each day's creation correlates to a scientific age as follows:<br /><ol><li><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> One </span>- <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;">"light and darkness"</span> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=gen%201:1-5&version=KJV">Gen 1:1-5</a>) correlates to the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Cosmic Age</span>.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Two </span>- <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;">"firmament, upper and lower water"</span> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=gen%201:6-8&version=KJV">Gen 1:6-8</a>) to the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Azoic Age</span>.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Three </span>- <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">"sea, land, and plants"</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> </span>(<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=gen%201:9-13&version=KJV">Gen 1:9-13</a>) to the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Archeozoic Age</span>.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Four </span>- <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">"<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">sun, moon, and stars"</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> </span>(<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=gen%201:14-19&version=KJV">Gen 1:14-19</a>) to the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Proterozoic Age</span>, when dissipating smoke and clouds made the sun, moon and stars visible from the earth.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Five </span>- <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">"fish and birds"</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> </span>(<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=gen%201:20-23&version=KJV">Gen 1:20-23)</a> correlates to the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Paleozoic Age</span>.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Six </span>-<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">"mammals and man"</span></span> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=gen%201:24-31&version=KJV">Gen 1:24-31</a>) correlates to the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Cenozoic Age</span>.</li></ol><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A. Stages of Development</span><br /><br />The intelligent designs within the chemical bonds of matter and DNA of all beings of the universe develop through stages over a time period. Graphically, the developmental or growth period is the blue arrow of time between any cause and its related effect:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5kvIMOGOkE_2eF7dAJ30kjC_lHToeqQaRLPJtCia6DUmx0CTMR-C17uw8eSPAiNh8BpHkvIrmEDpBU4w-2Y3BR_AF0TgXSaGJ-mCkbqLfRy1zGmYplyPJFFrS54p_b90vYCNK0xE2FWRS/s1600-h/CAUSEANDEFFCT.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 334px; height: 98px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5kvIMOGOkE_2eF7dAJ30kjC_lHToeqQaRLPJtCia6DUmx0CTMR-C17uw8eSPAiNh8BpHkvIrmEDpBU4w-2Y3BR_AF0TgXSaGJ-mCkbqLfRy1zGmYplyPJFFrS54p_b90vYCNK0xE2FWRS/s320/CAUSEANDEFFCT.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385740039720416898" border="0" /></a><br />As displayed below, chemists recognize that time (the green upward arrow) must elapse before any result occurs; all backyard gardeners know a summer must pass before their tomatoes can be harvested; and, geologists believe it took as long as four billion years to get from the earth's formation to its present state:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioUjM-VV71dzX8orvfC1WOynwNUkJfq70K9jifgXznWo8r59kFdLLjJcnIXQPGuknwCAhkpVnM_rclsEV25MI4x2uvtIUxDXCWVEm6hmIyMN6n6yCdR9GRWS4ex0jeJYU-3f_raBl9SiqT/s1600-h/CauseAndEffectExamples.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 387px; height: 124px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioUjM-VV71dzX8orvfC1WOynwNUkJfq70K9jifgXznWo8r59kFdLLjJcnIXQPGuknwCAhkpVnM_rclsEV25MI4x2uvtIUxDXCWVEm6hmIyMN6n6yCdR9GRWS4ex0jeJYU-3f_raBl9SiqT/s320/CauseAndEffectExamples.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385740292568865634" border="0" /></a><br />We must be careful when evaluating stages of development, so that we do not "lose sight of the forest for the trees" and draw the wrong conclusions. For example, in the following sequence of stages in the development of transportation from a:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">man pulling a cart to a<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjToD1SNG9VIiovpD9T6yOhkGsCVsQfgzSDmMf2TBjtJeN9IXb22RoKQ9CRNz1bFfLl3Zdro7u1PKMlos7OE8JjrEs-tlYt0_bv0gjCpHDviWAGkNl8hmSgMnf90xyKjNZI69s3Z9Gh5TyT/s1600-h/ManPulling2WheelCart.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 140px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjToD1SNG9VIiovpD9T6yOhkGsCVsQfgzSDmMf2TBjtJeN9IXb22RoKQ9CRNz1bFfLl3Zdro7u1PKMlos7OE8JjrEs-tlYt0_bv0gjCpHDviWAGkNl8hmSgMnf90xyKjNZI69s3Z9Gh5TyT/s200/ManPulling2WheelCart.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385726424360783970" border="0" /></a>horse pulling a cart to a<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEagnLJJrp-NJnjB_a44-0-qHQMn27xsZtT4To_1HJ09HRLMKPj6vJqCPcVZOjIQLhqPJLhAHlrsfLTd_dBsvjZWkkGh4fovAPZvHLsPRixcYRUSxFtxAfzUWMkPfJ_hbZZwNptWAST_fD/s1600-h/HorsePulling2WheelCart.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEagnLJJrp-NJnjB_a44-0-qHQMn27xsZtT4To_1HJ09HRLMKPj6vJqCPcVZOjIQLhqPJLhAHlrsfLTd_dBsvjZWkkGh4fovAPZvHLsPRixcYRUSxFtxAfzUWMkPfJ_hbZZwNptWAST_fD/s200/HorsePulling2WheelCart.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385726337954560162" border="0" /></a>steam powered cart to a<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPrBW6IMlVhd8PxvJJ_xQmI984iV5TchTOPpxDBH9sobxSY8-BVwBfREZMbWNw4Vk5jozys1xYU_QLE99fuCi90se5wOlKX2xffH214vBwxO9AKPBkvpu8FhLMYBNHxVGeHWOpcPUZeEn/s1600-h/SteamEngine.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 177px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPrBW6IMlVhd8PxvJJ_xQmI984iV5TchTOPpxDBH9sobxSY8-BVwBfREZMbWNw4Vk5jozys1xYU_QLE99fuCi90se5wOlKX2xffH214vBwxO9AKPBkvpu8FhLMYBNHxVGeHWOpcPUZeEn/s200/SteamEngine.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385726203235047522" border="0" /></a>gasoline powered model T to a<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2NouGdQDiuw39sa-Qi_FXFfWswnEEeup1_hK6mFF7gP9q_pKlbEuopBXepPZdNUmtLQ3Kj9HYAkNTojQDGlLjcpMGSRjUskl_uNalLjpEaUjNOW4fV_f-brlU2AjuYDI0bF-BjN0kW-UA/s1600-h/ModelT.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 131px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2NouGdQDiuw39sa-Qi_FXFfWswnEEeup1_hK6mFF7gP9q_pKlbEuopBXepPZdNUmtLQ3Kj9HYAkNTojQDGlLjcpMGSRjUskl_uNalLjpEaUjNOW4fV_f-brlU2AjuYDI0bF-BjN0kW-UA/s200/ModelT.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385726088254416818" border="0" /></a>sleek modern vehicle of today<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinC_k1b4PLy3NsS8VNcztjux2-ojIxxu6CAJxDeFyB-6B54y9VMysshnzVBPdMu6Z-uI5jUmdTZC8tTfKS6TnLWoGmk4F-eMsv89jiWC-_c7mkrHnHTX6x_ErnMbnKZCEIoRPAGX1XQQsw/s1600-h/NewCar.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 113px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinC_k1b4PLy3NsS8VNcztjux2-ojIxxu6CAJxDeFyB-6B54y9VMysshnzVBPdMu6Z-uI5jUmdTZC8tTfKS6TnLWoGmk4F-eMsv89jiWC-_c7mkrHnHTX6x_ErnMbnKZCEIoRPAGX1XQQsw/s200/NewCar.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385725993465715602" border="0" /></a><br />An unchecked, evolutionary point of view is that each cart above survived the previous one by adapting to a changing environment. Thus, shattering wooden wheels evolved into rubber to brave cobblestone streets. Manpower evolved into horse power which evolved into steam power which spawned the internal combustion engine, which could best handle adverse environmental conditions. Hence, on the surface, it is not illogical to see that the new, sleek automobiles of today evolved from the man pulling the cart above.<br /><br />In reality, we know that the jump from each stage to the next was brought about by man's desire and purpose for creating that higher order mode of transportation. It was brought about by man's continuous addition of energy, heart, intellect, will, skill and various materials to each earlier mode of transportation.<br /><br />Similarly, we must exercise the same care in evaluating the following sequence of stages in the development of humanity from a:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">one celled amoeba to a<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglCKCDRDYfl_p99oh7j0vYq0CVAkNuGU1wv6NLX70UrpouY1yJXU1UoQuGAQXm2_biRlzaUGHvPk7ylegrNdogLRYzKJIsdFaah6v-X34O9j_QMp1BqU_dqAYugKYRvq83v3g84D8KjeNm/s1600-h/Amoeba.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 141px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglCKCDRDYfl_p99oh7j0vYq0CVAkNuGU1wv6NLX70UrpouY1yJXU1UoQuGAQXm2_biRlzaUGHvPk7ylegrNdogLRYzKJIsdFaah6v-X34O9j_QMp1BqU_dqAYugKYRvq83v3g84D8KjeNm/s200/Amoeba.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385724988324792530" border="0" /></a>extracellular planaria to a<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWlhtqyIgACdSqJm1hYV9OM5eBsNRQgC8W5W-m9hTSqnT-xiEhW8zHrPKmn45P7OKCjZSjzYsAHu1Ln1hpONGmzD1hnjbz-ETgC9TyJl6-Im0mqXjYqOpQwk0vwNkp8AU-iOKW9vox9x51/s1600-h/Planaria.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 152px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWlhtqyIgACdSqJm1hYV9OM5eBsNRQgC8W5W-m9hTSqnT-xiEhW8zHrPKmn45P7OKCjZSjzYsAHu1Ln1hpONGmzD1hnjbz-ETgC9TyJl6-Im0mqXjYqOpQwk0vwNkp8AU-iOKW9vox9x51/s200/Planaria.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385724926102054418" border="0" /></a>frog to a<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOCzvr3yu-7CIXf6j5umGTnFC95PqzkeKYp2oASIyxQMRyE_CN4xqG6GAsgusC5o2wD33xiQOldUAI04C3SL61g8XEVdCPp9zlsG_c7SHKT9gv3VZa1yk8z2f43CBNTf0ey8W4tPeHog6b/s1600-h/frog.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 118px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOCzvr3yu-7CIXf6j5umGTnFC95PqzkeKYp2oASIyxQMRyE_CN4xqG6GAsgusC5o2wD33xiQOldUAI04C3SL61g8XEVdCPp9zlsG_c7SHKT9gv3VZa1yk8z2f43CBNTf0ey8W4tPeHog6b/s200/frog.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385724857579071218" border="0" /></a>muskrat to an<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_5uYdq1AVp4Y9tBFuZH5v_H_tp08pa4qhDbI8f65PNR-2eI6JdDLon_p9vsalSQZ2yNI__t5V25DQMcSqXLR1FYoB5MQoLvEJ_8XRQtzX-8CDCuFz5G1CNX2HLZTjHB9xxpBQvG6wgci/s1600-h/muskrat.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 153px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_5uYdq1AVp4Y9tBFuZH5v_H_tp08pa4qhDbI8f65PNR-2eI6JdDLon_p9vsalSQZ2yNI__t5V25DQMcSqXLR1FYoB5MQoLvEJ_8XRQtzX-8CDCuFz5G1CNX2HLZTjHB9xxpBQvG6wgci/s200/muskrat.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385724740750884194" border="0" /></a>ape to a<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg8Uq1aSIKhB72JjSPCytVnpC2IKAYC2Wwy0vgP4UIwM4lurAVLv4qt2uao3HiiQT7pVSfGiysrQ1eCdmeaBk8z5MS0BHD89FdKVK2ShmtZtCdzAA0fbsjg2fYuG8ibp3vqgAnpom2ABU2/s1600-h/ape.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 117px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg8Uq1aSIKhB72JjSPCytVnpC2IKAYC2Wwy0vgP4UIwM4lurAVLv4qt2uao3HiiQT7pVSfGiysrQ1eCdmeaBk8z5MS0BHD89FdKVK2ShmtZtCdzAA0fbsjg2fYuG8ibp3vqgAnpom2ABU2/s200/ape.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385724662728199314" border="0" /></a>man and woman<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSh-xMjSW26R90cSjSCvdI2eDJn_TNCT4bq-3DI-IiwPBAZasr0DvIZOfM3x-wIzSvZQAIJ-fje5ZXd9EU_lmxc3lkkI6yjOjIa47ZtpRnW_EIktd24zKHbPOxA7izE7Z-e743QLXlUMOV/s1600-h/humans.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 149px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSh-xMjSW26R90cSjSCvdI2eDJn_TNCT4bq-3DI-IiwPBAZasr0DvIZOfM3x-wIzSvZQAIJ-fje5ZXd9EU_lmxc3lkkI6yjOjIa47ZtpRnW_EIktd24zKHbPOxA7izE7Z-e743QLXlUMOV/s200/humans.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385724574281548098" border="0" /></a>Clearly above, each being came from the origin, God, and was multiplied through unity between its masculine and feminine attributes. The fact that all beings seem to resemble each other does not mean that an amoeba mutated into... and that into a planaria, into... and from there into a frog, which ... made an ape, which evolved into a man. <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 0, 0);">The transition between lower beings into higher ordered beings cannot take place by the energy and elements of the lower beings alone.</span> When left alone, development drifts downward toward chaos, according to the law of thermodynamics called entropy. Hence, their development from lower beings <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 0, 0);">indicates the indisputable, continuous, addition of the intelligent designer - God's energy, heart, intellect, will and creativity into each being</span>. Hence, the highest ordered creation, man, is not the son of an amoeba, but the son of God. Beings of our universe resemble one another because they all come from one origin - God.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">B. The Growth Period</span><br /><br />In the opening bible verse above it states, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">...and the evening and the morning were the first day.</span>" The evening is the formative stage, the nighttime is the growth stage, and the morning is the fruitful, bloomed, completion stage, in which each being reaches its full maturity and begins to glorify God. It is in the completion stage that everything fulfills its purpose of existence.<br /><br />From birth to maturity, everything goes through three broad stages of (1) Forming, (2) Growing, and (3) Completing or blooming, as graphically expressed below:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCWHFAKYsGI4Ds3wATt1v0b4WbGyslS-RySZpi68GYUmNl5a0IBmosBaShUZ5DPqL_H_UMy8fpxF3FO58ZTtAWBB6TBwBZr_EKtWmACSH7hahcRhJz50GcelYD1WqKB2h3WNWJX_Js96fS/s1600-h/EveningAndMorning.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 215px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCWHFAKYsGI4Ds3wATt1v0b4WbGyslS-RySZpi68GYUmNl5a0IBmosBaShUZ5DPqL_H_UMy8fpxF3FO58ZTtAWBB6TBwBZr_EKtWmACSH7hahcRhJz50GcelYD1WqKB2h3WNWJX_Js96fS/s400/EveningAndMorning.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385433782295529986" border="0" /></a>A good example of this can be observed in the video below, which shows a mushroom transitioning from the growth period into the fruitful, bloomed, completion stage:<br /><br /><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/8s_fpRUqpuE&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/8s_fpRUqpuE&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object><br /><br />The growth period is evident for the following reasons:<br /><br /><ol><li>If there were no growth period in the creation process, it would not have taken any time for God to create the universe. Yet, the bible describes six days in the creation process.<br /></li><li>By examining Adam and Eve before their original sin, we see that God warned them in Gen 2:17, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, <span style="font-weight: bold;">thou shalt not eat of it</span>: for in the day that thou eatest thereof <span style="font-weight: bold;">thou shalt surely die</span>.</span>" Clearly, this means that <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">if they do not eat of it, they live</span>. Hence, God did not create Adam and Eve as "POOF" already perfected (Matt 5:48), fruitful, bloomed, mature beings. The warning "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">thou shalt not eat of it</span>" was needed for Adam and Eve, because they were imperfect, immature and growing in stature in their relationship with God. Clearly, the original sin occurred during their growth stage while they were immature.<br /></li><li>There cannot be sin after reaching perfection (Matt 5:48). As expressed in Romans 8:38-39, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature,</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;"> shall be able to separate us from the love of God</span>." If there was no growth period, Adam and Eve should have been mature and perfected from the beginning, needing no warning. And in that case, they could not have fallen for the original sin. Therefore, Adam and Eve fell for the original sin during their growth to perfection. If perfected men can still sin and fall after experiencing God's love to the fullest, salvation would not mean anything because there would always be the possibility of more sins occurring even after man receives full salvation. The Kingdom of God on Earth and in Heaven, the world without sin, would never be possible.<br /></li></ol><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">C. Our Destiny is God's Direct Dominion Over Us</span><br /><br />As shown graphically below, a person who has attained perfection has fulfilled the first blessing, "To be fruitful" (See Topic #<a href="http://godisamongus.blogspot.com/2009/06/5-be-fruitful.html">5. Be fruitful</a>) and has a relationship of oneness in love with God. A perfected person lives in this love and dwells in the direct dominion of God.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu6kiIhYbK88dlFNr4FMdWGqRPZP1wTZg0um-Sy4f4mURNToiEbzF4KckoZ0C_we8Z8fZvWikzWSnf5kEayR3sFFq9hCw8e2s0If6-JepWsN5JQBAHDojhU2lZbef0oe6nz1opBlSvyWRb/s1600-h/DirectDominion.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 279px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu6kiIhYbK88dlFNr4FMdWGqRPZP1wTZg0um-Sy4f4mURNToiEbzF4KckoZ0C_we8Z8fZvWikzWSnf5kEayR3sFFq9hCw8e2s0If6-JepWsN5JQBAHDojhU2lZbef0oe6nz1opBlSvyWRb/s400/DirectDominion.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385433346249343186" border="0" /></a><br />In the direct dominion, shown above, we live heart to heart with God as perfected individuals. In this union, God governs by love, and laws and commandments become unnecessary. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Since God created <span style="font-size:130%;">love as the strongest force in the universe</span>, once perfection of love is reached it can never be lost.</span> As expressed in Romans 8:38-39, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature,</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;"> shall be able to separate us from the love of God</span>." Under the direct rule of God, men and women are completely free - liberated to be who they were meant to be. Just as the body expresses the desires of the mind, a man in perfection would fully express God's image within him. Under the influence of God's full love, man would live a life of goodness, full of joy and happiness. In perfection, we each become surrogates or avatars of God's love flowing through us to each other.<br /><br />Mankind also exercises a realm of direct dominion, as expressed in Topic <a href="http://godisamongus.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2009-06-11T21%3A58%3A00-07%3A00&max-results=1">#7. "Replenish the earth" </a>and Topic #<a href="http://godisamongus.blogspot.com/2009/06/7-have-dominion.html">8. "Subdue it: and have dominion</a>;" that is, our dominion over the created world. Since God is spirit, He does not relate directly to the material world. Rather, He relates to the created world through man who naturally has both spiritual and physical aspects. God created all things for man, to be ruled by us as His representatives. Through our direct dominion of the physical world, God exercises His dominion indirectly.<br /><br />The fact that individuals and their relationships are so imperfect today indicates that mankind as a whole, since the days of Adam and Eve, has never fully bloomed, become fruitful, and reached the perfection of God's direct dominion where "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature,</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;"> shall be able to separate us from the love of God</span>." (Note: the life and mission of Jesus will be discussed in later postings)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">D. God's </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Indirect Dominion </span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">during the </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Growth Period </span><br /><br />During the growth period, everything operates by the autonomous power of natural law. The snow and rain come, the seasons change, day dawns and night falls, all because of the prearranged law of nature, intelligently designed and created by God.<br /><br />God created the natural law first, then created the universe to operate within natural law. By the force of natural law, everything goes through a growth period to reach perfection. During this period, man's physical body as well as the rest of creation grow to maturity automatically. Of course, if we do not live in accordance with the rules of good health it is possible for us to injure or destroy our physical bodies. Yet, during the growth period God controls the natural laws, so, we receive God's indirect control through the law. Hence, it is an indirect dominion of God.<br /><br />Except for Adam and Eve, every creation reached perfection through the force of natural law, as demonstrated by the Amaryllis in the video below:<br /><br /><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/dCfIajaOmqs&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/dCfIajaOmqs&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object><br /><br />But, only man fell through the original sin, because he did not keep God's commandment as his own portion of responsibility. As shown graphically below, man's growth through the indirect dominion occurs through a combination of natural law plus man completing his portion of responsibility:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBF4b4odkgj7wyQIffIT-VXMhlT-RARF07XbgsgoBwRMzbyBcIUBJJZNritc1JATa9o2eQ74DQWA6dkaDXYkuKb7vrcI7TF-jNq-WST-bQcKlzqmbJvkJdZGS4umnqQDBD6CCwK3e_ZRIN/s1600-h/IndirectDominion.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 257px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBF4b4odkgj7wyQIffIT-VXMhlT-RARF07XbgsgoBwRMzbyBcIUBJJZNritc1JATa9o2eQ74DQWA6dkaDXYkuKb7vrcI7TF-jNq-WST-bQcKlzqmbJvkJdZGS4umnqQDBD6CCwK3e_ZRIN/s400/IndirectDominion.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385432043511472434" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">E. Our Portion of Responsibility</span><br /><br />While growing through the indirect dominion, God provides everything we need. In addition to meeting our physical needs, He has given us the intelligence, creativity and intuition necessary for our internal growth. Nevertheless, a certain portion of responsibility is left to us and until our portion is completed, God's efforts are futile.<br /><br />It is similar to the relationship between a parent and a child. A parent gives guidance and direction to his child, doing all he can to help the child grow. Still, the child must do the growing himself. A teacher may provide all the educational opportunities a young student needs. But, the student must study himself. If he does not, the teacher's efforts are in vain.<br /><br />The same principle holds true in the relationship between man and God. God's efforts to lead us to maturity become effective only when we do our part. Compared to the amount of responsibility God takes for our growth, our own responsibility is very, very minor. The two cannot actually be compared. But, for convenience and to emphasize our part we can figuratively say that God's portion of responsibility is 95% and that ours is 5%. From our point of view, however, we must strive for our own perfection with our whole hearts. Even though we are responsible for only 5% of the total job, we need 100% effort to fulfill it. When we complete our share, God can treat us as if we had actually done the whole work ourselves. Thus, each person can inherit God's nature, becoming His true son or daughter.<br /><br />Because we are responsible for our own growth, we need to <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);font-size:130%;" >make conditions for God to act</span> in our lives.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. FAITH</span><br /><br />For example, when Jesus healed the sick, he first asked if they believed in him, as stated in Matt 9:28-29, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Believe ye that I am able to do this</span>? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. Then touched he their eyes, saying, <span style="font-weight: bold;">According to your faith be it unto you</span>.</span>" <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);font-size:130%;" >Faith was the condition</span> that allowed God's healing energy to work. Without faith, no healing was possible.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. ASK, SEEK, KNOCK</span><br /><br />Likewise, Jesus promised people seeking for answers that they would find them, but urged them to first do their part as stated in Matt 7:7-8, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.</span>" Hence, <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);font-size:130%;" >asking</span><span style="font-size:130%;">, </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;">seeking</span> </span>and <span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >knocking are the conditions</span> recommended by Jesus for God to act in our lives, along with faith.<br /><br />Why can't a merciful God give even to those who do not ask? Why can't God enable even those who do not seek and knock to enter? It is because each person has their own responsibility and God cannot interfere with it. God's power is effective only when we do our part.<br /><br />God is like a master stone mason who is building a magnificent stone wall. He has laid all the stone blocks Himself, leaving just one stone unplaced. God then asks us to lay the final block. He gives us all the necessary tools and lessons in order to complete the wall. And, by laying the last stone, we can take part in the glory of the finished product and be a co-worker with God, as shown graphically below:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimNWUE4tqlVx9rkT4AovRy2f2B5oWgFtaWE7JEAqyGyxAy-mlhsXn6M4I-Bsoxucjv_SnRyN_9mafRQOlbXmJGQKJGcg4YJySFFqbO73phi40V7nc8Ioa_hbg2EgqNulUIj5TNp5EmhhLO/s1600-h/PortionOfResponsibility.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 219px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimNWUE4tqlVx9rkT4AovRy2f2B5oWgFtaWE7JEAqyGyxAy-mlhsXn6M4I-Bsoxucjv_SnRyN_9mafRQOlbXmJGQKJGcg4YJySFFqbO73phi40V7nc8Ioa_hbg2EgqNulUIj5TNp5EmhhLO/s400/PortionOfResponsibility.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385431724042495346" border="0" /></a>History has clearly shown that we have not fulfilled our 5%, meaning God is still waiting for us to pick up and place that last stone. No matter how long it may take, this principle of co-responsibility has remained unchanged throughout history.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">F. Basis for Our Portion of Responsibility</span><br /><br />God gave Adam the warning, "not to eat of the fruit" and did not give this instruction to any other creature for two reasons:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. Child of God</span>: Humans were created to be the child of God; and, in order to be God's child, we must inherit His character, including His creativity. We are given the freedom to make choices and the obligation to take responsibility for them. God thus allows us to participate in the creation of our own selves and personalities. By doing this, ultimately unfolding God's image within us, we become a co-creator with Him and can be called a child of God.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. Lordship</span>: God's blessing of dominion to only humans means that God wants us to be lord over all the world as His representatives. To give us lordship, God had to make us superior to all other creatures by letting us go through a course that no other creature could follow. For this reason, God gave mankind alone a portion of responsibility that is not satisfied only by natural law.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">G. The Purpose of Life</span><br /><br />God the creator is a God of heart, and the essential desire of heart is joy. Think of how joy is experienced. Generally, by having an object which complements or reflects our own character gives us joy. For example, if an artist merely conceives an ideal without expressing it, her joy is not fulfilled. But when her creative idea is perfectly expressed on a canvas, then she feels great satisfaction. The painting is an object which can stimulate the feeling of joy, as shown below:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjILvoOylcme89pJ8vrjvBWM7ucv_qRbe2YhYoG8UQ7tKw0rCdhCA6SCHVbSypECYGkj-Fxkw286RlO4UjD5N1u6ssIl1KChen53rxOVBd9O4HwEgvPc1lMxWQ8DC7APRePM0CSbY7cAd81/s1600-h/ArtistAndPainting.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjILvoOylcme89pJ8vrjvBWM7ucv_qRbe2YhYoG8UQ7tKw0rCdhCA6SCHVbSypECYGkj-Fxkw286RlO4UjD5N1u6ssIl1KChen53rxOVBd9O4HwEgvPc1lMxWQ8DC7APRePM0CSbY7cAd81/s320/ArtistAndPainting.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385745567213451922" border="0" /></a><br />On a deeper level, joy comes from love. When we have a full relationship of giving and taking love with someone who complements us, we can feel the highest joy. Naturally, we must love someone or something. Love cannot flow if there is no object of love.<br /><br />As long as God was alone and His essential self was unexpressed, He could not feel satisfaction or joy. No matter how almighty or absolute God is, alone He could not share His love. He needed an object and out of this need He created man. Projecting His whole nature into His work, God produced man to manifest His invisible nature in the form of a visible and tangible image. He created man as an expression of Himself, a being with whom God could have a relationship of love. We can reason with God and God can have a complete rapport with us. He intended to live with us forever in the highest joy through the perpetual exchange of love, as shown below:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE4kGgFviQjolDrWxJIofbp2WOiMkQsg6hASTDPvZYdkox8FcKipjUNFxVh2XxoQhpZNjKaGTlxbHe0sP2nImfd4Z3OK3cHWicSe0ZK-XrRJyAsw-wUPpqH48EkadTBt0wXauN-jolSciN/s1600-h/GodAndHumanity.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 271px; height: 147px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE4kGgFviQjolDrWxJIofbp2WOiMkQsg6hASTDPvZYdkox8FcKipjUNFxVh2XxoQhpZNjKaGTlxbHe0sP2nImfd4Z3OK3cHWicSe0ZK-XrRJyAsw-wUPpqH48EkadTBt0wXauN-jolSciN/s400/GodAndHumanity.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385429360044983058" border="0" /></a><br />However, until we respond fully and offer joy, the action of give and take cannot be completed and God's purpose cannot be fulfilled. Created to be sons and daughters of God, we are given the nature and capacity to respond to God's love and return joy to Him. To develop this nature and exercise this capacity is the purpose of our lives and is the manifestation of the blessings of Genesis 1:28, which states, <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">"And God blessed them, and God said unto them, b<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:130%;">e fru</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:130%;">itful</span></span>, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth."</span><br /><br />Sadly, as things currently stand in human affairs, the bible states in Romans 8:19-22 that, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.</span>"godamongushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783580274771793995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5714104889164922367.post-6956078612048579262009-07-16T04:32:00.000-07:002009-09-07T08:02:24.160-07:0010. "We shall judge angels"<span style="font-size:130%;">1 Corinthians 6:3 ~</span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:180%;" >“<span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Know</span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" > </span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;">ye not that</span> </span></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:180%;" ><b style=""><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";" >we shall judge</span></b></span><span style="line-height: 115%; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:";font-size:180%;color:red;" > </span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:180%;" ><b style=""><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";" >angels</span></b></span><span style="line-height: 115%; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:";font-size:180%;color:red;" >?</span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:180%;" >”<span style=""> </span>(<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20cor%206:3&version=9">King James Version</a>)</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >INTERPRETATION</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span> <span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><!--INFOLINKS_ON--><span style="font-weight: bold;">The</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>The bible describes another type o</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >f relationship possible between our world and the “spiritual dimension,” - our relationship with angels</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >.</span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><p></p> <span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:130%;" >(*Note: String and M-theory, the scientific theory explaining </span><span 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mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:180%;">1.</span><span style="font-size:180%;"> Our </span><span style="font-size:180%;">Relationship with Angels</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">In 1 Corinthians 6:3 above, Paul explains that we have the authority to judge angels.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">We are created as children of God to be fruitful, multiply, replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the creation, including angels. </span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Inherent in the blessings of Genesis 1:28 is the flow of God’s love through man to the angels and all creation. </span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Sadly, Adam and Eve’s original sin and its accompanying guilt and shame caused many of their descendants to believe that they were less than angels and even to worship angels, consequences of a damaged relationship with God<span style="font-size:100%;">.<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" > <span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-size:100%;" >Prior to Adam and Eve's original sin, it is logical to believe that</span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-size:130%;" > angels were servants to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, ministering guidance to them as they grew to maturity (became fruitful) in their relationship with God.</span><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Click on the YouTube video below to see an angel recently caught on a hospital’s security camera, 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font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoPapDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; margin-bottom:10.0pt; line-height:115%;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">The bible describes various roles of angels, including:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:180%;"><b style=""><u>Messengers</u></b>:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">(<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gen%2018:10&version=9">Gen 18:10</a></span><span style="font-size:130%;">) </span><span style="font-size:130%;">an angel came to Abraham and told him that his wife, Sarah, would have a son.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">(<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt%201:20&version=9">Matt 1:20</a></span><span style="font-size:130%;">) </span><span style="font-size:130%;">an angel told Joseph not to fear in taking Mary.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">(<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%201:31&version=9">Luke 1:31</a>)</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">the angel, Gabriel, announced Mary’s conception of Jesus.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><b style=""><u>Servants</u></b>:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:130%;">(<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2012:7-10&version=9">Acts 12:7-10</a>)</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">an angel came to Peter while he was in jail and released him.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">(<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb%201:14&version=9">Heb 1:14</a>)</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">angels are called “ministering spirits.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">(<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev%2022:9&version=9">Rev 22:9</a>)</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">an angel refers to himself as a servant.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">(<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=rev%205:11-12&version=9">Rev 5:11-12</a>)</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">angels are praising God.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" class="MsoNormal"></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:180%;">3.</span><span style="font-size:180%;"> </span><span style="font-size:180%;">Descriptions of Angels</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:130%;">The bible describes angels as heavenly beings created by God, in various ways such as the following:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Created</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">(<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%20148:2&version=9">Ps 148:2</a>, <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%20148:5;&version=9;">5</a>; <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Col%201:16&version=9">Col 1:16</a>)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Spiritual Beings</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> (</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb%201:14&version=9">Heb 1:14</a>)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Immortal</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">(<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2020:36&version=9">Luke 20:36</a>)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Holy</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">(<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt.%2025:31&version=9">Matt. 25:31</a>)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Innumerable</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">(<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb%2012:22&version=9">Heb 12:22</a>)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Wise</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">(<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Sam%2014:17&version=9">2 Sam 14:17</a>, <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Sam%2014:20;&version=9;">20</a>)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Powerful</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">(<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%20103:20&version=9">Ps 103:20</a>)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Elect</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">(<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Tim%205:21&version=9">1 Tim 5:21</a>)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Meek</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">(<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jude%209&version=9">Jude 9</a>)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Sexless</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">(<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt%2022:30&version=9">Matt 22:30</a>)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Invisible</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">(<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Num%2022:22-31&version=9">Num 22:22-31</a>)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Obedient</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">(</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%20103:20&version=9">Ps 103:20</a>)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Possessing emotions</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> (</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2015:10&version=9">Luke 15:10</a>)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Concerned in human things</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">(<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Pet%201:12&version=9">1 Pet 1:12</a>)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Incarnate in human form at times</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">(<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gen%2018:2-8&version=9">Gen 18:2-8</a>)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Masculine, generally appearing</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">(<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%2016:5&version=9">Mark 16:5</a>)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Not perfect</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">(<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job%204:18&version=9">Job 4:18</a>)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Organized in ranks</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">(<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Is%206:2&version=9">Is 6:2</a>; <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Thess%204:16&version=9">1 Thess 4:16</a>)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><o:p></o:p>Click on the link below to see an interesting video perspective on the order of angels:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0QAyHF00f4"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 164px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXW-GdsNDyUnlCmAroqKKX3R3D_z-h8qGxGnvy9oWK1085bYqqkoh0MB4WDgDN-NhemnGqpKTFMt8c5Cb6PWYEuIlFknHTxDe3DAhTKHpSzHOX1LYGqaMEdDFKwsrdrIFbV7H7VwC7TkVE/s200/NineOrdersOfAngels.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359418532714949138" border="0" /></a></p><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> 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{page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">In the opening verse of 1 Cor 6:3 above, Paul argues, if we are to judge angels, we should be able to judge among ourselves, rather than running to the law on each other.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">This logic becomes clearer in the larger context of verses 1 – 8, as expressed in the New International Version bible, below:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpngnelBbMaFRQhNgRzGm1qpsMoMeeUPykMxm9OaaWhnhfDb6JX4Rr3qC2dDkrPMnCYeWp4TOx4cx7M0unAitTc3VVI4gOawBYFDBpmEYVRmOBej9Nid0ET5ExU43WHi1kDyHt465VjI47/s1600-h/AngelsInArt.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpngnelBbMaFRQhNgRzGm1qpsMoMeeUPykMxm9OaaWhnhfDb6JX4Rr3qC2dDkrPMnCYeWp4TOx4cx7M0unAitTc3VVI4gOawBYFDBpmEYVRmOBej9Nid0ET5ExU43WHi1kDyHt465VjI47/s200/AngelsInArt.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359420138944781522" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; 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1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size:130%;">1 If any of you has a dispute with another, dare he take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the saints? 2 Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? <b style=""><span style="color:red;">3 Do you not know that </span></b></span><span style="line-height: 115%; font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;color:red;" >we will judge</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;color:red;" > </span><span style="line-height: 115%; font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;color:red;" >angels</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;color:red;" >? H</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><b style=""><span style="color:red;">ow much more the things of this life!</span></b> 4 Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, appoint as judges even men of little account in the church! 5 I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? 6 But instead, one brother goes to law against another—and this in front of unbelievers! 7 The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? 8 Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers.</span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdLrCM2LbvXURHBwLgetCInS03hd2iTJ3tHu0PP7-3LreBJhBCDiM1jKw-2fc64Xm4hPj_MPw7XI42NFo9yEL3uCu99gOeg3MY5AZuO-nBGOzNEcKL3xCqQSC2XDRDYFqaWN0olPLgoYLN/s1600-h/AngelsInShadows.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdLrCM2LbvXURHBwLgetCInS03hd2iTJ3tHu0PP7-3LreBJhBCDiM1jKw-2fc64Xm4hPj_MPw7XI42NFo9yEL3uCu99gOeg3MY5AZuO-nBGOzNEcKL3xCqQSC2XDRDYFqaWN0olPLgoYLN/s200/AngelsInShadows.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359423592041995554" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><img src="file:///C:/Users/Ron/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot.jpg" alt="" /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=""> </span></p>godamongushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783580274771793995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5714104889164922367.post-85717681620898165562009-06-12T10:36:00.000-07:002009-12-13T07:27:41.560-08:009. "Sown a natural body;Raised a spiritual body"<strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;">1 Corinthians 15:44</span> ~</span><br /></strong><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">"</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >It is <span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >sown a natural body</span>; it is <span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >raised a spiritual bod</span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >y</span>. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body</span><span style="font-size:100%;">." (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20COR%2015:44;&version=9;">King James Version</a>)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><!--INFOLINKS_ON-->INTERPRETATION</span>: Of course there is life after death, according to the bible. Corinthians above states that we each have a spiritual body that is "raised" after our </span><span style="font-size:100%;">natural</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> (</span><span style="font-size:100%;">physical</span><span style="font-size:100%;">) body is "sown;" meaning, sown as shown in the 7-day rabbit decomposition video below:<br /><br /><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/C6sFP_7Vezg&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/C6sFP_7Vezg&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object><br /><br />In John 14:2, Jesus stated, "</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:100%;" >In my Father's house a</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:100%;" >re <span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >many mansions</span>: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.</span><span style="font-size:100%;">" The mansions and place Jesus speaks about are in the spiritual dimension. Even Jesus</span><span style="font-size:100%;">' "I go to prepare a place for you" verse refers to work done after his physical death. Furthermore, since God is love (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%204:8&version=KJV">John 4:8</a>), we can be sure that Jesus is preparing a corresponding place of love. And, if we have cultivated the love of God in our hearts during our lives by "being fruitful" (see topic #<a href="http://godisamongus.blogspot.com/2009/06/5-be-fruitful.html">5-Be Fruitful</a>), then upon our physical deaths our hearts will guide us to the mansion where God is. On the other hand, if our hearts are devoid of God's love, there is no way we can follow our heart to where God is. In that case, upon death our hearts will lead us astray in the spiritual dimension and we will be lost in a miserable, heartless spiritual realm, far away from God's love.<br /><br />(<span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;">*</span>Note: Str</em></strong></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><strong><em>ing and M-theory, the scientific theory explaining the "spiritual dimension" is located as a video series at the end of this posting.</em></strong></span>)</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">A. Relationships between the physical world and the spiritual dimension</span></span><br /><br />The bible presents varying degrees of relationships possible betw</span><span style="font-size:100%;">een our world and the "spiritual dimension," some examples are the following:</span><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">1. Saints (spirit bodies) in a "sleep" emoti</span></strong><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">o</span></strong><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">nal state</span></strong><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">On one hand, the bible describes <span style="font-weight: bold;">some saints (spirit bodie</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">s) in a "sleep" emotional state</span>; for example, Matt 27:51-53 states at the time of Jesus' crucifixion, "</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:100%;" >And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:100%;" > did quake, and the rocks rent; And </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;">the graves were opened; and ma</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;">ny bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection</span>, <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;">and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many</span>." </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">Surely, "saints which slept arose, and came out of the grave" is referring to a </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">spiritual body resurrection</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;"> and not literally of decayed physical</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;"> bodies climbing out of their</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;"> graves Hollywood style. At least, there is no historical record or other evidence of such an event occurring physically after Jesus' resurrection.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;"><br />However, if the saints "arose, and came out o</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">f the grave" is to be taken literally, meaning a physical dimension event, then there is no bett</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">er performing arts interpretation of </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">"the graves were opened" and "came out of the grave" verses in Matt 27:51-53 than </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">Michael Jackson's best selling album of al</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">l time Thriller video. Click on the picture icon below to enjoy i</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">t again</span>:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kNP3jogfek"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 200px; display: block; height: 88px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353805011870565442" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKouViiTARftoYydwtboUBrb8aGhQxT_Y4ZgqSAiMZrK5kkz-pDW46mBVOZlIr2UYsElMyfiaMYs8Yp7mFIlDGKpl4uuoJmgxPAHYBXTSUYUkBRKV0GJZjJBf-_8dlEvyta8PfRRORJ_Dd/s200/michael.jackson.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>2. Saints (spirit bodies) in an awake and active emotional state</strong></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">On the other hand, the bible describes <span style="font-weight: bold;">some saints (spirit bodies) in an awake and active emotional state</span>; for example, Matthew 17:1-4 states, </span><span style="font-size:100%;">"<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">And afte</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">r six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there </span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">appeared unto them Mos</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">es and Elias talking with him</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to b</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">e here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias</span>.<span style="font-style: italic;">"</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"> <span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">Moses and Elias (or Elijah) were physically dead hund</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">reds of years prior to Jesus' birth; yet, here they are speaking with Jesus and visible to his disciples!</span></span><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">3. Saints (spirit bodies) awake and actively com</span></strong><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">pleting their life's mission or calling through another living person!</span></strong><br /><br />Additionally, the bible describes some <span style="font-weight: bold;">saints (spi</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">rit bodies) awake and actively completing their life's mission or calling through another l</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">iving person!</span> Generally, these types of relationships appear harmonious with the host, living person; and, the host person may or may not be aware of the relationship. For example, Matthew 17:10-13 states, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;">Elias must first come</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. But I say unto you, That </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;">Elias is come already</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they list</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">ed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. Th</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">en the disciples </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">understood that he spake unto them of <span style="font-weight: bold;">John the Baptist</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">.</span>"<br /><br />The reason why the scribes told the disciples that "Elias must first come" was because of Malachi's prophecy in 4:5, which stated, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.</span>" Elijah had disappeared in a whirlwhind hundreds of years before Jesus or John the Baptist had been born, as stated in II Kings 2:11, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that,</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fir</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">e, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.</span>" <span style="font-weight: bold;">Hence, Jesus could not be th</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">e messiah if Elijah had not returned before him in fulfillment of the prophecy above in Malachi 4:5</span>!<br /><br />Even though John the Baptist did not understand or know how or why it was happening, Jesus was resting his ministry on his claim that John was the 2nd coming of Elijah. Obviously, John did not understand as stated in John 1:19-21, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">And this</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> is the r</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">ecord of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. And they asked him, What then? </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Art thou Elias?</span> And he saith, <span style="font-weight: bold;">I am not</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, <span style="font-weight: bold;">No</span>.</span>"<br /><br />Jesus sets the record straight that John was Elijah come again in Matthew 11:13-14 by stating, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And <span style="font-weight: bold;">if ye will receive it,</span> </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;">this is Elias</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">, which was for to come.</span>" <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">So, this is clearly an example o</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">f Elijah (spirit bodies) awake and actively completing his life's mission or</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;"> calling through another living person, John the Baptist! As another example of this type of relationship between our world and the "spiritual dimensi</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">on," click on the links below to watch the video of a young boy who recalled memo</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">ries of a deceased soldier, as reported on ABC's Primetime:</span><br /><br /><div align="center">Video #1 of 2<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EWwzFwUOxA"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 200px; display: block; height: 130px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354654038946481218" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKyKzl7IvCDgc171KSwIM9qHBExwj2Jh6iFOmPcc4v_mwh1erDocWN6yzy18XSdzBTNcP9WVaHxWVLwax37_Jm5IHuoUr_lQUXy5O9RcGvSgBAuAdCmCkrTpqPjjVCuCSR0UfHIa0362Cd/s200/reincarnation.1.JPG" border="0" /></a>Video #2 of 2 <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5965wcH2Kx0&feature=related"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 200px; display: block; height: 130px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354654628183978674" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNX0c8hz4Gs-bZkel9ljieyDQB9F_fnEjm-PasPQVUrvhtfh9E9Na-7YkMI80IS3Vryl-At7mF3-mfG5Y5EcgmSFPCnxLmQGmi7uydmzDMPYjOnB_NX7jjUBPvW09kR5Hd0AoOUWbESuyn/s200/reincarnation.2.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><p><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">4. Devils (spirit bodies) awake and actively completing their life's mission or calling by possessing another person!</span></strong><br /><br />Finally, the bible describes some <span style="font-weight: bold;">devils (spirit bodies) awa</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">ke and actively completing their life's mission or calling by possessing another livin</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">g person!</span> Generally, in these types of relationships the host, living person appears conflicted with the spirit body. For example, Matthew 8:28-32 states, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:100%;" >And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;">met him two possessed with devils</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way. And, </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">behold</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Je</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">sus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time? And there was a good way off from t</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">hem an herd of many swine feeding. So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine. And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.</span>"</span> <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">Clearly this is an example of devils (spirit bodies) awake and active</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">ly possessing and taking control o</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">f another living p</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">erson's body! To see Hollywood's i</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">nterpretation of this type of possessive relationship, click on the link icon below for a youtube clip from the movie, The Exorcist:</span></p><p><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span> </p><p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jvhl4At6AX8&feature=related"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 200px; display: block; height: 138px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354656083078802162" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzln-DGUJdwU4zJP-s3J5ndKh1Q89B28t-7k11AMrba7m66cVt6-YtfdI4XA4li3mFJJifxRKEvVH1MIoQVZlpJnNC9jhet1msRVVegcgrpfp5-9JlNjW2M4NmZdlB9hkGOBMBqvzcFuh/s200/the.exorcist.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">B. Each of us as the microcosm between the physical and spiritual dimension</span></span><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Just as each of us has two complementary aspects, a visible physical body an invisible mind, the cosmos also has a visible physical world and an invisible spirit world, as expressed below:</p><p><br /></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVjVKeh_I0CKIagUN39QoVqUtFfMn2i809biM6z_Ya6uwTVeCDTfDfqEF5wPbLIDYaQMB1jY4xH3fii8zhuJYgrYrXHaHVufWPwNzdqihkHviziCAnZjDKuNkgjMp7mKZC6x2hAddLSz3f/s1600-h/PhysicalAndSpiritWorlds.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 244px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVjVKeh_I0CKIagUN39QoVqUtFfMn2i809biM6z_Ya6uwTVeCDTfDfqEF5wPbLIDYaQMB1jY4xH3fii8zhuJYgrYrXHaHVufWPwNzdqihkHviziCAnZjDKuNkgjMp7mKZC6x2hAddLSz3f/s400/PhysicalAndSpiritWorlds.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387936712783705874" border="0" /></a></p><p><br /></p><p>Existing in both worlds, each of us consists of both a physical self and a spirit self, as expressed in the opening bible verse, 1 Corinthians 15:44, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">...there is a natural (physical) body, and there is a spiritual body,</span>" as shown below:</p><p><br /></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQzLDCDlYJLmhiVcEXCZZ10qpayWhwNfvX_Truwz9AsyufW8cQzlGSBSI67ljmctu9by06rzhmvefAoBzv9aLoV-MfyODBklcPv99FnVcPPZklbjCaQrS6lGPtU_-n62nEFMkjzHR4DOPP/s1600-h/SpiritAndPhysicalSelfs.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQzLDCDlYJLmhiVcEXCZZ10qpayWhwNfvX_Truwz9AsyufW8cQzlGSBSI67ljmctu9by06rzhmvefAoBzv9aLoV-MfyODBklcPv99FnVcPPZklbjCaQrS6lGPtU_-n62nEFMkjzHR4DOPP/s400/SpiritAndPhysicalSelfs.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387936593000509090" border="0" /></a></p><p><br /></p><p>The physical self consists of the physical body and a physical mind, which is similar to the mind of animals. The physical mind maintains the life of the physical body and functions as instinct. Similarly, the spirit body is the body of the spirit self and resembles the physical body, so that people are recognizable even in spirit forms. As mentioned above in Matthew 17:1-4, when Jesus met with Moses and Elijah, his disciples recognized and saw them in their spirit bodies. The spirit mind is the central part of a person's being, the source of his emotion, intellect and will. Our personality and self-awareness originate in the spirit mind. It is through our spirit mind that God is able to communicate, inspire, and guide us to perfection. After our physical bodies die, we live eternally in the spirit world.</p><p><br /></p><p>In order to survive physically, <span style="font-weight: bold;">each of us needs heat, air, light, and food and water. Likewise, to survive spiritually, our spiritual bodies need <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">love </span></span>rather than physical <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">heat</span>, a spiritual atmosphere of <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">cleanliness and orderliness</span></span> rather than physical <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">air</span>, <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">truth </span></span>rather than <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">light</span>, and the "<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">vitality element</span></span>" transferred to the spirit from our physical bodies based on our deeds rather than <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">physical food and water</span>.</span> If we live in accordance with God's word and do good deeds, our physical bodies project energy to our spirits. This energy is the "vitality element." Because of "vitality elements," we feel joy and energy when our bodies are healthy, active, and in harmony with our spirits. On the flip side, our spirit selves project spirit elements into our physical bodies. A spirit filled with a divine ideal, hope and love imparts health and power to the physical self. People filled with these qualities often need less sleep, less food, remain healthier and generally have more energy and enthusiasm to live. While alive in the physical world, our spirits and bodies are intended to continually nourish and sustain each other, as expressed below:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">click to enlarge</span><br /></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglBUr8TnYxaqU4eBoJUNnPolmLqTCHfI4ztCRip8yiBgJVY7gOnvZJHHAGpYEv7NlF53ol32r0c82JKaiOT9ZtKDc6CF-r7_mTiXK442S2uE6ptyKzoOZSM-yMv6eU9o8rh_RdJVqo8hCV/s1600-h/SpiritAndPhysicalBodies.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 184px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglBUr8TnYxaqU4eBoJUNnPolmLqTCHfI4ztCRip8yiBgJVY7gOnvZJHHAGpYEv7NlF53ol32r0c82JKaiOT9ZtKDc6CF-r7_mTiXK442S2uE6ptyKzoOZSM-yMv6eU9o8rh_RdJVqo8hCV/s400/SpiritAndPhysicalBodies.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387936503726414290" border="0" /></a></p><p><br /></p><p>The character of our spirit self is dependent on the quality of our lives in the physical world. If a person commits evil deeds during his life, harmful "vitality elements" are transmitted to his spirit, which records all deeds like a video camera. The evil deeds are ingrained into the spirit and cause the spirit to become stunted in its growth, just as the physical body will be hurt or scarred if it is abused. The only way for a person to compensate for evil deeds is to repent and perform good deeds, redeeming the bad behaviors. If a person has wronged another, stolen property, or exploited the weak, that person will inevitably be called to rectify such matters during the course of their spiritual growth. If a person fails to do this while he is alive in the physical world, they will enter the spirit world, upon physical death, in a damaged state.</p><p><br /></p><p>After our physical deaths, we continue to live in the spirit world at whatever level of spiritual growth we have attained during our lifetimes. No one is "sent" to heaven or hell; rather, we enter the spirit world at a level comparable to the level of spiritual growth attained on earth. We are the ones who decide our fates. God, the Messiah, and religion can only teach people how to avoid hell and show the way to the Kingdom of Heaven. Whether or not we receive the teachings of God and church is the responsibility of each individual. It is because of sin that humanity lost its original value and became spiritual refuse. Hell is the place where spiritual refuse is kept. Of course, it is a place devoid of the love of God and far away from God. It is the realm where the "heartless" settle.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Just as our physical selves are made from elements of the physical world, our spiritual selves are made from elements of the spiritual world. In a sense, humans are microcosm of both worlds. And, just as we have 5 physical senses (sight, touch, smell, hearing, taste), we also have the same 5 spiritual senses. Through our physical senses we can function in the physical world. However, because of Adam and Eve's original sin, our spiritual senses have become damaged and we are unable to fully sense the spirit world. Yet, as we return to God our spiritual senses will re-awaken. Once united with God, we will be able to exercise proper dominion over both the spiritual and physical worlds. Additionally, the spirit and physical worlds are not made to relate directly with each other, because they are in different dimensions. When our physical and spiritual selves become "fruitful" and one centered on God, the spirit and physical worlds become one through each of us. Clearly, God created us to encapsulate both worlds, to mediate between them, and to rule the universe as His representatives, as expressed graphically below:</p><p><br /></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht6xwt5DskiQnM33F9k9mr4DfbDZRcynOQXwyrrjoGgcm6zk42u0rmQcrbo5TJPwZDwKnKL3oHtNJfQygVgpqt4-uX9m0eabkrYRwqkQgS50U8ORs2utEhyRVE4_6jxezjsc1LjvSNexyY/s1600-h/Microcosm.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 257px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht6xwt5DskiQnM33F9k9mr4DfbDZRcynOQXwyrrjoGgcm6zk42u0rmQcrbo5TJPwZDwKnKL3oHtNJfQygVgpqt4-uX9m0eabkrYRwqkQgS50U8ORs2utEhyRVE4_6jxezjsc1LjvSNexyY/s400/Microcosm.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387936371452345442" border="0" /></a></p><p><span style="font-size:100%;"> <strong><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><em><span style="font-size:180%;">*</span>See Note above: Based on the latest science and technology, "String and M-theory," to understand the <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;">many mansions</span> </em></span></strong></span><strong><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><em><span style="font-size:100%;">in the spiritual dimension </span><span style="font-size:100%;">that Jesus spoke about, click on the links below and watch each high quality, youtube video in sequential order. After watching each video, click the "back" button on your browser to return to this listing:</span></em></span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><em><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></em></span></strong> </p><p></p><div align="center"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7FV9aaiwKQ&feature=channel">Part 1:String theory</a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WT_IVdCO4ZE&feature=channel">Part 2:String theory</a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7bakDI_TwA&feature=channel">Part 3:String theory</a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLd0lwQrxOw&feature=channel">Part 4:String theory</a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWGb-pIAQ-E&feature=channel">Part 5:String theory</a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nD9vwfl2xQs&feature=channel">Part 6:String theory</a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PVjNlXj2WQ&feature=channel">Part 7:String theory to M-theory</a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuK9Rb-tBBg&feature=channel">Part 8:M-theory</a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BRhjntvGoE&feature=channel">Part 9:M-theory</a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zgxvGaei6o&feature=channel">Part 10:M-theory</a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hB6lW-8CwpM&feature=channel_page">Part 11:M-theory</a></span><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span>godamongushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783580274771793995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5714104889164922367.post-53874683952533383362009-06-11T21:58:00.000-07:002010-01-29T02:54:48.557-08:008. "Subdue it: and have dominion"<!--INFOLINKS_OFF--><br />Genesis 1:28 ~<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">"And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and<span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">subdue it: and </span><strong>have dominion</strong></span> over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth."</span> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=gen%201:28&version=9">King James Version</a>)<br /><!--INFOLINKS_ON--><br /><strong>INTERPRETATION:</strong> God’s desire for mankind is the blessing of dominion over the creation. Clearly, mankind needs the creation in order to live and survive. When perfected (fruitful) individuals have multiplied in their relationship with God, a utopian and joyful world results, called the Kingdom of Heaven, as expressed in the diagram below:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil8nTtcomErzmKXrQ9Y5ta4UhUkfgaZe32GRHdDiGohSZjybGrTUHNp1Y5G15RcK6UvpdOv58K8bpDK3utTZlGlJVHgA9whC4pqO2nhw5sTIymfmnWwJ0ckJNyGUaNEnQpI6E7i_QmFgnb/s1600-h/dominion.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px; display: block; height: 206px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351125595563957762" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil8nTtcomErzmKXrQ9Y5ta4UhUkfgaZe32GRHdDiGohSZjybGrTUHNp1Y5G15RcK6UvpdOv58K8bpDK3utTZlGlJVHgA9whC4pqO2nhw5sTIymfmnWwJ0ckJNyGUaNEnQpI6E7i_QmFgnb/s320/dominion.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />However, due to Adam and Eve’s original sin being multiplied down through the ages, mankind has lived without proper regard for the environment. Instead of replenishment, care and love, our dominion has been one of indifference and waste. Today, we suffer from widespread polluted air and water, ravaged landscapes, extinct and near extinct species of various animals, filthy cities, climate change and global warming. Because God’s image has not matured within us by achieving the blessing “to be fruitful,” we have abused the environment. Only by uniting with God (being fruitful) will we gain the love and understanding necessary to “replenish the earth, and subdue it; and, for proper “dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.”<br /><br />According to the bible, God has been laboring throughout history to help mankind realize this goal. In the Kingdom, black and white, occident and orient, believers of all faiths, saints and scholars, and science and religion will all find reconciliation and harmony through the higher trust and love inherent in these blessings. The Kingdom will be a global family, transcending all generational, racial and cultural differences.<br /><br />In a God-centered family, parents are in the position of God to their children. Strengthened by their love for each other from God’s perspective inherent in the blessings, parents would have the emotional resources to love their children in the way God intended. Children would find examples in their parents’ love by which they could love. Springing from the family unit, the society, nation and ultimately the world centered on God’s way of life would emerge, illustrated below:<br /><br /><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRI7i8Xqep-frb67zCltcJ4LvlPfYhPBLeFo9w3W0ehri_VN0TrCiaXLcBu626ML4OXjiAJKg0nD9WRwY3ufGGAtPc_rF5kDpdnFRvUdjgMxRGYJgz1K9BWY-_ZhSktjxE4fl_ML09A_PA/s1600-h/worldfamily.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 314px; display: block; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351125511672896610" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRI7i8Xqep-frb67zCltcJ4LvlPfYhPBLeFo9w3W0ehri_VN0TrCiaXLcBu626ML4OXjiAJKg0nD9WRwY3ufGGAtPc_rF5kDpdnFRvUdjgMxRGYJgz1K9BWY-_ZhSktjxE4fl_ML09A_PA/s320/worldfamily.JPG" border="0" /></a>A performing arts interpretation of the above illustration can be enjoyed by clicking on the video below of "We Are The World" by Michael Jackson and friends:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzw6GiqZyD0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 138px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzlbfTdNNieB5fRxpgYydw-rKkc5cra_-ggoXNOysBcA_7vX9QgckpzefitKq2PDi0PMcfrh6St3R3LYgsXlkUTfgVu8VUJSZrBBrMihZM6MThU1giLQrFpvEI7ag0CoBjLX1T_eRjCvm/s200/WeAreTheWorld.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357733829140063986" border="0" /></a>When all people fulfill their purpose of uniting with God, forming God-centered families and exercising a dominion of love over the creation, we will find ourselves dwelling in the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. The Kingdom’s coming on earth is an ancient awareness. The prophets of Israel, for example, foresaw it, as stated in Isaiah 2:4, “<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore</span>.” Similarly, in Matthew 6:10 Jesus told his disciples to pray, “<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">thy kingdom come, </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><strong>thy will be done on earth</strong></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">, as it is in heaven</span>.” Revelation 12:1 speaks of “<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">a new heaven and a new earth.</span>”<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div>In the Kingdom of God, each person would be one with God, triumphant in love. The citizen of the Kingdom would love as God loves. In God’s eyes, value is a matter of our relationship with Him and the scope of our relationship with others. A man in the Kingdom lives not just for himself, his family or even his nation, but for the whole world. By living for the greatest good, he serves the needs of his world, his nation, his family and himself as well. When a person reaches this stage, he lives for God. His value thus becomes God’s value, as expressed in the diagram below:</div><div> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px; display: block; height: 292px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351125271380949874" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0giV21IkKZBsa5YI06i7PBL2NA8N_xYr-gBg3BGQFeg2WW1_75eW76QZIvqTzzvrhTZhHuk6ze5QG_Z_BJBSuAu4mkZbEsR9xZK-cQ7aYePyb0Fl3jIhxH3hBihRMOwXlyfCVaglYDYAA/s320/scope+of+value.JPG" border="0" /></div><div>In Matthew 6:31 – 33, Jesus stated, “<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘what can we eat?’ ‘What shall we drink?’, ‘What shall we wear?’ For…your Heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But </span><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">seek first the Kingdom</span></strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> of Heaven and its righteousness, </span><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">and all these things will be yours as well</strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">.</span>” We can understand this principle by recognizing that each person has an internal purpose for the whole, or common good, and an external purpose for the individual, as illustrated below:</div><div> </div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px; display: block; height: 169px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351125414565383970" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgn67_6KY5PEMBKo_LbtIC-2qnoA5ULh3PnvSzaCb4xR7HYrXSXspW9SXZkjDG1pGcZlr6G6inRYKFzdxw7JoMN_UQvBCQnv2o3j5z6C2uys1Ik7dXs0lxYDEw7yxokqvoS-UuvkdHvVWz/s320/value.individual.JPG" border="0" />Fulfilling the purpose of the whole involves serving and helping a larger unit, such as the family, society or nation. Fulfilling the purpose of the individual involves maintaining and developing oneself. By completing both purposes we can find real happiness.<br /><br />The two purposes are not independent but are interdependent. Our natures are such that each individual can find the greatest happiness by contributing to the well-being of the larger society. Thus, whatever a person’s interest, their individual purpose can best be fulfilled in relation to the common good. Conversely, if a person works for the good of all, they become valuable to the larger society. Since society is made up of individuals, the whole society cannot be prosperous and harmonious until each individual within it is happy.<br /><div><br />Throughout history the people we admire and remember the most are those who, in addition to their other qualities, integrated the individual and the whole purpose. Martin Luther King, for example, found his greatest personal fulfillment in serving those around him. In helping to raise african americans to the level of dignity and respect they deserved, he came to be widely trusted and loved, not just by blacks, but by whites as well. The same is true of people like Mahatma Gandhi, Albert Schweitzer, Eleanor Roosevelt, Mother Theresa of Calcutta, and countless others.</div><br />The following video reveals the integration of the individual and whole purposes by a man who loves harmonicas:<br /><br /><object width="443" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/imSKjewmp3U&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/imSKjewmp3U&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="443" height="364"></embed></object>godamongushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783580274771793995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5714104889164922367.post-79415677257231817822009-06-05T03:43:00.000-07:002009-10-06T22:16:49.811-07:007. "Replenish the earth"Genesis 1:28 ~<br /><br />"<span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">replenish the earth</span></span>, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fis</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">h of the sea, a</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">nd over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth</span>." (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=gen%201:28&version=9">King Ja</a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=gen%201:28&version=9">mes Version</a>)<br /><!--INFOLINKS_ON--><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">INTERPRETATION</span>: The often overlooked blessing is that Adam and Eve were blessed with a "replenishable" earth. Yet, the original sin prohibited them from achieving the first blessing, to "be fruitful," or, as Jesus expressed in Matthew 5:48, to "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">be ye therefore <strong><em><span><span class="IL_SPAN"><input name="IL_MARKER" type="hidden">perfect</span></span></em></strong><span>, even as your Father which is in heaven is <span class="IL_SPAN"><input name="IL_MARKER" type="hidden">perfect</span>." <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Instead of perfection, the original sin caused them to hide from God in an emotional state of guilt and shame and to multiply a son that killed his brother. </span></span></span>Consequently, the effects of their damaged relationship with God, which is ignorant behavior towards God's blessings, have been felt by generations til today. For example, are we really replenishing the earth by relying heavily on non-replenishable sources of energy, such as oil, which is a depleteable resource? How are we replenishing the oil for future generations of humanity? No one believes the oil will last forever (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peak_oil">Peak of Oil in 2020</a>). We all hope and believe that humanity will last forever, as well as our planet Earth. Logically, at some point, something has got to give. Doesn't it seem that replenishable sources of energy, such as solar, wind, geo-thermal, fuel cell, etc. are on better track to achieve the blessing to "replenish the earth?"<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Philanthropy of Two O</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">il C</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">ompanies</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Let's compare the <span style="font-weight: bold;">philanthropy </span>of two oil companies, Exxon Mobil versus Murphy Oil. As revealed in the table below, using 2008 data, Exxon Mobil is the Goliath and leader of the petroleum (integrated) industry with a market capitalization of $424 billion. Murphy Oil is the much smaller David, coming in at #13 with a market capitalization of $15 billion:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">click to enlarge</span><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwJUR42ay1lbPo-vHxFyvlqs1ZqvPG2rMw7pkOoz9SBi6qee_PlhrM_-BtfHs5iNVEumgAq7dKKF-7d1CsvBddSCm_XoiG4eMMT5Xw-ETBlJu_mVe1k47yDNP318M-J9c8wdF_KZIOWNjq/s1600-h/Industry.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 356px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwJUR42ay1lbPo-vHxFyvlqs1ZqvPG2rMw7pkOoz9SBi6qee_PlhrM_-BtfHs5iNVEumgAq7dKKF-7d1CsvBddSCm_XoiG4eMMT5Xw-ETBlJu_mVe1k47yDNP318M-J9c8wdF_KZIOWNjq/s400/Industry.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375258779210464578" border="0" /></a><br />The above table is presented graphically below, to give a visual perspective of the size of the oil companies in relation to each other:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">click to enlarge</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq65vwnAYaVoLrwOO4wApoGKbbhT3NDrl317DCCqdY7Wjhx-eXqbsKgGb9CP_eA0mMaf6Op1FKwOUOG0FH2V7TZElkBRZxjBwjMDD2OFoKoVdT89h9xp4532BPjmFtoK8Cw-wh8qhHx7TR/s1600-h/industrygraph.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 276px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq65vwnAYaVoLrwOO4wApoGKbbhT3NDrl317DCCqdY7Wjhx-eXqbsKgGb9CP_eA0mMaf6Op1FKwOUOG0FH2V7TZElkBRZxjBwjMDD2OFoKoVdT89h9xp4532BPjmFtoK8Cw-wh8qhHx7TR/s400/industrygraph.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375262702993285618" border="0" /></a><br />In the graph below, the profits of Exxon Mobil and Murphy oil are compared. Exxon experienced the largest profits ever recorded in USA history, during 2007 - 2008:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">click to enlarge</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_16lf7SVAeod8l45wH5F2YIVJuJ7pWOENo-v1x2YJ4wXtuodXMHzyMgTwlW32aX5JoTE1uqnC24J90v-heBM_KPJVDZc6orHBj9szbrc2ppOPQqSUDgtCQObBr_mB4jC-bXiS2OoKlGDw/s1600-h/ProfitComparison.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 303px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_16lf7SVAeod8l45wH5F2YIVJuJ7pWOENo-v1x2YJ4wXtuodXMHzyMgTwlW32aX5JoTE1uqnC24J90v-heBM_KPJVDZc6orHBj9szbrc2ppOPQqSUDgtCQObBr_mB4jC-bXiS2OoKlGDw/s400/ProfitComparison.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375266446677480434" border="0" /></a><br />In 2007, Exxon Mobil reported world-wide giving (philanthropy) of $173.8 million on its record profit of $40.6 billion (or a giving rate of .428%). During the same period, Murphy Oil reported philanthropic giving of $50 million on its profit of $766 million (or a giving rate of 6.53%).<br /><br />Hence, Exxon Mobil gives at a rate of .428% vs 6.53% by Murphy Oil. Clearly, Murphy Oil's management has a bigger heart and "gives back" at a much higher rate than the management of Exxon Mobil.<br /><br />In the video below, Murphy's CEO explains how they used their $50 million gift to create a scholarship fund so that any student who graduates from El Dorado high school has all of their college tuition automatically "paid for!" Click on the link below to see the video:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amlCTb-TbL4"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlN1C7-CAoDNKwWFvMVQOu7ovxRK6cm8Jl3H0Qh4bnoFt1CMOLOL-A7ru7JUSpQGVTQAbVm04-uPRm7WZiCyvuL4ksq85UB26HSl0yPcgKSdg66oPwweSqaqyMAzTZy03vqQyydLEk4Sp3/s320/eldoradopromise.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375272978164156418" border="0" /></a><br />Considering that in 2007, Murphy Oil differentiated its brand in the philanthropy environment by giving $50 million to the El Dorado Promise on profit that year of $766 million (a rate of 6.53%), surely Exxon Mobil can increase its giving to a similar or higher rate. At the same 6.53% rate of Murphy Oil, Exxon Mobil's "giving" should increase from $173.8 million to $2.651 billion, based on its record profit of $40.6 billion in 2007.<br /><br />If Murphy Oil can inspire and revitalize a community through its philanthropy, as shown in the above video, only our imaginations limit what Exxon Mobil can accomplish for all of its stakeholders through increased philanthropy. With $2.651 billion or more to "give", Exxon Mobil could inspire and revitalize the nation and lead the corporate world in the spirit of strategic and civil philanthropy, voluntarily easing the strains on governments and all stakeholders. Truly, such a spirit is the intent of corporate social responsibility.<br /><br />Is stingy the appropriate term for Exxon's management in comparison to its peers at Murhpy Oil? Interestingly, even though it had the largest profits recorded in USA history, Exxon Mobil doesn't even make the top 10 list of "largest donations in USA" history, presented below:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">click to enlarge</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqS6mvBHtvaeVIiNSj3wIDpnh4QckzBrOjdOXrFiotzX5HcAZ3TsQ7rgvxY_6Rkvd-99_GPAsAJiOBrfBouOg3EmgOphUVXIfOjyABXT7Em5rW7OVcdnPrEFBKb3e-wpntSnilAz74Kcbp/s1600-h/0.buffett.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqS6mvBHtvaeVIiNSj3wIDpnh4QckzBrOjdOXrFiotzX5HcAZ3TsQ7rgvxY_6Rkvd-99_GPAsAJiOBrfBouOg3EmgOphUVXIfOjyABXT7Em5rW7OVcdnPrEFBKb3e-wpntSnilAz74Kcbp/s320/0.buffett.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375284155188744034" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5VaEPDcL8tO5SG0x5MIvriLEhWlCntG1BC8Buwq_KcQf3GuEthSZYkpg7I8_l3S8yt0ZcF8yQkiq4GKyWmdkCnku8AQ5DjlgT1XPvXVOj54isemGHESrEnl3q-r3IYNnIZenGYjKnb5e/s1600-h/1.gates.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 314px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5VaEPDcL8tO5SG0x5MIvriLEhWlCntG1BC8Buwq_KcQf3GuEthSZYkpg7I8_l3S8yt0ZcF8yQkiq4GKyWmdkCnku8AQ5DjlgT1XPvXVOj54isemGHESrEnl3q-r3IYNnIZenGYjKnb5e/s320/1.gates.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375283842397138370" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh31a3pWf5giRVnESjJszaq7lcEbVuev770yMbAkjuzOM83KGAO7wJmM18AEUKSCW0RGjF_3lE0pRfr5jeDTVlBJaPa2pFUkhh5qggcaTFkZNzFFTu57VXpQuYt9Rzz9Y2qOW20jqXcUrfx/s1600-h/2.hewlett.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 314px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh31a3pWf5giRVnESjJszaq7lcEbVuev770yMbAkjuzOM83KGAO7wJmM18AEUKSCW0RGjF_3lE0pRfr5jeDTVlBJaPa2pFUkhh5qggcaTFkZNzFFTu57VXpQuYt9Rzz9Y2qOW20jqXcUrfx/s320/2.hewlett.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375283393164624050" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw17Ikugor2P0jhlBbjeQZawvHJUksTkNwTci9wzleUWRNEu8ghb01u0HODmQvkU_Sz_Tiyeqo9G86Vv1Xe8CW-0pT5DxOzX1YCIl_Xs_GBj0DfLRcq9QiTiIokHbbE1GA3qn0U_rLrGVu/s1600-h/3.betty.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw17Ikugor2P0jhlBbjeQZawvHJUksTkNwTci9wzleUWRNEu8ghb01u0HODmQvkU_Sz_Tiyeqo9G86Vv1Xe8CW-0pT5DxOzX1YCIl_Xs_GBj0DfLRcq9QiTiIokHbbE1GA3qn0U_rLrGVu/s320/3.betty.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375283025341698258" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv5JJhsL9fgbDFgD4bWECa_37PTKka53devU6xEaB-Z_2CG5BGpBwNcS0ci5gr_TDlswx9Wu4_ShewKjQjp4sJgHuAschiZpkwvM9ZA8B7mcW6LtO-GG0KevcgJS9FKJ6fjp96J3k29Tu7/s1600-h/4.packard.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 314px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv5JJhsL9fgbDFgD4bWECa_37PTKka53devU6xEaB-Z_2CG5BGpBwNcS0ci5gr_TDlswx9Wu4_ShewKjQjp4sJgHuAschiZpkwvM9ZA8B7mcW6LtO-GG0KevcgJS9FKJ6fjp96J3k29Tu7/s320/4.packard.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375282448324334386" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyC8MUg_N2luuNDVfe6k8lxGP8CW4u_TAgDothwlsT4vbc9-NYjmIO7mq3uJnMXkdc3hh6ZKmHiqFpcy1gbU8CSgU_uC2dWsZNZ72XDvlOSMDEHWscFaqdjTeFm5elkBbtkdEMPsVZaxyG/s1600-h/5.Kroc.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 314px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyC8MUg_N2luuNDVfe6k8lxGP8CW4u_TAgDothwlsT4vbc9-NYjmIO7mq3uJnMXkdc3hh6ZKmHiqFpcy1gbU8CSgU_uC2dWsZNZ72XDvlOSMDEHWscFaqdjTeFm5elkBbtkdEMPsVZaxyG/s320/5.Kroc.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375282020204691250" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsTiMLrKD0sqdQL1NxK5gUGjwgR87rb7R4-tGimdWJoP5ckEJsJNn8zDHWr8Jq35d094z6q24-wE1ZcQxToGT1SaFQzDziishIYOdrKPEKWEOPlY_u-LEee8mehG5d0RXuDN-wbptub2sE/s1600-h/6.sandler.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 310px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsTiMLrKD0sqdQL1NxK5gUGjwgR87rb7R4-tGimdWJoP5ckEJsJNn8zDHWr8Jq35d094z6q24-wE1ZcQxToGT1SaFQzDziishIYOdrKPEKWEOPlY_u-LEee8mehG5d0RXuDN-wbptub2sE/s320/6.sandler.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375281607824026018" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhBxVPZFw_zq5a1b4BUbXO-jD2uH8Bh2Yw2EDztijUf6lOIG7jGRiAf2fJze707OVJJBHxjhpIEjNiF2FqJAUgPownz47WIbgzUfesaDX-E3F8UPRKqIpS9bkUy4Sz2jL3kuhR9_UWR9ys/s1600-h/7.stowers.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 314px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhBxVPZFw_zq5a1b4BUbXO-jD2uH8Bh2Yw2EDztijUf6lOIG7jGRiAf2fJze707OVJJBHxjhpIEjNiF2FqJAUgPownz47WIbgzUfesaDX-E3F8UPRKqIpS9bkUy4Sz2jL3kuhR9_UWR9ys/s320/7.stowers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375281160979012434" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisoN0XmLSUIO47VrPVBuW7VNXKRtzg7Yc07FVWENgcSO6twKPDhDy8-vXZxPGiox4vOEs7qxIoXiLTjiUjypcE1HUUEEW3Ifn7BSGQANjMGwf2iQyKkoP6BJKVU2AUsCSeGobIzISDCu7B/s1600-h/8.daniels.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 314px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisoN0XmLSUIO47VrPVBuW7VNXKRtzg7Yc07FVWENgcSO6twKPDhDy8-vXZxPGiox4vOEs7qxIoXiLTjiUjypcE1HUUEEW3Ifn7BSGQANjMGwf2iQyKkoP6BJKVU2AUsCSeGobIzISDCu7B/s320/8.daniels.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375280693243480626" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1cO1HD1F0sR2Uirm-eDNyYC2okKxQD19rgvmblCbPshxi9EANB79Frz_VC0tt_urI2E89ku8Bpzvmz3eXO2-55XiH1Wvp-Y5h1CTiM6InTjWgZXUx2-LQEbTaBhHmZp6zQ_pCWGFWxUnL/s1600-h/9.annenberg.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 310px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1cO1HD1F0sR2Uirm-eDNyYC2okKxQD19rgvmblCbPshxi9EANB79Frz_VC0tt_urI2E89ku8Bpzvmz3eXO2-55XiH1Wvp-Y5h1CTiM6InTjWgZXUx2-LQEbTaBhHmZp6zQ_pCWGFWxUnL/s320/9.annenberg.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375279559324040066" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAIMI1Ms415zyinFVJAxrBqQ1f0yVRjr3FmhRw_bVL5t6rlyefImH0XSI36dTYy46wDDiRxIZHlDJ2f00ZGtwSrjDiCsKEtxPsS4xQhYoMgvWd8hvuRUAY0Bf9vB2_v-71Pql_MAnH7V2T/s1600-h/10.tedturner.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 314px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAIMI1Ms415zyinFVJAxrBqQ1f0yVRjr3FmhRw_bVL5t6rlyefImH0XSI36dTYy46wDDiRxIZHlDJ2f00ZGtwSrjDiCsKEtxPsS4xQhYoMgvWd8hvuRUAY0Bf9vB2_v-71Pql_MAnH7V2T/s320/10.tedturner.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375279429832351026" border="0" /></a><br /></div></div>godamongushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783580274771793995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5714104889164922367.post-20304859469264241082009-06-04T06:20:00.000-07:002010-01-21T22:10:29.883-08:006. "Multiply"Genesis 1:28 ~<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">"And God blessed them, and God said unto the</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">m, be fruitful, and <strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Multiply</span></strong>, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fi</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">sh of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth."</span> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=gen%201:28&version=9">King James Version</a>)<br /><!--INFOLINKS_ON--><br /><b>INTERPRETATION</b>: After blooming, mature plants are "fruitful" and can be fertilized, generally by the birds, bees, other insects, or the wind carrying the genetically coded pollen from the stamens to the pistil of other plants, causing them to multiply. The pollen is clearly visible on the second bee during pollination in the video below:<br /><br /><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/IPcJlJDI5o4&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/IPcJlJDI5o4&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object><br /><div><br /></div><div>Yet, unlike the sunflower above, which reaches perfection and blooms through natural law alone, humans alone have the responsibility, free will, and choice to "grow up" and bloom into perfection. <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Even though our physical bodies bloom ready for fertilization according to natural law, <span style="font-size:130%;">our minds and hearts might not bloom in harmony with our bodies</span>.</span> Rather than pollen carried by bumblebees, as in the video, our genetic codes are transferred from the man to the woman by a sperm cell fusing with an ovum, as shown in the picture below:</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1mRslzZylAfbxPu7FDjs0QEjwcGaRjpTyKs8fn_sKFbmKPGLVmjLbnk_L1G1Givla49GQgGf1ZHutoo63L5G-du0kpmC1tg5yb_HEwBBF3mmzZgT6mMAKPTVuQ5RWA9M5QiuFOb9n6hSy/s1600-h/sperm.egg.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 137px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1mRslzZylAfbxPu7FDjs0QEjwcGaRjpTyKs8fn_sKFbmKPGLVmjLbnk_L1G1Givla49GQgGf1ZHutoo63L5G-du0kpmC1tg5yb_HEwBBF3mmzZgT6mMAKPTVuQ5RWA9M5QiuFOb9n6hSy/s200/sperm.egg.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413003273123946146" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I. The "Multiply" Blessing</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>God's second blessing for Adam and Eve was that, after becoming fruitful (perfected) together as eternal husband and wife, they multiply fruitfulness by bearing and raising children centered on God, as expressed in the diagram below:<br /><div><div><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXpVmRa4r7t5MRE91qgIQa7qyMcnAc0uP6YmIbdjr3GWI8oABpc7QZ2VcPhtz-Stnz6p008twFNFm3heUua-w7_jib-fnjL2kcrjGYIBVhva7w4vbke_sTU__T0C648Wi_sOIYo2LzTyfA/s1600-h/family.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 278px; display: block; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350884147469733890" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXpVmRa4r7t5MRE91qgIQa7qyMcnAc0uP6YmIbdjr3GWI8oABpc7QZ2VcPhtz-Stnz6p008twFNFm3heUua-w7_jib-fnjL2kcrjGYIBVhva7w4vbke_sTU__T0C648Wi_sOIYo2LzTyfA/s320/family.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p>In God's ideal, a fruitful Adam and Eve would have guided their children, beginning with Cain and Abel, to perfection through their own example and love. Over time, God-centered families would have expanded to clans, societies and nations, and a loving and joyful world would have emerged based on the first family's values. Those values would have imprinted the ways of loving others as God intended firmly within all humanity. Furthermore, those values would have given all future generations crystal clear discernment to see through false temptations as all less pleasureable than any blessing God offers. The critical element in building such a world was to have a perfected man and woman in the role of the first parents. This would have been the beginning of the kingdom of heaven on earth, springing from the family unit of Adam and Eve. As the center of love, the perfected family is the fullest experience of love for man and God; because, individually, a man or woman can reflect only one aspect of God's original qualities of masculinity and femininity.</p><p><br /></p><p><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">II. Scientific Evidence supports a First Man and Woman</span></b></p><p><br /></p><p>For those who do not believe there was a first man and woman, you must ask yourselves what is the alternative? What, that suddenly people just spontaneously generated themselves all over the earth? Actually, it is more logical to believe in a first man and woman; and, it is more scientifically supported as well. For example, genetic archaeologists have gathered compelling evidence to prove that all current humans are descended, mitochondrial DNA-wise, from a single african woman. Additionally, theories of evolution support the idea of a first man and woman as well, rather than spontaneous generation or group development of humanity around the globe. Genesis 3:20 states, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">she was the mother of all living</span>." </p><p><br /></p><p><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">III. The Original Sin Multiplied</span></b></p><p><br /></p><p>Sadly, the bible reveals that something tragic happened to the first man and woman, known as the "original sin," that caused problems in their family life. Still felt today, many people are disillusioned with family life, just like Adam and Eve and Cain and Abel. The rates of divorce, abortion, and child abuse appear to be rising; and, the roles of motherhood and fatherhood appear devalued. Seemingly, a feeling of pessimism, insecurity, and cynicism about the family permeates society. Clearly, the "original sin" of Adam and Eve was multiplied down through the ages to the current day. The bible reveals that the first family of Adam and Eve was a tragic failure after the original sin, devoid of God-centered values, evidenced by one of their children, Cain, killing his brother, Abel.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p> <p>Without the foundation of mature God-centered individuality that was lost through the original sin, ultimate success in interpersonal relationships is a matter of chance. Some relationships work, and some don't. And coming to know the true blessing of marital love has turned into a crap shoot. God's second blessing ( to multiply) is the blessing to experience a perfected family. Tragically, the bible reveals that the original sin prevented Adam and Eve from achieving the first blessing to be fruitful and that they began multiplying in an emotional state of "guilt and shame," the consequences of their damaged relationship with God.</p><p><br /></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">IV. The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil</span></p><p><br /></p><p>Ultimately, "to multiply" is the process of harmonizing the masculine and feminine qualities, expressed in "pattern #1" below, into oneness centered upon God and His will:</p><p><br /></p> <p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijL5WeLdMhGnSRvePaWbqref_PeYroNgYNaglnBEYbS9Zeywhtynj5wIhlKVeZ7BcJx5TDvbv2Tyxh7l-n1C5rKOhCPvCHZY7TyUmyxJ4d6QZutWHeBWS-UQObYV4TPcH8Hax-QWFZKLvT/s1600-h/masculinefeminine4.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 164px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijL5WeLdMhGnSRvePaWbqref_PeYroNgYNaglnBEYbS9Zeywhtynj5wIhlKVeZ7BcJx5TDvbv2Tyxh7l-n1C5rKOhCPvCHZY7TyUmyxJ4d6QZutWHeBWS-UQObYV4TPcH8Hax-QWFZKLvT/s400/masculinefeminine4.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379566770338891090" border="0" /></a></p><p>In humans, multiplication is only possible between a man and a woman, and it was no different for Adam and Eve. The bible indicates Adam and Eve experienced negative consequences caused by the original sin. For example, Genesis 3:16 states, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children.</span>" On the other hand, had Adam and Eve <span style="font-weight: bold;">NOT </span>sinned, God's image would have blossomed perfectly in both of them; thus, beginning the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p>The tree of the knowledge of good and evil symbolizes the different outcomes that Adam and Eve could choose, based upon the fruitfulness of their relationship with God. The classic Michelangelo painting of the tree of knowledge of good and evil is shown below:<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil</span><br /></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlQl3UwsdtMSJGJT66SQB-0huNLKoyb3hyd7RQHqHsZfqHZxpaHBAkRt79yGaWggSYv-KKqfR6ZnIFa3BJZPdqhYQ00ooANq7CRQulI7F-1x-RaYqq920xIxojPXCcoixZLWOrCGe6UVTH/s1600-h/TreeOfKnowledgeOfGoodAndEvil.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 384px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlQl3UwsdtMSJGJT66SQB-0huNLKoyb3hyd7RQHqHsZfqHZxpaHBAkRt79yGaWggSYv-KKqfR6ZnIFa3BJZPdqhYQ00ooANq7CRQulI7F-1x-RaYqq920xIxojPXCcoixZLWOrCGe6UVTH/s400/TreeOfKnowledgeOfGoodAndEvil.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379606784562155154" border="0" /></a></p> Although the chance for good fruit was possible, the bible states that Adam and Eve's original sin caused them to multiply evil fruit, evidenced by Cain killing his younger brother Abel.<br /><br />The tree of the knowledge of good and evil occurs in only 2 verses in the bible, as follow:<br /><br />Genesis 2:9 states, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">tree of knowledge of good and evil</span></span>."<br /><br />Genesis 2:17 states, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">But of the </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">tree of the knowledge of good and evil</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.</span>"<br /><br />Clearly, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil is a symbol of the different outcomes, good and evil, that Adam and Eve could choose based on the fruitfulness of their relationship with God.<br /><p> </p></div></div></div>godamongushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783580274771793995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5714104889164922367.post-39550917246412166892009-03-03T15:45:00.000-08:002010-01-29T02:39:09.819-08:005. "Be fruitful"Genesis 1:28 ~<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">"And God blessed them, and God said unto them, <span style="font-size:130%;"><b>Be fru</b></span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;"><b>itful</b></span>, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fi</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">sh of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth."</span> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=gen%201:28&version=9"><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">King James Version</span></a>)<br /><!--INFOLINKS_ON--><br /><strong>INTERPRETATION</strong>:<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">I. What does it mean to "</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >be fruitful</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">?"</span></span><br /><br />The <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);">baby</span></b> plant below is <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);">NOT fruitful</span></b>:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7b3eSma0g_PNFHN5PSu20yHeKn60DLlFYXWh9Llx6VBpNkgseh-vkP157iXQ5BWkBBT6078dYHmAX6hVYn2wp_EOSt-Uexx2h3EoppfAaeOMROXg90jsDHyxnTfyBfgL7oPnpbs9_GCU/s1600-h/baby-tree.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7b3eSma0g_PNFHN5PSu20yHeKn60DLlFYXWh9Llx6VBpNkgseh-vkP157iXQ5BWkBBT6078dYHmAX6hVYn2wp_EOSt-Uexx2h3EoppfAaeOMROXg90jsDHyxnTfyBfgL7oPnpbs9_GCU/s200/baby-tree.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369717344518909538" border="0" /></a>Over time, baby plants can become <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);"><b>fruitful</b></span><b> </b>by <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);">maturing and blooming</span></b>, demonstrated by the Amaryllis in the video below:<br /><br /><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/dCfIajaOmqs&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/dCfIajaOmqs&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object></div><br />After blooming, mature plants are "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);"><b>fruitfu</b><b>l</b></span>" and can be fertilized; and, after fertilization, they can "<span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">multiply</span>" fruit, as photographed below:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvuhdk5wpdItk4KAP9hm1zy-N0mpqhnx2hKRKF5kJ0RPtqFTel6bV_oTXB4T0TYTN_tYKhIJuMnvIoqtMQ9yV-ieglvOvvoX9fhgvBSuhe-0mArPPA6XDsRo_562jmuV9cO3_Ulnaqumsu/s1600-h/elstar-fruitfulnetherlands.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvuhdk5wpdItk4KAP9hm1zy-N0mpqhnx2hKRKF5kJ0RPtqFTel6bV_oTXB4T0TYTN_tYKhIJuMnvIoqtMQ9yV-ieglvOvvoX9fhgvBSuhe-0mArPPA6XDsRo_562jmuV9cO3_Ulnaqumsu/s320/elstar-fruitfulnetherlands.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369718216801930082" border="0" /></a><br />Similarly for us, God's purpose for the "<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 0);">fruitful</span></b>" blessing in our lives unfolds over time as our physical bodies mature and our minds and hearts bloom into individual "perfection;" that is, beings expressing and actualizing, in both words and deeds, God's Spirit image dwelling within us. God who is perfect, desires that we become perfect as well. He endowed each of us with innate programming in our DNA codes to guide the growth of our physical bodies, minds and hearts toward reflecting His image of love from within.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">II. Growing up to Perfection</span></span><br /><br />Jesus described perfection in Matthew 5:48 when he said, <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">"Be ye therefore <strong><em>perfect</em></strong>, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."</span> Clearly, Jesus meant that individual "perfection" is the goal for us all. The Message Bible translates the verse as, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you</span>."<br /><br />Unlike the Amaryllis flower in the video above, which reaches perfection through natural law alone, humans alone have the responsibility, free will, and choice to "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">grow up</span>" and achieve perfection; which is done by managing give and take between our minds, hearts and bodies in such a way that our:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">mind qualities</span></strong> (<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:180%;" ><strong>w</strong></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:180%;" ><strong>ords</strong></span>)<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:78%;">click to enlarge</span><br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirM7iS2eCqtXCGmpHFO3mGFsAglUBQQDjchUho8DkAoarCH2_p0T6BCedkZhhh2BN7LygVH-dkzsxEw23Gfr05GJX2IHvZxhvieRwMQH3KCiQob7IP6taJYWsSWnbJBPz9_rJx7YsWpUv1/s1600-h/MindWords.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirM7iS2eCqtXCGmpHFO3mGFsAglUBQQDjchUho8DkAoarCH2_p0T6BCedkZhhh2BN7LygVH-dkzsxEw23Gfr05GJX2IHvZxhvieRwMQH3KCiQob7IP6taJYWsSWnbJBPz9_rJx7YsWpUv1/s400/MindWords.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369744007889388834" border="0" /></a><br />and<br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">body qualities</span></span> (<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:180%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">dee</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:180%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">ds</span></span>)<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:78%;">click to enlarge</span><br /><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsoZepNis5l4EUd_5IQ4KgJzmjd09eBQBFvIVWsC8OQhmrKObnK5JX103uzvqg2lbjRclDp9Ujq5Mo9XantNXNegWbxcq2S77ga8D_fpF1Nrv0JkxxZsoT6YnST5Hb_QJfogeKv3jTC6MQ/s1600-h/BodyDeeds.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 259px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsoZepNis5l4EUd_5IQ4KgJzmjd09eBQBFvIVWsC8OQhmrKObnK5JX103uzvqg2lbjRclDp9Ujq5Mo9XantNXNegWbxcq2S77ga8D_fpF1Nrv0JkxxZsoT6YnST5Hb_QJfogeKv3jTC6MQ/s400/BodyDeeds.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369745034988610850" border="0" /></a><br />become "<strong>one</strong>" centered on the "<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Spirit of God</span>" within us, as expressed in the diagram below:<br /><br /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 318px; display: block; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348621725364322210" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_wunWX5yctlF7oUOa4Shwn1b9Rjw2v3r0tH2N2UCuMg76xRx7N88lxHtmx6RFQZHxkAJwDvK3PczpL1v2Bv8te9R-SGbOSJS6DjVjv7cOCUS4IycTaAO7-cTHp9TYRH3RCgBt4GXUl5hu/s320/perfectperson.JPG" border="0" /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">III. The Spirit of God within Us</span></span><br /><br />Achieving "being fruitful," the thoughts of our minds and the feelings of our hearts reflect God's thoughts and feelings, and are acted out in our physical deeds. Literally, we each become surrogates or avatars of God's love to each other. In this state, God's love dwells fully in our hearts. As expressed by the apostle Paul in I Corinthians 3:16, <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">"Know ye not that ye are the <strong><em>temple</em></strong> of God, and that the Spirit of <em><strong>God dwelleth in you</strong></em>?" </span><br /><br />With God's spirit dwelling in us, by "being fruitful" we inherit His character and blossom into the ideal, on an individual level, of being truly human. "Being Fruitful" allows us to become completely "one" with God in heart, as expressed in John 14:20, <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">"At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you."</span><br /><br />In recognizing that love is at the heart of the universe, the New Testament letter of John states in 1 John 4:7-8, <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">"Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">IV. Fruitful People</span></span><br /><br />When we become "fruitful," we constantly think and live centering around God, achieving deity and becoming the fruit of God's love. Naturally, we share all of God's feelings as our own. By reflecting the mind and heart of God, it would be absolutely impossible for any of us to commit a crime. We would be instantly stopped in our tracks by feeling the grief we would cause God and each other; because, we would all be one in the Spirit of God. Love is such a strong force of joy that we all would strive passionately toward being the perfect objects of God's joy.<br /><br />Once we fully know the love of God's heart and experience it in our lives, there is no temptation that can lure us away from our relationship with God! Nothing is sweeter, nothing is stronger, nothing is more pleasing than the love of God manifesting in our lives. As expressed in Romans 8:38 - 39, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God.</span>"<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">V. Non-Fruitful People</span></span><br /><br />Clearly, Adam and Eve did not achieve this level of relationship with God; because, if they had they never would have fallen for the serpent's false temptation. Instead of reflecting the unconditional, selfless love of God, Adam and Eve's original sin caused them to hide from God in an emotional state of guilt and shame, selfishly pointing fingers at each other and multiplying a son that killed his brother.<br /><br /><p> </p><p>Yet, even after Adam and Eve's original sin, God is still the parent of all people, whether good or bad. Our accomplishments gladden Him, our errors sadden Him and our struggles stir His heart. The bible records Him as feeling:</p><ul><li><strong><em>sorry</em></strong> and <strong><em>grieved</em></strong> over Adam and Eve's behavior in Genesis 6:6, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">And it <strong>repented</strong></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><strong></strong> the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it <strong>grieved</strong> him at his heart</span>;"</li><li><strong><em>angry</em></strong> in Exodus 4:14, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">And the <strong>anger </strong>of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother?"</span></li><li><strong><em>compassionate</em></strong> in Exodus 22:27, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">For that is his c</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">overing only, it is his raiment for his skin: wherein shall he sleep? and it shall come to pass, when he crieth unto me, that I will hear; for I am <strong>gracious</strong>."</span></li><li><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><strong><em>weary </em></strong>in Isaiah 1:14,</span> "Your new moons and your appoin</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">ted feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am <strong>weary</strong> to bear them."</span></li><li><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><strong><em>slow to anger</em></strong> and <strong><em>merciful</em></strong> in Psalms 103:8</span>, "The LORD is <strong>merciful</strong> and gracious, <strong>slow to anger</strong>, and <strong>plenteous in mercy</strong>."</span></li><li><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><strong><em>pitying </em></strong>in Psalms 103:13</span>, "Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD <strong>pitieth</strong> them that fear him."</span></li><li><strong><em>well-pleased</em></strong> in Matthew 3:17, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am <strong>well pleased</strong></span>;"</li><li>and <strong><em>loving</em></strong> in John 3:16, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">For God so <strong>loved</strong> the world, </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life</span>."</li></ul><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">VI. We can Communicate with God</span></span><br /><br />Because God is the origin of mind, heart and body qualities in a harmonized relationship, He has a personality that we can communicate with through prayer. If we are sincere in our prayers, our personalities will change and move towards God's image within us. Prayer is two-way communication with God that yields positive inspirations to help shape our personalities. As expressed in the diagram below, personalities have many facets, all the more reasons to pray without ceasing:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8wXbJp2NyzFou_JWGy0AvM-q5IFFZqks0NYI8ktXJ4AmIkBVyeywGB-EwR5LFhMSn3y9bQXOwLRSKJx_ZujRz1A65sDnvb7tHn_VfTn2YwfPDPZAkekupvhXhTisAt3qwpkL3SPssqp8/s1600-h/personality.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 367px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8wXbJp2NyzFou_JWGy0AvM-q5IFFZqks0NYI8ktXJ4AmIkBVyeywGB-EwR5LFhMSn3y9bQXOwLRSKJx_ZujRz1A65sDnvb7tHn_VfTn2YwfPDPZAkekupvhXhTisAt3qwpkL3SPssqp8/s400/personality.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369752867737028370" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />VII. The Tree of Life Within Us</span></span><br /><br />Ultimately, "being fruitful" is the process of harmonizing the mind and body qualities, expressed in "pattern #2" below, into oneness centered upon God and His will:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-sqOqJzadbMWBFFQhpKHAZDaPCJWNLTHNdq9y6opBUbSROPO8pCgCnG-WSx9YpCIDyuBqLgquCg2cmAaz1c0xYfNGCHSZ1OZpVe8vDvPnoPLF8RxX7bNRJK3uKh8Uq_ENfghzROr-7ehG/s1600-h/mindandbody5.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 186px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-sqOqJzadbMWBFFQhpKHAZDaPCJWNLTHNdq9y6opBUbSROPO8pCgCnG-WSx9YpCIDyuBqLgquCg2cmAaz1c0xYfNGCHSZ1OZpVe8vDvPnoPLF8RxX7bNRJK3uKh8Uq_ENfghzROr-7ehG/s400/mindandbody5.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379547928145854994" border="0" /></a><br />In humans, the harmony of mind and body qualities produces our essence or character - our personality. When the human mind and body unite centered upon God and His will, there is an infinite source of God's pure spirit of consciousness dwelling within us.<br /><br />The "tree of life" symbolizes such perfection blessed to each of us and represents the individual goal that we all, including Adam and Eve, strive to reach; that is, plugging 100% sin-free into God's spirit within us and allowing His purpose for our life to be expressed and fulfilled.<br /><br />As stated in Genesis 3:24 after Adam and Eve sinned, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">tree of life</span></span>.</span>" That is, to keeping the way of perfection or fruitfulness dwelling within each of us. Disney's animal kingdom interpretation of the tree of life is shown below:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Tree of Life</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgChJA1oBY0mokL5vk6Cl55wI9NX-kRqb_6NnX94AjEarMg-Nf3YDRf92mnv1DeimRt2qrJqYTxBYz_z9HLqIhRv5xqf_HBLtWuamOcXS37CrTffGoEkrg6ZuNCOo7zvxcp-tbkWG_Y6CNP/s1600-h/TreeOfLife.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgChJA1oBY0mokL5vk6Cl55wI9NX-kRqb_6NnX94AjEarMg-Nf3YDRf92mnv1DeimRt2qrJqYTxBYz_z9HLqIhRv5xqf_HBLtWuamOcXS37CrTffGoEkrg6ZuNCOo7zvxcp-tbkWG_Y6CNP/s400/TreeOfLife.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379548674682003634" border="0" /></a><br />Below are several bible verses emphasizing the symbolic nature and meaning of the "Tree of Life:"<br /><br />Proverbs 3:13 -18 states, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Happy is the man that findeth <span style="font-weight: bold;">wisdom</span>, and the man that getteth <span style="font-weight: bold;">understanding</span>. For the merchandise of it is better than merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">tree of life</span></span> to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.</span>"<br /><br />Proverbs 11:30 states, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">The fruit of the righteous is a <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">tree of life</span></span>.</span>"<br /><br />Proverbs 13:12 states, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">tree of life</span></span>.</span>"<br /><br />Proverbs 15:4 states, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">A wholesome tongue is a <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">tree of life</span></span>: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.</span>"<br /><br />Revelations 2:7 states, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; to him that overcometh will I give to eat of the <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">tree of life</span></span>, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.</span>"<br /><br />Revelations 22:14 states, "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">tree of life</span></span>, and may enter in through the gates into the city.</span>"<br /><br />Clearly, the tree of life is a symbol of the individual goal we all seek - perfection of God's image within us; that is, "to be fruitful."godamongushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783580274771793995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5714104889164922367.post-57788705758421959942009-03-02T15:40:00.000-08:002009-12-26T11:15:56.804-08:004. "The breath of life"<p align="justify">Genesis 2:7 ~<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">"And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and <strong style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;">breathed into his nostrils</span> <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">the breath of life</span></span></strong>; and man became a living soul"</span> <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%202:7;&version=9;" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">(King James Version)</a><br /><!--INFOLINKS_ON--><br /><strong>INTERPRETATION:</strong> God is the origin, creator and cause of mind and body qualities of each created being (matter, plants, animals, and humans) of the universe, as "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern #2-Mind and Body</span>" </span>reveals in the table below:</p><p align="justify"><br /></p><p align="justify"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 406px; display: block; height: 186px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308741105301279138" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1FJJkrKvvAXJ9VDMkeASMdd1udvv25gjNB2ja0bBkEBaTewkN9UfvjCnrRTEJ-Lj42FcdPVI8fpe7oSc2dSwEGDw6h1GUpVwi_kRlDJ0T2lz11XFdwNJr9Nufcnkwi_yLw89QcJSD3MH4/s400/mindandbody5.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="justify"><br /></p><span style="font-size:100%;">The human mind integrates all invisible aspects of the mind qualities, including, but not limited to:<br /></span><ul><li><span style="font-size:100%;">mind</span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">spirit mind</span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">flesh mind</span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">soul</span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">heart</span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">conscience</span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">desires</span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">thoughts</span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">intellect</span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">emotions<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">will</span></li></ul><p align="justify">Mind and body are the primary aspects of any being and its identity as masculine or feminine is secondary. An individual is first a person, a child of God, and secondarily a man or a woman. As the origin, God is the standard for harmony and oneness between mind and body qualities.</p><p align="justify"><br /></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Below, we take a closer look at the mind and body trademark imprinted in each created being of the universe (1-matter, 2-plan</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">ts, 3-animals, 4-humans)</span>:<br /></p><p align="justify"><br /></p><p align="justify"> <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><u><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">1 - MATTER</span> (<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Mind <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">and </span>Body</span>)</u>:</strong></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><strong><em>The matter mind:</em></strong></span> The mind of matter is revealed in the nature of chemical bonds - indisputable evidence of an invisible, <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">intelligent designer</span> controlling particles of matter. A chemical bond is the physical process responsible for the attractive interactions between atoms and molecules, and that which confers stability to diatomic and polyatomic chemical compounds. In general, strong chemical bonding is associated with the sharing or transfer of electrons between the participating atoms. Molecules, crystals, and diatomic gases—indeed most of the physical environment around us—are held together by chemical bonds, which dictate the structure of matter.<br /><span style="font-size:78%;">.</span><br />The world's only 2 time unshared Nobel Prize winner, Dr. Linus Pauling, stated "You can trace every sickness, every disease and every ailment to a mineral deficiency." Dr. Linus Pauling practiced this personally and lived to the age of 93 (Feb 28, 1901 - Aug 19, 1994). He was awarded a Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work on the nature of chemical bonds, and the Nobel Peace Prize for his work against nuclear testing. Linus Pauling was considered to be the father of molecular biology, implementing the science of Quantum Mechanics with that of biology. In the video below, Dr. Linus Pauling explains how he discovered the alpha helix structure in protein molecules:</p><p align="justify"><br /><object style="width: 336px; height: 255px;" width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/KDDQMTfMZxE&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/KDDQMTfMZxE&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></p><p align="justify"><strong><em></em></strong></p><p align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></p><p align="justify"><strong><em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">The body of matter is made of atoms and molecules</span></em></strong>. A definition of "matter" that is based upon its physical and chemical structure is: matter is what atoms and molecules are made of, meaning anything made of <a title="Proton" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proton" rel="nofollow">protons</a>, <a title="Neutron" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron" rel="nofollow">neutrons</a>, and <a title="Electron" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electron" rel="nofollow">electrons</a>. This definition is consistent with the <a title="International Bureau of Weights and Measures" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Bureau_of_Weights_and_Measures" rel="nofollow">Bureau International des Poids et Mesures</a> definition of "amount of substance," but is more specific about the constituents of matter (and unconcerned about the unit mole).<br /></p><p align="justify"><br /></p><p align="justify">As an example of matter under this definition, genetic information is carried by a long molecule called <a title="DNA" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DNA" rel="nofollow">DNA</a>, which is copied and inherited across generations. It is matter under this definition because it is made of atoms, not by virtue of having mass or occupying space. The DNA molecule, an example of matter under the "atoms and molecules" definition, is diagrammed below with hydrogen bonds shown as dotted lines:</p><p align="justify"><br /></p><p align="justify"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 308px; display: block; height: 325px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308751944004873314" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL5gz7tQyUU7be_WqUhsFDT-bxd2M7iqY3Bhu7ewyXuKfiYIxZ5ZOFpPKHGwgv3cm0vCT2iHK27SHOMlCj-DMQrZ5uHSPmlhN5ZWXaHng4-bjNhF1eB5BSgkDuLzi2ZZbdE8MAPkq2zRMS/s400/514px-DNA_chemical_structure_svg.png" border="0" /><br /></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><u><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">2 - PLANTS</span> (<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Mind</span> and <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Body</span>)</u>:</strong></span></p><p align="justify"><br /></p><p align="justify"><em><strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">The plant mind</span></strong></em>. The following video reveals that plants have a mind, memory, and and react to human emotion.</p><p align="justify"><br /><object style="width: 335px; height: 327px;" width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/UVTF-1esL3M&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/UVTF-1esL3M&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></p><p align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></p><p align="justify"><strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><em>The plant body is made of cells</em></span></strong>. Animals, plants, fungi, and protists are eukaryotes (IPA: <a title="Wikipedia:IPA for English" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:IPA_for_English" rel="nofollow">/juːˈkærɪɒt/</a> or IPA: <a title="Wikipedia:IPA for English" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:IPA_for_English" rel="nofollow">/-oʊt/</a>), organisms whose cells are organized into complex structures enclosed within membranes. <strong>The defining membrane-bound structure that differentiates eukaryotic cells from prokaryotic</strong><a title="Prokaryotic" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prokaryotic" rel="nofollow"><strong></strong></a><strong> cells is the </strong><a title="Cell nucleus" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cell_nucleus" rel="nofollow"><strong>nucleus</strong></a><strong>.</strong> The presence of a nucleus gives these organisms their name, which comes from the Greek ευ (eu), meaning "good/true," and κάρυον (karyon), "nut." Many eukaryotic cells contain other membrane-bound organelles such as <a title="Mitochondrion" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitochondrion" rel="nofollow">mitochondria</a>, <a title="Chloroplast" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chloroplast" rel="nofollow">chloroplasts</a> and <a title="Golgi apparatus" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golgi_apparatus" rel="nofollow">Golgi bodies</a>. A typical plant cell is illustrated below:</p><p align="justify"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;" align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">click to enlarge</span></p><p align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiff78OIWNlq-kUjd5tn_ea3YJvs3BCB4pm63WJxADCpR7l1zIlLlSeEVqJDkenXd2-uu0GauuOWPdOHlm0P17zmGqmHB8NVK4woagY1By_TaHZc_FYDuUahOKVrwvnRGuqBU87pNF9YkZk/s1600-h/649px-Plant_cell_structure_svg_svg.png"><img style="width: 400px; height: 293px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308934459588736274" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiff78OIWNlq-kUjd5tn_ea3YJvs3BCB4pm63WJxADCpR7l1zIlLlSeEVqJDkenXd2-uu0GauuOWPdOHlm0P17zmGqmHB8NVK4woagY1By_TaHZc_FYDuUahOKVrwvnRGuqBU87pNF9YkZk/s400/649px-Plant_cell_structure_svg_svg.png" border="0" /></a></p> <p align="justify"><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><u><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">3 - ANIMALS</span> (<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Mind</span> and <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Body</span>)</u>:</span></strong><br /><br /><strong><em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">The Animal mind</span></em></strong>. Sarah is an enculturated research chimpanzee whose cognitive skills are documented in <a title="The Mind of an Ape" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mind_of_an_Ape" rel="nofollow">The Mind of an Ape</a>, by David Premack and Ann James Premack (1983). Sarah was one of nine chimpanzees in David Premack's psychology laboratory in Pennsylvania. Sarah was born in Africa in 1962. She first worked in Missouri, then in Santa Barbara, and then Pennsylvania. She first was exposed to language token training in 1967.<br /><br />Sarah was the subject, along with 3 other chimpanzees who were exposed to language token training. One of the chimpanzees failed to learn a single word. But Sarah, Elizabeth and Peony were able to parse and also produce streams of tokens which obeyed a grammar.<br /><br />In another demonstration of the animal mind, enjoy dolphins playing with bubble rings in the video below:<br /><br /><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/TMCf7SNUb-Q&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/TMCf7SNUb-Q&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object><br /><br /><strong><em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">The animal body is made of cells</span></em></strong>. An animal cell is a form of <a title="Eukaryotic cell" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eukaryotic_cell" rel="nofollow">eukaryotic cell</a> that makes up many tissues in <a title="Animal" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal" rel="nofollow">animals</a>. The animal cell is distinct from other eukaryotes, most notably plant cells, as they lack cell walls and chloroplasts, and they have smaller vacuoles. Due to the lack of a rigid cell wall, animal cells can adopt a variety of shapes, and a <a title="Phagocyte" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phagocyte" rel="nofollow">phagocytic</a> cell can even engulf other structures.<br /><br />There are many different cell types. For instance, there are approximately 210 <a title="Distinct cell types in the adult human body" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distinct_cell_types_in_the_adult_human_body" rel="nofollow">distinct cell types in the adult human body</a>.<br /><br />A typical animal cell is illustrated below:<br /></p> <p style="text-align: center;" align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">click to enlarge</span></p><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px; display: block; height: 292px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308778818012025314" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhTs3Su7zp8Seozq1SLSDJLL6FLlwkosC2PqPnRbBI5q3WzpmFNylZkN9PcXfCO2DsSSvv-UBsU6mprmNVEFZTsCcWHONGaAq6yHvs7aVb3jj0t2khXm5YvCSMZuWd0af0NxdPFN_WPgMf/s400/553px-Animal_cell_structure_en_svg.png" border="0" /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><u><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">4 - HUMANS</span> (<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Mind</span> and <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Body</span>)</u>:</strong></span><p> </p><p><em><strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">The human mind</span></strong></em>. The following 3 videos reveal fascinating views about the human mind as follow:</p> <ol><li>A hologram view of the mind, body and universe</li><li>Vilayanur Ramachandran on the mind and body</li><li>A Russian woman who allegedly moves objects with her mind</li></ol><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">#1 - A hologram view of the mind, body and universe</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><object width="443" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/y9bVd3BspIQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/y9bVd3BspIQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="443" height="364"></embed></object></span><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">#2 - Vilayanur Ramachandran on the mind and body</span><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><object width="443" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/Rl2LwnaUA-k&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/Rl2LwnaUA-k&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="443" height="364"></embed></object><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">#3 - A russian woman who allegedly moves objects with her mind</span><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><object width="443" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/4jgMzcRxxEE&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/4jgMzcRxxEE&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="443" height="364"></embed></object><br /><br />The human body is made of cells</span>. In the viviparous animals (which include humans and all other placental mammals), the ovum is fertilized inside the female body, and the embryo then develops inside the uterus, receiving nutrition directly from the mother.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />The ovum is the largest cell in the human body, typically visible to the naked eye without the aid of a microscope or other magnification device. The human ovum measures between 100 and 200 µm in diameter.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A sperm cell fusing with an ovum is displayed in the picture below:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><u><br /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 353px; display: block; height: 215px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308785386351029714" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho1kOL6FhV9JtMYgTbFTX0FufXXhBaG-zBDQUbGvLvGyxC4ImmrjRjTNd4ZHHjFI83qow14dnehA2FzEo9jULvrJserIojePQXsBD5Xsc88_ifoM_mCwZJMgbIbJwjkBj3sM9lgQpX15Bh/s400/sperm.egg.jpg" border="0" /> There are approximately 210 <a title="Distinct cell types in the adult human body" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distinct_cell_types_in_the_adult_human_body" rel="nofollow">distinct cell types in the adult human body</a>.<br /><br /></u>The origin of the eukaryotic cell was a milestone in the evolution of life, since they include all complex cells and almost all multi-cellular organisms. The timing of this series of events is hard to determine; Knoll (2006) suggests they developed approximately 1.6 - 2.1 billion years ago. Some acritarchs are known from at least 1650 million years ago, and the possible alga Grypania has been found as far back as 2100 million years ago. Fossils that are clearly related to modern groups start appearing around 1.2 billion years ago, in the form of a red alga.<u><br /><br /></u>A phylogenetic tree or evolutionary tree is a tree showing the evolutionary relationships among various biological species or other entities that are believed to have a common ancestor. A Phylogenetic tree showing the relationship between the eukaryotes and other forms of life is shown in the picture below. Eukaryotes are colored red, archaea green and bacteria blue:<u><br /></u><p></p><p align="center"><u><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9aPXY3MM1mVCY_2xoFLLT2afYf9wXypfdp6O-J5K0RTFeAG7irsCjcRXB8CLhEFAY9G_v_fZFfhIBST2xkqp6SrBomdODn0mPXB2OC1_d-nGUXVL09WJYjoCezOUHG0HaA7qx-BlV1jE1/s1600-h/Collapsed_tree_labels_simplified.png"><img style="width: 400px; height: 264px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308787750122433906" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9aPXY3MM1mVCY_2xoFLLT2afYf9wXypfdp6O-J5K0RTFeAG7irsCjcRXB8CLhEFAY9G_v_fZFfhIBST2xkqp6SrBomdODn0mPXB2OC1_d-nGUXVL09WJYjoCezOUHG0HaA7qx-BlV1jE1/s400/Collapsed_tree_labels_simplified.png" border="0" /></a></u></p><p align="left"><u></u></p>Eukaryotes are closely related to Archaea, at least in terms of nuclear DNA and genetic machinery, and some place them with Archaea in the clade Neomura. In other respects, such as membrane composition, they are similar to eubacteria. Three main explanations for this have been proposed:<br /><br /><ol><li>Eukaryotes resulted from the complete fusion of two or more cells, wherein the cytoplasm formed from a eubacterium, and the nucleus from an archaeon, or from a virus.</li><li>Eukaryotes developed from Archaea, and acquired their eubacterial characteristics from the proto-mitochondrion.</li><li>Eukaryotes and Archaea developed separately from a modified eubacterium.</li></ol>godamongushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783580274771793995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5714104889164922367.post-34029808866334136112009-02-26T01:17:00.000-08:002009-12-09T10:23:36.158-08:003. "Male and female"<!--INFOLINKS_OFF--><br />Genesis 1:27 ~<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">male and female</span></span> he created them."</span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%201:27;&version=9;">King James Version</a>)</span><br /><!--INFOLINKS_ON--><br />INTERPRETATION:</strong> God is the origin, creator and cause of masculine and feminine qualities of each created being (matter, plants, animals, and humans) of the universe, as <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">"<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Pattern #1</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">-Masculinity and Femininity</span>" reveals in the table below:<br /><br /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px; display: block; height: 164px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308515496094077714" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuED-Cc4ursD4zs1HIS_f78Y61oE07E8doZPGQjw7yvQl80vRiYQJomnh1EJp4ZXe87F3djpanI9uICvLSaGQF0aPcIdJXbz2hBxEynT_jrIZko4dw8hLHsAQ46skTIBifbcGr6-CTJ39B/s400/masculinefeminine4.JPG" border="0" /><span style="font-size:100%;">Each being category above (matter, plants, animals, humans) contains a range of variation; yet, the extreme ends of the variation spectrum are always and only masculinity and femininity. Variation between the extremes include:<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;">~ Neutrons<br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;">~ Hermaphroditic plant, animal, and human types<br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;">~ Combination matter and/or plant types<br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;">~ Combination plant and/or animal types<br /><span style="font-size:100%;">~ Combination man and/or woman types<br /><br />Everything exists through the reciprocal relationship of masculinity and femininity striving to harmonize into the image of God. As the origin, God is the standard for harmony and oneness between masculine and feminine attributes.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Below, we take a closer look at the masculine and feminine trademark imprinted in each created being of the universe</span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"> (1-matter, 2-plants, 3-animals, 4-humans)</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">:</span><br /><br /></span><p align="left"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><u>1 - MATTER <span style="font-size:100%;">(Proton and Electron)</span></u><span style="font-size:100%;">:</span></span></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">The proton</span></em></strong> is a subatomic particle with a positive electricric charge of +1 elementary charge. In chemistry the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom is known as the atomic number, which determines the chemical element to which the atom belongs. For example, the atomic number of chlorine is 17; this means that each chlorine atom has 17 protons and that all atoms with 17 protons are chlorine atoms. In the atom below, the proton is the yellow particle in the nucleus:<img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 241px; display: block; height: 227px;" alt="" src="http://doctorzhivago.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/atom.jpg" border="0" /><strong><em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">The electron</span></em></strong> is a subatomic particle that carries a negative electrical charge. As shown in the picture above, it is the green particle that orbits an atom's nucleus. Experiments with <a title="Crookes tube" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crookes_tube" rel="nofollow">Crookes tube</a> first demonstrated the particle nature of electrons.</p><p><span style="font-size:78%;">.</span></p><p><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><u>2 - PLANTS <span style="font-size:100%;">(Stamen and Pistil)</span></u><span style="font-size:100%;">:</span></span></strong></p><p><strong><em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">The stamen</span></em></strong> (plural stamina or stamens, from Latin stamen meaning "thread of the warp") is the <span style="font-weight: bold;">male organ of a flower</span>. The Greek term is called an <a title="Androecium" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Androecium" rel="nofollow">androecium</a>. Below is a picture of the stamens of the Amaryllis with prominent anthers carrying pollen:</p><p><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 363px; display: block; height: 250px;" alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/95/Amaryllis_stamens_aka.jpg" border="0" />.<br /><strong><em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">The pistil</span></em></strong>, either one or more combined, forms a gynoecium (from Ancient Greek gyne, "woman") which is the <span style="font-weight: bold;">female reproductive part of a flower</span>. Below is a picture of the Amaryllis style and stigmas:<img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 368px; display: block; height: 240px;" alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/85/Amaryllis_stigma.jpg" border="0" />A pistil may consist of a single free carpel, or be formed from a number of carpels that are fused. The pistil itself is formed from the stigma, style, and ovary. A plant ovary (much like an animal ovary) is the part of the pistil which contains ovules. The style is generally referred to as stalk like, without ovules located between the ovary (at the bottom of the pistil) and the stigma (located at the top portion of the pistil). In some plant species styles are not found in the pistils. The stigma is the pollen receptor within the pistil at the top of the pistil. Stigmas may be discretely defined structures or they may be within a region referred to as the stigmatic region.</p><p></p><br /><p><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><u>3 - ANIMALS <span style="font-size:100%;">(MALE AND FEMALE)</span></u><span style="font-size:100%;">:</span></span></strong> </p><p><strong><em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">The Male</span></em></strong> animal. A lion is shown in the picture below:<img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 344px; display: block; height: 249px;" alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/10/Lion_waiting_in_Nambia.jpg" border="0" /></p><strong><em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">The Female</span></em></strong> animal. A lioness is shown in the picture below:<br /><br /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 344px; display: block; height: 303px;" alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c6/Okonjima_Lioness.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p></p><p><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><u>4 - HUMANS <span style="font-size:100%;">(Man and Woman)</span></u><span style="font-size:100%;">:</span></span></strong></p><p><strong><em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">The Man</span></em></strong>, shown below:</p><p><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 168px; display: block; height: 313px;" alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d5/David_von_Michelangelo.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>Michelangelo's David is the classical image of youthful male beauty in Western art.</p><br /><p><em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><strong>The Woman</strong>,</span></em> shown below:<img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 142px; display: block; height: 349px;" alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8b/Truth.jpg" border="0" />Truth, 1870, by Jules Joseph Lefebvre<br /></p><p><br /></p>godamongushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783580274771793995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5714104889164922367.post-40948981647368049922009-02-16T13:58:00.000-08:002009-12-24T23:33:59.882-08:002. "Understood from what has been made"<!--INFOLINKS_OFF-->Romans 1:20 ~<br /><div align="left"><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">"For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen<span style="font-size:100%;">, being </span><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">understood from what has been made</span></strong>, so that men are without excuse."</span> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans%201:20&version=31" target="_blank">New International Bible</a>)<br /><!--INFOLINKS_ON--><br /><strong>INTERPRETATION</strong>: We can understand God's invisible qualities by studying the energy formed into our universe. In essence, by studying the effect, we can learn things about the cause; or, by studying our created universe, we can learn things about God, our Creator. It's similar to learning things about bloggers by studying their blogs. For example, even if a sole author created numerous different blogsites, there is still a unique <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;">trademark</span>, brand, style, <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;">pattern </span>or code that ties each blogsite back to its sole author.<br /><br />Similarly, studying our universe reveals <strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:130%;" >2 patterns</span></strong> common to every being, indicative of a sole creator's <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">trademark </span>in shaping energy and reflective of our sole creator's invisible qualities, as shown below:</div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"></span></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"></span></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"></span></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"></span></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"></span></span></strong></div><div align="left"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"></span></span></strong></div><div align="left"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><u>Pattern #1</u></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><u> - Masculinity and Femininity</u>*</span></span></strong></div><div align="left"><strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:78%;" ><br /></span></strong></div><div align="left"><strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:130%;" ></span></strong></div><div align="left"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px; display: block; height: 164px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307847355440099346" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi14fqTtKavJQ7EAFry83Ks2USwpSzScQ_1PK77T58B_QTukDdYUtYtRKOkqyiqtdD8eFJr9kUflO7swpaTAiXNs2nmfhb38ybjy-_74gs8E3PyiJIZvCMXOc9HwTD1Z9O3jmnGCZIzMVw4/s400/masculinefeminine4.JPG" border="0" /><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:130%;" >*Note</span>:</strong> The asterisk highlights the fact that each above category contains a range of variation; yet, the extreme ends of the variation spectrum are always and only masculinity and femininity. Variation between the extremes includes:</span></div><ul><li><div align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;">Neutrons</span></div></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">Hermaphroditic plant, animal, and human types</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">Combination matter and/or plant types</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">Combination plant and/or animal types</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">Combination man and/or woman types</span></li></ul><p align="left"><strong><u><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Pattern </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">#2 - Mind and Body</span></span></u></strong><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">*</span></span></strong></p><p align="left"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><br /></span></span></strong></p><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px; display: block; height: 186px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307847677452134770" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA03ITedt5gh4VPwzUCuC6syucssFMjmIxE2TkZ98qa7RUKmkED4wgye26bHoaHR0lr-CO2YjDopDSzPbt5HIeRqrvXASwBNrW5hbtIlX5v4SKthRAJbPtYBm7YMDx3NtWijT7UCtq4RsA/s400/mindandbody5.JPG" border="0" /><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:130%;" >*Note</span>:</strong> The asterisk highlights the fact that the human mind integrates all invisible aspects of the mind qualities, including, but not limited to:</span><br /><ul><li><span style="font-size:85%;">mind</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">spirit mind</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">flesh mind</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">soul</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">heart</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">conscience</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">desires</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">thoughts</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">intellect</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">emotions<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">will<br /></span></li></ul><p></p>godamongushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783580274771793995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5714104889164922367.post-77198921025706651692009-02-15T12:36:00.000-08:002009-12-13T12:08:59.233-08:001. "I AM WHO I AM"<!--INFOLINKS_OFF-->Exodus 3:14 ~<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">God said to Moses, "<span style="font-size:130%;">I am who I am</span>."</span> (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=exodus%203:14&version=31#fen-NIV-1594a" target="_blank">New In</a><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=exodus%203:14&version=31#fen-NIV-1594a" target="_blank">ternational Bible</a>)<br /><!--INFOLINKS_ON--><br /><strong>INTERPRETATION</strong>: "I am" is an eternal, self-existing, absolute being transcendent of space and time, empowered with an original force. The original force is the fundamental force of "I am," God, the Creator. The force is manifested as energy throughout the universe. To get a feel for the amount of energy throughout the universe, in relation to our planet Earth, click on the video below for a rather humbling experience:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0co8PD8zTT0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 325px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-qztii-OXSYgdkzujY-D6PFPFUGdxO72d07iP8aFc9fSicQO75IvtOdGhE-FsHqtM5Y7SkpNeZEWhhLZ-91_YwVZCb_ppMLLFD9cDsEZivTd9plfHCsl2Fl-X8OWpXa_6iF4SEc2KhNQ/s400/HowBigIsTheUniverse.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414789701047282498" border="0" /></a>In the video below, former American astronomer, astrochemist, and author Carl Sagan (November 9, 1934 - December 20, 1996) presents his view on the significance of planet Earth in relation to the energy throughout the universe:<br /><br /><object width="443" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/PgeVODbvpAI&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/PgeVODbvpAI&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="443" height="364"></embed></object><br /><br />Scientists all agree that energy throughout the universe cannot be created nor destroyed, has always been and will always be, is transferable from invisible energy into visible matter, and vice versa. According to Albert Einstein's equation of E = MC^2, energy and matter are different manifestations of the same energy throughout the universe. To hear Einstein briefly explain his formula, click on the video below:<br /><br /><embed src="http://wejew.com/flv_player/Main.swf" quality="high" flashvars="config=http://wejew.com/flv_player/data/playerConfigEmbed/1728.xml" allowscriptaccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="443" align="middle" height="364"></embed><br /><br />Einstein's formula is explained a bit further in the video below:<br /><br /><object width="443" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/ejlpfOvLtI4&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/ejlpfOvLtI4&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="443" height="364"></embed></object><br /><br />Finally, Hollywood's interpretation of God's original force is explained by Yoda in the video clip below:<br /><br /><object width="443" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/PcjnbIF1yAA&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/PcjnbIF1yAA&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="443" height="364"></embed></object>godamongushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783580274771793995noreply@blogger.com