“What is Truth?”
John
18:37-38, Jesus said, “. . . for this reason I was born, and for this I came
into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone
on the side of truth listens to me.” (They
listen to the light that testifies to the truth.)
“What
is truth?” Pilate asked.
(The
Truth is the light has/is come and speaks to us but we have not understood it.)
John 1:5,
The light shines in the darkness,
but the darkness has not understood it.
John
12:44-50, Then Jesus cried out, “When a man believes in me, he does not believe
in me only, but in the one who sent me. When he looks at me, (the light) he sees the one who sent me.
I have come into the world as a light,
so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. As for the
person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I (the Light) did not come to judge the
world, but to save it. There is a judge for the one who rejects (the light) me and does not accept my
words; that very word (insight, understanding,
conscience, truth) which I (the
Light) spoke will condemn him at the last day (when it says, ‘I knew I should have listened.’). For I (the Light) did not speak of my own
accord, but the Father who sent me (the
Light) commanded me what to say and how to say it (The understanding the light provides comes from the Father, absolute Truth).
I (the Light) know that his command
leads to eternal life. So whatever I (the
Light) say is just what the Father (Truth)
has told me to say.”
The
truth is He, the Light, has come into the world (1John 4:9,
2Cor. 4:6) and is in each of us
testifying to this truth. We testify, even prove it is true, that He has
come into us, if we listen to and follow the light. It would be the same
between us and the light as it is between the light and the Father. We listen
to the light as the light listens to the Father (Truth). The light is in us to
show us the way out of darkness. The light is not in us to make us feel guilty.
What makes us feel guilty is our rejection
of the words that come through the light from the Father. So even our guilt is
proof testifying that the light has come
into us and spoken to us what the Father has spoken to Him, but we failed
to listen to it.
John 3:17-21, For God did not send his
Son (the Light) into the world to
condemn the world, but to save the world through him (the Light). Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever
does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the
name of (Light) God’s one and only
Son. This is the verdict: Light
has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their
deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into
the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the
truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has
done has been done through God.” (So
that his testimony to the truth that he is being led by, the light which God has sent, may be plainly seen, evident
primarily to himself as well as others. The
Light has been sent into us so we can follow it, if we live in darkness it is
our choice. To indulge is to choose not to refrain. To lie is to choose not
to be honest. To live in darkness is to choose to not to live in the
Light. To disobey is to choose not to obey.) --- Amos 3:3 Do two walk together unless they
have agreed to do so?
Even
so, Light has come into us, even though
darkness denies that truth it cannot overcome it because it is proved in our disobedience
also. (By guilt) What our darkness
does not understand is that it, and its denial is death, while Light is life.
The Light is not what makes one guilty, the sin does. The Light forewarns and then
if we side with darkness, also reveals the problem and the solution.
John 1:4-5, In him was
life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but
the darkness has not understood it. (TheOur darkness has
not understood that the light, our good conscience, has come to save not
condemn.)
2Corinthians 4:6 For
God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our
hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the
face of Christ.
Ephesians 5:8-14, For
you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of
the light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness,
righteousness, and truth) and find out what
pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness,
but rather expose them. (Do not
deceive yourself, take note and acknowledge when your thoughts are drifting
toward darkness and resist them. Shine the light on your dark thoughts, so to
speak. It is shameful, to put it mildly, what goes through our minds while in
darkness, such as the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of
life, without mentioning the shameful details.) For it is shameful even
to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the
light (Christ) becomes visible
(as in introspection); for it is light that makes everything visible.
This is why it is said:
“Wake up, O sleeper, Rise from the dead, and Christ
will shine on you.”
Be very
careful, then, how you live---not as unwise but as wise, making the most of
every opportunity (think about what you
are thinking about), because the days are evil. Therefore do not be
foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on “wine”,
(anything that dulls your thinking)
which leads to debauchery (1. Excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures:
dissipation. 2. Seduction from morality, allegiance, or duty.). Instead, be
filled with the Spirit.
2Corinthians
5:16-17, 21 So from now on we regard no
one from a worldly point of view Though we once regarded Christ (The Light) in this way, we do so no
longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ (The Light), he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 21 . . . , so that in him (The Light) we might become the righteousness of God.
Now this is what Truth is, the Light,
“insight” has/is come. And it is from Truth,
who is God, ‘When
a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent
me. When he looks at me, (the light) he sees the one (the truth) who sent me.’
How do I start? --- Ezek. 2:1-2 He said to me,
“Son of man, stand up on your feet and I will speak to you.” As he spoke, the
Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet, and I heard him speaking to me.
Now two examples of God’s faithfulness most prominent to me at this time are:
1.
His faithfulness to speak truth.
2.
And
His faithfulness to speak truth
whether we listen or fail to listen.
What if God did not speak truth at
all whether we listen or failed to listen? Without his word we would have no
hope at all. Look at what a pitiful situation we would be in here where we live
--- where Satan has his throne --- where Satan lives. It is like being cast
into the deep, into the very heart of the seas, and the current swirling about,
all the waves and breakers sweeping over us banishing us from Gods sight. The
engulfing water threatens us, the deep surrounds us. Seaweed wraps around our
heads down we’d sink to the roots of the mountains in a pit and our life ebbing
away. (SeeReference to
Jonah Ch. 2)
If God did not speak truth whether we listen or fail to
listen we would be so totally hopeless here where we live --- where Satan has
his throne --- where Satan lives that enormous red dragon posed to devour us
from our birth into the kingdom of light,
that Serpent who spews water like a river from his mouth to overtake us and
sweep us away with the torrent. (See Rev.
Ch.12) The devil who makes temptation common to all mankind and in order to
lead us astray takes advantage of any opportunity in which we have not made
every effort to be wise. (See Eph.
5:15-16) Though we live here where Satan has his throne, where Satan lives
(Rev. 2:13) God in his faithfulness sent his Light, so we can overcome the
flood of influence that Satan generates. All generations from Noah to now and
to come have this covenant with God --- Genesis 9:15 . . . Never again will the
“waters” become a flood to “destroy all life”. This is why he is
faithful to speak whether we listen or fail to listen, to offset the effect of
a flood of “waters” that would otherwise destroy all life.
1Cor. 10:13 No temptation has seized you except what is
common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be
tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also
provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
So in the
faithfulness of God to his covenant, each and every one has the opportunity
to hear him speak. Though there be a flood of suggestions from the Serpents
mouth, which are common to man, they cannot drown out Gods word. The Word will
be there like “a rainbow in the clouds”,
like a “Light in the darkness” for
those who will listen and wish to turn from sin. The sign of the covenant is a
rainbow which equates to repentance in that it is the effect of “Light” shining
through the “waters”.
Ezekiel 3:12 --- May the glory of the LORD be praised in his dwelling place --- (In
other words, May the Word be honored
and reflected in us. See 1Cor.
3:16-17, 2Cor. 6:16, Eph. 2:22, Phil. 2:13-16, Rev. 21:3)
Ezekiel 3:27 . . . ‘This is what the
Sovereign LORD says.’ Whoever will listen let him listen and whoever will
refuse let him refuse; for they are a rebellious house.
Rev. 22:14-17 “Blessed are those who
wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go
through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic
arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves
and practices falsehood.
“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you
this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.” (I am tangible and spiritual. Also see Rom. 1:3-4.)
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And
let him who hears say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever
wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life, The Light of Truth.
‘I will open my mouth in parables,
I will utter things hidden since the
creation of the world.’
Rom. 1:19-20 since what may be known about God is plain to them,
because God has made it plain to them. 20 ‘For since the creation of the
world God’s invisible qualities
- - - his eternal power and divine nature - - - have been clearly
seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without
excuse.’
Let us look at what has been made
to see how they spiritually reflect God’s invisible qualities. (Allegorically,
yes. Why? Because though seeing it literally, they do not see; though hearing it
literally, they do not hear or understand.
See Matt. 13:10-17)
‘He who
has ears, let him hear.’ (He who has ears is he that understands the
spiritual meaning of what is being said and/or what has been made by our
spiritual God.)
So as it says in
Revelation: Ch. 1 and 2, ‘He, who has an ear, let him hear what
the Spirit says to the churches.’
Genesis 1: 1. In the beginning God created the
heavens (An eternal state of communion
with God, A condition or place of supreme happiness, Matt.13:11, 24, 31, 33, 44,
45, 47, 52) and the earth. (See
Hebrew, Strong’s #776 meaning to be
firm, or way) 2. Now the earth was formless and empty, (no way for a firm
foundation, no place to take a stand under the heavens, no under-standing, because,) darkness was over the surface of the (intellect) deep, - - -
- - - and the Spirit of God was hovering over
the waters.
“Waters”
symbolically/allegorically represents powers, spiritual forces - heavenly influences of light and/or earthly influences of darkness, in the thoughts
of the “heart” of men. (Prov. 27:19 As water
reflects the face, so a man’s heart reflects the man.) Ask anyone who
has experienced raging floods and pounding waves how immensely powerful and
moving the influence of waters can be. The Spirit of God was “hovering
over”, dealing with the waters. In
dealing with the “waters” the Spirit said, ‘Let there be light, an expanse, and
the water under the (sky, expanse, discipline, firmament – the field or sphere
of an interest or activity) to be gathered into one place’.
[(2 Peter 3:5 . . . long ago by
God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water.) What if that was
all there was to it? What if that was all there was to our existence, formless
and empty with darkness covering every thought and feeling, every perception,
darkness over every forming or deforming, settling or unsettling, influential
“water” without boundaries?]
The Spirit of God, the divine
nature of God, seeing and knowing the effect of darkness over these
influential, forming and deforming, settling and unsettling boundless “waters” tells
us to, “Let there be light”, the “water of life”.
1:3. And God said, “Let there be light,” and
there was light.
1:4
God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. – (Note; to ‘see that light is good and to
separate light from darkness’ in our life is to ‘let there be light’.
Furthermore, to let is to have control, to control is to create/make, to
create/make is to have Spiritual power.)
1:5 God called the light (allegorically)
“day,” and the darkness he called (allegorically)
“night.” And there was evening, and there was morning --- the first day.
As for us, this action of faith,
seeing and separating light from darkness, is enhanced by making the
distinction between the two with such identifying names as “day” and “night” or
even “good” and “evil”. Our move then from evening, the darkness, to morning,
the enlightenment, would be the first “day,” our first awakening to
wisdom and understanding, our first
perception of Light, our
first break - through the darkness over the surface of the “deep/intellect,” the start of a new
life for us. This Light is an informing powerful word, “good tidings,”
“gospel,” a “water/influence” of life, the light is the eternal power of God, for the
salvation of everyone who believes. In this “Light” of awareness, the divine nature of righteousness from God
is revealed to us. This Light is the gospel (the news) of the glory (the righteousness)
of Christ, who is the image of God. (see 2 Cor.4:4) For God, who said, “Let
light shine out of darkness.” made his light shine in our hearts to give us
the light (awareness) of the knowledge of the glory (righteousness) of God in
the face (what we’ve seen and
portray) of Christ. (See 2 Cor. 3:18, 4:6, Col. 3:10), (Proverbs 27:19 As water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects
the man. Prov. 18:4, 20:5)
Do
you think that there is no hope of ever shedding our dark image, that no one
will ever be able to know respect or acceptance as a human? (Gen.
4:7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted?) What if I told you by word and/or action, that it has already happened?
Not just one but many have been accepted as righteous, accepted as being in the
image of God, accepted as being in the likeness of God, while being human (Rev.
19:5-8, 2Cor. 3:17-18). We have the eternal
power from God to let there be
light, to separate light from darkness to make ourselves ready for the gift
of righteous acts, a divine nature. Now you, believe it or not,
can have hope for yourself of being in the image, being in the likeness of God.
If you believe it, God has made the light of the knowledge of his eternal power and divine nature shine
in your heart from what has been made, specifically, the Light, the awareness, the Christ that separates you from
darkness. If you do not believe, it is no excuse.
Romans 1:16-20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible
qualities --- his eternal power and
divine nature --- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has
been made, so that men are without excuse.
2 Cor. 2:15-16 For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 16 To the
one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life.
2 Cor. 4:1-6 Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this
ministry. We do not lose heart. 2 Rather, We have renounced secret and shameful
ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God (which He made shine and we hear in our
hearts). On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend
ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our
gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this
age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of
the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For we do not
preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for
Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his
light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the
glory of God in the face of
Christ (in being like Christ 2Cor.
3:18).
-
- - and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
(The
Spirit of God was “hovering over”, dealing with the waters. Again in dealing
with the “waters” he also said let there be an expanse, synonymous of
discipline, between the waters.)
--- (Between two
Kinds of Wisdom, heavenly and earthly) Col.
3:1-10, 1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts
on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your
minds on things above, not on earthly things. – 9 . . . since you have taken
off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, -- which is being – renewed in knowledge –
in the image -- of God.
James 3:11-18 Can both fresh water
and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers, can a fig tree
bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
13 Who is wise and understanding among
you? Let him show it by his good life,
by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you
harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it
or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but
is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. 16 For where you have envy
and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. 17 But
the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then
peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial
and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
The
expanse is like the difference between enlightenment and darkness, truth and
deception? Like awareness or a condition of observation and seeing, the expanse
of the sky is like a panoramic viewpoint, a place where seeing the distinction
between truth and deception is possible. Eyes are not necessarily relevant for an
overview, insight, awareness, realization in the expanse/discipline of the mind.
(Job 26:10 He
marks out the horizon on the face of the waters for a boundary between light
and darkness.)
Gen. 1:6 And God said “Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from
water.” (Eph. 4:14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by
the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the
cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.) “Waters” symbolically represents spiritual forces, powers - such as heavenly influences of light, “water of life,” and/or earthly influences of darkness, or the thoughts
or feelings of the “heart” of men (Prov. 18:4, 20:5, 27:19). Again, ask anyone
who has experience raging floods and pounding waves how immensely powerful and
moving the influence of these “waters” can be.
Gen. 1:7-8 So God made the expanse and
separated the water under the expanse from the water above it. And it was so. 8
God called the expanse “sky.” And there was evening, and there was morning ---
the second day.
(Our second awakening to wisdom and
understanding is our second light.) We’ve
another example of how God used what was
made (the “sky”) to make it clear to us from its constant evidence that
we have His eternal (constant) power to let there be an “expanse” between the “waters” to separate the
“water” below from the “water” above.
And that if we do, it will be so. So we now have a second enlightenment of the divine nature of God. Our move then
from evening, ignorance, the darkness, to morning, the enlightenment,
would be the second “day,” our second awakening to wisdom and understanding, our second perception of Light.
- - - and the Spirit of God was hovering over
the waters.
The Spirit of God
was “hovering over”, dealing with the waters. In dealing with the “waters”
further, he also said; ‘let the water under the expanse be gathered into one
place’. (let the water under the expanse be controlled)
Rev. 12:15-16
Then from his mouth the serpent spewed waters
like a river, to overtake the woman and sweep her away with the torrent. 16 But
the earth helped the woman by
opening its mouth and swallowing the river that the dragon had spewed out of
his mouth.
Rev. 17:15 Then
the angel said to me, “The waters
you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and
languages. (Influences)
Psalm 69:1 Save
me, O God, for the waters have come
up to my neck. 2. I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have
come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me. 14 Rescue me from the mire, do not let me sink;
deliver me from those who hate me, from the deep waters. 15 Do not let the floodwaters
engulf me or the depths swallow me up or the pit close its mouth over me.
Gen. 1:9-10 And God said “Let the water under the
sky be gathered to one place, and let
dry ground appear.” And it was so. 10
God called the dry ground “land,” and the gathered waters he called “seas.”
And God saw that it was good.
Here again by God’s word he has made
clear to us from what has been made, the unstable “sea” and the firm “land” and
the separation of their entanglement, that he is saying to us to let all the “noisy bombarding surf” (Psalm
93:3-5), “ the roaring torrential rivers”(Luke 6:46-49) of suggestive “waters” be
gathered in one place. (identified, and set in boundaries Prov.8:29, Eph.5:7-8),
in order to stay focused on the eternal
power he has given us to let his divine nature appear in us, his children of light,
and it will be so and you will see that it is good.
(If you have light shining through the “waters”
above the expanse a “rainbow of hope” is produced as a sign. It’s a sign
of promise in the “sky” among the “gloomy clouds” which are produced by the
“waters” below the expanse. A sign that never again will the “waters” become an
overcoming flood to destroy all
life.) See Gen. 9:12-17, 1Cor. 10:12-13.
Gen. 1:11 Then
God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit
with seed in it, according to
their various kinds.” And it was so.
Vegetation
– means the act or process of vegetating, vegetate - means to sprout or grow as a plant does. Vegetate is
from the Latin word ‘vegetare,’ to enliven.
– see vegetable from Middle English word ‘vegetative’ meaning - of, relating
to, or functioning in processes such as growth or nutrition instead of sexual
reproduction.
Enliven
– means to make lively or spirited: animate.
Seed –
means a beginning or source: origin.
Plants
– can mean those who are fixed or set firmly in position.
Exodus 15:17 You will bring them in and plant them on the mountain
(land) of your inheritance – the place,
O Lord, you made for your dwelling, the sanctuary, O Lord, your hands
established.
2Sam. 7:10, I will provide a place for my people . . . and
will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer
be disturbed.
Isaiah 37:31-32, Once more a remnant of the house of Judah will
take root below and bear fruit above. For out of Jerusalem will
come a remnant, and out of Mount Zion a band of survivors.
Isaiah 6:13 . . . so the holy seed will be the stump in the
land.
Land –
can mean to cause to arrive in a place or condition. (As in placed/landed
in a condition of/place of/land of -- cohabitation with God, see Ex.15:17 above,
and Heb. 3:6, 8:2, 10:19-23, 1Cor. 3:9, 16-17, 6:19, 2Cor. 6:16.)
Trees –
represent strength, hence anything strong; spec. a chief: a mighty (man). (Ezek.17,
Dan. 4:20-22)
So
allegorically speaking after we let there be light, and
separate light from darkness, and let an expanse separate the water above from
the water below, and let the water below the expanse be gathered to one place
so dry ground will appear then,
according to the example God made known to us from what has been made,
we should let the “land,” a cohabitation with God, produce “vegetation,” a
process of making lively or spirited growth aside from sexual reproduction,
capable of producing a new “plant” as seed- bearing plants do and “trees” on the
“land” capable of growth or nurturing as
trees with “fruit” and “seed”(Christ)
in them do, Gal.5:22-26, Eph.5:8-11) according to their various (examples) kinds.
12 The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees
bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was
good. 13 And there was evening, and there was morning--- the third day.
Our move then from evening, ignorance,
the darkness, to morning, the enlightenment, would be the third
“day,” our third awakening to wisdom and understanding, being “firmly planted”
and producing growth, “fruit”, and “seed”, our
third perception of Light.
Gen.
1:14 And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate
the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days
and years, 15 and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on
the earth.” And it was so. 16 God made two great lights – the greater light to
govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the
stars. 17 God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth, 18
to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God
saw that it was good. 19 And there was evening, and there was morning – the
fourth day.
·
The Word of God – ‘Let there be’
·
The Spirit of Prophecy – The Testimony of Jesus – the bright
morning star
·
Dan.
12:3 Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens,
and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and
ever.
·
2
Pet. 1:19 And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will
do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place,
until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
·
Rev.
2:28-29 I will also give him the morning star. 29 He who has an ear let
him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
·
Rev.
22:16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the
churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning
Star.”
God
set the great lights and the stars in the expanse of the sky to serve by
marking the seasons, days, and years with an example of consistently
(eternally) separating light from darkness so insight on the earth can be
gained in governing their days and nights consistently, to always
separate light from darkness during their days and nights through the seasons
and years, even if needs be, minute by minute. (Psalms
19:1-4, and 72:5, 17, 89:36-37 agrees)
By the word of
God the insights, whether we listen or fail to listen, are set in the “expanse” of the mind
to testify to us (also see Heb. 8:10-11, Psalms 1:1-2,3-6) to use this eternal power given by God to portray
his divine nature according to the
kind in which we were created, in the likeness and image of God, as is the case
with the Word of God, and the Spirit of Prophecy, and the children of the
kingdom of Light.
And
there was darkness now enlightenment, our
fourth perception of light.
Gen. 1:20, And God said, “Let the water teem with living
creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the
sky.” 21 So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and
moving thing with which the water teems, according
to their kinds, and every winged bird according
to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 22 God blessed them and said,
“Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the
birds increase on the earth.” 23 And there was evening, and there was morning –
the fifth day.
Every living and moving
(message/messenger) thing with which the water teems and every winged bird were
blessed to increase in number, fill the water and the earth with living and
moving things according to the way they were created (1 Cor. 15:39-58) and blessed to dwell in designated areas.
And
there was darkness now enlightenment, our
fifth perception of light.
24 And God said, “Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the
ground, and wild animals, each according
to its kind.” And it was so. 25 God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock
according to their kinds, and all
the creatures that move along the ground according
to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.
And it is good for
us to see that all of creation is blessed, according to its kind and in its
place, because it tells us that we too would be blessed by dwelling in the
state of being in which we were created, which is by the word of God and the
Spirit of prophecy, according to the kind they created us to be, in their image
and their likeness, God’s own image, a Spiritual
Body, which is to rule/excel above
the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over all the creatures
that move along the ground which were created according to their own kind,
their own image, their own likeness.
26
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let
them rule (Excel) over the
fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over all the creatures that move
along the ground.”
27 So God
created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him’ male and
female he created them.
28 God blessed them and said to them,
“Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule
over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living
creature that moves on the ground.” (Also
see Psalms 8:1-9)
(Subdue means to bring under control
and in the case of land, to bring under cultivation. And rule in the sense of its application here, means; to be an authoritative direction for
conduct, to keep within proper limits: restrain, to maintain a specified rate
or level, to be excellent or superior.) Unlike the fish of the sea and the
birds of the air and all the creatures that move along the ground which were
created according to their own kind, their own image, their own likeness, we
were created according to the image and likeness of the word of God and the
Spirit of prophecy with their eternal power and divine nature. What
may be known about God is plain to us for since the creation of the world God’s
invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine
nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made,
so that we are without excuse. [Reference to Rom.1:19-20] From what has been
made we can see plainly that we were created to be fruitful and increase in
number according to the way we were created. And we were created to have power
to be like God in our nature, to separate light from darkness, and to
increase in number accordingly. 2Peter 1:3-4 His divine power has given us
everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who
called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his
very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the
divine nature and escape the corruption
in the world caused by evil desires.
29 Then God said, “I give you every
seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit
with seed in it. They will be yours for food.
A seed, what does it
mean? How does it work? By definition a seed is a fertilized and ripened plant
ovule having an embryo (inner part) that is capable of germinating
(inner beginning) to produce a new plant (or new life). Seed is also
used to mean a beginning or source: origin. Therefore a seed would be an inner
beginning, an inner source, or an inner origin of life.
So in the beginning God (or the word, according
to Jn.1: 1) created the light or (wisdom according to Proverbs 8:12, 22-36), or
if you will, a “Seed”, to begin to or cause to grow a new creation. Like the
invisible force that germinates a seed, the Light (wisdom & understanding)
causes life to grow out of the darkness. Our beginning, our origin as children
of God (children of the Word), lies in the Light (inner wisdom &
understanding), which he said is good (good to produce growth according to its kind). So he
separated Light (wisdom & understanding) from the empty formless darkness.
He called the Light “day” and the darkness he called “night”.
We
read in John 12:35, “Put your trust in the Light (inner wisdom) while you have
it, so that (It may germinate in you and) you may become sons of light.”
1Thessalonians 5:4-10 But you Brothers are not in darkness so that this
“day” (“era” of the Lord, “era” of wisdom, “era” of truth, or “era” of
light) should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light
and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness.
So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, (they are in the empty
formless darkness of their minds) but let us be alert and self-controlled
(through the “seed”, light, wisdom, Christ). For those who sleep, sleep at
night, (in their darkness) and those who get drunk, get drunk at night (in
their darkness). But since we belong to the “day” (“era” of light, “era”
of insight, “era” of wisdom, “era” of the Lord,) let us be self-controlled,
putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a
helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation
through (the seed, light, wisdom, understanding) our Lord Jesus Christ. (See
1Cor. 1:30) He died (became the “seed”) for us so that, whether we are awake or
asleep, we may live together with (the light, the wisdom) Him. (The Seed).
We use seed even to make bread to eat.
Since we so frequently turn to food and if we should consider its inner
beginning in the seed, does it not have a potential to consistently remind us
of our own inner origin? (Give us this day our daily “seed”). I believe I see a
purpose behind giving us seed bearing plants and fruit with seed in
them (according to their kinds) for food. The Kingdom of God is like a tree
bearing the seed, or the fruit (spiritual food) with the seed in it, which is
for us so we can grow according to its kind in the image and likeness of the “seed”,
(the Light, Wisdom, inner
understanding) which is God’s own image. The Good News is that this
spiritual food is attainable by all those who believe that the “Light” makes
the difference, in other words, those who believe in the name of the Seed.
30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all
the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground – everything
that has the breath of life in it – I give every green plant for food.” And it
was so.
31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning – the sixth
day.
2Peter 1:3-4 His divine power has given us
everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who
called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his
very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the
divine nature and escape the corruption
in the world caused by evil desires.
And
there was darkness now enlightenment, our
sixth perception of light.
Gen.
2:1 Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array.
Gen. 2:2-3
By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the
seventh day he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and
made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had
done.
Our
seventh perception of light is a “day” of rest, the blessed and holy objective
wherein we are created by the Word of
God and the Spirit of Prophecy/ testimony of
Jesus, the “day” where in our creation in their image and their likeness, in
God’s own image is complete.
Our seventh perception of light is a “day”, a time of our awareness of being
children of light in the Kingdom of light, a time of constant power (Eph.
3:18, 20) to participate in the Divine nature, being freed from the corruption
caused by having evil desires (2 Pet. 1:4, Eph. 4:22), a day of salvation,
and a time of serving as examples that inspire the “earth” to separate light from darkness. It is a time of knowing there was
darkness but now there is
enlightenment, our seventh perception
of Light.
‘I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in
darkness.’
That is the
reason we too can rest, by God’s completed creation of light that insures our
ability to work/walk/live with him continuously/eternally in his image.
‘My Father is always at his work to this very day.
And I too, am working.’
What it means to
be Immortal
What it means to be immortal Is
to believe the one God has sent;
John 6:38—40 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to
do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me
that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the
last day. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and
believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last
day. (Not necessarily our last day of
living since we are talking about eternal life but the last day of doubt, the
day we believe.)
John 11:25—26 Jesus said to her,
“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live (spiritually speaking), even though he
dies (physically speaking), and
whoever lives (physically speaking)
and believes in me will never die (spiritually
speaking).”
What it means to be immortal is
to hear his word;
John 5:24—25 “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes
him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has
crossed over from death to life. I tell you the truth, a time is coming and
has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who
hear will live.
What it means to be immortal is
to keep his word;
John 8:51 I tell you the truth,
if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.”
What it means to be immortal is
to listen and follow;
John 10:27—28 My sheep listen
to my voice; I know them, and they follow me, I give them eternal life,
and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.
What it means to be immortal is
to know God and Jesus Christ;
John 17:3 Now this is eternal
life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you
have sent.
What it means to be immortal is
to be in Christ Jesus;
Romans 8:1—2 Therefore, there is
now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through
Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and
death.
What it means to be immortal is
to have your mind controlled by the Spirit;
Rom.8:6 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by
the Spirit is life and peace;
What it means to be immortal is to have
life for your mortal bodies through Gods Spirit living in you;
Rom. 8:10—11 But if Christ is in
you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of
righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is
living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your
mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.
What it means to be immortal is
to be a son (child) of God;
Rom. 8: 13—14 For if you live
according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put
to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the
Spirit of God are sons of God.
What it means to be Immortal
is to be changed;
1Cor. 15:51—58, 51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep,
but we will all be changed–
53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the
mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the
imperishable, and the mortal with
immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has
been swallowed up in victory.” 55 “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O
death, is your sting?”
What it means to be immortal is to be
made new;
2 Cor. 5:16—17 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of
view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the
new has come!
If you see only
the ear or any one part of Christ, do you not see Christ none the less? Is not
every part of Christ immortal, body, head, and all? Therefore if you are in
Christ, a part of his body, that part of his body is immortal also. Living a
life of love is to take part in immortality, that life of love is immortal
whether we take part in it or not. To believe in that life of love is to be
clothed with immortality. The mortal has been replaced. That Spirit of love is
called Christ. Before you disagree you need know that the Lord is the Spirit,
2Cor.3:17. The meaning of our life now takes on a new and more, heavenly, dimension. Eph. 2:6 And God
raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,
What it means to be Immortal is to be part of Christ;
As in 1Cor. 12:12–27, 2Cor.
3:17—18, Gal. 5:24, Eph. 1:23, 3:19, 4:11—24, Col. Ch. 1 and 2.
Matt. 13:11 “The knowledge of the
secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.
‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to
the churches.’
There
are; ‘Wonders in the Heavens and on the Earth’ of – ‘Blood, fire, and billows
of smoke’—life, spirit, and glory of God.
