Monthly Archives: August 2018

Who and where is the “real you”?

by fact-s.net

Who and where is the “real you”?

Sounds spooky?

These questions maybe weird to begin with. But, knowing the “real you” will guide us to our ultimate destiny. And here lies the key: what are we composed of and where we really are in that structure?

In the secular world, man is composed of matter, including the brain. Everything in it is made of organ systems, tissues and cells, which in turn have sub-cellular components and myriad other substances. This structural design comports with the narrative in Genesis except in major details as follows:

In the Genesis account, man was described as having come, not by evolution(1), but as a “created being”. There was a Creator named YHVH-Elohim/LORD-God(Genesis 1:1; Genesis 2:4); otherwise known as Jesus the Word (John 1:2; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2. And this particular created man, was formed by God, the “potter” (Isaiah 64:8;Jeremiah 18:1-4) from “the ground”(2) and was placed in the garden of Eden.

This man traced the lineage of Jesus (Matthew 1:1-16; Luke 3:23-38; Genesis 5:3-29). See also Reference (3) for meaning of these names and (4). Specific emphasis should be made on his “human lineage” as the “totality of him”, his spirit and flesh, actually came from above (John 6:38; Exodus 3:14; John 1:1), heavenly and not from earth(5). Please allow this brief digression that after the human Jesus, there were no more “flesh”(matter) offspring from him as he was the beginning or precursor of the “new creation”, of spirit-composed(6,7), immortal beings built into a “new kingdom of God”.

Now back to the main topic: In creating Adam, the Creator-God(Lord God/YHVH Elohim) revealed that the matter-composition came “from the ground” (earth) and was not initially alive. While it was perfectly made, it had no life in it for the cells to function. Notice the description in Gen 2:7 (NIV):

“Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath (nshamah/spirit) of life, and the man became a living being(nephesh).”

The matter-composed man was derived from the ground, i.e., earthy. There was no life in man when it was created until the breath-of-life was breathe into his nostrils. The life-giving power came directly from the spirit-composed God-Creator and therefore “spirit and heavenly”, the “spirit-of-man”. This potential energy (like any power-energy), the breath-of-life, was activated by God to kinetic energy for the matter-composed man to be alive. It was only after this action that all the life-processes of our cells then started. That “nephesh”(breathing or living being) is composed of “flesh”+ “breath of life”/spirit-of-man. Still, are these 2 components the “real you.”?

Temporary dwelling

The concept of “temporary dwelling” leads one to compartmentalize and point to the “real you”. And, this principle is based on progressive revelation(Isaiah 28:10), viz.,

1. Temples are prototypes where the specific God (the Father) makes his appearance known.

Going back to the history in the Old Testament, notice that YHVH Elohim/Lord God had shown his presence to Adam, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob in many instances and to Israel even as he took the Israelites to the promised land. And this he did in a visible way but never in a particular/specific place in a structure, sanctuary, tabernacle or Temple. And yet, the holy Bible states that this specific God manifested his presence to Israel in a tent/tabernacle/sanctuary (Exodus 25–31 and 35–40) and subsequently in the first Solomonic temple (8), which was destroyed during Nebuchadnezzar II era after the Siege of Jerusalem IN 587 BCE. After coming out of captivity, the temple was rebuilt in the 6th century BCE. and was destroyed again during the Roman era in 70 CE(9).

Notice that these dwelling places have compartments and that only in the “holy-of-holies” (10),the specific place with the highest sanctity in these structures and no other part in it, was where this particular God showed his presence. Also, all of them did not last suggesting they were all temporary structures. This specific God did not permanently dwell there at all for a reason explained later in the book of Acts and in Revelations.

But who is this particular God that appeared in the “holy-of-holies”? As YHVH Elohim(the Creator God/Word/Jesus) showed himself in a different, open and visible way, this appearance has to refer to Father God (11) and that it foretells his future in-dwelling.

2. God does not dwell in temples made by human hands.

Notice that all these tabernacle/temples were “temporary” and were made by ”human by hands” and merely a “type”. Here is what was revealed to us later:

Acts 17:24 “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands”

Acts 7:48-49 “However, the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says:Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me? says the Lord. Or where will my resting place be?”

The preceding means, that he manifested himself in temporary structures but he did not “live, rest or stayed” in there.

3, The living being is the “temple of God”. and not a dead one.

The apostles Paul intimated this concept as he addressed the “living body of believers” in Corinth.

I Cor. 3:16-17

“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.”

I Cor 6:19

What? do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?

4. The kingdom of God is “in you”,i.e., “in the living body”.

As the tabernacle and temples made by “human hands” of Israel have compartments, and that God specifically manifested only in the “holy-of-holies” , where exactly is this in the living human body?

In Luke 17:21, it says “…the kingdom of God is within you. “

The English word “kingdom” comes from the Greek word “basilea” meaning realm or territory. This is the place where the Father God will dwell. Whereas, English word “within” comes from the Greek word “entos”, meaning “within or in the midst” of you(not among), the “living person”.

Clearly, the place where Father God will dwell is within the living person. But since the “living being”(nephesh) has 2 components, viz., the flesh body + breath of life(spirit of man), which one typifies the “holy-of-holies” in the living person? Where “in you” will God dwell?

5. God does not dwell in earthy place made by hands.

Recollecting how man was created, the flesh-part was fashioned by the hands of the “potter” from “clay or ground” and therefore “earthy”. On the other hand, the “breath of life”(spirit of man) came directly from the spirit-composed Creator himself, and therefore not “earthy” but “heavenly”. This was not made by “hands”, but instead was directly breathe out from a heavenly Creator into the lifeless body and activated it into a “living being”(nephesh).

This “spirit of man”, not the “flesh” is the dwelling place of Father God, his abode, the “holy-of-holies” in the “nephesh”/living being.

Why the need for God’s Holy Spirit in man?

Humans were created with “weak” flesh and a “helper” (John 14:26) has to strengthen the “willing spirit-of-man” (Matthew 26:41), willing spirit because it wrestles with the flesh. The “spirit-of-man” is willing but has to be empowered by God’s Holy Spirit of power to overcome the “the weak flesh”. Indeed, as Paul said in Galatians 5:17 (English Standard Version):

“For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.”

This “helper” was given by the Father to his Son after Jesus’ resurrection. (John 16:7:).In the “spirit-of-man”, God is still building us “to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ”

Ephesians 2:19-22

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

1 Peter 2:5

you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Nicodemus dilemma

In the narrative found in John 3:1-8, the dilemma of Nicodemus was addressed (12). After we were “born of water” through natural birth from our mothers, we have to be “born of the spirit” to be saved from eternal death(13). And, this prophesied nd precisely-timed process starts in the “mind/spirit-of/man” to guide and nurture it in the ways of God to be “one” with him. The “promised spirit-of-God” takes abode in the “spirit-of-man”/mind empowering it to overcome the “pull of the flesh” thereby “writing the Law” in the “tablets of our heart”(2 Corinthians 3:3; Hebrews 8:10; Jeremiah 31:33. Through voluntary spiritual growth and development, we will develop wisdom and become “overcomers”(Revelations 2:7-11;v-17; v-26; 3:5; v-12) of the flesh (not bear its fruits but of the spirit as in Galatians 5:19-26) to subsequently be “born again” (John 3:3-7) as “spirit-composed beings”, immortal, in a “twinkling of an eye” (1 Corinthians 15:52) at our resurrection.

Summary

All have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). This includes even humans before and after the Adam in Genesis(14). Because of sin, the created living beings became “enemies”(Romans 5:10) and had to be reconciled by the Creator God/Lord God/YHVH Elohim, the Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7) Jesus/the Word who took on the penalty of sin through his death at the cross. After his resurrection, he was given the “promised helper”/the spirit(power) of Father God that was then given at Pentecost and still being given now. And this, to take abode in our “spirit-of-man”, the “holy-of-holies” of our living body/nephesh for empowerment of the “willing spirit” towards growth/development and “overcoming “ to be “one” with the Father.

Currently the “real us” (spirit/of-man/breath of life) is a template, a Temple.But God, in due time, will in-dwell in it a “Helper”(Advocate) to empower it for development and maturity. This “spirit-of-man” is the “real you” in the living person/nephesh. This is the “inner man” that Paul referred to in Romans 7:22-23; 2 Corinthians 4:16; Ephesians 3:16. Our flesh-composed body is the “clothing” that will rot in the grave as the “spirit-of-man goes back to the Father at death(Ecclesiastes 12:7), waiting to be “clothe” (1 Corinthians 15:54) on the appointed time with immortal-spirit-composed body at the “last trump”(1 Corinthians 15:52).

The Genesis account of Adam “clothed” with lamb-skin “sacrificed” for him to “cover” his “nakedness” (15) is a prototype of the future.

This reminds me of the movie Karate Kid III: Miyagi said to Daniel La Russo that while the Bonsai tree is broken, “inside you” (the root is willing) must be empowered “to grow” and will recover/heal. The “best karate” is still “in him”. In the ending scene in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, shortly before the Battle of Yavin and destruction of the Death Star, Obi-wan-Kenobi said to Luke Skywalker, “may the force to be with you“. He then closed his eyes and trusted “the force”.

The spirit of God given at Pentecost is the building block for the “spirit-of-man” to grow and be “one” with the Father. While the “spirit-of-man”, the “breath-of-life” is the “dwelling/abode” of the “promised spirit-of-God”, the permanent dwelling place of the Father will come in the future when all become “one” with the Father through the “builder” Christ(Zechariah 6:13; Matthew 13:55;Luke 2:49;Acts 20:28; Ephesians 2:13; 1Cor. 3:9-11; Acts 4:11; 1 Peter 2:6-7). The Father will come down from “first heaven” to dwell permanently in the “new heaven and earth” as in Revelations 21:1-3

“Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,”for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God (Father) himself will be with them and be their God”.

Notice that “Spirit-power of God” is “in us” while the Father himself will be “with us” in the “new heaven and earth”

God Bless🙏😇☀️

References

1. How Evolution Flunked the Science Test. Retrieved 8/23/18 from https://www.amazingfacts.org/media-library/book/e/33/t/how-evolution-flunked-the-science-test/laststatus/mobile/mrtype/mobile/postback1387/1?skinsrc=[g]skins%2famazingfacts%2faf-mobile

2. Adam, the First Human? Retrieved 8/23/18 from

http://fact-s.net/2016/12/10/adam-the-first-human-what-difference-does-it-make-2

3. Genealogy from Adam to Noah. Retrieved 8/23/18 from http://thetruthgroup.com/genealogy-from-adam-to-noah/

http://www.africa-israel.org/hidden-genealogy-from-adam-to-noah

4. Family tree of Noah. Retrieved 8/22/18 from https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham%27s_family_tree

5. Incarnation. Retrieved 8/23/18 from http://fact-s.net/2017/01/12/incarnation-questions-and-controversies/

6. Ongoing Creation. Retrieved 8/23/18 from
http://fact-s.net/2018/06/30/ongoing-creation/

7. Kingdom of God in Human Anatomy. Retrieved 8/23/18 from http://fact-s.net/2016/12/21/kingdom-of-god-in-human-Anatomy/

8. Solomon’s Temple. Retrieved 8/24/18 from https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solomon%27s_Temple

9. Second Temple. Retrieved 8/25/28 from https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Temple

10. Holy of Holies. Retrieved 8/28/18 from http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/7830-holy-of-holies

11. What is God? Retrieved 8/29/18 from https://fact-s.net/2014/06/29/what-is-god-2/

12. Born Again. Retrieved 8/40/18 from http://fact-s.net/2017/03/12/born-again/

13. Death, What is? Retrieved 8/30/18 from https://fact-s.net/2017/05/09/death-what-is/

14. Adam, the First Human? Retrieved 8/30/18 from http://fact-s.net/2016/12/10/adam-the-first-human-what-difference-does-it-make-2/

15. What does Naked Mean? Retrieved 8/30/18 from

https://fact-s.net/2018/04/11/what-does-naked-mean-and-why-were-adam-eve-afraid-and-ashamed

Original post; August 30, 2018

Belief, the mechanism, timing of and meaning what?

by fact-s.net

Believing is a must-have for anyone to be saved. We have to believe in God and his promises. By believing, we recognize his sovereignty. Without believing, no one comes to the “kingdom of God”(1). It is a critical key that opens the door to salvation (2). This principle is based on:

Acts 16:31”They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”

Hebrews 11:6 tells us, “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

Romans 10:14 “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?”

Believing is indeed a sine-qua-non to salvation. We have to believe that God is who he says he is; that what he promised he has the power to fulfill and that his Son-Jesus is the only “way, the truth and the life”(John 14:6). And, this belief only comes after hearing of evidenced-based proof/faith(3). Moreover, it necessitates someone to preach the true “gospel” before one can hear it.

For emphasis, no one believes unless he first “hears”. And, no one hears unless God opens “spiritual ears” nor “see” unless God opens “spiritual eyes”(Job 42:5; Isaiah 35:5; Matt. 11:5). And the power that brings this about is through the Holy Spirit. Notice the special blessing that comes with believing without seeing with our material eyes:

John 20:29,

“Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me(visibly), thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen(except with spiritual eyes), and yet have believed.”

Moreover, spiritual message is preached of and about God and his promises. Additionally, how can someone preach unless sent to preach? Notice:

Romans 10:15

“And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”

Indeed, God has to send preachers or messengers of the gospel:

Hebrews 1:1-2

“In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe”

As in the Old Testament times with truth expressed in Isaiah 28:10

“For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:”

And, in these “last days” in the New Testament era, the Father had to send his Son, the “pioneer” (Hebrews 12:2), the YHVH-Creator of the universe, to testify for the finality of the “good news”.

Time for the gospel to be preached has come as in his start of Galilean ministry:

“…Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:14-15

Luke 4:21

“And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

All of these steps have to initiate in the “past and in diverse manners” but have to be finalized and completed when the incarnated YHVH Creator has been sent as man-Jesus, again at a particular time, after Spirit-baptism at river Jordan, not before. Then the Father will “draw to him” those who were predestined and called at each dispensation era(4).

John 6:44

“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.”

When did this mechanism start?

Altogether, the mechanism started even before the foundation of the world as in Ephesians 1:4

“ For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.”

Romans 8:29 “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.”

Moreover, Romans 8:30

“And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified”(NIV).

Ephesians 1:4-5 “Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,”

Ephesians 1:11 “In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,”

Matt. 22:14

For many are called, but few are chosen.(Those with garment ready to attend the wedding).

From the context, truly “many are called” but “few are chosen” suggests that comparatively only few will have chosen to “attend the wedding with appropriate spirit-composed garment”.

Belief is not enough ?

One does not to have to do any personal “works”, which at best, are “filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6-8; Philippians 3:8-9) to God. The Holy Spirit is given to those predestined to have their eyes and ears open spiritually at their own time, for them to “believe”, (accepting the “gospel”).

The mechanism of getting this gift of the Holy Spirit is different from what others have taught on the process of salvation, as in(5):

“To use an analogy, if someone offered to send you a $100 bill if you would send him a self-addressed stamped envelope, he would be offering you a gift. Simply believing that he would send you the money would not actually get you the money. And if you failed to send the envelope, you likewise would not receive it. You might complain, but you still would not receive the gift because you had not met the conditions. On the other hand, if you sent the required envelope and received the $100 bill, you did not earn the gift. You simply met the necessary conditions. The fact that conditions are attached makes it no less a gift”.

The big difference from the preceding analogy is that there is no pre-condition attached to this gift of the Holy Spirit. It is a matter of “election “(Romans 8:29, 9:16; Acts 13:48; 2 Thes. 2:13; 2 Tim. 1:9; I Peter 1:2), a predestination. Election is unconditional as it does not depend on anything outside of God, such as good works or faith. Whether the person likes it or not, the gift of the Holy Spirit for our “ears and eyes to open spiritually” has been planned and given to the predestined for a predetermined dispensation era and that decision was made “from the foundation of the world”. Notice that anytime the Holy Spirit was given, whether to do miracles or guide people, it always depended on no one else’s decision but God’s. This is sovereignty on display. Remember it was God who chose the time(Acts 2:1-47) to show his power in a most amazing way, on the day of Pentecost? This is how we should look at what “gift” means. What one does whether to accept or reject the in-dwelling of this gifted Holy Spirit is the person’s responsibility and of free will. Those who were not predestined to get this gift at this dispensation, will have their time in the future and after the Millenium rule of Jesus on earth.

Summary

For justice and fairness, “time and chance happen to all”(Eccl. 9:11) thereby foreknowing and predestinating all at their own time to “be called”; first the “firstfruits(Romans 8:23) then the “latterfruits”(Rev. 20:4-5). The prequel of this gospel was given through the prophets of old and in the “latter days” given directly by the Chosen One himself, Jesus. And, with the Father sending Jesus (the captain, pioneer, trailblazer), as predestined, to preach the gospel. Preachers, like disciples and apostles, of this “gospel of Jesus “ then have to be sent to those “called” (the predestined ones) during this era. The gift of the Holy Spirit will be given to those predestined to “hear and see” spiritual truths at their appointed time. With ears able to hear and eyes able to see by and through the Holy Spirit, we then believed voluntarily; others may reject to their peril. Belief is a “mental acceptance” that is the aftermath of giving this gift of the Holy Spirit that opens spiritual ears and eyes. No other action yet has been done by the “believer” when the Holy Spirit was given. No “works” yet, hence, a gift. But, with the in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit in the predestined (at time appointed), called-out, justified person, then comes sanctification to be “one” with the Father through the end; persevere as overcomers with Jesus, the Elder Brother(Heb 2:11). Only those who persevere in “bearing fruits of the Holy Spirit” will be rewarded and glorified with the promised spirit-composed garment/clothing consistent with immortality and salvation from eternal death. Then, we say: 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 King James Version (KJV)

“O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

God bless🙏😇

References

1. What is the Kingdom of God?Retrieved 7/29/18 from http://fact-s.net/2015/07/20/what-is-the-kingdom-of-god/

2. Salvation Series-1, What? Retrieved 7/29/18 from

http://fact-s.net/2015/10/04/salvation-series-1what/

3. Faith vs hope, wishful thinking, trust?Retrieved 8/2/18 from http://fact-s.net/2015/10/27/faith-vs-hope-or-wishful-thinking/

4. Resurrection. Retrieved 8/3/18 from https://fact-s.net/2017/05/18/resurrection/

(5) Is Belief All That’s Required for Salvation? Retrieved 8/4/18 at

https://www.ucg.org/bible-study-tools/booklets/you-can-have-living-faith/is-belief-all-thats-required-for-salvation

Original post: August 5, 2018