Monthly Archives: September 2018

What is God?

by fact-s.net

What is God?

Why is Jesus “fully man” and also “fully God”?

Sounds ridiculous? Yet surprisingly, many of us may be misinformed about what the original “word” God is, thus, leading to misinterpretation as to what the translated English word “god” is.

Some may be atheist and denies existence of God. Others are agnostics and still groping for the answer. Admittedly, others know who their God is, one way or another, one religion or another. But, do we really know what the word God is? This question is not about the attributes of God, viz., omniscience, omnipotence, omnipresence, etc. Rather, it is about whether we comprehend what comprises or constitutes the word translated in English as God. Can this understanding help us in resolving the conflict between those who prove that Jesus is both God and man versus those who has equally compelling proof that he is only human?

And, are there other “Gods“? If there are no other, then why did Jesus say in John 10:34 “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, you are gods’? The man-Jesus classified himself as well as other human beings as gods, for which reason they accused him of blasphemy, stoned him and subsequently killed him because of this outrageous claim. Was Jesus right in classifying humans as gods?

Does it really matter, who we are and where in creation we belong? We are not in the plant-kingdom nor are we in the animal-kingdom as those kingdoms were created before man (Genesis 1:11-12; Genesis 1:21; Genesis 1:24-25; Genesis 2:5; Genesis 2:7). Are we really in the god-kingdom as classified by Jesus for which claim, he was persecuted and eventually died?

This issue maybe so basic, yet so fundamental that the answer maybe so eye-popping as to help us understand the future and destiny of man. As the Bible says, “…the only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is...” Romans 12:3 (The Message, Colorado Springs, Navpress, 1993)

Facts: analysis towards Truth:

To know the facts, we need to get to the original word in Hebrew (for the Old testament portion of the Bible/Tanach) and Greek (for the New Testament) that was translated into the English word God. For this, the Touch Bible will be of much help as the original comes out just by touching that English word. Anyone who has a comprehensive concordance will also be able to compile all the original words translated as God. Afterwards, to know the truth behind those words, one then looks at the usage/context of how the original word was used and whether other text or verses can confirm the true meaning of the original word.

Following this format of research, one may be surprised about discovering many things that we were taught as a child/adult may indeed be deficient and fall under the category of misinformation, not intentional mind you, but misleading and confusing, nevertheless.

As we delve into this critical subject, we will know what comprises the word “God“, concepts of polytheism/monotheism, variations/levels of powers, and where is the rightful position of angels, man, sons of God, Christ and the Father.

And from these, we will then appreciate the spiritual significance behind knowing this subject well, and the hierarchy of creation.

POLYTHEISM/MONOTHEISM :

At the outset, let us look at the concept of polytheism/monotheism and verses that may appear confusing yet may eventually help us in exploring this subject: The startling fact is that the Pentateuch introduces the concept of plurality of the word God.

Notice :

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.(Genesis 1:1) Here, the word God translated from Hebrew is plural and this numerical concept is reiterated in (Genesis 1:26) Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, after our likeness, …

But also, consider the following verses:

If after all, there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords (I Corinthians 8:5)

God stands in the assembly of El ,in the midst of the gods he renders judgment (Psalms 82:1 )

None can compare to you among the gods, O sovereign Master! Your exploits are incomparable! (Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O lord) (Psalms 86:8)

Yes, I know the Lord is great, and our sovereign Master is superior to all gods.(YHVH is above all gods ) (Psalms 135:5),

For you, O Lord, are the sovereign king over the whole earth; you are elevated high above all gods.(above all gods ) (Psalms 97:9)

You shall have no other gods before me (Exodus.20:3 Decalogue)

You must burn the images of their gods,(graven images of their gods ) (Deuteronomy 7:25),

…on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment (many deities ) (Exodus 12:12)

For thou, LORD, [art] high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods (Psalms 97:9)

The preceding verses from the Old/New Testament tell us that, indeed, there are many gods, and many lords, but a Supreme Being among them is above all of them.

Traditional Christianity denies the reality of many “gods“. But, there are indeed many “gods” and with different names. May refer to same person but with different names, as in known to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob the supreme God and above all of them, his name was El Shaddai (God Almighty) and to Moses, YHVH (Lord/Yahweh/Jehovah); see Exodus 6:3. To Muslims, the name is Allah, to Chinese and Hindus there are many names as well(1,2).

While there are many gods, only one should be worshipped above all and others not, at a particular time in history, e.g., El Shaddai/Yahweh Elohim (aka, who incarnated to man-Jesus) to be worshipped during Old Testament times and the Father-God in the New Testament when the son-father relationship was first introduced.

These verses affirm and did not deny the existence and reality of many gods. Polytheism is a fact in as much as there are many gods, and so is monotheism, in so far as there is One Supreme Being and One Above All gods is concerned, and the one to be worshipped.

If in fact the preceding statement is true, and using this premise as a base, it then becomes imperative to get to the original word in Hebrew and Greek that was translated God . This will then help us understand what constitutes or comprises the word God, not only from the transliteration of the word, but also its context and usage.

ELOHIM:

In Genesis, the Hebrew word translated God in English comes from the word ELOHIM/ELOHIYM. This is plural and a derivative of “El/Eloah“(singular) meaning strong, mighty, power, POWERFUL ONES (3).

Likewise, in Strong’s Exhaustive Bible Concordance, comes the following Hebrew words:

430 ‘elohiym el-o-heem’ plural of 433 ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative:–angels, X exceeding, God (gods)(-dess, -ly), X (very) great, judges, X mighty.

433 ‘elowahh el-o’-ah; rarely (shortened) >eloahh {el-o’-ah probably prolonged (emphat.) from 410; a deity or the Deity:–God, god. See 430.

426 ‘elahh el-aw’ (Aramaic) corresponding to 433; God:–God, god.

410 ‘el ale shortened from 352; strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity):–God (god), X goodly, X great, idol, might(-y one), power, strong. Compare names in “-el.”

Why is Elohiym plural ? Some think this is numerical plurality but others take this to mean multiplicity or majesty of powers, functions or rank, the latter being more in line with the context of one proximate Creator.

Which, if any, could it be?

In Genesis 1:26, “And ELOHIYM said, Let us ….our likeness…” suggest there were others of the same likeness or image during this creation narrative, hence Elohiym is a word that connotes numerical plurality , but also that a particular being (not beings) actually did the creation itself or spoke the word of creating, e.g., using he/his in:

Genesis 1:27 So ELOHIYM created man in his own image, in the image of ELOHIYM created he him; male and female created he them.

Genesis 1:31 And ELOHIYM saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

Genesis 2:2-3 And on the seventh day ELOHIYM ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made, And ELOHIYM blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which ELOHIYM created and made.

Genesis 2:8 And YHVH ELOHIYM planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.

and using pronoun I in Gen.1:29-30 And ELOHIYM said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.

And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.

YHVH ELOHIYM:

The identity of this particular Elohiym, was specified as YHVH ELOHIYM or Lord God in

Genesis 2:4-5 These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that YHVH ELOHIYM made the earth and the heavens, And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for YHVH ELOHIYM had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground.

Genesis 2:7-9 And YHVH ELOHIYM formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

And YHVH ELOHIYM planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.

And out of the ground made YHVH ELOHIYM 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 tree of knowledge of good and evil.

N.B. Also see Genesis Chapters 3,4,5, etc. that specifies that the particular Elohiym was in fact YHVH.

YHVH is the proximate Creator-God in contradistinction to the other Elohiym, as in, Genesis 6:2 sons of ELOHIYM. This specific and particular Elohiym is YHVH, who is the creator and the one who said “…Let us…our likeness ..” in Genesis 1:26. This same person is the one who spoke to Moses and the one known to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as El Shadday. Notice the following:

Exodus 6:2-3 And ELOHIYM spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am YHVH:

And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of EL SHADDAY (God Almighty) but by my name YHVH (Lord) was I not known to them.

Exodus 6:7 And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a ELOHIYM: and ye shall know that I am YHVH (Lord) your ELOHIYM(God), which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.

Deuteronomy 10:17 For YHVH your ELOHIYM is ELOHIYM of gods, and ADOWN of lords, a great EL, a mighty, …

Incidentally, the traditional English version of this was quoted in the prayer by Col. Oliver North who was a keynote speaker at the National Day of Prayer gathering at Washington, D.C. on May 6 2004

This is the Elohiym(God) of Israel, and specifically identified and named YHVH / El Shadday/Shaddai

This again is confirmed in the Shema doctrine found in

Deuteronomy 6:4-5 Hear, O Israel: YHVH our ELOHIYM is one YHVH:

And thou shalt love YHVH thy ELOHIYM with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

Micah 4:5 For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of YHVH our ELOHIYM for ever and ever.

Yes, there is no other specific Elohiym known and introduced to Israel to be worshipped but YHVH / El Shadday who is ONE. The One and ONLY ONE above all gods. Yes, one person with “plurality of powers” and not plural in number.

From the preceding, one can see that the plural word Elohiym is a generic or common name for a powerful being with majesty or plurality of powers and that it includes the Creator as well as others of like image or likeness. But to specify the identity of this particular Elohiym as a Creator of heavens and earth, over “all gods” and the one-being who dealt with Abraham, Isaac,Jacob,Moses and Israel , the proper name El Shadday(Shaddai), YHVH was used.

Angel as ELOHIM:

To confirm this concept that Elohiym/God is generic/common name, notice the following:

Worship him, all ye gods (430, elohiym)Psalms 97:7 and juxtapose this with the reference…angels (32 aggelos {ang’-el-os} of God worship him in Hebrews 1:6

The elohiym/gods in Psalm 97:7 is definitely referred to mean aggelos/angels. See also the scene when Jesus told an angel (Satan) to worship him and speaking of himself towards Satan :

Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Matthew 4:10

And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.Luke 4:8

And to identify which of the elohiym or angels is specifically referred to:

…. for Satan himself is transformed into an angel (32 aggelos {ang’-el-os} of light.2 Corinthians 11:14

…prince of this world be cast out John 12:31

… god (2316 theos) of this world (Satan) 2 Corinthians 4:4.

See also Psalms 8:5 angel(elohim, Strong’s #43) referring to YHVH’s incarnation to man-Jesus being lower than angels, yet both angels and man are called “gods”.

Yes, even angels are classified in the Elohiym/God. This could be the reason why “us” and “our” are used in Genesis 1:26 as angels were there during man’s creation, as the “serpent” (Lucifer,Satan) was in the garden of Eden. As only Jesus and the Father knew about the plan, alternatively and more logical rendering is that “us” and “our” referred to YHVH (Jesus) and the “Ancient of Days” (Father God, Daniel 7:13.)

Man-Jesus, Son of God, human, Jewish leaders, Judges are classified as ELOHIM:

Following the same concept of commonality or common noun for the word Elohiym/God, notice these verses:

John 10:31-36 The Jewish leaders picked up rocks again to stone him to death. Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many good deeds from the Father. For which one of them are you going to stone me?” The Jewish leaders replied, “We are not going to stone you for a good deed but for blasphemy, because you, a man, are claiming to be God.”Jesus answered, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, you are gods’? If those people to whom the word of God came were called ‘gods’ (and the scripture cannot be broken), do you say about the one whom the Father set apart and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?

Psalms 82:6 I have said, Ye are gods (430 elohiym); and all of you are children of the ELYOWN (God).

N.B. Children of Elohim/God are classified gods as well, as Jesus, the man, the son of God is God, as other humans who were stoning him are called gods as well. Jesus classified “…those people to whom the word of God came …as… ‘gods’. The word of God came to humans, you and me, and not to plants nor to animals. That’s why we are gods ! See also, Exodus 21:6; Exodus 22:8-9, Exodus 22:28 where judges are called elohim (Strong’s#430)

MOSES reckoned as Elohiym:

Exodus 4:16 And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be, even he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of ELOHIYM. See also, Exodus 7:1

Kings of the House of David likened to Gods:

Zechariah 12:8 In that day shall YHVH defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as ELOHIYM, as the angel of YHVH before them.

Yes, even men/women are classified in the Elohiym/God. Notice also that in Zechariah 12:8 both man (house of David) and angel are classified as elohiym.

Again, looking at the facts and deducing the truth from the usage and context of the verses quoted, there is no doubt that the word Elohiym/God constitutes and comprises:

1.YHVH/El Shadday – the Creator-God, above all gods, one and only god to be worshipped by Israel at that time, and by extension all gentiles.

2. Angels(including Lucifer), and other “gods” of different religions.

3. And man/woman

This specific and inclusive concept is not “pantheism“. It is not that “God is all and all is God” and not “all reality is infused with divinity”(4). Christ was specific and excludes plants, animals and innanimate beings. Distinction among the “gods” is maintained, i.e. there are levels and ranks of powers. Moreover, Elohiym (generic, but not specific as Yahweh-Elohim) is a word that connotes numerical plurality but may also mean (in context) multiplicity or majesty of powers, function or rank, as in Adonai in Genesis 42:30-33, Isaiah 22:18; Isaiah 51:22; Ezra 10:3; Malachi 1:6

THEOS:

This same concept in the Old Testament is carried through in the New Testament. Notice, that in Greek, the word God is translated from “theos” This word is singular, masculine, and in the nominative case (The New Analytical Greek Lexicon ,p. 201)

And yet, THEOS , by context and usage, is a composite or common name and includes:

1. God the Father: When Jesus had finished saying these things, he looked upward to heaven and said, “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, so that your Son may glorify you just as you have given him authority over all humanity, so that he may give eternal life to everyone you have given him. Now this is eternal life—that they know you, the only true God(theos,Strong’s#2316), and Jesus Christ, whom you sent. John 17:1-3

2. God, the Son/Jesus: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God(theos,Strong’s#2316), and the Word was fully God.(theos,Strong’s#2316) The Word was with God(theos,Strong’s#2316) in the beginning. All things were created by him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created.(John 1:1-3).

She will give birth to a son and you will name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” This all happened so that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet would be fulfilled: “Look! The virgin will conceive and bear a son, and they will call him Emmanuel,” which means “God(theos,Strong’s#2316) with us.” (Matthew 1:21-23)

For this reason the sovereign master himself will give you a confirming sign. Look, this young woman is about to conceive and will give birth to a son. You, young woman, will name him Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14)

Isaiah7:14 Therefore the ADONAY himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

3. Angel:

II Corinthians 4:4“among whom the god(theos,Strong’s#2316) of this age has blinded the minds of those who do not believe so they would not see the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God. … theos,Strong’s#2316 of this world (Satan)

4. Man/woman:

John 10:34-36 Jesus answered, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, you are gods’(theos, Strong’s #2316) ? If those people to whom the word of God (theos,Strong’s #2316) came were called ‘gods’(theos, Strong’s #2316) and the scripture cannot be broken, do you say about the one whom the Father set apart and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God?” (theos,Strong’s #2316)

N.B. Jesus was human and was made in the image of the invisible God as we all are (2 Corinthians 4:4.). Jesus as man incarnate is God as He is also God in the pre-incarnate and post-incarnate state.

The preceding verses show that “theos“, while singular, is a composite word as the plural “elohiym” is.

Now comes the question, why is Elohiym plural but can be singular, while Theos is singular but maybe plural? This is because by usage/context the Elohiym/Theos maybe specific or generic. When the word is specific then it is described and identified, e.g. YHVH / El Shadday or Father, Son, angel, man.

This contextual usage is equivalent to the rendering of “ekklesia“(plural) as exemplified in:

I Corinthians 12:12 For just as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body—though many—are one body, so too is Christ.

Colossians 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Colossians 1:24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church

Colossians 4:15 Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which (is) in his house.

1Thessalonians 1:1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which (is) in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1Timothy 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which (is) the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

Hebrews 12:23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which (are) written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect

Notice that when the plural word is modified by a singular verb, it coalesces the plural into singular connotation. Ecclesia , while plural, is one but composed of many members; as our body is one, yet made up of many members. This usage is akin to the United States being one country but composed of many states; as Israel is one nation but with 12 tribes and with the grafting of the gentiles could be even more.

Summary:

1.Elohiym/Theos refers to a composite of powers, the sum of divine and powerful beings, the totality of all attributes of deity. It is a generic term that may apply to a particular being. When it does, the specific name of that Elohim is identified, as in YHVH Elohim(Lord God ornEl Shaddai(God Almighty).

2. Most of the time, Elohiym in the Old Testament refers to a specific YHVH Elohiym and Theos in the New Testament refers specifically to God the Father. At other times, it refers to those others in the generic Elohiym/Theos, i.e. Jesus, angels, humans.

3. In general, Elohiym/Theos is collective and not a selective term; common and not a proper name; inclusive and not exclusive; generic not proprietary; composite and not specific.

4. The usage and/or context of the word explains the intended meaning, whether plural/singular or numerical plurality/multiplicity of power, rank or position/function.

5. The word God/Elohim, as originally written,, includes different living beings, levels, class or rank. At the highest level is the Father, followed by Son(s) of God, then angelic rank, and the lowest is man. However, man will be transformed into “sons/children of God”, spirit-composed at resurrection and higher than angelic-class.

SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Why know what the word “god” is ? Now that you know the facts and the truth behind the facts, the screaming spiritual significance of this truth can out-decibel anything ever heard of before!

This has not been emphasized in traditional Christendom. Man is planned and classified by Jesus himself, to be categorized in the Elohiym. This classification of man in the Elohiym has far-reaching potential, seriousness and gravity that Jesus risked being stoned, charged with blasphemy and eventually gave his life for us to comprehend the magnitude of our destiny.

Human beings are in the Elohiym/Theos-kind, not in the plant-kind, nor in the animal-kind. We did not “evolve” from plants nor animals! In Genesis, you can see that after plants were created, they were planned to reproduce after their own kind. Likewise, when animals were created, they were to reproduce after their own kind. But, notice, after plants and animals were created to reproduce their own kind, God said, in,

Genesis 1:26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, after our likeness, .”

Genesis 1:27 God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them, male and female he created them.

Yes, humans are in the image of God, as Jesus the man, was in the image of the invisible God.( “… Christ, who is the image of God… 2 Corinthians 4:4) God is reproducing and multiplying the numbers that compose the Elohiym, aside from angelic beings.

We are created in the Elohiym/Theos. We are in the GOD-KIND ,the God-Kingdom ! This is the context of the gospel of the Kingdom Of God. Kingdom of “man” was not planned. In fact, all human kingdoms from the Tower of Babel through the succession of human kingdoms represented by the ” image of Nebuchadnezzar“, will all perish. While in the class of Elohiym, as man, like Jesus was, we are currently below the level and rank of angels(see Hebrews. 2:7) But as Jesus is now in the right hand of the Father as “Son of God“, our High-Priest, man will also be in that position (although lower in hierarchy) but higher than the angels(Heb. 1:4; 2:10), as we will be in Christ, as “Son of God”, who will bring ” many sons to glory“. The head, who is Christ, has to be with the body, which is the ecclesia, composed of many members. When this kingdom of God, the ecclesia, the priests of Melchizedek are finally composed and is delivered to the Father, then all of us, including Jesus, will bow down before the supreme God of all…the Father, as in:

And when all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will be subjected to the one who subjected everything to him, so that God (Father, not Son) may be all in all. 1 Corinthians 15:28

Thank God, this human destiny was decided even before man’s creation, and before man has done anything right or wrong. Being in that category or class of Elohiym is a gift, not of works, but of grace through faith and out of the love of God.

Brethren, the spiritual meaning of this concept that man is in the class of Elohiym is of enormous significance worthy of praise and glory of the Father. For centuries, we were distracted from this concept and now, through the blessing of the Spirit, the time has come for all of us to see our direction and destiny.

God Bless😇🙏

Addendum 10/24/21: for meaning of YHVH:

as ever present, past, present and future. He was named El Shaddai, YHVH-Elohim, LOGOS, incarnated man-Jesus Christ and now Son of God, the “first of firstfruits” and others like him to follow.

References:

1. Tianzhu, Chinese name of God. Retrieved June 1, 2004 from https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tianzhu.(Chinese_name_of_God)

2. List of Hindu deities. Retrieved June 1, 2004 from https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Hindu_deities

3. Brown,Driver,Briggs, Hebrew Lexicon, pp.42-43

4. Who made God? Ravi Zacharias,pgs.41-43,2003 Zondervan.

Complementary Articles:

Destiny of Man, http://fact-s.net/2018/05/13/destiny-of-man/

Deification of Man, https://fact-s.net/2014/07/12/deification-of-man-3/

Passion of Christ. https://fact-s.net/2014/08/06/passion-of-christ/

Yahweh: https://www.quora.com/If-the-Hebrew-name-YHWH-means-I-AM-THAT-I-AM-in-English-which-among-the-four-Hebrew-letters-mean-I-AM/answer/Pamela-B-Zohar?ch=15&oid=239512746&share=9d95b3d1&srid=Yiev&target_type=answer

CONTACT:

For any questions, comments, or article contribution for publication, please e-mail foundationacts@yahoo.com

Original Post : June 17, 2004

Revised: June 29,2014

Reposted: September 15,2018

Hyperlink version: February 8, 2019

Dilemma, Finally Solved; The Whole Reveal

by fact-s.net

Dilemma, Finally solved; The Whole Reveal

All of us encountered a situation where whatever we do may either be interpreted right or wrong depending on whether or not it has an effect on us, and, vis-a-vis others. There is a very strong self-interest and self-protection/preservation innately woven in our DNA that make us like a “deer freeze in headlights because they can’t see”. The hurdle that faces us may prove insurmountable and it leaves us with a dilemma in making a choice.

“Ethical dilemmas, also known as a moral dilemmas, are situations in which there is a choice to be made between two options, neither of which resolves the situation in an ethically acceptable fashion. In such cases, societal and personal ethical guidelines can provide no satisfactory outcome for the chooser.” (1).

Human dilemma

Examples of dilemma for all humans are on line to see(2). The dilemma in the movie “Sophie’s choice” is heartbreaking (3), an awful experience of Sophie Zawistowska in Nazi concentration camp choosing between which child she would give up to face death under the hands of evil. The movie Les Miserables (4) is a primer on diverse human dilemma. Jean Valjean’s decision to steal a loaf of bread to feed his sister’s children vs 19 years of horrible prison term; stealing silverware from Bishop of Digne who took him in for food and shelter; breaking parole and leaving his identity as prisoner #42601 to be free and have a new life; to expose his true past to save an innocent person mistaken for him vs abandoning his comfort as factory owner and Mayor of Montreuil, Pas-de-Calais; giving himself up vs hiding in a convent, etc. The cast, viz., Javert, Fantine, Cosette, Éponine, Marius, the Thenandiers, Enjoiras, Gavroche, also have their own unique competing challenges.

As in the secular world, the same is true in the religious society. Stephen, the first martyr after Pentecost post-resurrection of Jesus narrated in Acts 2, was faced with either to preach the truth about Christ or be stoned to death which he eventually opted for (Acts 7:54-60). The rest of the early Christians also chose death over abandoning their faith. Revelations 6:10 heard their cries to God to avenge their blood.

Personally, we all have experienced dilemma. Even if one makes a choice and opts for what is best morally or ethically, the aftermath may still have physical consequence, including death. What then is the solution?

Paul’s dilemma,

The apostle Paul encapsulates this experience and was referred to, in Romans 7 where he found the truth about our composition(Genesis 2:7), mind and flesh, and the choices to be made as to which to follow. Contextually, here was Paul with the gift of “in-dwelling of the power of the Holy Spirit”, guiding his “mind”(breath-of-life/spirit-of-man) to do good, while he struggled with the pull of his “flesh” to sin. As written in:

Romans 7:15-25,

“For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to 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 will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin”.

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.”

In the preceding verses, Paul discovered “the inward man”(5), aka “mind/breath-of-life”, where the gift of the Holy Spirit is in-dwelling, to bear the “fruits of the Holy Spirit” . Yet, still wrestling with the “flesh” to do the “works of the flesh”(Galatians 5:19-26) and his admonition to “walk in the Spirit” instead, as in:

Galatians 5:16-17“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want”.

As wretched a man he is, Paul asked “Who will deliver me from this body of death? “. His answer: “I thank God(the Father)—through Jesus Christ our Lord! “.

Paul knew that were it not for the gift of the Holy Spirit’s in-dwelling, he would have been lost. He chose to depend on God’s will instead of his own, remembering as a scholar taught by Gamaliel that “my thoughts are not your thoughts “(Isaiah 55:8-9). He learned from Jesus how to respond to dilemma and how his body has to change as in: “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!”

As he stated in Philippians 4:8:

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

Garden of Gethsemane dilemma for Man-Jesus

The narrative in Matthew 26:36-46 takes us to Jesus who was confronted with a dilemma that took him 3 times convincing himself to finally accept the “will of the Father”. His solution was to succumb his personal will to that of the Father’s, whose plan it is for Jesus to sacrifice himself voluntarily as a Passover Lamb(1 Corinthians 5:7). He is our “trailblazer”, “captain”, “pioneer” (Hebrews 2:10-11) towards the way to eternal life. As his “sheep”, let us heed the example of our “shepherd” (John 10:11; Isaiah 40:11) and follow the “will of the Father”, by the power of the Holy Spirit in-dwelling in us.

Why God does not consistently intervene?

We know of instances where God, in his omniscience, can see the person facing sure death, be violated or suffer major injuries, and yet he does not intervene. Some may wrongly argue that God’s failure is tantamount to being an accomplice of evil, albeit passive that may be. We know he can in many instances, like in the book of Daniel, where Daniel was facing fierce lion and fiery furnace and was saved. As narrated in Exodus 12, the Israelites, fleeing the bondage from Egypt were saved from Pharaoh. Indeed, the Holy Bible is replete with many examples like these of God’s intervention. Altogether though it may either be, God exercises wisdom in everything he does even when we are blinded as to reasons. Remember, Ecclesiastes 9:11,”…time and chance happen to all”.

Solution for human dilemma

Notice that in all of these examples, the predicate is always because of our mortal bodies, our mortality because “all have sinned” and merits “death”(6,7). See, also Romans 3:23 and 6:23. And because of risks embedded in our physical composition, we factor this in, consciously or subconsciously, in our decision-making, leading to dilemma.

And God who created human beings, knew this all along and planned for the solution, from the foundation of the world. The long and short of it all, is that our mortal bodies have to change. Humanity has to go through a regeneration process and be “born again”(8), not of mortal bodies that decay in “hades”(grave), but of “immortal, spirit-composed bodies”, the necessary composition to “eternal life” without dilemma.

God instituted this process even before the world began. As humans, through Adam, were counted as all sinners (Romans 5:19) so that with one man Jesus, our Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7) all will, at time appointed (Ecclesiastes 9:11), be on track towards reconciliation with the Father (2Corinthians 5:18) and subsequent in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit to bear “fruits” (Galatians 5:22-23) toward eternal life.

Summary

Dilemma is nothing new to humans, whether in secular or religious society. This is a fact of our life, being composed of “flesh+spirit” that wrestle with one another. While our “spirit is willing” to do good, the physiologic mechanism to act is hindered by the “pull of the flesh” and tempts it to go the opposite direction and opts towards the flesh’s needs and wants. As such, the flesh is truly “weak” and to “finally solve dilemma” our body has to change to another body. This is the solution to our dilemma that is predicated on our “flesh-composed body” as we are not yet “complete nor fully formed“.

The gift of the Holy Spirit was then given by the Father to the resurrected Jesus to usward, to dwell in us, as a “Helper”(John 14:26,NASB). This will then develop in us a new body, spirit-composed, immortal and will manifest in a “twinkling of an eye” at the “last trump”(1 Corinthians 15:52), on the day of our “delivery” from a long “pregnancy “ (Revelations 12:1-2). As prophesied in Jeremiah 18:4, our current “spirit-of-man“, (the real you, Ref. #5) has to be reworked into another vessel, as in;

“And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do.”

Much like the physical body develops from a single cell zygote, so with a “spiritual zygote” that forms through the binding of the “spirit-of-man” and the “in-dwelling Holy Spirit”, the process of spiritual development into a “spiritual body” will follow.

But, this will complete itself by following the guidance of the Holy Spirit and a life of “overcoming”(Revelations 3:21). Follow the Holy Spirit to bear spiritual fruits, for its rejection will tantamount to “uterine rejection” of a developing “spiritual fetus” in the “church womb” (Revelations 12:1-2) towards “spiritual abortion”(9).

God bless 🙏😇

Original post: September 13, 2018

References:

1. Ethical dilemmas examples. Retrieved 9/2/18 from http://examples.yourdictionary.com/ethical-dilemma-examples.html

2. Ibid.

3. Sophie’s Choice. Retrieved 9/8/18 from https://g.co/kgs/EcpVEu

4. Les Miserables. Retrieved 9/8/18 from https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Misérables_(2012_film)

5. Who and where is the “real you”? Retrieved 9/10/18 from

http://fact-s.net/2018/08/30/who-and-where-is-the-real-you/

6.Salvation Series 1. Retrieved 9/12/18 from http://fact-s.net/2015/10/04/salvation-series-1what/

7. Death, What is? Retrieved 9/12/18 from https://fact-s.net/2017/05/09/death-what-is

8. Born again. Retrieved 9/12/18 from http://fact-s.net/2017/03/12/born-again/

9. Roe vs Wade. Retrieved 9/13/18 from http://fact-s.net/2018/07/19/roe-v-wade-why-the-controversy/

What is the God-Kingdom?

by fact-s.net

What is the God-kingdom?

Basic Christian doctrine teaches that the “kingdom of God” is not of this world(John 18:36). It is still future when Jesus returns. It is a kingdom where God rules. But, it has been forming since this power/Holy Spirit was given to Jesus after his resurrection and subsequently given first to apostles and others at Pentecost.

But, to a student of Botany and Zoology, one is taught about the plant kingdom and animal kingdom. Consider therefore that when God created living things, he created angelic-kingdom, plant-kingdom, and animal-kingdom.

But, when it came to “man“, he started in Genesis with “an image of him and after his likeness”(Genesis 1:27). Adam was composed of matter (dust) and “breath of life”(spirit of man; Genesis 2:6-7) and was created perfectly but “weak“(Matthews 26:40-43). There was a missing component that man needed that Jesus had to die and go back to the Father to get this gift to in-dwell in us (John 16:7; John 14:16-26). The Holy Spirit is key to finishing the work the Potter has planned for man (Jeremiah 18:1-6).

God was not creating a “human kingdom” or merely after an “image/ likeness” of him, not just “dust of the ground” (body). In fact, the dust-body will rot and we will be given another but “immortal body“.

Instead, God was creating a kingdom composed of “spirit beings like him“, a “Kingdom of God” above angelic kingdom. The kingdom of God is more than just a “government of God” and a place. It is a “new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:16-17) composed of immortal spirit-beings higher than angelic beings (Hebrews 2:5) and unique to one another, yet “one” with the Son and the Father, all in the “God-Kingdom“, with the Father above all and the Son, our Elder Brother “For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren” (Hebrews 2:11).

Note:

The preceding is only a “thumbprint“, a concise summary, of a process started from the foundation of the world and came to fruition because of the “faith, trust and hope” of Jesus on the Father’s promises to the “seed“(Galatians 3:16).

For further and deeper principles, please access:

http://fact-s.net/2018/06/30/ongoing-creation/

http://fact-s.net/2016/12/21/kingdom-of-god-in-human-anatomy/

http://fact-s.net/2018/08/30/who-and-where-is-the-real-you/

Original post September 18, 2018

Labor Day, always remember who?

by fact-s.net

Labor Day

The message of Labor Day is diverse and consistent with how a person views it one way or the other. But historically,

“Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.” ..,”The vital force of labor added materially to the highest standard of living and the greatest production the world has ever known and has brought us closer to the realization of our traditional ideals of economic and political democracy. It is appropriate, therefore, that the nation pays tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation’s strength, freedom, and leadership — the American worker.”(1,2).

While the American worker did the actual work,(which is their function in the schema of manufacturing), what was marginalized was the role of the entrepreneur/owner who risked his own money to bankroll production of any product. Without this role, will there be anything manufactured? While history proves a strained relationship (3) between management(owner) and labor, at its’ worse, nothing is produced without this cohesion to reach their goals. Indeed, they have to work together.

The ONE we should not forget, the real “creator” of the product?

While all of us pay tribute on Labor Day to the American workers because they “did so much of the nation’s strength, freedom, and leadership — “ did these really come from them?,

Or, from management/owner or both?

On this Labor Day, are we forgetting to include and fathom in this celebration the real origin of everything that led to our progress?

Undoubtedly, everything that is ever manufactured was created by someone or a group of people. Nevertheless, all of them cannot produce except from something that was already made. Clothing, chairs, tables, houses, tools, gizmos, computers, cars satellites, to name a few, have to be made from materials that were already created. Yet, many are still persistent in being atheists or agnostics questioning the existence of an Intelligent-Designer who made all, the “visible and the invisible”. As it says in Colossians 1:16, recognizing Christ Jesus:

“For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.” (NIV)

On this Labor Day, we should always be mindful of the Creator-God, (4) the one who created “the heaven and the earth” including everything on it(Gen. 1:1-25), the one who also created the “worker” as in “…Let us make man …after our likeness ..” in Gen.1:26. This same person is the one who spoke as YHVH Elohim (Lord-God)to Moses and the one known to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as El Shadday. Notice the following:

Ex 6:2 And ELOHIYM spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am YHVH:

V-3 And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of EL SHADDAY, but by my name YHVH was I not known to them.

V-7 And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a ELOHIYM: and ye shall know that I am YHVH your ELOHIYM, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.

Deut 10:17 For YHVH your ELOHIYM is ELOHIYM of gods, and ADOWN of lords, a great EL, a mighty, …”

Working now and into the Future

Not only are humans working and building things, but the Creator God is the creator of all, “visible or invisible“(Colossians 1:16.. As a “builder/carpenter/tekton, (Mark 6:2-3; Matthew 13:55)Jesus has not stopped “working”, even now. More pioneering work is happening now and in the offing being done, through the power of the Holy Spirit, by Jesus, the “captain/trailblazer/author/forerunner”

(archegos)of our salvation, as in Hebrews 2:9-11:

“But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain (forerunner/trailblazer)of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren”

From the day of Pentecost in the beginning of the 1st century A.D. through this day and beyond, “work “ continues (5,6) by this Creator-God in us through the power of the Holy Spirit. But before all of these could have been realized, this YHVH-ELOHIM has to incarnate (7) into man/Jesus as in:

Exodus 3:14

“And God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you.”

John 8:58:

“Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.”

And this incarnation is necessary because, as Romans 3:23 says,

“all have sinned and come short of the glory of God”

After incarnation, he has to fulfill his prophesied function as “Passover” (I Cor 5:7) to take the penalty of death for his created beings. Without being incarnated as man-Jesus(a human being/mortal) he would not have died. Death of this specific man the 2nd/last Adam(1 Corinthians 15:45-49) leads to reconciliation with the Father as in

Colossians 1:20

“and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.”(NIV)

The Spirit-of-Man is willing but the Flesh is weak

The breath-of-life (spirit-of-man) that was breathe into our nostrils was activated from potential to kinetic energy that sustained our life processes(8). But this “spirit-of-man” maybe “willing” but the “flesh” is “weak” (9). The fact and truth to acknowledge that the flesh is weak and needs a “Helper” is in itself even difficult for man-Jesus to accept who shed “tears like blood flowing” praying in the garden of Gethsemane . But after the 3rd time seeing his disciples sleeping, exhausted as a sign of limits of the flesh, Jesus then took “the cup”, (voluntarily following God’s will instead of his’) convinced that he had to be crucified and die, so the Helper would be given at his resurrection by the Father(10). As John 16:7 says:

“Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.”(ESV)

The Holy Spirit dwells in you at the appointed time

The Holy Spirit of power is the most important gift to Jesus and to us-ward. This is a power not given before to “dwell in” anyone (except in man-Jesus; Matthew 3:16-17; Isaiah 61:1)and more powerful than any power as gravity, mechanical, electrical, nuclear, solar ,etc. This power is “potential” but becomes “kinetic” to work in us. This is then given and received directly by Jesus only after his resurrection and then reciprocally given in turn to those at their own appointed time. First, to the “firstfruits(I Cor. 15:23; Rom. 8:24; Rev. 14:4) then to the latter-fruits at their own time to bear the “fruits of the Holy Spirit”(Galatians 5:22-23). It is mandatory, although not “forced down our throat” but still voluntary, for us to follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit “written in the “tables of our heart and mind”(Jeremiah 31:33; Hebrews 10:16). Those who do not bear fruits will be cut/off (Matt 7:19).

Summary

For emphasis, the sine-qua-non in manufacturing is that their have to be materials and labor. The entrepreneur/owner provides the materials and labor (workers) does the work. But where do they get the materials? Nowhere but what was already created on earth. And that comes from the Creator-God, the YHVH-Elohim. Through his work and sacrifice, he got for us this Holy Spirit of power and he is still “working in us” through this power.

Let us acknowledge with humility his role from the very beginning of time. This is the YHVH-Elohim/Lord God, the Word/Logos, Jesus-Son-of-God, that we should also remember as we celebrate “Labor Day”.

God Bless🙏😇

Original post 9/4/18

References

1. Origins of Labor Day. Retrieved 9/1/18 from https://www.pbs.org/newshour/economy/business-july-dec01-labor_day_9-2

2. Labor Day History. Retrieved 9/1/18 from https://www.dol.gov/general/laborday/history

3. Labor vs Management. Retrieved 9/1/18 from http://www.ushistory.org/us/37b.asp

4. What is God? Retrieved 9/3/18 from https://fact-s.net/2014/06/29/what-is-god-2/

5. Ongoing Creation. Retrieved 9/3/18 from http://fact-s.net/2018/06/30/ongoing-creation/

6. Kingdom of God in a Human Anatomy. Retrieved 9/3/18 from http://fact-s.net/2016/12/21/kingdom-of-god-in-human-anatomy/

7. Incarnation. Retrieved 9/3/18 from

http://fact-s.net/2017/01/12/incarnation-questions-and-controversies/

8. Who and Where is the Real“You”. Retrieved 9/3/18 from

http://fact-s.net/2018/08/30/who-and-where-is-the-real-you/

9. Garden of Gethsemane. Retrieved 9/3/18 from http://fact-s.net/2018/07/26/garden-of-gethsemane-a-teaching-tool-for-all/

10. Crucifixion/Resurrection. Retrieved 9/3/18 from https://fact-s.net/2015/04/21/crucifixionresurrection/