Incarnation, are we missing the ultimate purpose for it?
All of those well-versed in Christian teachings understand that the Creator God(YHVH/El Shaddai/Logos) incarnated (John 1:1, John 1:14) into a human “flesh-composed” Jesus(Yahushuah; Joshuah).
But, how many accept that this incarnation meant what it literally says,i.e., that YHVH-Elohim(Lord-God) dis-empowered himself of his immense Creator’s spiritual powers to be human with limited material/physical powers. For him to do that is unheard of, as many would prefer to keep their power. Yet, YHVH-Elohim did exactly that, to be “true human“, anthropos/man as Paul wrote to Timothy. And, this he did because that was his Father’s will and he trusted him based on “faith of Jesus“. Still, many will (by denying that human transformation, diminish how awesome, defining and all-encompassing what he precisely did.
And, that this Jesus was the only human ( not any other, not Job, Abraham, Isaac, nor Jacob) chosen from the foundation of the world to be the “trailblazer”(pioneer/captain/archegos Hebrews 2:10), not even the first Adam in Genesis 1:26-27. This is why the latter’s admonition against “eating the fruit of the tree wherein there is knowledge of good and evil”(Genesis 2:16-17), to be like the Creator God in how to have “knowledge of good and evil”. That the Father planned it that way that salvation has to “start through a specific anthropos-man”, Jesus/Yahushuah/Joshua, the first human trailblazer to receive the Father’s Holy Spirit of power. Notice that only after water baptism at River Jordan that Jesus had full in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit (as a dove) and was empowered to overcome Satan(which strictly speaking was the first miracle) and did the first miracle in wedding at Cana and all subsequent spiritual miracles.
He was also the “Passover” whose crucifixion was accounted as the death of mankind resulting from Adam’s sin (1 Corinthians 5:7; Romans 5:12-21). His death made it possible for humans to be reconciled to the Father, while “we were still sinners and enemies of God” (Romans 5:8, 10-11; Colossians 1:20). All of these were promised by the Father before their actual realization and were based on “love”(John 3:16) and “grace”(Ephesians 2:8). As Jesus was with the Father from the very beginning and knew his power and credibility, this faith(evidence/substance;Hebrews 11:1), made him trust the Father with the “hope” (1) of him fulfilling what he promised.
Promise after Jesus’ death?
All of the promises transpired as prophesied regarding the earthly life of Jesus. But, do we really appreciate the enormity of what was also promised after his death? Aside from the promise to Jesus receiving the Holy Spirit at River Jordan as a man/anthropos and be a Passover for the sins of mankind, to achieve reconciliation with the Father, he was also promised for mankind’s resurrection after death as in:
1Corinthians 15:21 “For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man.”
The preceding takes us back to 1st Adam, the man that because of his sin, eternal death came to mankind. The principle is reiterated that through one man (1st Adam) came death, so death also of a man (2nd Adam) came reconciliation and resurrection. Moreover, as the resurrection of the dead comes through this man(Jesus), so shall be the resurrection of mankind to “spirit-composed bodies”. As the death referred to, in the previous verse was eternal/2nd death, so was the resurrection alluded to was not into “mortal bodies” (like Lazarus, John 11:1-46) but to eternal life, immortality. As eternal death of Christ/Passover was accounted as eternal death for mankind that reconciled us to God, so shall our resurrection with “immortal bodies” be started by him as a path for mankind towards immortality.
Can we really comprehend a dead person being resurrected to an “immortal life”? All resurrections prior to this was restoration to “flesh-composed” bodies (2, 3). But Jesus’ resurrection was the first “spirit-composed resurrection”, albeit able to appear and be seen by others(Acts 1:3; Luke 25:15-32). Indeed, he was rightfully described as a “pioneer/author/”, the 1st one, the “first of the first-fruits” (1 Corinthians 15:23). Moreover, he was the “trailblazer”of our salvation, not only for the life he lived as a human being, but also for being the first human to be baptized with the in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit in river Jordan(John 1:32). Additionally, he was called the “Potter” by receiving a unique and never before given “creative-power” of the Holy Spirit, after his resurrection, from the Father, as in:
John 16:7 “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.”
Looking back in his history, man-Jesus never had this specific “creative power” prior to these events, even as the pre-incarnated YHVH-Elohim whose powers did not include this as it is a creative power to him for the future of other humans. As to that, man/anthropos-Jesus confirmed this only after his resurrection from death that “ all powers in heaven and earth” (Matthew 28:18; Revelations 5:13) were given to him. Before incarnation to man-Jesus, YHVH’s “creative power” encompassed the creation of “all visible and invisible” (Colossians 1:16) including “creating humans from the ground and breathe into his nostrils the breath of life”(Genesis 2:7). He was also able to create before all of these, spirit-composed angelic beings(Job 38:7). Notice, though, that 1/3rd did not follow God/YHVH /Elohim and rebelled against him( Revelations 12:4). While “spirit-composed”, it did not endow these fallen angels with being “one” with the Father. The other 2/3rd who aligned with God also were not “one” with him as to understanding (Ephesians 3:9; Colossians 1:26) the plan for humans to be “above angels “(Hebrews 2:6-18) and be “children of God”. So, what was this never before given “creative-power”?
“Oneness “with the Father?
From Genesis creation, notice that there were 2 trees in the midst of the garden of Eden, viz., the tree of knowledge of good and evil and the tree of immortal life(Genesis 2:9). As any of the fruits in the garden can be eaten by Adam(Genesis 2:16), he could have eaten the fruit from the tree of life and be immortal. Yet, he chose the fruit of the other tree that would give him wisdom to discern which is good or evil. This choice appear to be better than being “spirit-composed beings” like the angels. He may have reasoned, that he could subsequently “eat the fruit from the tree of life”. But, Adam & Eve could NOT as they sinned and were driven out of the garden, “lest they also partake of the fruit of the tree that gives eternal life”. Common sense tells us that all of us could have opted for the same choice.
The “1st Adam” aspired to be “like him”, like the Creator God, to have wisdom and then immortality. Notice though that being “spirit-composed” is the same as angelic beings. Adam preferred to have wisdom “like him”, signifying the key element first of “being like him” was the wisdom to discern good from evil and that would put him at a higher level than angels. This actually was the plan for humans all along and from the foundation of the world. But, “1st Adam” was cautioned against this sinful act (Genesis 2:16-17)with a consequence of eternal death(4) and for what reason?
Going through biblical narrative regarding choice, God has always been the one who chose what he likes, prefers and what is “sweet savor” to him. In the case of Abel and Cain, both made an offering of their best. But, Abel offered a “lamb” while Cain offered the produce from the ground (Genesis 4:3-7). To God, it had to be a “lamb” for a Passover offering and not any other, no matter whether that is the best a person could offer. God decides what soothes him.
Similarly, it has been planned and chosen that the human to “be like him” was not 1st Adam but the 2nd Adam, the “seed”(not seeds) of Abraham, as in:
Galatians 3:16 “The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,” meaning one person, who is Christ.”
The Genesis Adam was not the man to start the process to be “like him”, but the human “flesh-composed” (as we are), Jesus Christ. And true to his description as “pioneer/author/trailblazer“, his life on earth exemplified it and ultimately his resurrection to receive a new “creative power” from the Father. This power of the Holy Spirit is the “energy–power” that in-dwells and guides the “mind”(spirit-of-man) to choose what is right or wrong as defined by God. For, even if we know what we think is best, still God said:
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “ Isaiah 55:8
In the same vein, Isaiah 64:6 states:
“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags…”
The very best from our mortal bodies is not what God has in store for us , as planned. Good works have to be “fruits” that come as a result of the in-dwelling Holy Spirit. And, this has to start from the “mind/spirit-of-man”. Being of “one mind” as to “what is right or wrong” is sine-qua-non to being “one” with the Father. And the human Jesus was the first human (pioneer/trailblazer/author) that became eventually “one” with the Father in following, not the will of his mortal body, but as he said in the garden of Gethsemane “not my will but let your will be done”(Mark 14:36; Luke 23:42).
Our “good works” should not emanate from our “mortal bodies”. They should be a by-product of “spirit components”, (the “breathe-of-life/spirit-of-man and Holy Spirit”) that appeals to God. A “sweet savor” to him, are works that come as a result of the gifted in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit , so-called “fruits of the Holy Spirit”. Thus, the Holy Spirit had to be received by the resurrected Jesus and subsequently to be given as a gift to the first-called (the “firstfruits”) then to the latter-called (“latter fruits”) at their own appointed times, as in:
Ecclesiastes 9:11, “…time and chance happen to them all.”
The life of Job in the “Book of Job” exemplifies that, as “upright/perfect in his ways” Job was and well-informed on the Commandments of God on his own power and intellect, this was not what was the “sweet savor” to the Father. It has to be “fruits of the Holy Spirit”, not from “fruits of our mortal bodies”. This, Job understood only later when he acknowledged after God opened his “eyes”, as in Job 42:5
“My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you”
The prophesied in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit was not to take effect on Job but to another chosen human, Jesus. Like Job in many ways, the human Jesus from birth till adulthood learned through spiritual guidance (but not in-dwelling) of the Holy Spirit about the commandments of God on his own and was recognized with “advanced learning” in the synagogues where Jesus went every Sabbath day, as in John 7:15:
“The Jews there were amazed and asked, “How did this man get such learning without having been taught?”.
But, like Job, all of these are “works/fruits” that emanate from our “mortal/flesh-composed bodies”. It was not enough for our eyes and ears to be opened spiritually after believing (5), (as Peter’s mind was informed about who Jesus was, Matthew 16:13-17). The Holy Spirit has to take abode and in-dwell in Jesus, as in baptism of the Holy Spirit after his water-baptism In River Jordan, as in Matthew 3:16,
“After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him”
From then on, his “works” were “fruits of the Holy Spirit”. Notice that this power was used against Satan’s temptation and all the miracles that followed. Jesus did not perform any miracle until after this baptism of the Holy Spirit, thus the miracle of water turning into wine in the wedding in Cana was called the “first miracle”, ( see John 2:1-11) as in John 2:11,
“This beginning of His signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.”
This is why Jesus has to receive the Holy Spirit from the Father after his resurrection, then subsequently to be given to us to have in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit. This Holy Spirit in us is the power that empowers us to be “one” with the Father and Son, as in;
Ephesians 3:16 “ I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,”
Summary
Everything prophesied about the incarnation of YHVH/El Shaddai/Logos into a flesh-composed Jesus, with “breath-of-life/spirit-of-man/mind” like us, has been fulfilled in his human life. He was the one-man “Passover”, whose eternal death was accounted as eternal death of mankind toward propitiation for the sin of Genesis-Adam, one-man representing mankind, for reconciliation with the Father.
The human life of Jesus made him a “trailblazer/pioneer” of our salvation. His after-life (after his resurrection) made him alive to receive the unique and never-given-before “creative power” of the Holy Spirit remolding the clay, as a potter in:
Isaiah 64:8 “And yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter. We all are formed by your hand.”
Jeremiah 18:4-6
“And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.”
With this power, he could then “in-dwell” in us to “guide, direct” our mind towards God’s wisdom in discerning right from wrong and follow what is right. This enables Jesus to “write in the tables of our heart” the laws of God, no longer in “tables of stones” (2Corinthians 3:3)as in Mt. Sinai.
As man-Jesus with the Holy Spirit, he has borne the “fruits of the Holy Spirit” and followed the “will of the Father”, not the “will of his mortal flesh” (Luke 22:42). This is the same path mankind has to undergo. To believe, our deaf ears and blind eyes have to be opened to spiritual things(5). Then, those who were predestined in this dispensation to believe, would be called to receive the in-dwelling of the promised gift of the Holy Spirit by the Father and given to us by Jesus. This “energy-power”, which is the Holy Spirit from the Father, will in-dwell, not in our mortal body that came from the ground(earthy)and made “by hands”, but in the “spirit-of-man” in us that came directly from the spirit-composed Creator as “breath-of-life”, and therefore heavenly. This, as prophesied, that God will “not dwell in temples made by hands”, as in:
Acts 7:48 “However, the most High dwells not in temples made with hands; as said the prophet”
This in-dwelling Holy Spirit will write the Laws, not again in tables of stone, but in the “fleshy tables of our (new)heart” (2 Corinthians 3:3; Ezekiel 36:26-27). We must heed his advice, follow his will and be overcomers, as in:
Revelations 3:21 “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.”
Revelation 2:26 “And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:”
Revelations 21:7 “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.”
James 1:12 “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”
And to overcome, we have to:
Galatians 5:16 “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”
James 4:7 “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
James 1:19-21 “…Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.”
Proverbs 17:27 “The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered”
Romans 12:1-2 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
God Bless 🙏😇
Hyperlink version posted 12/27/19. Please click for further discussion.
References:
1. Faith vs Trust, Hope, wishful thinking. Retrieved 12/30/18 from https://fact-s.net/2015/10/27/faith-vs-hope-or-wishful-thinking/
2. Death, What is? Retrieved 12/30/18 from https://fact-s.net/2018/12/06/death-what-is-2
3. Salvation Series 1. Retrieved 12/30/18 from https://fact-s.net/2015/10/04/salvation-series-1what/
4. Salvation Series 2. Retrieved 12/30/18 from https://fact-s.net/2015/10/04/salvation-series-2-why/
5. Belief, mechanism, timing and meaning? Retrieved 1/4/2019 from https://fact-s.net/2018/08/05/belief-the-mechanism-and-timing-of-and-meaning-what/
May God bless us all 🙏😇.
Original post: January 5, 2019
FACT-S.net 