Fruits of the Spirit vs fruits of the Flesh?

This 2020 spring and summer will be different in many ways because of COVID-19. But, what will not change are the flowers that bloom and the fruits that will be harvested. Degree and extent of their distribution maybe affected, but their continued presence will be felt and welcome.

Preference as to what fruits to have and eat is a craving that comes to each one of us. Some salivate just by thinking of lychee, pineapple, grapes, banana, avocado, apple, honeydew, strawberry, honeydew, watermelon, Asian fruits like rambutan, sugar apple, pulasan, etc. Being diverse, they can have different tastes and same fruit can taste differently depending upon ripeness.

But no one can eat it, unless it is in season and has the ability and resource to have it. Nor can it exist, unless there is a seed that develops into a vine or tree, then branches from where the fruit comes out of.

The preceding statements are sending a pattern in nature with spiritual import, as in Romans 1:20 “…being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” Similarly, this being true for fruits in nature, so it is for fruits of the flesh and fruits of the spirit.

Fruits or actions taken by the flesh can be good like exercising, working in your job, building, manufacturing, helping on manual chores, etc. But, what is evil coming from “flesh” is heretofore described:

Galatians 5:19-21 “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God”.

And so are actions or fruits of the “spirit-of-man” are good like what Job and Jesus Christ did on their own without the Holy Spirit’s in-dwelling. But, what God requires are good works that come with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and therefore fruits thereof. They are therefore “works as guided by the Holy Spirit” and not “by anyone’s works so no one can boast”.

And the the fruits of spirit are, as in Galatians 5:22-23.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

.”Now, how do we bear fruits of the Spirit?

Growth and development

For anyone to “bear fruits of the flesh and fruits of the Holy Spirit” there has to be a person from where the fruits will emanate. No one gets to have a “flesh-body” for it to show “fruits of the flesh” unless it first formed and developed to maturity from a starting point.

Physical human embryology teaches material growth and development. Every human being undergoes this process, one way or another. There are stages in this process that has a timeline, otherwise fetal malformation develops that may result in spontaneous abortion. Among many sperms, only one is able to fertilize one egg among many at a particular point in time to become a zygote(monofetal gestation). Occasionally, many eggs can be fertilized by one sperm resulting in multifetal gestation. This then undergoes a period of maturation until it becomes viable for delivery out of the mother’s womb. While intra-uterine, it is functionally alive being nourished through maternal/fetal circulation-respiration via the placenta that provides conduit for exchange of nutritional needs and gases. It is also learning from its “amniotic surroundings” how to respond to stimuli, though primordial that action maybe. To be independent of this attachment, at delivery, the fetus has to breath-in atmospheric air spontaneously; otherwise it is “dead on arrival” (no pun intended).

Similarly, no one gets to have a “spirit-body” for it to show “fruits of the spirit” unless it first formed and developed to maturity from a starting point. Spiritual human embryology also teaches spiritual growth and development. But, before any man can go through this process, there has to be a “seed” that started it all, as in:

Genesis 22:18 “In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice”, (NKJV)

This was further identified by Paul in Galatians 3:16 as ; “Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but rather to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ.”. He is the only person destined to have started this process.

YHVH Elohim (Lord God), the Creator God, incarnated into man-Jesus (the seed) at “appointed-time” as planned and agreed to, in an “unwritten covenant” between the “Father/Ancient of Days” and YHVH Elohim, even before the foundation of the world. He is the one prophesied as the “seed of Abraham” (the person” by which “all nations will be blessed” and by whom the “promises to Abraham” will be fulfilled. And, for that to happen, man-Jesus like any child had to grow develop and mature. But, he was the first, aka., the author-finisher/trailblazer, to be the first recipient of the gift of Holy Spirit given by the Father at river Jordan. Embryologically speaking, Jesus was the first “ovum”, aka , “spirit-of-man” that the Holy Spirit “fertilized” to become a “spiritual zygote”, a monozygotic monofetal gestation. He then developed spiritually into a vine or tree and bore “fruits of the Holy Spirit”, at his season, while on earth. With his death that reconciled mankind to the Father, he resurrected with “spirit-body” then called “Son of God” to receive the Holy Spirit of power from him to be subsequently given to those predestined at time appointed. He first breathe this power (Holy Spirit) into his disciples, to in-dwell in them as “polyzygotic multifetal gestation”, then to others at Pentecost. This Holy Spirit specifically resides in the “spirit-of-man”, the “real you”. And, this is how the person “develops, grows and mature spiritually” in the “spiritual womb”(of the church) bearing the “fruits of the Holy Spirit”, which takes time and experiential learning. While in the “womb of the church”, in a pregnant woman, the children are developing as “begotten children” until maturity when it is “born as sons/daughters of God.”,

Lifelong wrestle, struggle and overcoming

The in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit takes place in the “temple not made by hands “, i.e. in the “spirit-of-man”, aka “breath of life”. As a “Comforter/Advocate”, it guides and empowers the man to choose good, rather than evil. As Jesus was guided and empowered to follow, not his own will, but that of the Father, so must we. There will be “pull of the flesh” by tempting us towards evil and the Holy Spirit will pull us away by guiding us towards good.

This struggle between the “spirit-of-man with in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit” and the flesh is not the same as the intrinsic and inextricable relationships between the “pre-frontal cortex and the amygdala” that develop wisdom. A choice will be given to us, and with consequences either way, as in

Deuteronomy 30:15 “
“See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil” (KJV)

And, it is only ourselves that have freewill, to decide which way to go with consequences, as in:

Galatians 6:7 “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (NKJV).

Galatians 5:17-18 “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. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” (meaning under the law to suffer eternal death).

And, aside from intrinsic temptations to satisfy the desires of the flesh, evil forces in the dark world will tempt us to follow the sinful desires of the flesh.

Ephesians 6:12 “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, (i.e. people) but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms”

Summary

Like any natural fruit that comes through natural processes, so are “fruits of the flesh and fruits of the Holy Spirit”, at season.

Human embryology shows how physical humans start with a “sperm fertilizing an egg” into a zygote and to develop through growth and developmental process before they can act and materialize to do good or evil.

Similarly, YHVH ELOHIM(Lord God) had to incarnate into man-Jesus as the “promised seed “, revealed at “appointed time”. And, as “the seed”, he was the first human to receive (as an ovum) the Holy Spirit. He then developed spiritually with this in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit in his “spirit-of-man”. He was the “monozygotic unifetal gestation”. He did not follow his “own will” but denied his own reasoning and desire to live, followed the guidance of his Father through the Holy Spirit, as he advised us to do likewise, as in

Luke 9:23-24 New International Version (NIV) “Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it”

As Jesus wanted us to follow him as he followed the Father, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, so is this the same principle apostle Paul taught us, as in I Corinthians 11:1 “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” Notice, that altogether, it goes back towards the direction of the Father so all of us will be “one” with him.

After his death and resurrection, he then received as a gift from the Father the promised power, aka advocate, (Holy Spirit)to be given subsequently to others, to “spiritually fertilize many ova, as “multifetal gestation” in his church’s womb. Jesus is the “seed”, i.e., the person that made it possible to receive this “empowering spirit of power”,aka, the”spiritual sperm” that will fertilize many ova”, aka “spirit-of-man”. He never had that power to give for others before, until that resurrection as promised by the Father as a gift to all of us.

Those to whom the “Seed/Jesus”, through spiritual power (aka, Holy Spirit), in-dwells in each “spirit-of-man”, they will hbe guided to be “one with the Father”, as Jesus is, to be altogether “sons of God” and “kingdom of God” , “priests of the Most High..”. This is a process that occurs among “spiritual zygotes in multifetal gestation” that mature, grow and develop “in the womb”, an experiential struggle against inherent “pull of their flesh” but also against “evil forces of the dark world”.

God is very patient to each one as in 2 Peter 3:9. “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance”.

However, if after receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit that will empower them to overcome evil, instead they go back to their evil ways, God’s patience will be reached and then as it is written,

2 Peter 2:22 “Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.” This is “spiritual self-induced abortion”.

Only those who are overcomers will be transformed “in a twinkling of an eye” from temporary mortal bodies to immortal eternal bodies to rule with Jesus at his second coming and beyond.

God bless 🙏😇

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Original post: May 23, 2020

Dedicated to all those who chose to “stay-at-home” and those who chose to “open up their business, go back to work”, as both choices have pros/cons and consequences. This is a time for reflection about our future and destiny.

Critiques are welcome at foundationacts@yahoo.com

From an official Catholic teaching “The Holy Eucharist (aka, giving thanks to God) is a sacrament and a sacrifice… under the appearances of bread and wine, the Lord Christ is contained, offered, and received.“

It is common for Christians to observe this tradition on a daytime every Sunday as others have come to do. Some celebrate this occasion on the night of Nisan 14, while most Jews do this on the night of Nisan 15 of the Jewish calendar on the first day of Unleavened Bread. We were advised by Christ himself to continue as in “do this in remembrance of me”. Notice that the event is to be remembered and that the bread and wine, respectively, represent his body and blood shed for all of us.

A common predicate of this teaching is in

^{John 6:50-59} “This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.  I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever. These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.“

Note that anyone who eats the “manna” as the partriarchs did and died, so will all who eat the “natural bread” that represented the flesh and drink the “blood” will also die. It is not the natural bread and wine, but the “living bread” that should be taken in, as in-dwelling of Jesus by “spiritual in-dwelling in the mind/spirit-of-man”.

 The above “bread/flesh-and-blood” is a “metaphor, an analogy , a figure of speech highlighted in:

Luke 22:9 “And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

It is an occasion to proclaim Jesus’ death, resurrection and his 2nd coming as the apostle Paul recorded in 1 Corinthians 11:23–26:

“For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you:The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”

As vital as they are, still, all of these remained symbolic proclamation and nothing else. Any extension beyond that can be controversial .

The tangential question posed, refers to whether there is really “transubstantiation” of Jesus’ actual “blood and body” into the natural bread and wine? Is there “communion” between Christ and bread/wine or, by this teaching, are we missing out on the “real communion“? Or, is there another meaning of “transubstantiation” that we need to understand. Did “All Christians, with but few minor exceptions, hold the true doctrine of the Real Presence from the time of Christ until the Protestant Revolution in the sixteenth century“? To get to the bottom of that question requires going back in history. And, this is not an exercise to “shame, berate, discredit, minimize” those who believe in transubstantiation or anything similar. Instead this is an honest and respectful quest for what really is the message of this tradition.

History of “Breaking of a Bread

In the Jewish calendar, the day includes the darkness-part when it starts and daylight-part when it ends from “evening to evening or sunset to sunset”. Biblically, the “passover meal” every year occurs on the night or beginning of Nisan 15, the first day of Unleavened Bread, which is in itself commemorated for 7 days. In contrast, the timing of Jesus’ “last supper” was nighttime of Nisan 14, the night of his betrayal by Judas. This was also the night before Jesus was crucified which was on the daytime of Nisan 14, the preparation day of Passover; “preparation” in the sense of preparing the lamb for killing and for people to prepare the meal that night. And, this was done obviously because he could not eat the “passover meal” on the night of Nisan 15, even when he “eagerly desired” as he would be crucified the day before. Jesus said in Luke 15:22 to express his intention:

“And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.“

Instead of eating the traditional passover lamb on the night or start of Nisan 15, Jesus commanded his disciples to prepare the meal on the night or beginning of Nisan 14.

Since then, his disciples have continued this commemoration of Passover meal on the night of Nisan 15, every year and not on the night of Nisan 14. And, it goes without saying that they commemorated Nisan 14, the “preparation day” as the day of Jesus’ crucifixion when the “true Lamb of God was sacrificed”, as in:

“At that time no small controversy arose because all the dioceses of Asia thought it right, as though by more ancient tradition, to observe for the feast of the Saviour’s passover the fourteenth day of the moon, on which the Jews had been commanded to kill the lamb.” (Eusebius, Church History, Ch. XXIII.)

Early church fathers like Ignatius of Antioch, Irenaeus, Tertulian, Origen and Augustine were thought to have taught by other historians to have embraced transubstantiation. In actuality, according to Nathan Busenitz, they may have misinterpreted the meaning of their writings at that time when there were people who rejected the incarnation and humanity of Jesus; they may have believed that the bread and wine as symbols.

Other historians noted absence of transubstantiation teaching since Jesus “broke bread”. When did it start, then?

Berengar of Tours, French theologian rejected the then-current view of transubstantiation credited to the 9th-century abbot of Corbie, St. Paschasius Radbertus, who professed that the bread and wine, after consecration in the mass, became the real body and blood of Christ. 

Most well-known and influential work of St. Paschasius, De Corpore et Sanguine Domini (written between 831 and 833), is an exposition on the nature of the Eucharist. In it, Paschasius agrees with 4th century anti-Arianism Bishop of Milan Ambrose (Aurelius Ambrosius) in affirming that the Eucharist contains the true, historical body of Jesus Christ. He thus believed that the transubstantiation of the bread and wine offered in the Eucharist really occurred. “Only if the Eucharist is the actual body and blood of Christ can a Christian know it is salvific.”

So, it appears that it may have been a teaching of the 4th century, like the teaching of “trinity” at the Council of Nicea. The affirmation of this doctrine was expressed, using the word “transubstantiate”, by the Fourth Council of the Lateran in 1215 and extended through the 9th century to this day.

Altogether, transubstantiation does not appear to be based on original or actual teaching. Rather, it has evolved from perception and interpretation.

What is the truth and message?

It was about the “transubstantiation of Jesus, not into the natural bread and wine, but into the mind/spirit-of-man” by the “spirit- power” given to him by the Father. It was his “in-dwelling in humans” by and through the power of the Holy Spirit. This is “power” unlike any other, e.g., gravity, mechanical, electric, nuclear, wind, solar powers we have learned through centuries and which was given first to man-Jesus at River Jordan and subsequently to his disciples specifically and generally to others at Pentecost and on. Without this power, he would not be able to re-mold and re-create the “marred clay” as in Jeremiah 18:3-6 and Isaiah 64:8 as the “kingdom of God” is being created.

The “breaking of bread” on that night of Nisan 14, is the “breaking of his body and giving his blood at crucifixion to die“; it was to proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes back.” to in-dwell in humans. It expressed what was planned from the foundation of the world.

This is a plan for the future in-dwelling of Christ in us but only after his death and resurrection and receiving that power from the Father. This in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit in humans first occurred to our “trailblazer and origin of our faith/salvation“, Jesus Christ, then to his disciples and subsequently to others in a general way, from Pentecost on. It was not about “transubstantiation of Jesus into the natural bread and wine,” which detracts and distracts from his actual plan for mankind.

Summary

The Eucharist is a major teaching of Christianity that must be commemorated. It has to be remembered but as to the day and time, there was no specific mandate to follow for that Nisan 14, except the Passover meal on the beginning or night of Nisan 15. But the message can not be ignored nor sidelined. Transubstantiation of Jesus into natural bread and wine is an interpretation that detracts and distracts from the actual message and process of “in-dwelling” of Christ in humans ( in the real you) through the Holy Spirit of power.

This “transubstantiation” is actual “in-dwelling of Jesus by the empowering Holy Spirit in the mind“, the “spirit-of-man”. And, this is an ongoing process from the time of man-Jesus’ receiving the Holy Spirit of power from the Father and subsequently ( ldeclared as ” Son of God” by the resurrection from the dead)to be given to us. Remember what John said, “He will baptize you in Spirit”. Instead of transubstantiation into natural bread-and-wine, the message of Eucharist is Jesus in-dwelling in humans at predestined time appointed. , with the goal of “oneness” and “ongoing creation”, the “real communion with God“.

God bless 🙏😇

Original post: May 14, 2020

Please tap on hyperlinks for references.

Critique is welcome at foundationacts@yahoo.com

The world is in a dilemma: going to “church or not”, follow religious leaders to attend church mass/meeting or “stay-at-home” as mandated by “Caesar” to prevent transmission. Similarly this extends to decision-making about “life vs livelihood”

On this Holy Week 2020, church gathering has been advised against, due to “social-distancing” guideline to prevent transmission of SARS-CoV-2. On-line and other technological methods of providing church masses become a norm on this unprecedented time.

What Satan and atheists did not like to have and could not prevent, i.e., church gathering of believers, has been achieved by this “invisible enemy” through no fault of anybody. No more “social-bonding”, unlike before this global pandemic. Indeed, times have change.

Pre-2020 pandemic, many of us “go to church“. Some, 2-3 times a week while others attend once a week, consistently. Yet, for those who don’t go at all, many begin to wonder why others do and have made false assumptions in their thinking process, thus defaulting to “Hanlon’s razor”. Why, and is there anything wrong with continuing to meet fellow believers in a church? At least for social bonding, while following guidelines? What about the risk of virus transmission? Or, instead forgoing traditional church attendance and still “attend” mass or service through other technological means like FaceTime or zoom? Responses by church leaders and lay members can be varied and everyone exercises or not 1A right; the ubiquitous consonance and dissonance continue to exist. Similarly, this extends to dilemma in choosing “life vs livelihood”.

Whatever, there should be no fault-finding nor finger-pointing among fellow believers as all actions have consequences, good or bad; still, avoid “confirmation bias”. This gives us a reason to delve into this subject of “temple is the church“. What, why, where is it and how to build it…really?

Church History and what is it?

The earliest form of a “temple/church” is called a “tabernacle” found in Exodus 25:8-9 and commanded by God to be built precisely according to the pattern, also as in Acts 7:44, Exodus 25:1-27:21 and Exodus 40:17-33.

The word tabernacle is an English rendition of the Hebrew word miskan, or “dwelling place”; also comes from the Hebrew word “ohel moed” or Tent of the congregation. More than 50 Chapters in the Bible were solely devoted to the tabernacle.

But even before the tabernacle was constructed, there was “tent of meeting” where God met with Moses as recorded in Exodus 33:7-9. Many assumed that God actually dwelt in it. But, notice this, that as Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the Lord spoke with Moses. Notice that Moses was “into” the tent but the Lord “was not”; the “pillar of cloud was at the entrance.”

This “tent of meeting” could be taken up and moved each time they changed locations while wandering in the wilderness. Other names in the Bible for the tent of meeting are the tabernacle of the congregation, wilderness tabernacle, tabernacle of witness, tent of witness, the tabernacle of Moses.

After the tabernacle was built about one year after leaving Egypt’s slavery, Moses no longer needed his temporary tent, and the term tent of meeting began to be applied to the tabernacle. This was the “tabernacle in the wilderness” before Israelites went to Canaan 400 years later.

In Exodus 25:22, it says “There I will meet with you, and from above the mercy seat, from the two cherubim that are on the ark of the testimony, I will speak with you about all that I will give you in commandment for the people of Israel.” Here again, God was not “in” the temple but “from above the mercy seat”.

Numbers 9:15”Now on the day that the tabernacle was erected the cloud covered the tabernacle, the tent of the testimony, and in the evening it was like the appearance of fire over the tabernacle, until morning.” Note: God was not “in” but “cloud covered the tabernacle” at daytime but at night it was “fire over the tabernacle”.

Moreover, the tabernacle was a temporary and portable dwelling place for the Ark of the Covenant and the other holy items that the Israelites were instructed to use in the worship of and sacrifice to Yahweh. It represents a portable earthly dwelling place of Yahweh (God) used by the children of Israel from the Exodus until the conquest of Canaan. This was then superseded by the Temple in Jerusalem when it was built by Solomon which was destroyed in 586 BCE by the Babylonians; was re-built in “stages” until destroyed by the Romans in 70 C.E. Currently, there is no 3rd Temple until prior to the 2nd return of Jesus Christ.

Noticeably, the “tent of meeting” and the “tabernacle” were representative of a mobile and temporary dwelling of God’s presence. And, while the original Jerusalem temple was stationary, it was destroyed as well as the 2nd Jerusalem temple, making them also temporary representation of God’s dwelling, although “not actual”. All of them were “types” until the “anti-type” is revealed.

What do they represent and why?

In the New Testament, Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:1–5 also mentioned the “tent of meeting” or the tabernacle, revealed the “anti-type” and compared it to the earthly human body:

“For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee”.

From the preceding verses, one can see that all of them, i.e., tent of meeting, tabernacle and Temple in Jerusalem, represented our mobile and living temporary earthly mortal body that must be replaced. The tent/tabernacle/Temple represents our “home”, our “clothing” and without it, we are “unclothed or naked”. The narrative in Genesis 3:1-13 explains why Adam and Eve found themselves “naked”. This, they found themselves “naked/without clothing” as a consequence, only after they sinned and not before. It dawned on them about death of their mortal body and their “real you” would be separated from that mortal body at death.

Again Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:2 referred to as “church”: To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be His holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ – their Lord and ours: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ”.

But, notice that God was never actually in any of these representations. So, where will God in-dwell?

Where does God actually in-dwell?

It is without doubt as to where the “dwelling place” of God is, in heaven as stated in 2 Chronicles 6:21. But, he also promised to “in-dwell” in man.

We know this mortal body is temporary and must be replaced. This “mortal body” is a “tent/tabernacle/Temple”, our “clothing” and without which we are “unclothed” or “naked”. And, that God promised to in-dwell at “time appointed”. Is this “temporary mortal body” where God promised to in-dwell?

Here are the verse-requisites of where actually God will “in-dwell”:

1. Not made by human hands as in 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?

Remember, the “tent of meeting,tabernacle/Jerusalem 2 temples” were made by human hands and therefore God will not dwell there. Also, among the 2 components of man, only one directly comes from God himself. Here is where actually He will in-dwell, the “breath-of-life” aka “spirit-of-man”; whereas, the other component came “from the ground, earthy”. And, this “in-dwelling” in man first happened at River Jordan to the “human trailblazer”, the “author/finisher”, man-Jesus Christ.

2. God has to “pitch it” himself as in Hebrews 8:2 “…true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man.” Clearly, He choses where and He pitched it himself.

How does God “pitched” his church?

Now that the “anti-type” (the spirit/of-man) has been revealed, where God will in-dwell through the Holy Spirit and He did into the “first chosen human Jesus”, now comes the process how his church is going to be built.

Remember that Jesus said to Peter that on that identified “rock” , he will build his church. And, this is through the Holy Spirit that Jesus got for us only after his death and resurrection. Indeed, after this, he then breathe the Holy Spirit into his disciples and later generally to others he chose at Pentecost.

We have a “stony heart” that was why the Ten Commandments were given in “tables of stones”. But, the “stone” will be removed from our heart and back to flesh as the Holy Spirit will open our eyes and ears by in-dwelling in the “spirit-of-man”(mind) to discern spiritual truths. Only with the guidance of the Holy Spirit will anyone “see, hear” spiritual truth. Then will be fulfilled on an individual basis as chosen by God, the prophesy in Ezekiel 36:26 “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”

And this process is an “ongoing creation” now underway since that time.

Summary

What the tent of meeting/tabernacle/temple represents is a mobile and living temporary mortal body. Why it must be replaced is because it was meant to be originally created perfectly but strictly temporal as a “template” to be changed in the future “time appointed”. Where the in-dwelling of God will be, is not in the “mortal component of man which was made by hands” but in the “spirit-of-man”(the mind) that was “breathed into man’s nostrils”, the “real you”. Here, in this “spirit-component” of man, the “kingdom of God” is and starts. And how this happened occurred first to the trailblazer/author man-Jesus and after his death/resurrection, he got directly from the Father, this Holy Spirit of power to be given thereafter to whoever he chose.

Church is composed of people, believers, who by being human have deficiencies. Indeed frustrating, as we are all flawed people to experience his work on earth, as alluded to in 1 Corinthians and 7 churches in Revelations. No one should dislike any church member so much as to diss church attendance.

Going into a building where fellow believers meet is not wrong, except in specific situations. Remember, Jesus went to the temple, too. To diminish its value is a dismissive line of thinking that leads nowhere constructive. Truly, “you’d have to get rid of the majority of the New Testament to argue that the church was a parenthetical, made-up organization.”

The early believers were essentially in-house churches, where immediate family, extended family and friends were already living in deep, meaningful community together. But with the reality of Covid-19 global pandemic, each one of us has to use the wisdom from God. And, decide the risks involved, modify and innovate as we can, using technological advances that we are all blessed to have. Currently, most of us are “attending” or participating in mass or church service by watching it in TV.

Hopefully and prayerfully, “normalcy” will return sooner than later. The bottom line is written in John 4:24 “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth”. And that means, wherever we are.

No need for second-guessing, finger-pointing, shaming nor blame-gaming. Let us all “be one” with the Father.

Hopefully, this post helps the world in a dilemma: going to “church or not” or choose “life vs livelihood”. Either choice taken, pro or con, has consequences that we will all experience. Risk vs rewards?

God bless🙏😇

Original post: May 7, 2020

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Dedicated to everyone with dilemma on church attendance, life vs livelihood during this global pandemic.