Armageddon is an internal war within the human psyche Revelation 16:16

Armageddon is an internal war within the human psyche Revelation 16:16













Revelation 16:12 The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings from the East.
13 Then I saw three impure spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
14 They are demonic spirits that perform signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty.
15 “Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed.”
16 Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.

Now, the word Armageddon does not appear again in the Bible So it’s meaning must be draw from our own logical insight and our intuitive understanding

Armageddon is defined as the final battle between good and evil at the end of the world.

The final battle is not an external battle but rather a personal battle that we must win within ourselves. The book of revelation is written in symbolic language it has a spiritual understanding Rev 1:1

A revelation by Jesus Christ, which God gave him, to show his slaves the things that must shortly take place. And he sent forth his angel and presented [it] in signs through him to his slave John,

First we must understand what the war is

2Co 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

1Pe 2:11 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.

Ga 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

1Pe 4:1 Christ, then, having suffered for us in the flesh, ye also with the same mind arm yourselves, because he who did suffer in the flesh hath done with sin,

1Pe 4:2 so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human lusts, but for the will of God.

2Cor 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

The Apostles explained the spiritual reality of Armageddon within the human psyche. "(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through Elohim (God) to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of Elohim (God), and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor 10:4-5);"

Revelation 16:14 the frog like spirits of demons are error thoughts which are internal “this wisdom is not one from above coming down, but is earthly born of the soul demoniacal” James 3:15 Rotherham’s Emphasized Bible.

The gathering together of the final swarm of error thoughts in consciousness (which sometimes seem to be countless) to make war against the truer and higher thoughts of the individual

If the higher thoughts are not true to their spiritual images they are sometimes overcome by these errors, as is suggested by the metaphysical significance of the kings of Judah who were slain at Megiddo, yet it is really a most fortunate place, because it affords an excellent opportunity for the individual to obtain a great and sweeping victory over error (Sisera and his hosts were defeated there), and thus to bring forth precious fruit


Armageddon first takes place within the human psyche it is a madness that will capture the hearts and minds of believers There are concepts that we have in our mind that the beast, dragon and the false prophet have perpetuated with man-made religions and the media that have brought about weakening of our spiritual growth.


The battle of Armageddon is the conflict between truth and error in consciousness.


Many people have not reached the point in their spiritual development where they are even ready for this great battle of Armageddon. If a person rejects truth outright he doesn’t get to this point. Old beliefs don’t die easily, especially the ones that are considered true in religion.


Armageddon stands for that place within our consciousness where there is a struggle between our choice of following negative impulses or practicing truth thinking. The text says that the struggle is to occur of that great day of God Almighty. When is that to be? For the true believer, it is every day.

This is a struggle which occurs daily. It is the present moment for most persons, that struggle between our choice of following negative impulses or practicing truth thinking. The battle of Armageddon is that inner struggle, and this struggle ceases only with the victory in favor of truth thinking.


The battle of Armageddon doesn’t have to be a 50 years’ war, but many drag it out even longer than that. As in many battles there are intermittent periods that mislead us into thinking the battle is over. However, it isn’t over until the New Birth experience takes place, until the Messiah appears on Mt. Zion, the place in consciousness where we realize our oneness with God; we realize that He is within us.








Once we overcome our earthly vices and desires and function fully in Spirit (enlightenment) then we can break the chains that bind us to this earthly existence. Our connection to the physical world ends.

Luke 21-31: "I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things have taken place."

Note: It is up to us to determine when this happens. We are called to wage the battle within our lifetime. This is our true purpose in this life.

Luke 21:34: "Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware."

Note: We must remain diligent and focused on accomplishing our life purpose (enlightenment) and not be distracted by the vices and physical desires of this world.

Luke 21:36 "Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape."

Note: Break the cycle of life and death and achieve eternal life.

"It's the end of the world as we know it...and I feel fine!" (R.E.M.)
And we may win this battle by placing ourself under the leadership of the One whose name is "Faithful and True," "The Word of God," "King of kings and Lord of lords."

Spiritual Growth 1 Corinthians 2:12-14

spiritual growth

In the following testimonies, the apostle tells the followers of Christ that their belief and baptism is only the BEGINNING of their walk in the truth. To aspire to the full standard of development in the Messiah, they must grow BEYOND the milk of FIRST principles. They must SEARCH OUT and consume the strong MEAT: “the DEEP things of God” (1 Corinthians 2:10).

“We have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are DULL of hearing. For when for the time ye OUGHT to be TEACHERS ye have need that one teach YOU ... and are become such as have need of MILK and NOT of strong MEAT. For every one that useth MILK is UNSKILLFUL in the word of righteousness; for he is a BABE. But STRONG MEAT belongeth to thee that are of FULL AGE, even those who BY REASON OF USE have their senses EXERCISED to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:11-14).

“Therefore, LEAVING the FIRST principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us GO ON unto perfection; not laying AGAIN the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God” (Hebrews 6:1-2).

“Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God, that we might KNOW the things that are freely GIVEN to us of God. Which things also we SPEAK, not in the words which MAN’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Spirit teacheth; COMPARING spiritual things WITH spiritual ... because they are SPIRITUALLY discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:12-14).
For: “God hath revealed them unto us by His spirit” (1 Corinthians 14:20).

CAUTION: “Put NOT your trust in PRINCES” (Psalm 146:3).
“It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in MAN” (Psalm 118:8).

“To the law and to the testimony, if they speak NOT according to THIS WORD it is because there is no light in them” (Isaiah 8:20).

“For man is to live by EVERY WORD that proceeds out of the MOUTH of God” (Matthew 4:4).

He is to add NOTHING to God’s word, neither is he to DIMINISH ought from it (Deuteronomy 4:2, 12:32; Revelation 22:18-19).

FOR: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is PROFITABLE ... that the man of God may be PERFECT” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

What is the Ego? Philippians 2:3

What is the Ego?

Philippians 2

2 If, then, there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any sharing of spirit, if any tender affections and compassions, 2 make my joy full in that YOU are of the same mind and have the same love, being joined together in soul, holding the one thought in mind, 3 doing nothing out of contentiousness or out of egotism, but with lowliness of mind considering that the others are superior to YOU, 4 keeping an eye, not in personal interest upon just YOUR own matters, but also in personal interest upon those of the others

Galatians 5

25 If we are living by spirit, let us go on walking orderly also by spirit. 26 Let us not become egotistical, stirring up competition with one another, envying one another.

ego--The I. The ego is man, and by reason of his self-will he makes and remakes as he wills. In this lie his greatest strength and his greatest weakness. The ego is of itself possessed of nothing. It is a mere ignorant child in the Mind of Being, but through the door of its consciousness must pass all the outward senses.

egotism--A state of consciousness built up by the will functioning in the outward senses. In this false expression it looks upon itself as great, honourable, mighty. Egotism stops the flow of spiritual life in the mind and heart of the believer.

We understand that the enemy is within us. Our natural impulse is to indulge and satisfy self. The flesh and the spirit battle for our mind constantly. This natural tendency to translate everything in our lives indulgently is reflected in the fact that the blood rushes through our body powered by the heart. We are told that the heart is the greatest deceiver in creation. “The heart is more treacherous than anything else and is desperate. Who can know it? ” (Jer. 17:9).

Our ego catapults self-interest to the forefront of our attention. Daily readings, Bible study and prayer subdues the power of the ego. Over a period of time the reflective mind, remembering the pain of past ego-driven mistakes, will grow in wisdom. But ego never disappears. It can only be suppressed and its power limited by the constant reintroduction of spiritual thinking.

there are 2 egos the carnal and the spiritual

ego, carnal--When the self-will attaches itself toward the outward senses of consciousness, it builds the ego, which has no basis in new life of the believer. This is known as the old man of the flesh or the carnal mind. It is the thinking of the flesh that causes all the trouble in the world.

ego, spiritual--The true self; an individualized center of the Christ Consciousness; as Paul says in
Galatians 2:20
20 I am impaled along with Christ. It is no longer I that live, but it is Christ that is living in me. Indeed, the life that I now live in flesh I live by the faith that is toward the Son of God, who loved me and handed himself over for me.
21 I do not shove aside the undeserved kindness of God; for if righteousness is through law, Christ actually died for nothing;

 It is no longer I that live, but it is Christ that is living in me this is conscious identity. with Christ our real self

Political Universe

Political Universe

Jer 10:1 ¶ Hear ye the word which Yahweh hath spoken unto you, O house of Israel:––
2 Thus, saith Yahweh––Unto the way of the nations, become not ye accustomed, Nor, at the signs of the heavens, be ye dismayed,––Because the nations are dismayed at them.

The bible mostly uses very straightforward language. The majority is a simple communication. Error is often made when people 'interpret' according to their theories, out of context, the simple communication as symbolic. To further confuse, some others may interpret prophetic 'symbolic' language as literal.

The Deity’s signs are in the political universe. This, in a sense corresponds to the physical universe, which has its earth, sea, and firmament or aerial expanse; in which are set its greater and lesser lights, and constellations -- its Sun, Moon, and Stars. It has its hurricanes, eclipses, hailstorms, and so forth, which affect injuriously those who belong to the Body Politic, whether they be rulers or the common people.

Heavens Representing Rulership. the heavens can refer to the Deity in his sovereign position. Thus, when Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar that the experience the Babylonian emperor was due to have would make him “know that the heavens are ruling,” it meant the same as knowing “that the Most High is Ruler in the kingdom of mankind.”—Da 4:25, 26.

heaven and earth are Two states of mind, the ideal spiritual mind heaven and the lower carnal mind the earth. There are two planes of consciousness, the heaven and the earth, or more properly, "the heavens and the earth." One is the realm of the Christ consciousness of pure thoughts in harmony with the Divine mind; the other, is the thinking of the flesh or carnal mind. By becoming sons of God we can reflect his "image" and "likeness" to be transformed into the spiritual man.

Jesus says Lk 21:25 "And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

Heavens and Earth:

The heavens and earth encompass our whole experience of the natural world. In analogy, in prophecy, they relate to the whole political world. The aspects of the political world, the focus of the bible prophecy, are related to aspects we understand of the natural world. In the political world some are elevated above others into ruling positions. Those great ones that rule are 'high' above the ordinary person and are said to be in 'the heavens'. The Hebrew for 'heaven'(sha^mayim) is from a word for 'lofty', or 'high'. One can rise in power into the political heavens, and likewise descend.

Lam 2:1 ¶  How hath the Lord covered the daughter of Zion with a cloud in his anger, and cast down from heaven unto the earth the beauty of Israel, and remembered not his footstool in the day of his anger!

Mt 11:23  And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.

Lu 10:15  And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.
Lu 10:18  And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

 The ordinary person is said to be of the earth. 

In Hebrew a word for 'earth' (ăda^ma^h) is related to the name Adam.
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice. (Psalm 96:11)
Hear, heavens, and listen, earth; for Yahweh has spoken: (Isaiah 1:2)
Sing, you heavens, for Yahweh has done it! Shout, you lower parts of the earth! (Isaiah 44:23)
In all of these instances the heavens and earth have human emotions, and skills, which inanimate nature cannot have. They are poetry and prophecy are analogy. Isaiah particularly uses this analogy
Sing, heavens; and be joyful, earth;
for Yahweh has comforted his people, and will have compassion on his afflicted. (Isaiah 49:13)
Isaiah is both poetry and prophecy. Note the poetic pairs: heavens - people, earth - afflicted.
In any instance when you read 'heavens' in a prophetic book, or a prophetic song, where it is speaking of the fate of nations, think first it means political heavens.

Heavens Shake & Earthquake

In the natural world the heavens do not shake. But in the political 'heavens' large events can 'shake' the political structure. Isaiah uses this image, note how the shaking is the result of God's anger. God is not angry at the natural world, rather at the people who live on earth.
Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of Yahweh of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger. (Isaiah 13:13)
If the earth are the common people a great earthquake, is an event that like a natural earthquake changes their political world. This symbol or analogy is also used throughout the western world.
An example from a source which is not religious at all is the 'Socialist Review, No.126, December 1989, pp.11-14', by Tony Cliff titled “Earthquake in the East”
We are witnessing the most massive earthquake of the social and political order in Eastern Europe. It is on a scale reminiscent of 1848 and 1917.....To understand an earthquake you have to look at the pressure inside the system. It is summed up with Marx’s statement that when the social system becomes a brake on the development of the productive forces, the epoch of the social revolution starts.

Note Tony Cliff does not explain he is using an analogy- he uses the word 'earthquake' as synonymous for revolution, assuming his audience understands. In revelation, this analogy of an earthquake is used a few times.
The smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand. And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake. (Rev 8:4-5)
There is no way in the natural world a fire will cause the earth to quake! This is symbolic of people.

Sun & Moon

Just as the sun dominates the heavens of the natural world, so the sun is representative of the supreme ruler in the political world. The moon is the lesser ruler. Jacob had not trouble understanding his son Joseph's dream.
“Behold, I have dreamed yet another dream: and behold, the sun and the moon and eleven stars bowed down to me. ”He told it to his father and to his brothers. His father rebuked him, and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Will I and your mother and your brothers indeed come to bow ourselves down to you to the earth?”(Genesis 37:9-10)
In the tribe of Israel now numbering many people in the extended family, Jacob was the supreme ruler, and his wife was secondary by virtue of reflected glory. Isaiah is clearly not speaking of the natural moon and sun, when he writes,

Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed; for Yahweh of Armies will reign on Mount Zion, and in Jerusalem; and before his elders will be glory.(Isaiah 24:23)

 But we can easily understand how the religious authority, who are secondary to the national leaders and secondary in the political 'heavens', like the moon, will be put to silence by such an event.

Just as the natural sun and moon set and rise, so do kings and religious powers. They can be covered or decrease. They can also be 'turned to blood', which means they are attacked violently and wounded.

Stars

We understand this word, thanks to Hollywood's use of the term in the early 1900's, before electric light spillage prevented us from seeing stars and Satnav replaced all navigation by stars. If someone says “for the stars, silver is the new black”, we would not look with concern to the heavens, but rather conclude famous people were wearing silver in preference to black. Stars in prophetic analogy also are famous people. They may not be political rulers, though some have such a personality they become stars. Some stars become political rulers. Daniel explains the analogy
Those who are wise shall shine as the brightness of the expanse; and those who turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever. (Daniel 12:3)
The wise shall have influence or 'shine' so we know of them like we see natural stars. Deborah uses this rich language in her song of victory
“The kings came and fought, then the kings of Canaan fought at Taanach by the waters of Megiddo. They took no plunder of silver From the sky the stars fought. From their courses, they fought against Sisera.(Judges 5:19-20)
Sisera was not defeated by stars doing strange things. If we read the parallel account, he was defeated by the kings of Canaan. (See Judges chapter 4)  Notice the poetic links: kings came = from the sky, Kings of Canaan = stars, and, waters = courses.

Spiritual Love the gospel of Philip

Spiritual Love

Spiritual love is wine and perfume. [78] People who anoint themselves with it enjoy it, and while these people are present, others who are around also enjoy it. If the people who are anointed leave them and go away, the others who are not anointed but are only standing around are stuck with their own bad odor.

The Samaritan gave nothing to the wounded person except wine and oil—that is, only ointment. The ointment healed the wound, for “love covers a multitude of sins.”

The analogy in the following lines presents the relation of the Gnostic to the outside world: the fragance of a perfume is enjoyed not only by those who wear it but by others in their company, but when the wearers depart the others are left in their own ill odour (c£ perhaps Ign., Eph. xvii).

Spiritual love is wine [blood] and fragrance [sacrifice]. All those who anoint themselves with it take pleasure in it [these will sacrifice even the good inside of them at the hands of evil in others for this is the will of the Father]. While those who are anointed are present, those nearby also profit (from the fragrance) [they subjectively benefit from your sacrifice when you return good for evil]. If those anointed with ointment [the saints] withdraw from them and leave, then those not anointed, who merely stand nearby, still remain in their bad odor [their sacrifices are fowl and unacceptable to the Father (they are from the ground, their own depraved heart and mind and not according to the Father’s will)]. The Samaritan gave nothing but wine and oil to the wounded man. It is nothing other than the ointment [the sacrifice and offering of love]. It healed the wounds, for "love covers a multitude of sins" [so acts of love and obedience move the Father to forgive us our sins] (1 Pe 4:8). (Philip 86)

Gnostics and Politics

Gnostics and Politics

Rethinking Gnosticism Kurt Rudolph refers to an “individualism, or solipsism,” borrowing a term from Hans Jonas, and appealing to Jonas’s assertion that this solipsism resulted in “a soteriological ethic of brotherhood which is far removed from the this-worldly social ethic of antiquity” (252; see Jonas, The Gnostic Religion, 264–65). Barbara Aland, “Wasist Gnosis?” 56–57, defines “Gnosis” as a position in which the world is now “of no consequence” (belanglos), since one has a true home elsewhere. Therefore, there can be for the gnostic no interest in the world in a practical-political or social sense.

you know we really can't change the world in fact the concept of trying to change the world is actually a very non spiritual concept that's that's not who it doesn't work when we try to change things outside of ourselves but paradoxically when we transform our own consciousness when we're coming from a deeper place then what we bring to the world is very different right and the paradox is that that does give other people the opportunity to have a different experience and in that funny way that does change the world not because we're out there trying to change it which is futile and not very spiritual because that's thinking you are God and the only God and you have all the answers ok but when you come from that inner place what happens is that it transforms gives other people they have opportunity and we're bringing something different to the party as I like to say and so when we come from that inner place when we have that commitment to prayer and meditation

Flesh and Spirit Gospel of Thomas saying 29

Flesh and Spirit Gospel of Thomas Saying 29

Jesus says If the flesh came into being because of spirit,
it is a marvel,
but if spirit came into being because of body,
it is a marvel of marvels.
Yet I marvel at how this great wealth has come to dwell
in this poverty.

Jesus speaks about two miracles in Sayings 29, 85 in Saying 29 Jesus speaks of two miracles and two in 85 here Jesus is speaking about the same thing the mortal body and the immortal body or spiritual body 

The living Jesus=the resurrected Jesus, Jesus also lives though his sayings, and all true believers are the living Jesus. To become the living Jesus, you must empty yourself of yourself and let the spirit that is the mind of Christ (his character) fill you. Dying to yourself so that you can be reborn of the spirit as the living Jesus. We must experience the same conception, gestation, and birth as the living Jesus so that we might be his twin (Mt 3:17 Mk 1:11 Lk 3:22 Ps 2:7 89:27)

In this saying the words “flesh and body” stands for the natural body the body of the soul and the word “spirit” stands for the spiritual body the body of the spirit 1Cor15:44-46: 

44 It is sown a body of the soul, it is raised a body of the spirit; if there is a body of the soul, there is also of the spirit:––45 Thus, also, it is written––The first man, Adam, became, a living soul, the last Adam, a life–giving spirit. 46 Howbeit, not first, is the body of the spirit, but that, of the soul,––afterwards, that of the spirit. Rotherham’s Emphasized Bible

“If” in Hebrew and Greek can be translated in many ways in English 0518 Ma 'im eem a primitive particle; conditional part; in the AV-if, not, or, when, whether, surely, doubtless, while, neither, saving, verily; 43 Greek 1487 ei ei i a primary particle of conditionality; ; conj AV-if 242, whether 21, that 6, not tr 20, misc 3; 292 and “is” in the Greek may also be translated AV-is 744, are 51, was 29, be 25, have 11, not tr 15, misc 25, vr is 1; 900 

Strong’s 2076 esti esti es-tee’ third person singular present indicative of 1510; ; v 1) third person singular of "to be" Used in phrase <3739> <2076> (5748) in: #Mr 3:17 7:11,34 12:42 15:15 Eph 6:17 Col 1:24 Heb 7:2 Re 21:8,17 These are listed under number 3603. 

So the first part of this saying can be translated “when” “When the flesh come into being because of spirit, it was a miracle.” 

Now in the next part of the text “but” in the Greek can be translated AV-but 1237, and 934, now 166, then 132, also 18, yet 16, yea 13, so 13, moreover 13, nevertheless 11, for 4, even 3, misc 10, not tr 300; 2870 1161 de de deh a primary particle (adversative or continuative); ; conj. so the next part of this saying can be translated also when spirit came into being because of the body it is a miracle of miracles.

So we have two miracles here the first one Jesus is speaking about the creation of man Gen 1: 2:  when the flesh came into being by the spirit of El through the Elohim and this was a miracle and not by chance as the theory of scientific origins would have it. The second miracle is ”a miracle of miracles” for from the natural body comes the spiritual body or the spiritual world is developed from the natural one surely this is a miracle of miracles.

Here Jesus must be speaking to his disciples after his resurrection for On a certain occasion, Jesus unexpectedly stood in the midst of His disciples, at which they were exceedingly alarmed, supposing they beheld a spirit, or phantasm, as at a former time. But, that they might be assured that it was really He Himself, He invited them to handle Him, and examine His hands and feet: "for," said he, "a phantom hath not flesh and bones as ye see me have." He did not mean to say that a spiritual body had not; but a Spirit such as they thought they saw. "They supposed they had seen a phantom." When Jesus walked upon the sea both Matthew (Mat 14:26) and Mark (Mark 6:49) make use of the same phrase as Luke, and say that the disciples when they saw Him, "supposed they had seen a spirit, and they cried out for fear." In both these places the word is phantasma, and not pneuma. 

Now, a Spiritual body is as material, or substantial and tangible, a body as that which we now possess. It is a body purified from "the law of sin and death." Hence it is termed "holy," and "spiritual," because it is born of the Spirit from the dust, is incorruptible, and sustained by the ruach, or spirit, independently of the neshemeh, or atmospheric air." "That which is born of the flesh," in the ordinary way, "is flesh," or an animal body: and that which is born of the Spirit," by a resurrection to life, "is spirit," or a Spiritual body (John 3:6). Hence, in speaking of Jesus, Paul says, "born of David's seed according to the flesh; and constituted the Son of God in power, by the spirit of holiness, through a resurrection from the dead" (Rom 1:3-4). Thus, He was born of the spirit, and therefore became "a Spirit;" and, because highly exalted, and possessing a name which is above every name (Phil 2:9-11), He is styled "the Lord the Spirit." 

Now, Jesus Anointed is Power, or Spirit, manifested in flesh, and justified in Spirit (2 Tim. 3:16): or, "Made of the seed of David according to flesh; and constituted Son of God in power, according to spirit of holiness, out of a resurrection of dead ones" (Rom 1:3, 4): and therefore styled "the Lord the Spirit," or "a life-imparting Spirit" (1Cor 15:45; 2Cor 3:17, 18). Here are Spirit and Flesh. The Spirit is Theos, or Deity; the Flesh was the Son of Mary, and named Jesus; and when anointed with Spirit again at his resurrection, became Jesus Christ, or the Anointed Jesus. This anointing was his begettal of spirit by which he became Spirit; as he said to Nicodemus, "that which is born of the Spirit is spirit" (John 3:6).

The flesh is a vehicle for the spirit: a vehicle in Hebrew is a vehicle “cherub” “Cherubim”. in Phanerosis, Dr. Thomas gives us The etymology of the word “cherub” or with “im“ on the end of a Hebrew word denotes the plural number “Cherubim” “is said by Gesenius to be obscure; and he suggests what he calls “a new derivation.” He says “if the word be of Semitic origin, perhaps we may take the root charav as having a meaning like kharam “to prohibit from a common use.” Hence, to consecrate, etc. “So that ‘cherub’, would be keeper, warden, guard, that is, of the Deity, to guard against all approach.” Hyde, in his Religion of the Ancient Persians, page 263, supposes that “‘cherub’ may be the same as Kerub, the first letter being koph, instead of caph, and signifying one near to God. His minister — one admitted to His presence.” Both these derivations are in accordance with the truth concerning the Cherubim — nevertheless, not satisfactory to our mind. We believe that the word is derived from the root rachav, “to ride” whether on an animal or in a vehicle, By transposing the first two letters and heemantively inserting wav before the last, we have “cherub” or that which is ridden — in the plural. “cheru­bim.” This convertibility of the verb rachav into the noun “cherub” is illustrated in Psalms 18:10., thus: “And-he-rode upon-a-cherub and flew” but the Father by the Spirit also “inhabits the Cherubim.” David, in Psalm 80, and Hezekiah in Isaiah 37:16

According to this derivation, the cherubim comprise the chariots of Yahweh, in which he rides by his spirit, and through which he manifests himself. In 1Chr 28:18 the phrase “the chariot even the cherubim” occurs according to the RV supporting the contention of Phanerosis. It is further supported by the expressions of 2Kings 2:12 and 13:14

The “Cherubim,” then, constitute a vehicle, in and upon which the Eternal Power self-styled “Yahweh,” rides as in a chariot. The Spirit is the rider, and the Cherubim the “clouds,” the “horses,” the “chariots,” the “living creatures,” the “wheels,” the “great waters,” the “wing­ed host,” upon which He rides. Hence, of the Eternal Spirit it is said: “Behold, He cometh with clouds” — the clouds of His witnesses, of whom the present evil aeon, or course of things, is not worthy (Rev. 1:7; Heb. 12:1; 1 Thess. 4:17); and again: “Was Thy wrath against the sea that Thou didst ride upon Thine horses, Thy chariots of salvation? Thou didst march through the sea with Thine horses, through the heap of great waters” (Hab. 3:8, 15); also, “Whither the Spirit was to go the living creatures went . . . . and they ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning. And the noise of their wings was like the noise of great waters, as the voice of the Almighty, as the noise of a host” (Ezek. 1:12, 14, 24; Rev. 1:15; 19:14). In this last citation, wings, great waters, Almighty, and host, all refer to the same company — a multitudinous embodiment of the Effluence of the Eternal Father, who soars on these wings of the Spirit. Wy-yaide-al chanphai ruach (Ps. 18: 10).

29) Jesus said, "If the flesh [creation of the lower/outward form] came into being [a living soul] because of spirit [being blown into it], it is a wonder [all men are formed in the womb by God for His own purposes - the miracle of birth]. But if spirit [a new creation of the higher/inward substance] came into being [a life giving spirit] because of the body [being called to Christ], it is a wonder of wonders. Indeed, I am amazed at how this great wealth [fruits (treasures) of the Kingdom] has made its home in this poverty [the body of flesh which is continually buffeted in the world]." 

The Threefold Nature of Man

The Threefold Nature of Man

the flesh the soul and spirit

54 From Adam three natures were begotten. The first was the irrational, which was Cain's, the second the rational and just, which was Abel's, the third the spiritual, which was Seth's. Now that which is earthly is “according to the image,” that which is psychical according to the “likeness” of God, and that which is spiritual is according to the real nature; and with reference to these three, without the other children of Adam, it was said, “This is the book of the generation of men.” And because Seth was spiritual he neither tends flocks nor tills the soil but produces a child, as spiritual things do. And him, who “hoped to call upon the name of the Lord” who looked upward and whose “citizenship is in heaven” – him the world does not contain. (Extracts from the Works of Theodotus)


Man is a creation of the Demiurgus or the Elohim. He is formed from matter (hulê), receives a soul (psuchê) from the Demiurgus, and a spirit (pneuma) from Achamoth. The nature of man is thus a compound formed of three elements, Body, Soul, and Spirit.


Man has three natures spirit and soul and body


1 Thessalonians 5:23 May the very God of peace sanctify YOU completely. And sound in every respect may the spirit and soul and body of YOU [brothers] be preserved in a blameless manner at the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who is calling YOU is faithful, and he will also do it.



The “spirit” (Heb., ruach; Gr., pneuma) should not be confused with the “soul” (Heb., nephesh; Gr., psykhe´), for they refer to different things. Thus, Hebrews 4:12 speaks of the Word of God as ‘piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, and of joints and their marrow.’ (Compare also Php 1:27; 1Th 5:23.) As has been shown, the soul (nephesh; psykhe´) is the creature itself. The spirit (ruach; pneuma) generally refers to the life-force of the living creature or soul, though the original-language terms may also have other meanings.

The spirit is the mind of man the soul is the heart or emotions and of course the body is a physical nature

The “spirit” (Heb., ruach; Gr., pneuma) should not be confused with the “soul” (Heb., nephesh; Gr., psykhe´), for they refer to different things.





Definition: A Body is a physical or spiritual vessel. In other words a human or angelic body.

Definition: A Soul is a human body.

Definition: A Dead Soul is a dead body

Definition: A Spirit is a character, a personality. It is 'you'.



"Operating upon the brain [physical (body)], it [indwelling sin] excites the 'propensities' (the outward senses), and these set the 'intellect' [mental (spirit)], and 'sentiments' [moral (soul)] to work. The propensities are blind, and so are the intellect and sentiments in a purely natural state; when therefore, the latter operate under the sole impulse of the propensities, 'the understanding is darkened through ignorance, because of the blindness of the heart'". Ephesians 4:18


Man has three natures spirit and soul and body


The Flesh or hylics

hylics, also called somatics (from Gk σώμα (sōma) "body"),

An extension of the idea that flesh composes the visible, tangible parts of the body is the use of the word “flesh” to refer in a general way to the whole body. (Le 17:14; 1Ki 21:27; 2Ki 4:34) It is also used to refer to the person, or individual, as a human of flesh. (Ro 7:18; Col 2:1, 5

. “Flesh” is often used in the Bible to represent man in his imperfect state, ‘conceived in sin’ as an offspring of rebellious Adam. (Ps 51:5; Ro 5:12; Eph 2:3) In humans who are trying to serve God, ‘the spirit [impelling force emanating from the figurative heart] is eager, but the flesh is weak.’ (Mt 26:41) Within these servants of God there is a constant conflict; God’s holy spirit is a force for righteousness, but the sinful flesh continually wars against the spirit’s influence and exerts pressure to induce the individual to perform the works of the flesh. (Ro 7:18-20; Ga 5:17) The works of sinful flesh are contrasted with the fruitage of the spirit, at Galatians 5:19-23.

The Spiritual Man and The soulful.

The apostle contrasts the spiritual man with the physical man. He says: “But a physical [literally, soulical] man does not receive the things of the spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him.” (1Co 2:14) This “physical man” does not mean merely one living on earth, one with a fleshly body, for, obviously, Christians on earth have fleshly bodies. The physical man here spoken of means one who has no spiritual side to his life. He is “soulical” in that he follows the desires of the human soul to the exclusion of spiritual things.

Paul continues about the “physical man,” that he cannot get to know the things of the spirit of God “because they are examined spiritually.” Then he says: “However, the spiritual man examines indeed all things, but he himself is not examined by any man.” The spiritual man has understanding of the things God reveals; he sees also the wrong position and course of the physical man. But the spiritual man’s position, actions, and course of life cannot be understood by the physical man, neither can any man judge the spiritual man, for God only is his Judge. (Ro 14:4, 10, 11; 1Co 4:3-5) The apostle says by way of illustration and argument: “For ‘who has come to know the mind of Jehovah, that he may instruct him?’” No one, of course. “But,” Paul says of Christians, “we do have the mind of Christ.” By getting the mind of Christ, who reveals Jehovah and his purposes to Christians, they are spiritual men.—1Co 2:14-16.

James chapter 1 "A double minded man is unstable in all his ways" — The word "double-minded" is a translation of dipsuchos which signifies two-souled! One soul is for God, and one is for self! The double-minded man has feet in both camps. Jas 3:15 This wisdom is not one, from above, coming down, but is earthly, born of the soul, demoniacal!


Jude 1:19 These, are they who make complete separation, mere men of soul, Spirit, not possessing.

Spiritual Evolution

Spiritual evolution

evolution--comes from the word evolve meaning to develop gradually.

The development obtained by a believer through accurate knowledge of the law of Christ. It is the result of the development of the divine Logos in mind. What we are and what we are to be come is the result of the evolving of our consciousness, and this state of mind or new awareness is the result of seed spirit-word sown in the mind.

God implanted His perfect word--developed this seed word in each true believer.

Jesus said: Look, the sower went out, he filled his hand (and) cast (the seed). Some fell upon the road; the birds came, they gathered them. Others fell upon the rock, and struck no root in the ground, nor did they produce any ears. And others fell on the thorns; they choked the seed and the worm ate them. And others fell on the good earth, and it produced good fruit; it yielded sixty per measure and a hundred and twenty per measure.

Thus spiritual evolution is the unfolding in consciousness of that which God has implanted in a believer.

the evolving of our consciousness is the transforming of our mind

Romans 12:2 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.

Therefore spiritual evolution, is the unfolding of the Spirit of God into action. The mind of a believer is the garden of God, of which the seed is the spirit-word sown into our mind and heart. The Christ consciousness or Christ mind evolution in a believer is plainly taught in the Scriptures as the most important realization of every believer.

1 Corinthians 2:16 For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF YAHWEH, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ.

Romans 8:9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.

Colossians 3:10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, 

11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.
12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 

13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 

14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

Without some evidence in us of the Christ consciousness or the mind of Christ we are little better than animals. When through faith in the reality of things spiritual we begin conscious evolution there is great rejoicing; "we rejoice in hope of the glory of God."

Seeing

Seeing

People cannot see anything that really is without becoming like it. It is not so with people in the world, who see the sun without becoming the sun and see the sky and earth and everything else without becoming them.

This is quite in keeping with the truth. But you saw something of that place, and you became those things.,

you have seen the spirit and have become spirit,

you have seen Christ and have become Christ,

you have seen the [father] and will become father.

[Here] in the world you see everything but do not [see] yourself, but there in that realm you see yourself, and you will [become] what you see.

Dear brothers and sisters for this reason no longer see yourselves as human or flesh that you may not be human, nothing human can enter the realm of spirit but will be dissolved by pure light.

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. Romans 8:5

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Galatians 5:16

The Natural Seed and the Spiritual Seed 1 John 3 9

The Natural Seed and the Spiritual Seed 1 John 3 9

There are TWO TYPES OF NATURAL SEED mentioned in the scriptures: SPERM the engendering male element which begets like kind; the seed in or from the loins - and CHILDREN - the results of impregnation of the semen (sperm) bringing forth the seed of posterity; the offspring of a father after the flesh; the subsequent generations follow this NATURAL LAW and are considered the seed of the original progenitor after the FLESH.

There are also TWO FORMS OF THE SPIRITUAL SEED: THE WORD OF GOD (Luke 8:11) - which is spirit (John 6:63) - and CHILDREN OF GOD - those persons whose minds and hearts have been impregnated with the word of God and through obedience to the word and develop into God’s children; they are born of the SPIRIT - begotten by the word of God:
John 3:5 - “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”
James 1:18 - “And of his own will begat he us with the WORD OF TRUTH, that we should be a kind of first-fruits of his creatures.”
1 Peter 1:23 - “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, BY THE WORD OF GOD, which liveth and abideth for ever.”
1 John 3:9 - “Whosoever is born of God does not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” They are thus begotten by God.
John 1:13 - “Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of man, but of God.”
We might term this seed “MYSTICAL”, since Jesus stated that: “The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou heareth the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh and whither it goeth. So is EVERY ONE THAT IS BORN OF THE SPIRIT” (John 3:8). Also, Paul speaks of the MYSTERY OF GODLINESS:
1 Timothy 3:16 - “And without controversy great is the MYSTERY OF GODLINESS: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”
... A MYSTERY is a concealed FACT that MAY be revealed. God reveals these things unto his children by his spirit. He conceals them from the wise (of the world) but reveals them unto babes:
Matthew 11:25 - “At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.”

When God created them, male and female, it was for the purpose of multiplying and filling the whole earth with like kind. The law of descent by birth was vested in the man, the male sperm. The man-to-the-woman is a type of God-to-his-people, or of Christ-to-his-church (bride). Now Jesus was born under this natural law, in order to inherit the natural attributes of his forefathers (Adam, Noah, Abraham, and David) after the flesh. He partook of flesh and blood and in all things was made like unto his brethren, that he might destroy those human attributes in himself, which attributes would result in death.
Hebrews 2:14-17 - “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
15. “And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
16. “For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
17. “Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.”
Therefore it was necessary for God to use a natural seed (sperm) or else Jesus would have been born spirit, according to Jesus’ own statement at John 3:6: “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
The seed promised to Abraham was relative to his posterity. The promise to David was as literal as the promise to Abraham as witnessed by the following texts:
2 Samuel 7:12 - “And when thy [David’s] day be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee which shall proceed out of thy bowels and I will establish his kingdom.”
1 Chronicles 17:11 - “And it shall come to pass, when thy days be expired that thou must go to be with thy fathers, that I will raise up thy seed after thee, which shall be of thy sons, and I will establish his kingdom.”
Psalm 132:11 - “The LORD hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.”
2 Timothy 2:8 - “Remember that Jesus Christ of [Grk. ‘ex’ - out of] the seed of David was raised from [Grk. ‘ex’ - out of] the dead according to my gospel.”
Acts 2:30 - “Therefore [David] being a prophet and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of [Grk. ‘ex’ - out of] the FRUIT OF HIS LOINS, according to the FLESH, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne.”
Jeremiah 33:20-21 - “Thus saith the LORD: If ye can break my covenant of the day, and ... the night, and that there should not be day and night ...
21. “Then may my covenant be broken with David my servant, that he should not have a SON to reign upon his throne.”
John 7:42 - “Hath not the scriptures said, that Christ cometh of [Grk. ‘ex’ - from out of] the seed of David.”
Romans 1:3 (Diaglott) - “Concerning that son of his, who was born from a seed of David, according to the FLESH.”
These testimonies refer specifically to God’s covenant with David. God through Isaiah states that “a virgin shall conceive” [Hebrew ‘harah’ - to receive seed - sperm] (Isaiah 7:14). And the angel Gabriel said to the virgin Mary: “Thou shalt conceive” [Grk. ‘sullambano’ - to receive seed - sperm] (Luke 1:31).
Now, “that which is born of the flesh is flesh” (John 3:6). Also, “that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is NATURAL; and afterward that which is SPIRITUAL” (1 Corinthians 15:46). Thus denoting the sequence by which God begets “sons” from among mankind. Since Jesus was born of flesh and blood (Hebrews 2:14), then God must have used a NATURAL seed (sperm) to impregnate Mary by insemination.

When Gabriel informed Mary of God’s purpose, she said: “How can this be seeing I know not a man?” Gabriel answered: “The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee” (Luke 1:35). The Holy Spirit is not a person but is the power of God, by which he subjugates and sustains all things according to his will. Thus was the physical association of a man dispensed with, as God, through his power, performed the feat in accordance with his promise to David.
And Gabriel said to Mary: “God will give unto him [Jesus] the throne of David his father” (Luke 1:32). Jesus was the son of David after the flesh. He is the natural seed (posterity) in whom all the covenants are fulfilled.
This does not negate the fact that Jesus became the son of God after the spirit in God’s appointed way: First the natural, afterward the spiritual. Jesus expressly states that, “I am the way and no man cometh to the Father but by me [after the
same manner]” (John 14:6).

Treatise on the Five Senses From a Spiritual View

Treatise on the Five Senses From a Spiritual View

It would seem to the astute believer, coupled with an inherent faith that the scriptures are actually true; that what is heavenly (spiritual) is couched or contained in that which is earthly (fleshly - in types and images).  With this in mind we must venture into the visible (physical) bodies five senses in order to understand what the hidden "spiritual" five senses might be.  Since the physical senses are used as a catalyst for sin to gain entrance and mastery over the flesh and effectively steal our souls (hearts) from us (which is best termed "spiritual thievery"), it would be prudent and wise to understand this.

In the beginning before we can create any real awareness of our own, there is a spiritual awareness that gets its strength from the spirit of Elohim who forms us in the womb.  This hidden awareness remains with us until the day our physical bodies die. We are able to perceive this by the involuntary processes that makes our heart beat, our lungs breathe, our system to digest and eliminate what we eat, our eyes to blink, our body to heal its wounds, etc..  However, along with these "involuntary" movements the other form of awareness begins to develop in our soul as soon as we are able to "reason" or collaborate data gained from our senses which makes us distinct from all other souls.

Now the fruit that our individual soul produces is derived from the culmination of all the "experiences" we have processed and witnessed through these senses in our life. It is important at this juncture to point out that none of these senses have the power to conceive an experiential "awareness" upon its lone input but must be accompanied by another witness of the same experience.  For instance a child can infer nothing of value or gain any experience from "hearing" the word "hot" without anoOver time, the physical senses create what we call "awareness" which "moves us" or influences us to act in certain ways which often manifests who and what we are while "in the world" as creatures of flesh; just as the spiritual senses move us and compel us in a way that re-defines who and what we are as creatures of the spirit (so whether it be the spirit of the world or the spirit of God we are moved by the foundations of our faith).

It is written that Jesus "grew in stature and in wisdom" while he was growing up in a "slaves form".  This is an important thing to bear in mind for we must all grow the same way so it is how we are "brought up" that influences our soul (individual spirit consciousness) or heart, hence it is written in Proverbs; "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.".  So our upbringing is critical to our spiritual health. Since Mary, the mother of Jesus was "blessed among women" and had "found favor with God" and Joseph was described as "being just" not to mention that all three of them were often visited by angels of God, it is beyond presumption to believe that Jesus was brought up "in the way he should go" by righteous men and women from His youth up.  For the rest of us, this type of growth in the spirit was not possible until Jesus poured out that spirit during the Pentecostal period (which is continuing to this day) declared in the book of Acts for we are reminded in John that He is "the true light that enlightens every man coming into the world".

So let us examine the senses and how they shape our "awareness" and what that means. First, the senses whether physical or spiritual are really a window or doorway to our "soul" where all that we see, hear, smell, taste or feel is captured, processed and stored in our subconscious mind (heart/soul) for the duration of its life. The physical/fleshly senses do all of this in the depravity of our lower/outward (carnal) image which is not capable of discerning the spiritual; while the spiritual senses discover and process the light in the higher/inward substance while remaining "aware" of the lower forms that it might get mastery over them.

So again, the awareness that is created by our physical senses is exclusive to our own particular growth and no one can know it but by our words and our acts.  This is the opposite of spiritual awareness which is of the One spirit and shared by all who own it (being aware that you are aware have you) and others with this spirit will know it in you.

ther sensory input witnessing to and allowing one to process the word accurately.  Now if you were to place the child's hand upon a cup with hot (but not too hot!) coffee in it while saying "hot", that child's senses (hearing and feeling) have now formed an experience that is true awareness which will warn the child (via the subconscious mind/soul) anytime either of these two witnesses (senses) might encounter a similar event requiring caution whether it is merely seeing a cup or hearing/seeing the word hot!  Now both of these witnesses and the awareness they create will give birth to increased awareness as other inputs fortify, increase or change in any way in our daily walk.

Bear all of this in mind as you begin to grow in stature and wisdom from a spiritual standpoint for those senses are also creating new experiences from the witnesses they receive.  This process is not a stranger to "worldly" religious leaders and kings who in their carnal lusts have used it to commit spiritual thievery upon those they wish to "lord it over".  This includes all religions (atheists, statists, evolutionists, capitalists, communists are also forms of religions for these all bind people to a "way" other than the Way of Truth) These religions use speech, radio, television, movies, newspaper, news channels, schools, etc.. in repetitive mantras using both your "sight" and your "hearing" to form an experience in you, but these are "false witnesses".  No matter how you examine it the experience is false because you do not own it of yourself but have fallen prey to deceptive practices.  Unlike actually "seeing" the cup and "feeling" the hot (whereby your senses were able to create a true experience) the media events were not true experiences because all that was purported is "hearsay" and all that was seen was an image/video that can be altered or modified or associated with a monologue that has nothing to do with it...well you get the idea.  Yet both of these can create an awareness, one true and useful to the body and soul while the other false and detrimental to the body and soul.  Nonetheless, these seem just as real as a real experience and people who gain them will fight to preserve them.

Let us now endeavor to address each of the physical/fleshly senses and see if we can come to understand their spiritual counterparts bearing in mind that all of the physical senses have in common that they do not perceive the spiritual and can only provide physical experiences to create carnal awareness which is the fallen state of man in the first birth.  Yet the spiritual can not only perceive the things of the spirit but also the things of the flesh for what they truly are.

Seeing (physically/carnally) can be the actual viewing of an earthen thing (image) or it could be the dreamlike viewing of one's creative imagination which is influenced by the awareness that already exists.  This is why those of the world put so much effort into beguiling you with visual media so as to form your awareness into thinking and doing according to their will.  Once one is "raised up" the way they (rulers of the world) wish you to speak and act it is extremely difficult to change.  Thus one must be willing "to leave all that he has behind" and  "start with a new lump" i.e. come to regard all experiential awareness received in the world that was not personally obtained while in the flesh as "dung".  It is the doffing of the old moth eaten garment for a new everlasting garment.

Seeing with the eyes of the spirit gives depth to your vision as never before as it sees both the lower/outward (fleshly) forms and the higher/inward (spiritual) substance of things.  Even imaginations and dreams are carefully scrutinized by spiritual eyes as to source.  This vision is very difficult to accept initially because it discovers all of the "earthly treasures" (sins) stored up in ones soul.  But if one puts faith in the Truth and conforms to it, he will come to know the Father and the Son who is in all things.

Hearing, much like seeing has to the same two variables.  If one hears only physically/carnally, he is limited to the same conditions as "seeing" above.  If one hears spiritually he can also discern the errant ways of what is physically heard.  Where the Word is concerned, the physical sense can only hear the lower/outward (fleshly) forms of sound. All of the scriptures are seen as substance when in fact they are only types and images (forms) of substance.  For example, to the carnal mind the animals in the "bible" are actual animals and not representative of types (character traits) of people.  This is demonstrated for us in detail in the epistle of Barnabas.  It is also revealed to us by Paul when he speaks of the Abraham's two wives as being "allegories" in that they mean two covenants.  Although people have heard this (declared), they still cannot perceive that all of the accounts in scriptures have similar hidden meanings in them which is why Jesus said; "those who have ears to hear, listen to what the spirit is saying."

Smell is a bit more difficult to address for this particular sense is deeply associated with taste so these usually bear witness together in order to create an awareness.  When we first smell an odor, it is a new experience for us and has no real meaning unless one of the other senses give witness to what it is.  We only know that it is either pleasant, or unpleasant to take in.  Some pleasant odors can be deadly while some foul odors are quite good for you so it is critical to have that second witness to help us know which is which.

From a spiritual perspective, odors are often synonymous with sacrifice or prayers and how they are presented determines whether or not they are of benefit or detriment.  One who prays or sacrifices in a lower/outward (fleshly) heart (disobedient and sinful nature) is considered a foul odor to the Father but, where when one prays in spirit and in truth or ones sacrifice is a lowly spirit and a contrite heart it is considered a joyful or sweet aroma.  Either way we need two witnesses in order to create a real experience whether it be spiritual or carnal.

Taste is not much different in that eating physical food can give us a witness to something that we find either pleasant or unpleasant it cannot without a second witness provide a true awareness.  Just as physical food has a direct bearing on our physical health, spiritual food has a direct bearing on our spiritual health. For instance from a spiritual perspective; if we eat what the world feeds us in its lower/outward (fleshly) forms (customs, traditions, ordinances, festivals etc..) we will find ourselves in a depraved spiritual condition. This food although sweet enough in our mouths (we do love a good lie especially when it hides or covers our sins) it  becomes bitter in our bellies (when we discover the Truth).  If we eat what the Word (Messiah) feeds us in its higher/inward (spiritual) substance, we will find ourselves in a robust spiritual condition.  This food (the Truth) is also sweet in our mouths but found to be bitter in our bellies (for it discovers our sins to us).  Now there is no condemnation for those who accept the Truth and act upon it!!

Feeling is much more complex than the word "touch" but captures the depths of this particular sense as touching is purely an outward expression in a physical sense where feeling is both inward and outward.  For instance one can feel pain from touching something hot, yet one can also feel pain when their heart is contrite.  This form of pain born of tribulation is of the heart and soul but can be felt physically by those who experience it.  This is also one of the few senses that are able to influence the soul that it knock on the door to spiritual awakening.  Feeling in both realms can also give pleasure.  Physical feeling once witnessed by another input give awareness to whatever it is that caused it.  If it is carnal in nature it will bear fruit to pride, covetness, fornication etc.., if it is spiritual in nature it will bear fruit to love, joy, peace, charity etc..

Now the Key to all of this is that there are two realms of understanding; the lower/outward (fleshly) forms of the five senses and the higher/inward (spiritual) substance of the five senses.  Now bear in mind that the image can either be that of God (in the spirit of Truth), or that of the beast (in the spirit of the world).  Not so as to confuse the matter but to give us clarity as to why it is so difficult to discern for most people.  The spirit of the beast truly believes that it is the substance of things when in fact it is not while the spirit of God bears witness to both conditions. Knowing the difference should help those who are toiling and laboring in the Word that it guides them into all Truth (higher/inward spiritual meanings) in the scriptures.

The Cosmos: Genesis 1 as a Cosmic Temple

The Cosmos Is God’s True Temple

Genesis 1 is the record of creation shown to Moses. Let the reader consider the history of the creation as a revelation to himself as an inhabitant of the earth. It informs him of the order in which the things recorded would have developed themselves to his view, had he been placed on some projecting rock, the onlooker of the events detailed.

Genesis 1 the creation as the temple of God

Genesis 1 is presenting the universe as the temple of God

23 I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void; and the heavens, and they had no light.
24 I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly.
25 I beheld, and, lo, there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled.
26 I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful place was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the LORD, and by his fierce anger.

1 ¶ In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

11 And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.

20 ¶ And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.

35 ¶ Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name:

36 If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever.

The Cosmos is God's True Temple

27 But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?
28 Yet have thou respect unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer, which thy servant prayeth before thee to day:
29 That thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place of which thou hast said, My name shall be there: that thou mayest hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall make toward this place.
30 And hearken thou to the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place: and hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place: and when thou hearest, forgive.

In other words translators have seen this as two separate heavens - the “heaven” and the “heaven of heavens”. In Hebrew “the heaven of heavens” is in the construct state and therefore a string (in this case only two) of nouns used to describe one single thing. “The heaven of heavens” is separate from the “heaven”.

Solomon's model of the cosmic temple

48 And so return unto thee with all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies, which led them away captive, and pray unto thee toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name:
49 Then hear thou their prayer and their supplication in heaven thy dwelling place, and maintain their cause,
50 And forgive thy people that have sinned against thee, and all their transgressions wherein they have transgressed against thee, and give them compassion before them who carried them captive, that they may have compassion on them:

1 Kings 8:48 When they return to you with all their heart and being in the land where they are held prisoner, and direct their prayers to you toward the land you gave to their ancestors, your chosen city, and the temple I built for your honor,

49 then listen from your heavenly dwelling place to theirnprayers for help and vindicate them.

50 Forgive all the rebellious acts of your sinful people and cause their captors to have mercy on them.

Solomon’s Model of the Cosmic Temple

Genesis 1: Creation of the Cosmic Temple

1 Kings 7:49 the pure gold lampstands at the entrance to the inner sanctuary (five on the right and five on the left), the gold flower-shaped ornaments, lamps, and tongs,

1 Kings 6:31 He made doors of olive wood at the entrance to the inner sanctuary; the pillar on each doorpost was fivesided.

[the doors separate the light & darkness]

1 Kings 6: 9 He finished building the temple and covered it with rafters and boards made of cedar.

[Word for firmament is only exilic; Psalm 19:1, 150:1, Ezekiel 1:22-23, 25-26, Daniel 12]

1 Kings 6:9 He finished building the temple and covered it with rafters and boards made of cedar.

[The firmament separates waters above (rain), from waters beneath (the brass Seas)]

1 Kings 7: 23 He also made the large bronze basin called “The Sea.” 

[waters below, gathered into one place]

1 Kings 6: 29 On all the walls around the temple, inside and out, he carved cherubs, palm trees, and flowers in bloom.

1 Kings 6:4 He made framed windows for the temple. 

[windows “in the firmament”; in front of the ceiling]

1 Kings 6: 4 He made framed windows for the temple.

[providing natural light at different times & seasons]

1 Kings 6:29 On all the walls around the temple, inside and out, he carved cherubs, palm trees, and flowers in bloom. 

[ the cherubs are the living things of Genesis 1:20-25]

1 Kings 7: 48 Solomon also made all these items for the LORD’s temple: the gold altar, the gold table on which was kept the Bread of the Presence, 

[for the priestly service]

Gen 1:3 let there be light

49 And the candlesticks of pure gold, five on the right side, and five on the left, before the oracle, with the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs of gold,

gen 1:4 separting light and darkness

31 And for the entering of the oracle he made doors of olive tree: the lintel and side posts were a fifth part of the wall.

gen 1:6 let there be a firmament

9 So he built the house, and finished it; and covered the house with beams and boards of cedar.

the firmament seprates aters above from waters beneath the brass seas

gen 1:9 waters gathered the sea

1 kings 7:23

waters below gathered into one place

gen 1:11-12 trees bearing fruit

1 kings 6:29

gen 1:14-18 lights in the firmament

1 kings 6:4

windos in the firmament in front of the ceiling

providing natural light at differnt times & seasons

Providence Time and chance

Providence

God from eternity, decrees or permits all things that come to pass, and continuously upholds, directs and governs all creatures and all events; yet so as not in any manner is the Deity the author of sin nor does he destroy the free will and responsibility of intelligent creatures. Hebrews 1:3; Daniel 4:34-35; Psalms 135:6; Proverbs 15:3 Matthew 10:29-31; Acts 17:25-28; Romans 1:24,26,28; James 1:13,14,17

It is common to speak of “providence,” but the common way of speaking of it shows it is not common to understand the subject. So many things are ascribed to “providence” that the reflecting mind, acting apart from the enlightenment of the Scriptures, would be liable either to doubt whether there is such a thing as providence at all, or to conclude that all things are “providence,” which would practically be the same thing, for in that case, the central idea of providence, as a special discrimination and influence in the shaping of circumstances in particular cases, would be lost.

First, God’s ability to foreknow and foreordain is clearly stated in the Bible. Jehovah himself sets forth as proof of his Godship this ability to foreknow and foreordain events of salvation and deliverance, as well as acts of judgment and punishment, and then to bring such events to fulfillment. His chosen people are witnesses of these facts. (Isa 44:6-9; 48:3-8) Such divine foreknowledge and foreordination form the basis for all true prophecy. (Isa 42:9; Jer 50:45; Am 3:7, 8) God challenges the nations opposing his people to furnish proof of the godship they claim for their mighty ones and their idol-gods, calling on them to do so by foretelling similar acts of salvation or judgment and then bringing them to pass. Their impotence in this respect demonstrates their idols to be ‘mere wind and unreality.’—Isa 41:1-10, 21-29; 43:9-15; 45:20, 21.

A second factor to be considered is the free moral agency of God’s intelligent creatures. The Scriptures show that God extends to such creatures the privilege and responsibility of free choice, of exercising free moral agency (De 30:19, 20; Jos 24:15), thereby making them accountable for their acts. (Ge 2:16, 17; 3:11-19; Ro 14:10-12; Heb 4:13) They are thus not mere automatons, or robots. Man could not truly have been created in “God’s image” if he were not a free moral agent. (Ge 1:26, 27; see FREEDOM.) Logically, there should be no conflict between God’s foreknowledge (as well as his foreordaining) and the free moral agency of his intelligent creatures.

Like Ruth the Book of Esther is an illustration. It records a slice of life out of the Exile period that illustrates a great revelation. While the Book of Ruth illustrates God's redemption, that of Esther illustrates God's providence.

Providence means foresight. Our word comes from Latin and means to see the affairs of life before they happen. The acquired meaning of providence, what it has come to mean through usage, is activity resulting from foresight. We can see at once that people can never exercise providence as God can. We have very limited powers of foresight. We do not know what a day will bring forth. God, on the other hand, foresees all things and can act because of that foreknowledge.

The doctrine of providence is that God both possesses and exercises absolute power over all the works of His hands. The Book of Esther illustrates God's providence. The writer did not speak of God directly, but God's acting as a result of His foresight is obvious in what he wrote. Even though God hid Himself in the Book as a whole, he was at work in the life of Esther.

Esther reveals three things about divine providence.

First, it reveals the method of providence.

It shows that even though people do not acknowledge God's presence He is always at work. His control becomes especially clear at the end of the book (Est 10:3). Events had turned around completely from the way they were at the beginning of the book. Instead of being in peril, the Jews were now at peace. God not only rules over the major issues in life, but He also uses the trivialities of life to accomplish His purposes. Some of these trivialities were:


the king's decision to summon Vashti after he got drunk,
Vashti's refusal,
Haman's hatred for Mordecai,
the king's insomnia, and
the passage his servant read to him.

God's providence is all-inclusive. That is part of its method. No person or detail of life escapes God's control: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Rom 8:28). "All things" includes all individuals and all events -- whether pleasant or unpleasant.

Second, Esther reveals the principles of providence.

God proceeds on the basis of perfect knowledge: intimate, accurate, absolute knowledge (Psa 11:4).

Another principle of His providence is His undeviating righteousness. God's providence works in harmony with man's freedom. It never coerces people. The king made his own decisions; God did not compel him to act as he did. Haman plotted his own intrigues, made his own arrangements, built his own gallows. The same was true of Mordecai and Esther. Yet the sphere in which they made their decisions was God's sovereignty (Acts 17:28: "In Him we live and move..."). Haman built his gallows for Mordecai, but God hanged Haman on it!

A third principle of God's providence is that of absolute power. God is great enough to give people genuine freedom and yet cause things to turn out the way He wants them to. God causes human freedom to contribute to His divine purpose.

Third, Esther reveals the results of providence.

On the human level there are two results:


Those who recognize divine providence receive great confidence and courage.
However, those who do not recognize it receive panic and punishment.

We can see these results most clearly in the characters of (1) Esther and Mordecai, and (2) Haman.

On the divine level the result of providence is that God progresses toward His ultimate goal: he is, of course, Yahweh -- The One who "will be", the One who is constantly "becoming"! Throughout all of Scripture we see this identical mighty movement toward the absolute fulfillment of His purpose.

The message of this book is that God exists, and God acts through history to accomplish His purposes regardless of whether humans acknowledge Him or not.

There are many arguments for the existence of God: the argument from providence is one of these. The fact that human events are harmonizing with God's ultimate purposes as He has revealed these in Scripture testifies to God's existence. When people forget God, He still molds history and governs life in harmony with His purposes. We cannot escape God's hand; we only change our destiny. We become His friends or His foes by our attitude toward Him (Dan 5:22,23).

How do we apply the message of this book? By taking God into account. Trust Him and cooperate with Him, or you will suffer destruction. God's providence may seem very impersonal and austere. However, William Cowper has reminded us that, "Behind a frowning providence, He hides a smiling face." Rom 8:28 is perhaps the most concise word on the providence of God that the Scriptures contain. God will complete His plans. We determine our own destiny as we cooperate with His will or oppose it.

Our choice affects our destiny, but it does not frustrate His plan. Consequently it is very important that we know God's plans and make them known to others. He has revealed His plans in His promises in Scripture. Therefore we should pay very careful attention to the promises of God. The covenants of promise are His comprehensive formal undertakings. Even though many people in the world today ignore God, His plans will become reality eventually. This fact should make us confident and optimistic in the present.

Time and chance

11 I returned to see under the sun that the swift do not have the race, nor the mighty ones the battle, nor do the wise also have the food, nor do the understanding ones also have the riches, nor do even those having knowledge have the favor; because time and unforeseen occurrence befall them all

There is such a thing as chance, as distinct from what God does. The Bible declares this (Eccles. 9:11) and the experience of every day teaches it. Every moment teems with the incidents of chance. God has control of all chance; but all chance is not controlled. It is controlled when His purpose requires it.

It is impossible that time and chance in the sense of events in our lives should happen by random to believers, without any control of God. Do "all things work together for good" to us, or only some things?

- "Time and chance" is probably a Hebraism for death- whether wise (spiritually) or strong or swift, the same thing, "time and chance", happens to all; i. e. death. Ecc. 9:12 backs this up: "For man also knoweth not his time (i. e. of death). . as the birds that are caught in the snare (i. e. killed); so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them". The context back in v. 4,5 is clearly talking about the universality of death.

- "Chance" does not mean 'random' or uncontrolled events. The Hebrew root by contrast implies something specifically ordained- often by God.