We Are Genetically related to GOD 2 Peter 1:4

We Are Genetically related to GOD 2 Peter 1:4

Believers who are born again become “genetically” related to GOD as sons and daughters. They are not just “adopted,” but true members of God’s family by rebirth in contact with the word or Gospel of the Kingdom:

John 1.12 "As many, however, as did accept him, to these he gave the right to become children of God — namely the ones believing in his Gospel revelation."

the genetic connection is explains by believers been sharers of divine nature we become consubstantial with the Father see Jn 17:19-23 NKJ 2Pet 1:4 2 Thessalonians 2:14 Ephesians 3:1

they will be spirit, because "that which is born of the spirit is spirit." He, the Spirit, the EL, or Power of the universe, self-styled YAHWEH, is their Divine Father. His nature will be theirs; so that they will be consubstantial with Him, as all children are consubstantial with their parents. The Deity will then be manifested in the Sons of Deity; He in them, and they in Him, by the one spirit. And this company of sons, led to glory by the captain of their salvation, is "the ONE who shall be," or "the ONE YAHWEH."

Col 2:9 For in him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.

All the fullness of the Godhead dwells in Jesus bodily and it will also dwell within us has well:

Eph 3:19 and to know the love of the Christ which surpasses knowledge, that YOU may be filled with all the fullness of the Deity.

We like Jesus are to be filled with God fullness

2Peter 1:4 Through these things he has freely given us the precious and very grand promises, that through these YOU may become sharers in divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world through lust.

we will share God's divine nature

2Th 2:14 He called you to this through the good news we declare, so that you may acquire the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We shall share Jesus' glory

John 17:20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will[a] believe in Me through their word;
21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.
22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:

23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.

In John 17 we are told that we are to be made perfect in one Christ in us and the Father in Christ

in the Age to come we shall be one with God by sharing his divine nature and being filled with his fullness.

So within the Godhead there is the Father, the son and the church. There are not 3 Gods in the Godhead; nor are there but 3 in manifestation; nevertheless, the Father is God and Jesus is God; and we may add, so are all the brethren of Jesus gods and "a multitude which no man can number." They are a manifold unit - One in many, and many in one. The Supreme Power, or Deity, is the source, fountain, or sole spring of Power. The Godhead is the fountain of the Deity; these other gods are the many streams which form this fountain flow. The springhead of Deity is one, not many; the streams are as numerous as the stars of the universe, in which a manifestation of Deity has a occurred.

Another way to look at this is to see The Godhead as the house of the Deity; these other gods or elohim are the many Members which form the house or family unit.

House does not always mean a building but it can mean the family

be quiet before you wake the whole house

So the Godhead is the family of the Deity made up of God being both Father-Mother than the son and the wife of the son the Church.

This is the multitudinous manifestation of the one Deity - one in many, and many in one, by His spirit. It is not "One God in three Gods," and "Three Gods in One;" but one Deity in a countless multitude revealed in the memorial name, and give an account of in the mystery of godliness.

The Father the son and the church God's family

The Communion of the Holy Spirit 2Corinthians 13:14

1. The Communion of the Holy Spirit 2Cor 13:14

2Cor 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

2Cor 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. «

"And still others of them who suffer think that they will perfect the wisdom of the brotherhood which really exists, which is the spiritual fellowship of those united in communion, through which the wedding of incorruptibility shall be revealed. (The Apocalypse of Peter)

In the verse quoted above the word communion means fellowship not the Eucharist

2842. κοινωνία koinonia [koy-nohn-ee’-ah]; from 2844; partnership, i.e. (literally) participation, or (social) intercourse, or (pecuniary) benefaction: — (to) communicate(-ation), communion, (contri-)distribution, fellowship.

communion--Sharing the deep aspirations of our heart with the indwelling Father and hearing His "still small voice" (I Kings 19:12).

The Communion of Saints is the faith in a mystical bond uniting both the living and the dead in a confirmed hope and love

The communion of saints is the spiritual union of the members of the Christian Church, living and the dead. They are all part of a single "mystical body of Christ", with Jesus as the head.

What Is Fellowship?

The word comes from the idea of having a share as community in God’s gifts, from koinonia, a participation in. We share in God’s gift of grace (Phil.1:7); the gospel (1 Cor.9:23); the promise (Eph.3:6); the glory that shall be revealed (1 Peter 5:1); the Holy Spirit (2 Cor.13:14); the Divine nature (2 Pet.1:4); the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ (Heb.3:14), and the body and blood of Christ (1 Cor.10:16)

Eph 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things on account of Jesus Christ:

1Cor 1:9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

1Jo 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

How? - Where? - When?

Jesus said to the Samaritan woman: “Woman believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father ... but the hour cometh, and now is, when the TRUE WORSHIPPERS shall worship the Father in SPIRIT and in TRUTH: For the Father seeketh such to worship him” (John 4:21-23).

HOW? “In spirit and in truth.” Not by the self-imposed form of worship and false humility. See Colossians 2:21-23.

Jesus testified: “... for where two or three are gathered together IN MY NAME [in spirit], there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:19-20).

WHERE? No particular place, but anywhere “two or more are gathered together in his name.”
Paul, in referring to the last supper (1 Corinthians 11:23-28) states in part:
“For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (V. 26).

WHEN? “As often” (whenever: no specified time, but any and all times) just as long as it is done “in spirit and in truth.”

23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:23-25).

The statement: “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together” is not a law, but an appeal. However, if we consider it as a command, this command is fully set by a brother performing in accordance with the preceding quotations.

Nowhere in the scriptures can be found where the Lord has granted the privilege, much less the right, to any man or group of men, to dictate to another brother how, where, or when he shall worship and commune with another brother, since it is a performance between them and their heavenly Father.

It is written “that no man is justified by THE LAW [much less a man-made law] in the sight of God ... for the just shall live by FAITH” (Galatians 3:11). “Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.(Romans 3:31).

The Fellowship of the Spirit

Php 2:1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,

The fellowship of the spirit or with the spirit is a personal relationship with God is through the in dwelling of Christ in the believer

Colossians 1:27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Our relationship with God is through the Lord Jesus Christ. We are united with God and with what God is doing in one body--the body of Christ, the church. Paul tells us in I Corinthians 12:13 that we are all baptized into one body by one Spirit. We are brought to the place of oneness, and now it is our responsibility in this love affair with God to express that oneness. To express the oneness of God means that we must enter into fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ and the Father. This oneness is the proof that what God has done in Jesus Christ is eternal salvation. God said that He has made us one in Christ; now through spiritual fellowship we are brought to a place of expressing this oneness, as a testimony of the abiding presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

All who accept of our Lord Jesus' one offering for all time are counted as sanctified and in consequence they have fellowship or communion with God. 

"We are justified by faith." And "being justified by faith, we have peace with God" (Rom. 5:1), and are no longer esteemed by God as enemies, but as justified human sons,

This counted justification we realize through faith in God's Word, which says, Ye are "bought," "redeemed," "justified freely from all things." We stand in God's sight blameless, spotless and holy in the robes of Christ's righteousness imputed to us by faith. 

Our sins he consented to have imputed to him, that he might bear our penalty for us; and he died on our behalf, as though he were the sinner. His righteousness is consequently imputed to all who accept of his redemption. It restores us to life and to fellowship with God. This fellowship we may have at once by the exercise of faith, and the eternal life of sharing the Divine nature are assured--in God's "due time." 

The natural man cannot possibly understand the love of Christ, but the Spirit " in the inner man" can fully comprehend it (Eph. 3:16-19). This failure of the natural man to understand the things of the spirit is the basic reason for all division between genuine brethren. Time and again we are reminded of the fact that our fellowship with each other is due to the fact that we both have the spiritual man inside us (Eph. 2:18; 4:3,4; Phil. 1:27;2:1). 

Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God" (1 Jn. 5:1). Our spiritual man is what is born of God. All true believers are here spoken of as if they are their spiritual man. All true believers in Christ therefore have a spiritual man within them, which we must seek out, even imagine at times, and with which we should fellowship 

Our spiritual man is not limited by the bonds of space. Thus Paul was bodily absent from Corinth, " but present in spirit" (1 Cor. 5:3), i.e. his spiritual man was present with them. It was the same with Colosse: " I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit" (Col. 2:5). When our spiritual man groans, Christ groans too in Heaven, an infinite distance away (Rom. 8:23 cp. 26). There is no time barrier, either. Thus our spiritual man is in close fellowship with " the spirits of just men made perfect" , having died many years ago (Heb. 12:23). This is the glorious unity of the Spirit; we are not just connected with all living saints, wherever they may be, but with the spiritual characters of all true saints throughout history. 

Adam the First Devil or Serpent John 8:44

Adam the First Devil

According to the Bible: All evil proceeds from the heart of MAN: the devil,
the liar, etc. Here is the ROOT of sin for which Christ died, a first principle, a FUNDAMENTAL.

Moses wrote the Book of Genesis. Now, “Yahweh made known his ways unto Moses” (Psalm 103:7). And, “Yahweh spoke mouth to mouth with Moses, his servant and not by vision nor dream” (Numbers 12:6-8). Surely Moses, with a full knowledge of God’s way, understood that a serpent symbolized MAN.

Therefore, Moses used a cunning (crafty) serpent to symbolize the first Adam, who brought DEATH to the world. And when Moses placed a brazen (refined by fire) serpent on a pole, he was AGAIN using a serpent to signify a man (John 3:14-15) but this time to indicate the last Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45,47) who brought LIFE to the world by overcoming the work of the first Adam.

THE TEMPTER: “Every man is tempted when he is drawn away of HIS OWN lust and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it brings forth sin, and sin when it is finished, brings forth death” (James 1:14-15). James’ “Every Man” had to include the man Adam, so, was it not Adam’s OWN lust which tempted him?

THE FIRST DEVIL: “... the devil sinneth FROM THE BEGINNING” (1 John 3:8). “By one MAN sin entered the world and death by sin” (Romans 5:12).
Again:
“By one MAN’s offense death reigned by one” (Romans 5:17-19). However, “Sin is not imputed where there is no law” (Romans 5:13). “For where no law is, there is no transgression” (Romans 4:15). So it is written: “Sin is the transgression of law” (1 John 3:4). The devil must have had a law to transgress in order to sin.

The ONLY creature in the beginning, to whom a law was given, was Adam, the one MAN who brought sin and death into the world. Could a literal serpent, having no law, transgress? Therefore, was not Adam that FIRST devil?

THE FIRST LIAR: Jesus said that the devil was the original liar (John 8:44).
Since Adam, as shown above, was that devil, then was not Adam the FIRST liar? Jesus also said that those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth out of the heart (Matthew 15:18). “For out of the heart proceeds evil thoughts” (Matthew 15:19). When such thoughts are spoken, they are signified by the spirit as the poison of a serpent (Psalm 140:1-3; Romans 3:12-13). “The tongue can no man tame, it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison” (James 3:8).

Thus a MAN, who is a devil, satan, liar, is called a serpent. Both Jesus and John the Baptist used this designation - “O generation of VIPERS!” and applied it to the unbelieving Jews (Matthew 3:7, 12:34, 23:33; Luke 3:7 and John 8:44) whom Jesus said were ‘the children’ of the original devil. Was not Adam the forefather of these Jews? Since Adam was that devil, and that liar who deceived Eve - Eve was deceived, Adam was Not (1 Timothy 2:14) - with words that proved to be as fatal as the venom of a serpent, was it not appropriate for Moses to call Adam a serpent? The angel in revealing things to John on Patmos, identified the serpent as the devil and satan (Revelation 12:9, 20:2) and since Adam was the original devil, satan, liar, was he not the original serpent?

GOD’S WAY: “God will do nothing but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7). Nowhere do we find where God had revealed to Moses, or to any of his prophets, that he created a literal serpent for lying to Eve. Also, when God uses an agent to accomplish something, invariably he names the agent and states the agent’s purpose. Here again, God says nothing about appointing a literal serpent to tempt Eve through deception - God tempts no man (James 1:13) - neither would he create a creature for the sole purpose of tempting. Could any brother believe otherwise?

God did provide a tree, of which he prohibited Adam to eat, under penalty of death. He then turned the garden over to Adam and Eve and left them alone to prove (test) them, that they might demonstrate what was in their hearts, whether they would keep his commandments or no. In the same manner he proved Israel (Deuteronomy 3:2). God also provided a tree of life, thus indicating that life and death depended upon Adam’s response.

Adam in the role of Serpent 1 John 3:8

Adam in the Role of Serpent

[The one] created was [noble, and you would] expect his children to be [61] noble. If he had not been created but rather had been conceived, you would expect his offspring to be noble. But in fact he was created, and then he produced offspring.
And what nobility this is! First came adultery, then murder. One was born of adultery, for he was the son of the serpent. He became a murderer, like his father, and he killed his brother. Every act of sexual intercourse between those unlike each other is adultery. The Gospel of Philip
the serpent was a MAN and that THAT MAN was Adam. the one MAN responsible for sin and death (Romans 5:12).

The serpent being symbolic cannot make the man and woman symbolic because Adam and Eve were real creatures as reported in the family line of Jesus, where it is shown that: “ADAM WAS THE SON OF GOD” (Luke 3:38).

A further examination of the record reports the following:

Jesus speaking to the Jews: “Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word ... YOUR FATHER THE DEVIL ... he was a MURDERER from the BEGINNING and does not stand IN THE TRUTH, because there is no truth in him ... he is a LIAR and the FATHER of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not” (John 8:43, 44, 45).

Now, Adam was the only creature to whom a command was given that required obedience (Genesis 2:16-17). Adam openly disregard the command of Yahweh through disbelief and disobedience, thereby becoming THE DEVIL (adversary of God) in the beginning. “As by one MAN sin entered the world and DEATH by sin” (Romans 5:12). So Adam became a MURDERER FROM THE BEGINNING. “For in Adam ALL DIE” (1 Corinthians 15:22).

Adam lived in the environment of the tree of life (Genesis 2:9, 15) but he was not allowed to remain therein (Genesis 3:22-23) because “ he does not stand in the truth.” Since the truth was not presented to any other living creature, Christ’s testimony can only apply to Adam.

John tells us that: “He that committeth sin is of the devil; for THE DEVIL sinneth FROM THE BEGINNING” (1 John 3:8) and, “Cain was of THAT WICKED ONE” (1 John 3:12). The WICKED ONE, the devil that sinned and was a MURDERER FROM THE BEGINNING, can apply only to Adam, because he was the only one prior to Cain. Cain was the exact image of his father Adam: a murderer and a liar.

Jesus testifies that THE FATHER of these Jews was THE FATHER OF THE LIE. The Genesis record shows that the serpent was the FIRST LIAR. This indicates that THE FATHER OF THE LIE and THE SERPENT are one and the same. And since the SEED to whom Jesus was talking were MEN, then THEIR FATHER THE DEVIL was a MAN. This man was Adam who enacted the part of a serpent. Adam is the only creature in the beginning to whom the accusations made by Jesus (John 8:44) can fully apply.

The key to God’s use of a SERPENT to SYMBOLIZE ADAM’S DECEIT is disclosed in the following:

“The Lord sent fiery serpents among the people and they BIT the people; and much people of Israel died” (Numbers 21:6). Here God discloses that DEATH is in the MOUTH of the Serpent.“Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil MAN ... which imagine mischief in their hearts. They have sharpened their TONGUES like a SERPENT: ADDERS poison is under their LIPS” (Psalm 140:1, 3).

“They are all gone out of the way ... with their TONGUES they have used DECEIT: the poison of ASPS [serpents] is under their LIPS” (Romans 3:12-13).

“The TONGUE can no man time, it is an unruly evil, FULL OF DEADLY POISON” (James 3:8).

“Ye offspring of VIPERS [serpents] how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the MOUTH speaketh” (Matthew 12:34).

Here God defines evil speaking proceeding out of the MOUTH of MAN, emanating from his imagination, as the deadly poison of a SERPENT. The perverse conversation (as recorded in Genesis 3:1, 5) belongs to the category of the above statements, and Adam was the only creature (MAN), IN THE BEGINNING - The father of “Cain who was OF that WICKED ONE” - to whom these statements could apply.

TWO SEEDS

The record of Genesis reports that TWO seeds (lineages) originated in the garden of Eden: the seed of the serpent (the natural seed) and the seed of the woman (the spiritual seed).

No mention of the seed of the MAN. Why? Because the seed of the serpent is Adam’s seed.

A careful examination of the record shows that Adam and Eve were given a hearing and allowed to testify in their own behalf.

The serpent was NOT granted this privilege but was condemned without a hearing. Why? Because Adam was the serpent of this narrative and had already had his hearing and given his testimony.

What is Mysticism? 1 Corinthians 2:12-16

What is Mysticism?

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**Welcome to Pleroma Pathways apocalyptic and mystic Christianity where we explore esoteric and apocalyptic texts.**

### The Spiritual Discernment of Mysticism in Christian Tradition

The Christian path has always been one marked by deep spiritual mystery, intuition, and the experience of divine presence. At its heart, the Christian faith teaches that the highest truths are not comprehended by human reasoning alone but must be spiritually discerned. As the Apostle Paul wrote:

> "Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. The natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual man judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. 'For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?' But we have the mind of Christ." (1 Corinthians 2:12-16)

This passage encapsulates the essence of Christian mysticism: that true understanding of divine realities comes not through natural reason but through the active force of God's Spirit.

**What is Mysticism?** Mysticism is defined as the "practice of the presence of God; the life of prayer that results in intuitive knowledge and experience of God." It is the recognition that spiritual realities can only be known directly by the Spirit's illumination. The Bible, far from being merely a historical or doctrinal book, contains more high mysticism than any other text, inviting believers to continually seek deeper communion with the living God.

A mystic, therefore, is "a person who has intimate, firsthand acquaintance with God; a man of prayer." Jesus Christ is described as the greatest mystic of all ages, as he lived in continual communion with the Father and revealed the mysteries of the Kingdom.

Mystics, throughout history, have been identified by their deep yearning for union with God. As it has been written:

> "Mystics are the ones who hunger and thirst after righteousness, as the Bible puts it, the ones who yearn for continued or increased union with the other reality they themselves feel is the real reality—the reality which heals and makes all things new again. Their yearning is their most distinctive mark and has been called by some a 'deep and burning wound,' because it propels them toward the transcendent nature of life much as a lover is drawn toward the object of his love."

This deep yearning is not merely a psychological development but a transformation of the very self into unity with the transcendent reality — the Absolute, the Pleroma. It involves a process called **self-transcendence**, which is "letting go of egoistic interests and practical, worldly matters," allowing the small self to dissolve into the higher Self, into God Himself.

Mysticism is not a path free from difficulty. The mystic must undergo a profound selflessness. As noted:

> "The path of the mystic can be experienced as painful because of the degree of selflessness that is required along the way. But, this path can also be the most glorious experience in the spiritual development of the soul if the disciple thoroughly understands the process of transformation that is taking place. Prayer is the foundation and daily bread upon which this stage of enlightenment depends."

Without prayer, this transformation is nearly impossible. Through prayer, the mystic maintains connection with God and allows the Spirit to illuminate hidden truths.

Mysticism has always been part of Christianity. However, a crucial distinction must be made between **institutional Christian mysticism** and **Gnostic mysticism**. In the former, the mystics "achieved awareness of one's self through the teaching and rituals from the scriptures; they came to know God because the church told them to do so." Institutional mysticism was mediated through the Church's teachings and sacraments.

In contrast, the early Christian mystics, known as the **Gnostics**, emphasized **direct perception** of God through personal experience and intuitive insight. As the **Gospel of Thomas** proclaims:

> "When you know yourselves, then you will be known, and you will understand that you are children of the living Father. But if you do not know yourselves, then you live in poverty, and you are the poverty." (The Gospel of Thomas)

Gnostic Christianity taught that self-knowledge was the pathway to divine knowledge — not mediated by external authority but through an interior awakening. Jesus himself is seen as the great way-shower in Gnostic Christianity. His teaching was not merely about moral behavior but about the inner transformation that leads to direct union with God.

This way is one of **opening the heart** to God, experiencing profound unity with all creation, and surrendering to the divine will. Gnostic teaching expresses it thus:

> "It is fundamentally an opening of the heart accompanied by a sense of oneness with God and all creation, a sense of gratitude and joy for all things that flow into one’s life and a willingness to manifest that which God wants to express through one’s life."

The Gospel of Thomas affirms Jesus' presence in all things:

> "Jesus said: I am the light that is above them all. I am the all; the all came forth from me, and the all attained to me. Split a piece of wood: I am there. Lift a stone, and you (plur.) will find me there." (The Gospel of Thomas, Saying 77)

This mystical vision sees Christ not confined to heaven or a future kingdom but present everywhere, in every piece of wood, every stone, and every breath of life.

Thus, Christian mysticism — especially in its Gnostic expression — is the profound realization that God's presence is within and around us always, waiting to be perceived by the heart that is awakened through prayer, self-forgetting, and Spirit-taught understanding.

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Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. The natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual man judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:12-16)

The Nag Hammadi Library : The Gospel of Thomas : When you know yourselves, then you will be known, and you will understand that you are children of the living Father. But if you do not know yourselves, then you live in poverty, and you are the poverty."

What is mysticism?

--The practice of the presence of God; the life of prayer that results in intuitive knowledge and experience of God.

The Bible contains more high mysticism than any other book. Spiritual things are spiritually discerned. It is necessary to call upon God's holy spirit or active force to help guide us into the deep mysticism of the Bible.

A mystic--a person who has intimate, firsthand acquaintance with God; a man of prayer. Jesus was the greatest mystic of all ages

"Mystics are the ones who hunger and thirst after righteousness, as the Bible puts it, the ones who yearn for continued or increased union with the other reality they themselves feel is the real reality — the reality which heals and makes all things new again. Their yearning is their most distinctive mark and has been called by some a 'deep and burning wound,' because it propels them toward the transcendent nature of life much as a lover is drawn toward the object of his love. 

The term is also descriptive of the slow and painful completion process of joining totally with, or being in, the transcendent state — a process which should not be confused with psychological development. The latter is a matter of self-understanding, self-acceptance and personal integration. The former involves itself with self-forgetting, the disappearance of the self into mysterious union with God, the Absolute, the Transcendent aspect of reality, the Pleroma. Thus the term self-transcendence (with its emphasis on the small 's' in the word self, as opposed to the Self, higher aspect of the personality) means letting go of egoistic interests and practical, worldly matters"

The mystic yearns for God-awareness, and God-awareness only! The "things" that are added unto as the result of seeking God are no longer of importance to the mystical mind. The path of the mystic can be experienced as painful because of the degree of selflessness that is required along the way. But, this path can also be the most glorious experience in the spiritual development of the soul if the disciple thoroughly understands the process of transformation that is taking place. Prayer is the foundation and daily bread upon which this stage of enlightenment depends. Without it, the process is indeed a difficult one.

Mysticism has always been part of the Christian tradition, Christian mystics achieved awareness of one's self through the teaching and rituals from the scriptures; they came to know God because the church told them to do so.

However the early Christian mystics known as Gnostics looked beyond reason and found intuition to be the reliable pathway to know one’s self. So mysticism, as practiced by Gnostics, is a direct perception of the reality of God, free of any church teaching or sacrament. Gnostic Christianity has a name for this direct perception of God — self knowledge and self gnosis— and that is why Christian mystics are known as Gnosticism.

Gnostic Christianity teaches that we also can have an awareness of our real self, just as did Jesus. In

Gnostic Christianity, Jesus is often referred to as the way-shower, he who shows the way. What is this way that Jesus taught?

Gnostic Christianity teaches that it is fundamentally an opening of the heart accompanied by a sense of oneness with God and all creation, a sense of gratitude and joy for all things that flow into one’s life and a willingness to manifest that which God wants to express through one’s life.

Gospel of Thomas Saying 77) Jesus said: I am the light that is above them all. I am the all; the all came forth from me, and the all attained to me. Split a piece of wood: I am there. Lift a stone, and you (plur.) will find me there."

What is "eternal life"? Romans 6:22-23

What is "eternal life"?

Aeon, the Greek word translated as 'eternal life', means an age. For enlighten believers, Aeon refers to life in the period of the glory of the Christ Consciousness, as well as eternal life in the sense of indefinitely lasting life in the coming system of things.

Eternal life, in the sense of the higher stages of consciousness, surfaces in Rm 6:22-23. "But now that you have been set free from sin, the return you get is sanctification [awakening into the Christ Consciousness] and its end, eternal life [participation in the glory of the Christ Consciousness]. For the wages of sin is death [living a barren life], but the free gift of God is eternal life [the full manifestation of the Christ Consciousness].

Therefore, brethren, be more zealous to confirm your call [awakening of your conscience] and election [the renewing of your mind] for if you do this you will never fall [back slide into lower stages of Consciousness]: so there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord [the full manifestation of the Christ Consciousness]." (2 Pt 1:11)

In 3:17-18, Peter uses the term Aeon in reference to the Christ Consciousness "Beware least you be carried away with the error of lawless men [pre-rational consciousness or the consciousness of sin] and lose your stability. But grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord…to him be the glory both now [in the awakening of your Consciousness] and to the day of the age [the period of the full manifestation of the Christ Consciousness]."

The mystical consciousness of the second coming John 14:23

The mystical consciousness of the second coming John 14:23

Mystic definition of "eternal life"

In allegory, "eternal life" refers to the experience of timeless rebirth, or the discovery of the fact of your true real self the Christ Consciousness. This is the true, main mystic or allegorical meaning of "eternal life".

the discovery of timeless rebirth in the Christ Consciousness, is shown and revealed and unveiled by the word of God during the uncovering or revelation of the hidden mystery.

awakening to the kingdom of Heaven while in this life is the most important thing in this life.

The mind that overcomes the world and takes a higher perspective consciously enters Heaven and the eternal life right now, in this life. That is as certain as anything could be.

What happens after bodily death?

What is the Condition of the dead

Adam was made to be a soul, not given one. Gen 2:7; 1Co 15:45



It is man, the soul, that dies. Ezekiel 18:4; Isa 53:12; Job 11:20
The Dead are unconscious, they know nothing. Ecc 9:5, 10; Psalm 146:3, 4
The dead not alive with God as spirits. Psalm 115:17; Isa 38:18
Dead asleep awaiting resurrection. John 11:11-14, 23-26; Ac 7:60

mystical afterlife

There are two conceptions of afterlife: Metaphor and literal. After spiritual ego death, one's mortal corruptible self has been sacrificed and has died, and one is by definition in the afterlife, in the kingdom of god, ascended, beyond the last judgement.


This type of death and immortal life after death is certain and is the ultimate experience for which we have evidence. What about literal bodily death and some literalist type of eternal life in heaven? There's little support for it in Biblical scripture. Scripture lends itself more to the mystical, "awakening to the kingdom of god" approach, with "death" and "immortal life" is interpreted first mystically than we consider that eternal life is achieved through the resurrection of the body at the time of the second coming. The very same bodies that once constituted persons shall rise again, in order to be judged for the reward of immortal or eternal life in the kingdom of God or the second death .

The "mystery" of the scriptures is set up through deliberate, playful conflation of literal with mystical death. there is much more about the kingdom of god, than a future kingdom upon the earth and nothing about the traditional heavenly afterlife in the scriptures.

Mystically or spiritually it is certain that we are to awake to the newness of timeless life in the kingdom of God. This kind of eternal life is certain. Literal eternal life in heaven is an illusion entirely unfounded in the bible

The Mystically Afterlife is timeless rebirth after ego death.

There is also another literal eternal life which is also clearly shown to be a biblical teaching is bodily existence in the kingdom of god after the second coming resurrection and judgement of the dead

The mystical consciousness of the second coming

The first coming is the receiving of Truth into the conscious mind, and the Second Coming is the transforming and the regeneration of the carnal mind into the Christ consciousness".

The stage of mystical consciousness development can correspond to the spiritual reference of the "second coming." It is symbolic of the transforming of the consciousness of sin or the carnal mind into the Christ consciousness.

The world no longer satisfies or holds interest for the disciple. The heart and soul yearns for awareness of the Christ consciousness and turns within to experience this Presence through the accurate knowledge of the higher principles of the Gospel of truth.

John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

Prayer is the foundation and daily bread upon which this stage of enlightenment depends. Without it, the process is indeed a difficult one.

What is Enlightenment Ephesians 1:18

What is Enlightenment?

In this study we will look at the biblical (resembling the language or style of the Bible) understanding of enlightenment using both the Bible and apocryphal gospels

The Savior said, "The lamp of the body is the mind. As long as the things inside you are set in order, that is, the soul, your bodies are enlightened. (The Dialogue of the Savior)

The word Enlightenment is often linked to the Age of Enlightenment (also known as the Age of Reason or simply the Enlightenment) was an intellectual and philosophical movement that dominated the world of ideas in Europe during the 17th to 19th century.

For Enlightenment thinkers themselves, however, the Enlightenment is not an historical period, but a process of social, psychological or spiritual development, unbound to time or place.

There is a natural and spiritual enlightenment. natural enlightenment is to except who you are having good self-esteem.

Spiritual enlightenment is very different it is first self knowledge (self examination) and second a union with the Deity the Great "Uncreated and Eternal Spirit" a gnosis which illuminates us within and shines out to the world. "For Christ is all, and in all, and in Christ we live and move and have our Being"

In Christianity, the word "enlightenment" is rarely used, except to refer to the Age of Enlightenment and its influence on Christianity. Roughly equivalent terms in Christianity may be metanoia, revelation, salvation and conversion.

Perennialists and Universalists view enlightenment and mysticism as equivalent terms for religious or spiritual insight.

The word translated as “repent” is metanoia, which means a transformation of mind. in Young's literal translation the word metanoia is translated ‘Reform, reformation, in Phanerosis Dr John Thomas translates metanoia as enlightenment

"Him hath Theos exalted to His right hand, a Prince and SAVIOUR; to give enlightenment (metanoian) to Israel, and remission of sins" (Acts 5:31). Phanerosis Page 57

Luke 2:32 

a Light of Nations for enlightenment, and a Glory of thy People Israel (Emphatic Diaglott)
A light to enlighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. (Webster's Bible Translation) 

In Luke 2:32 the word rendered enlighten or enlightenment is the Greek word for revelation

a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” (English Standard Version)

602. ἀποκάλυψις apokalupsis [ap-ok-al’-oop-sis]; from 601; disclosure: —  appearing, coming, lighten, manifestation, be revealed, revelation.

a disclosure of truth, instruction concerning things before unknown

The Greek word photizo (5461 φωτίζω) is used 11 times in the New Testament

AV-give light 2, bring to light 2, lighten 2, enlighten 2, light 1, illuminate 1, make to see 1; 11

5461 φωτίζω photizo fo-tid’-zo

from 5457; v; TDNT-9:310,1293; {See TDNT 839 }

1) to give light, to shine
2) to enlighten, light up, illumine
3) to bring to light, render evident
3a) to cause something to exist and thus come to light and become clear to all
4) to enlighten, spiritually, imbue with saving knowledge

5461. φωτίζω photizo fo-tid’-zo; from 5457; to shed rays, i.e. to shine or (transitively) to brighten up (literally or figuratively): — enlighten, illuminate, (bring to, give) light, make to see.

Another Greek word that can be translated as Enlightenment is φωτισμός photismos

5462. φωτισμός photismos [fo-tis-mos’]; from 5461; illumination (figuratively): — light.

phótismos: illumination
Usage: light, luster, illumination, enlightenment.
1) the act of enlightening, illumination
2) brightness, bright light

light itself, the embodiment of the source (beginning) of the illumination. 

2cor 4:6  because [it is] God who said, Out of darkness light [is] to shine, who did shine in our hearts, for the enlightening of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (Young's)

2cor 4:6 For God is he who said: “Let the light shine out of darkness,” and he has shone on our hearts to illuminate [them] with the glorious knowledge of God by the face of Christ. (NWT)

From these Greek words used in the New Testament we can see that Enlightenment or illumination is a biblical concept.

The Hebrew word for Enlightenment is השׂכּלה Haskalah. The term Haskalah is from the Hebrew word sekhel (שׂכּל) “the intellect.

Daniel 12:3 And the intelligent (07919. שׂכל) shall shine brilliantly like the brilliance of the expanse; and they that bring many to righteousness shall be like the stars, for ever and ever.

The intelligent or “the wise,” the men of wisdom shall shine brilliantly because they have been enlightened

The Hebrew verb sakhal´ means “to look at; to be prudent, circumspect; to act prudently, to be intelligent.”  Thus, sakhal´ is rendered ‘have insight’ (Psa 14:2), ‘act with discretion’ (Prov 10:19), “act prudently” (1Sam 18:5), ‘have success’ (Pr 17:8), ‘cause to show insight’ (Prov 16:23). The noun sekhel is translated “insight” (Psa 111:10) and “discretion.”—1Sam 25:3.

The illuminator of Knowledge

For there to be Enlightenment or illumination there has to be an illuminator of knowledge, a revealer, a teacher of righteousness this person is the Messiah Jesus

John 8:12 Therefore Jesus spoke again to them, saying: “I am the light of the world. He that follows me will by no means walk in darkness, but will possess the light of life.

In Early Christian Documents Jesus is referred to as the Illuminate or illuminator of knowledge

odes of solomon ode 36 1 I rested in the Spirit of the Lord: and the Spirit raised me on high: 2 And made me stand on my feet in the height of the Lord, before His perfection and His glory, while I was praising Him by the composition of His songs. 3 The Spirit brought me forth before the face of the Lord: and, although a son of man, I was named the Illuminate, the Son of God: 4 While I praised amongst the praising ones, and great was I amongst the mighty ones.

For you are not the redeemer nor a helper of strangers.
You are an illuminator and a redeemer of those who are mine,
and now of those who are yours.
You shall reveal (to them); you shall bring good among them all. (The Apocryphon of James)

"Father, Father, Father of the light, who possesses the incorruptions, hear us just as thou hast taken pleasure in thy holy child Jesus Christ. For he became for us an illuminator in the darkness. Yea hear us!"  (The Letter of Peter to Philip)

The Process of Enlightenment 

We must be transformed in mind and enlightened in heart a purification of mind and body

As I have said above the beginning of Enlightenment is self knowledge, to come to know oneself, your world. and place in it

Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

the Bible says, we are saved by “the renewing of the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5). It also says, we are renewed by knowledge” (Col. 3:10). In this, however, it does not contradict its self, but rather makes the one phrase explanatory of the other; as if he had said, “we are renewed by the Holy Spirit through knowledge.” The Holy Spirit renews or regenerates a person intellectually and morally by putting faith in the truth. “Sanctify them by thy truth,” says Jesus; “thy word, O Father, is truth” (John 17:17).

“Ye are clean,” said he to his apostles, “through the word which I have spoken to you” (John 15:3). God’s power is manifested through agencies. His Spirit is His power by which He effects intellectual, moral, and physical results. When He wills to produce intellectual and moral effects, it is by knowledge revealed by His Spirit through the prophets and apostles.

This knowledge becomes power when received into “good and honest hearts”; and because God is the author of it, it is styled “the Knowledge of God” (2 Pet. 1:2), or “the word of truth” (James 1:18), by which He begets sinners to Himself as His sons and daughters. “The word of the truth of the gospel,”" the gospel of the kingdom.” “the incorruptible seed,” “the word,” “the truth as it is in Jesus,”" the word of the kingdom,”" the word of reconciliation,” “the law and the testimony,” “the word of faith,” “the sword of the spirit which is the word of God,” “the word of Christ,” “the perfection of liberty,” etc.-are all phrases richly demonstrating "the power of God” by which He saves His people from their sins, and translates them into the Hope of the kingdom and glory to which He invites them. The truth is the power that makes men free indeed (John 8:32, 36).

Enlightenment a gift of the Spirit

Eph 1:17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give YOU a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the accurate knowledge of him;
Eph 1:18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened, for your knowing what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,

The enlightening is by the gift of the Spirit (:17); it is an internal mental operation. 

"Enlightenment" is associated with being partakers in the Holy Spirit and tasting the Heavenly gift [i.e. the Spirit] in Heb. 6:4. 

And Heb. 10:32 speaks as if this "enlightenment" was a standard part of the Christian path ("... after you were enlightened...").

The same word for "enlightened" is found in Jn. 1:9- the Lord Jesus is the light of our world and enlightens every man who comes into that world. Once we take the step in faith of entering His world, then the gift of the Spirit enlightens us. He is therefore not passively sitting in Heaven awaiting the time of His return; He is busy enlightening believers, and He does this through the operation of His Spirit. 

God is “the Father of lights.” (Jas 1:17) Not only is he the “Giver of the sun for light by day, the statutes of the moon and the stars for light by night” (Jer 31:35) but he is also the Source of all spiritual enlightenment. (2Co 4:6)

Light is a symbol of intelligence. The understanding faculty in the mind. Light is a symbol of wisdom. When Jesus said, "I am the light of the world" (John 8:12), He meant that He was the expresser of Truth in all its aspects.

The love of Christ was shown in His cross; and through the Spirit's enlightenment we can know the height, length, breadth of that love (Eph. 3:18,19).

Our eyes have been enlightened, now we see (Eph. 1:18; 5:8; Col. 1:13; 1 Pet. 2:9).

ode 34 1 No way is hard where there is a simple heart. 2 Nor is there any wound where the thoughts are upright: 3 Nor is there any storm in the depth of the illuminated thought (Mind): 4 Where one is surrounded on every side by beauty, there is nothing that is divided. 5 The likeness of what is below is that which is above; for everything is above: what is below is nothing but the imagination of those that are without knowledge. 6 Grace has been revealed for your salvation. Believe and live and be saved. Hallelujah.

Conscience must be enlightened; if not, it can mislead

Gnosis And Intuition Philippians 1:9

Gnosis And Intuition Philippians 1:9

Intuition is like a tutor that teaches you from within

Philippians 1:9 ¶  And, this, I pray--that, your love, may be, yet more and more, pre-eminent in personal knowledge and all perception, (Rotherham's Emphasized Bible)

The World Book Encyclopedia says: “Some people incorrectly call intuition ‘intuitions are based on experience, particularly the experience of individuals with great sensitivity.” The individual builds up “a storehouse of memories and impressions,” the Encyclopedia argues, from which the mind may draw a “sudden impression [called] an intuition, or ‘hunch.’”

intuition--The natural knowing capacity.

spiritual intuition Inner knowing; the immediate apprehension of spiritual Truth

I would define intuition from a biblical perspective as “being led by Holy Spirit.” the holy spirit leads God’s people today.  Gal 5:16, 18

Being led by the Spirit is only available to those who have a relationship with Jesus Christ as sons and daughters of God (Rom 8:14; Joh 3:5-8; 2Co 1:21, 22).

to know intuitively

Biblical Intuition is linked to the spirit or the mind not the heart

For example, Jesus “knew” or “perceived” the hearts and intentions of others (Matt 22:18). 

18  But Jesus perceived <1097> (5631) their wickedness, and said Why tempt ye me, [ye] hypocrites?

Ro 7:7  What shall we say then? [Is] the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had <1097> not known <1097> sin, but by the law: for I had <1492> not known <1492> lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

intuitive knowledge apart from experience

Many times in the New Testament two Greek words are used together 1097. γινώσκω ginosko and 1492. εἴδω eido

The Greek word 1097 is defined as to know experientially as contrasted to oia or eido 1492 which means to know intuitively to perceive with the outward senses particularly with physical sight

The Greek word 1097 γινώσκω ginosko signifies objective knowledge, what a man has learned or acquired.

oida, which signifies "to know (intuitively) without effort; to understand subjectively" (Bullinger); thus to appreciate as a theory.

The English expression ‘being acquainted with’ perhaps conveys the meaning. Oἶδα/Oida conveys the thought of what is inward, the inward consciousness in the mind, intuitive knowledge not immediately derived from what is external.

Abbott-Smith wrote: γινώσκω, to know by observation and experience is thus prop. distinguished from οἶδα, to know by reflection (a mental process, based on intuition or information)

discernment

.Another word that could be used for intuition is having discernment (Phil 1:9). 

Philippians 1:9 ¶  And, this, I pray--that, your love, may be, yet more and more, pre-eminent in personal knowledge and all perception, (Rotherham's Emphasized Bible)

Philippians 1:9 And this is what I continue praying, that YOUR love may abound yet more and more with accurate knowledge and full discernment (NWT)

discernment Lit., “sense perception.” Greek., aisthesei; Latin., sensu. 

144. αἴσθησις aisthesis [ah’-ee-sthay-sis]; from 143; perception, i.e. (figuratively) discernment: —  judgment. 

143. αἰσθάνομαι aisthanomai [ahee-sthan’-om-ahee]; of uncertain derivation; to apprehend (properly, by the senses): —  perceive.

145 αἰσθητήριον aistheterion [ahee-sthay-tay’-ree-on]  from a derivative of 143; n n; TDNT-1:187,29;  [{See TDNT 36 }] a faculty of the mind for perceiving, understanding, judging

Heb 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, [even] those who by reason of use have their senses <145> exercised to discern both good and evil.

knowledge and Intuition

Proverbs 14:6 The ridiculer has sought to find wisdom, and there is none; but to the understanding one knowledge is an easy thing.

 Jn. 7:17 is relevant here: "If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know of this teaching, whether it is of God, or I speak from myself". He who wishes above all things to live God's life, to have His Spirit, to live the life eternal with Him... they will intuitively know whether the Lord's doctrine is right or not. This intuitive element is in fact what leads to faith in the first place. There is a strong tendency to talk this down, and assume that it is by intellectual process that a person decides what is true or otherwise. But all appeal to intellectual process alone to decide 'truth' is flawed. For we are talking of spiritual things and not material. And legitimate intellectual process varies between persons. They may come to different conclusions about the same teaching which they analyze. And some are far more capable of intellectual analysis than others. There has to be something beyond intellectual process to decide truth. Here the Lord expresses this as a willing to do God's will, a heart for God, a desire for eternity. In a word, we must be open to the things of the Spirit. And then, the teachings make sense and there is an intuitive congruence between them and our own spirit. (Proverbs: 

We need to make it clear that we do not think that if people acquire all intellectual knowledge they will have knowledge of God. Knowing God is about having a relationship with Him based upon that knowledge, not just knowing facts about Him. True spiritual knowledge gnosis or acquaintance a knowledge of a realm far superior to intellectual knowledge. However, whilst we agree that we cannot make knowledge of God a function of the intellect, we also have to show our disagreement with the perspective that the intellect can only know about God, it is incapable of knowing God.

And in this consists the Life of the Ages--in knowing Thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent.

It is possible to know God- you can find many Bible verses that say so. And the issue of that knowledge is in a life lived with Him.

There has to be an element of passion and emotion in our appeal. The doctrines must have meaning in practice; If a man is not emotionally moved by the truth, he is not of the truth”.

It is not enough to be acquainted with the texts and to know how to draw from them quotes and arguments. One must possess the spiritual knowledge of the Father from within.

Intuition is perhaps more important for this than intellectual knowledge, for intuition alone revives their writings and makes them a witness. It is only from within that we can perceive and distinguish what (actually) is the truth


But on the other hand, we have to make the point, that we can’t just let our feelings / intuition guide us alone; or else we will end up believing whatever we ‘feel’ is right. We will have become the authority... and as we must constantly stress, the Bible alone is to be our authority.

Gnosis

Gospel of Thomas Saying (3) Jesus said, "[If] those who lead you [say to you, 'See], the kingdom is in the sky,' then the birds of the sky [will precede you. If they say that] it is under the earth, then the fish of the sea [will enter it, preceding] you. And, the [kingdom of God] is inside of you, [and it is outside of you. Whoever] knows [himself] will discover this, (then you will be known). [And when you] come to know yourselves, [you will realise that] you are [sons] of the [living] father. [But if you] will [not] know yourselves, [you dwell] in [poverty] and it is you who are that poverty."

So know yourself, and be not carried away with impulses and desires beyond your power; and let not a desire of unattainable objects carry you away and keep you in suspense. For you shall not lack anything which may be possessed by you." (Philo of Alexandria)

Come, and at once abandoning all other things, learn to know yourselves, and tell us plainly what ye yourselves are in respect of your bodies, in respect of your souls, in respect of your external senses, and in respect of your reason. (Philo of Alexandria)

learn to be acquainted with the country of the external senses; know thyself and thy own parts, and what each is, and for what end it was made, and how it is by nature calculated to energise, and who it is who moves through those marvellous things, and pulls the strings, being himself invisible, in an invisible manner, whether it is the mind that is in thee, or the mind of the universe (Philo of Alexandria)