I have prayed for your friends in ICU. Always good to hear from you. God is able to answer all of our prayers as He sees fit, whether miraculously or not so much so. We can trust that He always does what is good and best for us, His children.
Do not have doubts, there are some things in Scripture we cannot come to a firm indisputable answer. Scripture does not contradict Scripture man does that. 1 Corinthians 15:22 For as in Adam all die, Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die. Then we have Hebrews 11:5 Enoch was translated that he should not see death. Then add John 3:13 no man hath ascended up to heaven, John 6:46 Not that any man hath seen the Father.
What is the answer? We must trust that the Holy Spirit will show us the truth we need and if we have doubts that will hinder the Holy Spirit. Can we come to an answer without any assumptions? In Hebrews 11:5 Enoch was translated, what is translated, the Greek word metatithemi means to transfer, to change, to fall away or desert from one person or thing to another.
Did God translate Enoch to heaven? Enoch should not see death; the Greek word here is Thanatos meaning a physical or spiritual death. So, did God take Enoch to heaven? Enoch was 65 years old when he had Methuselah, it says Enoch walked with God after he had Methuselah for 300 years. This could mean Enoch changed and his faith in God was strengthened and he was serving God and God saved him from spiritual death, not physical death. There are only two men before the flood who are said they walked with God, Enoch, and Noah.
We may not ever have all our questions answered there are things that God has yet to reveal. The main thing is not to have doubts, sometimes we can be so focused on an answer to something and be like a dog chasing its tail going round and round and just can't catch it. We can be distracted and not be focused on what God wants us to do at this time. I have done this in the past, just ease your thoughts on this and open your Bible to any random place and read and let God's word wash away any doubts you have. Lose the doubts and pick this up later it is not that important.
Q: "The reference to Zion travailing in labor the Spirit sets forth in a vision and it is assigned to John and not to Isaiah? Who does the woman clothed with the sun represent? What is the significance of Zion and man child in Isaiah ch. 66?"
A:
Let us take the verse " Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child." Before refers to the phrase, 'In the beginning'. Ge.1:1)The foregoing verses prove that it is so. It is about the heaven and is a throne and God asks,"And where is the place of my rest?"(66:1,7). The v.7 makes it clear that the man child has to do more with the covenant God enters with the Man, (Ge.ch.1) leading to the rest of God in Ge.2:1. Forget about the nation of Israel or about the church of God on the earth.
Now for the verse from the vision, in Re.12:2 "And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, ". Who is she? The woman is the mother of all living and her travail is on account of man's sin of disobedience. (Ge.3:16,20)
"Before she travailed she brought forth" is the voice of the Lord and it has a sign. Death on the cross is obliquely stated but the foundation is a stone, "Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone"(Is.28:16)
"And she brought forth a man child,"(Re.12:5) The man refers to the covenant he represents soul of every believer who abides in him. It is preserved in heavenly places which explains the unseen world of the divine Will. His soul body and spirit made man as one. (Ph.2:6-7) Inner man is a proof this sanctification:" For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one". It explains the redemption of our bodies. (Ro.8:23). Thus our faith has its upper end where we abide in Jesus Christ while we are in our bodies, "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." That is faith with works. (Ro.12:1-2)
"Has the Spirit worded the birth of Cain to indicate that the first man was earthy? Apparently Eva names him to indicate the truth of Pauline dictum in 1 Co.15:47. (Ge.4:1) By the same token would you say Eve called Seth the one appointed by God after the similitude of the Word?"
A:
Similitude as a principle works between the unseen world and the world made to appear so one may say appointed by God .(He.11:3).The The same conflict between body and the spirit of man has their context in the creation. The word of God frames the worlds, which is the sound and also a sign. Thus the Word made flesh is the key to understand the nature of Similitude. God a Spirit, the Voice of the Lord and is also a sign. (Is.7:14) Similitude brings all knowledge of the holy as understanding so only faith can settle the matter. (Pr.9:10) Eve understood the role of Seth without having to be told or put in so may words, Seth was appointed by God to be after the similitude of the lord from heaven, "the second man is the Lord from heaven.". Why second man? Seth is after the likeness of Jesus Christ. The word is already set. "that in all things he might have the preeminence. (Col.1:18) The covenant where man is created "after our likeness" explains the similitude. Jesus Christ the Lord from heaven represent man in the everlasting covenant.
This also explains the significance of 'Abide in me" aspect of the Similitude. "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out"( John 6:37). What it is do the work of God but believe in the one whom he sent. Those who abide in him are dead to world of sin and are in heavenly places. The Mahanaim experience of Jacob tells we live simultaneously in two places so St Paul would despair, "knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:/(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)"(Ge.32:1-2. 2 Co.5:6-7)
Q:"How valid is the assertion that Jesus Christ epitomises God and the Law of the Spirit in the everlasting covenant? Can you give a coherent example?"
A:
God created Man "in our image and after our Likeness" Whosoever may enter into this Fellowship of God with his Son has to meet both requirements. Man with his tripartite nature possess body, spirit and soul. It only refers to 'in our image'. After our likeness applies to the Word or the Law which was with God and was God. God a Spirit where the Father Son relation places Jesus Christ as the soul component so when God sent him as the Word made flesh. So John refers the Son of man as "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory)" and "And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace."((1:14-16) Jesus Christ is the face of the Law of the Spirit, in bodily form. In being conformed to the image of his Son set Christ as the Head of the body. So after his likeness explains our groying from glory to glory. (2 Co.3:18)
The Psalm 139 delineated by David sets this aspect of soul and David himself is set "a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do."(Ac.13:22)
A few examples we shall consider:"Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me." (139:3) The sovereignty of soul is with God. 'Behind and before' refer to the worlds unseen and made to appear. Laid thine upon me' is David's confession that he is blessed in the covenant.(Ge.1:28) " Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?/If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there./If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;/Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me." Here we see David identifying with death and resurrection of his Son. So his soul is after his likeness,- and as God says, "he will do everything I want him to do."
I left out inadvertently the last line, and a crucial one. "then began men to call upon the name of the Lord." What does the Spirit refer with the word, "then"? (4:25) It refers to the phrase 'In the beginning"( John 1:1) and the day decreed for the Son. "for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die."(Ge.2"17) It is part of the generation of Jesus Christ.
Q:"Seth is mentioned only twice after his life is told. In Ge.Ch. 4 he seems 'as appointed by God' to serve the same office as Jesus the branch. Can you explain?
A:Out of the root of Jesse we have a Branch, "and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:"(Is.11:1) Certainly a Messianic prophecy which is applied to Seth as well. God's curse on serpent, "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel," is basically the enmity of the Law of the Spirit and the law of sin. (Ge.3:15) Serpent was cursed under the head of the latter. The sons of perdition arises from this point. Evidence of this enmity we have in this line, "And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel."(He.12:24) Abel's blood cries for vengeance while Seth quietly stepping into the breach made by Cain is after his likeness.' God sets his after our image, the soul aspect. Whereas Seth serves as the role of fulfilling what Jesus would have done, When God calls David as a man after my heart. "'I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do."(Ac.13:22)
Eve chooses the name Seth inspired by the word as he does as Jesus Christ the Word made flesh would have done. " For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew."(4:25)"Another seed refers to the sons of God (Ro.8:14) while Seth is according to the flesh, son of Adam,' after his likeness'. Salvation offered by Jesus refers to the generation of Jesus Christ. (Matt.1:1). The Spirit sets the context by the life of Seth, by delineating a holy family, appointed by God' another seed.
Hello. I am currently trying to work through some questions I have that at first blush don't seem important, but which have served to cause a huge amount of doubt for me. Can someone explain why there are people who believe that Enoch was taken to heaven and other who do not believe this? I read an answer to this earlier and now I wonder how much of the Bible could have been damaged by people who may have changed a word here and there to suit their views when it was translated. (Old argument, I know but the difference is that I have ALWAYS believed the Bible w/o question. Something lately has caused a good bit of doubt and I want to fix it.
John 17:24 - Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
Father, I will, (literally I wish), I desire, that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; in order that they may behold my glory. And the word "behold" is the word view, to actually see the very substance and nature and character of God Himself.
John 18:1 - When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.
It says, when Jesus had spoken these words, and that would be everything in Chapters 13 through 17 ending off with the prayer.
But when Jesus had spoken these words, He went forth (or went out) with His disciples over the brook Cedron. This would be the Kidron Valley right between Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives.
It's called the Brook Kidron (or Cedron) because it flows in the winter time, and that's what the word "brook" means in Greek. It means winter flow. So, over the brook Cedron, where there was a garden. And this is at the foot or the base of the Mount of Olives, into which He entered, and His disciples. This is the place where Jesus spent many of his evenings with the disciples.
John 18:2 - And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples.
And Judas also, which betrayed Him. And in the Greek text, the word "betrayed" is a Present Participle, the one who is in the process of betraying Him. He knew the place: Judas had gone there many times before with Jesus and the disciples.
For Jesus often times resorted (or gathered) there with his disciples.
So, He knew that Judas had gone out. He's finished instructing the disciples. So, He goes to the garden where Judas knows where to find Him.
John 17:20 - Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
Neither pray I for these alone, (or only), but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; Wow! So, I am not just praying for these that I have right here that the Father's given to me, but also for those who are going to believe, not on me, but INTO me.
That is the literal translation. In the Greek, what it shows is activity. The activity is surrender, not believe about Him, but believe INTO Him, giving my trust over to Him, surrender!
But look at the instrument by which we believe. We believe into Christ through their word. That is what we are doing right now. We have the word of the apostles that Jesus prayed for, so that through their word, God might reach us with their witness and with their testimony.
John 17:22 - And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
And the glory which thou gavest me I have given to them; (That's the substance, the person), that they may be one, even as we are one:
Interesting, the word "one" in the Greek is a Neuter. So, it's not one in person, but one in function.
John 17:23 - I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
The word perfect is the word complete, and it is a Perfect Tense which means it is a condition. We are complete in Christ. That's why at the beginning of Ephesians Chapter 4, it talks about (keeping) the unity of the spirit and the bond of peace.
We already have unity! You hear people preaching today talking about "We need to work hard at the unity." No, we already have it. If you have Christ, and I have Christ, we have unity! The problem is that we need to be sensitive to what we're doing that is interfering with that. We already have it. We don't create it!
John 17:12 - While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
While I was with them in the world, I was keeping them. Notice the literal translation. When He asked the Father in Verse 11 to keep, that's the word TEREO. "Father, guard them from outside influences taking them away from me!" In Verse 12, He says I was keeping them, (Imperfect Tense) showing continuous activity in the past. So, While I was with them, I was keeping them in thy name: those that thou gavest to me.
Then He says, I have kept, and here is a different word, PHULASO. Jesus said I guarded them so that they wouldn't get away from me, and I guarded so that no influences would come and take them away from me, and none of them is lost, not one, except the son of perdition; and perdition means destruction.
John 17:13 - And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
In the Greek, the word "my" in this verse is not the normal word for my. This is a Possessive Adjective, "mine joy." That is how it is literally translated. If he gives me His joy, He gives me Himself! He says it is mine. It is not yours, but I want you to be filled with it, (mine joy), the joy that is mine. And I mentioned this before, but the word joy means satisfaction.
John 17:17 - Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
Sanctify them through thy truth: literally in Thy truth, thy word is truth. Wow, that's a command! Sanctify them, in your truth.
The word "sanctify" means to set apart, to separate. It comes from the word HAGIOS. When the Holy Spirit, and the word "holy" which also comes from the same word (HAGIOS) means separate, or set apart, but when the Holy Spirit comes into my life, my life is said to then be set apart for Christ. It is called sanctification.
John 16:27 - For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.
Interesting, because that is not the word AGAPE. And this is one of the few times that Jesus used the word PHILEO to talk about His relationship with the Father and the Father's relationship with us. Both times, it is PHILEO.
For the Father himself loves you, PHILEO (family love), because you have loved me (Perfect Tense PHILEO), family love. Remember, He told them before I called you friends. We are family now. We are not rabbi and student, and you have believed that I came out from God.
John 16:31 - Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe?
Interesting, the word "now" doesn't mean now at the present time. It means "up till now." It is the word ARTI. Have you believed up till now?
John 17:2 - As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
First of all, the Son is glorified in the Father, and the Father is glorified in the Son, and that the Father has given to the Son authority "over" all flesh.
Literally, in the Greek text, He has given Him authority OF all flesh. There is no word "over!" It is a Genitive Case which shows possession. The Son has been given authority by the Father to possess all flesh. Every human being is under the authority of Christ. John Chapter 5 tells us that the Father has transferred all authority to the Son. We are to honor the Son equally as we honor the Father.
John 16:20 - Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
Jesus says to them that they will weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice. He's talking about the crucifixion. The world is going to celebrate getting rid of Jesus. But they (the disciples) will weep and lament. And the world will rejoice and ye shall be sorrowful, and again, sorrowful is the word grief in the Greek text.
Jesus is telling His disciples that they're going to be so pained, and that pain is going to be so deep within you that you can't even express it, but your grief shall be turned into joy. Jesus gives an illustration in Verse 21.
John 16:21 - A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.
A woman when she is in travail, she has sorrow. And that is the word LUPAE, (grief), because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembers no more the anguish. And this is the word THLIPSIS that means stress, on account of the joy that a man or baby is brought into the world.
So, He's using the proverbial expression that as a woman is going through her labor pains, and has not given birth yet, she's in excruciating pain, and that's the focus of the hour. But after the child is born, the joy of the child being born, just the almost, but not completely, erases all the pain of the past.
Well, glad you saw the doctor. You should be improved in a day or two with the antibiotics, but taking the full course is necessary so that your body doesn't rebound back with the same infection. I am always happy to pray for you.
Q: "In the everlasting covenant man is created 'after our image and our likeness" This being the template and established by Law of the Spirit" in 5:3 we have the order apparently changed. "And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, and after his image; and called his name Seth."
A:Adam is the son of God because he is the living soul. Soul is set there after a similitude. In the Father Son relation the similitude in heaven is followed after on the Earth. His soul is as unique as our iris scan or gait recognition. No man can possess or kill it. It is divine breath which which He garnished the heaven and every thing else in it." "By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth."(Ps.33:6). The same word is obeyed,"That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it? It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment."( Job 38:13-14)
So what is our image in the case of God? Take the attribute of light as Holiness of God. After our image sets God as the Father of light. Since Jesus Christ who was the Word made flesh, he is qualified as the true Light. After our likeness is word-based so In the Gospel of John we read "In him was life; and the life was the light of men.."( John 1:4) The Law of the Spirit sets life synonymous with light.
Adam possesses soul 'in his image' so the representational aspect of Jesus and Adam can be brought into stark relief. "for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die."Ge.1:17. Adam sinned and came under the law of sin. So he shall be called to account for his sin. In his image is not in our image. What made Seth step in place of Abel when he was created in the image of Adam a fallen man? He had faith as well as works to be counted 'After our likeness. (God)" said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel."4:25)
"No where in the Bible we read God named Adam by his personal name. "In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him;"However in the next verse the Spirit explains it by "Male and female created he them; and blessed them and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created." Is it not curious having to life the entire context of their creation from Ge.1:28?"
A: In the Genealogy of Jesus Christ he is recorded as the son of God (in small letter) to distinguish from Jesus Christ. The word as a sign was already sent out ("And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins."(Matt.1:21;Is.7:14; Luke 3:38)
The Law of the Spirit has already settled the name and his role and his fullness which requires no afterthought. The Law is perfect.
For this reason on day Six God sets out His Will and it is fulfilled in his Son, in vv.26-28. As mentioned earlier Law is perfect. His gifts and calling are irrevocable. "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth./So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them./And God blessed them." Male and female he created them refers to the holiness of God where Power is male and wisdom is of female principle. "Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars." Cannot the Law set the fulness of God in his Son as amny pillars as stated here. The Command number Seven refers to the Law of the Spirit. The red dragon has seven heads but ten hors inform us the Law of sin invented by the son of God is already judged. ( 1 John 1:8)
The Spirit also sets the idea of the Bride of Christ here. It is Adam who names Eve.
In John 1:29 Jesus is made manifet to take away the sin,-notice here the word "sin" is singular. This is the penalty of sin! Death. Separation from God." Did not Satan sin? Sin of pride I can cite. Adam's sin was in disobedience and God speaks of death. What determines sin?
A: "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law./And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin." The Law mentioned here is the Law of the Spirit. The Spirit gives the Law a face, for the simple reason:"For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell:(Col.1:19)
"In Jesus Christ was no sin. He was the Word made flesh, and was the emblem in the divine Will as the slain Lamb. So all the requirement for remedying sin was in the world unseen, and in the world made to appear, John the Baptist testified him as the Lamb of God. So all that fuss about the Law of Moses and animal sacrifices is mere smoke and mirrors as imposter churches make a case for supporting Israel in a war that is not from God. Little do they know of Scripture; nor do they want to be corrected. The Law of the Spirit sent Jesus as the fulfilment of the Law.
" He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil."( 1 John 3:8)."The purpose is stated clearly, It is not to support Israel or any other ungodly nation.
God knew precisely who are His and who are of the devil. In Amos we have God dealing with Israel and their humbug.:Though they dig into hell, thence shall mine hand take them; though they climb up to heaven, thence will I bring them down:
3And though they hide themselves in the top of Carmel, I will search and take them out thence; and though they be hid from my sight in the bottom of the sea, thence will I command the serpent, and he shall bite them:"(Amos:9-2-4)
Q: "God's requirement of what must be believed is based on the amount of revelation He has given mankind up to that time. Salvation is by faith in the crucifixion of Christ./ The knowledge we have is what already happened and we believe and have faith in that. It's hindsight! Od Testament saints did not have that knowledge. Does God reveals complete or in piecemeal?"
A:
In the beginning God created heaven and the earth. Ge.1:1. God a Spirit formed these worlds by the word of God. (He.11:3) This Word is God and was with God. So Jesus was with the Word which is the Law in the beginning, ( John 1:1)."All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made." and we have this verse: Jesus Christ the same yesterday and forever' was in the divine Will and it was made to appear in the fulness of time. So crucifixion of Jesus or when is not the issue. It is faith with which God made the worlds to appear.
God formed all hearts alike and breathing into the nostrils of man makes every one equal before the Law of the Spirit. This Spiritual understanding requires no other revelation outside faith and the Bible. We have been foreknown and blessed before the worlds began. So it complete if faith makes you believe in his Son.
Everlasting covenant between God and Man also gives access to man before Law of the Spirit time and space is of no consequence, "The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:/Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you."( Luke 17:20-21). Faith gives you place in the kingdom and it is 'Abide in me' life and your works meet the requirement of the Law. It takes you all the way to the beginning and is a life from everlasting to everlasting. There is nothing in between. Salvation is complete revelation to be spiritually discerned.
Noted your reply,Spencer. I am down with a severe bout of sore throat and must conserve my energy for absolutely essential things. The Bible is plain for all, For the Spirit is a lamp etc., so explaining from it is not as essential for me as I have let my comments out on the matter. Have blessed days ahead,
Yes ! So many man pleasers using the smooth words , that we all can get sucked in by , in order to fill their own bank accounts . Beware of those wolves in sheep's clothing !
Adam and Eve knew God personally . They didn't doubt His existence or power . They believed in Him . After they were driven out of the garden of Eden , they began to reproduce . It's reasonable to presume that they told their offspring about God , just like the Israelites that wandered in the desert told their offspring about God . However , eventually people would have started not to believe in things that they themselves have not seen or experienced first hand . We read in Genesis chapter 6 just how bad people had become and how God felt about this . God chose to save Noah and his immediate family , He also chose to destroy everyone and everything else that he had made . That was God's judgement on them , He gave them a chance , Noah would have told everyone what was going to happen , he would have warned them about what God had told him that He was going to do . If any of them had chosen to believe Noah , I'm sure a place would have found for them in the Ark . No one believed God's Words that He gave to Noah . They didn't believe and so they died . When , in the history of those people who lived before the flood ,
that happenedd exactly , we don't know . Chapter 5 of Genesis gives us the genealogy between Adam and Noah . Some time in there , there was an awful falling away . Ultimately , God knows each and every person that He has ever given life to and He knows who is His . It's up to us as individuals to draw closer and closer to Him . We can't tell anyone else what to do and we are not responsible for the lives of others , all we can do is try but , it's up to all of us on an individual level to respond to the calling of Christ . Some just don't want to know and there's only so much any of us can do . We have a full time job trying to keep ourselves on the narrow path . Be as kind and as loving as you can to everyone , but remember to whom you belong and don't walk too close to the fire or you might get burned .
You write: "God's requirement of what must be believed is based on the amount of revelation He has given mankind up to that time."
Check it out with Ro.1:20,19 "Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them."
Revelation that God has given mankind is never piecemeal. His fulness in Jesus Christ is complete. "And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power."(Col.2:20) That makes a lot of difference does it not?
Co.1:19. According to his good pleasure "For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell."
He has also revealed his perfect will which is also complete. "by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven."
Thank you, brother, I know many have your understanding of this, and defining the difference between the soul and the spirit is difficult, in Scripture they seem to be interchangeable, at least it is for me. Salvation is not dependent on this, we know we are sealed and secure in Jesus regardless of what happens when we die.
In Genesis 2:7 Adam became a living being/soul the Hebrew word nephesh, in the New Testament it is the word psyche. My understanding this is who we are, our senses, desires, affections, appetites, intellect, and memories. The soul, who we are can be killed, Matthew 10:28. My understanding when we die is the soul/who we are, is asleep with our body in the grave, and is resurrected either to eternity with Jesus or is killed in the lake of fire.
Man cannot kill our soul all souls belong to God Ezekiel 18:4. God has offered a way of salvation for souls that are doomed to die, Hebrews 9:27. And we are told we can walk in the world or walk in the Spirit and Jesus told us the consequences, Matthew 16:26.
Spirit both the Hebrew word ruach and the Greek word pneuma translated as spirit have the concept of breath or wind at their roots. This part of us can be alive or dead Ephesians 2:4-5. The most enter part of us that connects or refuses to connect to God, like a radio receiver and it gives life to the body, Psalm 104:29James 2:26.
This is what returns to God when we die, there is no more communication our fate is set after we die our soul is asleep in death until we are resurrected, Daniel 12:2. I know you said you do not know Plato, Greek philosophy, many in those days were influenced, the spirit or soul is immortal and the descriptions of an underworld. I believe Jesus took parts of these fables and used them as subject matter in this parable.
My understanding the spirit does not have a body it gives life to the body, and we are resurrected and given an eternal spirit.
If you read through the account of Samson's life in the book of Judges , you will see that at the end of it , God hears Samson's prayer and grants his request . To me this seems to indicate that Samson is likely to be in God's Kingdom .
I have prayed for your friends in ICU. Always good to hear from you. God is able to answer all of our prayers as He sees fit, whether miraculously or not so much so. We can trust that He always does what is good and best for us, His children.
Do not have doubts, there are some things in Scripture we cannot come to a firm indisputable answer. Scripture does not contradict Scripture man does that. 1 Corinthians 15:22 For as in Adam all die, Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die. Then we have Hebrews 11:5 Enoch was translated that he should not see death. Then add John 3:13 no man hath ascended up to heaven, John 6:46 Not that any man hath seen the Father.
What is the answer? We must trust that the Holy Spirit will show us the truth we need and if we have doubts that will hinder the Holy Spirit. Can we come to an answer without any assumptions? In Hebrews 11:5 Enoch was translated, what is translated, the Greek word metatithemi means to transfer, to change, to fall away or desert from one person or thing to another.
Did God translate Enoch to heaven? Enoch should not see death; the Greek word here is Thanatos meaning a physical or spiritual death. So, did God take Enoch to heaven? Enoch was 65 years old when he had Methuselah, it says Enoch walked with God after he had Methuselah for 300 years. This could mean Enoch changed and his faith in God was strengthened and he was serving God and God saved him from spiritual death, not physical death. There are only two men before the flood who are said they walked with God, Enoch, and Noah.
We may not ever have all our questions answered there are things that God has yet to reveal. The main thing is not to have doubts, sometimes we can be so focused on an answer to something and be like a dog chasing its tail going round and round and just can't catch it. We can be distracted and not be focused on what God wants us to do at this time. I have done this in the past, just ease your thoughts on this and open your Bible to any random place and read and let God's word wash away any doubts you have. Lose the doubts and pick this up later it is not that important.
God bless,
RLW
Q: "The reference to Zion travailing in labor the Spirit sets forth in a vision and it is assigned to John and not to Isaiah? Who does the woman clothed with the sun represent? What is the significance of Zion and man child in Isaiah ch. 66?"
A:
Let us take the verse " Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child." Before refers to the phrase, 'In the beginning'. Ge.1:1)The foregoing verses prove that it is so. It is about the heaven and is a throne and God asks,"And where is the place of my rest?"(66:1,7). The v.7 makes it clear that the man child has to do more with the covenant God enters with the Man, (Ge.ch.1) leading to the rest of God in Ge.2:1. Forget about the nation of Israel or about the church of God on the earth.
Now for the verse from the vision, in Re.12:2 "And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, ". Who is she? The woman is the mother of all living and her travail is on account of man's sin of disobedience. (Ge.3:16,20)
"Before she travailed she brought forth" is the voice of the Lord and it has a sign. Death on the cross is obliquely stated but the foundation is a stone, "Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone"(Is.28:16)
"And she brought forth a man child,"(Re.12:5) The man refers to the covenant he represents soul of every believer who abides in him. It is preserved in heavenly places which explains the unseen world of the divine Will. His soul body and spirit made man as one. (Ph.2:6-7) Inner man is a proof this sanctification:" For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one". It explains the redemption of our bodies. (Ro.8:23). Thus our faith has its upper end where we abide in Jesus Christ while we are in our bodies, "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." That is faith with works. (Ro.12:1-2)
"Has the Spirit worded the birth of Cain to indicate that the first man was earthy? Apparently Eva names him to indicate the truth of Pauline dictum in 1 Co.15:47. (Ge.4:1) By the same token would you say Eve called Seth the one appointed by God after the similitude of the Word?"
A:
Similitude as a principle works between the unseen world and the world made to appear so one may say appointed by God .(He.11:3).The The same conflict between body and the spirit of man has their context in the creation. The word of God frames the worlds, which is the sound and also a sign. Thus the Word made flesh is the key to understand the nature of Similitude. God a Spirit, the Voice of the Lord and is also a sign. (Is.7:14) Similitude brings all knowledge of the holy as understanding so only faith can settle the matter. (Pr.9:10) Eve understood the role of Seth without having to be told or put in so may words, Seth was appointed by God to be after the similitude of the lord from heaven, "the second man is the Lord from heaven.". Why second man? Seth is after the likeness of Jesus Christ. The word is already set. "that in all things he might have the preeminence. (Col.1:18) The covenant where man is created "after our likeness" explains the similitude. Jesus Christ the Lord from heaven represent man in the everlasting covenant.
This also explains the significance of 'Abide in me" aspect of the Similitude. "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out"( John 6:37). What it is do the work of God but believe in the one whom he sent. Those who abide in him are dead to world of sin and are in heavenly places. The Mahanaim experience of Jacob tells we live simultaneously in two places so St Paul would despair, "knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:/(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)"(Ge.32:1-2. 2 Co.5:6-7)
Q:"How valid is the assertion that Jesus Christ epitomises God and the Law of the Spirit in the everlasting covenant? Can you give a coherent example?"
A:
God created Man "in our image and after our Likeness" Whosoever may enter into this Fellowship of God with his Son has to meet both requirements. Man with his tripartite nature possess body, spirit and soul. It only refers to 'in our image'. After our likeness applies to the Word or the Law which was with God and was God. God a Spirit where the Father Son relation places Jesus Christ as the soul component so when God sent him as the Word made flesh. So John refers the Son of man as "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory)" and "And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace."((1:14-16) Jesus Christ is the face of the Law of the Spirit, in bodily form. In being conformed to the image of his Son set Christ as the Head of the body. So after his likeness explains our groying from glory to glory. (2 Co.3:18)
The Psalm 139 delineated by David sets this aspect of soul and David himself is set "a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do."(Ac.13:22)
A few examples we shall consider:"Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me." (139:3) The sovereignty of soul is with God. 'Behind and before' refer to the worlds unseen and made to appear. Laid thine upon me' is David's confession that he is blessed in the covenant.(Ge.1:28) " Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?/If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there./If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;/Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me." Here we see David identifying with death and resurrection of his Son. So his soul is after his likeness,- and as God says, "he will do everything I want him to do."
Q:"Seth is mentioned only twice after his life is told. In Ge.Ch. 4 he seems 'as appointed by God' to serve the same office as Jesus the branch. Can you explain?
A:Out of the root of Jesse we have a Branch, "and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:"(Is.11:1) Certainly a Messianic prophecy which is applied to Seth as well. God's curse on serpent, "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel," is basically the enmity of the Law of the Spirit and the law of sin. (Ge.3:15) Serpent was cursed under the head of the latter. The sons of perdition arises from this point. Evidence of this enmity we have in this line, "And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel."(He.12:24) Abel's blood cries for vengeance while Seth quietly stepping into the breach made by Cain is after his likeness.' God sets his after our image, the soul aspect. Whereas Seth serves as the role of fulfilling what Jesus would have done, When God calls David as a man after my heart. "'I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do."(Ac.13:22)
Eve chooses the name Seth inspired by the word as he does as Jesus Christ the Word made flesh would have done. " For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew."(4:25)"Another seed refers to the sons of God (Ro.8:14) while Seth is according to the flesh, son of Adam,' after his likeness'. Salvation offered by Jesus refers to the generation of Jesus Christ. (Matt.1:1). The Spirit sets the context by the life of Seth, by delineating a holy family, appointed by God' another seed.
John 17:24 - Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
Father, I will, (literally I wish), I desire, that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; in order that they may behold my glory. And the word "behold" is the word view, to actually see the very substance and nature and character of God Himself.
John 18:1 - When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.
It says, when Jesus had spoken these words, and that would be everything in Chapters 13 through 17 ending off with the prayer.
But when Jesus had spoken these words, He went forth (or went out) with His disciples over the brook Cedron. This would be the Kidron Valley right between Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives.
It's called the Brook Kidron (or Cedron) because it flows in the winter time, and that's what the word "brook" means in Greek. It means winter flow. So, over the brook Cedron, where there was a garden. And this is at the foot or the base of the Mount of Olives, into which He entered, and His disciples. This is the place where Jesus spent many of his evenings with the disciples.
John 18:2 - And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples.
And Judas also, which betrayed Him. And in the Greek text, the word "betrayed" is a Present Participle, the one who is in the process of betraying Him. He knew the place: Judas had gone there many times before with Jesus and the disciples.
For Jesus often times resorted (or gathered) there with his disciples.
So, He knew that Judas had gone out. He's finished instructing the disciples. So, He goes to the garden where Judas knows where to find Him.
John 17:20 - Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
Neither pray I for these alone, (or only), but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; Wow! So, I am not just praying for these that I have right here that the Father's given to me, but also for those who are going to believe, not on me, but INTO me.
That is the literal translation. In the Greek, what it shows is activity. The activity is surrender, not believe about Him, but believe INTO Him, giving my trust over to Him, surrender!
But look at the instrument by which we believe. We believe into Christ through their word. That is what we are doing right now. We have the word of the apostles that Jesus prayed for, so that through their word, God might reach us with their witness and with their testimony.
John 17:22 - And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
And the glory which thou gavest me I have given to them; (That's the substance, the person), that they may be one, even as we are one:
Interesting, the word "one" in the Greek is a Neuter. So, it's not one in person, but one in function.
John 17:23 - I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
The word perfect is the word complete, and it is a Perfect Tense which means it is a condition. We are complete in Christ. That's why at the beginning of Ephesians Chapter 4, it talks about (keeping) the unity of the spirit and the bond of peace.
We already have unity! You hear people preaching today talking about "We need to work hard at the unity." No, we already have it. If you have Christ, and I have Christ, we have unity! The problem is that we need to be sensitive to what we're doing that is interfering with that. We already have it. We don't create it!
John 17:12 - While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
While I was with them in the world, I was keeping them. Notice the literal translation. When He asked the Father in Verse 11 to keep, that's the word TEREO. "Father, guard them from outside influences taking them away from me!" In Verse 12, He says I was keeping them, (Imperfect Tense) showing continuous activity in the past. So, While I was with them, I was keeping them in thy name: those that thou gavest to me.
Then He says, I have kept, and here is a different word, PHULASO. Jesus said I guarded them so that they wouldn't get away from me, and I guarded so that no influences would come and take them away from me, and none of them is lost, not one, except the son of perdition; and perdition means destruction.
John 17:13 - And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
In the Greek, the word "my" in this verse is not the normal word for my. This is a Possessive Adjective, "mine joy." That is how it is literally translated. If he gives me His joy, He gives me Himself! He says it is mine. It is not yours, but I want you to be filled with it, (mine joy), the joy that is mine. And I mentioned this before, but the word joy means satisfaction.
John 17:17 - Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
Sanctify them through thy truth: literally in Thy truth, thy word is truth. Wow, that's a command! Sanctify them, in your truth.
The word "sanctify" means to set apart, to separate. It comes from the word HAGIOS. When the Holy Spirit, and the word "holy" which also comes from the same word (HAGIOS) means separate, or set apart, but when the Holy Spirit comes into my life, my life is said to then be set apart for Christ. It is called sanctification.
John 16:27 - For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.
Interesting, because that is not the word AGAPE. And this is one of the few times that Jesus used the word PHILEO to talk about His relationship with the Father and the Father's relationship with us. Both times, it is PHILEO.
For the Father himself loves you, PHILEO (family love), because you have loved me (Perfect Tense PHILEO), family love. Remember, He told them before I called you friends. We are family now. We are not rabbi and student, and you have believed that I came out from God.
John 16:31 - Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe?
Interesting, the word "now" doesn't mean now at the present time. It means "up till now." It is the word ARTI. Have you believed up till now?
John 17:2 - As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
First of all, the Son is glorified in the Father, and the Father is glorified in the Son, and that the Father has given to the Son authority "over" all flesh.
Literally, in the Greek text, He has given Him authority OF all flesh. There is no word "over!" It is a Genitive Case which shows possession. The Son has been given authority by the Father to possess all flesh. Every human being is under the authority of Christ. John Chapter 5 tells us that the Father has transferred all authority to the Son. We are to honor the Son equally as we honor the Father.
John (Part 31):
John 16:20 - Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
Jesus says to them that they will weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice. He's talking about the crucifixion. The world is going to celebrate getting rid of Jesus. But they (the disciples) will weep and lament. And the world will rejoice and ye shall be sorrowful, and again, sorrowful is the word grief in the Greek text.
Jesus is telling His disciples that they're going to be so pained, and that pain is going to be so deep within you that you can't even express it, but your grief shall be turned into joy. Jesus gives an illustration in Verse 21.
John 16:21 - A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.
A woman when she is in travail, she has sorrow. And that is the word LUPAE, (grief), because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembers no more the anguish. And this is the word THLIPSIS that means stress, on account of the joy that a man or baby is brought into the world.
So, He's using the proverbial expression that as a woman is going through her labor pains, and has not given birth yet, she's in excruciating pain, and that's the focus of the hour. But after the child is born, the joy of the child being born, just the almost, but not completely, erases all the pain of the past.
Q: "In the everlasting covenant man is created 'after our image and our likeness" This being the template and established by Law of the Spirit" in 5:3 we have the order apparently changed. "And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, and after his image; and called his name Seth."
A:Adam is the son of God because he is the living soul. Soul is set there after a similitude. In the Father Son relation the similitude in heaven is followed after on the Earth. His soul is as unique as our iris scan or gait recognition. No man can possess or kill it. It is divine breath which which He garnished the heaven and every thing else in it." "By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth."(Ps.33:6). The same word is obeyed,"That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it? It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment."( Job 38:13-14)
So what is our image in the case of God? Take the attribute of light as Holiness of God. After our image sets God as the Father of light. Since Jesus Christ who was the Word made flesh, he is qualified as the true Light. After our likeness is word-based so In the Gospel of John we read "In him was life; and the life was the light of men.."( John 1:4) The Law of the Spirit sets life synonymous with light.
Adam possesses soul 'in his image' so the representational aspect of Jesus and Adam can be brought into stark relief. "for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die."Ge.1:17. Adam sinned and came under the law of sin. So he shall be called to account for his sin. In his image is not in our image. What made Seth step in place of Abel when he was created in the image of Adam a fallen man? He had faith as well as works to be counted 'After our likeness. (God)" said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel."4:25)
I will be praying for you today that you soon are made well from this illness.
"No where in the Bible we read God named Adam by his personal name. "In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him;"However in the next verse the Spirit explains it by "Male and female created he them; and blessed them and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created." Is it not curious having to life the entire context of their creation from Ge.1:28?"
A: In the Genealogy of Jesus Christ he is recorded as the son of God (in small letter) to distinguish from Jesus Christ. The word as a sign was already sent out ("And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins."(Matt.1:21;Is.7:14; Luke 3:38)
The Law of the Spirit has already settled the name and his role and his fullness which requires no afterthought. The Law is perfect.
For this reason on day Six God sets out His Will and it is fulfilled in his Son, in vv.26-28. As mentioned earlier Law is perfect. His gifts and calling are irrevocable. "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth./So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them./And God blessed them." Male and female he created them refers to the holiness of God where Power is male and wisdom is of female principle. "Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars." Cannot the Law set the fulness of God in his Son as amny pillars as stated here. The Command number Seven refers to the Law of the Spirit. The red dragon has seven heads but ten hors inform us the Law of sin invented by the son of God is already judged. ( 1 John 1:8)
The Spirit also sets the idea of the Bride of Christ here. It is Adam who names Eve.
Q:
In John 1:29 Jesus is made manifet to take away the sin,-notice here the word "sin" is singular. This is the penalty of sin! Death. Separation from God." Did not Satan sin? Sin of pride I can cite. Adam's sin was in disobedience and God speaks of death. What determines sin?
A: "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law./And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin." The Law mentioned here is the Law of the Spirit. The Spirit gives the Law a face, for the simple reason:"For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell:(Col.1:19)
"In Jesus Christ was no sin. He was the Word made flesh, and was the emblem in the divine Will as the slain Lamb. So all the requirement for remedying sin was in the world unseen, and in the world made to appear, John the Baptist testified him as the Lamb of God. So all that fuss about the Law of Moses and animal sacrifices is mere smoke and mirrors as imposter churches make a case for supporting Israel in a war that is not from God. Little do they know of Scripture; nor do they want to be corrected. The Law of the Spirit sent Jesus as the fulfilment of the Law.
" He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil."( 1 John 3:8)."The purpose is stated clearly, It is not to support Israel or any other ungodly nation.
God knew precisely who are His and who are of the devil. In Amos we have God dealing with Israel and their humbug.:Though they dig into hell, thence shall mine hand take them; though they climb up to heaven, thence will I bring them down:
3And though they hide themselves in the top of Carmel, I will search and take them out thence; and though they be hid from my sight in the bottom of the sea, thence will I command the serpent, and he shall bite them:"(Amos:9-2-4)
Q: "God's requirement of what must be believed is based on the amount of revelation He has given mankind up to that time. Salvation is by faith in the crucifixion of Christ./ The knowledge we have is what already happened and we believe and have faith in that. It's hindsight! Od Testament saints did not have that knowledge. Does God reveals complete or in piecemeal?"
A:
In the beginning God created heaven and the earth. Ge.1:1. God a Spirit formed these worlds by the word of God. (He.11:3) This Word is God and was with God. So Jesus was with the Word which is the Law in the beginning, ( John 1:1)."All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made." and we have this verse: Jesus Christ the same yesterday and forever' was in the divine Will and it was made to appear in the fulness of time. So crucifixion of Jesus or when is not the issue. It is faith with which God made the worlds to appear.
God formed all hearts alike and breathing into the nostrils of man makes every one equal before the Law of the Spirit. This Spiritual understanding requires no other revelation outside faith and the Bible. We have been foreknown and blessed before the worlds began. So it complete if faith makes you believe in his Son.
Everlasting covenant between God and Man also gives access to man before Law of the Spirit time and space is of no consequence, "The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:/Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you."( Luke 17:20-21). Faith gives you place in the kingdom and it is 'Abide in me' life and your works meet the requirement of the Law. It takes you all the way to the beginning and is a life from everlasting to everlasting. There is nothing in between. Salvation is complete revelation to be spiritually discerned.
that happenedd exactly , we don't know . Chapter 5 of Genesis gives us the genealogy between Adam and Noah . Some time in there , there was an awful falling away . Ultimately , God knows each and every person that He has ever given life to and He knows who is His . It's up to us as individuals to draw closer and closer to Him . We can't tell anyone else what to do and we are not responsible for the lives of others , all we can do is try but , it's up to all of us on an individual level to respond to the calling of Christ . Some just don't want to know and there's only so much any of us can do . We have a full time job trying to keep ourselves on the narrow path . Be as kind and as loving as you can to everyone , but remember to whom you belong and don't walk too close to the fire or you might get burned .
You write: "God's requirement of what must be believed is based on the amount of revelation He has given mankind up to that time."
Check it out with Ro.1:20,19 "Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them."
Revelation that God has given mankind is never piecemeal. His fulness in Jesus Christ is complete. "And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power."(Col.2:20) That makes a lot of difference does it not?
Co.1:19. According to his good pleasure "For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell."
He has also revealed his perfect will which is also complete. "by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven."
Thank you, brother, I know many have your understanding of this, and defining the difference between the soul and the spirit is difficult, in Scripture they seem to be interchangeable, at least it is for me. Salvation is not dependent on this, we know we are sealed and secure in Jesus regardless of what happens when we die.
In Genesis 2:7 Adam became a living being/soul the Hebrew word nephesh, in the New Testament it is the word psyche. My understanding this is who we are, our senses, desires, affections, appetites, intellect, and memories. The soul, who we are can be killed, Matthew 10:28. My understanding when we die is the soul/who we are, is asleep with our body in the grave, and is resurrected either to eternity with Jesus or is killed in the lake of fire.
Man cannot kill our soul all souls belong to God Ezekiel 18:4. God has offered a way of salvation for souls that are doomed to die, Hebrews 9:27. And we are told we can walk in the world or walk in the Spirit and Jesus told us the consequences, Matthew 16:26.
Spirit both the Hebrew word ruach and the Greek word pneuma translated as spirit have the concept of breath or wind at their roots. This part of us can be alive or dead Ephesians 2:4-5. The most enter part of us that connects or refuses to connect to God, like a radio receiver and it gives life to the body, Psalm 104:29 James 2:26.
This is what returns to God when we die, there is no more communication our fate is set after we die our soul is asleep in death until we are resurrected, Daniel 12:2. I know you said you do not know Plato, Greek philosophy, many in those days were influenced, the spirit or soul is immortal and the descriptions of an underworld. I believe Jesus took parts of these fables and used them as subject matter in this parable.
My understanding the spirit does not have a body it gives life to the body, and we are resurrected and given an eternal spirit.
Thanks again, God bless,
RLW