In John 9 is the record of the healing of the man born blind, one of the many healings brought into manifestation by Jesus on the Sabbath. I say “brought into manifestation” rather than “performed by” since Jesus didn’t actually “heal” the man’s eyes. Jesus’ consciousness of the man’s true spiritual identity that cannot experience blindness and the man being “touched” by that consciousness is what caused the man to see.
Denying Christ
There are two Greek words for “deny” in the New Testament.
720. ἀρνέομαι arneomai, ar-neh´-om-ahee; perhaps from 1 (as a negative particle) and the middle voice of 4483; to contradict, i.e. disavow, reject, abnegate: — deny, refuse.
and
533. ἀπαρνέομαι aparneomai, ap-ar-neh´-om-ahee; from 575 and 720; to deny utterly, i.e. disown, abstain: — deny.
Out of Darkness into the Light
After writing the contemplation Mercy upon All, I continued to read and meditate upon the book of Jeremiah. I quickly saw that that what I had written there was confirmed over and over again—that this book is not merely a historical record of how and why the children of Israel were driven by God from the “Promised Land” to go into Babylonian captivity at the hands of Nebuchadnezzar. It is rather the story of the prodigal son all over again, the story of man departing from his origin in God (symbolized here by the “Promised Land”) and the repeated assurance that he will return. It is a parable of everyone’s journey out of darkness into light (which I believe God has revealed the entire Bible to be).
Walking in the Light
It is Sunday morning. I awaken at 5:00, thinking about getting ready for church. I am not at peace. I don’t wish to go to church feeling as I do; but it’s Sunday morning, and going to church is what I do on Sunday morning. My friends will expect me to be there and think that something is wrong if I’m not.
Parables as a Teaching Tool
Using the word “parable” in its broadest sense (to include word pictures, personifications, similes, metaphors and allegories), it is probably the most common and effective means of both spoken and written communication available. It is the primary tool employed by Jesus when teaching. Actually, there is scarcely any account of anything in Scripture where the parable isn’t used—from the Garden of Eden in Genesis to the New Jerusalem in Revelation. And yet orthodox Christianity prides itself on sticking to a literal reading of Scripture whenever possible. Of course there are countless instances where it isn’t possible for even the most literal-minded person to read it thusly.
“Rapture” or “Second Coming” (Part 1)
There are countless (and I do mean “countless”) books, pamphlets, papers, sermons and lectures available on the subject of “end times.” They are all about chronological countdowns, tribulations, resurrections and judgments. Some make a distinction between the “rapture” and the “second coming”; some do not. Many congregations and denominations have been formed, fractured or destroyed because of disagreements concerning these matters. Anyone wanting to make an exhaustive study of this subject will quickly find himself agreeing with Solomon:
What Is the Word of God?
The writer of the book of Hebrews says concerning the Word of God:
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick [living and active], and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
What is the Word of God that is so powerful? Is it the Bible?
Godly Fear
Yesterday morning I awakened with feelings of anxiety again. As I looked at my life, I could find no reason for these feelings. I have had so many revelations that have resulted in good relationships, good health, abundant supply and anything else necessary for my physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being, especially revelations about being freed from the law.
Where Is God?
Of course we know that God is omnipresent, which means that He is everywhere present, not in a geographical location. And of course God is not a “He” because He is not a man:
Married to Christ the King
Last night I was watching a television drama series on the life of Queen Elizabeth II entitled “The Crown.” Her father, King George, knowing that his death is eminent, tells Elizabeth’s husband Philip that he will have to give up his career as a naval officer to support and love Elizabeth when she becomes Queen. Then he sends them away on the commonwealth tour in his stead. The King dies while they are away, and Elizabeth finds herself Queen much sooner than she desired or expected.
There is a very moving scene when her plane lands in London and Philip steps forward to escort his wife Elizabeth off the plane as he has always done, but is now told that he must give way to the Crown. So he walks behind her, thereby paying homage to her as his Queen. Later we see her sister, mother, and even grandmother, also bowing to her as their Queen.
We “democratic,” “all men are created equal,” irreverent Americans really have no understanding of this. This is not to say anything for or against either a democracy or a monarchy. Indeed, we know that God didn’t want Israel to have an earthly king, but He did want to Himself be their King and has used throughout Scripture the metaphor of both king and husband to describe the relationship that He has with us—man, created in His own image and likeness.