"And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, "
The Spirit creates a spiritual space a Garden where every tree is grown with a specific purpose. This is is harmony with the blessings of God, and we read in this epistle that divine blessings cover total man,- body spirit and soul of man. "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth."( 3 John 1:2) Only Spirit of God can address soul since He made man a living soul.
He creates the spirit as a candle (Pr.20:27). Above all the word is like a surgeon's scalpels lays bare his thoughts inclinations and state of being. "and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart./ Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do." He.4:12-13) How can not a man prosper with His blessings? His mercy works with the spiritual space of man like a threefold cord and he is secure. No wonder one can read the Bible through his lifetime and find comfort and consolation,- and his Presence is cure for all.
Not so with literary space. The hucksters who create a best seller list wants profits so they ratchet up a media frenzy to draw in suckers who after reading would want another one to cater to his inflamed senses. The writers who have no integrity immediately set to cater to the public tase and are feted as a nine day wonder. Publication of Ulysses and Lady Chatterly's Love in their day created an uproar. But now bestiality and violence create readers who crave more titillation. What gives?
"And there was not a man to till the ground./But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground"
The Spirit is creating a spiritual space as an author does with words. However fantastical the subject matter is the author employs words as bricks and the reader suspends his disbelief in order to enter therein. The Spirit is here presenting a spiritual space. What God demands from you is no different than what you wholeheartedly give to a human author, say Dean Swift writing Gulliver's travel adventures. Does anyone pick a quarrel with him because no such kingdom of Lilliput exists? Why on earth a rational man would deny God the same benefit of doubt? Before approaching the God document the rule for a believer is simple: first know your enemy. He simply pulls wool over you lest you should know the truth and make you free of Satan the father of lies. "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: [4] In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them."(2 Co.4:3-4)
God blessed man (1:28) Be fruitful is part of it and subdue it is what the Son signifies. God blesses man in his Son. It is what we read in John 15:1-5 The true Vine discourse of Jesus, "And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it:" This is not what find we at present. Man claims his reason be all. If so what worth is his rational faculties without God?
The earth abides forever because the fulness in Son creates blessedness in all things, body spirit and soul and it is what we shall examine now.
Thank Gigi :) I was careful not to say wether I think divorce and remarriage are wrong or right , my position genuinely is , that it's not my place to judge this matter , if it is a sin then it's one of many that are commited every day by Christians who will all have to give account of themselves before Christ . He is my judge and theirs and yours . Only God is pure and understands each of us , better than we understand ourselves .
(Please disregard the earlier post which was unedited)
Ge.2:1-3 Overview
Before we get on with the creation of man we need to keep two things in mind. The Spirit in narrating redemption of the world from its fallen state uses people places and events which are visible as God calling forth Abram. "Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:" It is an individual call where both heaven and the earth are interacting. It may have bearing on the mass migrations occurring at that period of time during which his father dies en route. But it is no matter. Nevertheless heaven interfaces with the earth.
Against the backdrop of rise and fall of nations that we shall come across sporadically, the Spirit does not change the MOU carried in the seven articles of the abstract. For instance "And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters" (Ge.1:2b) is in harmony with God making Adam a living soul.(2:7) The specific action does not contradict the abstract.
Not so obvious is this incident in the Book of Joshua. "And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies."( Josh 10:13) Compare a similar expression in Re.19:17 the angel in the sun refers to the sun of righteousness and what are the sun and the moon but signs.(" and let them be for signs"-1:14) It is helpful to keep Col.1:16-17 in mind. "And by him all things consist." Ignoramuses reading the Bible with their reason babble nonsense while the Spirit is specific and comparing the spiritual with spiritual is imperative.
Before we get on with the crearion of man we need to keep two things in mind. The Spirit in narrating the word from its fallen state uses people places and events which are visible as God calling forth Abram."Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:" It is an individual call where both heaven and the earth are interacting. It may have bearing on the mass migrations occurring at that period of time during which his father dies en route. Nevertheless heaven interfaces with the earth.
Against the backdrops or rise and fall of nations that we shall come across sporadically does not change the MOU carried in the seven articles of the abstract. For instance "And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters" (Ge.1:2b) is in harmony with God making Adam a living soul.(2:7) The specific action does not contract the abstract.
Not so obvious is this incident in the Book of Joshua. "And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies."( Josh 10:13) Compare a similar expression in Re.19:17 the angel in the sun refers to the sun of righteousness and what are the sun and the moon but signs.(" and let them be for signs"-1:14) It is helpful to keep Col.1:16-17 in mind. "And by him all things consist." Ignoramus reading the Bible with their reason babble nonsense while the Spirit is specific and comparing the spiritual with spiritual is imperative
God called out Abraham according to his own purpose and Lot owing to his loyalty to his uncle followed him. The Spirit instructs us where Lot made his choice to settle down the plains. He made his personal experience and rational faculties led him."and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, "(Ge.13:10). He was not led by God. It is how modern churches are misled. What nationalism can do for them. Nothing!
The God Document to all intent and purpose begins here. "These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens,"
What we consider as the family covers both heaven and the earth. For this reason we have our heavenly father in heaven which also forms part of the Lord's Prayer. Some cults in their will worship forbid the prayer altogether in order to condemn others as nominal Christians. Jesus declared "And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.". He was in the bosom of his Father and when he speaks he speaks by authority.(Matt.23:9)
So family has its significance and when God say, be ye holy for I am holy it is in accordance with the eternal will of God the Father.
A day is decreed for the Son in which his holy family shall be set in context of the heavens and of the earth. It is this ,-the world of the Spirit signify heavenly places to which each of us may access freely. We consider Jesus Christ as the firstborn from all creation.
"For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,"(He.2:10-11) This familial relationship is different from the biological relationship. "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, "( John 1:12-13)
There are several section in the Bible narrative beginning with "This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him."(Ge.5:1). "These are the generations of Noah"(Ge.6:9) "Now these are the generations of the sons of Noah,(Ge.10:1-2).
It is of great significance that the Spirit once again takes up with these line, "The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David," (Matt.1:1). "But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence unto the end."(He.3:6)
Ge.2:2 "And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made."
What is the significance of the seventh day? This is the day "This is the day the Lord has made." (Ps.118:24) Without the mention of the Son whose fulness is totally invested in it what shall this Psalm quote would lead to" An epicure shall make of this clause "We will rejoice and be glad in it," as license to justify his pleasures without any restraint. God is clear, "You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You."(Ps.2:7-NKJV) This decree is what we have examined in the Ch.1. So now is the day of Salvation because the day stands for the Son in whom all things consist. Col.1:16-17 .
The Abstract that forms the chapter puts all things,,"that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him," does not take to another interpretation. Heroes of faith despite of some egregious personal faults double in the narrative for him. God divided the light from darkness.(Ge.1:4b) When the angels of God confronted Jacob he called the place Mahanaim. "He said, This is God's host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim."(Ge.32:2). The Spirit elliptically explains its significance when he divided the goods for Esau who was coming to meet him. He made ensure that he and his family were secure while his gifts of appeasement did its work to send him away. The distinction between children of light and of disobedience continue ever since God willed there can be no concord between light and darkness.Similarly in the revolt of Korah brothers, we have a separation, "Speak unto the congregation, saying, Get you up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.(Nu.16:24) the Spirit warns us,"And what concord hath Christ with Belial?" (2 Co.6:15). Either Christ or with Belial and there is no middle ground.
Here we have the Spirit reviewing the abstract preceding with his marginal notes as it were, 'Thus the heavens and the earth were finished.'
The divine Will is multilayered so the slain Lamb as an emblem has same consistency as the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world. Jesus Christ the same is paraphrased by a tag 'the heavens' and putting to much emphasis on three heavens is merely overkill. The fulness of Jesus Christ gives him preeminence whether we consider the heaven, the earth and below the earth. What concerns us that Jesus after death preached to the spirits in prison. It highlights by the same token this fulness as he ascended to the heaven after resurrection. The Spirit uses number 7 to indicate completeness so the spirit that left his first state is shown having seven heads(Re.12:3) The ten horns however established he is already judged when Satan appears as the red dragon or works through the beast (Re.13:1).
Jesus preaching to spirits in prison (1 Pe.3:19) creates a tag. The number 8 as we find in this verse,"Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days./Give a portion to seven, and also to eight." Also to eight is a clear reference to it. This has a bearing on the Four and twenty elders as memorial in heaven encompass the heaven the earth and below. The 24 elders (8x3) are not patriarchs of Israel and the disciples of Jesus combined. They instead represent the fulness of the Son.For this reason they worship him continuually, "for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created."(Re.4:11)
. Bearing in mind that we Christians are not under the law of Moses , do you , any of you , think that because something is ' against scripture ' that this means , for 100 per cent certainty , that it is against God's Will ?
Next question , if we answered ' no , we cannot be 100 per cent certain that because something is against scripture that it is automatically against God's Will ' then how can we tell some one else that they can't do this that or the other ? There are of course exceptions , none of us should be doing anything against the laws of our land or things that we know are absolutely wrong such as murder , rape , physical violence , theft etc . But the permutations can be endless ! There are so many nuances to us humans and to life in these extremely imperfect kingdoms of men . The real law is the law of love and our touchstone should always be love ,God's love and Christ's love first and then human love . This is where prayer and the Spirit of Truth come in . For sure we humans will get things wrong , we are not pure , not one of us . Therefore mistakes will be made . But we must never doubt God's enormous love for us , His understanding of our weak nature and our needs and , His enormous capacity for forgiveness . We may suffer the consequences of our actions in this life , but God is very generous and merciful . We must never look down on any brother or sister for making a mistake , and in my opinion , to totally close the door on someone is a dangerous thing to do , to them and to ourselves .
"And the evening and the morning were the sixth day."
Here we shall consider the significance of the number Six. God blessed His creation and also placed him in charge, "Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet" (Ps.8:6). His blessings are irrevocable. Thus the Spirit explains the word of God and his holiness to which we shall mention his faith in particular. If anyone should deny it he makes God a liar. "He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." ( 1 John 2:4) Faith without works is dead and Jesus gave a direct answer to what one means by works of God. It is to believe in the Son who whom he sent. The son of perdition is tagged by number 666, indicating he is damned. For this reason the Spirit gives us a clue. Satan has found a body as in the case of the serpent in the fall of man, and the beast and the false prophet are embodiment of it. In the vision of St John, "And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet./ For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world,"(Re.16:13-14) Number 6 is a tag for the body spirit and soul.
Coming back to the everlasting covenant between God and Man we read in the Ch.2 thus." And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it:"(Ge.2:3). This seventh 'day' is the culmination, the point their covenant comes in effect. What remains a day decreed for the Son. (Ps.2:7)
For this reason we have the word of God, "And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good." When God and Man have both found the articles we considered hitherto as good who shall contradict it? (1 Pe.1:19). We have been purchased by the blood of the Lamb. The slain Lamb in the divine Will is same as Jesus Christ is same yesterday, today and forever.
Here God is addressing man, "And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat." In the next verse it is to the beasts, 'every green herb for meat' which is to understood for what it is. God as the creator made everything beautiful in his time. (Ec.3:11). So he is not laying do's and dont's but perfect law of liberty in Christ is keep your conscience find its equipoise in him. It is immaterial if one chooses to be a vegan or not. "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ."( Col. 2:16). Let your moderation be known unto all men.
"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them."
Considering God is a Spirit and has a visible image in his Son, to embody His unseen qualities of holiness. This necessitates this curious expression. In his own image refers to Jesus Christ the visible image of the invisible God. ( Col. 1:15a) When the Spirit admonishes us, "Be ye holy, for I am holy" it is what the Word become flesh was. ""Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:"(1 Pe.2:22). At the end of his earthly ministry Jesus could say, " For the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me." ( John 14:30)
When he set an example how could anyone say he has faith but deny the works? Jesus explained what was the work of God that any man may do. "This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." He also said "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart."(Matt.11:29-30) Without taking his yoke and learning of him through straight and narrow what nonsense do we hear of left, right, liberal as though a Christian may run with hares and hunt with jackals? Faith must be wrought in God, and not in the many causes the children of wrath espouse. "But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God."( John 3:21;6:29) In his own image demands your total commitment so the glory of the knowledge in the face of our Savior we behold in our hearts and grow from glory to glory.
Male and female created he them. In case of Adam, Eve was already represented as in the Fellowship of God with Man we have our destinies embedded in the Man component. The deep sleep in Adam foreshadows the death and resurrection of the Son. The Spirit narrates the creation of a holy family in him. Adam is a double for Jesus Christ who of God has become wisdom.(1 Co.1:30) Wisdom is the feminine principle. Pr.9:1 "Of whose are we' (He.3:6)
"And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth."
The everlasting covenant was between two equal parties. The Man component as mentioned earlier gave the Son equal status which underpins the Father Son relationship. It also evidently points out emblem in the divine Will. "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" opened the Advent of the Son (as the Word become flesh,) as predestined. Triune God presents the body of the Son, the spirit of Christ as the mist, which we shall come across "and watered the whole face of the ground."(Ge.2:6).
The Spirit moving upon the face of the waters made every atom fall in to the dictates of the divine Law. So fire shall go out when the air is removed a natural law, nevertheless derived from God a Spirit. A body hast thou prepared me establishes consequently an association in His creation. Adam in 'our image' is the double for Son so this association works across from one end of the earth to the other.. We shall come to the point that God breathes in the nostrils of Adam and made him the living soul.(Ge.2:7) This association as a result takes up and down as well. Ep.1:3 refers to spiritual blessings which are word-based. The Advent of the only begotten Son was in the divine Will. Jesus sending disciples was established on the basis. (Matt.10:40; Luke 10:16) Whoever received his disciples was as though he received Christ himself.
God blessed His creation in his Son, the firstborn from all creation, This being the case there cannot any other interpretation to the command, " Dominion over" gives man a license to hunt them down to extinction.
"And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:"
MOU of the last article carries the divine will, "And God said." is balanced with the Amen part,"and it was so."(v.30)
In the verse following we have the Spirit writing 'finis'( And behold, etc.,) to the covenant which is without recall. "And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good."(v.31)
What is in a man? The Psalmist asks,"What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?"(Ps.8:4)This particular psalm vv.6-8) serves as a commentary to vv.28-30
Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet." What does the phrase 'the works of thy hands' signify? The animals mentioned, the beasts of the field, the fowls of the air as well as the fish of the sea are all mentioned in the narrative serving man on various occasions. Noah sent a raven to scout after the ark had finally come to settle on the mount Ararat.(Ge.8:4). Raven feeding Elijah is yet another instance. God commands him where he should stay and he does so. "And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there./ So he went and did according unto the word of the Lord: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan./And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning,(1 Ki.17:4-6). By the same token the fish of the sea served the purpose of God. By 'works' the Spirit instructs us of their service in the kingdom of his dear Son.
Secondly the four beasts as memorial display Christian virtues which are sanctified by Son of man as he walked the earth. "And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle." Re.4:7 Bold as a lion, meek and lowly as a calf, man as the message and prayer life of a flying eagle were in him.
Before we tackle the sixth day,- the turnpike moment where God puts the charge of his sovereign grace in the hands of man let us pause for a moment. We need to consider the form of the narrative. The Spirit the third office in Trinity has to compare the like with the like. God is a Spirit entering into a covenant where Fellowship is with 'Man', where the deity of Jesus serves a double function of serving all creation. He is God as well as the 'firstborn of all creation."(Col.1:15b). It also supplies his role as the latter Adam and representation aspect of Jesus Christ.(" For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous."-Ro.5:19) For this reason we may boldly consider Adam as a double for the Son.
It is as though both parties going over the contract, article by article and setting their seal of approval. Thus each day or the article in the everlasting covenant carries a preface, "And God said". The Spirit informs us the Word which was with God in the beginning. The voice of the Lord is full of majesty.(Ps.29:4)." The expression "And God saw that it was good," or "it was so" serves as Amen. Jesus Christ reveals himself to the angel of the church of Laodiceans as 'the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God.'(Re.3:14)
Lastly God blessed His creation which are irrevocable and the narrative mode of the Spirit hereafter is to bring these blessings into open, and with frame of reference to four beasts set as memorials in heaven (Re.4:6-8) and to Jesus Christ, the king of kings so when the angel standing in the sun invites all the fowls in the midair, it is mandatory.(Re.19:17) They are part of His sovereign grace.
"And the evening and the morning were the fifth day."
While we are considering 7 days (or for clarity sake let us put these as articles instead, breaking up the everlasting contract between God and Man. What is the creation account then: We have the rationale and this verse explains,"All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.") God blessed the association of marine and land animals with with man to which we shall come anon.(Ge.1:28)
Adam as a steward is on a firmer ground since he is a stand in for the Son. The emblem of the slain Lamb establishes credentials of the Lamb of God who as the Son of man came from the loins of King David. Prophet Jeremiah had predicted "Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man, and with the seed of beast."(Je.31:27) The word of God had created a continuity in the Law of Moses to this emblem so the remnant of the nation of israel shall be acceptable,'I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts" (He.8:10). It is not without reason that the throne in the eternity is known as the Throne of God and of the Lamb. This association stands as a sign for 'the pleasure of His Will'. God blessed all His creation in his Son. The four beasts as memorial in heaven is another.
In the Law of Moses five signifies this association.(Ex.22:1) If one steals the ox of another he gives five oxen by way of making amends . The rationale is that a man and the beast which is his livelihood is considered as one. At the end of the Book of Jonah we have this line, "And should not I spare Nineveh; and also much cattle?"( Jonah 4:11)
Number Four is a command number for the Word become flesh; Number Five commemorates the glory of God in his creative faith supplied everything needful for life and godliness
"And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth."
God blessed them,- marine creatures and birds, and we read that He sent a river out of his abundance. In spiritual terms quality of the waters above the firmament signifies mercy. A river went out of Eden which was for a specific purpose. (Ge.2:10) The garden belongs to the world of the Spirit whereas what we are considering here is the world of the body where Adam is set as a stand in for the Son. 'but a body hast thou prepared me."(He.10:5).In the Psalm quote "I have preached righteousness in the great congregation." we have the Psalmist communicating from one world to the other. Heart serves as the door connecting both. This must be well understood.
God blessed the marine animals and birds in particular in the Son to which we shall come by and by. St Paul while speaking of man qualifies it thus, God "who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ." (Ep.1:3)
Fall of man points consequences and the sea is no longer the same. The wicked are compared to restless sea. (Is.57:20)
God blessed the creatures and we read 'Over 100,000,000 kilograms of plastic are floating in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.' From whence did come this muck that many species are at risk of mass extinction? How sin of man work insidiously across his world. In their degradation the Spirit points out similar ravages wrought in the soul of man.
In the end times there shall be no more sea. (Re.21:1) Instead we read of a pure river, "And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb."(Re.22:1)
"And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good."
When God commanded 'Let there be light" the word went forth, just as the dove was sent out of Noah's ark.(Ge.8:11). It came duly back with evidence that the earth was indeed dry. Does it not resonate in the matter it throws light on the quality of the word? Isaiah inspired by the Spirit speaks "it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."(Is.55:11). The Spirit likewise annotates the same truth in this verse,"Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days." (Ec.11:1)It is thus God's sovereignty holds the heights, depths and uttermost parts of his kingdom. There is a word wide web. When He sent his only begotten Son his humanity was set as the word become flesh. When he was demanded of the tribute money he rested in word of his Father. (Matt.17:27) He would not offend the powers that be nor would he let 'other man's riches' corrupt him. All His promises in him is yes. That is what eternal word does for His children. Even a whale would know it. "Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights."( Jonah 1:17) The word sent forth from God showed Jonah some home truths about him. He was entangled as 'spooky' science speaks of a pair of electrons, and was thus with God whether he liked it or not."Prepare to meet thy God ( Amos 4:12). The eternal word is forever settled in the heaven. Amen (Ps.119:89)
As in the case of Jonah the whale was a sign. (Matt.12:39-40) Every life form is thus set in His will.
The 'moving creature' as species shall move from the land to become marine creatures vice versa. These dynamics owe to the quality life, which is an expression of divine holiness. In naming the earth separation of light from darkness such migrations did not injure the quality of life. In the pitch darkness of the depths marine creatures live as freely as land animals spread out in the dark foraging for food. It also throws up a great scriptural truth. "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich."(2 Co.8:9) Joseph was deprived of his parental home and in becoming the savior of the nation of Israel, the Spirit instructs us in terms of life 'the lame shall take the prey.' God made his Son an example."
"And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven."
Referring the earth from the Psalm quote, "The fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein" belongs to God. He established it upon the floods which highlights the divine Will, "Let the waters bring forth abundantly.'The key word is life. Jesus coming to the word revealed the will of his Father, " I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."( John 10:10-KJ21; Ps.24:1-2) God by dividing light from darkness is leading us to the quality of His name. He called the dry land, earth "and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas." Separation of light and darkness is in His will serves a purpose; by the same purpose what shall we make of his command, 'Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life' ? It is held together in his Son. "And by him all things consist." (Col.1:17) "The 'moving creature' as species shall move from the land to become marine creatures vice versa. These dynamics owe to the quality life which is an expression of divine holiness. In naming the earth separation of light from darkness such migrations did not injure the quality of life. In the pitch darkness of the depth marine creature live as freely as land animal spread out in the dark foraging for food. It also throws up a great scriptural truth. "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich."(2 Co.8:9) Joseph was deprived of his parental home and in becoming the savior of his name the Spirit instructs us in terms of life the lame shall take the prey.' God made his Son an example.
"And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also."(v.16)
God willed 'that in him should all fulness dwell'. This being the case the greater light and the lesser light are not about the sun and the moon in their natural context, but signifying the Father-Son relationship. " All things were created by him, and for him."(Col.1:15-19) In him was life and the day and night mentioned in the verse is with regards to the life forms, to which we shall come anon. Wellbeing of nocturnal or diurnal creatures belong to the Son. "The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein./For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods."(Ps.24:1-2) Full significance of the Psalm quote we shall examine when we consider the fifth day.(vv.20-23)
The sun the moon and the stars serve double function as signs and as token of theodicy. (Re.21:25b) His throne is an emblem,"The Lord has established His throne in heaven,/And His kingdom rules over all." (Ps.103:19-NKJV). The evening and the morning were the fourth day and sequence His sovereignty leads us to the end times where the throne of God and of the Lamb (Re.22:1)present the same emblem of the greater light and the lesser light. The Spirit repeats in v.15 and v.17 the expression
"to give light upon the earth" which out to give us an indication that Bible is organized from both the standpoint of the Father and of the Son. There are only two worlds framed by the word of God which can only be understood by faith. The same faith that establishes the Father Son relationship. 'I come to do thy will' presents the will of the Father on one part and fulfilment on the other. There is no other. Faith is one.
"And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so."
The Spirit sets the holiness which is an abstract quality in terms of the earth. Jesus Christ the visible image of the invisible God serves as a sign. It is for this reason he is called the sun of righteousness. "But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall."(Mal.4:2) This specific quote is about the judgement as the prophet speaks in the preceding verse of it, the day appointed for "And all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble", and the sun itself shall establish what God had intended when he commanded, "Fiat Lux". It was a sign for the Son the true Light. "And the city had o need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof."(Re.21:23). God in his mercies has set in the heart of man the necessity of doing what is right while there is time. The Preacher speaks of time as set in heart of man. "He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end."(Ec.3:11) The only way any man can find out the work of God it is to believe in the Son who is the sun of righteousness.(John6:28-28)What is the test of children of light? The word of God is clear:"But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God."(John3:21) God set the sun as a sign.
"I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.(Ec.3:17,1)
I can only answer from the word of God,. "John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven." John 3:27 Ask and it shall be given That is what wisdom from heaven does. It is free. " But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated." (Jas.3:17). Neither you nor me can do otherwise.
11And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.
Jesus Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. Let us apply the worlds framed by the word of God (He.11:3) and the life of vegetation also derives from it. "In him was life; and the life was the light of men."( John 1:4)The same holiness transcribes the Law in the case of plant life. " A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit"(Matt.7:18) A herb yielding seed seasons the dish presented at the table. If it is not subject to law can we depend on it? One day it adds 'zing' to your palate and next it may be poison.
12And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
Herb yielding seed after his kind is an objective lesson from the word sent forth by God. It applied to his Son and i applies to animate and inanimate world. In the quantum world exists an exclusion principle so 'no two electrons in the same atom can have identical values for all four of their quantum numbers'.
The word of God is sound and signs so when we read of the glory of grass it is in context of the glory of the Son "For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away."(1 Pe.1:24) The Preacher calls it as 'vanity' and it is also a sign.
13And the evening and the morning were the third day.
The command number Three signifies the Son and the familiar phrase the morning and the evening were' shows us him as the tree of life.(Re.22:2)
"And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so;And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good."
On second day he defined the light in terms of 'works wrought in God." It has a quality that darkness cannot comprehend. "And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not."( John 1:5) The similar separation was introduced by a firmament between waters above and waters below. This serves as a face so whosoever on the darkness may seek and find light. "The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up."(Matt.4:16;Is.9:2).
This explains the quality of mercy.
The Spirit moving upon the face of the waters did it so for a purpose. There is a certain knowledge in the face. Even adulterous and wicked generation looks for signs therein. This knowledge is different than what is in the face,"For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."(2 Co.4:6). This face serves as a looking glass for man individually as well as whole mankind. On the cross the malefactor saw this knowledge,"And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom." ( Luke 23:41-43). What work did he do to ask a favor? He got it without trying, is it not? Here we see grace. By Jesus Christ came grace and truth. In short the separation of waters above from below is to give a body to holiness of God. This is the mercy of God embodied in the Son.(Ec.1:4)
This clarifies still further: as gathering of seas and the dry land. Holiness of God through his Son sets this seal on a firm basis."God knows who are his." (2 Ti.2:19). Where does it lead to? "And there was no more sea."
"And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day." (v.8)
God named heaven so our heavenly calling is not a random call. In separation of light from darkness his holiness set his seal of approval of the works of the light. "But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God." Works of light therefore have transparency as it were. The reason is simple. It is wrought in God. The Holy Spirit gives us a clear proof: Believe in the Son who He sent. "Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. " (John6:29) By the same token the chief priests, elders and those who rejected him, hated the true Light that made their evil point an accusatory finger at them. " For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved."( John 3:20-21)
The Spirit gives us a sequence of events coming under the second day. The Spirit moved upon the face of the waters sets of their own development so steam rising when the sun heats a body of water to form clouds or wind blowing owing to variation in pressures obey laws of nature. These laws are subject to the Word which is the Law. Word is a sign so the spirit works. "The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit."( John 3:8) This invisible quality of the Spirit that any heart can hear is in harmony with holiness of God. It is thus God separated waters. Consequently mercy of God from above can work with the earth. The firmament is a face, which when the three magi looked at it saw the wondrous sign."Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east,"(Matt.2:1-2) It is thus deep calls unto the deep which is non verbal communication of the Spirit.
Are you saying that ' so many of our churches are out of order ' because wives refuse to submit to their husbands ? That's not the case in my congregation . Wives are expected to and as far as I know do . In the last ten years in my congregation we have disfellowshiped a married man for sex offenses against children , another married man infected his wife with HIV because he was sleeping with men , another man stabbed himself and said he was attacked in order to claim compensation , and another married man had been having an extramarital affair behind his wife's back for ten years . These men were all disfellowshiped by our congregation . Their wives are still with us . Before long we won't have any men left ! Their obedient wives are well rid of them ! God sees all , you and I do not . He knows everything that goes on everywhere , we barely know what goes on in our own house . Be aware that God hears your accusations and judgements and you will have to give account of every word that comes out of your mouth .
That's an interesting thought , when Adam awoke from his 'deep sleep' , his wife Eve , would have been there , fully formed and waiting to greet him :) .
"And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, "
The Spirit creates a spiritual space a Garden where every tree is grown with a specific purpose. This is is harmony with the blessings of God, and we read in this epistle that divine blessings cover total man,- body spirit and soul of man. "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth."( 3 John 1:2) Only Spirit of God can address soul since He made man a living soul.
He creates the spirit as a candle (Pr.20:27). Above all the word is like a surgeon's scalpels lays bare his thoughts inclinations and state of being. "and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart./ Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do." He.4:12-13) How can not a man prosper with His blessings? His mercy works with the spiritual space of man like a threefold cord and he is secure. No wonder one can read the Bible through his lifetime and find comfort and consolation,- and his Presence is cure for all.
Not so with literary space. The hucksters who create a best seller list wants profits so they ratchet up a media frenzy to draw in suckers who after reading would want another one to cater to his inflamed senses. The writers who have no integrity immediately set to cater to the public tase and are feted as a nine day wonder. Publication of Ulysses and Lady Chatterly's Love in their day created an uproar. But now bestiality and violence create readers who crave more titillation. What gives?
"And there was not a man to till the ground./But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground"
The Spirit is creating a spiritual space as an author does with words. However fantastical the subject matter is the author employs words as bricks and the reader suspends his disbelief in order to enter therein. The Spirit is here presenting a spiritual space. What God demands from you is no different than what you wholeheartedly give to a human author, say Dean Swift writing Gulliver's travel adventures. Does anyone pick a quarrel with him because no such kingdom of Lilliput exists? Why on earth a rational man would deny God the same benefit of doubt? Before approaching the God document the rule for a believer is simple: first know your enemy. He simply pulls wool over you lest you should know the truth and make you free of Satan the father of lies. "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: [4] In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them."(2 Co.4:3-4)
God blessed man (1:28) Be fruitful is part of it and subdue it is what the Son signifies. God blesses man in his Son. It is what we read in John 15:1-5 The true Vine discourse of Jesus, "And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it:" This is not what find we at present. Man claims his reason be all. If so what worth is his rational faculties without God?
The earth abides forever because the fulness in Son creates blessedness in all things, body spirit and soul and it is what we shall examine now.
Ge.2:1-3 Overview
Before we get on with the creation of man we need to keep two things in mind. The Spirit in narrating redemption of the world from its fallen state uses people places and events which are visible as God calling forth Abram. "Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:" It is an individual call where both heaven and the earth are interacting. It may have bearing on the mass migrations occurring at that period of time during which his father dies en route. But it is no matter. Nevertheless heaven interfaces with the earth.
Against the backdrop of rise and fall of nations that we shall come across sporadically, the Spirit does not change the MOU carried in the seven articles of the abstract. For instance "And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters" (Ge.1:2b) is in harmony with God making Adam a living soul.(2:7) The specific action does not contradict the abstract.
Not so obvious is this incident in the Book of Joshua. "And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies."( Josh 10:13) Compare a similar expression in Re.19:17 the angel in the sun refers to the sun of righteousness and what are the sun and the moon but signs.(" and let them be for signs"-1:14) It is helpful to keep Col.1:16-17 in mind. "And by him all things consist." Ignoramuses reading the Bible with their reason babble nonsense while the Spirit is specific and comparing the spiritual with spiritual is imperative.
Before we get on with the crearion of man we need to keep two things in mind. The Spirit in narrating the word from its fallen state uses people places and events which are visible as God calling forth Abram."Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:" It is an individual call where both heaven and the earth are interacting. It may have bearing on the mass migrations occurring at that period of time during which his father dies en route. Nevertheless heaven interfaces with the earth.
Against the backdrops or rise and fall of nations that we shall come across sporadically does not change the MOU carried in the seven articles of the abstract. For instance "And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters" (Ge.1:2b) is in harmony with God making Adam a living soul.(2:7) The specific action does not contract the abstract.
Not so obvious is this incident in the Book of Joshua. "And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies."( Josh 10:13) Compare a similar expression in Re.19:17 the angel in the sun refers to the sun of righteousness and what are the sun and the moon but signs.(" and let them be for signs"-1:14) It is helpful to keep Col.1:16-17 in mind. "And by him all things consist." Ignoramus reading the Bible with their reason babble nonsense while the Spirit is specific and comparing the spiritual with spiritual is imperative
God called out Abraham according to his own purpose and Lot owing to his loyalty to his uncle followed him. The Spirit instructs us where Lot made his choice to settle down the plains. He made his personal experience and rational faculties led him."and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, "(Ge.13:10). He was not led by God. It is how modern churches are misled. What nationalism can do for them. Nothing!
The God Document to all intent and purpose begins here. "These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens,"
What we consider as the family covers both heaven and the earth. For this reason we have our heavenly father in heaven which also forms part of the Lord's Prayer. Some cults in their will worship forbid the prayer altogether in order to condemn others as nominal Christians. Jesus declared "And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.". He was in the bosom of his Father and when he speaks he speaks by authority.(Matt.23:9)
So family has its significance and when God say, be ye holy for I am holy it is in accordance with the eternal will of God the Father.
A day is decreed for the Son in which his holy family shall be set in context of the heavens and of the earth. It is this ,-the world of the Spirit signify heavenly places to which each of us may access freely. We consider Jesus Christ as the firstborn from all creation.
"For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,"(He.2:10-11) This familial relationship is different from the biological relationship. "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, "( John 1:12-13)
There are several section in the Bible narrative beginning with "This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him."(Ge.5:1). "These are the generations of Noah"(Ge.6:9) "Now these are the generations of the sons of Noah,(Ge.10:1-2).
It is of great significance that the Spirit once again takes up with these line, "The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David," (Matt.1:1). "But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence unto the end."(He.3:6)
What is the significance of the seventh day? This is the day "This is the day the Lord has made." (Ps.118:24) Without the mention of the Son whose fulness is totally invested in it what shall this Psalm quote would lead to" An epicure shall make of this clause "We will rejoice and be glad in it," as license to justify his pleasures without any restraint. God is clear, "You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You."(Ps.2:7-NKJV) This decree is what we have examined in the Ch.1. So now is the day of Salvation because the day stands for the Son in whom all things consist. Col.1:16-17 .
The Abstract that forms the chapter puts all things,,"that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him," does not take to another interpretation. Heroes of faith despite of some egregious personal faults double in the narrative for him. God divided the light from darkness.(Ge.1:4b) When the angels of God confronted Jacob he called the place Mahanaim. "He said, This is God's host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim."(Ge.32:2). The Spirit elliptically explains its significance when he divided the goods for Esau who was coming to meet him. He made ensure that he and his family were secure while his gifts of appeasement did its work to send him away. The distinction between children of light and of disobedience continue ever since God willed there can be no concord between light and darkness.Similarly in the revolt of Korah brothers, we have a separation, "Speak unto the congregation, saying, Get you up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.(Nu.16:24) the Spirit warns us,"And what concord hath Christ with Belial?" (2 Co.6:15). Either Christ or with Belial and there is no middle ground.
Here we have the Spirit reviewing the abstract preceding with his marginal notes as it were, 'Thus the heavens and the earth were finished.'
The divine Will is multilayered so the slain Lamb as an emblem has same consistency as the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world. Jesus Christ the same is paraphrased by a tag 'the heavens' and putting to much emphasis on three heavens is merely overkill. The fulness of Jesus Christ gives him preeminence whether we consider the heaven, the earth and below the earth. What concerns us that Jesus after death preached to the spirits in prison. It highlights by the same token this fulness as he ascended to the heaven after resurrection. The Spirit uses number 7 to indicate completeness so the spirit that left his first state is shown having seven heads(Re.12:3) The ten horns however established he is already judged when Satan appears as the red dragon or works through the beast (Re.13:1).
Jesus preaching to spirits in prison (1 Pe.3:19) creates a tag. The number 8 as we find in this verse,"Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days./Give a portion to seven, and also to eight." Also to eight is a clear reference to it. This has a bearing on the Four and twenty elders as memorial in heaven encompass the heaven the earth and below. The 24 elders (8x3) are not patriarchs of Israel and the disciples of Jesus combined. They instead represent the fulness of the Son.For this reason they worship him continuually, "for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created."(Re.4:11)
. Bearing in mind that we Christians are not under the law of Moses , do you , any of you , think that because something is ' against scripture ' that this means , for 100 per cent certainty , that it is against God's Will ?
Next question , if we answered ' no , we cannot be 100 per cent certain that because something is against scripture that it is automatically against God's Will ' then how can we tell some one else that they can't do this that or the other ? There are of course exceptions , none of us should be doing anything against the laws of our land or things that we know are absolutely wrong such as murder , rape , physical violence , theft etc . But the permutations can be endless ! There are so many nuances to us humans and to life in these extremely imperfect kingdoms of men . The real law is the law of love and our touchstone should always be love ,God's love and Christ's love first and then human love . This is where prayer and the Spirit of Truth come in . For sure we humans will get things wrong , we are not pure , not one of us . Therefore mistakes will be made . But we must never doubt God's enormous love for us , His understanding of our weak nature and our needs and , His enormous capacity for forgiveness . We may suffer the consequences of our actions in this life , but God is very generous and merciful . We must never look down on any brother or sister for making a mistake , and in my opinion , to totally close the door on someone is a dangerous thing to do , to them and to ourselves .
Here we shall consider the significance of the number Six. God blessed His creation and also placed him in charge, "Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet" (Ps.8:6). His blessings are irrevocable. Thus the Spirit explains the word of God and his holiness to which we shall mention his faith in particular. If anyone should deny it he makes God a liar. "He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." ( 1 John 2:4) Faith without works is dead and Jesus gave a direct answer to what one means by works of God. It is to believe in the Son who whom he sent. The son of perdition is tagged by number 666, indicating he is damned. For this reason the Spirit gives us a clue. Satan has found a body as in the case of the serpent in the fall of man, and the beast and the false prophet are embodiment of it. In the vision of St John, "And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet./ For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world,"(Re.16:13-14) Number 6 is a tag for the body spirit and soul.
Coming back to the everlasting covenant between God and Man we read in the Ch.2 thus." And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it:"(Ge.2:3). This seventh 'day' is the culmination, the point their covenant comes in effect. What remains a day decreed for the Son. (Ps.2:7)
For this reason we have the word of God, "And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good." When God and Man have both found the articles we considered hitherto as good who shall contradict it? (1 Pe.1:19). We have been purchased by the blood of the Lamb. The slain Lamb in the divine Will is same as Jesus Christ is same yesterday, today and forever.
Here God is addressing man, "And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat." In the next verse it is to the beasts, 'every green herb for meat' which is to understood for what it is. God as the creator made everything beautiful in his time. (Ec.3:11). So he is not laying do's and dont's but perfect law of liberty in Christ is keep your conscience find its equipoise in him. It is immaterial if one chooses to be a vegan or not. "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ."( Col. 2:16). Let your moderation be known unto all men.
"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them."
Considering God is a Spirit and has a visible image in his Son, to embody His unseen qualities of holiness. This necessitates this curious expression. In his own image refers to Jesus Christ the visible image of the invisible God. ( Col. 1:15a) When the Spirit admonishes us, "Be ye holy, for I am holy" it is what the Word become flesh was. ""Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:"(1 Pe.2:22). At the end of his earthly ministry Jesus could say, " For the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me." ( John 14:30)
When he set an example how could anyone say he has faith but deny the works? Jesus explained what was the work of God that any man may do. "This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." He also said "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart."(Matt.11:29-30) Without taking his yoke and learning of him through straight and narrow what nonsense do we hear of left, right, liberal as though a Christian may run with hares and hunt with jackals? Faith must be wrought in God, and not in the many causes the children of wrath espouse. "But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God."( John 3:21;6:29) In his own image demands your total commitment so the glory of the knowledge in the face of our Savior we behold in our hearts and grow from glory to glory.
Male and female created he them. In case of Adam, Eve was already represented as in the Fellowship of God with Man we have our destinies embedded in the Man component. The deep sleep in Adam foreshadows the death and resurrection of the Son. The Spirit narrates the creation of a holy family in him. Adam is a double for Jesus Christ who of God has become wisdom.(1 Co.1:30) Wisdom is the feminine principle. Pr.9:1 "Of whose are we' (He.3:6)
"And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth."
The everlasting covenant was between two equal parties. The Man component as mentioned earlier gave the Son equal status which underpins the Father Son relationship. It also evidently points out emblem in the divine Will. "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" opened the Advent of the Son (as the Word become flesh,) as predestined. Triune God presents the body of the Son, the spirit of Christ as the mist, which we shall come across "and watered the whole face of the ground."(Ge.2:6).
The Spirit moving upon the face of the waters made every atom fall in to the dictates of the divine Law. So fire shall go out when the air is removed a natural law, nevertheless derived from God a Spirit. A body hast thou prepared me establishes consequently an association in His creation. Adam in 'our image' is the double for Son so this association works across from one end of the earth to the other.. We shall come to the point that God breathes in the nostrils of Adam and made him the living soul.(Ge.2:7) This association as a result takes up and down as well. Ep.1:3 refers to spiritual blessings which are word-based. The Advent of the only begotten Son was in the divine Will. Jesus sending disciples was established on the basis. (Matt.10:40; Luke 10:16) Whoever received his disciples was as though he received Christ himself.
God blessed His creation in his Son, the firstborn from all creation, This being the case there cannot any other interpretation to the command, " Dominion over" gives man a license to hunt them down to extinction.
"And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:"
MOU of the last article carries the divine will, "And God said." is balanced with the Amen part,"and it was so."(v.30)
In the verse following we have the Spirit writing 'finis'( And behold, etc.,) to the covenant which is without recall. "And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good."(v.31)
What is in a man? The Psalmist asks,"What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?"(Ps.8:4)This particular psalm vv.6-8) serves as a commentary to vv.28-30
Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet." What does the phrase 'the works of thy hands' signify? The animals mentioned, the beasts of the field, the fowls of the air as well as the fish of the sea are all mentioned in the narrative serving man on various occasions. Noah sent a raven to scout after the ark had finally come to settle on the mount Ararat.(Ge.8:4). Raven feeding Elijah is yet another instance. God commands him where he should stay and he does so. "And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there./ So he went and did according unto the word of the Lord: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan./And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning,(1 Ki.17:4-6). By the same token the fish of the sea served the purpose of God. By 'works' the Spirit instructs us of their service in the kingdom of his dear Son.
Secondly the four beasts as memorial display Christian virtues which are sanctified by Son of man as he walked the earth. "And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle." Re.4:7 Bold as a lion, meek and lowly as a calf, man as the message and prayer life of a flying eagle were in him.
Before we tackle the sixth day,- the turnpike moment where God puts the charge of his sovereign grace in the hands of man let us pause for a moment. We need to consider the form of the narrative. The Spirit the third office in Trinity has to compare the like with the like. God is a Spirit entering into a covenant where Fellowship is with 'Man', where the deity of Jesus serves a double function of serving all creation. He is God as well as the 'firstborn of all creation."(Col.1:15b). It also supplies his role as the latter Adam and representation aspect of Jesus Christ.(" For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous."-Ro.5:19) For this reason we may boldly consider Adam as a double for the Son.
It is as though both parties going over the contract, article by article and setting their seal of approval. Thus each day or the article in the everlasting covenant carries a preface, "And God said". The Spirit informs us the Word which was with God in the beginning. The voice of the Lord is full of majesty.(Ps.29:4)." The expression "And God saw that it was good," or "it was so" serves as Amen. Jesus Christ reveals himself to the angel of the church of Laodiceans as 'the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God.'(Re.3:14)
Lastly God blessed His creation which are irrevocable and the narrative mode of the Spirit hereafter is to bring these blessings into open, and with frame of reference to four beasts set as memorials in heaven (Re.4:6-8) and to Jesus Christ, the king of kings so when the angel standing in the sun invites all the fowls in the midair, it is mandatory.(Re.19:17) They are part of His sovereign grace.
"And the evening and the morning were the fifth day."
While we are considering 7 days (or for clarity sake let us put these as articles instead, breaking up the everlasting contract between God and Man. What is the creation account then: We have the rationale and this verse explains,"All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.") God blessed the association of marine and land animals with with man to which we shall come anon.(Ge.1:28)
Adam as a steward is on a firmer ground since he is a stand in for the Son. The emblem of the slain Lamb establishes credentials of the Lamb of God who as the Son of man came from the loins of King David. Prophet Jeremiah had predicted "Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man, and with the seed of beast."(Je.31:27) The word of God had created a continuity in the Law of Moses to this emblem so the remnant of the nation of israel shall be acceptable,'I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts" (He.8:10). It is not without reason that the throne in the eternity is known as the Throne of God and of the Lamb. This association stands as a sign for 'the pleasure of His Will'. God blessed all His creation in his Son. The four beasts as memorial in heaven is another.
In the Law of Moses five signifies this association.(Ex.22:1) If one steals the ox of another he gives five oxen by way of making amends . The rationale is that a man and the beast which is his livelihood is considered as one. At the end of the Book of Jonah we have this line, "And should not I spare Nineveh; and also much cattle?"( Jonah 4:11)
Number Four is a command number for the Word become flesh; Number Five commemorates the glory of God in his creative faith supplied everything needful for life and godliness
"And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth."
God blessed them,- marine creatures and birds, and we read that He sent a river out of his abundance. In spiritual terms quality of the waters above the firmament signifies mercy. A river went out of Eden which was for a specific purpose. (Ge.2:10) The garden belongs to the world of the Spirit whereas what we are considering here is the world of the body where Adam is set as a stand in for the Son. 'but a body hast thou prepared me."(He.10:5).In the Psalm quote "I have preached righteousness in the great congregation." we have the Psalmist communicating from one world to the other. Heart serves as the door connecting both. This must be well understood.
God blessed the marine animals and birds in particular in the Son to which we shall come by and by. St Paul while speaking of man qualifies it thus, God "who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ." (Ep.1:3)
Fall of man points consequences and the sea is no longer the same. The wicked are compared to restless sea. (Is.57:20)
God blessed the creatures and we read 'Over 100,000,000 kilograms of plastic are floating in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.' From whence did come this muck that many species are at risk of mass extinction? How sin of man work insidiously across his world. In their degradation the Spirit points out similar ravages wrought in the soul of man.
In the end times there shall be no more sea. (Re.21:1) Instead we read of a pure river, "And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb."(Re.22:1)
"And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good."
When God commanded 'Let there be light" the word went forth, just as the dove was sent out of Noah's ark.(Ge.8:11). It came duly back with evidence that the earth was indeed dry. Does it not resonate in the matter it throws light on the quality of the word? Isaiah inspired by the Spirit speaks "it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."(Is.55:11). The Spirit likewise annotates the same truth in this verse,"Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days." (Ec.11:1)It is thus God's sovereignty holds the heights, depths and uttermost parts of his kingdom. There is a word wide web. When He sent his only begotten Son his humanity was set as the word become flesh. When he was demanded of the tribute money he rested in word of his Father. (Matt.17:27) He would not offend the powers that be nor would he let 'other man's riches' corrupt him. All His promises in him is yes. That is what eternal word does for His children. Even a whale would know it. "Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights."( Jonah 1:17) The word sent forth from God showed Jonah some home truths about him. He was entangled as 'spooky' science speaks of a pair of electrons, and was thus with God whether he liked it or not."Prepare to meet thy God ( Amos 4:12). The eternal word is forever settled in the heaven. Amen (Ps.119:89)
As in the case of Jonah the whale was a sign. (Matt.12:39-40) Every life form is thus set in His will.
Re the post titled 'Life Abundant' Ge.1:20-23)
please read the last part as
The 'moving creature' as species shall move from the land to become marine creatures vice versa. These dynamics owe to the quality life, which is an expression of divine holiness. In naming the earth separation of light from darkness such migrations did not injure the quality of life. In the pitch darkness of the depths marine creatures live as freely as land animals spread out in the dark foraging for food. It also throws up a great scriptural truth. "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich."(2 Co.8:9) Joseph was deprived of his parental home and in becoming the savior of the nation of Israel, the Spirit instructs us in terms of life 'the lame shall take the prey.' God made his Son an example."
"And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven."
Referring the earth from the Psalm quote, "The fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein" belongs to God. He established it upon the floods which highlights the divine Will, "Let the waters bring forth abundantly.'The key word is life. Jesus coming to the word revealed the will of his Father, " I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."( John 10:10-KJ21; Ps.24:1-2) God by dividing light from darkness is leading us to the quality of His name. He called the dry land, earth "and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas." Separation of light and darkness is in His will serves a purpose; by the same purpose what shall we make of his command, 'Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life' ? It is held together in his Son. "And by him all things consist." (Col.1:17) "The 'moving creature' as species shall move from the land to become marine creatures vice versa. These dynamics owe to the quality life which is an expression of divine holiness. In naming the earth separation of light from darkness such migrations did not injure the quality of life. In the pitch darkness of the depth marine creature live as freely as land animal spread out in the dark foraging for food. It also throws up a great scriptural truth. "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich."(2 Co.8:9) Joseph was deprived of his parental home and in becoming the savior of his name the Spirit instructs us in terms of life the lame shall take the prey.' God made his Son an example.
God willed 'that in him should all fulness dwell'. This being the case the greater light and the lesser light are not about the sun and the moon in their natural context, but signifying the Father-Son relationship. " All things were created by him, and for him."(Col.1:15-19) In him was life and the day and night mentioned in the verse is with regards to the life forms, to which we shall come anon. Wellbeing of nocturnal or diurnal creatures belong to the Son. "The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein./For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods."(Ps.24:1-2) Full significance of the Psalm quote we shall examine when we consider the fifth day.(vv.20-23)
The sun the moon and the stars serve double function as signs and as token of theodicy. (Re.21:25b) His throne is an emblem,"The Lord has established His throne in heaven,/And His kingdom rules over all." (Ps.103:19-NKJV). The evening and the morning were the fourth day and sequence His sovereignty leads us to the end times where the throne of God and of the Lamb (Re.22:1)present the same emblem of the greater light and the lesser light. The Spirit repeats in v.15 and v.17 the expression
"to give light upon the earth" which out to give us an indication that Bible is organized from both the standpoint of the Father and of the Son. There are only two worlds framed by the word of God which can only be understood by faith. The same faith that establishes the Father Son relationship. 'I come to do thy will' presents the will of the Father on one part and fulfilment on the other. There is no other. Faith is one.
"And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so."
The Spirit sets the holiness which is an abstract quality in terms of the earth. Jesus Christ the visible image of the invisible God serves as a sign. It is for this reason he is called the sun of righteousness. "But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall."(Mal.4:2) This specific quote is about the judgement as the prophet speaks in the preceding verse of it, the day appointed for "And all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble", and the sun itself shall establish what God had intended when he commanded, "Fiat Lux". It was a sign for the Son the true Light. "And the city had o need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof."(Re.21:23). God in his mercies has set in the heart of man the necessity of doing what is right while there is time. The Preacher speaks of time as set in heart of man. "He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end."(Ec.3:11) The only way any man can find out the work of God it is to believe in the Son who is the sun of righteousness.(John6:28-28)What is the test of children of light? The word of God is clear:"But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God."(John3:21) God set the sun as a sign.
"I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.(Ec.3:17,1)
I can only answer from the word of God,. "John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven." John 3:27 Ask and it shall be given That is what wisdom from heaven does. It is free. " But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated." (Jas.3:17). Neither you nor me can do otherwise.
11And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.
Jesus Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. Let us apply the worlds framed by the word of God (He.11:3) and the life of vegetation also derives from it. "In him was life; and the life was the light of men."( John 1:4)The same holiness transcribes the Law in the case of plant life. " A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit"(Matt.7:18) A herb yielding seed seasons the dish presented at the table. If it is not subject to law can we depend on it? One day it adds 'zing' to your palate and next it may be poison.
12And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
Herb yielding seed after his kind is an objective lesson from the word sent forth by God. It applied to his Son and i applies to animate and inanimate world. In the quantum world exists an exclusion principle so 'no two electrons in the same atom can have identical values for all four of their quantum numbers'.
The word of God is sound and signs so when we read of the glory of grass it is in context of the glory of the Son "For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away."(1 Pe.1:24) The Preacher calls it as 'vanity' and it is also a sign.
13And the evening and the morning were the third day.
The command number Three signifies the Son and the familiar phrase the morning and the evening were' shows us him as the tree of life.(Re.22:2)
"And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so;And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good."
On second day he defined the light in terms of 'works wrought in God." It has a quality that darkness cannot comprehend. "And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not."( John 1:5) The similar separation was introduced by a firmament between waters above and waters below. This serves as a face so whosoever on the darkness may seek and find light. "The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up."(Matt.4:16;Is.9:2).
This explains the quality of mercy.
The Spirit moving upon the face of the waters did it so for a purpose. There is a certain knowledge in the face. Even adulterous and wicked generation looks for signs therein. This knowledge is different than what is in the face,"For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."(2 Co.4:6). This face serves as a looking glass for man individually as well as whole mankind. On the cross the malefactor saw this knowledge,"And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom." ( Luke 23:41-43). What work did he do to ask a favor? He got it without trying, is it not? Here we see grace. By Jesus Christ came grace and truth. In short the separation of waters above from below is to give a body to holiness of God. This is the mercy of God embodied in the Son.(Ec.1:4)
This clarifies still further: as gathering of seas and the dry land. Holiness of God through his Son sets this seal on a firm basis."God knows who are his." (2 Ti.2:19). Where does it lead to? "And there was no more sea."
God named heaven so our heavenly calling is not a random call. In separation of light from darkness his holiness set his seal of approval of the works of the light. "But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God." Works of light therefore have transparency as it were. The reason is simple. It is wrought in God. The Holy Spirit gives us a clear proof: Believe in the Son who He sent. "Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. " (John6:29) By the same token the chief priests, elders and those who rejected him, hated the true Light that made their evil point an accusatory finger at them. " For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved."( John 3:20-21)
The Spirit gives us a sequence of events coming under the second day. The Spirit moved upon the face of the waters sets of their own development so steam rising when the sun heats a body of water to form clouds or wind blowing owing to variation in pressures obey laws of nature. These laws are subject to the Word which is the Law. Word is a sign so the spirit works. "The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit."( John 3:8) This invisible quality of the Spirit that any heart can hear is in harmony with holiness of God. It is thus God separated waters. Consequently mercy of God from above can work with the earth. The firmament is a face, which when the three magi looked at it saw the wondrous sign."Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east,"(Matt.2:1-2) It is thus deep calls unto the deep which is non verbal communication of the Spirit.