_{by Trent (originally posted Jan 14, 2006)}

If you have ever seen "Men of Honor" then you can imagine the drama that can take place underwater in diving suits like in the picture. These atmospheric diving suits were not self-sufficient. Air had to be pumped through long hoses from the surface to the suit to enable people to explore or work in the deep seas.

To the sea creatures below, they could encounter someone that was "from above." Though there is little doubt that such a concept would not be apprehended by all the creatures below. However, to the One going below that is "from above" the context of their existence would make this obvious, and all sea creatures would be unambiguously from below, as they-themselves are from above.

This is an illustration of Jesus, the Lord and His coming "from Above".

Jesus, is the Word, that was given an earth-suit so that He could go under ... and exist among us, though an invisible tether joined Him to the Father above, and nourished Him with the Spirit.

Why did He come? What was His ultimate objective?

Our faith answers these questions. He came to give all the elect the same Spirit that sustained Him. We, the elect, are connected to Him.

This is like unto a diver in a diver suit, connecting sea creatures to his own suit. Not connected direct to the above pump, but a diver supplying the hook-up through their own selves ... their own diving suit, a surrogate ... a go-between.

_{by Trent - from Sept 21, 2005}

The Christ is in the creation, but not of it. When the being of God penetrated the envelope/membrane of the creation, then rather than mingle with the creation the membrane is stretched around the being of God so that that creation forms around Him ... and this is the Son - begotten of the Father. The same Being/Spirit of which created this cosmos and the heavens, is truly beyond the cosmos, except that of which penetrates the cosmos and is wrapped by it, called the "Son." The Son was born of a virgin and dwelt among us within a human temple for 33 years. Within the man we call Jesus is that Being/Spirit that created all. He is the Christ - the only begotten of the Father.

But to us He is the VINE ... and we can be branches grafted into Him. So, there is an umbilical cord that connects the Eternal Life of God with the Son, and that Son can attach Himself unto others like branches being grafted into a vine. We (the grafted branches) are part of the divine organism that is the body of Christ, and His life-sap or "Blood" is flowing into us making us alive and positing to us all of the divine attributes. Where we once were "dead" or detached from this Eternal Life of the Spirit/Being of God, we are now "alive" as His blood is flowing through us. Indeed we have Eternal life.

So the picture is one of God, the Father - beyond the cosmos - then below (but attached) is the Son, whose Spirit flows constantly into Him as God among us - the advent of God into the cosmos - Jesus. Below Jesus are the Seeds of the Kingdom who, are grafted into Him and are nourished by the same Life that is beyond the cosmos and comes to the cosmos through the Son. This is the Spirit of God - the Holy Spirit that quickens us, and quickens the Son - but belongs with the Father.

We are attached to the Christ, not to the Father. The Christ is attached to the Father, so we share in the ministry of the life giving Spirit of God.

On the last day, all that is holy will be revealed by the Fire. And all that is unholy will perish. The Fire will reveal all things and that which is ETERNAL will remain, and this Life that is within us will travel to the Source to be ONE with God the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit - in perfect unity. This Holy Spirit that is within us is a long way from Home and it calls out for a return. We belong in the City of God - the uncreated realm of God's being ... and in the consummation of all things - this is where we will be found - just as this was before the world began.

Quote #3:

If I poke my hand into a balloon, then a camera inside the balloon would show fingers stretching the rubber around them, and at some point you could see through the balloon and it would appear that my hand is inside the balloon. Though it is just that the balloon is shear, around my skin.

The Christ was in this world, even having it wrapped around Him, but He was never OF this world. He was the visible image of an invisible God. God descending from His realm into ours ... taking on the appearance of man ... all the while ... if you looked around the back-side ... you could see that there is a tether to the Father ... like an umbilical chord up to Eternity, and then you would discover that this man standing before me is from above and we are from below. We are of this world, and He is not of this world. He is God with us. His shape / His body ... is the temple of the Father. Jesus is God by the Holy Spirit that is in Him ... God's Life flowing to Him from eternity ... though we see the shell that we call Jesus, so that we can discover what this invisible God is like. We would not be able to see God in any other way.

Here is the mystery. That tether, that chord, was choked off ... so that we could join ourselves to the Christ. Now if you look behind me .. you will see that I have a tether, a umbilical chord stretching up to Jesus Christ the Lord. His Life is my Life. So, that I am no longer of this world, I belong with the Vine. Indeed, it is as I am sitting with Him in the heavenlies, even as I am here on earth. I am part of His body and so are my spiritual brothers and sisters. We are all part of His body on earth ... like branches grafted into a vibrant living vine. Our vital signs are beginning to match His, and the Vine is producing fruit that we might bear. All in accordance to His strength and power, through the Spirit that is within Him and imparted to me, and was that of the Father as the Christ descended into creation (like a hand stretching a membrane of the balloon around it.)

He joined Himself to a Body (the church,) after He was forsaken by the Father (this on the cross.) We pierced Him with our iniquity, but we did not pierce the Father. By His wounds, we are healed. In the near future, Christ with ascend to the Father and consummate His marriage to His purified Bride. I will be with Him and all the other Sheep ... a bride for the wedding. We will dwell in Eternity for the last day will have come and gone, and no more any counting of days.

As we are One with Christ, He will again be one with the Father. Creation will see the last day, and the redeemed will see Eternity.

So, "Did the Son join Himself to and become part of the creation?"
In short ... "Not exactly. He brought forth a harvest of His sown Spirit-seed in the field of creation, through the mystery of godliness which is Christ in us!"

_{by Trent - from September 2005}

When one approaches intellectual understanding of Truth under the rule of reason (according to the dictates of limited and available knowledge,) they are bound to realize the limits of their human condition - specifically mental activity of creatures cannot lay hold of UNCREATED Truth. Truth cannot be discovered by thought alone. Any revelation of Truth requires spiritual contemplation, subtle intuition, and pure inspiration. For Truth to set one free, it must be infused within from above. The faculty for such revelation is the human spirit regenerated by and mingled with the Spirit of God.

WHO can rise (through logical thinking) above what is happening by means of abstract thought about some object to reveal spiritual principles without being impotent to overcome the limitations of human intellect? To say that grace and truth is realized through Jesus Christ is to exclaim to all of the world that there is a novel spiritual way to contemplate what is truth, and that way is a person, who is the way, truth, and life. No longer is man separate from truth and hopelessly led to recognize the limitations of the faculty of the mind to grasping reality, itself. (not that they always recognize their limitations, or else there would be no philosophical systems.) Abiding in truth, by way of the Spirit of God is the destiny of those that are born of the Spirit of God. This is the lone escape from inevitable error.

Christians - Residing in the depths of our souls, He lives in our innermost being. He transcends our soul as the source of truth proceeding in every internal and external manifestations of the soul. In our spirit's core, God's Spirit is formless and without distinction. It does not know about the truth; it IS the truth. The knowledge of the Spirit of Truth is complete. It's essence is total knowledge and all that is is knowable in everything. It knows truth, because it is the truth. There is nothing about truth that it is not, because God knows Himself completely. That is to say that the subject and object of Truth are one, within the life of God.

On the other hand, thought is a single and distinct plane reflecting the intelligible; it is always in motion between the subject (our mind), and the object (that which is reflected in thought, such as a contemplation.) Whatever is reflected in thought is therefore assimilated only in it's reflected form, not in the reality of that which is being contemplated, and certainly not in its spiritual, universal reality. Thus the Spirit of truth never escapes the depths of our spirit, to be fully manifested in thought, or in the symbolic reflection archived in our minds. The reflection never becomes the reality, and thus Truth is a commodity of our spirits that brings us mentally closer to reality. However, the inherent objective and subjective disconnect between Truth and our thoughts about Truth inevitably persist to the point of error.

While God's certainty and wisdom are attributable to the unity of all Truth within Himself, conversely, our doubt and error are caused by the mental disunity of distorted thoughts. This brings us back to the necessity of spiritual revelation to supercede any and all mental notions. It is the Spirit of God that leads us to all Truth. Thoughts, through revelation, can be conformed to and effaced by the Spirit of Truth as the only solution for the obstacle of natural reasoning. Divine revelation is the link between soul and spirit, that otherwise would be separated by the abyss of organic limitation. Therefore, I have no Truth to offer anyone; I can only introduce you to the Spirit of Truth, so that you can forsake thought and embrace reality through revelation.

True to my experience, I have tried and failed to present my erroneous thoughts of Truth to no avail. On one occasion I was trying to impart to my mother a truth that seemed so simplistic as to be unavoidable. But, frustration overwhelmed me during the repeated reasoned explanations. At that point I turned to my spirit, and it was revealed that I should say it once more. Bewildered, I almost could not believe that it would make any difference. Finally, I exercised faith in the revelation, and spoke again. This time the message was plain and simple yet inspired, but the response in my mother was completely different. Before I was half way through my first sentence, I saw perfect understanding in her eyes. The Truth was revealed in her through the faculty of her spirit rather the the subjective mind through mental ascent, or the objective reflection in my thoughts and words. Now that it has been revealed to her, it cannot be reconstructed in her mind, thoughts, or words any more then Truth can be reconstructed in my soul-ish faculties, both internal and external. This was the spiritual reality behind the famous recruitment of Peter:

So it is when we are used by the Spirit's direction to introduce the sublime implications of the Gospel to others, so that they may know the deep love of God and be filled with joy! It is not by might, nor power, but by His Spirit.

_{by Trent - from October 2005}

Prudence is an art. The more you apply it, the better you become at it, but discernment is slightly different. Spiritual discernment involves seeing what is authentic, through the programming that infects thought.

The discerning fellow has no trouble seeing how many (seemingly opposed) true statements fit together into a monolithic truth. Appearances and deception do not distort the reality that they apprehend.

Did you know that the Australian Continent has four main island groupings. One Continent with many parts. Each of those sections (Australia, Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia) have many smaller islands. So, how are the many masses considered to be only one continent, if they seem so separate? Doesn't each island define it's own context?

This is the struggle that undiscerning fellows have with spiritual truth. Each doctrinal topic seems like a solitary island and unconnected with the other doctrines. They see that there is a glorious city after judgment where indwells righteousness, and they see how the grapes are crushed in the winepress of God's wrath during the harvest, but neither seem to fit together in any way, so the doctrines live in the mind as lonely islands. We are saved by grace through faith: agreed, and yet salvation is worked out. Wouldn't it be simpler to simply camp on our island and dismiss everything else as folklore and confusion. God is not the author of confusion, so lets just pick our favorite island group and call this the truth, and call all the others frauds, or purveyors of an obsolete truth.

However, something has hindered authentic view of reality. The revelation is of one Truth, and the parts of that revelation fit together.

You know what makes those islands in the continent seem to be separate? The ocean interferes with our view of the continent. In fact, only because the there is water, do we consider that they are islands, but if the water is burnt away, and we see what is substantially there. The reality is that all of those parts are summits if a single land mass that was hidden from our view. Discernment is the ability to see through the water as if it is not there.

Spiritual discernment is a way to see through the cultural bias and misinformation that makes all the doctrines seem as though they are mere islands, and then becoming acquainted with the deeper parts that tie them all together. As someone grows in wisdom and spiritual discernment, they will begin to recognize the inclusiveness of revelation, and appreciate more and more of the written word, or the input from saints that you might have previously thought crazy, because they weren't talking about the islands that you know about.

_{by Trent - posted July 16, 2006}

The highest revelation in scripture is that God is one. He is the Most High, ... the One without another. How does eternity grow, or shrink? Can it expand and increase? How long would infinity have to diminish and how would you know? The realm of God's Spirit is infinite and eternal. There is just God and He fills all and is all. He is not one of ... He is ONE.

So how can we exist? Where is the cosmos, and how is it not consumed by the eternal nature of God. Can infinity stand next to finite, or can eternity mingle with time without effacing it? This is all explained in Genesis, where God creates a void and then moves upon it (as opposed to within it.) The Jewish explanation is basically that God separates His being, and compresses to form a bubble or void of eternity, so that temporal universe may exist within. This gap is the lack of infinity, where all things that are finite may dwell. But, God's Spirit surrounds the universe, keeping Himself separate, for His being would immediately consume the entire creation. As it is written, "our God is a consuming fire."

The conclusion of the universe is what is repeatedly called "The Last Day." After the last day, there is not another day. Time ceases to exist and the heavens and earth pass away. Peter's apocalyptic version of this event demonstrates that fire consumes all matter, lays it bare and breaks it down to the elements of creation. This is the end of time - the undoing of everything that has been brought into existence. But, for now and until that day, God has kept His being separate. ... almost.

The only begotten of the Father is Jesus the Christ, who descends from above to redeem those that are from below. We pierce Him with our iniquity and unholiness, and by His stripes we are healed. The infinite is reconciled with the finite, and eternity is made available in the now. The temple curtain was torn from top to bottom, and the Spirit was poured forth for man to partake.

Those that partake of the Spirit are born from above, and have eternal life (eternal is a quality, not quantity.) What is true about the life of God is true about His children. All things are made new.

So, what is "in-it" for God? Why bother? In a word the point is ... "harvest."

God can increase, but not in the infinite realm. God's increase is the sowing of the seed of the Spirit within the cosmos. God enters the hearts of men, and then (on the last day) man will persist in the heart of God. Eternity enters us, and then we can enter eternity for His life makes us fit for heaven, as His life makes us fit for earth.

The only delay, is so that the fruit may ripen. God wants to express His nature here through us. He wants what is true for Him to be demonstrated in us. God is love, and when God loves through the organism of His Body - that is the expansion within this realm. Thus it is important to let our behavior tell the truth about God, instead of lies, and the Spirit makes this possible. We don't love our enemies to get the Spirit; we love because we already have the Spirit. The commands are not to change what we are, but to reveal what we are. We are forever and eternally part of the family of God.

Without this increase, and without the harvest ... then the creation would simply be God's fu tile miscarriage. But there is a harvest, and there is an increase, and those that are born of the Spirit are part of it.

Marvel not that I say, you must be born again!

:-)

Judgment is not God's discovery of reality, but ours. God learns nothing through judgement, but we learn everything. When the world is judged and then consumed in the fire, they are exposed to be temporal and finite, unable to stand in the eternal fire without being consumed.

But, those that posses eternal life will find that the eternal fire does not consume the life within them, for how can one be greater then the other? Rather eternity merges into oneness like grapes in a winepress. The pulp is discarded, and there are not many, but one flowing substance - the wine. There isn't any nations anymore, but only one city - where indwells righteousness for the glory of the nations have been brought into it, as their glory was wrought in God.

Show me to the fire. Bring on the wine press, for the life within me cries for the Father with the spirit of adoption. Eternal life wants to merge with the infinite. The bride and the bridegroom say, "Come!" ... and we come to consummate and become one!

If you belong to Him, I'll see you at the wedding feast! Save room for desert! (and fear not the fire.)

[the above was slightly adapted from a post I made in another discussion. This has been sitting around as a "DRAFT" since Jan 16th of 2006 ... finally published today.]

12/18/05. From God the Father and Our Lord Jesus Christ. A Letter Given to Timothy, For All Those Who Have Ears to Hear.

[God speaking.] Timothy, hear My words, and have understanding of the power of steadfast faith and obedience to God, with love and acceptance of His Christ. All those, drawn to Me, are drawn in Spirit; and when they are drawn, they come to Me by way of Christ. I give them to Him, so He may bring them to Me. And when He brings them, they must come as He is... in Spirit and Truth, devoid of sin. In My presence will one come into the full understanding of love and truth... all tears wiped away because of My love, and by My understanding given to them who have come to Me. So then, to know Him, who I sent to you, is to know Me, because He is in Me, and I in He. Love Him, and you love Me... hate Him, and you shall be forever separated from Me.

In perfect faith will one also have perfect obedience... these listen to My Spirit inside them. My Spirit is also His Spirit, who you receive the Spirit from, because of your acceptance of the Truth that he is Who He is. So then, all those, who obey, know Me by their obedience, because they had followed that which My Spirit has given them.

[Jesus speaking.] Remember My apostles... they came into perfect faith after My death and resurrection, after which I breathed on them so they would receive the fullness of that part of Me that would remain with them to the end of the age. This Spirit, inside them, is in perfect faith and obedience to God, being altogether equal, because I can not deny Myself, nor that part of Me which is God. The Father and the Son are one, yet two and three... being that third part called Spirit and Holy, which is given to men so that We might be one with them whom We love and created, Our beloved temples made without human hands, caressed by the hand of God.

So come into My joy and receive of Me, and receive the fullness of My Spirit through faith and obedience. This is where My apostles dwelt. In total faith, nothing doubting, men become gods because that which is God is a part of them. Ask anything in My name, and it will be given you according to your faith and My will, proven by your obedience, believing what I told you because of your faith. Receive My love, and share it with others. Then pray for them, in My name, and it will be done. Remember, all things, asked in My name, shall be done if you yourself do them. If you ask for another, and you yourself do these things not, then how can My Spirit work through you? The Spirit is equal, yet men remain unequal. Miracles worked by men are possible, and have been manifest by many prophets and apostles. Theirs was steadfastness of faith and obedience to God. So they asked, and it was done and came to pass in the sight of men. Their spirit was equal, and in balance with the Spirit given them, fulfilling My will. So then, the dead awoke, the lame did walk, and the unclean and sick made well. Strive for steadfast faith, and live your life in obedience to God, and your faith will grow; and likewise will your stumblings cease, and your obedience become natural to you.

In like manner are prayers answered. If you pray for help, peace, and guidance, and do not those things spoken to your heart, how can your prayer be fulfilled? You ask, and so you are given, but in you must all things be established for your desires to be fulfilled. The Father’s ways are not human ways. You pray for miracles, not realizing you are that miracle, able to perform that which you long for. The Father does all things for you, through Me; and I do that which is asked of Me through you. Even so, I am coming, and will also accomplish that which the Father commands of Me, so all, who will come, will come and enter into His rest, which is also your rest and Mine. For we shall all be together in the Father’s rest, for one day in the Lord, then a short work, then again entering into the Father’s rest and His eternal joy.

So indeed, those, who have the faith of a mustard seed, can move mountains,
because that seed was created without doubt,
knowing in itself it shall become and grow as God has ordained it to be...
this is the seed I also give to those who love Me.
It is only the ground, you currently live in, that keeps you from that
which the Father has ordained from the beginning that you shall be.
This is why I am come into the world, and will arrive shortly,
and return again... to fulfill the Plan of the Ages set forth by God
from the very foundation of the world. Amen.

I read this today and was very impressed ... see if you agree.

From Living Inside Out by Tim Stevenson (his blog):

As a former church-goer, I have seen exactly what Tim is talking about ... first hand. I have felt the frustration personally ... as I tried and failed 4 and 5 because I was clueless about 1, 2, and 3.

Also, since I've embraced 1, 2, and 3 ... I have noticed another alternative phenomenon that Tim is NOT talking about in this excerpt. I've seen the other extreme do great violence to biblical teaching by ignoring 4 and 5 ... and even such extreme as to treat 4 and 5 as if the devil, himself, laid it upon our doorstep (usually you can lump 2 with 4 and 5 into the same alternative phenomenon.)

What a pair of travesties ... one, no worse than the other!

Once a branch has been abiding in the vine for many years and is pruned often... one can hardly distinguish it from the vine?