There are so many paradoxes in the scripture. The mysteries lay beyond them. In the reconciliation of the poles of a paradox, the paradigm is revealed. The truth is never changing, it is always unfolding. No one has it all, or we would not need a body. It is revealed in Christ, and the revelation is perfected as "Christ in you, the hope of glory". When we shadow box with the mysteries it is OK because the dance draws us closer to the light as we grasp at the shadow and it slips through our grasp. Every now and then we rejoice, as shadow becomes substance, but watch out- become too self assured and substance becomes shadow again like lighting falling out of the heavenlies. "If any man thinks he knows anything he does not yet know as he ought to know". This is Paul, the man who received a thorn in the flesh to keep him humble due to the abundance of his revelation. But then he says, "that by reading you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ". HAHA! Another paradox. I love it. Always brought back to the pearl of great price, where my trinkets are seen in their true meagerness within the light of His ever increasing glory. Christ Himself in whom are hid all the treasures of the wisdom and knowledge. It seems to me that, "As in Adam all men die", means that all men who are still in Adam are in one vine, an old vine that is dying away. It seems to me that "so also in Christ shall all men be made alive" means that there is a new vine, and new wine, "Behold I make all things new". It is a tree of life. It is filling all things. All re-created in the image of the One. As the flesh man bears the image of Adam, so also the spirit man bears the image of Messiah, the root, the cap of the arch, the second Adam.
Eph 4:30-32 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
1Pe 2:1-3 Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.
Jas 3:13-18 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Beautiful.
It just amazes me that Jesus ascended His physical body to the Father — and that when we SEE Him we shall be like Him — body, soul and Spirit.
Come up hither.
It is awesome!... and those words, "Come up hither", have always been among my favorites.
Rev 4:1 After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven, and the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a trumpet speaking with me, said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things."
A door standing open in heaven! O WOW. I'm diggin on that. :reachout:
Rev 11:12 And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here." Then they went up into heaven in the cloud, and their enemies watched them.
I think that may be the shout of the archangel! A universal revelation for the Body of Christ. An open door in heaven. An awesome invitation! :myahoo: