Preamble to Philippians

[Neighbor]

Hi,

The preamble to Philippians, the joy letter Philippians,  is awesome  to ponder upon for it's circumstances. To put flesh upon the bones of the account and realize the reality of conditions for the writer of the Joy Letter is almost beyond my comprehension.  

Try fleshing out the account as recorded at Acts 16:11 through 40. Think upon being naked in  the stocks holding the feet in place, the confinement of even basic bodily functions, the smells, the pain of  being beaten  and yet also being the setting for joy that becomes a letter to the Philippians and to us for today as well.

It is so very humbling to read of a man that was used of God this way, and did literally run the race as though to win, even running toward the chopping block. 

[Truswell]

It takes a great man of God to love those who treat you so cruelly. 

[AdHoc]

9 hours ago, Neighbor said:

Hi,

The preamble to Philippians, the joy letter Philippians,  is awesome  to ponder upon for it's circumstances. To put flesh upon the bones of the account and realize the reality of conditions for the writer of the Joy Letter is almost beyond my comprehension.  

Try fleshing out the account as recorded at Acts 16:11 through 40. Think upon being naked in  the stocks holding the feet in place, the confinement of even basic bodily functions, the smells, the pain of  being beaten  and yet also being the setting for joy that becomes a letter to the Philippians and to us for today as well.

It is so very humbling to read of a man that was used of God this way, and did literally run the race as though to win, even running toward the chopping block. 

In informal theological terms, Colossians is all about the Head. Ephesians s all about what privileges the Body has in the Head. Philippians is all about the Body enjoying the Head.

The union between the Divine Head and mere men is totally enhanced by "being partakers of the divine nature". We Christians, far above the Israelite and the Gentile, are elevated to "help meet". That is, a "companion up to the standard of" Christ. To Israel our Lord Jesus is son of David their King - a regal relationship. To the Church He is an organically joined Member sharing the same nature like Eve did of Adam when no partner was found for him. To Israel our Lord Jesus burst through clouds like lightning and they "mourn" (Matt.24:30). They are startled and cut to the heart.

But us Christians go forth to meet the Bridegroom as Virgins. Paul's joy on the opening verses of Philippians should belong to us all. And so it is, until we check our Wedding Garment and the oil supply - NOT in the Lamp - but in the Vessel (Rev.19:7-8, Matt.25:1-14). It behooves us all to both give joy to our Beloved Savior AND to be found equipped for Festivities. This correct feasting needs practice. The Bible calls our meetings "Love Feasts". Is your meeting more like a funeral? Do you wake up to face a torrid day with thanksgiving that the Creator of the Universe is with you. Do you first have the Bread of Life before coffee and croissants? The ability to sing in the face of pain shows if Christ is real to you or not. Got chains that bind you? A brutish husband or crushing debt? Can you glimpse the hand of God?

Special Forces training is a lot of pain and endurance, but the pain of being washed off the course is worse! You've been selected to be a future king (Lk.19:17.19). God has put you in a world that shows you how NOT to rule. Thank Him for the injustice done to you. One day, in your resurrected body, with angels to serve you, you will be a beacon of justice. Paul says that ALL THINGS were lost. But they only made way for the knowledge of the most Excellent One. Don't be caught at the Judgment Seat of Christ with His words; "I never knew you", ringing in your ears. Or will you rather hear "come into my garden beloved ... "?

The Training in this age is tough because you will subdue tough Gentiles in the next age. The walk is tough because we have been left in a world that needs the gospel but only understands beatings. The reward is great though. Don't miss it. But more than that, ENJOY Christ now. Have you blown Him a lover's kiss yet? Whaaat! You've been awake six hours and haven't thought about your Fiancé?

[Marilyn C]

3 hours ago, AdHoc said:

Have you blown Him a lover's kiss yet? Whaaat! You've been awake six hours and haven't thought about your Fiancé?

Israel is symbolically called the `wife,` the `bride` purpose. (Isa. 54: 5 & 6)

Trying to get believers to emotionally have romantic love for the Head of His Body, is very wrong.

[AdHoc]

13 hours ago, Marilyn C said:

Israel is symbolically called the `wife,` the `bride` purpose. (Isa. 54: 5 & 6)

Trying to get believers to emotionally have romantic love for the Head of His Body, is very wrong.

I seem to remember that you had difficultly with this once the revelation of the New Testament was examined. I'll let the matter stand until you've dealt with all the scriptures. You can maybe start with why the FATHER made a wedding Feats for the SON, but the invited ones refused to come! The husband of Isaiah 54 left His wife as a widow. I'm curios as to why you did not mention Jeremiah 3:8, or Isaiah 50. And most curios of all is where does the Head and the Body appear in the Old Testament?

[Cntrysner]

2 hours ago, AdHoc said:

I seem to remember that you had difficultly with this once the revelation of the New Testament was examined. I'll let the matter stand until you've dealt with all the scriptures. You can maybe start with why the FATHER made a wedding Feats for the SON, but the invited ones refused to come! The husband of Isaiah 54 left His wife as a widow. I'm curios as to why you did not mention Jeremiah 3:8, or Isaiah 50. And most curios of all is where does the Head and the Body appear in the Old Testament?

Shadows are not the very image...therefore old testament scripture can not define new testament scripture.

2Pe_3:16  As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

 

[Marilyn C]

9 hours ago, AdHoc said:

I seem to remember that you had difficultly with this once the revelation of the New Testament was examined. I'll let the matter stand until you've dealt with all the scriptures. You can maybe start with why the FATHER made a wedding Feats for the SON, but the invited ones refused to come! The husband of Isaiah 54 left His wife as a widow. I'm curios as to why you did not mention Jeremiah 3:8, or Isaiah 50. And most curios of all is where does the Head and the Body appear in the Old Testament?

Philippians reveals the `goal for the prize of the on top calling of God in Christ Jesus.` (Phil. 3: 14) 

Our citizenship is in heaven and our bodies will be changed to be like His glorious body. (Phil. 3: 21) 

Christ is male and His Body is the New Man. (Eph. 2: 15,  4: 13)

God`s love is NOT romantic love, but agape, the giving of yourself. 

As to the `wedding,` that is the final requirement of the kinsmen redeemer (Jesus) in relation to Israel. The book of Ruth gives the 4 requirements. That is what is being portrayed in Matt. 22. Then we know that God `divorced His unfaithful wife, (Israel, Jer. 3: 8   Isa. 50) but will remarry her, (Rev. 19: 7 & 8) when Israel has made herself ready by `righteous acts.` 

[Neighbor]

16 hours ago, Cntrysner said:

.therefore old testament scripture can not define new testament scripture.

Yet without the scripture of Torah  Wisdoms  and Prophecies the New Testament testimony  has no basis, no foundation, none. 

[Cntrysner]

1 hour ago, Neighbor said:

Yet without the scripture of Torah  Wisdoms  and Prophecies the New Testament testimony  has no basis, no foundation, none. 

We are no longer under a schoolmaster (Gal 3:25) which was a shadow of things to come (2 Co 5:17)(Col 2:17). Shadows are not a foundation (1 Co 3:11) nor is law (Torah) our faith. One should not impose old testimony on the new by wresting the scriptures.
 

[Neighbor]

16 minutes ago, Cntrysner said:

We are no longer under a schoolmaster (Gal 3:25) which was a shadow of things to come (2 Co 5:17)(Col 2:17). Shadows are not a foundation (1 Co 3:11) nor is law (Torah) our faith. One should not impose old testimony on the new by wresting the scriptures.
 

We simply disagree on this issue. I rest upon the scriptures for sure, as is recorded  my Lord and savior Yeshua did also.