Story of Israel
What happens when you begin to consider the alternative perspective of God’s Word where the overall image is perceived as the story of Israel? Essentially, the OT depicts the birth of the nation of Israel, where the twelve sons of Jacob each have a distinct “persona” and unique destiny. God then redeems His “son” out of Egypt after years of slavery (Deut 7:8; 9:26; 13:5), where God then acts by establishing an everlasting covenant with the tribe of Levi. God proceeds to lead Israel day and night through the wilderness, where God leads them through battles against the kings of the wilderness, starting with a powerful depiction of warfare (Ex 17:8-16). Then, after crossing the Jordon, Joshua leads the next generation into the promised land to give Israel a preliminary “rest.” Yet, the story of Israel thereafter gets very complicated and weird, where there is the odd time of God raising up the judges, and then the beginning of the kings. Notably, God acts again by establishing another everlasting covenant with David and the tribe of Judah, yet Solomon’s adulterous spirit results in the nation being divided. Ultimately, Israel is cast out of the promised land, and the first temple is destroyed. By the end of the OT, the Jews are returning to Jerusalem to build the second temple; however, yet again an adulterous spirit is depicted in the heart of Israel. The story of Israel arguably resumes with the NT; yet, just using the larger OT images of Israel, how are those images often perceived?
Consider how teachers of God’s Word frequently employ those initial images of Israel to depict how a person is redeemed from slavery to sin, led through the wilderness of this life, and then led across the river upon death into heaven. God’s Word often leads you to that obvious perception of the “personification” of Israel, as God states that He redeemed Jacob, and that He will display His glory through Israel. Arguably, while Paul never explicitly states that he is using the images of early Israel, his similar depiction that we were in “bondage to slavery” implicitly indicates that his understanding is based on those images. Importantly, beginning in the book of Joshua, practically every commentator notes that the twelve tribes of Israel are frequently depicted as a single entity, and sometimes literally as a single person. Notably, God gave Israel his name because he strove with God; and, perhaps in God’s eyes, every person strives against His spirit.
Presumably, many people can personally relate to those initial images of Israel; however, why does no one dare to extend that obvious personification of Israel beyond the river? Why can we very easily imagine the story of Israel as symbolically depicting our past and our present, but not our future? Notably, God promised Abraham, the father of Israel, a certain land with many offspring who would be a blessing to others. So, if we each share in that same promise, then what does the image of a certain land represent for our future inheritance; and, how should we consider the confusing images of Abraham’s offspring, the many generations of Israel?
Perhaps the most stunning realization for any Christian should be that religion can provide no meaningful understanding of their future inheritance which is stored up in heaven. None, nada, absolutely nothing. Perhaps you are told to vaguely imagine a big house in the sky with streets of gold, but does that sound more like a truth of God, or a deception by the god of this world? Yet, what if the OT image depicting a certain land of promise is the same truth as the NT image depicting our inheritance; then, could the OT image of “land” provide an understanding of our inheritance? Notably, in God’s eyes, does not our life consist of every step we take (Deut 11:24; Josh 1:3)? And, in NT lingo, is not our life also defined as our “walk,” whether it be a walk in the flesh or a walk in the spirit? Perhaps, if you allow yourself to imagine a new meaning of the biblical depiction of “land,” then the confusing images depicting a long history of Israel’s trials and tribulations in and around the promised land can provide an understanding of God’s plan to deliver your inheritance. Interestingly, in the book of Ruth, it is the “land” that is depicted as being redeemed (Ruth 4:4). Also, perhaps the book of Joel, with its entire focus on the land, is to be reimagined as depicting deep spiritual truths of your life, and not some odd book depicting locusts eating literal land. Arguably, by correctly perceiving the biblical image of “land,” your imagination will be led to the simplest yet deepest understanding of your future inheritance.
Consider how religion likes to emphasize that you are to trust and obey God now, so that you can trust blindly in an unknown future. However, recalling the depiction of a fetus in the womb, perhaps the images of Israel in the wilderness similarly depict that you only need to trust your Father now, and that your opportunities to worship Him will occur in the next age. Perhaps you should recognize that Israel never deviated from ever following God through the wilderness, which is a powerful image that will reappear later when the perception of sin is discussed. Interestingly, God’s complaint of Israel is not that they did not follow Him, rather His complaint was that they did not trust Him for provision and protection during those forty years. I suspect many people do not realize that God did not require sacrifices from Israel during the forty years in the wilderness; did you? Importantly, God later explicitly reminds Israel that He required no sacrifices during that period, so should you seriously consider the significance of that image?
Consider how the law (i.e. Moses) was given to Israel as a guardian during the forty years, just as you perhaps sensed a conviction once the Mt Sinai event occurred in your life. Because, just as God acted in the life of Israel at Mt Sinai by taking one-twelfth of Israel as His possession, arguably He has similarly acted in your life by taking a portion of your soul. Of course, people laugh at my statement that Leviticus 16 will become one of their favorite chapters when they realize how that divine event has actually already occurred “unconsciously” sometime earlier in their life, yet I suspect many can sense when that moment occurred. Notably, I laughed when I realized that there is an angel sitting opposite the devil on my shoulders, because I can now confidently imagine the divine nature and role of the angel (Lev 10:10-11). Arguably, one of the first changes in your perception of scripture occurs when you begin to perceive the image of the priestly prophet as a depiction of an internal voice speaking God’s truths to the rest of you, rather than a person speaking to Jews millennia ago.
While you might currently feel the conviction of sin from the divine priest within your unconscious nature, perhaps you should again consider the significance that Israel only needed to trust God for their provision and protection while in the wilderness, yet God did not expect sacrifices from them until much later. Arguably, in this life, you are to similarly trust in His provision and protection, while recognizing that your true sacrificial worship does not start until you cross over the river. Again, religion perceives that the many images to “worship” God are present-day commands; however, is the perceived need for a proper response to God a “yoke” that is being unwittingly placed on you by religion? Again and again, ultimately it comes down to this one question; do you imagine that your sanctification will occur in this life, or after you die?
Consider when, and how, you will take off the old and put on the new. Do you imagine sanctification as being dunked once in a river, or as being refined by fire over an extended period? And, do you imagine that your particular sanctification will occur essentially unaware to you, as in a “twinkling of an eye,” or as an extended process after death that will involve your full awareness and participation? Ultimately, do you prefer to blindly accept religion’s “peace-peace” message, or no message at all, to avoid the thoughtful consideration of a more sobering message? Certainly, the images of Israel after Joshua’s “rest” are sobering; so, the question becomes whether God intended those odd images to provide historical facts for some uncertain reason, or to provide valuable information of your future life such that you begin to understand the meaning of the “sabbath’s day rest” that is your destiny?
Consider how God left enemies in the promised land, and how He instructed Israel to rid the land of evil to possess their inheritance. So, are those battles against the forces of evil the same image that Paul employs to depict the spiritual war that is destined for each of us? And, how do you perceive the many OT images of altars being built and torn down, or the doors of the temple being open or shut? Why did God command everyone to sacrifice only at the altar in the promised land, yet each person could voluntarily decide whether to come? What is God depicting by the OT images of sacrificial worship? Do you imagine that He wants the Jews to sacrifice animals to show appreciation or to make appeasement; or, do you imagine that He wants them to sacrifice their old life in some sense?
Consider how Paul constantly reinforces the image of sacrifice, such as die to self, or put to death the deeds of the flesh; and how Jesus commands that you are to cut off body parts, deny yourself, and take up your cross. Are all of those images intended to depict sacrifices now, or in the future? Notably, the NT tells us that these OT images are “shadows” of heavenly things; so, do the shadows reveal the amazing mysteries of your future salvation, or do you just perceive the images of sacrificial worship as depicting extremely boring historical facts? Critically, the moment that you perceive how these images of Israel are intended to warn you of your future, perhaps only then will you truly understand what it means to fear God.
Arguably, once you perceive the larger images of Israel, you will begin to consider the significance of those images. And, perhaps the most significant realization for me was to perceive that the NT images are actually a continuation of the story of the life of Israel, and not the start of a new story of Jesus. Because, instead of perceiving those images of Jesus as events in the past, the images become truths depicting the future spiritual realities for each of us. Notably, once you perceive the NT images correctly in their proper context, then the commands and the parables all begin to make sense in a new way. You will understand the judgement parables not as depictions of hell, rather you will understand that Jesus is depicting various aspects of your sanctification. And all the commands that cause confusion and apparent contradiction when perceived as present-day commands, they will begin to reveal future spiritual realities. Consequently, when you can begin to imagine that every image after crossing the river is depicting your future and not past historical events, then you will begin to approach God’s Word as He intended. Yes, your loving Father has certainly provided you a profound understanding of your current life in the womb with the image of wilderness experience, but His primary intent for the majority of His Word is to prepare you for your future life.
Images of future life
Consider two biblical images that are clearly depicted as being present after you die. The first is access to God’s Word, since we are told that not one iota will pass away. And second, that we will apparently have access to every moment of our life, since we are told that “everyone” will give an account of “every” word and deed.
Consider, why would God clearly depict those two images as realities in your life after death if your past is forgotten, and if you are with the physical Jesus? Religion loves to gloss over or soften the image of “giving an account” by claiming it somehow applies differently for believers versus unbelievers, yet religion is arguably being more hopeful than knowledgeable in making that claim. Notably, the image that God’s Word cannot fail is far more profound than can be imagined if you do not correctly perceive His image of success. Of course, if you think the Bible is intended just for this life, then your perception of “success” is typically imagined as doing something in this life, such as accepting Jesus or living a better life. And, if that is your definition of success, then consequentially God’s Word is effectively deemed worthless, or nonexistent, in the next life. Yet, why would God state that His Word will never pass away?
Consider, while many naturally assume that the past is “gone” forever, even science has postulated that the perceived passage of time is an illusion in some sense, such that the past never really ceases to exist. And arguably, that same image is depicted in God’s Word, where our past does not cease to exist, rather we are told that our prior life is refreshed and renewed. So, as discussed earlier, while our body dies, perhaps every past word or deed continues to exist “as is” until that moment in time is revisited. Notably, since we cannot simply “delete” a past thought, and since every word or deed was influenced by a prior thought, perhaps even our prior thoughts will also be part of our sanctification (2 Cor 10:5). Perhaps the ultimate question will become; what would you do or say differently if given the opportunity to relive a past moment?
Consider how religion is persistent in depicting “heaven” as an “escape” from this life. Arguably, while you will most certainly be “saved” from your past life in some sense, your “land” must be redeemed and renewed. So, while it might be a wonderful placebo for a guilty conscience to be able to imagine that your past life is gone forever, that concept is certainly not biblical. Notably, Paul’s brief statement about forgetting the past is prefaced by his strong desire to “attain the resurrection from the dead.” So, if you do not understand what he means by “attaining the resurrection,” then arguably you cannot claim to understand his statement about forgetting the past. From my perspective, there is definitely a future time when a past event is truly forgotten; however, understanding how and when that restoration occurs are key aspects of the mystery of salvation.
Consider the two known images that are depicted as occurring in everyone’s life after death; specifically, having the ability to perfectly reimagine every past moment, and the ability to perfectly “hear” God’s Word. Obviously, I cannot imagine perfection, but consider the possibility that as you reimagine each moment, you experience the exact same thoughts, feelings, and desires that you had at the original moment. So, imagine the joy of vividly remembering, or somehow experiencing, a time with Fido, or your grandchildren, or whomever whatever whenever. Perhaps the experience will feel as real as a dream. And, perhaps your level of joy would be even greater than the original moment because the experience caused you to develop a newfound appreciation for the love of God. Perhaps you will not truly believe in God until you experience life after your death.
Consider how God often states that “then” they will know that I am Lord, so it is evident that ultimately no part of anyone will continue to be an atheist or agnostic after death. And, presumably one of those moments will be the “Jericho” experience where a particular powerful stronghold is destroyed soon after death. Notably, throughout the book of Joshua, there is no image of Israel ever “crying out” in any sense, nor any images of sacrifices being required during this period. Instead,Joshua, importantly a name with the same root meaning as Jesus, is depicted as leading Israel through many victories while taking possession of the promised land; and, after an undefined “long” period of time, Israel is given rest. The vagueness in the period of time that transpires within the book of Joshua is uncommon in God’s Word, so it is notable by its uniqueness. Yet, after an extended amount of time after our death, arguably an amount unique to each of us, everyone is eventually given a period of rest. Therefore, contrary to the common perception of religion, everyone should confidently know that God promises a future period of “rest” for every person.
Consider, at the death of Joshua, we are told there are still enemies that must be fought to fully possess the promised land, so Joshua’s rest is not yet the “sabbath day’s rest” that is discussed in the book of Hebrews. Instead, at this point in the story of Israel, the images depict how God will resume the process of renewal by raising up judges. So, why would God “raise up” leaders from the various tribes of Israel? Frankly, this is a very difficult image to consider, but please allow me to share an image that seems to make sense in the big picture.
Perhaps God’s intent for raising up leaders from the different tribes is to increase the self-awareness of the nature of Israel; because, whereas Israel was previously depicted simply as a “nation” that is redeemed from captivity, led through the wilderness, and given a preliminary rest in the promised land, the images now begin to focus on the particular natures of the various tribes of Israel. Notably, contrary to the period of Joshua, Israel is frequently depicted as calling out to God during the period of judges; yet, there is still no image of sacrificial worship occurring in the life of Israel.
Consider the possibility that, at some point after Joshua’s rest, you begin to sense changes in the way you reimagine a past moment. Perhaps you not only experience the same thoughts and desires, but you also begin to sense an awareness of the various spiritual elements that created those thoughts and desires in that moment. So, just as you experienced as a newborn how the various parts of your physical body enable you to experience life the way you do, perhaps you will also gain an awareness how the various parts of your spiritual body actually cause you to live your life the way you do. Perhaps God will bring various spiritual elements to the forefront of your consciousness so that for the very first time you will begin to appreciate the true nature of your soul. And, considering the images of the judges, God provides a sobering depiction of what our life could look like when we do what is right in our own eyes.
Consider that you will begin to realize the ability to influence the various spiritual elements; such that, by encouraging or discouraging certain elements, the past moment can actually be changed more towards your preference. So, while everyone currently fantasizes what “could have been” if the past were different, perhaps you will realize the actual ability to experience different outcomes in your past life. Perhaps your prayers and desires that were not fulfilled in this lifetime will be fulfilled in the next, such that your appreciation for the power of prayer will be better realized after your death. Notably, religion is correct in claiming that your life should be transformed; however, that transformation is not about improving your behavior for the remaining years of your current life, rather your transformation is about a future renewal of your entire life from birth. Because, not only is the past not forgotten, rather the future becomes all about the past. Therefore, instead of imagining “going to heaven” and literally leaving this life behind by forgetting your past, your “future” life becomes all about literally transforming every moment of your “past” life.
Of course, after experiencing this ability to transform your past life, perhaps you might begin to wonder why God’s Word is being made available. Perhaps you will begin to notice how your various spiritual elements are acting similarly to the images being depicted in God’s Word. Perhaps you will then realize the significance of the hidden wisdom in God’s Word; a wisdom that provides insight into your future tendencies such that you begin to perceive the biblical stories as forewarnings just as Paul describes. Therefore, instead of becoming essentially worthless after death, perhaps God’s Word will become the sole source of understanding to guide you through your future life. Perhaps for the very first time you will truly appreciate God’s intent for His Word.
Interestingly, when I share this scenario, the typical response is not wanting to relive life; however, will you have the option to refuse giving an account of every moment? Importantly, if you seriously consider the profound implications of this scenario, then perhaps you will begin to reconsider your understanding of this life, and why you should fear God. Need I say that we are attracted to our sinful desires, because why else would we continue to spend time trying to fulfill them? Perhaps the rest given by Joshua includes a wonderful sense of forgiveness for every sinful word or deed; yet, there is still evil in the land, so consider the images of the judges and then the kings. Presumably, as depicted repeatedly for Israel, we will still each have our particular “sin of Jeroboam” that will similarly continue to cause us to sin; so, do you understand what is being depicted by this image? Importantly, if you realized that everyone is destined to similarly fight their own spiritual war against their particular sinful nature, might you look at them now with more compassion?
Please understand that I certainly expect no one to give any credence to my depictions of life after death, but I hope you will fully consider my effort to understand why I believe strongly in these images. Notably, if you accept the logic of the fetus scenario, such that you expect that God did give you a book to prepare you for your future, then you should be looking for those images. Also, you should be expecting Him to depict images of your spiritual nature, and arguably that is exactly what God does in the story of creation. Whereas religion perceives early Genesis as the creation of the temporal world, the images actually begin to depict the nature of the world within each person, and what it means to be made in the image of God.
Nature of God and man
Consider how you can function as a human being even if you do not intimately understand the functions of your brain, heart, or lungs. Even newborn babies can function without any knowledge of their internal organs; yet, even a simple understanding of those major organs can provide valuable insight into the nature of your physical body. Similarly, perhaps gaining even a simple understanding of the major elements of your spiritual body could provide valuable insight into your human nature. And, since we are made in the likeness of God, perhaps we should first consider how the Bible describes the nature of God so that we can simply understand our own nature.
Theologians have forever struggled to describe the trinitarian nature of God, and the prevailing theory is that the Godhead somehow exists as one entity with three distinct natures. Religion will often tell you to imagine God as three persons, yet that image is not depicted anywhere in scripture; and, since God is “spirit,” imaging a spiritual element as a “person” is fraught with potential misperceptions. Yet, a critical perception to realize is that the relationships between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are clearly depicted in God’s Word, and our understanding of ourself should be based primarily on those images.
Consider how scripture states explicitly that the Godhead has a soul, and perhaps even more significantly how scripture frequently depicts God the Father as exhibiting the soul’s characteristics of a mind, will, and emotion. Also, similar to the depiction of Eve, the Holy Spirit is called the “helper” who is frequently depicted as exhibiting the many aspects of our spiritual nature such as our hope, intuition, and inspiration. Most importantly, scripture states repeatedly that Jesus is the perfect manifestation or representation of the “character” of God, and Jesus Himself tells us that every word He speaks and every deed He performs is from the Father (e.g., John 14:10). Therefore, perhaps you should imagine the incarnate Jesus who walked this earth as being the “perfect physical manifestation” of the spiritual Father as inspired by the Holy Spirit. Arguably, every word or deed expressed by Jesus was conceived by the joining of a “holy” thought from the Soul of God (i.e. the Father) with a “holy” desire from the Holy Spirit.
Consider the image of you being made in the likeness of God, male and female, as a depiction of having the same two distinct spiritual elements of a soul and a spirit, such that the joining together of those two spiritual elements similarly manifest (conceive) a certain character (i.e. “seed” or offspring) that brings forth a word or deed exhibited in your temporal life. Therefore, you are also a “perfect physical manifestation” of your particular “spiritual nature” exactly as Jesus describes Himself, such that everything you say and do is literally determined by the nature of your spiritual elements. Of course, your spiritual elements are not yet holy, hence the current life that you now exhibit is a walk on a “wide” path. Yet, while you have many thoughts and desires that join together to manifest your words and deeds, arguably the nature of every thought and every desire is “common or profane” for everyone while in this life. So, what is required such that every moment of your entire life becomes a “perfect” walk solely on the straight and “narrow” path?
Before that question is addressed, there are two other critical images to consider in the creation account, and the first is the image of the “kingdom” that man (i.e. the translation of adam’) is designed to rule over (Gen 1:26). Of course, I suspect that you imagine mankind literally ruling over physical fish, birds, and beasts; however, consider that Solomon was renown for his “wisdom” of those creatures (1 Kings 4:33). So, what is God actually wanting your soul (made of adam’) to rule over? Notably, God’s Word is full of images depicting fish, birds, and beasts; so, are you are missing a wealth of understanding by simply imagining literal creatures of this world (e.g., Hab 1:14). For instance, the dragnet parable, and the depiction that in the end there is “no more sea,” both make the image of fish particularly intriguing (Matt 13:47; Rev 21:1). However, the critical understanding is that God depicts the existence of both “clean” and “unclean” fish, birds, and beasts in your world.
Arguably, you were created with both clean and unclean creatures that your soul must rule over, which is a profound understanding if you imagine that the creation account depicts each person as being given a unique set of creatures at their disposal. If so, just as Jesus depicts, perhaps no thought is truly your own, nor was it “created” by you; rather, perhaps every thought was uniquely created and selectively placed into your spiritual world by God. Similarly, perhaps Einstein’s ability to contemplate the theory of relativity was actually a gift of many thoughts from God, and not an accomplishment of his human mind. Of course, how your thoughts are employed in your life requires an understanding of who is ruling your life, and that understanding is provided by the second critical image depicted in early Genesis.
In Genesis 3, God depicts a world where there exists not just male and female (i.e. the soul and the spirit), but also a third element as depicted by the serpent. Arguably, the image of the serpent is depicted in various manners throughout God’s Word, and the consistent impression of this image is the depiction of an element that promotes the importance of “self” over God. And, as we are later told, this element is currently the ruler of your world, yet God indicates that He has a plan to overcome the “offspring” of that element (Gen 3:15). Notably, Daniel affirms this image in his first dream interpretation by depicting the elements as four kingdoms; the first kingdom is to rule over sons, beasts, and birds, the second kingdom is inferior, a third kingdom will rule over the land, but a fourth kingdom will ultimately rule (Dan 2:38-39, 44).
The composite image of three kingdoms, with the future promise of a fourth kingdom, provides a very simple yet extremely deep understanding of your nature now, and of your future salvation. Presumably, just as your brain, heart, and lungs are each complex organs that interact in complex ways, your spiritual elements consisting of soul, spirit, and “flesh” each have their own complexity, and they “relate” to each other in complex ways. Yet, while your soul was designed to rule, your flesh is currently the ruler of your life; however, God has promised that a kingdom of “saints” will ultimately rule your world. How and when that mystery of salvation will begin in your eternal existence is clearly depicted in the story of Israel.
At this point, I need to briefly interject an image provided by Matthew. Because, just as Daniel affirms by his depiction of four kingdoms, Matthew affirms the image of four “ages” by his depiction of the generations. Matthew starts his account with generations grouped from Abraham to David, David to the Babylon captivity, and the captivity to the messiah; so, what distinguishes those three ages, and the fourth age to follow? When you perceive the answer to that question, then you will have a simple yet deep understanding of God’s plan for your life over your entire eternal existence. Importantly, neither Daniel and Matthew create the truth of four kingdoms over four ages, rather they each provide an affirming image that adds clarity to God’s plan as depicted by all of His Word. Notably, the second age begins with the image of David.
Arguably, other than the anointing of the priesthood, the highlight of the OT story of Israel is the “anointing” of David. Because, whereas the anointing of the tribe of Levi occurred within a selective part of your soul’s “unconscious” nature, the image of the “house of David” being anointing depicts how and when God will “selectively” begin His work in a very small part of your soul’s “conscious” nature. Arguably, David’s anointing depicts how God will begin a fourth kingdom in your soul by “sovereignly” anointing a “house” within your “tribe of Judah” to become a partaker of the divine nature. Notably, the images of “becoming gods” and being “godly” will begin to make sense when you perceive how these images depict what will occur to selective parts of your soul, and not to you as a whole person.
With this perspective, perhaps you can perceive how David’s pleas in Psalms are intended as a depiction of an internal voice in your distant future who will be calling out to the rest of you, and who will be praising and calling out to God. Notably, God also promises that a “lamp” will always burn in the tribe of Judah, and that image should be imagined as a blessed eternal promise of assurance for every soul. However, there are troubling images after David’s anointing, as Judah continues to join with adulterous spirits, which results in their captivity and the destruction of the first temple. God does inspire the building of a second temple in Jerusalem, yet the adulterous spirits remain in Judah, and Jesus will later prophesy that the second temple is also doomed for destruction. Fortunately, with the coming of the messiah, the Holy Spirit is depicted as being made available to all of Israel and the nations, and so begins the final age as depicted throughout the NT.
NT fulfillment
A later chapter will discuss how the NT is actually a fulfillment of the story of Israel, and how dispersed Israel is being called back to join Judah to establish the holy church of God. Briefly stated, the NT depicts the fulfillment of the OT promise by the calling of the “holy ones” to receive the Holy Spirit, such that the washed parts of your soul produce the good works that God had prepared in advance for their particular “walk” (Eph 2:10). Notably, Jesus depicts the process as being born of water and the spirit (John 3:5), and there are many similar depictions throughout God’s Word, such as Jesus washing the apostle’s feet, and the streets made of gold. Ultimately, your salvation is all about “works,” where your future “born again” offspring “create” an entirely new “godly” life consisting of the works of pure gold, silver, and precious stones that God had planned specifically for you. Notably, God calls it “My” gold, and that gold is the “glory” of God that is destined for your life.
Soberly, God’s Word also depicts that parts of your soul will consider refusing to repent and be washed; and, even worse, that some parts who are washed will consider blaspheming the Holy Spirit by refusing the particular good work that God had prepared for them. Guess what will happen to the parts of your soul who refuse to accept God’s grace by preferring to hold onto their preference for your life.
Perhaps you can begin to imagine “eternal” life as an image of your soul receiving holy “sinless” works that exhibit God’s perfect righteousness. In a very real sense, the slogan WWJD is a perfect description of your future, because each part of your soul will receive the messiah appointed for them (Act 3:19-20). They “believe” in their Jesus, that is, God’s will for that part of your life Interestingly, the depiction is not a matter of “finding” God’s will for every moment of your life, rather whether each part of your soul will “accept” what is shown to be His will.
Reimagine
Can you begin to reimagine how God’s Word is intended to be perceived symbolically so that you can understand the mysteries of your salvation? If so, then perhaps you can begin to imagine how God plans to wipe away every tear by causing every part of your soul to be washed and renewed, such that your walk in the flesh is replaced solely by a walk in His Spirit. That new walk is drawing near to God, and your old life will be forgotten as if it never happened because “all” of you will have attained the resurrection of a new “perfect” life. Yes, it may require thousands of years to make that transformation in your entire life, and in everyone’s life, but the end result is a new heaven and a new earth without the effects of sin anywhere in you or around you. You will love God with your whole heart, and you will love you neighbor as you love yourself, because every part of you will exhibit God’s righteousness.
Again, my objective is not to convince you of my “unbelievable” perception of life, rather I am trying to provide a sense of the new line of thinking that results from assuming the more logical purpose of God’s Word. Because, instead of perceiving the Bible as providing “basic information before leaving earth,” the images are perceived as coming from your “father” to prepare you for your challenges in the next age. And, since you are told that Jesus came to save you from the power of your enemies which are the spiritual forces of sin “within” you, and that your war will be fought on a spiritual battlefield against enemies who are solely members of your own household, then you can begin to reimagine why God gave you the story of Israel as guidance for your future life. Arguably, if you simply accepted the fact that you likely have a very complex spiritual nature, and that it makes more sense that God intended His Word to be approached symbolically such that you can understand that complex nature, then my effort would be totally unnecessary because you would also eventually develop the exact same line of thinking.
I sincerely wish that you would just ignore everything you have ever been told about scripture, and that you would start with a clean slate while reimagining the images with an “open” mind. Because, for me, the very existence of God is ultimately proven by His Word, because only a supreme being could write over a millennia such a long book that provides clear and consistent images which symbolically depict an unobservable world. Arguably, you cannot make that claim if you approach the Bible with a worldly perspective; however, you will certainly know that there is a God when you personally experience your internal prophet opening up scripture to give your imagination God’s symbolic understanding of your entire eternal life.
Next: Chapter 4