08.18.2017
Key to blog text;
Bold highlighting = Important terms and concepts. Blue highlighting = Words, terms, and concepts containing primarily a spiritual sense or TRUTH. Red highlighting = Words, terms, and concepts containing a sense directly related to The Lord Himself or LOVE. Gray highlighting = Words, terms, and concepts relating to Evil and Hell. Italic letters in (parentheses) = My emphasis
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The Bible contains a natural meaning and a spiritual meaning
As it may or may not be known, our Bible contains both a natural meaning and a spiritual meaning. For as it says that it is a spiritual book in Hebrews 4:12;
“For the Word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing apart of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).
But as most readers of the Bible know it is also a guidebook for practical everyday living in this world. This is also called wisdom. These are things we need to know in order to live a good, happy life in this world. As it is said in the book of Proverbs;
“to know wisdom and instruction; to recognize the words of understanding; to receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and uprightness;” (Proverbs 1:2-3).
“For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. I, wisdom, dwell with sense, and find out knowledge of discretions” (Proverbs 8:11-12)
The eggshell and the egg yolk need each other
To illustrate this truth in simple terms, the Bible is like a chicken egg. On the outside of the egg is a hard shell. This is analogous to the Bible or what we shall call the “Word” being read and understood in natural terms. Things we can relate to and understand that exist in our natural world. Or even things that happened in the past, or in recorded history.
The eggshell’s function is to protect the very important and precious contents contained within it, which is the egg yolk. The yellow ball in the center. The yolk itself may perhaps grow into another full-grown chicken. And they may produce more eggs. Or the egg yolk may be consumed by people for food. This is used for the maintenance, nutrition, and growth of the body.
The church in heaven and the church on earth need each other
Although it may seem like one part of the egg has less value than the other, the complete opposite of that is true. The eggshell is crucial to the function and existence of the egg. Without the shell, the yolk would perish from exposure and would die. It would have no value for human beings.
On the other hand, if we have just the shell and not the yolk, then the shell is nothing of great importance and is usually thrown away. So we can see they are interconnected.
One part exists because the other part exists. They depend on each other. They can not be separated
Like the natural meaning of the Bible, the yolk of an egg is an important food for the maintenance, nutrition, and growth of the body. And this applies to people of all nations and cultures. The egg yolk is used to produce many forms of nutrition to the body. It can be boiled, fried and baked. It can be added to meat, vegetables, and flours. The end result is a plethora of wonderful foods. Much in the same way, the natural meaning of the Bible produces an endless stream of spiritual delights that God has given us that will go on into eternity. As God spoke in the book of Isaiah;
“so shall My Word be, which goes out of My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall certainly do what I sent it to do” (Isaiah 55:11).
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But in a spiritual sense, the shell of an egg is like a human body. The body can propagate itself into endless numbers of human beings. The body can perform uses or works. Some uses are rather benign and common every day. Some other uses are rather complicated and rare.
But the human body is different in one respect than an eggshell. It can be used for good purposes and it can be used for bad purposes. Jesus took on a human body to make known practical wisdom and prudent use for people in this world. He took on the body of a human being and came to this world to serve others.
But He plainly taught of a life beyond this world. There certainly exists a spiritual world where Jesus and the angels live;
“I have given them Your Word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (John 17:14).
Jesus spoke to those who are called to enter into that spiritual world after they leave the physical natural world. He gave us a spiritual Word (Bible) (“I have given them”) because He was spiritual (“not of the world”).
Our Bible is a spiritual handbook. It helps us make the right choices and decisions every day. The Bible that we read is also the same book that is read by the angels in heaven. This is what is called the church in heaven.
This is what Jesus meant when He said;
“Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven” (Mathew 6:10).
“Jesus answered and said to him, If a man loves Me, he will keep My Word. And My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him” (John 14:23).
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The natural and historical meaning of the Bible is only a foundation and a platform from which we learn how to live a life that Jesus wants us to live.
From these moral principles, we are built up into a spiritual dwelling place of our creator God and raised up into eternal life in heaven with Him.
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