Q & A: Chapter II

“Well, I don’t know what to tell you.”

“What about yourself?”

“What about me?”

“Can you honestly say that you are not the least bit curious about what I have been given to say about anything?”

“I don’t know. I've got a bad feeling about this.”

“Be assured that your feelings are quite natural; and not at all unfounded. For there is much about what I have been given to say that will taste rather bitter unto most; but after some time for digestion: it will become ever more sweet unto those who are willing to accept what they have been allowed and enabled to.”

“Hmm, just the opposite of what the Apostle John experienced.”

“As well as the Prophet Ezekiel; and in all honesty: the same can be said of myself. For in the beginning it all seemed oh so very sweet. For what I was receiving provided answers for a great many questions; but after I came to realize that the hardness of far too many hearts really were exceedingly great: bitterness soured my enthusiasm.”

“Oh yeah, I feel a lot better about it now.”

“Be assured that my stomach has settled quite a bit.”

“Why do you keep saying: be assured?”

“If I testify about myself, my testimony is not valid. There is another who testifies in my favor, and I know that his testimony about me is valid. This applies unto everything that I have been given to say about anything. For it is truly of Him; and not of myself: be assured.”

“Oh man, this just keeps getting better and better.”

“So?”

“Okay, I must admit that I am rather curious. Probably in the same way as being curious about seeing people jump from the tenth story of a burning building. That always makes me feel real good about myself; but I’ll go ahead and bite.”

"Where would you like to start?”

“Let’s start with the meaning of life.”

“In order to put the meaning of life in its proper context: it would be helpful to think of it in terms of value. For even the most apparently worthless of lives in the eyes of this world is of great value in the eyes of our Creator. For all of us were, and will be, created to be His children by faith in order to give Himself opportunities to receive love that is freely given.”

“Certainly seems simple enough.”

“Too simple for far too many.”

“Define: all of us.”

“All of mankind.”

“Each and every one of us?”

“Each and every one of us.”

“And what’s with the: were and will be?”

“The were pertains unto those who have already came into existence: both in the past and in the present; and the will be pertains unto those who are yet to come: both in the present and in the future. For we are all personally created by our Heavenly Father to be His children by faith.”

“How far into the future?”

“At least until the end of this world.”

“Nothing personal: right?”

“Oh no, it is very personal. For it truly is as it is written: So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”

“I suppose it all depends upon which side of the tracks you come from.”

“Yes, considering what a mess this world has almost always been in: it does seem much more likely that most, if not, all of us were created to be the objects of our Heavenly Father’s wrath, certainly not His affections; and if what is of this world was all that there will ever be unto our lives: then there would be good reason to look elsewhere for someone, or something, to believe in. For even the most blessed of lives in this world is as nothing in comparison unto the least of lives in our Heavenly Father’s Kingdom of Heaven. Nonetheless: the point that keeps getting missed is that the end of our time as a part of this world is not the end of us. In fact: this world was never meant to last but for a little while in comparison unto the whole of eternity. Furthermore: our Heavenly Father will more than make-up for all of the terrible, terrible suffering of this world in the world that is yet to come. Therefore: should this not be what we look forward unto?”

“Not a very evolved way of thinking.”

“Yes, more and more have become rather comfortable with the idea of there possibly being a monkey or two hanging from their family tree; but I would think that most would want believe otherwise. For if some of our earliest ancestors really were amoebas swimming around in a pond full of primordial ooze: what more is there for us after our time as a part of this world comes unto an end?”

“Couldn't we have it both ways?”

“No. For we were created as we are; and the same goes for everything else.”

“What about the fossil record?"

“What about it?”

“Doesn't it indicate an evolution of the species?”

“No. For what may appear to be an earlier ancestor of something is usually just another type; and in some cases: another species altogether.”

“So: you believe that the world was really created in six days then?”

“Yes.”

“And all of the scientific data proving otherwise is what?”

“Misunderstood.”

“I suppose there is no way that we could have originated in a galaxy far, far way: is there?”

“No.”

“How disappointing. I was really hoping to finally meet some of our distant cousins before too long.”

“Be assured that whatever our Heavenly Father may have done somewhere else has nothing to do with the plans that He has made for us.”

“Are you saying that there is life elsewhere?”

“No; but neither can I say that there is not what we naturally consider to be life anywhere else. For nothing has been revealed unto me about the subject except for what has been already said.”

“What would you say to those who believe that there cannot be life anywhere else because of Eve being the mother of all the living?”

“Yes, Adam and Eve are at the root of every family tree in this world; but does this extent unto the spiritual realm? Besides: if our Heavenly Father truly is the Creator of us all, would not Adam and Eve’s contribution be for appearances only?”

“Well, the door may be closed; but it appears to be left unlocked.”

“Just being honest.”

“Talking about being honest: aren't you being a tad disingenuous about making things sound so personal?”

“No.”

“Come one now: I know that many would applaud the effort anyway; but the rest of us have come too far to embrace such an archaic belief.”

“I certainly hope not. For it truly is as it is written: For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”

“Oh yeah, that will score a lot of points with the scientific community.”

“Alas, it is indeed tragic that there is so much conflict with them. For what science is really all about is a pursuit of knowledge and understanding about what our Heavenly Father has done, and is doing.”

“Maybe it would be helpful if more were more realistic about us being a product of the natural order of things?”

“In what way am I failing to do so?”

“By insisting that the creative process is on-going.”

“Could this not be a part of the natural order of things?”

“NO!”

“How could it not be if our Heavenly Father is truly all-powerful? For who, or what, could exist if He did not want it to?”

“There is a big difference between Him just allowing someone, or something, to exist and Him specifically creating them to do so.”

“Yes, there is; and I would think that most would want to believe that they were specifically created to exist.”

“Whatever we may want to believe has nothing to do with the truth.”

“No, it most certainly does not. For the truth is what it absolutely is: regardless of whether we want to believe it or not; but then there is a matter of the reasons for why we may want to believe that something is true or false that needs to be addressed.”

"And I suppose that you would have us to believe that acts of God really are acts of God?”

“Yes. For there is no such thing as Mother Nature.”

“Well, in this case: biological science has taken all of the mystery out of the conception of human life.”

“Yes, it would appear that it is just the result of a chemical process; but appearances can be deceiving: be assured.”

“Maybe so; but I do know of at least one thing that we can all be sure of.”

“And what would that be?”

“That the scientific community is plumb religious about seeing is believing.”

“Blessed are those who can see what cannot be naturally seen.”

“Yes, blind faith would be required in the absence of empirical proof.”

“Not as much as what we have been so strongly encouraged to believe.”

“What are you talking about?”

“That the kind of faith that truly is of our Heavenly Father is not blind, nor is it deaf; but this is a discussion for another time.”

“You’re making this stuff up as you go along: aren't you?”

“Truly you are a God who hides Himself, Oh God and Savior of Israel.”

“Where did that come from?”

“Our Heavenly Father.”

“But of course!”

“It was a quote of Isaiah 45:15 in the New International Version (NIV) of His Holy Bible.”

“Man, talk about mysterious ways. I wonder why He would do that?”

“In order to make it easier to recognize His voice.”

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

“The reason why our Heavenly Father will often directly quote what He had written about Himself in His Holy Scriptures.”

“By quoting the New International Version?”

“Along with several other reputable versions: depending upon the personal familiarity of the individual at hand.”

“Many (if not: most) Protestants would argue that the King James 1611 Authorized Version (KJV) is the only reputable version of the Holy Bible; and then there are all of those Catholics, Orthodox and others who also have their Apocrypha.”

“Since even the earliest of the texts that were employed to compile all of the reputable versions of our Heavenly Father’s Holy Bible (including the King James 1611 Authorized Version) are probably copies of copies of copies of the original texts: how can anyone have any confidence in any of them without the witness of His Holy Spirit?”

“Well, all of that sounds very interesting; but I was actually wondering about why He would want to hide Himself?”

“In order to truly receive love that is freely given from us.”

“What?”

“It is in order to truly receive love that is freely given from us that is the reason for why our Heavenly Father chose to hide Himself.”

“What about Him being too holy to be in the presence of sin?”

“Yes, it has been widely taught that it is because of sin entering into this world that our Heavenly Father had to leave; but there is really nothing unto it.”

“It must be lonely at the top.”

“What do you mean?”

“You being right; and everyone else being wrong.”

"No, it is not like that; but even if it was: it would not be the first time for such an occurrence. Take Noah for an example.”

“Hardly enough people to count.”

"Not that it should matter; but be assured that the same cannot be said of what happened with the Prophet Jeremiah.”

“Refresh my memory.”

“Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem, look around and consider, search through her squares. If you can find but one person who deals honestly and seeks the truth, I will forgive this city. Although they say, ‘As surely as the Lord lives,’ still they are swearing falsely.” O Lord, do not your eyes look for truth? You struck them, but they felt no pain; you crushed them, but they refused correction. They made their faces harder than stone and refused to repent. I thought, “These are only the poor; they are foolish, for they do not know the way of the Lord, the requirements of their God. So I will go to the leaders and speak to them; surely they know the way of the Lord, the requirements of their God.” But with one accord they too had broken off the yoke and torn off the bonds.”

“Then what happened?”

“The land and the people were delivered into the hands of King Nebuchadrezzar of Babylon; and the city of Jerusalem was laid waste."

“Hmm, not so different from Abraham and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.”

"Alas, is not the story of Jeremiah and Jerusalem even more compelling? For with the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah: the number went from fifty down to ten; and those cities were truly dens of iniquity. Whereas: with the city of Jerusalem the number was only one; and it was supposed to be a center of righteousness.”

“Okay, maybe there have been some situations when only one person was in the right while everyone else were in the wrong; but I still don’t see how you can say that there is really nothing to what has been so widely taught about God being too holy to be in the presence of sin!”

"How could there be? For if it is possible for Satan, the devil himself, to enter into our Heavenly Father’s presence (even while He is sitting upon His throne in His Kingdom of Heaven): how could it ever be impossible for any of us to enter into His very presence?”

“Maybe Heaven serves as some sort of neutral ground?”

“Come on now.”

“I assume that you are referring to the account recorded in the Book of Job of a couple of times when God called all of the angels to appear before Him and Satan was also in attendance?”

“I am.”

“Perhaps it had something to do with it being a special day?”

“I would think that any day in our Heavenly Father’s presence would be a special day.”

“Get back to me on that when Judgment Day rolls around.”

"All who are truly in Christ will not be judged.”

“Didn't your parents also teach you that no one really likes a know-it-all?”
“I seem to recall them saying something or another about the subject a few thousand times.”

“And yet you still insist upon presenting yourself as having an answer for everything.”

“Only unto the extent of the knowledge and understanding that I have been given.”

“And you say that the reason for why the Lord God Almighty hides Himself is in order to truly receive love that is freely given from us?”

“Yes.”

“That doesn't make any sense to me.”

“Being as honest as you can possibly be: how do you think you would react unto seeing our Heavenly Father if He appeared before you in all of His most awesome glory?”

“Honestly?”

“As much as you can possibly be.”

“I would probably be scared stiff!”

“And after the initial shock wore off?”

“That would probably take awhile.”

“Stretch your imagination.”

“Quite awhile.”

“Try harder.”

“Okay, to tell you the truth: I can’t imagine doing anything, except for maybe planting my face in the dirt and hoping for the best.”

“Whereas: there would be others who would only want to bow down before our Heavenly Father for their own personal gain.”

“So?”

“Anything that comes from fear or greed is really nothing to have and to hold.”

“Certainly a matter of opinion.”

“A good one: I trust.”

“Not everyone sees things as you do.”

“Now would be a good time to discuss the kind of faith that truly is of our Heavenly Father.”

“The kind that is not blind, nor deaf?”

“That would be the kind: be assured.”

“Surely you jest.”

“Not about this!”

“Oh, I've got to hear this.”

“For it truly is as it is written: Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a Faith as precious as ours: grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”

“I’m not following you.”

“The absolute truth of the matter truly is that the kind of faith that truly comes from our Heavenly Father is based upon knowledge and understanding: not mere belief.”

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but everlasting life.”

“And who can believe in Him without the help of His Holy Spirit?”

“So: believing is seeing after-all?”

“No, this is not to say that everything is always right out in the open. For if we can clearly see what we hope for: the need for hope is greatly diminished; and it is in this hope that we are saved from eternal damnation.”

“What was that?”

“What was what?”

“What you said about hope.”

“That if we can clearly see what we hope for: the need for hope is greatly diminished?”

“No, the other thing that you said about hope.”

“That it is in this hope that we are saved from eternal damnation?”

“I thought it is supposed to be that we are saved by grace through faith?”

“It is; but that does not change anything. For the true definition of faith truly is as it is written: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Furthermore: it is also by our Heavenly Father’s grace, through our having full and complete faith in Him, that keeps us safe and secure in His arms forever and ever. AMEN!!!”

“Huh?”

“As it is with our marriage vows, and the way they are meant to be followed: so is it also with our relationship with our Heavenly Father.”

“Now: I am not one to necessarily agree with the doctrine of once saved/always saved; but when it comes to eternity: I don’t even want to think about the possibility of being involved in some sort of a divorce!”

“Without that: all that our Heavenly Father has subjected Himself (and us) unto in this world would be rather meaningless.”

“Hey, as long as I’m kept out of Hell, I couldn’t care less about what particular details may be involved.”

“Be assured that our Heavenly Father does. For He wants more than mere co-existence with us.”

“How much more can He want?”

“He wants our hearts, and our souls, and our minds.”

“But aren’t we created to be His children by faith?”

“Yes.”

“And doesn’t the Bible say something or another about a son being a part of the family forever, which could be construed as saying that a child of His is His child forever?”

“Yes; and great will be our Heavenly Father’s joy when the time comes for Him to gather all of His children by faith unto Himself: be assured. Nonetheless: be also assured that there is a rest of the story unto this. For it would not fulfill His purposes to force anyone to spend all of eternity with Him in His Kingdom of Heaven as an heir unto all that is His in glory. Therefore: only those who want to truly be one of His children by faith will be welcome to do so.”

“Who in their right-mind wouldn’t?”

"I would think that no one in their right-mind would; but the gates must still be left open in order to maintain the integrity of the relationship between us and our Heavenly Father.”

"The integrity of the relationship?”

“One based upon love and affection: not upon an inherent right, nor some sort of a rite of passage.”