Jesus Christ: The Tree of Life - 4

Now we have God no longer on the scene in Eden, at least not in the way He was at times directly communicating with Adam.

At that time, the serpent starts to communicate with Eve concerning the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Notice how there isn't anything mentioned about the Tree of Life again.

The entire purpose of the conversation was for Satan to get the attention of Eve solely on the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, in order that she wouldn't think of the Tree of Life.

Paul said in 2 Corinthians 11:3, that he was jealous over them with a godly jealousy, and promised them to one husband: Christ. He wanted to present them as a pure virgin to Christ, but now he was afraid that in the similar way Eve was deceived by the cunning of Satan, their minds would also be led astray from the sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

We get a glimpse into the tree of the knowledge of good and evil here, where it was the opposite of the Tree of Life. The tree of the knowledge of good and evil gets you away from simplicity and sincerity, and into mixture, as far as in relationship with Christ. It makes things complicated and heady. If your life is complicated, you may want to take a look at which tree you're eating from as well.

Jesus said this in a different way when Martha protested her sister not helping her because she sat at the feet of Jesus listening to Him teach. Jesus' response was that there was nothing else that really mattered, and He wouldn't take that away from Mary.

A people centered around Christ is all that matters. That's the battle that was going on from the first interaction between man and Satan, and it's still the same battle raging today. Satan is still tempting us to look to the tree of the knowledge of good and evil at the expense of Christ Himself.

Jesus Christ: The Tree of Life Series

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Jesus Christ: The Tree of Life - 3

One interesting thing when reading the story about Adam and Eve and the tree of life, is God never said a thing about it. Read it and see at the beginning. It is mentioned that the tree of life was in the center of the garden, but it doesn't say God communicates anything about that to Adam - before the bringing to life of Eve, or afterwards. It only says they can eat of any tree in Eden, with the exception of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Another interesting and enlightening part of the story, is right next to the tree of life in the center of the garden, is the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Both are said to be in the center of the garden, which means they were side by side.

That seems to speak to them being competitive in nature, and opposing possibilities.

I've heard some say that the reason it was sin to partake in it was because mankind prematurely reached for knowledge before partaking of life. I think that's completely wrong and false. Those who assert that are intellectuals who attempt to justify their way of thinking and interaction with the scriptures. They're wrong.

How do I know they're wrong? Look at the last part of the book of Revelation. Along with the throne being in the center of New Jerusalem, there is also the tree of life and the river. Where do you see the tree of the knowledge of good and evil? It's not there. And it's not there because it doesn't belong there.

Inside this city, which is the people of God, there is only one tree, and that tree is Jesus Christ - the tree of life. To say the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was a separate part of God is ridiculous to assert.

That would mean that Jesus Christ as the word of God really didn't contain the full thought of the Father. When Jesus said He and the Father were one, He was saying if you see Me you see the Father. To make it look like there was something more to the Father that was kept from Christ wouldn't make any sense, and would make Jesus a liar, or minimally confused. We know that isn't true, so these types of assertions are wrong, and the people making them confused.

When Jesus is referred to as the word of God, it means everything that God had to say in and through Him was represented; that's why Jesus is called the Word of God. He was the full representation of who the Father was. So to have a second tree being something of God but not represented by the life of the Father in Christ would be complete confusion and contrary to what the scriptures reveal throughout them of Christ.

The trees were two competing life forms, or rather, two ways of living. Life is defined by Christ as fellowship with the Godhead and man, so life in that sense can't be ascribed to the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Just like Satan exists, but he's not life, but rather murder and death. Because something's alive doesn't mean it gives life. That's why Adam was commanded by God to guard the garden, which he immediately failed to do.

So here we are in the garden of Eden where God put Adam and Eve, and we have all this abundance available as expressed by God through trees to eat, with only one guideline: that they refrain from eating from one tree. That was it!

In the middle of paradise where mankind was placed, we have the history of man about to be decided, as the great enemy of manking attempts to immediately move them off of the eternal purpose of God, which as we know now, he was successful in doing.

It all centered around what man was going to internalize. God was saying we have to be careful what we eat, and He wasn't talking about natural food for the body.

Jesus Christ: The Tree of Life Series

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Jesus Christ: The Tree of Life - 2

Adam and Eve
One important thing to consider when looking at the beginning of things, as far as creation goes, was the pinnacle of creation: man. So when we look at Adam and Eve at the beginning, we see the representatives of all of mankind.

What's important to know about them, before sin, is while they were made in the image of God, their makeup wasn't in the proper order yet. One thing had to be done before that would be accomplished.

Before we get into that, let's look at Adam and Eve first. At this point of their existence, they're unique to human history, there never will be two human beings like them again; but neither was there ever meant to be.

Adam and Eve were sinless, but incomplete. They were innocent, but not harmless. They had a future, but that future hadn't yet been decided yet. In other words, even though they were sinless, they hadn't taken action yet that would perpetuate that sinlessness and enter into intimate fellowship with God.

They had fellowship with Him, but it wasn't anywhere near to the closeness they could have; it was only an outward fellowship, even though they saw Him with their natural eyes and talked with Him.

Another thing to consider is they not only saw God, but they saw the heavenly realms themselves, as Eden was a place where Heaven and Earth met. They saw the angelic hosts, as well as everything that heaven was.

The problem for Adam and Eve was they hadn't internalized God yet, their spirits hadn't been made alive, and so at this point their soul was predominant, even though there was no sin in the world or in them. God had meant that our spirits would be the predominant feature of our makeup, with our souls submitted and listening to Christ within, while our bodies then responded to the practical outworking of that fellowship.

At this time Adam and Eve were sinless, but the proper order within man hadn't been established. Until that happened, they wouldn't be able to successfully respond to the things God had required or expected of them.

Why did God create mankind this way? Why didn't He create them with His life in them from the beginning? The answer is that the life they were to internalize wasn't created life, so creation was separate from it, and man had to willingly partake of that life and internalize it.

That life was eternal and had existed forever; with no beginning or end. It couldn't be part of creation because it was uncreated, had always been, and was eternal. That life was God Himself.

So while man was created originally in the image of God, the order of God could only happen when man participated in the inner life of God by internalizing that life. To do that, Adam and Eve had to eat of the tree of life. They never took that step. They chose another life instead.

Next post we'll get more into what it was they chose and why.

Jesus Christ: The Tree of Life Series

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Jesus Christ: The Tree of Life - 1

Over the next several posts we'll take a look at Jesus Christ as the Tree of Life. Having insight into, and embracing Christ as the Tree of Life is extremely valuable; especially in this age of instant communication, where not only the volume of news and communication can overwhelm people, but the nature and content of that communication as well.

The reason the Tree of Life was in the center of the garden of Eden was because He was meant to be the center of all life. While that has been true in eternity, it is true as well in the created world we live on.

Just about everything that surrounds us can move us off the important reason and purpose for our existence: intimate fellowship with the Godhead. Christ represents that as the Tree of Life.

Only internalizing the fruit of that Tree could give us the life we were created to live. Adam and Eve failed to do it, and chose a different course, a course most continue to follow to this day, even though they take the name of Christ upon them.

I believe that there is no hope for someone refusing to internalize Christ as their life. When I say no hope, I mean by that not being able to consciously live by another life within us. We'll be tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine blowing around out there. Our lives will be a continuous exercise in futility and frustration as we can't figure out why when we're believers in Christ, we seem to never have the peace, rest and satisfaction that should come with that.

We'll consume the knowledge of good and evil that will always produce death rather than life. It's an endless circle when that route is taken, and you can't get off it unless you choose the Tree of Life over that.

We're not simply talking about someone getting saved; that's simply the doorway into what we were meant to be and focus on: the eternal purpose. It gets us right with God so we can get back to what our true calling really is.

Jesus Christ is the Tree of Life, and unless we pursue internalizing Him and fellowshipping with Him inside of us, we'll be on a journey of never being fulfilled, as the purpose we were created for isn't understood or embraced.

When I mention pursuing internalizing Him above, I mean by that allowing Him to change us within, and into His image; not just positionally, but in practice. To do that we must fellowship and be with Him at all times.

So in these next several posts we'll talk about Adam and Eve at the beginning, what happened in the Garden, and what it is they saw when tempted.

Jesus Christ: The Tree of Life Series
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6
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A Place Where Christians and Christianity Must Go!

When the church has seen the Lord and responded to Him outside of any system or in an organized manner, they never think of themselves as being named anything ... as far as many Christians today would think in terms of some type of denominational tie, or an independently named group.

Some may think of this as trivial, but in reality it's an extremely important part of seeing the Lord and who He is. God can't and shouldn't be separated from Himself by people creating names as their corporate identity, rather than simply bearing the name of the Lord; meaning there is no such thing as a name other than believers, Christians or brethren.

Those churches that have existed organically throughout the centuries weren't the ones who named themselves, rather their detractors have named them, and many times it was meant to be a derogatory statement about them. Even when the believers at Antioch were first called Christians, it wasn't meant to be a compliment, it was a cut against them for how committed they were to Christ; although those naming them such considered it an insult.

While this is no new call or understanding, it is something that Christianity has been challenged with before, and yet most continue to disobey and separate themselves through denominational or independent names.

What needs to happen, is that all Christians and Christian workers would abandon denominations and names, and start to fellowship in Christ alone. That by itself would revolutionize Christianity, and an extraordinary result would take place.

Of course most won't heed this ongoing call, as they want to remain in the status quo of their comfort zone. Don't let that stop you from seeing this though.

People that always say they're bible believing Christians continue to disobey Paul's admonition to the Corinthians concerning a party spirit, which dealt with dissension and denominating among themselves, or as it's known today: division.

Naming a body of believers as something is direct disobedience to what Paul had to say. As soon as you name yourselves something, you immediately attempt to draw up what makes you different from others, which ensures the divisive spirit and practices will continue on.

God's people need to have a work within them that destroys this idea of separation from other believers. Believers naming themselves something is just the inevitable outworking of that carnality that separates and divides believers.

Imagine a Christian world that take up no other name than Christ, and which people fellowship together solely based on Him and His life within one another.

It may not happen across the whole world, but it could happen with you. This is one more vital are we need to reclaim and live out in Christ.

That the Lord would bring us into this reality again, where only He and He alone is the purpose for our existence and fellowship together.

What is Acts 29 Review?

This site is called Acts 29 Review because it's a declaration that Jesus Christ is continuing to work with His people, and the story of the church and its purpose didn't end at the closing of the last words of Acts.

God  continues to write his story in the hearts of people willing to listen and respond. That's why Paul said concerning the churches he planted that they were a letter written for all men to read. That letter is to be Jesus Christ Himself worked into a people, being seen and read by all who view them.

That's the essence of what the narrative of Acts was and why the Holy Spirit, through Luke, wrote it. That narrative is still being written today, although the vast majority of those calling themselves Christians don't want to be in the story as Christ wants it written.

This blog or website exists so it can be understood that the people of God  are meant to continue on in their testimony of Jesus Christ. Not simply as words repeated from bible versus, but by a people that embrace those words and Christ in obedience. Then as we're changed into His image, reflecting who He is to the people on this earth.

That's a story that will never end, and needs again to be embraced by the real followers of Jesus Christ.

The bottom line in the Church and all of life on this earth for believers is this: "While there was some initial testimony, the Apostles did not formulate in conference an enterprise, a mission, with all the related arrangements and organization. The new Life forced off the old leaves and dressed the new organism with a new vesture from within. The might, energy and urge of the Holy Spirit within produced a Way and an order, un-thought-of, unintended by them, and always to their own surprise. What was happening was really that Christ was taking form within them, individually and corporately, by new birth and growth. The believers and the companies were becoming an expression of Christ." - T. Austin-Sparks

That all begins in the individual believer, and when those carrying the life of Christ within them find one another; a city can truly be found whose builder and maker is God.

From there the life of Christ spreads out and permeates all the areas of life that are touched by His people. Eventually the knowledge of the Lord will fill the earth and everyone will know Him from the least to the greatest. In other words, Jesus will become Lord over all areas of our lives. He is of course already Lord of all, but it must be worked out practically in our daily lives.

With that in mind, we'll talk about the life of Christ within and how He overflows without to touch the world with Himself. From there His kingdom comes and will is done on the earth as it is in heaven.

It points to the answer to the prayer Jesus taught us to pray: "They kingdom come and thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." It's a prayer that He will respond to and answer on our behalf, for His sake. This will continue to be the case until Jesus calls everyone out of the grave at the end of time.

Until then, He will continue to work to conform His people to His image, that He may be all in all.

Part of that conformity is to exercise our kingly authority by taking dominion over God's creation. We were created to do so, and those willing to prepare for and take on that responsibility, are on the threshold of ruling and reigning in this life by Christ Jesus in a way they never understood , saw, or believed possible.

The kingdom of God is rising. Yes, it starts within, but like the high priest moving from the Holy of Holies to the outer court of the physical creation, so is Jesus Christ moving from within His people to the outer courts of the world.

There will be the inevitable clash of the kingdoms, but there is no doubt who the victor will be, as we work from the victory already accomplished by Christ.

Acts 29 Review exists to help navigate the dominion waters; putting into context the meaning of the many battles while they are being fought, and to enter into the conflict as well.

So don't be afraid of the weaponization of the followers of Jesus Christ. It was inevitable that the time would come when people and events would require and demand a response, and that time is now.

By weaponization, I'm referring to testing down enemy strongholds and obliterating them. We should ask for no quarter and give no quarter. More than any time in history, the time for mixture is past. We aren't of this world, and it has nothing to offer the followers of Jesus Christ.

Those attempting to placate and negotiate will find themselves overwhelmed. The battle lines have already been drawn, our families under siege, and our children and grandchildren abandoning God.

I have not interest in taking over the corrupt institutions of this world, but rather in seeing a birthing of the kingdom of God outside of them. In other words, alternative education, distribution channels and churches, among numerous other areas of life.

God will be all in all. Let us engage the enemy and open our own hearts to God so this will become a reality on earth, as it is in heaven.

We'll also talk about the evil that is permeating the world; exposing it, challenging it, praying against it, and finally, looking for ways we can do something about it.


If you're interested in more, contact me at this email address:

Contact: geeb@hotmail.com

Why God not Dwelling in Temples made with Hands is so Important

Many times when talking about the practices of Christianity - especially what are wrongly called "churches" - referring to buildings, it can seem to be a irrelevant point, as it was just the way things were done back at the beginning of the church.

That would be wrong thinking, as the revelation that God doesn't dwell in special buildings wasn't something related to the culture of that day, or lack of money to build some type of special building, it is something that has always been part of the very heart of God.

Steven died defending this fact, with Saul - whose name would be changed to Paul - listening and looking on. He would have never done that if it wasn't crucial to the people of God.

Calling a building a church is a horrid idea and thought, and needs to be wiped out of our way of life and thinking. It contradicts "everything" the New Testament says about what the church is.

God always had the eternal thought in Him that He would dwell within a people; to be in intimate union with them, fellowshipping on an ongoing, daily basis. What does that have to do with a building? Absolutely nothing.

So what these buildings do is take away from what it is God really wants to experience together with us, which is sharing and living His life within a people, i.e. dwelling.

When people think going to a building has anything to do with what the church is, they think they've discharged the will and purpose of God during a couple hours a week, and then go on living in a false sense of personal satisfaction and gratification, thinking God is pleased with them.

God is after much more than going to an edifice, He created us so that He could live in an intimate relationship with us: individually and corporately. That's why there was never a special building with the idea of it being a church. That idea never entered into the thought of Christians before Constantine turned them to it.

While early Christians got off track in other areas before Constantine, this wasn't one of them. He built what was the first special buildings eventually called a "church." It was an historical, monumental disaster.

The point in continuing to talk about this? We must open ourselves to what it is that God intended before creation and time. These buildings and what is practiced in them is one of the greatest hindrances to that happening.

Miley Cyrus Thanks Jesus for her Success - Great Example

At the Kids Choice awards last night, popular singer and entertainer Miley Cyrus, of Hannah Montana fame, took home two trophies for favorite TV actress and favorite female singer.

What was especially nice to see was when she was awarded with her hardware, she thanked several people, including her mom and dad, and then finished saying, "and my lord and savior Jesus Christ."

Pretty neat to see a young lady of her age and celebrity status unashamed of acknowleding Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior.

When you consider the young people that look up to her, it's an extraordinary situation that could make an immeasurable impact in the years ahead. I don't think I'm overstating that when I say it.

People of this age will remember these times and the words people they look up to say. Of course the Holy Spirit brings people into remembrance of these things as well.

If God doesn't Dwell in Temples made with Hands, then what are you doing there?

When Steven was taken into custody and false witnesses arrayed against him, he began his defense of the accusations against himself.

Toward the end of his discourse, Steven had this to say about the temple:

“Our fathers had the tabernacle of testimony in the wilderness, just as He who spoke to Moses directed him to make it according to the pattern which he had seen.

“And having received it in their turn, our fathers brought it in with Joshua upon dispossessing the nations whom God drove out before our fathers, until the time of David.

“David found favor in God’s sight, and asked that he might find a dwelling place for the God of Jacob.

“But it was Solomon who built a house for Him.

“However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands; as the prophet says:

"‘Heaven is my throne, and earth is the footstool of my feet; what kind of house will you build for me?' says the Lord, or what place is there for my repose? Was it not my hand which made all these things?'"

This statement by Steven was what eventually led to his death at the hands of the Jews, as he was basically tearing down the entire temple system of that day.

It was there that he followed up with his analysis of the condition of the Jews listening to him saying: “You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did. Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? They killed those who had previously announced the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become; you who received the law as ordained by angels, and yet did not keep it.”

The final sealing of Steven's fate was when he saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God, saying, “Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” That's when they took him and murdered him by stoning.

Steven throughout his entire talk to the Jewish leaders was concerning God doing a work in the earth, and the Jews always resisting that work.

It culminated in the final subject where he got to what the charges against him were about: God doesn't dwell in temples made with hands (or houses). He of course meant special buildings built to be considered the place God lived; as if God like to fill up empty, physical structures.

The false witnesses against Steven accused him in this way earlier in the narrative: “This man incessantly speaks against this holy place and the Law; for we have heard him say that this Nazarene, Jesus, will destroy this place and alter the customs which Moses handed down to us.”

It's interesting in what they accused Steven of, because in essence that's probably what he did say ... referencing the time Jesus said he'd destroy the Jewish temple and be raised up as the real temple: Himself.

That's why they hated it so much when Steven said he saw Jesus standing on the right hand of God. The true, living temple had risen, and the former types and shadows were now meaningless.

So with that being the case, why do we continue to resist in our day the reality which Steven died for back then, that God doesn't dwell in temples made with hands?

I go back to my question then: If God doesn't dwell in temples made with hands, what are you doing there?