Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
God's word usually has two meanings, one about our world and one about spiritual things, so your and his/her understanding are correct.
Dear soberxp,
Sorry for the delay. I've been busy with my website for the past 3 months and have just now had the time to come back to the forum.
As for your comment, the words of Christ (spirit words,
John 6:63) usually have two meanings". However, both of the meanings apply
within a single person. One meaning is the "
natural/old" and one is "
spiritual/new".
The
concept presented by Paul in the verse below applies:
1Cor 15:46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
Here are a few examples of
spirit words that have a
natural and spiritual application. These words are being used in the
celestial analogy.
2Pet 3:7 But the (natural/old) heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
2Pet 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the (natural/old) heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the (natural/old) earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth (the spiritual), wherein dwelleth righteousness.
The spirit word (symbol) "earth" can represent either the Old Earth (natural) or the New Earth (spiritual).
The symbol "earth" represents mankind's "spirit".
In the
natural state, the earth represents the marred spirit of mankind which has a carnal & religious spiritual nature. This is the
Old Earth.
In the
spiritual state, the earth represents the the new spirit of the children of God (a converted person) which has a divine spiritual nature. This is the
New Earth.
During an Elect person's process of conversion, the Old Earth will be destroyed/darkened and replaced with the New Earth.
Also contained in the celestial analogy, there is a natural
sun, moon and stars which shine their light upon the natural/old earth. This is Satan's celestial kingdom.
Also in the celestial analogy, there is a spiritual
sun, moon and stars which shine their light upon the spiritual/new earth. This is Christ's celestial kingdom (Kingdom of Heaven).
The natural sun represents Satan, the natural moon represents the Old Covenant of Law and the natural stars represents the fallen angels/unclean spirits.
The spiritual sun represents Christ, the spiritual moon represents the New Covenant of Grace through Faith and the spiritual stars represent the holy angels (clean spirits).
Both suns and moons are mentioned in the scripture below that is teaching on conversion:
Isa 60:18 Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise. 19 The (natural) sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the (natural) moon give light unto them: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory. 20 Thy (spiritual) sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy (spiritual) moon withdraw itself: for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended.
During the conversion process, the natural sun and moon are said to be darkened because the person who is being converted will no longer receive their light (false truth) from them.
In the scripture below, Christ uses the natural sun, moon and stars in his teaching on the conversion process:
Mat 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the (natural) sun be darkened, and the (natural) moon shall not give her light, and the (natural) stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
Peter mentions the natural earth, sun and moon in his conversion speech:
Acts 2:14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: 15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. 16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: 19 And I will show wonders in heaven (Satan's celestial kingdom) above, and signs in the (old) earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke: 20 The (natural) sun shall be turned into darkness, and the (natural) moon into blood, BEFORE the great and notable Day of the Lord come come: 21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Can you discern which earth (old or new) is being used in the verse below?
Isa 26:9 With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the EARTH, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.
Joe