"ATTAIN UNTO: KINGDOM, LIFE, GOD!"

Funny how we tend to "see" how we're "raised"! We kinda "grow" as we're "bent". Like the art of "bonsai". What you "see" is what we've "become"; and what we've "become" is an extrapolation of how we were "raised".

From the moment I was "born again" in the Kingdom of God my "formula" was the Revised Standard Version of the Bible. I didn't used to think of myself as much of a Bible student, but I soon desiccated my copy with notes galore and wear & tear. Later, I began using the Companion Bible because of its wealth of support and background information. But it was a King James Version.

My, what a difference. It was as though I could now speak two distinct dialects of the same root language. I began to "see" whole other "worlds" of possibilities brought to "light" by one in contrast to the other. It had the effect of causing me to dig, dig, dig.

There are some "views" (perspectives) that are "hidden" from one version or the other. For instance, let me cite an example found in Lk 20:34-38 "And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection. Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him."

Now the same text in R.V.: "The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage; but those who are accounted worthy to attain to (unto) that age and to (unto) the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage, for they cannot die any more, because they are equal to angels, and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the passage about the bush, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living; for all live to (unto) him."

Notice the 3 (attain) (un)to's in the R.V. which do not appear in the K.J.? Long ago, I found these significant enough to make a note of these 3.

"That age" (to come) is the Kingdom of Christ. That "resurrection" (to come) is the Life of Christ-Indwelling NewBorn believers. So it is that Jesus announces that man will be enabled (as equal [like-unto] the angels, or "sons of God") to "attain unto" God's 1- Kingdom; 2-Life; and "Live unto" 3-God HimSelf.

Jesus Christ IS the Resurrection, the King, the Life, God HimSelf and MARRIAGE. "Jesus" / "Christ" MEANS the marriage of God-in-man!

This story discusses a rather rancorous issue which divided the Sadducean ruling-class from the Pharisean priest-class: namely, resurrection. But it also points to their common problem which Jesus calls (the 4th) "leaven" in Mt 16:6 "Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees -->and<-- of the Sadducees."

They both codified the Law of God. And by such perversion, twisted it so that the "letter slew the Spirit"! It was only a short step from there to replacing it altogether with their own traditions, and voiding God's Law entirely.

As they replaced God as "law-givers", Jesus tells them they are "of this world and their father, the devil"! We are to avoid touching this "leaven" as though it were the very plague of "Black Death" itself.

Our (mortal) "touch" kills such "manna from Heaven" as is every Word from God's Mouth Which is our "daily Bread". It is by our baptism into Christ's death we "attain" unto His "kingdom; Life; HimSelf". So let us remain dead to self, Live unto Him, as we walk His Life! How?? As follows:

Luke 14:27 (KJS) And whosoever doth ==>not bear his cross, and ==>come [follow] after me, ==>cannot be my disciple. ["CANNOT!"]

Luke 9:23 (KJS) And he said to [them] all, ==>If any [man] will ==>come [follow] after me, let him (1)==>deny himself, and (2)==>take up his cross ==>daily, and (3)==>follow me. ["DAILY!"]

No mere "suggestion" here, or just "good advice"; Jesus puts real "Teeth" into these two Commands! How?? Just AS HE SAYS!; DAILY!

If your "church" or "pastor" is not teaching this [and Jesus Said it to "ALL"; don't you think you should find out WHY NOT?? And if they [or you] do not fully understand what Jesus MEANS here, don't you think you should ASK GOD to Reveal His Meaning to you? WILL you Let God's Living-Mystery [His Word-Will] "have It's Way WITH you?" And if you gave your life to Jesus Christ, don't you think it about time you "turned-LOOSE" of its CONTROL to Him??

Pray about it!; and GodBless your QUEST for Truth.