Nick, you seem to be under the impression that all of humanity’s evolution (be it physical or spiritual) is strictly limited to the “interior” of this universe, whereas the Biblical passage you quoted is referencing two completely different settings (or “dimensions”) of reality.Nick_A wrote: ↑Fri Sep 01, 2017 9:22 pm The universe as I've come to understand it, consists of levels of reality reflecting a chain of being and a conscious hierarchy. The earth as a plane of existence is unique in that it potentially connects the mechanical evolution we are aware of with the human potential for conscious evolution.
Man is dual natured. We re born as reacting animals and creatures of the earth with the potential for conscious evolution.
Jesus explains the transition. Animal man is born of women and its greatest being is limited by mechanical evolution. The first level of conscious evolution is greater than the height of mechanical evolution.John 11: 11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Furthermore, if you are going to cherry-pick Bible verses to support your argument (something that I too am guilty of), then Philippians 3:21 speaks of how God (or Jesus - as a rhetorical representative of the Godhead) is going to:
(meaning our “physical” body)Bible wrote: “...change our vile body...”
Keep in mind that God’s “glorious body” (according to Panentheism) is the universe.Bible wrote: “...that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body...”
Look again at the visual metaphors I’ve been using, especially this one...
...and notice how perfectly it describes the inevitable “...changing of our vile bodies...” into that whose “image” we have been created.
Humanity’s position on the ascending ladder of consciousness represents a “threshold-crossing” level of being, because...
(As always, if the dialogue is not readable, then click on the link, here - http://theultimateseeds.com/Images/6%20 ... e%2089.jpg - and expand the image.)
You need to re-adjust your thinking to understand that our true and “eternal” evolution is going to take place in a context that is “above and outside” of the dark and limited confines of this universe.
More cherry-picking:
Bible wrote: “...For in him we live, and move, and have our being...for we are also his offspring...”
Bible wrote: “...Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.”
Bible wrote: “...it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”
_______Bible wrote: “...we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye...”