SOUL in modern times is often confused with SPIRIT, but in all the ancient world the distinction was very clear: SOUL was the mediator between the SPIRIT and the MATTER, and man was viewed as the triune (three in one) beings with PHYSICAL body and eternal SPIRIT connected for the duration of a lifetime by SOUL.
In Genesis chapter six, we can visualize this distinction when spiritual beings married human beings. The PERVASIVE CORRUPTION of these different entities made GOD to bring a RADICAL CHANGE and JUDGMENT on HIS CREATION.
Genesis 6:1-2 When MEN began to increase in number ON THE EARTH and DAUGHTERS were BORN to them, the SONS OF GOD saw that the DAUGHTERS of men were BEAUTIFUL, and THEY MARRIED any of them they chose.
6:3 Then the Lord said, "MY SPIRIT will NOT CONTEND with MAN forever, for he IS MORTAL, his days will be a hundred and twenty years.
What is the meaning of this one hundred and twenty years? This represent in nature the bondage and open liberality of the SPIRIT of God in MEN through the Soul connected in JESUS, the only ONE of his kind, able to produce that kind of liberation. It was on the DAY of PENTECOST that the HOLY SPIRIT was poured out by JESUS CHRIST on the group of about one hundred and twenty disciples in the upper room at Jerusalem.
The Jews traditionally hold that Pentecost corresponded to the giving of the LAW at SINAI, when Israel became a distinguished people. The Israelites gathered at Sinai and received the Law. Just a MOSES as mediator was used to introduce Israel into the Law covenant, so JESUS CHRIST as MEDIATOR of his followers is now bringing them IN SPIRIT into a new covenant.
The presence of GOD's SPIRIT was manifested in miraculous speaking in different tongues by some one hundred twenty disciples. God prophesied in Genesis that this would happen and gave that length of spiritual time until the change was produced in the same number of disciples to make them acknowledgeable of the heavenly things through THE MEDIATOR, JESUS CHRIST. Having gone into the heavens with the VICTORY of HIS SACRIFICE, Jesus was able to bring his followers into a new dimension, God's new nation, God's "chosen ones," a "holy nation," a people for special possession.
1 Peter 2:4-12 As you come to Him, THE LIVING STONE - rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him - you also, like LIVING STONES, are being built into a SPIRITUAL house
.....(11) Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which WAR AGAINST your SOUL. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorified God...
I leave you now my followers and try to be strong in your souls, because the corruption of the world is always attacking in a very crafty way.
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