Grace: Times Seven
©copyright 2004 Bonita M Quesinberry, R.C.
From upon His throne in a far, lofty place,
God deemed favor and for a few bestows grace;
each to perform proper actions for all time,
by power of only He who is divine:
encouraged in law to a heart strong and pure,
through all pain and persecution they endure.
According to definition, God is grace:
a total sense of right and proper His base;
thus, to whom He chooses He offers mercy:
once twice dead, now given a short clemency.
Yeshua always has been gracious to man:
all those who do not deem His law as now banned.
Grace is times seven, in more ways than just one,
for a set number of years 'til all is done.
ONE began in Eden with Adam and Eve;
cast out, instead of death, for she'd been deceived.
No longer reaping an abundance of earth,
Adam would till the land and Eve suffer birth.
TWO: Cain slew Abel yet lived as deported.
THREE: Noah built the Ark, God's Word supported.
FOUR: Moses lived to be raised Pharaoh's grandson;
then, FIVE, he led the Jews to birth God's Son.
SIX was Jesus coming to still His saints' fears.
SEVEN was Truth taught again for many years.
God's grace was extended to earth times seven;
and, there will not be another from heaven:
for now by seven, man must exhibit grace,
or they never will see God's all loving face.
There are seven steps of grace, you soon will see:
each level to separate wheat from the weed.
ONE: by grace are many called to salvation,
not yet chosen: God holds some reservation.
Still, TWO, by grace their belief is encouraged:
leading to the third step, if not discouraged.
So, THREE, each is led to obey all God's Laws,
directing them to step four, if there's no flaw.
Obedience will bring the Holy Spirit,
grace FOUR, to guide and teach: no need to fear it.
It's a nomination for chosen status,
a preferable condition of gratus;
but, it is not yet to life everlasting:
still two more steps before that granted casting.
Grace FIVE tests their level of devoted love;
a passing score results in gifts from above,
which marks grace SIX: chosen status now is gained
through persecution and spiritual pain.
Grace was temporary: now it's permanent,
their names written in heaven's firmament.
Still, there does remain God's SEVENTH act of grace:
to bring each chosen to His heavenly place;
the day Christ returns to take up His small flocks,
a time set by His Father, not by man's clocks.
Thus, according to the signs we see today,
it is any hour now when God will repay.
So by these seven graces, God's true measure,
upon which of His steps are you in pleasure?
Short of the sixth puts your life in danger sure,
for lack of attaining a heart and mind pure.
As Jesus, Father's Truth I do not debate;
for many prefer life outside Shaddai's gate.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Author notes
Contest Form: considered an Italian Sonnet, accordingly Meter 11
GRACE: n. [L. gratia, pleasing quality, favor, good will, thanks, etc. < gratus, pleasing], 3. a sense of what is right and proper; decency. 5. mercy; clemency. 6. a period of time granted beyond the date set for the performance of an act or the payment of an obligation; temporary exemption. 7. favor shown by granting such a delay. 11. in theology, 1) the unmerited love and favor of God toward man.
divine influence acting in man to make him pure and morally strong. C) the condition of a person thus influenced. EXP: have the grace: to be so aware of what is proper as (to do something). —Webster's New World Dictionary, Collegiate Edition
1. Yeshua is grace, for He has an absolute and pure sense of what is right and proper;
2. El mercifully offers grace to whom He chooses to follow His Son Jesus; thus,
3. Those, whom Eloi favors, who exemplify grace by being compelled to do what is right and proper according to Elohim's definition of right and proper— as opposed to mankind's flawed discernments— in accordance with Ishi's Twelve Commandments and defining judgments.
GOD'S GRACE EXTENDED TO EARTH SEVEN TIMES:
1. Genesis 3:16-19
2. Genesis 3:22-24
3. Genesis 4:11-16
4. Exodus 1:22; 2:2-3,8-10
5. Exodus 3:15-17
6. Matthew 26:55-56; 27:50; 28:19-20
7. Revelation 3:7-10; 10:11 (Philadelphia church age, 1844-1991 AD)
GOD'S SEVEN STEPS OF GRACE FOR THOSE CALLED: (II Peter 3:18)
1) GRACE then is granted to each INDIVIDUAL, by way of a CALL to the Lord's offer of salvation (I Peter 3:8-12); if the call is answered, then
2) GRACE is extended again to those answering, ENCOURAGING him or her TO BELIEVE; if God determines that he or she truly believes, then their past sins are forgiven (Acts 18:27-28; Romans 3:23-31; I Corinthians 15:10-11; Ephesians 2:4-10; Ephesians 6:24; II Peter 1:9); then,
3) GRACE is extended once more ENCOURAGING the believer TO BECOME wholly OBEDIENT to God's Law (Psalm 117:2; 119:142,151; 146:6; Proverbs 3:1-4,13,21-23,34~; Proverbs 4:2,4~,5-6,9; 16:6; Romans 2:12-13; 6:1-2,14-18; II Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 6:11-17; Galatians 1:6-8; I Thessalonians 5:21-22; II Thessalonians 2:15-17; I Timothy 4:16; Titus 1:14-16; 2:1,7-15; 3:1-8; Acts 21:24; Titus 2:1,7-15; Hebrews 4:1-11,16; 12:11,13-15; 13:9; James 1:25; 2:8-12,14,20,24,26; 4:4-5; I Peter 1:2,13-16,22; I John 2:3-7,15-16; 3:4-6,8; 5:2-3; II John v.6); if the person chooses to be obedient as shown, then
4) GRACE is extended yet again: SENDING the HOLY SPIRIT to this called believer TO GUIDE and TEACH, especially of God's mysteries, indicating he or she has been nominated for chosen status— a preferable condition in that it assures redemption when achieved (Colossians 1:5-6,8-9);
5) GRACE then is extended in the form of tests determining the nominee's level of love and devotion for God and His Son; (I Corinthians 3:9,11-13; II Corinthians 4:15-18; 6:1,3-10; 8:1-2; Ephesians 6:24; II Timothy 1:7-10; 2:1-9; Titus 3:1-8; Hebrews 2:9-12; 12:11,13-15; James 1:2-6; 4:6-7; I Peter 5:6-11); once LOVE and DEVOTION PROVEN, then finally,
6) GRACE is extended when the DEVOUT CALLED BELIEVER is ANOINTED with a gift or gifts, at the Spirit's discretion, to use in his or her mission on Christ's behalf: EVIDENCE OF having achieved CHOSEN status thus sealed with the seal of the One True Living God, GRACE NOW PERMANENT. (Psalm 84:11-12; Romans 12:1-3,~6; II Corinthians 1:21-22; Ephesians 4:7,11-16,23-24; I Peter 4:10-11
7) GOD'S FINAL ACT OF GRACE, at an appointed time known only to Him, is to REDEEM HIS CHOSEN people: His saints, the small flocks. (I Peter 13-16; Revelation 14:14-16)
The payment we owe for our sins is death, absolute permanent death. Grace temporarily is granted to a sinful individual called to salvation, which is to be forgiven of our sins committed prior to having been called— after answering El's summons.
Albeit, being called is to be not yet chosen. Therefore, should we not truly love the Lord with all our heart and all our mind and soul, thus definitively are not determined to obey ALL His Law— as one having been favored and despite the ridicule of others— then we lose grace: fall from grace, as it were. We no longer, then, are exempt from the penalty of death we owed for our past sins inasmuch as we continued in sin.
On the other hand, if we love Yeshua with all our heart and mind and soul and become wholly obedient, it is then and only then we actually are chosen: the sign of which is the receiving of the Holy Spirit as our guide and teacher who, later, will bestow upon us one or more gifts at the Lord's discretion: this latter being the actual anointing as well as sealing the individual so chosen.
In a chosen condition, we will not, definitely cannot, fall from grace: in other words, we no longer have a heart for sin and disobedience. Rather, our heart is devoted to pleasing Ishi, our spiritual husband. Hence, our temporary state of grace becomes permanent. Like Job, a chosen does ALL God's commands exactly as He cited them— no more and no less—avoids evil, or even the hint of it, at all costs, and does good works.
In a list
A contest entry
- God's Grace and Forgiveness Form Poetry by melphleg.
700 points, ended January 31, 11 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 12 of 12
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I love Him and I appreciate His grace. I have a question...do you think many will be saved in the end? Some say that the 144,000 and the great multitude are the same. I have a problem with that. For John, a man, heard their number and numbered them at 144,000. Yet, the great multitude, no man could number. Therefore, I believe the 144,000 are those sealed with the Sabbath seal, and the remaining multitude are those that must fall to be purified. Just my thoughts. Have you done much study into this?
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I detest the false teachings and interpretations flooding this world. The 144,000 are the only sealed ones still alive when Christ comes in the clouds; the millions of others are raised from their graves and taken up with the 144,000. Since Jesus, only 10% of the world's population has been sealed in every generation.
So, of the billions that will be alive when Christ comes, only 144,000 sealed will still be alive. The others sealed will have died or have been murdered by those thinking to have done it for God, but He does not know them. They will have suffered through the worst of these end days yet remained standing fast to God's Word; therefore, when we reach heaven, they will stand closest to the throne (last is first and first is last)
There is no second chance for anyone when Christ comes in the clouds. That's another of man's twisted interpretations. The Bible is clear; we will be escorted to heaven, where we will remain for 1000 years: during which time earth lies fallow, unable to support life, as it was in the beginning (Genesis) a void (i.e. abyss, bottomless pit).
As Christ crosses the skies taking up His small flocks, fire preceeds Him and the seventh vial plague follows in His wake: everything and everyone not taken up will lay dead from one end of earth to the other end: the eagles feast. It is written, these are God's Words, not mine. God gave mankind 6000 years to get it right and man slaughtered earth in that time: enough is enough. Jesus came once to teach. He will not do it again.
I hope I've made this clear for you, sweetheart. There is so much data, so incredibly many scriptures, that I'm attempting to put in such a small place that actually fills a book.
I love you! SisBon
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Quite clear, but now I am confused on another point. For I was understood that the 1000 reign would be set up on earth. IYA, I've got some studying to do...just when you think you understand...
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I appreciate the work that appears to have gone into this. You not only cover God's offering of grace 7 times but back your statements with references to scripture. It seems well researched. There are good reference to Biblical stories and characters which foreshadow God's grace through Christ. It is a well thought out statement of conviction.
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Thank you so much, Mel, for the encouraging review. The poem was drawn from 30 years of research and study; so, the poem was the easy part.
Luv & prayers, BonnieQ 
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I am profoundly touched by your words here, this is in credible teaching and reaching...you have delved into our very foundation and left us something impactful to experience...thank you-lots of love
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This poem is truly beautiful and one of the best statements of faith I have seen put to verse.
However; I was asked to be co-judge of this contest to determine the accuracy of form structure and not the beauty of the content.
You really need to edit this poem before the contest ends. When writing an epic or chain of sonnets they should be separated with roman numerals like Shakespeare did or individually titled like this AP poet did in this poem: http://allpoetry.com/poem/4699529
These sonnets are not penned in the Petrarchan or Italian form. The first 8 lines the “octave” although not in iambic pentameter are correct but you did not pen them with the correct rhyme scheme of: a b b a a b b a
The remaining 6 lines is called the sestet and can have either two or three rhyming sounds, arranged in a variety of ways:
c d c d c d
c d d c d c
c d e c d e
c d e c e d
c d c e d c
Yours are: a a b b c c
You’ll find the guidelines here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petrarchan_sonnet
In an epic each poem should be structured identical which yours are however rhyming couplets throughout a poem is not an accepted sonnet form.
I do want to give you applause for the beauty of the poem and the fantastic in depth research you included in your notes.
Love,
Amera♥
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Thank you, Amera, for the information about the Italian Sonnet. Unfortunately, I am as most poets here at All Poetry, untaught in the art and variety of forms. As you might have noticed, this piece was written almost 5 years ago but not posted here at A/P. When I read about the Italian Sonnet, I did not notice all the detail you have stated this poem is missing or done in error.
Since it is a teaching piece, I cannot change anything about it; for it was given by the Holy Spirit. Even King David had no specific form. So, again, I thank you for the information and do understand that it will not be considered for a trophy in this contest. My hope is that it will be read.
Luv in Christ, BonnieQ
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A sermon to teach all, masterfully crafted to give understanding. Teach it and preach it teacher, loved the form. Blessings.
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Thank you, SisD. Interesting you should call me teacher. It is one of my spiritual gifts tied to both prophecy and the "weightier matters of the Law" of which Jesus spoke. So, my task is to "snatch from the fire" by fear of God's wrath, while I feel yours is by God's love: each are necessary because of the differences in people and where they are in their lives.
Luv & hugs, SisBon
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A lesson in grace in and of itself! Well done and very informative! One can gain all the understanding they need within the authors notes on this piece! A whole sermon could and should be devoted to its' content!
Bravo... very thorough!
Much love,
Frogz~
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Thank you, sweetheart! Luv & hugs, MomB
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