Beauty Out of the Ashes
Phoenix Nebulae, by Greg Martin
A phoenix is a mythical bird that is a fire spirit with a colorful plumage and a tail of gold and scarlet (or purple, blue, and green according to some legends). It has a 500 to 1000 year life-cycle, near the end of which it builds itself a nest of twigs that then ignites; both nest and bird burn fiercely and are reduced to ashes, from which a new, young phoenix or phoenix egg arises, reborn anew to live again. The new phoenix is destined to live as long as its old self. In some stories, the new phoenix embalms the ashes of its old self in an egg made of myrrh and deposits it in the Egyptian city of Heliopolis (literally “sun-city” in Greek). It is said that the bird’s cry is that of a beautiful song. In very few stories they are able to change into people.
The Roman poet Ovid wrote the following about the phoenix:
Most beings spring from other individuals; but there is a certain kind which reproduces itself. The Assyrians call it the Phoenix. It does not live on fruit or flowers, but on frankincense and odoriferous gums. When it has lived five hundred years, it builds itself a nest in the branches of an oak, or on the top of a palm tree. In this it collects cinnamon, and spikenard, and myrrh, and of these materials builds a pile on which it deposits itself, and dying, breathes out its last breath amidst odors. From the body of the parent bird, a young Phoenix issues forth, destined to live as long a life as its predecessor. When this has grown up and gained sufficient strength, it lifts its nest from the tree (its own cradle and its parent’s sepulchre), and carries it to the city of Heliopolis in Egypt, and deposits it in the temple of the Sun.
French author Voltaire also described the phoenix:
It was of the size of an eagle, but its eyes were as mild and tender as those of the eagle are fierce and threatening. Its beak was the color of a rose, and seemed to resemble, in some measure, the beautiful mouth of Formosante. Its neck resembled all the colors of the rainbow, but more brilliant and lively. A thousand shades of gold glistened on its plumage. Its feet seemed a mixture of purple and silver; and the tail of those beautiful birds which were afterwards fixed to the car of Juno, did not come near the beauty of its tail.
These stories of rebirth have evoked diverse evolutionary theories that assert periodically the earth, or perhaps even the universe, renews itself. The recent book by Stephen Hawking which has caused a great stir is the most recent interpretation of this concept. The proposed “bubble theory” of universe generation is the story of continual rebirth of universes.
There are those who believe the earth is now near the end of one of these mythical periods. Cable television has aired pseudo documentaries directed toward this end. There are even those who believe that until the “human” animal is destroyed the pristine condition of earth and the universe can not evolve to the next state.
Anti Christian and anti God forces (which are satanic and demonic), work diligently to destroy belief in the one true God. They have been able to “kick the theory up a notch” by suggesting that through properly directed education mankind (or actually a super elite group of mankind), can to evolve to god-like status. This would be, in essence, another “Mount Olympus” with an eternal human as Zeus.
“If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Psalms 11:3). In the struggle that has evolved in society, what is the person seeking righteousness to do? How can one remain sane and maintain balance? How is one to survive in the world developing on the horizon?
Self examination is the way to godliness. The world would have us believe the psyche is the inner being which needs restructuring through self criticism. This is where the term “self esteem” comes from. Self examination is when another person leads you through a process of examining self, in an objective way. The leading of the Spirit of God is the way of love that leads to righteousness and true godliness (“not by might nor by power but by my Spirit, says the Lord” (Zechariah 4:6). This is where the concept of “self worth” comes from. When we submit to righteous criticisms, tearing down the broken and corrupt within, building up a new “nest” of what is good, something better will come along, just like a Phoenix.
The phoenix theory that from a holocaust, a beautiful, new thing will arise out of the ashes to create a better, stronger world was Adolph Hitler’s dream. In his efforts to recreate a new “super” race millions were slaughtered and submitted to horrendous genetic experimentation, all in the effort to realize a quixotic demonic dream of world renewal through conquest. It would seem that there are those who want to revive that demonic nightmare, to put their own personal spin achieving world wide salvation.
This is a false hope. Their idea of a better way to rebuild has been proved, not only wrong, but devastating to humanity, time and time again. Self esteem is when you estimate a value of yourself, based upon your own ideas of self. When you value yourself above others, you become arrogant. When you have power and are arrogant, you become despotic. When you are despotic and have absolute power over men, you become like Satan; the destroyer of men. Satan asks you to find value in self, thus promoting ego above others, which in turn begins the cycle of destruction.
Self worth is when another places a value upon you. When you make yourself more “worthy” to that other person, you become of even greater worth. In order to make yourself more worthy, you must examine yourself through that other’s eyes to see what stands in the way of worthiness. The higher the standard of the relationship, the higher the value of worth. The way to self examination is through the word of God whose only proper interpreter is The Holy Spirit, using the Son of God as the example and teacher. God asks you to find value in Him, thus promoting others above self, which stops the cycle of destruction.
The proof of the pudding is in the eating; it is only necessary to believe God and prove Him faithful to His word. The Bible is the Word of God and fully trustworthy for faith and practice. Begin here: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraids [scolds] not; and it shall be given him” (James 1:5).
Then: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:5, 6)
Put feet on your determination, ask; “Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.” (Psalms 26:2). “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts;” see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalms 139: 23, 24).
It would seem at first glance that these two quotes say the same thing. It is true that proactive response from the disciple of God is required but each of these things in its own time and place.
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” (Revelations 4:11).
God’s promise and faithfulness to those that diligently seek Him: “It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeks him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD. It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth. (Lamentations 3:22-27).
God is the author of resurrection. Choose the beauty of the phoenix.
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