Life, Flesh , Blood

Take control of your own health so you can be all that God has designed you to be.

Yes, the life principle: The life of the flesh is in the blood. 

Introduction

What element is Foundational to all of life, both physical and spiritual? The Blood!

Without blood, our physical bodies would die; without Christ’s blood, our spiritual bodies would die.

Leviticus 17:11a: The life of the flesh is in the blood.

The Scripture expounds the foundational significance of  blood.

Please read Genesis 9:1-5 (scroll right down)

In this passage, Noah has come safely through the floodwaters. God has a new set of instructions for Noah to live by. Prior to this, humans had not been given permission to eat meat; now God gives them permission to eat the flesh of animals.

However, there is a caveat. They cannot eat flesh that still has its lifeblood. Or, as the New American Standard Version puts it, “you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood.”

Not Just a Symbol

Blood is not just a symbol of life and death, but it is the life of the flesh.

The principle of lifeblood was so important to God that He instituted the death penalty against anyone who took the life of another human. This death penalty was against humans and animals.

In the Old Testament, God judged man and animals who took the life of another. The requirement was their own life blood.

Before the Mosaic Law

It is important to note that this death penalty and lifeblood principle was instituted prior to the Mosaic Law. In addition, it can be traced to before the flood.

First we see in the garden a necessary animal sacrifice to cover the nakedness of Adam and Eve (this deals with the spiritual life of man). Later in Genesis 4 we see the first two murders recorded in history.

Cain first kills his brother Able when his own sacrifice was not acceptable to God. Cain recognizes, prior to the recorded law, that his lifeblood will be required of him for his deed. But God shows Cain Mercy and puts a mark on him so that no one will kill him. Next Lamech kills a young man, and aware of the punishment, tries to ride the coattails of God’s mercy towards Cain. As Matthew Henry says, “He seems to abuse the patience of God in sparing Cain, into an encouragement to expect that he may sin unpunished.” The idea is that Lamech, just like Cain before him understands that there is a punishment for murder.

Read Leviticus 17: 10-14 (scroll down to read this scripture)

Here we discover an even greater understanding of the importance of blood to God.

• Any man who ate blood would be cut off from the people of God.
• Blood is the very life of man (and animal). It carries life-sustaining elements to every part of the body and thus is the very essence of life itself.
• Blood makes atonement for our souls. Since it contains life, it is sacred to God.
• Shed blood (death) from a substitute (ultimately Christ) atones for or covers the sinner.

Whether spiritually or physically, it is blood that brings life, both temporal and eternal. It is the blood coursing through our veins that nourishes every cell in our body, sustaining our life. And it is the blood that Christ shed on the cross that brings life to our souls. We are one whole person, saved by the blood.

What are these life-sustaining elements found in physical  ?

We will be looking at three principles which help explain how the blood provides life to our bodies: blood quality; blood circulation; and blood cleansing.

 Principle #1: Blood Quality.

Blood Quality

The aim of this post is to share the fundamental components of blood and introduce their importance in the health of human beings. I will attempt to do this in a way that is easy to understand.

Human blood can be broken down into two basic elements: plasma and cells.

Blood Cells

There are three basic types of blood cells in the human body: erythrocytes, leukocytes, and thrombocytes.

Or put in a much simpler way:

• red blood cells

• white blood cells

• and platelets

Red Blood Cells (erythrocytes)

• are responsible for the transportation of oxygen throughout your body

• the oxygen is collected in the lungs

•and released as it flows into the capillaries

• are rich in iron

• are responsible for the red color of blood

•help regulate blood flow

•are an important part of the human immune system

White Blood Cells (leukocytes)

•are created in bone marrow stem cells

• are the warriors of the immune system – fighting off infectious disease; allergies; and cancer

•there are 7 unique types, each with its own function

¶Neutrophil – fights bacteria and fungi

¶Eosinophil – fights parasites and allergens

¶Basophil – releases histamines in response to allergens

¶Lymphocyte – releases antibodies; activates and regulates T and B cells; regulates immune system; attacks viruses and tumors

¶Monocyte – fundamental in the formation of macrophages and dendritic cells

¶Macrophages – destroy and ingest foreign substances, pathogens, and cancer cells; stimulate lymphocytes

¶Dendritic cells – aid the immune system by transporting antigens to other cells

•have an average lifespan of 3-4 days

•the number of leukocytes present in the blood indicates the presence of disease – making up 1% of a healthy human’s blood.

Platelets (thrombocytes)

• contain growth factors which (among other functions) aid in the repair and regeneration (i.e. wound healing) of

•tendons and the connective framework of fibers in muscles

•capsules and ligaments around joints

•cartilage

•bone

•fatty tissue

•blood

•lymphatic tissue

•aid in the natural blood clotting process

•low platelet count leads to excessive bleeding

•high platelet count leads to dangerous blood clots

• have a lifespan of 5-9 days

Blood Plasma

• yellowish brown liquid found in blood comprised of 93% water

• contributes 55% of the volume of human blood

• contains the following components suspended in water

•proteins(albumins, immunoglobulins, fibrinogens, lipoproteins, transferrin, prothrombin)

•glucose (a sugar which is responsible for human energy)

•amino-acids(the building blocks of protein)

•vitamins and other nutrients

•antibodies (immunoglobulins)

• fatty acids

• antitoxins

• urea (plasma acts as a carrier to remove urea from the body)

• clotting factors

•minerals(including calcium,magnesium, potassium,sodium,and chloride – electrolytes)

•hormones(cellular messengers which affect change in other cells)

• carbon dioxide (plasma acts as a carrier to remove CO2 from the body)

•other cellular wastes (uric acid, lactic acid, carbonic acid, acetic acid, ammonia to name a few)

Importance of Blood

Based on the above functions of blood, there is no doubt why God calls it the life source. Without it we could not live. Without it we could not heal.

But, what if the blood is imbalanced or does not contain all the necessary elements or has too many toxins? The answer is simple: the body is not going to function properly.

The result?

Cancer,tumors, allergies, bacterial infections, fungus problems, parasites,weakened immune system, hormone disruptions, lack of energy, clotting problems(leading to stroke, aneurism, blood clots), inability of the body to heal itself, sub-functioning of every human organ and system, weak bones (osteoporosis, low bone density), excess waste (toxins) in the body, and just about every other disease or condition that can be named under the sun.

It all goes back to the blood.

The life of the flesh is in the blood!

This principle undergirds everything that will be shared on this site.

Every insight, every piece of knowledge presented on this site, has as its purpose and aim – the health of the blood. If the blood is healthy, the body will function as God designed it.

Next: #2

Blood Circulation

The previous post, Principle #1: Blood Quality (scroll up), should be read prior to this post for full context.

Now that we know the major components of a person’s life force (i.e. blood) and the primary functions of each component  (as much as science can apprehend), let us look at blood as a whole unit – primarily how blood functions within the human cardiovascular system.

The Cardiovascular System

The cardiovascular system is made up of three primary units.

• The Heart
  • Has four chambers
    • Left Atrium
    • Left Ventricle
    • Right Atrium
    • Right Ventricle

• Blood (see above discussion)
• Blood Vessels
  • Ateries (carry blood away from the heart)
    • Pulmonary artery (carries deoxygenate blood into the lungs)
  • Arterioles (small vessel connecting arteries to capillaries)
  • Capillaries(exchange nutrients, water, and chemicals with human tissue and organs down to a cellular level)
  • Venules (connect capillaries with veins)
  • Veins (carry blood away from the capillaries back to the heart)
    • Pulmonary veins (carry oxygenated blood from the lungs back to the heart)
  • Coronary vessels (supply the heart with oxygen)
  • Hepatic portal vein (transfers nutrients and chemicals from the digestive tract to the liver – but is not connected directly to the heart)

There are two primary types of circulation that exist within the cardiovascular system.

• Systemic Circulation (feeds and cleanses the body)
  • Oxygen rich blood leaves the left ventricle of the heart.
  • It then travels through the aorta (the largest artery).
  • The aorta branches into smaller arteries, through arterioles and into the capillaries.
  • Capillaries exchange blood at the cellular level
    • leaving nutrients, oxygen, chemicals, and toxins.
    • taking cellular wastes
  • Next the blood exits the capillaries and enters into the venous system through venules.
  • Eventually the blood returns to the heart through the upper and lower vena cava and enters the right atrium where pulmonary circulation begins.

• Pulmonary Circulation (oxygenates the blood)
  
  • Oxygen depleted blood exits the systemic circulation when it is pumped back into the right atrium of the heart.
    
  • From there the blood is pumped into the right ventricle of the heart, preparing to exit the body.
  • The right ventricle  pumps the blood into the pulmonary artery and then into the lungs.
  • As the blood travels through the capillaries in the lungs
    • it releases carbon dioxide (and other chemicals) 
    • and picks up oxygen (and other chemicals).
  • Re-oxygenated blood travels through the pulmonary veins and enters into the left atrium of the heart. 
  • The blood pumps into the left ventricle and enters back into systemic circulation.

The heart circulates its own blood in a different system called Pulmonary Circulation. 

The Significance

Now that we have a basic understanding of the way blood circulates in the human body, let’s consider some implications.

Capillaries

Capillaries, the tiniest of all vessels, are the key to cellular nutrition and cellular waste. It is here that blood products are delivered to the cells. It is here that waste products are removed from the cells.

Capillaries are so tiny, that blood cells must form a single file line [1] in order to pass.

Our bodies are made up of cells, our organs are made up of cells, and our tissue is made up of cells; and capillaries are the portal of their life.

Diminished Blood Flow

If blood flow becomes blocked or damaged or diminished, it can cut off the life supply to various portions of your body.

Consider a diabetic who must have their feet amputated. This results from poor circulation (blood flow) to the feet. In addition, they succumb to sores that cannot heal [2].

If blood circulation is not up to God’s intended par, there is no way for blood’s healing properties (as discussed in Principle #1: Blood Quality) to reach the damaged areas of the body.

It is estimated that 90% of American adults have diminished capillary flow causing chronic symptoms of one kind or another [3].

This Occurs At The Cellular Level.

If one cell does not receive its life saving blood, it will probably not have a big impact on the body. But if the blood flow continues to diminish in that area, the damage will grow.

Cancer never begins as a tumor the size of a baseball. It begins at the cellular level, one cell at a time.

Disease never begins with a rush. It begins affecting one cell at a time until it gets to the stage of causing noticeable symptoms.

Macular Degeneration does not begin with blindness. It begins one cell at a time.

Fill in the blank: ____________ begins one cell at a time.

Conclusion:

When blood flow is restricted to an area (or the quality of the blood is imbalanced), there are consequences.

• Cellular nutrition cannot occur
• Cellular wastes cannot exit
• Portions of your body become starved for nutrition
• Portions of your body become toxic dumps
• Your health is affected

Tying Things Together

It is impossible to consider blood circulation without considering blood quality. You cannot have good health with one missing.

• If your blood flow is good, but your blood quality is bad, your cells will not be supplied with the proper nutrition.

• If your blood quality is good, but your blood flow is bad, your cells will not be supplied with the proper nutrition.

They must work together, and we will be discussing (in the future) how Living Under God’s Design will allow for both good blood quality and good blood circulation. But there is a third principle dealing with the life principle of blood: blood cleansing.

Next: Principle #3: Blood Cleansing.

Genesis 5:1-9

God’s Covenant With Noah

9 Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth. 2 The fear and dread of you will fall on all the beasts of the earth, and on all the birds in the sky, on every creature that moves along the ground, and on all the fish in the sea; they are given into your hands. 3 Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything.

4 “But you must not eat meat that has its lifeblood still in it. 5 And for your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting. I will demand an accounting from every animal. And from each human being, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of another human being.

Leviticus 17:10-14

New International Version

10 “‘I will set my face against any Israelite or any foreigner residing among them who eats blood, and I will cut them off from the people. 11 For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life. 12 Therefore I say to the Israelites, “None of you may eat blood, nor may any foreigner residing among you eat blood.”

13 “‘Any Israelite or any foreigner residing among you who hunts any animal or bird that may be eaten must drain out the blood and cover it with earth, 14 because the life of every creature is its blood. That is why I have said to the Israelites, “You must not eat the blood of any creature, because the life of every creature is its blood; anyone who eats it must be cut off.”

Footnotes

1. Leviticus 17:11 Or atonement by the life in the blood

Much of the blood research was conducted on Wikipedia. I have posted more on this blogsite if you wish to do further study. It is fascinating.

Disclaimer:

Healthy Wealth exists so you can take control of your own health and be all that God has designed you to be. The information shared here  is the sole opinion of the author and is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness. None or our claims have been evaluated by the FDA or any other government organization. I am not a medical doctor, nor do I have any medical doctors on staff. If you are having a health emergency, please call your local hospital service, contact your doctor, or visit a local emergency room. Always consult your doctor before engaging in any new exercise regime.