DETERMINED TO PRAY
There is an interesting bit of information recorded in 2Sam 21:1-14. It is more than a gruesome story. There are some definite principles of God involved-- which King David ignored, or was ignorant of-- I don't know which.
First, there was the famine for three years running, and David asking God for a reason. Proverbs 26:2-- , so the curse causeless shall not come.
The Lord informed David that the famine was caused by Saul having broken the treaty between Israel and the Gibeonites, which Joshua had made with them after the crossing of Jordan into Canaan, many, many years before what Saul had done.
The fact that the Gibeonites had deceived Joshua did not seem to void the treaty that was made.
God expects His people to KEEP THEIR WORD.
Joshua had promised NOT TO HARM the Gibeonites. They were put to work furnishing wood for the brazen altar before the Tabernacle.
Saul broke the word of Israel by killing some of the Gibeonites. This was, as near as I can figure, about twenty years before the famine we are dealing with now.
Does time gloss over transgression? No No No!
The ONLY way to deal with a wrong is to make it right, to the best of our ability. That starts with REPENTANCE, and moves on to RESTITUTION. REPENTANCE comes first.
I'm afraid that our Nation and our Churches are in line for REPENTANCE.
When David called the Gibeonites together to apologize for Saul's sin against them, and to make restitution, they answered, II Samuel 21:5 --, The man that consumed us, and that devised against us [that] we should be destroyed from remaining in any of the coasts of Israel, Let seven men of his sons be delivered unto us, and we will hang them up unto the LORD in Gibeah of Saul, [whom] the LORD did choose. And the king said, I will give [them].
The Gibeonites hung seven of them. Two of them were sons of Rizpah, a former concubine of Saul.
The Law that Moses had given to Israel had forbidden them to let a carcase hang over night. Deuteronomy 21:22 And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree: His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged [is] accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee [for] an inheritance.
David ignored this injunction, and we are taught another lesson from the scriptures.
The works of repentance and restitution had been done, but there was still no rain. Why?
We learn that if we continue in disobedience to the Word of God, we walk WITHOUT THE BLESSINGS OF GOD.
David caused a lot of problems and discomfort for somebody else through his neglect of correct conduct.
Rizpah set up a watch to guard the bodies of her two sons. II Samuel 21:10 And Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth, and spread it for her upon the rock, from the beginning of harvest until water dropped upon them out of heaven, and suffered neither the birds of the air to rest on them by day, nor the beasts of the field by night. II Samuel 21:11 And it was told David what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, the concubine of Saul, had done.
I figured out one time that it was about three months that she sat on the rock guarding the bodies, but I may have been wrong. The rain schedule had been out of order for three years.
Fact is, it DID NOT RAIN UNTIL DAVID OBEYED THE WORD OF THE LORD.
II Samuel 21:12 And David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabesh-gilead, which had stolen them from the street of Beth-shan, where the Philistines had hanged them, when the Philistines had slain Saul in Gilboa: And he brought up from thence the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son; and they gathered the bones of them that were hanged. And the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son buried they in the country of Benjamin in Zelah, in the sepulchre of Kish his father: and they performed all that the king commanded. And after that God was entreated for the land.
Rizpah shows us the way of determined intercession to God for the sinfulness of other people, EVEN ON A NATIONAL SCALE!
She fought off the vultures, she drove away the beasts of prey-- even when all sense of reason told her it was an exercise in futility. She refused to give up-- because she was in line with the Word of God. Her faith was in God-- to defend His Word.
SHE DID NOT send a delegation to Washington DC. SHE DID NOT demonstrate in front of business houses in our city, or elsewhere.
SHE DID NOT circulate a petition or a resolution that David be forced to do what was right.
SHE DID continue her prayerful watch over the bodies UNTIL something was done about the situation. She was doing what she did IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD, and in His sight-- LOOKING TO HIM who is able to do all things.
Time after time, in the Bible, we are told of how Israel drifted away from obedience to the Word of God. In almost every instance, when trouble resulted from that disobedience, it is also recorded that they CRIED UNTO THE LORD. God sent deliverance in response to their cries TO HIM.
Hosea 10:12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for [it is] time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.
Saturday, September 30, 2006
TWELVE SENT
TWELVE SENT
Jesus was more than a Prophet. HE WAS GOD IN FLESH. His manner of prophecy was sometimes different from the ordinary, but they were prophesies, none the less. Here is one example of how they were different.
One day, according to Matt 10, He sent His twelve disciples out to act out a prophecy about the end of the age. It reads like this: Matthew 10:1 And when he had called unto [him] his twelve disciples, he gave them power [against] unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. z These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into [any] city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, Nor scrip for [your] journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat. And into whatsoever city ortown ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. And when ye come into an house, salute it.
This was not a permanent arrangement, as we can see from other Scriptures that those same disciples were not able to do the job placed before them. The power,or Authority was given to them by Jesus, as proof that it could be done, and as a demonstration of what will be done by a few (comparatively) who are close enough to receive what will given to ardent followers on the Day of Atonement, and to reap the benefits from it.
I marvel that the truths of the Day of Atonement are not being taught more than they are. It seems to have "slipped through the cracks" of modern Theology.
But it is there, bright and clear, if we care to examine it.
The biggest problem will be letting go of some of the "standard" teachings before we can grasp this truth of future events in God's Calendar.
I will not bore you with facts you may not care about. BUT IF YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE, drop me a line, and I will send you material on it.
"Freely ye have received (without limitations or restraint). Freely give (no limitations on what you will be able to accomplish)." NOTHING can resist this God-given authority, as guided by the Spirit Itself.
The Mission? Preach, heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out devils, and have no worry about living expenses nor clothing. It was a prophecy of the days follow-
ing the Day of Atonement. I am hoping to see it, and participate in it, by the Grace of God.***
Jesus was more than a Prophet. HE WAS GOD IN FLESH. His manner of prophecy was sometimes different from the ordinary, but they were prophesies, none the less. Here is one example of how they were different.
One day, according to Matt 10, He sent His twelve disciples out to act out a prophecy about the end of the age. It reads like this: Matthew 10:1 And when he had called unto [him] his twelve disciples, he gave them power [against] unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. z These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into [any] city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, Nor scrip for [your] journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat. And into whatsoever city ortown ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. And when ye come into an house, salute it.
This was not a permanent arrangement, as we can see from other Scriptures that those same disciples were not able to do the job placed before them. The power,or Authority was given to them by Jesus, as proof that it could be done, and as a demonstration of what will be done by a few (comparatively) who are close enough to receive what will given to ardent followers on the Day of Atonement, and to reap the benefits from it.
I marvel that the truths of the Day of Atonement are not being taught more than they are. It seems to have "slipped through the cracks" of modern Theology.
But it is there, bright and clear, if we care to examine it.
The biggest problem will be letting go of some of the "standard" teachings before we can grasp this truth of future events in God's Calendar.
I will not bore you with facts you may not care about. BUT IF YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE, drop me a line, and I will send you material on it.
"Freely ye have received (without limitations or restraint). Freely give (no limitations on what you will be able to accomplish)." NOTHING can resist this God-given authority, as guided by the Spirit Itself.
The Mission? Preach, heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out devils, and have no worry about living expenses nor clothing. It was a prophecy of the days follow-
ing the Day of Atonement. I am hoping to see it, and participate in it, by the Grace of God.***
REMISSION-- FORGIVENESS
REMISSION-FORGIVENESS
A couple of words have caused a lot of people quite a bit of confusion for many years-- myself included. When I am confronted with a situation I do not understand, I like to get all the scriptures dealing with the subject out on the table whene I can see them. Oftentimes, when I am looking at all of them together, a pattern emerges, and helps me to understand what the Word is meaning.
The two words are "forgiveness" and "remission". Is there a difference in them? Do they mean something different?
They both come into the English language by translation of the SAME Greek word. Six times it is translated "forgiveness" and nine times it is translated "remission". I'll transfer them to this message, so you can also see how they are used.
FORGIVENESS:
Mark 3:29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation: Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.
Acts 5:31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand [to be] a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
Acts 13:38 Be it known unto you therefore, men [and] brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, [and] to turn [them] from darkness to light, and [from] the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; [even] in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, [even] the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
REMISSION:
Matthew 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Mark 1:4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
Luke 1:77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, To give light to them that sit in darkness and [in] the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Luke 3:3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
Luke 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
Hebrews 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
Hebrews 10:18 Now where remission of these [is, there is] no more offering for sin.
It is also translated one time each-- DELIVERANCE & LIBERTY in Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
A couple of words have caused a lot of people quite a bit of confusion for many years-- myself included. When I am confronted with a situation I do not understand, I like to get all the scriptures dealing with the subject out on the table whene I can see them. Oftentimes, when I am looking at all of them together, a pattern emerges, and helps me to understand what the Word is meaning.
The two words are "forgiveness" and "remission". Is there a difference in them? Do they mean something different?
They both come into the English language by translation of the SAME Greek word. Six times it is translated "forgiveness" and nine times it is translated "remission". I'll transfer them to this message, so you can also see how they are used.
FORGIVENESS:
Mark 3:29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation: Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.
Acts 5:31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand [to be] a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
Acts 13:38 Be it known unto you therefore, men [and] brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, [and] to turn [them] from darkness to light, and [from] the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; [even] in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, [even] the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
REMISSION:
Matthew 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Mark 1:4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
Luke 1:77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, To give light to them that sit in darkness and [in] the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Luke 3:3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
Luke 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
Hebrews 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
Hebrews 10:18 Now where remission of these [is, there is] no more offering for sin.
It is also translated one time each-- DELIVERANCE & LIBERTY in Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
SINNERS IN ZION
SINNERS IN ZION
Someone once said that it is not the sins of the sinners, but the sins of the saints that burdens the heart of God. Maybe so. It is probably more dangerous to be a sinning saint, for our conscience should be waving red flags and sounding alarms within us.
To continue sinning is to sear the conscience and deafen the Spiritual ears. That leads to disaster.
The Word tells us that a reckoning day is coming for those have a profession without possession.
Isaiah 33:13 Hear, ye [that are] far off, what I have done; and, ye [that are] near, acknowledge my might.
Isaiah 33:14 The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites.
Notice the element of surprise here. The "day" of the Lord comes as a thief in the night. The Holy Ghost caused Isaiah to go on and ask a question.
Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?
Have you ever considered "devouring fire?" And what could "everlasting burnings" mean? Who will have a life style that will withstand that kind of testing?
Isaiah 33:15 He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil;
Isaiah 33:16 He shall dwell on high: his place of defence [shall be] the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters [shall be] sure.
Our "talk" doesn't figure here at all. It is all dependent upon our "walk".
There are people who tend to discount scriptures from the Old Testament, saying that we are under the New Covenant now.
Be that such as it may. I am not in any mood to argue today. I have noticed, however, that the New Testament contains the same principles for life as the Old Testament does. The language is different, but the intent is the same.
The fact that Salvation is free, and we depend upon the Blood of Jesus for the well-being of our soul, does not change what God is wanting from us after we have accepted His Blood.
We should HATE SIN in every form, especially after we have received the SPIRIT OF HOLINESS into our lives.
We are told to "set your affections of things above." We "set" them - where we "want" them. Flesh "wants" them on earthly things. The Spirit "wants" them on heavenly things. We determine where they will be "set".
Where are they today? We are each heading one direction or the other. We are pleasing God, or we are not pleasing Him.
Someone once said that it is not the sins of the sinners, but the sins of the saints that burdens the heart of God. Maybe so. It is probably more dangerous to be a sinning saint, for our conscience should be waving red flags and sounding alarms within us.
To continue sinning is to sear the conscience and deafen the Spiritual ears. That leads to disaster.
The Word tells us that a reckoning day is coming for those have a profession without possession.
Isaiah 33:13 Hear, ye [that are] far off, what I have done; and, ye [that are] near, acknowledge my might.
Isaiah 33:14 The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites.
Notice the element of surprise here. The "day" of the Lord comes as a thief in the night. The Holy Ghost caused Isaiah to go on and ask a question.
Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?
Have you ever considered "devouring fire?" And what could "everlasting burnings" mean? Who will have a life style that will withstand that kind of testing?
Isaiah 33:15 He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil;
Isaiah 33:16 He shall dwell on high: his place of defence [shall be] the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters [shall be] sure.
Our "talk" doesn't figure here at all. It is all dependent upon our "walk".
There are people who tend to discount scriptures from the Old Testament, saying that we are under the New Covenant now.
Be that such as it may. I am not in any mood to argue today. I have noticed, however, that the New Testament contains the same principles for life as the Old Testament does. The language is different, but the intent is the same.
The fact that Salvation is free, and we depend upon the Blood of Jesus for the well-being of our soul, does not change what God is wanting from us after we have accepted His Blood.
We should HATE SIN in every form, especially after we have received the SPIRIT OF HOLINESS into our lives.
We are told to "set your affections of things above." We "set" them - where we "want" them. Flesh "wants" them on earthly things. The Spirit "wants" them on heavenly things. We determine where they will be "set".
Where are they today? We are each heading one direction or the other. We are pleasing God, or we are not pleasing Him.
Friday, September 29, 2006
SOLD!
SOLD!
When I was a teen-ager I would go with my father to farm aution sales - usually in the last quarter of the year. There were often sad reasons for the sale - health, bad "luck", etc.
I spent a lot of time trying to figure out what the Autioneer was saying - I never did. But at the end of each of his unintelligible speels he would shout "SOLD".
One day Papa sent me alone to bid on a two-section harrow. He had a broken leg, and could not go. He told me he figured the harrow would be worth about $40.00. A farmer was bidding against me, and we were going up in increments of one dollar a nod. When we reached forty dollars, I had no way of knowing how high the other fellow would go. I stopped, and it "SOLD" for forty-one dollars. I still wonder just how much higher I would have had to go to get the harrow.
The face of the man who was having to sell his items would get longer each time the selling price was announced. Sometimes his wife would cry.
Those things had meant a lot to them. They had worked hard for them. They had, no doubt tried everything in the book to avoid having to sell out. This was the "last ditch" as far as they were concerned.
No one seemed to care - it was a bargain, as far as they were concerned.
Once in a while, the owner would jump in and bid against another man when he felt an item was going too low. He refused to sell at such a low price. That was his privilege to do. Until he heard "SOLD!", it was still his to do with as he pleased. If he waited until the autioneer yelled, he lost his claim to the item - forever....
Jesus mentioned "selling" a few times in His teachings to His Disciples, and it always meant that a person gives up his claim to whatever is on the "block".
Luke 18:22 --- Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
Matthew 13:44 -- treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, --- goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
Again, --- seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
In these discourses, Jesus was using natural things to illustrate Spiritual things. The term "SELL OUT" has a Spiritual signifigance to a Christian. It would seem that Jesus was saying that we will have to relinquish our "right to" and "control of" our own life, and all that pertains to it, if we expect our Christian life to be a success.
Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people [unto him] with his disciples also, he said .., Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Luke 9:23 And he said to [them] all, If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
On the surface, this doesn't sound so bad. But there is more than meets the eye at first glance.
Luke 14:33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disci ple.
To lose control of our lives is a painful, fearful thing that we avoid as long as possible. Nobody wants to do it.
Yet that is what God seems to asking us to do - deliberately "sell out" to His control - His desires - His decisions - His directions.
It is not a "one shot deal" either, but is more like the life of a Nazarite. Every morning he had the same restrictions on his life as he had yesterday.
There is no "vacation" time.
But it is STRICTLY VOLUNTARY ON OUR PART. No one is going to FORCE us to sell out to God. Neither will anyone FORCE a reward upon us.
LORD, I NEED SOME ASSISTANCE WITH THIS
When I was a teen-ager I would go with my father to farm aution sales - usually in the last quarter of the year. There were often sad reasons for the sale - health, bad "luck", etc.
I spent a lot of time trying to figure out what the Autioneer was saying - I never did. But at the end of each of his unintelligible speels he would shout "SOLD".
One day Papa sent me alone to bid on a two-section harrow. He had a broken leg, and could not go. He told me he figured the harrow would be worth about $40.00. A farmer was bidding against me, and we were going up in increments of one dollar a nod. When we reached forty dollars, I had no way of knowing how high the other fellow would go. I stopped, and it "SOLD" for forty-one dollars. I still wonder just how much higher I would have had to go to get the harrow.
The face of the man who was having to sell his items would get longer each time the selling price was announced. Sometimes his wife would cry.
Those things had meant a lot to them. They had worked hard for them. They had, no doubt tried everything in the book to avoid having to sell out. This was the "last ditch" as far as they were concerned.
No one seemed to care - it was a bargain, as far as they were concerned.
Once in a while, the owner would jump in and bid against another man when he felt an item was going too low. He refused to sell at such a low price. That was his privilege to do. Until he heard "SOLD!", it was still his to do with as he pleased. If he waited until the autioneer yelled, he lost his claim to the item - forever....
Jesus mentioned "selling" a few times in His teachings to His Disciples, and it always meant that a person gives up his claim to whatever is on the "block".
Luke 18:22 --- Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
Matthew 13:44 -- treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, --- goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
Again, --- seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
In these discourses, Jesus was using natural things to illustrate Spiritual things. The term "SELL OUT" has a Spiritual signifigance to a Christian. It would seem that Jesus was saying that we will have to relinquish our "right to" and "control of" our own life, and all that pertains to it, if we expect our Christian life to be a success.
Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people [unto him] with his disciples also, he said .., Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Luke 9:23 And he said to [them] all, If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
On the surface, this doesn't sound so bad. But there is more than meets the eye at first glance.
Luke 14:33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disci ple.
To lose control of our lives is a painful, fearful thing that we avoid as long as possible. Nobody wants to do it.
Yet that is what God seems to asking us to do - deliberately "sell out" to His control - His desires - His decisions - His directions.
It is not a "one shot deal" either, but is more like the life of a Nazarite. Every morning he had the same restrictions on his life as he had yesterday.
There is no "vacation" time.
But it is STRICTLY VOLUNTARY ON OUR PART. No one is going to FORCE us to sell out to God. Neither will anyone FORCE a reward upon us.
LORD, I NEED SOME ASSISTANCE WITH THIS
RUTH
RUTH
In the book of Ruth is a striking contrast of two ways we can relate
to the Lord.
We are all familiar with the two daughters-in-law who started out with
Naomi on her journey back to the land of Judah.
One, Orpah, was following her mother-in-law out of respect.
She is to be commended for her respect. We SHOULD have respect for our
in-laws. We should also have respect for The Lord and the House of
Worship. We should be reverent and respectful of His House. We should
have respect for His Ways-- the ways of good and righteousness.
But RESPECT might not be enough to see us through some of the tough
decisions that we are apt to be faced with.
When Orpah faced a critical decision, she opted to return to her own
people and her old way of life. The way of life in Moab was different
than what the Israelites held to. She had tasted the good life. She
had learned some of the history of Israel-- of God's deliverance from
Egypt-- of His Laws to them-- His provision for them.
RESPECT failed her in the crucial hour of decision. She gave Naomi
a kiss of love, and returned to her former life.
RUTH, on the other hand, was following Naomi out of love. Not only
love for Naomi, but, as shown by her testimony, a COMMITMENT TO THE
GOD OF ISRAEL. Listen-- Can't you hear her as she tells Naomi:
Ruth 1:16-17 And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, [or] to return
from following after thee: for whither THOU goest, I will go; and where
THOU lodgest, I will lodge: THY people [shall be] MY people, and THY
God MY God: Where THOU diest, will I die, and there will I be buried:
the LORD do so to me, and more also, [if ought] but death part THEE and ME.
LOVE LEADS TO A COMMITMENT which will anchor our souls in God for
Time and Eternity. Live or die, sink or swim, hail or high water,
better or worse.
WE NEED TO BE COMMITTED TO GOD BECAUSE OF LOVE.
In the book of Ruth is a striking contrast of two ways we can relate
to the Lord.
We are all familiar with the two daughters-in-law who started out with
Naomi on her journey back to the land of Judah.
One, Orpah, was following her mother-in-law out of respect.
She is to be commended for her respect. We SHOULD have respect for our
in-laws. We should also have respect for The Lord and the House of
Worship. We should be reverent and respectful of His House. We should
have respect for His Ways-- the ways of good and righteousness.
But RESPECT might not be enough to see us through some of the tough
decisions that we are apt to be faced with.
When Orpah faced a critical decision, she opted to return to her own
people and her old way of life. The way of life in Moab was different
than what the Israelites held to. She had tasted the good life. She
had learned some of the history of Israel-- of God's deliverance from
Egypt-- of His Laws to them-- His provision for them.
RESPECT failed her in the crucial hour of decision. She gave Naomi
a kiss of love, and returned to her former life.
RUTH, on the other hand, was following Naomi out of love. Not only
love for Naomi, but, as shown by her testimony, a COMMITMENT TO THE
GOD OF ISRAEL. Listen-- Can't you hear her as she tells Naomi:
Ruth 1:16-17 And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, [or] to return
from following after thee: for whither THOU goest, I will go; and where
THOU lodgest, I will lodge: THY people [shall be] MY people, and THY
God MY God: Where THOU diest, will I die, and there will I be buried:
the LORD do so to me, and more also, [if ought] but death part THEE and ME.
LOVE LEADS TO A COMMITMENT which will anchor our souls in God for
Time and Eternity. Live or die, sink or swim, hail or high water,
better or worse.
WE NEED TO BE COMMITTED TO GOD BECAUSE OF LOVE.
SHAKING THE NATIONS
SHAKING NATIONS
The Bible tells us what God is planning to do with the nations of the earth in the (near?) future. There is a limit to what He will tolerate of the insolence of the Man he created. Though He has had long patience, and has stretched out hands of Mercy for many generations, it will come to an end one day.
We read in Haggai 2:7 And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts. Also, in Isaiah 13:13 Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.
I will not presume to try to tell you just WHAT God is planning to do, nor HOW He will go about doing it. But rest assured, He has the "wherewith" to get the job done when He starts it.
Some scholars tend to believe that we will find this "shaking" in history, and I will admit that we can probably find some of it there.
However, we read in Hebrews 12:26-- Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this [word], Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
Notice the word "removing". It means total destruction.
Everything that Man has built is going down. Every form of government not based on God's Principles will crash. All businesses will crumble. Money will become worthless. I could carry the thought further, but you can get an idea of how much God will "remove".
It scares many people to have us mention things of this sort, for some of these things represent their security.
Try to imagine what it would be like to not have some of the "assurances" which our government and our monetary system afford us today. We had better give it some thought, for their "removal" is a "sure thing."
The "Great City" of the world will be thrown down, and will be replaced by the "City of God."
Joel 3:14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD [is] near in the valley of decision. The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining. The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD [will be] the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.
Hebrews 12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God [is] a consuming fire.
The Bible tells us what God is planning to do with the nations of the earth in the (near?) future. There is a limit to what He will tolerate of the insolence of the Man he created. Though He has had long patience, and has stretched out hands of Mercy for many generations, it will come to an end one day.
We read in Haggai 2:7 And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts. Also, in Isaiah 13:13 Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.
I will not presume to try to tell you just WHAT God is planning to do, nor HOW He will go about doing it. But rest assured, He has the "wherewith" to get the job done when He starts it.
Some scholars tend to believe that we will find this "shaking" in history, and I will admit that we can probably find some of it there.
However, we read in Hebrews 12:26-- Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this [word], Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
Notice the word "removing". It means total destruction.
Everything that Man has built is going down. Every form of government not based on God's Principles will crash. All businesses will crumble. Money will become worthless. I could carry the thought further, but you can get an idea of how much God will "remove".
It scares many people to have us mention things of this sort, for some of these things represent their security.
Try to imagine what it would be like to not have some of the "assurances" which our government and our monetary system afford us today. We had better give it some thought, for their "removal" is a "sure thing."
The "Great City" of the world will be thrown down, and will be replaced by the "City of God."
Joel 3:14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD [is] near in the valley of decision. The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining. The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD [will be] the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.
Hebrews 12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God [is] a consuming fire.
MANIFESTATION
THE MANIFESTATION OF THE SONS OF GOD
Rom 8:19
This is merely an outline to help the reader in his study. It is not
complete. Be it known to all who read, that it shows only my knowledge
of the subject as of today (Nov 10, 1954--updated Jan 25, 1989) and is
subject to change without notice.---Marion Fretwell
Manifestation (Apokalupsis-Gr.) is translated APPEARING 1 time, COMING
one time, MANIFESTATION once, REVELATION 12 times, and BE REVEALED
twice. Literally, it means an UNCOVERING, an IDENTIFICATION, a GLORI
FICATION, (not a glorified body).
1-- consider the estate of Adam in the Garden. He had dominion over
animal, fish and foul. Subdue the Earth. Elements at his command. A
sin-free existance. Had eternal life, BUT NOT IMMORTALITY (there is a difference, you know. As soon as Adam sinned, God set in motion a plan
that would return man to his original state of dominion and bliss.
2--Adam's sin resulted in his soul being cut off from its supply of
God-life (Eternal Life). This is what is called Spiritual Death. Mt
8:22 Try to imagine the cataclysmic change that took place in man at
the time of his sin.
3--Not only was he changed in spirit, but his body immediately became
laden with sinful tendencies, formerly unknown to him, which in time
produced sickness of every sort. Death reigned from Adam to Moses (Rom
5:14) regardless of whether personal sins were imputed or not.
4--In Jesus, the God-Life is again available to fallen man, but not yet
in the measure that Adam had it. We can have the "earnest of our
inheritance UNTIL THE REDEMPTION of the purchased possesion". Eph 1:14
5--Thus, we see, we have only partial redemption from the fallen state.
Enoung, to be sure, that we are safe (Jude 1) from the consequences of
sin (hell), but not enough that we are able to weild authority over all
things. Sinful tendencies, though not eradicated, can be subdued by
means of the Spirit of God.
6-- You may ask why God with-holds from us the fulness of His Life
(Spirit) so that we must reamin so lacking in Power. The answer is one
word T-I-M-E. See Eph 1:10 Weymouth brings it out very clearly.
7-- God's time shall come (soon), and then certain events will take
place which will bring about a COMPLETE SALVATION (Redemption of the
Body) and a restoration to the dominion which belonged to man before he
fell. Those who can qualify will participate. See Rev. 17:14
9--I BELIEVE--that among otherlikely events, there is ONE which stands
out predominantly. Not much has been heard about it, but a careful
study will show it to be at least in the Scripture. I am referring to
THE APPEARING OF JESUS TO THOSE WHO LOOK FOR HIM. See Heb 9:27-28 I
can not offer much explanation about how, when, nor under what
circumstances it will happen, but here are a few scriptures to
consider. These are NOT speaking of the so-called rapture.
Mal. 3:1-3 The Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His
Temple....Who shall stand when He apperaeth?
Compare also 1Cor 3:16 6:19 Rev 21:22
Heb 9:28..Unto them that LOOK FOR HIM shall He appear the second
time without sin (sin-offering) unto salvation. (Wey. to make their
salvation COMPLETE) Hos. 10:12
Isa. 62:11 Behold, thy salvation cometh...His reward is with Him.
Col 3:4 When Christ, who is our life shall appear, then shall ye
also appear with Him in Glory.
1 Jn 2:28...that when He shall appear, we may have confidence, and
not be ashamed.....
1 Jn 3:1-3..and it doth not appear what we shall be...when He shall
appear, we shall be like Him....
Psa 102:16 When the Lord shall build up Zion, He shall appear in
His Glory
Other scriptures include: Isa 66:5 1 Pet 5:4 1:7 1 Tim 1:10 4:1 4:8 See
how many others you can find.
9--1 Pet 1:13, presumably speaking of the same event, mentions the
REVELATION of Jesus Christ. First Peter also mentions the SALVATION
that is yet to be revealed--1:5 4:13 5:1
Jesus spoke of a time of trouble at the time the Son of Man should be
revealed. Lk 17:30-37. Paul (2 Thes 1:10) speaks of Christ being glorified in His saints.
10--In Romans 8:15-23 Paul likens our present status to a child who has
been PROMISED adoption. That which we SHALL RECEIVE is portrayed by one
who has received FULL ADOPTION. See File "ADOPTION'
11--Call it what you may--Sonship,
brought about by an ACT OF GOD for a SPECIFIC PURPOSE. Read Joel 2
Isa 13:1-5 Jer ch 51
12--God has ordained that the WHOLE WORLD shall feel the impact of His
Power as demonstrated in the Body of Christ. To intimate that anything
being done today approximates the authority of a manifested son is
preposterous and absurd. They bring judgement on ungodly persons (Is
61:2,3), they evangelize the WORLD by the power of the Spirit. (No high-
pressure campaigns needed--no big offerings either)
13--Please note--these are NOT people with glorified bodies, but with
REDEEMED BODIES. They have received the fulness of the Spirit (God-
Life) Eph 3:19 A redeemed body is one which has been restored to the
state which Adam held before he sinned and was saturated with carnality.
Jesus, before his crucifixion, was the same as Adam before he sinned.
As was Adam, as was Jesus before Calvary, so shall be the man who
attains to the HIGH CALLING of God in Christ Jesus--the redemption of
the body. It is worth striving for. Phil 3:8-16
Rom 8:19
This is merely an outline to help the reader in his study. It is not
complete. Be it known to all who read, that it shows only my knowledge
of the subject as of today (Nov 10, 1954--updated Jan 25, 1989) and is
subject to change without notice.---Marion Fretwell
Manifestation (Apokalupsis-Gr.) is translated APPEARING 1 time, COMING
one time, MANIFESTATION once, REVELATION 12 times, and BE REVEALED
twice. Literally, it means an UNCOVERING, an IDENTIFICATION, a GLORI
FICATION, (not a glorified body).
1-- consider the estate of Adam in the Garden. He had dominion over
animal, fish and foul. Subdue the Earth. Elements at his command. A
sin-free existance. Had eternal life, BUT NOT IMMORTALITY (there is a difference, you know. As soon as Adam sinned, God set in motion a plan
that would return man to his original state of dominion and bliss.
2--Adam's sin resulted in his soul being cut off from its supply of
God-life (Eternal Life). This is what is called Spiritual Death. Mt
8:22 Try to imagine the cataclysmic change that took place in man at
the time of his sin.
3--Not only was he changed in spirit, but his body immediately became
laden with sinful tendencies, formerly unknown to him, which in time
produced sickness of every sort. Death reigned from Adam to Moses (Rom
5:14) regardless of whether personal sins were imputed or not.
4--In Jesus, the God-Life is again available to fallen man, but not yet
in the measure that Adam had it. We can have the "earnest of our
inheritance UNTIL THE REDEMPTION of the purchased possesion". Eph 1:14
5--Thus, we see, we have only partial redemption from the fallen state.
Enoung, to be sure, that we are safe (Jude 1) from the consequences of
sin (hell), but not enough that we are able to weild authority over all
things. Sinful tendencies, though not eradicated, can be subdued by
means of the Spirit of God.
6-- You may ask why God with-holds from us the fulness of His Life
(Spirit) so that we must reamin so lacking in Power. The answer is one
word T-I-M-E. See Eph 1:10 Weymouth brings it out very clearly.
7-- God's time shall come (soon), and then certain events will take
place which will bring about a COMPLETE SALVATION (Redemption of the
Body) and a restoration to the dominion which belonged to man before he
fell. Those who can qualify will participate. See Rev. 17:14
9--I BELIEVE--that among otherlikely events, there is ONE which stands
out predominantly. Not much has been heard about it, but a careful
study will show it to be at least in the Scripture. I am referring to
THE APPEARING OF JESUS TO THOSE WHO LOOK FOR HIM. See Heb 9:27-28 I
can not offer much explanation about how, when, nor under what
circumstances it will happen, but here are a few scriptures to
consider. These are NOT speaking of the so-called rapture.
Mal. 3:1-3 The Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His
Temple....Who shall stand when He apperaeth?
Compare also 1Cor 3:16 6:19 Rev 21:22
Heb 9:28..Unto them that LOOK FOR HIM shall He appear the second
time without sin (sin-offering) unto salvation. (Wey. to make their
salvation COMPLETE) Hos. 10:12
Isa. 62:11 Behold, thy salvation cometh...His reward is with Him.
Col 3:4 When Christ, who is our life shall appear, then shall ye
also appear with Him in Glory.
1 Jn 2:28...that when He shall appear, we may have confidence, and
not be ashamed.....
1 Jn 3:1-3..and it doth not appear what we shall be...when He shall
appear, we shall be like Him....
Psa 102:16 When the Lord shall build up Zion, He shall appear in
His Glory
Other scriptures include: Isa 66:5 1 Pet 5:4 1:7 1 Tim 1:10 4:1 4:8 See
how many others you can find.
9--1 Pet 1:13, presumably speaking of the same event, mentions the
REVELATION of Jesus Christ. First Peter also mentions the SALVATION
that is yet to be revealed--1:5 4:13 5:1
Jesus spoke of a time of trouble at the time the Son of Man should be
revealed. Lk 17:30-37. Paul (2 Thes 1:10) speaks of Christ being glorified in His saints.
10--In Romans 8:15-23 Paul likens our present status to a child who has
been PROMISED adoption. That which we SHALL RECEIVE is portrayed by one
who has received FULL ADOPTION. See File "ADOPTION'
11--Call it what you may--Sonship,
brought about by an ACT OF GOD for a SPECIFIC PURPOSE. Read Joel 2
Isa 13:1-5 Jer ch 51
12--God has ordained that the WHOLE WORLD shall feel the impact of His
Power as demonstrated in the Body of Christ. To intimate that anything
being done today approximates the authority of a manifested son is
preposterous and absurd. They bring judgement on ungodly persons (Is
61:2,3), they evangelize the WORLD by the power of the Spirit. (No high-
pressure campaigns needed--no big offerings either)
13--Please note--these are NOT people with glorified bodies, but with
REDEEMED BODIES. They have received the fulness of the Spirit (God-
Life) Eph 3:19 A redeemed body is one which has been restored to the
state which Adam held before he sinned and was saturated with carnality.
Jesus, before his crucifixion, was the same as Adam before he sinned.
As was Adam, as was Jesus before Calvary, so shall be the man who
attains to the HIGH CALLING of God in Christ Jesus--the redemption of
the body. It is worth striving for. Phil 3:8-16
GOD SPEAKING
GOD SPEAKING
II Peter 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy MEN OF GOD SPAKE [as they were] MOVED (DRIVEN) BY THE HOLY GHOST.
Isn't it wonderful how precisely God guided the pens and mouths of the Prophets who gave us the writings which make up our Bible. Attempts have been made to prove the Inspiration by various human means-- mathematics, codes, etc.
We do not NEED human skills to prove the veracity of the Word of God. Hebrews 11:3 Through FAITH we UNDERSTAND that the worlds were framed by the word of God--. If we have the Spirit in us, it testifies to the Truth that is contained in the written Word of God.
It is also amazing to see how God has changed both the MESSAGE and the MESSENGER in this, the TIME OF THE END.
Hebrews 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners SPAKE IN TIME PAST UNTO THE FATHERS BY THE PROPHETS, Hath in THESE LAST DAYS SPOKEN UNTO US BY [HIS] SON, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
The Prophets of old had a message-- a good message from God to the Fathers. They were guided (driven) by the Holy Ghost in delivering their message. But they were serving for a limited time only.
Matthew 11:13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied UNTIL John.
Luke 16:16 The law and the prophets [were] UNTIL John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.
WE NOW HEAR A DIFFERENT SPOKESMAN. JESUS STEPS TO THE HEAVENLY PODIUM.
Matthew 17:5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; HEAR YE HIM.
JESUS DELIVERS A DIFFERENT MESSAGE TO MANKIND. The MESSAGE is DIFFERENT, because the TESTAMENT is DIFFERENT.
Hebrews 9:15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions [that were] under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
The OLD was GOOD. It was intended to prepare us for the NEW.
Galatians 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster [to bring us] unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
THE NEW IS BETTER.
John 1:17 For the LAW was given by Moses, [but] GRACE AND TRUTH came by JESUS CHRIST.
GRACE has been defined as being that part of God which enables us to approach that which is unapproachable-- THE ESSENCE OF GOD.
GRACE is the MEDIATOR between God and man. JESUS is the MEDIATOR between God and man. JESUS is the GRACE OF GOD.
The worshipers of Old Testament times worshiped in types and symbols. The brazen altar was symbolic of the sacrifice of Jesus. The golden candlestick was a symbol of the Word of God shedding light on our path. The altar of incense was symbolic of prayer and intercession. The list goes on.
Jesus IS THE TRUTH (REALITY) OF GOD. The TRUTH (reality) of what those symbols pointed to is found in Jesus Christ.
When Jesus told the woman at the well that people would worship God in SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH, He was telling her that they would no longer need symbols and priests and ceremonies, but would be able to contact the Lord directly by means of the Spirit, and in reality (truth) as it is in Jesus Christ.
II Peter 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy MEN OF GOD SPAKE [as they were] MOVED (DRIVEN) BY THE HOLY GHOST.
Isn't it wonderful how precisely God guided the pens and mouths of the Prophets who gave us the writings which make up our Bible. Attempts have been made to prove the Inspiration by various human means-- mathematics, codes, etc.
We do not NEED human skills to prove the veracity of the Word of God. Hebrews 11:3 Through FAITH we UNDERSTAND that the worlds were framed by the word of God--. If we have the Spirit in us, it testifies to the Truth that is contained in the written Word of God.
It is also amazing to see how God has changed both the MESSAGE and the MESSENGER in this, the TIME OF THE END.
Hebrews 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners SPAKE IN TIME PAST UNTO THE FATHERS BY THE PROPHETS, Hath in THESE LAST DAYS SPOKEN UNTO US BY [HIS] SON, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
The Prophets of old had a message-- a good message from God to the Fathers. They were guided (driven) by the Holy Ghost in delivering their message. But they were serving for a limited time only.
Matthew 11:13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied UNTIL John.
Luke 16:16 The law and the prophets [were] UNTIL John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.
WE NOW HEAR A DIFFERENT SPOKESMAN. JESUS STEPS TO THE HEAVENLY PODIUM.
Matthew 17:5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; HEAR YE HIM.
JESUS DELIVERS A DIFFERENT MESSAGE TO MANKIND. The MESSAGE is DIFFERENT, because the TESTAMENT is DIFFERENT.
Hebrews 9:15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions [that were] under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
The OLD was GOOD. It was intended to prepare us for the NEW.
Galatians 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster [to bring us] unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
THE NEW IS BETTER.
John 1:17 For the LAW was given by Moses, [but] GRACE AND TRUTH came by JESUS CHRIST.
GRACE has been defined as being that part of God which enables us to approach that which is unapproachable-- THE ESSENCE OF GOD.
GRACE is the MEDIATOR between God and man. JESUS is the MEDIATOR between God and man. JESUS is the GRACE OF GOD.
The worshipers of Old Testament times worshiped in types and symbols. The brazen altar was symbolic of the sacrifice of Jesus. The golden candlestick was a symbol of the Word of God shedding light on our path. The altar of incense was symbolic of prayer and intercession. The list goes on.
Jesus IS THE TRUTH (REALITY) OF GOD. The TRUTH (reality) of what those symbols pointed to is found in Jesus Christ.
When Jesus told the woman at the well that people would worship God in SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH, He was telling her that they would no longer need symbols and priests and ceremonies, but would be able to contact the Lord directly by means of the Spirit, and in reality (truth) as it is in Jesus Christ.
SOME 30, SOME 60, SOME 100
SOME 30 SOME 60 SOME 100
Jesus told a parable one day about a sower that went forth to sow. There were different kinds of ground, denoting different heart conditions of the hearers of the good news. They all HEARD the word. Three RECEIVED the word, and were SAVED. Only ONE of the THREE bore fruit.
Not ALL of the folks with honest and good hearts bore the SAME AMOUNT of fruit. I used to wonder WHY this was so.
Matthew 13:23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth [it]; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
In 1939, the year Pearl and I were married, I was assisting Pastor C. Haskell Yadon in Emmanuel Assembly, we had some interesting discussions at Wednesday Bible Study, and occasionally the subject of fruitfulness would come up. Also the subject of the possibility of degrees of salvation experienced by believers.
Those were the days when the Pentecostal Church Incorporated and the Pentecostal Assemblies of Jesus Christ were still separate-- one teaching the possibility of a "full salvation"-- the other teaching "Holy Ghost or Hell", as it was dubbed at the time by those opposed to it, and "The New Birth" by the proponents.
Invariably, the matter of "hundred, sixty, thirty" would be referred to as proof of one thing or the other.
I was 20 years old at the time, and not as thoroughly versed in scripture as some others, so I mainly listened to Harry Judd and Walter Durst and Pastor Yadon as they brought forth Truth as they perceived it. Ellis Scism was Pastor at a sister church 17 miles away, and that assembly was grappling with similar dilemmas.
Matthew 25:16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made [them] other five talents.
I Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which [was bestowed] upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
Philippians 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but [this] one thing [I do], forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Some of the problem interpretations were simply too profound for me to solve at such an early age, so I (wisely) shoved them to the "back burner" until such a time as the Lord would choose to illuminate them to me.
I could see quite readily that the first apostles knew that the Lord had opened the door of repentance to the Gentiles when they "heard them speak with tongues" at the house of Cornelius. That truth was in the favor of the PA of JC brethren, I knew.
It was not until the year I was ordained (1943 in Bend, OR) that Bro. Howard Goss was able to shed light on the subject, as far as I was concerned. He mentioned to me that there was probably such a thing as a "full salvation", and that many people were selling themselves short of it by not having the Baptism of the Holy Ghost.
That explanation was sufficient for that stage of my development, but more, much more, was to follow in later years. I still get excited when I reminisce of how the Lord led me to a better, much better, understanding of how He feels about the situation.
It has taken me over fifty years to learn some of the lessons about the God we serve and love. The most difficult part about the learning process was neutralizing what I had been taught in earlier times, so there could be a fertile soil for the seed to grow in as the Lord shed light on my pathway.
As I accepted what was being shown to me, the pieces of the puzzle began coming into place, and Jesus and Calvary began to take on much larger proportions than I had dreamed they could.
Galatians 2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness [come] by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
Jesus told a parable one day about a sower that went forth to sow. There were different kinds of ground, denoting different heart conditions of the hearers of the good news. They all HEARD the word. Three RECEIVED the word, and were SAVED. Only ONE of the THREE bore fruit.
Not ALL of the folks with honest and good hearts bore the SAME AMOUNT of fruit. I used to wonder WHY this was so.
Matthew 13:23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth [it]; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
In 1939, the year Pearl and I were married, I was assisting Pastor C. Haskell Yadon in Emmanuel Assembly, we had some interesting discussions at Wednesday Bible Study, and occasionally the subject of fruitfulness would come up. Also the subject of the possibility of degrees of salvation experienced by believers.
Those were the days when the Pentecostal Church Incorporated and the Pentecostal Assemblies of Jesus Christ were still separate-- one teaching the possibility of a "full salvation"-- the other teaching "Holy Ghost or Hell", as it was dubbed at the time by those opposed to it, and "The New Birth" by the proponents.
Invariably, the matter of "hundred, sixty, thirty" would be referred to as proof of one thing or the other.
I was 20 years old at the time, and not as thoroughly versed in scripture as some others, so I mainly listened to Harry Judd and Walter Durst and Pastor Yadon as they brought forth Truth as they perceived it. Ellis Scism was Pastor at a sister church 17 miles away, and that assembly was grappling with similar dilemmas.
Matthew 25:16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made [them] other five talents.
I Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which [was bestowed] upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
Philippians 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but [this] one thing [I do], forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Some of the problem interpretations were simply too profound for me to solve at such an early age, so I (wisely) shoved them to the "back burner" until such a time as the Lord would choose to illuminate them to me.
I could see quite readily that the first apostles knew that the Lord had opened the door of repentance to the Gentiles when they "heard them speak with tongues" at the house of Cornelius. That truth was in the favor of the PA of JC brethren, I knew.
It was not until the year I was ordained (1943 in Bend, OR) that Bro. Howard Goss was able to shed light on the subject, as far as I was concerned. He mentioned to me that there was probably such a thing as a "full salvation", and that many people were selling themselves short of it by not having the Baptism of the Holy Ghost.
That explanation was sufficient for that stage of my development, but more, much more, was to follow in later years. I still get excited when I reminisce of how the Lord led me to a better, much better, understanding of how He feels about the situation.
It has taken me over fifty years to learn some of the lessons about the God we serve and love. The most difficult part about the learning process was neutralizing what I had been taught in earlier times, so there could be a fertile soil for the seed to grow in as the Lord shed light on my pathway.
As I accepted what was being shown to me, the pieces of the puzzle began coming into place, and Jesus and Calvary began to take on much larger proportions than I had dreamed they could.
Galatians 2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness [come] by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
PENTECOST
PENTECOST
Through our 65 years of association with ministers, both young and old, and reading some books written by men and women who were there when modern Pentecost got its start, we have gleaned a few little known facts about it.
An old friend of ours, Howard A. Goss by name, received the Baptism of the Holy Ghost in 1902. It was just after the outpouring in Topeka, KS.. He told us of how he couldn't speak in English for several days. When he would go to the grocery store, he would have to point at things. He couldn't tell them what he wanted. (By the way, stores were different then than they are now. You told the clerk what you wanted. They went and got it-- weighed it out, or poured it off for you.)
Bro. Goss told Pearl and me about some of the meetings they had in those days. People would go out into towns, rent a hall, and start holding meetings. There was not much need to advertise-- the Holy Ghost did that. Folks came from far and near to see what was taking place. They were seldom disappointed-- the miracles of healing, and other manifestations of the Power of God were very convincing-- and CONVICTING.
As long as the young people were at a loss to know what to do, and when to do it, God took over and did things the Right way. He knew when to do what, and how to do it.
But little by little, men began to "LEARN HOW" to do things, and the Holy Ghost backed off and let them "do it."
Revival fires burned for several years, however, and in 1913 Bro. Goss and a few other men organized the Assemblies of God movement. There was a need, they thought, for a more orderly method of getting the Gospel out. There were some of the brethren who were doing things which were not correct in the sight of the most of the brethren. And there could be strength in numbers. More could be accomplished for the Lord.
There are folks today who doubt the wisdom of the move those men made back there. God alone REALLY knows.
In 1914, a man named Frank Ewart who lived in southern California received a revelation of the Oneness of the Godhead. Along with it came the realization that proper baptism should be in the NAME OF JESUS, according to ALL the accounts in the Bible where baptism took place.
A new Revival broke out when Bro. Ewart started teaching his findings. Great healings and other miracles started all over again. Azuza Street all over again.
Bro. Goss investigated this new thing, and was himself convinced of its correctness. He also began to teach and preach "Jesus Name" and "Oneness".
An emergency meeting of the Assemblies of God was held, and the majority of the brethren voted to stay with the "trustworthy Trinity" doctrine. After all, it had served for more than a thousand years. Why change now?
They did not know then that in the fourth century AD the text of the Bible had been changed by the State Church of Rome. It was changed in two places, allegedly, in order to incorporate the teachings of the followers of Mithra, a pagan god whom they had "evangelized" with the sword. They also "enforced" or "taught" the new doctrine with the sword-- a very effective way, by the way.
The Assemblies of God was split almost as soon as it was born. Bitterness was the result, which remains today. Those who were convinced of Oneness and baptism in the Name of Jesus were to be called "New Issue" and "Jesus Only" and "Of the Devil". They still are called that today, 80 years later.
Howard Goss later became the national Chairman of an organization which sprang up as a result of the split of the Assemblies of God in 1914. The new organization went through a few changes of name, etc., and finally was called the United Pentecostal Church.
It is a progressive organization, standing for holiness of life and pureness of doctrine.
In spite of the criticism and disdain sent their way, the United Pentecostal Church has made great strides for God, and is a force to be reckoned with.
Howard Goss has been dead for many years now, but his memory lives on with Pearl and me. He was a mighty man of God. We owe very much to him. He ordained me in 1943.
One thing which must really grieve the heart of God is the fact of the factions in the Pentecostal movement. It is a blight on the work in the USA. Third world countries are experiencing an overwhelming move of the Spirit in the absence of stife and division.
We are not getting by with the foolishness of fighting. It is costing us more than we can afford to pay. When will it stop?
When God "makes up His jewels" the fighters will be left out. They will not "hear" that "shout" nor "trumpet", having disqualified themselves by disputing quarreling.
Let's not do that any more.
Through our 65 years of association with ministers, both young and old, and reading some books written by men and women who were there when modern Pentecost got its start, we have gleaned a few little known facts about it.
An old friend of ours, Howard A. Goss by name, received the Baptism of the Holy Ghost in 1902. It was just after the outpouring in Topeka, KS.. He told us of how he couldn't speak in English for several days. When he would go to the grocery store, he would have to point at things. He couldn't tell them what he wanted. (By the way, stores were different then than they are now. You told the clerk what you wanted. They went and got it-- weighed it out, or poured it off for you.)
Bro. Goss told Pearl and me about some of the meetings they had in those days. People would go out into towns, rent a hall, and start holding meetings. There was not much need to advertise-- the Holy Ghost did that. Folks came from far and near to see what was taking place. They were seldom disappointed-- the miracles of healing, and other manifestations of the Power of God were very convincing-- and CONVICTING.
As long as the young people were at a loss to know what to do, and when to do it, God took over and did things the Right way. He knew when to do what, and how to do it.
But little by little, men began to "LEARN HOW" to do things, and the Holy Ghost backed off and let them "do it."
Revival fires burned for several years, however, and in 1913 Bro. Goss and a few other men organized the Assemblies of God movement. There was a need, they thought, for a more orderly method of getting the Gospel out. There were some of the brethren who were doing things which were not correct in the sight of the most of the brethren. And there could be strength in numbers. More could be accomplished for the Lord.
There are folks today who doubt the wisdom of the move those men made back there. God alone REALLY knows.
In 1914, a man named Frank Ewart who lived in southern California received a revelation of the Oneness of the Godhead. Along with it came the realization that proper baptism should be in the NAME OF JESUS, according to ALL the accounts in the Bible where baptism took place.
A new Revival broke out when Bro. Ewart started teaching his findings. Great healings and other miracles started all over again. Azuza Street all over again.
Bro. Goss investigated this new thing, and was himself convinced of its correctness. He also began to teach and preach "Jesus Name" and "Oneness".
An emergency meeting of the Assemblies of God was held, and the majority of the brethren voted to stay with the "trustworthy Trinity" doctrine. After all, it had served for more than a thousand years. Why change now?
They did not know then that in the fourth century AD the text of the Bible had been changed by the State Church of Rome. It was changed in two places, allegedly, in order to incorporate the teachings of the followers of Mithra, a pagan god whom they had "evangelized" with the sword. They also "enforced" or "taught" the new doctrine with the sword-- a very effective way, by the way.
The Assemblies of God was split almost as soon as it was born. Bitterness was the result, which remains today. Those who were convinced of Oneness and baptism in the Name of Jesus were to be called "New Issue" and "Jesus Only" and "Of the Devil". They still are called that today, 80 years later.
Howard Goss later became the national Chairman of an organization which sprang up as a result of the split of the Assemblies of God in 1914. The new organization went through a few changes of name, etc., and finally was called the United Pentecostal Church.
It is a progressive organization, standing for holiness of life and pureness of doctrine.
In spite of the criticism and disdain sent their way, the United Pentecostal Church has made great strides for God, and is a force to be reckoned with.
Howard Goss has been dead for many years now, but his memory lives on with Pearl and me. He was a mighty man of God. We owe very much to him. He ordained me in 1943.
One thing which must really grieve the heart of God is the fact of the factions in the Pentecostal movement. It is a blight on the work in the USA. Third world countries are experiencing an overwhelming move of the Spirit in the absence of stife and division.
We are not getting by with the foolishness of fighting. It is costing us more than we can afford to pay. When will it stop?
When God "makes up His jewels" the fighters will be left out. They will not "hear" that "shout" nor "trumpet", having disqualified themselves by disputing quarreling.
Let's not do that any more.
LORD OR MASTER
LORD OR MASTER
A few days ago my attention was drawn to a word play in
the Bible which illustrates different ways in which we can
relate to Jesus.
According Matthew 26:25 Then Judas, which betrayed him,
answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou
hast said. The Greek word that Judas used is "Rabbi",
which means a teacher, or school master.
This term is contrasted with Matthew 26:22 And they were
exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto
him, Lord, is it I? The other disciples all used the word
"Kurios", which is properly translated "Lord".
The two words show how Judas, though numbered among the
dicsiples, was unable to call Jesus "Lord" because he was
not fully surrendered to Him. There were other things in
his affections which kept him from being in full surrender
to the Lordship of Jesus.
Judas was not the only person to be afflicted this way.
Multitudes upon multitudes of Christians today are in the
same condition as Judas was on that day.
They are saved. We can not question their salvation.
But they have not made Jesus the LORD OF THEIR LIFE.
They are not classed among the OVERCOMERS.
There is not much hope of a REWARD for them.
There will be no CROWN awaiting them on the other side.
On the other hand, the OVERCOMERS, who have done their
best to crucify the flesh with its desires, so they can do
what is pleasing to the Lord, have something glorious to
look forward to as this age draws to a close.
GOD'S WAYS ARE ALWAYS CONTRARY TO OUR
FLESHLY DESIRES. WE CAN NOT PLEASE BOTH.
Every day of our lives, Jesus is either our "Lord", or He
is a "Teacher" to us. There is a big difference between
the two.
A few days ago my attention was drawn to a word play in
the Bible which illustrates different ways in which we can
relate to Jesus.
According Matthew 26:25 Then Judas, which betrayed him,
answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou
hast said. The Greek word that Judas used is "Rabbi",
which means a teacher, or school master.
This term is contrasted with Matthew 26:22 And they were
exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto
him, Lord, is it I? The other disciples all used the word
"Kurios", which is properly translated "Lord".
The two words show how Judas, though numbered among the
dicsiples, was unable to call Jesus "Lord" because he was
not fully surrendered to Him. There were other things in
his affections which kept him from being in full surrender
to the Lordship of Jesus.
Judas was not the only person to be afflicted this way.
Multitudes upon multitudes of Christians today are in the
same condition as Judas was on that day.
They are saved. We can not question their salvation.
But they have not made Jesus the LORD OF THEIR LIFE.
They are not classed among the OVERCOMERS.
There is not much hope of a REWARD for them.
There will be no CROWN awaiting them on the other side.
On the other hand, the OVERCOMERS, who have done their
best to crucify the flesh with its desires, so they can do
what is pleasing to the Lord, have something glorious to
look forward to as this age draws to a close.
GOD'S WAYS ARE ALWAYS CONTRARY TO OUR
FLESHLY DESIRES. WE CAN NOT PLEASE BOTH.
Every day of our lives, Jesus is either our "Lord", or He
is a "Teacher" to us. There is a big difference between
the two.
Sunday, September 24, 2006
SONSHIP 25 THE MANIFESTATION OF THE SONS OF GOD
THE MANIFESTATION OF THE SONS OF GOD
Rom 8:19
This is merely an outline to help the reader in his study. It is not complete. Be it known to all who read, that it shows only my knowledge f the subject as of today (Nov 10, 1954--updated Jan 25, 1989) and is subject to change without notice.---Marion Fretwell
Manifestation (Apokalupsis-Gr.) is translated APPEARING 1 time, COMING one time, MANIFESTATION once, REVELATION 12 times, and BE REVEALED twice. Literally, it means an UNCOVERING, an IDENTIFICATION, a GLORIFICATION, (not a glorified body).
1-- Consider the estate of Adam in the Garden. He had dominion over animal, fish and foul. Subdue the Earth. Elements at his command. A Sin-free existance. Had eternal life, BUT NOT IMMORTALITY (there is a difference, you know. As soon as Adam sinned, God set in motion a plan that would return man to his original state of dominion and bliss.
2--Adam's sin resulted in his soul being cut off from its supply of God-life (Eternal Life). This is what is called Spiritual Death. Mt 8:22 Try to imagine the cataclysmic change that took place in man at the time of his sin.
3--Not only was he changed in spirit, but his body immediately became laden with sinful tendencies, formerly unknown to him, which in time produced sickness of every sort. Death reigned from Adam to Moses (Rom 5:14) regardless of whether personal sins were imputed or not.
4--In Jesus, the God-Life is again available to fallen man, but not yet in the measure that Adam had it. We can have the "earnest of our inheritance UNTIL THE REDEMPTION of the purchased possesion". Eph 1:14
5--Thus, we see, we have only partial redemption from the fallen state. Enough, to be sure, that we are safe (Jude 1) from the consequences of sin (hell), but not enough that we are able to weild authority over all things. Sinful tendencies, though not eradicated, can be subdued by means of the Spirit of God.
6-- You may ask why God with-holds from us the fulness of His Life (Spirit) so that we must remain so lacking in Power. The answer is one word T-I-M-E. See Eph 1:10 Weymouth brings it out very clearly.
7-- God's time shall come (soon), and then certain events will take place which will bring about a COMPLETE SALVATION (Redemption of the Body) and a restoration to the dominion which belonged to man before he fell. Those who can qualify will participate. See Rev. 17:14
Rom 8:19
This is merely an outline to help the reader in his study. It is not complete. Be it known to all who read, that it shows only my knowledge f the subject as of today (Nov 10, 1954--updated Jan 25, 1989) and is subject to change without notice.---Marion Fretwell
Manifestation (Apokalupsis-Gr.) is translated APPEARING 1 time, COMING one time, MANIFESTATION once, REVELATION 12 times, and BE REVEALED twice. Literally, it means an UNCOVERING, an IDENTIFICATION, a GLORIFICATION, (not a glorified body).
1-- Consider the estate of Adam in the Garden. He had dominion over animal, fish and foul. Subdue the Earth. Elements at his command. A Sin-free existance. Had eternal life, BUT NOT IMMORTALITY (there is a difference, you know. As soon as Adam sinned, God set in motion a plan that would return man to his original state of dominion and bliss.
2--Adam's sin resulted in his soul being cut off from its supply of God-life (Eternal Life). This is what is called Spiritual Death. Mt 8:22 Try to imagine the cataclysmic change that took place in man at the time of his sin.
3--Not only was he changed in spirit, but his body immediately became laden with sinful tendencies, formerly unknown to him, which in time produced sickness of every sort. Death reigned from Adam to Moses (Rom 5:14) regardless of whether personal sins were imputed or not.
4--In Jesus, the God-Life is again available to fallen man, but not yet in the measure that Adam had it. We can have the "earnest of our inheritance UNTIL THE REDEMPTION of the purchased possesion". Eph 1:14
5--Thus, we see, we have only partial redemption from the fallen state. Enough, to be sure, that we are safe (Jude 1) from the consequences of sin (hell), but not enough that we are able to weild authority over all things. Sinful tendencies, though not eradicated, can be subdued by means of the Spirit of God.
6-- You may ask why God with-holds from us the fulness of His Life (Spirit) so that we must remain so lacking in Power. The answer is one word T-I-M-E. See Eph 1:10 Weymouth brings it out very clearly.
7-- God's time shall come (soon), and then certain events will take place which will bring about a COMPLETE SALVATION (Redemption of the Body) and a restoration to the dominion which belonged to man before he fell. Those who can qualify will participate. See Rev. 17:14
SONSHIP 24 MY GREAT ARMY
MY GREAT ARMY
No study of the "End Time Ministry" would be complete without mentioning the vision given to the Prophet Joel about the people whom God chooses for His "Quick Work" at the consumation of the age in which we live.
A quick look at the second chapter of Joel will give us a fair idea of what God has in mind for the people whom He chooses for his ARMY OF OVERCOMERS, with whom He will accomplish the crushing of "Babylon"-- the Socio-Religious system which holds us captive at this point in time.
We are now living in the time of the "Little Horn"-- the extension of the fourth Gentile Kingdom-- Rome. It (the Socio-Religious system), exercises all the power of it's predecessor, but has another outstanding characteristic-- "a big, loud mouth". It has taken away the "daily (sacrifice)"-- the Civil Government of Medeival Europe, and all following governments, and has, in most cases, become a Religious "Head of State"-- world-wide.
It speaks with a great deal of authority. Kings of the earth (heads of governments) all pay heed when this "mouth" speaks. All super-powers of the earth have paid State Visits to the seat of the "Little Horn", and received less or more of a blessing. Most, if not all, of the very large corporations pay homage at the feet of this "little loud mouth". Part of the "stock in trade" is the "souls
of men".
This "system" WILL BE CRUSHED by the POWER OF GOD working through a "great people, and a strong" whom God calls "MY GREAT ARMY".
Joel 2:1 BLOW YE THE TRUMPET IN ZION, AND SOUND AN ALARM IN MY HOLY MOUNTAIN: (THESE ARE TRUMPET CALLS TO MUSTER OUT AN ARMY FOR BATTLE. SEE NUMBERS 10) let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for [it is] nigh at hand;
Joel 2:2 -- A GREAT PEOPLE AND A STRONG; Joel 2:3 A FIRE DEVOURETH BEFORE THEM; AND BEHIND THEM A FLAME BURNETH: the land [is] as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, AND NOTHING SHALL ESCAPE THEM.
Joel 2:5 -- AS A STRONG PEOPLE SET IN BATTLE ARRAY.
Joel 2:7 They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and THEY SHALL NOT BREAK THEIR RANKS: Joel 2:8 NEITHER SHALL ONE THRUST ANOTHER; they shall walk every one in his path: and [when] they fall upon
the sword, they shall not be wounded.
Joel 2:10 THE EARTH SHALL QUAKE BEFORE THEM; THE HEAVENS SHALL TREMBLE: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining: Joel 2:11 AND THE LORD SHALL UTTER HIS VOICE BEFORE HIS ARMY: FOR HIS CAMP [IS] VERY GREAT:
for [he is] strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD [is] great and very terrible; and who can abide it?
Joel 2:25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmer- worm, (by) MY GREAT ARMY WHICH I SENT AMONG YOU.
Joel 3:16 THE LORD ALSO SHALL ROAR OUT OF ZION, (HIS VOICE IS STRONGER THAN THAT OF THE LITTLE HORN) and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH SHALL SHAKE: but the LORD [will be] the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.
I want to be in that "ARMY"
No study of the "End Time Ministry" would be complete without mentioning the vision given to the Prophet Joel about the people whom God chooses for His "Quick Work" at the consumation of the age in which we live.
A quick look at the second chapter of Joel will give us a fair idea of what God has in mind for the people whom He chooses for his ARMY OF OVERCOMERS, with whom He will accomplish the crushing of "Babylon"-- the Socio-Religious system which holds us captive at this point in time.
We are now living in the time of the "Little Horn"-- the extension of the fourth Gentile Kingdom-- Rome. It (the Socio-Religious system), exercises all the power of it's predecessor, but has another outstanding characteristic-- "a big, loud mouth". It has taken away the "daily (sacrifice)"-- the Civil Government of Medeival Europe, and all following governments, and has, in most cases, become a Religious "Head of State"-- world-wide.
It speaks with a great deal of authority. Kings of the earth (heads of governments) all pay heed when this "mouth" speaks. All super-powers of the earth have paid State Visits to the seat of the "Little Horn", and received less or more of a blessing. Most, if not all, of the very large corporations pay homage at the feet of this "little loud mouth". Part of the "stock in trade" is the "souls
of men".
This "system" WILL BE CRUSHED by the POWER OF GOD working through a "great people, and a strong" whom God calls "MY GREAT ARMY".
Joel 2:1 BLOW YE THE TRUMPET IN ZION, AND SOUND AN ALARM IN MY HOLY MOUNTAIN: (THESE ARE TRUMPET CALLS TO MUSTER OUT AN ARMY FOR BATTLE. SEE NUMBERS 10) let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for [it is] nigh at hand;
Joel 2:2 -- A GREAT PEOPLE AND A STRONG; Joel 2:3 A FIRE DEVOURETH BEFORE THEM; AND BEHIND THEM A FLAME BURNETH: the land [is] as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, AND NOTHING SHALL ESCAPE THEM.
Joel 2:5 -- AS A STRONG PEOPLE SET IN BATTLE ARRAY.
Joel 2:7 They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and THEY SHALL NOT BREAK THEIR RANKS: Joel 2:8 NEITHER SHALL ONE THRUST ANOTHER; they shall walk every one in his path: and [when] they fall upon
the sword, they shall not be wounded.
Joel 2:10 THE EARTH SHALL QUAKE BEFORE THEM; THE HEAVENS SHALL TREMBLE: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining: Joel 2:11 AND THE LORD SHALL UTTER HIS VOICE BEFORE HIS ARMY: FOR HIS CAMP [IS] VERY GREAT:
for [he is] strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD [is] great and very terrible; and who can abide it?
Joel 2:25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmer- worm, (by) MY GREAT ARMY WHICH I SENT AMONG YOU.
Joel 3:16 THE LORD ALSO SHALL ROAR OUT OF ZION, (HIS VOICE IS STRONGER THAN THAT OF THE LITTLE HORN) and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH SHALL SHAKE: but the LORD [will be] the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.
I want to be in that "ARMY"
SONSHIP 23 SET ME AS A SEAL
SET ME AS A SEAL
Song of Solomon 8:6 "SET ME AS A SEAL UPON THINE HEART, AS A SEAL UPON THINE ARM: FOR LOVE [IS] STRONG AS DEATH--" ; jealousy [is] cruel as the grave: the coals thereof [are] coals of fire, [which hath a] most vehement flame.
Song of Solomon 8:7 Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if [a] man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned.
This is a story of a peasant girl who had been taken from her home and family for a very strange purpose. The record does not tell us if she suffered from homesickness. Neither does it tellus if she found her task repugnant.
Little did she know that she would become the theme of a most beautiful and inspiring Song-- the Song of Solomon.
Her strange task? It was before our modern ways of caring for the aged. I believe it was a bungled solution to the problem, but it seemed to be in the Mind of God, non-the-less. He OFTEN USES OUR BUNGLING ATTEMPTS for His purposes.
I Kings 1:1-4 Now king David was old [and] stricken in years; and they covered him with clothes, but he gat no heat. Wherefore his servants said unto him, Let there be sought for my lord the king a young virgin: and let her stand before the king, and let her cherish him, and let her lie in thy bosom, that my lord the king may get heat. So they sought for a fair damsel throughout all the coasts of Israel, and found Abishag a Shunammite, and brought her to the king. And the damsel [was] very fair, and cherished the king, and ministered to him: but the king knew her not.
After King David had died, one of his sons was desirous of her attentions, and asked King Solomon for her hand. It displeased Solomon very much, and he had the man killed.
I Kings 2:22,23 And king Solomon answered and said unto his mother, And why dost thou ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? ask for him the kingdom also; for he [is] mine elder brother; even for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah. Then king Solomon sware by the LORD, saying, God do so to me, and more also, if Adonijah have not spoken this word against his own life.
Legend has it that this fair damsel had been in love with a young man of Shunem before she was chosen for this strange mission to King David, and would have desired to return to her young lover there.
But, it was not to be, for God had other plans for her life, much like He does for each one of us, if we will be submissive to His Will for our lives.
To make a long story shorter, after much wooing on Solomon's part, her heart is finally won over to him. She FALLS DEEPLY IN LOVE with her Lover, who has tenderly and faithfully done what He could to win her affection.
The Shulamite serves very well as a type of those who whole-heartedly respond to the wooings of the Spirit of God. The King patiently waits for her to lose her desire for her former love, and to be drawn to Him. She would not have voluntarily been drawn to the King, but His attentions were overwhelming.
Neither would we have followed the Heavenly King voluntarily. But the "drawing" of the Lord was overwhelming.
John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all [men] unto me.
Many of us have fallen in love with Jesus. BUT SOME HAVE FALLEN SO DEEPLY IN LOVE WITH HIM THAT THEY ARE CONSUMED WITH A DESIRE TO BE A PART OF HIM. But they have been hindered by their inability to completely sever themselves from their former love. (their life before they knew Jesus)
But they, like the Shulamite, are calling out to their Lover, and asking of Him that He-- "SET ME AS A SEAL UPON THINE HEART, AS A SEAL UPON THINE ARM: FOR LOVE [IS] STRONG AS DEATH--"
THAT IS THE HEART CRY OF EVERY POTENTIAL OVERCOMER.
Song of Solomon 8:6 "SET ME AS A SEAL UPON THINE HEART, AS A SEAL UPON THINE ARM: FOR LOVE [IS] STRONG AS DEATH--" ; jealousy [is] cruel as the grave: the coals thereof [are] coals of fire, [which hath a] most vehement flame.
Song of Solomon 8:7 Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if [a] man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned.
This is a story of a peasant girl who had been taken from her home and family for a very strange purpose. The record does not tell us if she suffered from homesickness. Neither does it tellus if she found her task repugnant.
Little did she know that she would become the theme of a most beautiful and inspiring Song-- the Song of Solomon.
Her strange task? It was before our modern ways of caring for the aged. I believe it was a bungled solution to the problem, but it seemed to be in the Mind of God, non-the-less. He OFTEN USES OUR BUNGLING ATTEMPTS for His purposes.
I Kings 1:1-4 Now king David was old [and] stricken in years; and they covered him with clothes, but he gat no heat. Wherefore his servants said unto him, Let there be sought for my lord the king a young virgin: and let her stand before the king, and let her cherish him, and let her lie in thy bosom, that my lord the king may get heat. So they sought for a fair damsel throughout all the coasts of Israel, and found Abishag a Shunammite, and brought her to the king. And the damsel [was] very fair, and cherished the king, and ministered to him: but the king knew her not.
After King David had died, one of his sons was desirous of her attentions, and asked King Solomon for her hand. It displeased Solomon very much, and he had the man killed.
I Kings 2:22,23 And king Solomon answered and said unto his mother, And why dost thou ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? ask for him the kingdom also; for he [is] mine elder brother; even for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah. Then king Solomon sware by the LORD, saying, God do so to me, and more also, if Adonijah have not spoken this word against his own life.
Legend has it that this fair damsel had been in love with a young man of Shunem before she was chosen for this strange mission to King David, and would have desired to return to her young lover there.
But, it was not to be, for God had other plans for her life, much like He does for each one of us, if we will be submissive to His Will for our lives.
To make a long story shorter, after much wooing on Solomon's part, her heart is finally won over to him. She FALLS DEEPLY IN LOVE with her Lover, who has tenderly and faithfully done what He could to win her affection.
The Shulamite serves very well as a type of those who whole-heartedly respond to the wooings of the Spirit of God. The King patiently waits for her to lose her desire for her former love, and to be drawn to Him. She would not have voluntarily been drawn to the King, but His attentions were overwhelming.
Neither would we have followed the Heavenly King voluntarily. But the "drawing" of the Lord was overwhelming.
John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all [men] unto me.
Many of us have fallen in love with Jesus. BUT SOME HAVE FALLEN SO DEEPLY IN LOVE WITH HIM THAT THEY ARE CONSUMED WITH A DESIRE TO BE A PART OF HIM. But they have been hindered by their inability to completely sever themselves from their former love. (their life before they knew Jesus)
But they, like the Shulamite, are calling out to their Lover, and asking of Him that He-- "SET ME AS A SEAL UPON THINE HEART, AS A SEAL UPON THINE ARM: FOR LOVE [IS] STRONG AS DEATH--"
THAT IS THE HEART CRY OF EVERY POTENTIAL OVERCOMER.
SONSHIP 22 THE REAPERS
THE REAPERS
--adapted from DAY OF ATONEMENT--PROCLAIM LIBERTY
"And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat LIKE UNTO THE SON OF MAN, having on his head a golden crown, and in his
hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, 'Thrust in thy sickle, and reap; for THE TIME IS COME for thee to reap; for the HARVEST OF THE ARTH is ripe'. And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped." Rev 14:14-16
HAVE you ever thought about the nature of the reaping? I have, many times. May I share with you here a few of my "thoughts"?
IN St. John 4 Jesus identified the work of the Reapers. It was to gather souls to Salvation through Him. He told His disciples that there was plenty of work to be done even at that time.
LATER, He told them that the "Harvest" was at the end of the world. Much, but not all, of what He told His followers was directed to that period of time He referred to as the "Harvest".
IF you will take the time to read the tenth chapter of Matthew, with this thought in mind, you may discover, as I did, that Jesus was ENACTING A PROPHESY of the Harvest Time when He gave His disciples power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. He told them to preach as they went, saying that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. As they preached, they were also to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, and cast out devils.
HE told them, "I have given this power (authority) to you without limitations (freely), now you go out and dispense it without regard for man or devils."
NOTHING could stand before them, because they had been given unlimited authority over all satanic activity.
HE promised to supply EVERY NEED THEY HAD: that they were not to bother themselves about ANYTHING pertaining to their physical or monetary
needs. Later, He asked them if they had suffered any lack when He had sent them out in this manner. They confessed that they had not. This arrangement only lasted long enough for it to be established for the record that Jesus WAS and IS ABLE TO DO THIS SORT OF THING for, and I and through human beings. It was never intended to be a permanent arrangement at that time, for it was NOT YET HARVEST TIME.
HE also cautioned them about the dangers of the Mission on which He was sending them. They were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
THERE will be no place in the Harvest for men and women who are self-seeking, and vindictive in their nature. They must be "Wise as serpents and HARMLESS AS DOVES." And they CAN BE when they have received the "Harvest-time Anointing" from Jesus on the Day of Atonement. Let me hasten to say, however, that this Anointing will never be given to anyone who has not engaged in a life-and-death type of struggle with their carnal tendencies. We want to get "even" with those who have done us wrong, or to play favorites in our dealings with other human beings. This Anointing is for those who have pressed their way as close to the Tabernacle Gate as they can get, without horning other people in the process.
WE SHUDDER when we behold some of the carnal maneuvering and manipulation employed by some Christians and Leaders today.
THE COMBINATION of preaching the "Everlasting Gospel", with the miracles of Deliverance, will be the essence of "Thrusting in the Sickle".
THE ACCOUNT in Rev 14 states that "The earth was reaped". No maybe so, no hope so, not possibly so, but THE EARTH WAS REAPED.
WHY should it be such a staggering effort to believe that God is capable of drawing almost one whole generation of humanity into the Kingdom? We have not staggered at believing that He is able to change humans from mortals to immortals in the twinkling of an eye, and to bring back from the graves all the believers from every generation, in one swoop. Our belief in the catching away has been drilled into us since childhood. However, we HAVE NOT BEEN TAUGHT to believe that God is planning to use mortal human beings to reap a Harvest for Him. Why?
I believe that part of the reason has been our childish desire for "Goodies from God", and a carnal, childish shrinking back from the personal refinement which God will require from the candidates for this "Choosing" of the Reapers.
We all love the promises which require little effort on our part to lay claim to them, so we gravitate that direction. Our teachers have helped us along in this line of thinking, in that they have had a desire to tell us something that would make us feel good.
Teachers and Leaders have been fully as human as the rest of us, and endowed with the same spirit of self-preservation and gain. If they tell us what we love to hear, and what makes us feel good, they have a following, and an income. Those who tell us what is not so pleasant to the ears and the emotions, usually stand more-or-less by themselves, and at their own expense.
WE have been just as much at fault as the leaders, in that we have wanted to hear the smooth things, instead of those things which would put a load on our shoulders.
AND let me interject right here, that my memories of the harvest fields of Southwestern Idaho in the 1930s still sort of make me itch and sweat. IT WAS ANYTHING BUT FUN.
JESUS said, "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, BECAUSE HE HATH ANOINTED ME."
JESUS went about doing good--healing all that were oppressed in any way. It was His ANOINTING that made it possible for Him to do it. It was the ANOINTING that made Him WANT TO DO IT.
THE REAPERS will experience the same type of anointing that Jesus did. They will feel the same type of compassion that Jesus felt. They will produce the same results that Jesus was able to produce, because of the similar anointing. Great multitudes followed, and listened to Jesus because of the mighty miracles which He performed. Their lives were touched as they had never been touched before. He spoke with an authority they had not seen before.
JESUS told His disciples to speak in the light what He told them in darkness, for nothing could remain covered, but would be revealed for everyone to see.
THE REAPERS will receive continual instructions from the Holy Spirit in the same manner that Jesus did in His earthly Ministry. Jesus could only be in one place at a time. That is why I would rather live today than when He was on earth. With my luck, I would have been somewhere that He was not, most of the time. Even so, He, being only one, set the world aflame with His Ministry.
THE BIBLE tells us that God plans to fill "Babylon" with men, as Grasshoppers, and that they will "Shout" against her.
TRY to imagine, if you will, what sort of an impact this world is going to feel when "men as grasshoppers" go forth among human beings with the same type of Ministry that Jesus had. Joel 2 tells us that NOTHING SHALL ESCAPE THEM. Their Ministry will be virtually irresistable.
WHEN the masses of humanity start turning to God, away from sin and shame, Babylon will begin to feel the pinch. Certain kinds of merchandise will not have any more buyers.
JESUS became very unpopular with the Religious Department of Babylon when His teachings and actions pulled the covers off of their errant ways. JESUS warned that the Reapers would encounter the same type of opposition from the same Department of Religion in the last days. They would also draw fire from the Economic and Military Departments. For, you see, the reaping of the world for Jesus is the ESSENCE OF THE OVERTHROWING OF BABYLON.
As with animal life, so with organizational life, the struggles of death are often quite violent.
BABYLON is in control of Military power, Economic power, Political power, and MOST OF ECCLESIASTIC power. As the hour of death approaches, she will not hesitate to use EVERY BIT OF THE POWER SHE POSSESSES against those humans who are CAUSING HER THE PAIN.
BUT GOD is more than a match for the "Merchants of Souls", and will protect His Reapers until the short Harvest is completed.
REAPING will not be a "joy ride" in any sense of the word. It will be wearying work. But the labourer is worth of his hire.
--adapted from DAY OF ATONEMENT--PROCLAIM LIBERTY
"And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat LIKE UNTO THE SON OF MAN, having on his head a golden crown, and in his
hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, 'Thrust in thy sickle, and reap; for THE TIME IS COME for thee to reap; for the HARVEST OF THE ARTH is ripe'. And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped." Rev 14:14-16
HAVE you ever thought about the nature of the reaping? I have, many times. May I share with you here a few of my "thoughts"?
IN St. John 4 Jesus identified the work of the Reapers. It was to gather souls to Salvation through Him. He told His disciples that there was plenty of work to be done even at that time.
LATER, He told them that the "Harvest" was at the end of the world. Much, but not all, of what He told His followers was directed to that period of time He referred to as the "Harvest".
IF you will take the time to read the tenth chapter of Matthew, with this thought in mind, you may discover, as I did, that Jesus was ENACTING A PROPHESY of the Harvest Time when He gave His disciples power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. He told them to preach as they went, saying that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. As they preached, they were also to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, and cast out devils.
HE told them, "I have given this power (authority) to you without limitations (freely), now you go out and dispense it without regard for man or devils."
NOTHING could stand before them, because they had been given unlimited authority over all satanic activity.
HE promised to supply EVERY NEED THEY HAD: that they were not to bother themselves about ANYTHING pertaining to their physical or monetary
needs. Later, He asked them if they had suffered any lack when He had sent them out in this manner. They confessed that they had not. This arrangement only lasted long enough for it to be established for the record that Jesus WAS and IS ABLE TO DO THIS SORT OF THING for, and I and through human beings. It was never intended to be a permanent arrangement at that time, for it was NOT YET HARVEST TIME.
HE also cautioned them about the dangers of the Mission on which He was sending them. They were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
THERE will be no place in the Harvest for men and women who are self-seeking, and vindictive in their nature. They must be "Wise as serpents and HARMLESS AS DOVES." And they CAN BE when they have received the "Harvest-time Anointing" from Jesus on the Day of Atonement. Let me hasten to say, however, that this Anointing will never be given to anyone who has not engaged in a life-and-death type of struggle with their carnal tendencies. We want to get "even" with those who have done us wrong, or to play favorites in our dealings with other human beings. This Anointing is for those who have pressed their way as close to the Tabernacle Gate as they can get, without horning other people in the process.
WE SHUDDER when we behold some of the carnal maneuvering and manipulation employed by some Christians and Leaders today.
THE COMBINATION of preaching the "Everlasting Gospel", with the miracles of Deliverance, will be the essence of "Thrusting in the Sickle".
THE ACCOUNT in Rev 14 states that "The earth was reaped". No maybe so, no hope so, not possibly so, but THE EARTH WAS REAPED.
WHY should it be such a staggering effort to believe that God is capable of drawing almost one whole generation of humanity into the Kingdom? We have not staggered at believing that He is able to change humans from mortals to immortals in the twinkling of an eye, and to bring back from the graves all the believers from every generation, in one swoop. Our belief in the catching away has been drilled into us since childhood. However, we HAVE NOT BEEN TAUGHT to believe that God is planning to use mortal human beings to reap a Harvest for Him. Why?
I believe that part of the reason has been our childish desire for "Goodies from God", and a carnal, childish shrinking back from the personal refinement which God will require from the candidates for this "Choosing" of the Reapers.
We all love the promises which require little effort on our part to lay claim to them, so we gravitate that direction. Our teachers have helped us along in this line of thinking, in that they have had a desire to tell us something that would make us feel good.
Teachers and Leaders have been fully as human as the rest of us, and endowed with the same spirit of self-preservation and gain. If they tell us what we love to hear, and what makes us feel good, they have a following, and an income. Those who tell us what is not so pleasant to the ears and the emotions, usually stand more-or-less by themselves, and at their own expense.
WE have been just as much at fault as the leaders, in that we have wanted to hear the smooth things, instead of those things which would put a load on our shoulders.
AND let me interject right here, that my memories of the harvest fields of Southwestern Idaho in the 1930s still sort of make me itch and sweat. IT WAS ANYTHING BUT FUN.
JESUS said, "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, BECAUSE HE HATH ANOINTED ME."
JESUS went about doing good--healing all that were oppressed in any way. It was His ANOINTING that made it possible for Him to do it. It was the ANOINTING that made Him WANT TO DO IT.
THE REAPERS will experience the same type of anointing that Jesus did. They will feel the same type of compassion that Jesus felt. They will produce the same results that Jesus was able to produce, because of the similar anointing. Great multitudes followed, and listened to Jesus because of the mighty miracles which He performed. Their lives were touched as they had never been touched before. He spoke with an authority they had not seen before.
JESUS told His disciples to speak in the light what He told them in darkness, for nothing could remain covered, but would be revealed for everyone to see.
THE REAPERS will receive continual instructions from the Holy Spirit in the same manner that Jesus did in His earthly Ministry. Jesus could only be in one place at a time. That is why I would rather live today than when He was on earth. With my luck, I would have been somewhere that He was not, most of the time. Even so, He, being only one, set the world aflame with His Ministry.
THE BIBLE tells us that God plans to fill "Babylon" with men, as Grasshoppers, and that they will "Shout" against her.
TRY to imagine, if you will, what sort of an impact this world is going to feel when "men as grasshoppers" go forth among human beings with the same type of Ministry that Jesus had. Joel 2 tells us that NOTHING SHALL ESCAPE THEM. Their Ministry will be virtually irresistable.
WHEN the masses of humanity start turning to God, away from sin and shame, Babylon will begin to feel the pinch. Certain kinds of merchandise will not have any more buyers.
JESUS became very unpopular with the Religious Department of Babylon when His teachings and actions pulled the covers off of their errant ways. JESUS warned that the Reapers would encounter the same type of opposition from the same Department of Religion in the last days. They would also draw fire from the Economic and Military Departments. For, you see, the reaping of the world for Jesus is the ESSENCE OF THE OVERTHROWING OF BABYLON.
As with animal life, so with organizational life, the struggles of death are often quite violent.
BABYLON is in control of Military power, Economic power, Political power, and MOST OF ECCLESIASTIC power. As the hour of death approaches, she will not hesitate to use EVERY BIT OF THE POWER SHE POSSESSES against those humans who are CAUSING HER THE PAIN.
BUT GOD is more than a match for the "Merchants of Souls", and will protect His Reapers until the short Harvest is completed.
REAPING will not be a "joy ride" in any sense of the word. It will be wearying work. But the labourer is worth of his hire.
SONSHIP 21 TO ANOINT THE MOST HOLY
TO ANOINT THE MOST HOLY
Daniel 9:24 SEVENTY WEEKS ARE DETERMINED upon THY PEOPLE AND UPON THY HOLY CITY, to:
(1)FINISH THE TRANSGRESSION, (the word "transgression" is a coloquial for "The Law of Moses" Jesus said, just before He died, "IT IS FINISHED" See Jn 19:30.) and
(2)to make an end of sins (AN EQUALLY CORRECT TRANSLATION HERE WOULD BE "SIN OFFERINGS. See Heb 10:4-22), and
(3)to MAKE RECONCILIATION FOR INIQUITY (hHebrews 2:17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto [his] brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things [pertaining] to God, to MAKE RECONCILIATION FOR THE SINS OF THE PEOPLE.), and
THOSE FIRST THREE THINGS--JESUS DID WHILE ON THE CROSS. THEY ARE HISTORY.
BUT, THE LAST THREE ARE STILL IN THE FUTURE.
(4)to bring in EVERLASTING (ETERNAL, THAT WHICH COMES FROM ETERNITY-- GOD'S DWELLING PLACE) RIGHTEOUSNESS (THE SPIRITS OF JUST MEN MADE PERFECT), and
(5)to SEAL UP (SAME WORD AS "MAKE AN END" IN #2. See ch. 12;6-8) The vision and prophecy, and
(6)to ANOINT (THE SPIRIT SEEMED TO SAY "ACTIVATE") THE MOST HOLY.
The Tabernacle in the Wilderness had two sections in the tent. The first section was twice as long as it was wide (possibly to denote the passage of 2,000 years. It was called "The Holy Place". It contained furniture which typified the work which the Lord has been and is doing during this age which is called "The Church Age".
The second section was a perfect CUBE -- possibly to denote the 1,000 year reign of Jesus. (Please note, also, that the City Which Lieth Foursquare is also a perfect CUBE). It was named "THE MOST HOLY PLACE" or "THE HOLY OF HOLIES".)
The MOST HOLY PLACE contained the furniture which corresponds to the Millenial Kingdom.
1.) ABSOLUTE FREEDOM FROM SIN. Revelation 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither [whatsoever] worketh abomination, or [maketh] a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.
Exodus 28:36 And thou shalt make a plate [of] pure gold, and grave upon it, [like] the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD.
Isaiah 11:9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
Joel 3:17 So shall ye know that I [am] the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.
Zechariah 8:3 Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain.
The NEW JERUSALEM is called "THY HOLY CITY" BECAUSE THE BIBLICAL MEANING OF A "CITY" DENOTES THAT PEOPOLE ARE LIVING UNDER A COMMON LAW-- HOLINESS TO THE LORD.
"THY HOLY CITY" is used to denote for whom it is prepared.
I SUBMIT TO YOU, BRETHREN, THAT GOD HAS AN "ISRAEL" WHICH IS SEPARATE AND APART FROM THE NATURAL SEED OF ABRAHAM. "The Israel of God." Gal 6:16
Galatians 3:18 For if the inheritance [be] of the law, [it is] no more of promise: but God gave [it] to Abraham by promise.
Galatians 3:6,7 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
Galatians 3:9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
Galatians 3:13,14 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed [is] every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Galatians 3:16 Now to Abraham and HIS SEED were the promises made. He SAITH NOT, And to SEEDS, as of many; but AS OF ONE, And to THY SEED, WHICH IS CHRIST.
Galatians 3:18 For if the inheritance [be] of the law, [it is] no more of promise: but God gave [it] to Abraham by promise.
Galatians 3:29 AND IF YE [BE] CHRIST'S, THEN ARE YE ABRAHAM'S SEED, AND HEIRS ACCORDING TO THE PROMISE.
Daniel 9:24 SEVENTY WEEKS ARE DETERMINED upon THY PEOPLE AND UPON THY HOLY CITY, to:
(1)FINISH THE TRANSGRESSION, (the word "transgression" is a coloquial for "The Law of Moses" Jesus said, just before He died, "IT IS FINISHED" See Jn 19:30.) and
(2)to make an end of sins (AN EQUALLY CORRECT TRANSLATION HERE WOULD BE "SIN OFFERINGS. See Heb 10:4-22), and
(3)to MAKE RECONCILIATION FOR INIQUITY (hHebrews 2:17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto [his] brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things [pertaining] to God, to MAKE RECONCILIATION FOR THE SINS OF THE PEOPLE.), and
THOSE FIRST THREE THINGS--JESUS DID WHILE ON THE CROSS. THEY ARE HISTORY.
BUT, THE LAST THREE ARE STILL IN THE FUTURE.
(4)to bring in EVERLASTING (ETERNAL, THAT WHICH COMES FROM ETERNITY-- GOD'S DWELLING PLACE) RIGHTEOUSNESS (THE SPIRITS OF JUST MEN MADE PERFECT), and
(5)to SEAL UP (SAME WORD AS "MAKE AN END" IN #2. See ch. 12;6-8) The vision and prophecy, and
(6)to ANOINT (THE SPIRIT SEEMED TO SAY "ACTIVATE") THE MOST HOLY.
The Tabernacle in the Wilderness had two sections in the tent. The first section was twice as long as it was wide (possibly to denote the passage of 2,000 years. It was called "The Holy Place". It contained furniture which typified the work which the Lord has been and is doing during this age which is called "The Church Age".
The second section was a perfect CUBE -- possibly to denote the 1,000 year reign of Jesus. (Please note, also, that the City Which Lieth Foursquare is also a perfect CUBE). It was named "THE MOST HOLY PLACE" or "THE HOLY OF HOLIES".)
The MOST HOLY PLACE contained the furniture which corresponds to the Millenial Kingdom.
1.) ABSOLUTE FREEDOM FROM SIN. Revelation 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither [whatsoever] worketh abomination, or [maketh] a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.
Exodus 28:36 And thou shalt make a plate [of] pure gold, and grave upon it, [like] the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD.
Isaiah 11:9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
Joel 3:17 So shall ye know that I [am] the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.
Zechariah 8:3 Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain.
The NEW JERUSALEM is called "THY HOLY CITY" BECAUSE THE BIBLICAL MEANING OF A "CITY" DENOTES THAT PEOPOLE ARE LIVING UNDER A COMMON LAW-- HOLINESS TO THE LORD.
"THY HOLY CITY" is used to denote for whom it is prepared.
I SUBMIT TO YOU, BRETHREN, THAT GOD HAS AN "ISRAEL" WHICH IS SEPARATE AND APART FROM THE NATURAL SEED OF ABRAHAM. "The Israel of God." Gal 6:16
Galatians 3:18 For if the inheritance [be] of the law, [it is] no more of promise: but God gave [it] to Abraham by promise.
Galatians 3:6,7 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
Galatians 3:9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
Galatians 3:13,14 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed [is] every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Galatians 3:16 Now to Abraham and HIS SEED were the promises made. He SAITH NOT, And to SEEDS, as of many; but AS OF ONE, And to THY SEED, WHICH IS CHRIST.
Galatians 3:18 For if the inheritance [be] of the law, [it is] no more of promise: but God gave [it] to Abraham by promise.
Galatians 3:29 AND IF YE [BE] CHRIST'S, THEN ARE YE ABRAHAM'S SEED, AND HEIRS ACCORDING TO THE PROMISE.
SONSHIP 20 THE DELIVERER OUT OF ZION
THE DELIVERER OUT OF ZION
Romans 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
This matter of The Deliverer out of Sion should be looked at very carefully.
Zion is the HIGHER of the two prominent mountains within Jerusalem.
MORIAH was the WORSHIP CENTER of the world in the Mosaic pattern.
ZION became the SEAT OF AUTHORITY after David conquered the hill by the unusual method of "climbing the gutter" (going through the city water system).
ZION and MORIAH were typical of the two classes of Christians within the CHURCH.
There are many scriptures which bear out the fact that one class of Christian attains to a higher degree of Spiritual Ascendancy than others do.
Some "names" which are given to the two companies are: ZION and JERUSALEM ( see Isa 2:3 and Micah 4:2) And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
In Psa 22:22 they are called MY BRETHREN, and THE CONGREGATION. Again in Psa 102:21 they are called ZION and JERUSALEM. In Psalms 103:7 He made known his WAYS unto Moses, his ACTS unto the children of Israel. God deals with each company differently.
Psalms 24:3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
THE DELIVERER OUT OF ZION will be those who have allowed the Spirit of God to refine them enough for them to be useful to Him in Spiritual matters.
There are several scriptures which give us a clue to the identity of this DELIVERER which is to come out of ZION, and "turn ungodliness from Jacob."
The first one we want to look at is two places in the book of Revelation. Revelation 7:3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: [and there were] sealed an hundred [and] forty [and] four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.
Revelation 14:1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty [and] four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.
Let's notice a few things about these people. First, they are Christians. (The manner of their "begetting" determines the name of the "tribe" to which they belong.) They are WITH the LAMB, and they have their Father's NAME in their foreheads (the seat of all emotions-- from which all action springs).
They knew, and sang, a NEW SONG (manner of life) which other people knew nothing about. The Holy Ghost had taught it to them.
They were not defiled (no divided allegience) with women (Church machinery)-- they are virgins. They strictly followed the Spirit and the Word. They were REDEEMED FROM AMONG MEN. They are the FIRSTFRUITS unto God.
Their mouth was PURE, and their MOTIVES were pure.
We find them in the Old Testament. Isaiah 13:3 I have commanded my sanctified ones, I have also called my mighty ones for mine anger, [even] them that rejoice in my highness.
Paul had caught the vision of this people, and yearned longingly to be among them. Listen to him in Phi 3. In verse 10 he wants to KNOW Him and the POWER of His RESURRECTION. In verse 11 he wants "BY ANY MEANS" to attain to the (SPECIAL, BETTER) resurrection. In verse 12 he "follows after". In verse 13, "this ONE THING I do."
Philippians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the HIGH calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Hebrews 11:35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
Brethren, there are Christians, and there are Christians. Not every one is paying their fair share of consecration to God. Too many of us are riding along on the Grace of God. Not that it is wrong to do that, but there is a BETTER WAY.
Strip for the race that is presented to us. Let us narrow our horizon to God, and His desires for our lives. God will be debtor to no man. There is too much to gain, to falter now.
Romans 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall TURN AWAY UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB:
WHO IS THIS DELIVERER?
It is a company of people known as the OVERCOMERS. They come from all parts of the Church-- (seven churches of Asia). They have received the SPECIAL THINGS promised to the OVERCOMERS. (Take a good, hard look at the promises in Revelation 2 & 3.)
The DELIVERER comes from the midst of the Church. It is presently a small body within, and concealed by a larger body. NO ONE BUT THE LORD knows who they are, but HE DOES KNOW. Malachi 3:16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often (consulted) one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard [it], and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that (reckoned) thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Then shall ye return, (lit. look around) and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.
JESUS pantomimed a prophecy of this when He rode into Jerusalem on the FOAL of an ASS. An ASS is a beast of burden-- the Church through the centuries. The male colt had not yet been controlled by man. In His TRIUMPHAL ENTRY, Jesus prophesied how the Gospel would be presented to Israel after the "blindness in part" is taken away.
The DELIVERER comes from having been SEALED in the forehead (the seat of emotions and actions) in the PRESENCE of the LAMB on Mount Zion (the highest point of the Church). It is a company of people who have been ushered (anointed by the Spirit) into a special place in the economy of God. It is a FIGURATIVE number-- not actually 144,000.
DELIVERANCE is accomplished by the binding and crushing of the captor who has held them captive.
Revelation 20:1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
God has wonderful things in store for those who will abdicate themselves for Him.
In return for abject slavery to Him, He gives complete freedom in the Holy Ghost. This is REAL LIBERTY!
--from EMMANUEL MINISTRIES
Romans 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
This matter of The Deliverer out of Sion should be looked at very carefully.
Zion is the HIGHER of the two prominent mountains within Jerusalem.
MORIAH was the WORSHIP CENTER of the world in the Mosaic pattern.
ZION became the SEAT OF AUTHORITY after David conquered the hill by the unusual method of "climbing the gutter" (going through the city water system).
ZION and MORIAH were typical of the two classes of Christians within the CHURCH.
There are many scriptures which bear out the fact that one class of Christian attains to a higher degree of Spiritual Ascendancy than others do.
Some "names" which are given to the two companies are: ZION and JERUSALEM ( see Isa 2:3 and Micah 4:2) And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
In Psa 22:22 they are called MY BRETHREN, and THE CONGREGATION. Again in Psa 102:21 they are called ZION and JERUSALEM. In Psalms 103:7 He made known his WAYS unto Moses, his ACTS unto the children of Israel. God deals with each company differently.
Psalms 24:3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
THE DELIVERER OUT OF ZION will be those who have allowed the Spirit of God to refine them enough for them to be useful to Him in Spiritual matters.
There are several scriptures which give us a clue to the identity of this DELIVERER which is to come out of ZION, and "turn ungodliness from Jacob."
The first one we want to look at is two places in the book of Revelation. Revelation 7:3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: [and there were] sealed an hundred [and] forty [and] four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.
Revelation 14:1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty [and] four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.
Let's notice a few things about these people. First, they are Christians. (The manner of their "begetting" determines the name of the "tribe" to which they belong.) They are WITH the LAMB, and they have their Father's NAME in their foreheads (the seat of all emotions-- from which all action springs).
They knew, and sang, a NEW SONG (manner of life) which other people knew nothing about. The Holy Ghost had taught it to them.
They were not defiled (no divided allegience) with women (Church machinery)-- they are virgins. They strictly followed the Spirit and the Word. They were REDEEMED FROM AMONG MEN. They are the FIRSTFRUITS unto God.
Their mouth was PURE, and their MOTIVES were pure.
We find them in the Old Testament. Isaiah 13:3 I have commanded my sanctified ones, I have also called my mighty ones for mine anger, [even] them that rejoice in my highness.
Paul had caught the vision of this people, and yearned longingly to be among them. Listen to him in Phi 3. In verse 10 he wants to KNOW Him and the POWER of His RESURRECTION. In verse 11 he wants "BY ANY MEANS" to attain to the (SPECIAL, BETTER) resurrection. In verse 12 he "follows after". In verse 13, "this ONE THING I do."
Philippians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the HIGH calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Hebrews 11:35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
Brethren, there are Christians, and there are Christians. Not every one is paying their fair share of consecration to God. Too many of us are riding along on the Grace of God. Not that it is wrong to do that, but there is a BETTER WAY.
Strip for the race that is presented to us. Let us narrow our horizon to God, and His desires for our lives. God will be debtor to no man. There is too much to gain, to falter now.
Romans 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall TURN AWAY UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB:
WHO IS THIS DELIVERER?
It is a company of people known as the OVERCOMERS. They come from all parts of the Church-- (seven churches of Asia). They have received the SPECIAL THINGS promised to the OVERCOMERS. (Take a good, hard look at the promises in Revelation 2 & 3.)
The DELIVERER comes from the midst of the Church. It is presently a small body within, and concealed by a larger body. NO ONE BUT THE LORD knows who they are, but HE DOES KNOW. Malachi 3:16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often (consulted) one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard [it], and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that (reckoned) thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Then shall ye return, (lit. look around) and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.
JESUS pantomimed a prophecy of this when He rode into Jerusalem on the FOAL of an ASS. An ASS is a beast of burden-- the Church through the centuries. The male colt had not yet been controlled by man. In His TRIUMPHAL ENTRY, Jesus prophesied how the Gospel would be presented to Israel after the "blindness in part" is taken away.
The DELIVERER comes from having been SEALED in the forehead (the seat of emotions and actions) in the PRESENCE of the LAMB on Mount Zion (the highest point of the Church). It is a company of people who have been ushered (anointed by the Spirit) into a special place in the economy of God. It is a FIGURATIVE number-- not actually 144,000.
DELIVERANCE is accomplished by the binding and crushing of the captor who has held them captive.
Revelation 20:1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
God has wonderful things in store for those who will abdicate themselves for Him.
In return for abject slavery to Him, He gives complete freedom in the Holy Ghost. This is REAL LIBERTY!
--from EMMANUEL MINISTRIES
SONSHIP 19 THE SPIRITS OF JUST MEN
THE SPIRITS OF JUST MEN MADE PERFECT
Have you ever noticed how the Holy Ghost often sandwiches precious truths right into the middle of a seemingly unrelated discourse? Such is the case in Hebrews, chapter 12.
He is giving Pastoral instructions-- urging folks to take heed to their lives, and to avoid sins. Then:
Hebrews 12:18-24 For ye are NOT come unto the mount that might be TOUCHED, (THE law of moses) and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which [voice] they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: (For they COULD NOT ENDURE that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: And SO TERRIBLE was the sight, [that] Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:) BUT ye ARE come unto MOUNT SION, (The City Foursquare, A PERFECT CUBE, THE "MOST HOLY PLACE") AND UNTO THE CITY OF THE LIVING GOD, THE HEAVENLY JERUSALEM, (not TOUCHABLE, NOT BUILT WITH HANDS, WITH ITS FOUNDATION IN HEAVEN) and to an innumerable company of angels, To the GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND CHURCH OF THE FIRSTBORN, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, AND TO THE SPIRITS OF JUST MEN MADE PERFECT (MEN WHO HAVE "LOOKED FOR HIM" BY FOLLOWING HARD AFTER THE WORD AND SPIRIT), And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than [that of] Abel.
This scripture tells us WHERE WE ARE in the economy of God.
Not ONLY have we come to the NEW JERUSALEM and MOUNT SION, we have come to the time of THE SPIRITS OF JUST MEN MADE PERFECT.
Almost every time I have mentioned this, I am confronted with retorts such as, "That is not what God is doing now."
I beg to differ. I choose to believe what the Holy Ghost said through the writer of Hebrews. "WE ARE COME".
But my critics reply, "Anyone can see that those conditions do not yet exist." And, I have to agree-- WE DON'T SEE THEM YET.
But, when I was teaching this at Emmanuel Assembly during the 50's and 60's, I used an homely illustration to explain what I knew to be true. I had been doing interior decorating prior to that time.
When our crew went into a home to "paper" a room, the FIRST thing we did was to throw a drop sheet on the floor and over the furniture. If someone were to have come along and asked us what we were doing, we would have said, "We are papering this room."
Obviously, we only had a drop sheet on the floor. Later, it would have also been obvious that we were only sanding down the seams of the previous coats of paper. Still later, it would have been obvious that we were only painting the woodwork.
These activities were each a PART of the WHOLE JOB, and must be done in their proper times for the job to be satisfactory and complete.
But, IN EACH SEGMENT OF THE WORK, WE WERE "PAPERING" THE ROOM.
GOD IS NOW SELECTING AND BUILDING A BODY OF "SONS" WHOM HE WILL SHOW, BOTH TO SPIRITS AND MORTALS.
I CAN NOT TELL YOU EXACTLY WHAT STAGE OF THE WORK IS TAKING PLACE RIGHT NOW, BUT IT IS ALL A PART OF THE JOB.
These SONS OF GOD will have a work to do in the earth, which can not be accomplished in any other way, nor by any other people.
I am confident they are described in scripture as being the angel which has a chain, and "binds" satan. (They cut off his influence in the earth, and replace it with the influence of the Spirit that has "birthed" them from the midst of the church as we know it today.) (See Rev 12)
Satan operates in the realm that is called AIR in the scripture. He is called the "PRINCE of the POWER of the AIR." He will be "bound and cast out" of that realm. The OVERCOMERS will be "caught up" into that realm (AIR), and spread the INFLUENCE OF GOD (Holiness, peace, love, etc.) around the globe, IN THE SAME MANNER THAT EVIL (hatred, warfare, deceit, etc.) is being spread today.
Have you ever noticed how the Holy Ghost often sandwiches precious truths right into the middle of a seemingly unrelated discourse? Such is the case in Hebrews, chapter 12.
He is giving Pastoral instructions-- urging folks to take heed to their lives, and to avoid sins. Then:
Hebrews 12:18-24 For ye are NOT come unto the mount that might be TOUCHED, (THE law of moses) and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which [voice] they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: (For they COULD NOT ENDURE that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: And SO TERRIBLE was the sight, [that] Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:) BUT ye ARE come unto MOUNT SION, (The City Foursquare, A PERFECT CUBE, THE "MOST HOLY PLACE") AND UNTO THE CITY OF THE LIVING GOD, THE HEAVENLY JERUSALEM, (not TOUCHABLE, NOT BUILT WITH HANDS, WITH ITS FOUNDATION IN HEAVEN) and to an innumerable company of angels, To the GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND CHURCH OF THE FIRSTBORN, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, AND TO THE SPIRITS OF JUST MEN MADE PERFECT (MEN WHO HAVE "LOOKED FOR HIM" BY FOLLOWING HARD AFTER THE WORD AND SPIRIT), And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than [that of] Abel.
This scripture tells us WHERE WE ARE in the economy of God.
Not ONLY have we come to the NEW JERUSALEM and MOUNT SION, we have come to the time of THE SPIRITS OF JUST MEN MADE PERFECT.
Almost every time I have mentioned this, I am confronted with retorts such as, "That is not what God is doing now."
I beg to differ. I choose to believe what the Holy Ghost said through the writer of Hebrews. "WE ARE COME".
But my critics reply, "Anyone can see that those conditions do not yet exist." And, I have to agree-- WE DON'T SEE THEM YET.
But, when I was teaching this at Emmanuel Assembly during the 50's and 60's, I used an homely illustration to explain what I knew to be true. I had been doing interior decorating prior to that time.
When our crew went into a home to "paper" a room, the FIRST thing we did was to throw a drop sheet on the floor and over the furniture. If someone were to have come along and asked us what we were doing, we would have said, "We are papering this room."
Obviously, we only had a drop sheet on the floor. Later, it would have also been obvious that we were only sanding down the seams of the previous coats of paper. Still later, it would have been obvious that we were only painting the woodwork.
These activities were each a PART of the WHOLE JOB, and must be done in their proper times for the job to be satisfactory and complete.
But, IN EACH SEGMENT OF THE WORK, WE WERE "PAPERING" THE ROOM.
GOD IS NOW SELECTING AND BUILDING A BODY OF "SONS" WHOM HE WILL SHOW, BOTH TO SPIRITS AND MORTALS.
I CAN NOT TELL YOU EXACTLY WHAT STAGE OF THE WORK IS TAKING PLACE RIGHT NOW, BUT IT IS ALL A PART OF THE JOB.
These SONS OF GOD will have a work to do in the earth, which can not be accomplished in any other way, nor by any other people.
I am confident they are described in scripture as being the angel which has a chain, and "binds" satan. (They cut off his influence in the earth, and replace it with the influence of the Spirit that has "birthed" them from the midst of the church as we know it today.) (See Rev 12)
Satan operates in the realm that is called AIR in the scripture. He is called the "PRINCE of the POWER of the AIR." He will be "bound and cast out" of that realm. The OVERCOMERS will be "caught up" into that realm (AIR), and spread the INFLUENCE OF GOD (Holiness, peace, love, etc.) around the globe, IN THE SAME MANNER THAT EVIL (hatred, warfare, deceit, etc.) is being spread today.
SONSHIP 18 THE GLORY --REVEALED
THE GLORY THAT SHALL BE REVEALED IN US
Romans 8:17,18 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and JOINTHEIRS WITH CHRIST; IF SO BE THAT WE SUFFER WITH [HIM], that we may be also GLORIFIED TOGETHER. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time [are] not worthy [to be compared] with the GLORY WHICH SHALL BE REVEALED IN US.
No person can possibly attain to the position of being a JOINT HEIR (in full partnership) with Christ without going the route of SUFFERING FOR HIS SAKE.
SUFFERING can take many forms, but one of the most common is that of having other Christians distance themselves from you-- as though you were a bit "ripe" or "balmy", as the vernacular used to be when I was younger. And, I did my share of using the terms in my youth, but it didn't feel so good when it was in reverse gear. "What GOES around, COMES around."
The Lord is shedding light on the true meaning of being GLORIFIED TOGETHER WITH HIM.
We have, for perhaps a century or more, taught and been taught that to be GLORIFIED was having an IMMORTAL BODY. But, as other truths are being revealed, it would seem that at least SOME of the references are meaning something which will happen to, and take place in the MORTAL condition.
II Corinthians 4:10 Always bearing about IN THE BODY the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest IN OUR BODY.
Romans 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only [they], but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, [to wit], THE REDEMPTION OF OUR BODY.
Please note that it did not say "immortalization of our body." It said "REDEMPTION". There is a vast difference between the two.
When a possession is REDEEMED, it is RESTORED TO IT'S ORIGINAL CONDITION. Mankind has been MORTAL since Adam was created. NEVER WAS IMMORTAL.
To be REDEEMED, our bodies would still be mortal, but FREE FROM THE CURSE OF THE SINFUL NATURE. The NATURE OF SIN (the human nature) is our PROBLEM today.
Romans 8:21 Because the creature itself also shall be DELIVERED FROM THE BONDAGE OF CORRUPTION into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
Those humans who attain to the level of becoming a CANDIDATE for the "OVERCOMING CLASS" will experience an encounter with the Spirit of God which will transform them in a moment of time. One moment they will have been a human being with a sinful nature. The next moment, they will be a human being WITHOUT a sinful nature. It will be GONE! IN THE TWINKLING OF AN EYE.
THEY WILL HAVE BEEN USHERED INTO SONSHIP!
THEY WILL HAVE BEEN "CAUGHT UP" INTO THE REALM OF THE SPIRIT WHICH THE BIBLE CALLS "AIR". THAT IS THE REALM FROM WHICH SATAN OPERATES TODAY.
THEY WILL BE MANIFEST TO THE WORLD FOR WHAT THEY THEN ARE. SONS OF GOD!
THEY WILL HAVE "APPREHENDED THAT FOR WHICH THEY HAD BEEN APPREHENDED OF GOD."
Struggles with PRIDE will be a thing of the past!
Thoughts of REVENGE and RETALIATION will be HISTORY.
PERISH THE THOUGHT OF PARTIALITY!
NOW, The Lord can entrust to them the POWER and SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY which was entrusted to Jesus Christ at the River Jordan. There is no danger of them using it in an unrighteous way.
THE HEAVENS CAN NOW BE OPENED TO THEM, as with Jesus when he came out of the waters of baptism. They can "SEE" as Jesus "SAW" what was happening in the Heavenly Realm, and can MAKE IT COME TO PASS in the earthly realm, as Jesus did.
THIS IS WHAT THE WORLD HAS BEEN WAITING AND GROANING FOR.
Romans 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
II Thessalonians 1:10 When he shall come to be GLORIFIED IN HIS SAINTS, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
Philippians 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things [but] loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord:
Romans 8:17,18 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and JOINTHEIRS WITH CHRIST; IF SO BE THAT WE SUFFER WITH [HIM], that we may be also GLORIFIED TOGETHER. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time [are] not worthy [to be compared] with the GLORY WHICH SHALL BE REVEALED IN US.
No person can possibly attain to the position of being a JOINT HEIR (in full partnership) with Christ without going the route of SUFFERING FOR HIS SAKE.
SUFFERING can take many forms, but one of the most common is that of having other Christians distance themselves from you-- as though you were a bit "ripe" or "balmy", as the vernacular used to be when I was younger. And, I did my share of using the terms in my youth, but it didn't feel so good when it was in reverse gear. "What GOES around, COMES around."
The Lord is shedding light on the true meaning of being GLORIFIED TOGETHER WITH HIM.
We have, for perhaps a century or more, taught and been taught that to be GLORIFIED was having an IMMORTAL BODY. But, as other truths are being revealed, it would seem that at least SOME of the references are meaning something which will happen to, and take place in the MORTAL condition.
II Corinthians 4:10 Always bearing about IN THE BODY the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest IN OUR BODY.
Romans 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only [they], but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, [to wit], THE REDEMPTION OF OUR BODY.
Please note that it did not say "immortalization of our body." It said "REDEMPTION". There is a vast difference between the two.
When a possession is REDEEMED, it is RESTORED TO IT'S ORIGINAL CONDITION. Mankind has been MORTAL since Adam was created. NEVER WAS IMMORTAL.
To be REDEEMED, our bodies would still be mortal, but FREE FROM THE CURSE OF THE SINFUL NATURE. The NATURE OF SIN (the human nature) is our PROBLEM today.
Romans 8:21 Because the creature itself also shall be DELIVERED FROM THE BONDAGE OF CORRUPTION into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
Those humans who attain to the level of becoming a CANDIDATE for the "OVERCOMING CLASS" will experience an encounter with the Spirit of God which will transform them in a moment of time. One moment they will have been a human being with a sinful nature. The next moment, they will be a human being WITHOUT a sinful nature. It will be GONE! IN THE TWINKLING OF AN EYE.
THEY WILL HAVE BEEN USHERED INTO SONSHIP!
THEY WILL HAVE BEEN "CAUGHT UP" INTO THE REALM OF THE SPIRIT WHICH THE BIBLE CALLS "AIR". THAT IS THE REALM FROM WHICH SATAN OPERATES TODAY.
THEY WILL BE MANIFEST TO THE WORLD FOR WHAT THEY THEN ARE. SONS OF GOD!
THEY WILL HAVE "APPREHENDED THAT FOR WHICH THEY HAD BEEN APPREHENDED OF GOD."
Struggles with PRIDE will be a thing of the past!
Thoughts of REVENGE and RETALIATION will be HISTORY.
PERISH THE THOUGHT OF PARTIALITY!
NOW, The Lord can entrust to them the POWER and SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY which was entrusted to Jesus Christ at the River Jordan. There is no danger of them using it in an unrighteous way.
THE HEAVENS CAN NOW BE OPENED TO THEM, as with Jesus when he came out of the waters of baptism. They can "SEE" as Jesus "SAW" what was happening in the Heavenly Realm, and can MAKE IT COME TO PASS in the earthly realm, as Jesus did.
THIS IS WHAT THE WORLD HAS BEEN WAITING AND GROANING FOR.
Romans 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
II Thessalonians 1:10 When he shall come to be GLORIFIED IN HIS SAINTS, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
Philippians 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things [but] loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord:
SONSHIP 17 DELIVERANCE AND LIBERTY
DELIVERANCE AND LIBERTY
Back in the very early 50's, I was driving down SR 22 to sing at a funeral in Prosser, WA. I was training myself to think on God, and commune with Him at any time I was doing something which didn't require me to concentrate on the task at hand. Driving my 1950 Ford was certainly not a task which required heavy concentration, so I was singing and praising the Lord-- letting my spirit reach out to Him.
Suddenly, a scripture flashed to my mind. Romans 7:24 O wretched man that I am! WHO SHALL DELIVER ME FROM THE BODY OF THIS DEATH?
Immediately following that, another scripture was impressed upon me. Romans 7:25 I thank God THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD.
That was, as best I recall, the BEGINNING of what was to become one of the most outstanding factors in my Spiritual life-- The better understanding of the Plan and Purposes of God in His dealings with humans who commit their lives and souls into HIS KEEPING. Since that time, I have marveled many times at the tolerance and patience of the Lord in dealing with the vast array of interpretations and teachings about what He is doing now, and planning to do in the future, with and for His People.
About the same time, a Minister from Dallas, TX. came into town and held a meeting in Stenberg's Tabernacle, where Bro. Barfoot was Pastor. People really "took" to the young Evangelist, and he began to get some "ideas" about what God wanted him to do. He later came back to town and opened up a Revival Center in a building which had at one time housed a Spiritual Church, but was now empty.
He majored in what he called "Deliverance". For a long time I thought the man had the same revelation I had been given, about The Lord being able and willing to set us free from our carnality and other shortcomings if we would strive to do what His Word told us to do.
MY TEACHINGS ABOUT BEING "GOD-CONSCIOUS" AS MUCH AS WE COULD BE, WERE PART OF THE PROCESS OF BEING SET AT LIBERTY TO LIVE THE TYPE OF LIFE GOD WANTED US TO LIVE. IF OUR MINDS WERE "STAYED ON HIM" WE WOULD BE FEEDING OUR SPIRIT NATURE, AND IT WOULD GROW STRONG-- STRONGER THAN OUR "HUMAN NATURE". THUS, WE WOULD HAVE MORE "LIBERTY" AND FREEDOM FROM THE HUMAN EMOTIONS AND DESIRES.
Imagine my shock, when I attended a few services and learned that, to him, "Deliverance" meant healing of the body, rather than purification of spirit and attitudes. IN MY MIND, THE SPIRIT OF MAN WAS WHAT WE NEEDED "DELIVERANCE" FROM. His message was quite popular, however, and he gained a large following, for there were not many who were really interested in refinement of their walk in the Spirit and Word of the Lord. Not then. Not now.
But, I kept hearing this "distant drummer"-- calling me to explore the matter of being delivered from the "body of this death", or, as another translation puts it, "this body of death." I found somewhere, a writing in a book which told how Paul came to use that expression. In some places, a form of punishment for a murderer was to fasten the body of the victim upon him, and make him carry the putrefying form everywhere he went-- UNTIL HE HIMSELF DIED FROM IT.
What an apt description of the condition of human beings today! Strapped with a body of death-- unable to get free from it, EXCEPT. Except, that is, as we are able to become submissive to, and obedient to, the Spirit of God. (I'm not talking about Salvation. I mean AFTER we are saved.) As we are able to "through (by) the Spirit mortify (put down) the deeds (impulses and desires) of the flesh" we can have a degree of "deliverance and liberty" from them.
We Christian humans, like all other creatures, are crying out for God to do something to set us free from the NATURE OF SIN (bondage of corruption) which holds us in its vise-like grip. It is the "mortgage of Adam", when he arrogantly believed he knew more than God knew, and went and "did his own thing." The dying cry of every creature of prey is a crying out to God for the "Manifestation of the Sons of God." But, that is another subject in itself.
Romans 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
Romans 8:21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
COMPLETE DELIVERANCE FROM THE IMPULSES OF THE FLESH (BODY) IS IN THE PLAN OF GOD FOR A PEOPLE WHO HAVE MADE THEMSELVES CANDIDATES FOR THAT MIGHTY MOVING OF GOD IN THE EARTH.
BUT IT IS BY NO MEANS TO BE GIVEN TO ALL WHO HAVE SALVATION NOW. NEITHER IS IT PERTAINING TO WHAT HAS BECOME KNOWN AS THE "RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH."
I can't tell you all the "mechanics" of it, but of this much I am assured-- MOST PEOPLE WILL BE SURPRISED AT WHAT GOD IS PLANNING TO DO IN THE LIVES OF A PEOPLE WHO SUBMIT TO THE REFINING FIRES OF HIS SPIRIT.
--adapted from EMMANUEL MINISTRIES
Back in the very early 50's, I was driving down SR 22 to sing at a funeral in Prosser, WA. I was training myself to think on God, and commune with Him at any time I was doing something which didn't require me to concentrate on the task at hand. Driving my 1950 Ford was certainly not a task which required heavy concentration, so I was singing and praising the Lord-- letting my spirit reach out to Him.
Suddenly, a scripture flashed to my mind. Romans 7:24 O wretched man that I am! WHO SHALL DELIVER ME FROM THE BODY OF THIS DEATH?
Immediately following that, another scripture was impressed upon me. Romans 7:25 I thank God THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD.
That was, as best I recall, the BEGINNING of what was to become one of the most outstanding factors in my Spiritual life-- The better understanding of the Plan and Purposes of God in His dealings with humans who commit their lives and souls into HIS KEEPING. Since that time, I have marveled many times at the tolerance and patience of the Lord in dealing with the vast array of interpretations and teachings about what He is doing now, and planning to do in the future, with and for His People.
About the same time, a Minister from Dallas, TX. came into town and held a meeting in Stenberg's Tabernacle, where Bro. Barfoot was Pastor. People really "took" to the young Evangelist, and he began to get some "ideas" about what God wanted him to do. He later came back to town and opened up a Revival Center in a building which had at one time housed a Spiritual Church, but was now empty.
He majored in what he called "Deliverance". For a long time I thought the man had the same revelation I had been given, about The Lord being able and willing to set us free from our carnality and other shortcomings if we would strive to do what His Word told us to do.
MY TEACHINGS ABOUT BEING "GOD-CONSCIOUS" AS MUCH AS WE COULD BE, WERE PART OF THE PROCESS OF BEING SET AT LIBERTY TO LIVE THE TYPE OF LIFE GOD WANTED US TO LIVE. IF OUR MINDS WERE "STAYED ON HIM" WE WOULD BE FEEDING OUR SPIRIT NATURE, AND IT WOULD GROW STRONG-- STRONGER THAN OUR "HUMAN NATURE". THUS, WE WOULD HAVE MORE "LIBERTY" AND FREEDOM FROM THE HUMAN EMOTIONS AND DESIRES.
Imagine my shock, when I attended a few services and learned that, to him, "Deliverance" meant healing of the body, rather than purification of spirit and attitudes. IN MY MIND, THE SPIRIT OF MAN WAS WHAT WE NEEDED "DELIVERANCE" FROM. His message was quite popular, however, and he gained a large following, for there were not many who were really interested in refinement of their walk in the Spirit and Word of the Lord. Not then. Not now.
But, I kept hearing this "distant drummer"-- calling me to explore the matter of being delivered from the "body of this death", or, as another translation puts it, "this body of death." I found somewhere, a writing in a book which told how Paul came to use that expression. In some places, a form of punishment for a murderer was to fasten the body of the victim upon him, and make him carry the putrefying form everywhere he went-- UNTIL HE HIMSELF DIED FROM IT.
What an apt description of the condition of human beings today! Strapped with a body of death-- unable to get free from it, EXCEPT. Except, that is, as we are able to become submissive to, and obedient to, the Spirit of God. (I'm not talking about Salvation. I mean AFTER we are saved.) As we are able to "through (by) the Spirit mortify (put down) the deeds (impulses and desires) of the flesh" we can have a degree of "deliverance and liberty" from them.
We Christian humans, like all other creatures, are crying out for God to do something to set us free from the NATURE OF SIN (bondage of corruption) which holds us in its vise-like grip. It is the "mortgage of Adam", when he arrogantly believed he knew more than God knew, and went and "did his own thing." The dying cry of every creature of prey is a crying out to God for the "Manifestation of the Sons of God." But, that is another subject in itself.
Romans 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
Romans 8:21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
COMPLETE DELIVERANCE FROM THE IMPULSES OF THE FLESH (BODY) IS IN THE PLAN OF GOD FOR A PEOPLE WHO HAVE MADE THEMSELVES CANDIDATES FOR THAT MIGHTY MOVING OF GOD IN THE EARTH.
BUT IT IS BY NO MEANS TO BE GIVEN TO ALL WHO HAVE SALVATION NOW. NEITHER IS IT PERTAINING TO WHAT HAS BECOME KNOWN AS THE "RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH."
I can't tell you all the "mechanics" of it, but of this much I am assured-- MOST PEOPLE WILL BE SURPRISED AT WHAT GOD IS PLANNING TO DO IN THE LIVES OF A PEOPLE WHO SUBMIT TO THE REFINING FIRES OF HIS SPIRIT.
--adapted from EMMANUEL MINISTRIES
SONSHIP 16 THE FIRSTFRUITS
THE FIRSTFRUITS
When the Lord anointed Moses to lead the Children of Israel out of the bondage of Egypt, He brought them to SINAI and MARRIED THEM. He spelled out the conditions 9THE MORAL LAW-- TEN COMMANDMENTS) of the union, and they sent word back by Moses, "We Will."
Jeremiah 3:14 Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I AM MARRIED UNTO YOU: and I will take you ONE OF A CITY, and TWO OF A FAMILY and I will bring you to ZION: (the CLOSEST RELATIONSHIP TO HIM)
Moses then returned to the Mountain, and God gave him the LAW OF CEREMONIES (Statutes and judgments) for their relationship to Him.
Though I do not have an understanding of many of the ceremonies imposed upon them, I do feel that He has given me a bit of light on some of them.
One of them is "THE FIRSTFRUITS" statute. Also the FIRSTBORN. Much emphasis was placed on each of them.
Of course, the FIRSTBORN statute pointed to JESUS, who will be the FIRSTBORN AMONG MANY BRETHREN (OVERCOMERS FROM EVERY CHURCH GENERATION). Because of that, great emphasis was placed upon the FIRSTBORN SON of each family. He would be the PRIEST of the family, in the absence of the father, through death, or otherwise.
God claimed all of the firstborn on the Passover night in Egypt. They were HIS PROPERTY from that time.
Numbers 3:13 Because all the firstborn [are] mine; [for] on the day that I smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I hallowed unto me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast: mine shall they be: I [am] the LORD.
At Sinai, God also laid claim to the FIRSTFRUITS of all crops grown by the children of Israel. They must be offered to Him as soon as they matured.
Exodus 22:29 Thou shalt not delay [to offer] the first of thy ripe fruits, and of thy liquors: the firstborn of thy sons shalt thou give unto me.
In most crops, especially fruits and berries, there is ONE BLOOM which appears FIRST. That bloom ALSO MATURES FIRST. It is modernly called the KING BLOOM, and subsequently the KING BERRY at harvest time. When we pick berries here in the Pacific Northwest, we "go for the King Berry" if possible. It is the biggest and best of the cluster.
Both the FIRSTBORN and the FIRSTFRUITS statutes teach us a truth about what God is doing in the world today.
Revelation 14:4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, [being] the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
James 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
I BELIEVE-- that the law of the Firstfruits was given to instruct us about a part of the Plan of God for "BRINGING MANY SONS TO GLORY", and placeing Jesus Christ as the FIRSTBORN among them.
IN MY MIND-- the FIRSTFRUITS COMPANY is synonymous with OVERCOMERS.
They are "earmarked" as-- Revelation 1:6-- "kings and priests unto God"--. (Two other translations say "a kingdom of priests".) (FIRSTBORN-- FIRSTFRUITS) The same is true in Revelation 5:10 -- And hast made us unto our God "kings and priests": and we shall reign on the earth.
This is the same promise which was given to Israel-- provided they would "obey My Voice indeed"-- which they failed to do. See Ex 19:5,6
When the Lord anointed Moses to lead the Children of Israel out of the bondage of Egypt, He brought them to SINAI and MARRIED THEM. He spelled out the conditions 9THE MORAL LAW-- TEN COMMANDMENTS) of the union, and they sent word back by Moses, "We Will."
Jeremiah 3:14 Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I AM MARRIED UNTO YOU: and I will take you ONE OF A CITY, and TWO OF A FAMILY and I will bring you to ZION: (the CLOSEST RELATIONSHIP TO HIM)
Moses then returned to the Mountain, and God gave him the LAW OF CEREMONIES (Statutes and judgments) for their relationship to Him.
Though I do not have an understanding of many of the ceremonies imposed upon them, I do feel that He has given me a bit of light on some of them.
One of them is "THE FIRSTFRUITS" statute. Also the FIRSTBORN. Much emphasis was placed on each of them.
Of course, the FIRSTBORN statute pointed to JESUS, who will be the FIRSTBORN AMONG MANY BRETHREN (OVERCOMERS FROM EVERY CHURCH GENERATION). Because of that, great emphasis was placed upon the FIRSTBORN SON of each family. He would be the PRIEST of the family, in the absence of the father, through death, or otherwise.
God claimed all of the firstborn on the Passover night in Egypt. They were HIS PROPERTY from that time.
Numbers 3:13 Because all the firstborn [are] mine; [for] on the day that I smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I hallowed unto me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast: mine shall they be: I [am] the LORD.
At Sinai, God also laid claim to the FIRSTFRUITS of all crops grown by the children of Israel. They must be offered to Him as soon as they matured.
Exodus 22:29 Thou shalt not delay [to offer] the first of thy ripe fruits, and of thy liquors: the firstborn of thy sons shalt thou give unto me.
In most crops, especially fruits and berries, there is ONE BLOOM which appears FIRST. That bloom ALSO MATURES FIRST. It is modernly called the KING BLOOM, and subsequently the KING BERRY at harvest time. When we pick berries here in the Pacific Northwest, we "go for the King Berry" if possible. It is the biggest and best of the cluster.
Both the FIRSTBORN and the FIRSTFRUITS statutes teach us a truth about what God is doing in the world today.
Revelation 14:4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, [being] the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
James 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
I BELIEVE-- that the law of the Firstfruits was given to instruct us about a part of the Plan of God for "BRINGING MANY SONS TO GLORY", and placeing Jesus Christ as the FIRSTBORN among them.
IN MY MIND-- the FIRSTFRUITS COMPANY is synonymous with OVERCOMERS.
They are "earmarked" as-- Revelation 1:6-- "kings and priests unto God"--. (Two other translations say "a kingdom of priests".) (FIRSTBORN-- FIRSTFRUITS) The same is true in Revelation 5:10 -- And hast made us unto our God "kings and priests": and we shall reign on the earth.
This is the same promise which was given to Israel-- provided they would "obey My Voice indeed"-- which they failed to do. See Ex 19:5,6
Friday, September 22, 2006
SONSHIP 15 THE ADOPTION
ADOPTION
The word "ADOPTION" is one that is not very well understood as it is used in the Bible. Its meaning in the time of the translation of the Bible was different than it is today--hence the confusion over what it is trying to say to us.
It comes from the Greek word Huiothesia, and it means to "PLACE AS A SON" rather than to go get a child and raise it as your own. IT WAS A PRACTICE IN BIBLE TIMES, TO ESTABLISH YOUR SON AS A FULL PARTNER IN YOUR BUSINESS OF CARPENTRY, FARMING, OR WHATEVER YOU WERE ENGAGED IN DOING FOR A LIVING. This was usually done at age 30, which was believed to be the age of maturity in that time.
It was at age 30 that Jesus would have had to be "adopted" (placed as a Son) into the trade of Joseph--HAD IT NOT BEEN THAT HIS TRUE FATHER, THE HOLY GHOST, HAD LAID CLAIM TO HIM AT THE RIVER JORDAN, AND, DESCENDING IN A VISIBLE FORM UPON HIM, SAID, "THIS IS MY BELOVED SON, IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED.
Jesus immediately launched into His earthly Ministry, known as the Messianic Ministry. He began to "do the work of His Father" on earth.
AFTER HIS MINISTRY OF 3 1/2 YEARS WAS FINISHED, JESUS SENT THE HOLY GHOST (SPIRIT OF ADOPTION--PLACING AS SONS) INTO THE EARTH TO DWELL IN THE HEARTS OF MEN WHO WILL OPEN THEIR LIVES TO HIM. What a difference it makes in our lives after we have experienced this Baptism of the Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues as He gives utterance (prompts). Rom 8:
Scripture tells us that this "Adoption" belongs to Israel, along with the Covenants and promises given to Abraham. The ONLY RECOGNIZED PART OF ISRAEL has, for the most part, completely rejected the reality of the Lord Jesus Christ, but their rejection does not, in any way nullify those covenants, promises, and benefits to the OTHER PORTIONS OF ISRAEL, and also the Gentiles who believe on Jesus.
A careful tracing of the promise given to Abraham will lead us through the patriarchs to David. From David it was passed to Jesus Christ. JESUS TOLD HIS DISCIPLES THAT THEY WERE TO WAIT IN JERUSALEM FOR THE "PROMISE OF THE FATHER".
PAUL CLEARLY IDENTIFIES THIS "PROMISE" AS BEING THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY GHOST, EVIDENCED BY THE SPEAKING IN A LANGUAGE WE HAVE NOT KNOWN.
BUT WE ARE STILL WAITING FOR THE ADOPTION WHILE WE ENJOY THE WORKINGS OF THE SPIRIT OF ADOPTION. In fact, we groan within ourselves while we wait. THAT WHICH IS YET TO COME is so much greater than what we have that we hunger for the completeness of this "earnest" which we have received.
ADOPTION IS LIKENED TO THE "REDEMPTION OF OUR BODIES". Our bodies are still in the bondage of corruption--being sold under sin. THE NATURE OF SIN IS STILL RESIDENT WITHIN US EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE RECEIVED THE SPIRIT OF GOD INTO OUR HEARTS.
We would love to be able to do ALL THAT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO DO IF WE WERE NOT HINDERED BY THE SINFULNESS OF OUR BODIES. Try as we might, we cannot seem to get free from that hindrance. And, so, we must await God's timing in His plan of salvation.
WE MOST CERTAINLY DO HAVE A TIME ELEMENT TO CONTEND WITH, AND NO ONE HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN TRYING TO CIRCUMVENT IT. WE ARE BOUND TO IT.
But God's day WILL come, soon, I hope, AND THOSE WHO ARE LOOKING FOR IT, WILL HAVE AN EXPERIENCE IN GOD WHICH WILL SUPERCEDE ANYTHING EVER EXPERIENCED BEFORE--THE REDEMPTION OF THE BODY.
Redemption of our bodies will SET US FREE FROM THE FALLEN NATURE OF MAN, the nature that is contrary to Godly Principles as shown in Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost.
When we are free of that hindrance of the sinful nature, we will not have the "weight, and sin, that so easily besets us" to guard against, lest it taint our actions and motives.
We will then be FREE (Perfect Liberty) to do the "Works of our Father", as Jesus was able to do what He saw to be the Will of God.
We will, then, BE TRUSTWORTHY to use the mighty power of God without the dangers of showing partiality or taking revenge on those who show an unfriendly attitude toward us.
You see, this planet Earth is going to hear the pure Gospel of the Kingdom, and is going to see a demonstration of the real power of God through human beings. The earth is going to be reaped before the Grapes of Wrath are gathered and trodden in the great Winepress of God.
Romans 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the SPIRIT OF ADOPTION, whereby we cry, A bba, Father.
Romans 8:23 And not only [they], but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, WAITING FOR THE ADOPTION, [to wit], the redemption of our body.
Romans 9:4 WHO ARE ISRAELITES; TO WHOM [PERTAINETH] THE ADOPTION, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service [of God], and the promises;
Galatians 4:5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we MIGHT RECEIVE THE ADOPTION OF SONS.
Ephesians 1:5 Having PREDESTINATED US UNTO THE ADOPTION OF CHILDREN BY JESUS CHRIST to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
The word "ADOPTION" is one that is not very well understood as it is used in the Bible. Its meaning in the time of the translation of the Bible was different than it is today--hence the confusion over what it is trying to say to us.
It comes from the Greek word Huiothesia, and it means to "PLACE AS A SON" rather than to go get a child and raise it as your own. IT WAS A PRACTICE IN BIBLE TIMES, TO ESTABLISH YOUR SON AS A FULL PARTNER IN YOUR BUSINESS OF CARPENTRY, FARMING, OR WHATEVER YOU WERE ENGAGED IN DOING FOR A LIVING. This was usually done at age 30, which was believed to be the age of maturity in that time.
It was at age 30 that Jesus would have had to be "adopted" (placed as a Son) into the trade of Joseph--HAD IT NOT BEEN THAT HIS TRUE FATHER, THE HOLY GHOST, HAD LAID CLAIM TO HIM AT THE RIVER JORDAN, AND, DESCENDING IN A VISIBLE FORM UPON HIM, SAID, "THIS IS MY BELOVED SON, IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED.
Jesus immediately launched into His earthly Ministry, known as the Messianic Ministry. He began to "do the work of His Father" on earth.
AFTER HIS MINISTRY OF 3 1/2 YEARS WAS FINISHED, JESUS SENT THE HOLY GHOST (SPIRIT OF ADOPTION--PLACING AS SONS) INTO THE EARTH TO DWELL IN THE HEARTS OF MEN WHO WILL OPEN THEIR LIVES TO HIM. What a difference it makes in our lives after we have experienced this Baptism of the Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues as He gives utterance (prompts). Rom 8:
Scripture tells us that this "Adoption" belongs to Israel, along with the Covenants and promises given to Abraham. The ONLY RECOGNIZED PART OF ISRAEL has, for the most part, completely rejected the reality of the Lord Jesus Christ, but their rejection does not, in any way nullify those covenants, promises, and benefits to the OTHER PORTIONS OF ISRAEL, and also the Gentiles who believe on Jesus.
A careful tracing of the promise given to Abraham will lead us through the patriarchs to David. From David it was passed to Jesus Christ. JESUS TOLD HIS DISCIPLES THAT THEY WERE TO WAIT IN JERUSALEM FOR THE "PROMISE OF THE FATHER".
PAUL CLEARLY IDENTIFIES THIS "PROMISE" AS BEING THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY GHOST, EVIDENCED BY THE SPEAKING IN A LANGUAGE WE HAVE NOT KNOWN.
BUT WE ARE STILL WAITING FOR THE ADOPTION WHILE WE ENJOY THE WORKINGS OF THE SPIRIT OF ADOPTION. In fact, we groan within ourselves while we wait. THAT WHICH IS YET TO COME is so much greater than what we have that we hunger for the completeness of this "earnest" which we have received.
ADOPTION IS LIKENED TO THE "REDEMPTION OF OUR BODIES". Our bodies are still in the bondage of corruption--being sold under sin. THE NATURE OF SIN IS STILL RESIDENT WITHIN US EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE RECEIVED THE SPIRIT OF GOD INTO OUR HEARTS.
We would love to be able to do ALL THAT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO DO IF WE WERE NOT HINDERED BY THE SINFULNESS OF OUR BODIES. Try as we might, we cannot seem to get free from that hindrance. And, so, we must await God's timing in His plan of salvation.
WE MOST CERTAINLY DO HAVE A TIME ELEMENT TO CONTEND WITH, AND NO ONE HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN TRYING TO CIRCUMVENT IT. WE ARE BOUND TO IT.
But God's day WILL come, soon, I hope, AND THOSE WHO ARE LOOKING FOR IT, WILL HAVE AN EXPERIENCE IN GOD WHICH WILL SUPERCEDE ANYTHING EVER EXPERIENCED BEFORE--THE REDEMPTION OF THE BODY.
Redemption of our bodies will SET US FREE FROM THE FALLEN NATURE OF MAN, the nature that is contrary to Godly Principles as shown in Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost.
When we are free of that hindrance of the sinful nature, we will not have the "weight, and sin, that so easily besets us" to guard against, lest it taint our actions and motives.
We will then be FREE (Perfect Liberty) to do the "Works of our Father", as Jesus was able to do what He saw to be the Will of God.
We will, then, BE TRUSTWORTHY to use the mighty power of God without the dangers of showing partiality or taking revenge on those who show an unfriendly attitude toward us.
You see, this planet Earth is going to hear the pure Gospel of the Kingdom, and is going to see a demonstration of the real power of God through human beings. The earth is going to be reaped before the Grapes of Wrath are gathered and trodden in the great Winepress of God.
Romans 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the SPIRIT OF ADOPTION, whereby we cry, A bba, Father.
Romans 8:23 And not only [they], but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, WAITING FOR THE ADOPTION, [to wit], the redemption of our body.
Romans 9:4 WHO ARE ISRAELITES; TO WHOM [PERTAINETH] THE ADOPTION, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service [of God], and the promises;
Galatians 4:5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we MIGHT RECEIVE THE ADOPTION OF SONS.
Ephesians 1:5 Having PREDESTINATED US UNTO THE ADOPTION OF CHILDREN BY JESUS CHRIST to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
SONSHIP 14 IN THE TWINKLING OF AN EYE
IN THE TWINKLING OF AN EYE
You asked me to explain 1Cor 15:52-- especially "in the twinkling of an eye"
I Corinthians 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
In my humble opinion, and I know I am off the beaten path of interpretation, THIS SCRIPTURE IS SPEAKING OF THE "MANIFESTATION OF THE SONS OF GOD", RATHER THAN WHAT HAS BEEN ERRONEOUSLY CALLED "THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH".
Bible scholars HAVE MISTAKENLY DUMPED SEVERAL BIBLICAL EVENTS INTO ONE BOWL, AND MIXED THEM TOGETHER, CREATING A TEACHING WHICH HAS LED US OUT INTO A SWAMP OF ERROR.
But, this DOESN'T DISCOURAGE THE LORD. He will do it exactly like He planned to do it from the beginning. His actions will CATCH THE CHURCH WORLD OFF GUARD, FOR THE MOST PART, because they have believed a falsehood which they, themselves, have created.
It is MY OPINION that we have failed to correctly interpret I Thessalonians 4:17 Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the CLOUDS, to meet the Lord in the AIR: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
The word "CLOUDS" and "AIR" hold the key to a proper understanding of what is going to happen "IN THE TWINKLING OF AN EYE".
If you will get all the scriptures together which have the word "cloud/s" In them-- you will soon see a pattern emerge which will surprise you. You will soon discover that in many cases it is talking about a SPIRITUAL PHENOMENON, and has nothing to do with the white vapors in the sky.
Then, IF YOU WILL LET THE BIBLE SPEAK ITS OWN LANGUAGE, you will also find that the ONLY Scriptural definition of "AIR" is that it is the "SPIRITUAL REALM IN WHICH SATAN OPERATES". He is called Ephesians 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the PRINCE OF THE POWER OF THE AIR, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
In my opinion, the "TWINKLING OF AN EYE" denotes the sudden change which is destined to take place in the beings of a people who are now meeting the requirements of God for their own individual lives, and are in what He calls the "OVERCOMERS". It is NOT FOR EVERY CHRISTIAN, as we have been taught. Neither is the CHANGE necessarily a PHYSICAL change, but one in our Spiritual being.
We are each laden with a horrible load of what I call the spirit of MAN.
This spirit of MAN is contrary to God, and keeps us from obeying the Spirit of God-- in the degree that it has not been subdued by our seeking God for His Spiritual guidance every day. But, there is a degree of Spiritual victory which will meet God's approval, and we can be CLASSED AS OVERCOMERS IN HIS SIGHT.
These OVERCOMERS are the ones who will experience this CHANGE, IN THE TWINKLING OF AN EYE. The CHANGE will be the IMPARTATION OF COMPLETE VICTORY OVER THE SPIRIT OF MAN, AND AN ABILITY TO KNOW, DISCERN, AND DO THE COMPLETE WILL OF GOD.
The CHANGE will impart an ANOINTING very nearly duplicating the ANOINTING which was given to JESUS at the River Jordan, when "THE HEAVENS WERE OPENED TO HIM." Jesus could then "SEE INTO THE HEAVENS", and could do the COMPLETE will of God on earth.
At Jordan, Jesus was 30 years old, and had to be "ADOPTED" as a SON of either Joseph the carpenter, or the GOD OF THE UNIVERSE. The "adoption" process consisted of a young man being "PLACED AS A SON" in the household business. Must it be Joseph, or will it be the Lord?
The God of the Universe stepped forward, and audibly claimed Jesus as his "adopted son" (full partner in the business) as soon as John had baptized him. It was a "SUDDEN TRANSITION". Jesus did not experience any PHYSICAL CHANGE. IT WAS A SPIRITUAL TRANSITION.
Those Christians who are alive when the "TIME FOR ADOPTION" ARRIVES, and are in GOD'S GROUP OF OVERCOMERS will have a similar experience-- instantly-- of the Heavenly realms being opened to them, and a MIRACULOUS CHANGE taking place in their spirit being.
There is more on the subject, but this is getting too lengthy, so I will stop here. More, if you like, later.
--adapted from a previous E-mail
You asked me to explain 1Cor 15:52-- especially "in the twinkling of an eye"
I Corinthians 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
In my humble opinion, and I know I am off the beaten path of interpretation, THIS SCRIPTURE IS SPEAKING OF THE "MANIFESTATION OF THE SONS OF GOD", RATHER THAN WHAT HAS BEEN ERRONEOUSLY CALLED "THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH".
Bible scholars HAVE MISTAKENLY DUMPED SEVERAL BIBLICAL EVENTS INTO ONE BOWL, AND MIXED THEM TOGETHER, CREATING A TEACHING WHICH HAS LED US OUT INTO A SWAMP OF ERROR.
But, this DOESN'T DISCOURAGE THE LORD. He will do it exactly like He planned to do it from the beginning. His actions will CATCH THE CHURCH WORLD OFF GUARD, FOR THE MOST PART, because they have believed a falsehood which they, themselves, have created.
It is MY OPINION that we have failed to correctly interpret I Thessalonians 4:17 Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the CLOUDS, to meet the Lord in the AIR: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
The word "CLOUDS" and "AIR" hold the key to a proper understanding of what is going to happen "IN THE TWINKLING OF AN EYE".
If you will get all the scriptures together which have the word "cloud/s" In them-- you will soon see a pattern emerge which will surprise you. You will soon discover that in many cases it is talking about a SPIRITUAL PHENOMENON, and has nothing to do with the white vapors in the sky.
Then, IF YOU WILL LET THE BIBLE SPEAK ITS OWN LANGUAGE, you will also find that the ONLY Scriptural definition of "AIR" is that it is the "SPIRITUAL REALM IN WHICH SATAN OPERATES". He is called Ephesians 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the PRINCE OF THE POWER OF THE AIR, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
In my opinion, the "TWINKLING OF AN EYE" denotes the sudden change which is destined to take place in the beings of a people who are now meeting the requirements of God for their own individual lives, and are in what He calls the "OVERCOMERS". It is NOT FOR EVERY CHRISTIAN, as we have been taught. Neither is the CHANGE necessarily a PHYSICAL change, but one in our Spiritual being.
We are each laden with a horrible load of what I call the spirit of MAN.
This spirit of MAN is contrary to God, and keeps us from obeying the Spirit of God-- in the degree that it has not been subdued by our seeking God for His Spiritual guidance every day. But, there is a degree of Spiritual victory which will meet God's approval, and we can be CLASSED AS OVERCOMERS IN HIS SIGHT.
These OVERCOMERS are the ones who will experience this CHANGE, IN THE TWINKLING OF AN EYE. The CHANGE will be the IMPARTATION OF COMPLETE VICTORY OVER THE SPIRIT OF MAN, AND AN ABILITY TO KNOW, DISCERN, AND DO THE COMPLETE WILL OF GOD.
The CHANGE will impart an ANOINTING very nearly duplicating the ANOINTING which was given to JESUS at the River Jordan, when "THE HEAVENS WERE OPENED TO HIM." Jesus could then "SEE INTO THE HEAVENS", and could do the COMPLETE will of God on earth.
At Jordan, Jesus was 30 years old, and had to be "ADOPTED" as a SON of either Joseph the carpenter, or the GOD OF THE UNIVERSE. The "adoption" process consisted of a young man being "PLACED AS A SON" in the household business. Must it be Joseph, or will it be the Lord?
The God of the Universe stepped forward, and audibly claimed Jesus as his "adopted son" (full partner in the business) as soon as John had baptized him. It was a "SUDDEN TRANSITION". Jesus did not experience any PHYSICAL CHANGE. IT WAS A SPIRITUAL TRANSITION.
Those Christians who are alive when the "TIME FOR ADOPTION" ARRIVES, and are in GOD'S GROUP OF OVERCOMERS will have a similar experience-- instantly-- of the Heavenly realms being opened to them, and a MIRACULOUS CHANGE taking place in their spirit being.
There is more on the subject, but this is getting too lengthy, so I will stop here. More, if you like, later.
--adapted from a previous E-mail
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