WORK OUT YOUR OWN SALVATION
Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
The scripture here is a favorite one for folks who would impose their ideas of Salvation upon anyone who will listen to them. The methods of "working it out" are as varied as the folks who are quoting the scriptures to us. Every group feels like they have a corner on the "Truth", and that their method is the ONLY one that will work, and anyone who will not obey what they prescribe is doomed. Such delusions are caused by trying to interpret the Word of God with our natural minds rather than seeking for the Spiritual interpretation which the Lord wants us to put on them.
God is Spirit, and the Word was dictated by Him. Therefore it is vital that we find, and apply, the Spiritual interpretation to what He has said in the Word which He has given to us.
If you have followed our writings closely, you have discovered by now that we strongly advocate that our Salvation is dependent entirely upon our trusting Jesus for the welfare of our soul, both now, and in the life hereafter. When we write about Salvation, that is what we are meaning-- trusting Jesus for the welfare of our soul in Eternity. THAT IS ENOUGH TO GET A PERSON INTO HEAVEN.
But, that is certainly not all there is to following Jesus. There are millions of folks who are save, but do not follow Jesus in the admonitions He has afforded us through His Word for the development of a life which is pleasing in His eyes. There will be little or no REWARD for the lifestyle they have lived, because there was little or no progression in a life that is God-pleasing.
Watch this! Most of the New Testament was NOT written to people WANTING TO BE SAVED-- instructing them how to live to obtain Salvation. Rather, it was written to people who were ALREADY SAVED-- teaching them how to live a life which was pleasing in the sight of God, and to prepare them for the KINGDOM OF GOD.
This is where the WORK comes in. This is where the warfare begins and often-times rages. Some of the battles with our flesh, to bring it into subjection to the Will of God, are long and fierce, and very taxing to our emotions. Romans 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. Colossians 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: Colossians 3:8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new [man], which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
It is, many times, so much easier to neglect our DEVELOPMENT in God than it is to WORK things out of our lives in an endeavor to qualify for the Kingdom. It is not for the faint-hearted. The Bible calls it "OVERCOMING"-- overcoming the flesh, that is. OUR flesh. And, it has nothing to do with whether or not we are saved by the blood of Jesus.
We are "Striving for the Masteries". We are "running a race". We are "fighting a fight."
Paul, who had such a marvelous experience of being saved from hell by the blood of Jesus, said of himself, I Corinthians 9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they [do it] to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring [it] into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Paul also wrote: Philippians 3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the (out)resurrection of (standing out from) the dead. 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.
My understanding is, that we do not strive in doing these things to OBTAIN Salvation. Rather we strive to do them BECAUSE WE ARE SAVED ALREADY by the Blood of Jesus.
We are working for a place in the KINGDOM OF GOD.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Friday, May 19, 2006
THE EVERLASTING GOSPEL
THE EVERLASTING GOSPEL
Rev 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, HAVING THE EVERLASTING GOSPEL to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
Rev 14:7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
To me, it seems there are TWO GOSPELS that are destined to be preached to the WHOLE WORLD. One of them is ALL INCLUSIVE, while the other is STRICTLY RESTRICTIVE.
One is characterized by “WHOSOEVER WILL”, while the other says “…SHALL IN NO WISE ENTER IN.”
One was destined to be preached by human beings, the other by what the Bible calls “angels”. I believe the term “angels” refers to a SPECIALLY EQUIPPED GROUP OF REDEEMED HUMANS.
John the Baptist had preceded Jesus by preaching Baptism unto Repentance, but it was a comparatively short message, destined for a brief period of time.
Jesus came preaching what the Bible calls the GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM.
According to Scripture, it was to be preached to ALL THE WORLD before the consummation of the age.
Mat 24:14 And this GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Mat 13:47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:
Mat 13:48 Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.
Mat 13:49 So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,
Mat 13:50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Question: Who is to be “taken”, and where are they going?
Mat 13:24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
Mat 13:25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
Mat 13:26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
Mat 13:27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
Mat 13:28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
Mat 13:29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
Mat 13:30 LET BOTH GROW TOGETHER UNTIL THE HARVEST: and in the time of harvest I will say to the REAPERS, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
Mat 13:37 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;
Mat 13:38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;
Mat 13:39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the REAPERS ARE THE ANGELS.
Mat 13:40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.
Mat 13:41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall GATHER OUT of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which DO INIQUITY;
Mat 13:42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Mat 13:43 Then shall the RIGHTEOUS SHINE FORTH as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Mal 3:13 Your words have been stout against me, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee?
Mal 3:14 Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?
Mal 3:15 And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.
Mal 3:16 Then THEY THAT FEARED THE LORD SPOKE OFTEN (consulted together) 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 thought (reckoned, guided their lives) upon his name (nature).
Mal 3:17 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.
Mal 3:18 Then shall ye RETURN, AND DISCERN (Lit. Look back, and recognize who had been…) between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.
THE EVERLASTING GOSPEL ENTRANCE TO THE CITY OF GOD
EVERLASTING is the same as the word ETERNAL, meaning it comes from Eternity, where God lives, and is pure, unadulterated, and entirely free of error.
It will also have a Spiritual Power that is not in the Gospel of the Kingdom today. I believe the difference will be partially due to the Power at work in those who are declaring the Good News of the City of God On Earth.
Yes, I do believe that our lack of Power stems directly from the fact that we are not as fully committed to the Lord and His Work as we could or should be.
That will change, however, as the Lord continues His project of “building His Church” with the “lively stones of men”. We will either get clean or get sorted out.
I believe that the sorting process is about to begin, BIG TIME.
Rev 21:27 And there SHALL IN NO WISE ENTER INTO IT (THE CITY OF GOD} any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.
1Co 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
Isa 52:1 Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.
Isa 35:8 And a highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; THE UNCLEAN SHALL NOT PASS OVER IT; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.
Isa 35:9 No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there:
Isa 35:10 And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
1Co 15:24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
1Co 15:25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
Rev 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, HAVING THE EVERLASTING GOSPEL to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
Rev 14:7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
To me, it seems there are TWO GOSPELS that are destined to be preached to the WHOLE WORLD. One of them is ALL INCLUSIVE, while the other is STRICTLY RESTRICTIVE.
One is characterized by “WHOSOEVER WILL”, while the other says “…SHALL IN NO WISE ENTER IN.”
One was destined to be preached by human beings, the other by what the Bible calls “angels”. I believe the term “angels” refers to a SPECIALLY EQUIPPED GROUP OF REDEEMED HUMANS.
John the Baptist had preceded Jesus by preaching Baptism unto Repentance, but it was a comparatively short message, destined for a brief period of time.
Jesus came preaching what the Bible calls the GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM.
According to Scripture, it was to be preached to ALL THE WORLD before the consummation of the age.
Mat 24:14 And this GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Mat 13:47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:
Mat 13:48 Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.
Mat 13:49 So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,
Mat 13:50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Question: Who is to be “taken”, and where are they going?
Mat 13:24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
Mat 13:25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
Mat 13:26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
Mat 13:27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
Mat 13:28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
Mat 13:29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
Mat 13:30 LET BOTH GROW TOGETHER UNTIL THE HARVEST: and in the time of harvest I will say to the REAPERS, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
Mat 13:37 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;
Mat 13:38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;
Mat 13:39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the REAPERS ARE THE ANGELS.
Mat 13:40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.
Mat 13:41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall GATHER OUT of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which DO INIQUITY;
Mat 13:42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Mat 13:43 Then shall the RIGHTEOUS SHINE FORTH as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Mal 3:13 Your words have been stout against me, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee?
Mal 3:14 Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?
Mal 3:15 And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.
Mal 3:16 Then THEY THAT FEARED THE LORD SPOKE OFTEN (consulted together) 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 thought (reckoned, guided their lives) upon his name (nature).
Mal 3:17 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.
Mal 3:18 Then shall ye RETURN, AND DISCERN (Lit. Look back, and recognize who had been…) between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.
THE EVERLASTING GOSPEL ENTRANCE TO THE CITY OF GOD
EVERLASTING is the same as the word ETERNAL, meaning it comes from Eternity, where God lives, and is pure, unadulterated, and entirely free of error.
It will also have a Spiritual Power that is not in the Gospel of the Kingdom today. I believe the difference will be partially due to the Power at work in those who are declaring the Good News of the City of God On Earth.
Yes, I do believe that our lack of Power stems directly from the fact that we are not as fully committed to the Lord and His Work as we could or should be.
That will change, however, as the Lord continues His project of “building His Church” with the “lively stones of men”. We will either get clean or get sorted out.
I believe that the sorting process is about to begin, BIG TIME.
Rev 21:27 And there SHALL IN NO WISE ENTER INTO IT (THE CITY OF GOD} any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.
1Co 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
Isa 52:1 Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.
Isa 35:8 And a highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; THE UNCLEAN SHALL NOT PASS OVER IT; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.
Isa 35:9 No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there:
Isa 35:10 And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
1Co 15:24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
1Co 15:25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
Saturday, May 13, 2006
THE SECRET OF THY PRESENCE
THE SECRET OF THY PRESENCE
Several years ago I endeavored to train myself to make my mind go to things pertaining to God and His Word whenever I did not have to think about what I was doing. There are lots of activities which do not require our strict attention to what we are doing. It was not exactly an easy task, but it has paid huge dividends in the years which have followed.
The Lord has shown many things to me that I probably could have never been aware of had I not learned to focus my mind on Him and His Word.
Psa 25:14 The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will show them his covenant.
There are many things that the Lord would love to make known to us, but He will only reveal them to us in response to our seeking His Face diligently.
Jer 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
There is an instruction, a communication, a Spiritual revelation, that we can get in NO OTHER WAY than through the Edification that comes to our spirit through the means of the Unknown Tongue. In this way, we can KNOW THINGS WE NEVER LEARNED, because of our spirit being instructed by the SPIRIT OF GOD. We have had it happen many times since training our mind to think on the Lord.
Psa 31:20 Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.
Psa 16:11 Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore.
We rob ourselves of much of the richness of the Christian Life if we do not walk closely to the Creator of the Universe.
Pro 3:32 For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.
Did you ever check up on your mind, to see where it goes when you “slip it into Neutral” because you do not have to be attentive to what you are doing at the time?
Our minds can be trained to think about God and His Word while our hands are performing routine, everyday tasks.
Listen to the pleadings of David in his psalm of repentance. Seems that there was one thing he valued above other aspects of his relationship with the Lord
Psa 51:11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Again, the admonition of David to the people, instructing them how to approach the Lord .
Psa 100:2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Moses and the Lord had a conversation one day, which gives us some insight about the value to be derived from the Presence of The Lord
Exo 33:14 And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.
Exo 33:15 And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.
Several years ago I endeavored to train myself to make my mind go to things pertaining to God and His Word whenever I did not have to think about what I was doing. There are lots of activities which do not require our strict attention to what we are doing. It was not exactly an easy task, but it has paid huge dividends in the years which have followed.
The Lord has shown many things to me that I probably could have never been aware of had I not learned to focus my mind on Him and His Word.
Psa 25:14 The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will show them his covenant.
There are many things that the Lord would love to make known to us, but He will only reveal them to us in response to our seeking His Face diligently.
Jer 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
There is an instruction, a communication, a Spiritual revelation, that we can get in NO OTHER WAY than through the Edification that comes to our spirit through the means of the Unknown Tongue. In this way, we can KNOW THINGS WE NEVER LEARNED, because of our spirit being instructed by the SPIRIT OF GOD. We have had it happen many times since training our mind to think on the Lord.
Psa 31:20 Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.
Psa 16:11 Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore.
We rob ourselves of much of the richness of the Christian Life if we do not walk closely to the Creator of the Universe.
Pro 3:32 For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.
Did you ever check up on your mind, to see where it goes when you “slip it into Neutral” because you do not have to be attentive to what you are doing at the time?
Our minds can be trained to think about God and His Word while our hands are performing routine, everyday tasks.
Listen to the pleadings of David in his psalm of repentance. Seems that there was one thing he valued above other aspects of his relationship with the Lord
Psa 51:11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Again, the admonition of David to the people, instructing them how to approach the Lord .
Psa 100:2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Moses and the Lord had a conversation one day, which gives us some insight about the value to be derived from the Presence of The Lord
Exo 33:14 And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.
Exo 33:15 And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.
THE SECOND TIME
THE SECOND TIME
Once, when reading the Bible I came across the scripture quoted below, and a light seemed to go on in my mind. I did a short study on the deliverance from Egypt, as recorded in the book of Exodus.
I was amazed at how many times the Lord reminded Israel that He had wrought the great deliverance through Moses. And, it WAS, indeed, a remarkable example of the Lord bringing about the liberation of thousands of people in spite of the best efforts of man to prevent it. It was such a mighty deliverance that it is referred to in about 200 scriptures.
But something BIGGER than that one is scheduled for the future, and it looks exciting!
Isa 11:11 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the SECOND TIME to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from ASSYRIA, and from EGYPT, and from PATHROS, and from CUSH, and from ELAM, and from SHINAR, and from HAMATH, and from the ISLANDS OF THE SEA.
Isa 11:12 And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.
The thought of the Lord doing a SECOND DELIVERANCE in the future challenges our ability to comprehend what may be in the "Offing" in the plan of God.
At least two places in the scripture, the statement is made that this second deliverance will be on such a scale as to eclipse and diminish the deliverance from Egypt.
Jer 16:14 Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be said, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;
Jer 16:15 But, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them: and I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers.
Jer 23:7 Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that they shall no more say, The LORD liveth, which brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;
Jer 23:8 But, The LORD liveth, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land.
NOW LET ME SAY RIGHT HERE THAT I DO NOT BELIEVE WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE CORRECT INTERPRETATION OF MANY OF THESE SCRIPTURES.
It is a classic example of human beings trying to interpret a SPIRITUAL message with HUMAN UNDERSTANDING.
IT DOES NOT WORK. We end up in a swamp every time.
Billions upon billions of dollars have been spent in an effort to accomplish what we have been told God is going to do in the Middle East with the Jews. Man will NEVER be able to accomplish what GOD INTENDS TO DO HIMSELF. Frustration will be the only possible result of such efforts.
First, we need, desperately, to find out what, exactly, God is intending to do, and then lend whatever efforts He directs us to, in that direction.
It is my PERSONAL OPINION that most of the scriptures about the Jews returning to the ancient land of Israel WERE FULFILLED AFTER THE BABYLONIAN CAPTIVITY. THEY DO NOT APPLY TO OUR DAY AT ALL.
We find scriptures that tell us plainly that Israel would be APPOINTED another land, and they would be PLANTED there.
2Sa 7:10 Moreover I will APPOINT A PLACE for my people Israel, and will PLANT them, that they may dwell in A PLACE OF THEIR OWN, AND MOVE NO MORE; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as formerly,
1CH 17:9 Also I will ORDAIN A PLACE for my people Israel, AND WILL PLANT THEM, and they shall dwell in their place, and shall BE MOVED NO MORE; neither shall the children of wickedness waste them any more, as at the beginning,
AMO 9:15 And I will PLANT THEM UPON THEIR LAND, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land WHICH I HAVE GIVEN THEM, saith the LORD thy God.
Isa 14:1 For the LORD will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and SET THEM IN THEIR OWN LAND: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob.
Jer 23:8 But, The LORD liveth, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I had driven them; and THEY SHALL DWELL IN THEIR OWN LAND.
Eze 34:13 And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, AND WILL BRING THEM TO THEIR OWN LAND, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country
BUT WHAT DID JESUS SAY ABOUT JERUSALEM WHEN HE WEPT OVER IT?
MAT 23:38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.
LUK 13:35 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until [the time] come when ye shall say, Blessed [is] he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Years ago, I heard J. Vernon McGee say that the building up of Israel in the Middle East was a spurious movement, and not of God. After carefully examining the evidence, I have to agree with him. God is not in it, in the sense that it is supposed to be His Hand that is bringing it about. It is the money of the financiers of the world, and their motives are questionable.
Immediately, the question arises, "If not in the land of the "Fertile Crescent", where?" It is a good, logical question, and we will not attempt to answer it at this time, except to say that it is probably NOT a geographical location.
THAT IS NOT THE PURPOSE OF THIS STUDY.
Our purpose today is to help us understand what the Lord was telling us through Isaiah when He caused him to write: Isa 11:11 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the SECOND TIME to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from ASSYRIA, and from EGYPT, and from PATHROS, and from CUSH, and from ELAM, and from SHINAR, and from HAMATH, and from the ISLANDS OF THE SEA. 11:12 And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, (Gentiles) and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.
This "gathering" will completely eclipse the "gathering" out of Egypt in at least TWO WAYS.
First, there will be BILLIONS of people in this "gathering", compared to MILLIONS in the time of Moses. (God promised Abraham that he would be heir of the World.)
We are not talking about 15 or so MILLION Jews returning to Palestine, even if the land would support them. It probably would not. This is far greater than even that would be if it ever happens.
ROM 4:13 For the promise, that he should be THE HEIR OF THE WORLD, [was] not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
Now we need to look at some scriptures that tell us about the Gentiles being also partakers of the blessings of God which are to be given to Israel. Watch for the word "ALSO".
Act 10:45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles ALSO was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Act 11:1 And the apostles and brethren that were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had ALSO received the word of God.
Act 11:18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God ALSO to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
Rom 3:29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles ALSO:
Rom 9:24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but ALSO of the Gentiles? 9:25 As he saith also in Hosea, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.
Rom 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.
We are looking at a World-Wide phenomenon, and a movement of the HAND OF THE ALMIGHTY, rather than the riches of a few men.
GEN 49:10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; AND UNTO HIM [SHALL] THE GATHERING OF THE PEOPLE [BE].
What a "gathering" that will be! It will include both ISRAEL (the ten tribes) and Judah (Judah and Benjamin), as well as all of the Gentiles who will accept Jesus Christ.
We do NOT believe that the Bible teaches that everybody will be saved. What we do believe is that almost one ENTIRE GENERATION will come to know the Lord Jesus as the Saviour.
Our reason for rejecting the Universal Reconciliation theory is found in Ezekiel 47.1-11. Ezekiel saw waters (The Spirit of God) coming from the Throne and running down the hill. They increased until they became a might river. They finally reach the (Dead) Sea, and everything they touch is "healed" (made alive). The Dead Sea is the Biblical emblem of all humanity without God.
In the vision, the Dead Sea was healed EXCEPT for a few spots called the "marshes". It speaks of a tremendous ingathering of souls in a MOVEMENT OF THE HAND OF GOD near the end of this era in which we live. NOT EVERY ONE WILL RESPOND.
What is the present population of the world? Compare that number to the 3 million or so whom Moses led out of Egypt. "THE SECOND TIME."
WHAT A "GATHERING" THAT WILL BE. THE GATHERING TO JESUS.
Once, when reading the Bible I came across the scripture quoted below, and a light seemed to go on in my mind. I did a short study on the deliverance from Egypt, as recorded in the book of Exodus.
I was amazed at how many times the Lord reminded Israel that He had wrought the great deliverance through Moses. And, it WAS, indeed, a remarkable example of the Lord bringing about the liberation of thousands of people in spite of the best efforts of man to prevent it. It was such a mighty deliverance that it is referred to in about 200 scriptures.
But something BIGGER than that one is scheduled for the future, and it looks exciting!
Isa 11:11 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the SECOND TIME to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from ASSYRIA, and from EGYPT, and from PATHROS, and from CUSH, and from ELAM, and from SHINAR, and from HAMATH, and from the ISLANDS OF THE SEA.
Isa 11:12 And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.
The thought of the Lord doing a SECOND DELIVERANCE in the future challenges our ability to comprehend what may be in the "Offing" in the plan of God.
At least two places in the scripture, the statement is made that this second deliverance will be on such a scale as to eclipse and diminish the deliverance from Egypt.
Jer 16:14 Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be said, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;
Jer 16:15 But, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them: and I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers.
Jer 23:7 Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that they shall no more say, The LORD liveth, which brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;
Jer 23:8 But, The LORD liveth, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land.
NOW LET ME SAY RIGHT HERE THAT I DO NOT BELIEVE WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE CORRECT INTERPRETATION OF MANY OF THESE SCRIPTURES.
It is a classic example of human beings trying to interpret a SPIRITUAL message with HUMAN UNDERSTANDING.
IT DOES NOT WORK. We end up in a swamp every time.
Billions upon billions of dollars have been spent in an effort to accomplish what we have been told God is going to do in the Middle East with the Jews. Man will NEVER be able to accomplish what GOD INTENDS TO DO HIMSELF. Frustration will be the only possible result of such efforts.
First, we need, desperately, to find out what, exactly, God is intending to do, and then lend whatever efforts He directs us to, in that direction.
It is my PERSONAL OPINION that most of the scriptures about the Jews returning to the ancient land of Israel WERE FULFILLED AFTER THE BABYLONIAN CAPTIVITY. THEY DO NOT APPLY TO OUR DAY AT ALL.
We find scriptures that tell us plainly that Israel would be APPOINTED another land, and they would be PLANTED there.
2Sa 7:10 Moreover I will APPOINT A PLACE for my people Israel, and will PLANT them, that they may dwell in A PLACE OF THEIR OWN, AND MOVE NO MORE; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as formerly,
1CH 17:9 Also I will ORDAIN A PLACE for my people Israel, AND WILL PLANT THEM, and they shall dwell in their place, and shall BE MOVED NO MORE; neither shall the children of wickedness waste them any more, as at the beginning,
AMO 9:15 And I will PLANT THEM UPON THEIR LAND, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land WHICH I HAVE GIVEN THEM, saith the LORD thy God.
Isa 14:1 For the LORD will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and SET THEM IN THEIR OWN LAND: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob.
Jer 23:8 But, The LORD liveth, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I had driven them; and THEY SHALL DWELL IN THEIR OWN LAND.
Eze 34:13 And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, AND WILL BRING THEM TO THEIR OWN LAND, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country
BUT WHAT DID JESUS SAY ABOUT JERUSALEM WHEN HE WEPT OVER IT?
MAT 23:38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.
LUK 13:35 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until [the time] come when ye shall say, Blessed [is] he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Years ago, I heard J. Vernon McGee say that the building up of Israel in the Middle East was a spurious movement, and not of God. After carefully examining the evidence, I have to agree with him. God is not in it, in the sense that it is supposed to be His Hand that is bringing it about. It is the money of the financiers of the world, and their motives are questionable.
Immediately, the question arises, "If not in the land of the "Fertile Crescent", where?" It is a good, logical question, and we will not attempt to answer it at this time, except to say that it is probably NOT a geographical location.
THAT IS NOT THE PURPOSE OF THIS STUDY.
Our purpose today is to help us understand what the Lord was telling us through Isaiah when He caused him to write: Isa 11:11 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the SECOND TIME to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from ASSYRIA, and from EGYPT, and from PATHROS, and from CUSH, and from ELAM, and from SHINAR, and from HAMATH, and from the ISLANDS OF THE SEA. 11:12 And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, (Gentiles) and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.
This "gathering" will completely eclipse the "gathering" out of Egypt in at least TWO WAYS.
First, there will be BILLIONS of people in this "gathering", compared to MILLIONS in the time of Moses. (God promised Abraham that he would be heir of the World.)
We are not talking about 15 or so MILLION Jews returning to Palestine, even if the land would support them. It probably would not. This is far greater than even that would be if it ever happens.
ROM 4:13 For the promise, that he should be THE HEIR OF THE WORLD, [was] not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
Now we need to look at some scriptures that tell us about the Gentiles being also partakers of the blessings of God which are to be given to Israel. Watch for the word "ALSO".
Act 10:45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles ALSO was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Act 11:1 And the apostles and brethren that were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had ALSO received the word of God.
Act 11:18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God ALSO to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
Rom 3:29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles ALSO:
Rom 9:24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but ALSO of the Gentiles? 9:25 As he saith also in Hosea, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.
Rom 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.
We are looking at a World-Wide phenomenon, and a movement of the HAND OF THE ALMIGHTY, rather than the riches of a few men.
GEN 49:10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; AND UNTO HIM [SHALL] THE GATHERING OF THE PEOPLE [BE].
What a "gathering" that will be! It will include both ISRAEL (the ten tribes) and Judah (Judah and Benjamin), as well as all of the Gentiles who will accept Jesus Christ.
We do NOT believe that the Bible teaches that everybody will be saved. What we do believe is that almost one ENTIRE GENERATION will come to know the Lord Jesus as the Saviour.
Our reason for rejecting the Universal Reconciliation theory is found in Ezekiel 47.1-11. Ezekiel saw waters (The Spirit of God) coming from the Throne and running down the hill. They increased until they became a might river. They finally reach the (Dead) Sea, and everything they touch is "healed" (made alive). The Dead Sea is the Biblical emblem of all humanity without God.
In the vision, the Dead Sea was healed EXCEPT for a few spots called the "marshes". It speaks of a tremendous ingathering of souls in a MOVEMENT OF THE HAND OF GOD near the end of this era in which we live. NOT EVERY ONE WILL RESPOND.
What is the present population of the world? Compare that number to the 3 million or so whom Moses led out of Egypt. "THE SECOND TIME."
WHAT A "GATHERING" THAT WILL BE. THE GATHERING TO JESUS.
THE HOLY CITY
THE HOLY CITY
Rev 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
When I was a child, I was easily satisfied with a very brief explanation of what would happen when the Holy City came down from God out of Heaven. I am now convinced that one reason for the brevity of explanation was the fact that people actually knew so little about it they were afraid to say much, for fear of displaying their ignorance. I would have done the same thing. I did, for many years, pass over the subject very lightly.
I am now an old man, not very far from an entry into "that mysterious realm where each shall take his place in the silent halls of death" --(Thanatopsis). I have studied quite extensively on the subject of the Holy City, the City Foursquare, and have made some fascinating discoveries.
The late John Lake helped to steer us into what we now believe to have been the right direction of thought.
Many years ago, in a mid-week Bible Study, Bro. Lake began to tell us about what it meant to be a part of The Holy City, the New Jerusalem. He began to suggest to us that what we have relegated to ANOTHER DISPENSATION is really IN EXISTENCE TODAY in an incomplete form. It is the CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD. It is in the process of being built today, without hands, by the Spirit of God. It is not complete yet.
Our "birthing" into the Church was accomplished by the Spirit of God, and just as we were born naturally with certain inherent characteristics from our parents, we were likewise endowed with certain Spiritual characteristics from the Holy Ghost when we were baptized with the Holy Ghost.
Al Edmondson told us that it was similar to the building of the twelve tribes of Israel. Each son was named for the "manner of begetting", or the situation of events accompanying the begetting. You can read about that in Genesis 29 and 30
In our "Holy City", each type of stone represents a certain type of Christian individual, and a certain purpose of existence in the "City". Each of us is present, in the place where the Lord has designated for us to serve. We still serve imperfectly, however.
Some of us serve as part of the "walls", for protection against the evil designs of the "enemy".
Some serve, today, as "gatekeepers" (Rev 21:12), regulating entry into the Holy City. (Rev 21:27)
Others serve, today, as stones in the "walls", reflecting the beauty of the Lord while protecting.
I have no idea what purpose some of the "lively stones" are for, but I am confident that the Lord knows what each is for, and where they belong. I also am confident that He is able to establish each one WHERE HE HAS DETERMINED they should be.
The dimensions of the city, (Rev 21:16) are such as to make it almost certain that it is NOT A LITERAL CITY, as we would suppose it to be. IT IS A SYMBOLIC DESCRIPTION of something else. I BELIEVE IT TO BE THE CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD TODAY.
If it were to be a literal city, one corner could be in Los Angeles, another corner near Seattle, a third corner near Minneapolis, and the fourth corner in the deep south of the United States. And, it would reach into the sky as far as one side is long, for it represents a cube.
Speaking of a cube, the Most Holy place (Holy of Holies) of the Tabernacle of Moses was a perfect cube. I believe it represents the 1000 year reign of Peace after the Church is completed.
We have had a tendency to divide the "times" of the Tabernacle into dispensations, but I am not sure we have been correct in doing that. Notice:
On the Day of Atonement, the High Priest started at the Brazen Altar, proceeded to the Laver, and into the Holy Place, where he had certain ceremonies to perform. When those ceremonies were completed, he moved into the Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies) where there was no man-made light. It was the "unapproachable light" over the Mercy Seat, and the High Priest had duties to perform while in the presence of that "light".
The High Priest moved from one "room" into the other, without an interval between the two. When the so-called "Church Age" is finished, we move right into the so-called "Celestial City" aspect of the CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD.
I cannot tell you what changes might take place at the time of the passing of the High Priest from one "room" to the other. That is "in His department", while my "card" only calls for me to "trust, and obey" what He has determined for me to do.
One aspect that has "intrigued" me is the mixture of the TWELVE TRIBES OF ISRAEL, and the TWELVE APOSTLES OF THE LAMB in this "Holy City"--the CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD.
The twelve gates bear the names of the TWELVE TRIBES OF ISRAEL. I am assuming that they are arranged in a similar order (Rev 21:12,13) to where their positions were around the Tabernacle in the wilderness (Num 10). They have their place in the CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD. The ONLY way for Israel to approach God is through Jesus Christ.
And, right here is the place to reiterate that there is still a difference between Israel and Judah. Israel has repented and gone into the fields to work for the Father, while Judah has professed to obey the command of the Father, while rejecting Jesus Christ and continuing to observe a customized version of the Law of Moses. According to the Prophet Jeremiah, Israel was to be re-formed into a different kind of vessel, after having been marred on the wheel. Judah was to be broken and never made whole again.
The twelve foundations bear the names of the TWELVE APOSTLES OF THE LAMB (Rev 21:14). They are representative of Jesus Christ, and the Sacrifice of Calvary.
The Gospel is to "Whosoever will", even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Every tribe, race and tongue is welcome at the feet of Jesus. It is called a "City" because the scriptural definition of a city is "people living under a common cause and rulership".
The "City" of Babylon is scheduled for burning and destruction, while the Lord has prepared for the "people of Faith" a "City that has foundations", THE CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD.
You and I, friend, are a part of that City, RIGHT NOW, and are "members in particular" (imperfectly) in the work that God has ordained for us to do. But, "when that which is perfect is come"-- only the Lord knows what will be done.
YOUR PLACE IS IMPORTANT. NO ONE ELSE CAN DO WHAT YOU ARE DOING.
HANG IN THERE! BE FAITHFUL. BE DEPENDABLE. BE RESPONSIBLE.
Never let discouragement get the upper hand in your walk with the Lord. God WILL finish the Work He has begun in you. He WILL make you COMPLETE in Him. Trust Him!
Here are the scriptures about the Holy City:
Rev 21:9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.
Rev 21:10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
Rev 21:11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;
Rev 21:12 And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:
Rev 21:13 On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.
Rev 21:14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
Rev 21:15 And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.
Rev 21:16 And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.
Rev 21:17 And he measured the wall thereof, a hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.
Rev 21:18 And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.
Rev 21:19 And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;
Rev 21:20 The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.
Rev 21:21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.
Rev 21:22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.
Rev 21:23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
Rev 21:24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into it.
Rev 21:25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.
Rev 21:26 And they shall bring the glory and honor of the nations into it.
Rev 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.
Rev 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
Rev 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
Rev 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
When I was a child, I was easily satisfied with a very brief explanation of what would happen when the Holy City came down from God out of Heaven. I am now convinced that one reason for the brevity of explanation was the fact that people actually knew so little about it they were afraid to say much, for fear of displaying their ignorance. I would have done the same thing. I did, for many years, pass over the subject very lightly.
I am now an old man, not very far from an entry into "that mysterious realm where each shall take his place in the silent halls of death" --(Thanatopsis). I have studied quite extensively on the subject of the Holy City, the City Foursquare, and have made some fascinating discoveries.
The late John Lake helped to steer us into what we now believe to have been the right direction of thought.
Many years ago, in a mid-week Bible Study, Bro. Lake began to tell us about what it meant to be a part of The Holy City, the New Jerusalem. He began to suggest to us that what we have relegated to ANOTHER DISPENSATION is really IN EXISTENCE TODAY in an incomplete form. It is the CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD. It is in the process of being built today, without hands, by the Spirit of God. It is not complete yet.
Our "birthing" into the Church was accomplished by the Spirit of God, and just as we were born naturally with certain inherent characteristics from our parents, we were likewise endowed with certain Spiritual characteristics from the Holy Ghost when we were baptized with the Holy Ghost.
Al Edmondson told us that it was similar to the building of the twelve tribes of Israel. Each son was named for the "manner of begetting", or the situation of events accompanying the begetting. You can read about that in Genesis 29 and 30
In our "Holy City", each type of stone represents a certain type of Christian individual, and a certain purpose of existence in the "City". Each of us is present, in the place where the Lord has designated for us to serve. We still serve imperfectly, however.
Some of us serve as part of the "walls", for protection against the evil designs of the "enemy".
Some serve, today, as "gatekeepers" (Rev 21:12), regulating entry into the Holy City. (Rev 21:27)
Others serve, today, as stones in the "walls", reflecting the beauty of the Lord while protecting.
I have no idea what purpose some of the "lively stones" are for, but I am confident that the Lord knows what each is for, and where they belong. I also am confident that He is able to establish each one WHERE HE HAS DETERMINED they should be.
The dimensions of the city, (Rev 21:16) are such as to make it almost certain that it is NOT A LITERAL CITY, as we would suppose it to be. IT IS A SYMBOLIC DESCRIPTION of something else. I BELIEVE IT TO BE THE CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD TODAY.
If it were to be a literal city, one corner could be in Los Angeles, another corner near Seattle, a third corner near Minneapolis, and the fourth corner in the deep south of the United States. And, it would reach into the sky as far as one side is long, for it represents a cube.
Speaking of a cube, the Most Holy place (Holy of Holies) of the Tabernacle of Moses was a perfect cube. I believe it represents the 1000 year reign of Peace after the Church is completed.
We have had a tendency to divide the "times" of the Tabernacle into dispensations, but I am not sure we have been correct in doing that. Notice:
On the Day of Atonement, the High Priest started at the Brazen Altar, proceeded to the Laver, and into the Holy Place, where he had certain ceremonies to perform. When those ceremonies were completed, he moved into the Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies) where there was no man-made light. It was the "unapproachable light" over the Mercy Seat, and the High Priest had duties to perform while in the presence of that "light".
The High Priest moved from one "room" into the other, without an interval between the two. When the so-called "Church Age" is finished, we move right into the so-called "Celestial City" aspect of the CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD.
I cannot tell you what changes might take place at the time of the passing of the High Priest from one "room" to the other. That is "in His department", while my "card" only calls for me to "trust, and obey" what He has determined for me to do.
One aspect that has "intrigued" me is the mixture of the TWELVE TRIBES OF ISRAEL, and the TWELVE APOSTLES OF THE LAMB in this "Holy City"--the CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD.
The twelve gates bear the names of the TWELVE TRIBES OF ISRAEL. I am assuming that they are arranged in a similar order (Rev 21:12,13) to where their positions were around the Tabernacle in the wilderness (Num 10). They have their place in the CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD. The ONLY way for Israel to approach God is through Jesus Christ.
And, right here is the place to reiterate that there is still a difference between Israel and Judah. Israel has repented and gone into the fields to work for the Father, while Judah has professed to obey the command of the Father, while rejecting Jesus Christ and continuing to observe a customized version of the Law of Moses. According to the Prophet Jeremiah, Israel was to be re-formed into a different kind of vessel, after having been marred on the wheel. Judah was to be broken and never made whole again.
The twelve foundations bear the names of the TWELVE APOSTLES OF THE LAMB (Rev 21:14). They are representative of Jesus Christ, and the Sacrifice of Calvary.
The Gospel is to "Whosoever will", even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Every tribe, race and tongue is welcome at the feet of Jesus. It is called a "City" because the scriptural definition of a city is "people living under a common cause and rulership".
The "City" of Babylon is scheduled for burning and destruction, while the Lord has prepared for the "people of Faith" a "City that has foundations", THE CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD.
You and I, friend, are a part of that City, RIGHT NOW, and are "members in particular" (imperfectly) in the work that God has ordained for us to do. But, "when that which is perfect is come"-- only the Lord knows what will be done.
YOUR PLACE IS IMPORTANT. NO ONE ELSE CAN DO WHAT YOU ARE DOING.
HANG IN THERE! BE FAITHFUL. BE DEPENDABLE. BE RESPONSIBLE.
Never let discouragement get the upper hand in your walk with the Lord. God WILL finish the Work He has begun in you. He WILL make you COMPLETE in Him. Trust Him!
Here are the scriptures about the Holy City:
Rev 21:9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.
Rev 21:10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
Rev 21:11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;
Rev 21:12 And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:
Rev 21:13 On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.
Rev 21:14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
Rev 21:15 And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.
Rev 21:16 And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.
Rev 21:17 And he measured the wall thereof, a hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.
Rev 21:18 And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.
Rev 21:19 And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;
Rev 21:20 The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.
Rev 21:21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.
Rev 21:22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.
Rev 21:23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
Rev 21:24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into it.
Rev 21:25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.
Rev 21:26 And they shall bring the glory and honor of the nations into it.
Rev 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.
Rev 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
Rev 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
Friday, May 12, 2006
THE HIGH CALLING OF GOD
THE HIGH CALLING OF GOD
Phi 3:13 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,
Phi 3:14 I press toward THE MARK FOR THE PRIZE OF THE HIGH CALLING OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS.
I cannot recall when my attention was first drawn to this portion of scripture. It has been many years, and was probably a part of one of those gradual processes of development similar to the Biblical "Here a little, and there a little." There have been many of those "slowly developing" truths in my lifetime. I treasure every one of them. Many individuals have participated, unknowingly, in the formation of several of the gems of my life, by just a passing thought or a word spoken in due season. Two men in particular (Walter Swier and John Lake) played predominant roles in provoking my studies along certain lines. They seemed to be especially led of the Lord to drop thoughts into my life at exactly the right time for me to build around and upon what they had said to me. God has been so very good to Pearl and me.
It seems almost needless to point out that not every Blood-bought Christian will develop at the same rate as another Christian. Some people simply put more effort and time into their walk with the Lord than others do, and consequently live a more victorious life, and receive much more enjoyment from it.
All Christians are "building" upon the foundation known as "Salvation through the Blood of Jesus", but they are NOT building at the same rate. There can be several determining factors in our rate of building our lives on that which the Lord has provided for the welfare of our soul.
Our love for the Lord will be one of the chief determining factors in our progress toward Christian Excellence. We will MAKE time for that which we LOVE.
When I was a teenager, a minister told a story from the pulpit, which helped me to get a "sense of direction" in my Christian walk. The story was about a young girl who felt she had a "call" to do Missionary work. She excitedly told her mother about it, but her mother was not as enthusiastic about it as the girl was. The Mother said, "Well, it serves you right. If you hadn't been sitting around with that Bible on your lap so much, you wouldn't have gotten that "call" to be a Missionary." Her assessment was "more truth than poetry."
People who put more into their walk with the Lord will get more in return for their efforts. The Bible tells us that if we "draw nigh" to Him, He will "draw nigh" to us.
Jam 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
Here is the crux of the whole matter. Too many Christians have had difficulty making up their minds what they want to do with their experience in Jesus Christ. Too many of us have not really SURRENDERED our lives to Him. It stands to reason that we will not make the progress in Spiritual things that others who have made a more complete surrender to Him will be making.
The Bible tells of a promise made to folks who take their Christianity seriously.
Mal 3:16 Then they that feared (had great respect for) the LORD spoke (took counsel) often one to another (Church attendance): and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought (reckoned-- patterned their lives) upon his name.
Mal 3:17 AND THEY SHALL BE MINE, saith the LORD of hosts, IN THAT DAY WHEN I MAKE UP (hand pick) MY JEWELS; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
Mal 3:18 THEN (after the jewels are sorted out) SHALL YE RETURN (look around you), AND DISCERN BETWEEN THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED, BETWEEN HIM THAT SERVETH GOD (today) AND HIM THAT SERVETH HIM NOT (today).
Mat 13:43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Phi 3:13 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,
Phi 3:14 I press toward THE MARK FOR THE PRIZE OF THE HIGH CALLING OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS.
I cannot recall when my attention was first drawn to this portion of scripture. It has been many years, and was probably a part of one of those gradual processes of development similar to the Biblical "Here a little, and there a little." There have been many of those "slowly developing" truths in my lifetime. I treasure every one of them. Many individuals have participated, unknowingly, in the formation of several of the gems of my life, by just a passing thought or a word spoken in due season. Two men in particular (Walter Swier and John Lake) played predominant roles in provoking my studies along certain lines. They seemed to be especially led of the Lord to drop thoughts into my life at exactly the right time for me to build around and upon what they had said to me. God has been so very good to Pearl and me.
It seems almost needless to point out that not every Blood-bought Christian will develop at the same rate as another Christian. Some people simply put more effort and time into their walk with the Lord than others do, and consequently live a more victorious life, and receive much more enjoyment from it.
All Christians are "building" upon the foundation known as "Salvation through the Blood of Jesus", but they are NOT building at the same rate. There can be several determining factors in our rate of building our lives on that which the Lord has provided for the welfare of our soul.
Our love for the Lord will be one of the chief determining factors in our progress toward Christian Excellence. We will MAKE time for that which we LOVE.
When I was a teenager, a minister told a story from the pulpit, which helped me to get a "sense of direction" in my Christian walk. The story was about a young girl who felt she had a "call" to do Missionary work. She excitedly told her mother about it, but her mother was not as enthusiastic about it as the girl was. The Mother said, "Well, it serves you right. If you hadn't been sitting around with that Bible on your lap so much, you wouldn't have gotten that "call" to be a Missionary." Her assessment was "more truth than poetry."
People who put more into their walk with the Lord will get more in return for their efforts. The Bible tells us that if we "draw nigh" to Him, He will "draw nigh" to us.
Jam 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
Here is the crux of the whole matter. Too many Christians have had difficulty making up their minds what they want to do with their experience in Jesus Christ. Too many of us have not really SURRENDERED our lives to Him. It stands to reason that we will not make the progress in Spiritual things that others who have made a more complete surrender to Him will be making.
The Bible tells of a promise made to folks who take their Christianity seriously.
Mal 3:16 Then they that feared (had great respect for) the LORD spoke (took counsel) often one to another (Church attendance): and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought (reckoned-- patterned their lives) upon his name.
Mal 3:17 AND THEY SHALL BE MINE, saith the LORD of hosts, IN THAT DAY WHEN I MAKE UP (hand pick) MY JEWELS; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
Mal 3:18 THEN (after the jewels are sorted out) SHALL YE RETURN (look around you), AND DISCERN BETWEEN THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED, BETWEEN HIM THAT SERVETH GOD (today) AND HIM THAT SERVETH HIM NOT (today).
Mat 13:43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
THE GREAT TRIBULATION
THE GREAT TRIBULATION
MAT 23:39 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed [is] he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Jesus had just finished pronouncing desolation to the nation of Judah, when He made the above declaration to them or about them.
Here is what follows that episode.
MAT 24:1 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to [him] for to shew him the buildings of the temple.
MAT 24:2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
Those words of Jesus set the stage for a much longer discourse at a later time.
MAT 24:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what [shall be] the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
The primary concern of Jesus as He talked to them on the Mount of Olives was a warning about letting men deceive them.
MAT 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
THAT IS STILL HIS MAIN CONCERN. It should also be ours.
Let's take a good look at what the Disciples asked Jesus that day.
Tell us, when shall these things be? That was the first portion of a three-part question. They, being men and not possessing Spiritual knowledge, THOUGHT they were asking only one question.
The last thing He had told them was about the Temple buildings-- that they would be completely demolished. He DID NOT tell them WHEN it would happen, nor WHY it would happen.
40 years would roll by before the prophecy of Jesus would be fulfilled. It would be accomplished by the Roman general Titus in 70 AD. But Jesus gave them no date.
He only said, "Take heed that no man deceive you." He then related some conditions whereby they might have an idea of what was about to happen.
MAT 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
MAT 24:16-21 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: For THEN shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
I readily admit that I do not have all the answers, but I believe I have SOME OF THEM. I also have to admit that I have serious doubts about the validity of most of the answers that are floating around today.
Sounds like Jesus was telling His disciples that the sacking of Jerusalem in 70 AD would be the time of what is called THE GREAT TRIBULATION. (Remember that Jesus was talking about Jerusalem and the Temple when He mentioned the term "GREAT TRIBULATION"
Now, if this be correct (and I am convinced that it is), how in the world did the GREAT TRIBULATION get shoved clear down into what is considered the LAST DAYS? Who did it, and why?
There are a couple of other scriptures where the words "GREAT TRIBULATION" are found. But neither scripture mentions the fact that it will be the worst that has ever happened, or ever will happen.
REV 2:22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into GREAT TRIBULATION, except they repent of their deeds
This one is talking about the great Whore that rides on one of the three (wild) Beasts of the Revelation, as it was given to John.
How come she is a whore? What does it mean to be a scriptural whore? It means to have a divided allegiance-- both to the God of the universe, and to the god of this world . Jesus said we CAN NOT serve two masters.
The word "kosmos" is used to denote the World. Its root means "an orderly arrangement", and is definitely referring to secular rulership, (government) which we are all under today if we are a citizen of any country.
TIT 3:1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
The Word teaches us that our CITZENSHIP is in Heaven.
PHI 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
We are given instructions about the relationship we should have toward the affairs of government while we inhabit the earth.
Jesus said for us to render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's. We get into trouble when we try to mix the two.
Yet, we should maintain an attitude of being pilgrims and strangers in the world. We are citizens of the "city" that Abraham was looking for.
HEB 13:14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
Another mention of GREAT TRIBULATION (Rev 7:1-14) refers to a "great multitude which no man could number" standing before the Throne and giving Glory to God. An angel asked John who they were, and where they came from.
REV 7:14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Again, I submit that I do not have all of the answers, but it would seem to me that GREAT TRIBULATION is an essential element in our Spiritual Development, and is an integral part of becoming an OVERCOMER.
I am of the opinion that the person/s who, for whatever reason, changed the interpretation of the Scriptures, made a mistake.
The Church has seen many periods of intense persecution. But there is ONE such persecution/tribulation which the Word indicates as being the GRAND DADDY TRIBULATION.
That one was identified by Jesus as being what happened at 70 AD., when the Temple was burned. The gold overlay melted and ran into the cracks between the stones. Every stone was separated from all others to retrieve the melted gold.
It indicated that the Law of Ordinances was finished.
Faith in Jesus Christ is all that remains. There simply IS NO OTHER WAY TO APPROACH GOD.
Perhaps in a later issue we will discuss the other two facets of the question asked by the Disciples on the Mount of Olives. "The sign of Thy coming, and the end of the world.
MAT 23:39 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed [is] he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Jesus had just finished pronouncing desolation to the nation of Judah, when He made the above declaration to them or about them.
Here is what follows that episode.
MAT 24:1 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to [him] for to shew him the buildings of the temple.
MAT 24:2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
Those words of Jesus set the stage for a much longer discourse at a later time.
MAT 24:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what [shall be] the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
The primary concern of Jesus as He talked to them on the Mount of Olives was a warning about letting men deceive them.
MAT 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
THAT IS STILL HIS MAIN CONCERN. It should also be ours.
Let's take a good look at what the Disciples asked Jesus that day.
Tell us, when shall these things be? That was the first portion of a three-part question. They, being men and not possessing Spiritual knowledge, THOUGHT they were asking only one question.
The last thing He had told them was about the Temple buildings-- that they would be completely demolished. He DID NOT tell them WHEN it would happen, nor WHY it would happen.
40 years would roll by before the prophecy of Jesus would be fulfilled. It would be accomplished by the Roman general Titus in 70 AD. But Jesus gave them no date.
He only said, "Take heed that no man deceive you." He then related some conditions whereby they might have an idea of what was about to happen.
MAT 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
MAT 24:16-21 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: For THEN shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
I readily admit that I do not have all the answers, but I believe I have SOME OF THEM. I also have to admit that I have serious doubts about the validity of most of the answers that are floating around today.
Sounds like Jesus was telling His disciples that the sacking of Jerusalem in 70 AD would be the time of what is called THE GREAT TRIBULATION. (Remember that Jesus was talking about Jerusalem and the Temple when He mentioned the term "GREAT TRIBULATION"
Now, if this be correct (and I am convinced that it is), how in the world did the GREAT TRIBULATION get shoved clear down into what is considered the LAST DAYS? Who did it, and why?
There are a couple of other scriptures where the words "GREAT TRIBULATION" are found. But neither scripture mentions the fact that it will be the worst that has ever happened, or ever will happen.
REV 2:22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into GREAT TRIBULATION, except they repent of their deeds
This one is talking about the great Whore that rides on one of the three (wild) Beasts of the Revelation, as it was given to John.
How come she is a whore? What does it mean to be a scriptural whore? It means to have a divided allegiance-- both to the God of the universe, and to the god of this world . Jesus said we CAN NOT serve two masters.
The word "kosmos" is used to denote the World. Its root means "an orderly arrangement", and is definitely referring to secular rulership, (government) which we are all under today if we are a citizen of any country.
TIT 3:1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
The Word teaches us that our CITZENSHIP is in Heaven.
PHI 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
We are given instructions about the relationship we should have toward the affairs of government while we inhabit the earth.
Jesus said for us to render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's. We get into trouble when we try to mix the two.
Yet, we should maintain an attitude of being pilgrims and strangers in the world. We are citizens of the "city" that Abraham was looking for.
HEB 13:14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
Another mention of GREAT TRIBULATION (Rev 7:1-14) refers to a "great multitude which no man could number" standing before the Throne and giving Glory to God. An angel asked John who they were, and where they came from.
REV 7:14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Again, I submit that I do not have all of the answers, but it would seem to me that GREAT TRIBULATION is an essential element in our Spiritual Development, and is an integral part of becoming an OVERCOMER.
I am of the opinion that the person/s who, for whatever reason, changed the interpretation of the Scriptures, made a mistake.
The Church has seen many periods of intense persecution. But there is ONE such persecution/tribulation which the Word indicates as being the GRAND DADDY TRIBULATION.
That one was identified by Jesus as being what happened at 70 AD., when the Temple was burned. The gold overlay melted and ran into the cracks between the stones. Every stone was separated from all others to retrieve the melted gold.
It indicated that the Law of Ordinances was finished.
Faith in Jesus Christ is all that remains. There simply IS NO OTHER WAY TO APPROACH GOD.
Perhaps in a later issue we will discuss the other two facets of the question asked by the Disciples on the Mount of Olives. "The sign of Thy coming, and the end of the world.
THE GRACE OF GOD
THE GRACE OF GOD WAS UPON HIM
A while back I was reading in the second chapter of Luke, and came upon the 40th verse where it says , “And the Grace of God was upon Him.”
I had read it many times, but it sort of “grabbed” me this last time, partly, I suppose, because I had been thinking about what the Grace of God can do in the life of a person who does not “frustrate” it in their life. See Gal 2:21 I do not frustrate (reject, disannull) the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
Most of us are aware of the teaching that the Grace of God is the “unmerited favor” He has shown toward humanity. I have loved that expression for many years. It is true.
But Pearl, my wife, told me several years ago that the Grace of God is also “Divine Enablement”.
It becomes an “Inspiration” to do what you would not normally do.
It becomes “Strength” to do what would otherwise be impossible for you to do.
It becomes “Know How” to accomplish the impossible tasks that we sometimes face in life.
It becomes the “Ability” to “Be more than what we are.”
I was immediately reminded of a scripture in Luk 3:2 Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God (the Rhema) came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.
That Rhema (Command) became the signal for John to make his appearance on the scene in Jordan, preaching “the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.”
Saul of Tarsus had an experience with God on the Damascus Road that changed his life forever. He was “not disobedient unto the heavenly vision.” Acts 26:19
1Co 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 labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
Gen 6:8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
We all know what he did.
A while back I was reading in the second chapter of Luke, and came upon the 40th verse where it says , “And the Grace of God was upon Him.”
I had read it many times, but it sort of “grabbed” me this last time, partly, I suppose, because I had been thinking about what the Grace of God can do in the life of a person who does not “frustrate” it in their life. See Gal 2:21 I do not frustrate (reject, disannull) the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
Most of us are aware of the teaching that the Grace of God is the “unmerited favor” He has shown toward humanity. I have loved that expression for many years. It is true.
But Pearl, my wife, told me several years ago that the Grace of God is also “Divine Enablement”.
It becomes an “Inspiration” to do what you would not normally do.
It becomes “Strength” to do what would otherwise be impossible for you to do.
It becomes “Know How” to accomplish the impossible tasks that we sometimes face in life.
It becomes the “Ability” to “Be more than what we are.”
I was immediately reminded of a scripture in Luk 3:2 Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God (the Rhema) came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.
That Rhema (Command) became the signal for John to make his appearance on the scene in Jordan, preaching “the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.”
Saul of Tarsus had an experience with God on the Damascus Road that changed his life forever. He was “not disobedient unto the heavenly vision.” Acts 26:19
1Co 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 labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
Gen 6:8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
We all know what he did.
THE FIRSTBORN
THE FIRSTBORN
On the night of the first Passover, when the death angel passed over the land of Egypt and killed the firstborn of every creature, the Lord laid claim to the firstborn of every Israelite.
EXO 13:2 Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, [both] of man and of beast: it [is] mine.
I do not claim to know WHY the Lord planned it the way He did. I merely know a little bit of WHAT He did. But, I am sure that if our eyes were able to focus more clearly on what was done, we might be able to know more about why it was planned that way.
The Law of the Firstborn was incorporated into the Ordinances and ceremonies of the Law given by Moses. The Bible informs us that the Law given by Moses was for the purpose of TEACHING us about Jesus Christ and His work in our hearts. If we understand the Law of Moses, we can also understand the work of Jesus in the world.
GAL 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster [to bring us] unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
Biologically, there is little reason to believe that the first child is any better than the second or third. But, the Lord, in His plan for the Church, placed a premium on the firstborn of the family.
It is a type of something that has little to do with the natural order of birth. The Lord is trying to teach us something about HIS PLAN that we would otherwise know nothing about.
If we can learn what the Lord is trying to teach us through this, we can know more about what to expect in the future of the Church.
Being the firstborn son in a family entitled a person to the BIRTHRIGHT. This custom was started long before the Law of Moses, the same as the practice of tithing of our income to the Lord. It also carried the blessing of the DOUBLE PORTION of the fathers goods
There were some notable EXCEPTIONS to the rule or custom. Some firstborns LOST their claim to the birthright and double portion, while others who were not the firstborn ATTAINED to those blessings.
GEN 49:3-4 Reuben, thou [art] my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power: Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father's bed; then defiledst thou [it]: he went up to my couch.
GEN 48:20-22 And he blessed them that day, saying, In thee shall Israel bless, saying, God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh: and he set Ephraim before Manasseh. And Israel said unto Joseph, Behold, I die: but God shall be with you, and bring you again unto the land of your fathers. Moreover I have given to thee one portion above thy brethren, which I took out of the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow.
Joseph, in Egypt indicated that God had a plan in store for the sons of Jacob when he arranged the seating and the portions at the table as he entertained his brothers who had returned with Benjamin.
GEN 43:33,34 And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth: and the men marvelled one at another. And he took [and sent] messes unto them from before him: but Benjamin's mess was five times so much as any of theirs. And they drank, and were merry with him.
We also see here that the racial hatreds we see today are not just a recent thing,
GEN 43:32 And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that [is] an abomination unto the Egyptians.
A little while after the first Passover, Aaron made a golden calf for the Children of Israel, and they danced around it. Moses came down from the mountain and called to them, "Who is on the Lord's side?" The tribe of Levi came out. There was a fight, and several people were killed. It is not wise to play with the things of God.
When it was time to start the ceremonies of the Tabernacle. God did NOT choose the firstborns to be priests. Rather, He chose the Levites. I suppose that the episode at the golden calf influenced His choice. Only God knows the real reason.
The fact remains that He reserved the firstborns FOR ANOTHER PURPOSE and substituted the Levites to be Priests.
The firstborns were symbolic of something else, and it was NOT TIME for that yet, in the economy of God.
The LEVITES were to portray, IN SYMBOLIC LANGUAGE, what the firstborns were chosen to do IN REALITY at a later time.
And, by the way, REALITY is what the word TRUTH means as it is used concerning the work of Jesus in the Church. TRUTH equates with REALITY, as compared with symbolic activity. "Grace and TRUTH (REALITY) came by Jesus Christ.
JOH 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, [but] GRACE AND TRUTH came by Jesus Christ.
The Law was SYMBOL; Jesus is the REALITY.
The LEVITES were SYMBOLIC; Jesus, the FIRSTBORN is REALITY.
COL 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the FIRSTBORN OF EVERY CREATURE:
TRUTH IS NOT A DOCTRINE. There are several true doctrines, but none of them is THE TRUTH.
There remains a CHOOSING of people, which will be done by the Lord. The purpose of the choosing is for the selecting a group of followers whom He can make into what the FIRSTBORNS and the LEVITES of the Old Testament were symbolic of.
ISA 66:1,2 Thus saith the LORD, The heaven [is] my throne, and the earth [is] my footstool: where [is] the house that ye build unto me? and where [is] the place of my rest? For all those [things] hath mine hand made, and all those [things] have been, saith the LORD: BUT TO THIS [MAN] WILL I LOOK, [EVEN] TO [HIM THAT IS] POOR AND OF A CONTRITE SPIRIT, AND TREMBLETH AT MY WORD.
ISA 66:21 And I will also take of them for priests
[and] for Levites, saith the LORD.
As the Levites administered the Law of Moses, so will the Firstborns (those who have attained to the status of the Firstborn) administer the Spirit of the Kingdom.
We have so much more to look forward to than we have been told about in the standard Christian curriculum. We have been sold short.
HEB 12:18-24 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, 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, AND UNTO THE CITY OF THE LIVING GOD, THE HEAVENLY JERUSALEM, 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, AND TO JESUS THE MEDIATOR OF THE NEW COVENANT, AND TO THE BLOOD OF SPRINKLING, THAT SPEAKETH BETTER THINGS THAN [THAT OF] ABEL.
On the night of the first Passover, when the death angel passed over the land of Egypt and killed the firstborn of every creature, the Lord laid claim to the firstborn of every Israelite.
EXO 13:2 Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, [both] of man and of beast: it [is] mine.
I do not claim to know WHY the Lord planned it the way He did. I merely know a little bit of WHAT He did. But, I am sure that if our eyes were able to focus more clearly on what was done, we might be able to know more about why it was planned that way.
The Law of the Firstborn was incorporated into the Ordinances and ceremonies of the Law given by Moses. The Bible informs us that the Law given by Moses was for the purpose of TEACHING us about Jesus Christ and His work in our hearts. If we understand the Law of Moses, we can also understand the work of Jesus in the world.
GAL 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster [to bring us] unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
Biologically, there is little reason to believe that the first child is any better than the second or third. But, the Lord, in His plan for the Church, placed a premium on the firstborn of the family.
It is a type of something that has little to do with the natural order of birth. The Lord is trying to teach us something about HIS PLAN that we would otherwise know nothing about.
If we can learn what the Lord is trying to teach us through this, we can know more about what to expect in the future of the Church.
Being the firstborn son in a family entitled a person to the BIRTHRIGHT. This custom was started long before the Law of Moses, the same as the practice of tithing of our income to the Lord. It also carried the blessing of the DOUBLE PORTION of the fathers goods
There were some notable EXCEPTIONS to the rule or custom. Some firstborns LOST their claim to the birthright and double portion, while others who were not the firstborn ATTAINED to those blessings.
GEN 49:3-4 Reuben, thou [art] my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power: Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father's bed; then defiledst thou [it]: he went up to my couch.
GEN 48:20-22 And he blessed them that day, saying, In thee shall Israel bless, saying, God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh: and he set Ephraim before Manasseh. And Israel said unto Joseph, Behold, I die: but God shall be with you, and bring you again unto the land of your fathers. Moreover I have given to thee one portion above thy brethren, which I took out of the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow.
Joseph, in Egypt indicated that God had a plan in store for the sons of Jacob when he arranged the seating and the portions at the table as he entertained his brothers who had returned with Benjamin.
GEN 43:33,34 And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth: and the men marvelled one at another. And he took [and sent] messes unto them from before him: but Benjamin's mess was five times so much as any of theirs. And they drank, and were merry with him.
We also see here that the racial hatreds we see today are not just a recent thing,
GEN 43:32 And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that [is] an abomination unto the Egyptians.
A little while after the first Passover, Aaron made a golden calf for the Children of Israel, and they danced around it. Moses came down from the mountain and called to them, "Who is on the Lord's side?" The tribe of Levi came out. There was a fight, and several people were killed. It is not wise to play with the things of God.
When it was time to start the ceremonies of the Tabernacle. God did NOT choose the firstborns to be priests. Rather, He chose the Levites. I suppose that the episode at the golden calf influenced His choice. Only God knows the real reason.
The fact remains that He reserved the firstborns FOR ANOTHER PURPOSE and substituted the Levites to be Priests.
The firstborns were symbolic of something else, and it was NOT TIME for that yet, in the economy of God.
The LEVITES were to portray, IN SYMBOLIC LANGUAGE, what the firstborns were chosen to do IN REALITY at a later time.
And, by the way, REALITY is what the word TRUTH means as it is used concerning the work of Jesus in the Church. TRUTH equates with REALITY, as compared with symbolic activity. "Grace and TRUTH (REALITY) came by Jesus Christ.
JOH 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, [but] GRACE AND TRUTH came by Jesus Christ.
The Law was SYMBOL; Jesus is the REALITY.
The LEVITES were SYMBOLIC; Jesus, the FIRSTBORN is REALITY.
COL 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the FIRSTBORN OF EVERY CREATURE:
TRUTH IS NOT A DOCTRINE. There are several true doctrines, but none of them is THE TRUTH.
There remains a CHOOSING of people, which will be done by the Lord. The purpose of the choosing is for the selecting a group of followers whom He can make into what the FIRSTBORNS and the LEVITES of the Old Testament were symbolic of.
ISA 66:1,2 Thus saith the LORD, The heaven [is] my throne, and the earth [is] my footstool: where [is] the house that ye build unto me? and where [is] the place of my rest? For all those [things] hath mine hand made, and all those [things] have been, saith the LORD: BUT TO THIS [MAN] WILL I LOOK, [EVEN] TO [HIM THAT IS] POOR AND OF A CONTRITE SPIRIT, AND TREMBLETH AT MY WORD.
ISA 66:21 And I will also take of them for priests
[and] for Levites, saith the LORD.
As the Levites administered the Law of Moses, so will the Firstborns (those who have attained to the status of the Firstborn) administer the Spirit of the Kingdom.
We have so much more to look forward to than we have been told about in the standard Christian curriculum. We have been sold short.
HEB 12:18-24 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, 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, AND UNTO THE CITY OF THE LIVING GOD, THE HEAVENLY JERUSALEM, 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, AND TO JESUS THE MEDIATOR OF THE NEW COVENANT, AND TO THE BLOOD OF SPRINKLING, THAT SPEAKETH BETTER THINGS THAN [THAT OF] ABEL.
Thursday, May 11, 2006
MY MIGHTY ONES
MY MIGHTY ONES
Let me draw your attention to another scripture which tells about the great thing which God is planning to do in the earth when it is time for Him to overthrow what is scripturally called Babylon . We have been telling you that at a specific time (and only God knows when that will be), a command or call will go forth from the Throne Room in heaven, and the action will begin. We see it in the Revelation. We see it in the book of Joel. Now we want to look at it in Isaiah. They are all aimed at this same thing that is called Babylon. In two places the folks who are mustered by the Lord are called a Great People , and a Strong People . In Revelation there is a number given-- TWO HUNDRED MILLION. These three accounts are all describing the same event, as near as I can determine. Just prior to the Command from Heaven which will activate and anoint these Mighty, Strong ones there will also be a distinct call given from the courts of Heaven, Come out of her, My People. It will be a Clarion-type call, which no one can mistake when it is given. This will be a general call,to come out of the Babylonish system. But, there is another call and commissioning, which will take place at about the same time. That is the calling and anointing which will be given to those Christians who have qualified for the work which will have to be done. The work is two jobs combined into one. On one handthe Mighty, Sanctified Ones will bring about the downfall of the Babylonish system in all of its aspects. On the other hand, they will be reaping the earth for Jesus. Both jobs will be accomplished by the Spirit of God, working through the qualified individuals who are sent forth into the entire world. It will be similar to the episode related in Mat 10 where Jesus sent His disciples out with unlimited authority over all manner of problems. Nothing could stand before them. In fact, the account in Mat 10 was a prophecy enacted by Jesus to prove that what He is planning to do can be done by the Spirit. Try to imagine what can be accomplished by a company of TWO HUNDRED MILLION anointed Christians who have been given complete authority over any opposition they might encounter. Isa 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. Isa 13:4 The noise of a multitude in the mountains, like as of a great people; a tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together: the LORD of hosts mustereth the host of the battle. Isa 13:5 They come from a far country, from the end of heaven, even the LORD, and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole land. Isa 13:6 Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty. (A destruction of evil.)
Let me draw your attention to another scripture which tells about the great thing which God is planning to do in the earth when it is time for Him to overthrow what is scripturally called Babylon . We have been telling you that at a specific time (and only God knows when that will be), a command or call will go forth from the Throne Room in heaven, and the action will begin. We see it in the Revelation. We see it in the book of Joel. Now we want to look at it in Isaiah. They are all aimed at this same thing that is called Babylon. In two places the folks who are mustered by the Lord are called a Great People , and a Strong People . In Revelation there is a number given-- TWO HUNDRED MILLION. These three accounts are all describing the same event, as near as I can determine. Just prior to the Command from Heaven which will activate and anoint these Mighty, Strong ones there will also be a distinct call given from the courts of Heaven, Come out of her, My People. It will be a Clarion-type call, which no one can mistake when it is given. This will be a general call,to come out of the Babylonish system. But, there is another call and commissioning, which will take place at about the same time. That is the calling and anointing which will be given to those Christians who have qualified for the work which will have to be done. The work is two jobs combined into one. On one handthe Mighty, Sanctified Ones will bring about the downfall of the Babylonish system in all of its aspects. On the other hand, they will be reaping the earth for Jesus. Both jobs will be accomplished by the Spirit of God, working through the qualified individuals who are sent forth into the entire world. It will be similar to the episode related in Mat 10 where Jesus sent His disciples out with unlimited authority over all manner of problems. Nothing could stand before them. In fact, the account in Mat 10 was a prophecy enacted by Jesus to prove that what He is planning to do can be done by the Spirit. Try to imagine what can be accomplished by a company of TWO HUNDRED MILLION anointed Christians who have been given complete authority over any opposition they might encounter. Isa 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. Isa 13:4 The noise of a multitude in the mountains, like as of a great people; a tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together: the LORD of hosts mustereth the host of the battle. Isa 13:5 They come from a far country, from the end of heaven, even the LORD, and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole land. Isa 13:6 Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty. (A destruction of evil.)
NO PROMISES
NO PROMISES
When Abraham and Lot had to part ways because the land would not support the herds of both of them, Abraham told Lot to take first choice of the land.
Genesis 13:9 [Is] not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if [thou wilt take] the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if [thou depart] to the right hand, then I will go to the left.
Why should Abraham be so generous with Lot? Why let the younger man take his choice? Why not divide the good land and also the bad land, so each would have a portion of both?
The explanation lies in the fact that Abraham had PROMISES from God, and Lot did not. God had called Abraham. He had NOT called Lot. Abraham knew God as EL SHADAI, the Breasted One, the Nourisher, God Almighty. This "Breasted One", "Nourisher" "Almighty God" was making Abraham rich. And, as long as Lot was with him, he also was becoming rich, through God's supply to Abraham.
Lot had no promises from God. Without promises, you need all the help you can get, from wherever you can get it.
But Abraham, who HAD THE PROMISES, had no need for concern over the future, nor for his welfare. With PROMISES, what else do you need?
No need to elbow your way into or through any situation. No need to pull wires,or "politic" for yourself.
If you have PROMISES, you HAVE what God has promised-- whether it is presently in your possession or not. You can, as Abraham did, "embrace them" and make a confession (declaration) of them. You may not have them in your possession right now (strangers and pilgrims), but they are as secure to you as the INTEGRITY OF GOD.
Little wonder then that Abraham could give Lot the first choice. His security was in the PROMISES OF GOD, rather than in the lush pastures of Jordan Valley.
Do you have Promises? Do I have Promises? If so, Hebrews 10:35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
When Abraham and Lot had to part ways because the land would not support the herds of both of them, Abraham told Lot to take first choice of the land.
Genesis 13:9 [Is] not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if [thou wilt take] the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if [thou depart] to the right hand, then I will go to the left.
Why should Abraham be so generous with Lot? Why let the younger man take his choice? Why not divide the good land and also the bad land, so each would have a portion of both?
The explanation lies in the fact that Abraham had PROMISES from God, and Lot did not. God had called Abraham. He had NOT called Lot. Abraham knew God as EL SHADAI, the Breasted One, the Nourisher, God Almighty. This "Breasted One", "Nourisher" "Almighty God" was making Abraham rich. And, as long as Lot was with him, he also was becoming rich, through God's supply to Abraham.
Lot had no promises from God. Without promises, you need all the help you can get, from wherever you can get it.
But Abraham, who HAD THE PROMISES, had no need for concern over the future, nor for his welfare. With PROMISES, what else do you need?
No need to elbow your way into or through any situation. No need to pull wires,or "politic" for yourself.
If you have PROMISES, you HAVE what God has promised-- whether it is presently in your possession or not. You can, as Abraham did, "embrace them" and make a confession (declaration) of them. You may not have them in your possession right now (strangers and pilgrims), but they are as secure to you as the INTEGRITY OF GOD.
Little wonder then that Abraham could give Lot the first choice. His security was in the PROMISES OF GOD, rather than in the lush pastures of Jordan Valley.
Do you have Promises? Do I have Promises? If so, Hebrews 10:35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
NOW I KNOW
NOW I KNOW
When Abram was 75 years old, the Lord spoke to him and told him to get up out of the Ur of the Chaldees to a land that He would show him. The Lord told him that He would bless him and make of his seed a great nation.
The record tells us that Abram obeyed the instructions of the Lord and started journeying, not knowing whither he went.
Heb 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
The days grew into weeks, and the weeks into months, and the months into years. Finally Abram reached age 99 and his wife 90, and still no promised seed had come along. The "promise of seed" was getting old also, for that had been 24 years ago. But Abram was still believing that God was ABLE to do what He had promised He would do. That was his part of the bargain.
Rom 4:21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
Gen 17:1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
The Hebrew word that is translated "perfect" is also translated "upright" in other places. I prefer to use it in that sense, for the present word "perfect" has a somewhat different meaning. Abram was certainly NOT FLAWLESS. But he was certainly walking uprightly before the Lord in response to the original call.
It might seem that the Lord was slack in performing HIS PART of the bargain.
Gen 17:2 And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.
We must constantly remind ourselves, however, that God's timing does not always match what we are able to comprehend with our finite understanding.
I don’t know of any way we can determine just how old Isaac was when Abraham took him to Mt. Moriah to sacrifice him to the Lord, but he was certainly old enough to "leave his mother" for several days, and to figure out that there was something lacking in his father's preparation for a sacrifice.
Gen 22:7 And Isaac spoke unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?
Can you imagine the mental anguish Abraham endured when his son asked him that question? What could he say? He believed that the Lord was ABLE to raise his son back to life, but he did NOT KNOW that it would happen.
What he DID know was that God had ordered him to sacrifice his son, and that was what he intended to do.
TALK ABOUT "BLIND OBEDIENCE".
What was God doing here? Why would He subject one of His saints to such trauma?
I believe the answer lies in a few verses further down in the chapter.
Gen 22:9 And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.
Gen 22:10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.
Gen 22:11 And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.
Gen 22:12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: FOR NOW I KNOW THAT THOU FEAREST GOD, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.
How long had the Lord taken to "document" the faith of Abraham? Twenty four years plus the age of Isaac at the time.
My guess would be somewhere in the range of 40 to 42 years.
Immediately the question arises, "How long have I waited for the Lord to come on the scene and fulfill His promises to me? Is He waiting for some response on my part?
What does He KNOW about me?
When Abram was 75 years old, the Lord spoke to him and told him to get up out of the Ur of the Chaldees to a land that He would show him. The Lord told him that He would bless him and make of his seed a great nation.
The record tells us that Abram obeyed the instructions of the Lord and started journeying, not knowing whither he went.
Heb 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
The days grew into weeks, and the weeks into months, and the months into years. Finally Abram reached age 99 and his wife 90, and still no promised seed had come along. The "promise of seed" was getting old also, for that had been 24 years ago. But Abram was still believing that God was ABLE to do what He had promised He would do. That was his part of the bargain.
Rom 4:21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
Gen 17:1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
The Hebrew word that is translated "perfect" is also translated "upright" in other places. I prefer to use it in that sense, for the present word "perfect" has a somewhat different meaning. Abram was certainly NOT FLAWLESS. But he was certainly walking uprightly before the Lord in response to the original call.
It might seem that the Lord was slack in performing HIS PART of the bargain.
Gen 17:2 And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.
We must constantly remind ourselves, however, that God's timing does not always match what we are able to comprehend with our finite understanding.
I don’t know of any way we can determine just how old Isaac was when Abraham took him to Mt. Moriah to sacrifice him to the Lord, but he was certainly old enough to "leave his mother" for several days, and to figure out that there was something lacking in his father's preparation for a sacrifice.
Gen 22:7 And Isaac spoke unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?
Can you imagine the mental anguish Abraham endured when his son asked him that question? What could he say? He believed that the Lord was ABLE to raise his son back to life, but he did NOT KNOW that it would happen.
What he DID know was that God had ordered him to sacrifice his son, and that was what he intended to do.
TALK ABOUT "BLIND OBEDIENCE".
What was God doing here? Why would He subject one of His saints to such trauma?
I believe the answer lies in a few verses further down in the chapter.
Gen 22:9 And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.
Gen 22:10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.
Gen 22:11 And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.
Gen 22:12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: FOR NOW I KNOW THAT THOU FEAREST GOD, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.
How long had the Lord taken to "document" the faith of Abraham? Twenty four years plus the age of Isaac at the time.
My guess would be somewhere in the range of 40 to 42 years.
Immediately the question arises, "How long have I waited for the Lord to come on the scene and fulfill His promises to me? Is He waiting for some response on my part?
What does He KNOW about me?
ONE NEW MAN
ONE NEW MAN
I have often made the statement that we MUST accept what God DOES as well as what He SAYS.
There are many incidents where we can get bogged down in what the Word is SAYING that we miss what God DOES, because His actions do NOT line up with OUR UNDERSTANDING of His Word. One case in point:
When the wise men from the East came to Jerusalem asking where the future King of the Jews was to be born, the ready answer was "Bethlehem". And the answer was correct, but it became the foundation of a misleading doctrine in Israel.
That misleading doctrine was one thing which caused the Jewish people to reject Jesus when He appeared on the scene-- FROM NAZARETH. John 1:46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. John 7:52 They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.
While it was true that Jesus was to be born at Bethlehem, He was FROM Nazareth. The FAULTY UNDERSTANDING of the Hebrew people caused their teachings to be wrong. Wrong teachings caused them to reject what God did in their midst.
The same is true today. We have myriads of doctrines, each with some foundation in the written Word of God, but interpreted by our faulty, human understanding of that Word. They can do no better than lead us astray, if we follow them.
I think often of the jolt which came to Peter and the other Apostles when Peter was commanded of the Lord to go to the house of Cornelius and preach to them about what God had done in Israel through Jesus of Nazareth. While Peter was still preaching to them, the Holy Ghost fell in their midst and they began to "speak with tongues and magnify God--". Can you imagine the consternation within the group with Peter?
When Peter returned to Jerusalem, he was "called on the carpet" by his peers for having gone to the Gentiles. Peter's answer was classic. Acts 11:15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. Acts 11:17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as [he did] unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?
Peter was forced to accept what God had done, whether it fit the standard curriculum of Jewish doctrine or not. God had done something they had not expected.
The Apostles learned from Peter's experience, and said: Acts 11:18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
I often wonder, also, what kind of a "jolt" we modern day Christians may be in for when the Lord does some of the things He will do in the future, which are not contained in our standard Christian teachings of today.
If we get too deeply bogged down in our understanding of THE WORD, we may experience a phenomenon that will "throw us for a loop", as the saying goes. That is one short route to the scrap heap.
We need, desperately, to be watchful for what God DOES, as well as what He SAYS.
I have often made the statement that we MUST accept what God DOES as well as what He SAYS.
There are many incidents where we can get bogged down in what the Word is SAYING that we miss what God DOES, because His actions do NOT line up with OUR UNDERSTANDING of His Word. One case in point:
When the wise men from the East came to Jerusalem asking where the future King of the Jews was to be born, the ready answer was "Bethlehem". And the answer was correct, but it became the foundation of a misleading doctrine in Israel.
That misleading doctrine was one thing which caused the Jewish people to reject Jesus when He appeared on the scene-- FROM NAZARETH. John 1:46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. John 7:52 They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.
While it was true that Jesus was to be born at Bethlehem, He was FROM Nazareth. The FAULTY UNDERSTANDING of the Hebrew people caused their teachings to be wrong. Wrong teachings caused them to reject what God did in their midst.
The same is true today. We have myriads of doctrines, each with some foundation in the written Word of God, but interpreted by our faulty, human understanding of that Word. They can do no better than lead us astray, if we follow them.
I think often of the jolt which came to Peter and the other Apostles when Peter was commanded of the Lord to go to the house of Cornelius and preach to them about what God had done in Israel through Jesus of Nazareth. While Peter was still preaching to them, the Holy Ghost fell in their midst and they began to "speak with tongues and magnify God--". Can you imagine the consternation within the group with Peter?
When Peter returned to Jerusalem, he was "called on the carpet" by his peers for having gone to the Gentiles. Peter's answer was classic. Acts 11:15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. Acts 11:17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as [he did] unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?
Peter was forced to accept what God had done, whether it fit the standard curriculum of Jewish doctrine or not. God had done something they had not expected.
The Apostles learned from Peter's experience, and said: Acts 11:18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
I often wonder, also, what kind of a "jolt" we modern day Christians may be in for when the Lord does some of the things He will do in the future, which are not contained in our standard Christian teachings of today.
If we get too deeply bogged down in our understanding of THE WORD, we may experience a phenomenon that will "throw us for a loop", as the saying goes. That is one short route to the scrap heap.
We need, desperately, to be watchful for what God DOES, as well as what He SAYS.
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
LIKE UNTO LEAVEN
LIKE UNTO LEAVEN
Mat 13:33 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, TILL THE WHOLE WAS LEAVENED.
The outstanding characteristic of leaven is its ability to penetrate to every molecule of the dough it is introduced into.
Please notice that Jesus used this characteristic trait of leaven in describing the characteristics and purpose of the KINGDOM OF GOD IN THE EARTH.
IT WILL NOT STOP UNTIL IT HAS REACHED, AND CHANGED, THE WHOLE EARTH! There are, of course, exceptions, for we know from Ezekiel 47 that there are some places (people) that will not receive the workings of the Holy Ghost. Eze 47:11 But the miry places thereof and the marshes thereof shall not be healed; they shall be given to salt.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ will penetrate into, and produce the desired effect, in every corner of the globe before we see the consummation of the purposes of God in the earth.
This means that EVERY NON-CHRISTIAN RELIGION will wither and die on the vine in the path of the DELUGE OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD that is, I believe, starting on planet earth even as we write these lines.
Let me go a little farther and declare that EVERY DENOMINATION OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION WILL ALSO SUFFER THE SAME FATE, for they are the work of Man’s hands.
How in the world will God be able to accomplish such a monumental task? The earth is BIG, and there are billions of people on it. Most of the people are already entrenched in some other kind of worship that would have to be abandoned if/when they turn to Jesus Christ and His Salvation.
The Word of God gives us a few clues about the methods God will use to accomplish what he intends to do. The clues are masked in symbolic and parabolic language, and are easily missed if we are not in tune with the Spirit. God has intentionally masked them, to keep insincere people from finding them. Psa 25:14 The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will show them his covenant.
I could not possibly cite for you all of the ways the process has been described and likened to, but there are many places where they can be found, hidden in the scriptures.
The greater part of the teachings which are “standard” today are the results of the best efforts on the part of mankind to figure out and understand, with their own minds, what has been written BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD. Confusion is the only possible result. There is certainly no shortage of that.
The “standard” prophetic curriculum has “the great tribulation that nearly abolishes the Church” in our future. The Word of God says it is already in the past, and it didn’t apply to the Church at all.
The “standard” curriculum has the Antichrist/man of sin rising to tyrannical, dictatorial power in some future era. The Bible doesn’t show that to be so at all. It shows it to have been here for centuries, and will be revealed and destroyed by the Spirit of God shortly.
How did all the prophecies get scrunched up into the last seven years of the dispensation? It was done deliberately, and for a purpose. Do you know why?
Isa 28:17 Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.
Jer 16:19 …..Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit.
Just as leaven keeps working until it has permeated the entire mass of the dough, so the Kingdom of God will keep doing what it is supposed to do until it has reached, and altered, the entire world.
Is our God big enough, strong enough, to do that?
Mat 13:33 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, TILL THE WHOLE WAS LEAVENED.
The outstanding characteristic of leaven is its ability to penetrate to every molecule of the dough it is introduced into.
Please notice that Jesus used this characteristic trait of leaven in describing the characteristics and purpose of the KINGDOM OF GOD IN THE EARTH.
IT WILL NOT STOP UNTIL IT HAS REACHED, AND CHANGED, THE WHOLE EARTH! There are, of course, exceptions, for we know from Ezekiel 47 that there are some places (people) that will not receive the workings of the Holy Ghost. Eze 47:11 But the miry places thereof and the marshes thereof shall not be healed; they shall be given to salt.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ will penetrate into, and produce the desired effect, in every corner of the globe before we see the consummation of the purposes of God in the earth.
This means that EVERY NON-CHRISTIAN RELIGION will wither and die on the vine in the path of the DELUGE OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD that is, I believe, starting on planet earth even as we write these lines.
Let me go a little farther and declare that EVERY DENOMINATION OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION WILL ALSO SUFFER THE SAME FATE, for they are the work of Man’s hands.
How in the world will God be able to accomplish such a monumental task? The earth is BIG, and there are billions of people on it. Most of the people are already entrenched in some other kind of worship that would have to be abandoned if/when they turn to Jesus Christ and His Salvation.
The Word of God gives us a few clues about the methods God will use to accomplish what he intends to do. The clues are masked in symbolic and parabolic language, and are easily missed if we are not in tune with the Spirit. God has intentionally masked them, to keep insincere people from finding them. Psa 25:14 The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will show them his covenant.
I could not possibly cite for you all of the ways the process has been described and likened to, but there are many places where they can be found, hidden in the scriptures.
The greater part of the teachings which are “standard” today are the results of the best efforts on the part of mankind to figure out and understand, with their own minds, what has been written BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD. Confusion is the only possible result. There is certainly no shortage of that.
The “standard” prophetic curriculum has “the great tribulation that nearly abolishes the Church” in our future. The Word of God says it is already in the past, and it didn’t apply to the Church at all.
The “standard” curriculum has the Antichrist/man of sin rising to tyrannical, dictatorial power in some future era. The Bible doesn’t show that to be so at all. It shows it to have been here for centuries, and will be revealed and destroyed by the Spirit of God shortly.
How did all the prophecies get scrunched up into the last seven years of the dispensation? It was done deliberately, and for a purpose. Do you know why?
Isa 28:17 Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.
Jer 16:19 …..Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit.
Just as leaven keeps working until it has permeated the entire mass of the dough, so the Kingdom of God will keep doing what it is supposed to do until it has reached, and altered, the entire world.
Is our God big enough, strong enough, to do that?
WHAT ABOUT THE KINGDOM OF GOD?
WHAT ABOUT THE KINGDOM OF GOD?
When I was a child I would hear snatches of conversations about the Kingdom of God. Most, if not all of it, went over my head. I was too young, and my knowledge of the Bible and the principles of God was very limited. I knew that Jesus came to save mankind from hell, that He would return and set up a kingdom some day. I had no idea what that would entail-- how it would be done, nor what it would be like. That knowledge was completely sufficient for the state of development I had attained to at the time. And, it lasted for a number of years.
Gradually, I began to wonder just how all this was going to come about, and what the processes would be to accomplish it. I began to realize that the world was a pretty big place, and that there were great numbers of people on it. We expected Jesus to split the ether with a great noise of a shout, and snatch all the Christians away to somewhere, to a place we called Heaven where we would forever be with the Lord-- singing His praises endlessly.
Then I started wondering why He would set up a Kingdom here on earth if all the Christians were somewhere else-- in Heaven. Who would He reign over, and how would He go about bringing them in subjection? Would the "shout" do it? Or would He have some secret weapons with Him that we knew nothing about?
We had been taught by that time that He would bring the "raptured saints" back with Him, and make them rulers with Him. Thus, there should be plenty of authorized deputies to accomplish the job. This didn't clear up all of the questions, but it did serve to get my mind on the right track-- I thought. Now, I wonder.
Anyway, as time went on, I discovered that Jesus seemed to indicate that there is a difference between being save-- having our sins forgiven-- and being in the group which attains to a position in the Kingdom of God. The more I studied it, the more I was convinced that it is much easier and less strenuous to "believe" on the Lord (that is, be saved) than it is to attain to the Kingdom of God. In my searching, I have been brought to the place of realizing that we have done ourselves a great disservice by blindly accepting what we have been taught through the many years that we have been on the Christian pathway. This is especially true when we think about God's wonderful Kingdom.
Shocking as it may seem to be, getting saved (our term for putting our trust in Jesus for the safety of our souls) is one of the easiest things in the world to do. Whereas the people of the Old Testament had to go through certain rituals and ceremonies every so often (weekly, monthly, yearly) in order to stay within the Covenant, there is NOTHING we have to do to maintain our Salvation except to be obedient to the Gospel. That obedience entails "Believing in the heart that Jesus is our Savior, and confessing (declaring) with our mouth that we believe and trust in Him. This will lead us to obedience to what He tells us to do.
This is where the problems begin to show their ugly heads. Churches have taken the instructions which have been given to teach us to conduct our lives in a way that will lead us toward membership in the Kingdom-- and we make them REQUIREMENTS for SALVATION. This has been a grave mistake, and has caused more damage than it has done good. It has served to discourage and turn aside more people than anyone could count, because the "standard" we have established for Salvation was really intended as a sign post pointing toward "Living for the Kingdom."
In other words, We are Saved (secure in Jesus) while endeavoring to build a life fit for entrance into the Kingdom. Comparatively few people will make that grade, for "Many are called, but few are chosen." "They shall be Mine, saith the Lord, in that day when I make up my jewels." Not all Christians will be eligible for the blessings of the Kingdom. Not all Christians will be Spiritually developed enough to "Rule over the nations." Millions upon millions of people will eventually make heaven their home, but they had not attained to Kingdom stature while they lived on earth.
When I was a child I would hear snatches of conversations about the Kingdom of God. Most, if not all of it, went over my head. I was too young, and my knowledge of the Bible and the principles of God was very limited. I knew that Jesus came to save mankind from hell, that He would return and set up a kingdom some day. I had no idea what that would entail-- how it would be done, nor what it would be like. That knowledge was completely sufficient for the state of development I had attained to at the time. And, it lasted for a number of years.
Gradually, I began to wonder just how all this was going to come about, and what the processes would be to accomplish it. I began to realize that the world was a pretty big place, and that there were great numbers of people on it. We expected Jesus to split the ether with a great noise of a shout, and snatch all the Christians away to somewhere, to a place we called Heaven where we would forever be with the Lord-- singing His praises endlessly.
Then I started wondering why He would set up a Kingdom here on earth if all the Christians were somewhere else-- in Heaven. Who would He reign over, and how would He go about bringing them in subjection? Would the "shout" do it? Or would He have some secret weapons with Him that we knew nothing about?
We had been taught by that time that He would bring the "raptured saints" back with Him, and make them rulers with Him. Thus, there should be plenty of authorized deputies to accomplish the job. This didn't clear up all of the questions, but it did serve to get my mind on the right track-- I thought. Now, I wonder.
Anyway, as time went on, I discovered that Jesus seemed to indicate that there is a difference between being save-- having our sins forgiven-- and being in the group which attains to a position in the Kingdom of God. The more I studied it, the more I was convinced that it is much easier and less strenuous to "believe" on the Lord (that is, be saved) than it is to attain to the Kingdom of God. In my searching, I have been brought to the place of realizing that we have done ourselves a great disservice by blindly accepting what we have been taught through the many years that we have been on the Christian pathway. This is especially true when we think about God's wonderful Kingdom.
Shocking as it may seem to be, getting saved (our term for putting our trust in Jesus for the safety of our souls) is one of the easiest things in the world to do. Whereas the people of the Old Testament had to go through certain rituals and ceremonies every so often (weekly, monthly, yearly) in order to stay within the Covenant, there is NOTHING we have to do to maintain our Salvation except to be obedient to the Gospel. That obedience entails "Believing in the heart that Jesus is our Savior, and confessing (declaring) with our mouth that we believe and trust in Him. This will lead us to obedience to what He tells us to do.
This is where the problems begin to show their ugly heads. Churches have taken the instructions which have been given to teach us to conduct our lives in a way that will lead us toward membership in the Kingdom-- and we make them REQUIREMENTS for SALVATION. This has been a grave mistake, and has caused more damage than it has done good. It has served to discourage and turn aside more people than anyone could count, because the "standard" we have established for Salvation was really intended as a sign post pointing toward "Living for the Kingdom."
In other words, We are Saved (secure in Jesus) while endeavoring to build a life fit for entrance into the Kingdom. Comparatively few people will make that grade, for "Many are called, but few are chosen." "They shall be Mine, saith the Lord, in that day when I make up my jewels." Not all Christians will be eligible for the blessings of the Kingdom. Not all Christians will be Spiritually developed enough to "Rule over the nations." Millions upon millions of people will eventually make heaven their home, but they had not attained to Kingdom stature while they lived on earth.
IF WE WOULD JUDGE OURSELVES
IF WE WOULD JUDGE OURSELVES
1Co 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
1Co 11:32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
Here is a portion of scripture that is not very well understood, but one that carries a great deal of weight concerning God's dealings with His people.
In 1938-39, Bro. John Deering explained it to us in Bible School at Caldwell, ID.
He introduced us to the belief that we CAN escape the Great White Throne Judgment if we "do our homework", as the modern vernacular would express it.
He was also the first one to cause us to question the current teaching that ALL Christians would experience the "rapture", as it has come to be called since the days of Darby.
I do not recall ALL that Bro. Deering told us about the subject. He at least got us started thinking along the line of there being something that WE could and should be doing during the course of our Christian life, and the relative consequences of our actions or inaction, as the case might be. He did not have the benefit of computer programs which would readily tell him the words used in the original writings, and their relative meanings.
The Spirit, however, was able to guide him to the original intent of the writings, and he was able to relay it to the students. Paraphrased as I remember, it was like this:
"God has given us ample teaching in His Word about how we should conduct our lives after we have obtained Salvation, (and especially after having received the Holy Ghost) so that we have little excuse to fail or neglect to change our lifestyle to conform to what we see in the written Word. Our lives should begin to take on a resemblance to what the Word advocates that they should be. It doesn't happen all at once, but is a process of applying Christian principles as we are able, with the ability of the Spirit, and as we gain strength in Him. This is the essence of "judging ourselves". And if we are successful to the point of satisfying the Lord, we will not have to appear before the Great White Throne to give an account for our deeds. If we fail to satisfy the Lord while here on earth, we will have missed our chance to be in whatever the "rapture" stands for. Nobody wants that, but it is the sure fate of anyone who neglects to follow the leadings of the Word and the Spirit. We will never, on earth, be able to become "perfect" in the sense of being absolutely without flaw. But there is a place of satisfying the Lord, and He who "calleth those things that be not as though they were" (Rom 4:17), looks upon us with a favor similar to that of Abraham."
Paul, who knew the Greek language well, made word play in the scripture we have used for our text. He conveys the thought that if we neglect or fail in our "Christian home work", God will do it for us when He does it for the sinners. And, if we have to appear at THAT judgment, we have missed something very valuable.
It is my personal opinion, and I think I have the mind of the Lord, that Paul was referring to us working our way to maturity AFTER the initial experience of Salvation when he penned the scripture Phi 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, WORK OUT YOUR OWN SALVATION with fear and trembling.
According to my understanding of God's plan, there is no way Paul was advocating that we can or should pay for Salvation by anything we can do. Salvation is a GIFT from GOD, given freely to all who will accept it.
The "working" that Paul was referring to is about CHARACTER REFINEMENT that we accomplish by invoking the power of the Spirit of God to subdue, suppress, beat down the elements of our human nature which are contrary to the NATURE OF GOD. It is a tremendous undertaking, and we CAN NOT DO IT BY OURSELVES. ONLY THE SPIRIT OF THE RISEN SAVIOUR IS ADEQUATE TO THE TASK.
Rom 8:13 FOR IF YE LIVE AFTER THE FLESH, YE SHALL DIE: BUT IF YE THROUGH THE SPIRIT DO MORTIFY THE DEEDS OF THE BODY, YE SHALL LIVE.
According to my understanding, this leads to the "MORE ABUNDANT LIFE" that Jesus spoke about in Joh 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have LIFE, and that they might have it MORE ABUNDANTLY.
We develop the more abundant life by endeavoring to fully obey the commandments of Jesus, and the admonitions of the New Testament writers. We are always happier, and often healthier, when we live the life that is pleasing in the sight of God .
We BUY from the Lord the refinement of character that resembles the Nature of God. We also BUY from Him the right to wear the WHITE RAIMENT, which covers the flaws of the Adamic nature we were born with. We BUY from Him the eye salve that enables us to see what we can not otherwise see. This is "Life more abundantly."
Rev 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me GOLD TRIED IN THE FIRE, that thou mayest be rich; and WHITE RAIMENT, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye salve, that thou mayest see.
I remember Bro. Charlie Yadon preaching about the two kinds of Christians. He said, "There are Christians who please God, and there are others who do not please God." As I thought about it, I had to agree with him. It is possible to be saved, and still not be living a life that satisfies God.
But, we MUST live the life of pleasing God if we hope to enjoy the "more abundant" life, which is available to us, and be eligible for the WHITE RAIMENT.
Walking closely to the Lord in obedience to all of the light He sheds on our pathway is the essence of "judging ourselves", and assures us a place in the future program of the Lord, whatever you choose to call it. Some call it "maturity" while others call it "overcoming". We CAN ATTAIN to it, if we determine in our hearts that we will listen carefully to His Voice and obey it.
He speaks to us, mainly, from His written Word. Also by His Spirit that is within us after we have received the Holy Ghost.
1Co 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
1Co 11:32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
Here is a portion of scripture that is not very well understood, but one that carries a great deal of weight concerning God's dealings with His people.
In 1938-39, Bro. John Deering explained it to us in Bible School at Caldwell, ID.
He introduced us to the belief that we CAN escape the Great White Throne Judgment if we "do our homework", as the modern vernacular would express it.
He was also the first one to cause us to question the current teaching that ALL Christians would experience the "rapture", as it has come to be called since the days of Darby.
I do not recall ALL that Bro. Deering told us about the subject. He at least got us started thinking along the line of there being something that WE could and should be doing during the course of our Christian life, and the relative consequences of our actions or inaction, as the case might be. He did not have the benefit of computer programs which would readily tell him the words used in the original writings, and their relative meanings.
The Spirit, however, was able to guide him to the original intent of the writings, and he was able to relay it to the students. Paraphrased as I remember, it was like this:
"God has given us ample teaching in His Word about how we should conduct our lives after we have obtained Salvation, (and especially after having received the Holy Ghost) so that we have little excuse to fail or neglect to change our lifestyle to conform to what we see in the written Word. Our lives should begin to take on a resemblance to what the Word advocates that they should be. It doesn't happen all at once, but is a process of applying Christian principles as we are able, with the ability of the Spirit, and as we gain strength in Him. This is the essence of "judging ourselves". And if we are successful to the point of satisfying the Lord, we will not have to appear before the Great White Throne to give an account for our deeds. If we fail to satisfy the Lord while here on earth, we will have missed our chance to be in whatever the "rapture" stands for. Nobody wants that, but it is the sure fate of anyone who neglects to follow the leadings of the Word and the Spirit. We will never, on earth, be able to become "perfect" in the sense of being absolutely without flaw. But there is a place of satisfying the Lord, and He who "calleth those things that be not as though they were" (Rom 4:17), looks upon us with a favor similar to that of Abraham."
Paul, who knew the Greek language well, made word play in the scripture we have used for our text. He conveys the thought that if we neglect or fail in our "Christian home work", God will do it for us when He does it for the sinners. And, if we have to appear at THAT judgment, we have missed something very valuable.
It is my personal opinion, and I think I have the mind of the Lord, that Paul was referring to us working our way to maturity AFTER the initial experience of Salvation when he penned the scripture Phi 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, WORK OUT YOUR OWN SALVATION with fear and trembling.
According to my understanding of God's plan, there is no way Paul was advocating that we can or should pay for Salvation by anything we can do. Salvation is a GIFT from GOD, given freely to all who will accept it.
The "working" that Paul was referring to is about CHARACTER REFINEMENT that we accomplish by invoking the power of the Spirit of God to subdue, suppress, beat down the elements of our human nature which are contrary to the NATURE OF GOD. It is a tremendous undertaking, and we CAN NOT DO IT BY OURSELVES. ONLY THE SPIRIT OF THE RISEN SAVIOUR IS ADEQUATE TO THE TASK.
Rom 8:13 FOR IF YE LIVE AFTER THE FLESH, YE SHALL DIE: BUT IF YE THROUGH THE SPIRIT DO MORTIFY THE DEEDS OF THE BODY, YE SHALL LIVE.
According to my understanding, this leads to the "MORE ABUNDANT LIFE" that Jesus spoke about in Joh 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have LIFE, and that they might have it MORE ABUNDANTLY.
We develop the more abundant life by endeavoring to fully obey the commandments of Jesus, and the admonitions of the New Testament writers. We are always happier, and often healthier, when we live the life that is pleasing in the sight of God .
We BUY from the Lord the refinement of character that resembles the Nature of God. We also BUY from Him the right to wear the WHITE RAIMENT, which covers the flaws of the Adamic nature we were born with. We BUY from Him the eye salve that enables us to see what we can not otherwise see. This is "Life more abundantly."
Rev 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me GOLD TRIED IN THE FIRE, that thou mayest be rich; and WHITE RAIMENT, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye salve, that thou mayest see.
I remember Bro. Charlie Yadon preaching about the two kinds of Christians. He said, "There are Christians who please God, and there are others who do not please God." As I thought about it, I had to agree with him. It is possible to be saved, and still not be living a life that satisfies God.
But, we MUST live the life of pleasing God if we hope to enjoy the "more abundant" life, which is available to us, and be eligible for the WHITE RAIMENT.
Walking closely to the Lord in obedience to all of the light He sheds on our pathway is the essence of "judging ourselves", and assures us a place in the future program of the Lord, whatever you choose to call it. Some call it "maturity" while others call it "overcoming". We CAN ATTAIN to it, if we determine in our hearts that we will listen carefully to His Voice and obey it.
He speaks to us, mainly, from His written Word. Also by His Spirit that is within us after we have received the Holy Ghost.
JEHOVAH
JEHOVAH - LORD
Exo 6:2 And God spoke unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the LORD:
Exo 6:3 And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.
It would seem to me that God is so great that it would be impossible for Him to reveal ALL of his attributes to mankind at one time. Man could not comprehend ALL of God at once. So, for over 400 years, He did not reveal a very important part of His Nature to mankind.
We do not read of the Lord having any great difficulty in getting Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to understand Him as Almighty God (El Shaddai, Nourisher). But when the time came for Him to reveal Himself as JEHOVAH THE LORD, there were problems right away.
For you see, the JEHOVAH-LORD nature of God is the part of Him that is like a ROCK, or a FORTRESS. It is UNRELENTING, UNMOVING, UNCHANGING. It is SOLID and DEMANDING. It is the part of God that humanity tends to flee from, avoid, and not acknowledge in their lives. We naturally dislike being told what to do by someone else. Our natural tendency is to disobey and rebel when a command is given to us.
Isa 1:19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:
Isa 1:20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
God revealed this side of His Nature to us through the LAW OF MOSES, and it was not an easy undertaking for Him. Many times, in the books of Exodus and Leviticus, He would reiterate the fact that, "I AM THE LORD." It would seem that it was a very important lesson for them (and us) to learn.
To be sure, the BEST WAY for us to learn about what pleases or displeases God is to study and know the LAW OF MOSES. The TEN COMMANDMENTS are ABSOLUTES. They DO NOT BEND, NOR ARE THEY ERODED BY TIME OR ELEMENTS.
NOR DO DISPENSATIONS AFFECT THEM. They are the same today as they were when the finger of God etched them into stone over 3500 years ago.
THE GOD WHO WROTE THEM IS THE SAME. HE CHANGES NOT.
The MAIN DIFFERENCE TODAY is in OUR RELATIONSHIP TO THEM.
Before the death of Jesus on the Cross of Calvary, retribution was swift and harsh for any infraction of the Law.
Deu 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you LIFE AND DEATH,
BLESSING AND CURSING: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
Deu 30:20 That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD swore unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.
Since that Sacrificial Death, retribution is DEFERRED until all means of drawing mankind to repentance have been exhausted. If repentance is forthcoming from our hearts, retribution is cancelled entirely, because God is NOW showing us his El Elyon nature-- forgiveness, mercy, grace, another chance.
BUT WOE BE TO THE FOLKS WHO REFUSE TO REPENT. As Bert Brisbane told us 65 years ago, "They'll be in hell before their feet get cold."
David seemed to have had first-hand knowledge of all three of the main revelatory names of
God. In Psalm 91 we read: Psa 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the MOST HIGH (EL ELYON)
shall abide under the shadow of the ALMIGHTY (EL SHADDAI).
Psa 91:2 I will say of the LORD (JEHOVAH), He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
Folks who study the "laws" of the human mind (Psychologists?) tell us repeatedly that mankind does better in development if we have guidelines for conduct that are clearly defined and rigidly enforced (JEHOVAH). It is called "good parenting" by some who seem to know what they are talking about. They also tell us that ample provision of the necessary supplies for life is very essential (El Shaddai), and that everyone will need forgiveness and another chance several times in their life (El Elyon).
JEHOVAH was a REFUGE and a FORTRESS for David. He can also be that for us, if we have learned to OBEY His Commands. And, right here, we must tell you that NOT ONE of us is able to FULLY SATISFY God with the BEST ODEDIENCE we can muster.
We must, each of us, depend upon the "safety net" provided by EL ELYON for the many times when this robe of flesh that we wear makes us falter. Without the ongoing forgiveness of Jesus, we are all hopelessly undone.
Jeremiah wrote: Lam 3:22 It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
Lam 3:23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
Learning about, and looking at the absolute holiness and perfection of JEHOVAH and the LAW which He gave us will serve to drive us humbly to His Feet in repentance for our inability to satisfy the demands of Holiness.
Being THANKFUL to God for the degree of victory to which we have attained is one thing. It humbles us to know what the Spirit of God can do in a human life. And we are constantly aware of how much more "ground there is to plow" in our quest for Holiness.
To be PROUD of our accomplishments is quite another thing, and has an odor that is offensive to God. Pride is the essence of COMPARISON to those around us.
Luk 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
A correct understanding will preclude any tendency to be proud of whatever degree of righteous living we may have attained to. We will readily admit with Paul that: Rom 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
Paul also gave us a recipe for gaining victory over the "no good" flesh. Rom 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye THROUGH THE SPIRIT do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
Exo 6:2 And God spoke unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the LORD:
Exo 6:3 And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.
It would seem to me that God is so great that it would be impossible for Him to reveal ALL of his attributes to mankind at one time. Man could not comprehend ALL of God at once. So, for over 400 years, He did not reveal a very important part of His Nature to mankind.
We do not read of the Lord having any great difficulty in getting Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to understand Him as Almighty God (El Shaddai, Nourisher). But when the time came for Him to reveal Himself as JEHOVAH THE LORD, there were problems right away.
For you see, the JEHOVAH-LORD nature of God is the part of Him that is like a ROCK, or a FORTRESS. It is UNRELENTING, UNMOVING, UNCHANGING. It is SOLID and DEMANDING. It is the part of God that humanity tends to flee from, avoid, and not acknowledge in their lives. We naturally dislike being told what to do by someone else. Our natural tendency is to disobey and rebel when a command is given to us.
Isa 1:19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:
Isa 1:20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
God revealed this side of His Nature to us through the LAW OF MOSES, and it was not an easy undertaking for Him. Many times, in the books of Exodus and Leviticus, He would reiterate the fact that, "I AM THE LORD." It would seem that it was a very important lesson for them (and us) to learn.
To be sure, the BEST WAY for us to learn about what pleases or displeases God is to study and know the LAW OF MOSES. The TEN COMMANDMENTS are ABSOLUTES. They DO NOT BEND, NOR ARE THEY ERODED BY TIME OR ELEMENTS.
NOR DO DISPENSATIONS AFFECT THEM. They are the same today as they were when the finger of God etched them into stone over 3500 years ago.
THE GOD WHO WROTE THEM IS THE SAME. HE CHANGES NOT.
The MAIN DIFFERENCE TODAY is in OUR RELATIONSHIP TO THEM.
Before the death of Jesus on the Cross of Calvary, retribution was swift and harsh for any infraction of the Law.
Deu 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you LIFE AND DEATH,
BLESSING AND CURSING: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
Deu 30:20 That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD swore unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.
Since that Sacrificial Death, retribution is DEFERRED until all means of drawing mankind to repentance have been exhausted. If repentance is forthcoming from our hearts, retribution is cancelled entirely, because God is NOW showing us his El Elyon nature-- forgiveness, mercy, grace, another chance.
BUT WOE BE TO THE FOLKS WHO REFUSE TO REPENT. As Bert Brisbane told us 65 years ago, "They'll be in hell before their feet get cold."
David seemed to have had first-hand knowledge of all three of the main revelatory names of
God. In Psalm 91 we read: Psa 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the MOST HIGH (EL ELYON)
shall abide under the shadow of the ALMIGHTY (EL SHADDAI).
Psa 91:2 I will say of the LORD (JEHOVAH), He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
Folks who study the "laws" of the human mind (Psychologists?) tell us repeatedly that mankind does better in development if we have guidelines for conduct that are clearly defined and rigidly enforced (JEHOVAH). It is called "good parenting" by some who seem to know what they are talking about. They also tell us that ample provision of the necessary supplies for life is very essential (El Shaddai), and that everyone will need forgiveness and another chance several times in their life (El Elyon).
JEHOVAH was a REFUGE and a FORTRESS for David. He can also be that for us, if we have learned to OBEY His Commands. And, right here, we must tell you that NOT ONE of us is able to FULLY SATISFY God with the BEST ODEDIENCE we can muster.
We must, each of us, depend upon the "safety net" provided by EL ELYON for the many times when this robe of flesh that we wear makes us falter. Without the ongoing forgiveness of Jesus, we are all hopelessly undone.
Jeremiah wrote: Lam 3:22 It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
Lam 3:23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
Learning about, and looking at the absolute holiness and perfection of JEHOVAH and the LAW which He gave us will serve to drive us humbly to His Feet in repentance for our inability to satisfy the demands of Holiness.
Being THANKFUL to God for the degree of victory to which we have attained is one thing. It humbles us to know what the Spirit of God can do in a human life. And we are constantly aware of how much more "ground there is to plow" in our quest for Holiness.
To be PROUD of our accomplishments is quite another thing, and has an odor that is offensive to God. Pride is the essence of COMPARISON to those around us.
Luk 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
A correct understanding will preclude any tendency to be proud of whatever degree of righteous living we may have attained to. We will readily admit with Paul that: Rom 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
Paul also gave us a recipe for gaining victory over the "no good" flesh. Rom 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye THROUGH THE SPIRIT do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
Friday, May 05, 2006
THE STONE CUT OUT
THE STONE CUT OUT OF THE MOUNTAIN
In the year 606 BC., The King of Babylon attacked and conquered Judah and Jerusalem. He took many captives to Babylon. Among them were some prime young Jewish men. Four of these young men came into close contact with the king during the time they were there. They were used of God to frustrate the king, and also to show him who was actually in control of the earth. Ancient Babylon is the present location of Iraq.
It is interesting to see what happened when ancient governments came into contact with the people of the Living God. Unusual things began to happen almost immediately.
Dan 2:1 And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep broke from him.
You are probably familiar with the story of how the king called for the wisest men of the kingdom to tell him what the dreams meant. When they faltered, he ordered them to be killed. (The Chaldeans were a cruel people). Daniel, who was one of the “wise men”, pleaded for more time. He was confident that his God would not fail him.
Dan 2:16 Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would show the king the interpretation.
He found the other three young Jewish men (Shadrack, Meshack and Abednego), and they went to prayer.
Dan 2:19 Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
Daniel returned to the king, and was able to recite before him the exact dream he had dreamed. He also had the interpretation of the dream.
That dream, with its interpretation, reaches down through the corridors of time, lo, these many years, to the time in which we are living today.
It is the pre-recorded history of the four (4) world-wide Gentile kingdoms that have dominated the world for over two and a half millennia. No one knows how much longer it may continue.
But please note that there were only four (4) kingdoms permitted before the Lord grinds them to powder and the wind blows them away.
If Communism, New age, Moslem, Buddha or any other form of government/religion were to aspire to world domination, they would come to naught, for God only provided for four (4) before He does what He is planning to do.
God is definitely NOT “PLAYING BY EAR”. He is not influenced by what might appear to be standing in His way to oppose Him. He has no “plan B” that He might need to resort to. Plan A will get the job done ON TIME. He has the resources and the know-how, plus the Will to do it.
Dan 2:31 Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible. (dreadful)
Dan 2:32 This image's head was of fine gold, (Babylonian) his breast and his arms of silver (Medo-Persian), his belly and his thighs of brass (Greek),
Dan 2:33 His legs of iron (Roman), his feet part of iron and part of clay (Holy Roman). (Apostate religion)
Dan 2:34 Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his FEET that were of iron and clay, and broke them to pieces.
Dan 2:35 Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, THAT NO PLACE WAS FOUND FOR THEM: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and FILLED THE WHOLE EARTH.
Dan 2:44 And in the DAYS OF THESE KINGS shall the GOD OF HEAVEN set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and IT SHALL STAND FOREVER.
Dan 2:45 Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain WITHOUT HANDS, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: AND THE DREAM IS CERTAIN, AND THE INTERPRETATION THEREOF SURE.
When I was a young man, I automatically thought that this portion of scripture was referring to Heaven, or at least the Millennium in the New Jerusalem. That was as far as our “light” would shine for us to see.
Out in the dimness, beyond the scope of our “light”, we could only “see” what we had been told was out there. Antichrist, great tribulation, mark of the beast, one-world government, cashless society, Common Market, Revived Roman Empire etc. etc. was all there was out beyond our “light”. It was murky, to say the least, and very few “pretended” to know a great deal about it.
Lately, there seems to be many who consider themselves to be experts in the knowledge of what will happen in the near future. Problem is, they all seem to know what WE should be doing TO CAUSE it to happen.
As soon as they suggest that we “fall in line” behind them, or that we send money to finance what they are promoting, I back away, for I KNOW THEY HAVE NOT HEARD FROM GOD, AND IT WILL NOT WORK.
The Bible tells us plainly how it is going to happen. The “hands of man” will have nothing to do with it. Nothing, that is, except to probably try to stop it for fear that it is “not of God.”
Dan 2:44 And in the DAYS OF THESE KINGS shall the GOD OF HEAVEN set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and IT SHALL STAND FOREVER.
Dan 2:45 Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain WITHOUT HANDS, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter….
THINK OF IT! No government, no religion, no economy, nor any military machine will escape the “breaking to pieces and becoming like the chaff of the threshing floor, and being blown away by the wind” when God “makes bare His Holy Arm” (Isa 52:10)
The “STONE” cut out of the mountain is none other than the CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD--- the NEW JERUSALEM which is being built before our wondering eyes right now by the Spirit of God—without the hands of man. The OVERCOMERS, if you please.
After crushing and destroying “Babylon”, the stone (Church) goes on and completely fills the earth. “…and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth. …” (Dan 2:35)
Like leaven, which penetrates to every molecule of the dough.
We are serving a BIG GOD!
I can not forgive the sins of anyone. I can not give anyone the Holy Ghost. I can not impart Faith to anyone. I can not make any of my fellow believers into Overcomers. Only God can do those things.
But, I CAN, like Abraham of old, BELIEVE that what God has promised, He is able to perform. I can BELIEVE and OBEY His Commands.
In the year 606 BC., The King of Babylon attacked and conquered Judah and Jerusalem. He took many captives to Babylon. Among them were some prime young Jewish men. Four of these young men came into close contact with the king during the time they were there. They were used of God to frustrate the king, and also to show him who was actually in control of the earth. Ancient Babylon is the present location of Iraq.
It is interesting to see what happened when ancient governments came into contact with the people of the Living God. Unusual things began to happen almost immediately.
Dan 2:1 And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep broke from him.
You are probably familiar with the story of how the king called for the wisest men of the kingdom to tell him what the dreams meant. When they faltered, he ordered them to be killed. (The Chaldeans were a cruel people). Daniel, who was one of the “wise men”, pleaded for more time. He was confident that his God would not fail him.
Dan 2:16 Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would show the king the interpretation.
He found the other three young Jewish men (Shadrack, Meshack and Abednego), and they went to prayer.
Dan 2:19 Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
Daniel returned to the king, and was able to recite before him the exact dream he had dreamed. He also had the interpretation of the dream.
That dream, with its interpretation, reaches down through the corridors of time, lo, these many years, to the time in which we are living today.
It is the pre-recorded history of the four (4) world-wide Gentile kingdoms that have dominated the world for over two and a half millennia. No one knows how much longer it may continue.
But please note that there were only four (4) kingdoms permitted before the Lord grinds them to powder and the wind blows them away.
If Communism, New age, Moslem, Buddha or any other form of government/religion were to aspire to world domination, they would come to naught, for God only provided for four (4) before He does what He is planning to do.
God is definitely NOT “PLAYING BY EAR”. He is not influenced by what might appear to be standing in His way to oppose Him. He has no “plan B” that He might need to resort to. Plan A will get the job done ON TIME. He has the resources and the know-how, plus the Will to do it.
Dan 2:31 Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible. (dreadful)
Dan 2:32 This image's head was of fine gold, (Babylonian) his breast and his arms of silver (Medo-Persian), his belly and his thighs of brass (Greek),
Dan 2:33 His legs of iron (Roman), his feet part of iron and part of clay (Holy Roman). (Apostate religion)
Dan 2:34 Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his FEET that were of iron and clay, and broke them to pieces.
Dan 2:35 Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, THAT NO PLACE WAS FOUND FOR THEM: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and FILLED THE WHOLE EARTH.
Dan 2:44 And in the DAYS OF THESE KINGS shall the GOD OF HEAVEN set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and IT SHALL STAND FOREVER.
Dan 2:45 Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain WITHOUT HANDS, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: AND THE DREAM IS CERTAIN, AND THE INTERPRETATION THEREOF SURE.
When I was a young man, I automatically thought that this portion of scripture was referring to Heaven, or at least the Millennium in the New Jerusalem. That was as far as our “light” would shine for us to see.
Out in the dimness, beyond the scope of our “light”, we could only “see” what we had been told was out there. Antichrist, great tribulation, mark of the beast, one-world government, cashless society, Common Market, Revived Roman Empire etc. etc. was all there was out beyond our “light”. It was murky, to say the least, and very few “pretended” to know a great deal about it.
Lately, there seems to be many who consider themselves to be experts in the knowledge of what will happen in the near future. Problem is, they all seem to know what WE should be doing TO CAUSE it to happen.
As soon as they suggest that we “fall in line” behind them, or that we send money to finance what they are promoting, I back away, for I KNOW THEY HAVE NOT HEARD FROM GOD, AND IT WILL NOT WORK.
The Bible tells us plainly how it is going to happen. The “hands of man” will have nothing to do with it. Nothing, that is, except to probably try to stop it for fear that it is “not of God.”
Dan 2:44 And in the DAYS OF THESE KINGS shall the GOD OF HEAVEN set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and IT SHALL STAND FOREVER.
Dan 2:45 Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain WITHOUT HANDS, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter….
THINK OF IT! No government, no religion, no economy, nor any military machine will escape the “breaking to pieces and becoming like the chaff of the threshing floor, and being blown away by the wind” when God “makes bare His Holy Arm” (Isa 52:10)
The “STONE” cut out of the mountain is none other than the CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD--- the NEW JERUSALEM which is being built before our wondering eyes right now by the Spirit of God—without the hands of man. The OVERCOMERS, if you please.
After crushing and destroying “Babylon”, the stone (Church) goes on and completely fills the earth. “…and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth. …” (Dan 2:35)
Like leaven, which penetrates to every molecule of the dough.
We are serving a BIG GOD!
I can not forgive the sins of anyone. I can not give anyone the Holy Ghost. I can not impart Faith to anyone. I can not make any of my fellow believers into Overcomers. Only God can do those things.
But, I CAN, like Abraham of old, BELIEVE that what God has promised, He is able to perform. I can BELIEVE and OBEY His Commands.
JEHOSHUA
The Hebrew term is JEHOSHUA, a combination term which means "JEHOVAH, THE SAVIOUR."
The Greek form of the term is JESUS, whom we call CHRIST.
Jesus was named by the Announcing Angel at the time of conception.
Mat 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Luk 1:30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God.
Luk 1:31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
Luk 1:32 He shall be great, and shall be called the SON OF THE HIGHEST: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
Luk 1:33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
Jesus is also referred to as the LAMB OF GOD.
Joh 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
The PUPOSE of Jesus being born was to TAKE AWAY THE SIN OF THE WORLD, and to DESTROY THE WORKS OF THE DEVIL.
1Jo 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
We must take note that the Babe in the arms of Mary was NOT GOD. He was NOT IMMORTAL AS A CHILD. Isaiah 9:6 gives us somewhat of a chronological resume of how He became what He is today.
Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 9:7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
Heb 10:5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: (IN THE WOMB OF MARY)
The Prophet Isaiah called Him the ARM OF THE LORD.
Isa 53:1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?
Isa 52:10 The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.
Isa 63:5 And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me.
There is another scripture that tells us about the route Jesus took to arrive at the position He occupies today.
Phi 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, 1) thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 2:7 But 2)made himself of no reputation, 3)and took upon him the form of a servant, and 4)was made in the likeness of men: 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, 5)he humbled himself, and 6)became obedient unto death, even 7)the death of the cross. 2:9 WHEREFORE GOD ALSO HATH 1)HIGHLY EXALTED HIM, AND 2)GIVEN HIM A NAME WHICH IS ABOVE EVERY NAME: i 2:10 THAT 3)AT THE NAME OF JESUS EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW, OF THINGS 4)IN HEAVEN, AND THINGS 5)IN EARTH, AND THINGS 6)UNDER THE EARTH; 2:11 AND THAT 7)EVERY TONGUE SHOULD CONFESS THAT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD, TO THE GLORY OF GOD THE FATHER.
Peter, on the Day of Pentecost, related what God had done in response to the Sacrifice of Jesus.
Act 2:36 THEREFORE LET ALL THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL KNOW ASSUREDLY, THAT GOD HATH MADE THAT SAME JESUS, WHOM YE HAVE CRUCIFIED, BOTH LORD AND CHRIST.
There was also a change took place when Jesus was baptized in Jordan by John.
Mat 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
JESUS THEN HAD ACCESS TO ALL THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE WHOLE CREATION, AFTER THE "HEAVENS WERE OPENED TO HIM." THIS WAS WHEN HE WAS "ANOINTED", AND RECEIVED THE SPIRIT WITHOUT MEASURE.
Joh 3:34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
FROM THAT MOMENT, JESUS WALKED IN BOTH REALMS-- THE HEAVENLY AND THE EARTHLY. FROM THAT MOMENT, JESUS OFTEN SPOKE BY THE SPIRIT AS WELL AS SPEAKING AS A MAN.
Again, Peter, at the house of Cornelius, related what had happened in the life of Jesus.
Act 10:37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; 10:38 How GOD ANOINTED JESUS OF NAZARETH with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
Peter, at the Gate Beautiful, tells us more of the Journey to Glory.
Act 3:13 The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. 3:16 And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
The GLORIFICATION of Jesus took place when He became the FIRSTBEGOTTEN FROM THE DEAD.
Rom 1:4 AND DECLARED TO BE THE SON OF GOD WITH POWER, according to the spirit of holiness, BY THE RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD:
Act 13:33 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.
Heb 1:5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?
Psa 2:7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
Rev 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Heb 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; 1:4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. 1:5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?
Heb 10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God; 10:13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
According to the Inspired Word, a time will come when the Ministry of Jesus (Jehoshua, JEHOVAH-SAVIOUR) will have been completed, AND He will be known as: Rom 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the FIRSTBORN AMONG MANY BRETHREN.
1Co 15:24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 15:25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 15:26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 15:27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. 15:28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that GOD MAY BE ALL IN ALL.
The Greek form of the term is JESUS, whom we call CHRIST.
Jesus was named by the Announcing Angel at the time of conception.
Mat 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Luk 1:30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God.
Luk 1:31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
Luk 1:32 He shall be great, and shall be called the SON OF THE HIGHEST: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
Luk 1:33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
Jesus is also referred to as the LAMB OF GOD.
Joh 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
The PUPOSE of Jesus being born was to TAKE AWAY THE SIN OF THE WORLD, and to DESTROY THE WORKS OF THE DEVIL.
1Jo 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
We must take note that the Babe in the arms of Mary was NOT GOD. He was NOT IMMORTAL AS A CHILD. Isaiah 9:6 gives us somewhat of a chronological resume of how He became what He is today.
Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 9:7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
Heb 10:5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: (IN THE WOMB OF MARY)
The Prophet Isaiah called Him the ARM OF THE LORD.
Isa 53:1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?
Isa 52:10 The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.
Isa 63:5 And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me.
There is another scripture that tells us about the route Jesus took to arrive at the position He occupies today.
Phi 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, 1) thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 2:7 But 2)made himself of no reputation, 3)and took upon him the form of a servant, and 4)was made in the likeness of men: 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, 5)he humbled himself, and 6)became obedient unto death, even 7)the death of the cross. 2:9 WHEREFORE GOD ALSO HATH 1)HIGHLY EXALTED HIM, AND 2)GIVEN HIM A NAME WHICH IS ABOVE EVERY NAME: i 2:10 THAT 3)AT THE NAME OF JESUS EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW, OF THINGS 4)IN HEAVEN, AND THINGS 5)IN EARTH, AND THINGS 6)UNDER THE EARTH; 2:11 AND THAT 7)EVERY TONGUE SHOULD CONFESS THAT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD, TO THE GLORY OF GOD THE FATHER.
Peter, on the Day of Pentecost, related what God had done in response to the Sacrifice of Jesus.
Act 2:36 THEREFORE LET ALL THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL KNOW ASSUREDLY, THAT GOD HATH MADE THAT SAME JESUS, WHOM YE HAVE CRUCIFIED, BOTH LORD AND CHRIST.
There was also a change took place when Jesus was baptized in Jordan by John.
Mat 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
JESUS THEN HAD ACCESS TO ALL THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE WHOLE CREATION, AFTER THE "HEAVENS WERE OPENED TO HIM." THIS WAS WHEN HE WAS "ANOINTED", AND RECEIVED THE SPIRIT WITHOUT MEASURE.
Joh 3:34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
FROM THAT MOMENT, JESUS WALKED IN BOTH REALMS-- THE HEAVENLY AND THE EARTHLY. FROM THAT MOMENT, JESUS OFTEN SPOKE BY THE SPIRIT AS WELL AS SPEAKING AS A MAN.
Again, Peter, at the house of Cornelius, related what had happened in the life of Jesus.
Act 10:37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; 10:38 How GOD ANOINTED JESUS OF NAZARETH with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
Peter, at the Gate Beautiful, tells us more of the Journey to Glory.
Act 3:13 The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. 3:16 And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
The GLORIFICATION of Jesus took place when He became the FIRSTBEGOTTEN FROM THE DEAD.
Rom 1:4 AND DECLARED TO BE THE SON OF GOD WITH POWER, according to the spirit of holiness, BY THE RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD:
Act 13:33 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.
Heb 1:5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?
Psa 2:7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
Rev 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Heb 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; 1:4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. 1:5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?
Heb 10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God; 10:13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
According to the Inspired Word, a time will come when the Ministry of Jesus (Jehoshua, JEHOVAH-SAVIOUR) will have been completed, AND He will be known as: Rom 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the FIRSTBORN AMONG MANY BRETHREN.
1Co 15:24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 15:25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 15:26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 15:27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. 15:28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that GOD MAY BE ALL IN ALL.
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