UNTIL THE DAY DAWN

UNTIL THE DAY DAWN

II Peter 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

I am convinced that the early Apostles knew something about God's plan for the ages that they were unable to convey by the written Word which they left to us. I am very aware that we DO NOT HAVE a truly Spiritual understanding of what the Bible is trying to tell us.

I marvel at the tolerance and patience of the Almighty, when He watches the antics and maneuverings of mankind, in their mis-interpretations, and mis-understandings of His Purposes, and hence, their mis-teachings.

Most of the problem, I believe, is the result of men trying to understand God's Word with their own minds. It can NEVER be done. The Word of God is SPIRITUAL, and hence must be interpreted and discerned by the Same Spirit which caused the men of old to write as they did.

Many years ago, in a Wednesday night Bible Study session, an old Swedish brother opened up with some scriptures that held us spell bound as the Spirit, through him, caused a light to dawn in our hearts.

The subject we were discussing was, "Is this all there is, or should we be looking for something else from God?"

Certainly, there is something else, much better, that we can look forward to, and work toward in our Christian development. But only those individuals who are "pressing the gates" of Spiritual Development will take part in what God will unveil shortly. It is not for the casual Christian. It is not for the uncaring follower, who is satisfied that he is "saved from wrath."

The old Swede told us that we will NEVER "stub our toe" on Truth. We will be LOOKING FOR IT when we find it. He also told us that we can STOP AT ANY LEVEL OF TRUTH we choose. This has given rise to the many denominations we have in the Christian world today. People choose a "comfortable" level of development, and stay there.

But, there is much more out there than we are seeing today. It CAN BE REVEALED to the hungry heart, but NEVER to the full, satisfied heart. Let's look at a few scriptures.

One is the prophecy of Balaam, when God had a "hammerlock" on him. His she ass had just spoken to him on the way, and he had the "fear of God" in him.

Numbers 24:17 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.

Solomon prophesied about the "breaking of the day", a time of great brightness will cover the world, in behalf of a group of believers who are "beloved of the Lord".

Song of Solomon 2:17 Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether.

Song of Solomon 4:6 Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, I will get me to the mountain of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense.

Hosea wrote of a people who should be given knowledge-- if they follow on to know the Lord. This is not mere Salvation.

Hosea 6:3 Then shall we know, [if] we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter [and] former rain unto the earth.

Zechariah was caused to prophesy an encouragement to the workers who were restoring the House of the Lord after the seventy years of Babylonian captivity. But his prophecy extended far beyond the time in which they were working. It gave the promise of a coming PEOPLE OF GOD the BRANCH.

Zechariah 3:8 Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they [are] men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.

The prophecy goes on to tell us something about a popular fallacy being propagated today-- that of the Temple being rebuilt in our times by the hands and finances of men and organizations (powers).

Zechariah 6:12 And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name [is] The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD:

Can you imagine the Lord Jesus Christ donning overalls and a tool sack on his hip, laying bricks or stones for a temple in Jerusalem? No, that is NOT what it means at all!

No! Never! The building of the Lord, the BRANCH, is not with hammer and nails, but with the souls of redeemed men and women who have pressed into God, and have been counted worthy.

I Peter 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

Zechariah 6:13 Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.

Zechariah 8:8 And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness.

Will all of those people migrate to Jerusalem? No! Never! This JERUSALEM is the CITY FOURSQUARE which is being built RIGHT NOW by the hand of the Lord.

Malachi 4:2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.

The slothful Christian will never see it. It is prepared for the OVERCOMERS.