AS THE WATERS OF NOAH
This evening I was reading in one of my favorite portions of scripture, and part of it “came alive” right before my eyes. I have probably seen it many times, but not in the way I saw it tonight.
I like to read in Isaiah 54, for I have come to see it as the Ten Tribes of Israel turning to Jesus shortly after Calvary, and becoming the MAIN PART of the Church of Jesus Christ.
Don’t ask me to prove the point from the Bible, for it came by direct Revelation to me several months ago. I find several places that SEEM to indicate what I am saying, but very little that would prove my point in black and white.
Many folks think that the Lord “changed horses in the middle of the stream”, and began dealing ONLY with the Gentiles after Calvary, but that is NOT what happened. Check me out on this, for most of the places where the Gentiles are spoken of in connection to the Church, it is on the “ALSO” basis, rather than on a PRIMARY basis.
Isaiah, being a PROPHET OF GOD, was writing to the Ten Tribes of Israel, AS THOUGH HE AND THEY WERE LIVING AFTER JESUS WAS CRUCIFIED, and after Pentecost. He was writing about the ONE NEW MAN, THE NEW CREATURE that had been created at Pentecost, as one of the results of Calvary.
He was actually writing it about 800 years or more BEFORE JESUS WAS BORN. That is the way the Prophets did things.
He was writing the WORDS OF JESUS to a people who had failed miserably to produce anything under the LAW OF MOSES, and had been given a writing of divorcement in 721BC. Actually, it was 751 years before Calvary.
Isa 54:9 For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would NOT BE WROTH WITH THEE, NOR REBUKE THEE.
Isa 54:10 For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, NEITHER SHALL THE COVENANT OF MY PEACE BE REMOVED, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.
How could the Lord say such a thing to a people who had failed so miserably as Israel had failed, and had been divorced from God?
He could say it because the UNILATERAL COVENANT OF GRACE (Abraham) supersedes any and ALL other covenants that God ever DID or ever WILL enter into.
We have, for the most part, been confused by the erroneous teaching of Francisco Ribera in 1590, and are still looking for the Restoration of Israel in the last seven years of the Church Age.
But, I am telling you that God STARTED the Restoration of ISRAEL at Calvary and Pentecost, and INCLUDED the Gentiles ALSO.
I did NOT say “JUDAH”. I said THE TEN NORTHERN TRIBES.
Gen 49:10 The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering (restoration) of the people be.
The scepter DID DEPART from Judah when JESUS BECAME THE SAVIOUR of the world in 30 AD. He was horribly abused and mis-used, and rejected by Judah.
Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. Mat 27:25
If and when Judah comes to Jesus, they also can be saved and restored as individuals, but never as a nation.
Friday, June 29, 2007
THE MOST HIGH GOD
THE MOST HIGH GOD
In 40 or more places, God is referred to as "The Most High”. It is one of the "names" by which He revealed His Character to human beings.
There are three outstanding "revelatory names" given to us, and several more which are not so outstanding.
These three main ones are: "THE MOST HIGH" (El Elyon), ALMIGHY GOD (El Shaddai), and the LORD (JEHOVAH).
Each of the "names" portrays a certain outstanding characteristic of the God we know.
The first mention of the MOST HIGH GOD is found in the book of Genesis when Abraham had returned from rescuing Lot. He was met by a being we know very little about.
Gen 14:18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.
The first thought I want to draw our attention to is the fact that this
"priest" served "communion" to Abraham, and maybe to his warriors. He brought forth bread and wine.
Secondly, this "priest" relayed a blessing to Abraham directly from the MOST HIGH GOD, POSSESSOR OF HEAVEN AND EARTH.
Gen 14:19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:
Thirdly, Abraham reciprocated to the communion and blessing by giving this "priest" tithes of what he had gained when he defeated the five kings and brought back their spoil. The tithe may have also included all that Abraham owned at the time. We have no way of knowing that for certain.
Gen 14:20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.
Let me digress from the main topic briefly here to add emphasis to the fact that COMMUNION AND TITHING are linked together in the economy of God. We should not hope to fully enjoy one without performing the other. That is not possible.
Let me also emphasize the fact that this took place at least 400 years before the Law was given by Moses. Tithing was incorporated into the Law of Moses, but it was practiced by the patriarchs prior to that time.
ABRAHAM WAS WALKING WITH GOD BY FAITH. HE WAS PERSUADED THAT GOD IS FAITHFUL, AND ABLE TO DO WHAT HE HAS PROMISED TO DO.
WE WALK WITH GOD THE SAME WAY TODAY, OR NOT AT ALL.
This makes the visit of the "Priest of the Most High God" of vital importance to us today.
Who and what was he? What can we learn from him?
Perhaps the most important thing we can learn from Melchizedek concerns that portion of the nature of God that is referred to as THE MOST HIGH GOD.
To illustrate what I mean, let's look at another scripture. 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.
The three patriarchs knew God as GOD ALMIGHTY (El Shaddai, the Breasted One, the Nourisher). The "Nourisher" made them fabulously rich.
God was soon to reveal the "Rock" "Fortress" part of His Nature in the Law He would give through Moses. He would show Himself to be STERN and INFLEXIBLE, "JEHOVAH". Swift judgment would be the hallmark of the Law of Moses.
Under the Law of Moses, the Levites were the priests. The High Priests came from the line of Aaron. This went on for about 1500 years. It was divinely set aside when Jesus offered Himself on the Cross for the sins of the world.
It is from the New Testament that we learn the most about the true nature of the MOST HIGH GOD. Sometimes He is referred to as THE MOST HIGH, or THE HIGHEST.
The Psalmist gave us a clue in Psa 110:4 The LORD hath sworn,
and will not repent, Thou art a priest forever after the order of
Melchizedek.
This, of course, is a prophecy referring to Jesus, who would make
His appearance in about a thousand years.
So, it now appears that Melchizedek and Jesus each have the same relationship to THE MOST HIGH GOD. They are HIS PRIESTS, both of them. They REPRESENT Him to the people they are sent to.
The Aaronic order of priesthood represented the "JEHOVAH" nature of God.
Melchizedek and Jesus represent the "MOST HIGH" nature of God.
From the first chapter of Luke's gospel we learn that Jesus came as the SON OF THE HIGHEST.
In the first chapter of Matthew, the angel told Joseph that Jesus was begotten by the Holy Ghost.
Thus it was written of Him that He, BY INHERITANCE, had a name better than even the angels. Heb 1:4
It follows then, that if we would learn about the NATURE OF GOD which is referred to by the term MOST HIGH, or HIGHEST, we could look at the nature of HIS SON and HIS PRIEST.
JESUS IS BOTH THE SON AND THE PRIEST of the MOST HIGH GOD. (El Elyon)
Heb 5:5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made a high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, today have I begotten thee.
Heb 5:6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek
Isa 42:3 and Mat 12:20 both tell the same story about Jesus. Isa 42:3 A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.
No matter what your condition, Jesus is "for you", and wants to help you all that you will allow Him to help you. He is always ready to show Mercy to those who ask for it. He is always eager to give you "another chance". Not just a "second chance", but "another chance". He is the Priest of El Elyon. He is the Son of El Elyon.
David, the Psalmist, must have been intimately acquainted with El Elyon, the God of Compassion, Grace and Mercy. He knew enough to run as quickly as he could to plead for Mercy, after his great double sin of adultery and murder. Read about it in Psalm 51. His plea was evidently heard, for he was not removed from being King. Neither was he removed from being beloved of the Lord. Listen to his testimony in two of the Psalms.
Psa 21:7 For the king trusteth in the LORD, and through the mercy of the most High (El Elyon) he shall not be moved. (Removed)
David also had confidence in JEHOVAH, for he wrote:
Psa 62:2 He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved. (Removed)
I believe that Melchizedek was what we call a "Theophany" of Jesus Christ. For the purposes of God, He appeared in another time and another place than His normal sphere of ministry.
Mat 9:36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
Heb 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
Heb 4:15 For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
In 40 or more places, God is referred to as "The Most High”. It is one of the "names" by which He revealed His Character to human beings.
There are three outstanding "revelatory names" given to us, and several more which are not so outstanding.
These three main ones are: "THE MOST HIGH" (El Elyon), ALMIGHY GOD (El Shaddai), and the LORD (JEHOVAH).
Each of the "names" portrays a certain outstanding characteristic of the God we know.
The first mention of the MOST HIGH GOD is found in the book of Genesis when Abraham had returned from rescuing Lot. He was met by a being we know very little about.
Gen 14:18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.
The first thought I want to draw our attention to is the fact that this
"priest" served "communion" to Abraham, and maybe to his warriors. He brought forth bread and wine.
Secondly, this "priest" relayed a blessing to Abraham directly from the MOST HIGH GOD, POSSESSOR OF HEAVEN AND EARTH.
Gen 14:19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:
Thirdly, Abraham reciprocated to the communion and blessing by giving this "priest" tithes of what he had gained when he defeated the five kings and brought back their spoil. The tithe may have also included all that Abraham owned at the time. We have no way of knowing that for certain.
Gen 14:20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.
Let me digress from the main topic briefly here to add emphasis to the fact that COMMUNION AND TITHING are linked together in the economy of God. We should not hope to fully enjoy one without performing the other. That is not possible.
Let me also emphasize the fact that this took place at least 400 years before the Law was given by Moses. Tithing was incorporated into the Law of Moses, but it was practiced by the patriarchs prior to that time.
ABRAHAM WAS WALKING WITH GOD BY FAITH. HE WAS PERSUADED THAT GOD IS FAITHFUL, AND ABLE TO DO WHAT HE HAS PROMISED TO DO.
WE WALK WITH GOD THE SAME WAY TODAY, OR NOT AT ALL.
This makes the visit of the "Priest of the Most High God" of vital importance to us today.
Who and what was he? What can we learn from him?
Perhaps the most important thing we can learn from Melchizedek concerns that portion of the nature of God that is referred to as THE MOST HIGH GOD.
To illustrate what I mean, let's look at another scripture. 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.
The three patriarchs knew God as GOD ALMIGHTY (El Shaddai, the Breasted One, the Nourisher). The "Nourisher" made them fabulously rich.
God was soon to reveal the "Rock" "Fortress" part of His Nature in the Law He would give through Moses. He would show Himself to be STERN and INFLEXIBLE, "JEHOVAH". Swift judgment would be the hallmark of the Law of Moses.
Under the Law of Moses, the Levites were the priests. The High Priests came from the line of Aaron. This went on for about 1500 years. It was divinely set aside when Jesus offered Himself on the Cross for the sins of the world.
It is from the New Testament that we learn the most about the true nature of the MOST HIGH GOD. Sometimes He is referred to as THE MOST HIGH, or THE HIGHEST.
The Psalmist gave us a clue in Psa 110:4 The LORD hath sworn,
and will not repent, Thou art a priest forever after the order of
Melchizedek.
This, of course, is a prophecy referring to Jesus, who would make
His appearance in about a thousand years.
So, it now appears that Melchizedek and Jesus each have the same relationship to THE MOST HIGH GOD. They are HIS PRIESTS, both of them. They REPRESENT Him to the people they are sent to.
The Aaronic order of priesthood represented the "JEHOVAH" nature of God.
Melchizedek and Jesus represent the "MOST HIGH" nature of God.
From the first chapter of Luke's gospel we learn that Jesus came as the SON OF THE HIGHEST.
In the first chapter of Matthew, the angel told Joseph that Jesus was begotten by the Holy Ghost.
Thus it was written of Him that He, BY INHERITANCE, had a name better than even the angels. Heb 1:4
It follows then, that if we would learn about the NATURE OF GOD which is referred to by the term MOST HIGH, or HIGHEST, we could look at the nature of HIS SON and HIS PRIEST.
JESUS IS BOTH THE SON AND THE PRIEST of the MOST HIGH GOD. (El Elyon)
Heb 5:5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made a high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, today have I begotten thee.
Heb 5:6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek
Isa 42:3 and Mat 12:20 both tell the same story about Jesus. Isa 42:3 A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.
No matter what your condition, Jesus is "for you", and wants to help you all that you will allow Him to help you. He is always ready to show Mercy to those who ask for it. He is always eager to give you "another chance". Not just a "second chance", but "another chance". He is the Priest of El Elyon. He is the Son of El Elyon.
David, the Psalmist, must have been intimately acquainted with El Elyon, the God of Compassion, Grace and Mercy. He knew enough to run as quickly as he could to plead for Mercy, after his great double sin of adultery and murder. Read about it in Psalm 51. His plea was evidently heard, for he was not removed from being King. Neither was he removed from being beloved of the Lord. Listen to his testimony in two of the Psalms.
Psa 21:7 For the king trusteth in the LORD, and through the mercy of the most High (El Elyon) he shall not be moved. (Removed)
David also had confidence in JEHOVAH, for he wrote:
Psa 62:2 He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved. (Removed)
I believe that Melchizedek was what we call a "Theophany" of Jesus Christ. For the purposes of God, He appeared in another time and another place than His normal sphere of ministry.
Mat 9:36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
Heb 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
Heb 4:15 For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
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?
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
GOD'S BLUEPRINT
GOD'S BLUEPRINT
Years ago I worked with a painting crew, and one of the biggest jobs we did was a huge warehouse/service center for a public utility. I was awed by the enormity of the job, but I also learned a lot about the Principles of God while working on the project.
I was amazed when I could look at the blueprints and see how much planning had gone into the structure.
And, "Why a blueprint?" Why not just a sharp pencil and an eraser? Why not a random-length line to represent a wall, etc.?
No, each line must be drawn to scale, exactly as what the finished product will be. When the drawings are completed to the last detail, they are copied into the form of a blueprint. That final print CAN NOT BE ALTERED in any way by a workman or foreman on the job. It MUST BE FOLLOWED EXACTLY.
The building, and all the fixtures must be exactly as specified in the blueprint, or somebody is in trouble.
HEB 8:5 Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, [that] thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.
That warning was issued to Moses many times in the scripture. To give us a bit of perspective about the importance God placed on the Tabernacle and the ceremonies pertaining to it, let me tell you that it was important enough that the Lord caused forty three (43) consecutive chapters of the Bible to deal exclusively with the pattern and building of the Tabernacle in the wilderness. No other subject commanded as much attention as that. We DARE NOT dismiss it as unimportant.
The Tabernacle and the Ceremonial Law was the Blueprint of the Church. In the seven Feasts of the Lord we can follow the progression of the construction of the New Jerusalem.
God is following it TO THE MINUTEST DETAIL while He is building the New Jerusalem (The Church). Let's look at some scriptures in Hebrews 9
HEB 9:9 Which [was] a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;
The seven Feasts of the Lord which the Israelites were forced to observe during the Levitical Year were what might be called a "model", a cheap imitation of the real thing. The greatest benefit from the ceremonies was the fact of obedience to the commands of God. There was very little value in the ceremonies themselves. The ceremonies were visible manifestations of the invisible elements in the economy of God.
HEB 9:23-24 [It was] therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are] the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
So, if we can attain to a proper understanding of what these ceremonies were typical of, we can more properly understand what God has done in the past history of the Church, and what we can reasonably expect Him to do in the future.
As we were painting in that warehouse, we would see holes in a wall here and there. We knew that the blueprint called for something to go into that wall. But it was not TIME for that article to be there yet. We would see holes in the floor, with bolts embedded in the concrete around the hole. Something is scheduled to go there. Again, TIME is an element to be dealt with. Painting in what were to be the restrooms was a real lesson in TIMING of DELIVERY.
We learned that the man who drew the blueprints had also put dates for each of these items to be delivered onto the building site and be installed. Our painting schedule was arranged so we would not interfere with other workmen, and vice versa.
The building was completely finished in the mind of the Architect, and on the drawings, BEFORE THE WORK WAS EVER STARTED.
The same with the New Jerusalem, the Church, and all that pertains to it. It was finished and functioning in the mind of God before Jesus went to the Cross. Or, before Moses started building the Tabernacle in the Wilderness, for that matter.
Four of those seven Feasts are now HISTORY. Jesus BECAME our PASSOVER. Jesus BECAME our UNLEAVENED BREAD. Jesus BECAME THE FIRSTFRUITS of them that slept. (We have to make a distinction here, because there is another aspect to FIRSTFRUITS which figures us into the equation.) Jesus BECAME PENTECOST to us fifty days after Passover. All these took place in less than 60 days.
These four Feasts all took place on the very days which were specified by the blueprint of the Tabernacle. No wonder that Moses had to be so careful. He was prophesying the events of the Church while he was building the Tabernacle.
At the very END (last month) of the LEVITICAL YEAR the blueprint called for three more Feasts. (The LAST MONTH of the Levitical year was also the FIRST MONTH of the SECULAR YEAR-- TISRI) First month- last month-- can get confusing)
So, Tisri 1 (New year's day of the secular calendar) calls for the first of the last three Feasts--- the BLOWING OF TRUMPETS.
I wish I could tell you something about the BLOWING OF TRUMPETS, but the Spirit has been almost completely silent to me concerning it. I have little or no illumination about it.
Ten days after TRUMPETS, The blueprint calls for DAY OF ATONEMENT. You can read about that one in the book DAY OF ATONEMENT-- PROCLAIM LIBERTY.
Five days after ATONEMENT, the blueprint calls for TABERNACLES, aka INGATHERING or harvest.
These last three events will also be a WORK OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD in the world, just like the first four were.
If the Lord follows the precedent of the first four, these last three will be completed in less than a month. (a quick work?) I am wondering if these last three Feasts will take place on the same dates as they did in the days of Moses. The first four did.
The NEW JERUSALEM (Church) will be magnificent when completed. If we can read the blueprint, we can see that.
I would love to be around when it all happens. But, no one knows when that will be.
What are your thoughts about the last Feast, INGATHERING? I have some ideas, but am not sure enough to say much about it yet, for it will certainly do violence to the current established curriculum of the Christian community if I am right.
Will the HARVEST last a year, 3½ years, 7 years, or ???
Pentecost, (the last of the first four) has been with us for about 2,000 years.
John, in the Revelation, wrote that the EARTH WAS REAPED. Jesus spoke about the Lord giving instructions to the REAPERS.
Who will the reapers be? Where do they come from?
God Bless
Years ago I worked with a painting crew, and one of the biggest jobs we did was a huge warehouse/service center for a public utility. I was awed by the enormity of the job, but I also learned a lot about the Principles of God while working on the project.
I was amazed when I could look at the blueprints and see how much planning had gone into the structure.
And, "Why a blueprint?" Why not just a sharp pencil and an eraser? Why not a random-length line to represent a wall, etc.?
No, each line must be drawn to scale, exactly as what the finished product will be. When the drawings are completed to the last detail, they are copied into the form of a blueprint. That final print CAN NOT BE ALTERED in any way by a workman or foreman on the job. It MUST BE FOLLOWED EXACTLY.
The building, and all the fixtures must be exactly as specified in the blueprint, or somebody is in trouble.
HEB 8:5 Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, [that] thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.
That warning was issued to Moses many times in the scripture. To give us a bit of perspective about the importance God placed on the Tabernacle and the ceremonies pertaining to it, let me tell you that it was important enough that the Lord caused forty three (43) consecutive chapters of the Bible to deal exclusively with the pattern and building of the Tabernacle in the wilderness. No other subject commanded as much attention as that. We DARE NOT dismiss it as unimportant.
The Tabernacle and the Ceremonial Law was the Blueprint of the Church. In the seven Feasts of the Lord we can follow the progression of the construction of the New Jerusalem.
God is following it TO THE MINUTEST DETAIL while He is building the New Jerusalem (The Church). Let's look at some scriptures in Hebrews 9
HEB 9:9 Which [was] a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;
The seven Feasts of the Lord which the Israelites were forced to observe during the Levitical Year were what might be called a "model", a cheap imitation of the real thing. The greatest benefit from the ceremonies was the fact of obedience to the commands of God. There was very little value in the ceremonies themselves. The ceremonies were visible manifestations of the invisible elements in the economy of God.
HEB 9:23-24 [It was] therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are] the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
So, if we can attain to a proper understanding of what these ceremonies were typical of, we can more properly understand what God has done in the past history of the Church, and what we can reasonably expect Him to do in the future.
As we were painting in that warehouse, we would see holes in a wall here and there. We knew that the blueprint called for something to go into that wall. But it was not TIME for that article to be there yet. We would see holes in the floor, with bolts embedded in the concrete around the hole. Something is scheduled to go there. Again, TIME is an element to be dealt with. Painting in what were to be the restrooms was a real lesson in TIMING of DELIVERY.
We learned that the man who drew the blueprints had also put dates for each of these items to be delivered onto the building site and be installed. Our painting schedule was arranged so we would not interfere with other workmen, and vice versa.
The building was completely finished in the mind of the Architect, and on the drawings, BEFORE THE WORK WAS EVER STARTED.
The same with the New Jerusalem, the Church, and all that pertains to it. It was finished and functioning in the mind of God before Jesus went to the Cross. Or, before Moses started building the Tabernacle in the Wilderness, for that matter.
Four of those seven Feasts are now HISTORY. Jesus BECAME our PASSOVER. Jesus BECAME our UNLEAVENED BREAD. Jesus BECAME THE FIRSTFRUITS of them that slept. (We have to make a distinction here, because there is another aspect to FIRSTFRUITS which figures us into the equation.) Jesus BECAME PENTECOST to us fifty days after Passover. All these took place in less than 60 days.
These four Feasts all took place on the very days which were specified by the blueprint of the Tabernacle. No wonder that Moses had to be so careful. He was prophesying the events of the Church while he was building the Tabernacle.
At the very END (last month) of the LEVITICAL YEAR the blueprint called for three more Feasts. (The LAST MONTH of the Levitical year was also the FIRST MONTH of the SECULAR YEAR-- TISRI) First month- last month-- can get confusing)
So, Tisri 1 (New year's day of the secular calendar) calls for the first of the last three Feasts--- the BLOWING OF TRUMPETS.
I wish I could tell you something about the BLOWING OF TRUMPETS, but the Spirit has been almost completely silent to me concerning it. I have little or no illumination about it.
Ten days after TRUMPETS, The blueprint calls for DAY OF ATONEMENT. You can read about that one in the book DAY OF ATONEMENT-- PROCLAIM LIBERTY.
Five days after ATONEMENT, the blueprint calls for TABERNACLES, aka INGATHERING or harvest.
These last three events will also be a WORK OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD in the world, just like the first four were.
If the Lord follows the precedent of the first four, these last three will be completed in less than a month. (a quick work?) I am wondering if these last three Feasts will take place on the same dates as they did in the days of Moses. The first four did.
The NEW JERUSALEM (Church) will be magnificent when completed. If we can read the blueprint, we can see that.
I would love to be around when it all happens. But, no one knows when that will be.
What are your thoughts about the last Feast, INGATHERING? I have some ideas, but am not sure enough to say much about it yet, for it will certainly do violence to the current established curriculum of the Christian community if I am right.
Will the HARVEST last a year, 3½ years, 7 years, or ???
Pentecost, (the last of the first four) has been with us for about 2,000 years.
John, in the Revelation, wrote that the EARTH WAS REAPED. Jesus spoke about the Lord giving instructions to the REAPERS.
Who will the reapers be? Where do they come from?
God Bless
SPIRITS OF JUST MEN
SPIRITS OF JUST MEN
I am almost positive that the Church leaders of yester year, and many of today, have been steered off course by the teaching of things which cannot be proven in the light of Scriptures as they stand, unchanged by past traditions and legends.
I submit for your consideration today a Scripture which seems to tell me that God has something more in store for His last-day Church than a fire escape to save them from annihilation.
If His Church is going to be Glorious, it should be brought to that point before it is "Raptured" out of the world.
I wonder sometimes if we haven't overworked the "Rapture" a little bit. Maybe it has been emphasized a little more than it should have been, in view of other scriptures which seem to contradict, or at least detract from its position of priority in our circles.
One such Scripture is Heb. 12:22 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.
The first thing that stands out to me is that we do not deal with Sinai anymore, but with Sion (Grace in Jesus Christ). We don't need to fret ourselves with an earthly city, which has served its purpose, but we now have the Earnest of the Spirit of God within us, with the promise of more of the same at the Day of Atonement, before the end of the Age. We are the City of the Living God, and have the promise of the Glory of God in the end.
Gal 4:24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.
I hope the phrase "Church of the Firstborn" means to you what it does to me. Some day, maybe we will be prompted to trace the "firstborn" through the Scripture with you. It is fascinating to watch God carry out His plan.
The burden of this lesson, however, is "the spirits of just men made perfect." To me it speaks that God's plan calls for a few "good men" (and women) to be brought to a state of perfection (completeness) in the economy of God. The purpose of this is to have people who can administer God's "economy" or judgments (ways) in the earth. In some places they are called "Angels". In other places they are called "reapers".
They will be what the Bible calls Eunuchs; personal ambition will be gone. They will faithfully administer the things of God.
Isaiah 26:9 With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments (Mishphat--manners, or ways--not punishments) [are] in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.
The problem facing each of us today is that of being what the Bible calls "just". That is our job. God will have no trouble with His part, if we get our part done.
Merely being "saved by Grace" will not cut it. We will have to add the attributes found in 2 Peter 1:5 "And beside this, giving all diligence, ADD TO YOUR FAITH virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance, and to temperance patience; and to patience Godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make [you that ye shall] neither [be] barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.
THIS IS THE PATH OF THE JUST
I am almost positive that the Church leaders of yester year, and many of today, have been steered off course by the teaching of things which cannot be proven in the light of Scriptures as they stand, unchanged by past traditions and legends.
I submit for your consideration today a Scripture which seems to tell me that God has something more in store for His last-day Church than a fire escape to save them from annihilation.
If His Church is going to be Glorious, it should be brought to that point before it is "Raptured" out of the world.
I wonder sometimes if we haven't overworked the "Rapture" a little bit. Maybe it has been emphasized a little more than it should have been, in view of other scriptures which seem to contradict, or at least detract from its position of priority in our circles.
One such Scripture is Heb. 12:22 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.
The first thing that stands out to me is that we do not deal with Sinai anymore, but with Sion (Grace in Jesus Christ). We don't need to fret ourselves with an earthly city, which has served its purpose, but we now have the Earnest of the Spirit of God within us, with the promise of more of the same at the Day of Atonement, before the end of the Age. We are the City of the Living God, and have the promise of the Glory of God in the end.
Gal 4:24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.
I hope the phrase "Church of the Firstborn" means to you what it does to me. Some day, maybe we will be prompted to trace the "firstborn" through the Scripture with you. It is fascinating to watch God carry out His plan.
The burden of this lesson, however, is "the spirits of just men made perfect." To me it speaks that God's plan calls for a few "good men" (and women) to be brought to a state of perfection (completeness) in the economy of God. The purpose of this is to have people who can administer God's "economy" or judgments (ways) in the earth. In some places they are called "Angels". In other places they are called "reapers".
They will be what the Bible calls Eunuchs; personal ambition will be gone. They will faithfully administer the things of God.
Isaiah 26:9 With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments (Mishphat--manners, or ways--not punishments) [are] in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.
The problem facing each of us today is that of being what the Bible calls "just". That is our job. God will have no trouble with His part, if we get our part done.
Merely being "saved by Grace" will not cut it. We will have to add the attributes found in 2 Peter 1:5 "And beside this, giving all diligence, ADD TO YOUR FAITH virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance, and to temperance patience; and to patience Godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make [you that ye shall] neither [be] barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.
THIS IS THE PATH OF THE JUST
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
HISTORY
HISTORY
Personally, I am more than a little worried about some trends in Christian society today. I'll explain.
Changes often come so slowly as to be almost imperceptible to the untrained eye. Perhaps our years of Pastoral work equipped us to notice subtle irregularities which hold portent of possible problems down the road a ways.
James Michener, in the book “MEXICO”, presented an interesting observation.
His story, tells us of Indian tribes which, at one time were poverty stricken, half starved and sickly, a very few in number. Their priests had a vision which they hoped would improve the situation. The plan was to move a little further toward a fertile valley each year, about twelve miles a year. They were to plant crops and harvest them; then move on a little farther.
They had no specific deity to worship, so life was without direction or purpose. Each year, in mid December, they would offer human sacrifices to the Sun god to entice him to return from his southward journey, so they could have crops the next year. They always were able to coax him back, or so they thought. This ceremony came only once a year. The priests then invented a variety of gods for them to worship. The one which
inspired the people most was the god of War.
Their spiritual leaders taught them that it was a high honor to go to "war", capture enemies", and bring them back to be sacrificed to the war god.
It took about two generations to bring about the complete change of worship and mind set, but they got the job done.
THIS IS WHAT SCARES ME!
If a very gradual alteration of worship changed a peaceful people into head hunters in two generations, the possibilities for today are almost mind boggling.
If my grandfather, Samuel L. Fretwell, who died in 1915, could return from the grave, I wonder if he would recognize Christianity as we know it today? This is not to intimate that what he had was any better than what we have today. The DIFFERENCE is what would be shocking to him.
To be sure, there have been many illuminations of the Word since his time, and we are thankful for each one of them. Probably the first thing he would notice would be the lack of genuine fear of God, and the moral decay which so many of us take for granted now.
Hey! I am not talking about the conditions of the unregenerate people. I'm concerned about what is going on IN THE CHURCH. It would seem to me that much of the
clatter about what the outsiders are doing is little more than cap guns being shot off in an attempt to take attention away from glaring irregularities in the ranks of the believers.
JUDGMENT MUST BEGIN AT THE HOUSE OF GOD
Personally, I blame Christian Leadership more than any others for what I feel has become a general decline in Christian ranks. Pearl and I were Pastors for over thirty years, and we know first-hand the struggles and the temptations which befall leaders.
The greatest struggle is to hold the line of moral conduct in the face of the awful opposition which one encounters while trying to do so.
In this present time, many people are searching for something better than they are getting, yet they are not really ready to be taught more about how to conduct themselves in the "House of God." The end result is terrific pressure on Church leaders. People tend to bring their former ways along with them, and rather than being assimilated into their new surroundings, they often add a distinct flavor to the congregation that receives them.
One of the greatest temptations facing Leadership today is to try to please those who are moving about in search of food. Sort of like walking a "tight rope." It is next to impossible.
The end result has been a very gradual departure from the Spirit of Holiness, which is not a good thing.
I doubt that we are about to start sacrificing to the Sun, but our worship is definitely different from what its a few short years ago. Are we gradually losing our bearings in God? Are our new methods bringing us closer to God, or are we merely mixing in more of human ways?
Personally, I am more than a little worried about some trends in Christian society today. I'll explain.
Changes often come so slowly as to be almost imperceptible to the untrained eye. Perhaps our years of Pastoral work equipped us to notice subtle irregularities which hold portent of possible problems down the road a ways.
James Michener, in the book “MEXICO”, presented an interesting observation.
His story, tells us of Indian tribes which, at one time were poverty stricken, half starved and sickly, a very few in number. Their priests had a vision which they hoped would improve the situation. The plan was to move a little further toward a fertile valley each year, about twelve miles a year. They were to plant crops and harvest them; then move on a little farther.
They had no specific deity to worship, so life was without direction or purpose. Each year, in mid December, they would offer human sacrifices to the Sun god to entice him to return from his southward journey, so they could have crops the next year. They always were able to coax him back, or so they thought. This ceremony came only once a year. The priests then invented a variety of gods for them to worship. The one which
inspired the people most was the god of War.
Their spiritual leaders taught them that it was a high honor to go to "war", capture enemies", and bring them back to be sacrificed to the war god.
It took about two generations to bring about the complete change of worship and mind set, but they got the job done.
THIS IS WHAT SCARES ME!
If a very gradual alteration of worship changed a peaceful people into head hunters in two generations, the possibilities for today are almost mind boggling.
If my grandfather, Samuel L. Fretwell, who died in 1915, could return from the grave, I wonder if he would recognize Christianity as we know it today? This is not to intimate that what he had was any better than what we have today. The DIFFERENCE is what would be shocking to him.
To be sure, there have been many illuminations of the Word since his time, and we are thankful for each one of them. Probably the first thing he would notice would be the lack of genuine fear of God, and the moral decay which so many of us take for granted now.
Hey! I am not talking about the conditions of the unregenerate people. I'm concerned about what is going on IN THE CHURCH. It would seem to me that much of the
clatter about what the outsiders are doing is little more than cap guns being shot off in an attempt to take attention away from glaring irregularities in the ranks of the believers.
JUDGMENT MUST BEGIN AT THE HOUSE OF GOD
Personally, I blame Christian Leadership more than any others for what I feel has become a general decline in Christian ranks. Pearl and I were Pastors for over thirty years, and we know first-hand the struggles and the temptations which befall leaders.
The greatest struggle is to hold the line of moral conduct in the face of the awful opposition which one encounters while trying to do so.
In this present time, many people are searching for something better than they are getting, yet they are not really ready to be taught more about how to conduct themselves in the "House of God." The end result is terrific pressure on Church leaders. People tend to bring their former ways along with them, and rather than being assimilated into their new surroundings, they often add a distinct flavor to the congregation that receives them.
One of the greatest temptations facing Leadership today is to try to please those who are moving about in search of food. Sort of like walking a "tight rope." It is next to impossible.
The end result has been a very gradual departure from the Spirit of Holiness, which is not a good thing.
I doubt that we are about to start sacrificing to the Sun, but our worship is definitely different from what its a few short years ago. Are we gradually losing our bearings in God? Are our new methods bringing us closer to God, or are we merely mixing in more of human ways?
Monday, June 25, 2007
JACOB LIMPING
JACOB LIMPING
God conquered him by knocking his joint out of socket and from then on, he limped. It seems like God knocked out his crutches didn't he? He conquered his will, conquered his nature and Jacob let him do it because he needed God in a great way. I have a saying that I give to leaders and others who will listen, "never trust a man that does not walk with a limp." Too many among our ranks walk with a swagger, a haughtiness, an arrogance, and a
self-anointed attitude. They have never let God really conquer their pride and they’ve never let God really conquer self.
We need to learn the art of "self-mastery." How are we going to lead people to victory if we do not have any ourselves. If you can’t let God help you conquer your passions and lusts you'll be forever falling short of your destiny.
The sun rose upon him and he began to walk with a limp. When I see people that walk in humility, walk in brokenness, and in submission, they are walking with a limp and I feel I can trust them. People who swagger, people that have no limp, people that have not been conquered are extremely dangerous people.
They are the ones that will hurt you because they have not controlled their passions. But Jacob was a God-conquered man. He got a name change, a character change because he let God win. By Jacob "losing" he won. Isn't that what the bible says, if you save your life you'll lose it, if you lose your life, for My sake, you'll find it. In other words, the only way to win is to lose. The way to lose is try to win the battle of the wills
God conquered him by knocking his joint out of socket and from then on, he limped. It seems like God knocked out his crutches didn't he? He conquered his will, conquered his nature and Jacob let him do it because he needed God in a great way. I have a saying that I give to leaders and others who will listen, "never trust a man that does not walk with a limp." Too many among our ranks walk with a swagger, a haughtiness, an arrogance, and a
self-anointed attitude. They have never let God really conquer their pride and they’ve never let God really conquer self.
We need to learn the art of "self-mastery." How are we going to lead people to victory if we do not have any ourselves. If you can’t let God help you conquer your passions and lusts you'll be forever falling short of your destiny.
The sun rose upon him and he began to walk with a limp. When I see people that walk in humility, walk in brokenness, and in submission, they are walking with a limp and I feel I can trust them. People who swagger, people that have no limp, people that have not been conquered are extremely dangerous people.
They are the ones that will hurt you because they have not controlled their passions. But Jacob was a God-conquered man. He got a name change, a character change because he let God win. By Jacob "losing" he won. Isn't that what the bible says, if you save your life you'll lose it, if you lose your life, for My sake, you'll find it. In other words, the only way to win is to lose. The way to lose is try to win the battle of the wills
Sunday, June 24, 2007
THE KINGDOM OF GOD
THE KINGDOM OF GOD
In July of 2005 I was studying about how Peter knew that there should be twelve Apostles who would give testimony of the Resurrection of Jesus. Also, how did he know that the one chosen to replace Judas Iscariot would have to be one who had seen and known Jesus from the beginning of His earthly Ministry, and had seen Him after His resurrection, and witnessed the Ascencion into the Heavens.
Act 1:22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.
Right away it was impressed upon me that the ORIGINAL MESSAGE of the Apostles was to establish the FACT of the Resurrection. It was quite a while before there was any problem of interpretation of the Word of God.
Not only had Jesus been RAISED FROM THE DEAD, but He had been made BOTH LORD AND CHRIST by the Eternal God.
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.
My searching for answers eventually led me to Act 1:1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, Act 1:2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: Act 1:3 To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
I have here emboldened and underlined a couple of words that seemed “grab” my attention when I analyzed them.
The word “speaking” is translated from the Greek word that denotes a systematic laying out of instructions, rather than a simple, casual statement in passing. Jesus had given some SPECIFIC instructions about the conduct of the Apostles after He would be taken back into the Heavens. Certain things MUST BE DONE, whether they were understood or not.
The word “Kingdom” is translated from a word that PROPERLY means ROYALTY, but is used (abstractly) to mean “rule”, or (concretely) “realm”, and (figuratively or literally) Kingdom or Reign.
My eyes “came open wide” when I read that.
I had known that we were “missing something” in our approach to the subject of the Kingdom of God. We didn’t seem to have a “firm grip” on the subject at all.
But, there, staring me right in the face, was a “piece of the puzzle” that could help me to understand what had been missing from our present interpretation/s on the subject.
Our past and current explanations of the Kingdom have included rules of conduct, protocols of relationships, etc.
ROYALTY seems to convey the same thought we had been trying to define for a long time. Years ago I believed that I had heard the Spirit telling me that the OVERCOMERS were a PEOPLE WITHIN A PEOPLE, and that the difference was a difference in the HEART CONDITION of those involved.
It seemed the DEGREE OF LORDSHIP was part of the criterion denoting the difference between Christian and Christian.
We have no CERTAIN way to detect the degree of Lordship Jesus occupies in the heart of our Christian friends, but there are no questions in the mind of God. HE KNOWS PRECISELY, at all times, the exact condition of our heart and spirit.
The word ROYALTY seemed to “put a handle” on the subject of the KINGDOM OF GOD, and help me to understand that the KINGDOM IS IN OUR MIDST TODAY.
Some CHRISTIANS are IN IT, while other Christians are still looking for it, and hoping for it to happen.
I mentioned my finding briefly in one of our prayer meetings, and a young mother spoke to me afterward, telling me that the Lord had also revealed to her that the KINGDOM OF GOD is NOW, PRESENTLY within those who are making Jesus the LORD of their lives. It was a confirmation of what I believed I was hearing from the Spirit.
THE ROYALTY OF GOD.
In July of 2005 I was studying about how Peter knew that there should be twelve Apostles who would give testimony of the Resurrection of Jesus. Also, how did he know that the one chosen to replace Judas Iscariot would have to be one who had seen and known Jesus from the beginning of His earthly Ministry, and had seen Him after His resurrection, and witnessed the Ascencion into the Heavens.
Act 1:22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.
Right away it was impressed upon me that the ORIGINAL MESSAGE of the Apostles was to establish the FACT of the Resurrection. It was quite a while before there was any problem of interpretation of the Word of God.
Not only had Jesus been RAISED FROM THE DEAD, but He had been made BOTH LORD AND CHRIST by the Eternal God.
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.
My searching for answers eventually led me to Act 1:1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, Act 1:2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: Act 1:3 To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
I have here emboldened and underlined a couple of words that seemed “grab” my attention when I analyzed them.
The word “speaking” is translated from the Greek word that denotes a systematic laying out of instructions, rather than a simple, casual statement in passing. Jesus had given some SPECIFIC instructions about the conduct of the Apostles after He would be taken back into the Heavens. Certain things MUST BE DONE, whether they were understood or not.
The word “Kingdom” is translated from a word that PROPERLY means ROYALTY, but is used (abstractly) to mean “rule”, or (concretely) “realm”, and (figuratively or literally) Kingdom or Reign.
My eyes “came open wide” when I read that.
I had known that we were “missing something” in our approach to the subject of the Kingdom of God. We didn’t seem to have a “firm grip” on the subject at all.
But, there, staring me right in the face, was a “piece of the puzzle” that could help me to understand what had been missing from our present interpretation/s on the subject.
Our past and current explanations of the Kingdom have included rules of conduct, protocols of relationships, etc.
ROYALTY seems to convey the same thought we had been trying to define for a long time. Years ago I believed that I had heard the Spirit telling me that the OVERCOMERS were a PEOPLE WITHIN A PEOPLE, and that the difference was a difference in the HEART CONDITION of those involved.
It seemed the DEGREE OF LORDSHIP was part of the criterion denoting the difference between Christian and Christian.
We have no CERTAIN way to detect the degree of Lordship Jesus occupies in the heart of our Christian friends, but there are no questions in the mind of God. HE KNOWS PRECISELY, at all times, the exact condition of our heart and spirit.
The word ROYALTY seemed to “put a handle” on the subject of the KINGDOM OF GOD, and help me to understand that the KINGDOM IS IN OUR MIDST TODAY.
Some CHRISTIANS are IN IT, while other Christians are still looking for it, and hoping for it to happen.
I mentioned my finding briefly in one of our prayer meetings, and a young mother spoke to me afterward, telling me that the Lord had also revealed to her that the KINGDOM OF GOD is NOW, PRESENTLY within those who are making Jesus the LORD of their lives. It was a confirmation of what I believed I was hearing from the Spirit.
THE ROYALTY OF GOD.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
MY MIGHTY ONES
MY MIGHTY ONES
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.
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 hand the "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.
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 hand the "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.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
IN THE TWINKLING OF AN EYE
IN THE TWINKLING OF AN EYE
Back in Sept of 99 someone asked me via e-mail to explain something in more detail. Here is my answer to them.
You asked me to explain 1Cor 15:52-- especially "in the twinkling of an eye."
I Corinthians 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
In my humble opinion, and I know I am off the beaten path of interpretation, this scripture is speaking of the "Manifestation of the Sons of God", rather than what has been erroneously called "The Rapture of the Church".
Bible scholars have mistakenly dumped several Biblical events into one bowl, and mixed them together, creating a teaching which has led us out into a swamp of error.
But, this doesn't discourage the Lord. He will do it exactly like He planned to do it from the beginning. His actions will catch the Church world off guard, for the most part, because they have believed a falsehood which they, themselves, have created.
It is MY OPINION that we have failed to correctly interpret
I Thessalonians 4:17 Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the CLOUDS, to meet the Lord in the AIR: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
The word "clouds" and "air" hold the key to a proper understanding of what is going to happen "in the twinkling of an eye".
If you will get all the scriptures together which have the word "cloud/s" in them-- you will soon see a pattern emerge which will surprise you. You will soon discover that in many cases it is talking about a SPIRITUAL phenomenon, and has nothing to do with the white vapors in the sky.
Then, if you will let the Bible speak its own language, you will also find that the ONLY Scriptural definition of "air" is that it is the "spiritual realm in which satan operates". He is called Ephesians 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the PRINCE OF THE POWER OF THE AIR, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
In my opinion, the "twinkling of an eye" denotes the sudden change which is destined to take place in the beings of a people who are now meeting the requirements of God for their own individual lives, and are among what He calls the "OVERCOMERS". It is NOT FOR EVERY CHRISTIAN, as we have been taught. Neither is the CHANGE necessarily a PHYSICAL change, but one in our Spiritual being.
We are each laden with a horrible load of what I call the spirit of MAN. This spirit of MAN is contrary to God, and keeps us from obeying the Spirit of God-- in the degree that it has not been subdued by our seeking God for His Spiritual guidance every day. But, there is a degree of Spiritual victory which will meet God's approval, and we can be classed as OVERCOMERS in His sight.
These OVERCOMERS are the ones who will experience this CHANGE, IN THE TWINKLING OF AN EYE. The CHANGE will be the impartation of COMPLETE VICTORY over the spirit of MAN, and an ability to KNOW, DISCERN, AND DO the complete will of God.
The CHANGE will impart an ANOINTING very nearly duplicating the ANOINTING which was given to JESUS at the River Jordan, when "THE HEAVENS WERE OPENED TO HIM." Jesus could then "SEE INTO THE HEAVENS", and could do the COMPLETE will of God on earth.
At Jordan, Jesus was 30 years old, and had to be "ADOPTED" as a SON of either Joseph the carpenter, or the GOD OF THE UNIVERSE. The "adoption" process consisted of a young man being "placed as a son" in the household business. Must it be Joseph, or will it be the Lord?
The God of the Universe stepped forward, and audibly claimed Jesus as his "adopted son" (full partner in the business) as soon as John had baptized him. It was a "SUDDEN TRANSITION". Jesus did not experience any PHYSICAL CHANGE. It was a Spiritual transition.
Those Christians who are alive when the "time for adoption" arrives, and are in GOD'S GROUP OF OVERCOMERS will have a similar experience-- instantly-- of the Heavenly realms being opened to them, and a MIRACULOUS CHANGE taking place in their spirit being.
There is more on the subject, but this is getting too lengthy, so I will stop here. More, if you like, later. fretwell@aol.com
Back in Sept of 99 someone asked me via e-mail to explain something in more detail. Here is my answer to them.
You asked me to explain 1Cor 15:52-- especially "in the twinkling of an eye."
I Corinthians 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
In my humble opinion, and I know I am off the beaten path of interpretation, this scripture is speaking of the "Manifestation of the Sons of God", rather than what has been erroneously called "The Rapture of the Church".
Bible scholars have mistakenly dumped several Biblical events into one bowl, and mixed them together, creating a teaching which has led us out into a swamp of error.
But, this doesn't discourage the Lord. He will do it exactly like He planned to do it from the beginning. His actions will catch the Church world off guard, for the most part, because they have believed a falsehood which they, themselves, have created.
It is MY OPINION that we have failed to correctly interpret
I Thessalonians 4:17 Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the CLOUDS, to meet the Lord in the AIR: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
The word "clouds" and "air" hold the key to a proper understanding of what is going to happen "in the twinkling of an eye".
If you will get all the scriptures together which have the word "cloud/s" in them-- you will soon see a pattern emerge which will surprise you. You will soon discover that in many cases it is talking about a SPIRITUAL phenomenon, and has nothing to do with the white vapors in the sky.
Then, if you will let the Bible speak its own language, you will also find that the ONLY Scriptural definition of "air" is that it is the "spiritual realm in which satan operates". He is called Ephesians 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the PRINCE OF THE POWER OF THE AIR, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
In my opinion, the "twinkling of an eye" denotes the sudden change which is destined to take place in the beings of a people who are now meeting the requirements of God for their own individual lives, and are among what He calls the "OVERCOMERS". It is NOT FOR EVERY CHRISTIAN, as we have been taught. Neither is the CHANGE necessarily a PHYSICAL change, but one in our Spiritual being.
We are each laden with a horrible load of what I call the spirit of MAN. This spirit of MAN is contrary to God, and keeps us from obeying the Spirit of God-- in the degree that it has not been subdued by our seeking God for His Spiritual guidance every day. But, there is a degree of Spiritual victory which will meet God's approval, and we can be classed as OVERCOMERS in His sight.
These OVERCOMERS are the ones who will experience this CHANGE, IN THE TWINKLING OF AN EYE. The CHANGE will be the impartation of COMPLETE VICTORY over the spirit of MAN, and an ability to KNOW, DISCERN, AND DO the complete will of God.
The CHANGE will impart an ANOINTING very nearly duplicating the ANOINTING which was given to JESUS at the River Jordan, when "THE HEAVENS WERE OPENED TO HIM." Jesus could then "SEE INTO THE HEAVENS", and could do the COMPLETE will of God on earth.
At Jordan, Jesus was 30 years old, and had to be "ADOPTED" as a SON of either Joseph the carpenter, or the GOD OF THE UNIVERSE. The "adoption" process consisted of a young man being "placed as a son" in the household business. Must it be Joseph, or will it be the Lord?
The God of the Universe stepped forward, and audibly claimed Jesus as his "adopted son" (full partner in the business) as soon as John had baptized him. It was a "SUDDEN TRANSITION". Jesus did not experience any PHYSICAL CHANGE. It was a Spiritual transition.
Those Christians who are alive when the "time for adoption" arrives, and are in GOD'S GROUP OF OVERCOMERS will have a similar experience-- instantly-- of the Heavenly realms being opened to them, and a MIRACULOUS CHANGE taking place in their spirit being.
There is more on the subject, but this is getting too lengthy, so I will stop here. More, if you like, later. fretwell@aol.com
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
GROWING FAST
GROWING FAST
On April 28, 2005 an article came to me via email which caught my attention.
It stated that Christianity is now the fastest growing religion in the world. This goes in the face of the media that tells us it is perhaps another religion. The media bases its claims on people who are registered in the large denominations.
But, according to the article, there are vast numbers of people who are turning to God apart from any organized sect of Christianity.
This is happening mainly in places like China, Africa, India and Southeast Asia. The “explosion” is such that, whereas in 1960 the Western Evangelicals outnumbered the Eastern by two to one. But, by 2000 the trend was reversed, and the Eastern Evangelicals outnumbered the Western Evangelicals by four to one. That is projected to be seven to one in five more years (2010).
The present rate of increase is nearly 56 MILLION per year worldwide. (There are only 31,536,000 clock-ticks [seconds] in one year).
Tomorrow at this time, there will be 175,000 new Christians. (The clock will have ticked 83,400 times in 24 hours).
These Christians are not being counted because they are, for the most part, “underground”. They meet in homes, in caves, and in secret wherever they can.
What is driving this movement? MIRACLES
There are myriads of “undocumented” healings and other powerful answers to sincere prayers of these people, and several hundreds of dead corpses coming back to life. There are other mind-bending miracles taking place on a regular basis.
The article points out that the nature of life on earth is going through a major change that will affect the future direction of human history.
To me, it was a reinforcement of my belief that a battle is being waged in the spirit world--- Good overpowering evil. The Creator has begun to dissolve the strongholds of evil.
The ruling spirit of the “troublemaking religion of the world” is being squeezed unmercifully, and as a result, is inciting its adherents to violence that is growing more desperate by the day.
It is my firm belief that our God has now begun the process of snatching almost one complete generation from the hands of our common enemy. Maybe two generations.
Jesus said that the gates of hell would not prevail against His Church. Gates are NEVER used as OFFENSIVE weapons. They are for DEFENSE only.
WE SERVE A BIG GOD!
On April 28, 2005 an article came to me via email which caught my attention.
It stated that Christianity is now the fastest growing religion in the world. This goes in the face of the media that tells us it is perhaps another religion. The media bases its claims on people who are registered in the large denominations.
But, according to the article, there are vast numbers of people who are turning to God apart from any organized sect of Christianity.
This is happening mainly in places like China, Africa, India and Southeast Asia. The “explosion” is such that, whereas in 1960 the Western Evangelicals outnumbered the Eastern by two to one. But, by 2000 the trend was reversed, and the Eastern Evangelicals outnumbered the Western Evangelicals by four to one. That is projected to be seven to one in five more years (2010).
The present rate of increase is nearly 56 MILLION per year worldwide. (There are only 31,536,000 clock-ticks [seconds] in one year).
Tomorrow at this time, there will be 175,000 new Christians. (The clock will have ticked 83,400 times in 24 hours).
These Christians are not being counted because they are, for the most part, “underground”. They meet in homes, in caves, and in secret wherever they can.
What is driving this movement? MIRACLES
There are myriads of “undocumented” healings and other powerful answers to sincere prayers of these people, and several hundreds of dead corpses coming back to life. There are other mind-bending miracles taking place on a regular basis.
The article points out that the nature of life on earth is going through a major change that will affect the future direction of human history.
To me, it was a reinforcement of my belief that a battle is being waged in the spirit world--- Good overpowering evil. The Creator has begun to dissolve the strongholds of evil.
The ruling spirit of the “troublemaking religion of the world” is being squeezed unmercifully, and as a result, is inciting its adherents to violence that is growing more desperate by the day.
It is my firm belief that our God has now begun the process of snatching almost one complete generation from the hands of our common enemy. Maybe two generations.
Jesus said that the gates of hell would not prevail against His Church. Gates are NEVER used as OFFENSIVE weapons. They are for DEFENSE only.
WE SERVE A BIG GOD!
Monday, June 18, 2007
BUILDERS
BUILDERS
When Moses began to build the Tabernacle in the wilderness, the Lord set a precedent in the selection of the workmen who were going to do the job.
• Exodus 35:30 And Moses said unto the children of Israel, See, the LORD hath called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship; And to devise curious works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, And in the cutting of stones, to set [them], and in carving of wood, to make any manner of cunning work. And he hath put in his heart that he may teach, [both] he, and Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work, of the engraver, and of the cunning workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, [even] of them that do any work, and of those that devise cunning work.
Not just anybody could do what had to be done. The Tabernacle was to be a type of the Spiritual House of God which is now being built. Just as then, God has people doing the work, and teaching others to work, in whom He has placed a special ministry for that purpose.
It is a calling of God, and if someone who is not called of God for that work should attempt to do it, the best they can do is to tear down and destroy rather than to build.
• Paul said of himself, and others-- I Cor. 3:9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, [ye are] God's building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
• II Cor. 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency [is] of God; Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter (the Law of Moses), but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
• II Cor. 4:7 But we have this treasure (ministry) in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
The God Appointed leadership needs willing and wise workers whom they can supervise in the work. That is where you and I come in.
• Exodus 36:1 Then wrought Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whom the LORD put wisdom and understanding to know how to work all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary, according to all that the LORD had commanded.
• Exodus 35:21 And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, 35:22 And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing hearted,
• Exodus 35:25 And all the women that were wise hearted---
Pearl and I know from experience that God deals differently with the person in the Pulpit than He does with the one in the pew.
Their purpose and function are different. They complement one another. Neither is sufficient alone. Together, they can get the job done.
If we think there is a deficiency in the Pulpit Ministry, we need to pray for the Minister. God is able to do all things. It has been proven many times to be so.
Also, there is a strong possibility that the deficiency is in the pew instead of in the Pulpit. Fervent prayer can also correct this.
• Nehemiah 4:6 So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.
When Moses began to build the Tabernacle in the wilderness, the Lord set a precedent in the selection of the workmen who were going to do the job.
• Exodus 35:30 And Moses said unto the children of Israel, See, the LORD hath called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship; And to devise curious works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, And in the cutting of stones, to set [them], and in carving of wood, to make any manner of cunning work. And he hath put in his heart that he may teach, [both] he, and Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work, of the engraver, and of the cunning workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, [even] of them that do any work, and of those that devise cunning work.
Not just anybody could do what had to be done. The Tabernacle was to be a type of the Spiritual House of God which is now being built. Just as then, God has people doing the work, and teaching others to work, in whom He has placed a special ministry for that purpose.
It is a calling of God, and if someone who is not called of God for that work should attempt to do it, the best they can do is to tear down and destroy rather than to build.
• Paul said of himself, and others-- I Cor. 3:9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, [ye are] God's building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
• II Cor. 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency [is] of God; Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter (the Law of Moses), but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
• II Cor. 4:7 But we have this treasure (ministry) in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
The God Appointed leadership needs willing and wise workers whom they can supervise in the work. That is where you and I come in.
• Exodus 36:1 Then wrought Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whom the LORD put wisdom and understanding to know how to work all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary, according to all that the LORD had commanded.
• Exodus 35:21 And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, 35:22 And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing hearted,
• Exodus 35:25 And all the women that were wise hearted---
Pearl and I know from experience that God deals differently with the person in the Pulpit than He does with the one in the pew.
Their purpose and function are different. They complement one another. Neither is sufficient alone. Together, they can get the job done.
If we think there is a deficiency in the Pulpit Ministry, we need to pray for the Minister. God is able to do all things. It has been proven many times to be so.
Also, there is a strong possibility that the deficiency is in the pew instead of in the Pulpit. Fervent prayer can also correct this.
• Nehemiah 4:6 So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
OUR GOD IS A CONSUMING FIRE
OUR GOD IS A COMSUMING FIRE
One evening, a few nights ago, Pearl and I were in a service at the church, when, as clear as a bell, the words came to me, "For our God [is] a consuming fire." Hebrews 12:29
I do not remember the circumstances that might have prompted me to think of that scripture, but I have learned that these things do not just happen without a purpose. It seems that something I had unwittingly said in another public service had made such an impact on one or more individuals as to drastically change the course of their thinking-- for their good. I had not known about it until much later. But, it had re-enforced the conviction that we can do so much more good when we allow the Spirit to "prompt" us in speaking what we are given for any particular situation. That occasion had been one of those times, and I had forgotten about it altogether. Other people had not forgotten, for it had impacted their lives.
The statement, "Our God is a Consuming Fire" comes near the end of the letter written to the Hebrew people, and seems to be the summation of the entire letter. It was written to a people who were enduring much severe persecution for their faith in Jesus, rather than the ceremonies and restrictions of the Law of Moses-- especially the "modern" interpretations of the Law. The persecution was so severe as to cause some of the Hebrew Christians to turn back and return to the Law and traditions of the elders. It involved a ceremony in which they publicly denounced the Blood of Jesus and the Grace of God.
The writer of the epistle called that ceremony Hebrews 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? Then, a couple of verses down, he writes, Hebrews 10:31 [It is] a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
In other words, "Be very careful what you do when in times of stress or distress, for-- Hebrews 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things [are] naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
Moses used the term "Consuming Fire" in Deut 4:21-24 when urging the Hebrews to be very careful in their walk with the Lord. In fact, the Lord used His Glory (which was like a Devouring fire Ex 24:17) to subdue rebellion and anarchy in the camp of Israel in the wilderness. See Numbers 14:10 But all the congregation bade stone them with
stones. And the glory of the LORD appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel. Numbers 16:19 And Korah gathered all the congregation against them unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the congregation. Numbers 16:42 And it came to pass, when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron, that they looked toward the tabernacle of the congregation: and, behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the LORD appeared.
In the Hebrews letter, they are urged to listen carefully to what God is saying to them, for it is dangerous to let his voice fall on Spiritually deaf ears.
• Hebrews 12:18 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. See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more [shall not] we [escape], if we turn away from him that [speaketh] from heaven: Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this [word], Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God [is] a consuming fire.
One evening, a few nights ago, Pearl and I were in a service at the church, when, as clear as a bell, the words came to me, "For our God [is] a consuming fire." Hebrews 12:29
I do not remember the circumstances that might have prompted me to think of that scripture, but I have learned that these things do not just happen without a purpose. It seems that something I had unwittingly said in another public service had made such an impact on one or more individuals as to drastically change the course of their thinking-- for their good. I had not known about it until much later. But, it had re-enforced the conviction that we can do so much more good when we allow the Spirit to "prompt" us in speaking what we are given for any particular situation. That occasion had been one of those times, and I had forgotten about it altogether. Other people had not forgotten, for it had impacted their lives.
The statement, "Our God is a Consuming Fire" comes near the end of the letter written to the Hebrew people, and seems to be the summation of the entire letter. It was written to a people who were enduring much severe persecution for their faith in Jesus, rather than the ceremonies and restrictions of the Law of Moses-- especially the "modern" interpretations of the Law. The persecution was so severe as to cause some of the Hebrew Christians to turn back and return to the Law and traditions of the elders. It involved a ceremony in which they publicly denounced the Blood of Jesus and the Grace of God.
The writer of the epistle called that ceremony Hebrews 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? Then, a couple of verses down, he writes, Hebrews 10:31 [It is] a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
In other words, "Be very careful what you do when in times of stress or distress, for-- Hebrews 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things [are] naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
Moses used the term "Consuming Fire" in Deut 4:21-24 when urging the Hebrews to be very careful in their walk with the Lord. In fact, the Lord used His Glory (which was like a Devouring fire Ex 24:17) to subdue rebellion and anarchy in the camp of Israel in the wilderness. See Numbers 14:10 But all the congregation bade stone them with
stones. And the glory of the LORD appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel. Numbers 16:19 And Korah gathered all the congregation against them unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the congregation. Numbers 16:42 And it came to pass, when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron, that they looked toward the tabernacle of the congregation: and, behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the LORD appeared.
In the Hebrews letter, they are urged to listen carefully to what God is saying to them, for it is dangerous to let his voice fall on Spiritually deaf ears.
• Hebrews 12:18 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. See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more [shall not] we [escape], if we turn away from him that [speaketh] from heaven: Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this [word], Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God [is] a consuming fire.
Friday, June 15, 2007
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?
Thursday, June 14, 2007
THE STONE OUT OF THE MOUNTAIN
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) 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) 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. 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. 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) 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) 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. 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. 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.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
PENTECOST
PENTECOST
Through our 70 years of association with ministers, both young and old, and reading some books written by men and women who were there when modern Pentecost got its start, we have gleaned a few little-known facts about it.
An old friend of ours, Howard A. Goss by name, received the Baptism of the Holy Ghost in 1902. It was just after the outpouring in Topeka, KS. He told us of how he couldn't speak in English for several days. When he would go to the grocery store, he would have to point at things. He couldn't tell them what he wanted. (By the way, stores were different then than they are now. You told the clerk what you wanted. They went and got it-- weighed it out, or poured it off for you.)
Bro. Goss told Pearl and me about some of the meetings they had in those days. People would go out into towns, rent a hall, and start holding meetings. There was not much need to advertise-- the Holy Ghost did that. Folks came from far and near to see what was taking place. They were seldom disappointed-- the miracles of healing, and other manifestations of the Power of God were very convincing-- and CONVICTING.
As long as the young people were at a loss to know what to do, and when to do it, God took over and did things the Right way. He knew when to do what, and how to do it.
But little by little, men began to "LEARN HOW" to do things, and the Holy Ghost backed off and let them "do it."
Revival fires burned for several years, however, and in 1913 Bro. Goss and a few other men organized the Assemblies of God movement. There was a need, they thought, for a more orderly method of getting the Gospel out. There were some of the brethren who were doing things which were not correct in the sight of the most of the brethren. And there could be strength in numbers. More could be accomplished for the Lord.
There are folks today who doubt the wisdom of the move those men made back there. God alone REALLY knows.
In 1914, a man named Frank Ewart who lived in southern California received a revelation of the Oneness of the Godhead. Along with it came the realization that proper baptism should be in the NAME OF JESUS, according to ALL the accounts in the Bible where baptism took place.
A new Revival broke out when Bro. Ewart started teaching his findings. Great healings and other miracles started all over again. Azuza Street all over again.
Bro. Goss investigated this new thing, and was himself convinced of its correctness. He also began to teach and preach "Jesus Name" and "Oneness".
An emergency meeting of the Assemblies of God was held, and the majority of the brethren voted to stay with the "trustworthy Trinity" doctrine. After all, it had served for more than a thousand years. Why change now?
They did not know then that in the fourth century AD the text of the Bible had been changed by the State Church of Rome. It was changed in two places, allegedly, in order to incorporate the teachings of the followers of Mithra, a pagan god, whom they had "evangelized" with the sword. They also "enforced" or "taught" the new doctrine with the sword-- a very effective way, by the way.
The Assemblies of God was split almost as soon
as it was born. Bitterness was the result, which
remains today. Those who were convinced of
Oneness and baptism in the Name of Jesus were to be called "New Issue" and "Jesus Only" and "Of the Devil". They still are called that today, 90 years later.
Howard Goss has been dead for many years now, but his memory lives on with Pearl and me. He was a mighty man of God. We owe very much to him. He ordained me in 1943.
One thing which must really grieve the heart of God is the fact of the factions in the Pentecostal movement. It is a blight on the work in the USA. Third world countries are experiencing an overwhelming move of the Spirit in the absence of strife and division.
We are not getting by with the foolishness of fighting. It is costing us more than we can afford to pay. When will it stop?
When God "makes up His jewels" the fighters will be left out. They will not "hear" that "shout" nor "trumpet", having disqualified themselves by disputing and quarreling.
Let's not do that any more.
Through our 70 years of association with ministers, both young and old, and reading some books written by men and women who were there when modern Pentecost got its start, we have gleaned a few little-known facts about it.
An old friend of ours, Howard A. Goss by name, received the Baptism of the Holy Ghost in 1902. It was just after the outpouring in Topeka, KS. He told us of how he couldn't speak in English for several days. When he would go to the grocery store, he would have to point at things. He couldn't tell them what he wanted. (By the way, stores were different then than they are now. You told the clerk what you wanted. They went and got it-- weighed it out, or poured it off for you.)
Bro. Goss told Pearl and me about some of the meetings they had in those days. People would go out into towns, rent a hall, and start holding meetings. There was not much need to advertise-- the Holy Ghost did that. Folks came from far and near to see what was taking place. They were seldom disappointed-- the miracles of healing, and other manifestations of the Power of God were very convincing-- and CONVICTING.
As long as the young people were at a loss to know what to do, and when to do it, God took over and did things the Right way. He knew when to do what, and how to do it.
But little by little, men began to "LEARN HOW" to do things, and the Holy Ghost backed off and let them "do it."
Revival fires burned for several years, however, and in 1913 Bro. Goss and a few other men organized the Assemblies of God movement. There was a need, they thought, for a more orderly method of getting the Gospel out. There were some of the brethren who were doing things which were not correct in the sight of the most of the brethren. And there could be strength in numbers. More could be accomplished for the Lord.
There are folks today who doubt the wisdom of the move those men made back there. God alone REALLY knows.
In 1914, a man named Frank Ewart who lived in southern California received a revelation of the Oneness of the Godhead. Along with it came the realization that proper baptism should be in the NAME OF JESUS, according to ALL the accounts in the Bible where baptism took place.
A new Revival broke out when Bro. Ewart started teaching his findings. Great healings and other miracles started all over again. Azuza Street all over again.
Bro. Goss investigated this new thing, and was himself convinced of its correctness. He also began to teach and preach "Jesus Name" and "Oneness".
An emergency meeting of the Assemblies of God was held, and the majority of the brethren voted to stay with the "trustworthy Trinity" doctrine. After all, it had served for more than a thousand years. Why change now?
They did not know then that in the fourth century AD the text of the Bible had been changed by the State Church of Rome. It was changed in two places, allegedly, in order to incorporate the teachings of the followers of Mithra, a pagan god, whom they had "evangelized" with the sword. They also "enforced" or "taught" the new doctrine with the sword-- a very effective way, by the way.
The Assemblies of God was split almost as soon
as it was born. Bitterness was the result, which
remains today. Those who were convinced of
Oneness and baptism in the Name of Jesus were to be called "New Issue" and "Jesus Only" and "Of the Devil". They still are called that today, 90 years later.
Howard Goss has been dead for many years now, but his memory lives on with Pearl and me. He was a mighty man of God. We owe very much to him. He ordained me in 1943.
One thing which must really grieve the heart of God is the fact of the factions in the Pentecostal movement. It is a blight on the work in the USA. Third world countries are experiencing an overwhelming move of the Spirit in the absence of strife and division.
We are not getting by with the foolishness of fighting. It is costing us more than we can afford to pay. When will it stop?
When God "makes up His jewels" the fighters will be left out. They will not "hear" that "shout" nor "trumpet", having disqualified themselves by disputing and quarreling.
Let's not do that any more.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
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 aw ay 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 aw ay therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward
Friday, June 08, 2007
I WILL BLESS YOU
I WILL BLESS YOU
We all like to hear words like this, especially when it is God who is speaking them. The amazing fact is that each time the Lord spoke in this fashion to Israel, it was in conjunction with something they should be doing, or something they HAD done to please Him. He WILL REWARD us for obedience to His Will.
Haggai 2:18 Consider now from this day and upward, from the four and twentieth day of the ninth [month, even] from the day that the foundation of the LORD'S temple was laid, consider [it]. Is the seed yet in the barn? yea, as yet the vine, and the fig tree, and the pomegranate, and the olive tree, hath not brought forth: FROM THIS DAY WILL I BLESS [YOU].
A quick look back in the same book will reveal something to us. Haggai 1:1 In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, in the first day of the month, came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet unto Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, saying,
Before long, the Spirit of the Lord began to move on the heart of the governor. The second year of Darius was a busy year for the two prophets whom the Lord had raised up to encourage the people and their governor. (Haggai and Zechariah) Also for the people who would do the work of rebuilding in Jerusalem.
Haggai 1:14 And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and did work in the house of the LORD of hosts, their God, In the four and twentieth day of the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king.
Checking the dates, we find that three months had elapsed since the day the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel and Joshua. The work was far from complete, but the Lord sent the Word, "From this day-- will bless you." Once before, He had sent the message, "I am with you." Haggai 1:13 Then spake Haggai the LORD'S messenger in the LORD'S message unto the people, saying, I [am] with you, saith the LORD.
I believe that when any Nation, Congregation or Family begins a move toward God, He will meet them more than half way. He will send encouragement, help and blessing, after such a move has been initiated.
Let's begin a move toward the Realities of God. I believe He will work with us. Let's ask the Lord to stir up our spirits to seek Him in a more earnest manner than we have done in the past.
We all like to hear words like this, especially when it is God who is speaking them. The amazing fact is that each time the Lord spoke in this fashion to Israel, it was in conjunction with something they should be doing, or something they HAD done to please Him. He WILL REWARD us for obedience to His Will.
Haggai 2:18 Consider now from this day and upward, from the four and twentieth day of the ninth [month, even] from the day that the foundation of the LORD'S temple was laid, consider [it]. Is the seed yet in the barn? yea, as yet the vine, and the fig tree, and the pomegranate, and the olive tree, hath not brought forth: FROM THIS DAY WILL I BLESS [YOU].
A quick look back in the same book will reveal something to us. Haggai 1:1 In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, in the first day of the month, came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet unto Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, saying,
Before long, the Spirit of the Lord began to move on the heart of the governor. The second year of Darius was a busy year for the two prophets whom the Lord had raised up to encourage the people and their governor. (Haggai and Zechariah) Also for the people who would do the work of rebuilding in Jerusalem.
Haggai 1:14 And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and did work in the house of the LORD of hosts, their God, In the four and twentieth day of the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king.
Checking the dates, we find that three months had elapsed since the day the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel and Joshua. The work was far from complete, but the Lord sent the Word, "From this day-- will bless you." Once before, He had sent the message, "I am with you." Haggai 1:13 Then spake Haggai the LORD'S messenger in the LORD'S message unto the people, saying, I [am] with you, saith the LORD.
I believe that when any Nation, Congregation or Family begins a move toward God, He will meet them more than half way. He will send encouragement, help and blessing, after such a move has been initiated.
Let's begin a move toward the Realities of God. I believe He will work with us. Let's ask the Lord to stir up our spirits to seek Him in a more earnest manner than we have done in the past.
Thursday, June 07, 2007
I WILL
I WILL…
Eze 36:22 Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went. 36:23 And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes. 36:24 For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. 36:25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. 36:27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. 36:28 And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God. 36:29 I will also save you from all your uncleannesses: and I will call for the corn, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you. 36:30 And I will multiply the fruit of the tree, and the increase of the field, that ye shall receive no more reproach of famine among the heathen.
Please take note that there are no “If’s” or “Maybe’s” in the above passage I have quoted. There are no conditions or qualifications to be met by the people involved. “It’s gonna happen.”
We have it to “look forward to”.
It will be “All of God, and none of us”.
A similar scripture is found in Jer 31:31 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: 31:32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they broke, although I was a husband unto them, saith the LORD: 31:33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. 31:34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
Note again that there seems to be NO REQUIREMENTS laid on the people. God will do it Himself, asking no odds of anybody.
Think about it. Pleasing God will be as natural as breathing. No more struggling with flesh, to bring it into line with the Word of God. No more of the fleshly desires that hinder our progress toward the ways of God.
Why would God do that for fallen humanity?
ISN’T THERE SOMETHING that humans have to do to help make this possible?
God NEEDS NO HELP from any of us. We have caused nothing but chaos thus far in trying to eliminate the human characteristics from our friends and neighbors. Made messes. Worked havoc.
We have NO CAPABILITIES whatsoever when it comes to implanting the NATURE OF GOD into the lives of other people. ONLY GOD CAN DO THAT!
The best we have been able to do thus far is to lay condemnation on our friends and neighbors for what they/we are NOT DOING. That was the purpose of the Mosaic Covenant. In 1500 years, it taught us that humans are incapable of measuring up to the LAW OF GOD’S NATURE. Ours is a nature of REBELLION TOWARD GOD.
But, REST ASSURED that God has a reason for what He says He WILL DO for humanity.
About 4000 years ago there was a man named Abram who found Grace in the sight of the Lord because he believed and acted upon what God said to him.
God, after 42 years of testing Abram, was satisfied with what he saw (Faith in what God said), and He made a COVENANT
OF PROMISE with the man Abram.
IT WAS A UNILATERAL COVENANT OF PROMISE.
Gen 22:15 And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, 22:16 And said, BY MYSELF have I SWORN, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: 22:17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; 22:18 And IN THY SEED shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.
The SEED spoken of here is JESUS CHRIST. See Gal 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
When Jesus ministered on earth, He CONFIRMED THE COVENANT with the Jewish people, but they would have none of it, and opted for the consequences--DESOLATION.
Dan 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall MAKE IT DESOLATE, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the 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.
When Jesus spoke about the PROMISE OF THE FATHER, he was referring to the COVENANT OF ABRAHAM that He was confirming.
God’s COVENANT/PROMISE was to endure for a thousand generations.
Psa 105:6 O ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen. 105:7 He is the LORD our God: his judgments are in all the earth. 105:8 He hath remembered his covenant forever, the word which HE COMMANDED TO A THOUSAND GENERATIONS.
Who are the HEIRS OF ABRAHAM? Gal 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the PROMISE.
Gal 3:17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was CONFIRMED BEFORE OF GOD IN CHRIST, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, CANNOT DISANNUL, that it should make the PROMISE of none effect.
The COVENANT/PROMISE OF ABRAHAM WAS DESTINED TO AFFECT THE WHOLE WORLD.
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.
Bear in mind that this is a UNILATERAL COVENANT we are dealing with. UNILATERAL, AND WORLDWIDE.
IT WILL HAPPEN.
Eze 36:22 Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went. 36:23 And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes. 36:24 For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. 36:25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. 36:27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. 36:28 And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God. 36:29 I will also save you from all your uncleannesses: and I will call for the corn, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you. 36:30 And I will multiply the fruit of the tree, and the increase of the field, that ye shall receive no more reproach of famine among the heathen.
Please take note that there are no “If’s” or “Maybe’s” in the above passage I have quoted. There are no conditions or qualifications to be met by the people involved. “It’s gonna happen.”
We have it to “look forward to”.
It will be “All of God, and none of us”.
A similar scripture is found in Jer 31:31 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: 31:32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they broke, although I was a husband unto them, saith the LORD: 31:33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. 31:34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
Note again that there seems to be NO REQUIREMENTS laid on the people. God will do it Himself, asking no odds of anybody.
Think about it. Pleasing God will be as natural as breathing. No more struggling with flesh, to bring it into line with the Word of God. No more of the fleshly desires that hinder our progress toward the ways of God.
Why would God do that for fallen humanity?
ISN’T THERE SOMETHING that humans have to do to help make this possible?
God NEEDS NO HELP from any of us. We have caused nothing but chaos thus far in trying to eliminate the human characteristics from our friends and neighbors. Made messes. Worked havoc.
We have NO CAPABILITIES whatsoever when it comes to implanting the NATURE OF GOD into the lives of other people. ONLY GOD CAN DO THAT!
The best we have been able to do thus far is to lay condemnation on our friends and neighbors for what they/we are NOT DOING. That was the purpose of the Mosaic Covenant. In 1500 years, it taught us that humans are incapable of measuring up to the LAW OF GOD’S NATURE. Ours is a nature of REBELLION TOWARD GOD.
But, REST ASSURED that God has a reason for what He says He WILL DO for humanity.
About 4000 years ago there was a man named Abram who found Grace in the sight of the Lord because he believed and acted upon what God said to him.
God, after 42 years of testing Abram, was satisfied with what he saw (Faith in what God said), and He made a COVENANT
OF PROMISE with the man Abram.
IT WAS A UNILATERAL COVENANT OF PROMISE.
Gen 22:15 And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, 22:16 And said, BY MYSELF have I SWORN, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: 22:17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; 22:18 And IN THY SEED shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.
The SEED spoken of here is JESUS CHRIST. See Gal 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
When Jesus ministered on earth, He CONFIRMED THE COVENANT with the Jewish people, but they would have none of it, and opted for the consequences--DESOLATION.
Dan 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall MAKE IT DESOLATE, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the 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.
When Jesus spoke about the PROMISE OF THE FATHER, he was referring to the COVENANT OF ABRAHAM that He was confirming.
God’s COVENANT/PROMISE was to endure for a thousand generations.
Psa 105:6 O ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen. 105:7 He is the LORD our God: his judgments are in all the earth. 105:8 He hath remembered his covenant forever, the word which HE COMMANDED TO A THOUSAND GENERATIONS.
Who are the HEIRS OF ABRAHAM? Gal 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the PROMISE.
Gal 3:17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was CONFIRMED BEFORE OF GOD IN CHRIST, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, CANNOT DISANNUL, that it should make the PROMISE of none effect.
The COVENANT/PROMISE OF ABRAHAM WAS DESTINED TO AFFECT THE WHOLE WORLD.
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.
Bear in mind that this is a UNILATERAL COVENANT we are dealing with. UNILATERAL, AND WORLDWIDE.
IT WILL HAPPEN.
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
DETERMINED TO PRAY
DETERMINED TO PRAY
There is an interesting bit of information recorded in 2Sam 21:1-14. It is more than a gruesome story. There are some definite principles of God involved-- which King David ignored, or was ignorant of-- I don't know which.
First, there was the famine for three years running, and David asking God for a reason. Proverbs 26:2-- , so the curse causeless shall not come.
The Lord informed David that the famine was caused by Saul having broken the treaty between Israel and the Gibeonites, which Joshua had made with them after the crossing of Jordan into Canaan, many, many years before what Saul had done.
The fact that the Gibeonites had deceived Joshua did not seem to void the treaty that was made.
God expects His people to KEEP THEIR WORD.
Joshua had promised NOT TO HARM the Gibeonites. They were put to work furnishing wood for the brazen altar before the Tabernacle.
Saul broke the word of Israel by killing some of the Gibeonites. This was, as near as I can figure, about twenty years before the famine we are dealing with now.
Does time gloss over transgression? No No No!
The ONLY way to deal with a wrong is to make it right, to the best of our ability. That starts with REPENTANCE, and moves on to RESTITUTION. REPENTANCE comes first.
I'm afraid that our Nation and our Churches are in line for REPENTANCE.
When David called the Gibeonites together to apologize for Saul's sin against them, and to make restitution, they answered, II Samuel 21:5 --, The man that consumed us, and that devised against us [that] we should be destroyed from remaining in any of the coasts of Israel, Let seven men of his sons be delivered unto us, and we will hang them up unto the LORD in Gibeah of Saul, [whom] the LORD did choose. And the king said, I will give [them].
The Gibeonites hung seven of them. Two of them were sons of Rizpah, a former concubine of Saul.
The Law that Moses had given to Israel had forbidden them to let a carcase hang over night. Deuteronomy 21:22 And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree: His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged [is] accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee [for] an inheritance.
David ignored this injunction, and we are taught another lesson from the scriptures.
The works of repentance and restitution had been done, but there was still no rain. Why?
We learn that if we continue in disobedience to the Word of God, we walk WITHOUT THE BLESSINGS OF GOD.
David caused a lot of problems and discomfort for somebody else through his neglect of correct conduct.
Rizpah set up a watch to guard the bodies of her two sons. II Samuel 21:10 And Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth, and spread it for her upon the rock, from the beginning of harvest until water dropped upon them out of heaven, and suffered neither the birds of the air to rest on them by day, nor the beasts of the field by night. II Samuel 21:11 And it was told David what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, the concubine of Saul, had done.
I figured out one time that it was about three months that she sat on the rock guarding the bodies, but I may have been wrong. The rain schedule had been out of order for three years.
Fact is, it DID NOT RAIN UNTIL DAVID OBEYED THE WORD OF THE LORD.
II Samuel 21:12 And David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabesh-gilead, which had stolen them from the street of Beth-shan, where the Philistines had hanged them, when the Philistines had slain Saul in Gilboa: And he brought up from thence the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son; and they gathered the bones of them that were hanged. And the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son buried they in the country of Benjamin in Zelah, in the sepulchre of Kish his father: and they performed all that the king commanded. And after that God was entreated for the land.
Rizpah shows us the way of determined intercession to God for the sinfulness of other people, EVEN ON A NATIONAL SCALE!
SHE FOUGHT off the vultures, SHE DROVE AWAY the beasts of prey-- even when all sense of reason told her it was an exercise in futility.
SHE REFUSED to give up-- because she was in line with the Word of God. Her faith was in God-- to defend His Word.
SHE DID NOT send a delegation to Washington DC. SHE DID NOT demonstrate in front of business houses in our city, or elsewhere.
SHE DID NOT circulate a petition or a resolution that David be forced to do what was right.
SHE DID CONTINUE her prayerful watch over the bodies UNTIL something was done about the situation. She was doing what she did IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD, and in His sight-- LOOKING TO HIM who is able to do all things.
Time after time, in the Bible, we are told of how Israel drifted away from obedience to the Word of God. In almost every instance, when trouble resulted from that disobedience, it is also recorded that they CRIED UNTO THE LORD. God sent deliverance in response to their cries TO HIM.
Hosea 10:12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for [it is] time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.
There is an interesting bit of information recorded in 2Sam 21:1-14. It is more than a gruesome story. There are some definite principles of God involved-- which King David ignored, or was ignorant of-- I don't know which.
First, there was the famine for three years running, and David asking God for a reason. Proverbs 26:2-- , so the curse causeless shall not come.
The Lord informed David that the famine was caused by Saul having broken the treaty between Israel and the Gibeonites, which Joshua had made with them after the crossing of Jordan into Canaan, many, many years before what Saul had done.
The fact that the Gibeonites had deceived Joshua did not seem to void the treaty that was made.
God expects His people to KEEP THEIR WORD.
Joshua had promised NOT TO HARM the Gibeonites. They were put to work furnishing wood for the brazen altar before the Tabernacle.
Saul broke the word of Israel by killing some of the Gibeonites. This was, as near as I can figure, about twenty years before the famine we are dealing with now.
Does time gloss over transgression? No No No!
The ONLY way to deal with a wrong is to make it right, to the best of our ability. That starts with REPENTANCE, and moves on to RESTITUTION. REPENTANCE comes first.
I'm afraid that our Nation and our Churches are in line for REPENTANCE.
When David called the Gibeonites together to apologize for Saul's sin against them, and to make restitution, they answered, II Samuel 21:5 --, The man that consumed us, and that devised against us [that] we should be destroyed from remaining in any of the coasts of Israel, Let seven men of his sons be delivered unto us, and we will hang them up unto the LORD in Gibeah of Saul, [whom] the LORD did choose. And the king said, I will give [them].
The Gibeonites hung seven of them. Two of them were sons of Rizpah, a former concubine of Saul.
The Law that Moses had given to Israel had forbidden them to let a carcase hang over night. Deuteronomy 21:22 And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree: His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged [is] accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee [for] an inheritance.
David ignored this injunction, and we are taught another lesson from the scriptures.
The works of repentance and restitution had been done, but there was still no rain. Why?
We learn that if we continue in disobedience to the Word of God, we walk WITHOUT THE BLESSINGS OF GOD.
David caused a lot of problems and discomfort for somebody else through his neglect of correct conduct.
Rizpah set up a watch to guard the bodies of her two sons. II Samuel 21:10 And Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth, and spread it for her upon the rock, from the beginning of harvest until water dropped upon them out of heaven, and suffered neither the birds of the air to rest on them by day, nor the beasts of the field by night. II Samuel 21:11 And it was told David what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, the concubine of Saul, had done.
I figured out one time that it was about three months that she sat on the rock guarding the bodies, but I may have been wrong. The rain schedule had been out of order for three years.
Fact is, it DID NOT RAIN UNTIL DAVID OBEYED THE WORD OF THE LORD.
II Samuel 21:12 And David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabesh-gilead, which had stolen them from the street of Beth-shan, where the Philistines had hanged them, when the Philistines had slain Saul in Gilboa: And he brought up from thence the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son; and they gathered the bones of them that were hanged. And the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son buried they in the country of Benjamin in Zelah, in the sepulchre of Kish his father: and they performed all that the king commanded. And after that God was entreated for the land.
Rizpah shows us the way of determined intercession to God for the sinfulness of other people, EVEN ON A NATIONAL SCALE!
SHE FOUGHT off the vultures, SHE DROVE AWAY the beasts of prey-- even when all sense of reason told her it was an exercise in futility.
SHE REFUSED to give up-- because she was in line with the Word of God. Her faith was in God-- to defend His Word.
SHE DID NOT send a delegation to Washington DC. SHE DID NOT demonstrate in front of business houses in our city, or elsewhere.
SHE DID NOT circulate a petition or a resolution that David be forced to do what was right.
SHE DID CONTINUE her prayerful watch over the bodies UNTIL something was done about the situation. She was doing what she did IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD, and in His sight-- LOOKING TO HIM who is able to do all things.
Time after time, in the Bible, we are told of how Israel drifted away from obedience to the Word of God. In almost every instance, when trouble resulted from that disobedience, it is also recorded that they CRIED UNTO THE LORD. God sent deliverance in response to their cries TO HIM.
Hosea 10:12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for [it is] time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
THE VALLEY OF DECISION
THE VALLEY OF DECISION
Joe 3:14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.
Joe 3:15 The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining.
Joe 3:16 The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.
For many years, I believed and taught that it was the PEOPLE who were making the decision-- to serve God or not serve Him.
But, that theory is one that the Lord stripped away when I became willing for Him to teach me what the scriptures were trying to tell us. After quite a bit of tearing down my former beliefs, He was able to start teaching me what I believe is more in line with His plan for humanity.
What, and where, is the VALLEY OF DECISION?
The word "decision" throws us off course, because it has come to mean differently now than it did when the KJV was translated.
I was sent a writing of a 17th century writer a few years ago, in which the word "decision" was used in its original sense. It sheds light on the "valley of decision" which brings it more into line with the remainder of the passage
In 1619, when the article was penned, the writer said that there would come a DECISION, in which the true believers would be SEPARATED from those who were not entirely sold out to God. IT IS GOD WHO IS MAKING THE DECISION-- separating the wheat from the chaff, a "threshing" if you will.
The proclamation of the testimony WILL BE AS BY THE SOUND OF A TRUMPET, to alarm the nations of the earth, and more especially all the professors of Christianity, because attended with the power of acting all wonders.
So there shall be an authoritative decision (separation, setting apart Webster.) given forth immediately from Christ, to the putting an end to all
controversies concerning the true church.
This decision will be the actual sealing of the members of this church with the name of God; giving them a commission to act by the same: this new name will distinguish them from the seven thousand names of Babylon.
The election and preparation of this church is to be after a secret and hidden manner, as David in his minority (childhood) was elected and anointed by the prophet of the Lord; yet was not admitted to the outward profession of the kingdom for a considerable time afterward
Thus Moses, Joshua and Aaron may be considered as types of some upon whom the same spirit may come, yet to rest in greater proportions, whereby they shall make way for the ransomed of the Lord to return to mount Zion; but none shall stand in any considerable office under God, but those who are tried stones after the pattern and similitude of the chief corner stone, Christ.
Only HE knows the HEARTS of men. We have to judge by the sight of the eye and the hearing of the ear. He reads the heart.
This is pinpointed in Mal 3 where it tells about the Lord making up His Jewels. They will be those who-- Malachi 3:16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often (lit: Consulted) one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard [it], and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that FEARED the LORD, and that THOUGHT (lit: Reckoned) upon his name. 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. Malachi 3:18 Then shall ye return (lit: look back or around), and discern (see clearly) between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. (There is a vast difference between those who SERVE God, and those who neglect the personal refinement which He offers to them.)
This will be a fiery trial through which very few will be able to pass or bear up in, wherefore the waiters for the visible breaking out of this church are strictly charged to hold that fast which they have and to wait together in the unity of pure love, praying in the Holy Ghost according to the Apostolic pattern that they may be sent forth to multiply more universally.
This trial will be of absolute necessity to every one in particular, and to all in general, for the constituting and cementing of the true Philadelphian Church, by clearing away all the remaining infirmities of nature, and burning away all that is of hay, stubble and dross which they may have added to the work of the Lord; for nothing must remain in the fire, for as a refiner will the Lord purify the sons and daughters of it and purge them as perfect righteousness.
Through the operation of the Holy Spirit in these waiters may for a long time contend with many infirmities and evils, and yet if it be kept continually warm and watched, it cannot at the last but work out a perfect cure and bring about full and total redemption from the earth.
II Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, THE LORD KNOWETH them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of GOLD and of SILVER, but also of WOOD and of EARTH; and some to HONOUR, and some to DISHONOUR. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, [and] prepared unto every good work.
It is my firm belief that Malachi wrote of the same time of "decision" (separation) as Joel did when he wrote: Malachi 3:2 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he [is] like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: And he shall sit [as] a REFINER and PURIFIER of silver: and he shall PURIFY the SONS OF LEVI, and PURGE them as gold and silver, THAT THEY MAY OFFER UNTO THE LORD AN OFFERING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS.
There may be some living at present who may come then to be fully and totally redeemed having another body put on them, that is one after the priestly order.
This anointed priestly body will render them impregnable, and qualify them for that high degree of spiritual government to which they are called.
Wherefore it is required on our part to suffer the spirit of burning to do upon us the refining work, fanning us with the fiery breath, and searching every part within us until all be pure and clean, and we thereby arrive to a fixed body from whence the wonders are to flow out. This body will be the sealing character of the Philadelphian Church.
Upon this body will be the fiation (decree) of the Urim and Thummim, that are to be appropriated to the priests of the Melchisedechian order, whose descent is not to be counted in the genealogy of that creation which is under the fall, but in another genealogy which is from the restoration.
Another term used in the third chapter of Joel is found in verses 2 and 12. It means basically the same thing as the Valley of Decision.
Joe 3:2 I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.
Joe 3:12 Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about.
The name Jehoshaphat is a combination of two words. Jeho(vah) and Shaphat (judges) = Jehovah judges.
Thus, there are three main terms that refer to and describe the same event. They are: Valley of Decision (Division), Valley of Jehoshaphat (God’s judgment), and Armageddon (Summit of Rendezvous, or meeting).
GOD OVERTHROWS ALL INSTITUTIONS OF MANKIND,
(POLITICAL, FINANCIAL, RELIGIOUS) AND ESTABLISHES HIS ORDER IN THE EARTH.
Joe 3:14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.
Joe 3:15 The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining.
Joe 3:16 The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.
For many years, I believed and taught that it was the PEOPLE who were making the decision-- to serve God or not serve Him.
But, that theory is one that the Lord stripped away when I became willing for Him to teach me what the scriptures were trying to tell us. After quite a bit of tearing down my former beliefs, He was able to start teaching me what I believe is more in line with His plan for humanity.
What, and where, is the VALLEY OF DECISION?
The word "decision" throws us off course, because it has come to mean differently now than it did when the KJV was translated.
I was sent a writing of a 17th century writer a few years ago, in which the word "decision" was used in its original sense. It sheds light on the "valley of decision" which brings it more into line with the remainder of the passage
In 1619, when the article was penned, the writer said that there would come a DECISION, in which the true believers would be SEPARATED from those who were not entirely sold out to God. IT IS GOD WHO IS MAKING THE DECISION-- separating the wheat from the chaff, a "threshing" if you will.
The proclamation of the testimony WILL BE AS BY THE SOUND OF A TRUMPET, to alarm the nations of the earth, and more especially all the professors of Christianity, because attended with the power of acting all wonders.
So there shall be an authoritative decision (separation, setting apart Webster.) given forth immediately from Christ, to the putting an end to all
controversies concerning the true church.
This decision will be the actual sealing of the members of this church with the name of God; giving them a commission to act by the same: this new name will distinguish them from the seven thousand names of Babylon.
The election and preparation of this church is to be after a secret and hidden manner, as David in his minority (childhood) was elected and anointed by the prophet of the Lord; yet was not admitted to the outward profession of the kingdom for a considerable time afterward
Thus Moses, Joshua and Aaron may be considered as types of some upon whom the same spirit may come, yet to rest in greater proportions, whereby they shall make way for the ransomed of the Lord to return to mount Zion; but none shall stand in any considerable office under God, but those who are tried stones after the pattern and similitude of the chief corner stone, Christ.
Only HE knows the HEARTS of men. We have to judge by the sight of the eye and the hearing of the ear. He reads the heart.
This is pinpointed in Mal 3 where it tells about the Lord making up His Jewels. They will be those who-- Malachi 3:16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often (lit: Consulted) one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard [it], and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that FEARED the LORD, and that THOUGHT (lit: Reckoned) upon his name. 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. Malachi 3:18 Then shall ye return (lit: look back or around), and discern (see clearly) between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. (There is a vast difference between those who SERVE God, and those who neglect the personal refinement which He offers to them.)
This will be a fiery trial through which very few will be able to pass or bear up in, wherefore the waiters for the visible breaking out of this church are strictly charged to hold that fast which they have and to wait together in the unity of pure love, praying in the Holy Ghost according to the Apostolic pattern that they may be sent forth to multiply more universally.
This trial will be of absolute necessity to every one in particular, and to all in general, for the constituting and cementing of the true Philadelphian Church, by clearing away all the remaining infirmities of nature, and burning away all that is of hay, stubble and dross which they may have added to the work of the Lord; for nothing must remain in the fire, for as a refiner will the Lord purify the sons and daughters of it and purge them as perfect righteousness.
Through the operation of the Holy Spirit in these waiters may for a long time contend with many infirmities and evils, and yet if it be kept continually warm and watched, it cannot at the last but work out a perfect cure and bring about full and total redemption from the earth.
II Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, THE LORD KNOWETH them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of GOLD and of SILVER, but also of WOOD and of EARTH; and some to HONOUR, and some to DISHONOUR. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, [and] prepared unto every good work.
It is my firm belief that Malachi wrote of the same time of "decision" (separation) as Joel did when he wrote: Malachi 3:2 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he [is] like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: And he shall sit [as] a REFINER and PURIFIER of silver: and he shall PURIFY the SONS OF LEVI, and PURGE them as gold and silver, THAT THEY MAY OFFER UNTO THE LORD AN OFFERING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS.
There may be some living at present who may come then to be fully and totally redeemed having another body put on them, that is one after the priestly order.
This anointed priestly body will render them impregnable, and qualify them for that high degree of spiritual government to which they are called.
Wherefore it is required on our part to suffer the spirit of burning to do upon us the refining work, fanning us with the fiery breath, and searching every part within us until all be pure and clean, and we thereby arrive to a fixed body from whence the wonders are to flow out. This body will be the sealing character of the Philadelphian Church.
Upon this body will be the fiation (decree) of the Urim and Thummim, that are to be appropriated to the priests of the Melchisedechian order, whose descent is not to be counted in the genealogy of that creation which is under the fall, but in another genealogy which is from the restoration.
Another term used in the third chapter of Joel is found in verses 2 and 12. It means basically the same thing as the Valley of Decision.
Joe 3:2 I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.
Joe 3:12 Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about.
The name Jehoshaphat is a combination of two words. Jeho(vah) and Shaphat (judges) = Jehovah judges.
Thus, there are three main terms that refer to and describe the same event. They are: Valley of Decision (Division), Valley of Jehoshaphat (God’s judgment), and Armageddon (Summit of Rendezvous, or meeting).
GOD OVERTHROWS ALL INSTITUTIONS OF MANKIND,
(POLITICAL, FINANCIAL, RELIGIOUS) AND ESTABLISHES HIS ORDER IN THE EARTH.
Monday, June 04, 2007
HE OPENED THEIR UNDERSTANDING
UNDERSTANDING
The disciples of Jesus were as helpless to understand the things Jesus taught them as we are-- until Jesus, by an operation of the SPIRIT, performed a miracle on their minds.
One of the last things Jesus did before ascending to Heaven is recorded in Luke 24:45 Then opened he their understanding, (minds) that they might understand (put together) the scriptures, (a simpler translation, based on Strong's Conc.)
Try as they might, the disciples had not been able to comprehend the scriptures nor the words of Jesus, because they did not have access to, nor see the need of, the operation of the Holy Ghost. Jesus told Peter (Mk 8:33) "Thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men."
So Jesus gave them a "Preview of Pentecost" with a Spiritual Illumination of the scriptures.
Spiritual understanding does not come from education. We educate fools, and produce educated fools… whom we send to the Pulpits or to Congress, with varying degrees of disaster.
Nor does understanding spring from human ingenuity or cleverness. In fact, human intelligence is at a total loss to comprehend Spiritual Truths. Mk 8:21 "How is it that ye do not understand?"
I Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned. Mk 9:32 "but they understood not--"
It is only as we humble ourselves in obedience to the Gospel (accepting the Salvation which is offered us through the Blood of Jesus) that we can have access to Spiritual Understanding which reveals the Truth to us.
Hebrews 11:3 THROUGH FAITH WE UNDERSTAND—
Psalms 25:14 The SECRET OF THE LORD [is] with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.
Part of the problem with Job and his friends was that they were speaking without the Inspiration of the Almighty. Instead of solving problems, it created a bunch more.
Job 32:8 But [there is] a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.
Jesus told His disciples that the Holy Ghost would be their instructor in Spiritual things.
John 14:26 But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
There is a COMMUNION, an EDIFICATION, an INSPIRATION, in speaking in the unknown tongue which CAN NOT BE RECEIVED IN ANY OTHER WAY.
Our spirit is made aware of things which our mind can not teach it, for the mind can not know them. When we pray in the unknown tongue, OUR SPIRIT is IN COMMUNION with the SPIRIT WHICH SPOKE THE WORLDS INTO EXISTENCE, and KNOWS EVERYTHING. OUR SPIRITS ARE TAUGHT BY HIS SPIRIT.
I Corinthians 14:2 For he that speaketh in an [unknown] tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth [him]; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
If we commune with God in the unknown tongue, we soon discover that we KNOW things which we didn't learn. Our Spirit has been taught things which our mind cannot comprehend. We do things without knowing WHY we do them. The prompting of the Spirit.
Job 33:16 Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,
The disciples of Jesus were as helpless to understand the things Jesus taught them as we are-- until Jesus, by an operation of the SPIRIT, performed a miracle on their minds.
One of the last things Jesus did before ascending to Heaven is recorded in Luke 24:45 Then opened he their understanding, (minds) that they might understand (put together) the scriptures, (a simpler translation, based on Strong's Conc.)
Try as they might, the disciples had not been able to comprehend the scriptures nor the words of Jesus, because they did not have access to, nor see the need of, the operation of the Holy Ghost. Jesus told Peter (Mk 8:33) "Thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men."
So Jesus gave them a "Preview of Pentecost" with a Spiritual Illumination of the scriptures.
Spiritual understanding does not come from education. We educate fools, and produce educated fools… whom we send to the Pulpits or to Congress, with varying degrees of disaster.
Nor does understanding spring from human ingenuity or cleverness. In fact, human intelligence is at a total loss to comprehend Spiritual Truths. Mk 8:21 "How is it that ye do not understand?"
I Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned. Mk 9:32 "but they understood not--"
It is only as we humble ourselves in obedience to the Gospel (accepting the Salvation which is offered us through the Blood of Jesus) that we can have access to Spiritual Understanding which reveals the Truth to us.
Hebrews 11:3 THROUGH FAITH WE UNDERSTAND—
Psalms 25:14 The SECRET OF THE LORD [is] with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.
Part of the problem with Job and his friends was that they were speaking without the Inspiration of the Almighty. Instead of solving problems, it created a bunch more.
Job 32:8 But [there is] a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.
Jesus told His disciples that the Holy Ghost would be their instructor in Spiritual things.
John 14:26 But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
There is a COMMUNION, an EDIFICATION, an INSPIRATION, in speaking in the unknown tongue which CAN NOT BE RECEIVED IN ANY OTHER WAY.
Our spirit is made aware of things which our mind can not teach it, for the mind can not know them. When we pray in the unknown tongue, OUR SPIRIT is IN COMMUNION with the SPIRIT WHICH SPOKE THE WORLDS INTO EXISTENCE, and KNOWS EVERYTHING. OUR SPIRITS ARE TAUGHT BY HIS SPIRIT.
I Corinthians 14:2 For he that speaketh in an [unknown] tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth [him]; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
If we commune with God in the unknown tongue, we soon discover that we KNOW things which we didn't learn. Our Spirit has been taught things which our mind cannot comprehend. We do things without knowing WHY we do them. The prompting of the Spirit.
Job 33:16 Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,
Saturday, June 02, 2007
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.
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