REDEEMED
There are several aspects of REDEMPTION in the Bible.
At the time of the dedication of Jesus in the Temple, people were looking for redemption in Israel. They were looking for a Super Man to deliver them from the Roman yoke. But Anna spoke to them about a baby in the arms of his mother.
Jesus will, no doubt, bring about a redemption in Israel, but I'm afraid we are grossly misunderstanding what it will be.
Primarily, God is interested in us as individuals who were sold under sin, and helpless without someone to pay the price of our redemption from the sentence of death which resulted from Adamic disobedience.
Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law , being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed [is] every one that hangeth on a tree:
Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, [even] the forgiveness of sins:
When a thing is redeemed, it is fully restored to its original position or state of being. Anything short of that is not really redemption.
Most of the scriptures are dealing with a redemption from the consequences of sin.
But there is also a redemption of the bodies of those who will qualify for it at the end of the dispensation.
Romans 8:23 And not only [they], but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, [to wit], the redemption of our body.
What is meant by the term "Adoption" and the "redemption of our body?" It can NOT mean immortality, for mankind has NEVER been immortal.
Friday, August 31, 2007
INTEGRITY
INTEGRITY
There is a story told, concerning the Great Wall of China, that points up the value of integrity and honesty in our lives.
The wall was built so high that no one could climb over it. It was built so long that no one could go around it. The gates were so strong that they could not be broken down, nor forced open.
For many years, China relaxed, thinking they were safe from all who would seek to do them harm.
Yet, China was invaded and harmed three times. Not by armies going over the wall. Not by going around the wall. Not by breaking the wall down.
It was accomplished by bribing the gate keepers, and going through the opened gates, unhindered.
In 1943, when I was ordained to the Ministry by Howard A. Goss at our (PCI) annual conference, Bro. Goss hammered home the truths of Integrity in our young lives. He emphasized that no matter what language we used, we could only say what we are. He told us it takes 20 years to make a Minister, because it takes 20 years to make a man.
One point he especially stressed was that a Minister should be trustworthy of another man's 1) Money, 2) Reputation, 3) Wife and 4) Daughter. I never forgot those admonitions, and I am glad for it.
I am an old man now, and it hurts to watch the standards for the Ministry being eroded away so badly as they are in these times.
Of course, we had those who disregarded the high standards we held for ourselves, even in those days. But they were in a scant minority. It seems to be different now.
I am glad for the efforts being made to hold a line of discipline, not only among the Ministry but also the saints.
Change is inevitible, but the Church Community as a whole seems to be over doing it a bit, as far as I can ascertain.
Psalms 25:21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee.
Proverbs 28:21 To have respect of persons [is] not good: for for a piece of bread [that] man will transgress.
Proverbs 20:7 The just [man] walketh in his integrity: his children [are] blessed after him.
Proverbs 14:2 He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but [he that is] perverse in his ways despiseth him.
I Samuel 8:3 And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.
Isaiah 33:14 The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil;
Psalms 15:1 LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. [He that] backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. [He that] sweareth to [his own] hurt, and changeth not. [He that] putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these [things] shall never be moved.
Proverbs 10:9 He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.
Proverbs 2:11 Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: To deliver thee from the way of the evil [man], from the man that speaketh froward things;
Psalms 24:3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
There is a story told, concerning the Great Wall of China, that points up the value of integrity and honesty in our lives.
The wall was built so high that no one could climb over it. It was built so long that no one could go around it. The gates were so strong that they could not be broken down, nor forced open.
For many years, China relaxed, thinking they were safe from all who would seek to do them harm.
Yet, China was invaded and harmed three times. Not by armies going over the wall. Not by going around the wall. Not by breaking the wall down.
It was accomplished by bribing the gate keepers, and going through the opened gates, unhindered.
In 1943, when I was ordained to the Ministry by Howard A. Goss at our (PCI) annual conference, Bro. Goss hammered home the truths of Integrity in our young lives. He emphasized that no matter what language we used, we could only say what we are. He told us it takes 20 years to make a Minister, because it takes 20 years to make a man.
One point he especially stressed was that a Minister should be trustworthy of another man's 1) Money, 2) Reputation, 3) Wife and 4) Daughter. I never forgot those admonitions, and I am glad for it.
I am an old man now, and it hurts to watch the standards for the Ministry being eroded away so badly as they are in these times.
Of course, we had those who disregarded the high standards we held for ourselves, even in those days. But they were in a scant minority. It seems to be different now.
I am glad for the efforts being made to hold a line of discipline, not only among the Ministry but also the saints.
Change is inevitible, but the Church Community as a whole seems to be over doing it a bit, as far as I can ascertain.
Psalms 25:21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee.
Proverbs 28:21 To have respect of persons [is] not good: for for a piece of bread [that] man will transgress.
Proverbs 20:7 The just [man] walketh in his integrity: his children [are] blessed after him.
Proverbs 14:2 He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but [he that is] perverse in his ways despiseth him.
I Samuel 8:3 And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.
Isaiah 33:14 The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil;
Psalms 15:1 LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. [He that] backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. [He that] sweareth to [his own] hurt, and changeth not. [He that] putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these [things] shall never be moved.
Proverbs 10:9 He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.
Proverbs 2:11 Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: To deliver thee from the way of the evil [man], from the man that speaketh froward things;
Psalms 24:3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
GOD SEES
GOD SEES ALL
I can see my life from the earth side
I can feel its sorrows and pains
I can taste of its joys and its gladness
I can sense its losses and gains
But I can see only the earth side
The other is hid to my view
I can see it but darkly
I can see it but partly
But God sees the other side, too
Someday I shall stand on the heaven side
Someday with the Lord I shall be
Someday through the glories up yonder
The whole of my life I shall see
And shall I then care for the losses?
Shall I then care for trouble and pain?
With the heaven side glory
To light up the story
My losses shall only be gain.
Anon
I can see my life from the earth side
I can feel its sorrows and pains
I can taste of its joys and its gladness
I can sense its losses and gains
But I can see only the earth side
The other is hid to my view
I can see it but darkly
I can see it but partly
But God sees the other side, too
Someday I shall stand on the heaven side
Someday with the Lord I shall be
Someday through the glories up yonder
The whole of my life I shall see
And shall I then care for the losses?
Shall I then care for trouble and pain?
With the heaven side glory
To light up the story
My losses shall only be gain.
Anon
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
SHALL OVERTAKE YOU
SHALL OVERTAKE YOU
To be OVERTAKEN by someone or some thing means that you were unable to outrun them or it, however much you might have wished to do so.
The admonition which Moses gave to the children of Israel in the wilderness is as valid today as it was the day he spoke it-- with the exception that the Ceremonies of the Law are no longer imposed upon us-- just the Moral portion of the Law.
In effect, the Lord was telling the people through Moses that they would be OVERTAKEN by one of two forces-- depending upon their actions relating to His Commands.
Deuteronomy 28:2 And all these BLESSINGS shall come on thee, and OVERTAKE thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.
Deuteronomy 28:15 But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt NOT HEARKEN unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these CURSES shall come upon thee, and OVERTAKE thee:
Deuteronomy 28:45 Moreover all these CURSES shall COME UPON thee, and shall PURSUE thee, and OVERTAKE thee, till thou be DESTROYED; because thou HEARKENEDST NOT unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which he commanded thee:
After many years of disregard for the Commandments of the Lord, Isaiah laments the sad state of affairs in Israel. They were in Phase 2 (reaping) of their lack of obedience.
Isaiah 59:9 Therefore is judgment far from us, neither doth justice OVERTAKE us: we wait for light, but behold obscurity; for brightness, [but] WE WALK IN DARKNESS.
Our truly Godly leaders of today are likewise weeping over the conditions of the Nation, AND THE CHURCH.
Paul Harvey has a saying, "You can run, but you can't hide." That is precisely what Jeremiah was telling the leaders of Judah, who were wanting to go into Egypt in order to escape what they feared would happen to them if they stayed where they were.
Jeremiah 42:16 Then it shall come to pass, [that] the sword, which ye feared, shall OVERTAKE you there in the land of Egypt, and the famine, whereof ye were afraid, shall follow close after you there in Egypt; and there ye shall die.
God knows where we are, and can find us when He wants to.
While it is certainly true that we are no longer under the Ceremonial Law, we are not free to do as we please. We are told of an OBEDIENCE which is required of us if we hope to have the blessing of God on our lives.
It is OBEDIENCE to the GOSPEL. It is OBEDIENCE TO THE FAITH. It is OBEDIENCE TO THE TRUTH. It is OBEDIENCE TO LIGHT.
John 3:19 And THIS is the CONDEMNATION, that LIGHT IS COME into the world, and MEN LOVED DARKNESS RATHER THAN LIGHT, because their deeds were evil.
Romans 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye YIELD YOURSELVES SERVANTS TO OBEY, his servants ye are to WHOM YE OBEY; whether of SIN UNTO DEATH, or of OBEDIENCE UNTO RIGHTEOUSNESS?
Romans 10:16 But they have not all OBEYED THE GOSPEL. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
Galatians 3:1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not OBEY THE TRUTH, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
Romans 1:5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for OBEDIENCE TO THE FAITH among all nations, for his name:
To be OVERTAKEN by someone or some thing means that you were unable to outrun them or it, however much you might have wished to do so.
The admonition which Moses gave to the children of Israel in the wilderness is as valid today as it was the day he spoke it-- with the exception that the Ceremonies of the Law are no longer imposed upon us-- just the Moral portion of the Law.
In effect, the Lord was telling the people through Moses that they would be OVERTAKEN by one of two forces-- depending upon their actions relating to His Commands.
Deuteronomy 28:2 And all these BLESSINGS shall come on thee, and OVERTAKE thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.
Deuteronomy 28:15 But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt NOT HEARKEN unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these CURSES shall come upon thee, and OVERTAKE thee:
Deuteronomy 28:45 Moreover all these CURSES shall COME UPON thee, and shall PURSUE thee, and OVERTAKE thee, till thou be DESTROYED; because thou HEARKENEDST NOT unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which he commanded thee:
After many years of disregard for the Commandments of the Lord, Isaiah laments the sad state of affairs in Israel. They were in Phase 2 (reaping) of their lack of obedience.
Isaiah 59:9 Therefore is judgment far from us, neither doth justice OVERTAKE us: we wait for light, but behold obscurity; for brightness, [but] WE WALK IN DARKNESS.
Our truly Godly leaders of today are likewise weeping over the conditions of the Nation, AND THE CHURCH.
Paul Harvey has a saying, "You can run, but you can't hide." That is precisely what Jeremiah was telling the leaders of Judah, who were wanting to go into Egypt in order to escape what they feared would happen to them if they stayed where they were.
Jeremiah 42:16 Then it shall come to pass, [that] the sword, which ye feared, shall OVERTAKE you there in the land of Egypt, and the famine, whereof ye were afraid, shall follow close after you there in Egypt; and there ye shall die.
God knows where we are, and can find us when He wants to.
While it is certainly true that we are no longer under the Ceremonial Law, we are not free to do as we please. We are told of an OBEDIENCE which is required of us if we hope to have the blessing of God on our lives.
It is OBEDIENCE to the GOSPEL. It is OBEDIENCE TO THE FAITH. It is OBEDIENCE TO THE TRUTH. It is OBEDIENCE TO LIGHT.
John 3:19 And THIS is the CONDEMNATION, that LIGHT IS COME into the world, and MEN LOVED DARKNESS RATHER THAN LIGHT, because their deeds were evil.
Romans 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye YIELD YOURSELVES SERVANTS TO OBEY, his servants ye are to WHOM YE OBEY; whether of SIN UNTO DEATH, or of OBEDIENCE UNTO RIGHTEOUSNESS?
Romans 10:16 But they have not all OBEYED THE GOSPEL. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
Galatians 3:1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not OBEY THE TRUTH, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
Romans 1:5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for OBEDIENCE TO THE FAITH among all nations, for his name:
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
MY CHAIN
MY CHAIN
II Timothy 1:16 The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:
Paul wrote these words from Rome, where he was in prison. He was grateful for the help which was given to him by his friends. But the outstanding feature of the statement is his appreciation for Onesiphorus not being ashamed of his chain. At this point, Paul's friends were few and far between. Prisoners were not a popular breed in those days.
II Timothy 1:8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
Though Paul was a prisoner of Rome, he discounted that aspect of his bonds. His bondage to God was of much greater importance to him. He considered himself a prisoner of the Lord.
Ephesians 3:1 -- I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ-
Ephesians 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord,-
Philemon 1:1 Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ,--
Philemon 1:9 -- and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.
Paul had been a "prisoner of the Lord" for a long time before he landed in any prison. His life had been surrendered to Jesus on the Damascus road. It is doubtful if many of us realize the depth of his committment there that day. He knew he had met his Master, and he addressed Him as "Lord".
I wonder sometimes if we fully understand the walk of a Christian. We are programmed with "Prosperity", "Health", etc., to the point that we consider any type of suffering or difficulty an intrusion of Satan into our lives. This is not always the case. In fact, it is rarely the fault of Satan, when we are walking with God. He "scourgeth every son whom He receives." "Flogs" is the word that could have been used instead of "scourge". Heb 12
We seem to have lost sight of II Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
Acts 14:22 -- and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
I Peter 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
It seems to be part of our natures to shrink away from all uncomfortable situations - both because of unpleasantness, and for fear of what others may think of us. A friend of mine, when having to go through a very painful experience, said, "When we are called upon to go through a fiery trial, the hottest part of the flame is the attitude of other Christians toward us in our trial.
In view of James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you, I believe I am safe to say that if the devil is "on the attack" in our lives, we would do well to take personal inventory. He is afraid of the Spirit of God.
I am convinced that most of what we call the attack of Satan is but another "link" in the "chain" of the Lord in our lives.
Frankly, I am weary of hearing so much about the activities of the devil, and not enough about the what God is accomplishing in the lives of the believers.
Can it be possible that some of us are in the wrong "prison"? Who, exactly, is our "jailer"?
II Timothy 1:16 The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:
Paul wrote these words from Rome, where he was in prison. He was grateful for the help which was given to him by his friends. But the outstanding feature of the statement is his appreciation for Onesiphorus not being ashamed of his chain. At this point, Paul's friends were few and far between. Prisoners were not a popular breed in those days.
II Timothy 1:8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
Though Paul was a prisoner of Rome, he discounted that aspect of his bonds. His bondage to God was of much greater importance to him. He considered himself a prisoner of the Lord.
Ephesians 3:1 -- I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ-
Ephesians 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord,-
Philemon 1:1 Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ,--
Philemon 1:9 -- and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.
Paul had been a "prisoner of the Lord" for a long time before he landed in any prison. His life had been surrendered to Jesus on the Damascus road. It is doubtful if many of us realize the depth of his committment there that day. He knew he had met his Master, and he addressed Him as "Lord".
I wonder sometimes if we fully understand the walk of a Christian. We are programmed with "Prosperity", "Health", etc., to the point that we consider any type of suffering or difficulty an intrusion of Satan into our lives. This is not always the case. In fact, it is rarely the fault of Satan, when we are walking with God. He "scourgeth every son whom He receives." "Flogs" is the word that could have been used instead of "scourge". Heb 12
We seem to have lost sight of II Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
Acts 14:22 -- and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
I Peter 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
It seems to be part of our natures to shrink away from all uncomfortable situations - both because of unpleasantness, and for fear of what others may think of us. A friend of mine, when having to go through a very painful experience, said, "When we are called upon to go through a fiery trial, the hottest part of the flame is the attitude of other Christians toward us in our trial.
In view of James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you, I believe I am safe to say that if the devil is "on the attack" in our lives, we would do well to take personal inventory. He is afraid of the Spirit of God.
I am convinced that most of what we call the attack of Satan is but another "link" in the "chain" of the Lord in our lives.
Frankly, I am weary of hearing so much about the activities of the devil, and not enough about the what God is accomplishing in the lives of the believers.
Can it be possible that some of us are in the wrong "prison"? Who, exactly, is our "jailer"?
Monday, August 27, 2007
KEEP THY HEART
KEEP THY HEART
Proverbs 4:20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it [are] the issues of life.
A little "Father to son" talk is recorded here. Blessed is the son who has a father who will give him the facts of life instead of letting him grow up in ignorance.
But there is something more here than meets the eye. The instructions of this father are typical of what our Heavenly Father wants to say to us.
Let me illustrate. In 1943 I attended a Ministerial Conference in Parma, Idaho. A man named Frank J. Ewart was there, and preached a message I shall never forget. In part he said:
"I was driving in Los Angeles one day-- stopped at a stop sign-- a bum motioned to get his attention. The Spirit seemed to tell me to oblige the man, so I rolled down a window and asked him what he wanted. He wanted a ride to (and said where he wanted to go). Would I take him? The spirit had already indicated I should, so I told him to get in.
The man suspected that I was Minister, and told me that he himself had, at one time, been the Pastor of a large congregation. I was stunned. Here he was, ragged, dirty, crumby-- in fact I could see the "crumbs" crawling around on his collar. I asked him how he ever managed to get in this shape if he had once been a Pastor.
I shall never forget what the man said. He told me that it had all started by a fleeting thought one day in his office. His secretary was moving about in the office. His eyes caught a glimpse of her, and a thought raced through his mind.
Instead of immediately banishing the thought, he entertained it for a while. Soon a whole horde of thoughts arrived to reinforce that first one. The story is an all-too-familiar one, and the end result is usually about the same, with perhaps a few variations.
Not only was her life ruined, but his was immeasureably more so. He lost his family. He lost his position. He lost his reputation. His self respect was soon gone also.
The downward spiral only ended when he had reached the bottom. It was not that the Lord would not forgive him. Rather, it was because he couldn't bring himself to ASK for forgiveness. His transgression was so great in his sight, shame and regret precluded him asking for pardon from the Lord and other humans whom he had betrayed."
Pastor Ewart was speaking to a number of young Ministers. I was among them, and have many times thanked God for the privilege of hearing about the dangers of entertaining unholy thoughts.
Pastor Ewart was able to point the poor degenerate, drifting derelict toward the path of repentance and restoration.
Perhaps you know someone who needs to be shown that path. Hurry to them with the good news.
Proverbs 4:20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it [are] the issues of life.
A little "Father to son" talk is recorded here. Blessed is the son who has a father who will give him the facts of life instead of letting him grow up in ignorance.
But there is something more here than meets the eye. The instructions of this father are typical of what our Heavenly Father wants to say to us.
Let me illustrate. In 1943 I attended a Ministerial Conference in Parma, Idaho. A man named Frank J. Ewart was there, and preached a message I shall never forget. In part he said:
"I was driving in Los Angeles one day-- stopped at a stop sign-- a bum motioned to get his attention. The Spirit seemed to tell me to oblige the man, so I rolled down a window and asked him what he wanted. He wanted a ride to (and said where he wanted to go). Would I take him? The spirit had already indicated I should, so I told him to get in.
The man suspected that I was Minister, and told me that he himself had, at one time, been the Pastor of a large congregation. I was stunned. Here he was, ragged, dirty, crumby-- in fact I could see the "crumbs" crawling around on his collar. I asked him how he ever managed to get in this shape if he had once been a Pastor.
I shall never forget what the man said. He told me that it had all started by a fleeting thought one day in his office. His secretary was moving about in the office. His eyes caught a glimpse of her, and a thought raced through his mind.
Instead of immediately banishing the thought, he entertained it for a while. Soon a whole horde of thoughts arrived to reinforce that first one. The story is an all-too-familiar one, and the end result is usually about the same, with perhaps a few variations.
Not only was her life ruined, but his was immeasureably more so. He lost his family. He lost his position. He lost his reputation. His self respect was soon gone also.
The downward spiral only ended when he had reached the bottom. It was not that the Lord would not forgive him. Rather, it was because he couldn't bring himself to ASK for forgiveness. His transgression was so great in his sight, shame and regret precluded him asking for pardon from the Lord and other humans whom he had betrayed."
Pastor Ewart was speaking to a number of young Ministers. I was among them, and have many times thanked God for the privilege of hearing about the dangers of entertaining unholy thoughts.
Pastor Ewart was able to point the poor degenerate, drifting derelict toward the path of repentance and restoration.
Perhaps you know someone who needs to be shown that path. Hurry to them with the good news.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
THE DEITY OF JESUS
THE DEITY OF JESUS
Perhaps I have failed to make my position clear about whether Jesus is God or not. I suppose I am what others might want to call Dualist, if I understand that term correctly.
As I see it, Jesus was BOTH God and Man while He was in His ministry here on earth. Until His baptism by John, He was Man with unpolluted blood (the virgin birth accomplished this). His blood could atone for sin because of this.
When Jesus was baptized in water, the Holy Ghost came upon Him.
John 3:34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure [unto him]. He was then GOD IN FLESH-- complete Deity in Flesh without the Nature of Sin. (Virgin birth)
Jesus ministered in this manner for three and one half years.
But a transaction took place on the Cross which made Him cry in anguish, "My God, My God, Why hast Thou forsaken me?" The Holy Ghost was withdrawn from Jesus, and at the same moment, all the guilt of the world flooded over Him. "He who knew no sin (nature) became (laden with) sin for us.
It was flesh that died at Calvary-- not God. Here is the miracle of Justification.
Our guilt was placed upon Jesus, so that His righteousness could be given to us.
We must realize that sometimes Jesus spoke as Man-- other times the same lips spoke as God. Hence "before Abraham was--I AM." "I can of myself do nothing-- what I see my Father do--"
The Holy Ghost, given at baptism, was, is, and always shall be "Alpha and Omega."
The scriptures in Isaiah (41:4 48:12) are not, as near as I can see, speaking of the flesh of God in Jesus Christ. Rather, the Spirit that inhabits Eternity.
We must remember that the doctrine which became known as The Trinity did not make its appearance until over a hundred years after Jesus died. It could well qualify as the teachings of man rather than of God. At least, that is the way it looks from here.
God bless!
Perhaps I have failed to make my position clear about whether Jesus is God or not. I suppose I am what others might want to call Dualist, if I understand that term correctly.
As I see it, Jesus was BOTH God and Man while He was in His ministry here on earth. Until His baptism by John, He was Man with unpolluted blood (the virgin birth accomplished this). His blood could atone for sin because of this.
When Jesus was baptized in water, the Holy Ghost came upon Him.
John 3:34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure [unto him]. He was then GOD IN FLESH-- complete Deity in Flesh without the Nature of Sin. (Virgin birth)
Jesus ministered in this manner for three and one half years.
But a transaction took place on the Cross which made Him cry in anguish, "My God, My God, Why hast Thou forsaken me?" The Holy Ghost was withdrawn from Jesus, and at the same moment, all the guilt of the world flooded over Him. "He who knew no sin (nature) became (laden with) sin for us.
It was flesh that died at Calvary-- not God. Here is the miracle of Justification.
Our guilt was placed upon Jesus, so that His righteousness could be given to us.
We must realize that sometimes Jesus spoke as Man-- other times the same lips spoke as God. Hence "before Abraham was--I AM." "I can of myself do nothing-- what I see my Father do--"
The Holy Ghost, given at baptism, was, is, and always shall be "Alpha and Omega."
The scriptures in Isaiah (41:4 48:12) are not, as near as I can see, speaking of the flesh of God in Jesus Christ. Rather, the Spirit that inhabits Eternity.
We must remember that the doctrine which became known as The Trinity did not make its appearance until over a hundred years after Jesus died. It could well qualify as the teachings of man rather than of God. At least, that is the way it looks from here.
God bless!
Saturday, August 25, 2007
GOOD, GOOD
GOOD! GOOD! GOOD!
Six times in the first chapter of Genesis, the Lord is recorded to say that what He had created was GOOD. See Verses 4, 10, 12, 18, 21 and 25.
But, when He had created MAN, He said (vs 31) of ALL His Creation, "It is VERY GOOD."
The Lord was quite proud of what He had done, and with good reason, for every creature was equipped with a built-in instinct which would cause them to behave in just the way He had intended for them to behave. Each specie had its own instinct, or LAW of behavior.
Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his [own] image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
But, as time went on, MAN made a decision to depart from God's control, and do things his own way. He rebelled against the authority of God's Word in his life. He "would do things in his own way, thank you."
Ecclesiastes 7:29 Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.
Since that first act of rebellion against the leadership of the Spirit of God, the human race has had a constant struggle with that nature of rebellion against the Creator.
Those of us who would desire to be led of the Spirit of God in our manner of life are beset with all manner of obstacles. Perhaps the most difficult hurdle is to know the difference between the influence of the Spirit of God and the influence of the spirit of rebellion. That spirit is resident in us at all times. It NEVER GIVES UP.
The Holy Spirit, on the other hand must be SOUGHT AFTER, and wooed to us, if we are to have its influence to any great extent in our lives.
And there MUST be some ROOM IN OUR LIVES provided for that HOLY SPIRIT, if we are have it's benefits in our lives. Making ROOM entails a deliberate choice on our part to seek deliverance from our own self-will, and ask for the Holy Spirit to guide us.
Today, each of us are predominately yielding to one of two spirits-- the spirit of MAN, or the Spirit of GOD. They are diametrically opposed to each other.
Six times in the first chapter of Genesis, the Lord is recorded to say that what He had created was GOOD. See Verses 4, 10, 12, 18, 21 and 25.
But, when He had created MAN, He said (vs 31) of ALL His Creation, "It is VERY GOOD."
The Lord was quite proud of what He had done, and with good reason, for every creature was equipped with a built-in instinct which would cause them to behave in just the way He had intended for them to behave. Each specie had its own instinct, or LAW of behavior.
Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his [own] image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
But, as time went on, MAN made a decision to depart from God's control, and do things his own way. He rebelled against the authority of God's Word in his life. He "would do things in his own way, thank you."
Ecclesiastes 7:29 Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.
Since that first act of rebellion against the leadership of the Spirit of God, the human race has had a constant struggle with that nature of rebellion against the Creator.
Those of us who would desire to be led of the Spirit of God in our manner of life are beset with all manner of obstacles. Perhaps the most difficult hurdle is to know the difference between the influence of the Spirit of God and the influence of the spirit of rebellion. That spirit is resident in us at all times. It NEVER GIVES UP.
The Holy Spirit, on the other hand must be SOUGHT AFTER, and wooed to us, if we are to have its influence to any great extent in our lives.
And there MUST be some ROOM IN OUR LIVES provided for that HOLY SPIRIT, if we are have it's benefits in our lives. Making ROOM entails a deliberate choice on our part to seek deliverance from our own self-will, and ask for the Holy Spirit to guide us.
Today, each of us are predominately yielding to one of two spirits-- the spirit of MAN, or the Spirit of GOD. They are diametrically opposed to each other.
HE IS LORD
JESUS IS THE LORD
James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing [this], that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
God looks at things differently than we do. He is looking from His VANTAGE POINT, which includes the ability to see the end of a matter from before the beginning of it.
He is infinitely LOVING toward us, and most, if not all, of the situations we come into have been precisely designed to accomplish a desired goal in our lives. By the Spirit, James penned the words of encouragement-- to count it ALL JOY (pure, unadulterated joy) when we come into unsavory situations (testing places).
I am intrigued by the term "trying of your faith", when I looked at the original language in which it was written. The word, according to Robert Young's Analytical Concordance, is DOCIMION. It is the nown form of the word which James uses a little farther down in this chapter (DOKIMOS-- "tried."
James 1:12 Blessed [is] the man that ENDURETH temptation: for when he is TRIED, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
We get our modern word "Documented" from that Greek word. The "diverse temptations" are the means of DOCUMENTING (proving the validity of) our faith in God's Lordship in our lives.
Abraham's complete trust in, and obedience to, the Lordship of El Shaddai was what took him and his son Isaac to the top of Moriah, where he bound Isaac on the altar.
It was there, while Abraham had the knife over his head, ready to slay Isaac that the Lord spoke the words, "NOW I KNOW." Genesis 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.
This incident was taking place 42 years after Abram first started to follow God from Ur of the Chaldees. Faith is not always documented over night.
How long have you been "on the wheel of the Potter?"
How many painful situations do you look back on and can now see the Hand of God in them, terrible as they were at the time?
There is nothing that takes God by surprise. There are NO ACCIDENTS in the life of a Christian. The much-maligned devil can not touch you or me WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM GOD.
He (the devil) can do no more than what he has been given permission to do.
Count it ALL joy, PURE joy, 100% joy, UNADULTERATED joy. God is busy in your life. He is performing a "surgery" in your life, to help you correct a problem area there.
James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing [this], that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
God looks at things differently than we do. He is looking from His VANTAGE POINT, which includes the ability to see the end of a matter from before the beginning of it.
He is infinitely LOVING toward us, and most, if not all, of the situations we come into have been precisely designed to accomplish a desired goal in our lives. By the Spirit, James penned the words of encouragement-- to count it ALL JOY (pure, unadulterated joy) when we come into unsavory situations (testing places).
I am intrigued by the term "trying of your faith", when I looked at the original language in which it was written. The word, according to Robert Young's Analytical Concordance, is DOCIMION. It is the nown form of the word which James uses a little farther down in this chapter (DOKIMOS-- "tried."
James 1:12 Blessed [is] the man that ENDURETH temptation: for when he is TRIED, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
We get our modern word "Documented" from that Greek word. The "diverse temptations" are the means of DOCUMENTING (proving the validity of) our faith in God's Lordship in our lives.
Abraham's complete trust in, and obedience to, the Lordship of El Shaddai was what took him and his son Isaac to the top of Moriah, where he bound Isaac on the altar.
It was there, while Abraham had the knife over his head, ready to slay Isaac that the Lord spoke the words, "NOW I KNOW." Genesis 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.
This incident was taking place 42 years after Abram first started to follow God from Ur of the Chaldees. Faith is not always documented over night.
How long have you been "on the wheel of the Potter?"
How many painful situations do you look back on and can now see the Hand of God in them, terrible as they were at the time?
There is nothing that takes God by surprise. There are NO ACCIDENTS in the life of a Christian. The much-maligned devil can not touch you or me WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM GOD.
He (the devil) can do no more than what he has been given permission to do.
Count it ALL joy, PURE joy, 100% joy, UNADULTERATED joy. God is busy in your life. He is performing a "surgery" in your life, to help you correct a problem area there.
Friday, August 24, 2007
THE GOOD FIGHT
THE GOOD FIGHT
II Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished [my] course, I have kept the faith:
Faith is sometimes described as something similar to a pry bar, by which we can procure things from God, such as a new car, a better job, or more finances. The list would be endless.
The real meaning of faith is "Dedication", or "Commitment to God".
Peter and James each referred to the "trial" or "trying" of our faith. These words equal our modern word for a "sworn statement"-- "Documenting".
The crucial part of the Christian life is that of maintaining our "commitment" or "dedication" to God.
Getting a new car, a better job, or any of those things are not essential to our life in Jesus.
MAINTAINING TRUST IN, AND OBEDIENCE TO GOD IS VERY ESSENTIAL.
When trusting Jesus for the well being of your soul becomes difficult, don't pray for less trials-- pray for more strength from Him.
Fight the good fight of Faith (Commitment to God)
TIMES OF CRISIS, Great occasions do not make us heroes or cowards. Times of testing serve as a barometer of our Spiritual condition. They simply show us what we have been making of ourselves.
Each day, we are either growing stronger or we are getting weaker. We DO NOT REMAIN STATIC.
God's purpose in sending winds of adversity is NOT that we should FAIL and become DISCOURAGED-- No, No, No! Rather, they are HIS MESSENGERS to cause us to develop STRENGTH in THE FAITH, and walk in VICTORY.
VICTORY doesn't mean that WE WIN EVERY TIME.
The essence of VICTORY is the refusal to let circumstances deter or discourage us in our walk with JESUS.
We MUST, at any cost, maintain the commitment of our souls to the care of the Lord Jesus Christ.
TO HAVE FAITH means that we maintain our CONFIDENCE in the INTEGRITY OF GOD.
THAT IS THE "GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH"
II Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished [my] course, I have kept the faith:
Faith is sometimes described as something similar to a pry bar, by which we can procure things from God, such as a new car, a better job, or more finances. The list would be endless.
The real meaning of faith is "Dedication", or "Commitment to God".
Peter and James each referred to the "trial" or "trying" of our faith. These words equal our modern word for a "sworn statement"-- "Documenting".
The crucial part of the Christian life is that of maintaining our "commitment" or "dedication" to God.
Getting a new car, a better job, or any of those things are not essential to our life in Jesus.
MAINTAINING TRUST IN, AND OBEDIENCE TO GOD IS VERY ESSENTIAL.
When trusting Jesus for the well being of your soul becomes difficult, don't pray for less trials-- pray for more strength from Him.
Fight the good fight of Faith (Commitment to God)
TIMES OF CRISIS, Great occasions do not make us heroes or cowards. Times of testing serve as a barometer of our Spiritual condition. They simply show us what we have been making of ourselves.
Each day, we are either growing stronger or we are getting weaker. We DO NOT REMAIN STATIC.
God's purpose in sending winds of adversity is NOT that we should FAIL and become DISCOURAGED-- No, No, No! Rather, they are HIS MESSENGERS to cause us to develop STRENGTH in THE FAITH, and walk in VICTORY.
VICTORY doesn't mean that WE WIN EVERY TIME.
The essence of VICTORY is the refusal to let circumstances deter or discourage us in our walk with JESUS.
We MUST, at any cost, maintain the commitment of our souls to the care of the Lord Jesus Christ.
TO HAVE FAITH means that we maintain our CONFIDENCE in the INTEGRITY OF GOD.
THAT IS THE "GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH"
Thursday, August 23, 2007
THE DEAD SOUL
THE DEAD SOUL
One day, early in my years of being a Pastor, I started to study about the Soul of Man-- what it is, etc. I'm not sure I like what I found. Sometimes Truth can be disturbing.
First thing I found was that the soul of mankind came into being by God breathing into the body He had formed from the dust of the earth. The combination of the earthy body and the Breath of Life created a LIVING SOUL.
Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
Next, I discovered that the Lord promised DEATH on the day the man and his wife should eat of the forbidden tree.
Genesis 2:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
THEY DID EAT-- choosing to trust their own judgment rather than the judgment and command of God. The serpent had told them the FIRST LIE "Thou shalt not die." Adam lived in his physical body for more than 900 years after eating from the "tree" which had been forbidden.
I discovered that the "DEATH" which God had warned them about was not primarily a PHYSICAL death, but a death of another type.
Further study revealed to me that the SOULS of all mankind who are not within the shelter of Jesus, the Christ of God, are called "dead" in scripture.
To illustrate what happened at Eden, Evangelist C.W. Phileo in 1945, gave us an object lesson. He had me go out to a peach tree during service, and cut off a twig. He then asked us if we would class the twig as being dead or alive. It was fresh. It was beautiful and green. But he brought home a powerful lesson on the only source of life was for the twig to remain attached to the parent tree.
The soul that is not attached to God through Jesus is DEAD. The SOULS of Adam and Eve were CUT OFF from God when they rebelled. Their souls were DEAD from that moment on, even though they were physically still alive, and lived for a long time after that.
Of course, there were many cataclysmic changes took place when the man and his wife disobeyed God's orders. Suddenly, there were creatures of prey, and their victim species were terrified at their presence. Mankind was robbed of its instinct, and given another one. The list could go on.
In the mid-forties, we had to rely on Robert Young's Analytical Concordance or Strong's Exhaustive for an in-depth study of any part of the Bible. I had a Young's, and nearly wore it out studying various subjects. Now, a touch of the finger brings up more than I could dig out in hours of searching back the then. Thank God for what computers can do.
But, in all my poring over the original texts and the translations, I could not, (nor can I now) find any reference to the soul of man being immortal, or "never-dieing", as it is often described by people who seem to know. Maybe some of you can help me find where it is described as being immortal.
What I did find, in history, was that the idea of the soul being immortal came originally from the people who taught and believed in "transmigration of the soul", or, as we know it today, "re-incarnation". It was popularized by the Greek philosopher Plato and others like him.
The medieval Church (the Papacy) incorporated it into the curriculum , because it served their purposes of fear and intimidation so very well. Fear of excommunication was paralyzing to people who were ignorant of the Word of God, and steeped in the traditions of unregenerate men. The Church did not, however, teach "transmigration of the soul" as others had done. Purgatory and Limbo served very well to give them power over even the dead people.
I found, also, that every living creature was considered a "soul" in scripture, and every creature was destined to die. Righteous men die, the same as the unrighteous. Jesus told the folks to not fear physical death, but rather to fear Him who was able to destroy (I studied that word also) both the body and the soul.
Ezekiel 18:4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.
One day, early in my years of being a Pastor, I started to study about the Soul of Man-- what it is, etc. I'm not sure I like what I found. Sometimes Truth can be disturbing.
First thing I found was that the soul of mankind came into being by God breathing into the body He had formed from the dust of the earth. The combination of the earthy body and the Breath of Life created a LIVING SOUL.
Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
Next, I discovered that the Lord promised DEATH on the day the man and his wife should eat of the forbidden tree.
Genesis 2:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
THEY DID EAT-- choosing to trust their own judgment rather than the judgment and command of God. The serpent had told them the FIRST LIE "Thou shalt not die." Adam lived in his physical body for more than 900 years after eating from the "tree" which had been forbidden.
I discovered that the "DEATH" which God had warned them about was not primarily a PHYSICAL death, but a death of another type.
Further study revealed to me that the SOULS of all mankind who are not within the shelter of Jesus, the Christ of God, are called "dead" in scripture.
To illustrate what happened at Eden, Evangelist C.W. Phileo in 1945, gave us an object lesson. He had me go out to a peach tree during service, and cut off a twig. He then asked us if we would class the twig as being dead or alive. It was fresh. It was beautiful and green. But he brought home a powerful lesson on the only source of life was for the twig to remain attached to the parent tree.
The soul that is not attached to God through Jesus is DEAD. The SOULS of Adam and Eve were CUT OFF from God when they rebelled. Their souls were DEAD from that moment on, even though they were physically still alive, and lived for a long time after that.
Of course, there were many cataclysmic changes took place when the man and his wife disobeyed God's orders. Suddenly, there were creatures of prey, and their victim species were terrified at their presence. Mankind was robbed of its instinct, and given another one. The list could go on.
In the mid-forties, we had to rely on Robert Young's Analytical Concordance or Strong's Exhaustive for an in-depth study of any part of the Bible. I had a Young's, and nearly wore it out studying various subjects. Now, a touch of the finger brings up more than I could dig out in hours of searching back the then. Thank God for what computers can do.
But, in all my poring over the original texts and the translations, I could not, (nor can I now) find any reference to the soul of man being immortal, or "never-dieing", as it is often described by people who seem to know. Maybe some of you can help me find where it is described as being immortal.
What I did find, in history, was that the idea of the soul being immortal came originally from the people who taught and believed in "transmigration of the soul", or, as we know it today, "re-incarnation". It was popularized by the Greek philosopher Plato and others like him.
The medieval Church (the Papacy) incorporated it into the curriculum , because it served their purposes of fear and intimidation so very well. Fear of excommunication was paralyzing to people who were ignorant of the Word of God, and steeped in the traditions of unregenerate men. The Church did not, however, teach "transmigration of the soul" as others had done. Purgatory and Limbo served very well to give them power over even the dead people.
I found, also, that every living creature was considered a "soul" in scripture, and every creature was destined to die. Righteous men die, the same as the unrighteous. Jesus told the folks to not fear physical death, but rather to fear Him who was able to destroy (I studied that word also) both the body and the soul.
Ezekiel 18:4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
ABRAHAM'S PROMISE
ABRAHAM'S PROMISE
Genesis 12:2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
Today, we have two or more great bodies of human beings claiming to be the heirs of that promise which God gave to Abraham.
Abraham had two sons-- Ishmael and Isaac. Both were destined to become great nations. But, the Lord definitely intended to honor one above the other. It was Isaac and his children who were to be the children of promise.
Genesis 17:18 And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee! Genesis 17:19 And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, [and] with his seed after him. Genesis 17:20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation. Genesis 17:21 But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.
Ishmael's birth was a completely normal process of procreation. The birth of Isaac was supernatural from the start of conception.
The births of the boys can tell us something, if we are willing to listen to what the Lord is trying to tell us.
While the posterity of the two boys are squabbling over the land and the inheritance, GOD IS WORKING ON A DIFFERENT PROJECT ALTOGETHER. The two boys were merely the blueprint of what God was, and is, doing in the world today.
God chose to bless and use the one whose birth was miraculous, in order for us to have a guideline to direct us into the correct understanding of His Purposes in the earth today.
God is not (NOT) planning to make a great nation out of the NATURAL offspring of Abraham through Isaac and Jacob. We are sorry to have to disappoint the prophetic teachers of the day. A correct understanding of Scripture points us in an entirely different direction.
The ONLY WAY (REPEAT, ONLY WAY) God has anything future in store for the NATURAL SEED of Abraham is in the exact same manner as everyone else comes into it.
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, [even] as many as the Lord our God shall call.
If our present-day theologians could have it their way, things would get into a royal mess right soon, but God is still in control, and--
"MEANWHILE, BACK AT THE RANCH" -- God is quietly working on the REAL PLAN-- the one which is typified by the birth and difficulties of the two boys born to Abraham-- one an NATURAL birth, the other a MIRACULOUS birth.
Genesis 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;
Hebrews 6:14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.
In tracing the PROMISE of the Father to Abraham, we can follow it TO and THROUGH Isaac, Jacob, Judah and David. Still following, the Promise is found upon the Man, Jesus. But Jesus said that when He went away, He would SEND THE PROMISE OF THE FATHER (to Abraham) upon those who followed Him. Luke 24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. Acts 1:4 And, being assembled together with [them], commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, [saith he], ye have heard of me.
Now, it boils down to the fact that the PROMISE given to Abraham was actually the promise that in the "SEED" there was to be a blessing to all nations. Galatians 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy SEED, which is Christ.
Acts 19:2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard [this], they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid [his] hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
Galatians 3:19 Wherefore then [serveth] the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the SEED SHOULD COME TO WHOM THE PROMISE WAS MADE; [and it was] ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
Galatians 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:29 And if ye [be] Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Genesis 12:2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
Today, we have two or more great bodies of human beings claiming to be the heirs of that promise which God gave to Abraham.
Abraham had two sons-- Ishmael and Isaac. Both were destined to become great nations. But, the Lord definitely intended to honor one above the other. It was Isaac and his children who were to be the children of promise.
Genesis 17:18 And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee! Genesis 17:19 And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, [and] with his seed after him. Genesis 17:20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation. Genesis 17:21 But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.
Ishmael's birth was a completely normal process of procreation. The birth of Isaac was supernatural from the start of conception.
The births of the boys can tell us something, if we are willing to listen to what the Lord is trying to tell us.
While the posterity of the two boys are squabbling over the land and the inheritance, GOD IS WORKING ON A DIFFERENT PROJECT ALTOGETHER. The two boys were merely the blueprint of what God was, and is, doing in the world today.
God chose to bless and use the one whose birth was miraculous, in order for us to have a guideline to direct us into the correct understanding of His Purposes in the earth today.
God is not (NOT) planning to make a great nation out of the NATURAL offspring of Abraham through Isaac and Jacob. We are sorry to have to disappoint the prophetic teachers of the day. A correct understanding of Scripture points us in an entirely different direction.
The ONLY WAY (REPEAT, ONLY WAY) God has anything future in store for the NATURAL SEED of Abraham is in the exact same manner as everyone else comes into it.
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, [even] as many as the Lord our God shall call.
If our present-day theologians could have it their way, things would get into a royal mess right soon, but God is still in control, and--
"MEANWHILE, BACK AT THE RANCH" -- God is quietly working on the REAL PLAN-- the one which is typified by the birth and difficulties of the two boys born to Abraham-- one an NATURAL birth, the other a MIRACULOUS birth.
Genesis 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;
Hebrews 6:14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.
In tracing the PROMISE of the Father to Abraham, we can follow it TO and THROUGH Isaac, Jacob, Judah and David. Still following, the Promise is found upon the Man, Jesus. But Jesus said that when He went away, He would SEND THE PROMISE OF THE FATHER (to Abraham) upon those who followed Him. Luke 24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. Acts 1:4 And, being assembled together with [them], commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, [saith he], ye have heard of me.
Now, it boils down to the fact that the PROMISE given to Abraham was actually the promise that in the "SEED" there was to be a blessing to all nations. Galatians 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy SEED, which is Christ.
Acts 19:2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard [this], they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid [his] hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
Galatians 3:19 Wherefore then [serveth] the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the SEED SHOULD COME TO WHOM THE PROMISE WAS MADE; [and it was] ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
Galatians 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:29 And if ye [be] Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
THE ANOINTING
THE ANOINTING
This is a fairly long post-- MF
I set out one day to study the topic of the Anointing. It became exceedingly interesting before I got very far into it. I will share a few thoughts with you.
When I was a child, growing up in a Pentecostal home, and exposed to Pentecostal preaching, I got the impression that it was the anointing that caused the Preacher to talk real fast, real loud, and say "Amen, Glory to God" real often-- up to a hundred times in a simple sermon-- using them as "fillers" to keep from having to stop and think of something more to say.
It was more or less universal belief that this was the Anointing, and the only way the Anointing was manifest. It seemed that the Lord was more or less in favor of the procedure, for some mighty works were performed in this way.
There are many places where this is still the pattern of operation, and God still seems to be looking on it with a degree of favor.
But I discovered that the Anointing of God can also take other forms of operation.
In the Old Testament, men were anointed by pouring a special oil over their heads-- to a special office in the nation of Israel. Priests and Kings were set in office that way. Kings and the High Priests were "anointed" for life. Common priests were anointed until they were 50, or in some cases, 55 years of age.
Not all Kings and High Priests lived deserving lives after being anointed, but they were still respected by God-fearing people, because of having been anointed for life.
Saul and Eli are two examples of failure to live worthy of the anointing.
In the case of Samuel anointing David, it was accompanied by the Spirit of God coming upon, and abiding on him as long as he lived.
That brought me to the point of realization that it is the SPIRIT which constitutes the REAL ANOINTING, not the oil, nor the hands that were laid upon the individual.
Psalms 89:20 I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him:
I Samuel 16:13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the SPIRIT OF THE LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.
In some cases, the Anointing is in the form of a COMMAND of the Spirit, to accomplish a specific thing which God has determined should be done. Cyrus is one that I found.
Isaiah 45:1 Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;
I discovered that it takes DESIRE, to receive the Anointing of God on our lives. God seldom pours out of His Spirit on those who do not care about Spiritual things, and have no desire to be used of the Lord.
II Kings 2:9 And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.
I also discovered that a person must be ANOINTABLE, before God will put His Spirit on them for a special purpose. In those cases, God usually picks a person who has their own personal life in fair order, and has demonstrated integrity of character. Joshua is an example of this.
Numbers 27:18 And the LORD said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom [is] the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him; And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight. And thou shalt put [some] of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient.
The elders of Israel were also of a similar calibre.
Numbers 11:17 And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which [is] upon thee, and will put [it] upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear [it] not thyself alone.
Numbers 11:25 And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that [was] upon him, and gave [it] unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, [that], when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease.
Isaiah gave a command of the Spirit one day, and Paul directed it to a people of the New Testament Church. The message was that God will require a clean life before He will place a lasting Anointing upon a person.
Isaiah 52:11 Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean [thing]; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD.
II Corinthians 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you,
By this time I was becoming aware that the REAL ANOINTING is performed by the SPIRIT OF GOD, rather than with oil and the hands of others. God, who KNOWS ALL HEARTS does the choosing and anointing of His children.
Today, men are anointed and ordained by Christian organizations and denominations, but those anointings are only for the purpose of being officers in the denomination. They do not always signify that God has placed an anointing upon the life. In other words, a position of leadership in a denomination does not, necessarily, constitute a valid anointing of God.
It has been my observation that many men and women who are ordinary "laymen" in many congregations carry a much heavier anointing than do the Pastor and other officers in the church.
II Corinthians 1:21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, [is] God;
Isaiah 61:1 The spirit of the Lord GOD [is] upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to [them that are] bound;
Acts 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
This is a fairly long post-- MF
I set out one day to study the topic of the Anointing. It became exceedingly interesting before I got very far into it. I will share a few thoughts with you.
When I was a child, growing up in a Pentecostal home, and exposed to Pentecostal preaching, I got the impression that it was the anointing that caused the Preacher to talk real fast, real loud, and say "Amen, Glory to God" real often-- up to a hundred times in a simple sermon-- using them as "fillers" to keep from having to stop and think of something more to say.
It was more or less universal belief that this was the Anointing, and the only way the Anointing was manifest. It seemed that the Lord was more or less in favor of the procedure, for some mighty works were performed in this way.
There are many places where this is still the pattern of operation, and God still seems to be looking on it with a degree of favor.
But I discovered that the Anointing of God can also take other forms of operation.
In the Old Testament, men were anointed by pouring a special oil over their heads-- to a special office in the nation of Israel. Priests and Kings were set in office that way. Kings and the High Priests were "anointed" for life. Common priests were anointed until they were 50, or in some cases, 55 years of age.
Not all Kings and High Priests lived deserving lives after being anointed, but they were still respected by God-fearing people, because of having been anointed for life.
Saul and Eli are two examples of failure to live worthy of the anointing.
In the case of Samuel anointing David, it was accompanied by the Spirit of God coming upon, and abiding on him as long as he lived.
That brought me to the point of realization that it is the SPIRIT which constitutes the REAL ANOINTING, not the oil, nor the hands that were laid upon the individual.
Psalms 89:20 I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him:
I Samuel 16:13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the SPIRIT OF THE LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.
In some cases, the Anointing is in the form of a COMMAND of the Spirit, to accomplish a specific thing which God has determined should be done. Cyrus is one that I found.
Isaiah 45:1 Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;
I discovered that it takes DESIRE, to receive the Anointing of God on our lives. God seldom pours out of His Spirit on those who do not care about Spiritual things, and have no desire to be used of the Lord.
II Kings 2:9 And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.
I also discovered that a person must be ANOINTABLE, before God will put His Spirit on them for a special purpose. In those cases, God usually picks a person who has their own personal life in fair order, and has demonstrated integrity of character. Joshua is an example of this.
Numbers 27:18 And the LORD said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom [is] the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him; And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight. And thou shalt put [some] of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient.
The elders of Israel were also of a similar calibre.
Numbers 11:17 And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which [is] upon thee, and will put [it] upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear [it] not thyself alone.
Numbers 11:25 And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that [was] upon him, and gave [it] unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, [that], when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease.
Isaiah gave a command of the Spirit one day, and Paul directed it to a people of the New Testament Church. The message was that God will require a clean life before He will place a lasting Anointing upon a person.
Isaiah 52:11 Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean [thing]; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD.
II Corinthians 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you,
By this time I was becoming aware that the REAL ANOINTING is performed by the SPIRIT OF GOD, rather than with oil and the hands of others. God, who KNOWS ALL HEARTS does the choosing and anointing of His children.
Today, men are anointed and ordained by Christian organizations and denominations, but those anointings are only for the purpose of being officers in the denomination. They do not always signify that God has placed an anointing upon the life. In other words, a position of leadership in a denomination does not, necessarily, constitute a valid anointing of God.
It has been my observation that many men and women who are ordinary "laymen" in many congregations carry a much heavier anointing than do the Pastor and other officers in the church.
II Corinthians 1:21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, [is] God;
Isaiah 61:1 The spirit of the Lord GOD [is] upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to [them that are] bound;
Acts 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
THE FIRSTFRUITS
THE FIRSTFRUITS
Shortly after Passover had been observed, the people of Israel also observed another festival called "The Firstfruits", which was, to them, somewhat burdensome. It would not have been so bad, perhaps, if they could have understood what they were doing, and why they were doing it. It was required of them for 1500 years, and all the while, they blindly followed the rules for the day without knowing what the ceremonies stood for. Pious Israelites are still faithfully performing the rites in Spiritual darkness.
Many Christians today understand a few portions of what the ceremonies were pointing to. The more we understand, the more precious and meaningful they become to us in our Christian life. That is not to say that we should observe the ceremonies the same as our forefathers did. Rather, we can recognize and appre-ciate what the Lord is doing in the world today.
We can see the principle of the Firstfruits in much of nature itself. When the fruit trees are in bloom, there is always what we call the King Bloom in each cluster of blooms. The same is true of most varieties of berries.
THE "KING BLOOM" WILL PRODUCE THE BEST FRUIT, AND WILL BE THE FIRST TO RIPEN.
God made them that way. It is one of His Principles.
There are three "firsts" in the economy of God. They are: the FIRSTBORN, the FIRSTFRUITS, and the FIRSTRIPE, OR THE FIRST TO MATURE.
Most everyone knows about the Lord slaying the firstborns of Egypt on the night of the first Passover. But not everyone knows that the Lord claimed all the firstborns of Israel for His Own on that fateful night. From that night on, every firstborn had to be redeemed with money, or with a substitute being. I can't say that I understand it, but I know it had to be done.
When time came for the priesthood to be selected, God substituted the Levites for the Firstborns, man for man. Any Firstborns who could not be replaced by a Levite had to be redeemed with a certain amount of money. There were 273 too many Firstborns.
The Bible tells us that Jesus was the "Firstfruits of them that slept", the "Firstborn from the dead."
COL 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all [things] he might have the preeminence.
1CO 15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, [and] become the firstfruits of them that slept.
The Bible also tells us that certain Christians are to be called a "kind of firstfruits".
JAM 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
Now, not ALL Christians will attain to the designation of "Firstfruits." WE CAN NOT ALL BE FIRST.
I can not tell you what law in Nature chooses the King Blooms of fruits and berries, and causes them to pollenate and ripen before the others.
But there are certain rules which govern the Lord in His CHOOS-ING those who will be among those whom He calls the "Firstfruits of His creatures."
MAL 3:16 ¶ Then they that feared the LORD spake often 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 upon his name.
MAL 3:17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
Notice the qualifications. FEARED THE LORD, and THOUGHT (reckoned, determined their course) UPON HIS NAME.
ISA 66:21 And I will also take of them for priests [and] for Levites, saith the LORD.
Shortly after Passover had been observed, the people of Israel also observed another festival called "The Firstfruits", which was, to them, somewhat burdensome. It would not have been so bad, perhaps, if they could have understood what they were doing, and why they were doing it. It was required of them for 1500 years, and all the while, they blindly followed the rules for the day without knowing what the ceremonies stood for. Pious Israelites are still faithfully performing the rites in Spiritual darkness.
Many Christians today understand a few portions of what the ceremonies were pointing to. The more we understand, the more precious and meaningful they become to us in our Christian life. That is not to say that we should observe the ceremonies the same as our forefathers did. Rather, we can recognize and appre-ciate what the Lord is doing in the world today.
We can see the principle of the Firstfruits in much of nature itself. When the fruit trees are in bloom, there is always what we call the King Bloom in each cluster of blooms. The same is true of most varieties of berries.
THE "KING BLOOM" WILL PRODUCE THE BEST FRUIT, AND WILL BE THE FIRST TO RIPEN.
God made them that way. It is one of His Principles.
There are three "firsts" in the economy of God. They are: the FIRSTBORN, the FIRSTFRUITS, and the FIRSTRIPE, OR THE FIRST TO MATURE.
Most everyone knows about the Lord slaying the firstborns of Egypt on the night of the first Passover. But not everyone knows that the Lord claimed all the firstborns of Israel for His Own on that fateful night. From that night on, every firstborn had to be redeemed with money, or with a substitute being. I can't say that I understand it, but I know it had to be done.
When time came for the priesthood to be selected, God substituted the Levites for the Firstborns, man for man. Any Firstborns who could not be replaced by a Levite had to be redeemed with a certain amount of money. There were 273 too many Firstborns.
The Bible tells us that Jesus was the "Firstfruits of them that slept", the "Firstborn from the dead."
COL 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all [things] he might have the preeminence.
1CO 15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, [and] become the firstfruits of them that slept.
The Bible also tells us that certain Christians are to be called a "kind of firstfruits".
JAM 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
Now, not ALL Christians will attain to the designation of "Firstfruits." WE CAN NOT ALL BE FIRST.
I can not tell you what law in Nature chooses the King Blooms of fruits and berries, and causes them to pollenate and ripen before the others.
But there are certain rules which govern the Lord in His CHOOS-ING those who will be among those whom He calls the "Firstfruits of His creatures."
MAL 3:16 ¶ Then they that feared the LORD spake often 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 upon his name.
MAL 3:17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
Notice the qualifications. FEARED THE LORD, and THOUGHT (reckoned, determined their course) UPON HIS NAME.
ISA 66:21 And I will also take of them for priests [and] for Levites, saith the LORD.
Monday, August 20, 2007
WHAT WE LEARNED IN LATTER RAIN
WHAT WE LEARNED IN LATTER RAIN
I believe you folks are sincerely interested in knowing what has paved the way for what the world is experiencing today-- a mighty movement of the Spirit of God all over the earth. Most of it can be traced back to the LATTER RAIN movement, which began in the tiny town of North Battleford, Sask. in 1948.
The Canadian brethren did not like the term LATTER RAIN, and rebuked us sharply for using it. To a great extent, they tried to dis-associate themselves from anything that was called LATTER RAIN. It was just as well that they did, for by April of 1951, when I attended the FEAST OF PENTECOST gathering up there, they were already showing strong signs of wanting to exercise control over what God was doing. They were beginning to teach "Apostolic Succession" and "Apostolic Authority". This was in direct contradiction to the first expression of purpose in 1948. They had vowed to NEVER try to control what God was doing.
But, when large Centers began springing up for the purpose of helping to spread the news of the Revival, it created an unbearable strain on those first brethren. Detroit had a huge Center, as did Los Angeles, Portland and Vancouver, BC. Others were to follow, but those were the main ones at first.
Christians came together under one Banner-- that of Christian Love and Fellowship. They were willing to lay aside the divisive doctrines of the past, and collectively enjoy the Blessings of the Lord.
Under that canopy, mighty revelations were received, mighty healings took place, and lives were profoundly changed. In fact, under the banner of Love, Bro. Reg Layzell, Pastor of the Vancouver, BC. Center, received light on the Oneness of God, and Baptism in the Name of Jesus. He, and the whole church (several hundred) were baptized again. A similar thing took place in Everett, WA. So much so, that the Pastor at Everett told me that he doubted that I had ever had the revelation-- I had never mentioned it to him. I assured him that, indeed, I did have it, but had determined to let the Holy Ghost reveal it to whom He would. I was busy trying to digest what the Lord was showing me at the time-- brand new things which would change the course of my life forever, but not increase my popularity in the Fellowship. I was, indeed, "Hearing a different drummer", but didn't know what to do with what I was hearing.
My wife, Pearl, and I began publishing some of those things in 1954, and soon were mailing them across the nation. Later, almost as suddenly as it began, the Lord caused us to cease the publications and we began intensive teaching in the little assembly we were serving at the time. We will never know just why the Lord drove us into obscurity at that time, but we know He had a purpose in doing it. He made it possible in 1992 for us to resume the writings which were interrupted for several years. Most of them are on the Web Pages created for me by Christine Harbord of Stoney Creek, Ont.. Gturner has created a LINK to them. You can also find them by “Googling” Marion Fretwell
Reg Layzell was the one responsible for teaching those of us in the Pacific Northwest the inestimable value of copious praise to the Lord in our services. We will always be grateful to him for that. I guess I should also have been grateful to him for disfellowshipping me later because he could not agree with some things I was teaching. Indirectly, it was a great benefit to me, for it made me re-prove to myself that I was, indeed, hearing the voice of the Spirit.
Others brought us the message of "Worship", which has had a much harder time becoming established than the message of "Praise" did. That is due, partly, to the human reluctance to expend what is necessary for us to be exercised in true worship. People still do not grasp the vast difference that exists between the factors of "praise" and "worship". They are BOTH necessary, but they are vastly different, and produce different results in the assembly and in the lives of the individuals. But, that is another topic altogether.
The LATTER RAIN movement served as a springboard for other facets of what has developed through the years. The FGBMFI spearheaded the CHARISMATIC RENEWAL movement which made its way into Notre Dame and other large universities. It caused the knowledge of the Baptism of the Holy Ghost to be spread far and wide. It is traveling like wildfire in Third World countries-- people receiving the Holy Ghost at approximately one every minute of every day of each week of every year (1997).
"Who hath despised the day of small things? Zec 4:10
SPIRIT CONTROL IN LATTER RAIN
One of the first things we learned, after embracing the LATTER RAIN revival in 1950 was the difference between the APOSTLES OF THE LAMB, and the APOSTLES OF THE FIVE-FOLD MINISTRIES-- the ASCENSION GIFT MINISTRIES.
The APOSTLES OF THE LAMB were those chosen by Jesus Himself, to be witnesses of His Life and Death. They WALKED with Him, and TALKED with Him. They were TAUGHT of Him. They were to become the PATRIARCHS of the New Covenant, as the twelve sons of Israel had been the PATRIARCHS of the Old Covenant.
Each set of PATRIARCHS would have a PERMANENT place in the CELESTIAL CITY which is being formed now by the SPIRIT OF GOD. One set of twelve were to be the FOUNDATIONS OF THE CITY, the other set of twelve were to be GATES OF THE CITY. It was strongly suggested that the FOUR AND TWENTY ELDERS around the Throne in the book of Revelation are these two sets of twelve Apostles
We went through several phases of misunderstanding and mis-use of what we were learning, and many became discouraged and returned to the safer environment of the denominations.
Personally, I have never regretted the mistakes which were made, for each mistake was mute evidence of an honest attempt to learn more of the ways of the Spirit. We knew we were in uncharted waters, and that we had to be VERY CAREFUL of every move. Those who rushed headlong into something new usually ended up as a broken hull somewhere, and contributed to the growing stigma on the movement in general.
It was a genuine move of the Spirit, however, and became the springboard for greater things by far than had initially been anticipated by any of us.
Later, we were to learn of the difference between PRAISE and WORSHIP, and the unique purpose of each of them.
We would also learn about SPIRIT CONTROL of our meetings, and how to reap the benefits from it. It was a real TEST OF OUR FAITH, and many failed the test.
We have been so very THANKFUL to God for having let us taste of what He did in the very late 40's and the early 50's. We praise Him for His Mercy to us.
I believe you folks are sincerely interested in knowing what has paved the way for what the world is experiencing today-- a mighty movement of the Spirit of God all over the earth. Most of it can be traced back to the LATTER RAIN movement, which began in the tiny town of North Battleford, Sask. in 1948.
The Canadian brethren did not like the term LATTER RAIN, and rebuked us sharply for using it. To a great extent, they tried to dis-associate themselves from anything that was called LATTER RAIN. It was just as well that they did, for by April of 1951, when I attended the FEAST OF PENTECOST gathering up there, they were already showing strong signs of wanting to exercise control over what God was doing. They were beginning to teach "Apostolic Succession" and "Apostolic Authority". This was in direct contradiction to the first expression of purpose in 1948. They had vowed to NEVER try to control what God was doing.
But, when large Centers began springing up for the purpose of helping to spread the news of the Revival, it created an unbearable strain on those first brethren. Detroit had a huge Center, as did Los Angeles, Portland and Vancouver, BC. Others were to follow, but those were the main ones at first.
Christians came together under one Banner-- that of Christian Love and Fellowship. They were willing to lay aside the divisive doctrines of the past, and collectively enjoy the Blessings of the Lord.
Under that canopy, mighty revelations were received, mighty healings took place, and lives were profoundly changed. In fact, under the banner of Love, Bro. Reg Layzell, Pastor of the Vancouver, BC. Center, received light on the Oneness of God, and Baptism in the Name of Jesus. He, and the whole church (several hundred) were baptized again. A similar thing took place in Everett, WA. So much so, that the Pastor at Everett told me that he doubted that I had ever had the revelation-- I had never mentioned it to him. I assured him that, indeed, I did have it, but had determined to let the Holy Ghost reveal it to whom He would. I was busy trying to digest what the Lord was showing me at the time-- brand new things which would change the course of my life forever, but not increase my popularity in the Fellowship. I was, indeed, "Hearing a different drummer", but didn't know what to do with what I was hearing.
My wife, Pearl, and I began publishing some of those things in 1954, and soon were mailing them across the nation. Later, almost as suddenly as it began, the Lord caused us to cease the publications and we began intensive teaching in the little assembly we were serving at the time. We will never know just why the Lord drove us into obscurity at that time, but we know He had a purpose in doing it. He made it possible in 1992 for us to resume the writings which were interrupted for several years. Most of them are on the Web Pages created for me by Christine Harbord of Stoney Creek, Ont.. Gturner has created a LINK to them. You can also find them by “Googling” Marion Fretwell
Reg Layzell was the one responsible for teaching those of us in the Pacific Northwest the inestimable value of copious praise to the Lord in our services. We will always be grateful to him for that. I guess I should also have been grateful to him for disfellowshipping me later because he could not agree with some things I was teaching. Indirectly, it was a great benefit to me, for it made me re-prove to myself that I was, indeed, hearing the voice of the Spirit.
Others brought us the message of "Worship", which has had a much harder time becoming established than the message of "Praise" did. That is due, partly, to the human reluctance to expend what is necessary for us to be exercised in true worship. People still do not grasp the vast difference that exists between the factors of "praise" and "worship". They are BOTH necessary, but they are vastly different, and produce different results in the assembly and in the lives of the individuals. But, that is another topic altogether.
The LATTER RAIN movement served as a springboard for other facets of what has developed through the years. The FGBMFI spearheaded the CHARISMATIC RENEWAL movement which made its way into Notre Dame and other large universities. It caused the knowledge of the Baptism of the Holy Ghost to be spread far and wide. It is traveling like wildfire in Third World countries-- people receiving the Holy Ghost at approximately one every minute of every day of each week of every year (1997).
"Who hath despised the day of small things? Zec 4:10
SPIRIT CONTROL IN LATTER RAIN
One of the first things we learned, after embracing the LATTER RAIN revival in 1950 was the difference between the APOSTLES OF THE LAMB, and the APOSTLES OF THE FIVE-FOLD MINISTRIES-- the ASCENSION GIFT MINISTRIES.
The APOSTLES OF THE LAMB were those chosen by Jesus Himself, to be witnesses of His Life and Death. They WALKED with Him, and TALKED with Him. They were TAUGHT of Him. They were to become the PATRIARCHS of the New Covenant, as the twelve sons of Israel had been the PATRIARCHS of the Old Covenant.
Each set of PATRIARCHS would have a PERMANENT place in the CELESTIAL CITY which is being formed now by the SPIRIT OF GOD. One set of twelve were to be the FOUNDATIONS OF THE CITY, the other set of twelve were to be GATES OF THE CITY. It was strongly suggested that the FOUR AND TWENTY ELDERS around the Throne in the book of Revelation are these two sets of twelve Apostles
We went through several phases of misunderstanding and mis-use of what we were learning, and many became discouraged and returned to the safer environment of the denominations.
Personally, I have never regretted the mistakes which were made, for each mistake was mute evidence of an honest attempt to learn more of the ways of the Spirit. We knew we were in uncharted waters, and that we had to be VERY CAREFUL of every move. Those who rushed headlong into something new usually ended up as a broken hull somewhere, and contributed to the growing stigma on the movement in general.
It was a genuine move of the Spirit, however, and became the springboard for greater things by far than had initially been anticipated by any of us.
Later, we were to learn of the difference between PRAISE and WORSHIP, and the unique purpose of each of them.
We would also learn about SPIRIT CONTROL of our meetings, and how to reap the benefits from it. It was a real TEST OF OUR FAITH, and many failed the test.
We have been so very THANKFUL to God for having let us taste of what He did in the very late 40's and the early 50's. We praise Him for His Mercy to us.
MADE READY BEFORE
MADE READY BEFORE
The Lord seemed to quicken a scripture to me last evening, and started me thinking again of what a marvelous work was performed when the Temple of Solomon was erected, about a thousand years before Jesus was born.
I Kings 6:7 And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor axe [nor] any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building.
What precise planning was needed. Also precise workmanship in the quarries where the stones were hewn and shaped. What care in transporting the materials to the building site, to avoid scarring and damaging the individual stones. Each one had been meticulously formed and finished before starting its journey to the Temple Mount.
There is much more that could be said about the planning and workmanship, but we do not feel to dwell too much on that aspect of it right now.
What we DO want to point out is the fact that the building of Solomon's Temple serves as a pattern for what God is doing in the world today-- right now-- in the lives of His followers.
Each of us is one of those stones, being shaped for a PARTICULAR SPOT in the BUILDING OF GOD. We are hewn, shaped and fitted for our position BEFORE being set in our place. We WILL FIT PERFECTLY with the others around us, when we are what we were designed to be.
Preparation ahead of time seems to be a principle of God. Proverbs 24:27 Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.
Scripture seems to support the idea that the BUILDING OF THE TEMPLE OF GOD is taking place RIGHT NOW, WHERE EACH OF US IS TODAY.
God's Word does NOT make provision for another PHYSICAL TEMPLE in the present, nor in the future. Certainly not in the City Foursquare, for John said he saw no Temple therein, but that the Lord God Almighty, AND THE LAMB are the Temple of it.
Paul declares that the disciples of Jesus are the materials out of which the Temple AND THE CITY are being made-- right now. The words of Jesus say: Luke 17:20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
Ephesians 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
I Peter 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
Even as it was in the days of Jesus, so it is in our day-- the Professional Builders have a tendency to reject the One who is destined to be the Head of the Corner. His Counsel, His Manners, His Plans seem to be rejected in favor of those made and projected by those self-appointed Overseers who seem to be following a different set of blueprints.
Luke 17:25 But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation.
Acts 4:11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
Psalms 118:22 The stone [which] the builders refused is become the head [stone] of the corner.
Isaiah 28:16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner [stone], a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
Romans 9:33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Abraham, and others, "looked for a City which HATH FOUNDATIONS. Paul said that he, as a "wise Master Builder" had LAID THE FOUNDATION, and no one could lay another one.
Ephesians 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone];
I Peter 2:4 To whom coming, [as unto] a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, [and] precious,
I Peter 2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. I Peter 2:7 Unto you therefore which believe [he is] precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, I Peter 2:8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, [even to them] which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
The Lord seemed to quicken a scripture to me last evening, and started me thinking again of what a marvelous work was performed when the Temple of Solomon was erected, about a thousand years before Jesus was born.
I Kings 6:7 And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor axe [nor] any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building.
What precise planning was needed. Also precise workmanship in the quarries where the stones were hewn and shaped. What care in transporting the materials to the building site, to avoid scarring and damaging the individual stones. Each one had been meticulously formed and finished before starting its journey to the Temple Mount.
There is much more that could be said about the planning and workmanship, but we do not feel to dwell too much on that aspect of it right now.
What we DO want to point out is the fact that the building of Solomon's Temple serves as a pattern for what God is doing in the world today-- right now-- in the lives of His followers.
Each of us is one of those stones, being shaped for a PARTICULAR SPOT in the BUILDING OF GOD. We are hewn, shaped and fitted for our position BEFORE being set in our place. We WILL FIT PERFECTLY with the others around us, when we are what we were designed to be.
Preparation ahead of time seems to be a principle of God. Proverbs 24:27 Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.
Scripture seems to support the idea that the BUILDING OF THE TEMPLE OF GOD is taking place RIGHT NOW, WHERE EACH OF US IS TODAY.
God's Word does NOT make provision for another PHYSICAL TEMPLE in the present, nor in the future. Certainly not in the City Foursquare, for John said he saw no Temple therein, but that the Lord God Almighty, AND THE LAMB are the Temple of it.
Paul declares that the disciples of Jesus are the materials out of which the Temple AND THE CITY are being made-- right now. The words of Jesus say: Luke 17:20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
Ephesians 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
I Peter 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
Even as it was in the days of Jesus, so it is in our day-- the Professional Builders have a tendency to reject the One who is destined to be the Head of the Corner. His Counsel, His Manners, His Plans seem to be rejected in favor of those made and projected by those self-appointed Overseers who seem to be following a different set of blueprints.
Luke 17:25 But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation.
Acts 4:11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
Psalms 118:22 The stone [which] the builders refused is become the head [stone] of the corner.
Isaiah 28:16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner [stone], a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
Romans 9:33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Abraham, and others, "looked for a City which HATH FOUNDATIONS. Paul said that he, as a "wise Master Builder" had LAID THE FOUNDATION, and no one could lay another one.
Ephesians 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone];
I Peter 2:4 To whom coming, [as unto] a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, [and] precious,
I Peter 2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. I Peter 2:7 Unto you therefore which believe [he is] precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, I Peter 2:8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, [even to them] which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
MY INTRODUCTION TO LATTER RAIN
I was exposed to the LATTER RAIN outpouring in February 1950, at WINGS OF HEALING TEMPLE in Portland, OR
I was on a "scouting trip" for the congregation we were leading at that time, and was "all ears and eyes", as the saying goes. If it was for real, the group wanted to know more about it. If it was phony, they also wanted to know that.
There were many of my fellow ministers present, and some of the older men from our group also made the trip to Portland.
I saw both, good, real, and spurious and phony. As far as I was concerned, I believed there was more good than bad in it. But I refused to make a decision for the group-- I did not have that much confidence in my ministry at that point.
Back in Yakima afterward, at a special meeting called for the purpose, I rehearsed to the group what I had seen, and also my impressions-- both favorable an otherwise. The older men who had attended the Portland meetings told the group that my assessments were the same as theirs had been. We believed there was much more good than what spurious we had seen.
We were afraid to say a "No" to what was being called the LATTER RAIN, for fear we would be refusing something which God was doing in the midst of His people. Yet, we were also afraid of what we might do to ourselves as far as fellowship with the UPC if we did embrace it.
We didn't have long to wait, for a group of brethren came shortly to present it to our group in Yakima. Our congregation were thoroughly convinced that God was in it-- in spite of what spurious elements we thought we saw.
That was in March 1950. In April, a special minister's meeting was convened in Boise, ID. for the purpose of defining the official position of the Northwest District of UPC concerning the LATTER RAIN.
When it was ascertained that the UPC would not be accepting the new thing, several of the ministers surrendered their credentials. I felt it was a bad gesture on their part, for I could see a strong display of the MAN spirit, and I did not join them in the exodus.
In June of that year, the official organ of the UPC carried a notice that they would not be tolerating either the LATTER RAIN or what was being called the KINGDOM MESSAGE, which embodied the teaching that there is a modern-day Israel apart from the Jews. They "called my number" on both issues, so there was nothing for me to do but withdraw from what I had helped to build with all my might.
The LATTER RAIN continued to flourish for approximately three years, and then began to be called "The Move of God", and new leaders sprang up.
The saddest part of the whole thing was the fact that each of the "leaders" had personal goals and ambitions. A Minister with a personal goal is a VERY dangerous creature, and a very few of them can and WILL spoil a move of the Spirit of God in short order.
About 1953 (in round figures) a group of Business men from across the country had converged on an Iowa corn field to hunt pheasants. Their conversation drifted to what a mess the ambitious preachers were making of the LATTER RAIN movement. Someone suggested that perhaps they should endeavor to start a
movement which would be run by Christian Business Men, to the exclusion of what they referred to as "The Kingdom Builders"
It would be called the Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship, and would be spearheaded by Demos Shakarian, one of the hunters on that trip. (This is related in detail in the book "Beyond Pentecost" written by Clayt Sonmore of Minneapolis, who served many years as President of the group)
It "took off" like a shot from a gun, and spread like wildfire. The
PRINCIPLES of the LATTER RAIN movement were thus preserved and propagated for several more years in this movement.
Somewhere in those years from 1950-1957 there were many incidents of oil on the hands, gold fillings in teeth, short legs lengthened, and many other things which could not be denied, yet seemed to have no great significance as far as promoting Spirituality. I took a less-than-enthusiastic view of them,
though I did not doubt them nor discourage folks from experiencing them.
After many years of inactivity, they seem to be making a comeback in the circles which call themselves "Renewal", which has spread from Toronto and from Florida. It DOES seem that there has been a reviving of some of the Spiritual activities of the early fifties and sixties. I have some younger colleagues who have seen both moves, and vouch for what is being experienced now.
One of my fondest hopes is that this, or any, new move of God will be spared from repeating the mistakes which we made in the time of LATTER RAIN and FGBMFI. We made some colossal ones!!
Marion
I was on a "scouting trip" for the congregation we were leading at that time, and was "all ears and eyes", as the saying goes. If it was for real, the group wanted to know more about it. If it was phony, they also wanted to know that.
There were many of my fellow ministers present, and some of the older men from our group also made the trip to Portland.
I saw both, good, real, and spurious and phony. As far as I was concerned, I believed there was more good than bad in it. But I refused to make a decision for the group-- I did not have that much confidence in my ministry at that point.
Back in Yakima afterward, at a special meeting called for the purpose, I rehearsed to the group what I had seen, and also my impressions-- both favorable an otherwise. The older men who had attended the Portland meetings told the group that my assessments were the same as theirs had been. We believed there was much more good than what spurious we had seen.
We were afraid to say a "No" to what was being called the LATTER RAIN, for fear we would be refusing something which God was doing in the midst of His people. Yet, we were also afraid of what we might do to ourselves as far as fellowship with the UPC if we did embrace it.
We didn't have long to wait, for a group of brethren came shortly to present it to our group in Yakima. Our congregation were thoroughly convinced that God was in it-- in spite of what spurious elements we thought we saw.
That was in March 1950. In April, a special minister's meeting was convened in Boise, ID. for the purpose of defining the official position of the Northwest District of UPC concerning the LATTER RAIN.
When it was ascertained that the UPC would not be accepting the new thing, several of the ministers surrendered their credentials. I felt it was a bad gesture on their part, for I could see a strong display of the MAN spirit, and I did not join them in the exodus.
In June of that year, the official organ of the UPC carried a notice that they would not be tolerating either the LATTER RAIN or what was being called the KINGDOM MESSAGE, which embodied the teaching that there is a modern-day Israel apart from the Jews. They "called my number" on both issues, so there was nothing for me to do but withdraw from what I had helped to build with all my might.
The LATTER RAIN continued to flourish for approximately three years, and then began to be called "The Move of God", and new leaders sprang up.
The saddest part of the whole thing was the fact that each of the "leaders" had personal goals and ambitions. A Minister with a personal goal is a VERY dangerous creature, and a very few of them can and WILL spoil a move of the Spirit of God in short order.
About 1953 (in round figures) a group of Business men from across the country had converged on an Iowa corn field to hunt pheasants. Their conversation drifted to what a mess the ambitious preachers were making of the LATTER RAIN movement. Someone suggested that perhaps they should endeavor to start a
movement which would be run by Christian Business Men, to the exclusion of what they referred to as "The Kingdom Builders"
It would be called the Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship, and would be spearheaded by Demos Shakarian, one of the hunters on that trip. (This is related in detail in the book "Beyond Pentecost" written by Clayt Sonmore of Minneapolis, who served many years as President of the group)
It "took off" like a shot from a gun, and spread like wildfire. The
PRINCIPLES of the LATTER RAIN movement were thus preserved and propagated for several more years in this movement.
Somewhere in those years from 1950-1957 there were many incidents of oil on the hands, gold fillings in teeth, short legs lengthened, and many other things which could not be denied, yet seemed to have no great significance as far as promoting Spirituality. I took a less-than-enthusiastic view of them,
though I did not doubt them nor discourage folks from experiencing them.
After many years of inactivity, they seem to be making a comeback in the circles which call themselves "Renewal", which has spread from Toronto and from Florida. It DOES seem that there has been a reviving of some of the Spiritual activities of the early fifties and sixties. I have some younger colleagues who have seen both moves, and vouch for what is being experienced now.
One of my fondest hopes is that this, or any, new move of God will be spared from repeating the mistakes which we made in the time of LATTER RAIN and FGBMFI. We made some colossal ones!!
Marion
Sunday, August 12, 2007
PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM
JERUSALEM---ZION
PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM
The Psalmist David was MORE THAN A PSALMIST. He was also a PROPHET and a KING. There is also reason to believe that at times he functioned as a PRIEST. It is not our purpose to try to explore all of those facets of his life today. We are interested primarily in the fact that many of his psalms were PROPHETIC as well as poetic.
It is especially true of a great many of his songs that had something to do with Jerusalem and Mt. Zion. They pointed to the FUTURE rather than the day in which he lived.
In fact, much of the life of David was PROPHETIC. His entire life seems to have been PARABOLIC (a natural story with a Spiritual meaning).
If this is true, (and we believe it to be so) it is little wonder that so much of David’s writings have been so badly misunderstood and misappropriated by the theologians of our day.
In failing to understand that A GREAT SHARE of the Law and the Prophets pertained to OUR DAY instead of the time in which they were written, we have been unable to correctly interpret the writings of the holy men of old.
Listen to what Peter wrote concerning the time element in some of those old writings.
1Pe 1:10 Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 1Pe 1:11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 1Pe 1:12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
Perhaps one of the most grossly misunderstood portions of his writings is the one found in Psa 122
Psa 122:1 A Song of degrees of David. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD. Psa 122:2 Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem. Psa 122:3 Jerusalem is built as a city that is compact together: Psa 122:4 Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD. Psa 122:5 For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David. Psa 122:6 PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM: THEY SHALL PROSPER THAT LOVE THEE. Psa 122:7 Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. Psa 122:8 For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.
Psa 122:9 Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good.
It really distresses me to hear people use the part about PRAYING FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM as though it applies to the modern city of Jerusalem in the Middle East.
IT DOES NOT MEAN THAT CITY... NOT AT ALL!
The natural (geographic) city of Jerusalem had a sentence of DESOLATION decreed upon it by Jesus shortly before His Crucifixion. That city, and the NATION OF JUDAH were to be RECOGNIZED NO MORE BY THE LORD
The decree was carried out by Titus in 70 AD. Since that time, God does not regard either the city of Jerusalem nor the Nation of Judah. “Your house is left unto you DESOLATE.”
Regardless of how hard the Zionists may try to re-establish a city and a nation on the ancient site, it is sure to come to naught, and much dismay will result from their misguided efforts. When the Lord makes a decree, no amount of manipulation on the part of mankind will set it aside.
In reading from the book of Jeremiah (chapters 18 and 19) we find the DECREE OF DESTRUCTION for the Nation of Judah and the City of Jerusalem.
Note that God’s object lesson to Jeremiah was that ISRAEL (the Northern Kingdom) would be marred in the hands of the potter, but He would REMAKE it into another vessel. He HAS DONE IT… in Jesus Christ. The present day Church is predominatly of Ten-tribed Israel stock.. (2004)
Jer 18:4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again ANOTHER VESSEL, as seemed good to the potter to make it. Jer 18:5 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Jer 18:6 O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.
The decree for Judah and Jerusalem was portrayed by an earthen vessel that had been molded and “fired” but was broken, and COULD NOT BE REFORMED into something else. Destination… the SCRAP HEAP.
JER 19:1 THUS SAITH THE LORD, GO AND GET A POTTER'S EARTHEN BOTTLE, AND TAKE OF THE ANCIENTS OF THE PEOPLE, AND OF THE ANCIENTS OF THE PRIESTS; JER 19:2 AND GO FORTH UNTO THE VALLEY OF THE SON OF HINNOM, WHICH IS BY THE ENTRY OF THE EAST GATE, AND PROCLAIM THERE THE WORDS THAT I SHALL TELL THEE, Jer 19:3 And say, Hear ye the word of the LORD, O kings of Judah, and inhabitants of Jerusalem; Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, the which whosoever heareth, his ears shall tingle. Jer 19:4 Because they have forsaken me, and have estranged this place, and have burned incense in it unto other gods, whom neither they nor their fathers have known, nor the kings of Judah, and have filled this place with the blood of innocents; Jer 19:5 They have built also the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings unto Baal, which I commanded not, nor spoke it, neither came it into my mind: Jer 19:6 Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that this place shall no more be called Tophet, nor The valley of the son of Hinnom, but The valley of slaughter. Jer 19:7 And I will make void the counsel of Judah and Jerusalem in this place; and I will cause them to fall by the sword before their enemies, and by the hands of them that seek their lives: and their carcasses will I give to be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth. Jer 19:8 And I will make this city desolate, and a hissing; every one that passeth thereby shall be astonished and hiss because of all the plagues thereof. Jer 19:9 And I will cause them to eat the flesh of their sons and the flesh of their daughters, and they shall eat every one the flesh of his friend in the siege and straitness, wherewith their enemies, and they that seek their lives, shall straiten them. JER 19:10 THEN SHALT THOU BREAK THE BOTTLE IN THE SIGHT OF THE MEN THAT GO WITH THEE, JER 19:11 AND SHALT SAY UNTO THEM, THUS SAITH THE LORD OF HOSTS; EVEN SO WILL I BREAK THIS PEOPLE AND THIS CITY, AS ONE BREAKETH A POTTER'S VESSEL, THAT CANNOT BE MADE WHOLE AGAIN: AND THEY SHALL BURY THEM IN TOPHET, TILL THERE BE NO PLACE TO BURY. Jer 19:12 Thus will I do unto this place, saith the LORD, and to the inhabitants thereof, and even make this city as Tophet: Jer 19:13 And the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses of the kings of Judah, shall be defiled as the place of Tophet, because of all the houses upon whose roofs they have burned incense unto all the host of heaven, and have poured out drink offerings unto other gods. Jer 19:14 Then came Jeremiah from Tophet, whither the LORD had sent him to prophesy; and he stood in the court of the LORD's house; and said to all the people, Jer 19:15 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring upon this city and upon all her towns all the evil that I have pronounced against it, because they have hardened their necks, that they might not hear my words.
This prophecy was carried out in 70 AD., and is the time that Jesus called THE GREAT TRIBULATION.
Mat 24:21 For then shall be GREAT TRIBULATION, SUCH AS WAS NOT SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD TO THIS TIME, NO, NOR EVER SHALL BE.
The REAL JERUSALEM that many of the scriptures are referring to is the one that is BEING BUILT BY THE LORD RIGHT NOW, made without hands… by the Spirit of God in the hearts of men and women, boys and girls… the CHURCH .
The Lord started the Church by filling believers with the Holy Ghost, which was evidenced by the recipients speaking in an unknown tongue. That is the tool the Lord is using in the construction of His Beloved City, the New Jerusalem.
The Holy Ghost is the only tool that is REALLY NECESSARY. However, men have added a few more tools for the purpose of helping the Lord in His project, but they may NOT BE OF MUCH HELP in the long run.
IT MUST, REALLY, BE A WORK OF THE SPIRIT.
Mar 14:58 We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.
Col 2:11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
Dan 2:34 Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and broke them to pieces.
Dan 2:45 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.
It is not a wise idea for mankind to rise up and try to depress or defeat the CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD. The consequences will be disastrous.
Zec 12:2 Behold, I will make Jerusalem (THE CHURCH) a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem 12:3 And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.
A scripture in Psa 46 tells us plainly that the CITY OF GOD (THE CHURCH) is the place of ultimate sanctity in the economy of God. It is called Mt. Zion in other scriptures… also the Mountain of His Holiness.
Psa 46:4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
Psa 46:5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
The term “holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High” refers to the part of the Tabernacle of Moses which was 20 cubits long and 10 cubits wide, and called the Sanctuary. Timewise, it means the period from Pentecost until the end of this age. This is the time of the building of the New Jerusalem by that being which scripture calls “THE BRANCH”, who will also build the TEMPLE. (But that is another study altogether).
The Hebrew word for Jerusalem is a COMPOUND WORD, for BOTH of the two hills in the city… Moriah and Zion.
The ancient JERUSALEM was a type of the ENTIRE group of believers today. The ancient MT. ZION was the type of those Christians who progress farther into the attributes of Jesus Christ. They are called “My Jewels” by the Prophet Malachi.
The time of the Mt. Zion group of believers is probably what is portrayed by the ceremonies and furnishings of the Holy of Holies, or the Most Holy place. (another compound Hebrew word) (6944,6944)
Mal 3:16 Then they that feared the LORD spoke often 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 upon his name. Mal 3:17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
Each of us is being “measured” every day of our life, to determine the extent of our final reward. Some of you will be of sufficient measure that you can be in the Overcomer/Reaper class. Others of us will simply not make the grade. Let me hasten to say that this has NOTHING TO DO WITH SALVATION. It is strictly a reward for Spiritual Achievement pursuant to Salvation. “To as many as received Him, to them He gave power (the privilege) to become (achieve to) The Sons Of God.” John 1:12 ZION!!
Not every Christian will attain to SONSHIP!
Zec 2:1 I lifted up mine eyes again, and looked, and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand. Zec 2:2 Then said I, Whither goest thou? And he said unto me, To measure Jerusalem, to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof. Zec 2:3 And, behold, the angel that talked with me went forth, and another angel went out to meet him, Zec 2:4 And said unto him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein: Zec 2:5 For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.
Rev 21:10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, (the mountain of His Holiness) and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, (the city not made with hands) Rev 21:11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; Rev 21:12 And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: Rev 21:13 On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. Rev 21:14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. Rev 21:15 And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.
This 46th Psalm tells about the River that will “Make Glad” the City of God, Zion. It is the RIVER OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD that is described so vividly in Ezekiel 47.
It starts in the (Most) Holy Place (The Mount Zion group in the Church).
Eze 47:1 Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar.
It plunges swiftly down the East slopes of the mountain, increasing in volume as it goes along. After a few miles, it reaches the Dead Sea, which is a very vivid example of the complete depravity of the human race.
Once it arrives there, it immediately heals almost all (but not all) of the water in the Dead Sea. Almost a whole generation will be affected… maybe two generations.
Believe me, folks, there will be a MIGHTY INGATHERING OF SOULS as a result of this future outpouring of the SPIRIT OF GOD ON THE EARTH.
John saw a similar vision on the Isle of Patmos.
Rev 22:1 And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. Rev 22:2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. Rev 22:3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: Rev 22:4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.
Most of our theologians tell us that this will be in the Hereafter, on the Beautiful Isle of Somewhere. I beg to differ with them. What John recorded is the account of the DELIVERANCE of God’s People… here on this earth… in this time.
Jesus told His adversaries, Joh 8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.
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. Heb 11:9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: Heb 11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Heb 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. Heb 11:14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. Heb 11:15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. Heb 11:16 But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
Heb 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,Heb 12:19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard entreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: Heb 12:20 (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: Heb 12:21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:) Heb 12:22 But ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, Heb 12:23 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, Heb 12:24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. Heb 12:25 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: Heb 12:26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. Heb 12:27 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. Heb 12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: Heb 12:29 For our God is a consuming fire.
PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM
The Psalmist David was MORE THAN A PSALMIST. He was also a PROPHET and a KING. There is also reason to believe that at times he functioned as a PRIEST. It is not our purpose to try to explore all of those facets of his life today. We are interested primarily in the fact that many of his psalms were PROPHETIC as well as poetic.
It is especially true of a great many of his songs that had something to do with Jerusalem and Mt. Zion. They pointed to the FUTURE rather than the day in which he lived.
In fact, much of the life of David was PROPHETIC. His entire life seems to have been PARABOLIC (a natural story with a Spiritual meaning).
If this is true, (and we believe it to be so) it is little wonder that so much of David’s writings have been so badly misunderstood and misappropriated by the theologians of our day.
In failing to understand that A GREAT SHARE of the Law and the Prophets pertained to OUR DAY instead of the time in which they were written, we have been unable to correctly interpret the writings of the holy men of old.
Listen to what Peter wrote concerning the time element in some of those old writings.
1Pe 1:10 Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 1Pe 1:11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 1Pe 1:12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
Perhaps one of the most grossly misunderstood portions of his writings is the one found in Psa 122
Psa 122:1 A Song of degrees of David. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD. Psa 122:2 Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem. Psa 122:3 Jerusalem is built as a city that is compact together: Psa 122:4 Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD. Psa 122:5 For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David. Psa 122:6 PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM: THEY SHALL PROSPER THAT LOVE THEE. Psa 122:7 Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. Psa 122:8 For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.
Psa 122:9 Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good.
It really distresses me to hear people use the part about PRAYING FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM as though it applies to the modern city of Jerusalem in the Middle East.
IT DOES NOT MEAN THAT CITY... NOT AT ALL!
The natural (geographic) city of Jerusalem had a sentence of DESOLATION decreed upon it by Jesus shortly before His Crucifixion. That city, and the NATION OF JUDAH were to be RECOGNIZED NO MORE BY THE LORD
The decree was carried out by Titus in 70 AD. Since that time, God does not regard either the city of Jerusalem nor the Nation of Judah. “Your house is left unto you DESOLATE.”
Regardless of how hard the Zionists may try to re-establish a city and a nation on the ancient site, it is sure to come to naught, and much dismay will result from their misguided efforts. When the Lord makes a decree, no amount of manipulation on the part of mankind will set it aside.
In reading from the book of Jeremiah (chapters 18 and 19) we find the DECREE OF DESTRUCTION for the Nation of Judah and the City of Jerusalem.
Note that God’s object lesson to Jeremiah was that ISRAEL (the Northern Kingdom) would be marred in the hands of the potter, but He would REMAKE it into another vessel. He HAS DONE IT… in Jesus Christ. The present day Church is predominatly of Ten-tribed Israel stock.. (2004)
Jer 18:4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again ANOTHER VESSEL, as seemed good to the potter to make it. Jer 18:5 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Jer 18:6 O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.
The decree for Judah and Jerusalem was portrayed by an earthen vessel that had been molded and “fired” but was broken, and COULD NOT BE REFORMED into something else. Destination… the SCRAP HEAP.
JER 19:1 THUS SAITH THE LORD, GO AND GET A POTTER'S EARTHEN BOTTLE, AND TAKE OF THE ANCIENTS OF THE PEOPLE, AND OF THE ANCIENTS OF THE PRIESTS; JER 19:2 AND GO FORTH UNTO THE VALLEY OF THE SON OF HINNOM, WHICH IS BY THE ENTRY OF THE EAST GATE, AND PROCLAIM THERE THE WORDS THAT I SHALL TELL THEE, Jer 19:3 And say, Hear ye the word of the LORD, O kings of Judah, and inhabitants of Jerusalem; Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, the which whosoever heareth, his ears shall tingle. Jer 19:4 Because they have forsaken me, and have estranged this place, and have burned incense in it unto other gods, whom neither they nor their fathers have known, nor the kings of Judah, and have filled this place with the blood of innocents; Jer 19:5 They have built also the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings unto Baal, which I commanded not, nor spoke it, neither came it into my mind: Jer 19:6 Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that this place shall no more be called Tophet, nor The valley of the son of Hinnom, but The valley of slaughter. Jer 19:7 And I will make void the counsel of Judah and Jerusalem in this place; and I will cause them to fall by the sword before their enemies, and by the hands of them that seek their lives: and their carcasses will I give to be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth. Jer 19:8 And I will make this city desolate, and a hissing; every one that passeth thereby shall be astonished and hiss because of all the plagues thereof. Jer 19:9 And I will cause them to eat the flesh of their sons and the flesh of their daughters, and they shall eat every one the flesh of his friend in the siege and straitness, wherewith their enemies, and they that seek their lives, shall straiten them. JER 19:10 THEN SHALT THOU BREAK THE BOTTLE IN THE SIGHT OF THE MEN THAT GO WITH THEE, JER 19:11 AND SHALT SAY UNTO THEM, THUS SAITH THE LORD OF HOSTS; EVEN SO WILL I BREAK THIS PEOPLE AND THIS CITY, AS ONE BREAKETH A POTTER'S VESSEL, THAT CANNOT BE MADE WHOLE AGAIN: AND THEY SHALL BURY THEM IN TOPHET, TILL THERE BE NO PLACE TO BURY. Jer 19:12 Thus will I do unto this place, saith the LORD, and to the inhabitants thereof, and even make this city as Tophet: Jer 19:13 And the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses of the kings of Judah, shall be defiled as the place of Tophet, because of all the houses upon whose roofs they have burned incense unto all the host of heaven, and have poured out drink offerings unto other gods. Jer 19:14 Then came Jeremiah from Tophet, whither the LORD had sent him to prophesy; and he stood in the court of the LORD's house; and said to all the people, Jer 19:15 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring upon this city and upon all her towns all the evil that I have pronounced against it, because they have hardened their necks, that they might not hear my words.
This prophecy was carried out in 70 AD., and is the time that Jesus called THE GREAT TRIBULATION.
Mat 24:21 For then shall be GREAT TRIBULATION, SUCH AS WAS NOT SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD TO THIS TIME, NO, NOR EVER SHALL BE.
The REAL JERUSALEM that many of the scriptures are referring to is the one that is BEING BUILT BY THE LORD RIGHT NOW, made without hands… by the Spirit of God in the hearts of men and women, boys and girls… the CHURCH .
The Lord started the Church by filling believers with the Holy Ghost, which was evidenced by the recipients speaking in an unknown tongue. That is the tool the Lord is using in the construction of His Beloved City, the New Jerusalem.
The Holy Ghost is the only tool that is REALLY NECESSARY. However, men have added a few more tools for the purpose of helping the Lord in His project, but they may NOT BE OF MUCH HELP in the long run.
IT MUST, REALLY, BE A WORK OF THE SPIRIT.
Mar 14:58 We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.
Col 2:11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
Dan 2:34 Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and broke them to pieces.
Dan 2:45 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.
It is not a wise idea for mankind to rise up and try to depress or defeat the CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD. The consequences will be disastrous.
Zec 12:2 Behold, I will make Jerusalem (THE CHURCH) a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem 12:3 And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.
A scripture in Psa 46 tells us plainly that the CITY OF GOD (THE CHURCH) is the place of ultimate sanctity in the economy of God. It is called Mt. Zion in other scriptures… also the Mountain of His Holiness.
Psa 46:4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
Psa 46:5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
The term “holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High” refers to the part of the Tabernacle of Moses which was 20 cubits long and 10 cubits wide, and called the Sanctuary. Timewise, it means the period from Pentecost until the end of this age. This is the time of the building of the New Jerusalem by that being which scripture calls “THE BRANCH”, who will also build the TEMPLE. (But that is another study altogether).
The Hebrew word for Jerusalem is a COMPOUND WORD, for BOTH of the two hills in the city… Moriah and Zion.
The ancient JERUSALEM was a type of the ENTIRE group of believers today. The ancient MT. ZION was the type of those Christians who progress farther into the attributes of Jesus Christ. They are called “My Jewels” by the Prophet Malachi.
The time of the Mt. Zion group of believers is probably what is portrayed by the ceremonies and furnishings of the Holy of Holies, or the Most Holy place. (another compound Hebrew word) (6944,6944)
Mal 3:16 Then they that feared the LORD spoke often 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 upon his name. Mal 3:17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
Each of us is being “measured” every day of our life, to determine the extent of our final reward. Some of you will be of sufficient measure that you can be in the Overcomer/Reaper class. Others of us will simply not make the grade. Let me hasten to say that this has NOTHING TO DO WITH SALVATION. It is strictly a reward for Spiritual Achievement pursuant to Salvation. “To as many as received Him, to them He gave power (the privilege) to become (achieve to) The Sons Of God.” John 1:12 ZION!!
Not every Christian will attain to SONSHIP!
Zec 2:1 I lifted up mine eyes again, and looked, and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand. Zec 2:2 Then said I, Whither goest thou? And he said unto me, To measure Jerusalem, to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof. Zec 2:3 And, behold, the angel that talked with me went forth, and another angel went out to meet him, Zec 2:4 And said unto him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein: Zec 2:5 For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.
Rev 21:10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, (the mountain of His Holiness) and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, (the city not made with hands) Rev 21:11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; Rev 21:12 And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: Rev 21:13 On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. Rev 21:14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. Rev 21:15 And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.
This 46th Psalm tells about the River that will “Make Glad” the City of God, Zion. It is the RIVER OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD that is described so vividly in Ezekiel 47.
It starts in the (Most) Holy Place (The Mount Zion group in the Church).
Eze 47:1 Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar.
It plunges swiftly down the East slopes of the mountain, increasing in volume as it goes along. After a few miles, it reaches the Dead Sea, which is a very vivid example of the complete depravity of the human race.
Once it arrives there, it immediately heals almost all (but not all) of the water in the Dead Sea. Almost a whole generation will be affected… maybe two generations.
Believe me, folks, there will be a MIGHTY INGATHERING OF SOULS as a result of this future outpouring of the SPIRIT OF GOD ON THE EARTH.
John saw a similar vision on the Isle of Patmos.
Rev 22:1 And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. Rev 22:2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. Rev 22:3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: Rev 22:4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.
Most of our theologians tell us that this will be in the Hereafter, on the Beautiful Isle of Somewhere. I beg to differ with them. What John recorded is the account of the DELIVERANCE of God’s People… here on this earth… in this time.
Jesus told His adversaries, Joh 8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.
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. Heb 11:9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: Heb 11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Heb 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. Heb 11:14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. Heb 11:15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. Heb 11:16 But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
Heb 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,Heb 12:19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard entreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: Heb 12:20 (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: Heb 12:21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:) Heb 12:22 But ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, Heb 12:23 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, Heb 12:24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. Heb 12:25 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: Heb 12:26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. Heb 12:27 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. Heb 12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: Heb 12:29 For our God is a consuming fire.
THE SECRET OF THY PRESENCE
THE SECRET OF THY PRESENCE
Several years ago I endeavored to train myself to make my mind go to things pertaining to God and His Word whenever I did not have to think about what I was doing. There are lots of activities which do not require our strict attention to what we are doing. It was not exactly an easy task, but it has paid huge dividends in the years which have followed.
The Lord has shown many things to me that I probably could have never been aware of had I not learned to focus my mind on Him and His Word.
Psa 25:14 The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will show them his covenant.
There are many things that the Lord would love to make known to us, but He will only reveal them to us in response to our seeking His Face diligently.
Jer 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
There is an instruction, a communication, a Spiritual revelation, that we can get in NO OTHER WAY than through the Edification that comes to our spirit through the means of the Unknown Tongue. In this way, we can KNOW THINGS WE NEVER LEARNED, because of our spirit being instructed by the SPIRIT OF GOD. We have had it happen many times since training our mind to think on the Lord.
Psa 31:20 Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.
Psa 16:11 Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore.
We rob ourselves of much of the richness of the Christian Life if we do not walk closely to the Creator of the Universe.
Pro 3:32 For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.
Did you ever check up on your mind, to see where it goes when you “slip it into Neutral” because you do not have to be attentive to what you are doing at the time?
Our minds can be trained to think about God and His Word while our hands are performing routine, everyday tasks.
Listen to the pleadings of David in his psalm of repentance. Seems that there was one thing he valued above other aspects of his relationship with the Lord
Psa 51:11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Again, the admonition of David to the people, instructing them how to approach the Lord .
Psa 100:2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Moses and the Lord had a conversation one day, which gives us some insight about the value to be derived from the Presence of The Lord
Exo 33:14 And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.
Exo 33:15 And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.
Several years ago I endeavored to train myself to make my mind go to things pertaining to God and His Word whenever I did not have to think about what I was doing. There are lots of activities which do not require our strict attention to what we are doing. It was not exactly an easy task, but it has paid huge dividends in the years which have followed.
The Lord has shown many things to me that I probably could have never been aware of had I not learned to focus my mind on Him and His Word.
Psa 25:14 The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will show them his covenant.
There are many things that the Lord would love to make known to us, but He will only reveal them to us in response to our seeking His Face diligently.
Jer 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
There is an instruction, a communication, a Spiritual revelation, that we can get in NO OTHER WAY than through the Edification that comes to our spirit through the means of the Unknown Tongue. In this way, we can KNOW THINGS WE NEVER LEARNED, because of our spirit being instructed by the SPIRIT OF GOD. We have had it happen many times since training our mind to think on the Lord.
Psa 31:20 Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.
Psa 16:11 Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore.
We rob ourselves of much of the richness of the Christian Life if we do not walk closely to the Creator of the Universe.
Pro 3:32 For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.
Did you ever check up on your mind, to see where it goes when you “slip it into Neutral” because you do not have to be attentive to what you are doing at the time?
Our minds can be trained to think about God and His Word while our hands are performing routine, everyday tasks.
Listen to the pleadings of David in his psalm of repentance. Seems that there was one thing he valued above other aspects of his relationship with the Lord
Psa 51:11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Again, the admonition of David to the people, instructing them how to approach the Lord .
Psa 100:2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Moses and the Lord had a conversation one day, which gives us some insight about the value to be derived from the Presence of The Lord
Exo 33:14 And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.
Exo 33:15 And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
THE RIVER OF GOD
THE RIVER OF GOD
I know I have written about this before, but it seems to keep coming to me this morning, so I will touch base with it again.
The point which seems to want the limelight right now is found in Ezekiel, chapter 47. It tells about waters issuing out of the House of God-- coming from the right side of the Altar. It grew and grew as it progressed down the hill on its 12 mile journey. Before it was half way to its destination, it had grown to a river which could not be passed over-- "waters to swim in".
Ezekiel 47:5 Afterward he measured a thousand; [and it was] a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over.
Most scholars agree that this prophecy is talking about an outpouring of the Spirit of God in the end time of this dispensation. We are probably correct in this interpretation. It is in line with what Jesus said about the believer having a river of living water springing up unto Everlasting Life. See John 7:38 and John 4:14
There are other scriptures which speak about the river of refreshing which is to be expected from the Lord.
Psalms 46:4 [There is] a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy [place] of the tabernacles of the most High.
Psalms 65:9 Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, [which] is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it.
A few years ago, I was looking at the river found in Eze 47, and made a remarkable discovery from the Word.
THESE WATERS HAVE A DEFINITE DESTINATION AND A DEFINITE PURPOSE.
Ezekiel 47:8 Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, AND GO DOWN INTO THE DESERT, AND GO INTO THE SEA: [which being] brought forth into the sea, THE WATERS SHALL BE HEALED.
The first purpose is to bring life to the desert. It will do that.
The second purpose is to heal the waters of the Dead Sea. We all know that nothing lives in the Dead Sea. No plants, no fish, no animals. Romans 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but [how] to perform that which is good I find not.
What a fitting way for the Lord to portray the "deadness" of humanity. Absolute depravity. Absolute helplessness to produce anything good. All life ceases at its borders. The "Black Hole" of life.
But God! But God has a plan in mind that can and will bring that condition to an end.
According to the Prophet, all of the Dead Sea but a few-- Ezekiel 47:11 But the miry places thereof and the marishes thereof shall not be healed; they shall be given to salt.
No, not EVERY ONE will respond to the Spirit of the Lord when it is poured out as a DELUGE upon humanity. But God intends to retrieve a generation or two from the kingdom of death, into the Kingdom of Life-- from the kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of Light-- from the kingdom of error to the Kingdom of Truth-- from the kingdom of sin to the Kingdom of Righteousness.
Isaiah 11:9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
Habakkuk 2:14 For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
Don’t misunderstand me! I am NOT telling you that the Dead Sea will be turned into fresh water. This is a parabolic prophecy of what will happen to humankind who respond to the overwhelming outpouring of the Spirit of God. This Mighty flow of the Spirit (water) issues forth from under the threshold of the House of God—from the South side of the Altar.
This ever-increasing torrent is the Spirit of the Living God. It will have a profound effect on the masses of humanity that are helpless to change from their dead, sinful condition.
I predict that one whole religion, which comprises nearly one third of the population of the world today, will be completely overwhelmed and pass out of existence when this Spiritual torrent reaches its seat of operations. Those who are now faithful to that religion will gladly respond to the Gospel of Jesus Christ when their false hope is withered away. The “Euphrates River” will be dried up by the Hand of God. Symbolic language for a (false) world-wide religion. But that is ANOTHER parablic prophecy.
But, we must remember that it is GOD who will do it. Man does not have the wherewith to get the job done.
God WILL have the last word.
I know I have written about this before, but it seems to keep coming to me this morning, so I will touch base with it again.
The point which seems to want the limelight right now is found in Ezekiel, chapter 47. It tells about waters issuing out of the House of God-- coming from the right side of the Altar. It grew and grew as it progressed down the hill on its 12 mile journey. Before it was half way to its destination, it had grown to a river which could not be passed over-- "waters to swim in".
Ezekiel 47:5 Afterward he measured a thousand; [and it was] a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over.
Most scholars agree that this prophecy is talking about an outpouring of the Spirit of God in the end time of this dispensation. We are probably correct in this interpretation. It is in line with what Jesus said about the believer having a river of living water springing up unto Everlasting Life. See John 7:38 and John 4:14
There are other scriptures which speak about the river of refreshing which is to be expected from the Lord.
Psalms 46:4 [There is] a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy [place] of the tabernacles of the most High.
Psalms 65:9 Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, [which] is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it.
A few years ago, I was looking at the river found in Eze 47, and made a remarkable discovery from the Word.
THESE WATERS HAVE A DEFINITE DESTINATION AND A DEFINITE PURPOSE.
Ezekiel 47:8 Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, AND GO DOWN INTO THE DESERT, AND GO INTO THE SEA: [which being] brought forth into the sea, THE WATERS SHALL BE HEALED.
The first purpose is to bring life to the desert. It will do that.
The second purpose is to heal the waters of the Dead Sea. We all know that nothing lives in the Dead Sea. No plants, no fish, no animals. Romans 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but [how] to perform that which is good I find not.
What a fitting way for the Lord to portray the "deadness" of humanity. Absolute depravity. Absolute helplessness to produce anything good. All life ceases at its borders. The "Black Hole" of life.
But God! But God has a plan in mind that can and will bring that condition to an end.
According to the Prophet, all of the Dead Sea but a few-- Ezekiel 47:11 But the miry places thereof and the marishes thereof shall not be healed; they shall be given to salt.
No, not EVERY ONE will respond to the Spirit of the Lord when it is poured out as a DELUGE upon humanity. But God intends to retrieve a generation or two from the kingdom of death, into the Kingdom of Life-- from the kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of Light-- from the kingdom of error to the Kingdom of Truth-- from the kingdom of sin to the Kingdom of Righteousness.
Isaiah 11:9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
Habakkuk 2:14 For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
Don’t misunderstand me! I am NOT telling you that the Dead Sea will be turned into fresh water. This is a parabolic prophecy of what will happen to humankind who respond to the overwhelming outpouring of the Spirit of God. This Mighty flow of the Spirit (water) issues forth from under the threshold of the House of God—from the South side of the Altar.
This ever-increasing torrent is the Spirit of the Living God. It will have a profound effect on the masses of humanity that are helpless to change from their dead, sinful condition.
I predict that one whole religion, which comprises nearly one third of the population of the world today, will be completely overwhelmed and pass out of existence when this Spiritual torrent reaches its seat of operations. Those who are now faithful to that religion will gladly respond to the Gospel of Jesus Christ when their false hope is withered away. The “Euphrates River” will be dried up by the Hand of God. Symbolic language for a (false) world-wide religion. But that is ANOTHER parablic prophecy.
But, we must remember that it is GOD who will do it. Man does not have the wherewith to get the job done.
God WILL have the last word.
Friday, August 10, 2007
IF WE WOULD JUDGE OURSELVES
IF WE WOULD JUDGE OURSELVES
1Co 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
1Co 11:32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
Here is a portion of scripture that is not very well understood, but one that carries a great deal of weight concerning God's dealings with His people.
In 1938-39, Bro. John Deering explained it to us in Bible School at Caldwell, ID.
He introduced us to the belief that we CAN escape the Great White Throne Judgment if we "do our homework", as the modern vernacular would express it.
He was also the first one to cause us to question the current teaching that ALL Christians would experience the "rapture", as it has come to be called since the days of Darby.
I do not recall ALL that Bro. Deering told us about the subject. He at least got us started thinking along the line of there being something that WE could and should be doing during the course of our Christian life, and the relative consequences of our actions or inaction, as the case might be. He did not have the benefit of computer programs which would readily tell him the words used in the original writings, and their relative meanings.
The Spirit, however, was able to guide him to the original intent of the writings, and he was able to relay it to the students. Paraphrased as I remember, it was like this:
"God has given us ample teaching in His Word about how we should conduct our lives after we have obtained Salvation, (and especially after having received the Holy Ghost) so that we have little excuse to fail or neglect to change our lifestyle to conform to what we see in the written Word. Our lives should begin to take on a resemblance to what the Word advocates that they should be. It doesn't happen all at once, but is a process of applying Christian principles as we are able, with the ability of the Spirit, and as we gain strength in Him. This is the essence of "judging ourselves". And if we are successful to the point of satisfying the Lord, we will not have to appear before the Great White Throne to give an account for our deeds. If we fail to satisfy the Lord while here on earth, we will have missed our chance to be in whatever the "rapture" stands for. Nobody wants that, but it is the sure fate of anyone who neglects to follow the leadings of the Word and the Spirit. We will never, on earth, be able to become "perfect" in the sense of being absolutely without flaw. But there is a place of satisfying the Lord, and He who "calleth those things that be not as though they were" (Rom 4:17), looks upon us with a favor similar to that of Abraham."
Paul, who knew the Greek language well, made word play in the scripture we have used for our text. He conveys the thought that if we neglect or fail in our "Christian home work", God will do it for us when He does it for the sinners. And, if we have to appear at THAT judgment, we have missed something very valuable.
It is my personal opinion, and I think I have the mind of the Lord, that Paul was referring to us working our way to maturity AFTER the initial experience of Salvation when he penned the scripture Phi 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, WORK OUT YOUR OWN SALVATION with fear and trembling.
According to my understanding of God's plan, there is no way Paul was advocating that we can or should pay for Salvation by anything we can do. Salvation is a GIFT from GOD, given freely to all who will accept it.
The "working" that Paul was referring to is about CHARACTER REFINEMENT that we accomplish by invoking the power of the Spirit of God to subdue, suppress, beat down the elements of our human nature which are contrary to the NATURE OF GOD. It is a tremendous undertaking, and we CAN NOT DO IT BY OURSELVES. ONLY THE SPIRIT OF THE RISEN SAVIOUR IS ADEQUATE TO THE TASK.
Rom 8:13 FOR IF YE LIVE AFTER THE FLESH, YE SHALL DIE: BUT IF YE THROUGH THE SPIRIT DO MORTIFY THE DEEDS OF THE BODY, YE SHALL LIVE.
According to my understanding, this leads to the "MORE ABUNDANT LIFE" that Jesus spoke about in Joh 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have LIFE, and that they might have it MORE ABUNDANTLY.
We develop the more abundant life by endeavoring to fully obey the commandments of Jesus, and the admonitions of the New Testament writers. We are always happier, and often healthier, when we live the life that is pleasing in the sight of God .
We BUY from the Lord the refinement of character that resembles the Nature of God. We also BUY from Him the right to wear the WHITE RAIMENT, which covers the flaws of the Adamic nature we were born with. We BUY from Him the eye salve that enables us to see what we can not otherwise see. This is "Life more abundantly."
Rev 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me GOLD TRIED IN THE FIRE, that thou mayest be rich; and WHITE RAIMENT, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye salve, that thou mayest see.
I remember Bro. Charlie Yadon preaching about the two kinds of Christians. He said, "There are Christians who please God, and there are others who do not please God." As I thought about it, I had to agree with him. It is possible to be saved, and still not be living a life that satisfies God.
But, we MUST live the life of pleasing God if we hope to enjoy the "more abundant" life, which is available to us, and be eligible for the WHITE RAIMENT.
Walking closely to the Lord in obedience to all of the light He sheds on our pathway is the essence of "judging ourselves", and assures us a place in the future program of the Lord, whatever you choose to call it. Some call it "maturity" while others call it "overcoming". We CAN ATTAIN to it, if we determine in our hearts that we will listen carefully to His Voice and obey it.
He speaks to us, mainly, from His written Word. Also by His Spirit that is within us after we have received the Holy Ghost
1Co 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
1Co 11:32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
Here is a portion of scripture that is not very well understood, but one that carries a great deal of weight concerning God's dealings with His people.
In 1938-39, Bro. John Deering explained it to us in Bible School at Caldwell, ID.
He introduced us to the belief that we CAN escape the Great White Throne Judgment if we "do our homework", as the modern vernacular would express it.
He was also the first one to cause us to question the current teaching that ALL Christians would experience the "rapture", as it has come to be called since the days of Darby.
I do not recall ALL that Bro. Deering told us about the subject. He at least got us started thinking along the line of there being something that WE could and should be doing during the course of our Christian life, and the relative consequences of our actions or inaction, as the case might be. He did not have the benefit of computer programs which would readily tell him the words used in the original writings, and their relative meanings.
The Spirit, however, was able to guide him to the original intent of the writings, and he was able to relay it to the students. Paraphrased as I remember, it was like this:
"God has given us ample teaching in His Word about how we should conduct our lives after we have obtained Salvation, (and especially after having received the Holy Ghost) so that we have little excuse to fail or neglect to change our lifestyle to conform to what we see in the written Word. Our lives should begin to take on a resemblance to what the Word advocates that they should be. It doesn't happen all at once, but is a process of applying Christian principles as we are able, with the ability of the Spirit, and as we gain strength in Him. This is the essence of "judging ourselves". And if we are successful to the point of satisfying the Lord, we will not have to appear before the Great White Throne to give an account for our deeds. If we fail to satisfy the Lord while here on earth, we will have missed our chance to be in whatever the "rapture" stands for. Nobody wants that, but it is the sure fate of anyone who neglects to follow the leadings of the Word and the Spirit. We will never, on earth, be able to become "perfect" in the sense of being absolutely without flaw. But there is a place of satisfying the Lord, and He who "calleth those things that be not as though they were" (Rom 4:17), looks upon us with a favor similar to that of Abraham."
Paul, who knew the Greek language well, made word play in the scripture we have used for our text. He conveys the thought that if we neglect or fail in our "Christian home work", God will do it for us when He does it for the sinners. And, if we have to appear at THAT judgment, we have missed something very valuable.
It is my personal opinion, and I think I have the mind of the Lord, that Paul was referring to us working our way to maturity AFTER the initial experience of Salvation when he penned the scripture Phi 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, WORK OUT YOUR OWN SALVATION with fear and trembling.
According to my understanding of God's plan, there is no way Paul was advocating that we can or should pay for Salvation by anything we can do. Salvation is a GIFT from GOD, given freely to all who will accept it.
The "working" that Paul was referring to is about CHARACTER REFINEMENT that we accomplish by invoking the power of the Spirit of God to subdue, suppress, beat down the elements of our human nature which are contrary to the NATURE OF GOD. It is a tremendous undertaking, and we CAN NOT DO IT BY OURSELVES. ONLY THE SPIRIT OF THE RISEN SAVIOUR IS ADEQUATE TO THE TASK.
Rom 8:13 FOR IF YE LIVE AFTER THE FLESH, YE SHALL DIE: BUT IF YE THROUGH THE SPIRIT DO MORTIFY THE DEEDS OF THE BODY, YE SHALL LIVE.
According to my understanding, this leads to the "MORE ABUNDANT LIFE" that Jesus spoke about in Joh 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have LIFE, and that they might have it MORE ABUNDANTLY.
We develop the more abundant life by endeavoring to fully obey the commandments of Jesus, and the admonitions of the New Testament writers. We are always happier, and often healthier, when we live the life that is pleasing in the sight of God .
We BUY from the Lord the refinement of character that resembles the Nature of God. We also BUY from Him the right to wear the WHITE RAIMENT, which covers the flaws of the Adamic nature we were born with. We BUY from Him the eye salve that enables us to see what we can not otherwise see. This is "Life more abundantly."
Rev 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me GOLD TRIED IN THE FIRE, that thou mayest be rich; and WHITE RAIMENT, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye salve, that thou mayest see.
I remember Bro. Charlie Yadon preaching about the two kinds of Christians. He said, "There are Christians who please God, and there are others who do not please God." As I thought about it, I had to agree with him. It is possible to be saved, and still not be living a life that satisfies God.
But, we MUST live the life of pleasing God if we hope to enjoy the "more abundant" life, which is available to us, and be eligible for the WHITE RAIMENT.
Walking closely to the Lord in obedience to all of the light He sheds on our pathway is the essence of "judging ourselves", and assures us a place in the future program of the Lord, whatever you choose to call it. Some call it "maturity" while others call it "overcoming". We CAN ATTAIN to it, if we determine in our hearts that we will listen carefully to His Voice and obey it.
He speaks to us, mainly, from His written Word. Also by His Spirit that is within us after we have received the Holy Ghost
Friday, August 03, 2007
A REFERENCE POINT
A REFERENCE POINT
When I was a boy on the farm, in the depth of the Great Depression, the State of Idaho created work for the farmers in the area by building and improving roads, hiring the farmers and their teams, fresnoes and scrapers, and gravel wagons.
Most of the time, the farmers worked together amicably, but a few times there was friction, and one or both of the combatants were sent home.
We younger ones watched in awe as the surveyors marked stakes with a code and stuck them in the ground. They were actually instructions for the workmen who were to come later.
Every so often, a stake would have the letters RP in bold print, followed by numerals and letters. These specially marked stakes were nailed to trees, or some other objects which would not be moved.
One day I ventured to ask one of the surveyors what those stakes meant. He kindly told me that they were called "Reference Points"-- points which could be relied on in case other stakes became moved or loosened by other workmen.
We human beings need such a "Reference Point" in our lives. Our customs and trends of behaviour are prone to change, and we can easily become confused if we govern our lives by present trends.
Fortunately, we do have such an immovable "Reference Point" in the Lord, and in His Word.
Psalms 119:89 {LAMED.} For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.
Isaiah 40:8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
I Peter 1:25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
God's Mercy is another thing which will stand for all time-- immovable. David wrote a song about the Mercy of God (Psa 136) in which "For His Mercy Endureth For Ever" was the chorus for 26 verses.
When I was a boy on the farm, in the depth of the Great Depression, the State of Idaho created work for the farmers in the area by building and improving roads, hiring the farmers and their teams, fresnoes and scrapers, and gravel wagons.
Most of the time, the farmers worked together amicably, but a few times there was friction, and one or both of the combatants were sent home.
We younger ones watched in awe as the surveyors marked stakes with a code and stuck them in the ground. They were actually instructions for the workmen who were to come later.
Every so often, a stake would have the letters RP in bold print, followed by numerals and letters. These specially marked stakes were nailed to trees, or some other objects which would not be moved.
One day I ventured to ask one of the surveyors what those stakes meant. He kindly told me that they were called "Reference Points"-- points which could be relied on in case other stakes became moved or loosened by other workmen.
We human beings need such a "Reference Point" in our lives. Our customs and trends of behaviour are prone to change, and we can easily become confused if we govern our lives by present trends.
Fortunately, we do have such an immovable "Reference Point" in the Lord, and in His Word.
Psalms 119:89 {LAMED.} For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.
Isaiah 40:8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
I Peter 1:25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
God's Mercy is another thing which will stand for all time-- immovable. David wrote a song about the Mercy of God (Psa 136) in which "For His Mercy Endureth For Ever" was the chorus for 26 verses.
OUR LITTLE SISTER
OUR LITTLE SISTER
"We have a little sister, and she hath no breasts: what shall we do for our sister in the day when she shall be spoken for? If she be a wall, we will build upon her a palace of silver..." S.S 8:8-9 This song highlights a contrast. Note what the the Beloved says of herself, "I am a wall, and my breasts like towers: then was I in His eyes as one that found favour." vs.10
Breasts are used to denote maturity, and ability to nourish another.
Here is a graphic example of the difference between those Christians who develop themselves in the Nature of God, and those who do not do so.
The promises in Chapters 2 and 3 of Revelation are given to the Overcomers. They have "developed" in the Nature of Jesus.
In Psalm 22:22 we see a distinction made between "My Brethren" and "The Congregation" THIS IS IMPORTANT!
In Psalm 102:21 the same distinction is made between "Zion" and "Jerusalem". ONE IS MORE "DEVELOPED" THAN THE OTHER.
Heb 2:12 brings out the distinction, again, between the BRETHREN OF THE LORD, AND THE CHURCH. He deals with them differently.
In Psa 103:7 we read, "He made known his WAYS unto Moses, and His ACTS unto the children of Israel." God answered the prayer of Moses.
Ex 33:13 MOSES KNEW HIS WAYS--ISRAEL SAW HIS ACTS
The Psalmist prayed repeatedly that The Lord would show him HIS WAYS. See Psa 25:4 27:11 86:11 119:33
There were two main HILLS in ancient Jerusalem--MORIAH, the worship center, and ZION, the home of the King. ZION is a little higher in elevation than MORIAH is, hence it is typical of the more highly developed Christians.
"IF YE, THROUGH THE SPIRIT, DO MORTIFY (CONTROL) THE DEEDS OF THE BODY-- Rom 8:3
"We have a little sister, and she hath no breasts: what shall we do for our sister in the day when she shall be spoken for? If she be a wall, we will build upon her a palace of silver..." S.S 8:8-9 This song highlights a contrast. Note what the the Beloved says of herself, "I am a wall, and my breasts like towers: then was I in His eyes as one that found favour." vs.10
Breasts are used to denote maturity, and ability to nourish another.
Here is a graphic example of the difference between those Christians who develop themselves in the Nature of God, and those who do not do so.
The promises in Chapters 2 and 3 of Revelation are given to the Overcomers. They have "developed" in the Nature of Jesus.
In Psalm 22:22 we see a distinction made between "My Brethren" and "The Congregation" THIS IS IMPORTANT!
In Psalm 102:21 the same distinction is made between "Zion" and "Jerusalem". ONE IS MORE "DEVELOPED" THAN THE OTHER.
Heb 2:12 brings out the distinction, again, between the BRETHREN OF THE LORD, AND THE CHURCH. He deals with them differently.
In Psa 103:7 we read, "He made known his WAYS unto Moses, and His ACTS unto the children of Israel." God answered the prayer of Moses.
Ex 33:13 MOSES KNEW HIS WAYS--ISRAEL SAW HIS ACTS
The Psalmist prayed repeatedly that The Lord would show him HIS WAYS. See Psa 25:4 27:11 86:11 119:33
There were two main HILLS in ancient Jerusalem--MORIAH, the worship center, and ZION, the home of the King. ZION is a little higher in elevation than MORIAH is, hence it is typical of the more highly developed Christians.
"IF YE, THROUGH THE SPIRIT, DO MORTIFY (CONTROL) THE DEEDS OF THE BODY-- Rom 8:3
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