THE WORKER'S DREAM
I sat down in an arm chair, wearied with my work. My toil had been severe and protracted. Many were seeking Him. As for myself, I was joyous in my work. My brethren were united. My sermons and exhortations were evidently telling on my hearers. My church was crowded.
Tired with my work, I soon lost myself in a sort of halfforgotten state.
Suddenly a stranger entered the room, without any preliminary "tap" or "come in." He carried about his person, measures, chemical agents, and implements, which gave him a very strange appearance.
The stranger came toward me, and, extending his hand, said: "How is your zeal?"
I supposed that the query was to be for my health, and was well pleased to hear his final words; for I was quite well pleased with my zeal, and doubted not that the stranger would smile when he should know its proportions.
Instantly I conceived of it as physical quantity, and putting my hand to my bosom, brought it forth and presented it to him for inspection.
He took it, and placing it in his scale weighed it carefully. Then I heard him say; "One hundred pounds."
I could scarcely suppress an audible note of satisfaction; but I caught his earnest look as he noted down the weight; and I saw at once that he had drawn no final conclusion, but was intent on pushing his investigation.
He broke the mass to atoms, put it into his crucible, and put the crucible into the fire.
When the mass was fused, he took it out and set it to cool. It congealed in cooling, and when turned out on the hearth exhibited a series of layers of strata; which all, at the touch of the hammer, fell apart, and were severally tested and weighed, the stranger making minute notes as the process went on. When he had finished he presented the notes to me, and he gave me a look of mingled sorrow and compassion, as without a word, except "May God save you," he left the room.
The "notes" read as follows:
ANALYSIS OF THE ZEAL OF JUNIUS
A candidate for a Crown of Glory
Weight, en masse, or total weight, 100 lbs.
Of this, on analysis, there proves to be---:
Bigotry--------------------------11 parts
Personal Ambition----------------22 parts
Love of Praise-------------------19 parts
Pride of Denomination------------15 parts
Pride of Talent------------------14 parts
Love of Authority----------------12 parts
(Wood, Hay, and Stubble.) 1Cor 3:10
Love of God-----------------------4 parts
Love of Man-----------------------3 parts
(Pure Zeal)
I had become troubled at the peculiar manner of the stranger, and especially at his parting look and manner; but when I looked at the figures, my heart sank like lead within me.
I made a mental effort to dispute the correctness of the record. But I was startled into a more honest mood by an audible sigh from the stranger (who had paused in the hall). I cried out, "Lord, save me," and knelt down at my chair, with the paper in my hand, and my eyes fixed upon it. At once it became a mirror, and I saw my hear reflected in it.
The record was true. I saw it! I felt it! I confessed it! I deplored it! And I besought God with many tears to save me from myself. With a loud cry of anguish I awoke.
I had once prayed to be saved from hell, but prayer to be saved from myself now was immeasurably more fervent; nor did I rest or pause till the refining fire came down and went through my heart, searching, probing, melting, burning, filling all its chambers with light and hallowing my whole heart to God.
When the toils of my pilgrimage shall be at an end, I shall kneel in heaven, at the feet of the alchemist and bless Him for the revelation of that day. --Anon
(copied from S.S quarterly, 71years ago, 1939)
Wednesday, June 02, 2010
APPROACHBY SACRIFICE
Notes from a sermon by Bert Dearden in Portland, OR. in the 70’s
APPROACH BY SACRIFICE--LEVITICUS--HEBREWS
Jesus did not come to BECOME the Saviour of the world.
He came AS the Saviour of the world.
All of the Old Testament types, shadows, pictures and symbols are rolled together in Jesus Christ.
The Old Testament showed us the distance between God and man.
In Hebrews we are shown that God and man have been reconciled in Jesus.
The distance has been removed.
The Law is a revelation, in shadow form, of the Nature and Character and Purpose of God.
Also a revelation of the Name of God.
Genesis reveals Him as Creator.
Exodus reveals Him as Redeemer--the blood of the lamb.
Leviticus reveals Him as the Holy Ghost.
The purpose of the Holy Ghost is to reveal Jesus.
He will not speak of himself.
In Leviticus we see the Priesthood--its qualities, its work.
Exodus begins with gloom--it ends with glory
Genesis begins with glory--it ends with gloom
When you have the glory, you can afford to listen.
In Numbers, He tells us how to live--how to move around.
The Priesthood was born out of an aggressive, militant movement by men who were zealous for the glory of God (the golden calf)
Leviticus 1:1 And the LORD called unto Moses, and spake unto him OUT OF THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION, saying,
Out of the tabernacle--GRACE
Out of Sinai--JUDGMENT
LAW AND GRACE NEVER MIX
Access in Lev. is by the Priesthood--(shadow)
Access in Heb. is by Jesus (reality, substance)
There are four items involved in our approach to God
1--The offerer
2--The offering
3--The Priest
4--The Altar
The O. T. was a shadow only--no substance
Perfection cannot be superceded. Cannot be improved upon.
Leviticus is not perfect
You cannot improve upon Jesus!
The greater the God of the O. T. becomes to you--The greater Jesus
becomes, for, The Jesus of the New Testament is the God of the Old Testament.
How can a person who is evil approach a God who is Holy?
He cannot do it apart from the Grace of God, ie. unless God allows him to do it.
As sinners, we don't have the right to come into the presence of the Holy God. We have NOTHING to approach Him with.
In the OFFERER, we are shut up to Jesus
In the OFFERING, we are shut up to Jesus
Leviticus 1:3 If his offering [be] a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it OF HIS OWN VOLUNTARY WILL at THE DOOR OF THE TABERNACLE of the congregation before the LORD.
Jesus was willing to carry out the Lord's will on this earth.
Whenever you see a cross, let it remind you that it is possible to carry out the Lord's Will on this earth, for ONE MAN did it. No one else.
THIS IS THE PERFECT OFFERING
Man was put on this earth in the beginning to carry out the Will of God--but he didn't.
The Will of God was violated when conditions were perfect. Adam in Eden
But it was reversed--the Will of God was carried out in a condition of sin, degradation, and thorns and corruption.
When the Lord speaks from Sinai, He speaks Law
When the Lord speaks from the Tabernacle, He speaks Grace.
AT THE DOOR OF THE TABERNACLE-(threshold), we cross over into a different area altogether.
GOD ALMIGHTY DWELLS THERE
It was the Grace of God that gave the rules in Exodus.
Leviticus 1:4 And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt
offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.
LAYING ON OF HANDS for blessing---for judgment two purposes.
It is not right for every Tom, Dick and Harry to lay hands on every Susie, Sally, and Gertie.
Be careful whose hands are laid upon you.
If the person isn't born again, make sure he keeps his paws off of you.
I am not your enemy, I am your friend
The laying on of hands is always coupled with identification, or
association.
Jesus laid hands on people--that was a blessing.
BUT IN THE OLD TESTAMENT, if a man blasphemed, the people who heard him do
it, LAID THEIR HANDS ON HIM and transferred the guilt back onto him--they were no longer responsible--they disapproved. He bore his own guilt.
BLESSING ON ONE HAND, JUDGMENT ON THE OTHER HAND.
In Lev. the OFFERER laid his hands on the OFFERING, (pressed his hands) so the Priest could see the identification,
THE OFFERER AND THE OFFERING BECAME ONE!
In the New Testament, THE HISTORY OF JESUS in the first chapter of
Ephesians, BECOMES THE HISTORY OF THE BELIEVER in Eph. 2
Quickened us together, raised us up together, seated us together.
Jesus and you have become one.
You and me have become one
We are in Him, He is in us.
Blood is THE VEHICLE OF LIFE. Blood is NEVER REGARDED AS BEING DEAD.
Blood is absolutely forbidden as an item of food; because one day someone would come whose blood would bring life to men.
See how the Lord safeguards these symbols, shadows.
In the Tabernacle we look at symbols and shadows.
WE HAVE TO COME TO JESUS TO FIND OUT HOW THEY WORK.
The blood of Jesus cleanses us.
In Lev, he is offering substitute blood (life) in order to gain access to the Presence of the Lord.
It is not my life, it is His life.
THIS, THE DOOR OF THE TABERNACLE is as far as the OFFERER can go.
This is as far as the OFFERING CAN GO
The blood is never allowed to touch the ground.
The blood of Able cries out from the ground for vengance.
The blood of Jesus calls for forgiveness.
The vessels of the Tabernacle were shaped so they could never be set down.
The priest is now involved. The MEDIATOR between God and Man.
He does not take unto himself this office. He is called (chosen) of God.
Hebrews 5:4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as [was] Aaron.
It is the Priest who offers the blood. The blood is Life.
The Priest doesn't deal with death, he deals with Life.
Jesus didn't offer up His blood, He offered up His life.
Hebrews 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered HIMSELF without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
Matthew 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
John 10:18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I
have power (authority) to lay it down, and I have power (authority) to take it
again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
"I have the authority from God." "I have been commanded"
His death is essential only that we might receive His life.
The OFFERER IS JESUS, THE OFFERING IS JESUS
THE PRIEST IS JESUS! There is one mediator, the Man, Christ Jesus.
He dismissed His Spirit, that He might dispense it
The ALTAR is the meeting place between God and Man.
Abraham, before the law, under grace, had an altar.
THE MEETING PLACE BETWEEN GOD AND MAN IS JESUS CHRIST!
Everything that can be said about the Almighty God, can also be said about Jesus Christ.
JESUS is the OFFERER. JESUS is the OFFERING. JESUS is the PRIEST.
JESUS is the ALTAR.
APPROACH BY SACRIFICE--LEVITICUS--HEBREWS
Jesus did not come to BECOME the Saviour of the world.
He came AS the Saviour of the world.
All of the Old Testament types, shadows, pictures and symbols are rolled together in Jesus Christ.
The Old Testament showed us the distance between God and man.
In Hebrews we are shown that God and man have been reconciled in Jesus.
The distance has been removed.
The Law is a revelation, in shadow form, of the Nature and Character and Purpose of God.
Also a revelation of the Name of God.
Genesis reveals Him as Creator.
Exodus reveals Him as Redeemer--the blood of the lamb.
Leviticus reveals Him as the Holy Ghost.
The purpose of the Holy Ghost is to reveal Jesus.
He will not speak of himself.
In Leviticus we see the Priesthood--its qualities, its work.
Exodus begins with gloom--it ends with glory
Genesis begins with glory--it ends with gloom
When you have the glory, you can afford to listen.
In Numbers, He tells us how to live--how to move around.
The Priesthood was born out of an aggressive, militant movement by men who were zealous for the glory of God (the golden calf)
Leviticus 1:1 And the LORD called unto Moses, and spake unto him OUT OF THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION, saying,
Out of the tabernacle--GRACE
Out of Sinai--JUDGMENT
LAW AND GRACE NEVER MIX
Access in Lev. is by the Priesthood--(shadow)
Access in Heb. is by Jesus (reality, substance)
There are four items involved in our approach to God
1--The offerer
2--The offering
3--The Priest
4--The Altar
The O. T. was a shadow only--no substance
Perfection cannot be superceded. Cannot be improved upon.
Leviticus is not perfect
You cannot improve upon Jesus!
The greater the God of the O. T. becomes to you--The greater Jesus
becomes, for, The Jesus of the New Testament is the God of the Old Testament.
How can a person who is evil approach a God who is Holy?
He cannot do it apart from the Grace of God, ie. unless God allows him to do it.
As sinners, we don't have the right to come into the presence of the Holy God. We have NOTHING to approach Him with.
In the OFFERER, we are shut up to Jesus
In the OFFERING, we are shut up to Jesus
Leviticus 1:3 If his offering [be] a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it OF HIS OWN VOLUNTARY WILL at THE DOOR OF THE TABERNACLE of the congregation before the LORD.
Jesus was willing to carry out the Lord's will on this earth.
Whenever you see a cross, let it remind you that it is possible to carry out the Lord's Will on this earth, for ONE MAN did it. No one else.
THIS IS THE PERFECT OFFERING
Man was put on this earth in the beginning to carry out the Will of God--but he didn't.
The Will of God was violated when conditions were perfect. Adam in Eden
But it was reversed--the Will of God was carried out in a condition of sin, degradation, and thorns and corruption.
When the Lord speaks from Sinai, He speaks Law
When the Lord speaks from the Tabernacle, He speaks Grace.
AT THE DOOR OF THE TABERNACLE-(threshold), we cross over into a different area altogether.
GOD ALMIGHTY DWELLS THERE
It was the Grace of God that gave the rules in Exodus.
Leviticus 1:4 And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt
offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.
LAYING ON OF HANDS for blessing---for judgment two purposes.
It is not right for every Tom, Dick and Harry to lay hands on every Susie, Sally, and Gertie.
Be careful whose hands are laid upon you.
If the person isn't born again, make sure he keeps his paws off of you.
I am not your enemy, I am your friend
The laying on of hands is always coupled with identification, or
association.
Jesus laid hands on people--that was a blessing.
BUT IN THE OLD TESTAMENT, if a man blasphemed, the people who heard him do
it, LAID THEIR HANDS ON HIM and transferred the guilt back onto him--they were no longer responsible--they disapproved. He bore his own guilt.
BLESSING ON ONE HAND, JUDGMENT ON THE OTHER HAND.
In Lev. the OFFERER laid his hands on the OFFERING, (pressed his hands) so the Priest could see the identification,
THE OFFERER AND THE OFFERING BECAME ONE!
In the New Testament, THE HISTORY OF JESUS in the first chapter of
Ephesians, BECOMES THE HISTORY OF THE BELIEVER in Eph. 2
Quickened us together, raised us up together, seated us together.
Jesus and you have become one.
You and me have become one
We are in Him, He is in us.
Blood is THE VEHICLE OF LIFE. Blood is NEVER REGARDED AS BEING DEAD.
Blood is absolutely forbidden as an item of food; because one day someone would come whose blood would bring life to men.
See how the Lord safeguards these symbols, shadows.
In the Tabernacle we look at symbols and shadows.
WE HAVE TO COME TO JESUS TO FIND OUT HOW THEY WORK.
The blood of Jesus cleanses us.
In Lev, he is offering substitute blood (life) in order to gain access to the Presence of the Lord.
It is not my life, it is His life.
THIS, THE DOOR OF THE TABERNACLE is as far as the OFFERER can go.
This is as far as the OFFERING CAN GO
The blood is never allowed to touch the ground.
The blood of Able cries out from the ground for vengance.
The blood of Jesus calls for forgiveness.
The vessels of the Tabernacle were shaped so they could never be set down.
The priest is now involved. The MEDIATOR between God and Man.
He does not take unto himself this office. He is called (chosen) of God.
Hebrews 5:4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as [was] Aaron.
It is the Priest who offers the blood. The blood is Life.
The Priest doesn't deal with death, he deals with Life.
Jesus didn't offer up His blood, He offered up His life.
Hebrews 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered HIMSELF without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
Matthew 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
John 10:18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I
have power (authority) to lay it down, and I have power (authority) to take it
again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
"I have the authority from God." "I have been commanded"
His death is essential only that we might receive His life.
The OFFERER IS JESUS, THE OFFERING IS JESUS
THE PRIEST IS JESUS! There is one mediator, the Man, Christ Jesus.
He dismissed His Spirit, that He might dispense it
The ALTAR is the meeting place between God and Man.
Abraham, before the law, under grace, had an altar.
THE MEETING PLACE BETWEEN GOD AND MAN IS JESUS CHRIST!
Everything that can be said about the Almighty God, can also be said about Jesus Christ.
JESUS is the OFFERER. JESUS is the OFFERING. JESUS is the PRIEST.
JESUS is the ALTAR.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
JUBILEE
THE YEAR OF JUBILEE
For almost as long as I can remember, I have heard about the Year of Jubilee. But I have to confess that it didn't mean much to me until the Lord captured my thinking and directed it to an in-depth study of the seven feasts of the Levitical year.
This Levitical year was a seven-month space of time within the regular year of twelve or thirteen months, as the case might have been. It ALWAYS started at a certain phase of the Moon, and ALWAYS in the Spring of the year. There were seven distinct events which had to be observed by the people-- each at the exact time decreed by the Lord alone.
Of these seven events, there was one which was the most solemn and awesome of them all. It was the Day Of Atonement. The events of this day were required to be very precise, for the life of the high priest was at risk if anything went wrong.
Leviticus 25:9 Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the jubile to sound on the tenth [day] of the seventh month, IN THE DAY OF ATONEMENT shall ye MAKE THE TRUMPET SOUND throughout all your land.
It became the most ANTICIPATED, and also the most DREADED day of the year once every fifty years.
ANTICIPATED, by those who had suffered misfortune and hardship during the fifty preceding years. If they had been forced into servitude or mortgage, the servitude was cancelled, and the mortgage annulled on this Day of Atonement. They were SET FREE FROM BONDAGE.
DREADED, by those who had taken advantage of their neighbor's misfortune, and brought them into servitude and debt in the preceding fifty years. They had to restore all land to it's original owner, and turn all servants free.
IN SHORT, everything was restored to it's original state.
I AM SURE THAT THIS CEREMONY SERVES AS A TYPE OF THE MIGHTY RESTORATION WHICH IS DETERMINED UPON THE CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD!
Leviticus 25:10 And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout [all] the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubile unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family.
Leviticus 25:13 In the year of this jubile ye shall return every man unto his possession.
There are, perhaps, more than two applications of this principle of God. But I want to draw your attention to a couple that stand out in my mind.
FIRST, a look at the group of people who are referred to as The Church of the Living God. If we compare what it was at it's beginning with what it is now-- brother, sister, we are in deep, hard bondage. We are horribly impoverished. And I wish not to go into the details of our impoverishment and shame, except to affirm that it exists. You know it, as well as I do.
JUBILEE TWO
The GOOD NEWS is that RESTORATION lies ahead. NOT BECAUSE WE DESERVE IT, but because of who Jesus is, and what has been decreed to be done. Nothing can stop it.
The ONLY THING we need to be concerned about is our own individual Spiritual condition before Jesus right now. We can MISS IT if we are not diligent about our walk with the Lord. The principle applied to the so-called "rapture" applies here.
Matthew 25:10... and they that were ready went...
SECOND, the broader look at the whole of humanity. When conditions were perfect, Adam failed, and dashed all of humanity into poverty and servitude.
John 8:34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
We are destitute of any good in our humanity, and but for the Grace of God, slaves to our fallen nature.
BUT THIS IS ALSO DESTINED TO BE CHANGED. NOT BY ANYTHING WE CAN DO, but by the MERITS OF JESUS CHRIST, our Redeemer.
THE YEAR OF JUBILEE is close at hand. When it is "signaled in" by the blowing of the trumpet, tremendous changes will take place in the Christian Community, and in individual lives.
But, again, Matthew 25:10... and they that were ready went...
Leviticus 25:9 Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the jubile to sound on the tenth [day] of the seventh month, in the day of atonement shall ye make the trumpet sound throughout all your land.
Just as the day of the birth of Jesus was determined by God alone, so also the time of the Great Jubilee is determined (already) by God alone.
I know of no way to ascertain just where we are in a 50 year cycle, so I am not making any predictions of any kind. Except, that is, to say that in this year 1995, the Day of Atonement falls on October 4. This is probably NOT THE YEAR. I do not believe the nations are in proper alignment at this time. But that is MY OPINION-- not from any revelation I have.
I do, however, feel it is safe to predict that WHEN THE YEAR OF JUBILE ARRIVES, it will start on the Day of Atonement of that particular year.
Please note that Jesus BECAME our Passover on Passover day in AD 30. Jesus BECAME our Pentecost "When the Day of Pentecost was fully come." That was also AD 30.
We have reason to believe that Jesus will BECOME our Jubile when His DAY OF ATONEMENT is "fully come".
What all does the Day of Atonement hold for those earnest seekers who are "looking for Him?" "They that wait upon the Lord shall...."
For almost as long as I can remember, I have heard about the Year of Jubilee. But I have to confess that it didn't mean much to me until the Lord captured my thinking and directed it to an in-depth study of the seven feasts of the Levitical year.
This Levitical year was a seven-month space of time within the regular year of twelve or thirteen months, as the case might have been. It ALWAYS started at a certain phase of the Moon, and ALWAYS in the Spring of the year. There were seven distinct events which had to be observed by the people-- each at the exact time decreed by the Lord alone.
Of these seven events, there was one which was the most solemn and awesome of them all. It was the Day Of Atonement. The events of this day were required to be very precise, for the life of the high priest was at risk if anything went wrong.
Leviticus 25:9 Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the jubile to sound on the tenth [day] of the seventh month, IN THE DAY OF ATONEMENT shall ye MAKE THE TRUMPET SOUND throughout all your land.
It became the most ANTICIPATED, and also the most DREADED day of the year once every fifty years.
ANTICIPATED, by those who had suffered misfortune and hardship during the fifty preceding years. If they had been forced into servitude or mortgage, the servitude was cancelled, and the mortgage annulled on this Day of Atonement. They were SET FREE FROM BONDAGE.
DREADED, by those who had taken advantage of their neighbor's misfortune, and brought them into servitude and debt in the preceding fifty years. They had to restore all land to it's original owner, and turn all servants free.
IN SHORT, everything was restored to it's original state.
I AM SURE THAT THIS CEREMONY SERVES AS A TYPE OF THE MIGHTY RESTORATION WHICH IS DETERMINED UPON THE CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD!
Leviticus 25:10 And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout [all] the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubile unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family.
Leviticus 25:13 In the year of this jubile ye shall return every man unto his possession.
There are, perhaps, more than two applications of this principle of God. But I want to draw your attention to a couple that stand out in my mind.
FIRST, a look at the group of people who are referred to as The Church of the Living God. If we compare what it was at it's beginning with what it is now-- brother, sister, we are in deep, hard bondage. We are horribly impoverished. And I wish not to go into the details of our impoverishment and shame, except to affirm that it exists. You know it, as well as I do.
JUBILEE TWO
The GOOD NEWS is that RESTORATION lies ahead. NOT BECAUSE WE DESERVE IT, but because of who Jesus is, and what has been decreed to be done. Nothing can stop it.
The ONLY THING we need to be concerned about is our own individual Spiritual condition before Jesus right now. We can MISS IT if we are not diligent about our walk with the Lord. The principle applied to the so-called "rapture" applies here.
Matthew 25:10... and they that were ready went...
SECOND, the broader look at the whole of humanity. When conditions were perfect, Adam failed, and dashed all of humanity into poverty and servitude.
John 8:34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
We are destitute of any good in our humanity, and but for the Grace of God, slaves to our fallen nature.
BUT THIS IS ALSO DESTINED TO BE CHANGED. NOT BY ANYTHING WE CAN DO, but by the MERITS OF JESUS CHRIST, our Redeemer.
THE YEAR OF JUBILEE is close at hand. When it is "signaled in" by the blowing of the trumpet, tremendous changes will take place in the Christian Community, and in individual lives.
But, again, Matthew 25:10... and they that were ready went...
Leviticus 25:9 Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the jubile to sound on the tenth [day] of the seventh month, in the day of atonement shall ye make the trumpet sound throughout all your land.
Just as the day of the birth of Jesus was determined by God alone, so also the time of the Great Jubilee is determined (already) by God alone.
I know of no way to ascertain just where we are in a 50 year cycle, so I am not making any predictions of any kind. Except, that is, to say that in this year 1995, the Day of Atonement falls on October 4. This is probably NOT THE YEAR. I do not believe the nations are in proper alignment at this time. But that is MY OPINION-- not from any revelation I have.
I do, however, feel it is safe to predict that WHEN THE YEAR OF JUBILE ARRIVES, it will start on the Day of Atonement of that particular year.
Please note that Jesus BECAME our Passover on Passover day in AD 30. Jesus BECAME our Pentecost "When the Day of Pentecost was fully come." That was also AD 30.
We have reason to believe that Jesus will BECOME our Jubile when His DAY OF ATONEMENT is "fully come".
What all does the Day of Atonement hold for those earnest seekers who are "looking for Him?" "They that wait upon the Lord shall...."
CIRCUMSTANCES
CIRCUMSTANCES
We all know that life is a constant battle with circumstances. Some of them are beyond our control. We didn't ask for them. We don't know where they come from, but they are there.
Ever notice how some circumstances pop up at just the precise moment to deter us from doing something for the Lord. Just at Church time, or just as we were preparing to go on an errand of mercy.
These are NOT BY ACCIDENT. They are by DESIGN of the enemy of our souls.
They also serve as tests of our walk with God. They can cause us to GROW in God. They can also cause us to stalemate in our growth.
If the enemy of our souls ever learns that sudden circumstances will deter us from our goals in God-- there will be plenty of them, and at every occasion possible. Enemies will employ whatever methods will work.
A family feud just as we are arriving at Church service will effectively kill any positive effect the service might have on us. And, if you are supposed to have a part in the Ministry, you had about as well "hang it up" as far as doing any lasting good for the folks to whom you minister
If we WILL react to a neighborhood dispute, and develop an "attitude", we will have a generous supply of neighborhood trouble.
But, if we draw upon the Grace of God when our spouse or one of the kids is influenced from below just at Church time, the desired effect will have been thwarted.
"He that ruleth his own spirit--".
"A soft answer turneth away wrath."
If a devilish tactic ceases to produce the desired results, it will soon be abandoned. RESIST THE DEVIL AND HE WILL FLEE FROM YOU.
Overcome evil with good.
We all know that life is a constant battle with circumstances. Some of them are beyond our control. We didn't ask for them. We don't know where they come from, but they are there.
Ever notice how some circumstances pop up at just the precise moment to deter us from doing something for the Lord. Just at Church time, or just as we were preparing to go on an errand of mercy.
These are NOT BY ACCIDENT. They are by DESIGN of the enemy of our souls.
They also serve as tests of our walk with God. They can cause us to GROW in God. They can also cause us to stalemate in our growth.
If the enemy of our souls ever learns that sudden circumstances will deter us from our goals in God-- there will be plenty of them, and at every occasion possible. Enemies will employ whatever methods will work.
A family feud just as we are arriving at Church service will effectively kill any positive effect the service might have on us. And, if you are supposed to have a part in the Ministry, you had about as well "hang it up" as far as doing any lasting good for the folks to whom you minister
If we WILL react to a neighborhood dispute, and develop an "attitude", we will have a generous supply of neighborhood trouble.
But, if we draw upon the Grace of God when our spouse or one of the kids is influenced from below just at Church time, the desired effect will have been thwarted.
"He that ruleth his own spirit--".
"A soft answer turneth away wrath."
If a devilish tactic ceases to produce the desired results, it will soon be abandoned. RESIST THE DEVIL AND HE WILL FLEE FROM YOU.
Overcome evil with good.
Friday, May 28, 2010
GUARDTHEALTAR
GUARD THE ALTAR
Genesis 15 tells of Abram being told to put five creatures on the altar, which would serve as a binding covenant between him and the God of Heaven. He obeyed, dividing the carcases, as instructed.
For the remainder of the day, Abraham guarded the sacrifice against vultures. He didn't allow anything to molest any part of the sacrifice.
It was a tedious job, and required constant watchfulness on his part, but he completed the day, and when it was evening, God showed up and walked through the midst of the sacrifice. At the same time, the Lord revealed to Abram that he would, indeed, have a son, and that in the fourth generation his posterity would go into Egypt for four generations-- eight generations in all.
Successfuly guarding the altar brought Abram into a deeper relationship with God.
It will for us too, if we know what a vulture looks like, so we will know what to guard against. If you can recognize them, you can keep them away.
What do they look like? How will we know them when we see them?
Well, finding fault with our Church leaders will do a lot of damage to our consecration to God.
Listening to, and spreading gossip will tear huge hunks of sacrifice off our altar. We will never be what we could have been if we had recognized and driven that vulture off before it could do damage to our soul.
Contributing to disunity in the home, the church or the community can leave us with the "mark of Cain" in our foreheads.
You get the idea. We must carefully guard our relationship to God. There are MANY things which are too dangerous for us to allow even close to our commitment to God.
"Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life."
Genesis 15 tells of Abram being told to put five creatures on the altar, which would serve as a binding covenant between him and the God of Heaven. He obeyed, dividing the carcases, as instructed.
For the remainder of the day, Abraham guarded the sacrifice against vultures. He didn't allow anything to molest any part of the sacrifice.
It was a tedious job, and required constant watchfulness on his part, but he completed the day, and when it was evening, God showed up and walked through the midst of the sacrifice. At the same time, the Lord revealed to Abram that he would, indeed, have a son, and that in the fourth generation his posterity would go into Egypt for four generations-- eight generations in all.
Successfuly guarding the altar brought Abram into a deeper relationship with God.
It will for us too, if we know what a vulture looks like, so we will know what to guard against. If you can recognize them, you can keep them away.
What do they look like? How will we know them when we see them?
Well, finding fault with our Church leaders will do a lot of damage to our consecration to God.
Listening to, and spreading gossip will tear huge hunks of sacrifice off our altar. We will never be what we could have been if we had recognized and driven that vulture off before it could do damage to our soul.
Contributing to disunity in the home, the church or the community can leave us with the "mark of Cain" in our foreheads.
You get the idea. We must carefully guard our relationship to God. There are MANY things which are too dangerous for us to allow even close to our commitment to God.
"Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life."
THEMOSTHIGH GOD
THE MOST HIGH GOD EL ELYON
Our God has chosen many ways by which to make Himself known to us, in His various attributes. He affixes different titles to denote
different characteristics of His Nature.
He was known to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as "The Breasted One".
The Hebrew word for that is EL SHADDAI, meaning "The Nourisher"
He revealed Himself to Moses as JEHOVAH, the Law Giver--the Stern One--The Inflexible One.
But the title most of us like the best is EL ELYON, which portrays His Merciful Nature. "The God of another chance", has been attributed
to this Title. It is in this Title we see the Grace of God.
Abraham paid his tithes to the Priest of THE MOST HIGH GOD. (EL ELYON). He knew about the God of Grace--another chance.
That is why Jesus was made a High Priest, forever, AFTER THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK. Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ.
Almost every place in both the Old Testament and the New
Testament, where the term "Most High" or "Highest", is used itindicates that God is referring to Himself as the God of Grace.
David was aware of this side of God's Nature--Grace through Faith.
Psa 91 is unique. "He that dwelleth in the secret place of
The Most High (EL ELYON) shall abide under the shadow of The Almighty (EL SHADDAI) I will say of The Lord (JEHOVAH) He is my refuge and my fortress my God; in Him will I trust"
David knew God as The God of GRACE (for when he went astray). He knew Him as the NOURISHER (for when he was in need). He knew Him as the stern, inflexible LAWGIVER--the SHEPHERD who would guide him in the right way (paths of righteousness), defining and circumscribing, without error, the way of truth.
Our God has chosen many ways by which to make Himself known to us, in His various attributes. He affixes different titles to denote
different characteristics of His Nature.
He was known to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as "The Breasted One".
The Hebrew word for that is EL SHADDAI, meaning "The Nourisher"
He revealed Himself to Moses as JEHOVAH, the Law Giver--the Stern One--The Inflexible One.
But the title most of us like the best is EL ELYON, which portrays His Merciful Nature. "The God of another chance", has been attributed
to this Title. It is in this Title we see the Grace of God.
Abraham paid his tithes to the Priest of THE MOST HIGH GOD. (EL ELYON). He knew about the God of Grace--another chance.
That is why Jesus was made a High Priest, forever, AFTER THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK. Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ.
Almost every place in both the Old Testament and the New
Testament, where the term "Most High" or "Highest", is used itindicates that God is referring to Himself as the God of Grace.
David was aware of this side of God's Nature--Grace through Faith.
Psa 91 is unique. "He that dwelleth in the secret place of
The Most High (EL ELYON) shall abide under the shadow of The Almighty (EL SHADDAI) I will say of The Lord (JEHOVAH) He is my refuge and my fortress my God; in Him will I trust"
David knew God as The God of GRACE (for when he went astray). He knew Him as the NOURISHER (for when he was in need). He knew Him as the stern, inflexible LAWGIVER--the SHEPHERD who would guide him in the right way (paths of righteousness), defining and circumscribing, without error, the way of truth.
APRIESTFOREVER
A PRIEST FOREVER
Hebrews 5:6 As he saith also in another [place], Thou [art] a priest FOR EVER AFTER THE ORDER OF MELCHISEDEC.
What is the ORDER OF MELCHISEDEC? How does it differ from the AARONIC ORDER?
Genesis 14:18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he [was] the PRIEST OF THE MOST HIGH GOD. And he blessed him, and said, Blessed [be] Abram of the MOST HIGH GOD, possessor of heaven and earth:
"THE MOST HIGH GOD" comes from the word "El Elyon", a term portraying the GRACE OF GOD-- The God of another chance-- the God of Mercy and Compassion. The God who constantly seeks our good, in preference to punishment and judgment.
If MELCHISEDEC had been Priest of JEHOVAH, he would been priest of THE STERN ONE, THE ROCK, THE UNMOVEABLE ONE, THE RIGID, UNBENDING ONE. The Aaronic Priesthood got their authority from this part of God's Nature.
If he had been the Priest of EL SHADDAI, he would have been called the priest of the NOURISHER, THE BREASTED ONE. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob knew Him by that term. He MADE THEM RICH.
JESUS, the Priest after the Order of Melchisedec, is the BLESSER WITH BREAD AND WINE (Gen 14:18.19). These are the elements of our COMMUNION (Joint Participation) of the Goodness of God through Jesus Christ. Matthew 26:26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed [it], and brake [it], and gave [it] to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave [it] to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Hebrews 5:9 And being made perfect, he BECAME THE AUTHOR OF ETERNAL SALVATION unto all them that obey him; Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.
Jesus FED the five thousand with five loaves and two fishes, and the people wanted to make Him a king. The other kings exacted taxes from their subjects.
Jesus became the AUTHOR of Salvation. He GIVES, we RECEIVE. He PROVIDES, we ENJOY.
He BLESSES us with BEAUTY for ashes, STRENGTH for weakness, RIGHTEOUSNESS for untowardness, SALVATION for helplessness.
A PRIEST FOREVER AFTER THE ORDER OF MELCHISEDEC.
Hebrews 5:6 As he saith also in another [place], Thou [art] a priest FOR EVER AFTER THE ORDER OF MELCHISEDEC.
What is the ORDER OF MELCHISEDEC? How does it differ from the AARONIC ORDER?
Genesis 14:18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he [was] the PRIEST OF THE MOST HIGH GOD. And he blessed him, and said, Blessed [be] Abram of the MOST HIGH GOD, possessor of heaven and earth:
"THE MOST HIGH GOD" comes from the word "El Elyon", a term portraying the GRACE OF GOD-- The God of another chance-- the God of Mercy and Compassion. The God who constantly seeks our good, in preference to punishment and judgment.
If MELCHISEDEC had been Priest of JEHOVAH, he would been priest of THE STERN ONE, THE ROCK, THE UNMOVEABLE ONE, THE RIGID, UNBENDING ONE. The Aaronic Priesthood got their authority from this part of God's Nature.
If he had been the Priest of EL SHADDAI, he would have been called the priest of the NOURISHER, THE BREASTED ONE. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob knew Him by that term. He MADE THEM RICH.
JESUS, the Priest after the Order of Melchisedec, is the BLESSER WITH BREAD AND WINE (Gen 14:18.19). These are the elements of our COMMUNION (Joint Participation) of the Goodness of God through Jesus Christ. Matthew 26:26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed [it], and brake [it], and gave [it] to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave [it] to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Hebrews 5:9 And being made perfect, he BECAME THE AUTHOR OF ETERNAL SALVATION unto all them that obey him; Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.
Jesus FED the five thousand with five loaves and two fishes, and the people wanted to make Him a king. The other kings exacted taxes from their subjects.
Jesus became the AUTHOR of Salvation. He GIVES, we RECEIVE. He PROVIDES, we ENJOY.
He BLESSES us with BEAUTY for ashes, STRENGTH for weakness, RIGHTEOUSNESS for untowardness, SALVATION for helplessness.
A PRIEST FOREVER AFTER THE ORDER OF MELCHISEDEC.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
ABETTERRESURRECTION
A BETTER RESURRECTION
There are many scriptures which point out the fact of a distinction being made among Christians. It would seem that there are stages of development, or maturity within the community of believers.
Without giving biblical references for them, let me give you a few examples:
There are: The Brethren of the Lord, and the Congrega¬tion. There are: Mount Zion, and Jerusalem. There are: the Beloved, and the Little Sister. There are: The Overcomers, and those who do not overcome. There are more examples of the distinction, but these are enough for you to know where I am coming from.
Now let's look at Hebrews 11:35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
1 Cor 15, the resurrection chapter, tells us plainly that there will be degrees of glory in the resurrection. It seems to be closely connected to the degree of maturity which we arrive at in our journey through life. (Overcoming, if you please.)
There are many scriptures which point out the fact of a distinction being made among Christians. It would seem that there are stages of development, or maturity within the community of believers.
Without giving biblical references for them, let me give you a few examples:
There are: The Brethren of the Lord, and the Congrega¬tion. There are: Mount Zion, and Jerusalem. There are: the Beloved, and the Little Sister. There are: The Overcomers, and those who do not overcome. There are more examples of the distinction, but these are enough for you to know where I am coming from.
Now let's look at Hebrews 11:35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
1 Cor 15, the resurrection chapter, tells us plainly that there will be degrees of glory in the resurrection. It seems to be closely connected to the degree of maturity which we arrive at in our journey through life. (Overcoming, if you please.)
Monday, May 24, 2010
RABBI
RABBI
A few days ago a visiting minister drew our attention to a word play in the Bible which illustrates different ways in which we can relate to Jesus.
He drew our attention to Matthew 26:25 Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said. The Greek word that Judas used is "Rabbi", which means a teacher, or school master.
This term was contrasted with Matthew 26:22 And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I? The other disciples all used the word "Kurios", which is properly translated "Lord".
The minister used the two words to show how Judas, though numbered among the dicsiples, was unable to call Jesus "Lord" because he was not fully surrendered to Him. There were other things in his affections which kept him from being in full surrender to the Lordship of Jesus.
Judas was not the only person to be afflicted this way.
There has been much speculation about what these "other things" might have been. I do not feel that we need to speculate about what they were. Their identity is not the critical point, and in mentioning certain things which seemed to be glaring realities in his life we tend to salve our consciences if we do not see the same things in our lives. In this "comparing ourselves with ourselves" we are not wise. Our personal hindrance to complete surrender will probably be far removed from those of Judas. They will keep us from full surrender as surely as his did, if we do not deal with them.
Multitudes upon multitudes of Christians today are in the same condition as Judas was on that day.
They are saved. They will eventually get to heaven. We can not question their salvation, for that is a GIFT FROM GOD. (Judas, however, died before Calvary. We have no scriptural basis for hope in his eternal destiny.)
But they have not made Jesus the LORD OF THEIR LIFE.
They are not classed among the OVERCOMERS.
There is not much hope of a REWARD for them.
There will be no CROWN awaiting them on the other side.
On the other hand, the OVERCOMERS, who have done their best to crucify the flesh with its desires, so they can do what is pleasing to the Lord, have something glorious to look forward to as this age draws to a close.
GOD'S WAYS ARE ALWAYS CONTRARY TO OUR FLESHLY DESIRES. WE CAN NOT PLEASE BOTH.
Every day of our lives, Jesus is either our "Lord", or He is a "Teacher" to us. There is a big difference between the two.
Our churches are made up of TWO COMPANIES of people-- one within the other. Like an expectant mother, there is a smaller body within the one which is presently carrying it.
This SMALLER group are the OVERCOMERS of the seven churches in the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
They are INDIVIDUALS within the corporate body who are meeting God's requirements for their lives in the day they are living. They have made Jesus their LORD. They are more concerned with what His Word requires of them than they are about church buildings, ceremonies, programs and social activities connected with the present set up.
The corporate body is NOT MEETING those requirements-- never has-- never will. It has a huge "machine" running, and it requires so much energy (money, time, maintenance, etc.) to keep it going-- there is very little being accomplished other than fueling and maintaining machinery. Personal consecration to the Will and Nature of God in the life of the individual has fallen by the wayside. (Whatever happened to prayer meetings where people "consecrated" themselves to the Will of God? That energy is now required to fuel a "machine".) We must now sign petitions, march in a demonstration, and write our congressman, instead of "praying through" to personal victory.
A few days ago a visiting minister drew our attention to a word play in the Bible which illustrates different ways in which we can relate to Jesus.
He drew our attention to Matthew 26:25 Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said. The Greek word that Judas used is "Rabbi", which means a teacher, or school master.
This term was contrasted with Matthew 26:22 And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I? The other disciples all used the word "Kurios", which is properly translated "Lord".
The minister used the two words to show how Judas, though numbered among the dicsiples, was unable to call Jesus "Lord" because he was not fully surrendered to Him. There were other things in his affections which kept him from being in full surrender to the Lordship of Jesus.
Judas was not the only person to be afflicted this way.
There has been much speculation about what these "other things" might have been. I do not feel that we need to speculate about what they were. Their identity is not the critical point, and in mentioning certain things which seemed to be glaring realities in his life we tend to salve our consciences if we do not see the same things in our lives. In this "comparing ourselves with ourselves" we are not wise. Our personal hindrance to complete surrender will probably be far removed from those of Judas. They will keep us from full surrender as surely as his did, if we do not deal with them.
Multitudes upon multitudes of Christians today are in the same condition as Judas was on that day.
They are saved. They will eventually get to heaven. We can not question their salvation, for that is a GIFT FROM GOD. (Judas, however, died before Calvary. We have no scriptural basis for hope in his eternal destiny.)
But they have not made Jesus the LORD OF THEIR LIFE.
They are not classed among the OVERCOMERS.
There is not much hope of a REWARD for them.
There will be no CROWN awaiting them on the other side.
On the other hand, the OVERCOMERS, who have done their best to crucify the flesh with its desires, so they can do what is pleasing to the Lord, have something glorious to look forward to as this age draws to a close.
GOD'S WAYS ARE ALWAYS CONTRARY TO OUR FLESHLY DESIRES. WE CAN NOT PLEASE BOTH.
Every day of our lives, Jesus is either our "Lord", or He is a "Teacher" to us. There is a big difference between the two.
Our churches are made up of TWO COMPANIES of people-- one within the other. Like an expectant mother, there is a smaller body within the one which is presently carrying it.
This SMALLER group are the OVERCOMERS of the seven churches in the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
They are INDIVIDUALS within the corporate body who are meeting God's requirements for their lives in the day they are living. They have made Jesus their LORD. They are more concerned with what His Word requires of them than they are about church buildings, ceremonies, programs and social activities connected with the present set up.
The corporate body is NOT MEETING those requirements-- never has-- never will. It has a huge "machine" running, and it requires so much energy (money, time, maintenance, etc.) to keep it going-- there is very little being accomplished other than fueling and maintaining machinery. Personal consecration to the Will and Nature of God in the life of the individual has fallen by the wayside. (Whatever happened to prayer meetings where people "consecrated" themselves to the Will of God? That energy is now required to fuel a "machine".) We must now sign petitions, march in a demonstration, and write our congressman, instead of "praying through" to personal victory.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
WITHOUTME
WITHOUT ME
Jesus gave His disciples some "facts" of Spiritual "life" one day. We might do well to ponder what He had to say about how to bear Spiritual fruit. He told them how to accomplish it, and no other way will work.
John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
He told them it was useless to try to produce the fruit of the Spirit by their own efforts, good as they might be. The natural man cannot produce that which is supernatural, or Spiritual. Natural man can only bring forth what is often_ thought to be_ Spiritual fruit, but is not the real thing. We seem to have drifted into a Christian culture which tells us that a smiling face and a cheery word are the only things important. You and I both know that these can do nothing more than to fall short of the goal. Good breeding and refinement, desireable as they are, have nothing to do with Spiritual fruit. It is a product of His Spirit alone, and is created within us supernaturally.
When He said to abide in Him, He meant that we MUST find a way for our lives to be incorporated into Him.
Our relationship to Jesus Christ is of greatest importance in this matter. Notice the next verse John 15:5 I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: _FOR WITHOUT ME YE CAN DO NOTHING._
Somewhere we have picked up the idea that fruit is what WE ARE ABLE TO DO FOR THE LORD. It is not. We can sing in the choir, teach a class, be an usher, pay our tithes regularly, and even take food to the hungry, and still not be producing fruit--be devoid of peace in our own heart, and love in our own soul, and the joy of close communion with the Lord in our daily life.
Fruit is produced by the Spirit in our hearts, and springs forth from within us. It is there when things are not going right, the same as when they do. It is there whether recognised and appreciated by others, or if it is not. It needs no audience, or recognition.
It grows out of a Spirit Filled life that livesin obedience to the known will of God, that surrenders itself to the Spirit of God, instead of the impulses of the fleshly nature.
II Corinthians 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency [is] of God;.
Jesus gave His disciples some "facts" of Spiritual "life" one day. We might do well to ponder what He had to say about how to bear Spiritual fruit. He told them how to accomplish it, and no other way will work.
John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
He told them it was useless to try to produce the fruit of the Spirit by their own efforts, good as they might be. The natural man cannot produce that which is supernatural, or Spiritual. Natural man can only bring forth what is often_ thought to be_ Spiritual fruit, but is not the real thing. We seem to have drifted into a Christian culture which tells us that a smiling face and a cheery word are the only things important. You and I both know that these can do nothing more than to fall short of the goal. Good breeding and refinement, desireable as they are, have nothing to do with Spiritual fruit. It is a product of His Spirit alone, and is created within us supernaturally.
When He said to abide in Him, He meant that we MUST find a way for our lives to be incorporated into Him.
Our relationship to Jesus Christ is of greatest importance in this matter. Notice the next verse John 15:5 I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: _FOR WITHOUT ME YE CAN DO NOTHING._
Somewhere we have picked up the idea that fruit is what WE ARE ABLE TO DO FOR THE LORD. It is not. We can sing in the choir, teach a class, be an usher, pay our tithes regularly, and even take food to the hungry, and still not be producing fruit--be devoid of peace in our own heart, and love in our own soul, and the joy of close communion with the Lord in our daily life.
Fruit is produced by the Spirit in our hearts, and springs forth from within us. It is there when things are not going right, the same as when they do. It is there whether recognised and appreciated by others, or if it is not. It needs no audience, or recognition.
It grows out of a Spirit Filled life that livesin obedience to the known will of God, that surrenders itself to the Spirit of God, instead of the impulses of the fleshly nature.
II Corinthians 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency [is] of God;.
Monday, May 17, 2010
THESONSOFLEVI
THE SONS OF LEVI
There are a few scriptures in the Bible which lead us to believe that there are hidden meanings to some of the language that is used in the writing of them.
One place in particular which I am thinking about today is Malachi 3:2, "But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he [is] like a _refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: And_ _he shall sit [as] a refiner and purifier of silver: and_ he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that THEY MAY OFFER UNTO THE LORD AN _OFFERING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS".
We can find no place in Scriptural history where this has ever been done. We are also aware that there will never again be a need for Levitical Priests, for there will never be another animal sacrifice accepted by the Lord.
What we DO FIND, however, is that the Levites were a type of another group of people who probably are living today.
Isa. 66 tells about a time when there will be a gathering of people (followers of Jesus) who will be gathered to "My Holy Mountain, Jerusalem".
THIS IS NOT A GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION. IT IS A SPIRITUAL POSITION IN GOD! It can be achieved by any man or woman of any race who will press into God. Many of the Christian community are not especially interested in Spiritual achievement, so this "gathering" to "My Holy Mountain" does not capture their ttention.
But listen to what is said about those who do hear and heed the invitation to "My Holy Mountain."
Isa. 66:21 And I will also take of them for priests _[and] for Levites,_ saith the LORD.
The Levites were the "government" of the Old Testament order. It was God's order of government.
God is going to superimpose Himself on the affairs of man in a short time now, and will choose "Levites" from among those who are "gathered" to "My Holy Mountain." Not all Christians will rule and reign with Him._
The "Righteous Offering" of those "Sons of Levi"will consist of the righteous administration of the "Constitution of the Kingdom". It also denotes their manner of life--their relationship to the Law of the Spirit of God. They have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of God's Kingdom, and (to borrow a thought from Paul Weaver) they are qualified to minister to the Bride. Selfish motives are gone. Notice that Jesus _said, "I will purify the Sons of Levi."_
The "Purifying" of the Sons of Levi will take place on the Day of Atonement, which is rapidly approaching.
Any attempt to describe what will happen would fall far short of explaining what God has in store for those who are "Gathered" to His "Holy Mountain", also called "The
Mountain of His Holiness."
I believe it is worth our while to seek after the prize of this high calling, and turn our gaze away from things of this life.
If we do not have the desire to turn our efforts to things of the Spirit, we should pray, and ask God to do a work in our hearts that will create that desire within us. He can do it.
There are a few scriptures in the Bible which lead us to believe that there are hidden meanings to some of the language that is used in the writing of them.
One place in particular which I am thinking about today is Malachi 3:2, "But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he [is] like a _refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: And_ _he shall sit [as] a refiner and purifier of silver: and_ he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that THEY MAY OFFER UNTO THE LORD AN _OFFERING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS".
We can find no place in Scriptural history where this has ever been done. We are also aware that there will never again be a need for Levitical Priests, for there will never be another animal sacrifice accepted by the Lord.
What we DO FIND, however, is that the Levites were a type of another group of people who probably are living today.
Isa. 66 tells about a time when there will be a gathering of people (followers of Jesus) who will be gathered to "My Holy Mountain, Jerusalem".
THIS IS NOT A GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION. IT IS A SPIRITUAL POSITION IN GOD! It can be achieved by any man or woman of any race who will press into God. Many of the Christian community are not especially interested in Spiritual achievement, so this "gathering" to "My Holy Mountain" does not capture their ttention.
But listen to what is said about those who do hear and heed the invitation to "My Holy Mountain."
Isa. 66:21 And I will also take of them for priests _[and] for Levites,_ saith the LORD.
The Levites were the "government" of the Old Testament order. It was God's order of government.
God is going to superimpose Himself on the affairs of man in a short time now, and will choose "Levites" from among those who are "gathered" to "My Holy Mountain." Not all Christians will rule and reign with Him._
The "Righteous Offering" of those "Sons of Levi"will consist of the righteous administration of the "Constitution of the Kingdom". It also denotes their manner of life--their relationship to the Law of the Spirit of God. They have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of God's Kingdom, and (to borrow a thought from Paul Weaver) they are qualified to minister to the Bride. Selfish motives are gone. Notice that Jesus _said, "I will purify the Sons of Levi."_
The "Purifying" of the Sons of Levi will take place on the Day of Atonement, which is rapidly approaching.
Any attempt to describe what will happen would fall far short of explaining what God has in store for those who are "Gathered" to His "Holy Mountain", also called "The
Mountain of His Holiness."
I believe it is worth our while to seek after the prize of this high calling, and turn our gaze away from things of this life.
If we do not have the desire to turn our efforts to things of the Spirit, we should pray, and ask God to do a work in our hearts that will create that desire within us. He can do it.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
DESOLATE
DESOLATE
One day, near the end of His earthly Ministry, Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem. In doing so, He fulfilled a prophecy given by Daniel several hundred years prior to the time. He said: Matthew 23:37 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, [thou] that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under [her] wings, and ye would not! _Behold, your house is left unto you desolate The prophecy of Daniel reads: Daniel 9:26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof [shall be] with a flood, and unto the end of the war _desolations are determined."_
It was more than a coincident that Jesus proclaimed desolation on Jerusalem just prior to his "cutting off" on the Cross, which "caused the sacrifice and oblation to cease." Sixty nine and a half of the seventy weeks which were "determined" upon Jerusalem and Judah were history when Jesus was crucified.
The term "unto the end of the war" means literallyuntil the end of the "Controversy", and not a war where two armies are engaged in battle. God has a score to settle with a people who rejected His rulership.
I am a little more than worried when I listen to the "standard teaching" about what is supposed to take place in the days that are ahead of us. All of the "Experts" seem to be saying mostly the same thing. It is the usual, "Antichrist! Beginning of the week, End of the week, Middle of the week, Daniel----Revelation."
I am afraid our modern "Experts" will miss it as far as the "Experts" in the days when Jesus was among us. Seems they are mostly "parroting" each other, and not getting anything from God for themselves.
It is easier to teach the standard curriculum than it is to ferret out what God is actually saying to us. The "seven year covenant" theory simply won't wash in the light of other scriptures which bear on the subject.
"If the trumpet give an uncertain sound."
There is no security in numbers, and the multitudes declaring it won't produce what the Word doesn't say. Jesus, being GOD IN FLESH, knew that in just a few days He would be standing in the hall of Pilate, and He would hear the Spiritual leaders crying:
Mark 15:13 And they cried out again, Crucify him.
Mark 15:14 Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him. Luke 23:21 But they cried, saying, Crucify [him], crucify him. John 19:6 When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify [him], crucify [him]. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify [him]: for I find no fault in him..
Jesus also knew that at the same time, the Jewish leaders would sound the death knell of their nation bythe choice they made that day: Matthew 27:25 Then answered all the people, and said, "His blood [be] on us, and on our children."
There are many Scriptures which refer to Jerusalem which DO NOT MEAN the natural city of Jerusalem. One such is Psalms 122:6 "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee." It is a song about the Heavenly Jerusalem.
Also, consider Hebrews 12:18 "For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, And the sound of trumpet, and the voice of words; which [voice] they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: Hebrews 12:22 But YE ARE COME UNTO MOUNT SION, and unto the city of the living God, the HEAVENLY JERUSALEM, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and CHURCH OF THE FIRSTBORN, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to THE SPIRITS OF JUST MEN MADE PERFECT, And to Jesus the mediator of the new Covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than [that of] Abel."
We, then, as citizens of the New Jerusalem, should not be overly concerned with a city that is desolate of favor with God. Treat it like you would a last year's bird nest. It has served its purpose in the economy of God, just as the Levitical ceremonies have served their purpose. Jerusalem of old was a picture, in type, of the contrast, or difference between that which God produces, in comparison to Babylon of old, the best works of mankind. Modern "Babylon" is our present-day world economic, political and religious system. Jerusalem is the Church of the Living God. Mount Zion is a special segment of that Church.
Believers will never be grafted into the desolate city. They will become citizens of the Heavenly City.
"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem."
One day, near the end of His earthly Ministry, Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem. In doing so, He fulfilled a prophecy given by Daniel several hundred years prior to the time. He said: Matthew 23:37 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, [thou] that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under [her] wings, and ye would not! _Behold, your house is left unto you desolate The prophecy of Daniel reads: Daniel 9:26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof [shall be] with a flood, and unto the end of the war _desolations are determined."_
It was more than a coincident that Jesus proclaimed desolation on Jerusalem just prior to his "cutting off" on the Cross, which "caused the sacrifice and oblation to cease." Sixty nine and a half of the seventy weeks which were "determined" upon Jerusalem and Judah were history when Jesus was crucified.
The term "unto the end of the war" means literallyuntil the end of the "Controversy", and not a war where two armies are engaged in battle. God has a score to settle with a people who rejected His rulership.
I am a little more than worried when I listen to the "standard teaching" about what is supposed to take place in the days that are ahead of us. All of the "Experts" seem to be saying mostly the same thing. It is the usual, "Antichrist! Beginning of the week, End of the week, Middle of the week, Daniel----Revelation."
I am afraid our modern "Experts" will miss it as far as the "Experts" in the days when Jesus was among us. Seems they are mostly "parroting" each other, and not getting anything from God for themselves.
It is easier to teach the standard curriculum than it is to ferret out what God is actually saying to us. The "seven year covenant" theory simply won't wash in the light of other scriptures which bear on the subject.
"If the trumpet give an uncertain sound."
There is no security in numbers, and the multitudes declaring it won't produce what the Word doesn't say. Jesus, being GOD IN FLESH, knew that in just a few days He would be standing in the hall of Pilate, and He would hear the Spiritual leaders crying:
Mark 15:13 And they cried out again, Crucify him.
Mark 15:14 Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him. Luke 23:21 But they cried, saying, Crucify [him], crucify him. John 19:6 When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify [him], crucify [him]. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify [him]: for I find no fault in him..
Jesus also knew that at the same time, the Jewish leaders would sound the death knell of their nation bythe choice they made that day: Matthew 27:25 Then answered all the people, and said, "His blood [be] on us, and on our children."
There are many Scriptures which refer to Jerusalem which DO NOT MEAN the natural city of Jerusalem. One such is Psalms 122:6 "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee." It is a song about the Heavenly Jerusalem.
Also, consider Hebrews 12:18 "For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, And the sound of trumpet, and the voice of words; which [voice] they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: Hebrews 12:22 But YE ARE COME UNTO MOUNT SION, and unto the city of the living God, the HEAVENLY JERUSALEM, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and CHURCH OF THE FIRSTBORN, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to THE SPIRITS OF JUST MEN MADE PERFECT, And to Jesus the mediator of the new Covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than [that of] Abel."
We, then, as citizens of the New Jerusalem, should not be overly concerned with a city that is desolate of favor with God. Treat it like you would a last year's bird nest. It has served its purpose in the economy of God, just as the Levitical ceremonies have served their purpose. Jerusalem of old was a picture, in type, of the contrast, or difference between that which God produces, in comparison to Babylon of old, the best works of mankind. Modern "Babylon" is our present-day world economic, political and religious system. Jerusalem is the Church of the Living God. Mount Zion is a special segment of that Church.
Believers will never be grafted into the desolate city. They will become citizens of the Heavenly City.
"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem."
THENEW ADMINISTRATION
THE NEW ADMINISTRATION
Many of God's people are wondering what the future holds regarding the morals of the nation under the new administration.
We have often made the remark that it is not possible to legislate righteousness. It has never been possible, and is not possible now. People are going to do what is in their hearts to do, in spite of any laws to the contrary.
We were not in error to vote for those people who "said" they would push for a higher standard of conduct if they were elected, but we MUST be aware of the fact that the promises might not be kept.
Many godly people have repeatedly told us that our nation is on a collision course with punishment from the Almighty. We heartily concur.
ARE we approaching the beginning of the "time of correction" now? No one knows for sure.
One thing we "can be sure of" is that we as Christians will be a "DECIDING FACTOR" in it all.
Scripture gives several instances where a very small nucleus of people turned the hand of God and obtained mercy and deliverance for the nation.
As Esther of old, our response in time of this crisis will help to determine the outcome of it.
We "MUST" obey the admonition of Paul to the young man, Timothy, 1Ti 2:1 2 I exhort therefore, that, FIRST OF ALL, "supplications, prayers, inter-cessions, [and] giving of thanks, be made for all" "men; For kings, and[for] all that are in author-ity; that we may lead a
quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
We certainly cannot expect much intercession from the non-christian community.
We cannot look to the educators for help, for they are more of the problem, and not part of the solution.
Government is not part of the solution either, for those who constitute authority are powerless to stem the tide of wickedness in men's hearts.
The Christian community holds the key in their hands. We will have to shoulder the load on our knees, crying to God for mercy on our land.
Zec 4:6 gives us picture of what to expect, and from what quarter to expect it. "Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This [is] the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts."
It was pointed out to us lately that even the "mercy" of God had cost several thousand innocent people their lives when David numbered the people who could go to war.
The prophet Isaiah wrote of a time when the churches (women) would rise up and lament over the desolations, (barren conditions) of the people of the Lord. It reads: Isaiah 32:15 "Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high," and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest. 16 Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field.
Listen to the admonition of the prophet Hosea 10:12 "Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; "break up your fallow ground: for [it is] time to seek "the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.
A sovereign move of the Spirit of God is the "ONLY "WAY" the tide will be turned, and a terrible time of correction be averted.
Many of God's people are wondering what the future holds regarding the morals of the nation under the new administration.
We have often made the remark that it is not possible to legislate righteousness. It has never been possible, and is not possible now. People are going to do what is in their hearts to do, in spite of any laws to the contrary.
We were not in error to vote for those people who "said" they would push for a higher standard of conduct if they were elected, but we MUST be aware of the fact that the promises might not be kept.
Many godly people have repeatedly told us that our nation is on a collision course with punishment from the Almighty. We heartily concur.
ARE we approaching the beginning of the "time of correction" now? No one knows for sure.
One thing we "can be sure of" is that we as Christians will be a "DECIDING FACTOR" in it all.
Scripture gives several instances where a very small nucleus of people turned the hand of God and obtained mercy and deliverance for the nation.
As Esther of old, our response in time of this crisis will help to determine the outcome of it.
We "MUST" obey the admonition of Paul to the young man, Timothy, 1Ti 2:1 2 I exhort therefore, that, FIRST OF ALL, "supplications, prayers, inter-cessions, [and] giving of thanks, be made for all" "men; For kings, and[for] all that are in author-ity; that we may lead a
quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
We certainly cannot expect much intercession from the non-christian community.
We cannot look to the educators for help, for they are more of the problem, and not part of the solution.
Government is not part of the solution either, for those who constitute authority are powerless to stem the tide of wickedness in men's hearts.
The Christian community holds the key in their hands. We will have to shoulder the load on our knees, crying to God for mercy on our land.
Zec 4:6 gives us picture of what to expect, and from what quarter to expect it. "Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This [is] the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts."
It was pointed out to us lately that even the "mercy" of God had cost several thousand innocent people their lives when David numbered the people who could go to war.
The prophet Isaiah wrote of a time when the churches (women) would rise up and lament over the desolations, (barren conditions) of the people of the Lord. It reads: Isaiah 32:15 "Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high," and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest. 16 Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field.
Listen to the admonition of the prophet Hosea 10:12 "Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; "break up your fallow ground: for [it is] time to seek "the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.
A sovereign move of the Spirit of God is the "ONLY "WAY" the tide will be turned, and a terrible time of correction be averted.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
SETASASEAL
SET ME AS A SEAL (reprint)
Song of Solomon 8:6 "SET ME AS A SEAL UPON
THINE HEART, AS A SEAL UPON THINE ARM: FOR LOVE
[IS] STRONG AS DEATH--" ; jealousy [is] cruel as the grave:
the coals thereof [are] coals of fire, [which hath a] most vehement
flame.
Song of Solomon 8:7 Many waters cannot quench love,
neither can the floods drown it: if [a] man would give all the
substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned.
This is a story of a peasant girl who had been taken from
her home and family for a very strange purpose. The record does
not tell us if she suffered from homesickness. Neither does it
tellus if she found her task repugnant.
Little did she know that she would become the theme of a
most beautiful and inspiring Song-- the Song of Solomon.
Her strange task? It was before our modern ways of caring
for the aged. I believe it was a bungled solution to the problem,
but it seemed to be in the Mind of God, non-the-less. He OFTEN
USES OUR BUNGLING ATTEMPTS for His purposes.
I Kings 1:1-4 Now king David was old [and] stricken in
years; and they covered him with clothes, but he gat no heat.
Wherefore his servants said unto him, Let there be sought for my
lord the king a young virgin: and let her stand before the king,
and let her cherish him, and let her lie in thy bosom, that my lord
the king may get heat. So they sought for a fair damsel through-
out all the coasts of Israel, and found Abishag a Shunammite, and
brought her to the king. And the damsel [was] very fair, and
cherished the king, and ministered to him: but the king knew her
not.
After King David had died, one of his sons was desirous of
her attentions, and asked King Solomon for her hand. It dis-
pleased Solomon very much, and he had the man killed.
I Kings 2:22,23 And king Solomon answered and said unto
his mother, And why dost thou ask Abishag the Shunammite for
Adonijah? ask for him the kingdom also; for he [is] mine elder
brother; even for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab
the son of Zeruiah. Then king Solomon sware by the LORD,
saying, God do so to me, and more also, if Adonijah have not
spoken this word against his own life.
Legend has it that this fair damsel had been in love with a
young man of Shunem before she was chosen for this strange
mission to King David, and would have desired to return to her
young lover there.
But, it was not to be, for God had other plans for her life,
much like He does for each one of us, if we will be submissive to
His Will for our lives.
To make a long story shorter, after much wooing on
Solomon's part, her heart is finally won over to him. She
FALLS DEEPLY IN LOVE with her Lover, who has tenderly
and faithfully done what He could to win her affection.
The Shulamite serves very well as a type of those who
whole-heartedly respond to the wooings of the Spirit of God. The
King patiently waits for her to lose her desire for her former love,
and to be drawn to Him. She would not have voluntarily been
drawn to the King, but His attentions were overwhelming.
Neither would we have followed the Heavenly King volun-
tarily. But the "drawing" of the Lord was overwhelming.
John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will
draw all [men] unto me.
Many of us have fallen in love with Jesus. BUT SOME HAVE
FALLEN SO DEEPLY IN LOVE WITH HIM THAT THEY
ARE CONSUMED WITH A DESIRE TO BE A PART OF
HIM. But they have been hindered by their inability to complete-
ly sever themselves from their former love. (their life before they
knew Jesus)
But they, like the Shulamite, are calling out to their Lover,
and asking of Him that He-- "SET ME AS A SEAL UPON
THINE HEART, AS A SEAL UPON THINE ARM: FOR LOVE
[IS] STRONG AS DEATH--"
THAT IS THE HEART CRY OF EVERY POTENTIAL
OVERCOMER.
Song of Solomon 8:6 "SET ME AS A SEAL UPON
THINE HEART, AS A SEAL UPON THINE ARM: FOR LOVE
[IS] STRONG AS DEATH--" ; jealousy [is] cruel as the grave:
the coals thereof [are] coals of fire, [which hath a] most vehement
flame.
Song of Solomon 8:7 Many waters cannot quench love,
neither can the floods drown it: if [a] man would give all the
substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned.
This is a story of a peasant girl who had been taken from
her home and family for a very strange purpose. The record does
not tell us if she suffered from homesickness. Neither does it
tellus if she found her task repugnant.
Little did she know that she would become the theme of a
most beautiful and inspiring Song-- the Song of Solomon.
Her strange task? It was before our modern ways of caring
for the aged. I believe it was a bungled solution to the problem,
but it seemed to be in the Mind of God, non-the-less. He OFTEN
USES OUR BUNGLING ATTEMPTS for His purposes.
I Kings 1:1-4 Now king David was old [and] stricken in
years; and they covered him with clothes, but he gat no heat.
Wherefore his servants said unto him, Let there be sought for my
lord the king a young virgin: and let her stand before the king,
and let her cherish him, and let her lie in thy bosom, that my lord
the king may get heat. So they sought for a fair damsel through-
out all the coasts of Israel, and found Abishag a Shunammite, and
brought her to the king. And the damsel [was] very fair, and
cherished the king, and ministered to him: but the king knew her
not.
After King David had died, one of his sons was desirous of
her attentions, and asked King Solomon for her hand. It dis-
pleased Solomon very much, and he had the man killed.
I Kings 2:22,23 And king Solomon answered and said unto
his mother, And why dost thou ask Abishag the Shunammite for
Adonijah? ask for him the kingdom also; for he [is] mine elder
brother; even for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab
the son of Zeruiah. Then king Solomon sware by the LORD,
saying, God do so to me, and more also, if Adonijah have not
spoken this word against his own life.
Legend has it that this fair damsel had been in love with a
young man of Shunem before she was chosen for this strange
mission to King David, and would have desired to return to her
young lover there.
But, it was not to be, for God had other plans for her life,
much like He does for each one of us, if we will be submissive to
His Will for our lives.
To make a long story shorter, after much wooing on
Solomon's part, her heart is finally won over to him. She
FALLS DEEPLY IN LOVE with her Lover, who has tenderly
and faithfully done what He could to win her affection.
The Shulamite serves very well as a type of those who
whole-heartedly respond to the wooings of the Spirit of God. The
King patiently waits for her to lose her desire for her former love,
and to be drawn to Him. She would not have voluntarily been
drawn to the King, but His attentions were overwhelming.
Neither would we have followed the Heavenly King volun-
tarily. But the "drawing" of the Lord was overwhelming.
John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will
draw all [men] unto me.
Many of us have fallen in love with Jesus. BUT SOME HAVE
FALLEN SO DEEPLY IN LOVE WITH HIM THAT THEY
ARE CONSUMED WITH A DESIRE TO BE A PART OF
HIM. But they have been hindered by their inability to complete-
ly sever themselves from their former love. (their life before they
knew Jesus)
But they, like the Shulamite, are calling out to their Lover,
and asking of Him that He-- "SET ME AS A SEAL UPON
THINE HEART, AS A SEAL UPON THINE ARM: FOR LOVE
[IS] STRONG AS DEATH--"
THAT IS THE HEART CRY OF EVERY POTENTIAL
OVERCOMER.
ONEOFACITY
ONE OF A CITY
After the ten-tribed Israel had been taken into Assyrian
captivity, the Southern kingdom of Judah fell into the same terri-
bly sinful condition which had caused the captivity of the North-
ern kingdom.
In chiding with Judah, the Lord wrote to the Northern
kingdom some statements which were prophetic-- spoken concern-
ing the people who live today, and are followers of the Lord.
It was a clarion call at that time-- for Israel to repent of her
sins and return to the ways of the Lord. It was also a clarion call
to the Christians of today who have backslidden into the denomi-
national system (with the resultant captivity) which we have today.
Malachi bemoaned the fact that integrity and morals had
deteriorated to the place that evil was called good, and good was
called evil. We find ourselves in the same condition today.
Business men say they can not be honest and prosper. Church and
denominational leaders today say they can not embrace the true
principals of Christianity. To do so would wreck their system.
The "system" has become a form of business-- and a cut-throat
business at that. Little wonder the wrath of the Lord is building to
explosive proportions.
When the "system" is crushed-- many of its leaders will
also be crushed. God is not, however, primarily displeased with
MEN who believe on Him. He is displeased with how men have
become CAPTIVE to that which they have invented-- "to further
the Gospel". It (the system) has become a "Frankenstein" of
sorts, and is a very cruel taskmaster.
Yet, ironically, out of, and in spite of, the mess which the
Christian community finds itself in today, God will perform His
Will and Plan for his Blood-bought people world-wide.
You don't believe He can do it? Think again, friend.
Look at the mess which the Hebrew people were in at the time of
the birth, life, and crucifixion of Jesus. Did that deter the Lord
from the timing and performance of His Plan? NO!!!
The message to ten-tribed Israel was: Jeremiah 3:12-14
Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return,
thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD; [and] I will not cause
mine anger to fall upon you: for I [am] merciful, saith the LORD,
[and] I will not keep [anger] for ever. Only acknowledge thine
iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God,
and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green
tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the LORD. Turn,
O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto
you: and I WILL TAKE YOU ONE OF A CITY, AND TWO
OF A FAMILY, AND I WILL BRING YOU TO ZION:
The prophet Ezekiel was given a vision which troubled him
very much. He saw a terrible thing taking place among the lead-
ers of Israel, and it was causing the people to commit a very great
sin. The Lord sent a man with an ink horn among the people-- to
put a mark upon those who "sighed and cried" over the abomina-
tions which were committed. Then, another was commissioned to
go through the nation and slay everyone who did not have the
mark on them. When so many were slain, and Ezekiel was
spared, he cried out to the Lord, "Lord, will you kill EVERY-
ONE?" See Ezek chs. 8 & 9
These two portions of scripture are prophetic, in that they
give us an idea of what and how God is working within the Chris-
tian Community today-- selecting and marking a group of people
who are meeting the demands of a Holy God for THEIR lives in
this day. You and I have no way of knowing who they are, for
we can judge by appearances only. GOD KNOWS THE HEART.
They are NOT PERFECT. No one is. But, their manner
of life-- dictated by their heart condition, is such that God consid-
ers them to be CANDIDATES for the special ANOINTING AND
IMPARTATION OF HIS SPIRIT which will empower them to do
what He has DETERMINED shall be done in the TIME OF THE
HARVEST.
MANY ARE CALLED, BUT FEW ARE CHOSEN.
II Peter 1:10,11 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give dili-
gence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these
things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered
unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ.
YOU AND I CAN BECOME CANDIDATES!
After the ten-tribed Israel had been taken into Assyrian
captivity, the Southern kingdom of Judah fell into the same terri-
bly sinful condition which had caused the captivity of the North-
ern kingdom.
In chiding with Judah, the Lord wrote to the Northern
kingdom some statements which were prophetic-- spoken concern-
ing the people who live today, and are followers of the Lord.
It was a clarion call at that time-- for Israel to repent of her
sins and return to the ways of the Lord. It was also a clarion call
to the Christians of today who have backslidden into the denomi-
national system (with the resultant captivity) which we have today.
Malachi bemoaned the fact that integrity and morals had
deteriorated to the place that evil was called good, and good was
called evil. We find ourselves in the same condition today.
Business men say they can not be honest and prosper. Church and
denominational leaders today say they can not embrace the true
principals of Christianity. To do so would wreck their system.
The "system" has become a form of business-- and a cut-throat
business at that. Little wonder the wrath of the Lord is building to
explosive proportions.
When the "system" is crushed-- many of its leaders will
also be crushed. God is not, however, primarily displeased with
MEN who believe on Him. He is displeased with how men have
become CAPTIVE to that which they have invented-- "to further
the Gospel". It (the system) has become a "Frankenstein" of
sorts, and is a very cruel taskmaster.
Yet, ironically, out of, and in spite of, the mess which the
Christian community finds itself in today, God will perform His
Will and Plan for his Blood-bought people world-wide.
You don't believe He can do it? Think again, friend.
Look at the mess which the Hebrew people were in at the time of
the birth, life, and crucifixion of Jesus. Did that deter the Lord
from the timing and performance of His Plan? NO!!!
The message to ten-tribed Israel was: Jeremiah 3:12-14
Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return,
thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD; [and] I will not cause
mine anger to fall upon you: for I [am] merciful, saith the LORD,
[and] I will not keep [anger] for ever. Only acknowledge thine
iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God,
and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green
tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the LORD. Turn,
O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto
you: and I WILL TAKE YOU ONE OF A CITY, AND TWO
OF A FAMILY, AND I WILL BRING YOU TO ZION:
The prophet Ezekiel was given a vision which troubled him
very much. He saw a terrible thing taking place among the lead-
ers of Israel, and it was causing the people to commit a very great
sin. The Lord sent a man with an ink horn among the people-- to
put a mark upon those who "sighed and cried" over the abomina-
tions which were committed. Then, another was commissioned to
go through the nation and slay everyone who did not have the
mark on them. When so many were slain, and Ezekiel was
spared, he cried out to the Lord, "Lord, will you kill EVERY-
ONE?" See Ezek chs. 8 & 9
These two portions of scripture are prophetic, in that they
give us an idea of what and how God is working within the Chris-
tian Community today-- selecting and marking a group of people
who are meeting the demands of a Holy God for THEIR lives in
this day. You and I have no way of knowing who they are, for
we can judge by appearances only. GOD KNOWS THE HEART.
They are NOT PERFECT. No one is. But, their manner
of life-- dictated by their heart condition, is such that God consid-
ers them to be CANDIDATES for the special ANOINTING AND
IMPARTATION OF HIS SPIRIT which will empower them to do
what He has DETERMINED shall be done in the TIME OF THE
HARVEST.
MANY ARE CALLED, BUT FEW ARE CHOSEN.
II Peter 1:10,11 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give dili-
gence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these
things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered
unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ.
YOU AND I CAN BECOME CANDIDATES!
Sunday, April 11, 2010
ACOLT
A COLT, THE FOAL OF AN ASS
When Jesus rode into Jerusalem a few days before His crucifixion, He borrowed a couple of animals, in order to enact a prophesy about the future of the Church. Consider these facts.
The ass is a beast of burden, a work animal. That is why Jesus didn't borrow a horse. Horses are beasts of war. He _IS_ pictured as riding a HORSE when He comes to shake terribly the earth, however. But for the present, He has chosen an ass to be typical of His Church, because it is not yet time to fight and conquer, and destroy completely ALL THE WORKINGS OF SATAN.
The mother ass was disqualified, however, to be ridden by Jesus, for she had been ridden (ruled over) by man before. Our Churches have been ruled over by men for so long that it seems more natural to be subject to man-rule than to be obedient to Jesus alone.
ALL CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS are ruled and governed by man. Each one has their own set of rules by which they are governed. Each has their own doctrines which they propagate.
ALL CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS are licensed by the State, and are, therefore, subject to further rules and regulations. This is NOT to say that ALL of this is bad, necessarily, but it probably DOES DISQUALIFY those people from being eligible to participate in what is yet to be seen.
Consider, however, that the mother ass had a SON (see Smiths Bible Dictionary)( Also Young's Analytical Concordance) upon whom never man had sat. The term used in the Hebrew is "Ben", denoting a MALE colt. In the Greek of the New Testament, the word "Huios" is used, which is used primarily to denote a SON OF FULL MATURITY.
We do not wish to leave the impression that we believe males to be superior to females. We only make the distinction because it makes the incident ring true to Bible Principle. The full-grown Sons of God company will be made up of BOTH MALE AND FEMALE.
This group, the MANCHILD COMPANY of REV. 12, will be cohesive WITHOUT THE NEED OF INCORPORATION AND BY-LAWS. THE SPIRIT OF GOD, ALONE, will be their governing force. They are the great army of the Lord as seen in Joel 2, and nothing shall escape them. Jesus, riding into Jerusalem on the colt, typified His visitation of the Church by means of the Manchild Company, which, in turn, ministers to the "mother" Church in sustaining and nourishing her, as Joseph sustained his brethren in Egypt. See Rev. 12
PLEASE DO NOT GET THE IDEA THAT ALL YOU HAVE TO DO TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS CHOOSING IS TO REMAIN FREE FROM MAN'S ORGANIZATION, for that is NOT THE CASE. You must ALSO BE VERY SUBMISSIVE TO GOD. He cannot use "LONGHORNED CRITTERS". "They shall not break their ranks." "They shall not thrust one another". "A bruised reed shall He not break, and a smoking flax shall He not quench". "The servant of the Lord must not strive."
"Not a striker." "Not a brawler".
A CHANCE OF BEING ELIGIBLE FOR THIS CHOOSING OF GOD IS WORTH ALL IT WOULD COST an individual to attain to it. SALVATION, ALONE, IS NOT ENOUGH. It calls for a HIGH DEGREE OF CHARACTER REFINEMENT, and not very many of us human beings are aware of the need, nor do we possess the desire for it. There will, probably, be plenty of room at the top. Comparatively few will attain to it.
The masses like to be ruled by force. They are also attracted by large numbers. Numbers, in themselves, are not bad. "Running with the herd", however, is not conducive to getting alone with God with a view to personal refinement of Spiritual Character.
We MUST make Jesus our SOLE GOVERNOR if we are to be an overcomer. He will_ NEVER FORCE HIMSELF UPON US.
It is by_ INVITATION ONLY_ that He will do His refining work in our lives.
When Jesus rode into Jerusalem a few days before His crucifixion, He borrowed a couple of animals, in order to enact a prophesy about the future of the Church. Consider these facts.
The ass is a beast of burden, a work animal. That is why Jesus didn't borrow a horse. Horses are beasts of war. He _IS_ pictured as riding a HORSE when He comes to shake terribly the earth, however. But for the present, He has chosen an ass to be typical of His Church, because it is not yet time to fight and conquer, and destroy completely ALL THE WORKINGS OF SATAN.
The mother ass was disqualified, however, to be ridden by Jesus, for she had been ridden (ruled over) by man before. Our Churches have been ruled over by men for so long that it seems more natural to be subject to man-rule than to be obedient to Jesus alone.
ALL CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS are ruled and governed by man. Each one has their own set of rules by which they are governed. Each has their own doctrines which they propagate.
ALL CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS are licensed by the State, and are, therefore, subject to further rules and regulations. This is NOT to say that ALL of this is bad, necessarily, but it probably DOES DISQUALIFY those people from being eligible to participate in what is yet to be seen.
Consider, however, that the mother ass had a SON (see Smiths Bible Dictionary)( Also Young's Analytical Concordance) upon whom never man had sat. The term used in the Hebrew is "Ben", denoting a MALE colt. In the Greek of the New Testament, the word "Huios" is used, which is used primarily to denote a SON OF FULL MATURITY.
We do not wish to leave the impression that we believe males to be superior to females. We only make the distinction because it makes the incident ring true to Bible Principle. The full-grown Sons of God company will be made up of BOTH MALE AND FEMALE.
This group, the MANCHILD COMPANY of REV. 12, will be cohesive WITHOUT THE NEED OF INCORPORATION AND BY-LAWS. THE SPIRIT OF GOD, ALONE, will be their governing force. They are the great army of the Lord as seen in Joel 2, and nothing shall escape them. Jesus, riding into Jerusalem on the colt, typified His visitation of the Church by means of the Manchild Company, which, in turn, ministers to the "mother" Church in sustaining and nourishing her, as Joseph sustained his brethren in Egypt. See Rev. 12
PLEASE DO NOT GET THE IDEA THAT ALL YOU HAVE TO DO TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS CHOOSING IS TO REMAIN FREE FROM MAN'S ORGANIZATION, for that is NOT THE CASE. You must ALSO BE VERY SUBMISSIVE TO GOD. He cannot use "LONGHORNED CRITTERS". "They shall not break their ranks." "They shall not thrust one another". "A bruised reed shall He not break, and a smoking flax shall He not quench". "The servant of the Lord must not strive."
"Not a striker." "Not a brawler".
A CHANCE OF BEING ELIGIBLE FOR THIS CHOOSING OF GOD IS WORTH ALL IT WOULD COST an individual to attain to it. SALVATION, ALONE, IS NOT ENOUGH. It calls for a HIGH DEGREE OF CHARACTER REFINEMENT, and not very many of us human beings are aware of the need, nor do we possess the desire for it. There will, probably, be plenty of room at the top. Comparatively few will attain to it.
The masses like to be ruled by force. They are also attracted by large numbers. Numbers, in themselves, are not bad. "Running with the herd", however, is not conducive to getting alone with God with a view to personal refinement of Spiritual Character.
We MUST make Jesus our SOLE GOVERNOR if we are to be an overcomer. He will_ NEVER FORCE HIMSELF UPON US.
It is by_ INVITATION ONLY_ that He will do His refining work in our lives.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
CANCELLED
_CANCELLED!_
Cancelled! Paid in full! What wonderful words to hear or see! They make us feel good all over when we have finally struggled to the top of a debt we owed.
_ But if our struggling was to no avail; if we were like the frog in the well, which jumped up two feet and fell back three feet, we realized we were hopelessly trapped. We are all trapped in a body of iniquity. _
_ Paul, in Rom 7, describes our condition, and cries out, "O wretched man that I am, Who shall deliver me from this body of death?"
_ He was referring to a practice in those days of fastening the dead body of a person onto the person who had killed him. He was required to carry that putrefy_ ing "body of death" until he himself died, which would be a comparatively short time.
_ His illustration, which was dictated by the Holy Ghost, was intended to tell us that each one of us is carrying a putrid "body of sin" with us wherever we go.
_ But, thank God, Deliverance _WILL_ come to us, if we hold fast our confidence until the end.
_ _We can have a measure of victory,_ if we have received the Baptism of the Holy Ghost (firstfruits of the Spirit), but full deliverance is withheld until a future time, known only to God Himself.
_ It is all spelled out for us in the Feasts of Israel, especially the Day of Atonement.
_ The Day of Atonement will "happen" shortly before the closing of this particular dispensation in the economy of God.
_ On the Day of Atonement, every seven years, all who had become servants for any reason were allowed to go home, free of their obligations. This is _FORGIVENESS,_ in miniature object lesson.
_ On the Day of Atonement, every fifty years, all debt, both public and private, was cancelled, _AND EVERY MAN'S POSSESSION WAS RETURNED TO HIM, NO MATTER WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO IT IN THE LAST FIFTY YEARS_. _THIS IS RESTORATION_, in miniature object lesson.
_ JESUS _ became our Passover at Passover time_, He became our Pentecost, on the Day of Pentecost,_ He will _BECOME TO US WHAT THE DAY OF ATONEMENT TYPIFIED._ We have very reason to believe that it will happen just as the precedents have happened: _ON THE DAY OF ATONEMENT!_
_ Man, (Adam) "sold" us all into slavery to a fallen nature when he disobeyed God in the garden. We were all born into slavery. We have never known complete liberty, or freedom from the sinful nature.
_ To be sure, we do have a measure of victory over the WORKS of the flesh by the Spirit of God, but the NATURE OF SIN is still present in every one of us.
_ _LET ME EMPHASIZE THAT WE CAN ONLY HAVE FREEDOM
FROM SINFUL ACTS AS WE OBEY THE WORD AND SPIRIT OF GOD. _ _
There is no other way but this way.
_ FORGIVENESS makes this possible, but _EACH OF US DETERMINES THE DEGREE OF LIBERTY WE ATTAIN TO._ IT IS IN _DIRECT PROPORTION TO OUR OBEDIENCE TO THE WORD AND THE SPIRIT. Reading the Bible and prayer in the Spirit are of utmost importance to our obedience to God.
Aside from these, we will get no where in God. The closer we walk to Him, the sweeter He becomes to us.
_ RESTORATION, OR JUBILEE, however, is a different dimension altogether. IT WILL ONLY HAPPEN to those who _"with patience wait for [it]."_ Rom. 8:25 "_To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality--."_ Rom. 2:7
_ RESTORATION means being brought back to the original condition before deterioration took place.
There will be a company of people who experience this transformation. It will be worth all it has cost to attain to it. God will do the choosing. He, alone, knows all hearts.
_ Almost every Christian is anxiously waiting for the "Rapture" to take them out of this world. This "escape" teaching has robbed us of a far more glorious aspect of the Gospel. Every one, almost, wants to "escape" the "Great Tibulation" that is "coming". The "Rapture" teaching ensures this, so we latch on to it like a drowning man grabs for a straw on the water.
_ No one, not even the bravest of us, wants to encounter "boogy man" Antichrist. Again, "Rapture" is the perfect answer.
_ But such is NOT the teachings of the Spirit and the Word. _They BOTH AGREE THAT THE TRUE BELIEVERS WILL OVERTHROW THE FORCES OF HELL BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD! They will STAND ON THE FIELD, VICTORS AFTER ALL FOES
HAVE BEEN VANQUISHED!_
_ _THE CHANGE WHICH TAKES PLACE IN THE TRUE BELIEVER
ON THE DAY OF ATONEMENT WILL MAKE THIS POSSIBLE. THE
MORTGAGE OF THE NATURE OF SIN WILL BE ---
_ PAID IN FULL---------CANCELLED!_
_ _THE NATURE OF SIN WILL BE GONE, COMPLETELY_
_ Let the earth beware of this liberated people. They are the Army of the Lord (Joel 2), and the Sanctified ones, the Mighty Ones (Isa 13). They are the Stone cut out of the Mountain (Dan 2:34, 45)
Cancelled! Paid in full! What wonderful words to hear or see! They make us feel good all over when we have finally struggled to the top of a debt we owed.
_ But if our struggling was to no avail; if we were like the frog in the well, which jumped up two feet and fell back three feet, we realized we were hopelessly trapped. We are all trapped in a body of iniquity. _
_ Paul, in Rom 7, describes our condition, and cries out, "O wretched man that I am, Who shall deliver me from this body of death?"
_ He was referring to a practice in those days of fastening the dead body of a person onto the person who had killed him. He was required to carry that putrefy_ ing "body of death" until he himself died, which would be a comparatively short time.
_ His illustration, which was dictated by the Holy Ghost, was intended to tell us that each one of us is carrying a putrid "body of sin" with us wherever we go.
_ But, thank God, Deliverance _WILL_ come to us, if we hold fast our confidence until the end.
_ _We can have a measure of victory,_ if we have received the Baptism of the Holy Ghost (firstfruits of the Spirit), but full deliverance is withheld until a future time, known only to God Himself.
_ It is all spelled out for us in the Feasts of Israel, especially the Day of Atonement.
_ The Day of Atonement will "happen" shortly before the closing of this particular dispensation in the economy of God.
_ On the Day of Atonement, every seven years, all who had become servants for any reason were allowed to go home, free of their obligations. This is _FORGIVENESS,_ in miniature object lesson.
_ On the Day of Atonement, every fifty years, all debt, both public and private, was cancelled, _AND EVERY MAN'S POSSESSION WAS RETURNED TO HIM, NO MATTER WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO IT IN THE LAST FIFTY YEARS_. _THIS IS RESTORATION_, in miniature object lesson.
_ JESUS _ became our Passover at Passover time_, He became our Pentecost, on the Day of Pentecost,_ He will _BECOME TO US WHAT THE DAY OF ATONEMENT TYPIFIED._ We have very reason to believe that it will happen just as the precedents have happened: _ON THE DAY OF ATONEMENT!_
_ Man, (Adam) "sold" us all into slavery to a fallen nature when he disobeyed God in the garden. We were all born into slavery. We have never known complete liberty, or freedom from the sinful nature.
_ To be sure, we do have a measure of victory over the WORKS of the flesh by the Spirit of God, but the NATURE OF SIN is still present in every one of us.
_ _LET ME EMPHASIZE THAT WE CAN ONLY HAVE FREEDOM
FROM SINFUL ACTS AS WE OBEY THE WORD AND SPIRIT OF GOD. _ _
There is no other way but this way.
_ FORGIVENESS makes this possible, but _EACH OF US DETERMINES THE DEGREE OF LIBERTY WE ATTAIN TO._ IT IS IN _DIRECT PROPORTION TO OUR OBEDIENCE TO THE WORD AND THE SPIRIT. Reading the Bible and prayer in the Spirit are of utmost importance to our obedience to God.
Aside from these, we will get no where in God. The closer we walk to Him, the sweeter He becomes to us.
_ RESTORATION, OR JUBILEE, however, is a different dimension altogether. IT WILL ONLY HAPPEN to those who _"with patience wait for [it]."_ Rom. 8:25 "_To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality--."_ Rom. 2:7
_ RESTORATION means being brought back to the original condition before deterioration took place.
There will be a company of people who experience this transformation. It will be worth all it has cost to attain to it. God will do the choosing. He, alone, knows all hearts.
_ Almost every Christian is anxiously waiting for the "Rapture" to take them out of this world. This "escape" teaching has robbed us of a far more glorious aspect of the Gospel. Every one, almost, wants to "escape" the "Great Tibulation" that is "coming". The "Rapture" teaching ensures this, so we latch on to it like a drowning man grabs for a straw on the water.
_ No one, not even the bravest of us, wants to encounter "boogy man" Antichrist. Again, "Rapture" is the perfect answer.
_ But such is NOT the teachings of the Spirit and the Word. _They BOTH AGREE THAT THE TRUE BELIEVERS WILL OVERTHROW THE FORCES OF HELL BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD! They will STAND ON THE FIELD, VICTORS AFTER ALL FOES
HAVE BEEN VANQUISHED!_
_ _THE CHANGE WHICH TAKES PLACE IN THE TRUE BELIEVER
ON THE DAY OF ATONEMENT WILL MAKE THIS POSSIBLE. THE
MORTGAGE OF THE NATURE OF SIN WILL BE ---
_ PAID IN FULL---------CANCELLED!_
_ _THE NATURE OF SIN WILL BE GONE, COMPLETELY_
_ Let the earth beware of this liberated people. They are the Army of the Lord (Joel 2), and the Sanctified ones, the Mighty Ones (Isa 13). They are the Stone cut out of the Mountain (Dan 2:34, 45)
Friday, April 09, 2010
EASTERTIME
EASTER TIME 2010
We celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus, our Lord in this month.
The Resurrection is, perhaps, the most outstanding difference between Christianity and any other religion on earth today. We have an empty tomb--they do not.
All other forms of worship have to depend upon the theory of re-incarnation for their hope of future life.
It is not very good, at best, for they are never sure of what they were in former lives, nor what they will be next time. We know, for we shall be like Him.
Psalms 17:15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness. David spoke by inspiration of God.
Our Jesus did return from the grave, and from whatever He did, and wherever he went while the body was in the tomb. He was more than conqueror, and has made a way whereby we can share in His Victory over both physical and Spiritual death.
Matthew 27:52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection....., and appeared unto many.
Jewish people, of course, do not help us celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. They still observe Passover at this time of year. It is a dead, empty ceremony for them as they observe it. By their calendar, it has been 3320 years since the first Passover in Egypt. No wonder it is reduced to mere symbols by now.
If the Jewish calendar is correct, this is year number 5770 since the banishment from Eden. There is room for doubting the validity of their calendar. It does correspond to Biblical history up to the time of Jacob and his family going into Egypt. From there, we lose the ability to trace people by their ages. We do know, however, Israel spent four generations in Egypt.
Whether it was 430 years, or 210 years, as JCAL says, I am personally satisfied with "four generations". I can prove that by the Bible.
We celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus, our Lord in this month.
The Resurrection is, perhaps, the most outstanding difference between Christianity and any other religion on earth today. We have an empty tomb--they do not.
All other forms of worship have to depend upon the theory of re-incarnation for their hope of future life.
It is not very good, at best, for they are never sure of what they were in former lives, nor what they will be next time. We know, for we shall be like Him.
Psalms 17:15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness. David spoke by inspiration of God.
Our Jesus did return from the grave, and from whatever He did, and wherever he went while the body was in the tomb. He was more than conqueror, and has made a way whereby we can share in His Victory over both physical and Spiritual death.
Matthew 27:52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection....., and appeared unto many.
Jewish people, of course, do not help us celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. They still observe Passover at this time of year. It is a dead, empty ceremony for them as they observe it. By their calendar, it has been 3320 years since the first Passover in Egypt. No wonder it is reduced to mere symbols by now.
If the Jewish calendar is correct, this is year number 5770 since the banishment from Eden. There is room for doubting the validity of their calendar. It does correspond to Biblical history up to the time of Jacob and his family going into Egypt. From there, we lose the ability to trace people by their ages. We do know, however, Israel spent four generations in Egypt.
Whether it was 430 years, or 210 years, as JCAL says, I am personally satisfied with "four generations". I can prove that by the Bible.
Monday, March 29, 2010
MOUNTAIN
MOUNTAIN
Let me present a few thoughts about the Mountain of the Lord's House. In Daniel 2:35 we read that the stone which smote the image of Nebuchadnezzar in its feet, rolled on until it became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. Later we learn (vs 44) that it represents the Kingdom of God in the earth.
We read elsewhere of this mountain in Mic. 4 and Isa. 2. It says that the Mountain of the Lord's House shall be established in the TOPS OF THE MOUNTAINS, and shall be EXALTED ABOVE THE LITTLE HILLS, and all nations shall flow into it. In other words, the Kingdom of God is the Acme of Spiritual development.
Isa. 11 and 65 tell about the blessed conditions which will exist in this Holy Mountain. "They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My Holy Mountain." (The Mountain of My Holiness)
Psalm 2 tells us (6) that "My Holy Hill is Zion," and that His King sits on it. The margin calls it ZION, THE HILL OF MY HOLINESS. Psa 87-- "The Lord loveth the gates of Zion---glorious things are spoken of thee, O CITY OF GOD."
Psa 48: " Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the City of our God, in the Mountain of His Holiness."
I am afraid there has been a tendency to think about Mount Zion as being a place of Glory and Dominion (which it surely is), but not enough about it being also a Mountain of Holiness. Isa. 35:8 speaks about the highway which leads to Mount Zion (vs 10) and says it shall be called "The Way of Holiness." While the redeemed of the Lord walk this Highway of Holiness, they will have songs and everlasting joy upon their heads. Note the word everlasting. This signifies a joy of Heavenly origin, of the same type which was set
before Jesus to cause Him to endure the Cross, and despise the shame. THERE SEEMS TO BE A TENDENCY these days for us to attempt to create a "pseudo-joy" which can be made compatible with an unclean life. The Psalmist (24) asked who would be permitted to walk this Highway to the Hill of the Lord (vs 3), and received the same answer as was given by Isaiah (35)-- "the unclean shall not pass over it." (vs 8) "If a man therefore purge himself...". "Purge out therefore the old leaven.." "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members instruments of unrighteousness unto sin, but yield yourselves unto God.." "Looking diligently lest any man FAIL of the Grace of God; lest any root of BITTERNESS springing up trouble you, and thereby many be DEFILED; lest there be any fornicator, or profane person." "Follow peace--- and Holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord."
Let me present a few thoughts about the Mountain of the Lord's House. In Daniel 2:35 we read that the stone which smote the image of Nebuchadnezzar in its feet, rolled on until it became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. Later we learn (vs 44) that it represents the Kingdom of God in the earth.
We read elsewhere of this mountain in Mic. 4 and Isa. 2. It says that the Mountain of the Lord's House shall be established in the TOPS OF THE MOUNTAINS, and shall be EXALTED ABOVE THE LITTLE HILLS, and all nations shall flow into it. In other words, the Kingdom of God is the Acme of Spiritual development.
Isa. 11 and 65 tell about the blessed conditions which will exist in this Holy Mountain. "They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My Holy Mountain." (The Mountain of My Holiness)
Psalm 2 tells us (6) that "My Holy Hill is Zion," and that His King sits on it. The margin calls it ZION, THE HILL OF MY HOLINESS. Psa 87-- "The Lord loveth the gates of Zion---glorious things are spoken of thee, O CITY OF GOD."
Psa 48: " Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the City of our God, in the Mountain of His Holiness."
I am afraid there has been a tendency to think about Mount Zion as being a place of Glory and Dominion (which it surely is), but not enough about it being also a Mountain of Holiness. Isa. 35:8 speaks about the highway which leads to Mount Zion (vs 10) and says it shall be called "The Way of Holiness." While the redeemed of the Lord walk this Highway of Holiness, they will have songs and everlasting joy upon their heads. Note the word everlasting. This signifies a joy of Heavenly origin, of the same type which was set
before Jesus to cause Him to endure the Cross, and despise the shame. THERE SEEMS TO BE A TENDENCY these days for us to attempt to create a "pseudo-joy" which can be made compatible with an unclean life. The Psalmist (24) asked who would be permitted to walk this Highway to the Hill of the Lord (vs 3), and received the same answer as was given by Isaiah (35)-- "the unclean shall not pass over it." (vs 8) "If a man therefore purge himself...". "Purge out therefore the old leaven.." "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members instruments of unrighteousness unto sin, but yield yourselves unto God.." "Looking diligently lest any man FAIL of the Grace of God; lest any root of BITTERNESS springing up trouble you, and thereby many be DEFILED; lest there be any fornicator, or profane person." "Follow peace--- and Holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord."
Friday, March 26, 2010
SPIRITSOFJUSTMEN
SPIRITS OF JUST MEN
I am almost positive that the Church leaders of yester year, and many of today, have been steered off course by the teaching of things which cannot be proven in the light of Scriptures as they stand, unchanged by past traditions and legends.
I submit for your consideration today a Scripture which seems to tell me that God has something more in store for His last-day Church than a fire escape to save them from annihilation.
If His Church is going to be Glorious, it should be brought to that point _before_ it is "Raptured" out of the world.
I wonder sometimes if we haven't overworked the "Rapture" a little bit. Maybe it has been emphasized a little more than it should have been, in view of other scriptures which seem to contradict, or at least detract from its position of priority in our circles.
One such Scripture is Heb. 12:22 _But ye are come_unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the _ general assembly and church of the firstborn,_ which are written in heaven, and to God the
Judge of all, and to the _spirits of just men made perfect,_ And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than [that of] Abel. __
The first thing that stands out to me is that we do not deal with Sinai anymore, but with Sion (Grace in Jesus Christ). We don't need to fret ourselves with an earthly city, __which has served its purpose,__ but we now have the Spirit of God within us, with the promise of
more of the same at the Day of Atonement, before the end of the Age. We __are the City of the Living God__, and have the promise of the Glory of God in the end.
Gal 4:24 _Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and__ is in bondage with her children.__ But Jerusalem __which is above is free,__ which is the mother of us all. _
I hope the phrase_ "Church of the Firstborn"_ means to you what it does to me. Some day, maybe we will be prompted to trace the "firstborn" through the Scripture with you. It is fascinating to watch God carry out His plan.
The burden of this lesson, however, is _"the spirits of just men made perfect."_ To me it speaks that God's plan calls for a few "good men" (and women) to be brought to a state of perfection (completeness) in the economy of God. The purpose of this is to have people who can administer God's "economy" or judgments (ways) in the earth. In some places they are called "Angels".
In other places they are called "reapers". They will be what the Bible calls_ Eunuchs;_ personal ambition will be gone. They will _faithfully administer the things of __God._
Isaiah 26:9 _With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments (Mishphat--manners, or ways--not punishments) [are] in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. _
The problem facing each of us today is that of being what the Bible calls "just". That is our job. God will have no trouble with His part, if we get our part done.
Merely being "saved by Grace" will not cut it. We will have to add the attributes found in 2 Peter 1:5 __"And beside this, giving all diligence, ADD TO YOUR FAITH _virtue;_ and to virtue _knowledge;_ And to knowledge _temperance,_ and to temperance _patience;_ and to patience _Godliness;_ And to godliness _brotherly kindness;_ and to brotherly kindness _charity._ For if these things be in you, and abound, they make [you that ye shall] _neither _[be] barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge_ of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is _blind, and cannot see afar off,_ and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.___
_THIS IS THE PATH OF THE JUST_
I am almost positive that the Church leaders of yester year, and many of today, have been steered off course by the teaching of things which cannot be proven in the light of Scriptures as they stand, unchanged by past traditions and legends.
I submit for your consideration today a Scripture which seems to tell me that God has something more in store for His last-day Church than a fire escape to save them from annihilation.
If His Church is going to be Glorious, it should be brought to that point _before_ it is "Raptured" out of the world.
I wonder sometimes if we haven't overworked the "Rapture" a little bit. Maybe it has been emphasized a little more than it should have been, in view of other scriptures which seem to contradict, or at least detract from its position of priority in our circles.
One such Scripture is Heb. 12:22 _But ye are come_unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the _ general assembly and church of the firstborn,_ which are written in heaven, and to God the
Judge of all, and to the _spirits of just men made perfect,_ And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than [that of] Abel. __
The first thing that stands out to me is that we do not deal with Sinai anymore, but with Sion (Grace in Jesus Christ). We don't need to fret ourselves with an earthly city, __which has served its purpose,__ but we now have the Spirit of God within us, with the promise of
more of the same at the Day of Atonement, before the end of the Age. We __are the City of the Living God__, and have the promise of the Glory of God in the end.
Gal 4:24 _Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and__ is in bondage with her children.__ But Jerusalem __which is above is free,__ which is the mother of us all. _
I hope the phrase_ "Church of the Firstborn"_ means to you what it does to me. Some day, maybe we will be prompted to trace the "firstborn" through the Scripture with you. It is fascinating to watch God carry out His plan.
The burden of this lesson, however, is _"the spirits of just men made perfect."_ To me it speaks that God's plan calls for a few "good men" (and women) to be brought to a state of perfection (completeness) in the economy of God. The purpose of this is to have people who can administer God's "economy" or judgments (ways) in the earth. In some places they are called "Angels".
In other places they are called "reapers". They will be what the Bible calls_ Eunuchs;_ personal ambition will be gone. They will _faithfully administer the things of __God._
Isaiah 26:9 _With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments (Mishphat--manners, or ways--not punishments) [are] in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. _
The problem facing each of us today is that of being what the Bible calls "just". That is our job. God will have no trouble with His part, if we get our part done.
Merely being "saved by Grace" will not cut it. We will have to add the attributes found in 2 Peter 1:5 __"And beside this, giving all diligence, ADD TO YOUR FAITH _virtue;_ and to virtue _knowledge;_ And to knowledge _temperance,_ and to temperance _patience;_ and to patience _Godliness;_ And to godliness _brotherly kindness;_ and to brotherly kindness _charity._ For if these things be in you, and abound, they make [you that ye shall] _neither _[be] barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge_ of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is _blind, and cannot see afar off,_ and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.___
_THIS IS THE PATH OF THE JUST_
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