Seventeen Walk While You Have The Light

Chapter Seventeen

Walk While You Have The Light

In a discussion with a crowd that had, once again, gathered around Him, Jesus said the following; “For a little while longer the Light is among you. Walk while you have [“to have (hold) in the hand, to hold fast, to own, possess”] the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes. While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you

may become sons of Light.”

(John 12:35-36/NASU)

Right before this, Jesus had given them a hint of how He was to die. To be sure, He would soon be gone from among them, but I also see a warning in this for those of us who walk with Him today (i.e. received Him, possess Him). As I have stressed numerous times already, we too are warned in the New Testament to be careful how we walk, after receiving Christ.

In our earlier discussion regarding those who have received Christ and been given the right to become children of God (John 1:12), we saw that having the power to choose does not automatically mean that we will choose what is pleasing to the Lord. The daily battle within every Christian is to determine who will be Lord, Him or us.

In the verse right before Luke 11:36 (see chapter fourteen) which spoke of the body being full of light with no dark part in it, Jesus made a seemingly strange warning. He said; “watch out that the light in you is not darkness.” How could the light in us become darkness? The answer is by not walking in obedience to what we have been given eyes to see and ears to hear. To believe in the light while we possess it is to trust and obey for there’s no other way to

become a son of light. To walk in disobedience is to cover His light that enlightens everyone and allow the darkness to remain empowered within.

John continues in chapter twelve, saying; “though He had performed so many signs before them, yet they were not believing in Him.” (John 12:37) He said this was to fulfill the word of Isaiah that spoke of the Lord hardening the hearts of those whom He had revealed Himself too because of their unbelief.

He then quotes Isaiah 6:10 which says;

“He has blinded their eyes and He hardened their heart, so that they would not see with their eyes and perceive with their heart and be converted [“to turn round, to bring back”] and I heal them.” (John 12:40/NASU)

To heal is “to make whole (i.e. to free from error and sins).” It will only be those who turn around in repentance, when necessary, in these last moments of this age that will hold onto their place within the “wholly illumined” Body of Christ that will be full of light with no “dark part” in it.

In His conversation regarding His Light in us, Jesus continued, as I quoted earlier, saying; “I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness.” (John 12:46/NASU) To not remain in darkness is, by Greek definition, “to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy), to abide, to remain as one is.” This is the intent of our right; to not remain in darkness, continuing to be the slave of sin, but to walk in the freedom that Christ granted us through His death and resurrection. It’s the Divine right of freedom to be free indeed.

Jesus said;

“If you continue [same Greek word as remain] in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” (John 8:31-32/NASU)

As stated, in Christ we have been given the freedom to choose whether or not we will continue in obedience to Christ’ commands. To continue in His word is to continue walking in His freedom through the power of the Spirit of liberty. To rebel against the leading of the Spirit is to remain, or be taken back into bondage.

Paul said to the church in Corinth;

“Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that

Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures…” (1 Corinthians 15:1-4/NASU)

To hold fast the word by which we are saved is to retain it, to keep it secure by, again as I have said multiple times for reinforcement, working together with the Holy Spirit.

In the parable of the lamp, Jesus warns His disciples concerning the extreme significance of listening through the picture of a lamp. He said;

“Now no one after lighting a lamp covers [“to hide, veil, i.e. to hinder the knowledge of a thing”] it over with a container, or puts it under a bed; but he puts it on a lampstand, so that those who come in may see the light. For nothing is hidden that will not become evident, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light. So take care how you listen; for whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has shall be taken away from him.” (Luke 8:16-18/NASU)

To be a good listener is to not only hear the word of the Lord but to then obey it. The right to hear and choose, remember, is only given to those who receive Him, to those who “believe in His name” and are “born of God” (John 1:12).

To put the light we have received in Christ on a lamp is to make Him known publicly, before man, as we do in this world the good works we were created for in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:10). His works exalt Him. Our works led by the flesh rather than the Spirit exalt us. It is only when Jesus is lifted up that man can be drawn to Him. Otherwise, we draw people to ourselves, our church, our group, our thing, etc.

To not do what we have heard from God is to cover His light before the world, hindering them from coming to the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus said;

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16/NASU)

Keep Standing Firm

Paul warned the church in Galatia to stand firm against the false brethren who had infiltrated their midst and desired to take them back into the bondage of following the law without the Spirit. He said;

“…it was because of the false brethren secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage. But we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you.” (Galatians 2:4-5/NASU)

There will always be those who desire to take God’s people back into Egypt, the house of religious bondage. On the other hand, there will also be those who claim to have freedom in Christ but do not abide within the perfect law of liberty that leads to the freedom of Christ likeness. The Holy Spirit gives us discernment in these matters so as not to be deceived by either error.

While warning the church of false teachers that will always be among us, Peter gave this solemn warning in regards to becoming entangled again in the defilements of the world, after turning to Christ;

“These men are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity — for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him. If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing [“recognition, precise and correct knowledge”] our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known [“to become thoroughly acquainted with, to know accurately, to understand”] the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. Of them the proverbs are true: ‘A dog returns to its vomit,’ and, ‘A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.’” (2 Peter 2:17-22/NIV)

These false teachers that, at one time were given the same opportunity as the faithful to remain in Christ, but did not do what they first heard, will soon be exposed by the Holy Spirit as the modern day Ishbosheth’s, the “man of shame” (we’ll talk about him more later). The Lord has been mercifully calling out to them to repent but they will not listen. Their stiff-necked folly will be exposed and they will be destroyed.

Paul warned the Christians in Galatia, and us today, to be careful how we handled this liberty from God. He told them;

“For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” (Galatians 5:13/NASU)

Peter also warned us concerning how to rightfully exercise our freedom in Christ. He said;

“Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God.” (1 Peter 2:16/NASU)

Interestingly, it is as we willingly choose to become bondslaves of God that mankind finds the greatest expression of freedom on earth. As Paul said;

“It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm [“to persist, persevere”] and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1/NASU)

The Answer

So, to answer our original question at the beginning of chapter ten, “What is freedom in Christ?”, by biblical definition it is the “authority, power (of choice), privilege, liberty of doing as one pleases” that is only granted to those who turn in repentance to Jesus Christ. As discussed, the unbelievers do not have this “law of liberty” within to even choose. They are held captive by the devil to do his will (2 Timothy 2:26), and of the law that keeps mankind in the bondage of iniquity.

After receiving this right of liberty through accepting Christ as your Lord and Savior, we now have the freedom, the power of choice to say “yes,” or “no” to His commands. To abide by God’s law, continuing in it through perseverance, is to experience the greatest freedom ever offered on earth. To walk continually in disobedience is to say no to the Divine privilege of choosing Christ’ offer of freedom from inner bondage, resulting in an apostate heart that falls away from Him.

The believer that has continuously denied the conviction and power within of the Holy Spirit to say no to their ungodly desires (2 Timothy 3:5, Titus 2:11-14), and of being conformed to His image, is the one who is defined by God as receiving His grace in vain. It has had little to no effect within them.

It would have been better that they never understood the way of righteousness and freedom in Christ than, having been given the “precise and correct knowledge” from God of it, to turn away from the holy commandment

revealed to them (2 Peter 2:20-22). Their last state has become worse for them than the first state which was lost and not knowing. Judgment will be worse for those who know and then choose to turn away from what the Holy Spirit reveals as the way of liberty. After receiving Christ, they have treated with great insult His precious blood that purchased their freedom.

When, as a Christian, we continue in sin without repentance, our hearts become hardened to the Spirit’s conviction. In so doing we are in grave danger of grieving Him and falling away with an apostate heart (2 Thessalonians 2:1-12). This is the destructive spirit of antichrist (1 John 4:13) that, when allowed to remain within us, will shipwreck our faith. It is extremely critical that, after being set free by Christ, we heed Paul’s plea to keep standing firm and not be subject again to a yoke of slavery (Galatians 5:1).

Be encouraged, church, to keep seeking things above in order to not shrink back in shame at the Lord’s imminent return. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, stay on the narrow path that leads to eternal life in Christ. There is another way, a broad way of least resistance which may seem right but in the end it will lead to death (Proverbs 14:12).

“Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city.” (Revelation 22:14/NASU)

May we be encouraged to live our lives in submission to the will of God, keeping our garments clean with the intent to one day, soon, hear Him declare, “Well done good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord.” To God be the glory.

Chapter Eighteen

Shelley’s Dream

while after her stroke, Shelley had a dream that would be followed by two more over a period of nearly one year, each one picking up where the other left off.A

In the initial dream she was walking on a well-defined path with other people. Along the way there were benches that you could sit on. Next to each one was an exit. She noticed that no one was taking advantage of the benches.

In the dream, she became very fatigued as she was walking. She knew this path represented the Christian’s walk of salvation. At one point she sat down on one of the benches, telling the Lord that she was tired.

While sitting, she watched as some of the people who came along exited off the path, choosing to not sit down and rest. She knew that once they exited they could never get back on the path. In her heart she knew that she was not exiting, but needed to stop and rest. Isn’t this true for all of us who are following Christ? Sometimes you just need to sit for a short time and get your strength back. Others leave the path, unfortunately, because of the difficulties encountered while on the journey. This necessary place of rest is from the Lord. He knows what we need at just the right moment if we’ll just surrender and trust Him.

With or without Christ, difficult times to one degree or another are a guarantee in our walks through life. For the Christian, though, it is for a different reason. It is through these that we can grow, learning to walk by faith, not by sight. This is how we are stripped of self-reliance. He alone desires to be our Provider. It is crucial that we hold fast to Him along the way, looking for His promise of provision.

Yes, He does promise to never leave us or forsake us, bringing us into the Promised Land, but, as I already said, the promise alone isn't enough for us to enter. The children of Israel also had a promise of entering in, but along the way most perished. The Bible tells us the reason they were unable to enter in was due to unbelief (Hebrews 3:19), which we discussed earlier, causing them 105

to become “unbelieving believers.”

Part Two

A couple of weeks later, Shelley had another part of the same dream. She was sitting on a bench looking behind her. This time she could see where the exit path led to. It went down into a valley where there was a broad, paved road. Many people were going back and forth on this flat road, apparently laughing and having a good time. Shelley even recognized some of the people on this road that were from our town and claimed to be Christians. It was a party-like atmosphere where everyone was eating and drinking with no concern for what lie ahead.

There also appeared to be what looked like concession stands where one could buy food and drinks. All of the people were oblivious to the paths destination. It was leading them to destruction! They had left the difficulties of the less defined, and increasingly steeper path that Shelley was on for the easier terrain of the broad road down below in the valley.

I was reminded of Jesus’ warning to His disciples in Matthew;

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." (Matthew 7:1314/NAS)

Exiting the path of the sometimes difficult, confining ways of the Holy Spirit, for what appears to be the unrestricted freedom of the desires of the flesh, is too tempting for many. If we do not count the cost before committing to Jesus Christ, understanding through the revelation of the Holy Spirit that our journey of salvation includes fiery trials when necessary, we most likely will not finish. Difficult situations reveal exits in our hearts. They are escape routes of the flesh that can be used in case of emergency.

To the upright in heart who are committed to the Lord and desire to stand firm, Proverbs declares;

“Discretion will guard you, understanding will watch over you, to deliver you from the way of evil, from the man who speaks perverse things; from those who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; who delight in doing evil [2 Thessalonians 2:12], and rejoice in the perversity of evil; whose paths are crooked, and who are devious in their ways.” (Proverbs 2:11-15/NASU)

While Shelley was observing this scene before her in the valley, an older gentleman came up the narrow path and sat directly across from her on

another bench. He told her his name was John and that his wife had died a couple of years before. They never had any children, leaving him with no immediate family for comfort and support. He was a retired business owner struggling with feelings of loneliness. Shelley was struggling with financial concerns. They both appeared to have what the other needed.

It's interesting to me how much detail there was in the dream. The terrain on the path was now different from the first dream. It had become a narrow, straight path on a steep hill. The land was desolate this time, and there were no other people in sight. The further you walk with the Lord, the less traveled the path is. The path of least resistance is the broad path that many in the church will choose to travel on.

Shelley said that it was interesting to her that he faced the valley, but never looked down towards it. Before he came, she had been looking behind her where she sat, noticing the scene below. As they talked, she asked him how he kept going. He said he kept his eyes on the path, explaining his apparent lack of concern for those on the broad road down in the valley.

As they got up to leave together, Shelley reached out to get her big backpack that she was carrying with her. In it were water, food, a sleeping bag, and a big pillow. He told her to leave it behind. She said to him, “What will we do if we get thirsty, or hungry, or even tired along the way?” It was a barren path with nothing in sight. The older gentleman replied, “The Lord will provide for you what you need.” The weight of the pack, he said, would just end up tiring her out on the journey. She would have to leave behind all visible means of support, trusting the Lord for all her future needs.

This is what has been happening to Shelley and I as we have traveled along the path of the Lord laid out before us. He has been slowly weaning us from all of man’s support in this world. We are learning the difficult lesson of leaving all behind and totally trusting Him for every provision, even in America.

In reality, it is the only real secure place there is. We are very thankful, even though it has been so difficult. The glory that is yet to be revealed within us, and everyone else who totally commits to the Lord, will be worth it all. We will be forever grateful to Him for His grace and love that He so freely gives to those who are called by His name and remain faithful until the end.

Part Three

Almost one year later, Shelley had the third part to this dream. Strangely enough, each dream would start where the other left off. She had wrestled with God all night, pleading with Him for money to pay our bills. We desperately needed a breakthrough in our finances. She woke up crying many times throughout the night.

The dream happened very early the next morning. It began with the elderly man, John, and her were walking up a narrow path. Eventually they reached a flat, grassy plain that looked almost like a park. It was a place where they could get a drink and rest. She couldn’t see the broad road behind her anymore. They had reached a height where it was no longer visible.

Soon, another couple entered the plain. They looked to be middle aged. Shelley said that she wasn’t sure why they were there. She knew that she was there because of the financial need and that John was there because he needed companionship. Everyone had a need and this was the end of the path where all needs were met.

The point of sharing this dream (of which there was more personal revelation given to us) is to reinforce the fact that there is a place in your journey on the path of salvation where, because of the hardship encountered while following Jesus Christ, a person can choose to exit, turning off to their own destruction.

Proverbs 10:17 says; “He is on the path of life who heeds instruction, but he who forsakes reproof goes astray.” The Hebrew for astray is ta` ah (taw-aw'). It means “to err, to wander, to go astray.” It’s also used in speaking of a person who staggers about like a drunkard.

Proverbs 21:16 declares; “A man who strays from the path of understanding comes to rest in the company of the dead.” Some in the Body of Christ need to quickly sober up before it’s too late and they exit, finding themselves in the “broad-road” congregation of the living dead. It’s a place of no return. This is the place Esau found himself in, rejected with no place for repentance (Hebrews 12:16-17).

Shelley's Perspective:

I came home the latter part of February. It felt so good to be home. Through the Lord’s strength I had accomplished so much, and yet, so much more had to be done!

I was happy to be home with our daughter from China. I knew that her distance from me was because of my absence for five weeks. I was fortunate to have our family watch her. She attached to them, and it took some time for her to get reacquainted with me. With much love and patience, she bonded relatively quickly.

I still had a lot of therapy. I went three days a week, for three hours. I would come home exhausted. I slept most of the time. One assignment for my Speech Therapy was to read as many children's books out loud as possible. This was not only beneficial for me, but for Ana as well. She has a wonderful

vocabulary with excellent language skills. I like to tell people that we learned to walk and talk together.

She, along with my four other children, were my inspiration. I had to keep up with a toddler. It wasn't easy. Thank the Lord, that she was a tiny girl. She weighed only 11 pounds at 13 months old! God certainly knew what He was doing.

March and April were not only a transition time for me, but for my family as well. Our oldest son, Brandon, was graduating from High School. We had planned a family vacation to Virginia before my stroke. We didn't want to disappoint the kids so we decided to pack our bags and go.

This was extremely difficult for me, but I tried not to complain. I still got tired easily. I didn't know if I could manage the long fifteen hour car ride. Because of the brain trauma, my head felt like it was being squeezed. I've heard this is quite common for head injury patients. The vacation was not without complications, but it was what we needed as a family.

During my illness, I tried to journal what I was feeling. On April 16, little did I know that what I was reading would in fact apply to what God was about to do in our family.

I was reading out of the Streams In The Desert devotional, written by Mrs. Charles E. Cowman. The reading for that day was talking about Abraham's faith in Hebrews 11:8 when he heard the call of God to go, not knowing where he was going to. Here is an account of what I read;

“Whither he went, he knew not; it was enough for him to know that he went with God. He leant not so much upon the promises as upon the Promiser. He looked not on the difficulties of his lot, but on the King, eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, who had deigned to appoint his course, and would certainly vindicate Himself. O glorious faith! This is thy work, these are thy possibilities; contentment to sail with sealed orders, because of unwavering confidence in the wisdom of the Lord High Admiral; willinghood to rise up, leave all, and follow Christ, because of the glad assurance that earth's best cannot bear comparison with heaven's least. F.B.M.”

When Tim came home that evening, he told me what his work had offered him. [They had, per the Lord’s design, asked me to either commit long term with them or they would have to indefinitely let me go. I knew it was the Lord telling me that it was time to move on with Him. I had been feeling that it was time to go, but was waiting for Him to confirm it. He most definitely had!]

I thought, “How are we going to manage without insurance?” Unlike Abraham, I was looking at the difficulties of my lot. I knew that Tim was a man of prayer and he never did anything without seeking the Lord first. How could he commit to something long term outside of the will of God?

I wanted to know that he definitely would do nothing apart from hearing

from Him. He assured me that he wouldn't. I knew that his commitment was to God alone. After everything God had taken us through, we knew this was His leading. Like Abraham, the life of faith would begin. Where God was leading us, we didn't know.

My journal reading went on to say;

“It is by no means enough to set out cheerfully with your God on any venture of faith. Tear into smallest pieces any itinerary for the journey which your imagination may have drawn up. Nothing will fall out as you expect. Your guide will keep to no beaten path. He will lead you by a way such as you never dreamed your eyes would look upon. He knows no fear, and He expects you to fear nothing while He is with you.”

Besides me and a few faithful friends, Tim didn't receive any Godly advice about his decision. In fact, I found a letter addressed to him a few months later in our bathroom drawer that he had not shared with me. It was from a man with a large ministry who we had looked up to in the past.

The letter stated that throughout his years of ministry, everyone he knew that had left their jobs as Tim was about to had made a grave mistake. It went on to warn him of the consequences he would face. Never once was there any reference to prayer or the leading of the Holy Spirit.

I questioned Tim about the letter and why he hadn't said anything about it. He said that he did not want me to get upset about something that he knew was not from the Lord, but a man's heart. That's why the letter was ignored. Be careful of the advice you give in the name of Jesus. Don't give any if it's void of the Spirit! We soon found ourselves at the Family Independent Agency office, where we qualified to sign up for government help. What an eye opening, humbling experience that was. It was God's way of letting us know how others felt. We have learned to praise God for His provision, even when it's through Medicaid and food stamps. As I would often say in Mary Freebed, “Thank God for God.” God's ways are not our ways.

I've often quoted something I learned in a Bible Study. It was a quote that God would bring up many times in the months ahead. It said, “If you believe in a God that you can understand, then you believe in a God no greater then yourself.” My understanding of God would certainly be challenged in the months and years ahead.

[To read Shelley’s devotional called Comfort For The Suffering, which journals her recovery process and the insights the Lord gave her, go to http://capstone-ministries.com/comfort-for-the-suffering-shelleysdevotional/.]

Chapter Nineteen

Falling From Your Secure Position

In the New Testament, Peter gives us a warning concerning those who distort the Scriptures to their own destruction. He warns the church brethren, saying;

“You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard lest, being carried away by the error of unprincipled men, you fall from your own steadfastness [NIV- …fall from your secure position.].” (2 Peter 3:17/NASU)

There are four key words in this passage that I need to break down in order to fully understand the scope of Peter’s statement.

The first word is actually interpreted into the two English words, “carried away. ” The Greek word for this is sunapago (soon-ap-ag'-o). It means “to lead away with or together.” Metaphorically, it means “to be carried away with, to experience with others the force of what carries away.” This is the danger of fellowshipping with those who are walking in error. You will either stand up against the seducing spirit in their midst or be swept away with them out an exit.

The same word is also used in Galatians by Paul when he records the time he publicly stood up against Peter;

“ …prior to the coming of certain men from James, he [Peter] used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision. And the rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy.” (Galatians 2:12-13/NASU)

By not standing firm through being straightforward about the truth of the Gospel, Peter led many others, including Barnabas, into great hypocrisy. Being more concerned about the approval of man, even this seasoned apostle was “carried away” by a seducing spirit. If these men who literally walked with Jesus and were taught by Him, and witnessed the power of God through miracle after miracle could be carried away, how much more you and me!

The next word is “ error. ” The Greek for it is plane (plan' -ay). It’s defined as “a wandering, a straying about, one led astray from the right way, who roams hither and thither.” Metaphorically, it means “a mental straying; an error, a wrong opinion relative to morals or religion, an error which shows itself in action, a wrong mode of acting.”

The third Greek word is athesmos (ath'-es-mos) which we interpret in English as “unprincipled men.” It’s described as “one who breaks through the restraint of law and gratifies his lusts.” This is the lawless crowd that Shelley saw in her dream down on the broad road. It is revealed through their party spirit, a party spirit that has seduced many in the church.

The final English word to define is “fall. ” The Greek for it is ekpipto (ekpip'-to). It means “to fall out of, to fall down from, to fall from a thing, to lose it.” It also means “to perish, to fall from a place from which one cannot keep, to fall from a position.” This is another truth destroying the number one doctrine of demons, “eternal security. ” There is eternal security in Christ, but only, as Jesus taught, for the one who stands firm, abiding in Him, until the end (Matthew 10:22, 24:13).

From this one verse it becomes obvious that we must be extremely careful of who or what doctrine we are following. In the company of deceived Christians, we could easily be carried away by the error of their lawlessness, exiting into a place of no turning back where their will be great weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Earlier in his second letter, Peter had warned the church, saying;

“But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them [the spirit of antichrist], bringing swift destruction upon themselves. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way [which means “a traveled way, a journey”] of the truth will be maligned… forsaking the right way [the right pathway] they have gone astray… speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error... ” (2 Peter 2:1-2, 15, 18/NAS)

By walking in agreement with those who are following false prophets, you and I risk falling from our “ secure position” in Christ, exiting the path that leads to life. The gospel truth of the Word of God speaks loud and clear to those who desire it.

The good news of the Gospel is if we will persevere, standing firm in the truth until the end, the Lord will eventually lead us to a place of rest, as in Shelley’s dream, where “my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19) The greatest of all needs is for the deliverance from our fallen, fleshly natures through the salvation that comes from the God of all mercy.

After Paul strongly urged fellow believers to work together with the Lord and not to receive His grace in vain, he then told them how in the rest of the chapter. They were to separate themselves from the “unclean” things in the world and serve God with an undivided heart. If we do this, Paul goes on to say that the Lord promises that He will then, after we obey, welcome us as a Father and we will be sons and daughters to Him (2 Corinthians 6:14-18).

This is why Paul then makes the serious statement to the church in Corinth;

“Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." (2 Corinthians 7:1/NAS)

Do you now understand the reason why he said, “in the fear of God”?

As Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the commandments of God, the children of Israel experienced something very powerful for their future journey. The Bible tells us that;

“…they saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, and they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance and said to Moses, ‘Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.’ Moses said to the people, ‘Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.” (Exodus 20:18-20/NIV)

I truly believe that as the end of this age draws near we too, out of mercy, will behold something very powerful from God so that the fear of Him will be strongly etched in our hearts to get our attention, and to keep us from sinning in preparation for His return. He loves us and reaches out as necessary, per His children’s hearts. To turn away from Him at that point is to miss our last call.

Because of the demonic strongholds gained through falsehood, many within the church will read this and still have no fear of God and His righteous

judgments. Their conscience has been seared, producing an insensitive heart toward the loving warnings of the Lord.

If necessary, you must repent while there is still time and get out of Babylon, the religious prostitute, before the Lord judges her. Today is the “acceptable day” to turn to the Lord and have the veil removed from your heart. Afterwards, the lies of the Devil that have blinded us for years from the truth will then be exposed, and the truth will be revealed that will truly set you free.

Chapter Twenty

The Test

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; and this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world.” (1 John 4:1-3/NASU)

In this hour, it is very important to understand what this passage means when it tells us to test the spirits. John is warning the church on how to identify false prophets in our midst who have the spirit of antichrist controlling them.

I once had a man who was challenging me about my beliefs ask me, “Did Jesus Christ come in the flesh?” This was his test for John’s statement above. What he meant was, “Did Jesus Christ come down from heaven and manifest Himself in a human body?” Some cults, filled with much error, believe this. In my opinion, simply verbalizing that Jesus has come in the flesh is not the test to see if someone is from God or not. Even Satan himself would say yes and not be lying!

I believe the test will be the witness of a life that shows they are getting victory over sin through the power of God (John 1:12) which is within them. The fruit of the Spirit is being manifested in their spirit which proves that Jesus Christ has come into their flesh. It is revealed through the change that is taking place within them as they are being conformed into His likeness. They are not denying the power of God within them, but are instead allowing the leading of the Holy Spirit to put to death the deeds of their flesh. You will know the internal presence of the Lord Jesus Christ by the external fruits of the Spirit that are being manifested in their life. Simply put, the external is a 115

manifestation of the internal.

Jesus, our pattern and example to follow, was led by the Spirit into the wilderness right after he was baptized and the Spirit descended upon Him. He was led into a place where the Devil would be allowed to test Him. It was the qualifying fire of God that would be used to reveal Him as a true witness. Luke 4:14 tells us; “Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit.” The greater the fire, the greater the anointing. No fire, no anointing, no witness of Christ within you.

The anointing is necessary to be a witness of Jesus. The Lord told Moses in Exodus, chapter 30, not to pour the anointing oil for a priest on anyone's body, or flesh. The priests had to go through a cleansing ritual first, preparing them for the oil. So must we. It is not a cheap perfume to be placed on anyone’s fleshly nature. Only those qualified by the Lord will receive it.

Right before Jesus ascended to the Father, after His resurrection, He gave the disciples specific instructions regarding their witness to the nations. They were to proclaim repentance for forgiveness of sins in His name, but not in their own strength. Jesus said;

“And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49/NASU)

Some are unwilling to stay in the designated place of the Lord, waiting to receive their clothing from above. Believe when I say, “I understand, more than you know.” But the promise is certain that if you will submit to the Holy Spirit's leading;

“…you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8/NASU)

The Lord has not asked us to be His witnesses without Him. We are in need of His power within us to proclaim His name.

A Life Of Faith

On December 24, 2002, the Lord spoke to my heart while I was reading a book on the life of Jonathan Goforth who, with his family, went to China in the early 1900's as missionaries. At one point during his ministry he was clothed with power from on high and a revival broke out. So as not to forget, I wrote it down in a journal.

I read how Goforth’s faith never seemed to waiver, even when, as a family, 116

times of severe testing came. He would never borrow, nor ever go in debt, and God always honored His servant’s trust in Him. The thought came to my mind; “Lord, are you preparing my family for a life of faith?” This question would soon be answered.

A few years earlier, on January 22, 1993, the Holy Spirit spoke to me when I was very concerned about the welfare of my family in the days ahead. He had been taking me through a process of revealing my sin, the church’s sin, and then the sins of our nation.

As I cried out to the Lord in great distress I heard Him say, “Turn to Isaiah 54.” When I turned to the passage my eyes immediately went to verse 11 which says; “O afflicted one, storm-tossed, and not comforted.” That was me for sure.

As I read further the Holy Spirit gave me a promise in verse 13. It says; “And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.” I praised God for His promise to me concerning my children!

The “life of faith” He spoke of was about to be entered into. Faith is always essential for victorious Christian living, but this was something on a deeper level than what we had been walking in up to that moment.

The Call To Come Follow The Lord

On April 12, 2004, three months after Shelley's stroke, I was called into the office where I worked as a tool designer, and talked with the three owners. They reminded me that I was the last one to be trained on the new software in our design department. It would involve time and money on their end and they needed me to commit long-term to them in order for this to happen. Understandably, they didn't want to train me and then have me leave soon afterwards. My other option, if I wouldn't commit long-term, was that I would be indefinitely laid off. I understood and said that I would pray about it and let them know.

My immediate response, when given these options, was that the only thing I was committed long term to was Jesus Christ and His work. That was the only thing I knew for sure.

Right after Shelley had her stroke, I almost left work to launch out, but the Lord laid upon my heart to continue waiting a little longer. I was not going to budge until I felt the Lord nudging me. This, though, seemed more like a shove.

After much prayer, Shelley and I felt that the Lord was now moving us out into whatever was next. Hebrews 11:8 tells us;

“By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he

was going.”

We too, like Abraham, had no idea where the Lord was now going to lead us. It appeared to be the life of faith the Lord had placed upon my heart sixteen months before. Whatever the Lord had next for our family, I did not want to be guilty of looking back after putting my hand to the plow.

Having nothing before us but the Word of the Lord, we set out. I thought of the words of Paul in Philippians when he said;

“…forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14/NAS)

Following the Lord’s leading, it was time to go forward. Likewise, it is time for the Body of Christ to move forward, per His leading, so as to be a people that are made ready for our Master’s return.

Chapter Twenty One

Get Ready!

few years ago, every time I went to prayer the Holy Spirit would say to me, “Get ready!” This went on for quite awhile. A couple of months after leaving my job as a tool designer, I thought that it might A be time to begin something new.

Soon, I began organizing what I called “Get Ready Ministry.” It wasn’t long afterwards that it was discontinued. I had to learn the lesson of being careful not to go ahead of the Lord, but to wait for His direction rather than mine. The “Get ready!” message is still strong within me. It just wasn’t God’s will to put a title on it.

At the beginning I thought I was supposed to start the way other ministries are started in this nation. As the Lord would eventually show me, I wasn’t to do it the “normal” way of the western church business models, but rather His way which He would reveal to me in time. It would be a couple of years before Capstone Ministries, a somewhat hidden ministry even now, would be birthed (capstone-ministries.com). Even now it isn’t our nonprofit name we were led into which is Network 153.

In America we organize way too much, believing this makes us a legitimate ministry. The only official word we need is the call from the Lord to go and proclaim in His name where He leads us. As with Jonah and Moses, He’ll give further details after you first step out in obedience per His direction.

One day, while reading the Scriptures, I was led to Revelation 19:7-9 which refers to the marriage of the Lamb and the preparation of the Bride. As I began to read it, the Holy Spirit witnessed within me that this was what He was talking about in regards to “get ready.”

Our heavenly Bridegroom, Jesus Christ, is soon coming for His Bride within the church. The problem is that, as we discussed earlier, many of God's people are sleeping, spiritually, as all the virgins were in Matthew, chapter 25. We are in need of a final, great awakening.

Jesus said to His disciples about His return; 119

“Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep. But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose, and trimmed their lamps.” (Matthew 25:5-7/NASU)

The midnight shout is being heard this very day. Praise the Lord for His mercy of crying out loudly to His people who are spiritually sleeping. He is now, in this late hour, giving us time to prepare His way within our hearts. The question is, are you and I going to be a foolish or a wise virgin?

I often hear people in the church say they believe Jesus is coming soon and that they can’t wait to be with Him. It’s His mercy that He hasn’t appeared yet. The current dysfunctional mess within the family of God proves that we are far from being ready.

Are You Ready For The Day Of The Lord?

In the book of Amos the Lord gives us a serious warning concerning those who say they’re looking for His return, but in reality are not prepared for it. He says;

“Alas, you who are longing for the day of the LORD, for what purpose will the day of the LORD be to you? It will be darkness and not light; as when a man flees from a lion, and a bear meets him, or goes home, leans his hand against the wall, and a snake bites him. Will not the day of the LORD be darkness instead of light, even gloom with no brightness in it?” (Amos 5:18-20/NASU)

Expecting to see the Lord in all His glory, many in the church who are not listening to what the Spirit is saying in regards to the purification and preparation of their heart will instead be cast out of His kingdom into outer darkness.

While continuously walking in stubbornness toward the Lord’s leading in their life, many have been told by deceived ministers for years, “Peace, peace” when there is no peace. They are simply not prepared for what they’re about to face and will, as the Lord spoke to Shelley one day, curse God and die in the extreme moments that lie ahead.

The Current Need For Consecration

The moments we have left before the return of Christ should be spent by all of God’s people in heart preparation. We must prepare His way within us through consecration. In Exodus 19, when Moses led the people out of their

camps to meet the Lord at Mount Sinai, he was instructed to tell them to prepare by consecrating themselves and washing their garments. This applies to us as well. We need inner cleansing before entering His presence at the end of this age (again, see my book 911; God’s Last Offer To The Church for more on the Lord’s warning that we are in the last opportunity to be cleansed by Him before He acts and the door of His mercy is shut).

Before meeting with the children of Israel on Mount Sinai, the Lord gave specific instructions to Moses on what they should and should not do. In part of His guidelines He gave this warning;

“And also let the priests who come near to the LORD consecrate themselves, lest the LORD break out against them.” (Exodus 19:22/NAS)

The Hebrew word used for consecrate also means “to sanctify, to prepare, to separate.” Let us separate ourselves from the things of this world in preparation of our King’s arrival. Those who do not prepare their hearts are represented by the man without the proper wedding clothes in Matthew 22:1113. They will be bound and thrown into the outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. The “outer darkness” is the place outside of Christ who is the “Light of men” (John 1:4).

Within the majority of the church in America we have become more concerned about making things ready for people to visit our building then we are the Lord to visit His people. Do I really believe that Jesus is coming back soon? If I truly do then I will prepare my heart by faith.

According to Revelation 19:7-8, when the appointed time arrives for the marriage of the Lamb, the Bride will prepare herself through purity and holiness. It is not our own righteousness, because the Bible makes it clear that there is no one who is righteous on his own. It is hearing the word of the Lord that He is soon coming and then responding by cleansing our hearts through faith. The true Bride will make the necessary alterations within her as the day draws near. These acts are said to clothe us in fine linen, bright and clean.

The Holy Spirit is calling His people to repentance, preparing the King’s way within us. We must remove the obstacles within our hearts as the Spirit of God leads. The pressure of the Holy Spirit will continue to build in order to turn back His people that have drifted from Him. Our full attention must be focused toward Him in order to be prepared for His return and be spared from His wrath.

Preparing The Lord’s Possession

In the last book of the Old Testament we are given the following exhortation;

“Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the LORD gave attention and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD and who esteem His name. ‘And they will be Mine,’ says the LORD of hosts, ‘on the day that I prepare My own possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him. So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him.’” (Malachi 3:16-18/NAS)

The Hebrew word used for “prepare” means “to fashion, to make, to press, to squeeze.” As a Christian, when you feel great pressure in your life circumstances, look to the Holy Spirit who is probably squeezing more of your fleshly nature into submission to prepare you for the final infilling of His Spirit.

The greatest outpouring of the Holy Spirit is about to be poured into those who have heard and obeyed the call to consecrate themselves. They have heard the word of the Lord to “get ready” and, like the wise virgins, are making sure there is the oil of the Spirit in their lamp.

The Bible tells us that John the Baptist’s father, Zacharias, prophesied over him when he was born. In part of his recorded prophecy he declared;

“And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare His ways; to give to His people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, with which the sunrise from on high shall visit us, to shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” (Luke 1:76-79/NAS)

The Greek for the word “ prepare ” in this passage is drawn from the oriental custom of sending persons on their journeys ahead of kings to level the roads and make them more passable. To level something, in this case a road, refers to uprightness, a place of firm footing which will not cause you to stumble. It is often interpreted as the straight way.

This is why the John the Baptist type of ministry is always sent ahead of the Lord, preaching repentance. It clears, or prepares the way for the Master. This goes for those who have never turned to the Lord, as well as those who have turned and then drifted in their obedience to Christ.

The Lord said through Malachi;

“Behold, I am going to send My messenger [“angel, representative”], and he will clear [“prepare”] the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will

suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming,” says the LORD of hosts. “But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap. And He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the LORD offerings in righteousness.” (Malachi 3:1-3/NAS)

This means that the day of the Lord’s return will be preceded by the messengers of the Lord. These representatives of Christ are crying out today for God’s people to prepare His way with a cleansed, repentant heart.

Judgment begins in the house of the Lord. It will then move out into the world. When it moves outward, the judgment has been set for His people. Those destined for suffering will suffer, and those destined for protection will be protected. No one will be able to say that they didn’t have time or know that He was coming. He gives His people plenty of time and warning to get ready so that, if necessary, they will get out of the place of judgment that they have drifted into by way of spiritual lethargy and continued disobedience (Revelation 18:4-8).

To refine is to test and to prove true. It is God’s “Quality Control.” Anyone in the area of manufacturing understands the vital importance of this department. It ensures the quality and integrity of what is being produced. You do not know the genuineness of something until it is tested. Otherwise, you could be producing bad parts. This is why Peter tells us;

“…you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:6-7/NAS)

The words “if necessary” speak of those areas in our lives that need to be tested and proven to expose the faults that must be dealt with. The Lord exposes them so that we will repent and then be strengthened through His Spirit in our area of weakness. It is all part of being conformed to His image. It is a painful process at times, but the only way in which to become like our Savior.

In my preparations, I have learned that I must be careful to not get distracted. At times, the object of my affection shifts from Jesus to something else if I don’t guard my heart. I’m glad to see mentioned within the Scriptures those who also dealt with this issue.

Distractions

The Bible describes a time when Jesus entered a certain village woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home; and a

“And she had a sister called Mary, who moreover was listening to the Lord's word, seated at His feet. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him, and said, ‘Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.’ But the Lord answered and said to her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only a few things are necessary, really only one, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.’” (Luke 10:38-42/NAS)

Not only was she distracted, but she was upset that others weren’t distracted with her. To some who can’t sit still, even sitting at the feet of Jesus seems to somehow be wrong to them. They think that if you aren’t involved in some activity, you’re wasting time. You might know someone like this, or even be that person. It’s very difficult for the Lord to get them to slow down, but He has His ways.

Shelley, admittedly, was always a mover and a shaker. She was very capable of making things happen. After her stroke, while lying on her back in a hospital bed for a few weeks, she was a captive audience for the Lord to share some promises with. She now realizes the importance of slowing down and taking more time to sit at the feet of Jesus. It is in this quiet place where the Lord often speaks to her.

Praise Him that He loves us so much to sometimes forcefully slow us down and put us in a position where He can then share His heart and great love with us. It is a spiritual discipline that many of us in today’s hectic pace of life struggle with in America.

His great love always compels me to come and spend time with Him. It is the only real place of peace and calm in an ever increasing world of chaos. “For thus the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said, ‘In repentance and rest you shall be saved, in quietness and trust is your strength.’ But you were not willing.” (Isaiah 30:15/NAS) Lord, if necessary, make us willing.

Chapter Twenty Two

Trimming Our Lamps

“But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the prudent, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the prudent answered, ‘No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. And later the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open up for us.’ But he answered and said, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’ Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.” (Matthew 25:6-13/NASU)

In Jesus’ teaching of the ten virgins, He spoke of them trimming their lamps. When you trim a lamp, you remove the carbon that has built up on the wick. This allows the light to burn cleaner, which in turn makes it brighter. We do the same thing in our lives. The “dark part” within our hearts must also be removed in order for the light of Christ to shine brighter to those living in darkness. Until the day we enter the fullness of Christ, which is our hope of glory, regular heart maintenance is required in order for the light within to continue being seen clearly by others.

Within the holy place of the tabernacle, there were lamps that would go out if the priests did not occasionally add oil to them. The age we are presently in still requires us to work together with the Holy Spirit in the maintenance of the light. A day is soon coming when we will physically go behind the veil, into the holy of holies, where the only light will be the glory of God that will fill those who are His vessels of honor.

The Scriptures say that He is coming back for a pure and spotless bride. Those who have ears to hear and understand the will of the Lord, but will not 125

listen and prepare by faith, becoming spotless and pure through the blood of Jesus that is applied to a repentant heart, will not be allowed into the wedding feast. This includes MANY within the church today. Praise God that He loves us enough to apply whatever pressure is necessary to get our attention so that we “put on” the proper wedding garments. There will be no excuses for any of us the day we stand before Him and give an account.

A Shut Door

While in prayer one day, the Holy Spirit spoke to me about a shut door. As Noah found out, when the Lord shuts the door, it is shut. Whenever this is spoken, the doctrines of demons that are well entrenched within many hearts of those within the church quietly whisper in return, “He's not talking about you. You repented years ago. You’re safe.” You will not find one verse in the Bible that says a person who has turned to Christ, and then turns their back on Him in stubborn rebellion, is safe. Actually, it is quite the contrary.

As mentioned earlier, the Word of God says that all who have been given eyes to see and turn to Jesus, and then walk away after having been given this saving knowledge by the Holy Spirit, are now worse off then those who never turned. Your judgment will be more severe than a “lost person” (2 Peter 2:2022).

Understanding our vile natures and what they are capable of, we need this fearful warning from the Lord to keep us from the independent pride and arrogance that has leavened the church in America.

While we have been sleeping, many have been set up for the kill by the devil’s doctrines. You must believe the written Word and repent. According to Paul, any doctrine that does not conform you to Godliness, but allows you to walk in sin and not repent, is a false doctrine (1 Timothy 6:3). May God grant you repentance if necessary, leading to the knowledge of the truth, and you come to your senses before the Lord shuts the door to His wedding feast and you are locked out because of an unrepentant heart (2 Timothy 2:25-26). The good news is that;

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9/NASU)

A Salvation Ready To Be Revealed

In His mercy, the Lord is commanding those who blow His trumpets of warning to proclaim His return. The purpose of this is to move us in the direction of preparing our hearts for a great end time deliverance that is now being revealed. Peter prophesied about this last day salvation when he said;

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God [His clothing in Luke 24:49] through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. ” (1 Peter 1:3-5/NASU)

It was the third day since Jesus had been crucified. Two of His disciples were walking to a village named Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. Luke, in chapter 24, tells us that Jesus joined them in their journey, but that they were kept from recognizing Him. As they discussed with Jesus the events that had just taken place concerning the crucifixion, they shared their confusion due to things turning out not quite as they thought it was going to.

They said to Jesus, whom they didn’t recognize yet;

“But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, it is the third day since these things happened.” (Luke 24:21/NASU)

Jesus then rebukes them by answering;

“‘O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?’ And beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.” (Luke 24:25-27/NASU)

You see, Jesus had the plan for the redemption of mankind within the Scriptures, but until He revealed it to them, they were unable to understand what was happening. It’s the same lack of understanding for us today that has resulted in the numerous teachings concerning the return of Christ.

Things have a way of rarely turning out like we thought they were going to. How many of us have wasted time worrying about something that never happened, or missed something else we should have been more concerned about? Often, our problem is that we walk in presumption, not looking for the counsel of God. Jesus has made it clear in his Word that we, His Body, should not be caught unaware of coming events, but rather that as children of light we should be alert and watchful.

The problem is not the Scriptures lack of information, but rather the lack of discernment amongst God's people who are currently sleeping in apathy when

we should be watching. Our redemption is drawing near and we have our eyes fixed on the things of this world. We should be looking to Jesus for His guidance and direction that will lead us to His “last time” salvation.

Recognizing The Time Of God’s Coming

Near the end of His days on earth, Jesus wept over Jerusalem approached it. He cried out, saying; as He

“If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace-but now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you.” (Luke 19:41-44/NIV)

The Jewish people were looking to be delivered from the Romans, but Jesus came to deliver them from their sin. Due to their hardness of heart they failed to recognize the Way of deliverance who stood right in front of them.

In his book, Mark gives us another account of the Emmaus encounter between Jesus and two of His followers;

“He appeared in a different form to two of them, while they were walking along on their way to the country.” (Mark 16:12/NAS)

The Greek for the word “form” is morphe (mor-fay') which has to do with “the form by which a person or thing strikes the vision, the external appearance.” Somehow, He appeared in a different manner to these disciples who knew Him.

What about those of us within the church today? If He comes in a different way or form then what we expect Him to, or have been taught, will our eyes be prevented from seeing Him? I believe that, yes, many will not recognize Him. We have had the end time events figured out for years, or so we thought. They are well entrenched within our doctrines.

In America, we have become like the church of Laodicea who said;

“‘I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,’ and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.” (Revelation 3:17/NASU)

My wife and I have said that we often feel like we are on the Titanic where most of the people were partying as the ship was sinking, totally blind to the disaster that is about to occur. Many seem to be more concerned about what kind of coffee and cookies are being served before the service than they are the condition of their hearts before God.

Fortunately, the mercy of God always precedes His judgments. He reaches out continuously to a stubborn and rebellious people, warning them to prepare their hearts.

May God grant repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth so that we may come to our senses and escape from the snare of the devil BEFORE the disciplining hand of the Lord rightly falls on our nation in the time of His judgment and wrath. Get ready church, your Bridegroom is coming!

Chapter Twenty Three

The Search For The Willing Bride

“Now Abraham was old, advanced in age; and the LORD had blessed Abraham in every way. And Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household, who had charge of all that he owned, ‘Please place your hand under my thigh, and I will make you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I live, but you shall go to my country and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son Isaac.’” (Genesis 24:1-4/NASU)

In Genesis 24 we have a beautiful picture, in type, concerning the search for the bride of Christ that has been in progress for centuries. The main characters of this passage are the master, his son who is the bridegroom, the trusted servant, and the prospective bride. Isaac, as the son, is a picture of Jesus, the Bridegroom Son of God the Father.

Two chapters earlier, God tested Abraham by telling him to take his son to the land of Moriah and offer him there as a burnt offering. What a test! As a parent, can you imagine what must have gone through his mind? What would our response be? He proved his heart when he said to his servants;

“Stay here with the donkey, and I and the lad will go over there; and we will worship and return to you.” (Genesis 22:5/NASU)

Abraham knew the power of God, even when told something that seemed to go against the promises he had received earlier from Him concerning his son Isaac. By his statement to his servants we can see he believed that, even if the 130

Lord did allow his son to be killed, He had the power to raise him back from the dead.

This is confirmed in Hebrews which says;

“By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac; and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; it was he to whom it was said, ‘In Isaac your descendants shall be called.’ He considered that God is able to raise men even from the dead; from which he also received him back as a type.” (Hebrews 11:17-19/NAS)

The Lord appeared to be proving whether or not Abraham would believe what was promised, no matter what direction things appeared to be going. I witnessed something similar through our experience with Shelley's stroke.

The Lord had given us a promise years before concerning future ministry together, and now it appeared, with the natural eye, that Shelley would not be there to fulfill it with me.

Concerning the fulfillment of Joseph's dream of his family bowing down to him, the Psalmist writes;

“ …until the time that his word came to pass, the word of the LORD tested him. (Psalm 105:19/NASU)

The promise would refine the one whom it was given to before its manifestation. This has happened in our life as well.

The Death Of A Vision

You might find out like Joseph that the very promise of God spoken to you will not come to pass without the Lord first putting it to an apparent death. The Lord seems to bring about the death of the vision first, only to then resurrect it in His perfect timing. He tests us to see if we will believe what He spoke, no matter how bad things appear.

I believe He also wants to make sure that when the promise is fulfilled it will be by His Spirit alone, apart from any human intervention. As with Abraham and God’s promise of a son, there will be a temptation to help God out in the fulfillment of His promise thereby creating an “Ishmael. ”

There seems to often be a delay between the promise being given and the promise being fulfilled. It’s as if the Lord waits until we almost forget about it, then He suddenly brings it to pass. This way everyone knows that it was the Lord, not us, and He receives His rightful glory.

Waiting On The Call To Be Fulfilled

The greater the call on someone's life, the greater the tests incurred upon them for that call. David had a great call on his life, but he did not immediately enter into it. The Lord allowed very difficult trials to come upon him in order to shape within him the character he would need. Our flesh fights this rough road that lies ahead, possibly even looking for the nearest exit. Only in the breaking of our stubborn wills can the call be brought forth.

A wise employer would not give a new employee who has no experience great authority in their particular business. They must first go through a period of training to help them become better suited to handle greater authority. Once proven, advancement is then possible. This is what occurs to all who have turned to the Lord thereby entering the training of the Holy Spirit.

The problem is when God's people do not submit to the training. Our continued resistance can disqualify us from a position in the Kingdom of God that could have been ours. It is only in the breaking of our will that the covenant promises are established.

In Genesis we read a time when Abraham was given an almost unimaginable test by God. He was commanded to offer his son, Isaac, in the land of Moriah on a mountain which He would tell him to. The Bible says;

“On the third day Abraham raised his eyes and saw the place from a distance. And Abraham said to his young men, ‘Stay here with the donkey, and I and the lad will go over there; and we will worship and return to you.’ And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son, and he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So the two of them walked on together.” (Genesis 22:4-6/NASU)

Our Heavenly Father also took some wood, the cross, and laid it on the back of His Son, Jesus, who willingly laid down His life for us. When Isaac asked his father where the lamb was for the sacrifice Abraham responded;

“God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” (Genesis 22:8/NASU)

This is the good news of the gospel. Jesus, the Lamb of God, has been provided as a sacrifice for our sin. When we become like Isaac, the living sacrifice, by willingly placing our lives on the Lord's altar, His sacrificial blood is then provided before the Father on our behalf.

Sending Out The Trusted Servant

As we now go into Genesis, chapter 24, we have a better understanding of the picture laid out before us. The father sends out the trusted servant who is looking for a bride for the resurrected son who, in type, is Isaac. He is a foreshadowing of Christ, the resurrected Son of God.

This wasn't just any servant who was entrusted with this assignment. It was Abraham’s oldest, or chief servant, who was in charge of all that he owned. He was a faithful servant who had proven over time that he could be entrusted with great authority. He had been around his master for some time, becoming quite familiar with his heart’s desire, as well as that of his son.

He represents those who make up the trusted servant ministry in the Body of Christ today. They are intimate in their relationship with their heavenly Master. Their desire is to obediently carry out their Master’s commands through the direction and strength that He provides.

If you will notice, the servant’s name is never given. There is no title for his ministry. Those with his calling are humble servants whose only desire is to obey and honor their Master. They are not looking to gain any personal notoriety. Their only mission is to obey and glorify the name of the Father and the Son.

This temptation has been the downfall for many of God's servants. They failed the testing and had to be replaced. The pride in our hearts must be exposed by the Holy Spirit and put to death. We can become rebellious in our attitudes, walking in an independent heart of disobedience to the King’s commands.

Chapter Twenty Four

The Shame Of Nakedness

Before the knowledge of good and evil was experienced by Adam and Eve, they had no shame of being naked. It was in the partaking of that which God forbid, through willful rebellion enticed by the serpent, that revealed in the conscience of mankind conviction (i.e. the knowledge of good and evil) and shame for the first time. Mankind then knew, experientially, what was right and wrong, as well as the consequences of disobedience.

With this new knowledge came the new experience of choice, as well as the desire within fueled by their sin against God to sin even more. The frustration of having two natures, one wanting to do good and the other the very evil that we do not want to, is every Christian’s struggle. Paul wrote about his experience with this issue in the New Testament. In his letter to the Romans he said;

“For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good. So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:14-25/NASU) 134

This new experience of Adam and Eve resulting from their disobedience would lead to the understanding of their need to be “clothed” by God which would point to the spiritual need for a Savior (putting on Christ), without which we will surely die as God had warned Adam (Genesis 2:17).

We would need His help to combat against this wickedness within us so that it would not overcome us, but that we could overcome it. This heavenly Helper is revealed in the New Testament as the Holy Spirit, sent from God to all who would receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior (John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7; 1 John 2:1).

The knowledge of good and evil is the knowledge of the law of God which cannot be fulfilled without the Holy Spirit’s help (Roman 8:4). We learn to work together with Him through submission to His will so as not to fulfill the desires of the flesh, which is our fallen nature. This is what Paul referred to in Galatians, chapter five, as walking in the Spirit. He wrote; “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16/NASU)

To continue to fight against the Holy Spirit, resisting God’s will, is to not get fully dressed as we ought to. To not get fully dressed, in particular in the last days when God judges all wickedness, is to be unprotected from that which could be very harmful to us. Many in the church in America now stand exposed with a false sense of being covered in Christ.

In another letter of his, Paul tells us that the law is not of faith (Galatians 3:12). Works of the law are cursed works of our hands. They are born from our will. The Lord says;

“Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the Lord.” (Jeremiah 17:5/NIV)

Cursed works are religious works that are accomplished through all that we can see and do, what we can organize and put together by our own strength and wisdom. The result of these self-driven efforts of religion apart from God are an apathetic church with little influence on a nation that is spiraling out of control into more and more bizarre, unnatural behavior.

Put On The Lord Jesus Christ

As our salvation draws near, whether that be the end of this age or the end of our lives, it is imperative to not become indifferent in our Christian walk. Continued disobedience to God’s will, without repentance, removes our covering garment in Christ, causing us to become naked in His eyes. In this midnight hour it is crucial to do what is right per God’s commands and put on 135

the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul exhorted us in this, saying;

“Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed [or, “when we first believed”]. The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds [“works”] of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.” (Romans 13:11-14/NASU)

The lukewarm church in America is being warned to do this very thing. The Lord is holding back His judgment on us so as not to cut off His own people that are living in rebellion against His lordship over them (John 15:2). Their deceived spiritual leaders are telling them, “Peace, peace” when they are on the verge of shipwrecking their faith while clinging to a false sense of security.

Paul tells us that to have faith in Christ is to have clothed ourselves with His covering garment. We have “put on” the Lord Jesus Christ through our baptism in Him (Galatians 3:27). To be clothed in Christ, therefore, is to be clothed with His garments of salvation.

Isaiah declared;

“I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” (Isaiah 61:10/NIV)

The Adorned Bride

In Paul’s instructions to Timothy regarding the beautification of women he said;

“Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments, but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness.” (1 Timothy 2:9-10/NASU)

Paul states that women should “adorn themselves with proper clothing”, which, he explains is to not just put on that which draws attention to your

outward appearance but to let their inner beauty from Christ shine through to others by means of their good works (Matthew 5:16). Within this I see a principle that applies to the Bride of Christ as well.

To “adorn” is “to put in proper order, to arrange, make ready, prepare.” The Bride of Christ consists of those who adorn themselves internally, making themselves ready, by faith, for the appearing of Christ at the end of this age. By putting their spiritual life in the “proper order” of God, proving themselves as “doers” of His word, they are not only ready for every good work, but appropriately clothed for the marriage of the Lamb. John refers to this properly dressed Bride when describing “the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready [“the act of preparing, readiness”] as a bride adorned for her husband.” (Revelation 21:2/NASU)

The Greek for “proper” is similar. It’s defined as “orderly, well-arranged, seemly, modest.” In 1 Timothy 3:2 Paul uses it in reference to a man who lives a well ordered life. In like manner the Bride of Christ will hear the midnight call to get ready and get their lives in the “proper order” so as to be made ready for the return of their Heavenly Bridegroom.

Interestingly, the same Greek word is interpreted “trimmed” in Matthew 25:7 when Jesus spoke of the ten virgins trimming their lamps after hearing the midnight shout to get ready for the coming Bridegroom. Trimming, therefore, is associated with preparing yourself. It is the actions of those who are being called out to meet the Bridegroom.

Unfortunately, Jesus said the foolish virgins had also trimmed their lamps but possessed no oil for their lamps. I believe this speaks of their actions being only external. There wasn’t any inner heart preparations that would allow them to receive the oil of the Holy Spirit. It will cause them to be excluded from the wedding feast of Christ (Matthew 25:1-13).

Dressed and Ready

Once dressed it is important to remain in that condition. Many in the church would say that it is not possible to become undressed, to lose your garment of salvation. Let’s see if the Bible says anything about this.

While teaching His disciples one day about His return, Jesus encouraged them regarding being “dressed,” saying;

“Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps lit. Be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks.” (Luke 12:35-36/NASU)

The actual Greek definition for “dressed in readiness” in this passage is, “to fasten garments with a girdle.” Obviously, to not fasten your garments 137

with a belt is to risk having them be loosed, publicly revealing that which we would rather not have exposed.

I wrote the following in chapter 10, Pants On The Ground, in my book Babylon’s Counterfeit Glory;

“…Revelation 1:13 states that Jesus was girded across His breast with a golden girdle. The Greek for “girded” is perizonnumi (per-id-zone'-noo-mee). It means “to fasten garments with a girdle or belt.” Metaphorically, it speaks of “fastening a garment with truth as a girdle; to equip oneself with knowledge of the truth.” I believe it’s more than just the knowledge of the truth. To put it on is to apply it, or to DO it. To obey the truth, therefore, is equivalent to fastening a golden belt around our covering tunic in Christ. It keeps everything intact.

In Paul’s letter to the Christians in the city of Ephesus, he exhorted them to put on the full armor of God, so that they would be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. He said to them;

“Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness.” (Ephesians 6:14/NASU)

Without truth, we cannot stand firm against the cunning deceit our enemy continually attempts to trip God’s people with. Once accepted as truth, false teachings strip us of our covering garment in Christ. We then become part of the deceived Laodicean church who thought she was rich in Christ and in need of nothing. Due to spiritual lukewarmness, she had become blinded to her true state of nakedness before God.

Because of the great increase of adherence to falsehood within the American church, she now stands there with her pants down at her ankles, exposed and unable to move as she ought to. In this pathetic state, she will inevitably trip and fall (away). ”

Chapter Twenty Five

Uncovering Nakedness

In Genesis we read that, after the flood God sent to cleanse the earth of wickedness, Noah began farming and planted a vineyard. He drank of the wine, became drunk, and then uncovered himself inside his tent. What happened next affected entire people groups;

“Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brothers outside. But Shem and Japheth took a garment and laid it upon both their shoulders and walked backward and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were turned away, so that they did not see their father's nakedness. When Noah awoke from his wine, he knew what his youngest son had done to him. So he said, ‘Cursed be Canaan; A servant of servants He shall be to his brothers.’ He also said, ‘Blessed be the Lord, The God of Shem; and let Canaan be his servant. May God enlarge Japheth, and let him dwell in the tents of Shem; and let Canaan be his servant.’” (Genesis 9:22-27/NASU)

Because of the extreme repercussions, there are many discussions around this pertaining to what exactly happened between Ham and Noah, causing him to be cursed by his father. I’ll just bring up a couple of passages that I believe will keep to our discussion.

In the Mosaic law, uncovering nakedness is related to sexual perversion. In His law for immoral relations the Lord said to Moses;

“None of you shall approach any blood relative of his to uncover nakedness; I am the Lord. You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father, that is, the nakedness of your mother. She is your mother; you are not to uncover her nakedness. You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father's wife; it is your father's nakedness.” (Leviticus 18:6-8/NASU)

Was there any sexual perversion committed by Ham? Only the Lord and Noah know what exactly he did to his father, or his mother, to justify being cursed. The point is that immoral relations, those outside the established boundaries of God, turn the blessings of God into curses in your life.

During a time when Israel was walking in rebellion against the Lord, He told Ezekiel to let her know her abominations. He told the prophet to say to them that on the day they were born, when no one showed compassion on them, He did.

In their infant state their cord had not been cut, they had not been washed with water to make them clean, nor were they rubbed with salt or wrapped in cloths (Ezekiel 16:4). The Lord said that He did these things for them and entered into covenant with them. After bathing them with water, washing off the blood (i.e. cleansing from sin), and anointing them with oil (i.e. the Holy Spirit), He then clothed them (i.e. putting on Christ’ garment of salvation). All of this is a picture of what God does for us today by faith in Jesus Christ.

The Lord then rebuked them, saying;

“And your fame spread among the nations on account of your beauty, because the splendor [“honor, glory”] I had given you made your beauty perfect, declares the Sovereign Lord. But you trusted in your beauty and used your fame to become a prostitute. You lavished your favors on anyone who passed by and your beauty became his. You took some of your garments [“covering, i.e. clothing”] to make gaudy high places, where you carried on your prostitution. Such things should not happen, nor should they ever occur. ” (Ezekiel 16:14-16/NIV)

Israel had taken the honor and glory God had given them and used it for self-glorification among the nations with whom they came into contact. America has done the same, both within and without the church. With pride and arrogance we have used the blessings God has granted to us to gain worldwide renown for ourselves.

Within the church, many have used the blessing of our world prominence to gain a name for their own kingdoms instead of God’s. They built “gaudy high places” where they have carried on their spiritual prostitution around the globe.

The majority in our nation no longer give God the credit for our great prosperity. We think that it was by our efforts and ingenuity alone that our nation was raised to world dominance. It is no longer “In God we trust,” but rather the money it is engraved on. We worship the blessings of prosperity rather than the Giver of the blessings. “Such things should not happen, nor should they ever occur!”

Spiritual Idolatry

To commit spiritual idolatry when in covenant with God is to become naked, uncovered, and unprotected. The Lord said to Ezekiel that He would gather all Israel’s lovers with whom she took pleasure and expose her nakedness in front of them. That is an interesting statement. If she is naked, why couldn’t she see it? The answer is blindness of heart caused by rebellion. The deceitfulness of sin hardens the heart, blinding you to your true state before God.

The Lord said to Ezekiel;

“Son of man, you are living among a rebellious people. They have eyes to see but do not see and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious people.” (Ezekiel 12:2/NIV)

Israel had the outward appearance before others as being led by God, but inside they were full of harlotries against Him. Because of their unfaithfulness, they had lost their covering garment of protection and security. God was going to allow her enemies to see when He judged her. He even went so far as to say;

“Thus I will judge you like women who commit adultery or shed blood are judged; and I will bring on you the blood of wrath and jealousy.” (Ezekiel 16:38/NASU))

Earlier in their history, Israel had something similar occur among them. While Moses and Joshua were on Mount Sinai receiving the law of God, Aaron had let the Israelites get out of control (Exodus 32:25). The Hebrew for “out of control” is para` (paw-rah'). It’s defined as “to loosen, to let go, to ignore, to show a lack of restraint.” They had, to their shame among their enemies, loosed themselves from all restraint in regards to their devotion to God and obedience to His commands.

The different interpretations into English of this verse are interesting. The NKJV of the Bible interprets it as “unrestrained. ” The KJV says the people “were naked. ” As their leader, Aaron was responsible for the shame of their nakedness. Through this we can see that when God’s people are unrestrained in their actions, they become “naked” so to speak before Him. They have loosed themselves from His covering giving the unbelievers reason to scornfully mock them and God.

So what about the church today? Does this Old Testament passage not apply to us, even if we walk in the stubbornness of our hearts against His Lordship

over us? The answer is found in the last book of the Bible.

Jesus word of warning to the Christians in Laodicea included a rebuke of their works which were a manifestation of their apathetic hearts. He said to John;

“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this: ‘I know your deeds [“works”], that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,’ and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you

may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be

revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.’” (Revelation 3:14-19/NASU)

The church in Laodicea, like the church in America, thought that everything was great between them and the Lord. In their lukewarm state they were not even aware of their naked condition before Him. Due to the blindness caused by their hard hearts, they had no idea that Christ’s covering had been removed.

Obviously this was not a reference to their physical state, but their spiritual condition. They were not DOING the good works which God had prepared in advance for them to do (Ephesians 2:10). Their devotion to Christ had been lost to spiritual indifference. The result of their disobedience was the loss of their covering garment of Christ. To keep God’s commandments is to keep your place in Him, to remain in Him, thereby retaining His garment of salvation (John 15:1-10, 1 John 2:24-25).

Chapter Twenty Six

Drinking The Harlot’s Wine

In Revelation, chapter 17, an angel describes to John the judgment of the spiritual harlot, referring to her as; “Babylon the Great, the mother of harlots and of the abominations of the earth. ” (Rev. 17:5) He begins by saying;

“Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and spoke with me, saying, ‘Come here, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth committed acts of immorality, and those who dwell on the earth were made drunk with the wine of her immorality.’” (Revelation 17:1-2/NASU)

The definition for porneuo (porn-yoo'-o), the Greek word we interpret above into English as “immorality,” is, “to act the harlot, i.e. (literally) indulge in unlawful lust (of either sex), or (figuratively) to practice idolatry.” Similarly, the definition of uncovering the nakedness of someone as described in Leviticus 18:6-19 is “to commit acts of immorality; i.e. to indulge in unlawful lust.”

As you can see, when the Bible refers to immorality it’s not just in a physical sense, but also in a spiritual sense. Spiritual fornication is idolatry among God’s people that, without repentance, results in the loss of our covering in Christ. It refers to unfaithfulness toward God, to breaking covenant with Him through prostitution. This refers to His people’s joining together with the people of this world in the worshipping of their gods in any form while betrothed to Him (1 Chronicles 5:25).

Friendship With The World

In his letter, James rebukes the church regarding idolatry, saying;

“You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” (James 4:4/NIV)

The Greek for “friendship” refers to fondness. According to Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, “It involves ‘the idea of loving as well as being loved.’”

To not be a friend of the world doesn’t mean that we should live on top of a mountain or an island in an attempt to get away from everything and everybody, but that we should not be fonder of it than Christ. The world constantly competes for our affection which is why it’s so important to guard our hearts.

In one of his letters, John says to the church;

“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world — the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does — comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:15-17/NIV)

Concerning the hatred the world has for His followers, Jesus said;

“If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” (John 15:19/NIV; also see 1 John 3:13)

If the world loves us, and is not moved one way or another by us, than we need to stop and take a look as to why. The message of Christ is offensive to those who are living in sin. His presence freely flowing through His people is an irritant to the spirits of the ungodly, testifying that their deeds are evil (John 7:7).

Everywhere that Christ went while on earth there was an upheaval of some sort. The people either loved Him or despised Him. It is the same for His followers. Jesus warned us of this, saying that all men would hate us because of Him (Matthew 10:22). He told His disciples not to be discouraged when, as they’re obedient, this occurs, because; 144

“Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven…” (Luke 6:22-23/NIV)

The Perils Of Being Joined To A Prostitute

As in a marriage, we cannot be devoted to the world and its gods and expect to become one with the Lord. In order to be fully joined to Christ, our Husbandman, we must separate from the world.

In the book of Proverbs, Solomon speaks of the perils of joining yourself to a prostitute when married. To have sex with her is to break your marriage covenant. To join oneself to the spiritual harlot is even more serious, breaking covenant with God. He says that God’s wisdom will;

“…deliver you [“you” meaning the upright] from the strange woman, from the adulteress who flatters with her words; That leaves the companion of her youth and forgets [“to forget, to cease to care, ignore”] the covenant of her God; For her house sinks down to death and her tracks lead to the dead; None who go to her return again, nor do they reach the paths of life.” (Proverbs 2:16-19/NASU)

This passage applies to the spiritual as well as the physical. None of those in the church who join themselves to the religious harlot that has broken her covenant with God will find the paths of life. As seen through Shelley’s dreams, they have exited the narrow way that leads to everlasting life for the broad way that leads to destruction.

As in the physical world, the spiritual harlot’s desire is for any passerby to come join her. Through her seductive spirit she increases the faithless among God’s people who are drawn away into her enticing trap (Proverbs 23:28). Come out of her, quickly!

Keeping Our Clothes

After describing six of the seven bowls of God’s wrath to John, the Lord gives a word of warning and exhortation for His people;

“Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes, so that he will not walk about naked and men will not see his shame.” (Revelation 16:15/NASU)

In this final book of the Bible, Christians are warned by Jesus to stay awake and to keep our clothes so as not to walk about naked thereby exposing our shame before others at His coming. To stay awake is to be watchful, to be careful how we walk, not as unwise men but as wise men, understanding and then doing the will of God so as to be “dressed” and prepared for His return (Ephesians 5:15-17).

When Jesus tells us to stay awake and keep our clothes is He referring to actual sleep and clothes? The obvious answer is “No.” It’s a spiritual vigilance over the heart, to not become indifferent in our walk with Him. As we just read, this was the Lord’s issue with the Laodicean church.

In response to the disciple’s questions regarding the timing of His return and the end of the age, Jesus said;

“Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.” (Matthew 24:42-43/NASU)

Again, to keep our clothes is to not lose the covering we have in Christ. This flies in the face of the so-called “eternal security” lie. There is eternal security IN Christ, but not for those who willfully sin without repentance after turning to Him and do not persevere in obedience, standing firm until the end so as to be saved (Hebrews 10:26, Matthew 24:13).

Through false teachings many now walk in disobedience with a false sense of security and no fear of God and His righteous judgments that draw near. They have fallen away from Christ and if they do not repent will be uncovered and unprotected in the day of His wrath.

The Greek interpreted as “shame” in Revelation 16:15 is interpreted in Romans 1:27 as “indecent acts” (NAS) and “what is shameful” (NKJV). In Romans it speaks in regards to the homosexual and lesbian acts of those who have been given over to their wicked, unnatural desires. Those described by Paul in this chapter are said to have exchanged the truth of God for a lie. They “knew God” but did not glorify Him as God, or give thanks to Him (Romans 1:21). Just as they did not see fit to confess God any longer, He gave them over to a depraved mind to do that which is not right. The light within their foolish hearts became darkness and they will therefore, in shame, be cast into the outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 6:23).

Chapter Twenty Seven

The Man Of Shame

In 2 Samuel, chapter 2, we read that, after the death of King Saul, his son, Ish-bosheth, became king over Israel for seven years before being murdered. His name means “man of shame.”

Saul was constantly acting outside of the will of God. His rule represents religion that is led by the strength and power of man. It appears that this trait was passed down to his son. Unfortunately, it didn’t stop with him.

There are many Ish-bosheth’s today that rule over the people of God in the churches of America. Their teachings have led many in the Body of Christ to continue in sin, committing, without conviction, acts of immorality. At the Lord’s return, these leaders that rule under their own authority will be revealed as the men of shame who destroyed the sheep of His pasture.

They preach doctrines of “Peace, peace,” but there is no peace. They do not say it outright, but their doctrines allow for continued sin without repentance after turning to Christ, with no repercussions to your garment of salvation. As I’ve already stated, the fruit of that teaching is the apathy and lukewarmness of heart that now plagues the majority of the church in America.

God warns His people throughout the book of Hosea to turn away from their spiritual harlotry. In Hosea 2:1-9 the Lord refers to His judgment of the harlot mother who acts shamefully, which is defined as “to make dry, to wither.”

He says that if she will not put away her harlotry He will “strip her naked and expose her as the day she was born. ” He will do the same thing of the spiritual harlot who has deceived His people in our day if she too will not repent.

The Lord refers to her children as “children of harlotry” that He will have no compassion on. I am reminded of Revelation 2:22-23 where Jesus says;

“I will cast her [Jezebel, the false prophetess] on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know 147

that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds [“works”]. ” (NASU)

For the sake of His children who have been seduced by her teachings, the Lord has begun to publicly expose those within the church who, like Jezebel, are leading His people into spiritual adultery. If they repent in their suffering, they will be restored. If those who adhere to her adulterous teachings do not repent, Jesus says He will make them “suffer intensely. ” At this point there will not be any mercy. It will simply be, as He said, “according to your deeds.”

Shrinking Back In Shame

There is an extremely important truth in the New Testament that the devil has done his best to keep from our understanding. John wrote;

“Now, little children, abide in Him [Christ], so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming.” (1 John 2:28/NASU)

By definition, to abide in Christ is “to remain, to stay in a given place, state, relation or expectancy, to remain as one is, not to become another or different.” It is to hold firmly till the end the confidence we had when we first received Christ (Hebrews 3:14, 4:14).

John would not, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, exhort us to abide in Christ if it was automatically guaranteed till the end after our initial turning to Him. We must hold fast to what we have so that no one will take our crown (Rev. 3:11). Salvation involves our working together with the Holy Spirit, not receiving the grace of God in vain through disobedience (2 Cor. 6:1).

In 1 John 3:24 we read; “The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. ” The doctrine of demons says the opposite; that after turning to Christ there is no possible way for us not to continue “in Him.”

Perseverance in the Christian’s walk is crucial, continuing to DO the will of God in order to receive what was promised, which is eternal life (1 John 2:25). The writer of Hebrews made this clear, saying;

“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while, ‘He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back [“to withdraw oneself”], I will not be pleased with him.’ But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.” (Hebrews 10:35-39/NIV)

Many will immediately cry, “Works, works, they cannot save us!” If that were totally true then why did the writer of Hebrews say that we needed to persevere, doing the will of God (i.e. works of faith) so as to receive His promised salvation, and that those Christians who “shrink back” will be destroyed? It’s because we have gone too far regarding works, as if nothing we do, whether good or evil, will affect our garment of salvation (see James 2:14-26 regarding the required relationship between faith and works). That should be very clear at this point to be a lie. This well entrenched doctrine of demons is the direct cause of the many unguarded, apathetic and unprotected hearts that are so prevalent within the church in America.

The Bible speaks of two different types of works. One is referred to as works of the law, and the other, works of faith which are also referred to in John 6:28 as “the works of God.” The first is led by the will of man, the other by the Spirit of God. Jesus has much to say about both. In fact, with His message to five of the seven churches in the first part of the book of Revelation, He mentioned their works (“deeds”) in their rebuke. The emphasis of the Lord on this subject cannot be ignored. (For a vital in depth discussion and understanding of this, see my book Works And Salvation.)

Chapter Twenty Eight

Disappearing Ink

In Revelation 3, the Lord warned the church in Sardis to wake up and complete their works. He said; “To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds [“works”]; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds [“works”] complete in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.” (Revelation 3:1-3/NIV)

The Greek for complete is pleroo (play-ro'-o). It’s described as “to level up a hollow, to make full, to finish, to render perfect, to carry through to the end.” They had become apathetic, neglecting their covenantal obligation to finish the works of the Lord so that nothing would be wanting in regards to a full measure in His sight from them.

The problem was their reputation before men did not match their reputation with God. Man saw them as alive and vibrant, a great place to go to church at and worship the Lord. This sounds like many of our hollow, entertaining American churches. Like many of them, the Church Of The Walking Dead in Sardis had some serious inner issues that, if not repented of, would cause some heavenly ink to quickly disappear.

Jesus went on with His rebuke to the church in Sardis, saying;

“Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes [“the cloak or mantle”]. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before 150

my Father and his angels. He who has an ear [speaking to those in verse 3 who “received and heard”], let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. ” (Revelation 3:4-6/NIV)

Per the words of Jesus, to not overcome is to not be clothed in the proper garments which results in having your name erased from the book of life. That’s how serious it is to put on the Lord Jesus Christ!

Jesus makes it clear in this passage that one CAN have their name erased from the book of life. Again, the number one (in my opinion) doctrine of demons called “eternal security” is exposed as a lie from hell. Only Christians have their names placed in this book. How could one be in the book of life without possessing the Bread of Life? The erased ones are those whose heart is like that of Judas Iscariot, the unfaithful betrayer of Jesus that, at one time, ate from His table.

The Overcomers

The few that do not “soil their clothes” in verse 4 are those referred to in verse 5 as “overcomers.” They are the worthy Christians that have obediently kept themselves pure. The overcomer mentioned in this letter to Sardis is the Christian that has not been as diligent in guarding their hearts, but, after hearing the Lord’s rebuke to wake up, they repent. This was a very stern warning to the church that we dare not dismiss as being irrelevant to us today.

In the west, our thinking has become so distorted that we look at the church as some type of a membership role only that meets in a building. God doesn’t think that way. The church is the ekklesia, the “called out” ones who have heard and then received Jesus.

Many come out, only to eventually go back into practicing sin and walking in unbelief. They’re the ones Peter refers to as the dog that returns to its own vomit, and the pig that, after washing (in the blood of Jesus), returns to wallow in the mud (2 Peter 2:20-22).

The Christians referred to in Revelation 3:1-6 are the ones commanded by God to wake up (verse 2), strengthen what still remains in their Christian faith but is about to die (verse 2), complete their works (verse 2), hold fast to what they heard and received, and repent (verse 3). They need to have their soiled clothes that have been stained, polluted, and defiled by sin rewashed in the blood of forgiveness before it’s too late.

If they listen and repent, they are the ones the Lord calls “overcomers.” The Greek for overcomers is nikao (nik-ah'-o) which means “to subdue, to conquer, to come off victorious.” It’s also defined as Christians who “hold fast their faith even unto death against the power of their foes, and temptations, and persecutions.”

Jesus is saying that if you and I, as a Christian, continue to disobey when He

commands us to repent through His Holy Spirit, that we run the risk of crossing a line that will result in our name being erased from His book of life. Later, John makes it clear that not everyone is written in this book. He speaks of those “whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain.” (Revelation 13:8)

Thankfully, the Lord is very patient with us, but we dare not in arrogance, without the fear of God, continue to walk in foolish presumption thereby testing Him. The prize of salvation is rewarded at the end, not the beginning, to those who endure, crossing the finish line through submission to the Holy Spirit’s inner dealings.

Through acceptance of false teachings, many in the church assume that a runner is automatically ensured of the prize when he first begins the race. As in an earthly contest, only those who finish receive what they’re running for.

Training, especially for endurance, is essential for running well. This happens spiritually through the training of the Lord that some fight in their lives, believing they are eternally secure and not in need of endurance. Without it, you will not finish. Hebrews 10:36 confirms this, saying; “For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.” Clearly, doing the will of God is the ONLY way to “receive what was promised.”

Paul gave the following exhortation to the Christians in the city of Corinth;

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize… I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” (1 Corinthians 9:24-27/NAS)

The Greek word for “disqualified” is defined as “unapproved, rejected; by implication, worthless, not standing the test, that which does not prove itself as it should, reprobate.” Unlike many of our preachers today, Paul is not using this figure of speech to be witty. The only ones that look at this in that manner, dangerously taking away God’s words, are those who foolishly adhere to the devils lies. They have to reinforce their false beliefs.

As Jesus declared to His disciples when questioned about His return and the end of the age; “He who stands firm to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 24:13) Otherwise, you become a “twice dead” (Jude 1:12), foolish virgin whose name disappears from the book of life.

If necessary, may the Lord grant you and I repentance before it’s too late and the doors of His ark of deliverance are eternally shut.

Chapter Twenty Nine

The Marriage Of The Lamb

s we discussed earlier, the Bride of Christ is made up of those who hear that it is time for the wedding and they prepare by doing righteous acts per the will of God. Their obedience to keep A themselves pure results in a bright and clean covering of glory from their Husband, who is Christ;

“Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready [“to prepare, readiness”]. It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright [“radiant, shining”] and clean [“pure”]; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.” (Revelation 19:7-8/NASU)

There are many attendants in a wedding, but only one bride. In regards to the Bride of Christ, she is the pure one(s) of her Master (Song of Solomon 6:8-10). It is the bride who is the most conscientious and the most concerned about what she is wearing. She takes the most time and care of all involved with her preparations in getting ready for the wedding ceremony because she will be the center of attention.

Also, she is the only one given the right to “put on” the wedding dress. The attendants will be dressed appropriately for the occasion too, but only the Bride will wear the white dress (see Isaiah 61:10, Revelation 21:2). Like the high priest on the Day of Atonement, we must put on the covering garment of fine linen required to go behind the veil into God’s presence where the two will eternally become one.

By the way, the armies of heaven are described in the Bible as those who are dressed in fine linen (Rev. 19:14, Jude 1:14-15). I see this Bride of Christ as a warring Bride. She will march in the authority and power of her Husbandman, the Lord Jesus Christ, subduing all His enemies for His name’s 153

sake.

Covering A Multitude Of Sins

According to Jesus, one of the works that differentiate those who are sheep from those who are goats is their help in the clothing of those who were in need. In His teaching about the judgment of all nations, Jesus taught His disciples, saying;

“All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’” (Matthew 25:32-36/NIV)

Jesus said that what we do for one of “the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me,” including helping to clothe them. Obviously, to help the needy is an honorable thing, but I see something even greater in this.

James said the following in regards to covering the sin of a wandering Christian;

“My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.” (James 5:19-20/NASU)

To turn a straying brother or sister back to obedience to Christ will save his soul from death, covering them from the spiritual nakedness caused by their rebellion against God. Thankfully, repentance restores and re-covers the wandering Christian. Peter told us to;

“Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers [“to cover up”] a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8/NASU)

It is the love of Jesus that causes Him to reach out and, when necessary, discipline His people, exhorting them to return so as not to be eternally cut off from Him.

The psalmist declared;

“Blessed is he whose transgressions [“a revolt, to rebel”] are forgiven, whose sins are covered [“to clothe”]. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit.” (Psalm 32:1-2/NIV)

To have your sins covered is to be clothed by God. This happens through the forgiveness of sins in Christ. When we repent, He covers our sinful state. To be naked before God is to not have your sins forgiven.

Christ’ love for mankind was revealed in that He was crucified for us, providing a way to be covered even while we were naked in our sin. Paul put it this way;

“Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:7-8/NIV)

Put Off The Old Man and Put On The New Man

In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians he explains the order of our getting dressed, spiritually speaking. He said in Ephesians 4:22-24;

“…in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self [“old man”], which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self [“new man”], which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.” (NASU)

In order to put on the “new self” (new man) we must first take off the “old self” (old man), and then be renewed in the spirit of our mind. In the renewing process of sanctification by the Holy Spirit, we learn how and why we need to put on the new self. Throughout this lifelong course we learn how to control ourselves in a way that is holy and honorable in order to be vessels of honor so as not to be numbered among those who are ashamed at the return of Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5, 2 Timothy 2:20-21).

We must remain vigilant in our Christian walks, continuing in obedience to God so as not to lose our covering garment of salvation through careless neglect. Again, for the sake of emphasis, a lukewarm Christian is one that believes he or she is clothed when in reality they are naked (Revelation 3:1718).

The vital importance of putting on the “new man,” of putting on the Lord Jesus Christ so as not to be found naked is not being taught. As with infant children, young Christians need help as they learn how to get dressed.

In another one of His other letters, Paul again speaks of this matter;

“…consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self [“old man”] with its evil practices, and have put on the new self [“new man”] who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him…” (Colossians 3:5-10/NASU)

This passage reinforces the truth that the “chosen of God” (Colossians 3:12) are not fully dressed right away, but have been given the commandment and the right to “put on ” the Lord Jesus Christ. “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become [“to come into existence, to arise, to be made”] the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21/NIV) Unlike many teachers today, Jesus taught us to seek His righteousness (Matthew 6:33). Why would He say this if at the moment we first believed we, as I’ve heard many teach over the years, received all we would ever have of God?

As we discussed in an earlier chapter, only those who have received Christ have been given the right of choice to put on His garment of righteousness (John 1:12). The process of being clothed in Christ’ righteousness is the ongoing work of sanctification by the Holy Spirit for our salvation. He teaches and guides us in the way of putting on Christ’ righteous garment of salvation, and also how to keep it on through Him.

Knowing the hour we are in, may we encourage one another to put aside all malice, deceit and hypocrisy, envy and all slander, and like newborn babies long for the pure milk of the word, “so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation.” (1 Peter 2:1-3)

Chapter Thirty

The Day Of Covering

Through Moses, the Lord commanded Israel to observe three annual feasts before Him. Although linked together with the harvest cycles in Israel, they were a time for the entire nation to worship and reflect on the Lord. Today we look back and see the fulfillment of these festivals in the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

Passover, which included the feast of Unleavened Bread and Firstfruits, and Pentecost were celebrated in the spring. Jesus life and death fulfilled the meaning of these appointed times of God on the exact days they were being celebrated.

Later in the year, after the harvest of their fields during the fall, the Jewish people would celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles (known as Sukkot which means “booths”), thanking God for His provision. It is a reminder of the forty years the Israelites wandered in the wilderness, living in makeshift shelters, or booths. Like Passover, it involved three different events.

If the first two festivals were fulfilled on the exact day and time through the life and death of Christ, why would the fall festivals not also be fulfilled in the same manner? Personally, I believe it is very obvious that they will.

The first event of the fall festival was called the Feast of Trumpets which is known in Hebrew as Rosh Hashanah and Yom Teruah. The shofar would be blown, signaling the beginning of the fall holiday season and the time to gather together before God. One of its main purposes was to stir God’s people to repentance.

There are ministries that have been raised up by God in this season of God’s appointed time to raise their voice like a trumpet, signaling the time for God’s people to awaken from their spiritual slumber and prepare for what lies just ahead, the great day of judgment known as the Day of Atonement.

The ten day period between these two events were called the Days of Awe. It was a time of self-examination to search your heart for any wrongdoings against others and God. They were days of repentance when each person 157

made things right in preparation of the coming Day of Judgment, known in Hebrew as Yom Kippur. Again, I personally believe we are in a window of opportunity to prepare our hearts through repentance in preparation of the judgment of God on earth.

Once a year, on Yom Kippur (literally “Day of Covering”), or the Day of Atonement, the high priest in Israel would enter into the Holy of Holies in the temple with the blood of the required sacrifices per the Lord’s instructions. He would do this on behalf of the people of Israel for the atonement, or covering of their sin for the previous year. He could not enter at any other time except the appointed time of God. To enter at any time, in any manner he chose, would mean certain death.

The Lord had said to Moses;

“Tell your brother Aaron that he shall not enter at any time into the holy place inside the veil, before the mercy seat which is on the ark, or he will die; for I will appear in the cloud over the mercy seat. Aaron shall enter the holy place with this: with a bull for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering. He shall put on the holy linen tunic, and the linen undergarments shall be next to his body, and he shall be girded with the linen sash and attired with the linen turban (these are holy garments). Then he shall bathe his body in water and put them on.” (Leviticus 16:2-4/NASU)

Aaron, and every high priest after him were required to bathe their body in water and put on holy garments before entering into God’s Presence. They are a type of the requirements of God for all who would desire to enter in, behind the veil, thereafter.

If the high priest did not follow the instructions of God he would die. So will we if we dare to enter into His presence without reverence and adherence to His ways. This is why He helps us, stirring us as necessary beforehand to prepare ourselves.

After the death of Jesus it would be His blood that the Father would accept on our behalf for the forgiveness of our sin. At the end of this age we too must be properly dressed, putting on the Lord Jesus Christ per His proper order so as to be covered by His blood of forgiveness in the day of His judgment, the final Yom Kippur. As pictured by the high priest, to attempt to enter into the Presence of God at the end of this age otherwise will mean certain death.

This is why He, in great mercy, will send us a final revival before His return and judgment of all wickedness on earth. Hosea prophesied of this outpouring, declaring;

“Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. After two days he will

revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence. Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth. (Hosea 6:1-3/NIV)

The midnight shout to wake up and prepare for the return of the Bridegroom is now sounding. Those with ears to hear are preparing themselves through the washing of the word of truth, cleansing their hearts by faith. By putting on the Lord Jesus Christ through obedience to His word, they are being made ready to enter His Presence and live.

The final Yom Kippur is coming and at this moment most in the church in America are not properly covered. As such they will not be in a place of protection when the Lord acts. Presently, only a few are dressed appropriately in readiness.

The Man Who Stands In Readiness

In Leviticus, chapter 16, the Lord describes His requirements for the Day of Atonement. Part of the divine order involved two male goats used to atone for the sins of the nation. One was to be sacrificed and the other, called the scapegoat, or “the goat of removal” (Azazel), would take upon it the sins of Israel.

After the laying on of hands by the high priest on its head to symbolically transfer the sins of Israel to it, a designated man would then lead the scapegoat out into the wilderness;

“When he [Aaron] finishes atoning for the holy place and the tent of meeting and the altar, he shall offer the live goat. Then Aaron shall lay both of his hands on the head of the live goat, and confess over it all the iniquities of the sons of Israel and all their transgressions in regard to all their sins; and he shall lay them on the head of the goat and send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a man who stands in readiness. The goat shall bear on itself all their iniquities to a solitary land [“a desert, separation, a separate place”]; and he shall release the goat in the wilderness.” (Leviticus 16:20-22/NASU)

The “man who stands in readiness” is referred to in other versions of the Bible as “a man appointed for the task” (NIV), “a suitable man” (NKJV), and “a fit man” (KJV). The Hebrew meaning interpreted above as “stands in readiness” is “timely, ready.” I believe this man represents those who have been trained by the Lord and, through obedience, are now “dressed in readiness” (Luke 12:35). They are ready to lead others in the Body of Christ

“outside the camp” to the solitary place of sacrifice and shame where Jesus went before us bearing our iniquities. As with Abraham and Isaac, it is the place where “The Lord will provide” the substitutionary sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, for our sins (Genesis 22).

The Hebrew for “send it away” is shalach (shaw-lakh'). According to Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words;

“…basically this verb means ‘to send,’ in the sense of (1) to initiate and to see that such movement occurs or (2) to successfully conclude such an action… The most frequent use of shalach suggests the sending of someone or something as a messenger to a particular place. Shalach can also mean to give someone a send off, or ‘to send’ someone on his way in a friendly manner… In Deuteronomy 22:19 the word is used of divorcing a wife, or sending her away… In a less technical sense shalach can mean to release someone held by force.”

What I see in this is that the Lord sends His trusted servants, those who have proven themselves as faithful, and have been appointed for the task of leading the scapegoat, the living sacrifice (Romans 12:1-3), out to the wilderness. It’s a place of separation from all that would defile that the man of readiness has already become familiar with.

Having been trained for this moment, they stand dressed in readiness to lead out those who are also willing, as they were, to present themselves as a living and holy sacrifice unto the Lord.

Chapter Thirty One

The Morning And Evening Sacrifice

On the Day of Atonement the Lord had instructed Aaron to offer a bull for a sin offering to make atonement for himself and his household, and a ram for a burnt offering which was referred to as the “whole burnt offering.” The entire offering was to be burned with fire on the altar.

According to Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary;

“It was termed ‘continual’ (Exodus 29:38-42) to teach the nation of Israel that their sinfulness required a complete and continual atonement and consecration. This sacrifice, offered every morning and evening, pointed to Christ’s atoning death for sinners (2 Cor. 5:21) and His total consecration to God (Luke 2:49). The burnt offering spoke of Christ’s passive obedience and His submission to the penalty required by man’s sinfulness. It also refers to His perfect obedience to God’s law by which He did for us what we are unable to do for ourselves.”

Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words adds, “the central significance of this offering as the ‘whole burnt offering’ was the total surrender of the heart and life of the offerer to God.” Today it is a picture of a life that is continually being offered as a living sacrifice unto the Lord. As long as we remain on the altar, surrendered to God’s will, the fire of God will continue to burn off the fleshly nature. Paul said; “Do not put out the Spirit's fire.” (1 Thessalonians 5:19/NIV) This occurs when we quench the burning work of God within us by living according to our own will thereby getting off the altar off submission.

The Confrontation

There was a time in Israel’s history when Elijah the prophet had a showdown on Mount Carmel against 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of the Asherah who ate at Queen Jezebel’s table. They would call upon the name of their god first and Elijah would then call upon the name of the Lord. The God who answered by fire would be the true God.

When all the sons of Israel were assembled, Elijah said to them;

“How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” (1 Kings 18:21/NASU)

After the prophets of Baal and the Asherah cried out to their god for most of the day with no answer, it was Elijah’s turn. He repaired the altar first that had been torn down and then had water poured over everything. He did this at a time of severe drought. By his word it had not rained for three years. The Bible tells us what happened next;

“Then it came about at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near [“to approach, to worship”] and said, ‘O LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, today let it be known that Thou art God in Israel, and that I am Thy servant, and that I have done all these things at Thy word. Answer me, O LORD, answer me, that this people may know that Thou, O LORD, art God, and that Thou hast turned their heart back again.’” (1 Kings 18:36-37/NASU)

The fire then fell. I see a similar confrontation of the divided hearts of God’s people in our land in order to once again reveal who truly is God. We too must choose, once and for all, who we will serve.

While reading Zechariah 1:3, I believe the Lord revealed to me the significance of our drawing near in this moment of time. The Lord said, “Return to Me that I may return to you.” Clearly, the implication is that unless we return to Him first, He will not return to us. Like the days of Elijah, many of God’s people in America have fallen away from following Him. They have a divided heart and are trying to serve the Baals of our day, and God. In so doing they have through negligence destroyed His altar within them.

This is the vital importance of the forerunner ministry in the spirit of Elijah in these last days before the wrath of God is poured out. It prepares His way within His people’s hearts by reestablishing that which has been abandoned through spiritual carelessness. Because of our fallen nature, we have a tendency to not seek Him without some heavenly coercion. If He never

initiated this it would never occur.

We are told that Elijah drew near to God at the time of the evening sacrifice. I believe this is a picture of the Elijah-like servants of our day who are being drawn by the Spirit to approach the Lord. It is time for the final sacrifice, the evening sacrifice, to be placed on the altar.

Daniel is another man who drew near to God during the time of this last sacrifice of the day;

“Now while I was speaking and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God in behalf of the holy mountain of my God, while I was still speaking in prayer, then the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision previously, came to me in my extreme weariness about the time of the evening offering. And he gave me instruction and talked with me, and said, ‘O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you insight with understanding. At the beginning of your supplications the command was issued, and I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed; so give heed to the message and gain understanding of the vision. Seventy weeks have been decreed for your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy place.’” (Daniel 9:20-24/NASU)

Interestingly enough, the understanding given to Daniel by Gabriel involved making atonement for iniquity. At the end of the day, when he was exhausted, Daniel was given revelation regarding the last days. I believe that in these final moments of this age before the return of Christ, God’s people will feel this “extreme weariness” in their spirits. We must encourage one another to continue to seek the Lord, confessing our sin and the sin of the church. The Lord will come to all who would humble themselves and grant us understanding in truth in order to strengthen us for what we are about to go through.

In his book The Feast of Tabernacles, George Warnock shares an interesting insight regarding these two sacrifices. He compares the morning sacrifice to Christ who was betrayed and crucified by the religious leaders of His day 2000 years ago, and the evening sacrifice to His Body who, once again, are being betrayed and crucified by the religious leaders of our day.

He believes that Jesus died on a literal cross while, today, His Body is being nailed to a spiritual cross. From our personal experience, my wife and I would agree. Warnock says;

“We cannot atone for their sin; the Head alone could do that; but as members of His Body we can share His suffering and his rejection, and in that way

transmit its efficacy to others. We can suffer for the Truth, and in our sufferings the Truth will shine forth. We can enter into the pangs of Gethsemane, in this evening hour of Christ’s betrayal, and in so doing share His cross for the sake of the brethren [see 1 John 3:16]. For just as Christ the Head was betrayed some two thousand years ago, so once again Christ the Body is being betrayed today. Christ the Head meant no more to Judas or the Scribes and Pharisees than thirty pieces of silver. Today, Christ the Body means no more to the ecclesiastical authorities than large, costly church buildings, big salaries, pipe organs, choirs, orchestras, creeds, dogmas, and the applause of men. And if we, as God’s people, are going to be prepared to share His betrayal, stand true to Him even unto death, and follow Him “without the camp” [see Hebrews 13:13], then we shall share His death. The Head died on a literal cross; the Body is being nailed to a spiritual cross…

Every imaginable device of ecclesiastical tyranny has been used against the Church, to make her completely helpless and useless and powerless so far as functioning as a Body is concerned. Every conceivable form of sin, carnality, division, schism, and sectarianism has been foisted upon God’s people, largely by men in the pulpit who have been proclaiming a lie for the truth. As truly as Christ was betrayed by the religious leaders of His day, so truly is His Body being betrayed and crucified today.” (p.78-79)

Jesus was the morning sacrifice. His Body is the evening sacrifice. When Jesus had fulfilled the Father’s will for Himself, He proclaimed; “It is finished. ” When we, as His Body, fulfill the Father’s will for us, we will also be able to make the same declaration.

The evening sacrifice will be complete, or finished, when we do our share, as Paul wrote, “on behalf of His Body in filling up [“completing”] that which is lacking in Christ’s afflictions.” (Colossians 1:24) To our shame, in America this affliction often comes from among our own spiritual family.

As we near the end of this age, when the final Yom Kippur takes place, it is extremely important that we listen to the Holy Spirit and get ready by putting on the proper covering so as not to be found naked and ashamed Laodiceans. We must allow the Holy Spirit to search our hearts in order to see if there is any wickedness within us that needs to be put off.

This is why the revealing of truth is so important in these final moments. The devil knows it is the only thing that can set us free from his bondage of lies and deception that create a false sense of peace and safety. Truth releases us from the house of religious bondage, pictured by Egypt, in order to then enter into the Promised Land of our inheritance in Christ (Deuteronomy 6:23).

When truth is presented, whether individually or corporately, it is met quickly with fierce opposition, revealing the degree to which the devil has infiltrated the church and established his strongholds within the hearts and minds of God’s people. When asking the Lord how long the enemy would be

allowed to rule in their midst, Asaph declared; “The enemy has damaged everything within the sanctuary. Your adversaries have roared in the midst of Your meeting place; They have set up their own standards for signs.” (Psalm 74:3-4/NASU) I ask the same question; “How long Lord, how long will You allow this in Your church?”

Having been given revelation of what is quickly approaching, I now find myself in a battle of battles within to do as told. Through the evil influence of my flesh, the Sodom-like society we live in, and the devil, the forces of wickedness are waging a fierce campaign to take me, and you, down. Ultimately, it is an individual battle that each Christian must face. Victory can only come through the power of the Holy Spirit. Without Him, all efforts to defeat the enemy of our souls will fail. Praise God, there is a place of victory; the cross of Jesus Christ! It is written that as we join Him in the likeness of His death, we shall also be raised up in the likeness of His resurrection (Romans 6:5). Lord, give us aid against the enemy, the help of man is worthless. We cannot overcome without You. But with You, ALL things are possible. Hallelujah!

Chapter Thirty Two

Clothed With Power

fter His ascension, Jesus declared to His disciples; “I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are A to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49NASU)

It is the state of being “clothed with power from on high” that is sorely lacking these days in the church in America. Instead of trusting the Lord we depend more upon our own manmade coverings; our organizing abilities, our branding, and many other foolish gimmicks led by the flesh to build the church. In most cases we are building our own kingdoms rather than the Lord’s.

In Zephaniah, chapter one, the Lord declares that He will completely remove all things from the face of the earth, including man. Those who will be judged on the day of the Lord include “all who clothe themselves with foreign garments.” (Zephaniah 1:8)

The Hebrew for “foreign” is defined as “strange, unknown, unfamiliar, adulterous.” To continue practicing idolatry after turning to Christ without repentance is to clothe yourself with an unknown garment before God. An unknown garment will cause you to become unknown by Him (Matthew 7:2123). The only saving garment He recognizes is the one provided by Jesus. All others are “strange” to Him.

The fire of God used to burn the evening sacrifice will soon reveal exactly what foundation every follower of Christ has built upon;

“If any man builds on this foundation [Jesus Christ] using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his 166

reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple.” (1 Corinthians 3:12-17/NIV)

The day and age in which we dwell is nearly over. The fire of God will soon fall and the evening sacrifice of our lives revealed as either a pleasing aroma or a stench in His nostrils.

To the righteous this will be a day of great joy and freedom from all that has bound us on earth. It will be a day when all that has held us back from perfection will be removed and the glory of God gained.

When the three Hebrew men were thrown into the fire for not bowing to an idol, the Lord appeared in the fire with them, keeping them safe (Daniel 3:1930). In fact all that burned off them was the bindings the world had put on them. It will be the same for the righteous at the end of this age when the Lord judges the earth with fire. Any of their fleshly nature that is left from their sacrifice will be burned off (Leviticus 7:17), but they will be spared. It is the heart that will determine what will be destroyed at the end of this age.

For the wicked it will be a day of destruction. Isaiah describes the judgment of God on earth saying, “the inhabitants of the earth are burned and few men are left.” (Isaiah 24:6) Regarding the joy in Jerusalem’s future, the Lord declared later through Isaiah;

“…the Lord is coming with fire, and his chariots are like a whirlwind; he will bring down his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. For with fire and with his sword the Lord will execute judgment upon all men, and many will be those slain by the Lord.” (Isaiah 66:15-16/NIV)

In his second letter, Peter describes the final Yom Kippur, the final Day of God’s Judgment of sin on earth for us;

“But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the Day of Judgment and destruction of ungodly men… But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!” (2 Peter 3:7, 10-12/NASU)

The writer of Hebrews reminds us to be thankful, and to worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, “for our God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:28-29) He warned us that if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, who is Christ, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume His adversaries. (Hebrews 10:26-27)

Those who justify the wickedness they partake of without any thought of repentance will shrink back in shame at the Lord’s return. The Bible says the unrighteous have no shame (Zephaniah 3:5). We, the church, must search our hearts while there is time so as not to be numbered among them. May we not be found walking in presumption that we are covered in the righteousness of Christ while walking in rebellion against His lordship over us.

We are in a window of opportunity that will soon be shut. The Lord has held back His righteous judgments against our nation, giving His people time to repent so that we will not be judged with the wicked (Revelation 18:4-5).

Chapter Thirty Three

The Contented Church

The book of Daniel provides us an example, in type, of a Christian in the last days who walks in pride, not listening to the words of warning from the Lord to repent of their sins (2 Chron. 7:13-14) in this last opportunity before His return. In chapter 4, verse 4, King Nebuchadnezzar says that he was at home in his palace, “contented and prosperous, ” just like many in the church in America.

While in this state, the Lord gave him a dream that would cause him to be very fearful. Due to his past track record, Daniel, the one “in whom the Spirit of the holy God” dwelt, was summoned to interpret the king’s dream.

After being told the dream by the king, Daniel then interpreted it. He hesitated, knowing that the dream was a warning from God for Nebuchadnezzar. He said to the king;

“ …this is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king: that you be driven away from mankind, and your dwelling place be with the beasts of the field, and you be given grass to eat like cattle and be drenched with the dew of heaven; and seven periods of time will pass over you, until you recognize that the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind, and bestows it on whomever He wishes. And in that it was commanded to leave the stump with the roots of the tree, your kingdom will be assured to you after you recognize that it is Heaven that rules. Therefore, O king, may my advice be pleasing to you: break away now from your sins by doing righteousness, and from your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor, in case there may be a prolonging of your prosperity.” (Daniel 4:24-27/NAS)

One year later, the king was walking on the roof of his royal palace in Babylon when his heart was filled with pride as he reflected on the majesty of 169

Babylon. He said to himself;

“Is this not Babylon the great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?” (Daniel 4:30/NAS)

The Bible says that while the words were still in his mouth there came a voice from heaven, proclaiming;

“King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared: sovereignty has been removed from you, and you will be driven away from mankind, and your dwelling place will be with the beasts of the field. You will be given grass to eat like cattle, and seven periods of time will pass over you, until you recognize that the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind, and bestows it on whomever He wishes.” (Daniel 4:31-32/NAS)

The decree of the Lord immediately went into effect. When his heart became proud, forgetting what had been spoken to him through the word of the Lord, and believing that what he had came from his own abilities and strength apart from God, he was removed from his royal throne and his glory was taken away from him.

Take note that his dwelling place became the same place as beasts and that it was for a period of seven years. This represents those who are proud in the church today. They think that they are going to be raptured away before the tribulation occurs to a place of protection when the Bible decrees that they will have to go through it, even dwelling with the beast for seven years. This is the place the Bible describes as “outer darkness, ” a place outside of the protective dwelling place of the Lord, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

The pride in their hearts declares this will never happen to them, or so they hope. With a false sense of security they say to themselves, “I am safe, even though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart!” I heard the Lord say recently within me regarding the wicked among His children, “If you do not fear Me I will bring on you what you do fear.”

If you are now angry for what I have written then this warning is for you. You must repent while you still have time and stop mocking the patience of God. Stubborn pride will not conform you to godliness, but instead allow you to walk in a false sense of security while in rebellion against the Lordship of Jesus Christ over you.

Jesus made it crystal clear in His indictment against the lukewarm church in Laodicea;

“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I would that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.” (Revelation 3:15-16/NAS)

This was written to the church, not those outside of it. Does your doctrine allow for this removal from the Body of Christ? If not, repent and receive the truth that will set you free and save you from the judgment that is coming upon the entire world.

We must submit in these last days to the discipline of the Lord that has entered His church. As we previously discussed, it is His mercy to wake us up from our spiritual slumber that is so pervasive within Western Christianity.

Paul made a very serious statement to the church in Corinth regarding the necessity of judging ourselves. He said;

“But if we judged ourselves rightly, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord in order that we [Christians!] may not be condemned along with the world.” (1 Corinthians 11:31-32/NAS)

Through this passage we can understand the love of God when He judges His people. The judgment of the Lord begins in the church so that we will not be condemned with the world when He judges them. We are warned first out of His great mercy. He reaches out continually to His stiff-necked children who will be without excuse on the great and terrible Day of the Lord that is quickly approaching us.

God’s Warning For His People

This is why we are given the grave warning in Revelation, chapter eighteen, concerning “God’s people” coming out of Babylon. She represents those in Christianity who have committed spiritual adultery with the world while being betrothed to Christ. John says;

“And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, ‘Come out of her, my people, that you may not participate in her sins and that you may not receive of her plagues; for her sins have piled up as high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.’” (Revelation 18:4-5/NASU)

When God says “my people, ” He means MY PEOPLE! If you are a lukewarm Christian and do not repent from your sins, turning to the Lord with your whole heart, you will be left unprotected from His wrath in the place

where His judgment will fall. Remember, the fear of the Lord and His judgements is to keep us, His church, from sinning, and the world’s condemnation.

Some might say at this point, “But doesn’t Romans 8:1 say, ‘there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus’? Yes, it does. The KJV and NKJV of the Bible add a phrase, though, that the above version found in the NAS and the NIV put in verse four of this chapter. They say, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” As we just read in 1 Corinthians 11:31-32 there is condemnation for those in the church who “walk according to the flesh.” Like many other portions of Scripture, “the rest of the story” per Paul in Romans, chapter eight, is rarely shared by most of the preachers today.

The Lord continues in Revelation, chapter eighteen, with His rebuke and judgement of Babylon;

“Pay her back even as she has paid, and give back to her double according to her deeds [“works”]; in the cup which she has mixed, mix twice as much for her. To the degree that she glorified herself and lived sensuously [“lived wantonly, without check or limitation”], to the same degree give her torment and mourning; for she says in her heart, ‘I sit as a queen and I am not a widow, and will never see mourning.’ For this reason in one day her plagues will come, pestilence [“pandemic”] and mourning and famine, and she will be burned up with fire; for the Lord God who judges her is strong.’” (Revelation 18:6-8/NAS)

Those with ears to hear, which seems to be fewer every day, listen closely to what the Spirit of God is saying in these last days. Our time to repent is running out. May God grant His rebellious children within this nation a spirit of repentance, leading to the knowledge of the truth, before it’s too late.

As horrible as it will be for those who go through the great tribulation that is coming without the covering of the Lord, His mercy will be given toward those who repent. Like King Nebuchadnezzar, the glory of God’s Kingdom will be restored as His covenant is reestablished within them. In Nebuchadnezzar’s own words;

“But at the end of that period [seven years] I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever; for His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom endures from generation to generation. And all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, but He does according to His will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of earth; and no one can ward off His hand or say to Him, ‘What

hast Thou done?’ At that time my reason returned to me. And my majesty and splendor were restored to me for the glory of my kingdom, and my counselors and my nobles began seeking me out; so I was reestablished in my sovereignty, and surpassing greatness was added to me. Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise, exalt, and honor the King of heaven, for all His works are true and His ways just, and He is able to humble those who walk in pride.” (Daniel 4:34-37/NAS)

When he repented, he was restored to his ruling position and regained his previous glory. So will those in the church who turn in humility to the merciful King of heaven after their period of disciplinary action has ceased.

May the word of the King give enlightened eyes to the deceived and spare us from the coming wrath while the door is still open. It is soon going to shut by the command of the Lord Jesus Christ at which time it will be too late to enter in (Matthew 25:10).

Chapter Thirty Four

Eternal Security

The discussion of eternal security among Christians is, with good reason, an extremely contentious and divisive topic. It is one, in fact, that has continually come before me in my studies throughout the years. I kept seeing verses that did not align with what I had heard and been taught growing up in the church.

The evidence of the Scriptures is completely overwhelming regarding the truth of the matter. It is a truth that will set us free from the deception that has shipwrecked so many Christian’s faith. The number one cause of those mentioned in the great falling away from the faith right before the return of Jesus Christ will be adherence to the false teaching called “eternal security,” or “once saved, always saved.”

Because we are dealing with salvation, this simply cannot be ignored. Let me start by saying I completely agree that there is eternal security in Christ. The issue here is whether or not someone who has received Christ can along the way be cut off from Him and therefore not be found in Him.

Due to the multiple passages the Lord has led me through over the years, this will not be an exhaustive dialogue. Throughout many of my writings, though, this topic will come up. For obvious reasons, it is the number one doctrine attacked by the devil. Who cares if you have every other “t” crossed and “i” dotted, doctrinally speaking. To deceive us concerning salvation, for our destruction, is all that he cares about. As I have heard someone say years ago, Satan will let a river of truth flow by you in order to slip a sliver of falsehood in.

To find the true doctrine we should first look at what Jesus taught. He said in Matthew 24:13; “He who stands firm until the end will be saved.” The Greek word for “stands firm” is hupomenu (hoop-om-en'-o). It’s defined as, “to remain, that is, to abide, not to recede or flee; under misfortunes and trials to hold fast to one’s faith in Christ; to endure, to bear bravely and calmly ill treatments.”

Jesus’ doctrine of eternal security says that only the one who steadfastly remains in Him, enduring the trials that come to test the genuineness of our faith, will be saved. The willfully rebellious who received Christ and is now depending upon a prayer said some time ago, but are now living in rebellion, will go to hell if they do not repent. If, as Shelley’s dream from the Lord revealed, you have exited the narrow path of Christ for the broad way of being temporarily “contented and prosperous” like King Nebuchadnezzar, you are in danger of being disqualified from His prize of salvation.

An entire book could be written on this subject. I will not go on and on to defend what I have come to know and believe as the obvious truth from God, but will just give enough to stoke the fire of thought for those who still have ears to hear and eyes to see. This subject seems to continually come up before me throughout my studies. The truth regarding the Lord’s salvation must be proclaimed so as to set His captives free.

Paul spoke of this subject often throughout his writings. Others throughout the New Testament did as well, including, most importantly, Jesus. We’ll start by looking at Paul’s first letter to the Christian’s in Corinth in which he made the following exhortation;

“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.” (1 Corinthians 9:24-27/NAS)

Paul was not trying to be funny here. This one passage alone should be enough for those who desire the truth. Unlike those in spiritual Babylon who live without check or limitation, we are commanded to exercise “self-control in all things. ” Understanding the consequences that are possible, we need to look to the Holy Spirit for strength in our weakness and encouragement from one another to do this.

Although all of us have failed at one time or another, we need to be careful not to make excuses for our sin and continue in it. Instead, be encouraged;

“For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-16/NASU)

To be “disqualified” is, by definition, to be “not approved, to not stand the test, rejected, a reprobate.” To be in the race is to be in Christ. You have entered in.

Imagine the runner who, when the gun goes off, stands up from the blocks, stops while every other runner continues on, wipes off his hands, and then walks over to the podium to collect his prize. That is how ridiculous the once saved always saved doctrine is because that is exactly what it says can happen.

To run outside the established rules and boundaries, believing nothing will happen to you, is to be naïve and, rather frankly, a foolish virgin. May the truth set you free, as it did me, to run the race in such a way that you may win the imperishable wreath of eternal life in Christ.

Testing God

While tempting Jesus in the wilderness, the Devil led Him to the pinnacle of the temple and said;

“If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here; for it is written, ‘He will give His angels charge concerning You to guard You,’ and, ‘On their hands they will bear You up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’” (Luke 4:9-11/NAS)

In other words, “Go ahead, cast yourself down from this high position in God’s temple. Assume on the goodness of God to catch you in spite of your willful rebellion against Him. Commit a presumptuous sin (Psalm 19:13). His angels will protect you from dieing in your fall from this lofty position. Put God to the test. You’re under grace, you can continue in willful sin and God will cover you. You can continue practicing sin without repentance and it will never affect your salvation.” Jesus response in Luke 4:12 was; “You shall not force a test on the Lord your God.” As Israel learned in the wilderness, neither should we.

Standing firm by the strength that He provides as we willingly submit our lives to Him, is the ONLY way that we who will be here when He returns will survive. May the truth of God set you free from the bondage of being held captive to do the will of the enemy with a false sense of security.

Cross-eyed Christians

Satan gains ground within us through our divided hearts. The church in America has become filled with cross-eyed Christians; they have one eye on Jesus and one eye on the world with no desire through the fear of the Lord to repent. False doctrines have removed the ancient boundary of the Lord,

allowing for us to walk in known sin and still enter in. Not only will you not enter in, but your judgment will now become worse than an unbeliever! You have become, as I said before, an unbelieving believer.

If you have been given revelation from the Spirit concerning righteousness, and then turn away from it, your last state has become worse for you then when you were lost with no understanding. Peter makes this absolutely clear when he declares;

“For if after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment delivered to them. It has happened to them according to the true proverb, ‘A dog returns to its own vomit,’ and, ‘A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire.’” (2 Peter 2:20-22/NAS)

Those doctrines call God a liar. You cannot serve Christ and the world at the same time. This is called spiritual adultery. As we discussed, the Scriptures clearly state the consequence of trying to be both a friend of God and the world (James 4:4).

Chapter Thirty Five

The Goodness Of God

Going back to Genesis, chapter twenty four, Abraham has the trusted servant make a vow to him that he will not take a bride from the Canaanites, among whom he lived. He was to go to his father's house, and to his relatives to get a bride for his son. I believe this is the Lord’s desire as well; to go to the church, which is the Father's house, to search for the chosen bride among His people.

After being led to her, she is to be brought out and then prepared, made ready as the Bride that is worthy to be presented to her Heavenly Bridegroom.

It’s important to note that the servant wasn't sent out empty handed on his search;

“Then the servant took ten camels from the camels of his master, and set out with a variety of good things [“goodness”] of his master’s in his hand; and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor.” (Genesis 24:10/NAS)

When the Lord sends out His trusted servants, they, like Abraham’s servant, will also go with the goodness of their Master “in their hand. ”

The hand in Scripture refers to strength or power. It represents the authority of God. The New Testament tells us that Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father, and that all authority has been given to Him (Matthew 28:18). You will recognize the true servants of the Lord because His authority will be “in their hands. ”

The authority the servant has in the distribution of the Master’s “good things” is not from himself, but from his Master. And the things of his Master that he has been entrusted with are not for just anyone, but are specifically to be gifted to the bride. She is the one who will be adorned with what she has received. The glory and honor of her Husband will rest upon her. She will bear His distinguishing mark. What she receives will reveal her identity as the 178

chosen one, “the dove, the perfect one, the pure child of the One who bore her.” (Song Of Solomon 6:9)

Another important thing to see is that it is the Master who sends, not man. Paul says in his letter to the Romans;

“Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!” (Romans 10:13-15/NAS)

The Father always sends out His trusted servants with a variety of His (spiritual) gifts in their possession. James tells us that “every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights.” (James 1:17) These good gifts are not to be used for any glory of the servants, but rather for the adornment of the bride. They mark her out as the chosen one of her Master, and His Son.

In the city of Nahor there is a divine appointment between the trusted servant and the revealed bride of Isaac. Nahor means “snorting or snorer.” This is another picture of the present condition of the sleeping church in America.

One of the definitions of snorting is to express contempt. To show contempt is to express the feeling that a person or a thing is beneath consideration, worthless, deserving scorn. In a legal sense, contempt of court is a willful disobedience to, or open disrespect of a court, judge, or legislative body. Biblically, it’s a lack of respect or reverence for the Lord, a willful disobedience to His revealed law and person. This is an exact description of those who are sleeping among God’s people. In love and mercy, the Lord is about to shake us in order to wake us before it’s too late and the doors of His ark of deliverance are shut.

The Disrespectful Priests Of The Lord

In the last book of the Old Testament, the Lord’s word through Malachi included a rebuke of the priests. Their disrespect for the Lord was expressed through the way they were handling the required sacrifices. They had despised His name by allowing the people to sacrifice blemished animals (Malachi 1:11-13). The minsters of our day are doing the same. They allow for God’s people to bring the sacrifice of their lives disrespectfully, with the blemish of known sin, and without reverence to God and His commands, telling them they have “Peace, peace!” when they are in danger of being cast out of His presence.

In his prayer of repentance while in the belly of the big fish, Jonah declared;

“Those who regard vain idols forsake faithfulness.” (Jonah 2:8/NASU) [“to leave, to loose”] their

The Hebrew for faithfulness is defined as “goodness, faithfulness, kindness, grace.” The NIV version of the Bible says; “Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.”

Spiritual idolatry is extreme admiration, love, or reverence for something other than God. When a Christian continues to stubbornly refuse the conviction of the Holy Spirit to repent and forsake their idols, they will, in the end, loose themselves from the goodness and kindness of God (i.e. grace) shown towards them. They have insulted the Spirit of grace (Hebrews 10:29). That which has been loosed (which means “to unbind, to undo, dissolve”) on earth through rebellion has then been loosed in heaven (Matthew 16:19, 18:18). They are covenant breakers who have, through careless neglect, dissolved their union with God.

The Goodness Of God And Israel In The Last Days

The prophet Hosea records for us that last day events will cause Israel to come trembling to the Lord and to His goodness. The Lord said to the prophet;

“For the sons of Israel will remain for many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred pillar and without ephod or household idols. Afterward the sons of Israel will return and seek the Lord their God and David their king; and they will come trembling to the Lord and to His goodness in the last days.” (Hosea 3:4-5/NASU)

This is what occurred with Joseph and his brothers when a great famine covered the entire earth. It forced his brothers to move to where the Lord had prepared a place of great deliverance for them (Genesis 45:5-7).

Joseph was a type of Christ. They, like Israel has with Jesus, thought that he was dead. When he revealed himself to them they were absolutely terrified. So will Israel, at first, when Christ reveals Himself to them (Genesis 45:1-5).

When Pharaoh heard that Joseph’s brothers had come he told Joseph to bring his entire family from Canaan to Egypt where they would eat the “best” of the land. They would live in Goshen which just happens to mean “drawing near”;

“Now when the news was heard in Pharaoh's house that Joseph's brothers had come, it pleased Pharaoh and his servants. Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘Say to your brothers, Do this: load your beasts and go to the land of Canaan, and take your father and your households and come to me, and I will give you the best [same Hebrew word for “ goodness” in Genesis 24:10] of the land of Egypt and you will eat the fat [“choicest, best part”] of the land. Now you are ordered, do this: take wagons from the land of Egypt for your little ones and for your wives, and bring your father and come. Do not concern yourselves with your goods, for the best [again, “goodness”] of all the land of Egypt is yours. ’” (Genesis 45:16-20/NASU)

In the worst of times Joseph’s family ate the best of the land, from the goodness of the Lord prepared beforehand for them. So will those who humble themselves and draw near to the Lord at the end of this age during the dreadful Day of the Lord. We too should not be concerned with our goods, but the Lord’s. He has something far greater for us if we will but draw near;

“How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you.” (Psalm 31:19/NIV)

With some heavenly pressure, natural Israel will be moved first to the place of God’s choosing. This migration on earth will be followed by spiritual Israel who is made up of both Jews and Gentiles to their place in Christ (Galatians 6:16). They will, if necessary, also be pressured to move to spiritual Goshen, a place of deliverance near the Lord in the last days. Like Joseph’s brothers, they will not move without some Divine coercion.

Chapter Thirty Six

Listening To God’s Voice

In Moses’ discourse to the Israelites, he warned them to be careful to obey the Lord after they entered the Promised Land. If they were to do that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, to act corruptly and to make an idol in the form of anything they would not live long on the land, but would be utterly destroyed.

Moses warned them further, saying;

“The Lord will scatter you among the peoples, and you will be left few in number among the nations where the Lord drives you. There you will serve gods, the work of man's hands, wood and stone, which neither see nor hear nor eat nor smell. But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul. When you are in distress and all these things have come upon you, in the latter days you will return to the Lord your God and listen to His voice. For the Lord your God is a compassionate God; He will not fail you nor destroy you nor forget the covenant with your fathers which He swore to them.” (Deuteronomy 4:27-31/NASU)

In the latter days, when Israel is in great distress during a time the Bible refers to as “Jacob’s trouble” (Jeremiah 30:7), God will get their attention. The extreme troubles on earth at the end of this age will cause Israel to return to the Lord. They will be the last portion of the Body of Christ to be brought to completion. After gaining their attention, they will be listening to His voice.

Listening for the voice of Christ to lead us will be the difference between life and death in the days ahead. Joseph, after placing his brothers in prison, instructed them on the third day to bring their youngest brother, Benjamin, to him. He began with these words in Genesis 42:18; “Do this and live, for I fear God.” In the terrible days that lie just ahead for the world, the trusted servants 182

of God will also hear from the Lord. They in turn will tell the people what to do. If they listen, they will be spared. If they don’t listen, they will perish.

The Lord’s warning for Israel through Jeremiah is the church in America’s warning;

“I spoke to you in your prosperity; but you said, ‘I will not listen!’ This has been your practice from your youth, that you have not obeyed My voice. The wind will sweep away all your shepherds, and your lovers will go into captivity; then you will surely be ashamed and humiliated because of all your wickedness.” (Jeremiah 22:21-22/NASU)

In Acts, chapter 27, we are told that Paul was being taken to Rome as a prisoner in a ship. Before leaving he warned the centurion who was guarding him that if they continued on they would shipwreck and lose their lives. They didn’t listen, sailing right into a violent storm. It became so bad they threw their cargo overboard. Verse 19 says; “on the third day they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands.”

When they had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up and told them that, first of all, they should have listened to him and not set sail into this storm. By this time I’m sure they were in agreement. He then proceeded to tell them that an angel of the God whom he belonged to and served had appeared to him. The angel said that none of them would perish in the storm, but that they must run aground on a certain island.

On the fourteenth night they began to approach land. Pretending they were going to lower some anchors down from the bow, some of the sailors tried to escape by letting the life boat down. Paul told the centurion; “Unless these men remain in the ship, you yourselves cannot be saved.” This time, having gained their respect, they listened to him and cut away the ropes of the boat so that it would happen as Paul had said.

After encouraging the men to eat, they began to lighten the ship by throwing out the wheat into the sea. They soon ran aground on a reef. The ship was battered and they all made it to shore alive, just as Paul had said.

The point in sharing this story is to illustrate the importance of listening to the instruction of the Lord through His servants in the storms that lies ahead. The Lord declared through the prophet Jeremiah;

“Behold, the storm of the Lord has gone forth in wrath, even a whirling tempest; It will swirl down on the head of the wicked. The anger of the Lord will not turn back until He has performed and carried out the purposes of His heart; In the last days you will clearly understand it.” (Jeremiah 23:19-20/NAS)

Because of their close relationship with Him, the trusted servants of the Master will hear what needs to be done in order to spare others’ lives in the last day’s storm we will enter.

It made little sense for those in the ship with Paul to not get into the life boat. Its purpose was to spare lives. That’s what man had designed it for. The thing to learn is that in order to be saved God doesn’t depend upon man’s provisions, but man does depend upon God’s provisions. Listening intently to the Lord and then doing precisely what He tells us in the days ahead will be the difference between life and death.

Tasting And Falling Away

The writer of Hebrews warns us of the extreme consequences incurred by those who fall away from following Christ;

“It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted [“figuratively; to experience”] the heavenly gift, who have shared [“participant, sharing in, partaking of, a partner”] in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away [“to deviate from the right path, turn aside, wander”], to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.” (Hebrews 6:4-8/NIV)

The person described in this passage is the one who has “tasted [experienced] the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, ” they have partaken of the Holy Spirit, which an unbeliever can never experience, and then turns away from the right path in Christ with an apostate heart, much like those in Shelley’s dream. This should encourage all of us who have turned to Christ to remain on the path, looking to the Holy Spirit for strength in our moments of weakness.

To be enlightened in a biblical sense is, by definition of the Greek, “to enlighten spiritually, to imbue with saving knowledge.” This is clearly a warning to the person within whom the Lord has shone His light of salvation knowledge.

Clearly, the light of Christ can become darkness within us by our covering it through disobedience. Right after His discussion of the sign of Jonah with the crowd that had gathered around Him, Jesus warned them in regards to the handling of His light. He used the picture of lighting a lamp and then hiding it

under a basket. To those who do not let their light shine before men in such a way that they may see their good works, and glorify their Father who is in heaven (Matthew 5:16), Jesus says;

“Then watch out that the light in you may not be darkness.” (Luke 11:35/NAS)

And again;

“If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!” (Matthew 6:23/NAS)

It is these dark parts in the Body of Christ who at one time possessed the light of Christ, but allowed darkness to prevail, that must be removed in order for the glory of God to be revealed to the world through His trusted servants of His light. We are in the last opportunity to be cleansed from the darkness within us. Through the merciful, ever increasing pressure of the Lord we will make the choice to either separate from all that is wicked and be spared, or try to run like Jonah from God and pay the price.

Saving The Best For Last

In John 2:1-11 we are shown a picture of the last day outpouring of the Lord’s goodness, His “best wine” which is saved for the last (days). It just happened to be at a wedding. The wine had run out and Jesus miraculously turned water into wine. The headwaiter was surprised saying that the best wine is usually served first but they had served it last.

The best wine of the Lord will be granted in the last days to those of His servants who hear the present call to consecrate themselves. Because of their obedience to the call they will be filled with His goodness, and authority.

The six stone water pots that were empty and used for the miracle wine are a type, representing the Lord’s humble servants who have been emptied of self. They have been made ready for the final outpouring of the Holy Spirit by hearing and doing what He says.

Jesus is our example of inner emptying. Paul says in his letter to the church in the city of Phillipi;

“…although He [Jesus] existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Phillipians 2:6-8/NASU)

It was through this humility that Jesus was highly exalted;

“For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11/NASU)

The trusted servant’s authority in the last days will come through following the same manner of conduct as their Master.

Chapter Thirty Seven

Brides And Wells

fter being led to the city of Nahor, the trusted servant who is on a journey for a specific bride for His master’s son, sends a very specific prayer to the Lord while waiting in a very specific location;A “And he made the camels kneel down outside the city by the well of water at evening time, the time when women go out to draw water. And he said, ‘O LORD, the God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today, and show lovingkindness [“goodness, favor”] to my master Abraham. Behold, I am standing by the spring, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water; now may it be that the girl to whom I say, ‘Please let down your jar so that I may drink,’ and who answers, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels also’ ; may she be the one whom Thou hast appointed for Thy servant Isaac; and by this I shall know that Thou hast shown lovingkindness to my master.” (Genesis 24:11-14/NASU)

While prayerfully waiting at the well of God’s choosing, the obedient servant is about to have a Divine encounter with the chosen bride.

As I studied the Scriptures, I began to notice other brides who were discovered at wells. In Genesis, chapter twenty nine, Jacob met Rachel at a well. In Exodus, chapter two, Moses, as he was fleeing from Pharaoh, met his wife, Zipporah, at a well. Like these two, the chosen Bride of the Master is already drawing from the wells of His salvation, faithfully serving the Lord through the seemingly mundane, daily routines. It is here that God will meet with her in a Divine appointment and reward her faithfulness by choosing her for Himself. It is her humble, servant heart that attracts the attention of the Father.

Knowing the importance of Divine guidance, the servant had petitioned the Lord to let him know that his journey was successful by having the woman 187

give him and his camels a drink. Giving camels a drink may seem to be a simple thing, unless you understand the thirst of a camel. I read that a thirsty camel can drink up to twenty two gallons of water at one time. There were ten camels!

This would be a good test of her heart. Let’s say that each camel drank twenty gallons. If that were so, how many trips back to the well would she have to make? If she could carry ten gallons at a time that would be two trips per camel for a total of twenty trips. Whatever the amount of trips to the well it actually took, I think you can see the character qualifications for the chosen bride of the Lord.

The Bible never says that she complained or grumbled during any of her deeds of kindness. It also gave the servant plenty of time to be sure if she was the one or not. I’m sure that he did not want to be too hasty in making such a weighty decision.

After she finished watering the camels, the servant then placed the gifts that he had brought with him on her. You can just imagine the look on her face and the thoughts running through her mind as this stranger lavishes these rich gifts of his master’s good things upon her. Her humble heart had to have been overwhelmed at that moment.

Her gracious hospitality to strangers was then revealed as their conversation continued. The servant asked her;

“Whose daughter are you? Please tell me, is there room for us to lodge in your father's house?” And she said to him, “I am the daughter of Bethuel, the son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor.” Again she said to him, “We have plenty of both straw and feed, and room to lodge in.” Then the man bowed low and worshiped the LORD. And he said, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken His lovingkindness and His truth toward my master; as for me, the LORD has guided me in the way to the house of my master's brothers.” (Genesis 24:23-27/NASU)

The Lord had guided His trusted servant to a “prepared place,” answering his prayer to make his journey successful. All those who follow Christ, and are acknowledging Him in all their ways (Proverbs 3:5-6), will also discover that the Lord always leads His obedient servants that are listening to Him to a place that He has already prepared for them.

In a discussion with His disciples concerning His departure to His Father, and His return for them, Jesus said; “I go to prepare a place for you.” (John 14:1-3) As His disciple, He wants for us to learn that we can trust Him to direct us in the way that we should go where everything has been prepared beforehand. He, in fact, is the Way (John 14:6). To continue following Jesus, looking to Him for guidance and direction, is to never lose our Way.

Preparing A Place Within Us

I’m reminded of the birth of Christ when there was no room for Mary and Joseph. Is there room within our hearts for the Master today if He comes knocking? Will you graciously receive those whom He sends out to you? Is there a place prepared within you for Him, or is it filled with other guests?

While Nehemiah, the leader of the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem was away for a period of time, Eliashib the priest who was in charge of the storerooms of God, had prepared a room in the courts of God, emptying it of its holy contents for a man named Tobiah, a man with whom he was closely associated, to move into. Tobiah had already revealed himself as a mocker of God’s people and the good work they were doing (Nehemiah 2:19). Theirs was an evil kinship in the house of God which Nehemiah declared as having no portion, right, or memorial in Jerusalem (Nehemiah 2:20).

Eliashib’s name means “God restores.” Tobiah’s name is, interestingly enough, defined in Hebrew as the “goodness of Jehovah”, or “Jehovah is good.” By their names it sounds like an incredible alliance when, in actuality they are the demonic duo who led a false restoration with evil intent against the Lord and His people.

By the way, have you ever been in a church where the pastor says, “God is good!”, and the congregation responds by saying, “All the time!” They then reverse the Christian nursery rhyme, the pastor saying, “All the time,” and the congregation responding, “God is good!” This is nothing more than the immature, Tobiah chant of delusion. Church, it’s time to grow up in Christ before it’s too late!

When Nehemiah, the one called by God and filled with His goodness returned to Jerusalem and learned of Eliashib and Tobiah’s evil alliance, he threw all of Tobiah’s goods out of the room. We need to do the same thing in the church today.

Those in the church who claim to be filled with the goodness of God, with His good things, but are not, must be exposed by God as such and, along with their goods, be tossed out of God’s house. Their coup against God’s government must be eliminated.

The Christian Coup Against Christ

One of the definitions for a coup (pronounced “koo”) is; “A sudden, violent, and illegal seizure of power from a government.” There are certain instances when a coup can be a good thing. For instance our nation came into existence when the colonies rebelled against England’s heavy hand of rule over them. The desire to be free from their tyranny was not taken lightly by our Founding Fathers. It was only after exhausting every avenue of reconciliation with the

King of England that they declared their independence.

Throughout history there have been numerous coups when a certain segment of a society are unhappy with the government that is over them and, usually through military aggression, attempt to overthrow it. Some are successful and some are not. In either case, those who rebel desire a change of those who ruled over them.

In part of their counseling before marriage, I take couples through a teaching regarding the possible negative affects among children that have non-confrontational parents. The biblical application applies to the spiritual children in the family of God as well.

The first example is revealed through the way David dealt with his son, Adonijah;

“Now Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, ‘I will be king.’ So he prepared for himself chariots and horsemen with fifty men to run before him. His father had never crossed him at any time by asking, ‘Why have you done so?’” (1 Kings 1:5-6/NASU)

David’s lack of confrontation with Adonijah resulted in him becoming a self-absorbed, egotistical man who thought the world should revolve around, and serve, him. Through this we see that the fruit of a non-confrontive parent is self-exaltation in their children. They end up desiring to be the king, or queen, the one sitting on the throne of their heart with a sense of entitlement (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4).

When a Christian is never confronted with their sin and continue in it by not submitting to the lordship of Jesus Christ over them, they too will enthrone themselves within their heart in a spirit of self-exaltation that will cause them, and possibly others, great pain. The Bible declares that this Christian coup against the government of God will cause many in the family of God to fall away from Him with an apostate heart at the end of this age before the return of Christ.

Not understanding through correction and restraint what it means to serve one another, these self-centered children/adults desire to have everyone serve them, exalting self above others. Their self-induced issue becomes an annoyance for everyone else they come into contact with throughout society, and the church. They have no respect for authority because they choose to be their own authority, desiring to rule over everyone else.

If parents do not bring a little pain into their children’s lives early, they will bring great pain to others, and themselves, when they get older. In the church we refer to this loving confrontation as church discipline. Because of the manpleasing spirit that has overrun the church, it is rarely carried out. This explains why we have so many, in particular within the church in America,

that have fallen away from following Christ.

Another biblical example of non-confrontational parenting is seen through Eli, the priest of God. He was made aware of the sin of his two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, but never confronted them. The Lord then said to Samuel;

“See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears of it tingle. At that time I will carry out against Eli everything I spoke against his family-- from beginning to end. For I told him that I would judge his family forever because of the sin he knew about; his sons made themselves contemptible [NAS…brought a curse on themselves], and he failed to restrain them.” (1 Samuel 3:11-13/NIV)

To be “contemptible” is “to make light, to be of little account, to make despicable, to be cursed.” Eli’s failure to rebuke his sons, restraining them when he knew they were sinning against God, would cost him and his family dearly. It would, in fact, result in a self-induced curse on them.

In a blatant act of self-indulgence, the sons were taking the best portion of the people’s sacrifices to God for themselves, much like the prosperity preachers are today. Eli’s lack of confrontational love toward his sons would result in all three of their deaths on the same day. Those in the priesthood of God, whether that be the leader in a church or a family, who make light of the Lord’s command to discipline (Hebrews 12:5) bring contempt and dishonor to their name. They cause themselves to become despicable in His sight, even cursing themselves and their family. Without repentance they will be destroyed. It is that serious.

One of the definitions for “restrain” in this passage is, “to grow dim,” or “to be darkened.” In 1 Samuel 3:2 we read;

“Eli was lying down in his place (now his eyesight had begun to grow dim and he could not see well).” (NASU)

The Hebrew for “dim” is keheh (kay-heh'). It means “to be dim, to be dull, to be colorless, to be dark, to be faint.” This sounds very familiar to the definition for restrain. Eli’s lack of external restraint toward his children was a reflection of his own lack of internal restraint. The dimness of His eyes matched the dullness of his heart. He had difficulty seeing (i.e. discerning) either way.

As previously discussed, the light of God within him had become darkness (Luke 11:35, Matthew 6:23), clouding his vision of leadership. When this occurs, the Master Physician is able to take away the spiritual cataract that is impeding our vision so that we may see the Way in which we should go, if we

cry out to Him.

The writer of Hebrews states;

“See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.” (Hebrews 3:12-13/NASU)

If not confronted, sin can cause a child or even a brother or sister in Christ to turn away from God. This is why it is so crucial to train a child, whether they be a physical or spiritual child, in the way they should go, confronting when necessary so that they will not self-destruct by turning away from the Way, Jesus Christ, in a Christian coup against His governmental rule in their life.

Chapter Thirty Eight

The Response Of The Trusted Servant

hen the unnamed, trusted servant saw that the Lord had led him to the right place at the right time, his immediate response was one of worship. It is the natural response of the one who recognizes theirW Master's favor as He blesses them in their journey.

He was then led to Rebekah's house where her brother said to him;

“Come in, blessed of the LORD! Why do you stand outside since I have prepared the house, and a place for the camels?” (Genesis 24:31/NASU)

Like Rebekah’s brother, other brothers (in Christ) will also recognize the Master’s blessing on you, and invite you in.

When the Spirit of God is leading, He will, as we already stated, guide you to a prepared place. You begin to see and understand that the Lord is way ahead of us and can be trusted with all of the details. When we take the lead away from Him, attempting to minister to others in the power of our own mind and strength, we end up wasting a lot of time and energy with little to show for it. When we pray, seeking the counsel of the Lord, we won't waste time and energy laboring in the flesh.

This is one of the biggest disciplines missing in the church today. We seem to be quick to move at the advice of men before receiving the word of the Lord for His will. He will lead us into His victory every time if we will let Him. It is crucial that we learn to be quick to listen, and slow to speak.

When Rebekah’s household recognized the hand of the Lord in the matter, the servant then gave further gifts to her and her family;

“And the servant brought out articles of silver and articles of gold, and 193

garments, and gave them to Rebekah; he also gave precious things to her brother and to her mother.”” (Genesis 24:53/NASU)

Regarding the gifts of God for His people, Paul said to the believers in Ephesus;

“But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore it says, ‘When He ascended on high, He led captive a host of captives, and He gave gifts to men.’” (Ephesians 4:7-8/NASU)

Gifts received from God are never to be used for self-edification. They are to bring glory and honor to the Lord through the faithful administration of them to others under His divine guidance.

The Covering Of The Lord

The Bible says that the servant of Abraham gave Rebekah a garment, or a covering. I believe this represents the righteous covering of the Lord. The Scriptures tell us that the eyes of Adam and Eve were opened by their sin, making them aware of their nakedness. Experiencing shame for the first time because of their exposed condition, they attempted to make their own covering out of fig leaves. The Lord then provided His covering for them by using the hides of animals.

These animals that were used to make the hides were a picture of the future atonement, or covering for mankind's sin through the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ. His sacrificial blood would be the covering for our sins that the Father would provide. The blood of the Lamb removes the shame of our exposed condition before God because of our sin. It declares us to be innocent, protected from the judgment of sin.

In the judgments that are about to be released on this earth by the Lord, you will not survive without His protective covering. The Bible teaches in Acts 14:22 that; “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” It does not teach that we will be removed from tribulation, but rather that we will go through it.

Not many are prepared to stand in the great tribulation that is about to come upon us. Jesus’ teaching in Matthew was the passage the Lord used in my life to begin to expose the lies of the devil that have crept into the thinking of most in the church. It says;

“For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days which were before the flood they were eating and drinking, they

were marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so shall the coming of the Son of Man be. Then there shall be two men in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and one will be left. Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.” (Matthew 24:37-42/NASU)

In the above verses, who was taken away? It clearly says that it was those who did not understand. The righteous were placed in the ark of the Lord’s protection. They were the ones left behind to inherit the earth after it was cleansed. This is the exact opposite of what many have been taught.

The Lord is exposing the lies of Satan to set His people free. Those who submit to the refining will be put into position, as Queen Esther and Joseph were, for a great end time deliverance of God’s people. This is the manifestation of “the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time” because we are nearing the end. Oh, the mercies of God!

The Untouchables

Due to the presence of one whose appearance was “like a son of the gods, ” Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego were untouched in the midst of the fire (Daniel 3:24-27). So will many of God's servants in the days to come. The only thing that burned off were the bindings that man had placed on them. Because of the righteous covering, God’s King-dome over His people that walk in obedience to Him, some individuals, towns and even some cities will be spared in the final, fiery judgments of God at the end of this age.

We must check our hearts first, and then help others prepare in order to be able to stand firm in the Day of the Lord. His righteousness is mankind's only hope. It comes from Him when we humble ourselves in true repentance and turn from our wicked ways.

Personally, I believe the pre-tribulation rapture is a very self-centered doctrine. It's all about you and your survival. It's not about self-denial for the sake of others, but rather self-preservation. The cry to the wicked within and without the church is the same; “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

When the Lord was about to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham asked Him if He would destroy the righteous with the wicked. The Lord said that He would not. An entire city of ungodly people would have been spared if he could have found just ten righteous people. As with Noah and his family, getting your heart right will help spare others around you.

Queen Esther had not been raised to her ruling position just for her own good, but rather to be used for a great deliverance of God's people. I believe

she is a picture of those who are being prepared “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). They will be caught up into a place of ruling authority for a great end time deliverance.

The Bride of the Lord will use her great authority to spare many from annihilation. Could it be that on the day that the enemies of the church hope to gain the mastery over us that we will gain the mastery over them as the Jews did over their enemies in the book of Esther? (Esther 9:1) The Bible is clear that many will perish on the great and terrible day of the Lord, but is this a mystery that also reveals His mercy in judgment?

God also put Joseph in a place of great authority in order that he might be used to deliver the people of God. May the Lord fill us with greater revelation to understand His last time salvation that is beginning to be revealed to those who still have eyes to see and ears to hear.

There are many who think they have all the truth concerning the end and are not willing to listen to what the Spirit is now revealing to His church. Unless there is a repentant heart, spiritual pride will put many in a place of judgment they didn't have to be in.

The Willing Bride

Ruth, the Gentile bride of the Jewish man Boaz, was also put in a place of protection working in the harvest fields with the servants because of her devotion and commitment. Boaz represents the Lord of the harvest, Jesus Christ. This Gentile woman willingly came to him in humility and he spread his covering over her. He called her a woman of excellence and she became his bride.

Not only did this Gentile woman become his bride, but she also became part of the earthly lineage of Jesus Christ. Together, they are another Old Testament type of the Lord and His willing bride.

The Presentation Of The Bride

At the end of Genesis, chapter twenty four, we see the trusted servant anxious to get back to his master to present his willing bride to him. Her family was not so quick, though, to release her. They tried to stall a little, to gain some final moments with Rebekah. You can just imagine their natural affections for her. They might never see her again.

The Bible tells us the servant replied to them, saying;

“Do not delay me, since the LORD has prospered my way. Send me away that I may go to my master.” And they said, “We will call the girl and consult her wishes.” Then they called Rebekah and said to her, “Will you go with this man?” And she said, “I will go.” (Genesis 24:56-58/NASU)

There was no mention of any hesitation by Rebekah. She was willing and ready to go wherever the Lord was leading. She didn't first inquire about where she would be living to see if it would be an agreeable location, or of this unknown man’s background who would become her husband. She obediently and unconditionally went where she recognized the Lord was calling her to go.

What would our response be? Would it be one of immediate obedience to hearing the call of the Lord? Once again, the bride's character is revealed through her actions. She discerned her Master's voice coming through His trusted servant and willingly obeyed.

When being questioned about the authenticity of Jesus, John replied;

“He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure.” (John 3:34/NASU)

In our day, many claiming to be spokesmen for the Lord have not been sent out by Him (Romans 10:14-15). They make great boasts of what they have heard or seen from the Lord but their words are not filled with the life of the Master in them. If you have ears to hear, which comes through an obedient heart, the Holy Spirit will give you discernment and you simply will not follow these stranger's voices. There will be a check in your spirit. Learn to listen to that inner voice of the Holy Spirit. It will save you, and others, from the great delusion at the end of this age (2 Thessalonians 2:8-12).

Along The Way

The very last part of this chapter is extremely crucial for all servants whom the Lord will send out looking for His bride. After finding the willing virgins (wise virgins), you now have the grave responsibility of leading them back to the Master. Along the way, there will be the dangerous pitfall of gaining their affection. You must be careful on your journey to always point them to their Bridegroom, Jesus Christ, so that when they see Him they will immediately leave you and run to His waiting arms.

In Ezekiel, chapter sixteen, the Lord told the prophet to make known to Jerusalem her abominations. She had taken the glory that God had bestowed upon her and then used it for self-glorification. In arrogance, she used the Lord’s glory to manipulate others to fulfill her own lustful desires. Unfortunately this same thing occurs today within the church.

God’s spokesmen are to humbly disciple those who are on their way to the Master, revealing to them who this One is that has called them. When we safely arrive and they behold His face, there will be a joyous celebration as

He receives His Bride and the two become one;

“Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.” (Revelation 19:7/NIV)

You have to know that the Lord must long for His chosen Bride to be presented to Him What a day that will be when the two are finally joined together as one, never to be apart throughout all eternity!

Chapter Thirty Nine

Joined Together

In the closing moments of this age, it is crucial that we separate ourselves from all that would keep us from becoming one with the Lord in the forthcoming marriage of the Lamb. As in marriage, the old must be forsaken so as to become one in the “new thing” of the Lord.

Due to familiarity and a sense of security, the old will not be separated from by most in the church without some heavenly coercion. Like a child, we must be weaned from that which, if we continued being joined together with, would keep us from being eternally joined to the One who loves us and gave Himself up for us. Even now the midnight shout is being proclaimed throughout the world; “Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.” (Matthew 25:6)

God, who knows our hearts, often gives time right before death to those who need to repent and make things right. The last group of Christians who are alive at the return of Christ will not die, but will cross over into their eternal inheritance through a “new and living way” (Hebrews 10:20), a way through which we have never crossed over before. I believe that group is on the earth right now. Through God’s mercy and some divinely appointed pressure, we are being given time to prepare our hearts by faith for what is about to take place.

All that we have known on earth in this age is in the process of dying, making room for the new way. This includes the religious system that we have become so accustomed to. In the majority of our nation, it now operates under the power of man instead of being led by the Spirit.

All Christians who have gone before us died in order to cross over. Believers who are alive and remain on earth at the return of Jesus will not die, but will cross over into their eternal inheritance in Christ, if they are made ready through submission to the will of God and the cleansing of the Holy Spirit. As with Israel, it is a way that we have never gone before (Joshua 3:4), a way that has been kept hidden from us until the appointed time of the end.

As discussed earlier, when Christ appeared on earth the first time, a 199

forerunner named John the Baptist went ahead of Him to prepare His way. In like manner, the forerunner ministry on earth is now being used to “make ready the way of the Lord” (Matthew 3:3) for His second coming. In order to be made ready for the new thing that lies just ahead of us, the Body of Christ must experience a spiritual death of separation to our flesh, as those in the Body of Christ have in physical death up until now.

The old ways are fading so as to make us ready for the new and living way of the Lord. It is only as we remain joined together with Christ in His death that we will be made alive together with Him in the likeness of His resurrection (Romans 6:5). Our current spiritual leaders will have the most difficulty in being released from the religious system they have become so deeply rooted in. Unfortunately, many will not let go.

The Bible tells us that as the time approached for Jesus to be taken up to heaven, through death, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem (Luke 9:51). As some versions interpret it; “He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem” (KJV/NKJV). He knew what was about to happen, and why, and unwaveringly set out in that direction. He did not avoid what He had been sent to do. Neither should we.

For This Reason

In Genesis we are told why a man is to leave his father and mother and be united to his wife;

“The man gave names to all the cattle, and to the birds of the sky, and to every beast of the field, but for Adam there was not found a helper suitable for him. So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place. The Lord God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man. The man said, ‘This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman [“woman, wife, betrothed one, bride”], because she was taken out of Man.’ For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one [“united”] flesh [“body”]. And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.” (Genesis 2:20-25/NASU)

Per the word of God, to leave the old and be joined together in the new as one flesh is to become a united body in Christ. Without the forsaking of the old relationships, religious or otherwise, we will never become one united body in Christ. Many in the church claim with their mouths to walk in unity with their brothers and sisters, but in their hearts their allegiance is actually to their denominations. The truth of the matter has begun to be revealed by the

Lord.

God removed a rib from Adam, refashioned it, and then presented it back to Adam in the form of a woman. This all occurred because there wasn’t a helper suitable for him. This is what occurs to every person who turns to Christ. We are taken in a rough form, as a new believer, from the Body of the second Adam, who is Christ (1 Corinthians 15:45-49). We then enter a process of being transformed into His image through submission to the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 15:49, 2 Thess. 2:13, 1 Peter 1:2). The intent is to be presented back to God as His bride, “without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.” (Ephesians 5:27)

Quoting this passage from Genesis while referring to the relationship between a husband and wife, Paul says in his letter to the church in Ephesus;

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word [John 17:17-19], and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church— for we are members of his body. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh [i.e. a united body].” This is a profound mystery — but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.” (Ephesians 5:25-33/NIV)

The profound mystery of the two becoming one is now being proclaimed because it is the appointed time for the Bride to make herself ready (Revelation 19:7).

Without Decay

Christians are members of Christ’ Body, the second Adam, as Eve was of the first Adam. Jesus gave Himself up for us on the cross so that we could then partake of His Divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). He partook of our flesh so that we could partake of His flesh which never suffered decay. Therefore, as we partake of His flesh, His Body, we too will never see decay. Instead, we will partake of His eternal life.

In Peter’s first public speech on Pentecost, right after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, three thousand souls received Jesus as their Messiah. In this initial demonstration of the Spirit and of His power, Peter quoted from

David’s declaration in Psalms, chapter sixteen, in which he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of Christ. He said;

“Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact.” (Acts 2:29-32/NIV)

Today, within the church we see very little of Christ’ life. Clapping and raising our hands as we all sway in unison with the music doesn’t necessarily mean that Christ is there. Because God is Spirit, those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). David declared; “The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth.” (Psalm 145:18/NASU)

The lack of truth is the biggest issue in the church today. While we were sleeping, the enemy unsuspectingly slithered around our defenseless walls. His lies have become our truths. There is a famine in our land, not of food or water but of hearing the living and active word of God from our pulpits (Amos 8:11). There are many words coming forth, supposedly in Christ’ name, but the majority are dead, lifeless words from man’s heart and mind. Because of this, many of God’s people are church hopping from sea to shining sea, seeking for just a crumb of the Bread of Life.

The corruption and decadence being exposed by God within the church is another sign that we are not joined together with Christ and His Body. In Christ’s Body there is no decay. The great degree of wickedness and selfindulgence that is being revealed is evidence that we have become detached from the Head and, therefore, one another.

What we say with our mouth is not what we are in practice. Because of this we try harder in the flesh with better entertainment, better branding and advertising, better programs ad nauseam to draw the world in. Jesus’ Presence is what we lack. He alone is the answer to our pathetic replication of the world’s business model.

Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:22; “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. ” “In Christ” is the key. This means that we are to join together with Him in His death in order to be made alive with Him in His resurrection. There is no shortcut. We cannot partake of Pentecost without partaking of Calvary.

The current issue of the lack of His living presence in the church in America, and therefore to the world around us, is due to our lack of cross bearing. We stubbornly refuse to die daily to our wills and seek the Lord’s. 202

We have left the narrow path that leads to life for the cursed, broad way that leads to death.

In his letter to the Romans, Paul made the following statement;

“…we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin.” (Romans 6:4-7/NASU)

To be baptized into Christ is to be baptized into His death so that we might walk in His “newness of life,” or life of a new quality. This new walk in Him is possible because of the right to become the children of God through the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. This is the power of right that all who have received Him are granted. As stated in chapter eleven, Freedom In Christ, in this new walk, this new way we are still given the right of choice. To choose to obey is to no longer be slaves to sin but to become free indeed.

Right before the verses above in Romans, chapter six, Paul said;

“Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?” (Romans 6:1-2/NASU)

The degree that we are united with Him in the likeness of His death will determine the degree that the likeness of His resurrection will be manifested in and through us. This is why Paul continued by saying;

“Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 6:11/NASU)

Again, in Christ Jesus is the key.

Chapter Forty

Remaining In Christ

“Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.” (John 15:4-6/NIV)

Many are taught that Jesus didn’t mean what He said here, that it’s impossible for us to not remain in Him after receiving Him. They will usually then quote the verse; “I will never leave you or forsake you. ” (Hebrews 13:5) They might even quote the verse in Hebrews which comes soon after this one; “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8) Praise God that He is the same, therefore we need to see and understand the rest of the story, in truth, which is found in the verses that follow where this is taken from in the Old Testament.

Moses was giving his last counsel to all Israel. They were about to cross the Jordan River, into the Promised Land, and dispossess the nations that were dwelling there. He said to them;

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the Lord swore to their forefathers to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:6-8/NIV) 204

The Lord then revealed to Moses that he would soon die. He said to him;

“You are going to rest with your fathers, and these people will soon prostitute themselves to the foreign gods of the land they are entering. They will forsake

me and break the covenant I made with them. On that day I will become

angry with them and forsake them; I will hide my face from them, and they will be destroyed. Many disasters and difficulties will come upon them, and on that day they will ask, ‘Have not these disasters come upon us because our God is not with us?’ And I will certainly hide my face on that day because of all their wickedness in turning to other gods.” (Deuteronomy 31:16-18/NIV)

After telling the Israelites twice that He would never leave them or forsake them, the Lord then tells Moses that they would, indeed, forsake Him and break His covenant He made with them. Because of this He would forsake them, hiding His face from them when the day of their trouble came upon them, and they would be destroyed.

If you truly believe that He is the same yesterday and today and forever then you will believe that He can and WILL forsake those who forsake Him (2 Timothy 2:12). The truth sets us free from the deception of the devil that creates a false sense of security.

There is a day of trouble that is quickly coming upon us. Many in the church will look to the Lord in that day but they will not find Him. Because they have forsaken the Lord, He will forsake them. Because they have forsaken the Lord and clung to worthless idols, they have forsaken the grace that could have been theirs (Jonah 2:8/NIV).

For the sake of clarity, I will repeat what we discussed in an earlier chapter regarding Jonah’s prayer of repentance;

“In his prayer of repentance while in the belly of the big fish, Jonah declared; ‘Those who regard vain idols forsake [“to leave, to loose”] their faithfulness.’ (Jonah 2:8/NASU) The Hebrew for faithfulness is defined as “goodness, faithfulness, kindness, grace.” The NIV version of the Bible says; ‘Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.’

Spiritual idolatry is extreme admiration, love, or reverence for something other than God. When a Christian continues to stubbornly refuse the conviction of the Holy Spirit to repent and forsake their idols, they will, in the end, loose themselves from the goodness and kindness of God shown towards them. They have insulted the Spirit of grace (Hebrews 10:29). That which has been loosed (“to unbind, to undo, dissolve”) on earth through rebellion has then been loosed in heaven (Matthew 16:19, 18:18). They are covenant breakers who have, through careless neglect, dissolved their union with God.” 205

Many in the church now teach that a Christian could never become as Israel, breaking covenant with God and have Him forsake them. Paul warns us otherwise in the New Testament. He writes of those who “knew God” but were given over to their sin because they exchanged the truth of God for a lie (Romans 1:25). Like many today in the church who at one time possessed the light of God, their foolish heart was darkened because of continued rebellion.

He says that, among the many descriptions of them, they were “untrustworthy” which is defined in the Greek as “covenant breakers, faithless, treacherous to compacts.” (Romans 1:18-32) This is why the writer of Hebrews strongly warns us not to continue in willful sin after receiving the knowledge of the truth, who is Christ, treating with irreverent disrespect the blood of His covenant by which we were sanctified, thereby insulting the Spirit of grace (Hebrew 10:26-31).

Through the lies of deception there is no longer any fear of the Lord in the majority of the church. Many have brought Him down to their level, making themselves equal to or even greater than God.

Jeremiah the prophet declared to Israel;

“O Lord, the hope of Israel, all who forsake [“to leave, to loose”] You will be put to shame. Those who turn away [“to turn off, to turn aside”] on earth will be written down [remember when Jesus wrote in the sand!], because they have forsaken the fountain of living water, even the Lord.” (Jeremiah 17:13/NASU)

A few verses before this the Lord had said to them; “And you will, even of yourself, let go of your inheritance that I gave you.” (Jeremiah 17:4/NASU) Yes, He never lets go, He never breaks covenant, He is never unfaithful, but we can do all the above resulting in our shrinking back in shame to our destruction at His return (Hebrews 10:37-39).

Truly, we need to understand and take heed that, yes, He is the same yesterday and today and forever. Praise God for the truth that sets us free from a false sense of peace and safety so as to be a people who are truly made ready for the Lord.

Chapter Forty One

Life Through Death

In chapter six of his letter to the Romans, Paul states that when we join Christ in His death we are presenting the members of our body as slaves to God rather than sin. Our obedience results in righteousness, which leads to sanctification, resulting in eternal life. Jesus is the only way for this life through death experience to happen. It is only as we carry about in our body the dying of Jesus that His life is manifested in us (2 Corinthians 4:712). The dying of Jesus is the death of our wills and the doing of the Father’s will.

Regarding the necessity of our being joined together with Christ, Paul continues in Romans, chapter seven, saying;

“Or do you not know, brethren (for I am speaking to those who know the law), that the law has jurisdiction [“to be lord of, to rule over, have dominion over”] over a person as long as he lives?” (Romans 7:1/NASU)

Paul is saying that to be joined together with Christ is to join Him in His baptism of death. It is by the submission of our will to that of the Lord’s will that we walk in His victory and are set free from the power and dominion of the law over our fleshly nature. As I mentioned in Chapter Sixteen, Denying The Power Of Liberty;

“As the writer of Hebrews tells us; “ a covenant is valid [“firm, secure”] only when men are dead, for it is never in force [“to have power”] while the one who made it lives.” (Hebrews 9:17/NASU) It is only as we join Christ in His death, not living for our wills, that the power of God’s covenant is manifested in and through us. When we continue to do as we please, after turning to Christ, we negate His resurrection power. The covenant is firm and secure in Christ when I no longer live, but allow Christ to live in me (Galatians 2:20). 207

Otherwise, we are guilty of being a covenant breaker within whom the power of God makes no progress.”

To have jurisdiction over a person is to rule over them, to have dominion over them. To be released from the power of the law, therefore, is to no longer be held in its bondage to corruption. Through the joining of Christ’ flesh, His Body, we, like Him, will not suffer any decadence in our walk.

In Christ we are given the choice and power of the Holy Spirit to not follow the sinful passions that are aroused by the law and be free of its condemnation against us. This happens so that we might be joined together with Him who was raised from the dead (Hebrews 13:20). By remaining in Christ through obedience and repentance when necessary, we too will be raised from being dead in our sins unto His eternal life.

As Paul made sure we understood, being under God’s grace does not mean we are to continue in sin after turning to Christ as our Lord and Savior and think that we will be considered innocent in His eyes (Romans 6:1-2). To be joined to Christ and something else in our affections and desires is compared by Paul to an adulteress woman who is married to one man while experiencing intimacy with another;

“For the married woman is bound by law to her husband while he is living; but if her husband dies, she is released from the law concerning the husband. So then, if while her husband is living she is joined to another man, she shall be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is not an adulteress though she is joined to another man. Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.” (Romans 7:2-4/NASU)

Without repentance, spiritual adultery is means for spiritual divorce. But this doesn’t have to be! During a conversation with a group of Pharisees that were testing Jesus regarding divorce, He said;

“Because of your hardness of heart Moses permitted you to divorce your wives; but from the beginning it has not been this way. And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.” (Matthew 19:8-9/NASU)

All of us struggle with one thing or another in our lives but this doesn’t mean that we are to not strive for freedom from it. The longer we accept and practice sin, the harder our hearts become. We become insensitive to the Holy

Spirit’s voice leading us in the way we should go.

John wrote that Christ appeared to destroy the works of the devil, and that no one who abides in Him will sin (1 John 3:6-8). We only sin when we do not remain in Him, dead to our sin. The good news in this is that we are getting very close, as a Body in Christ to our being perfected as He is perfect. John encourages us to remain faithful to the end, knowing that;

“ …when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” (1 John 3:2-3/NASU)

Purity of heart gives us eyes to “see Him just as He is.” Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” (Matthew 5:8/NIV) It is when we walk in the power of the flesh, the fallen nature that resists God’s leading, that we cannot see and inevitably stumble. Paul spoke of this as he continued in Romans, chapter seven;

“For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death. But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.” (Romans 7:5-6/NASU)

Once we have been released from the power of the law through the power of Christ we are then able to, as Paul says, “serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter. ” But, remember, as we looked at before through our discussion of John 1:12, the right of access to the power of God which is granted to those who receive Him can be denied.

According to Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, newness in the Spirit is a “renewal; a new condition or state of moral life so as to produce a new state which is eternal life.” It’s life of a new quality, one in which there is the life of Christ flowing in and through His people.

The oldness of the letter with its rules of conduct and mere outward conformity rather than our response to the inward operation of the Spirit (i.e. circumcision of the heart) results in frustration, with condemnation. In other words, it results in dead religion and numerous useless rituals of the flesh.

Unity Through Being Joined Together

Presently, the church in America, and in many other places on earth, is not joined together with each other in true unity which is evidence that we are not

joined together with Christ. We do not have the same mind and judgment which can only occur by the Holy Spirit as we walk in Him (1 Corinthians 1:10). Our divisions (i.e. denominations) that exist among us is proof that we are in fact not perfectly joined together with Christ.

We say that we want unity, and yet are unwilling to separate from that which is keeping us apart (i.e. our denominational devotions which involve a devotion to differences in what is truth). Our lack of growth in Christ, and the lack of maturity and Godly reproduction is proof that we are living in an unconnected, independent state. We have not held fast to the Head “from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together [“joined together”] by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God.” (Colossians 2:19/NASU)

Instead, many hold on tightly to their denominational groups, a personality, etc. Any growth experienced in this disconnected state is not from God but man through his own organizational skills and administrative abilities. It is merely an act of his own will, a cursed work of his own hands built on sand that will not stand in the day of the Lord’s judgement.

Becoming One

The only way for a husband and wife to become “one” as defined in the Bible is that, first, the husband leave his father and mother. In the Greek, to leave means “to loose, to forsake, to depart from something.” Until a husband and wife have been joined together through a forsaking of the old relationship, they can never become “one” in their new relationship. As previously stated, there must be a separation from the old, of that which was, in order for there to be a joining together as one in the new. We see this in Jesus when He left the Father in order to partake of the flesh of mankind, His creation, so as to be joined together with His Bride as one (Galatians 3:28; John 17:11, 21-23).

This is not only true in a marriage, but also in our being united with Christ, our becoming one with Him in His “new thing” at the end of this age. In fact, that is the picture that is being portrayed in every marriage ceremony.

This knowledge being revealed by the Holy Spirit at this time is crucial to understand and act upon because the marriage of the Lamb draws near when Christ will be eternally united with His Bride (Revelation 19:7). Believing this to be true, she will, by faith, make herself ready through a separation of all that on earth which draws her devotion away from her soon coming Bridegroom.

Separation For Completion

There is always the danger of a new Christian devoting, out of childlike innocence, an unhealthy devotion to their spiritual birth parents will for their

life, whether that be an individual, a group, or a denomination, that could hinder their fully becoming one with the Lord. Like every child, in order to fully mature there must be a weaning process from parental oversight and control. In their relationship, they must loose themselves from the one so as to become fully joined to the other. As a Christian, the old was necessary to begin, but the new is necessary to finish, to be made complete in Christ, mature and lacking nothing. We have now entered the finishing process.

This doesn’t mean we are not to be devoted to one another, as the Bible clearly commands us to, but that our first priority is to obey Christ. This is the importance of our learning to hear His voice. He alone is the Head of our spiritual family. If the Lord is leading you in a different direction than those on earth would, you are to obey God. As on earth, this parental separation doesn’t always occur smoothly. We are seeing this firsthand this very moment.

Spiritually speaking, when “birth parents” try to hang on to their new children in the Lord by having them remain devoted to them or their denomination rather than Christ and His call on their lives, they hinder the Divine intent for their completion in faith (James 2:22). As in the natural, there usually is a gradual release, a letting go from the infant stage of dependency upon parents so as to grow up in Christ. Because the heads of the church in America have been controlling parents who were not willing to let go, the Lord intervened and has forced a separation by way of an international pandemic.

To release a disciple into the hands of the Holy Spirit is the goal so that they may be used in the life of someone else, thereby resulting in spiritual reproduction. As per the example of Paul in the New Testament letters, when issues arise you are still there for advice and counsel, but they need to learn to make their own decisions in order to mature in their Christian walks.

Again, as in the natural, some spiritual parents have a hard time releasing young converts. This is understandable, in some cases, because of the loving relationship they have developed between them. The change in relationship doesn’t mean that you should never interact with them, but it allows for less dependence upon man in order to develop more dependence between them and the Holy Spirit. It’s to bring them up, through discipleship, to know how to feed themselves spiritually, and to learn how to hear and then obey God.

While promoting independence among our own children, the church family is often nurturing co-dependency among our spiritual children. We must repent of the controlling spirit that now dominates leadership within the western church. Disciplers need to be careful to teach disciples to be devoted to Christ rather than themselves and their agendas. (See my book Walking In The Light; Small Groups and Discipleship [revised edition].)

Chapter Forty Two

Lift Up Your Eyes!

fter finding a willing bride for Isaac, the trusted servant of Abraham then led her back to her waiting bridegroom. I imagine that along the way they talked about her soon to be husband. During this time the A servant could have gained her allegiance. Instead, when they arrived and Isaac approached, she immediately left the servant and went to him. This is the desired response from all disciples of Christ at the end of this age when our Heavenly Bridegroom comes to meet us. Unfortunately, not all will be looking for Him in the same manner.

The Bible describes Rebekah and Isaac being joined together as follows;

“Now Isaac had come from going to Beer-lahai-roi; for he was living in the Negev. Isaac went out to meditate in the field toward evening; and he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, camels were coming. Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac she dismounted from the camel. She said to the servant, ‘Who is that man walking in the field to meet us?’ And the servant said, ‘He is my master.’ Then she took her veil and covered herself. The servant told Isaac all the things that he had done. Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and he took Rebekah, and she became his wife, and he loved her; thus Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.” (Genesis 24:62-67/NASU)

In Hebrew, Beer-lahai-roi (be-ayr' lakh-ah'ee ro-ee') means “well of a living (One) my Seer”, or, “well of the Living One seeing me.” It was after being at this well that Isaac, while meditating toward evening, lifted up his eyes and beheld his bride. Again, he is a picture, in Genesis twenty two, of Jesus when he was resurrected, revealing what is about to occur with the resurrected Christ and His Bride.

The Bible states that after Isaac lifted up his eyes that Rebekah, the willing bride, then lifted up hers. Toward the evening of this day, this age, the Lord is 212

going to lift up His eyes, which I believe are the “seers” or prophets in His Body. When they are exalted they will reveal the Presence of Christ before His willing Bride who is awake and looking. She will then lift up her eyes and behold with great joy her Heavenly Bridegroom, not man.

The Hebrew for “lifted up” is nasa' (naw-saw'). It is defined as “to lift up, to exalt, to rise up.” As most if not all are aware of, this happens to be the name of America’s space program. Within this I see the lift-off, so to speak, of the Lord’s Bride. When she is exalted, her cover will be removed and her identity revealed for all to see her glorious beauty.

In his song of love celebrating the King’s marriage the psalmist declares;

“Listen, O daughter, give attention and incline your ear: Forget your people and your father's house; Then the King will desire your beauty. Because He is your Lord, bow down to Him.” (Psalm 45:10-11/NASU)

The Lord’s desire is for those who forsake all to become His Bride. The beauty of their hearts captures His. It is a beauty that is from within (Psalm 45:13). Like Ruth they have declared the vow of the Bride;

“Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.” (Ruth 1:16-17/NIV)

Church, we are nearing the end of the “day.” Those who are willing, lift up your eyes and draw near to your approaching Bridegroom because your redemption in Him draws near. His desire is to gather you into his tent where the two, Christ and His Bride, will then eternally become one. Hallelujah!

New Things

What is it that we hang on to from our old manner of life before Christ that would keep us from becoming fully united to the Lord, making us “one” with Him? This “new thing” of the Lord, when we will be forever joined to our Bridegroom in the fullest sense as one in Him draws near. Even now the first fruits are beginning to be revealed for those with eyes to see and ears to hear.

The Lord spoke more than once to Isaiah regarding His new thing. He declared;

“ …new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you.’ Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise from the ends of the earth…”

(Isaiah 42:9-10) “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:18-19) “From now on I will tell you of new things, of hidden things unknown to you. They are created now, and not long ago; you have not heard of them before today. So you cannot say, ‘Yes, I knew of them. ’” (Isaiah 48:6-7)

In the Lord’s revelation to John He spoke of His new thing, saying;

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’ He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.’” (Revelation 21:1-5/NIV)

As declared to Isaiah the prophet by the Lord, in our relationship with Christ, may we all forget the former things, not dwelling on the past, and fix our hearts on what is about to come. Hidden things that have been unknown to us are now being revealed because it’s time for us to know so as to be a people who are made ready, “beautifully dressed” in anxious anticipation for our Heavenly Bridegroom’s return. Praise the name of the Lord who is worthy of our praise and devotion!

Joined Together As One

In the recorded prayer of Jesus He included His petition to the Father for His followers to become one as He and the Father are one which, to me, is an incredible statement. He said;

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” (John 17:20-23/NIV)

Until we are one, which is defined by Jesus as “ complete unity, ” the world will not believe that the Father sent Jesus. As we have already seen, this cannot occur between Christians until we forsake the old relationships in the world. This includes, as I have been saying, the religious systems that have been corrupted with the flesh. This full union in Christ can only exist among those who hear and do what the Spirit is saying in regards to preparing for the approaching marriage of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7-9).

During a conversation with a group of Pharisees, Jesus spoke about marriage and divorce. After saying that a man and a woman become one flesh (body) in marriage He then said;

“Therefore what God has joined together [“to yoke together”], let man not separate.” (Matthew 19:6/NASU)

This means, therefore, that which God has brought together CAN be separated by man or Jesus would not have warned us of the possibility. Why tell us there is a chance of something happening if there is no chance of it happening?

This warning, for those with ears to hear, is also for those who have been joined to Christ. We too, like a marriage on earth, can break our covenant vows through hardness of heart and be separated from the One with whom we have been joined together. Being a covenant breaker is not just an Old Testament principle (Hosea 6:7), but a New Testament truth (Romans 1:31“untrustworthy, faithless, covenant breaking”).

In these last days, as we draw near to the marriage of the Lamb, we hear the Spirit crying out to us;

“Come out from her [Babylon, the harlot], MY PEOPLE, so that you will not participate of her sins and receive of her plagues.” (Revelation 18:4/NASU)

To remain joined together with the religious harlot in oneness of heart and mind is to never be joined together as one in spirit with the Lord at the end of this age. We must, particularly, separate ourselves from the religious system that has seduced God’s people into an idolatress relationship and is keeping them from entering into His Presence, and living (Hosea 6:1-2).

In Paul’s rebuke of the church in Corinth regarding the self-inflicted dangers of spiritual idolatry he used the metaphor of a prostitute;

“Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite [“be a member of”] them with a

prostitute [“metaphorically, an idolatress”]? Never! Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, ‘The two will become one flesh.’ But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit. Flee from sexual immorality [“harlotry; figuratively, idolatry”]. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:15-20/NIV)

To be joined together as one as Jesus and the Father are is to be joined in Spirit, not the flesh. The flesh is anything controlled and empowered by the fallen nature of man whose head is Babylon, the spiritual whore and progenitor of all false religion. (See my book Babylon’s Counterfeit Glory; The Seduction Of God’s People.)

Chapter Forty Three

Mending The Nets

In his first letter to the church in Corinth, Paul rebuked them for the divisions that existed among them. With the numerous divisions (i.e. denominations) that we have today, we should listen carefully to his words of warning;

“Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree, and there be no divisions among you, but you be made complete [“to repair or adjust, to perfect”] in the same mind and in the same judgment. For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe's people, that there are quarrels among you.” (1 Corinthians 1:10-11/NASU)

According to this passage, and the Greek definitions for our English interpretations, to be made “complete” is to be fashioned by God, like Eve, into the perfected Bride of Adam. It is to be perfectly joined together as one. The ONLY way for this to occur is for His people to have the undivided mind of Christ.

In regards to the divisions that existed among the church in Corinth, Paul continues, saying;

“Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, ‘I am of Paul,’ and ‘I of Apollos,’ and ‘I of Cephas,’ and ‘I of Christ.’ Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” (1 Corinthians 1:12-13/NASU)

Isn’t this the question; “Has Christ been divided?” The obvious answer Paul is getting at is, “No, He has not.” It is through man’s desire to be first, to glorify himself instead of Jesus as Lord that result in the church becoming 217

divided.

The Greek for “divisions” used by Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:10 is schisma (skhis'-mah) which is defined as “a split or gap (schism), a rent.” Metaphorically speaking, it refers to a division, a dissension. In its present condition, the church in America is nowhere close to being in agreement with the same mind and judgment. The divisive spirit ruling among us has resulted in an extreme lack of true oneness in mind and judgment. This is the evidence that we are not really, as we claim, in fellowship with Christ or we would be in fellowship with one another. What we claim with our mouths is not what we are in practice.

This gap caused by hypocrisy is what allows the fish out of the nets. In fact, many do not even come near the nets because of the obvious foolishness in our midst. They see it for what it is miles away, despite our religious, manmade camouflage we try to hide it with. Those whom the Father cannot draw because Jesus is not lifted up, man attempts to draw in through fleshly gimmicks and all other sorts of worldly foolishness.

Throughout history the devil has, with great success, targeted the church to create division. There is always someone within the Body within whom he can find a place of darkness to operate from and cause disunion. The more we become like Christ, the less divided we will be. This is the only way to destroy this evil spirit.

Through an accursed work of his own hands, per his own will, man attempts to fashion God’s Bride into an image of his own liking. Those who comply with the religious leadership of the Babylonian harlot that is guilty of this will become just like her; destined to receive of her plagues when God judges her (Rev. 18:4-5). This is why we MUST come out, separating ourselves in the fear of God from all that would disqualify us from the eternal prize while there is still time (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1).

Another interesting word in these verses is katartizo (kat-ar-tid'-zo), the Greek for “complete.” It’s defined as “to complete thoroughly, to mend (what has been broken or rent), to repair, to complete.” The way for the Body of Christ to be brought to completion in Him, and the gospel nets to be repaired, is through repentance which leads to the knowledge of truth (2 Timothy 2:25). It’s the only manner in which we can obtain the mind and judgment of Christ.

The Lord is now mending His nets, preparing for a great catch of mankind. The strengthened net-work of the Lord will soon be ready. As He applies pressure to the earth through great tribulation, some will turn in humility and surrender themselves at His feet. Others will simply curse Him and die (Revelation 9:20-21).

The Lord is the only One who knows when and where to throw the nets. As we do what He tells us, the nets will become full, bringing to completion His redemption of mankind.

Remember, right before His ascension Jesus told the disciples that all

authority had been given to Him in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). When we obey and go where He tells us, we can be confident that His authority over all things goes with us also. He will not send us on our own, but with the indisputable authority that comes in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. To God be the glory!

The First Encounter

In Luke 5:1-11 we are given the first of two recorded encounters with the Lord’s disciples and their fishing nets. Jesus was speaking by the Lake of Genneserate. He saw two fishing boats, one belonging to Peter, and got into it. He then asked him to put out a little from shore so he could speak to the multitude pressing around Him.

When he was finished, he said to Peter;

“Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” But Peter answered, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” (Luke 5:4-5/NKJV)

When Peter did what Jesus said they caught a great number of fish that even caused some damage to their net. He then called his fishing partners, James and John, to come help.

After seeing the power of Jesus over nature, Peter fell at His feet and said;

“Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” (Luke 5:8, 10/NKJV)

At that point, Peter’s discipleship training had officially begun.

I see within the breaking of the nets a picture of the need for these new followers of Jesus Christ to be trained in His ways. Their gospel net was not quite ready for the stress of what lie ahead.

When Peter informed Jesus that they had worked hard all night and caught nothing, but at His word he would let down the nets, he was about to learn his first lesson in what happens when we do what the Lord asks us to do. The lessons would continue for approximately the next three years. During this time the disciples would learn how to become Master-anglers of men. By applying what they had learned from the Master, their “net-work” would be strengthened for a great multitude of souls that would soon be gathered into it after His ascension.

The Second Encounter

John 21:1-11 describes for us the second encounter of the now resurrected Jesus and the casting of the nets of His disciples. The disciples were now ready to be sent out to catch men. Unlike the first time, the nets didn’t break. The net-work was now prepared and strengthened for a great catch, not of fish but of mankind. They had officially passed their Master-angler training.

In this encounter, the disciples had been fishing all night, again, and caught nothing. After the death of Jesus they were disillusioned and discouraged. Things had not turned out like they thought it would. In this state they went back to their old ways.

From the shoreline, the resurrected Lord told them to cast their nets on the right-hand side of the boat. In a state of exhaustion, they were about to be reminded of their need to act per the Lord’s word.

Within Scripture, the right hand represents the place of God’s authority. Jesus is said to now be sitting at the right hand of the Father (Matthew 26:64, Colossians 3:1). It’s essential for all disciples that we learn to listen for the living word of God in order to do things His way. The disciples had to change their fishing methods per the word of the Lord, even though they were tired. When they did what He said, though, it resulted in a great catch with much less human effort.

At the end of this age it’s crucial that we listen to what the Holy Spirit is directing us to do. The final harvest of the earth will soon occur. The Lord will finish what He began, His way, through His wise servants that hear His call to cleanse their hearts by faith in preparation of what is about to occur. Their obedience to prepare will allow them to be part of the great net-work of the Lord. They will be connected, and directed, by the Holy Spirit so that none who enter the nets of the Lord will be lost.

Cramming The Nets

In Romans, chapter eleven, Paul refers to the disobedience of the Jews and their being broken off from Christ. This resulted in the opportunity of salvation for the Gentiles who, by the way, can also be cut off for unbelief AFTER being grafted in. As we already discussed, Paul makes it crystal clear that arrogant presumption in the salvation of God for Gentiles who do not continue walking in obedience with Christ, abiding near Him, will result in their being broken off as well.

Referring to the Jews rejection of Christ as their Messiah, Paul says;

“…if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their fullness bring! (Romans 11:12/NIV)

The Greek for “fullness” in this verse refers to “bringing to completion, what fills, with which a thing is filled.” It’s taken from another Greek word that, according to Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, means “literally, to cram a net.” The picture of the nets being crammed with 153 fish in John 21:11 is another picture, in type, of the Body of Christ being brought to completion in Him at the end of the age through the net-work of God’s obedient servants.

Years ago, someone told me the reason for there being 153 fish crammed in the net is because there were that many known species of fish in that day. It represented the catching of men from every nation, one of every kind. If this is true that would mean some of every kind (i.e. people groups) on earth will come to Jesus.

We are in the final harvest of the earth where the complete number of both Jew and Gentile will be joined as one in the Messiah, thereby bringing to completion the redemptive plan of the Lord. The Lord is now giving us His final word of instruction for the final casting of His gospel net-work. As we listen and do what He says, the catch will be great. Hallelujah!

The Nets Will Not Tear

John 21:11 stated that, although there were so many fish crammed into the nets, they were not torn. The Greek for “torn” is schizo (skhid'-zo). It means “to split or sever, to split into factions, to be divided.” This is where we derived our English word schizophrenia from which is a serious disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, or acts. It causes a person to have great difficulty in distinguishing what is real or unreal and is associated with a divided, or split personality.

According to an article titled “Schizophrenia: Symptoms, Causes and Treatments,” it’s one of many brain diseases that may include delusions, loss of personality (flat affect), confusion, agitation, social withdrawal, psychosis, and bizarre behavior. Individuals with schizophrenia may even hear voices that are not there.

Spiritual schizophrenia has become an epidemic within Christianity in the west, causing many the inability to distinguish between the voice of God and the voice of Satan who knows his time is short. Confusion and bizarre behavior have become a common occurrence in many congregations. Because they refuse to love the truth and be saved, God has sent them a powerful delusion so that they will believe “the lie” and be condemned (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12). As with Judas, a divided heart was the open doorway for the enemy to enter in.

As I said, what I see within John 21:11 is another picture of the Body of Christ coming together as one in Him at the end of this age. Those who will make up the net-work of the Lord in the final harvest of the earth will be fully

knit together in heart and purpose, without any divisions. There will be no denominational differences amongst the Lord’s harvesters, just a complete unity by His Spirit.

Our divisions in the church, which are a result of the mishandling of the word of truth (i.e. false teachings), are what have caused gaping holes in the gospel nets of the Lord. The Lord is now dealing with this issue, tending to His nets, in preparation of what is about to occur. Because of the innertwining of our hearts with the Lord, and, therefore, one another, all those who will be drawn into this divinely joined net by the Father will not be lost.

This has not been the case within the present religious system in America. When new children in Christ enter the gospel nets today, many fall through the gaping holes of a corrupt religious system. Way too often they are simply abandoned and left to die.

It is the wisdom and mercy of God to not pour out His Spirit in the old wineskins of dead religion and useless rituals that are so prevalent within the churches in our nation. This is why He must repair His nets. It is for the sake of those whom He will guide their way.

Chapter Forty Four

Raising The Dead Church

Long after Jonah’s attempt to run from God by going to Joppa and boarding a ship to Tarshish, a remarkable incident is recorded for us in the New Testament that occurred within the same city.

A woman named Tabitha who was a disciple of Jesus had died. The disciples sent for Peter who then came and miraculously raised her from the dead. The miracle alone is noteworthy in this description, but there is something else hidden within this story that I see pertaining to the Bride of Christ.

At the time of Tabitha’s death, Peter was nearby in the city of Lydda. By the name of Jesus Christ he healed a man who had been bedridden for eight years. Many who saw the man afterwards turned to the Lord. From here he would go to Joppa where the next miracle of healing would occur.

The Bible says that the two men who were sent to get him pleaded with him, saying, “Do not delay in coming to us.” (Acts 9:38) Our prayer regarding the condition of the seemingly dead Bride of Christ and His coming to her aid should be of the same urgent manner. The church in America is truly in a critical situation.

After Tabitha had become sick and died, her body was washed and placed in an upper room (Acts 9:37). Even though she had been cleansed, she was still a dead body at this point, void of any life. It is important to notice that it was those who were alive that washed her. Obviously, the dead cannot wash the dead. Only those filled with the breath of life have that capability. This is also true in the spiritual realm. We cannot give what we do not possess.

The Upper Room

There are other notable events in the Bible that occurred in an upper room. The first was what most refer to as “the last supper” that Jesus partook of with the disciples. It was actually a Passover Seder that they ate together. 223

Before the meal His disciples said to Him, “Where do You want us to go and prepare for You to eat the Passover?” Jesus then sent two of the disciples with the following instructions;

“Go into the city, and a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him; and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, 'The Teacher says, ‘Where is My guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?’ And he himself will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; prepare for us there.” (Mark 14:12-15/NASU)

It’s worth mentioning that the man who led them to the upper room was carrying a pitcher of water, a depiction of the need for cleansing. As with Tabitha’s dead body that was washed in an upper room, Jesus, in an upper room, was about to explain that He would be crucified in order to provide a way to wash His body of followers. He was the Passover lamb that, when applied through repentance, was sacrificed for the forgiveness of our sin.

The Greek interpreted in English “prepare” means “to make ready, the act of preparing, readiness.” I believe the Teacher is asking us the same question today, “Where is My prepared guest room within you that I may come and dine with you?” (Revelation 3:20) A prepared heart is one that has been cleansed through the blood of Christ and is “dressed in readiness” (Luke 12:35). Being made ready they are looking with great anticipation for the return of Christ.

Jesus used the same Greek word in His parable of the king who gave a wedding feast for his son. He said that a king sent some servants to tell those who had been invited that he had “prepared” his dinner and everything was ready. It was time to come to the wedding banquet, “But they paid no attention.” (Matthew 22:4-5) Many in the church of America are now acting in the same manner. Jesus has prepared His “feast” but not many have prepared their hearts. How many cities will He be enraged at because of this? (Matthew 22:7)

It was also in the upper room where the Spirit was poured out on the disciples. Those who prepare their hearts by faith, cleansing them by the washing of the word of truth in these final moments of this age, will also be among those who receive the final outpouring of the Spirit for the final harvest of the earth.

The Cleansing Word Of God

In Paul’s exhortation to the church in Corinth he tells them to separate from all that would keep God from welcoming them as sons and daughters. He writes;

“Come out from their midst and be separate” says the Lord. “And do not touch what is unclean; and I will welcome you. And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” says the Lord Almighty. Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting [“to bring to an end, complete”] holiness in the fear of God. Make room for us in your hearts…” (2 Corinthians 6:17-7:2/NASU)

Paul was saying to them, and to us, that it is crucial to cleanse ourselves through separation from all that would cause filthiness within us, staining our inner man. We are to perfect or complete holiness (sanctification) in the fear of God, knowing that without our “coming out from their midst” we will not receive the promise of being welcomed. Instead, like the foolish virgins who did not take serious the midnight call to prepare, we, by not making room for the Lord in our hearts, will not be allowed into the wedding feast.

In comparing Christ’ love for the church to the love a husband should have for his wife, Paul said to the believers in the city of Ephesus;

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.” (Ephesians 5:25-27/NASU)

This reminds me of the dry bones that came together as a body after Ezekiel prophesied over them with the living word of the Lord (Ezekiel 37:1-10). Even though a body came together, it was still lifeless. It wasn’t until Ezekiel prophesied the second time that the breath of life from God filled them and they stood on their feet as a great army. This is a picture of what will soon occur. By the word of the Lord spoken through His life-givers, the “exceedingly great army” of God will rise up and defeat all of His enemies (we’ll discuss this further in the next chapter).

The preparing and raising up of a pure and spotless Bride in all her glory, holy and blameless, is for the Divine purpose of the Lord presenting her back to Himself, as He did with Eve to the first Adam. Paul refers to this preparation in his letter to Titus;

“He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal [“renovation”] by the Holy Spirit…” (Titus 3:5/NIV)

It is the new birth and subsequent renewal by the Holy Spirit that will ensure the joining together of Christ and His Bride as one.

When Peter arrived in Joppa the local Christians spoke to him about all that Tabitha had done in the Lord’s name. It is written that she was “abounding with deeds of kindness and charity which she continually did.” (Acts 9:36) I think this speaks favorably toward some who are now sleeping in apathy in the church. Thankfully, the Lord is merciful. He remembers the deeds of kindness that we have done in the past.

In fact, He mentioned past deeds (works) when speaking to the seven churches in Revelation. Before His rebuke and call for them to repent, He would mention their works. It was a reminder to them to remember from where they had fallen and to wake up before it was too late. We need to do the same.

Chapter Forty Five

Arise And Shine

pon hearing what had happened to Tabitha, the Bible says that Peter arose and went to see her;U “When he arrived, they brought him into the upper room; and all the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing all the tunics and garments that Dorcas [Greek for Tabitha] used to make while she was with them. But Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body, he said, ‘Tabitha, arise.’ And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. And he gave her his hand and raised her up; and calling [“to invite”] the saints and widows, he presented her alive. It became known all over Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. (Acts 9:39-42/NASU)

The Greek for “arise” is anistemi (an-is'-tay-mee). It means “to stand up, to cause to rise, to rise up.” It is written that Peter turned toward the dead body first and then commanded her to arise. In this passage is a picture of the raising up of the Lord’s bride and her presentation to the “invited” ones.

Again, this is similar to Ezekiel’s vision of the dry bones being filled with the breath of life from God and standing up on their feet as he prophesied. It is the word of the Lord coming through His anointed servants that will awaken those who are in a deep sleep in the church. Their spiritual eyes will be opened, enabling them to see the outstretched hand of the One who can raise them up.

Joppa happens to come from a Hebrew word that means “to shine, be beautiful.” I am reminded of Paul’s exhortation by the Spirit to the church in Ephesus when he said, “Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine [“to illuminate”] on you.” (Ephesians 5:14)

Like Tabitha in Joppa, a remnant within the dead body of Christ will soon be washed through repentance and brought back to life. In her revived state 227

she will then arise and shine with God’s glory, revealing His beauty that she has been covered with to the world.

The Believer’s Metamorphosis

In a passage of Scripture that is commonly referred to as the transfiguration, Jesus led Peter, James and John up a high mountain where His appearance was altered before them. Matthew writes;

“He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.” (Matthew 17:2-3/NASU)

In this incredible experience, Jesus’ face was said to have “shone like the sun.” When a person turns to the Lord a similar experience occurs. They are noticeably changed. In fact, they will often get questioned as to what happened to them because something “appears” to be different. They seem to be beaming with joy and a peace that passes understanding.

This face alteration also occurred to Moses. Whenever he came out from being in God’s presence, the Scriptures tell us the Israelites noticed that the skin of his face would shine (Exodus 34:29-35). It is from being in the presence of God that the countenance is illuminated. As we turn toward Him, looking into His face, we then reflect His light to those who are living in a dark state of heart and mind.

Jesus said to His disciples;

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16/NASU)

As I said earlier, the Way of salvation is made known to the nations through His followers. If we hide His light by walking independently, according to our will rather than by His Spirit, they cannot see their need and darkness will prevail. The psalmist declared;

“May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us, Selah, that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.” (Psalm 67:1-2/NIV)

He reveals His ways as we spend time in His Presence. Our ways are not His ways, neither are our thoughts His thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9). A mature Christian has learned that, truly, apart from Him they can do nothing of any spiritual value, whether that be in thought or deed. All of our religious works apart from the leading of the Holy Spirit are nothing more than rubbish. Without the direction of the Lord, they result in self-glorification rather than glorifying our Father who is in heaven.

The Greek for “transfigured” in Matthew 17:2 is metamorphoo (met-amor-fo'-o), from which we derive our English word metamorphosis. It’s defined as “to transform, to change into another form.” According to Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, when used of Christians, “it describes our being transformed into the same image (of consummate excellence that shines in Christ), to reproduce the same image.” Paul said to the church in Corinth that we are not like Moses who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites would not look at “the end of what was fading away… But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed [metamorphoo] into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:13, 18/NASU) It is when the veil between mankind and God is removed through faith in Christ that we are granted the right to behold the One who can transform us, and others.

In His book From Tent To Temple, George Warnock shares an interesting insight that relates to the process of a Christian’s spiritual metamorphosis. He says;

“Sometime in the middle of this century [the twentieth century] we read of a young Harvard scientist who had spent many hours making various experiments with the silkworm, in an attempt to discover the secret of metamorphosis. After some ten years of tedious experiments he discovered the secret. By dividing the worm into segments, and watching to see which sections went into metamorphosis and which remained the same, he discovered that there were two hormone producing centers in the worm, one in the brain and the other in the thorax [the part of the body between the neck and abdomen]; and that these hormone centers caused the worm to change form. Neither could cause metamorphosis working by itself, but together they did.

Briefly, this is how he made his discoveries. Removing the brains from the caterpillars he found that they would live on, but only as worms. No change would take place. Then after implanting a bit of the brain containing the hormone, metamorphosis would begin to take place. But if after implanting the hormone in the brain the worm was immediately tied off in the center, no change would occur. This proved that the worm could derive no benefit from

the hormone in the head alone; it had to work in conjunction with the thorax. So if he allowed a certain amount of time to elapse after implanting some of the brain before he tied the worm in the center, the worm would go into full metamorphosis on both sides of the knot. By these and similar experiments he effectively proved that two hormone centers were involved in the process, and that it was the brain hormone that triggered the thoracic center into action.” (p.38)

From this amazing discovery with a lowly silkworm, we begin to understand what is happening within all those who have turned to Christ who is the Head of His body of followers. Jesus said;

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:4-5/NASU)

Due to false teachings that produce a false sense of security, the vital issue of abiding, or remaining in Christ through daily submission so as to be transformed is not emphasized within the church as it should be. Separated from Him, doing our own will rather than working together with Him (2 Corinthians 6:1), our image remains the same. Apart from Him we will never be transformed into the image of Christ with ever-increasing glory.

The reason the Father must see the appearance of His Son in us is because His sacrifice is the only one that He accepts. We cannot be saved through a carved image that has been sculpted into our own likeness (Exodus 20:4).

George Warnock went on to say;

“From Him therefore who is the Head, there comes to us as members of His body, that Divine hormone, that Divine influence of the Spirit, which reacts upon and works in conjunction with our hearts and minds, thereby bringing about a spiritual metamorphosis, a complete changing of our whole being; spirit, soul, and body [1 Thessalonians 5:23]… What causes the releasing of the hormones in the worm to set in motion the process of metamorphosis? The scientist we mentioned discovered that it was caused by the warmth of the spring season! The timing of God is so important. God has ‘seasons’ for whatever He would do, and when the season arrives He prepares His people for what He has in mind.” (From Tent To Temple, p. 39)

I believe we are now in one of those “seasons” Warnock referred to when God is preparing His chosen vessels for what He is about to do through them

on earth.

In Luke’s account of the transfiguration he says something that is crucial to the awakening of Christ’ Bride in the church. He states in Luke 9:32 that Peter, James and John were “overcome with sleep.” The Greek for “overcome” is bareo (bar-eh'-o) which means “to burden, weigh down, depress.” It has the idea of being “oppressed with external evils.” This is what occurs when we are asleep spiritually. It is to be weighed down internally through demonic oppression. To become awake, therefore, is to be separated from the evil that is weighing us down.

Luke then says that when they were “fully awake” they saw the glory of Jesus, along with Moses and Elijah. Those whose hearts are awakened and arise from the dead in spirit will be among those who enter into the fullness, or completeness of Christ at the end of this age. They will behold His transfiguring glory which will empower them to reflect it to mankind. Like Moses when he came down the mountain after being in God’s presence, they will shine forth with His glorious beauty, distinguishing them as “My dove, My perfect one” (Song of Solomon 5:2).

Chapter Forty Six

The Aaronic Blessing

In some churches, at the end of the service, the pastor proclaims what is known as the Aaronic blessing over the congregation. This benediction is from the time when the Lord said to Moses;

“Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: “‘The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.’” So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.” (Numbers 6:23-27/NIV)

The Hebrew for “shine” is 'owr (ore). It’s defined as “to be light or to become light, to give light, to illumine.” As we have seen, the Lord’s face shining upon us will not automatically happen. Neither will it remain upon us if we do not remain in Him, or should I say near Him, face to face.

In His rebuke of unfaithful Israel, the Lord said to Jeremiah;

“They have turned their back to Me and not their face; though I taught them, teaching again and again, they would not listen and receive instruction.” (Jeremiah 32:33/NASU)

To turn away from the Lord, not facing Him in our hearts and minds, is to not listen and receive His instruction. It is an arrogant, disrespectful heart that does what it desires rather than God’s will. To turn “face to face” with Jesus is to receive His glory. If we do not face Him we will not be transformed.

Disobedience, which is our turning away from Him, allows the darkness to prevail thereby causing the light within, after turning to Christ, to be hidden. The only way to become His illumined light-givers is to awake from spiritual slumber with a repentant, guarded heart and “arise from the dead” so that others may see Christ through us.

As previously discussed in chapter three, in Zacharias’ prophecy over his newborn son, John the Baptist, he made the following declaration;

“And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, to give knowledge of salvation to His people by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God, with which the Dayspring [“a rising of light, the east”] from on high has visited us; To give light to [“to shine upon”] those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” (Luke 1:76-79/NKJV)

To “go before the face of the Lord” is to go with Him looking upon you, in His power and authority. It is to go with His approval and favor with His watchful eye guarding and keeping you in His name, for His purposes. In this state His light shines on you, guiding those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death into the Way of peace, who is Christ.

According to Vine’s Expository Dictionary, the Hebrew interpreted above as “Dayspring” is used metaphorically of Christ as the One through whom light came into the world to dispel the darkness which was upon all nations. It also refers to the east which stands for that side of things upon which the rising of the sun gives light.

In the Day of the Lord when He judges all wickedness on earth by fire, He says that He, the sun of righteousness, will rise with healing on those who fear His name;

“‘But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall. You will tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day which I am preparing,’ says the Lord of hosts.” (Malachi 4:2-3/NASU)

Remembering Our Forefathers

Interestingly, the next couple of verses in Malachi, chapter four, which are the last of the Old Testament, refer to the same two men that appeared with Christ during His transfiguration; Moses and Elijah. The Lord declares;

“Remember the law of Moses My servant, even the statutes and ordinances which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel. Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord. He will restore [“to turn back, to return, to repent”] the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse.” (Malachi 4:4-6/NASU)

These two seem to be connected with the beginning and ending of our journey as God’s people. Moses led God’s people out from their bondage, teaching them God’s laws and commandments on their way to the Promised Land. Similarly to when he confronted the Israelites who were wavering between following God and Baal, Elijah will be used in our completion at the end of the age when darkness is prevailing through a final restoration of God’s people who have strayed from Him before “the great and terrible day of the Lord.”

Like John the Baptist who was sent ahead of Jesus as a forerunner in the spirit and power of Elijah, I believe that God will send out some of His choice servants in the same type of spirit to prepare the way of the Lord within those who will listen.

Within many modern textbooks, and numerous schools and Universities, there is a growing disrespect for the Christian heart of many of America’s Founding Fathers, as well as what God undeniably initiated and accomplished in the birthing of this nation. We are now in one of the most crucial moments ever known to our history. As a nation, we need to be reminded of our beginning in order to know our ending. Much of the church, like apostate Israel, is now trying to serve God and the Baal’s of our day.

The response of God’s people to this urgent call to remember, repent, and renew their covenant with Him will determine the degree of difficulty we will undergo. The window of God’s mercy is quickly closing. This is the last call for the church to return to Him before it is too late and He shuts the doors of His ark of deliverance.

As I’ve said, in mercy He is going to help us by applying great pressure through very difficult circumstances. During this extreme period He is going to reveal a group of His life-giving servants who are, for the most part, currently unknown. In the spirit and power of Elijah they will lead the way for a remnant who will repent and come under the government of the only One who can save them.

One day, while looking at this last portion of Malachi, the Holy Spirit revealed a nation-changing truth to me. As I was reading, the Holy Spirit quite unexpectedly said to me, with great emphasis, “Fore!” right before I read the word “fathers.” It now read as; …and the hearts of the children to their [Fore!] fathers. My heart stirred within me as the Lord began to reveal details concerning a last days, Elijah-like anointing that is being placed upon the messengers of His covenant. They will be used to restore the hearts of the remnant of His people within our nation back to the original call and covenant of our Founding Fathers. Under this anointing, they will rise up and become the Finishing Fathers. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, they will be used to bring to completion the corporate call of God upon His people who inhabit this nation.

God Remembers Our Deeds

A part of God’s instruction for Aaron and his son’s to bless the Israelites was, “the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.” This is what will occur by the spirit of Elijah. A picture of this can be seen through Peter, which we discussed, when he turned toward the dead body of Tabitha, a righteous follower of Christ who was rich in good works but was dead, and raised her up.

As I said earlier, God remembers the deeds of those who fear His name. In fact, He has a book of remembrance with their names written in it (Malachi 3:16). As a loving Father, He reaches out to them when necessary, in order to bring them back to life when they have strayed from Him. His desire is always to revive their “dead body”;

“I know [“remember, to see”] your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place — unless you repent. (Revelation 2:2-5/NKJV)

To remove our lampstand is to remove the place of our sphere of influence where we have been called to shine forth. It is to be re-placed like Queen Vashti because of rebellion (Esther 1:10-19). This is the current state of the majority of the church in America.

To have the Lord turned away from us is to not be under the blessing of His covering. As stated earlier, it is as we continue to stand before Him in intimacy, gazing into His face, that we are transformed into His image of light, guiding us and others into the Way of peace and safety.

At the end of this age, when a deep darkness covers the earth and its inhabitants, the glory of the Lord will rise upon His faithful servants;

“Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness will cover the earth and deep darkness the peoples; But the Lord will rise upon you and His glory will appear upon you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.” (Isaiah 60:1-3/NASU)

In the end when an extreme evil presence is prevailing over much of the

earth, the nations will be attracted to the light of Christ that has illuminated His chosen people. They will stand out in the dark as those who have what others need in the very difficult times of the last days. But, understand that you will not stand out if you do not come out from among the dead!

Prophesying of last day events, Daniel declares;

“Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued. Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt. Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.” (Daniel 12:1-3/NASU)

The Hebrew for “shine” in this verse is zahar (zaw-har'). Not only does it refer to a light shining, but also to a word of warning. Part of the definition for it is “to admonish, to warn, to teach, to enlighten by caution.” It has the implication of a light of warning that will cause many in the church who have strayed with a divided heart to see their true condition before God in order to repent and return to righteous living.

Chapter Forty Seven

Extending His Hand

The statement discussed earlier from Acts 9:41 that says, “And he [Peter] gave her [Tabitha] his hand and raised her up,” is one of the most significant statements within this entire revelation.

I had thought about the cover for this book for a long time. What was on my heart was the hand of God coming down from above, reaching out and grasping the hand of His Bride who was being raised up out of the church from a prostrate position. I saw her being raised up from her lukewarm, lethargic state among the dead in spirit within the Body of Christ. But as you can see, I ended up with something a little different. It still captures the thought of the Lord shining His light of life mercifully on the dead church. The barren state of the land around the church is a reflection of her spiritually barren state.

During a lunch break at a recent meeting I attended with other believers who are part of a global missions movement, I was speaking with a young couple from the Netherlands. While sharing back and forth, our conversation led to this book and the thought in my mind regarding the cover. The husband then looked over at his wife and sheepishly asked her to share the dream she had the night before.

She said she dreamed that the Lord was reaching His hand out to her and that she in turn reached out and grabbed it. She then said that she wasn’t sure what it meant. I shared with her that I believe the Lord was reaching out to her because she was being called out to be a part of His Bride. I also believe this won’t be the only dream or revelation of this nature among the Body of Christ. We pray that God will give others the same encounter so that they will be deeply moved when they see with the eyes of their heart His outstretched hand.

In Song of Solomon, the great love story from God in type of He and His bride, Solomon describes a time of great torment when the two were separated. There came a time, though, when she heard her bridegroom’s 237

voice;

“I was asleep but my heart was awake. A voice! My beloved was knocking: ‘Open to me, my sister, my darling, my dove, my perfect one! For my head is drenched with dew, my locks with the damp of the night’… My beloved extended his hand through the opening, and my feelings were aroused for him.” (Song of Solomon 5:2, 4/NASU)

Oh precious Bride of the King, do you hear Him knocking? Is your heart being awakened at the sound of His voice? Is He extending His hand to you as well, stirring your feelings of love and the desire for intimacy with Him in the closing moments of this age? Then reach out and take hold of your Heavenly Bridegroom because we know that He who raised the Lord will also raise you up through His power to sit and reign with Him on His throne. Praise the name of the Lord!

The Lord’s Life Givers

The Greek for “presented” in Acts 9:41 when Peter presented Tabitha alive is paristemi (par-is'-tay-mee) which is defined as, “to bring into one’s presence, to stand beside, to show.” I see in this a time when the Lord will present His called-out Bride back to His Body, by His side, which is where Eve came out from Adam, revealing her glorious beauty for all to see. Her time of being hidden and unknown will be finished. She will be filled with the life of Christ, her heavenly Bridegroom, causing many to believe in Him. Times of refreshing will happen as rivers of living water pour out of the Lord’s renovated life-givers. The river of life will flow from the throne of God which has been established within them, bringing healing to the nations that have been devastated because of sin.

In Colossians, chapter one, Paul speaks of the reasons for Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for us;

“He has now reconciled [“bring back to a former state of harmony”] you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach, if indeed you continue in the faith… We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete [“perfect”] in Christ.” (Colossians 1:22-23, 28/NASU)

Paul emphasizes that the promise of being reconciled to Christ and our being presented complete in Him is conditional. Our perfection in Christ does not come without a warning of the need to “continue in the faith.” Through

acceptance of the doctrines of demons as truth, many Christians cannot see or understand what we just read. It is completely hidden from them. Instead, they cry out, “Heresy!” It‘s a true statement that the farther people wander from the truth the more they hate those who proclaim it.

The King’s Release

Joseph was sent ahead of his brothers by God for a great deliverance of His people. Because of jealousy, they had sold him as a slave. He was taken to Egypt where he was falsely accused and placed in prison. While there he interpreted two men’s dreams that they had the same night. Even after the word of the Lord given to him came true and one man was executed while the other exonerated, proving Joseph right, he remained in the prison, forgotten by man but not by God, for another two years (Genesis 40:5-41:14).

When he was younger he had received a word from the Lord through his own dream that his family would one day bow down to him (Genesis 37:511). The psalmist declares about Joseph;

“Until the time that his word came to pass, the word of the Lord tested him.” (Psalm 105:19/NASU)

The Hebrew for “tested” is tsaraph (tsaw-raf'). It’s defined as “to fuse (metal), to smelt, to refine, to test (and to prove true).” Anyone who has ever received a word from the Lord understands this. It’s the time in between, before it comes to pass, that thoughts of whether or not you heard from God or yourself can run through your mind. It forces us to check our heart and be more determined to hold our ground in submission to the will of the Lord and to wait for His timing. The true condition of our motives are exposed during this time period. Our response determines whose glory we are truly seeking.

Creating doubt of whether or not you really heard from God, or of what God really meant, has been the devil’s modus operandi since the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:4-5). Also, while waiting upon the Lord, he will most likely try to tempt the one who has been told something by God to bring it into existence through human effort thereby creating an “Ishmael.”

In God’s timing, a Divine opportunity occurred for Joseph to be released. Pharaoh had a dream that no one could interpret. The man that had been acquitted remembered that a young Hebrew man in prison accurately interpreted his dream. Pharaoh then sent for Joseph who was quickly prepared to enter his presence;

“Then Pharaoh sent and called [“to summon”] for Joseph, and they hurriedly brought him out of the dungeon; and when he had shaved himself and changed his clothes [“a covering garment, a mantle”], he came to Pharaoh.”

(Genesis 41:14/NASU)

The psalmist also referred to this, saying;

“The king sent and released him, the ruler of peoples, and set him free.” (Psalm 105:20/NASU)

To my brother and sisters who have faithfully served God and now find themselves in a seemingly hopeless situation, know for certain that the Lord is able to suddenly release you too. Eventually the King of kings will stretch forth His hand and loosen His faithful ones from their imprisoned state, summoning them to arise and shine.

Our being raised up by the hand of God at the end of this age is the final perfecting of His people. He will come to set His captives free so that they may rise up and be eternally joined together with Him.

The Hebrew for “sent” in both of these passages is defined as “to let go, to let loose, to stretch out, to shoot forth (used of branches).” The definition of the Hebrew we interpreted “released” in Psalm 105:20 means, “to open wide, to loosen, to carve.” In both Hebrew words, “loose” and “loosen” appears in the definitions. What I see in this is the final loosing of our fallen nature among those who reach out and grab hold of the outstretched hand of the King of kings, thereby letting go of everything else.

The final shaking of the Lord on earth will set His willing servants free from all that which has held them back from entering His fullness, our completeness in Him. Like Jesus on the mount of transfiguration, our countenance and our covering garments will eternally change as this mortal puts on immortality and we gain His glory. That which has been loosed on earth will have finally been loosed in heaven (Matthew 16:19, 18:18).

Chapter Forty Eight

The Dry Bones Revival

The prophet Ezekiel describes a vision he had from God of a valley full of dry bones. It was a word from the Lord that He would revive the house of Israel. He was going to shake them in order to wake them. He has begun to do something similar to the dry, lifeless church in America.

Spiritual dryness refers to a deadness of heart that lacks the life of God. It is a result of turning away from Him, the ultimate Life-giver. This is what Jesus referred to when He said;

“If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch, and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.” (John 15:6/NASU)

In his vision, Ezekiel was commanded by the Lord to proclaim two separate prophecies. The first was over many dry bones that were laying in a valley. The Lord said to Ezekiel;

“Son of man, can these bones [“body”] live [“to revive”]?” And I answered, “O Lord GOD, You know.” Again He said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.’ “Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones, ‘Behold, I will cause breath to enter you that you may come to life. And I will put sinews on you, make flesh grow back on you, cover you with skin [“hide, leather”], and put breath in you that you may come alive [“be revived”]; and you will know that I am the LORD.’” So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold, a rattling [“shaking”]; and the bones came together, bone to its bone. And I looked, and behold, sinews were on them, and flesh grew, and skin covered them; but there was no breath in them. (Ezekiel 37:3-8/NASU)

The dry bones represented the house of Israel. They were in what appeared to be a hopeless situation, completely cut off from God. I see the church in America in the same dry, lifeless situation. The members of Christ’s Body are scattered, disjointed and unattached to the life-giving power that flows from the Head.

I hear the Lord asking the same question today; “Can these bones live?” In other words, “In their dead, lifeless condition, detached from Me, can My Body of people in this nation be revived?” I believe the Lord is mercifully responding, “Yes, if you will prophesy over them what I command you, speaking My words of life to them, I will grant My breath of life, My life giving Spirit, to revive and raise them up in the most difficult of times. My Spirit alone will gather and unite them.” Hallelujah!

This is what He shared with me years ago through Shelley’s stroke. We have been proclaiming this word of repentance for the church in America to many people ever since.

To be honest, it can be very frustrating speaking to those who, because of their spiritual grogginess, are not comprehending what you’re saying. I think of Noah who was told that a flood would soon come to judge the wicked of his day, but no one listened. Also of Lot who was laughed at by his son-inlaw’s that thought he was joking about the imminent doom of Sodom. The same spirit of deep sleep has overcome the majority of the church in America.

There is a dreadful, merciful shaking coming to our land that will be used to awaken the sleeping Bride. Are you and I listening to what the Spirit is saying to the church in these final moments of mercy? Repentance will not stop what is coming, but it will bring protection during it.

What is our motive for wanting revival to come? Is it to have the wickedness that is so prevalent throughout our society be removed but not the wickedness in us? Are we more interested in building our denominational numbers than we are the Kingdom of God? The Lord knows and will soon expose the true condition of each one of His children, especially those who are in leadership positions. May we all examine our hearts now to see if we really are IN Christ (2 Corinthians 13:5) before the door of God’s mercy is shut and it’s too late.

Ezekiel was commanded to prophesy twice. The first time was directed towards the people, causing the body to come back together, bone to bone. They then came together, which means “to draw near,” in the proper order, each bone being joined together in its appropriate place within the Body. Paul speaks of this proper working of “Body parts” in Ephesians. He says;

“…speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of

itself in love.” (Ephesians 4:15-16/NASU)

Ezekiel stated that in the shaking the bones came together, “bone to its bone. ” This is similar to what the Lord said to Adam when He had fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from him. He presented her back to him, saying;

“This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” (Genesis 2:23/NASU)

Through the reshaping of the Lord, and the receiving of His breath of life, the first man and woman had become one. It is in this manner, by His Spirit, that His people will come alive and be one in Him at the end of this age. We will no longer be flesh of our fleshly bodies, but of His flesh, His perfected Body.

The Second Wind

Now that the bones had begun to be gathered together, bone to its bone, Ezekiel was to prophesy to the breath to come, bringing His life. God was going to revive Israel by sending His Holy Spirit, His breath of life, into them;

“Then He said to me, ‘Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they come to life.” So I prophesied as He commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they came to life, and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army.” (Ezekiel 37:9-10/NASU)

The second prophecy was specifically spoken towards the breath. Ezekiel was to cry out, asking the Holy Spirit to come and revive God’s people. The Lord wanted the prophet to let His people know, even though they appeared to be in a dead state, that times of refreshing were going to come from His presence.

After being filled with the breath of life at Pentecost, where the disciples were gathered together in “one place” per the word of the Lord (Acts 2:1), Peter healed a crippled beggar who was sitting at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful. He reached out and took the man by the right hand and raised him up. This is another beautiful picture of the Lord reaching out to take the hand of His Bride and raising her up.

Because of the miracle, a crowd gathered around him and John. After letting

them know that the crippled man had been raised up by the power of Jesus whom they had disowned and crucified, Peter declared;

“Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time.” (Acts 3:19-21/NASU)

The Greek for “refreshing” is defined as “a recovery of breath, i.e. (figuratively) revival.” Peter is giving another reference to the Lord’s reviving breath of life that comes to restore the relationship with mankind that was lost at our fall in the Garden of Eden.

Repentance is the key to this restoration. Solomon wrote;

Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body and refreshment [“drink”] to your bones. (Proverbs 3:7-8NASU)

Repentance isn’t just for those who have never received Him. Until we, the church, humble ourselves and repent, turning back to Him, He will not return to us and restore “all things. ”

This is exactly what the Lord has revealed to Shelley and I through her stroke regarding the current state of the church in America and the evergrowing condition of hopelessness we now find ourselves in. Currently we are, as a whole, a detached body that has been cut off from Christ, the Head, our only source of life. As with Jonah, there is an approaching shaking in our nation that will be used to awaken His people and join them together as one.

I think it’s crucial to notice that the Body was gathered together both in Ezekiel and Acts BEFORE the Spirit was given. The Holy Spirit was not poured out until they were joined together in a united body. What I see in this is that the Lord joins His people together in Himself first, preparing us for the next step of empowering through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

The gathering together of God’s people in our nation will be a forceful gathering for most. Otherwise, the stubborn and rebellious children would not come. Those who do respond in humility and turn back to Him will be united under His banner rather than their divisional titles. It is then that, by His Spirit, we will rise up as a united army.

The Raising of God’s Army

The raising up of the willing Bride in the last days is the raising of God’s 244

army. She will be “as awesome as an army with banners.” (S.O.S. 6:4) Marching submissively onward in the authority and power of her Husband, she will crush His enemies under her feet. He has not raised her up to be defeated, but to go as He leads in His total victory gained at Calvary until all has been brought under submission to Him (Psalm 20:5).

Praise the Lord for He alone is indeed worthy of our praise. May the devoted Bride of the Lord awaken to the midnight call and prepare her heart to meet her Bridegroom. The Spirit and the Bride say “Come Lord Jesus!” Amen.

Chapter Forty Nine

An Exceedingly Great Army

“So I prophesied as He commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they came to life and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army.” (Ezekiel 37:10/NASU)

In His explanation of the vision given to Ezekiel, the Lord said the dry bones represented the whole house of Israel who were feeling hopeless. They said; “Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.”

The Lord told Ezekiel to prophesy and declare to them;

“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: O my people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel.” (Ezekiel 37:12-13/NIV)

As I said at the beginning of this writing, I heard a similar declaration from the Lord regarding the resurrection of the spiritually dead condition of the Bride of Christ in our nation through the “difficult circumstances” we will experience.

First, there will be a turning back towards the Lord in repentance. Afterwards, each individual part will then be able to work properly in the Body according to God’s purpose for them. Once we have been properly aligned, the Spirit will be poured out and an “exceedingly great army” will rise up and do great and mighty exploits in Christ’ name.

When Ezekiel was obedient to the Lord’s command to prophesy, twice, the body of God’s people came together and the Spirit was given. It is by the command of God proclaimed through His trusted servants that the army of the Lord will arise in glory and power at the end of this age. 246

John spoke of the mighty army of the Lord in the Revelation given to him. He said;

“And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, ‘KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.’” (Revelation 19:11-16/NASU)

This is a powerfully dramatic event that John saw of the Lord judging the nations. He rode triumphantly at the head of His armies who were described as being clothed in the righteous garments of fine linen.

Unlike the armies of the world who parade their weaponry, the only weapon mentioned here is the sharp sword that comes from the mouth of “The Word of God. ” The reason is;

“ …the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12/NASU)

The weapons of our warfare might not be as appealing to the eye as the worlds, but they have “divine power” to demolish strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4).

John tells us next in Revelation, chapter nineteen, that he saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies assembled against the Lord and His army. What happens next really isn’t much of a fight.

The beast and the false prophet who performed signs that deceived many on earth were seized and thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone. The rest of those who came up against the Lord and His army were “killed with the sword which came from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse, and all the birds were filled with their flesh.” (Revelation 19:2021/NASU)

That is how powerful the word of God is. There is no other weapon, even one of atomic power that can compare to it. The Lord declared through Isaiah;

“‘…no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,’ declares the Lord.” (Isaiah 54:7/NIV)

The Weapon Of Holy Attire

Just a couple of verses before the passage in Revelation, chapter nineteen, describing the armies of the Lord are those in verses seven and eight which speak of the marriage of the Lamb. The Lord’s bride is also described as being clothed in fine linen which is a result of her righteous acts. It is this protective clothing in Christ that distinguish His soldiers from all others.

We read in the Bible of a time when a great multitude of the enemies of Judah came up against them. King Jehoshaphat became very fearful and proclaimed a fast throughout the land.

The people then gathered together to seek help from the Lord. As they sought Him the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel, a Levite. He stood in the assembly and proclaimed;

“Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God's… You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out to face them, for the Lord is with you…’” (2 Chronicles 20:15-17, 20/NASU)

Jehoshaphat then appointed those who sang to the Lord and those who praised Him in “holy attire” to go out before the army, proclaiming as they went; “Give thanks to the Lord, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.” (2 Chronicles 20:21/NASU)

Can you imagine the response of any general from one of the armies of the world if their Commander in Chief told them his plan to send singers and those who would praise God out in front of their army? They would question the sanity of their leader.

As a Christian you will learn to trust God’s unconventional methods of warfare. They may not always make sense, but, as Joshua, Gideon and a whole host of other Bible characters learned, when obeyed will always result in victory.

As Jehoshaphat declared to the people;

“Listen to me, O Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, put your trust in the Lord your God and you will be established. Put your trust in His prophets and succeed.” (2 Chronicles 20:20/NASU)

Our issue in the church today is often a lack of trust in God, and His prophets. We trust in our own methods that are more often than not based upon the world’s ways which involve only what we can see and understand. This is why for years we have lost so much spiritual ground to our enemy in our nation. The good news is that God has been preparing His unknown generals that will soon rise up in the power of the Spirit and lead His army, triumphing over our enemy.

The Bible tells us that as the appointed Israelites began singing and praising, the Lord set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah and they were routed. The men of Ammon and Moab rose up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, destroying them completely, and when they had finished with the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another!

My point in telling this story is to point out that those who lead the armies of God are not those with the highest IQ, or those who have graduated from the best military schools a nation can offer, but rather those who are dressed in the “holy attire” of their God. They walk in the divine qualifications of holiness and purity. Having put on the righteousness of Jesus Christ through obedience to the Holy Spirit’s lead they will unwaveringly march in His triumph.

Those whom God appoints are His trusted servants who have learned to trust and obey Him. They have come to understand that His ways are not our ways but always result, when obeyed, in total victory.

Fine Linen And The Levites

Jacob had two wives, Rachel whom he loved and Leah. When the Lord saw that Leah was unloved He opened her womb and she bore many sons. Sadly, with each child she hoped that her husband would love her.

At the birth of her third son she said;

“Now this time my husband will become attached [“to be joined”] to me, because I have borne him three sons.” Therefore he was named Levi.” (Genesis 3:34/NASU)

Levi’s name means “attached” or “joined to.” His descendants would serve as assistants to the priests in the worship system of Israel.

According to Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary;

“The choice of the Levites as a people who would perform special service for God goes back to the days of the Exodus when the children of Israel were camped at Mount Sinai.

The people grew restless while they waited for Moses to return from talking with the Lord on the mountain. Breaking their covenant with God, they made a golden calf and began to worship it. The Levites were no less guilty than the other tribes. But when Moses returned and called for those on the Lord's side to come forward, the descendants of Levi were the only ones who voluntarily rallied to his side, showing zeal for God's honor (Exodus 32:26-28).”

There are those in every generation who, with the righteous zeal of a Levite, defend the honor of God when most of His people have fallen away from Him in apostasy. Their faithful devotion to their Heavenly Bridegroom in the last days will qualify them for a very crucial ministry. The last revival on earth, and the return of God’s Presence, will reveal His consecrated vessels of honor.

In Exodus we are told that sacred, holy garments were made for the priests. The high-priest's tunic was to be skillfully woven of “one piece.” These garments were a symbolic covering for “glory and beauty,” and “dignity and honor,” and were made of fine linen (Exodus 28:4). The priests could not serve God without them. Neither can we.

Fine linen represents righteousness in the Bible. It’s the righteous covering of the Lord He has provided for mankind through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. To “put on” the Lord’s garment of righteousness is to walk in obedience to His commands. Keeping it on requires our abiding within the boundaries of His grace.

As we have discussed, putting on the Lord Jesus Christ is to get dressed with the clothes God has laid out for His people to cover the shame of their nakedness (i.e. sinful nature). Only a Christ follower has been granted the right and authority to put on these holy garments. We put them on through being a “doer” of His word, not just a hearer. This is extremely crucial as we near the end of this age.

Chapter Fifty

Carrying The Presence Of God

In 1 Chronicles, chapter thirteen, it is written that David attempted to bring the ark of God’s Presence back to Jerusalem. Earlier it had been captured by the Philistines during battle and then, after God’s judgment came on them, they returned it to Israel where it resided in the home of Abinadab.

Their procession was led by two men named Uzza and Ahio. Interestingly their names mean “strength” and “brotherly.” On the outside this looked like a strong, brotherly unity that God would surely bless. But along the way their lack of knowing God’s proper order was exposed and the parade brought to a screeching hault.

When the oxen who were pulling the ark nearly made it fall, Uzza reached out his hand to catch it and was struck dead. He represents those in the church who lead by their own strength. The Lord said;

“Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the Lord.” (Jeremiah 17:5/NIV)

Like many of our spiritual leaders today, those who led the way had neither the right nor the knowledge of God’s ways. As with the man of “strength,” pride and a lack of understanding will cost the lives of some who are currently leaders in the church.

In the end the Lord is going to expose those who are carrying His presence by their own power and religious methods. When they reach out in their fleshly strength to uphold a religious organization that God is not pleased with and is removing, they too will be struck down. Like David, the reverential fear of God will then enter into everyone else involved.

The Proper Order

By chapter fifteen of 1 Chronicles we see that David had done some research and found out the Lord had commanded that the Levites were the ones called to carry the ark of God’s presence (Deut. 10:8).

After summoning the priests and Levites He said;

“‘You are the heads of the fathers' houses of the Levites; sanctify yourselves, you and your brethren, that you may bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel to the place I have prepared for it. For because you did not do it the first time, the Lord our God broke out against us, because we did not consult Him about the proper order.’ So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel.” (1 Chronicles 15:12-14/NKJV)

Those who were joined to the Lord through sanctification were dressed in fine linen. They were the chosen ones of God called to carry His presence, His governmental authority on their shoulders. The chosen ones of God in the last days who have answered the call to consecrate themselves in preparation of what is about to occur will also be the ones who will carry the glory of God. As with the Levites, they are the only ones who can do so per God’s “proper order” without serious consequences.

The way of the Lord had now been properly ordered by David and the rejoicing could begin;

“Now David was clothed with a robe of fine linen with all the Levites who were carrying the ark, and the singers and Chenaniah the leader of the singing with the singers. David also wore an ephod of linen.” (1 Chronicles 15:27/NASU)

The leaders chosen by God to usher in His Presence will be the faithful ones of the Bridegroom who, like the men of Issachar, understand the times and know what the church should do. They will be dressed in the fine linen of the righteousness of Jesus Christ before the Father. This is the only way to safely bring the Presence of God back into our midst.

So as not to break out against us, He is mercifully letting us know what we should do so that He may return to His prepared place within us (John 14:2). May the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit guide us safely into His holy Presence.

The Prepared Bride

In Revelation John speaks of the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down

out of heaven from God, made ready as “a bride adorned for her husband.” (Revelation 21:2) The Greek for “adorned” is kosmeo (kos-meh'-o). It’s defined as “to put in proper order, arrange, make ready, prepare.” From this we understand that the holy city consists of those who, as wise virgins, prepared their hearts by faith, putting their lives in the proper order of the Lord so as to be ready and prepared to enter His Presence, and live.

In the parable of the ten virgins Jesus said;

“But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps.” (Matthew 25:6-7/NASU)

The Greek we interpret in English as “trimmed” is our word kosmeo, the same word interpreted “adorned” in Revelation 21:2. All the virgins, both wise and foolish put things in order as they heard the command from God.

So what was the difference between them that would allow some to enter and some not to enter into the wedding feast? I believe one was merely external “adornment” of religion and not a true heart of submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ which resulted in their lack of oil (i.e. Holy Spirit). The Bible declares that the Holy Spirit is given only to those who obey (Acts 5:32).

In his exhortation concerning the behavior of husbands and wives Peter said to the wives;

“Your adornment [kosmeo] must not be merely external — braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands; just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear.” (1 Peter 1:3-6/NASU)

In the end, it is the hidden qualities of the heart that will define us as either a wise or a foolish virgin.

The Lord is making all the preparations for His return and the wedding feast. He is the ultimate wedding planner who will not miss even the slightest detail.

He has prepared His dinner and is calling those who have received His invitation (i.e. received Him). Everything is ready for those who are “dressed in readiness.” Those who are not paying attention and are unwilling to come, who are instead going “their way, ” will be destroyed (Matthew 22:1-14).

In Malachi, the last book of the Old Testament, the Lord tells us of His preparation of His people before the fiery judgment of the earth. Those who fear Him are written in a book of remembrance and will be spared. He says;

“Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord gave attention and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who esteem His name. ‘They will be Mine,’ says the Lord of hosts, ‘on the day that I prepare [“arrange, to fashion, to put in order”] My own possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him. So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him.’” (Malachi 3:16-18/NASU)

The Lord is righteous and just, filled with mercy and loving kindness. He knows those who love and serve Him faithfully. They are not perfect but will be among those who will be perfected in the end. Again, man looks at outward appearance but the Lord the heart.

Even now the faithful are being prepared by Him so as to be spared in the final judgment that will cover the entire earth. Like Eve, they are being fashioned into His Bride that will be presented back to Him pure and spotless. They are the pure children of God, the choice sons and daughters that have been endued with His glory and power. At the end of this age they will rise up and shine in the dawning of a new day and will forever abide with their beloved Bridegroom.

Chapter Fifty One

“Come To The Other Side”

In the book of Joshua the Lord reveals the providential gap required for God’s people to enter in. After commanding the Israelites to go after the ark of the covenant when they saw the priests carrying it, Joshua said to them;

“ …there shall be between you and it a distance of about 2,000 cubits by measure. Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you shall go, for you have not passed this way before.” Then Joshua said to the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.” And Joshua spoke to the priests, saying, “Take up the ark of the covenant and cross over ahead of the people.” So they took up the ark of the covenant and went ahead of the people. (Joshua 3:4-6/NASU)

It has been about 2,000 years since Christ was crucified, crossing over ahead of His people. This ordained measurement is how we know it’s time for the Body of Christ to cross over as well. The “proper order” of the Lord is being revealed so that we may know the way in which we should go. Those who will take up the ark are being prepared to lead the way and cross over ahead of the rest of God’s people.

Years ago, while involved with a home church, my wife and I began to get very concerned with what we were seeing and hearing from some of those in our midst. Being much younger at the time we weren’t as knowledgeable or experienced yet in spiritual warfare. We were looking to the Lord to give us direction as to what we should do.

One night, while waiting for a word from the Lord, we decided to go out to eat, ending up at a local restaurant. Fasting had obviously not become a spiritual discipline at that point. I had brought my Bible so that while we were eating we could search the Word and maybe get an answer. 255

At one point, a couple seated near us looked our way and commented to us that, being Christians themselves, it was nice to see someone with a Bible open in a public restaurant. We made some small talk with them, but I hadn’t heard the word of the Lord yet.

On our way out we stopped by their table and said thank-you for encouraging us. They asked if they could pray with us before we left. We said that would be wonderful.

Right there, in the middle of the restaurant, we all stood up and held hands and started to pray. They boldly prayed, I mean THEY PRAYED right there, unashamed for all to see, and hear. I have to admit I got a little uneasy, smiling to myself while I silently told the Lord I was sorry for being concerned about what others might be thinking in that moment. As I’m confessing, they’re interceding.

While the husband was praying he suddenly stopped and said, “Wait, I see Jesus in a boat with His disciples, telling you to come to the other side.” My spirit leapt within me when I heard the voice of my Shepherd through His servant, His BOLD servant. For years the Lord has been explaining this man’s vision. I now understand what time it is… it’s time to “come to the other side!” But first, some preparatory events must occur.

Arise And Cross Over

After the death of Moses the Lord said to Joshua,

“Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel. ” (Joshua 1:2/NASU)

This is why we’re now hearing the word of the Lord that it’s time to arise. We are currently getting ready to cross over per the Divine guidance of the Holy Spirit. So as to keep us contented on the wrong side of the Jordan, the enemy is doing his best to confuse this message of truth with falsehood. It’s very important that we carefully listen for God’s voice and then do what He says. As previously pointed out, consecration is the key.

Twelve chosen priests, one from each tribe of Israel, were ordered to take up the ark of the covenant and cross over ahead of the people. They carried the ark on their shoulders. As stated, it represents the lifting up of God’s Kingship, His governmental authority by those who walk in purity and holiness. It is only when God’s people walk in submission to Christ that His authority over all that is in heaven and on earth is manifested.

In a prophecy foretelling the authority of the coming Messiah, Isaiah declares;

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.” (Isaiah 9:6-7/NIV)

This is why man’s attempt to overthrow the government of God and His authority over them will always fail eventually. In the end, at His return, all kingdoms on earth will bow the knee to Jesus Christ. It is at that time that “The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name.” (Zechariah 14:9/NIV) What a day that will be!

The Place Of Sure Footing

In his instructions for crossing over the Jordan into the Promised Land, Joshua told the Israelites;

“And it shall come about when the soles of the feet of the priests who carry the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off, and the waters which are flowing down from above shall stand in one heap.” (Joshua 3:13/NASU)

Interestingly, the Jordan River empties into the Dead Sea. When the “souls” of the chosen priests rest (which means “to settle down and remain”) in the place God commands in this moment of time, the waters that flow down to the place of death for all mankind will be cut off, providing a way, His way, to cross over.

This is why it’s so crucial to know and then stand firm in the truth of God. In so doing we provide a place of sure footing not only for ourselves, but also everyone else who desires to follow Christ.

When the priests who carried the ark of the covenant, the ark of the Presence of the Lord obeyed the word of the Lord through Joshua, they stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan while all Israel crossed on dry ground, until all the nation had finished crossing the Jordan (Joshua 3:17/NASU).

Adherence to the truth is the only way to get everyone across the river that leads to death. False teachings create the opposite; a slippery path that easily leads to a fall into that which will sweep you away to destruction.

Joshua 4:11 says,

“And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over, that the ark of the LORD passed over, and the priests, in the presence of the people.” (KJV)

The phrase “were clean passed over” doesn’t appear to me to be proper English, but it’s important in our discussion. The Hebrew for “clean” is tamam (taw-mam') which means, “to be complete, finished, perfect, to be completely crossed over.” This refers to the perfecting of those who do not grieve the Holy Spirit, but allow Him to cleanse them, bringing to completion their faith (James 2:22). They joyfully cross over the finish line into the eternal Promised Land through submission to His discipline and training in their life. They stayed the course, standing firm as the Lord commanded the priests, until the end.

Tam (tawm), which is taken from tamam, was also used to describe the perfected Bride of Christ in Song of Solomon 6:9. She is the one who has been made complete, lacking nothing.

Preparation Means Consecration

The Hebrew for “consecrate” in Joshua 3:5 is qadash (kaw-dash'). It’s described as, “to consecrate, to sanctify, to prepare, to be holy, to be separate, to be clean (ceremonially or morally).” All of this refers to our favorable response revealed by what we do after hearing the midnight shout to “Come out and be separate.” Now is the time to cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God before He returns (2 Corinthians 7:1).

After leaving their “places” in the camp to cross over the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua;

“‘Make for yourself flint knives and circumcise again the sons of Israel the second time.’ So Joshua made himself flint knives and circumcised the sons of Israel at Gibeath-haaraloth [which means “the hill of the foreskins”]. ” (Joshua 5:2-3/NASU)

The Bible tells us that the reason Joshua circumcised them was all the males who came out of Egypt, all the men of war, died in the wilderness along the way. The people who originally came out were circumcised, but not those who were born afterwards.

Joshua tells us;

“For the sons of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, until all the nation, that is, the men of war who came out of Egypt, perished because they did not listen to the voice of the LORD, to whom the LORD had sworn that

He would not let them see the land which the LORD had sworn to their fathers to give us, a land flowing with milk and honey. And their children whom He raised up in their place, Joshua circumcised; for they were uncircumcised, because they had not circumcised them along the way.” (Joshua 5:6-9/NASU)

Joshua circumcised the new generation born in the wilderness because their parents had not been diligent to obey God’s command to do so. It was the sign of the covenant between Himself and them, marking them as His (Genesis 17:1-14). This was another manifestation of their disobedient hearts.

The Lord had warned Abraham, saying;

“But an uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant.” (Genesis 17:14/NASU)

Many of our spiritual children, born in the church in the last generation in particular, have also not been led into circumcision by the Spirit (Romans 2:28-29). Our spiritual fathers have not taught God’s people the vital significance of having the fleshly nature cut off so that they are not cut off. Without God’s inner mark they will be cut off from the Vine, Jesus Christ (John 15:1-6, Romans 11:11-27).

The Lord, through His revealed word of truth, is beginning to take care of this major issue amongst His children. He is placing a flint knife, a sharp word from God, in the hands of His deliverers, who are His Bride. Blessed are they that come in the name of the Lord!

A Bridegroom Of Blood

In Exodus 4:24-26 there is an unusual event recorded for us that I have often wondered about. Moses has been called by the Lord to go and deliver His people. Along the way he and his family have an encounter with God that seems a little strange, even harsh at first glance;

“Now it came about at the lodging place on the way that the LORD met him and sought to put him to death. Then Zipporah took a flint and cut off her son's foreskin and threw it at Moses’ feet, and she said, ‘You are indeed a bridegroom of blood to me.’ So He let him alone. At that time she said, ‘You are a bridegroom of blood’ because of the circumcision.” (Exodus 4:24-26/NASU)

While on their journey to Egypt where Moses had been called to deliver God’s people, he and his family have this encounter with God through which it is revealed that his son has not yet been circumcised. We have to look at the preceding verses to help us understand what is happening, and who God is talking about putting to death.

In His instructions to Moses of what he should say to Pharaoh, the Lord had just told him;

“When you go back to Egypt see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders which I have put in your power; but I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go. Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the Lord, Israel is My son, My firstborn. So I said to you, “Let My son go that he may serve Me”; but you have refused to let him go. Behold, I will kill your son, your firstborn.’” (Exodus 4:21-23/NASU)

Our English interpretations lead us into thinking that it’s Moses whom the Lord sought to kill. As I looked over the original Hebrew language, though, I believe that it was actually Moses’ son who was the object of God’s declaration.

God had just told him that once in Egypt, he was to declare to Pharaoh that God was going to kill his firstborn son because of his refusal to let His people go so that they could serve Him in the wilderness. I see in this the Lord letting Moses know that he should not walk in presumption, assuming that his son would be protected during this. As I just said, circumcision was the sign given to Abraham of being in covenant with Him so as to be protected by the blood (Genesis 17:9-11). Later, after the Lord’s heavy hand of judgment upon the Egyptians, it would be the blood on the doorposts and lintels of the Israelite homes during God’s final plague that would protect them. He had said;

“The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live; and when I see the blood I will pass over you, and no plague [“pandemic”] will befall you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 12:13/NASU)

For Moses to assume that his son would not incur the wrath of God would be disastrous. The Lord had clearly warned Abraham that to not be circumcised was to break His covenant, causing His people to be cut off from Him (Genesis 17:14). The Bible doesn’t say, but you have to wonder if Moses, who had been raised in Egypt by Pharaoh’s daughter, even knew about God’s sign of the covenant through circumcision. It was God’s love to confront him with this matter. How many of our church fathers today have also not taught this divine principle to God’s children under their care? I

would dare say many, if not most within the church. This is why He now confronts us as well, before His judgment takes place.

After their reunion, Moses and Aaron then assembled all the elders of Israel to share with them what the Lord had spoken to Moses. Aaron told them and then performed the signs in front of the people. The Bible then declares;

“So the people believed; and when they heard that the Lord was concerned about the sons of Israel and that He had seen their affliction, then they bowed low and worshiped.” (Exodus 4:31/NASU)

It would be the miraculous signs of the Lord executed by His servants that caused the children of Israel to believe the words they had just heard. His servants in this hour will do the same demonstrations of the Spirit and of power for His people, and against His enemies (1 Cor. 2:1-5).

After Jesus’ resurrection He appeared to His disciples and commanded them to go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. He told them that certain signs would accompany those who believe. Mark writes that they then “went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed.” (Mark 16:20/NASU)

I believe this is why we, God’s people, are going to experience a final visitation from Him, through His servants that will perform attesting miracles, before His wrath is poured out on earth to set His people free. This time, though, it will be from mankind’s bondage to the sinful nature.

To presumptuously assume that His judgment will not affect us, and in particular the leadership within the church, at a time when many of God’s children have in rebellion to the Holy Spirit’s working in their life not allowed Him to circumcise their hearts (Romans 2:28-29), is to be foolishly unprotected without the blood of Jesus during His frightening judgments on earth. As many in the church who refuse to repent are about to learn, surely, “It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Hebrews 10:31)

In mercy He will visit us in order to turn our hearts back to Him. As with Zipporah, I believe it will be the Lord’s Bride who will be used by the Holy Spirit to circumcise the hearts of God’s children with a sharp, two edged word (Hebrews 4:12).

Seeing this movement of God taking place, Satan will counter by attempting to deceive Christians through false signs and wonders. Earlier in Mark Jesus had warned His followers, saying;

“…for false Christs and false prophets will arise, and will show signs and wonders, in order to lead astray, if possible, the elect. But take heed; behold, I have told you everything in advance.” (Mark 13:22-23/NASU)

Knowing that signs and wonders will occur from both the true and the false prophets, we need to be cautious and discerning as to who they are from. We don’t need to be anxious but to remain near to the Lord who will reveal to us that which is from Him and that which is not.

Chapter Fifty Two

The Place Of Renewal

fter circumcising the nation, the Lord said to Joshua; “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.A ” So the name of that place is called Gilgal to this day.” (Joshua 5:9/NASU)

Gilgal, which means “a wheel, rolling,” represents the place where the reproach of the enemy over God’s people is rolled away in the establishing of His covenant through circumcision of the heart by the Spirit. Remember, it was the first thing to occur on the other side, in the Promised Land, for all those who crossed over.

Through repentance, the Lord removes the shame and disgrace of living enslaved to sin which is represented by Egypt, the house of bondage. Reviving our hearts begins with the conviction of the Holy Spirit through His living and active word (Hebrews 4:12). The ungodly state of the church in America as a whole is the fruit of the dead and inactive word of man from her pulpits.

Gilgal also represents a place where the Kingdom of God is renewed, or reaffirmed. In 1 Samuel, chapter eleven, Saul, at the request of the people, becomes Israel’s first king after their rejection of the Lord as King over them (1 Samuel 8:7).

In verse fourteen Samuel said to the people, “Come and let us go to Gilgal and renew the kingdom there.” The NIV says; “ and there reaffirm the kingship. ” The Hebrew interpreted as “renew” and “reaffirm” is the previously defined word chadash [khaw-dash']. If you remember it means “to be new, to rebuild, to repair.” The Lord is now calling His people for one last time to the place of repentance in order to renew and reaffirm our covenant vows with Him before He judges the wickedness on earth.

The establishment of His government within the hearts of His people is first before we can possess the place of our inheritance. All who resist His summons to come in humility at the end of the age to this place will not be allowed to enter in. It’s the place where we receive our wedding garments.

Like Israel, the church in America needs to go to spiritual Gilgal and have the Kingdom of God reestablished in us or many will perish in the judgments of God that are coming to our nation.

Joshua 5:10-12 says;

“While the sons of Israel camped at Gilgal, they observed the Passover on the evening of the fourteenth day of the month on the desert plains of Jericho. And on the day after the Passover, on that very day, they ate some of the produce of the land, unleavened cakes and parched grain. And the manna ceased on the day after they had eaten some of the produce of the land, so that the sons of Israel no longer had manna, but they ate some of the yield of the land of Canaan during that year.” (NASU)

Immediately after their partaking of Passover, they partook of the new produce in the Promised Land, causing the old provision, or “old order,” to cease. So will it be in these last days. As declared to John in his Revelation regarding our passing over into the new heaven and earth;

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’” (Revelation 21:4-5/NASU)

It’s interesting in Joshua that the eating of the new provision took place the day after they observed Passover. They ended their journey from Egypt the same way they started it; with Passover. Without the acknowledgment and internal application of the covenantal blood of the Lamb by circumcision of the heart by the Spirit, there can be no entering in and possessing of the abundant produce within the Promised Land. There must be a full consumption of the Lamb of God, without the mixture of the idolatrous practices of spiritual Babylon, for entrance to be granted.

Job declared;

“Behold, how happy is the man whom God reproves, so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. For He inflicts pain, and gives relief; He wounds, and His hands also heal.” (Job 5:17-18/NASU)

Without this final healing (see my book entitled The Final Healing), many who walk in presumption would perish in God’s presence. The prophet declared;

“Come, let us return to the Lord. For He has torn us, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bandage us. He will revive us after two days; He will raise us up on the third day, that we may live before Him.” (Hosea 6:1-2/NASU)

Hosea reveals to us that without this final heart cleansing of God’s children, as Moses was warned about his son, we will not live before Him. Also, cleansing is first in the kingdom of God before His authority is granted (Zechariah 3:1-10). We cannot possibly rule on earth unless He rules in us.

In His instructions to Moses about the holy anointing oil used in worship, God said;

“Do not pour it on men's bodies and do not make any oil with the same formula. It is sacred, and you are to consider it sacred. Whoever makes perfume like it and whoever puts it on anyone other than a priest must be cut off from his people.” (Exodus 30:32-33/NIV)

The anointing oil was not to be put on men’s bodies, or “the flesh of man. ” It represents the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Neither is the anointing of God’s Spirit poured onto the fleshly nature of man today. We must be cleansed first in order to be made ready to receive His oil. This process of inner cleansing is what the foolish virgins lacked. Without the oil of the Holy Spirit they were denied entrance into the wedding feast.

As we draw near to the end of this age, the church is being warned to cleanse our hearts by faith in anxious anticipation of the final outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the return of Jesus Christ. All who submit to the Holy Spirit’s leading will be spared “as a man spares his own son who serves him” (Malachi 3:17), preparing them to reign the nations with Christ’s mantle of authority during His millennial reign on earth.

The Lord gives us a promise of the final healing of His people in Isaiah;

“And on every lofty mountain and on every high hill there will be streams running with water on the day of the great slaughter, when the towers fall. And the light of the moon will be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun will be seven times brighter, like the light of seven days, on the day the LORD binds up the fracture of His people and heals the bruise He has inflicted.” (Isaiah 30:25-26/NASU)

Like the children of Israel who stood with the sea on one side and the approaching Egyptians on the other, we too are, by divine design, about to behold the salvation of the Lord in a seemingly inescapable situation. With no apparent way to turn during our affliction, the Lord will intervene, healing His people that are in need, and destroying our enemies.

This is why we must be very careful to listen to His commands, and then do what He says. To disregard His word will mean certain death. As the Lord declared to Israel;

“If only you had paid attention to My commandments! Then your well-being would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea.” (Isaiah 48:18/NASU)

As most of us learned as children through song; “Trust and obey for there’s no other way.” Jesus truly is our only option for peace and safety. Worthy is the Lamb!

Chapter Fifty Three

The Summons Of The King

few years ago, during a lunch break at work, I asked the Lord to show me something new. Without feeling led to turn to a certain passage or book of Scripture, I found myself reading from the book of A Esther. As I began to read the Holy Spirit revealed a mystery to me regarding the Bride of Christ.

The Persian king Ahasuerus gave a banquet that lasted for seven days. On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded the seven eunuchs that served in his presence to bring Queen Vashti before him with her royal crown. His desire was to display her beauty to everyone. Vashti, whose name means “beautiful,” refused to come at the king’s command and he became very angry.

In Matthew, chapter 22, Jesus told a parable to the chief priests and the Pharisees regarding a wedding feast that a king gave for his son. He sent out his servants to call those who had been invited but they were unwilling to come. Not only were they unwilling, but they killed those who came to them with the message. The king was enraged. He sent his armies to destroy those murderers and set their city on fire. He said to his servants;

“The wedding is ready, but those who were invited [“to call or summon”] were not worthy.” (Matthew 22:8/NASU)

After gathering as many as they could find into the wedding hall until it was filled, the king came to look over the dinner guests. He noticed a man that was not dressed appropriately in wedding clothes. After questioning how he had come in like that, the king had him bound hand and foot and “thrown into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:13-14/NASU)

Jesus was telling us of His own wedding feast referred to in Revelation, chapter nineteen as “the marriage supper of the Lamb.” There are many who have received His invitation but when it is time to come, like Vashti, they will be unwilling. They are rebellious sons and daughters who turned away from following Christ (Isaiah 1:2, 30:9). Because of their disrespect for the summons of the King, they will be rejected and replaced by those who are more commendable.

As pictured by the man without the proper wedding clothes, some will come that have not taken it as seriously as they should to put on the righteous garment of the Lord Jesus Christ. They too will find themselves on the outside, uncovered in the day of God’s wrath. Many who have been given ears to hear through their receiving of Christ and are being called this very day are disrespectfully unwilling to draw near to Him in this final window of opportunity.

The chosen ones will be those who kept themselves pure, especially after hearing that it was time for the wedding feast. Like the few in Sardis who did not soil their clothes, they will walk with Jesus, dressed in white, “for they are worthy.” (Revelation 3:4/NIV)

Wise Guys In The Kingdom

After being enraged by Vahsti’s refusal to enter the king’s presence, Ahasuerus conferred with wise men who understood the times. They were the seven princes of Persia and Media who were close to the king and understood the law and justice. It is written that they “had access to the king’s presence and sat in the first place in the kingdom.” (Esther 1:14) Similarly, there are those today in the church who have a close relationship with the Lord and have become knowledgeable of His ways. Like the men of Issachar, they understand the times and, having been given knowledge, know what the church should do (1 Chronicles 12:32).

The king asked what, according to the law, should be done with Queen Vashti who refused to come at his command. Their advice was that if Vashti’s conduct was allowed it would result in further rebellion among the ladies of Persia and Media causing much disrespect and anger. The same thing could be said of the Lord’s kingdom. When disrespect of the Lord’s commands are allowed to continue as they are today in many congregations, it causes further rebellion among His people.

There is very little respect shown in society today for God’s word. This is due to the lack of God’s standards being upheld within the church. As the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, many in the church have been led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ (2 Corinthians 11:3).

The lack of carrying out church discipline per the Lord’s command has caused much indifference in the church regarding obedience. The fear of the Lord and of His righteous judgments are to keep us from sinning. Because we have not upheld God’s standard of holiness there is very little regard among most of God’s people for the necessity of purity and holiness in order to be dressed in readiness for His return. We have moved the age old boundaries of God and reestablished them per our standards.

What the Lord revealed to me next was both humorous and serious.

God’s Replacement Theology

Memucan, one of the princes, stood up in the presence of King Ahasuerus with a recommendation of what he should do because of Vashti’s rebellion. He said;

“If it pleases the king, let a royal edict be issued by him and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media so that it cannot be repealed, that Vashti may no longer come into the presence of King Ahasuerus, and let the king give her royal position to another who is more worthy than she. When the king's edict which he will make is heard throughout all his kingdom, great as it is, then all women will give honor to their husbands, great and small.” (Esther 1:19-20/NASU)

This suggestion pleased the king and the princes. The king then did as Memucan proposed and the search for her replacement began.

There is a teaching in some seminaries and churches that states because Israel rejected Jesus as their Messiah that they have now been replaced by the church. It is called Replacement Theology. Supporters of this teaching believe that the Jews no longer have any specific role in God’s redemptive plan for the world. The Bible teaches otherwise.

This isn't a new teaching or idea. Balak, the king of Moab, tried to get a Gentile prophet by the name of Balaam to curse the children of Israel. Instead, blessings came out of his mouth. Many gentile prophets today, through this theology, are still trying to curse Israel.

In Romans, chapter eleven, Paul states that Israel was broken off from God for their unbelief. He said that if they do not continue in their unbelief that God is able to graft them in again. He also says that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.

The “fullness” means “that which has been filled, completion.” The Gentiles who were last to receive the salvation of Christ will now be first in filling up their portion of God’s chosen. Conversely, the first, who was Israel, will now be last for their rejection of Jesus as their Messiah. They have not been totally rejected, though. A remnant will be grafted back in again for their

“fullness,” their completion in Christ. This will occur when they receive Jesus as their Messiah during a time of great tribulation at the end of this age.

The devil knows the role of Israel in bringing to completion God’s salvation. It will be the end of his reign of terror over mankind which is why he has continually tried to wipe out the Jewish people throughout history. Replacement Theology is a doctrine directly from the mind of Satan.

As I read through Esther that day during lunch at work, the Lord revealed to me that it won’t be Israel who will be replaced, but those among His own people in the church who, like Vashti, defiantly reject His summons to enter His presence. The Lord’s desire in this last call is to reveal to the world the identity and beauty of His Bride. Unfortunately many have fallen away with hard hearts, stubbornly choosing instead to go their way (Matthew 22:5).

Further on in Romans, chapter 11, Paul said to the Gentile believers who had been grafted into Christ;

“But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, ‘Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.’ Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear; for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either. Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God's kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off.” (Romans 11:17-22/NASU)

Many leaders in the church now teach that being cut off from Christ is impossible once you have received Him (i.e. become a partaker that has been grafted in). If they do not repent they will be the first to be shamefully cut off from the Lord for preaching lies among God’s people.

Losing Our Crown

In summary, when the Lord calls us into His presence, we must be careful not to ignore Him lest we become as Queen Vashti and lose our crown. Her rejection of the king's rule over her (i.e. Lordship) cost her the throne. She was in turn rejected and cast out of his presence. So will all those in the Kingdom of God who refuse King Jesus when He summons us to come into His presence at the end of this age in order to display us as His glorious Bride to the world.

In His message to the “angel of the church in Philadelphia,” Jesus said;

“Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell upon the earth. I am coming quickly; hold fast [“be master of, to rule, to continue to hold”] what you have, in order that no one take your crown.” (Revelation 3:10-11/NAS)

The discipline of the Lord is to deal with the flesh which, left unchecked, will ultimately cause you to be cut off from His people. He loves us so much that He “plans ways so that the banished [“outcast, driven away”] one will not be cast out from him. ” (2 Samuel 14:14/NAS)

Part of Jeremiah’s horror after the judgment of God on Israel in was; “the crown has fallen from our head, woe to us for we have sinned!” (Lamentations 5:16/NASU)

The Psalmist declared;

“But you have rejected, you have spurned, you have been very angry with your anointed one. You have renounced the covenant with your servant and have defiled his crown in the dust. You have put an end to his splendor and cast his throne to the ground. You have cut short the days of his youth; you have covered him with a mantle of shame.” (Psalm 89:38-39/NAS)

As we have seen, the Bible clearly warns us to continue abiding in Christ, remaining near Him with an obedient heart, so as not to shrink back in shame at His return.

Having this warning from God in His word we should heed the warning of John;

“Now, little children, abide in Him [NIV“continue in Him”], so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming.” (1 John 2:18/NAS)

Will you and I listen to the summons of the Lord to prepare our hearts in order to be ready to enter His presence at His return? Or will we be shut out on the wrong side of the door because of spiritual apathy and disrespect? May we all search our hearts and take serious His midnight shout to come out and be separate.

Chapter Fifty Four

The Beautification Process

fter Vashti had been removed from her place in the kingdom, the search began in earnest for her replacement. All the beautiful, young virgins in all the provinces of the king were then gathered together for A him to choose a new queen from.

Among the young virgins was a beautiful woman named Esther. The Bible says she had favor with all who saw her.

Before each young lady went before the king they were required to undergo twelve months of beautification which included six months with oil of myrrh and six months with spices and cosmetics for women (Esther 2:12). As we saw earlier, there is an inner process of beautification that we too must undergo before entering the presence of our King. Without the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, we will not be allowed to stand in the Lord’s presence.

The Lord has taken the initiative by giving Himself up in order to cleanse His Bride and present her back to Himself. As I previously quoted, Paul spoke of this to the church in Ephesus;

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her; that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she should be holy and blameless.” (Ephesians 5:25-27/NASU)

Solomon’s description of the favored bride is Jesus’ description of His Bride;

“There are sixty queens and eighty concubines, and maidens without number; But my dove, my perfect one, is unique: she is her mother's only daughter; she is the pure child of the one who bore her.” (Song of Solomon 6:8-9/NASU)

Like Esther, the chosen Bride of Christ will be the pure children among those He bore. Through their submission to His beautification process they have been “chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit.” (1 Peter 1:1-2)

The author of Hebrews exhorts God’s people, saying;

“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14/NASU)

The deciding factor determining whether you and I will have eyes to see Christ in the days ahead and to be His Bride is our obedience to His invitation to approach Him now, submitting to His inner process of heart preparation, while it is still called today. Intimacy gained through repentance is the key.

The “Little Man” Ministry

Esther’s mother and father had died so her cousin, Mordecai, raised her as his own daughter. According to the Brown, Driver, and Briggs Hebrew Lexicon, one of the meanings of Mordecai’s name is “little man.” Not only was he the adoptive father of Esther, but by God’s intervention would become a co-deliverer with Esther of the children of Israel from their destruction that had been schemed by Haman, the wicked chief minister of King Ahasuerus.

In the ruling elite’s eyes, Mordecai was a man of little significance who posed no threat whatsoever to them. Eventually, though, they came to despise this Jewish man who, because of his lack of fear towards them and his devotion to God, would not bow down to their wicked demand. In the end, God would raise him, along with Esther, into a place of ruling authority. He became second only to King Ahasuerus of Persia and great among his own people, the Jews.

Mordecai was also very instrumental in Esther’s maturing process. He was used by God to help prepare her to be the bride of the king. The Bible says that Esther listened to him even after she became Queen.

Mordecai also sustained and protected her through a time of great danger. His life and ministry are a type of end-time ministry, describing those who will be used to prepare and protect the Bride of Christ.

Under Divine guidance, Mordecai was used to deliver God’s people from destruction that had been plotted against them by their enemies. Publicly

refusing to bow down to Haman, the King’s right-hand man, would bring about a confrontation that at first looked bad for him as well as the entire Jewish nation.

Haman sent out a decree to annihilate all the Jews, both young and old, women and children, in one day. God would use this dire circumstance to deliver His people, revealing to them, and us, that their fate was not in the hands of their enemies, but in Almighty God. Purim, the celebration of the Jewish nation commemorating this event, was instituted by Mordecai in celebration of this great deliverance.

Esther 9:1 says;

“ …on the day when the enemies of the Jews hoped to gain the mastery over them, it was turned to the contrary [“the opposite occurred”] so that the Jews themselves gained the mastery over those who hated them.” (NASU)

To “gain the mastery” means “to dominate, to govern, have dominion or power over.” Through the decree of Queen Esther and Mordecai who had been raised to a place of ruling authority by God for that specific time in history, the decree of judgment upon God’s people was turned around so that the exact opposite occurred to those who desired to destroy them.

Their story is an Old Testament type of what will soon take place at the end of this age. I believe the Esther’s and Mordecai’s of the last days will also be used for a great deliverance of God’s people. Just when it looks like Satan will obtain total world dominion because of the incredible increase of darkness around the earth, God’s government will suddenly be established through the authoritative decree of His unassuming “little-man” ministers who will rise up in the power of the Holy Spirit. They will in turn be used for a great end time deliverance, gaining the mastery over those who hate the Israel of God (Galatians 6:16).

In a quick turn of events, Mordecai, the little-known man who sought the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of his entire nation, would soon come to be known and respected by all;

“Mordecai the Jew was second only to King Ahasuerus and great [“distinguished”] among the Jews, and in favor with the multitude of his kinsmen, one who sought the good of his people and one who spoke for the welfare of his whole nation.” (Esther 10:3/NASU)

The Hebrew we interpret as “welfare” is defined as “peace, completeness, soundness, safety.” This definition clarifies the ministry of the last day Mordecai’s. They have been called by God to help bring to completion His

people’s journey in faith. In a demonstration of the Spirit and of power, they will be used to bring true “peace and safety” to those whom the devil is attempting to annihilate.

The end-time Mordecai’s that are presently unknown to most will also be known and respected by all when God acts through them. Their little-man, little respected ministry is currently being used in almost total obscurity to help prepare the “ pure one ” who will become the King’s Bride. You will recognize them by their defiance of the wicked ones who, like Haman, demand their allegiance and worship.

Their rising up in the authority of their King, Jesus, will result in the overthrow of the wicked one’s reign of terror over God’s people. To God be the glory for His great and mighty works of deliverance He will accomplish for His glory on behalf of those who are called by His name.

The Appointed Time Has Come

The Lord has been sending out His faithful servants, declaring to His people that everything has been made ready for the marriage feast of the Lamb, giving us time to prepare our hearts to enter His presence. There must be a separation from all that would keep us from entering in.

God’s testimony of Noah was that he was “a righteous man, blameless in his time; Noah walked with God.” (Genesis 6:9/NASU) The Hebrew definition for “blameless” is “complete, whole, entire, sound.” It was this righteous, blameless man, and his household, that was allowed to enter into the vessel of deliverance when the judgment of God destroyed everyone else.

Noah is a picture, in type, of the final group of believers who will hear and do what the Spirit is saying to them right before judgment comes to the world. He represents the faithful Bride of Christ that has been made whole in Him. She is the pure one who will be eternally joined to her beloved Bridegroom.

Queen Vashti’s rejection of the king's summons to draw near would cost her throne and glory in the kingdom. She was in turn rejected and cast out of the presence of the king. So will all those who refuse to draw near to King Jesus when He summons us at the end of this age in order to display us as His beautiful and glorious Bride to the world.

May we be encouraged to humble ourselves before God and surrender to His beautification process of sanctification by the Spirit so as to be a people who have been made ready to enter His Presence, and live.

Do you hear His voice? The King of kings and Lord of lords is extending His hand, summoning His Bride to arise and shine. He will soon reveal her to the world so that they may behold her glorious beauty. What will your response be?