Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Our Position in Messiah*

 
The enemy is a great deceiver. He tries to distract and redirect us from our place in Messiah, Jesus Christ. Currently to accomplish this, fear has been released because of the Corona Virus. However, the Word of God reminds us of where we need to be spiritually during this time, and in all times of challenge.
Psalm 23, written by David, restores us back into our place in the hands of Jesus, who is the Good Shepherd:
"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want."
As our Shepherd, the Lord cares for His sheep. They don't have to worry over their next meal, or lack, or because of an enemy.
"He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters."
The Lord places us where we are safe, and where we can rest in peace and provision, and not fear.
"He restoreth  my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake."
We live in a physical body, we are spiritual beings, and we possess a soul. The soul is our mind, our will, and our emotions. When our soul is in turmoil or fear, the Lord brings us back to our condition of peace.
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."
In our position in our Messiah, death is but a shadow to us. There is a heaven to gain and a hell to shun because of what Jesus has done for us. There is no evil for us to fear in this position with Him. The scriptures say in another place, "O death, where is thy sting; O grave, where is thy victory?" (1 Cor. 15:55).
"Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over."
All that we have need of, physically and spiritually, has already been prepared for us. God knew us before we were fashioned in our mother's wombs. He knows what we have need of, and when we are in our positions in Him, we are provided for by Him.
"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever."
This is our position in the Messiah, dwelling in the house of the LORD forever. At the cross, Jesus restored our position. We need to receive that salvation, and remain in that place from which He supplies everything to us.
Psalm 91 tells us more about our position in the Messiah, and the provision that flows from that place. Here is an excerpt:
"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD he is my refuge and my fortress: my God, in him will I trust...He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust..."
Where is this secret place of the most High, in which we must dwell and abide? Psalm 23 told us that is has to do with the house of the LORD. The secret place referred to in Psalm 91 is the Holy of Holies of the temple of God, before the ark of the covenant, before the mercy seat, which is sprinkled with the atoning blood of the Messiah. This mercy seat, the Throne of God, is between two seraphim with outstretched wings that cover it. It is the place where God is enthroned. We are the living temple of God, and we have this secret place within us, with its mercy seat covered with His blood.
"Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome (calamity, wickedness, ruin. Root- to breathe, to blow) pestilence (Root Word: dabar: speak, declare, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing, subdue, teach, appoint, rehearse, pronounce)...his truth shall be thy shield and buckler."
In our position in the secret place, the LORD delivers us from pestilence. It is His saving Word of Truth that dwells nigh us, even in our mouths. We proclaim His Word of Truth, not the mind or ways of the world. Our words line up with, are the same as, His Word. His Word became flesh and dwelt among us. His Word, Jesus, made all things which were made.
"Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday."
"A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee..."
From our position in Messiah, in the secret place, we are not to be afraid for anything.
"Because though hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation (refuge, dwelling, Tabernacle or Temple of God. Root - cohabitation or intimacy of marriage); there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling..."
Again, the LORD emphasizes our position in the Messiah, from which all of these protections and deliverances flow. Our dwelling place is to be in the secret place, in the Temple of God.
"Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation."
God's Salvation is revealed to us from this same secret place. His Salvation is a person who has a name, "Yeshua", meaning salvation of God, or Jesus in the Greek. It is a name we are to know, in order to dwell in this secret place. It is by this Person, of this name, Jesus, that our sickness were healed by the stripes, or scourging, that was inflicted upon His body (Isa. 53:5).
Numerous times in scripture, God commands His people to fear not. From His position as our Shepherd, and from our position in the secret place, He has promised again that we are to fear nothing. Paul reminded his minister, Timothy, and all of us:
"Wherefore, I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. Hold fast the form of sound words...that good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us." 2 Tim. 1:6-10
Paul emphasized to Timothy above, that the sound Words of God, the testimony of Christ, are kept or preserved in us by the Holy Spirit, who dwells in us. In these next few weeks, stir up that gift, stir up that power of the Holy Spirit to keep the Word in us. Read Acts, chapters 1 and 2, and renew your acquaintance with the Holy Spirit, who was sent to us by Christ for this purpose.

*The above is based upon the 3/22/20 message to the Church from Dr. Kenneth Stevenson. 

To Contact/Submit prayer requests/Support the ministry/Order the book, "NAZAH-White Linen and the Blood of Sprinkling", and to help us get out the message, to contribute to the Book of Remembrance for Sean Stevenson:

Dr. Kenneth Stevenson
P.O. Box 154221
Waco, TX  76705

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8


http://endtimeschool.com/

To watch/hear Dr. Stevenson's complete message:

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior: Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.
 
Dr. Stevenson's newest book is now available:
NAZAH: White Linen and the Blood of Sprinkling  

To order "NAZAH": https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8     http://endtimeschool.com/ 

To send testimonies for the Book of Remembrance to be published in the memory of Sean Stevenson:
 
You can send your testimonies to:
everlastingcovenant@ymail.com or PO Box 154221, Waco, TX  76705.
 

Sean Stevenson
 


Thursday, March 19, 2020

The Ultimate Textbook*

The Bible is not literature, although it has many examples of beautiful poetry, and the greatest prose ever written. The Bible is the Word of God, and the ultimate textbook of truth for our lives. Jesus said, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall never pass away." (Mt. 24:35). At this time, with all of the signs pointing to the return of Christ, and with panic and pandemics abounding, the Bible is the textbook that we need to study to understand and withstand the times in which we are living.
As Joshua felt the panic of taking over the leadership of God's people after Moses's death, the LORD gave him a word to sustain him. The LORD told Joshua to "be strong and of a good courage (to strengthen, to prevail, to be resolute, firm, to give strength, to encourage, to retain, hold up, sustain, support, repair)". Being "of good courage", not only strengthens ourselves, but also gives strength and encourages others. Our good courage strengthens, holds up and sustains those things that have become weak and teetering. In the face of frightening circumstances, that good courage, according to the LORD, comes from His Word:
"Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."  Josh. 1:7-9
In the above verses to Joshua, the Word of God is to be present in our lives in three forms: we are to meditate upon it, in the same sense as a cow brings back, and chews and chews upon its cud. We are to speak it, as it is to be in our mouths, and we are to do it. This is our prosperity and success in the times of fear and trial.
Psalm 1 describes the blessed man who does not take advice from the ungodly, or give power to sinners and the scornful, but " ..his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."   Ps. 1:1-3
It is our meditation on the Word of God that keeps us supplied with what we need. Others panic and hoard goods, but those who are imbedded in the Word, never have to fear lack in any way.
The LORD said through His prophet Hosea, that the thing that destroys His people is their lack of knowledge of Him. "...there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land...because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing how thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children...For they shall eat, and not have enough: they shall commit whoredom, and shall not increase: because they have left off to take heed to the LORD."  Hos. 4:1-6, 10
God tells His people, "I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction, they will seek me early. Come and let us return unto the LORD...if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth." 
                                                                                           Hos. 5:15-6:1-3 (excerpt)
The people of God have a responsibility in the Word, and in the knowledge of God, especially in times such as these. Those who have become physically sick are filling the hospitals. For those who are spiritually sick, the sinners, they need the Church as their hospital. As was the case with the Pharisees, arrogance, pride and a "holier than thou" attitude, as the Church is sometimes accused of having, delivers the Word of God, and the healing of the sinner to no one.
As Peter so accurately described the lusts of the sinful man, and the scoffers of the last days who mock the seeming delay of the LORD to execute judgment, the apostle wrote that we should be reminded of the words spoken by the prophets in the Old Testament, and the words of the apostles in the New Testament, because God is not slack to keep His word of judgment. The Lord is, however, longsuffering towards us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Pet. 3:1-9). The day of the Lord is coming suddenly, like a thief in the night (v. 10), and everything we see around us points to the fact that that day is very soon.
The people of God are called to 2 Chron. 7:12-16, where the LORD promises that if He sends a pestilence, He will hear the prayers of His people if His people will humble themselves, pray, seek His face and turn from their wicked ways. His eyes and ears will once again be turned to His sanctified house (we are the temple of the Holy Spirit). NOW is the time when the people of God are called to bring the relief to the land, knowing, meditating, speaking, and doing the Word of God.



*The above is based upon the 3/15/20 message to the Church from Dr. Kenneth Stevenson. 

To Contact/Submit prayer requests/Support the ministry/Order the book, "NAZAH-White Linen and the Blood of Sprinkling", and to help us get out the message, to contribute to the Book of Remembrance for Sean Stevenson:

Dr. Kenneth Stevenson
P.O. Box 154221
Waco, TX  76705

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8


http://endtimeschool.com/

To watch/hear Dr. Stevenson's complete message:

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior: Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.
 
Dr. Stevenson's newest book is now available:
NAZAH: White Linen and the Blood of Sprinkling  

To order "NAZAH": https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8     http://endtimeschool.com/ 

To send testimonies for the Book of Remembrance to be published in the memory of Sean Stevenson:
 
You can send your testimonies to:
everlastingcovenant@ymail.com or PO Box 154221, Waco, TX  76705.
 

Sean Stevenson

Thursday, March 12, 2020

Will You Look on Him? Will You Mourn For Him?*




 
Dr. Kenneth Stevenson has a message for you. It is the truth, and brings a challenge to each of us. As the author of four books on this subject, and as a teacher of scripture for many years, Dr. Stevenson brings insight into the Shroud of Turin, the signs of the end times, and his suggestion of how each of us can be part of a nation-wide ministry to spread the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ in these last days, and how we can bring healing to our deeply divided nation.
We encourage you to listen to his message at the link below, and join in this important opportunity to minister regarding the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, to both the Jew and to the Gentile.
Before our eyes, we see the fulfillment of the prophecy of Zechariah who wrote:
"And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. And I will pour out upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and supplications and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn."   Zech 12:9-10


Dr. Stevenson's Message for You


*The above is based upon the 3/8/20 message to the Church from Dr. Kenneth Stevenson. 

To Contact/Submit prayer requests/Support the ministry/Order the book, "NAZAH-White Linen and the Blood of Sprinkling", and to help us get out the message, to contribute to the Book of Remembrance for Sean Stevenson:

Dr. Kenneth Stevenson
P.O. Box 154221
Waco, TX  76705

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8


http://endtimeschool.com/

To watch/hear Dr. Stevenson's complete message:

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior: Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.
 
Dr. Stevenson's newest book is now available:
NAZAH: White Linen and the Blood of Sprinkling  

To order "NAZAH": https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8     http://endtimeschool.com/ 

To send testimonies for the Book of Remembrance to be published in the memory of Sean Stevenson:
 
You can send your testimonies to:
everlastingcovenant@ymail.com or PO Box 154221, Waco, TX  76705.
 

Sean Stevenson

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Read and Understand*

 
There is an adjective that describes the Body of Christ in this hour which is complacent. However, Jesus did not want His followers to be ignorant nor complacent. There were coming events which He described, that would catch His believers unaware and unprepared, unless they knew the scriptures, and understood them:
"When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)...For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there shall no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. ..when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors...Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come....Therefore, be ye also ready: for in such an hour as you think not the Son of man cometh."   Mt. 24, 15-44 (excerpt)
As He said above, Jesus expected that His believers would read the Book of Daniel, and understand it, even though some of the prophecies in Daniel were sealed until the time of the end. These things are revealed to us now, because we are in those times. The Book of Revelation describes the removal of seals, and many of the prophecies of Daniel are revealed in detail there, which we will see. In His commands to "watch", and "be ye ready", Jesus is making it clear that our present condition of complacency is the opposite of what He expects from us.
Daniel spoke of specific timing involving "the abomination of desolation",  to which Jesus referred above. Some have interpreted the abomination of desolation as having already taken place when Antiochus IV (Epaphenes), king of Syria,  desecrated the temple in Jerusalem by sacrificing a pig to Zeus on the holy altar there, when he captured that city in 167 BC. However, this is incorrect. Jesus was discussing it as a yet to be fulfilled prophecy over a century after that historical event occurred. This abomination event that Jesus described is one indicator of the beginning of the great tribulation. That coming tribulation of which Jesus warned is so severe, that no flesh could live through it, unless the days are shortened.
Daniel read, and understood the 70 weeks of years referred to in the earlier prophecies of Jeremiah concerning the desolations of Jerusalem (Dan. 9:2). After much prayer, fasting, and repentance, the angel Gabriel appeared to Daniel to reveal to him greater details regarding these disturbing things, "to give thee skill (insight, comprehension, to act wisely, to be prudent) and understanding (knowledge, understanding, wisdom, to discern, to perceive)." (Dan. 9:21-22). Here is the timing prophesied by Daniel regarding this event, and others:
"Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people, and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy." (v. 24)
As we can see from the above verse, the "70 weeks", have everything to do with the redemptive work of God through His Messiah. We can see this further as the angel continued his explanation:
"...know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times." (v. 25)
Sixty-nine of the seventy weeks of years are already past, as their fulfillment was marked by the death of the Messiah ("cut off, but not for himself"), and the destruction of the city and sanctuary (v. 26), which we know occurred in 70 AD. So we have one week of years left from that total of 70 weeks of years. We are living in that last week of prophetic time.
In this last 1 week of years, the angel placed that abomination of desolation:
"And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate." (v. 27).
The abomination is further described:"...they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate...And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvelous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper until the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done....and he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time, and times, and the dividing of time."  (Dan. 11:32, 36, 7:25). This phrase used here is considered to be 3 1/2 years, or that time described as "in the midst of the week" in Dan. 9:27. The same description of the time involved is also used in Dan. 12:7, during which"... he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished."
Again it is revealed to Daniel: "And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days." (Dan 12:11). This period of time specified equals 3 1/2 years.
In the Book of Revelation, the abomination that makes desolate is also described:
"And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months."  Rev. 11:5
The forty and two months mentioned above also equal 3 1/2 years.  As in the Book of Daniel, this beast that makes the desolating abomination also has power to rule all nations, and to make war against the saints. All are made to worship an image of this beast.
The time when the Gentiles will tread on the outer court of the temple and the holy city is given as "forty and two months" (Rev. 11:2), or Daniel's 3 1/2 years. The time allotted to God's two witnesses clothed in sackcloth with power and prophecy is "a thousand two hundred and threescore days" (v. 3), or again, Daniel's 3 1/2 years.
For these things to take place, including the abomination which makes desolate, the temple in Jerusalem must be rebuilt. Special societies in Jerusalem have already prepared all that is needed to restore the priesthood, temple worship and sacrifices. They have tried to lay the cornerstone of a new temple, but up until now, they have been prevented. As we see events surrounding Jerusalem escalate, and the time of the Gentiles being fulfilled, there is no doubt that a third temple will be rebuilt, and these prophecies of Daniel and Revelation will be fulfilled. All of these things will be fulfilled, as Jesus promised (Mt. 24:34).
Daniel also revealed that during this prophetic time at the end of the age, the people of God are not to be complacent but wise, and shining in the light of wisdom, teaching others, knowing their God, and doing great exploits of faith.
Jesus wanted us to read and understand Daniel. He wanted us to watch and be prepared. Those who remain complacent as these times come upon us, will be unprepared for the days ahead.
 
*The above is based upon the 3/1/20 message to the Church from Dr. Kenneth Stevenson. 

To Contact/Submit prayer requests/Support the ministry/Order the book, "NAZAH-White Linen and the Blood of Sprinkling", and to help us get out the message, to contribute to the Book of Remembrance for Sean Stevenson:

Dr. Kenneth Stevenson
P.O. Box 154221
Waco, TX  76705

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8


http://endtimeschool.com/

To watch/hear Dr. Stevenson's complete message:

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior: Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.
 
Dr. Stevenson's newest book is now available:
NAZAH: White Linen and the Blood of Sprinkling  

To order "NAZAH": https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8     http://endtimeschool.com/ 

To send testimonies for the Book of Remembrance to be published in the memory of Sean Stevenson:
 
You can send your testimonies to:
everlastingcovenant@ymail.com or PO Box 154221, Waco, TX  76705.
 

Sean Stevenson