Showing posts with label Christ. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christ. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 27, 2022
More Excellent*
Continuing this week in our series "Search the Scriptures", we will find that the Word of God teaches us of a more excellent way. The Book of Proverbs contains the counsel of godly wisdom and it says, "The righteous is more excellent than his neighbor: but the way of the wicked seduceth them." (Prov. 12:26. The Hebrew word for "excellent" is tur, meaning to search (for righteousness). Even each Hebrew letter of the word tur, has a meaning that reflects the source of excellence. The Hebrew letters together mean "the cross/the covenant, the nail, and the Highest or the most important person". The more excellent way is to be searched out in God's Word. Proverbs also says, "A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised." (Prov. 12:8). We have also spoken these last two weeks of the condition of the heart, and its importance in our walk. Paul wrote of how the Jews rested and boasted in their knowledge of the law. He wondered why, as they taught others the law, they didn't also teach themselves. If they did, then Paul would not have to ask them: "...dost thou steal?", "...dost thou commit adultery?", "...dost thou commit sacrilege? Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written...if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision...For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision , which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God." (Rom. 2:17-29). The more excellent way is to be transformed and circumcised inwardly, in the heart, by the Word and the Spirit of God. This was Paul's prayer for the believers as he wrote to the Philippians: "And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ unto the glory and praise of God." (Phil. 1:9-11). In the more excellent way, your love has to increase along with the fruits of righteousness by Jesus Christ. The Book of Hebrews says that by His inheritance as the Son of God, the name of Jesus is more excellent than even the angels: "...when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.". It is unto the Son that he said, "...Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom." (Heb. 1:4-8). The more excellent way is the Son, and for us to follow in the righteousness of His authority and kingdom. Also in Hebrews, the more excellent priesthood of Christ, the Son, is written about: "We have such a high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man." (Heb. 8:1-2). While earthly priests offered gifts according to the requirements of the law, which was only after the pattern of the heavenly things, this Priest, Jesus, also came with an offering, fulfilling the "heavenly things", rather than a pattern or shadow of them. Because of this: "...now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises." (v. 6). This new covenant established after the true heavenly things is not the same covenant which God had established with the fathers, which they broke, and were still breaking, as Paul mentioned above. However, the new covenant promised by God through the prophets, and established in the offering by Jesus of Himself, surpasses the old: "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people...for I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more." (v. 9-12). As we saw that Jesus established a better priesthood of the heavenly things rather than the pattern of them, He also fulfilled, and will fulfill, the Feasts of the LORD, as given by God to Moses in the law. Jesus has already fulfilled the spring feasts, but approaching immediately are the fall feasts, which the Lord shall also fulfill. Tonight begins the Feast of Trumpets. This is the way that the fall feasts are written: "...In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation. Ye shall do not servile work therein: but ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD." (Lev. 23:23-25). The observing of the sabbath, itself, is the first of the LORD's feasts (Lev. 23:2-3), by the way. The Feasts of Trumpets will be fulfilled by Jesus. We know that in the Rapture, the trump shall sound, and we shall be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. The next of the fall feasts, which is also soon to arrive, is the Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur (v. 26-32), a solemn feast day which comes ten days after the Feast of Trumpets, and calls all of God's people to a sabbath, with the affliction of our souls in fasting, prayer and repentance. It is prayed and hoped at this time that one's name will be written in the (Lamb's) Book of Life. Five days later, the Feast of Tabernacles, lasting seven days, will be observed (v. 33-36). All of these Feasts require a special offering to be brought before the LORD. Have you prepared your offering to Him? All of the Feasts of the LORD are commanded to be observed forever. The Feast days are upon us now. Don't be caught unaware of their meaning, and their importance in God's eyes, and to the salvation of His people. These Feasts represent Christ: the Bridegroom is coming - be ready. Although many churches do not teach these things, this is part of our preparation for the Lord's return. They are part of the more excellent way. *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 9/25/2022 message to the church. To contact us, submit a prayer request, give a praise report, or to support this ministry: P.O. Box 154221, Waco, TX, 76705 OR Everlastingcovenant@ymail.com. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, theshroudofturin.org, and endtimeschool, also on Facebook.
Tuesday, March 26, 2019
Purim, Persia, and the Third Day*
Esther Comes Before the King
We are entering the season of Purim, a rabbinical feast of Israel. Purim revolves around a miraculous event from the Book of Esther. Esther also has a prophetic significance to the Church in these last days. The spiritual principalities and wickedness of the End Times that are revealed in Revelation, also have a striking similarity to the story of Esther and Purim:
"...the accuser of the brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Therefore rejoice ye heavens and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.. And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child....And the dragon was wroth (violent anger, enraged; root- to stretch one's self out in order to touch or grasp something, to covet, to give one's self up to the love of money)with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." Rev. 12:10-13, 17
The devil, the dragon is enraged against the people of God in these verses from Revelation, and his actions and persecutions stem from that rage. It is the same with the enemy in the Book of Esther, Haman. The dragon from Revelation spews water like a flood from his mouth to wipe out the woman who gave birth to the man child (Rev. 12:15). The letters of Haman's name in pictographical Hebrew refer to the revealing of a massive flood of chaos against the son/Son, the heir to the throne, the descendants.
This enemy, Haman, driven by rage and resentment against one man, Mordecai, who refused to bow down and pay Haman homage and worship, enlarged his rage to encompass the destruction of all of the Jews in Persia (now Iran). Mordecai explained that he could not worship a man because as a Jew, he could only worship God (Esther 3:1-6). Haman, like the devil in Revelation, accused Mordecai and the Jewish people before the king, and the king allowed Haman to issue a decree for the destruction of the Jews, and to take the spoil of them, setting a specific date for it that had been selected by casting lots (Pur) (v. 8-11). As the news of this decree spread, the Jews across the whole land fasted, cried and repented before God. How was this plot of destruction to be overcome? It was accomplished by the grace and favor of God upon one young Jewish woman, the bride of the great king of Persia, Ahasuerus, whose name was Esther. Mordecai even told Esther that it is possible that she was born for just this purpose.
After telling the Jewish people to fast and pray for three days, Esther risked her life to approach the king out of proper order. Approaching the king without being summoned first was punishable by death. However, when the king saw Esther in all her royal robes, she obtained favor in his sight, and he extended his scepter to her so that she might approach him safely (Esther 5:1-2). Esther requested the king's and Haman's presence at a banquet of wine that she would prepare. At the second banquet, Esther exposed Haman to the king, and Haman and his household were destroyed. The king ultimately overrode Haman's decree calling for the destruction of the Jews. He issued a decree in his own name, sealed with his own seal. Written in this way, it became a decree that no man could reverse (Est. 8:7-10).
The Bride of Christ is also purposed and called to a banquet, royally arrayed in righteousness, to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb:
"Let us be glad and rejoice and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints..."Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb." Rev. 19:7-9
Esther used the principle of "the third day" in her preparation for her entrance to the king, and her confrontation with Haman and his evil plan. The prophet Hosea connected "the third day" with the Messiah, His and our resurrection, and His twice coming:
"Come and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up and we shall live in his sight...and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth." Hos. 6:1-3
The Apostle Peter clarified this principle for us regarding the return of Christ, as well as its importance in the events of the End Times for the Church:
"But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." 2 Peter 3:8
Two thousand years, or two days, have already passed since the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, and we are entering into the third millennial, or third day. Persia, or Iran, which played such an important role in the Book of Esther, is once again emerging into the world spotlight as a sponsor of terrorism and its agents in various parts of the world. The declared aim of those terrorists, today's Hamans, like the enraged dragon of Revelation, is to push Israel into the sea, and to make war with those who support Israel, and believe the Messiah of Israel.
Events and timing indicates that the marriage supper of the Lamb grows near, but is the Bride preparing, as Esther did, to make the difference in these End Times, to prepare for the banquet of wine? Let this season of Purim become a call to the Church to prepare herself in fasting, repentance, and prayer, to don her royal robes, to enter before and petition the King, and to enter into the banquet with Him.
*The above is based upon the 3/24/19 message to the Church from Dr. Kenneth Stevenson.
The Bride of Christ is also purposed and called to a banquet, royally arrayed in righteousness, to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb:
"Let us be glad and rejoice and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints..."Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb." Rev. 19:7-9
Esther used the principle of "the third day" in her preparation for her entrance to the king, and her confrontation with Haman and his evil plan. The prophet Hosea connected "the third day" with the Messiah, His and our resurrection, and His twice coming:
"Come and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up and we shall live in his sight...and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth." Hos. 6:1-3
The Apostle Peter clarified this principle for us regarding the return of Christ, as well as its importance in the events of the End Times for the Church:
"But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." 2 Peter 3:8
Two thousand years, or two days, have already passed since the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, and we are entering into the third millennial, or third day. Persia, or Iran, which played such an important role in the Book of Esther, is once again emerging into the world spotlight as a sponsor of terrorism and its agents in various parts of the world. The declared aim of those terrorists, today's Hamans, like the enraged dragon of Revelation, is to push Israel into the sea, and to make war with those who support Israel, and believe the Messiah of Israel.
Events and timing indicates that the marriage supper of the Lamb grows near, but is the Bride preparing, as Esther did, to make the difference in these End Times, to prepare for the banquet of wine? Let this season of Purim become a call to the Church to prepare herself in fasting, repentance, and prayer, to don her royal robes, to enter before and petition the King, and to enter into the banquet with Him.
*The above is based upon the 3/24/19 message to the Church from Dr. Kenneth Stevenson.
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.
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.
To order "NAZAH": https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8 http://endtimeschool.com/
Tuesday, March 5, 2019
Restoring the Foundational Purpose*
This message, while being directed specifically to Everlasting Covenant, also pertains to all of the Church. The Church in general, has been pulled away from the foundation and purpose to which we have been called. We need to look back to the beginning, and restore those things that we were purposed to do. Vince Lombardi, coach of the Green Bay Packers, decided to begin the 1961 spring training for his team by teaching them "the hidden power of mastering the fundamentals". That year, his team won the championship, and several more after that. The Church needs to rediscover the hidden power of mastering the fundamentals as well.
For Everlasting Covenant, our foundational scripture from the beginning has been:
"For I am not ashamed in the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation for every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." Rom. 1:16
The verse that follows says, "For therein (the gospel) is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith."
Scripture asks the question, "If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?" (Ps. 11:3). We need to restore the foundations of the Church built upon Christ and His commands. Christ gave this "great commission" to His disciples:
"All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world ("aion"-period of time, age)." Amen." Mt. 28:18-20
From the beginning, the purpose of the devil has been to destroy the Godly foundations, and man's relationship with God by substituting the truth of God's word for the lie, "Hath God said...?" Jesus spoke of those workers who were faithful to His commands:
"Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season ? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath." Mt. 24:45-46, Lk. 12:41-44
In order to carry out these commands that Jesus gave to us, His servants, including giving meat in due season which is His Word, His Body must be functioning properly. That means every part of the Body must be in its proper place, and supplying what is needed to edify the whole Body:
"...by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body...for the body is not one member, but many....But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him." 1 Cor. 12 (excerpt)
In the above chapter of 1 Corinthians, Paul was teaching that like a physical body has various contributing parts, so has the spiritual Body of Christ. The different parts, like the foot, the eye, the ear, are distinct and individual in their purpose, yet they are necessary to make the whole body function properly. Paul mentions just a few of the functioning parts of Christ's Body: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues (v. 28). Not only do these functioning parts working together carry out the commission of Christ, but they edify the Body itself. This includes keeping the Body from being derailed into false doctrines and by deceiving men, while bringing forth the unity of faith, the perfect man, and the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (Eph. 4:13-14). Of this fully functioning Body, where all parts are in place and contributing, Paul says:
"...speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love." Eph. 4:15-16
According to the verses above, "love" is not manifested by speaking lies and false assurances according to the whims and fads of men, but it is manifested in the speaking of truth, and truth is determined and embodied in the Word of God.
The Body of Christ is not fitted together as we, man, deem to be good, with every member deciding his or her own place, or whether each part will determine for himself whether to be part of the Body or not, but the parts of the Body are assigned and determined by the Holy Spirit and under the headship of Christ.
Paul identifies his own part in the Body as an apostle "separated unto the gospel of God". This same gospel was promised by the prophets, and was made into flesh through Jesus Christ, the promised seed of David. This same Jesus was declared to be the Son of God through the demonstration of power by the Holy Spirit by the resurrection from the dead (Rom. 1:1-4). This is the gospel, this is the power of God unto righteousness. This is the commission with which are to go into all nations and make disciples.
We will be able to accomplish the commands of Christ only as the Church restores the foundations upon which we have been built, fitly joined together, edifying and supplying, even as we maintain the truth against the winds of doctrine that have been released by Satan, who is challenging the Church in these last days asking, "Hath God said...?"
For Everlasting Covenant in this time, our commission includes bringing the book, "NAZAH", which testifies to the truth of Christ and His suffering, death, burial, and resurrection illustrated prophetically in Isaiah 52-53 and other prophetic scriptures, to the Jew first, and also the Greek.
*The above is based upon the 3/3/19 message to the Church from Dr. Kenneth Stevenson.
To Contact/Submit prayer requests/Support the ministry/Order the book, "NAZAH":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.
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.
To order "NAZAH": https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8 http://endtimeschool.com/
Monday, November 12, 2018
The Kingdom Purpose of Unity
Our nation is deeply divided, and we see destructive effect of that disunity daily. We formed a union of diverse states in our beginning, because we knew that a union was the only hope for our strength, prosperity, and our future. Our nation's motto reflects this determination to be unified: EPLURIBUS UNUM, "Out of many, one".
We can easily see that the Church is divided also. We are divided over social issues, politics, doctrines, denominations. However, Christ taught this truth: "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand." (Mt. 12:25). The Lord called the Church to unity, not just for unity's sake, but for a specific purpose, which we shall see.
The apostle Paul taught the role that unity plays in our maturing in Christ:
"And he (Christ) gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect (completeness, maturity) man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." Eph. 4:11-13
Our knowledge of God, our perfecting, and our growth into the fullness of Christ must come out of a unity of faith. Each individual member of the Body of Christ supplies something that is needed for completion, and unity brings all of the individual members together (v. 16). The Body achieves this by speaking the truth in love. Jesus spoke of this truth also, and defined the truth this way: "Thy word is truth." (Jn 17:17). Speaking, teaching and preaching the truth, which is the Word of God, unifies us in that truth.
Too often, the Church unites itself with the world, instead of with the Word. In Genesis, the world unified itself in wickedness and rebellion against God. In seeing this unity in purpose, God said, "Behold, the people is one...and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do." (Gen. 11:6). God had to confuse their language, and physically scatter them in order to break apart their destructive unity in rebellion. The unity of the world created a powerful rebellion against God, but the unity of the Church in Christ accomplishes the exact opposite even more powerfully. Jesus brought this revelation in His final prayer to His Father for His disciples before His crucifixion:
"They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me." Jn. 17:16-23 (excerpt)
In Jesus' prayer above, we see again, the perfecting that results from the Church's unity in Him and the Father. This unity is so important that Christ gave us the glory that He had received from His Father in order to achieve it. Christ in us is the hope of glory (Col. 1:27)- not only our own hope, but the world's hope in glory also. The importance of our unity, besides our own perfecting in him, is that the result of that unity or oneness in Christ, attests to the world the truth of God, and the purpose of His kingdom. Jesus knew that the unity of the Father, Son, and the believers impacts the world, and its salvation.
The purpose of the kingdom of God is not for us to be united with the world, but for the world to receive the saving knowledge of Christ though our unity with each other in Him. For this reason, Jesus has called the Church to be "one".
To Contact/Submit a Prayer Request/Support the Ministry/To Order the Book, "NAZAH":
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
http://endtimeschool.com/
To Watch 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.
We can easily see that the Church is divided also. We are divided over social issues, politics, doctrines, denominations. However, Christ taught this truth: "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand." (Mt. 12:25). The Lord called the Church to unity, not just for unity's sake, but for a specific purpose, which we shall see.
The apostle Paul taught the role that unity plays in our maturing in Christ:
"And he (Christ) gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect (completeness, maturity) man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." Eph. 4:11-13
Our knowledge of God, our perfecting, and our growth into the fullness of Christ must come out of a unity of faith. Each individual member of the Body of Christ supplies something that is needed for completion, and unity brings all of the individual members together (v. 16). The Body achieves this by speaking the truth in love. Jesus spoke of this truth also, and defined the truth this way: "Thy word is truth." (Jn 17:17). Speaking, teaching and preaching the truth, which is the Word of God, unifies us in that truth.
Too often, the Church unites itself with the world, instead of with the Word. In Genesis, the world unified itself in wickedness and rebellion against God. In seeing this unity in purpose, God said, "Behold, the people is one...and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do." (Gen. 11:6). God had to confuse their language, and physically scatter them in order to break apart their destructive unity in rebellion. The unity of the world created a powerful rebellion against God, but the unity of the Church in Christ accomplishes the exact opposite even more powerfully. Jesus brought this revelation in His final prayer to His Father for His disciples before His crucifixion:
"They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me." Jn. 17:16-23 (excerpt)
In Jesus' prayer above, we see again, the perfecting that results from the Church's unity in Him and the Father. This unity is so important that Christ gave us the glory that He had received from His Father in order to achieve it. Christ in us is the hope of glory (Col. 1:27)- not only our own hope, but the world's hope in glory also. The importance of our unity, besides our own perfecting in him, is that the result of that unity or oneness in Christ, attests to the world the truth of God, and the purpose of His kingdom. Jesus knew that the unity of the Father, Son, and the believers impacts the world, and its salvation.
The purpose of the kingdom of God is not for us to be united with the world, but for the world to receive the saving knowledge of Christ though our unity with each other in Him. For this reason, Jesus has called the Church to be "one".
To Contact/Submit a Prayer Request/Support the Ministry/To Order the Book, "NAZAH":
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
http://endtimeschool.com/
To Watch Dr. Stevenson's Complete Message:
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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.
Monday, March 12, 2018
The Next 21 Days
From the date of this message, it is twenty-one days until Resurrection Sunday, and the middle of Passover.
To the prophet Daniel, twenty-one days was revealed to be a period of intense spiritual warfare. Daniel had sought understanding regarding the vision he had received, and demonic principalities, namely the princes of Persia, had fought to prevent that understanding from being received. Finally, Michael, one of the chief angelic princes, had to come into the battle, and free the prophetic understanding to be given to Daniel (Dan. 10:14). The demonic princes had fought this understanding so hard because it dealt with the events to come in the "latter days", and it included a life-changing revelation. Daniel was so overwhelmed with the power of the understanding that came to him that he became without strength to stand or speak. The angel assured Daniel that he was there to show him "that which is noted in the scripture of truth" (v. 21).
God wants His people to seek understanding of the things which will come to pass in the latter days. He will do great spiritual battle to bring us this understanding.
What was the understanding given to Daniel for the latter days? It involved great warfare across the earth, and the rise of a certain powerful figure who will magnify himself above all gods, and will speak against the true God. This king will honor the god of forces and a "strange god". His heart shall be set against the holy covenant, and support those who do wickedly against the covenant:
"And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries..." Dan. 11:32
However, even as the people of covenant are persecuted, the angel promises Daniel:
"...but the people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits. And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet shall they fall...And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed." Dan. 11:32-35 (excerpt)
Daniel is repeatedly told that these various events described are appointed for "the time of the end". Much of what Daniel is given to understand, is confirmed again in Revelation 13, which describes this same individual, there referred to as "the beast".
As we continue reading into chapter 12 of Daniel, Daniel and we are given the understanding of another event that is associated with those latter days:
"...and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time, thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever...Many shall be purified and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand....the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end." Dan. 12:1-10
We can understand now from the corresponding passage in the Book of Revelation, that those not found written in "the book" mentioned in these verses above, refer to those who will worship the beast, "whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" in Rev. 13:8
According to the understanding given to Daniel, resurrection is an event connected directly to the "latter days".
Resurrection, of course, is also directly connected with the Person who is the resurrection, Jesus Christ. Paul said that Christ's resurrection, and consequently our own, is the fundamental belief of our faith. Let's see how Paul adamantly expresses this:
"Now if Christ be preached that He rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ is not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is vain...if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept." 1 Cor. 15:12-20 (excerpt)
With the resurrection of Christ, along with the attending promise of our own resurrection, the clock of the latter days of Daniel began ticking. Christ's resurrection is not only an earthshaking spiritual event, but an end times event, and we are to be those with the understanding of this connection, as the angel told Daniel.
Paul also connects resurrection with the end times as he wants us to understand this "mystery" in 1 Cor. 15:51-57:
"Behold, I shew you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. In a moment, in a twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed...death is swallowed up in victory...But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord, Jesus Christ."
Not only is resurrection promised to the dead in Christ, but a living resurrection is to be part of our understanding as well. The living are also raised up, being "changed" in an instant.
This concept of resurrection, shown to Daniel as part of the latter days' events, is full of a wealth of truth for our understanding. We are called to understand it.
Paul writes again that we should not be ignorant, but to understand the resurrection of the dead, and also its connection to the end times, and the coming of Jesus:
"But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him...For the Lord, Himself, shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord...comfort one another with these words." 1 Thess. 4:13-18
As it was with Daniel, as we enter these 21 days before Resurrection Sunday, there is a spiritual battle going on in the heavenlies, as the principalities of wickedness try to keep man from receiving the understanding and faith of the resurrection of Christ for all who will believe, and also as a prophesied latter days event.
An opportunity is given to us, especially during these next 21 days, to understand these things, to instruct many, to be strong and do exploits, to shine as the wise, and most importantly, to be those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life: the Passover Lamb, slain from the foundation of the world, the resurrected Christ.
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Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior:
Jesus, I want to know You as my Lord, and as my Savior, who covers my sins, and cleanses my heart. Come into my heart, and also fill me with the Holy Spirit, who will lead me into all truth, and will teach me how to follow You. I believe that You are the Son of God, the Messiah, that You were crucified for me, and rose from the dead to give me everlasting life. I believe that You are coming again. Lord Jesus, in Your name I believe, pray, and receive all of these things. Amen.
Tuesday, December 5, 2017
Simplicity in Christ- Pt. 2
Seeing and hearing today's headlines, leads us to look again at the simplicity of the Gospel, the simplicity of Christ. The teaching of lies, and the current turning away from this simplicity of truth seems to be the order of the day. We are all aware of this trend in our secular society, but the danger lies in the rejection of scriptural truth, and the words of Christ in many of our churches, as well. The apostle Paul writes about this very thing with great concern to the church of Corinth:
"But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ." 2 Cor. 11:3
In these verses, Paul is concerned that they are weak enough to accept "another" Jesus, and "another" gospel, if someone should come to them preaching those falsehoods (v. 4). He warns that those who teach such lies are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ, even as Satan is able to transform himself into an angel of light (v. 13-14). Though these men brought a false gospel, the church rushed to believe them, even letting themselves be abused and taken advantage of by these false apostles (v. 19-20). Though Paul has gone through great hardships and dangers to bring the life-giving truth of the gospel of Christ to them, the church ran to these smooth talking counterfeits for the lies that they offered (v. 23-33).
What are these lies that so easily draw even the church away from the truth of the Gospel of Christ? Paul tells us in v. 3 above, that it is the same lie the serpent used to beguile Eve: "Hath God said...?" (Gen. 3:1). The foundation of those tempting lies being so quickly received by the church is the same as from the beginning- questioning and ultimately rejecting the Word of God, the Word of truth.
The church today may wonder how they are rejecting the truth of God. Everyday, churches are teaching the opposite of what the Word of God clearly holds. They are rejecting these truths because society has rejected the truths. Unscriptural definitions of marriage, abortion, and other sinful choices are being accepted, and even sanctified by the church. Foundational truths regarding Jesus, His birth, His ministry of healing and miracles, His uncompromising teachings, His death as our atonement for sin, His bodily resurrection, and His return, are no longer taught in fullness. Instead of leading men into truth, the church is following men into lies. The Word of God, like God, does not change (Malachi 3:6, Rev. 22:18-20).
Paul warned that before the person of the antichrist would be revealed, the faith of many would cease:
"...the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition." 2 Thess. 2:2-3
In these end times, a falling away from the truth will set the stage for the manifestation of the son of perdition. It is not the secular world that "falls away". It is the church, falling away from the gospel of Christ, from the Word of God. This son of perdition who comes rejects the headship and lordship of God, taking that authority for himself (v. 4). Those who should have been faithful believers in Christ will have led the way for that, as they also, reject the truth and authority of God, spoken in His Word. Because these believers abandoned the truth, God sends a strong delusion upon them, so they will readily believe and accept the lying wonders and signs worked by Satan through this son of perdition (v. 9-12). As we can see, it is a dangerous time to fall away from the simplicity of Christ.
God did not choose us from the beginning for us to fall away and prefer the lie:
"God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: whereunto He called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord, Jesus Christ." 2 Thess. 2:13-14
Paul concludes by beseeching and instructing us to "hold fast" to this truth that we have learned (v. 15).
Jesus commands us to continue, to abide in His word (Jn. 8:31), and by so doing, "... ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (v. 32). It isn't the lie that sets men free, it is the simple truth of Christ. To those who do not accept His truth, Jesus says:
"...And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe Me? He that is of God, heareth God's words: ye therefore, hear them not, because ye are not of God." v. 46-47
It is that simple. We cannot say that we believe Christ, yet choose not to believe His words. All scripture is made up of His words, because He is the Word of God from the beginning (Jn. 1:1, 14), and He held and taught all scripture as truth.
The Word says of God:
"Sing unto Him a new song; play skillfully with a loud noise.
For the word of the LORD is right;
And all His works are done in truth." Ps. 33:3-4
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Tuesday, May 16, 2017
Whose Feasts Are They?
Often, those in the Church refer to the feasts ordained by God and revealed to Moses, as "The Jewish Feasts". This is not an accurate label. The LORD describes the feasts to Moses in this way:
"Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, "Concerning the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are My feasts." Lev. 23:2
The LORD calls these appointed feasts "the feasts of the LORD", and "My feasts", therefore these feasts belong to Him. The feasts are to be proclaimed as "holy convocations", or in Hebrew, mikrah kodesh. This holy convocation is a calling together, a sacred assembly. This should bring to mind the definition of the Ekklesia, the Greek word translated as "church": the called out assembly of God's people. Mikrah, or convocation, also means "a rehearsal", or "a practice for something yet to come", so these convocations are a holy rehearsal for a coming event. Those coming events have to do with the Messiah, Jesus, as we shall see. It should be noted that included in these holy convocations, these feasts of the LORD, is the Sabbath (Lev. 23:3), which the Church has chosen to alter until it is unrecognizable, and unobserved. Instead, the Ekklesia should be proclaiming the holy convocation of the Sabbath feast of the LORD with Jesus who said, "Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Mt. 11:28), and, "There remains, therefore, a rest for the people of God...Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest..." (Heb. 4:9-10).
The Apostle Paul confirms the prophetic nature of Christ in all of the feasts of the LORD when he tells the Church:
"Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a holy day, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ." Col. 2:16-17
These feasts are (present tense used) a prophetic shadow. They are not a work of the past, but exist in the present, and by their prophetic nature, extend into the future. If this is the case, then why does the Church choose to ignore, or forget, these holy rehearsals of coming events, these feasts that belong to the LORD? The point of the verse above, and of all of chapter 2 of Colossians, is not to tell the Church to ignore the feasts. The purpose is to warn the Church not to allow those who impose onto the observances of the feasts "philosophies, vain deceit, and the traditions of men", all based on the ways of the world. Rather, the Church is to keep the fullness of Christ found in these feasts as their foundation (v.8). Men shrouded the feasts of the LORD with religious legalism and tradition, until the Body of the feasts, Christ, became hidden. Paul said to keep the ultimate triumph of Christ in these feasts. With Christ being the Head of these feasts, the whole Body is joined together, nourished, and "increaseth with the increase of God." (v. 10-15, 19). There is something being "joined together" in the Ekklesia through these feasts. Keep in mind that Paul is writing all of these things regarding the keeping of the feasts of the LORD to a Gentile church in Colossae. These Gentile believers were keeping the feasts. Paul opened this discussion of the feasts by saying they were "the mystery of God and of the Father, and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge," (Col. 2:2-3).
While the Church is to reject the religious traditions and legalisms of men regarding these feasts, many have, instead, associated the feasts with pagan customs like Santa Claus, Easter bunnies, and the like, making the resulting observances unrelated in any manner to God's feasts, or to His Word. This wasn't so in the early church.
Paul expected the Gentile church at Corinth to understand his references to Passover, and the Feast of Unleavened Bread:
"Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth." 1 Cor. 5:7-8
The very communion we share in the Body of Christ, the Table of the LORD, is from the Passover seder overseen by Christ with His disciples (1 Cor. 11:23-29, Lk. 22:7, 15-20).
When the Ekklesia forgets the feasts of the LORD, we also forget this solemn Word:
"The LORD was as an enemy...And He hath violently taken away His tabernacle...He hath destroyed His places of the assembly: the LORD has caused the solemn feasts (appointed sign, signal, meeting, assembly, betrothed for marriage, set time) and Sabbaths to be forgotten in Zion, and hath despised in the indignation of His anger the king and priest." Lam. 2:5-6
We, the Ekklesia, are kings and priests before God (1 Pet. 2:9, Rev. 5:10). We should not be disregarding the importance of all the feasts of the LORD.
As the Ekklesia was taught by the apostles the power, and prophetic shadows of Christ in the feasts of the LORD, it was for the purpose of provoking Israel to jealousy "by them that are no people" (Rom. 10:19). Instead of this, by ignoring, or corrupting the meaning of the feasts, we have in many ways re-built the wall of partition between Jew and Gentile that Christ, having abolished this enmity between the two in His own flesh, made one new man (Eph. 2:14-16). This very thing is part of the above mentioned "joining together" to which Paul refers. We partially nullify the work of Christ in us when we re-build that wall of separation and enmity between Jew and Gentile.
Let us restore the apostolic foundation regarding the feasts of the LORD in sincerity and truth.
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As the Ekklesia was taught by the apostles the power, and prophetic shadows of Christ in the feasts of the LORD, it was for the purpose of provoking Israel to jealousy "by them that are no people" (Rom. 10:19). Instead of this, by ignoring, or corrupting the meaning of the feasts, we have in many ways re-built the wall of partition between Jew and Gentile that Christ, having abolished this enmity between the two in His own flesh, made one new man (Eph. 2:14-16). This very thing is part of the above mentioned "joining together" to which Paul refers. We partially nullify the work of Christ in us when we re-build that wall of separation and enmity between Jew and Gentile.
Let us restore the apostolic foundation regarding the feasts of the LORD in sincerity and truth.
To Give/Contact:
PO Box 155
Christmas, Fl. 32709
http://everlastingcovenant.wixsite.com/theshroud
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
Facebook: Kenneth E. Stevenson
PayPal also available
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