On Being Meek - An End Time Essential*

 

 

Jesus taught as part of what we call the Beatitudes:

"Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth."  Mt. 5:5

In understanding the character of meekness, we can use this description:

Meekness is "the disposition in which we accept God's dealings with us as good, and therefore, without disrupting or resisting. Meekness means to rely on God rather than one's own strength to defend against injustice. Meekness is practiced in knowing that God is using the injuries caused by evil people to purify His elect. We know also that He will deliver His elect in His time. Meekness is the opposite to self-assertiveness and self-interest. Rather, the meek trust in God's goodness and control over the situation. The meek are not occupied with self at all. Meekness is a work of the Holy Spirit, not of human will"**, as we will see.

In Psalm 37, David examined and described the excellence of the attitude of meekness in the face of the seeming continued success of the wicked. David exhorts us not to fret, or envy those who practice wickedness and self-interest, even though they desire to do harm to the righteous (v. 12, 14, 32), which we also see happening today, and we will increasingly see in these end times. David assured us, as Jesus taught, that despite the plans of the wicked, the meek shall inherit the earth, and will enjoy the abundance of peace (v. 13). David wrote that our spiritual attitude of meekness also includes:

Trust in the LORD (v. 3), Rest in the LORD, waiting patiently (v. 7, 34), Ceasing from anger and wrath towards the temporary success of the wicked (v. 8), Depart from evil (v. 27).

As opposed to observing the evil man, David tells us instead:

"Mark the perfect man (see also Eph. 4:11-13), and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace."  v. 37

David promises that, contrary to the destiny of the perfect and righteous man, the end of the wicked is destruction.

As we saw in our description of "meekness", it is a work of the Holy Spirit in us, not of the human will. As David contrasted the meek and the wicked, the apostles contrasted walking in the Spirit as opposed to the flesh:
"For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit, they are the sons of God." 
                                                                                                          Rom. 8:13-14
All creation is groaning in hope for this manifestation of those who are led by the Holy Spirit, the sons of God, the joint-heirs with Christ (v. 20). The prophet Jeremiah warned that the whole earth is affected by the people of God who walk in opposition to the meekness and other qualities of the Holy Spirit:
"Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but have rejected it." 
                                                                                                              Jer. 6:19
We are seeing the fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecy now. God's people are called to walk in the fruit of His Spirit, which we will see below, and not of our own thoughts, which are thoughts of self-interest and self-assertiveness. On the contrary, creation is even delivered from the bondage of corruption described by Jeremiah into the same glorious liberty of the children of God, who are led by His Spirit. The qualities of the Holy Spirit, including meekness, overcome even the sufferings of the corruption of this present time (Rom. 8:18-21). The hope of this deliverance is  found in us, the children of God, by the work of the Holy Spirit (v. 22-25). It is by this same hope as the sons of God, that we are called to purify ourselves, as Jesus is pure, for we shall see Him and be like Him in this manner (1 Jn. 3:1-3). The prophet Malachi also prophesied about this same work of purification of the priesthood of God in preparation for His coming:
"But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' sope." Mal. 3:1-3 (excerpt) (see also Rev. 6:15-17)
Scripture makes clear that we are called to be kings and priests in the Kingdom of God, and therefore, subject to this work of purification.
As we saw above in the description of meekness, and in Psalm 37, we are to trust God that He has control in all circumstances. Paul also wrote that as a result of the work of the Holy Spirit in us, we can know:
"...that all things work together for good for them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."  Rom. 8:28
Paul wrote that this work of the Holy Spirit in those who are led by the Spirit, was a work destined in us before we were born, even before the foundation of the world. We were foreknown, predestined, called, justified and glorified (Rom. 8:29-30, Jn. 17:22-24) by our God who knows all things, even the end from the beginning. It is based on this spiritual truth, revealed by the Holy Spirit in us, that in all conditions and circumstances, we can hope, trust, and wait patiently in meekness for the LORD, who has already prepared all things.
The fruit of the Holy Spirit is the opposite of the fruit produced by the works of the flesh, the works of which we see more and more currently. Paul described the fruit of the Holy Spirit this way:
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."   Gal. 5:22-26 (excerpt)
We have been called not to be conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewing of our minds. As we submit to, in meekness, and receive this transformation of the Holy Spirit into the sons of God, all creation will also be delivered and transformed. This makes Holy Spirit meekness an end time essential.

*The above is based upon the 4/26/20 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/

everlastingcovenant@ymail.com

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

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

Sermon.net/EverlastingCovenant
 

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.

**from Strong's Concordance

 

Dr. Stevenson's newest book is now available:
  

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

Proper Prior Prayer*

 

 

There is a saying: "Proper Prior Planning Prevents Pitifully Poor Performance".

I would like to amend that proverb this way: "Proper Prior PRAYER Prevents Pitifully Poor Performance".

As Jesus and the Apostles taught about the events or signs of the end times, which we are seeing every day now, and the return of Christ, they warned that prayer was a vital ingredient in our preparation, and for our survival through those things to come. As Jesus discussed specifically the events before His return, He concluded:

"...take heed to yourselves...for as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth...Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man." 

                                                                                                        Lk. 21:34-36

Scripture says that we are not appointed unto wrath, however, we are not assured escape from the tribulation, those earth-churning events, except by the possibility provided through prayer. The Apostle Paul also taught regarding the times of the end, and our preparation for them:

"But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief...Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."   1 Thess. 5:4, 17-18

Apostle Peter similarly wrote:

"But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer." 

                                                                                                           1 Pet. 4:7

Something is very wrong if we do not have a constant attitude of prayer, especially in these times of signs. The latest sign to us is the world wide spread of the Corona Virus, or Covid19. Many are acting foolishly tempting God by the assembling of themselves carelessly. Others are being careful and sober to observe all physical precautions, but are we including the prayerfulness that Jesus and the Apostles urged?

Paul wrote:

"...The Lord is at hand. Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."   Phil. 4:5-7

Many are anxious and fearful at this time. Enter into prayer with thanksgiving, and through it, the peace of God found in Christ will be available to you.

As Paul wrote about the spiritual preparation necessary and available to all saints daily (Eph. 6:10-17), he included in his final instructions:

"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance, and supplication for all saints."  v. 18

As Solomon completed the building of the temple in Jerusalem, which is a house of prayer for all nations, he prayed to the LORD concerning it, and the LORD answered him. Solomon asked the LORD that in the case of catastrophic events and circumstances, which would include famine, pestilence, locusts, and attacking enemies, brought about by the sins of God's people, if the people of God, and also the stranger in the midst, return to Him, confess, and pray towards that special place of prayer, the house of God, that God would then forgive His people and maintain their cause (2 Chron. 6, 7). Even as Solomon ended his prayer at the altar, fire from heaven came down and consumed the offering being made, and the glory of God filled the temple. The LORD then made this solemn promise in answer to Solomon's humble prayer on behalf of God's people:

"...I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself as a house of sacrifice. If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.. For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there forever: and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually."  2 Chron. 7:11-16 (excerpt)

This physical house of God spoken of above, held His presence and glory. It was a house of sacrifice. Each item of furnishing within it testified prophetically of His Son, the Messiah Jesus who would come. Now Jesus has built that same house, or temple, within each of us who call upon His name, and are filled with His Holy Spirit. Jesus was zealous for this precious "temple" of prayer, forcefully cleansing it of thieves and merchandisers, and would allow nothing to defile it.

Even as Israel prepares to rebuild the physical temple on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, as is also prophesied in scripture, we, the believers in Christ, have a special responsibility as God's most holy spiritual temples. We have been called to be a house of prayer for all nations.

"Proper Prior Prayer Prevents Pitifully Poor Performance".

 

*The above is based upon the 4/19/20 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

Sermon.net/EverlastingCovenant
 

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:
  

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

 





Palm Snday 2020*



 

All four Gospels give an account of the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem (Mt. 21, Mk. 11, Lk. 19, Jn. 12), which we call Palm Sunday, because the great multitudes spread palms on the road, and waved palms in the air in welcome and praise Him. The words the crowd cried out fulfilled prophecy (Ps. 118:25-26). The colt miraculously supplied that Jesus rode into Jerusalem was a fulfillment of prophecy (Zech. 9:9).

There were other events that happened around the time that Jesus entered into the city for Passover. He went into the temple, and began clearing out the merchandizing which had taken over the house of God, saying:

"It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer (of all nations), but ye have made it a den of thieves".  Mt. 21:12-13 (Mk. 11:17) (see also Isa. 56:7, Jer. 7:11).

The people were astonished, but His zealous action of cleansing the temple was resented and His authority was called into question by the religious leaders of the city. They began to plot against Jesus because the people were listening to Him (Mk. 11:18, 27-28). At His first coming, Jesus judged and punished the merchandizing and corruption of the temple, the house of God. This is a prophetic warning to us, the Church, to cleanse ourselves in preparation for His arrival again. The Church has become defiled, and we as individuals have become defiled by the buying and selling of religion.

Also during that time, Jesus sought fruit from a fig tree, although it was not yet the season for fruit. Finding no fruit, He curses the fig tree, saying to it, "Let no one eat fruit from you ever again." The fig tree withered from its roots. (Mk. 11:13-14, 20-21). At His first coming, Jesus expected fruit without excuse. This is a warning to us that He will expect us to have produced fruit in our lives when He comes again.

After this eventful entrance into Jerusalem, His disciples asked Jesus, "What shall be the sign of thy coming? (Mt. 24). They were asking about the signs accompanying His return, and the end of the age. After describing the signs to watch for, many of which we are already seeing today, Jesus begins to describe His return with a wedding parable (Mt. 25:1-13). In this parable of the ten virgins who were to be at the marriage, Jesus describes the different outcomes awaiting the five who were wise and prepared for the bridegroom's coming, and the five who were foolish and unprepared. The five wise virgins, who were prepared with trimmed lamps and extra oil when the sudden cry went out of the bridegroom's arrival at midnight, went with him to the marriage. The door was shut after them. When the five foolish virgins arrived late because they had been unprepared, they were not allowed in, and the bridegroom/Lord told them, "Verily I say unto you, I know you not."

At the end of the parable, Jesus exhorts us, "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh." We do, however, know the times and the seasons. We know the signs as written in scripture. We are not meant to be unaware or unprepared for the sudden moment of His return. The Apostle Paul wrote to the church:

"But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night." 

                                                                                               1 Thess. 5:1-13

Paul made it  point to teach the churches the signs to watch for regarding the return of Jesus, because he wanted them to be prepared. Though the world may think that peace has been established, the day of the Lord comes with sudden destruction. We are not to be overtaken as if this moment is unexpected, like a thief's ambush. "For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that...we should live together with him."

Paul goes on to say that the work of those who are our spiritual leaders is to teach us these things and to admonish us in preparation. We are to value and esteem those teachers who faithfully prepare us.

Peter also wrote to the church who profess the belief in Jesus, that they should stir up their pure minds in remembrance of what the prophets have written and what the apostles have taught concerning the last days, and the signs of the return of Christ (2 Pet. 3:1-14). He wrote:

"Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless."

Revelation also speaks about the bride who has made herself ready to enter the marriage  of the Lamb, arrayed in fine linen, clean and white, which is the righteousness of saints (Rev. 19:7-9).

As the signs reveal to us the approach of the time of Christ's return, we are to take the prophetic lesson from His entry into Jerusalem, and we are to be prepared for His sudden appearance at any moment. There will be no time to prepare when the moment comes.

Jewish customs concerning preparation for marriage is a parallel to the preparations to be made by the bride of Christ, and Jesus, her Bridegroom. A previous message concerning these marriage customs titled, "Preparing for the Marriage of the Lamb" has been posted to the right of this entry as the "featured post" for your convenience. There is also a link here. Please read it for additional information concerning this subject.
Be watching also for a special live broadcast this week from Dr. Stevenson on the Shroud of Turin.
 





*The above is based upon the 4/5/20 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

Sermon.net/EverlastingCovenant
 

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:
  

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

Enter His Rest*

 

From the beginning, upon finishing His creative work, God revealed the importance of His Sabbath, His day of rest:

"Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made."   Gen. 2:1-3

The day of rest was so special to God that He blessed and sanctified it. Moses received the commandment of God in this same vein: the Sabbath (intermission. root meaning: cease, celebrate, rest; to exterminate, destroy, remove, rid, put and end to (war and contention) was blessed and holy, and His people were to keep or observe it as holy, doing no labor on the day (Ex. 20:8-11). The Sabbath observance is also a memorial regarding the end of the slavery of God's people in Egypt, and again, God's people are commanded to keep and sanctify the Sabbath rest in honor of that miraculous deliverance (Deut. 5:12-15).

The prophets revealed that the obedience of God's people to observe, keep, and sanctify the Sabbath according to the commandment of God, resulted in great blessing in their city of Jerusalem in the continuance of princes upon the Messianic throne of David, and the great defense and safety that would be provided for ever (Jer. 17:19-25). Failure to obey the Sabbath commandment, on the other hand, will bring great destruction:

"...if you will not hearken unto me to hallow the sabbath day....then will I kindle a fire....and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched."   Jer. 17:27

Ezekiel wrote the word of the LORD regarding the Sabbath also:

"And I gave them my statutes, and shewed them my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them. Moreover also I gave them my Sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the LORD that sanctify them."  Ezek. 20:11-12

The blessing of observing the Sabbath in holiness includes life for man, as well as acknowledging that it is the LORD who sanctifies man. Sanctifying what God sanctifies, in turn, sanctifies us. The Sabbath dedicated to the honoring and worship of God, rather than to cares, worries, and our own thoughts and plans, brings us life and holiness, and impacts our land. God's people need to return to His Sabbath in these difficult times most of all.

Ezekiel also revealed that the failure to keep the Sabbath is based upon idolatry (v. 16, 18, 24). As God's people chose to pollute His Sabbaths, they were dispersed, and they received judgments and statutes instead that prevented them from living.

As God prophesied through Ezekiel that He would revive His people's priesthood and temple worship, He also promised that the hallowing of the Sabbath would be re-established (Ezek. 44:23-24). This makes us, the people of God, the living temples of God, even more responsible for the knowledge of hallowing the Sabbath, as we see more and more the effects that polluting the Sabbath have had in our land.

The prophet Isaiah showed us the enormous blessing and sanctification found in the honoring of God's Sabbath:

"If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it."   Isa. 58:13-14

The Sabbath is not just an Old Testament law, but it is part of the New Testament Church, as well. The writer of Hebrews warns against coming short of entering into his rest. It is part of the gospel, and, like the rest of the gospel, it must be mixed with our faith. Those who did not enter into the place of the Lord's rest, failed to enter because of unbelief. We should not follow their example (Heb. 4:1-6, 11). The hallowing of the Sabbath is not about a denomination, nor about legalism, though men may try to burden the Sabbath with those religious doctrines. The Sabbath is about blessing, sanctification, and the honoring of the completed work of the LORD from before the foundation of the world. The double-portion blessing is part of the Sabbath of God, as God provides twice the amount the day before the Sabbath, so his people can come into his rest on the Sabbath. Keeping the word of God in all of these things causes us to be called "The Repairers of the breach" and "The Restorers of paths to dwell in" (Isa. 58:12).

Hebrews goes on to say:

"There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest..."   Heb. 4:9-11

 

*The above is based upon the 3/29/20 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

Sermon.net/EverlastingCovenant
 

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:
  

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