A Covenant of Law or Grace?*

We are to be at a whole new level of understanding covenant. This includes the everlasting covenant, which is spoken of fifteen times in scripture. You can also find more information on this topic in my book "Law, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Godliness", available through Amazon. The following is the first mention of "covenant" in scripture, as God spoke to Noah after the flood: "I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth...And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no longer become a flood to destroy all flesh. And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth....This is the token of the covenant, which I have established between me and all flesh that is upon the earth." (Gen. 9:13-17). Although the rainbow has been used in a profane manner in our times, it is really a sacred reminder of the mercy and grace that God sovereignly promises to all living on earth to assure them that He would not bring another destructive flood. In Gen. 6:8, we read that Noah found (attained) grace in the eyes of God. Grace is something attained between God and man. Jesus taught that the days of His return would be as the days of Noah (Lk. 17:26), so we need to understand now especially what it means to attain grace with God. The prophets wrote about the new covenant by which grace would be attained between God and man. Jeremiah wrote: "Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers...which my covenant they brake, although I was a husband unto them, saith the LORD. But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days...I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour..., saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest...for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more." (Jer. 31:31-34). Ezekiel also wrote about a new work of grace by God: "Then I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them." (Ezek. 36:25-27). We know that we are washed with the water of the Word of God. The LORD desires a relationship with all flesh, and has desired it since the beginning, or Bereshiet in Hebrew, whose individual pictographic letters mean "the son of God crushed, His hand on the cross". Revelation tells us that Jesus is the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world. This move of God in our hearts and spirits prophesied in Jeremiah and Ezekiel is repeated in the New Testament, in Hebrews 8:10-12, where the LORD God concludes His covenant promise: "For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more." This work of grace is created by God within us. Jesus taught what is called The Sermon on the Mount, or The Beatitudes, to His disciples, not to the crowd at large (Mt. 5:1). Jesus didn't just choose disciples. He taught and trained them in discipleship by Word and Spirit. The blessings of the Kingdom of God that were taught by Jesus that day to His disciples, reflect the perfect unity of the Word, or the Law, and grace produced in the new heart and spirit by God. Those who are blessed by God according to this sermon are the poor in spirit, or the humble. The Kingdom of God belongs to them. Those whose soft hearts mourn are the ones who receive the comfort of God. The meek, strong in faith but self-sacrificing, who put themselves last in the earth, will inherit it. Those with a hunger and thirst for righteousness, which is created by a new heart and spirit, will have that hunger satisfied. Those whose hearts and spirits show mercy to others through grace and the love of God's Word in them, will receive mercy themselves. Those whose hearts have been purified in the manner promised by the prophets above, will see God. Those whose new hearts and spirits cause them to be peacemakers in the middle of strife, will be called the children of God. Those who have been persecuted and reviled because their hearts love righteousness, and love the Righteous One, Jesus, can rejoice in this life because they belong to the kingdom of heaven, and will receive their great reward in heaven (Mt. 5:3-12). These who have sought after the new heart and spirit promised by God, live these blessings, and are living according to Kingdom principles. The covenant of grace does not operate separate from the Torah, the Law. Jesus assured His listeners that He didn't come to destroy the Law, but to fulfill it. Heaven and earth will pass away, but the Word of God will not pass away until even the finest points of it are fulfilled (v. 17-18). In this context, Jesus told His disciples to be salt and light in the earth (v. 12-16). The Law of the Torah is not limited to the written letter, but it is joined with the Spirit of God, and the spirit and soul in man. This is grace. It is in this understanding that Jesus told us: "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." (v. 48). Paul wrote of a circumcision that was not outward, but inward, a circumcision of the heart, which makes one a Jew. It is Spirit, rather than letter, which receives praise from God, rather than men (Rom. 2:28-29). The letter of the written Word must become living Spirit within us. David, confronted by his terrible sin, sought this saving renewal that could only be attained by this work of God in him: "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then I will teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee...The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise." (Psalm 51, excerpt). This is the grace work within David of the LORD's Spirit through the Law, the Torah, that David had treasured in his heart. The Word, it is written, is quick and powerful, like a two-edged sword, cutting to our deepest parts and discerning the thoughts of our hearts. James the apostle wrote: "But whoso looketh into (stooping into) the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed." (James 1:25). *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 12/11/2022 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 END TIME SCHOOL, also on Facebook.

The Heart of the Matter*

This weekend we, as a nation, have been commemorating the 9/11 attacks, and the lives lost in them, including members lost from our own congregation. The world has also heard the news of the death of Queen Elizabeth, and ascension of a new king. Considering the lateness of the hour on the prophetic clock, and the events taking place throughout the world, it is time to take stock of ourselves, and examine our hearts. Scripture tells us that there is a "heart problem", which is noted from the beginning, from Genesis: "And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart (leb - inner man, heart, soul, mind, understanding, emotions, conscience) was only evil continually. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD." (Gen. 6:5-8). The heart of man was evil, the LORD said. As we see above, the Hebrew word for heart is leb, and the letters that form that word, which are lamed and beth, mean "the house within from which we are prodded or urged forward". An evil heart, which all men have as the result of the fall of Adam and Eve, prods us to think and do evil. However, one man, Noah, found grace (chen - acceptance, favor, grace) in the LORD's eyes. The two Hebrew letters used to write the word, chen, or grace, are cheth and nun, which mean together "a fence, inner room, protection of the Heir to the throne". There is the protection of Christ in the gift of grace. Jeremiah wrote of the condition of men's hearts also. He wrote that a man is blessed who trusts and hopes in the LORD. That man is like a tree planted by the waters, which prospers and bears fruit even in times of drought. However: "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings." (Jer. 17:7-10). Regarding Israel, His own people, the LORD prophesied that although a glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of their sanctuary: "...they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters." (v. 12-13). Jeremiah cried out to God as a result: "Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise...Be not a terror unto me: thou art my hope in the day of evil." (v. 14, 17). After the attacks of 9/11, neither America, nor the Church, took that moment to search their own hearts, and repent, and cry out as Jeremiah did. Instead, a verse from Isaiah was read by our political leadership. That verse from Isa. 9:10, "The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones: the sycamores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars", is spoken by a proud, defiant and unrepentant Israel in facing the judgment of the LORD coming against them (see v. 9-12 for context). We as a nation also spoke those words in the same spirit of defiance. In Psalm 95, a call to praise unto the LORD, the writer exalts the LORD and also brings a warning: "For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods...For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work. Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways: Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest." The Book of Hebrews brought this same Psalm to the attention of the believers in Christ, adding: "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God....lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end....Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it...For the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Heb. 3:7-18, and 4:1-2, excerpts). The heart is deceitful and wicked above all things, as Jeremiah wrote. Don't be fooled by it, because God is not fooled, but discerns the true state of our hearts, and we are required to examine and guard our own hearts. The Book of Proverbs tells us the care that is needed to keep our hearts: "...Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments and live. Get wisdom, get understanding...Let them (my words) not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee." (Prov. 4:4-7, 20-24, excerpt). We see here a connection between what is in the heart, and the words that are spoken out of the mouth. Jesus taught the same saying, "O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh." (Mt. 12:34). In saying this, Jesus was speaking to the most religiously observant people of His day, but what was in their hearts, and came out of their mouths made them "vipers". Jesus also warned that we will have to give an account for every idle, empty, vain word which we have spoken, and by our own words we will be either justified or condemned (v. 35-37). According to the verses in Proverbs which we read above, and the words of Jesus, the words coming from our hearts and out of our mouths should be the same Words as God speaks. This is called homologea, or "speak the same". God created by speaking, and our words also have power and effect, for good or evil. We can only speak the Word of God if we have kept it within our hearts. We enter into salvation in the same manner - by what we believe in our hearts, and what we confess with our mouths (Rom. 10:9-10). King David wrote Psalm 26, and in it, he showed us the basis for God's judgment: "Judge me, O LORD...Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth...redeem me , and be merciful unto me..." (v. 1-3,11). In another Psalm of David's, Psalm 51, he pours out his heart before the LORD, because he has committied terrible sins: adultery and murder. David had a deep relationship with God, and God loved David, calling him, "a man after My own heart". However, David's heart, like the hearts of all men, was deceitful and wicked above all things. Now David must bring his heart before God, his only Hope: "Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight...Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me and I shall be whiter than snow...Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit...Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God...The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise...". As David knew, there is only one solution when we realize the sin hiding in the depths of our hearts. We must bring them to God. When we confess our sins to Him, God is faithful to forgive them. At this time of remembrance of the 9/11 tragedy, and other events in the world, and the approaching fall Feasts of the LORD, when men examine their own hearts, with the hope and prayer that they will be inscribed in the (LAMB's) Book of Life, it is necessary for the Church of believers to come before the LORD in repentance: "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." (2 Chron. 7:14). *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 9/11/2022 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.

Search the Scriptures*

In Acts 17, a special group of people in Berea were mentioned as those to whom Paul preached the Gospel. They were commended in this regard: "These (Bereans) were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed...". (Acts 17:11-12). The Bereans looked through what we call the Old Testament scriptures to verify what Paul was telling them about Christ and His suffering and resurrection (see v. 2-3). These scriptures caused them to believe. Jesus also said: "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me." (Jn. 5:39). If we search the scriptures, we will find Jesus. On this same occasion, Jesus spoke of His unbreakable connection to His Father in heaven: "For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth who he will...Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth my word, and believeth on Him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; and hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man." (v. 21-27). Jesus also spoke of the two parts of judgment: "...the hour is coming, in which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice; and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." (v. 28-29). There is a judgment for all. For those who believe in Christ, and live according to that belief and do good, eternal life awaits them. If we will search the scriptures, we will find that David spoke about this in Psalm 23. He spoke of experiencing the "shadow of death" without fear. Death has become just a shadow, rather than the reality, for those who believe and know the LORD as their Shepherd. Paul wrote, referring to the prophecy of Isaiah (64:4), that man has not seen, heard, nor understood the wonderful things that God has prepared for them that love Him. These things are revealed to us only by His Spirit: "...for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea the deep things of God." (1 Cor. 2:9-11). As we search the scriptures, the Spirit of God also searches on our behalf, to reveal to us those things that only God knows. Peter gives us an interesting look into how this mystery of Christ is revealed by the Spirit. He wrote to those who had never seen Jesus Christ, yet believed, and connected this to the prophets: "Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow." (1 Peter 1:8-11). It was the Spirit of God that revealed Christ to the prophets, not for their sakes alone, but to benefit us later. The very things that the prophets saw ahead by their diligent search of the Spirit of God, are the things that were revealed to us many centuries later for our salvation. We received this revealed Word by the same Holy Spirit sent from heaven for that purpose (v. 12). David, searching the Spirit of God, was given a prophetic revelation in Psalm 22, of Christ's suffering and crucifixion, a form of execution not invented until seven hundred years later by the Persians. Search the scriptures, and search the Holy Spirit as the prophets, the Bereans, and David did, and you will also find the Person of Jesus Christ, as Jesus said. This kind of revelation is to keep our minds, our soberness, and our hope, until the appearance of Jesus again (v. 13). Peter preached on the Day of Pentecost (see Acts 2:25-31) the prophetic revelation of the resurrected Jesus given to David. David wrote this revelation in Psalm 16: "I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." (v. 8-11). Peter said that David was both dead and buried (the Upper Room of Acts 2 is located above the Tomb of David), but, speaking to us as a prophet, and according to the promise which God had sworn to him, David was speaking of the Messiah to come, who would be the fruit of his loins, of his flesh, in a future generation of David's, to be raised from the dead incorruptible, and seated on David's throne (Acts 2:29-31). Those who search the scriptures are kept and made strong in the discovery of the prophetic promises and their sovereign fulfillment. Ezekiel prophesied of this same King and Shepherd, whom he called "David", even though David was dead long before this prophetic word came forth: "...Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen...and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land: And I will make them one nation...; and one king shall be king to them all...I will save them out of all their dwelling places, wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them: so shall they be my people, and I will be their God. And David my servant shall be king over them; and they shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them." (Ezek. 37:21-24). The LORD also prophesied the everlasting covenant of peace that He will make with His people, and of His sanctuary that will be in the midst of them forever (v. 26). This refers to the millennial reign of Christ. The prophecy regarding David as their King and Shepherd immediately follows a prophecy shown to Ezekiel in which God will unite as one, Ephraim, the son of Joseph, and a tribe of Israel, and Judah, another tribe of Israel. Joseph's son Ephraim, meaning "doubly fruitful", was born of a Gentile mother in Egypt. The name's feminine form, Ephratah, refers to Bethlehem, the birthplace of Christ, and the place where the Passover lambs are pastured during the year. The Book of Revelation confirms the prophecy of Ezekiel, and David as well: "And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful." Rev. 21:3-5). Serch the scriptures, for His Word is indeed true and faithful. *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 8/28/2022 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.

Living the Covenant*

The word "covenant" is used 272 times in scripture. The first mention of covenant comes in the story of Noah. As God told Noah His plan to flood the earth because the intent of men's hearts was only evil, He also said: "But with thee will I establish my covenant (berit - alliance, agreement, friendship; divine ordinances and laws with divine signs); and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy son's wives with thee." (Gen. 6:18, 9:8-10). Noah had found grace with the LORD, and he and some animals from every living thing of all flesh would be saved in the ark. The LORD also promised Noah as part of His covenant that He would not destroy flesh by waters of a flood again (Gen. 9:11). He gave Noah and man a sign of this promise: "...This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth...when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud: and I will remember my covenant...the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth." (Gen. 9:12-17). The everlasting covenant of God was not just with Noah, but with all living creatures of flesh, and with the earth. God also made a covenant with Abraham. Abraham fell on his face before the LORD, and received this promise from God: "And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. And I will give unto thee and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God." (Gen. 17:7-8). The current crisis that we see oer the land which was called Canaan, is over the requirement of this covenant that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was and is to be their God. There are those in the area of conflict, who are the seed of Abraham after the flesh, for he eventually had many children. However, God's everlasting covenant requires that He, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, is their God, and not another god. Jesus said that God could raise children of Abraham up from the stones. There was also another requirement of Abraham in this everlasting covenant with God. All members of his household must be circumcised by the time the child is eight days old: "...my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant." (v. 10-13). Science has since confirmed what God already knew: the clotting factor in blood is not fully developed until the eighth day of life. When Abraham's son Isaac was miraculously born in Sarah's old age, the LORD made clear that His covenant would continue with Isaac, although Abraham also loved Ishmael: "But my covenant shall I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year...I will establish my covenant with him, and with his seed after him." (v. 17-21). Later, after the children of Israel were delivered out of the slavery of Egypt, the priests would have a requirement to fulfill in God's covenant with them. They would be required to keep the lamp of the LORD, that was in the tabernacle, burning with pure olive oil as a statute forever. They were to make and place twelve new cakes on the pure table before the LORD in the tabernacle every sabbath: "Every sabbath he shall set it in order before the LORD continually, being taken from the children of Israel by an everlasting covenant." (Lev. 24:1-8). Today, there are those in Israel making plans to construct a third temple so that they may keep this covenant with God, as He commanded. We have a role that is required to be fulfilled in the covenant also. When Moses and the people were in the wilderness, the men of Israel had joined themselves with the women of Moab and Midian in idol worship. A plague broke out among the people because of the anger of God. Phinehas, the grandson of Aaron the priest, killed an unrepentant Israelite and his idolatrous foreign wife with his javelin, and the plague was stopped. Because of the zeal of God in Phinehas, the LORD made a covenant with him and with his seed after him: "Behold I give unto him my covenant of peace...the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel." (Num. 25:11-13). David, who was raised up and anointed by God to be ruler over the people of Israel spoke of the everlasting covenant that God had made with him, and his role in that covenant. David said that he spoke by the Spirit of God, with the Word of God in his tongue. As a ruler, he was to rule justly, in the fear of God. He was to be as light, and he knew that his salvation was in the everlasting covenant that God had made with him (2 Sam. 23:1-5). Isaiah wrote the Word of the LORD concerning the land being emptied and spoiled. The whole earth, in fact, would languish and fade away, and the haughty people of the earth also: "The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant." (Isa. 24:1-5). We have broken the covenant. Remember, judgment begins at the house of the LORD. However, God offers His cleansing and renewal to us, as a free gift, as well as His everlasting covenant: "Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David." (Isa. 55:1-3). David, when he had sinned, sought the renewal and cleansing of the LORD in repentance (Ps. 51). David is a witness to us of this covenant of mercy and forgiveness with God. As God prophesied about raising His people up to Ezekiel, He spoke about cleansing their sin and transgressions. The LORD promised to bring the Messiah, like David, to rule as King over His people forever. They shall dwell in the land that God has given them, "...even they, and their children, and their children's children for ever. Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore." (Ezek. 37:21-28). In the Book of Hebrews, we are reminded that the blood of the everlasting covenant, through Jesus Christ whom God raised from the dead, makes us perfect in every good work to do His will, working in us in a way that is well pleasing in His sight (Heb. 13:20-21). We have the covenant with God as we live and walk in that covenant before Him. *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 7/17/2022 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.

Running From Nineveh*

We all celebrated Thanksgiving this week. Giving thanks to the Lord is vital to our walk with Him. In Paul's letter to the Thessalonians, he wrote about the sudden coming of the Lord: "But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night." (1 Thess. 5:1-2). Paul wrote about the sudden destruction that would come upon those in darkness, who wrongfully believe that peace and safety has been achieved. He points out our difference from them in that we are not of the darkness, but are children of light (v. 3-5), "Therefore, let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober." (v. 6). Paul reminded believers that "God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ." (v. 9). He continued to give instructions to the church in preparation for these end times. These instructions included: warn the unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient, do not render evil but do good, rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing, and: "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." (v. 14-18). We give thanks in all things and not for all things. Even in the turmoil of these times, we need to keep giving God thanks. David, whose life was threatened many times by his enemies, wrote and sang songs of thanksgiving to God. He knew that thanks and praise lifted up to the LORD, saved him from those enemies: "And he said, The LORD is my rock and my fortress, and my deliverer; The God of my rock, in him will I trust; he is...my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence. I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies....In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears...He sent from above, he took me; he drew me out of many waters...Therefore, I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name. He is the tower of salvation for his king: and sheweth mercy to his anointed, unto David, and to his seed for evermore." (2 Sam. 22). David said that the mercy of the Lord was not only to David but to his seed eternally - not just his physical seed, but his spiritual seed. We are the seed of Abraham, and David, by the Spirit. As Paul wrote, being a Jew is not defined by an outward circumcision, but inwardly, a circumcision of the heart. In another Psalm it is written: "Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations." (Psalm 100). One of the sources of our thanksgiving according to the Psalm is that God made us. We have a Creator. We did not make ourselves, and we thankfully belong to Him. It is a lie of this age that we came into being by happenstance with no connection to a Creator. This is just one reason that the spirit of thanksgiving seems to be absent among man today. A lack of thanksgiving and praise can be a problem among God's people as well. The mission of Jonah to Nineveh shows how running from the presence of God causes a man to begin a journey of "going down" or descent, while prayer, thanks and praise causes God to lift a man up and out. The LORD instructed Jonah to go to Nineveh (a city founded in idolatry) to deliver the Word of the LORD: "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me." (Jon. 1:2). Jonah, instead, flees from the presence of the LORD and "went down" to Joppa to find a ship to take him to Tarshish. At Tarshish, Jonah "went down" into the ship to "go from the presence of the LORD". The LORD sent a great wind and a mighty tempest against the ship, and the crew grew afraid. The crew discovered that Jonah's disobedience had brought this storm upon them, and Jonah suggested that they cast him into the sea to save themselves. After trying every other remedy, the crew did finally cast Jonah over the side, and made sacrifices and vows before the LORD. The LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the fish for three days and nights (Jon. 1:17). This is also the sign that Jesus prophesied regarding His own death and resurrection, "the sign of Jonah". From this place within the fish's belly, Jonah prayed to the LORD: "I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice." (Jon. 2:2). Jonah described his circumstances within death and hell. "I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about me for ever: yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption, O LORD my God...But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD." (Jon. 2:6-9). The LORD then spoke to the fish and it vomited Jonah out onto dry land. Jonah entered Nineveh and began to preach to them what the LORD had sent him to preach. The fact that he had been cast out of the mouth of the great fish, and looked it, probably caused Nineveh to listen to the Word that Jonah brought more attentively than if he had come to them in the normal way! Upon hearing the Word of the LORD from Jonah, all the citizens of Nineveh repented with fasting. The king ordered all to turn from their evil ways, and the violence that was in their hands. The king hoped that the LORD would turn from the judgment He had planned for Nineveh. (Jon. 3:8-9). The LORD did accept their repentance. Jonah became very angry that the LORD removed His judgment from Nineveh. He was so angry, that he wished to die. The church is full of anger also, getting involved in arguments and even sometimes violence. Jonah, who had received the mercy of the LORD, was angry when the LORD showed the same mercy to Nineveh. Jonah, who saw the deliverance even from death, in the power of prayer and praise to God, and the offering of the sacrifice of thanksgiving, soon forgot those very things. The LORD asked Jonah: "And should I not spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?" (Jon. 4:11). With this question, the Book of Jonah ends, but the same question to us remains. The LORD has given the church the Word of the LORD to deliver to our Nineveh today. Will we flee from Nineveh as Jonah did? I pray that we, God's people, would repent, and seek His face continually, and that God would indeed hear from heaven, forgive, and heal our land. *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 11/28/21 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, and endtimeschool.com.

America! It's Not Too Late!*

Whatever we have done personally, or as a nation, it's not too late. After he was removed from office for refusing to take down the Ten Commandments from his court, Judge Roy Moore wrote a poem titled, "America, the Beautiful". It is a poem about how far America had drifted from its noble beginnings. It is too long to write out here, but the ending of his poem is: "...How are we to face our God, from Whom we cannot hide? What then is left for us to do, but stem this evil tide? If we who are His children, will humbly turn and pray; Seek His holy face and mend our evil way: Then God will hear from Heaven and forgive us of our sins, He'll heal our sickly land and those who live within. But, America the Beautiful, if you don't - then you will see, A sad but Holy God withdraw His hand from Thee." The prophet Jeremiah also saw his nation rejecting the prophetic warning of the LORD, and rushing into the consequences that awaited them. He laments for his country and himself in the Book of Lamentations. He wrote as a man who found himself in a spiritual place seemingly without hope: "He hath set me in dark places, as they that be dead of old. He hath hedged me about that I cannot get out: he hath made my chain heavy. Also when I cry and shout, he shutteth out my prayer...He hath turned aside my ways, and pulled me in pieces: he hath made me desolate...And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the LORD..." (Lam. 3:6-8, 11, 18). He was a prophet who was not hearing from the LORD, and believed that the LORD was no longer hearing him. Then from within his own soul, a reminder came: "My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me. This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD." (v. 20-26). We, the watchmen for our nation, need to recognize that God is our mercy. The prophet Jonah, whose name means "Dove", fled from the command of God that he go to the wicked nation of Nineveh, and bring them a warning that God's judgment was about to fall upon them. Because of Jonah's disobedience, the ship on which he fled was overtaken by a terrible tempest that threatened to destroy the ship (Jonah 1:4). Jonah was thrown overboard and swallowed by a great fish that had been prepared by the LORD. Jonah described his sinking and the swallowing by the great fish as death: "Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight..." (Jonah 2:1-5). Yet from within Jonah, the hope of deliverance was brought to his mind: "...yet I will look again toward thy holy temple...yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption, O LORD my God. When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD; and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple. They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy. But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD." (v.4-9). As Jonah humbled himself, and remembered Who the LORD was: "... the LORD spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon dry land." (v. 10). There is a heaven to gain, a hell to shun, and, like Jonah, we have a calling to fulfill. In the story of Ruth, Ruth ("friendship") and her mother-in-law, Naomi ("Pleasant"), who had been living in Moab, had lost everything. The nation of Moab had its beginning many years in the past from an incestuous relationship. Naomi's husband had died, and two sons, whose names meant "sick" and "wasting away", had died. One of her sons had been married to Ruth, the Moabite. Naomi's heart had turned bitter from the grief at these losses. When she decided to return to her homeland and her town of Bethlehem ("House of Bread"), her daughter-in-law Ruth, did not want to be separated from Naomi. Ruth vowed to stay with Naomi saying, "Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go...thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God..." (Ruth 1:16). When they arrived in Bethlehem, the whole town came out to see them, and asked if this was Naomi. Naomi told them not to call her Naomi ("Pleasant") any longer, but "Bitter", "for the LORD Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me...the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me." (v. 20-21). However, the LORD of mercy had not turned His back on Naomi, but had brought her back to Bethlehem, "the House of Bread", to redeem and restore her. As Naomi saw how her kinsman Boaz had taken an interest in Ruth, hope began to grow in Naomi's heart. Boaz redeemed her husband's inheritance, and married her daughter-in-law, Ruth. A child was born to them named Obed, who would become the future King David's grandfather. Naomi got to hold and nurse the new child, as another son. Naomi, like Job, spoke wrong words in her desperation and grief, but God's mercy was still there for her. Despite our beginnings or circumstances, each person has a purpose, and an opportunity for the mercy of God. After he became king, David was moved to ask if there were any living family members of the house of Saul, the previous king who had died at the hand of the LORD for his disobedience (2 Sam. 9:1-4). King Saul had also spent many years chasing and trying to kill David. Yet, the mercy of the LORD was prompting David to seek out the descendants of Saul, not in order to kill them, as would have been the custom of the day, but to bless them, and show mercy upon them. Saul's son, Jonathan, David's very dear friend, did have a son who was lame from an injury suffered while fleeing as a child after his father and grandfather died. He was now living his life in poverty. Jonathan's son, Mephibosheth (meaning "exterminating the idol"), is brought to, and humbles himself before David, and David restores all of Saul's lands to him, as well as servants to work that land, and brings Mephibosheth to his own king's table, a place of honor and provision (v. 5-13). Neither physical issues nor family history can keep you from the promise and mercy of God. The prophet Ezekiel was given the Word of the LORD concerning the appointment of the watchman. He said that if the watchman warns, and if the people in iniquity heed the warning, and turn from evil as a result, they deliver their soul. If the watchman warns of the coming "sword" as he is supposed to do, and the people do not heed the warning, the watchman is innocent of blood on his hands, and the blood of the guilty will be upon their own heads. However, if the watchman sees the destruction approaching, and fails to sound the warning, the blood of those who were not given a chance to repent will be on his hands (see Ezekiel chapters 3, 22, 33). The LORD says to the watchman: "So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me." (Ezek. 33:7). The provision of mercy is available to those in iniquity, if they are warned, and if they heed the warning and repent. God's rebuke was especially upon prophets, and the priests who failed to teach the people the difference between the holy and the profane as revealed in God's Word, and for the princes, the powerful, who preyed upon the people for their own gain (Ezek. 22:23-29). We see this same circumstance in America every day. Regarding this situation, God made a sad pronouncement: "And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none. Therefore I have poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way I have recompensed upon their heads, saith the LORD God." (v. 30-31). As an apostle, I am telling you that YOU are the appointed watchmen of whom God's Word commands to bring warning to the people when we see the forces of destruction and judgment entering the land. Are we standing in the gap for America? It is not too late. Have we become indifferent to our purpose regarding this nation? In the Book of Revelation, Jesus sternly corrects the church in Laodicea. He said that their works reflected that they were neither hot nor cold, but lukewarm. He said, "So then because thou art lukewarm, I will spue thee out of my mouth." (Rev. 3:14-16). However, it is not too late for the lukewarm church either. Jesus urged them to buy gold tried in the fire, rather than the worldly wealth of which they were so proud and felt so secure, and to acquire the white raiment of righteousness. They were to anoint their eyes with salve so they might "see". He reminded this lukewarm church that He rebukes and chastens those whom He loves. If this church would receive His correction, and change their ways, Jesus promised this great mercy, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come into him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." (v. 17-22). Church, it is not too late! America, it is not too late! *Based upon Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 11/7/21 message to the church. If you would like to contact us for prayer, a praise report, or to support this ministry write to P.O. Box 154221, Waco, TX 76705 OR Everlastingcovenant@ymail.com. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, and at endtimeschool.com.

Look Up, Lift Up Your Heads!*

Looking around at the world these days, it is difficult not to become discouraged. We have seen a pandemic, political chaos and division, and financial turmoil. However, Jesus told His disciples that when they see these things begin to come to pass, to look up, lift our heads, for our redemption draws nigh (Lk. 21:28). The writer of the Book of Hebrews, whom I believe to be Paul, said: "Wherefore seeing we also are encompassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin." (Heb. 12:1-4). Jesus always had His eyes upward, on His Father, and therefore, was able to put all of His trust in the success of God's plan for the salvation of man, and His role as the sacrifice for it. The great warrior of God, David, faced a terrible situation when he and his men came home from war with the Philistines to find that their home city of Ziklag had been invaded by the Amalekites, and burned. Not only was their stronghold destroyed, but the women and children, including David's two wives, had been taken away captive: "Then David and the people that were with him lift up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep...And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God." (1 Sam. 30:1-6). As David turned his face to the LORD, he was given the assurance of victory, went in pursuit of the Amalekites, and retrieved the captives. David recovered all (v. 18-19). In Psalm 42, the psalmist had a feeling of being downcast, continually in tears, feeling forgotten and forsaken by God. Jesus experienced this same crushing separation from God on the cross. The psalmist was even looking forward to his own death in order to escape the feeling of hopelessness that overwhelmed him. However, he sought God in His holy house, following the crowds, singing the songs of joy and praise there. In the middle of this challenge to his soul, the psalmist declared in God's house, "Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life...Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God." Like David, the psalmist lifted up his head, and encouraged himself in the LORD. After his victorious showdown with the prophets of Ba'al before all Israel, Elijah is threatened by the king's wife, Jezebel (1 Kings 19:1-18). Elijah flees in fear as a result of this threat. We see a terrible spiritual attack here upon Elijah as he is overcome with a suicidal desire: "...it is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers." (v. 4). Elijah is at his lowest point. The LORD miraculously sends an angel to minister food and drink to strengthen Elijah, who travelled forty days on the strength of that food to a cave at Mt. Horeb, the mount of God. There again, Elijah, instead of looking up, and seeing the miraculous hand of God upon him, saw only his dreadful circumstances. Elijah said to the LORD: "...I have been very jealous for the LORD of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my ife to take it away." (v. 10). There were great and dramatic events before Elijah then - a great and strong wind that smasshed stone and mountains, an earthquake, and then a fire. However, the LORD was not in any of these overwhelming events. Finally, after these shaking events, there was a still, small voice, in which the LORD was found by Elijah as he came to the entrance of the cave to hear it. After experiencing all of these things, Elijah still spoke to the LORD of being the only prophet of God left in Israel, and of how others were seeking to take his life away (11-14). In answer, the LORD gave Elijah his prophetic assignments for the days ahead, and declared to Elijah, "Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Ba'al, and every mouth which hath not kissed him." (v. 15-18). The LORD was still working, even prophetically appointing the next generation of kings and prophets. In addition, God's remnant remained in Israel to worship Him, regardless of how it had looked to Elijah's eyes. We are not alone, to be subject to fear and despondency. We have only to look up, to have our purpose renewed by God, and to be encouraged in His prophetic plans in Christ. As Jesus described the great challenges that come to the people of God, when they feel weakest and most overcome, He told them what they would see if they would just look up (Mt. 5:1-16). Those who were poor in spirit, acknowledging their total dependence on God, were really blessed, because the kingdom of God belonged to such as themselves. Those who felt loss in mourning were blessed, because they would be comforted by God. Those who were meek, quiet and humble but with stength, were blessed, because they would inherit the whole earth. Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness as if they were were suffering starvation for it, were blessed, because they would find themselves filled with that righteousness. Those who are merciful to others despite the trying circumstanes, are blessed, because they will receive the mercy of God. Those who keep their hearts pure, perhaps in loneliness, regardless of the impurity around them, are blessed, because they shall see God. Those who are peacemakers, pursuing peace even in situations of strife and violent events, are blessed, because God shall call them His children. Those who experience persecution and false accusation for their faith, are blessed, and should rejoice exceedingly, because they have great rewards in heaven. Don't look at wickedness, but look at God. This is what keeps us as light and salt in the earth. Unless we are determined to lift our heads to seek our lives' truth in God, rather than the circumstances around us, we as spiritual salt lose our savor, and the darkness overcomes the spiritual light within us as we hold it low, and allow circumstances to cover it. This is a truth we need to know, especially in these last days that are a challenge for all believers. *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 6/27/21 message to the church. To contact, or to purchase the new book, "NAZAH: White Linen and the Blood of Sprinkling": P.O. Box 154221, Waco, TX 76705 OR Everlastingcovenant@ymail.com. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, and at endtimeschool.com

Snatching Victory From Defeat*

 

The signs of the End Times are increasing all around us. It is a time of many challenges, even persecution, for believers, because the Devil has come down with great wrath, knowing his time is short. Through all however, we are called to snatch victory from defeat. The prophet Isaiah revealed the root cause for the condition of defeat in God's people:

"Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God; and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness. None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity...Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: And the LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment. And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor..."   Isa. 59:1-4, 15-16

Isaiah found that the root cause of the failure to see the favor of God is because our own iniquity separates us, isolates us, from Him. The evil things that the world does, we, God's people, are doing also. We are participating in the very things God has said that He hates, and even considers abomination, according to His Word found in Prov. 6:16-19. 

Isaiah goes on to say that as no man has stepped forward in word or prayer:

"...therefore his (God's) arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him. For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke. According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompense to his enemies;...So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun."  v. 16-19

The LORD sent His own salvation and righteousness, in the absence of it in man. Though conditions in the natural were total defeat, the LORD brought victory out of the spiritual realm. This is where the greatest victory comes from- not from the earthly realm, but the heavenly realm:

"When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard ("nus"- to cause to disappear, to put to flight) against him. And the redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD."  v. 19

In this spiritual victory over the enemy that the LORD has gotten by His own arm, the results are wide-sweeping. His Redeemer comes, and God's people who repent reap the great benefits:

"As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; my spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy (the prophet's) mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed...from henceforth and for ever. Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising."   Isa. 59:21, 60:1-3

The same Spirit that anointed the prophet, and directed the words in his mouth, will also be upon the people. We are to speak the same word, the homologea, as God speaks in scripture. His glory, the same glory as the Father and Himself, shall be upon us, even as Jesus prayed (Jn. 17:22). That light and glory will bring Gentiles and kings, sons and daughters to us and to Him (v. 4).
We see examples of victory being snatched from defeat in scripture, like David, bare handed, snatching his lambs from the mouths of lions and bears. In Exodus, Moses and the children of Israel were trapped with the Sea in front of them, and the greatest king at the time, Pharaoh of Egypt, and his army coming up behind them. The people, seeing only the defeat that faced them in the natural, despaired at Moses for bringing them out of Egypt into the wilderness to die (Ex. 14:12). However, Moses declared to them:
"Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The LORD shall fight for you, and you shall hold your peace."  v. 13-14
As Moses raised his rod as God instructed him, and stretched forth his hand over the sea, the waters were parted and heaped up like walls, and the children of Israel went through the Sea on dry ground (v. 22). When the Egyptian army pursued them into the sea, the waters, at the direction of Moses, returned upon the army, and not one escaped (v. 27-28).
At a time when he had been anointed, but had not yet become king, David faced one of his greatest possible defeats if seen through the natural circumstances. When David and his men had come to Ziklag (meaning "winding, an out flowing of a fountain"), the Amalekites (descendants of Esau) had raided it, set it on fire, and taken all of their wives and children, including David's two wives (1 Sam. 30:1-3). David and his men wept with despair. His men even talked of stoning him, because he had led them to this place of defeat. However, David encouraged (to be firm, restore to strength, display strength, repair) himself in the LORD (v. 6). David then sent for the priest and inquired of the LORD whether he should pursue the enemy, and the LORD gave him the word to pursue: "...for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all." (v. 8). David and a portion of his men did indeed attack the Amalekites, not only recovering their families and possessions, but the huge spoil of the Amalekites as well. And all the spoil, called "David's spoil" was divided among all, even his weary men who had staid behind at the brook Besor (root meaning: gladden with good news, glad tidings, show forth, messenger, preach, announce salvation), and also with others who had supported David throughout Judah and beyond. This is also an encouragement for all in the Body of Christ who have been a support to others who have been in ministry.
In the natural circumstances, it seemed that David faced losing his family, his prophesied kingship, even his life. However, shortly after the miraculous victory over the Amalekites, Saul was killed, and David did indeed become king. From defeat to victory is the miraculous work of God in His people.
In these Last Days before Christ's return, it seems that there are many things about which to feel discouraged and even fearful. There are many voices that are shouting "Defeat!" to those who love God. However, we have been called to snatch victory from defeat in the name of Jesus, our salvation, and that victory is achieved first in the Spirit by the Word in our mouths, and then manifests in the natural. As the word of the LORD was seen by Isaiah:
"And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem."  Isa. 2:1-3
This is the word of "victory" in our mouths through the arm of God - His Son, Jesus the Messiah, our righteousness and our salvation.

*The above is based upon the 12/8/19 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:

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

https://everlastingcovenant.sermon.net/main/main/21320220
 

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/  

 



Thanksgiving Everyday and in Every Way*

 

Historically, we have an image of Thanksgiving that involves Pilgrims and Native Americans, who offered the first settlers help to survive in an unfamiliar land. To Native Americans now, Thanksgiving is associated with the beginning of a campaign of genocide against them.

In scripture, however, thanksgiving is often taught, not as a one-day holiday, but as a spiritual principle and way of life that should permeate our relationship with God. The Psalms make multiple references to the importance of giving thanks to God. Our thanksgiving relationship with God begins even before we are fully formed in the womb (Ps. 139). The apostles also taught the importance of thanksgiving as a daily part of our worship and prayers:

"Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice...The Lord is at hand. Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing 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. 4:4-7

The apostle does not say that we are thankful for everything, but in everything. Our prayers should never be without thanksgiving. In return, that thanksgiving keeps us in the peace of God, and keeps us in Christ Jesus. Thanksgiving to God is so vital in scripture, that it is described as "the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" (1 Thess. 5:18). The practice of thanksgiving to God then, spiritually impacts each of us personally.

However, not only does thanksgiving affect our personal spiritual growth, but thanksgiving in the mouth of a believer affects our state of peace and our pursuit of godliness in our society, and also the salvation of all people:

"I exhort therefore that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth."  1 Tim. 2:1-4

We certainly need our society today, which is hostile to all mention and belief in God and Christ, to allow us to live in peace to worship God as we are commanded to do by His word. Regardless of how we may think about the political representatives and bodies in our land, we are commanded to pray for them with thanksgiving for our own benefit.

Do we want to see men saved and coming to the knowledge of the truth of God? This starts in our thanksgiving to God for all men, according to the scriptures. Paul continues, "I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting." (v.8).

David wrote many psalms of thanksgiving, including this one following the miraculous defeat of the Philistines, and the joyful return of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem among songs of praise:

"Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people...Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually...Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The LORD reigneth...O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever. And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise."  1 Chron. 16 (excerpt)

A later king, Jehoshaphat, also used praise and thanksgiving to worship the LORD, who then brought about a miraculous victory against surrounding and outnumbering enemy armies:

"...Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall you be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper...he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever. And when they begin to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten."  2 Chron. 20:20-22

Not only were the armies of the three enemy nations defeated, but Israel spent three days gathering spoil, because it was so abundant (v. 25). The spoil was so great, it was more than they could carry away.

We should use this time at our Thanksgiving holiday as a "life review", and a "miracle review". Are we incorporating thanksgiving in our lives everyday and in everything? The Word says that we would see great and mighty changes, personally and on a large scale,  if we do so.

 

*The above is based upon the 12/1/19 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:

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

https://everlastingcovenant.sermon.net/main/main/21320220
 

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/  

The Midnight Cry

!967: Israeli Army Enters Jerusalem

 

Recently, there has been an increase in both anti-Israel and anti-Semitic rhetoric and violence throughout the nations. We have just witnessed the worst act of violence against Jews in this nation's history with the mass murder of 11 Sabbath worshippers at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. These evil events should immediately bring to mind the prophetic words of scripture, especially pertaining to these last days.

There was an unshakeable, unbreakable covenant promise given to Israel by the LORD which we have seen fulfilled in our generation. God repeatedly promised through His prophets that Israel, despite seemingly impossible circumstances, would one day be restored as a nation, and the people would live in the land once again. Not only would the LORD physically restore the land of Israel and its people, but He would also spiritually restore the people of Israel, and their relationship with Him. The Church has often embraced the false teaching that it has replaced Israel, and has become this spiritual Israel, but the scriptures are very clear that God has never abandoned His promises for the nation and people of Israel:

"Thus speaketh the LORD God of Israel saying, Write thee all the words that I have spoken unto thee in a book. For lo, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will bring again the captives of my people Israel and Judah, saith the LORD: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it....Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger...and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely. And they shall be my people, and I shall be their God...And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them...Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart and with my whole soul."   Jer. 30:2-3, 32:37-38, 40-41

The LORD swore this promise even though the nations and heathen people had taken Israel as a prey, and had made it desolate (Ez. 36:1-5). Not only did God promise to restore the nation of Israel, but to make it multiply and prosper like never before:

"And I will multiply upon you man and beast; and they shall increase and bring fruit: and I will settle you after your old estates, and will do better unto you than at your beginnings: and ye shall know that I am the LORD."   Ez. 36:11

This has been an ongoing, eternal, living promise to Israel, which the LORD has kept repeatedly despite numerous historical destructions of Israel and the Jewish people by enemy nations and heathens. Men and nations would be wise to keep this promise in mind, because God also promised to pour His wrath upon all who would come against His land and people. Those who think that they do God a favor by persecuting His land, or the Jewish people, are deceived and in danger of judgment. Though God has carried out this judgment wrath against these persecutors throughout history, He specifically promises this for the latter days:

"Behold, the whirlwind (hurricane, storm, rage, to be violently shaken) of the LORD goeth forth with fury, a continuing (to catch, chew, and chew again) whirlwind : it shall fall with pain upon the head of the wicked. The fierce anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have done it, and until he have performed the intents of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it."   Jer. 30:23-24

Along with the physical restoration of Israel, comes the prophetic promise of a spiritual restoration and revival:

"Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah...I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people...I will forgive their iniquity and I will remember their sin no more."   Jer. 31:31-34 (excerpt)

The above is a promise that can never end. It is assured for as long as the sun, moon, stars, seas and waves exist (v. 35). This promise is directly connected to the promise regarding the land:

"For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean...A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you, and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh...And I will put my spirit within you...And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I shall be your God."

                                                                                                Ez. 36:24-28 (excerpt)

God has indeed brought Jews out of all the nations of the earth, and returned them to a miraculously restored nation of Israel in our time. He will also initiate a new covenant with its spiritual revival in them. He promises the kingship of the Messiah, like the kingship of David, upon His restored nation (Jer. 30:9, Ez. 37:24-25), and His tabernacle in their midst forever (Ez. 37:26). The Messianic kingship promise is joined with the restoration of the land. As we have seen Israel restored as a nation, this is a sign that we will see the return of our Messiah, Jesus, soon.
The LORD also promises Israel the resurrection from the dead in connection with His promise concerning the restoration of the land (Ez. 37:12-14), and the miraculous joining of two separate sticks, or branches of faith, together into a single stick (stalk, tree, branch, carpenter, root meaning: to shut, firm) in the hand of the prophet. One stick represents the Gentiles of faith, and the other represents the Jewish branch of faith (v. 15-20). Those days are indeed ahead in the near future.

The LORD has also prophesied the terrible persecution that His people and nation will see in the future. He calls it "the time of Jacob's trouble". After the restoration of the land, it will be a time so terrible, that nothing like it has ever existed before - a time of terror and fear. However, God promises that they shall be saved out of it (Jer. 30:3-8):

"...again there shall be heard in this place....The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good, and his mercy endureth for ever...Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will perform that good thing which I have promised unto the house of Israel and to the house of Judah...In those days...will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land. In those days, shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The LORD our righteousness."  

                                                                                          Jer. 33:10-11, 14-16 (excerpt)

As we see the prophesied restoration of the nation of Israel and the city of Jerusalem being fulfilled, the midnight hour has come when the friend of the bridegroom must be crying out, "Behold, the bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him."

To Contact/Submit Prayer Request/Support the Ministry/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.