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.

A House Divided*

I grow concerned that because of the machinations of the enemy, we, the church, are becoming a house divided. Unbelievers are taking the Word of God in their mouths, and misusing it for their own plans, saying things like, "If you are a Christian, then you should be supporting the law recognizing abortion as 'a woman's right to choose'", as well as persecuting believers for not observing other laws enacted that contradict God's Word. The Word of God is not to be used to further men's agendas, but it is to be regarded as truth directed by the Holy Spirit to shine light upon men: "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the daystar arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." (2 Peter 1:19-21). Today we see men misusing the Word as a bludgeon against the church. The misuse of the Word of God, whether by believers or unbelievers, causes division. Unbelief concerning the Word also causes division. Jesus sent His disciples out with specific commands: "And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils..." (Mk. 3:13-19, excerpt). Why isn't the church walking in this? It is because of doubt and unbelief, which also cause divisions within the church, as the church debates whether miracles are still for today. Even His own friends tried to lay hold of Jesus, saying "He is beside himself" (v. 21). Our own friends and family can be opposed to our born-again, Spirit-filled faith, and our obedience to the Word of God. As Jesus worked miracles, religious experts called scribes, who transcribed and taught the Word of God, accused Jesus of casting out devils by the power of Beelzebub, the prince of devils! (v. 22). Jesus asked those critics how Satan could cast out Satan? He said: "And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end." (v. 24-26). Jesus warned that although many blasphemies may be forgiven, this kind of blasphemy, the attribution of the power and work of the Holy Spirit to that of Satan, is a blasphmemy that cannot be forgiven: "But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation." (v. 29). We have a perfect example in scripture of Satan using the Word of God incorrectly and inaccurately to deceive, just as he did to Adam and Eve in Genesis 3, in order to divide man from God, and each other. Satan did so again in trying to tempt even Jesus to abandon His purpose by quoting scripture inappropriately. The Holy Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness in order to be tempted. Jesus had been fasting for 40 days and nights (Mt. 4:1-2). The Tempter came to Jesus in His hunger and said, "If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread." Having been led by the Holy Spirit to fast for this time, Jesus gave this answer to that temptation: "It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." (v. 3-4). Then the devil took Jesus to the holy city and set Him upon the pinnacle of the temple, and instructed Him to cast Himself down from it. The devil assured Jesus that by the promise he quoted in the Word of God (Ps. 91:11-12), no harm could come to Jesus. Jesus spoke of a commandment of God that truly and more perfectly applied to this temptation: "It is written again, thou shalt not tempt the LORD thy God." (v. 6-7). Finally, the devil showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the earth, and their glory, promising that he would give them to Jesus "...if thou wilt fall down and worship me." (v. 8-9). Jesus answered, "Get thee hence, Satan,: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the LORD thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." (v. 10). At that point, the devil left Him, and angels came and ministered to Jesus. Does the church recognize when the devil, or men, twist the scriptures for their own purposes (2 Peter 3:16)? This is a source of division in the church. Not only is this a question of rightly discerning and applying the scriptures, but it is also an issue that is affected by character. Jesus taught of a spiritual character that would keep us in the righteous mind and Spirit of God, which is necessary to stand against these kinds of temptations. These spiritual qualities are called The Beatitudes (Mt. 5:1-12), and they include a blessing for those "which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." Jesus also spoke about the merciful, and the peacemakers, the humble and the pure in heart. Especially in these times, when the attack of division has come so strongly against the church, we should seek these spiritual qualities that Jesus considered important for His disciples. Following the teaching of The Beatitudes, Jesus then described believers in Him as being the salt of the earth, and the light of the world (Mt. 5:13-16). He pointed out, however, that if we as salt have lost our savor, or if we as light, have failed to shine that light of good works before men, then the salt becomes "good for nothing", and the Father is not glorified. We do these works of salt and light understanding that men will scorn and even persecute us because of it, but Jesus also said, "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." (Mt. 5:10-12). Having prepared His disciples in all of these things, Jesus called the twelve to him and "he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease." (Mt. 10:1). Jesus sent them to the lost sheep of Israel, as it was not yet the time to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles or the Samaritans (v. 5-6). "As ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of God is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give." (v. 7-8). The disciples were to leave their peace with those cities and households that would hear and receive them. They were to let their peace return to them from those places that would not receive them, even shaking the dust from their feet as they leave those places (v. 11-14). Jesus spoke concerning any city that did not receive the Gospel that the disciples would bring: "Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." (v. 15-16). Jesus warned them, "...but beware of men". Men, and the systems of men, would hurt them, accuse them, and judge them, He said (v. 17-18). On those occasions, they were to speak as the Holy Spirit would give them the words to speak, not relying on their own pre-planned words: "For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you." (v. 19-20). We can see how the anointed leading of the Holy Spirit putting the words in our mouths is what is needed today more than ever. The division in the church comes not only from the world's twisting of the Word of God for their own purposes against the church, but also words spoken within the church of believers that are not directed by the Holy Spirit. Some speak against other believers who are not like themselves, and conclude that they are not saved. These are also not the words spoken out of the humble, righteous and pure hearts of The Beatitudes, nor are they edifying words that are salt and light. All of these things lead us into the danger of becoming a house divided. *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 10/3/21 message to the church. To contact us with a prayer request, a praise report, or to support the ministry: P.O. Box 154221, Waco, TX 76705 OR Everlastingcovenant@ymail.com. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, and at endtimeschool.com.

What Do They See & What Do YOU See?

 

"Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?...He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid, as it were, our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed...we have turned everyone to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all..."

                                                                                           Isaiah 53:1-6

This remarkable prophetic description from Isaiah of the atonement sacrifice of Christ, the Messiah, written hundreds of years before Christ's death, asks us "Who hath believed our report?". What do you believe?

After His death, and burial, Jesus' two disciples saw something in His empty tomb that caused them to believe. Mary Magdalene had discovered that the stone had been taken away from the tomb, and then ran to tell Simon Peter, and John. Let's look carefully at this account:
"And he (John) stooping down, and looking in, saw (blepo: look, be aware of) the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulcher, and seeth (theoreo: discern, perceive) the linen clothes lie, and the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. Then went in also that other disciple (John), which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw (eido:understand, a form, shape, appearance), and believed (pisteuo:be committed unto, to put trust in, place confidence in, faith, assurance, strong conviction of truth). For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead."  Jn. 20:5-9
The two disciples saw, discerned and came to an understanding, and believed with assurance, not because they knew from scripture that Jesus was to rise from the dead, but because something they saw involving the linen clothes that were left in the empty tomb strongly convinced and assured them of the fact. They didn't just see an empty tomb. They saw evidence left behind of a resurrection.
As Jesus appears on separate occasions to His disciples after His resurrection, He is focused on the fact that they are eye witnesses, who see Him, and can clearly identify Him by the wounds on His hands and side (Jn. 20:18-28). He also later scolds the disciples who did not believe the witnessed evidence of His resurrection:
"Afterward, he appeared to the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided (to revile, reproach, shame) them with their unbelief and hardness (harsh, violent, offensive, intolerable, fierce) of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen."   Mk. 16:14
As Jesus dealt with His disciples for their deliberate attitude of rejection in the face of eye witness accounts of His resurrection, we can see that He expects us, when we are confronted with firm evidence that He provides, to accept and believe the truth. As Isaiah asked, "Who hath believed our report?"
Paul also refers to the eye witnesses who could testify that they saw Jesus after His death. These eye witnesses included not only Peter, and the rest of the twelve disciples, but five hundred additional, and later James, and then Paul, himself, to whom Jesus appeared some time after His resurrection (1 Cor. 15:5-8).
In a very interesting letter from Paul to the Galatians, Paul reveals that the early church also had evidence that could be seen, in addition to the eyewitness testimony:
O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?"  Gal. 3:1
The Galatians had seen evidence of Christ's crucifixion with their eyes, and Paul was scolding them for backing away from it. What physical evidence could they have seen with their eyes of the crucifixion, but those linen clothes that so strongly convinced John and Peter in the empty tomb?
Paul also refers to a mirror image, which is a reversed image, to the church at Corinth (the Shroud also contains a mirror, or reversed image):
"For now, we see through a glass (mirror), darkly; but then, face to face: now I know in part, but then shall I know even as also I am known...But we all with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."   1 Cor. 13:12, 2 Cor. 3:18
Of course, the truth of the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ does not rely solely on a piece of physical evidence, like the Shroud. Scripture prophesies these events clearly. Paul said:
"...Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures."   1 Cor. 15:3-4
Paul was not referring to New Testament scriptures, when he said this. The events were clearly prophesied in detail in the Old Testament. Below are some short examples:
"My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?...I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet...They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture...."  Ps. 22, a Psalm of David
"...and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one who is in bitterness for his firstborn."   Zech. 12:10
"I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting."   Isa. 50:6
There are those, like the disciple Thomas, who must see in order to believe. For them, there is prophetic scripture and its fulfillment, the eyewitness testimony of the hundreds who saw Jesus after His resurrection, and the physical evidence of the Shroud of Turin, believed by many to be the linen cloth from the empty tomb that impacted the two disciples so strongly when they saw it. The Shroud not only depicts the obvious ravages and wounds of crucifixion on a man, but it also shows the more subtle, yet scientifically accurate consequences of crucifixion to the body. The Shroud is not an idol image to be worshipped, but a witness to, and physical evidence of, the moment of resurrection. Jesus understands the need of some to see, in order to believe (Jn. 20:24-29), and knowing that need, He has provided the evidence to see. He also knows that there are those who will believe without needing to "see", because they feel the truth of it in their hearts.
Don't let hardness of heart keep you from accepting the evidence of Christ's crucifixion and resurrection that has been provided to you from Him.

Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior:

Jesus, I want to know You as my Lord, and as my Savior, who covers my sins, and cleanses my heart. Come into my heart, and also fill me with the Holy Spirit, who will lead me into all truth, and will teach me how to follow You. I believe that You are the Son of God, the Messiah, that You were crucified for me, and rose from the dead to give me everlasting life. I believe that You are coming again. Lord Jesus, in Your name I believe, pray, and receive all of these things. Amen.

To Contact/Submit Prayer Request/To Support the Ministry:
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
http://endtimeschool.com/

To Hear the Complete Message (Highly Recommended):
https://www.facebook.com/kenneth.e.stevenson/videos/10211415344281114/

Dr. Stevenson's new book "NAZAH: White Linen and the Blood of Sprinkling" is now available on Amazon.com, or at the above websites.

To view a presentation by Dr. Stevenson on the Shroud:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBXgmbHWG64
 

Back to Simplicity in Christ

 

There are many people who do not accept the miraculous. It was so in the days of Christ, and it is so today. Even for some of those who consider themselves Christians, the miraculous events in scripture are met with disbelief. However, miracles of every kind filled the life and ministry of Christ, and cannot be separated from Him. It is very important that we do not lose this very foundational aspect of Christ's life, and our faith:

"But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ."  2 Cor. 11:3

One of the simplest truths of Christ is His connection to miracles. The Devil, through his nature as an eternal liar (Jn. 8:44) has always tried to challenge God's truths, even from the very beginning:

"Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, "Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?"   Gen. 3:1

Paul was concerned that Satan was using the same tactics on the Church in order to undermine its most elemental truths- challenging the believer saying "Did God really say that?" That danger still exists, and even more so because we live in the End Times. One of the signs of these perilous times and the rise of the antichrist, is the strong delusion, and the lies that will be accepted by men because they refuse to receive God's truth (2 Thess. 2:7-12). It gives unrighteous men pleasure to believe lies rather than to believe what God has said. The Church should not accept those same lies and delusions.

A basic, foundational, simplicity in Jesus Christ is that He associated Himself with truth (Jn. 14:6), and the miraculous works of His Father:

"Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak unto you, I speak not of Myself: but the Father that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me: or else believe Me for the very works' sake."   Jn. 14:10-11

Not only were the miraculous works part of Christ's very identity, but they illustrated His oneness with Father God, because these were His Father's works. For this reason, it is even more important to Jesus that we believe these miraculous works because they are His Father's. The story doesn't end there. Jesus gave this same power and authority to His twelve disciples:

"And when He had called unto Him His twelve disciples, He gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease..."And as ye go, preach, saying The kingdom of heaven is at hand."

These miracles works went hand in hand with the teaching, preaching and repentance of the kingdom of God.

Jesus went further still. The power and authority of the miraculous works that attended the kingdom of heaven were not limited to the twelve disciples only. Jesus also gave this command to the seventy disciples:

"After these things, the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before His face into every city and place, whither He Himself would come..."...heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you...Behold, I give you the power to tread (trample, crush) on serpents (snake, serpent, malicious person, especially Satan) and scorpions (hidden, pierce, skeptic), and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you."   Lk. 10:1, 9, 19

However, the power and authority of the miraculous works that accompanied the preaching of the kingdom of God were not just ordained for the twelve and the seventy. Jesus commanded it to all who believe:
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto My Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything, in My name, I will do it....And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover."   Jn. 14:12-14, and Mk. 16:17-18
Some have suggested that these wonderful works of God, given by command of Christ to all who believe, were only for the purpose of the establishment of the Church, and have since passed away, or that the works were limited to the ministry of early believers in Israel. However, the promise and command from Jesus to His believers is a universal and eternal one:
"And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, "All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations....Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world (age)." Amen."   Mt. 28:18, 19a, 20b
The ultimate calling of all believers is to a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (Eph. 4:13), and that fullness includes His miraculous works, the works of the Father.

This is simplicity in Christ.

To Contact/Give:
PO Box 155
Christmas, FL. 32709
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
http://endtimeschool.com/
To hear Dr. Stevenson's full message:
https://www.facebook.com/kenneth.e.stevenson/posts/10210381093945502

Podcast interview regarding the soon to be available book "Nazah-White Linen and the Blood of Sprinkling":
https://cpnshows.com/shows/loveleads/ac23f7060ad1451d0aa4bb3fc9b879a1



 



What the Kingdom Declares

 

The Kingdom of God declares transformative truths in the heavens and on earth. They are truths that impact the individual, the circumstances and condition of life, and even the earth, itself.

The Kingdom declares:

the Lordship of God, both in heaven and on earth, and consequently, the Lordship of Christ, who did only His Father's will in the earth (Mt. 11:25, 27, Col. 1:16-20):

"For by Him (Christ) were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth...and He is before all things, and by Him all things consist..."

The Kingdom declares: 
that it comes by revelation to those whom the Father chooses (Mt. 11:25):

"...Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes."

The Kingdom declares:

repentance that opens the door to the Kingdom. Repentance transforms the destiny of a person, city or nation. Jesus said that after seeing the great works of the Kingdom, we should come to a place of repentance (Mt. 11:20-24):

"Then began He (Jesus) to upbraid the cities wherein most of His mighty works were done, because they repented not."

The Kingdom declares:

that repentance begins the process of deliverance. As we turn away from darkness, we are brought into the light of the Son's Kingdom (Col. 1:13, 1 Pet. 2:9, Jn. 3:21):

"Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness..." 

"...ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."

The Kingdom declares:
the restoration of "zoe" life. It is the same kind of life the Father has-kedem (eternal) and olam (everlasting): from antiquity, without ceasing, into an unending future. It is life in abundance in every way (Jn. 3:15-17):

"...whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life...everlasting life..."
The Kingdom declares:
reconciliation. The things of the earth have been reconciled with the things in heaven. Man and God have been reconciled by the forgiveness of sin through the blood of Christ (Col. 1:14, 20, 22):
"...having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometimes alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled."
The Kingdom declares:
that we have been translated (removed from one place to another, changed, to carry away, to pass over, transfer, transport), even as Enoch was translated that he should not see death (Heb. 11:5). We also have already been translated from darkness to light, from death unto life, from corruptible (flesh) to incorruptible. This is the rapture, already accomplished in the spirit, and soon, we believe, to be experienced in the natural (Col. 1:13):
"(The Father) who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the Kingdom of His dear Son."

The Kingdom of God has declared, and is still declaring, these great truths. Jesus sent out His disciples to carry the truth of the Kingdom to others. They were not just to preach the Kingdom, but to demonstrate the Kingdom. This was even before the cross (Mk. 6:7-13, Lk. 9:1-6):
"And He called unto Him the twelve, and began to send them forth two by two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;...And they went out and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them."
"And He sent them to preach the Kingdom of God, and to heal the sick...And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where."
Not only did Jesus send out the twelve, but He also sent the seventy-two in the same manner. They were not to be concerned with their provision, nor fear possible rejection. If their message of the Kingdom was rejected, they were to just continue on to the next town. 
The Kingdom of God is not just for us to receive with joy. It is also, by command, for us to take out to others by word and demonstration. It is for us to declare and demonstrate the sovereignty and Lordship of God and Christ, bringing the truth of the transformative power and deliverance of repentance. It is for us to declare the reconciliation between God and man, and between things on earth, and things in heaven. We are to show that not only are we reconciled, but we are translated. As His disciples obediently went out in power before the cross, how much more should we be demonstrating the Kingdom and converting others two thousand years after the cross?
This week, and in the coming weeks, it is not enough to treasure the gospel to ourselves. In these days when men are perishing, it is a necessity to be the Kingdom to others. Jesus has sent us out. What is holding us back, and what report will we bring back to Him?

To contact/give:
P.O. Box 155
Christmas, FL. 32709
http://everlastingcovenant.wixsite.com/theshroud