Show the House to the House*

Considering the signs of the times, and what I am seeing in the church, I want to revisit a message I did some time ago titled "Show the House to the House". However, I wanted to revisit the subject again to update it by hearing what the Lord was saying at this time to His House. The LORD spoke to His prophet, Ezekiel, saying: "Thou son of man, shew the (aleph-tav) house to the (aleph-tav) house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities: and let them measure the (aleph-tav) pattern. And if they be ashamed of all that they have done, shew them the form of the house, and the fashion thereof, and the goings out thereof, nd the comings in thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the laws thereof: and write it in their sight, that they may keep the whole form thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and do them. This is the law of the house; Upon the top of the mountain the whole limit thereof round about shall be most holy. Behold, this is the law of the house." (Ezek. 43:10-12). Scripture says that we are the living stones that are being built up into the spiritual house of God. There is a form we are to follow to be that House of God. The presence of the written aleph-tav, the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet, noted before some of the words above, causes us to think of the Alpha and Omega, the corresponding first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, by which Jesus identified Himself in Revelation. As with Ezekiel, Isaiah also prophesied of the LORD's mountain and His house: "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 the 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. And he shall judge among the nations...neither shall they learn war any more. O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the LORD." (Isa. 2:1-5). Jesus said that we are to be salt and light, walking in His light, to draw the lost. Peter wrote that we are a holy, royal priesthood offering righteous sacrifices before the LORD. Jesus spoke of the faithful servant: "Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching...Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh when ye think not." (Lk. 12:35-40). Being dressed properly, with lights burning, is part of "watching" in expectation and preparation for the Master's return. The master of the parable would not be pleased to find his home dark, and his servants asleep, and unable to open the door for him upon his return from "the wedding". Many, as Peter wrote, mock the idea of the Lord's return with His judgment, but the servants of the house of the Lord are to be expectantly waiting and prepared. Jesus gave us a parable regarding those who were not prepared, who did not have their lamps lit. The parable was about the kingdom of God being like ten virgins who took their lamps, and went to meet the bridegroom (Mt. 25:1-13). In Greek, the word for "lamps" is lampas/lampo, meaning "a lamp whose flame is fed with oil/to shine, give light". Oil is a representation of the Holy Spirit in scripture. Of the ten virgins, five were foolish. They took their lamps, but took no oil with them. Five were wise, having their lamps with the oil needed to light them. The bridegroom was later than expected, so all ten of the virgins fell asleep. Suddenly, at midnight, the cry they had been waiting for is heard: "Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him." (v. 6). All rose and trimmed (kosmeo - to put in order) their lamps (Are you in order?), but the lamps of the five foolish virgins went out for lack of oil. Frantically, they asked the five wise virgins to give them some of their oil, which the wise refused to do. The foolish virgins were told to go buy their own oil from where it could be obtained. While the foolish were doing that, the bridegroom came, and those wise virgins who were ready went into the marriage, and the door was shut (v. 10). Afterwards the foolish virgins arrived and asked the Lord to open the door for them, but the Lord said, "Verily I say unto you, I know you not." Jesus concluded this parable about the kingdom of God saying, "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh." (v. 13). Again we are told to be prepared, to have our lamps lit. Jesus told His disciples that they were the salt of the earth (Mt. 5:13). But, He said, salt that has lost its savor is good for nothing, except to be thrown into the street. At the same time, Jesus told His disciples: "Ye are the light of the world." He spoke of a lighted city that is set on a hill and cannot be hidden from sight. A candle lit is not put under a bushel, but is lifted high and placed upon a lampstand to light the house. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (v. 16). God's house is bursting with the light of the believers within it. It is a light fueled by the oil of the Holy Spirit, and the shining works inspired by the Holy Spirit. Those works reflect the foundation of the whole law: Thou shalt love the LORD, and thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. As the evil of this world grows darker, God's living house is to grow brighter: "...be blameless and harmless, the sons of God without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life..." (Phil. 2:15-16). Things done in the flesh just cause men to respond in the flesh, but things done by the oil of the Spirit, and the light of the Word of God, brings forth light and life in return. We saw, in the beginning of this message, how the LORD wanted Ezekiel to show the house to the house of Israel, that they might be ashamed of their iniquities. Isaiah received a similar Word from the LORD: "Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins." (Isa. 58:1). The LORD spoke to the prophet about a people who are covered in sin, yet seek the LORD for His justice as if they were righteous, and not as a nation that had cast off God's ordinances. They would come before Him wanting to know why He hasn't answered them, even though they fasted for an answer (v. 2-3). They had, in reality, moved so far from God that they could not see just how far from God they had gone. The fast in which they had such great religious pride and confidence, by which they thought to make God answer, had nothing to do with the true Spirit of God. They used the fast to feel more righteous than others, the LORD said, to create strife and debate, to point the finger at others, to put on a religious display before men, as well as God (v. 4-5, 9). They even observed the Sabbath in a vain way - outwardly complying, but doing as they pleased on a day set aside in the holiness of God (v. 13). The LORD described the Spirit of His fast, which accomplishes powerful results: "Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him (see also Mt. 25:35-40); and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward...then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday..." (v. 6-8, 10). The results of this kind of fast did not end there. The LORD said that He would answer when they called. He would guide them and satisfy their soul: "Thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in." (v. 11-12). Also, keeping the Sabbath in its true meaning, rather than in the vanity of their own pleasure, would result in the genuine pleasure found in the LORD: "Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD, and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD has spoken it." (v. 14). Along the same lines, in speaking about those who trusted in their own self-righteousness, Jesus told the parable of two men who came to the house of God to pray. The first man was a Pharisee, someone who would be considered a devout and learned man by others. The second man was a publican, or tax collector, one of those condemned by the people: "The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are...even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all I possess. And the publican, standing a far off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." (Lk. 18:9-14). Before telling this parable, Jesus spoke of how God would speedily avenge His elect that cry to Him day and night. However, Jesus added this question: "Nevertheless, when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" (v. 7-8). Many view themselves as the elect of God, but true faith in God, that shines like a light in the darkness, is found in the humble and contrite heart as Jesus said (see also 2 Chron. 7:14). The light of faith, which watches and prepares for the Master's return, looks like this: "Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints...Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb...These are the true sayings of God." (Rev. 19:7-9). The Shroud of Turin, which carries the image of the death, burial, and even the resurrection of Jesus, was also of clean, white linen. There is a free book, "The Shroud of Turin: The Perfect Summary", that is available to all who ask. See how to receive your free book in the details below. *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 5/21/23 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. You can also get a free ebook titled "The Shroud of Turin- A Perfect Summary" at www.TheShroudofTurin.org/freebook.

WWJD*

We have seen the letters "WWJD" before. They mean "What Would Jesus Do?" With our nation rushing towards judgment, and Christians entering into divisive arguments, even sometimes condoning violence so long as it gets the results desired, the question, "What would Jesus do?" becomes more important now than ever before. How does Jesus impact the world? How does He view those who believe in Him, and what does He expect their responses to the world to be? First, it is by Jesus that all things were created: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not." (Jn. 1:1-5). John told us here the same thing that is revealed in the Hebrew language of Genesis 1:1, translated into English as "In the beginning, God...". However, in Hebrew, it is written "Bareshiet Elohim (Aleph-Tav)". Aleph-Tav is also how Jesus identified Himself in Revelation 1:8 as "...Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End...". John wrote above that in Jesus was zoe life, supernatural life, abundant life, the God-kind of life. This life is light that shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overpower it. John the Baptist witnessed that Jesus was the true Light that came into the world, and He lights every man who comes into the world (Jn. 1:8-9). Jesus is the Word of God who became flesh for us to receive (Jn. 1:14). Many of His own did not receive Jesus, but to those who did, He gave them power to become sons of God (Jn. 1:11-12). Those who did, and do receive Jesus are then born not by the will of men, but by the will of God (v. 13). Jesus was not just a teacher, or a good man, but He is with God, He is God, and He cannot be separated from God. Those who receive Him as such become spiritually reborn, as Jesus explained to Nicodemus, a religious leader who came to speak with Jesus only at night so he wouldn't be seen by others (Jn. 1:1-2). Nicodemus is one of those who identified Jesus as a teacher, a rabbi, whom, Nicodemus concedes, must be with God because of the miracles Jesus performed. Jesus told Nicodemus that he must understand more than that. Nicodemus must be born again, or he won't see the kingdom of God (v. 3). Jesus makes no doubt that there is a difference between those of the flesh, and those of the Spirit of God: "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again." (Jn. 3:5-7). Those who have received Jesus are born again of the Spirit of God. There is to be a difference between those born of the flesh, and those born of the Spirit, between those who are sons of men, and those who are given the power by Jesus to become sons of God. Jesus explained to Nicodemus that God sent His Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but to save it, and whoever believes on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life (Jn. 3:16-17). However, there are those who condemn themselves. They are the ones who love darkness instead of the Light sent into the world, because their deeds are evil. Jesus said: "For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved." (v. 20). Today in this country, we see this as lawlessness abounds everywhere we look. Those who do truth, however, Jesus said, come to the light giving evidence that their deeds are done in God (v. 21). Jesus again differentiates between those in the world and those who are part of the kingdom of God in the Beatitudes. Here He teaches how those of the Spirit of God interact with the world in a life changing way. Jesus said that those who are pure in heart will see God. Those who are peacemakers, rather than dividers, are the children of God. However, we continually see those who fight one another, claiming to be believers, each claiming the righteousness of their own positions. Jesus continued in the Gospel of Matthew to call us salt and light in the earth, not hiding who we are, and what we believe, but letting our light shine, and our salt cleanse and purify (v. 13-16). Part of this is to love your enemies, to bless those who curse you, and pray for them that persecute you or abuse you (v. 43-47). Jesus concluded: "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." (v. 48). We are not supposed to be like the world, but like our Father. As we also see today, there are so many divisions by race and ethnicity in the world, and, unfortunately, also in the church. What would Jesus have us to do? Should we be fanning the flames of racial division? The early church faced the problem head on. The apostles and believers in Jerusalem, who were Jewish believers, were shocked to hear that Gentiles were being preached the Gospel, and they questioned Peter as to why he was doing this. Peter told them of his experiences - he received a vision from heaven that told him that the "unclean" were now "clean". He had preached in a Gentile's home, and before he could even finish preaching the Gospel, the Holy Spirit fell and filled all in the house. God was showing no partiality, and was allowing no exclusion, regarding who was to receive the Gospel, salvation, and the infilling of the Holy Spirit. The leaders of the church in Jerusalem had to admit: "...God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life." (Acts 11:1-18). All who have prepared their hearts to receive, may receive. Not only was the church to include Gentiles, but those of different races also (Acts 13:1). Simeon, called Niger, or Black, was one of the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch. He was one of those leaders who laid hands on Saul (Paul) and Barnabas and released them into ministry (v. 2-4). It was of this church at Antioch, full of believers of diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds, that believers were first called "Christians", or "Christ-like ones". The Book of Revelation identifies those who were redeemed by the blood of the Lamb are "out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on earth." (Rev. 5:9-10). They were clothed in white robes, having come out of great tribulation. They made their robes white in the blood of the Lamb (Rev. 7:9-14). It is not assured that believers will not experience tribulation. Jesus instructed us to pray in order to be accounted worthy to escape those things which are coming on the earth. It is time for the church to stand up for what is righteous. It is time to be what Jesus calls us to be. He has not called us to be like the world, but like our Father in heaven. The disturbing things we see occurring in the world, in our nation, can be laid directly at the church's feet. God's Word said, "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). What would Jesus do? Jesus is not looking for the world to change, but for us to change, and be those who are born of the Spirit of God. *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 11/21/21 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.