Archive for April, 2015

The Shulamite

Saturday, April 11th, 2015

In the Song of Songs,  the young woman is described as a Shulamite which means "the perfect" or "the peaceful" and she has fallen in Love.  This particular book of the Bible was penned by Solomon who was known at the time as being the wisest man on earth.  However, his wisdom did not prevent him from becoming lawless and as a result, he followed after other gods.  The Old Covenant was insufficient to turn man from his wicked ways even if he had been given Wisdom from Above.  This reality emphasizes the need for salvation in Christ and the importance of His life-giving Blood.

It is my conviction that the young Shulamite woman represents our soul in search of the Spiritual with the culmination of the search being a union through marriage.  This book is not about doing, it is about “being”.  Yes, women typically like to read this book for its focus on the bride-to-be and her quest for the Love of her life.  In the Jewish circles, young boys are not allowed to read this book until Bar Mitzvah because of its apparent erotic nature.

The Shulamite (perfect and peaceful) is searching for the one who will complete her.  Perfection and peace will only come to full maturity when she becomes one with her Beloved.  This is true for the Body of Christ being one with the Head- Jesus Christ.  As Paul stated in 1 Corinthians chapter 13:

10 But when that which is perfect (Love) has come, then that which is in part (prophecy) will be done away.

Prophecy looks to the future whereas Love is now.  Expectation versus reality, which would you rather reside in?  When we are in HIS Presence, peace springs forth for we are not fretting about some temporal issue or being gripped with fear of the unknown.  FATHER’S Love quiets us as we focus on HIM.  Jesus commanded peace to come forth in Mark chapter 4:

35 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.”

36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him.

37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.

38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.

40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”

41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

The sea represents the sea of humanity, the flesh.  Jesus Christ is the only way to true peace and the soul is in search of this highest level of peace.  When the flesh leads the search, sin and lawlessness result.  When the spirit is in command through Love, peace from Above comes forth.  The true desire and longing of the soul is to become one with the spirit.  When this occurs time and space are transcended and we no longer are moved by the temporal.  Only by Love will this marriage occur and any other attempt to bring these two aspects of our being together will only end in frustration.  Let us be perfect in HIS Love and we will truly walk in peace!

Be separated unto Holiness

Friday, April 10th, 2015

If we are of the same purpose, we can be in unity.  If our purpose or focus is different then we are on a different path and cannot become as one.  Those who are called to be in the Body of Christ must be separated from those who are not.  This does not mean to isolate ourselves from others although there may be times when we are called to do so for a specific season.  Jesus ministered among the ungodly by day but separated himself by night and had “one on one” time with FATHER.

In 2 Corinthians chapter 6, Paul tells us:

14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?

The Greek word for yoke is zygos.  It means to be bound together in a burdensome manner; a balance, pair of scales.  You cannot fellowship with darkness and retain the light in you.  You cannot have a business partner who is lawless and expect to be immune from the judgment associated with his lawless activities.  You simply cannot fellowship with someone who is promoting judgment from FATHER due to their actions and path.

FATHER is patient while you take action to separate yourself from the lawlessness and will withhold the fullness of HIS judgment until you are at a safe distance.  But do not tarry.  As you pursue the revelation of Love, HE will expose the lawlessness of those whom you have a relationship in order that you can make safe passage away from them before the judgment arrives.  You should still Love those who are lawless but from a distance.

You must not be moved by peer pressure.  There are those who appear to have superior knowledge who would try to convince you that you have misread the situation and that you should continue on the same path with them.  In certain cases, they may overwhelm you with Scripture to support their path.  However in your spirit you will have a check about their path.  FATHER will remove your peace until you depart their company.  It is becoming increasingly important to spend quality time with FATHER as we move toward the close of this Age.

Paul continues:

15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?

16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

​​​“I will dwell in them

​​And walk among them.

​​I will be their God,

​​And they shall be My people.”

In the Old Testament, FATHER walked among the people. Now HE dwells in us.  Do you see HIM on some distant planet?  Do you see HIM in some local church or have you finally come to the realization that HE is in you for you are HIS temple?  Your temple is located in the center of your being and it cannot be accessed by lawlessness, unbelief, or by the worshipping of idols.  Paul further states:

17 Therefore

​​“Come out from among them

​​And be separate, says the Lord.

​​Do not touch what is unclean,

​​And I will receive you.”

18 ​​“I will be a Father to you,

​​And you shall be My sons and daughters,

​​Says the LORD Almighty.”

Oh what a promise and commitment by FATHER!  As we separate ourselves from the lawless and unclean, we gain access to HIS Presence in our temple.  We are told to seek HIS Face and when we do, we can hear HIS specific Word to us.  How can our hearts be pure if we fellowship with the lawless?  How can we remain clean if we dwell with the unclean?  We are told to heed these words in order for us to come into the fullness of our calling as well as our personal safety.

The word for yoke is also the word for balance or scale.  This particular word is found in Revelation chapter 6:

5  When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come and see.” So I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand.

Black is the absence of light and color,or lack of understanding.  The black horse denotes a revelation of darkness and exposes the carnal mind and fleshly nature.  It provides a comparison of darkness versus the light of reality and Truth that the Spirit brings.  Once we have a revelation of Love and Truth, darkness is exposed and we must depart from its presence.  The scales denote a comparison against a standard of Truth, light versus darkness.

The Song of Songs is the book of Love in the Bible.  The term “Beloved” is used more in this book than any other and this is the ultimate Song or message.  “My Beloved” is Our Lord Jesus Christ Who dwells in our spirit and our soul is represented by the woman.  Our soul is awaken by HIM and now she seeks Him.  On a corporate level, the Body of Christ is now awakened to the revelation of Love and must prepare itself for the marriage.  On a personal level, our soul and spirit will become.  On a corporate level, the Body of Christ will receive the Head and will receive the power and authority to minister His Love to all mankind.  The result of the marriage will be a glorified body at the personal as well as the corporate level.  Given this understanding, we can appreciate the woman’s own description of herself:

Song 1:5 I am dark, but lovely,
O daughters of Jerusalem,
Like the tents of Kedar,
Like the curtains of Solomon

Given that she represents the soul and Her Beloved represents Jesus Christ, it is time to read the Song of Songs.  It will encourage you to be separated unto Holiness.  Now is the time for the final preparation.  Our Beloved is coming!

Withdrawing yourself

Thursday, April 9th, 2015

Jesus had to withdraw himself from others in order to begin His ministry thus He spent forty days in the wilderness for this final preparation.  Moses had to withdraw from the camp where the stiff-necked people were.  These people were set in their way and were unwilling to submit to change from the status quo:

Exodus 33:7  Moses took his tent and pitched it outside the camp, far from the camp, and called it the tabernacle of meeting. And it came to pass that everyone who sought the LORD went out to the tabernacle of meeting which was outside the camp.

The result of Moses inquiring of FATHER concerning HIS Plan:

14  And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

There are times where we must remove ourselves from others who have for whatever reason ceased in their maturing process.  Other times it is for our focused instruction without distraction.  In any case, we must look at this withdrawal to reestablish our priorities in our walk with FATHER.

Separation is for preparation.  Jesus ended his previous activities and their associated requirements and departed to the wilderness.  This allowed Him to enter into the next phase of His calling.  All of the worldly aspects of life had to be set aside so He could complete His final preparation and enter into the new phase of FATHER’S plan thus He had to be removed from the previous attachments of life.

1 Timothy 6:3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness,

4 he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions,

5 useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself

There is a truth we must keep before us- “We become like the company we keep.”  There are many who use the “Christian” card to get you to drop your guard in business.  Over the years I have come across many who claim to live by the Word of GOD and then proceed to lie, cheat, and steal.  They wear their Christianity as a badge but their actions don’t line up with their words.  It is unfortunate but we must withdraw ourselves from their association.  It is one thing to minister to them but another to have a business relationship.  When their judgment arrives, you do not want to be collateral damage.

As you pursue the revelation of Love, FATHER will expose all relationships that are unwholesome in your life.  HE will then give you the opportunity to decide whether or not to continue in those relationships.  Some may be personal, others may be business.  Business relationships may have been profitable in the past but now that the issue has been exposed, mercy and grace will soon be replaced by judgment.  That person has been given sufficient time to repent from his or her lawlessness.  If we do not withdraw ourselves from this known lawlessness, we too will take on a form of judgment.  FATHER will always provide another opportunity to replace the existing one but the decision is ours.

Don’t look at withdrawing yourself as a bad thing.  Sometimes it is to protect you from an impending judgment and FATHER wants to protect you from others’ lawlessness.  The result will be peace and rest.

Pure, Good, and Sincere

Wednesday, April 8th, 2015

1 Timothy 1:5  Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith,

6  from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk,

7  desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm.

It is my goal to simply do my designated part and function in the Body of Christ, no more but not less.  “No more” means to only do as I hear FATHER direct and not “help” HIM achieve some result beyond or outside HIS Plan.  FATHER has a unique training plan for each of us and there is no “formula” that I can share that will assure you of reaching some prescribed level of maturity in the Body of Christ.  My primary advice continues to be for each of us to focus on our own personal relationship with FATHER to the point we truly know HE is with us at all times and in all situations.  HE is not on some distant planet barely able to respond to our cry.

As we focus on the purification of our heart, we will be enabled to see FATHER’S Face.  HE tells us to seek HIS Face and if we do HE will heal our land thus we have a responsibility to be active in that pursuit.  The path toward the revelation of Love accomplishes that purification process.  When you pursue that path, the idle talk ceases and is no longer important to you.  What the world thrives on now seems like a waste of time and resources.  Instead, you must be about FATHER’S business.

We have a good conscience in knowing that we are truly pursuing FATHER according to the revelation we have and as HE reveals a mystery to us, we embrace it as well.  The worst thing we can do is become stationary and cease in our pursuit of maturity.  If you are effectively doing things according to a revelation you received ten years ago and nothing else has been revealed to you since, you may want to reassess your path and pursuit.

Those who are called “The Beloved” are the ones who should expect faith to operate in their lives:

Galatians 5:6  For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.

Your genealogy does not produce anything nor guarantees any position in Christ.  Faith works by Love thus Love is the catalyst for your faith to grow.  The faith movement in the past century by and large did not consider Love as the precursor to growing in faith.  In the end, many people became disenchanted by the lack of fruit as they pursued faith without Love.  Men and women wearing the finest clothes were standing up with empty promises of fame and fortune before the masses.  They tweaked the carnal desires of those in the audience to pursue their message that promised good fortune.  They manage to extract the last pennies from those who could not meet their rent payments.  How sad!  Agape Love was not in the building!  However, there were new planes in the hangar.

There have been those who would promise results if we just walked out a certain formula.  It was all about “doing”.  Revelation became rituals and rituals became traditions of men.  Their formulas would always keep the promised results in the future, just out of reach of the present.  Their motives were not based in the purity of Agape Love.  You once again needed to perform to get the results from Above.  When do you finally judge the fruit and determine the fruit is nonexistent?  Modifying men’s behavior does not change their hearts.  On the contrary, a change of the heart, will modify their behavior and walk to one of fruitfulness.

What does it mean to stray?  In this context, you have lost your first Love.  Remember back when the excitement of the revelation of Jesus Christ being your Lord and Savior burst forth in your spirit.  Your interest in all else was replaced by the Love for your Redeemer.  We must come to the point where our Love for FATHER exceeds our interest in all else.  When we move to that state, our faith is activated at a higher level for our trust in HIS Word to us is assured of coming to pass.  Why?  We know HE Loves us and would only guide us according to the purity and sincerity of that Love.  Since HE knows the past, present, and future, HE alone can and will guide us appropriately in our daily affairs.  We should trust HIM for the small decisions and direction as well as the large.

Works done without the intent of Love are dead works.  Without the understanding of the motivation of Love behind each law given creates idle talk.  Tattoos and piercings are prohibited in the Law yet in the U.S., there are more people with tattoos and piercings than ever before.  Why were those forbidden?  As Dr. Speckhart pointed out, those resulted in an interference of the energy flow of the body.  The result would be poor health in the future.  It is FATHER’S desire that we be in good health even as our soul prospers.  Those who know FATHER’s Divine Intent of Love is behind every law and statute will live a more peaceful and healthy life.

As we pursue walking in Love, our hearts will be pure, we will had a good conscience, and our sincere faith will be exercised in the area HE directs.  We will see good fruit abound to our account.  Life will be simpler and we will be at peace.

Move over California

Tuesday, April 7th, 2015

Oklahoma has now been crowned Earthquake Capital of the U.S., not an honor we were seeking.  If the “big one” hits, I guess we will begin selling beachfront property.

 

Earthquake graph

 

See:  http://www.eenews.net/stories/1059999114

The Closing of an Age

Tuesday, April 7th, 2015

Jesus’ earthly ministry culminated on the Cross at the end of the Passover Age.  His 3 1/2 year ministry had fulfilled all that FATHER had instructed.  In the first Gospel written by the Beloved disciple John, we find the following passage in chapter 19:

28 Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture (Psalm 22) he said, “I am thirsty.”

29 A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips.

30 When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and released his spirit.

Jesus proclaimed the closing of an Age when He spoke the words “It is finished!”  His only disciple there at the time of His proclamation was the Beloved disciple John to whom Jesus gave charge over His mother Mary.  John was the only disciple to be in close proximity to the declaration made by Jesus.  There were three Mary’s with him.

After His resurrection, Jesus ministered to the disciples for forty days. He presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of GOD.  Fast forward 2,000 years and we are once again at the closing of another age, the Age of Pentecost.  Instead of the only begotten Son being raised up to conclude the age, there are the many sons making up His Body.  These are the Sons who have been called the “very elect” by Jesus Himself:

Matthew 24:24  For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

The “very elect” do not rely on other men to show them the Way, the Truth, and the Life for they have a personal relationship with FATHER and know HIS Voice.  They dwell with HIM day by day, moment by moment and are ever aware that it is HIS Will to not only flow in them but through them as well.  Their focus is on the internal rather than the outward and external.  They are sensitive to the Truth- “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.”  They understand the importance of guarding their heart.

We are now anticipating another declaration of a similar nature to speak the words “It is finished”.  Paul revealed to us in Romans 8:

28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

The very elect have been in the process of being perfected for the closing of this age.  They have understood the necessity of being tried, tested, and matured unto perfection.  They have been given choices to judge or submit to FATHER’S judgment… they have chosen FATHER’S Way.  Their focus has moved away from the things of this world and have fixed their gaze toward Heaven.  They look not at menial tasks as being below them, but instead embrace every task expecting FATHER to be right there to reveal some further Truth or mystery of the Kingdom.  Everything is done in gratitude, not disdain.  They have become sensitive to the Holy Spirit in all things with the expectation of ministering to the next person they encounter, instant in season and out.

Once this maturing process converges on the endpoint of the age, we will hear the Words “It is finished” just as the Beloved disciple heard these age-ending words.

Revelation 10:7   but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets.

As we have seen over the past several months, the mysteries found in the book of Revelation are a further revealing of the many-membered Body of Christ.  Seven denotes the completion of the maturing process and when the “sounding of the seventh angel” occurs, the manifestation of the Sons’ ministry will be at hand.  This ministry will mark the end of the age.  Prophecy will be replaced by the manifested ministry of Love.  When the revelation of Love has been perfected in the hearts of the Sons, we will have a whole new appreciation for what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians chapter 13:

8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.

9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part.

10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

Wait on THE LORD

Monday, April 6th, 2015

Psalm 27:14  Wait on the LORD;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the LORD!

The word “wait” is the Hebrew word qavah and it means to wait, look for, hope, expect.  Just a little over 40 days ago, I received the Word from FATHER to “wait on THE LORD”.  This was a personal call for my wife and I to seek HIS FACE by setting ourselves apart for a period of time.

We were called to this time of separation but for what purpose?  Why did David write these words?  It was in response to hearing FATHER’S Voice:  When You said, “Seek My face,” ​​My heart said to You, “Your face, LORD, I will seek.” (Psalm 27:9)

To Solomon, FATHER spoke these words in 2 Chronicles chapter 7:

12 Then the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said to him: “I have heard your prayer, and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice.

13 When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people,

14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

15 Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place.

16 For now I have chosen and sanctified this house, that My name may be there forever; and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually.

When we “seek HIS Face” we are seeking HIS manifested Presence in our lives.  If it were not possible, HE would not have spoken this promise to David and Solomon.  In David’s case (In Psalm 27), David is proclaiming several things: 

The LORD is my light and my salvation;

​​​​The LORD is the strength of my life;

One thing I have desired of the LORD, ​​That will I seek: ​​That I may dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life,

​​To behold the beauty of the LORD,

​​And to inquire in His temple.

For in the time of trouble, ​​He shall hide me in His pavilion;

​​In the secret place of His tabernacle, ​​He shall hide me;

​​He shall set me high upon a rock.

FATHER has called us to turn away from a soulish, wicked path to the path of righteousness.  In response, HE will forgive us and heal our land.  Believe me, our land desperately needs healed.  It is HIS desire to not only dwell in our personal temples but to manifest Himself to us personally or to a much greater degree.  The Key that unlocks the door to this temple is Love.  Since David was a man of war, FATHER chose to have his son Solomon, a man of peace to build the earthly temple.  We must turn away from “war” as well and have peace in our lives.  How?  Pursue Love.  In 2 Timothy chapter 2, Paul encourages us:

20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor.

21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.

24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient,

What is the result of a pure heart?  Jesus tells us in Matthew chapter 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.”

Now is the time to wait on THE LORD and seek HIS Face for you will behold HIS Beauty and as this occurs, HIS Beauty will flow through you for all to behold as well.  You will be a vessel of honor and bring forth the Kingdom of GOD to this earth.

Book of Life

Sunday, April 5th, 2015

Revelation 3:5  “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.”

The Book of Life is a people who are led by HIS Life-giving Holy Spirit.  It is not a literal book, but is a specific message walked out by a group of people, the Body of Christ, to minister Love and Life to the rest of mankind.  A book has a encapsulated purpose designed to convey the intent of the author to anyone who reads the book.  This Divine Intent is to express life to the recipients who encounter those whose names are written in the Book of Life.

Paul expressed this truth in 2 Corinthians 3:

2 You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men;

3 clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is,of the heart.

Those of us who focus on being fully baptized in Love will walk accordingly.  We will not render evil for evil but but will always pursue what is good both for ourselves and for all who we encounter.  As we partake of Spiritual communion with Our Lord Jesus Christ, we take on His Life and character for death is swallowed up when Life comes on the scene.

Words convey a thought from one person to another.  That in itself is quite a miracle when you think about it.  Communication enables us to come into conscious unity in purpose and direction by first communicating our intent.  The Book of Life is filled with FATHER’S Divine Intent being carried out by those in unity with HIM.  HE established this in the beginning as Our Beloved John wrote in chapter 1 of his Gospel:

John 1:1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Unlike the other three Gospels, John starts at the “beginning”.  Compare how each Gospel starts out: 

Mark 1:1  The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Matthew 1:1  The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham:

Luke 1:1  Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us,

Revelation 1:1  The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John,

The final Gospel is the revelation of Jesus Christ given to us in “signs” or mysteries.  He sent and “gave us signs” of this revelation versus literal events.  A sign expresses a direction or path originating from one to another with some form of intent associated with it.  Signs always point to “somewhere”.

Jesus Christ came into this world as the manifested Word and Divine Intent of FATHER to do HIS Will and go to the Cross as an act of Love for all of mankind.  His death fulfills FATHER’S Will as spoken in Hebrews 10:7 quoting Psalm 40:

Psalm 40:6 ​​Sacrifice and offering You did not desire;

​​My ears You have opened.

​​Burnt offering and sin offering You did not require.

7 ​​Then I said, “Behold, I come;

​​In the scroll of the book it is written of me.

8 ​​I delight to do Your will, O my God,

​​And Your law is within my heart.”

As we do HIS Will, we are contained in the Book of Life and we eat from the Tree of Life.  As we walk according to man’s soulish ways and without the intent of Love, we produce dead works.  The ultimate result of this path is to have our name blotted out of the Book of Life.  We must not let unrighteousness prevail in our lives.  We must not let secondary and tertiary issues distract us from the primary focus of the revelation of Love.  We must have the intimate relationship with Our Heavenly Father at the forefront of our moment by moment consciousness.  We must desire to see others through HIS Eyes and not our soulish eyes.  HE is in us and for HIS flow to be unlocked and come forth, we must not have any other motive than Love.  Otherwise, the flow will remain in check.

As we realize that our words and actions are being “written” in the Lamb’s Book of Life, we will be conscious of this throughout each day.  Our acts will become as healing leaves to all the nations and we will become irresistible to those who are yet restored.  They will want to “read” the Book of Life and have their names recorded as well.   Let your life be an open book!

Have a Blessed Weekend!

Saturday, April 4th, 2015

The Revelation at Passover

Saturday, April 4th, 2015

Back in February, I sensed that the blog series on the Book of Revelation would be completed by Passover.  This final book, the Fifth Gospel as I have called it, has many other facets contained therein that I could have focused in a more in-depth study.  But I believe I was to focus on removing the fear, uncertainty, and doubt that has been attached to this final book of the Bible.  Jesus said in chapter 1:

8  “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

and…

10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet,

11 saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,”

and in Revelation 22:

12 “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.

13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”

14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.

15 But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.

16 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”

Our Lord and elder brother Jesus Christ has provided us a call to maturity.  His Beloved Disciple John was chosen to write what he saw.  John was given this vision containing many mysteries which were to be unlocked by the initiated at the end of the Age John was currently in- the Age of Pentecost.  Jesus began the book with the fact that He is the Alpha and Omega.  As well He ended the book restating the same Truth.

The very first issue He spoke of was that the people had lost their first Love.  The last issue of the seventh church was that they were lukewarm.  I am convinced that you cannot be lukewarm if you walk in Love.  Love must be first and last in your walk, it must be as “Alpha” and “Omega” in your life.

I am also convinced that the “silence” that has been occurring on a corporate basis for the last 18 years has been necessary so that men will not attempt to connect the past anointings with the new anointing coming forth.  No one will be able to call what is coming a “revival” of past anointings.  There will be no one taking credit for bringing forth this new anointing about to be imparted to those who walk in the Revelation of Love.

The marriage feast of the Bride is soon to come.  The call will go forth for those who are prepared to attend.  The parable of the ten virgins contains several truths we must consider.  All ten virgins were believers but they fell into two subgroups: those who kept their lamps trimmed and full, and those who didn’t.  Jesus had been asked about the end of the age and He spoke several parables to provide the disciples and us with understanding of the environment we would be living in when that time came.  He covered the fig tree who many believe to be Israel in its current form.  He spoke of the faithful and evil servants who were given responsibility over His possessions.  He spoke of the parable of the talents where men were given responsibility to be fruitful and were judged accordingly.  But the parable of the ten virgins focus on acceptance or rejection to the wedding feast.

In Revelation 6:6 we have our attention directed to the oil:

6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat (Pentecost) for a denarius, and three quarts of barley (Passover) for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine.”

The harvests associated with the first two feasts were barley and wheat and both of them have been measured out.  That last feast of Tabernacles has the harvest of oil and wine which are without measure and are not to be harmed during the time of judgment.  They are associated with the final ingathering, the reconciliation of all mankind.

I believe this oil represents Agape Love without measure.  Hebrews 1:8-9 speaks of this oil:

8 But to the Son He says:

​​​“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever;

​​A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.

9 ​​You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness;

​​Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You

​​With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.”

This passage is a quote from Psalm 45 which is focused on the Messiah and His Bride.  This “oil of gladness” is the Eternal Love and the resulting joy.  This is the oil that must fill the lamps of the virgins.  Those who have kept their focus on the revelation of Love as their foundation for their everyday lives have their lamps fully trimmed.  Those who looked at Love as being of lesser importance than other pursuits, lost their first Love and are lacking when that fateful day arrives. It is critically important that you understand the brevity of this parable:

Matthew 25:6 “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’

Midnight represents the end of one age and the beginning of the next age.  The call or trumpet sound has come forth and it was heard by all.  All ten virgins heard the cry and responded:

7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.

All ten virgins were summoned by the call.  What was the deciding factor between these two group?  The oil!  Jesus called those without the revelation of Love “foolish”:

8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’

This is not my assessment, it is Jesus Who has differentiated the two groups of Christians.  Just as He judged the first church in chapter 2 in the book of Revelation for losing their first Love, He provides us with the consequences of not having sufficient revelation of Love when the marriage feast is at hand.  Notice that the five wise virgins know that they cannot impart their oil to the five foolish virgins:

9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’

This revelation of Love can only come from your relationship with FATHER and cannot be transferred from or to another.  You have either sought and pursued this revelation of Love and have focused on it, or you have focused on just about everything else in lieu of it.  I marvel how Love tends to be omitted from so many sermons, studies, blogs, etc.  The ramification of its omission is beyond measure.  Love is not just another commodity you can go out to buy though the five foolish virgins without the revelation thought they could:

10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.

Those virgins whose foundation of Love was established were able to accompany Our Lord Jesus Christ to the wedding.  Once they were gathered, the door was shut and entry by the others was not allowed.  The following two verses provide the critical understanding that I am compelled to emphasize:

11 “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’

12 But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’

This oil that they were missing is Love.  Without it, Jesus did not know them!  Given that to be the case, let us once again read 1 John chapter 4:

7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

The Book of Revelation is all about Love.  Men have attempted to provide alternate interpretations to fit their own agendas.  When you consider the most fundamental and core characteristic of FATHER is Love, then you know HIS Divine Intent of Love provides the foundation for every Word and Act HE manifests.  With that understanding, let us all pursue our first Love and let it also be our last, the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end.  Amen!