Revelation 8:11 The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died from the water, because it was made bitter.
Wormwood means “bitterness”. In the last posting, I wrote that Jesus is this Morning Star found in the above passage. How is it that He is associated with bitterness? Bitterness is anger and disappointment at being treated unfairly; resentment. When Jesus arrives before us, who would be bitter? Our carnal nature, the old man, the one who has been directing us away from the Tree of Life and Love. The revelation of Jesus Christ is a doctrine buster, pure and simple. Even the most mature and sincere Christians who study daily can be sincerely wrong!
This star of bitterness originates out of Heaven and changes the waters in our earth. There is a river in Heaven and rivers on earth thus we must consider that the river or rivers being discussed are not literal but spiritual in nature. The River of Life in Heaven deals with the Living Word of FATHER flowing forth. The rivers on earth being made bitter are the words, thoughts, ideas, doctrines, philosophies, and ways that are apart from HIS Divine Intent as expressed by HIS Words. HIS Words bring “zoe” or the GOD-kind of life. All other words bring forth death and destruction, confusion, division, bloodthirstiness, anger, resentment, and the list goes on. Those words, acts, and deeds fall under the Law even if you are born again. Where you reside determines how you will be dealt with.
When a child is immature, you cannot reason with the child, you simply correct the child according to the child’s level of maturity. When you are dealing with a mature person, a corrective word is sufficient. When people are holding fast to their lifeless doctrines and focus on the negative, corrective revelation will bring forth bitterness and anger in some. Why? The old man will rise up and call the event unfair. Why wasn’t this Truth revealed to me twenty years ago? Why did you let me go through all the crap associated with a false doctrine? Those who fiercely hold on to doctrines that have served them well in the past and are unwilling to let them go when a Living Truth is presented will suffer the consequences associated with such a personal loss. In looking back over my life, I have realized that I had many “doctrines” that need to be removed thus I don’t attempt to defend any position too adamantly now. Let each of us be pliable as FATHER puts the final touches on our vessel of honor. Each revelation brings us up to a higher level if we don’t resist it.
Consider this, if you don’t walk according to THE SPIRIT and FATHER’S Words, you are subject to the Law. You would say to me that you are a Christian and the Law does not apply to you. If indeed that is true, why are you dealing with consequences of the Law now? Have you been sick lately? Have you had any difficulties with work? Have you sinned in recent days, weeks, or months? Or are you walking around like Jesus proclaiming the Gospel and healing the sick? Let’s be realistic, we are all missing the fullness of anointing. It is my deepest desire to move toward the fullness of Christ being manifested in my life and I trust it is the same for you. We must let go of any position of thought or understanding that would hinder our attainment of HIS fullness. As a practical matter, we have yet to release something or acquire something… or both.
John the Baptist said:
Matthew 3:11 “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
John the Baptist’s mandate was to “baptize unto repentance”. If there is anybody who did not need to repent it was Jesus who knew no sin yet what did Jesus do?
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.
14 And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?”
15 But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him.
What could Jesus repent of? Until that point, He was under the Law of the Old Covenant. Jesus formally nullified the Old Covenant being applied to Him by this act. It no longer had any effect, binding force, or power over Him. He was sinless and yet repented of the old law so that He could now bring forth the New Covenant and a different, higher level of relationship with FATHER. What was the immediate response of FATHER?
16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.
17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Jesus is now fully responding to FATHER’S Voice and as He said in the Gospel of John, “For all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you” and, “I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things”.
Until we continually hear HIS Voice and walk accordingly, we will deal with the judgments of the Law. Our old man must fully die. You will be either ruled by the law or ruled by the Spirit of Life and be assured there is not a third option. The corruptible must put on the incorruptible. Until then, the corruptible will not be independent of the law.
The letter of the law kills and is bitter to those under the law. It brings forth judgment by necessity. This judgment is necessary for the earthly rivers flowing out of men’s mouths that contradict the Spirit of Life. Every man’s words will be judged. Are you promoting life or death by your words? Out of the abundance of the mouth, the heart speaks. Are your words biting and condescending toward others or do they express FATHER’S Divine Intent?
Jesus never condemned the tax collector, prostitute, the Romans, or the wicked. His anger was demonstrated against those who represented themselves as mature carriers of GOD’S Word. He proclaim “eight woes” in Matthew 23 over the Pharisees. The Son of LOVE speaks forth judgment to those who were exalted as the most mature of that day! Yes, Love does have two arms- one of grace and mercy, and the other of judgment. Jesus used a whip to run the moneychangers out of the temple. Was He instructed to do so by FATHER? Absolutely. His words and actions were as wormwood to those recipients.
Anyone walking by the carnal nature today is subject to the same judgments. When you screw up? Repent! Don’t defend your un-defendable position and justify your actions. The Sons will be required to walk in both aspects of Love and rule with a rod of iron when necessary. A rod is necessary for correction and holding back correction will not cause the other person to change. Jesus ran the moneychangers out by necessity and I bet He hurts their feelings AND egos. Love does what it needs to do in order to bring forth repentance. Love will reveal those dear things you once held closely and now reject. Your priorities will change as the vain traditions are revealed and you look back at all the time, energy, and resources you expended on vanity. Your old way of thinking will be surgically and painfully removed out of your soul. Yes, it will taste bitter when you are on the receiving end. Enjoy!
Psalm 46:4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,
The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.