If you sensed a definite Spiritual breakthrough today we would appreciate hearing from you with any details you may have. Simply email us at unity153@gmail.com
If there is nothing definite… no worries. It may not be a “corporate” breakthrough but since we are approaching the fall Feast days (21 days from the Feast of Trumpets) we wanted to check in with our readers.
The ego uses the past to keep us in bondage by retaining unforgiveness in the heart toward other people and their past acts. This unforgiveness creates stress in the spirit, soul, and ultimately the body. Once it affects the body then it is a matter of time before there is a malfunction and disease occurs. In Matthew chapter 18 Peter asked Jesus about forgiveness and Jesus answered him and then shared “the parable of the unforgiving servant":
21 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”
22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.”
Jesus did not dispute the reality of the brother sinning but He instead focused on our response as the victim. Jesus used a very specific number of 490 times (7 x 70) in His response because this number represents “Jubilee” in Scripture. In the simplest terms Jubilee represents release, rest, and restoration. Until the Jubilee occurs, we are held in bondage and are unable to fully walk in these benefits ordained by FATHER. We cannot change the past but it can continue to have a negative effect in our daily lives until we have fully forgiven those who have sinned against us. When our brother or sister has sinned, done something wrong against us, been offensive toward us in some manner, or has been inconsiderate, we are given a very specific directive by Jesus (and FATHER) to forgive him or her. This does not mean that FATHER is condoning their actions, quite the contrary. HE will deal with them according to HIS Divine Intent. He wants us to be free from the bondage of the past. We are the ones to walk in Jubilee independent of the brother or sister who sinned. Until we have cleared away any unforgiveness harbored toward another person, we will be unable to walk totally unhindered in our calling. Jesus continued:
23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.
24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.
25 But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made.
26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’
27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.
This is a perfect example of unconditional Love. The servant had sinned against the king in a huge fashion yet the king forgave him of the debt. We were all sinners accumulating debt we could not pay yet FATHER forgave us all our debt and has restored us to HIM. What was included as debt or sin? It is anything contrary to the Word and Its Divine Intent of Love. It is anything, no matter how small, that affects our brother or sister in a negative manner. If you have adversely affected your brother or sister by your words, actions, or inaction then you are guilty. The brother or sister who has been victimized is specifically directed to forgive you thus allowing FATHER to convict you of your sins. Both parties have a responsibility: the sinner should seek forgiveness from the victim and the victim should forgive and release the sinner from his debt.
28 “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’
29 So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’
30 And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt.
31 So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done.
32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.
33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’
34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.
The above passage describes FATHER’S judgment against the one who not only sins but also retains unforgiveness toward others. We expect FATHER to forgive us yet we can’t seem to find it in our hearts to forgive others who sinned against us to a lesser degree? By retaining unforgiveness in our hearts, we subject ourselves to judgment by FATHER. If we fail to heed this warning by Jesus then we should understand that we will face unnecessary difficulties going forward.
If we demand an apology by the sinner and they do not respond in a genuine fashion then nothing has changed. An apology is “a regretful acknowledgment of an offense or failure.” Unless the apology is initiated by the sinner, unforgiveness increases in the life of the victim and forms bands of bondage to the past. Let’s face it, we have all been victimized and that will continue until Agape Love spreads throughout the earth. The past becomes the enemy of the present and we must not let the past hinder our walk any longer. Let us walk in a perpetual state of “Jubilee” where we are able to be released of the anger toward the sinner, rest in the present, and restore unity where possible. We must understand that if the sinner had a revelation and walked in Agape Love, there would be no issue. People are at different levels of maturity and revelation thus we should not expect others to interact with us in a perfect fashion. We need not promote division by using their sin as justification for us to break ties with them but instead promote unity by walking in a constantly forgiving state as Jesus directs. Let FATHER deal with the sinner and our life will be much simpler and fulfilling. We should be the example that the sinner looks to as they seek a change in their life.
In the Revelation of Jesus Christ chapter 21 it is written:
3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.
4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”
If FATHER is willing to make all things new, shouldn’t we? HE is willing to fully forgive us and restore us to HIM and at the same time HE wipes away our past sins by declaring the former things have passed away. Have you been victimized more than Jesus? Are the wrongs which have been done to you greater than those Jesus suffered? Unforgiveness keeps us from walking in the fullness of unconditional Love and it may be the most subtle wall to tear down in our heart. Let each of us seek FATHER concerning unforgiveness and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal any issues which must be addressed. Each of us has been on both sides of this issue for we have offended our brother or sister and we have also been the victim. We cannot change the past but we can and should respond to the past according to Jesus’ directives. Once we have forgiven those who have sinned against us in the past… simply let it go.
Wisdom wrote in Proverbs chapter 3:
11 My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD,
Nor detest His correction;
12 For whom the LORD loves He corrects,
Just as a father the son in whom he delights.
When we are going through trials let us embrace those trials with the assurance that FATHER Loves us and HE knows what we need in order to become mature Sons and Daughters. Jesus and the disciples suffered on behalf of the Kingdom and we should prepare ourselves to endure opposition as well. In order to be an overcomer we must “overcome” some form of opposition. Upon successfully enduring the trial we come out on the other side stronger than before.
In the past, many preachers associated with the “faith” movement promised an easy life without opposition if only you exercised faith and claimed the benefits mentioned in various Scriptures. People wanted to believe their teaching because it promised a trouble-free life but in the end reality set in and the opposition came anyway.
In Hebrews chapter 12 it is written:
7 It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?
8 But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.
9 Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live?
10 For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness.
11 All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.
In HIS wisdom FATHER finds it necessary for us to endure so that we become disciplined in our walk. When we endure the opposition, we develop a better perspective of what others are going through in their lives. Our compassion increases for those who are also suffering and we no longer judge them to be spiritually weak and we are able to minister Love and understanding toward them. The result is that we are able to share and experience FATHER’S holiness.
While we are in the midst of this discipline we should not expect to be full of joy but instead we may experience sorrow. Jesus experience sorrow, rejection, and pain on our behalf during His ministry as Isaiah 53 describes:
3 He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.
And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.
4 Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows;
Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted.
5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.
Are we willing to suffer on behalf of others as well? When we endure opposition our perspective is expanded and we are able to relate with those who are weak and suffering themselves. FATHER has included this suffering as part of our training and the result is that it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness in our lives. We do not need to seek out opposition but when it comes let us draw near unto FATHER and ask HIM to show us what we need to see as part of our training. We should ask HIM to strengthen us during this time, allow HIS Love to flow through us, and provide us the understanding associated with this aspect of training. At some point our sorrow will turn into joy.
The watchman’s charge is to blow the shofar whether the people will wake up or not and once he has done his job, the accountability falls on the hearer. There are plenty of signs warning us of the times we are in. The perversity being promoted today can only be realized by those who are able to compare it to the unchanging Truth found in Scripture as well as the revelation given to them by FATHER. Everyone else is subject to the false doctrines coming forth by those who are manipulating the current system. By THE SPIRIT it is written in Isaiah chapter 5:
20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;
Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness;
Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes,
And prudent in their own sight!
FATHER has alerted and warned us of this current situation through HIS Word. Those who are blind and deaf are unable to defend against the manipulation unless the light is shined into the darkness of these times. It is our desire to expose the falsehoods being promoted by providing HIS Truth which will encourage us to achieve spiritual maturity. This maturity can only come through the revelation of Agape Love and forgiveness as Jesus taught during HIs earthly ministry. His example must be followed in order to fulfill the requirements of becoming a fully mature Son or Daughter of FATHER. Those who fully embrace Love will take on the greatest responsibility to bring forth the Kingdom because their light will be the brightest.
We should expect judgment to come forth in a widespread manner. However we must keep in mind that FATHER will give nations the choice to repent or suffer adverse judgment just as HE gave Nineveh the option. By THE SPIRIT it is written in Jonah chapter 3:
1 Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time, saying,
2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you.”
3 So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, a three-day journey in extent.
4 And Jonah began to enter the city on the first day’s walk. Then he cried out and said, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!”
Over the years people have been taught that FATHER changed HIS mind concerning Nineveh when HE spoke the above then allowed them to repent. However, the Hebrew word used here for overthrown is haphak but it also means “overturned” or reversed. Nineveh was not overthrown but instead they reversed their course when they repented. The translation of this Hebrew word to “overthrown” caused the confusion. “Overturned” gives us a better understanding of their options. They chose to overturn or reverse their current path and FATHER honored their decision to repent. As a nation, we should urge those who will listen to repent of their lawlessness and wickedness else they will be subject to harsh correction.
Is this fall going to bring forth climatic change? Only FATHER knows the timing. Our responsibility is to continue on HIS path and remain vigilant by meditating on HIS Word day and night, being fruitful on behalf of the Kingdom, and move toward a closer, more intimate relationship with FATHER so that our intent reflects HIS Divine Intent. We will then be prepared for whatever materializes this fall or any other time frame of HIS choosing. As our preparation continues let us not grow weary in well doing. People need our acts of kindness today so let us look to minister whenever the opportunity arises.
By THE SPIRIT the psalmist wrote in Psalm chapter 5:
11 But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You;
Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them;
Let those also who love Your name be joyful in You.
12 For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous;
With favor You will surround him as with a shield.
As the darkness intensifies so does the light grow brighter. Nations are becoming polarized as the reality is setting in that there are no simple solutions to the problems each nation faces. The U.S. has managed to grow due to its currency being accepted as the global standard but that era is just about over. Other countries have effectively financed the growth and prosperity of the U.S. while they have suffered with less. Fear and greed have been the basis of the current system which promotes scarcity among its participants. I believe the current structure is coming to an end.
What will facilitate the end coming sooner rather than later? The Truth being exposed for all to see. This is one aspect of the ministry of The Holy Spirit and this exposure will cause the prevailing perception of how things ought to work to disintegrate before our very eyes. Fortunes will evaporate and monetary systems will crash but those who “Love YOUR Name” will be joyful in FATHER for they trust IN HIM rather than man’s systems. FATHER will defend and protect us as this global transition occurs.
FATHER has a history of delivering HIS Chosen out of harm’s way and we should expect HIM to do the same on our behalf because HE Loves us. Our priority should be to change and align our hearts with HIS rather than expecting some external event to be the key to survival. As we become mature IN HIM then we have positioned ourselves to flourish as the transition occurs. Will there be turmoil and chaos in the world as this transition takes place? I believe so but just as the children of Israel were spared during Passover, I believe we will be spared and protected as the world experiences judgment.
The end of an age is often accompanied by much turmoil. In Mark chapter 13 Jesus described the end of the age:
5 And Jesus, answering them, began to say: “Take heed that no one deceives you.
6 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and will deceive many.
7 But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet.
8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows.
What should you and I be doing in preparation for such a time as Jesus described? We should be equipping ourselves by aligning ourselves with FATHER’S Divine Intent and plan. Where HE is there is no sorrow. Where HE is there is no turmoil thus if we are with HIM then we will be spared the pain and suffering. Jesus provides us with perspective of who is not “aligned” with FATHER and Him in Matthew chapter 7:
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’
23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
If you are practicing lawlessness then you are not under FATHER’S protection. However if you are walking in Love and Truth then you will be lawful and under HIS full protection. It is our choice of what path we take and what we should expect as the chaos increases. I cannot overemphasize the importance of dealing with the internal rather than simply focusing on the external. If the internal is taken care of then FATHER will take care of the external by leading us safely through the challenges ahead. If we have been prepared internally then we are well equipped to affect the external under HIS direction. We will not hesitate because we trust in HIS protection.
The Beloved Disciple wrote by THE SPIRIT in 1 John chapter 2:
3 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.
4 He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.
6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
It is the innermost desire of the Sons and Daughters of Our Heavenly Father to be fully matured or perfected. In order to achieve this state we must keep HIS Word for in it is the Love of FATHER truly perfected in us. In order to rightfully discern the Scriptures we must know and understand the intent by which the Scriptures were written. Without the revelation of Love we are unable to fully comprehend the intent behind each verse. Agape Love is like a decipher when attempting to understand what is written. Without it, men rely on their own worldly bias and misinterpret what FATHER has written.
Jesus gave us the key to understanding FATHER’S Word yet man’s ego prefers another interpretation which will promote another agenda. Man wants to complicate the Gospel in order to promote division among the sheep. When only the “entitled” are able to understand the Scripture then the sheep must go to man in order to comprehend FATHER’S Intent. However, the Holy Spirit will teach us “all things” as Jesus confirmed in John chapter 14:
25 “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you.
26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.”
Who would you prefer to perfect you- man or The Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit is integral to the task of perfecting the saints so we should rely on the Holy Spirit to open up the Scriptures to us in our daily study. I cannot overemphasize the importance of our relationship with The Comforter. Jesus emphasized this in Acts chapter 1 when He spoke the following:
8 “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Perfected Love has power associated with it in order to fulfill FATHER’S Divine Intent. As mentioned before: As we are led by THE SPIRIT we too will (1) expose sin, (2) guide others into all Truth, and (3) glorify Christ. We must keep this priority before us as we move toward perfection for our callings should be aligned with the ministry of The Holy Spirit. When the standard of Truth is raised up, sin is exposed.
We are in perilous times according to the world. We are in the time of transition when you consider what FATHER is doing with HIS Sons and Daughters. The world cannot comprehend this transition because they are blinded and in the dark. On the other hand, we have an expectation that FATHER will once again deliver HIS Chosen Ones from the grip of the world system and they will fulfill the ministry of the Holy Spirit which is active in each of HIS elect. FATHER’S power and resources are greater than man’s and even though there is little hope in the natural for peace, FATHER will bring forth HIS Divine Plan and convert the enemies of the cross by HIS unfailing Love.
Lies will be exposed and revealed to the masses and they will no longer support the dark agenda promoted by the world system. Once the standard of Truth is raised up in order to provide light unto the world, things will change rapidly. Those who have operated in the dark will have no place to hide. Those who walk in perfected Love will walk in the power assigned to them by FATHER and will be able to confront the sin once and for all. Truth will prevail and bring forth peace to the earth. Mankind will respond to the perfected Love and realize they have been duped by the agents of darkness all these years. The Holy Spirit will draw all men to the light and they will finally glorify Christ in their lives. We must not be discourage by the news reports and other writings suggesting that the darkness will prevail. We must trust FATHER and HIS Divine Intent to bring forth the Kingdom to earth.
An article by Kemper
God’s higher ways and thoughts are the fundamental principles that make up the standard of truth. Our gathering to this Standard is the process that purifies our heart and soul as the truth is progressively revealed to us. Our immature ideologies will be sanctified from the falsehoods we’ve allowed to deceive us during our ignorance. Truth is the fire we all shall pass through. For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen (Romans 11:36). The Spirit of Truth is the all consuming fire that is our God (Hebrews 12:29), Who is illustrated as such in Proverbs 17:3, The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.
Malachi 3:2 concurs, But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap. This visitation from the Truth is the baptism of fire John was referring to in Matthew 3:11-12, I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. When Jesus states in John 4:24, God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. It is the same as John’s statement of “he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.” Jesus continues this subject in John 16:13, Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth.
Truth is this Fire of the Spirit of God. The purification of the saints illuminates the light of God through the deeds produced from their heavenly conversation, of which a corporate body have gathered unto. These are the elect who would not sleep in ignorance nor were they deceived by strong delusion, but were saved through their love for the Truth (2 Thessalonians 2:10). Truth shall illuminate upon this ungodly world exposing its shameful lies and thus destroying the foundation thereof. For in 2:8 of the same epistle Paul writes; And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.
It has been traditionally taught that the removing of the Holy Spirit by taking the church out of the earth is what reveals the wicked one. This cannot be, for in Ephesians 5:13 Paul writes; But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Therefore its not the removal of the Holy Spirit (the Spirit of Truth) that reveals the wicked one, but the presence of Him. With this in mind let us carefully read 2 Thessalonians 2:7-8; For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth (to hold back, hinder or restrain) will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed (made manifest),
whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming. First, it is the Holy Spirit (the Spirit of Truth) and not the wicked which has been held back and restrained thus allowing the mystery of iniquity to work.
When the Holy Spirit in all His glorious Truth will be revealed through the saints in an unrestrained manner, then the wicked will be revealed, because all things are manifest by the light. Therefore the “he who now letteth will let, until he be taken away” is the natural minded man who is influenced by the spirit of the antichrist (or spirit of this world) which denies Jesus Christ from being manifest in his flesh. For John instructs us in 1 John 4:3, And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ “is come in the flesh” is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
When we refrain from walking in agape love (Christ’s nature) we are being influenced by the spirit of the antichrist. Because the antichrist resists Jesus Christ’s nature from being manifest in the flesh. When the old flesh minded man, who is resisting the Spirit of Truth, is finally taken out of the way, the Wicked will be revealed whom the Lord will consume with the spirit of His mouth (Spirit of Truth) and destroy with the brightness of His coming. This only happens when Christ is glorified in His saints in the presence of the ungodly (2 Thessalonians 1:9-10) and not by the removing of the church or the Holy Spirit as tradition has taught. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure (1 John 3:2-3). Those who look forward to His appearing purify themselves in preparation for His visitation. This willful pursuit of purification hastens His return. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:14-18).
These pursuers are the saints who watch for His appearing and become the firstfruits who are changed into His likeness, by whom Christ’s image is manifested unto the world as the standard for which all is to be judged. Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen (Revelations 1:7). John states that every eye shall see Him and when we see Him we will be like Him. For us to be like Him, that which does not conform after the image of Christ is destroyed. This is the death of the old man. For no man shall see His face and live (Exodus 33:20). When the Standard of Truth is revealed, the lies and deception of the wicked will be reproved and destroyed. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not
escape (1 Thessalonians 5:3).
The coming tribulation is the ungodly being reduced to nothing. The saints pursue and apprehend this quality willfully, which once it is apprehended is transferred upon the ungodly and overcomes them as a thief in the night. Isaiah 51:22-23, Thus saith thy Lord the LORD, and thy God that pleadeth the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, even the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it again: But I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee; which have said to thy soul, Bow down, that we may go over: and thou hast laid thy body as the ground, and as the street, to them that went over.
But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him (1 Thessalonians 4:54-10).
This quality of being reduced to nothing is illustrated by Jesus in Matthew 18:1-5, At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. For us to be converted back to our childlike state, there must be a destruction of that which we have built upon it. We
were not corrupt upon coming into this world, but we were corruptible, which is a state of being likely to become corrupt, which therefore we become. This state of being corruptible is this childlike state that has yet to become corrupt. Therefore corruption must be put off to convert back to this childlike corruptible beginning.
Paul refers to this reducing in 1 Corinthians 15:50-54, Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. Whereas Jesus illustrates this process as being converted unto a little child, Paul describes it as being reduced unto a corruptible state. Whereas Jesus says this “child is Me in your midst,” Paul says this “corruptible inherits incorruption.” We can equate the “child” as “corruptible” and the “Me in their midst” to “incorruption.”
God created the first man upright yet he was corruptible. After man’s fall into corruption, he was restored to righteousness by Christ, and through Christ man shall be restored again to a corruptible state for the inheritance of incorruption. To return to this corruptible state the corruption must be put off along with the old man as Paul explains in the following scriptures; That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts (Ephesians 4:22). Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin (Romans 6:6). Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (2 Corinthians 5:17). Once we have reduced ourselves to a corruptible state by putting off corruption through the truth found in Christ, all things become new. This process is accomplished as we pursue the truth. While the old dissolves away we become renewed to a childlike state.
The conversation of the old man is the “life lost” which Jesus refers to in Matthew 16:25-26, For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? The life (or conversation) of this soul is lost so it might be raised in the likeness of Christ. Paul affirms this in 1 Corinthians 15:36, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: and Romans 6:6 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is
crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. This death Paul refers to again in Galatians 6:14, “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world (1 John 2:16).
Let us look at one other thing in the reading of 1 Corinthians 15:51-53; Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. The word “moment” in this verse is Strong’s G823, atomos, with its definition; that cannot be cut in two, or divided, indivisible. This atomos is a state in which there is no more that can be removed. For example; Water is purified by removing all contaminants. When that process has been accomplished the water has reached its atomos or moment of indivisibleness and has become pure. We in like manner must be reduced to this atomos for this mysterious change that Paul speaks of to take place.
This indivisible unity is only represented by the Truth which is the heavenly higher ways and thoughts of our Father found in His Son, Jesus Christ, who we are gathered unto. Whereby, speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ (Ephesians 4:15): Our gathering unto the truth which is contained within the mind of Christ, is the only way that Paul’s expectation of our unity is to be accomplished. He compels us in
Philippians 2:2, Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. In 1 Corinthians 1:10, again he implores us; Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. To be likeminded and to speak the same thing and have the same judgment we have to know the one and only Way, Truth and Life. For in John 17:3 Jesus spoke, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” Even as Paul states in Ephesians 4:13, Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
In summary, I do hope this wonder in heaven that appears on September 23rd, is a sign that the Rapture is here. Yet, if we still have our feet on the ground we can take comfort knowing we can still gather to Him in our heavenly conversation.
An article by Kemper
On September 23, 2017, there is an event in the heavens that represents the wonder John spoke of in Revelation chapter 12. There is much information posted on the internet regarding it. Most of these postings are assigning the rapture to this event. My intent in writing, however, is to bring a perspective to this topic (the rapture) that may not have been considered. First let me say that I believe in “being caught up” or the “harpazo“ to meet the Lord in the air as recorded in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are
alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. However I also must acknowledge the scriptures that plainly states we are not leaving
as a result of this “catching away.” Such as John 17:15 where Jesus prayed for His disciples; I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. And just in case we would think He was only referring to His disciples of that day, He continues in verse 20, Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word. That includes all His saints. Furthermore, Proverbs 2:21 states, For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it. Also Proverbs 10:30 agrees, The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth. How is it possible for us to be caught up in the air together with Christ and yet still comply with these scriptures?
First we must acknowledge that the current perspective on this matter cannot answered this question and we must open our hearts and minds to further enlightenment for an explanation. For a wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels (Proverbs 1:5). The natural man interprets scripture with a literal and physical expectation of its manifestation. Nicodemus was guilty of this upon hearing that a man must be born again. He responded in John 3:4,”How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?” This carnal mindset is also evident in people’s expectation relating to the rapture, where its thought that the believers are to physically disappear or fly up to heaven leaving this earth behind. However, in John 6:63 Jesus states, “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” If the words of Christ and His anointed are spirit, then they must be received with a spiritual mind and not with the natural carnal mind. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace (Romans 8:5-6).
The Apostle Paul affirms this also in 1 Corinthians 2:14, But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. Jesus refers to this in John 4:23-24, The hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. Therefore let us be sober and of a spiritual mind, for we have been given the mind of Christ. Again the question remains, how is it possible to be caught up with our brethren that are raised from the dead and meet the Lord in the air, yet without leaving this earth? I believe Isaiah 55:9 is a clue in answering this question which states; For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
In Proverbs 18:4 it states, The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook. Also in 20:5 it says, Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out. Even as man is made after the likeness of God, it can be concluded that God’s well of wisdom which issues His ways and thoughts also is represented by water as it brings forth His council and instruction. Remember, the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made (Romans 1:20). So then, God’s higher ways and thoughts can be illustrated by the division of the waters on the
second day of creation recorded in Geneses 1:6-7; And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. Jesus is recorded as offering this living water unto the woman at the well In John 4:14. He also spoke of it in John 7:38; “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” Therefore the circulation of this water that we share between each other is our conversation.
There is a distinction between the living waters above from the stagnant waters below. Paul tells us in Philippians 3:20, For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. This heavenly conversation forms a cloud in which the son of man is ushered into the earth (Luke 21:27). These are the waters that are above, whereas Ephesians 2:3 refers to the waters that are below; Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
James also makes a distinction between the wells of wisdom from which our conversation issues in James 3:14-17; But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. With all this being said, we can understand that the “catching up” or the “rapture” most likely is a spiritual elevation to a higher conversation and mindset rather than a physical escaping from this earth. Not to say that we are in harms way by not leaving during the tribulation. For; The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished (2 Peter 2:9).
In truth, there is a necessity that we stay. Understanding that through us the Glory of God is revealed bringing destruction upon this wicked world. This is referred to in 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10; Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe… So then, we will not go through the tribulation, we are the tribulation! Even as it was with Noah and his world, recorded in 2 Peter 2:5, And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly.
Noah brought the flood into the world through his obedience. Therefore leaving this lower flesh minded existence and gathering to the heavenly conversation of God’s higher ways and thoughts will bring in the tribulation upon this world of the ungodly. Paul was mindful of this when he wrote in 1 Corinthians 10:6, …And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. Disobedience is judged by obedience. There must be a standard present to judge by and this standard is truth. When this standard is conformed to by the obedience of the saints it is introduced through them into the earth.
To be continued …
By THE SPIRIT David wrote in Psalm 51:
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You.
Within David’s prayer of repentance is a Truth for us to embrace as we mature as Sons and Daughters of FATHER. First of all our hearts must become pure and circumcised by Love thus producing a clean heart. This precedes the other acts of restoration. If you don’t start with a pure heart then the next steps cannot be fully accomplished. David asked that FATHER renew a steadfast spirit within him.
The word steadfast means- to be firm, be stable, be established, be stable, be secure, be enduring, be stable, be secure, be enduring, to be fixed, be securely determined.
It is possible to be cast away from FATHER’S presence. If not David would not have brought up the possibility. It denotes we have a choice to enter into HIS Presence or remain at a distance from HIM. We have choices everyday of what path we are going to take and thus we need to remain steadfast in our decision to proceed toward full maturing as Sons and Daughters no matter what life throws at us. People will disappoint us at every turn yet we must not let their words or actions determine our path. Only FATHER, Jesus the Messiah, and the Holy Spirit are fully reliable in our walk therefore let us rest in THEM when life brings us those apparent insurmountable challenges that only Divine intervention will overcome.
It is also possible to negatively impact your walk concerning the Holy Spirit being taken away. In Mathew chapter 12 Jesus spoke:
31 “Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.
32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.”
The Holy Spirit has been given to us out of the act of Love on the cross by Jesus and we should never take this privilege for granted and we should be grateful for the Holy Spirit residing inside our individual temples. We must not let this relationship slide into a dormant state but be ever aware of the Holy Spirit residing on the inside as a witness to all we say and do. The first mention of the Holy Spirit is in the above passage by David.
As we progress in this maturing process we should ask FATHER to restore the joy on HIS Salvation. Many of us can remember the day of our personal salvation and the weights resulting from our past life being removed. Our priorities in life changed and we saw the old man for who he was. FATHER wants to restore joy in our lives so we should ask HIM to do so.
Additionally David asks FATHER to uphold him by HIS generous Spirit. David seeks help in being willing and sustained as he goes through this process. We too should ask FATHER to sustain us as we are enduring the hardships set before us. HIS Love for us exceeds any and all challenges the world brings to our door. Our daily communion with HIM is critical as we are progressing toward full maturity. FATHER will put into perspective what we should focus on and what is “fleeting” during these challenges.
What is the result of this progression? David will become a true soul winner and so should we. People want to win souls before they have progressed to a level of maturity when their life can be viewed as a testimony. However David realized that his greatest testimony to others is his walk and relationship with FATHER for he knew that actions speak louder than words.
Let David’s prayer in the verses 10 through 13 be our prayer as well.
Jesus spoke in Matthew chapter 6:
19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;
20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Many people spend their lives attempting to accumulate worldly treasures yet Jesus urges us to focus on the treasures of Heaven which are everlasting. As we shift our focus from the earthly realm to the Heavenly realm, we are able to exercise our faith in accordance with FATHER’S Word. HIS Word is initiated in the Spiritual realm and we are able to see the response in the physical realm. As we embrace HIS Word our faith is increased and the physical responds to our faith in HIS Word. This also means that faith does not respond to worldly intent because it does not line up with FATHER’S Divine intent. FATHER is not obligated to manifest anything that does not agree with HIS Word.
In the past, I have heard evangelists make the following statement: “He is so Heavenly-minded therefore he is no earthly good”. I take issue with that statement in that Jesus calls us to be Heavenly-minded. We are to align our thinking with FATHER’S intent thus we must be Heavenly-minded. As the Creator, FATHER speaks forth “what isn’t” into reality or “what is”. In Genesis 1, HE said:
3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.
In the same manner FATHER spoke to Abraham in Genesis chapter 17:
5 “No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations.
6 I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you.
7 And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you.
8 Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.”
Abraham began exercising his faith in FATHER’S Word concerning his new name. In the Spiritual realm, Abraham became the “father of many nations” and then the physical realm began to respond as Abraham’s faith accepted the Word. At first the physical realm did not appear to be in agreement with the Word but by faith it began responding to what was spoken in the Spiritual realm. This is why it is important to study Scripture so that we know the various aspects of FATHER’S Will. As we know it is HIS will to bring forth restoration and healing, then we are able to exercise our faith in this area and be in agreement with HIM.
In the story of Joseph, FATHER put it on Rachel’s heart to name him Joseph (He shall increase). It wasn’t long until Joseph went through multiple trials which would challenge his name. These trials would lead us to believe that Joseph would never “increase” but he trusted in FATHER’S prophecy and after several years of testing he manifested the intent of his name.
FATHER named each of us with respect to our calling. Let us by faith accept our Heavenly name and its Divine intent and exercise our faith with respect to what will manifest according to FATHER’S Word. Even though there will be times when you will be challenged in your faith don’t let the temporary shake your faith. Have faith in FATHER’S creative power.