In God's plan of the ages, each generation is significant. Each generation can also be categorized by the central focus and major achievements of that era. Today, with all the rapid flow of information, courtesy of modern technology, it seems this generation has become "the generation of information." In this current age, we will be safe to conclude that we have a wealth of information. Perhaps this wealth has been here all along, but in this day and age we can obtain information on almost anything at the click of a button. In comparison to previous generations, we don't have to dig for knowledge. We get it already prepared by others like a bag of food at a fast food drive thru.
A dear friend was telling me that the 1800's was "the age of genius." This generation seems to be reaping the benefits of knowledge that has been previously discovered. Interestingly enough, I came across a front page article in a local newspaper entitled "Knowledge Age Makes Learning a Lifetime Job." This can be extremely helpful to many lives during this present age. Yet, while we find such headlines that confirm the abundance of information, we continue to see an abundance of headlines that confirm the destitute spiritual capacity in the midst of a growing surplus of information, and so it is likewise with the body of Christ. We can easily be caught up with the fascination of knowledge and become numb to the needs around us.
In a sea of many voices declaring various parts of the whole (truth), many may mistake mere information for divine revelation. While many boast of being in the Holiest of All in the presence of the Ark, they may have just been driving through a place with golden arches and coming out with a McRevelation, which turns out to be second hand information after the nifty wrapper is taken off the nugget of knowledge. We dare say that many of these so-called nuggets are swallowed down in haste, rather than chewed slowly and pondered in the heart of the recipient. This does nothing for the development of our spiritual sense of discernment, and to suggest that every word is established in the mouth of two or three witnesses has become a tiresome idea for those who are only hungry for a happy meal and preoccupied with the toy surprise.
In Christendom today, especially in the United States, there is no lack of knowledge about God. Even in smaller circles of faith that have deemed themselves head and shoulders above the others, there is no lack of knowledge about subjects pertaining to God.
At this point I must confess that I am somewhat indebted to those who took the time and put in the hours, days, months and perhaps a lifetime of labor in order to leave us with some extremely handy reference material and language helps. I'm grateful to our Heavenly Father for all the men and women He has used to labor diligently to help others study the original languages that God chose to use in the scriptures. Those of you who realize that Jesus did not speak in King James English, nor the English found in the New International Version for that matter, may also be thankful for those who have labored so that we may reap the benefits of a concordance and other study material. As far as that goes, was it not God's will that scribes record His inspired words and pass them down as a means of confirmation for the voice of the Spirit and a true witness to the personification of the living word?
We wish not to add to the multitudes that would replace the divine personal leading of the Holy Spirit and voice of God with simply reading about God! It has always been God's intention to reveal Himself to us in a way that the intellect alone cannot grasp! For the Spirit bears witness to our spirit! It is by the Spirit we know that we are the children of God (Rom. 8:16). It is by the Spirit that hidden things that have been veiled for ages are uncovered and imparted to us! (1 Cor. 2:10). Furthermore, our God is not a book, He is Spirit! They that worship Him are to worship Him in spirit and in truth! (Jn. 4:24). And just as a natural body without the spirit is dead, so it is with any corporate body that boast of knowledge that unregenerate men could obtain with their intellect alone, simply by reading, and yet fail to impart life, because there was nothing from the Holy Spirit imparted in the first place! Mere bible reading without the Spirit is dead! (Jas. 2:26).
We must also point out that some that may even agree with what we have just said have come to the conclusion that it is carnal to read the scriptures and that if we do read them we are not being led by the Spirit! They fail to consider the fact that the scriptures always agree with that beautiful, intimate, still small voice of Our Heavenly Father! So we have one extreme that may as well conclude we cannot hear from God apart from reading about God and another extreme that feels like the scriptures are useless, because God desires to speak directly to us. As far as that goes, reading anything pertaining to the scriptures or God is considered outdated, except maybe a few things that tickle whatever type of itch one may have.
In light of all that we have said thus far, I am taken to a
wilderness with wild beast and I see a man alone who is fasting and
growing hungry. This man is approached by the spirit that operates in
the children of disobedience. This spirit does not come with an assault
of some demonic force, the spirit does not even open his dialogue with
an insult. He questions a truth and plays on the temptation of hunger.
The response to this begins with three words: IT IS WRITTEN!
(Matt.
4:4).
In the next attempt this spirit takes what is written and poses yet
another question, but once more the response begins with the same three
words: IT IS WRITTEN!
(Matt. 4:7).
This spirit speaks a third time and he offers a proposition, but the
response is once more drawn from the scriptures: GET THEE HENCE,
SATAN: FOR IT IS WRITTEN...!
(Matt. 4:10).
Rather than rebuking the devil, the Lord simply said, IT IS
WRITTEN.
IF THE LIVING WORD USED THE WRITTEN WORD IN HIS HOUR OF
TEMPTATION, WHY THEN WOULD IT BE CARNAL AND UNSPIRITUAL FOR WE WHO ARE
CALLED LIVING EPISTLES TO USE THE SCRIPTURES?
While it is true that men have tried to feed us a carnal and fleshly understanding of the scriptures, those who know the experience of the veil being removed from the letter can appreciate the scriptures, as well as other writings by members of the body of Christ. Jesus responded to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life with "IT IS WRITTEN." Many of those who have claimed to be above using the scriptures may find themselves left without an answer in their time of temptation, since they feel it is outdated to respond the way Jesus did.
We hope that by now the point has been made that we are not discouraging the study of scriptures, nor higher education or learning for that matter; however, in this "generation of information," the purpose and meaning of God's plan for us is not apprehended by obtaining information about God's plan and retaining truths in our intellect. The Truth apprehends us and reveals the divine purpose in which we are to participate. Information, on the other hand, cannot leave a divine deposit in our spirits!
And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli. And the
word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open
vision... Where there is no vision, the people perish
(1 Sam. 3:1
and Prov.
29:18).
This brings us to our next point concerning our Heavenly Father's
purpose for this generation. A fast flow of information and knowledge
does not constitute what some may consider "an open heaven." There was
a time mentioned in 1 Samuel chapter three, when the word of the Lord
was rare (interlinear) and there was no open vision. What is truly an
open heaven is just the opposite of no open vision. Please notice that
it is not said that there was a lack of scrolls or lack of anyone
capable of reading them in 1 Samuel chapter three. The context of
chapter three involves young Samuel hearing the voice of God and
receiving a vision. ...And Samuel feared to show Eli the vision
(1
Sam. 3:15). The Father opened up the heavens to Samuel in a sense. The
Hebrew word for open in 1 Sam. 3:1 is also used elsewhere for break
forth, break down, break away, and shall burst out. In the time of
young Samuel, there had been a long period before God had spoken out of
the heavenly realm to His people. But in chapter three the heavens were
opened, and that which separated the unseen had been broken down, and
the veil over the heavenly realm that God speaks out of was rent for
the young prophet!
We find a definite connection in another young man's life at the
Jordan river. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw
the
heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him
(Mk.
1:10). The Concordant Literal New Testament renders the word opened in
this verse as rent. We also find it interesting to note that in both
the context of 1 Samuel 3 and the verses in the Gospels concerning our
Lord's baptism, when the heavens are opened the voice of the Father is
heard. Samuel first heard the voice of God, and he then received a
vision. God reveals Himself to Samuel. The Lord comes up out of the
water with an open heaven. He sees into the realm of the Spirit as
clear as the heavens can be seen, and we then read, And there came
a
voice from heaven, saying...
(Mk. 1:11). It seems hearing is
closely
related, if not often strictly tied, to receiving an open heaven or a
vision.
Today, people have made receiving a vision out to be something that has nothing to do with hearing from God, but a lot to do with angels, prosperity, streets of gold, large cathedrals, and so on. We are not too concerned with debating the validity of such visions. We would rather leave that between the recipient of the vision and God. Our concern is the results of an open heaven that is found in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel... I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me(Jn. 5:19, 20 and 30)
We also read of the results of an open heaven in Samuel's life. And
Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none of his words
fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan even to Beer-sheba knew
that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord
(1 Sam.
3:19
and 20).
We submit to you the key to letting none of your words fall to the
ground. It is found in the response of our Lord to the Pharisees in
John 5:30 According as I am hearing am I judging; and My judging is
just, for I am not seeking My will, but the will of Him Who sends Me.
(CLNT)
Although many don't believe it, Jesus had a will. He was not a robot, rather He laid His will aside and submitted to the Father. No flowery prophecies were given for personal gain and no threats of doom for a large offering of money were given to His sheep. He simply executed righteous judgment. He could only do this by doing the will of the Father. He knew the Father's will, because the Father showed Him His will. That, beloved, was the result of an open heaven!
And the Lord appeared again in Shiloh: for the Lord revealed
himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the Lord
(1 Sam. 3:21).
Rather than setting out for world recognition, Samuel obeyed the Lord.
He did not market any vision or word that God gave him. Obedience
seemed to be the result of receiving a divine revelation of the Lord!
Samuel did not stop at simply receiving a revelation. He walked on into
the reality of it. Ray Prinzing once wrote: "It is our obedience which
makes experiential the truths which the Spirit reveals."
The first time the Hebrew word used for vision in Proverbs 29:18 is found is in 1 Samuel 3:1. The word is ghah-zohn, and each time this word is used it is in the context of judgment, correction or reproof. So, here we are in this "generation of information," but divine judgment and our Heavenly Father's chastening shall not be accomplished by information alone. We have let our first impression of words like judgment rob us of a higher understanding of what God is doing in us, through us, as well as through all of His creation. We may do well to stop and consider that stuck in the middle of the context of child training we find a verse speaking about the need for a vision.
The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be
established for ever. The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left
to himself bringeth his mother to shame. When the wicked are
multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their
fall. Correct thy son, and He shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give
delight unto thy soul. Where there is no vision, the people perish: but
he that keepeth the law, happy is he. A servant will not be corrected
by words: for though he understand he will not answer
(Prov.
29:14-19).
The need for a vision is in perfect harmony with the above context,
but just what is this vision? The context itself reveals the vision. We
find the same theme in the following scriptures: And ye have
forgotten
the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son,
despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art
rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth
every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with
you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are
ye bastards, and not sons
(Heb. 12:5-8).
In another translation, we find a perhaps more open statement
concerning the purpose and vision contained in the above passages.
After all, your fight against sin has not yet meant the shedding of
blood, and you have perhaps lost sight of that piece of advice which
reminds you of your sonship in God.
My son, regard not lightly the chastening of the Lord,
Nor faint when thou art reproved of him;
For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth,
And scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
Bear what you have to bear as "chastening"--- as God's dealing with you as sons. No true son ever grows up uncorrected by his father. For if you had no experience of the correction which all sons have to bear you might well doubt the legitimacy of your sonship. After all, when we were children we had fathers who corrected us, and we respected them for it. Can we not much more readily submit to the discipline of the Father of men's souls, and learn how to live?
For our fathers used to correct us according to their own ideas during the brief days of childhood. But God corrects us all our days for our own benefit, to teach us his holiness. Now obviously no "chastening" seems pleasant at the time: it is in fact most unpleasant. Yet when it is all over, we can see that it has quietly produced fruit of real goodness in the characters of those who have accepted it in the right spirit (Heb. 12:4-11, Phillips).
The vision that we should consider during our spiritual sojourn (which involves divine adjustments that often come in the form of chastening and judgment) is our Sonship! We have an inheritance in Christ Jesus and we are His inheritance.
"Blessed is the man whom thou chasteneth, O Lord, and teachest him out of thy law; That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked. For the Lord will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance" (Ps.94:12-14)
My dear brothers and sisters, I beg of you to seek the Lord in prayer before you take another persons definition for "Sonship" as God's final word on the subject! We hear a lot of boasting from those who have left "the system," but we also hear such boasters appointing their own personal Kingdom Gurus as the final say so for God.
It is not our intent to tightly define anything here, rather we trust God to quicken that which is true, for we know God desires to speak personally to those who seek Him with their whole heart!
We pray that the glowing golden arches of "get it while its hot kingdom info" fades out of sight and the Lord, if He has not already, would begin to write the vision on our hearts!
The thrill seekers that run to and fro looking for "the message of the hour" often want it all and they want in now. But, when it comes to the vision that God has given, there is nothing there to appease the fleshly minded soul that speaks of a man child brought forth without travail. There is nothing there to allure such souls on a sojourn that will bring us face to face with the giants in the promise land.
Where there is no vision, the people perish. In those eight words we
find a sobering thought posed to this generation. According to the
marginal notes the verse would read: Where there is no vision the
people are made naked.
The vision itself clothes the soul that
hungers
for the fulfillment during each test of faith and each encounter with
opposing voices, both from within and without. The vision of our
inheritance found in Christ Jesus is like a precious garment that keeps
us from bearing witness to the shameful murmuring often heard in the
midst of adversity.
We must consider the fact that adversity without a purpose is cruel. Our Heavenly Father is not cruel. Although many would agree with those two statements, until adversity comes, we do not really know how long the agreement would last. Beloved, let us consider the very purpose Israel was brought into the wilderness. They were brought into the wilderness to be humbled and to be proven (Duet. 8:2). This speaks of us in type as God deals with us today as sons. This also speaks of the unconditional love of our Heavenly Father. As many as He loves, he says, skip chastening and go straight to inheritance? No! As many as He loves, He chastens! This vision is not a game in which we get to pick out all the details.
"Where there is no vision, the people are made naked... Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame" (Prov. 29:18 marginal reading and Rev. 16:15)
In the book of Revelation, we find a woman that typifies our soul
that was granted to be arrayed in white linen, which the scriptures
themselves openly tell us such clothing is the righteousness of the
saints. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine
linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of
saints
(Rev. 19:8).
The Greek word used in Rev.19:8 for arrayed is enduo. It is also the same Greek word used for endued in Luke 24:29 when our Lord speaks of the disciples receiving the power of the Holy Spirit. Paul also used this word in reference to put on incorruption and immortality as well as putting on the new man. It was granted to her to be clothed in such divine garments!
The purpose of the indwelling Spirit of God is not just for the power and the gifts, but it is to enable us to walk as Christ, as He dwells within us! Beloved, Jesus Christ was clothed in righteousness when He walked this earth. He was not found naked and void of operating in the will of the Father!
They who judge only as the Father judges and do only the things they see the Father do, are truly being led of the Spirit. The scriptures testify of those who are led by the Spirit as mature sons, not children! (Rom.8:14). They don't have to broadcast themselves or come up with schemes to promote their ministry. They don't have to shout people down and say, "Bless God, I'm a son of God and you'd better know it." Uh-uh, that sort of thing will eclipse the true beauty of humility that every son of God should hope to walk in! If we would just stop and ponder in our hearts the high calling in Christ Jesus and know what it means to be dealt with as a son, we would find that humility is a natural, unconscious outflow.
Beloved, the moment that anyone called to follow the Lord steps out of the leading of the Spirit and turns a deaf ear to His voice, they have placed themselves in a most vulnerable position. When a promise is revealed, and fear creeps in, and the promise God gave is being questioned, we stand in shame, naked and uncovered, with the heavenly vision that speaks of the Lordship of Jesus and our inheritance found in Him being tossed aside!
This "generation of information" cannot cloth themselves or anyone else. Even a second hand revelation cannot have the same impact until the Spirit quickens it! When the Spirit quickens it, the revelation becomes a first hand unveiling!
There are many things that are shared in this hour to feed the fascination of seemingly new revelation, but the inability to clothe those who are spiritually naked and walk in shame is not even considered in the midst of all the oohs and aahs of spiritual fast food!
Where there is no vision, the people perish. As we said, the
marginal rendering is made naked. The same Hebrew word for made naked
is also found in Exodus 32:25. And when Moses saw that the people
were
naked; (for Aaron had made them naked unto their shame among their
enemies:)...
It is quite interesting to note that in Exodus 32 we
find
out what becomes of those who care not to wait for the leading of the
Lord. And When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out
of
the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said
unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this
Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not
what is become of him
(Ex. 32:1).
Such a request seems to typify an attitude that is prevalent today when it comes to dealing with doctrine, revelation and the truth. "Get us another revelation of the cross that does not deal with self. We have heard that, and it requires a process. We want our glorified body now. Get us a revelation of just simply being perfect; I cannot stand those birth pains. Let us keep our nature and say it is divine. Give us a philosophy that teaches us that we had a divine nature all along. We need not be bothered with the experiential dealings of the cross. No one really needs to experience an active cross. Such dealings fail to pamper self, they demand us to lay down our soulish desires. It does not matter how we live, it does not matter who people pray to, we just need to think different about ourselves. We don't know what has become of our deliverer Jesus Christ, Up, make us gods." Ah, the soul that reaches for an image of God that is more convenient for the flesh is not concerned with being covered with the vision of possessing a quality of life that through Christ puts every sin underfoot, in every dimension.
The molten image that Aaron made for Israel was made from golden
earrings, which were probably their most valuable possessions. The
first place the word for earring is used is found in Genesis 24:22 when
Rebekah receives the jewelry from Abraham's servant. The earrings seems
to speak of hearing in a way that results in obedience. In Genesis
24:44 we find the Hebrew word for "appointed" is also the same Hebrew
word used in Proverbs 25:12 for "reprover." Let the same be the
woman
whom the Lord hath appointed out for my master's son
(Gen. 24:44).
Rebekah receives the earring and responds to the Lord's appointment in
obedience. Israel who is also appointed to be a bride gives up her
earring in disobedience. As an earring of gold, and an ornament of
fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear
(Prov.
25:12).
In the Hebrew language, hearing (hearkening) and obedience often mean
the same thing. A pendant of gold and an eardrop of certified gold
is
the reproof of a wise man upon a hearkening ear
(Prov. 25:12 CLV).
The verse in Proverbs speaks of receiving divine instructions as well as correction in a right spirit, which involves an obedient ear. This comes with the territory of the divine appointment of Sonship. This gets back to the sobering reality that is found in the vision of coming to complete maturity in Jesus Christ and the unescapable chastening. Without such a vision we are naked indeed!
In relation to being covered and naked, perhaps the most revealing
Hebrew word in Exodus 32 is the word mas-seh-'chah' which is used for
"molten." The first time this word is used is in Exodus 32:4, but it is
also used in Isaiah 25:7 for vail, and covering in 28:20 and 30:1. Woe
to the rebellious children, saith the Lord, that take counsel, but not
of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they
may add sin to sin: That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked
at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and
to trust in the shadow of Egypt! Therefore shall the strength of
Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your
confusion
(Isa. 30:1-3). This addresses many soulish leadings of
those
chosen in God. We have the obvious application of nominal Christianity
using the world as a pattern to recruit more members, but there is much
more to consider. This can also speak of those claiming to have the
vision of Sonship looking to pantheism, metaphysics, eastern
philosophy, and other anit-Christ concepts as a means to reaching their
destiny in God. Only when our soul is covered by the Spirit can we be
led by the Spirit. The soul that takes counsel in anything apart from
the Spirit of God is in rebellion. This is why it is such a tragic
thing to see the need for spiritual discernment down played for the
sake of what some call unity! In this "generation of information" many
coverings can be found, but we find them typified by the molten images
that is likened to a menstruous cloth that we are to reject. Ye
shall
defile also the covering of thy graven images of silver, and the
ornament of thy molten images of gold: thou shalt cast them away as a
menstruous cloth; thou shalt say unto it, Get thee hence
(Isa.
30:22).
What is offered today by this present cosmos as clothing for the
soul, can't quite cover us. For the bed is shorter than that a man
can
stretch himself on it: and the covering narrower than that he can wrap
himself in it
(Isa. 28:20). Those who set themselves up as teachers
of
the "Kingdom" may have to consider what the Lord said in Matthew 25:35
-40 in a different light.
I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me
(Matt. 25:35 and 36). Where there is no vision, the people are made
naked. The vision comes from an open heaven, which speaks of hearing
God. I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not
spoken
to them, yet they prophesied
(Jer. 23:21). Those who care not to
stand
in the counsel of God but rather deem themselves as a priest above
reproof, have disqualified themselves as a son already! (Jer. 23:22 and
Heb. 12:8). They readily mistake the dictates of their soul for the
voice of God. Knowledge and information begins to replace the work of
the Holy Spirit. Those who receive from such a priesthood are left with
a warped idea of what it means to be spiritually mature. Beloved, those
who receive the dealings of the Father in the right spirit may be used
to share out of the Holy Spirit a God given vision of our inheritance
in Christ Jesus that will clothe us with divine purpose. However, when
we speak out of our soul and indoctrinate someone who is in need of
something more than mere information, no matter how fascinating it may
sound, we have approached them naked and left them naked. And the Lord
said, WHENEVER YOU DID THIS FOR ONE OF THE LEAST IMPORTANT OF THESE
BROTHERS OF MINE, YOU DID IT FOR ME!
(Matt. 25:40, Good News New
Testament).
The vision we are sharing has been substituted with other things, perhaps other visions that would leave us in an open shame in the presence of our Lord. While Paul used the wilderness journey to the Corinthians as an admonition for our sake, many have seen fit to attribute any adversity strictly to the devil and as far as the promise land goes, good ole' Canaan is nothing more than a type of heaven. In the mean time, as long as the world keeps turning, our minds become occupied with other things and we are content to know that one day we will go to heaven. This brings us to some serious considerations on what the vision is not!
When people see salvation only as fire insurance and a one way ticket to glory, that really does not leave too much in between to consider. Many well-meaning souls spend their time dreaming about what it will be like one glad morning. Often it is enough for people to know they were justified while they were still in their sins. Israel partook of the Passover Lamb while they were still in Egypt. We thank God for all recovered truths that have been buried in tradition, but yet there is so much more to recover. Thoughts of what it will be like when we all get to heaven have clouded the perception of some to see anything beyond this celestial Disney Land in the sky.
As we mentioned earlier, the heavens being opened to our Lord simply resulted in doing the will of the Father. The late Andrew Murray once wrote; "Every thought of heaven that does not lead us to do the will of God is a vain imagination." Jesus prayed that the Father's will be done in this present temporal earthly realm as it is done in the invisible present heavenly realm of spirit (Matt. 6:10). It takes no divine vision to be justified and to be content with an eternal vacation plan. The vision involves a visible reality of heaven on earth. Heaven is made visible when the Father's will is being done.
This brings us to our next consideration of what the vision is not. The promise to Caleb and Joshua was not to escape everything that involved entering Canaan, no more than escaping tribulation is mentioned for the overcomers in the book of Revelation. However, visions of escape have been ingrained in the minds of many. Overcoming is the opposite of escapism. It is quite interesting that Corrie Ten Boom, a household name in Christianity had some rather contrary views on the great escape many look for-- "the rapture." She said, "The rapture doctrine is a false teaching that Jesus warned us to expect in the latter days" (Logos Journal, Nov.-Dec. 1974 p. 20). It is also noteworthy to consider the fact that Corrie experienced being taken through the tribulation of a Nazi concentration camp, while many have preached a quick zip out of tribulation as a vital part of the Gospel! Many will rant and rave about going to glory land and fail to see that the Lord is glorified in us when we are found abiding in Him during tribulation!
Many would ask about the meeting in the air in 1 Thessalonians 4:17. Paul taught the resurrection, not the rapture. The resurrection is an essential part of the Gospel, but the teaching of the rapture was birthed around 1830. If we take the clouds, the air in its natural sense with the view of heaven being far above us, we run into a problem, since the higher we go up into the atmosphere the less air there is. Yet, many feel this must take place before we can be with our omnipresent Heavenly Father. For anyone's interest, we can recommend some books that go into further detail concerning the origin of the rapture and classical dispensationalism which has perpetuated the hope of flying away. We care not to get into an exhaustive study on classical dispensationalism, but we would like to state that the natural mind alone can come up with the dispensational charts that the majority of Christendom has adapted for their eschatological views. The true meaning of the scriptures has been veiled to the natural mind by the letter itself. As someone once stated, "The Scriptures to be understood, must be read with the same Spirit that originally inspired them." Many have jumped into the scriptures to sort everything out with their mental might and have given those scriptures that on the surface fail to mesh with Paul's writings to another people and/or another time. However, we are to let the Spirit illuminate our minds if we desire a true understanding! The scriptures have never been the problem. It is our understanding of the scriptures that is the problem!
If we stand guilty of spiritualizing away the scriptures and not
taking them literally, we ask you to consider these verses: I pray
not
that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest
keep them from the evil
(John 17:15), and The righteous shall
never
be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth
(Prov.
10:30).
The Lord has not unveiled Himself to us so that we should dwell in
defeat and pray that we will fly off this miserable planet. It is a
yearning of the flesh to escape. While the Adamic lamentations of
humanity have declared "I ain't got no home in this world," and the
hymnals and theology birthed out of song books have taught previous
generations to sing "I'll fly away," the psalmist was inspired by God
to proclaim that the earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof
(Ps. 21:9). The rapture has caused many to look at the world with a
sneer and say, "when that trumpet blows, I'm out of here." We
acknowledge that there are those who press on toward maturity that
embrace physically flying away, yet the very fact that their emphasis
is on maturity shows that something in their spirit pants after that
which cannot be found in the rapture!
The vision that shall clothe a generation with divine purpose has absolutely nothing to do with escapism! The hope of escape leaves us naked during the predestined pressure that comes with the high calling of God in Christ Jesus!
Those who perished in the wilderness saw the miraculous acts of God, yet that was not enough to cloth them with a vision to inherit the land of Canaan. They cried for the things behind them and judged themselves in their own unbelief. If our hope is merely tied into flying away to old glory, then all the inspired words to the overcomers have no meaning! If we confuse common salvation with the inheritance, then overcoming is simply assumed by everyone or totally ignored. The point is made that there is a difference between those who were saved by the blood of the Lamb and yet perished in the wilderness, and those who inherited the promise land. The difference is there for our consideration. We find a present truth in the wilderness journey which speaks volumes to those who can hear it.
"Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and did all eat the same spiritual meat; and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall" (1 Cor. 10:1-12)
Today, when buildings are full of spectators that come to see the mighty acts of God, and they walk out thrilled but unchanged, it is no different from what happened with the Church in the wilderness. It is also the same case when hearts remain unchanged after an anointed word, speaking of overcoming all earthly passions that give expression to the old creation, has been given and the challenge involved in our birthright is set before us with the sober exhortation not unlike the exhortation Paul was inspired to declare to the Churches, which was to present every man perfect in Christ Jesus! (Col. 1:28).
And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit
shall this birthright do to me? And Jacob said, Swear to me this day;
and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. Then
Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and
drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his
birthright
(Gen. 25:32-34). Although Jacob may not be a shining
example of honesty, Esau is indeed a perfect type of the soulish
regulars that attend to truth long enough to make a quick deposit in
their brain bank and step right back out into the world with an unmoved
and untouched heart! They marvel over the details of Sonship, and when
all the amens have died down, the last word is said, and the meeting is
dismissed, their minds are back to ground level with a view that knows
nothing more than the earthly realm. It is as if the birthright was
presented and taken lightly, if taken at all, after the initial
excitement is gone.
We cannot always conclude that the reason no change has been made is
because the message really was not anointed or that there was no vision
ever given to those who speak their hearts. Be careful therefore
how
you listen. For to him who has [spiritual knowledge] will more be
given; and from him who does not have [spiritual knowledge], even what
he thinks and guesses and supposes that he has will be taken away
(Lu.
8:18 Amp.). The Lord spoke of those who hear the word with an honest
and good heart, and they represent the good ground of which new life
sprouts out! They hold fast to the word and new life is brought forth
in patience and that, beloved, is just what the overcomer does with the
vision of Sonship! (Lu. 8:15). They hold on to the vision like Caleb of
old. Like a rare diamond, there will be those who come to know the
purpose of the pressure involved in our spiritual sojourn. Rather than
rebuke it, they will see God revealing things in us that must go until
all of that which is not of Christ is gone! Gary Gatlin made a profound
statement concerning this: "What you are under pressure, is what you
really are!"
There have been, and there will be, those on this side of the grave who will begin to reveal Christ when under pressure, in a consistent way that draws a distinct line between reality and cheap talk, for all creation to see! The result of chastening to them will be the reality of Sonship, not a nice philosophy of how great we are or how great we will be! The greatness is found in Christand never in us apart from the indwelling Christ! The unbelief that surrounded Caleb did not cause him to let go of the vision! As grueling as the struggle of flesh and spirit may become, there will be those who remain steadfast and prayerfully guard their hearts, rather than give into a state of unbelief. The true mark of the overcomer is not receiving the vision of Sonship and preaching the so called "Kingdom Message," rather it is found in holding on to the vision until the vision itself is personified in the recipient's state of being!
The whole issue of overcoming is not a theological debate over law and grace. However, we would like to state that OVERCOMING IS NOT ACCOMPLISHED BY THE SWEAT OF YOUR BROW! In the rich mercy of our Father, we find grace to answer to self-condemnation and grace for an unearned salvation. After all, if we could earn it, it would not be by grace! We thank our Lord for delivering many from the condemnation of self, as well as religious traditions, but there is life beyond that! There is more to this spiritual journey folks!
The word "overcomer" in the Greek literally means "conqueror." Apart
from Christ, we are unable to conquer. This is where another aspect of
grace needs to be seriously considered. Is the grace of God no more
than a handi-wipe for the guilt of sin? Or is it the ability given by
God that enables us to conquer sin. For the grace of God that
bringeth
salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying
ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and
godly, in this present world
(Ti. 2:11 and 12). The word for
"teaching" in Titus 2:12 is the same Greek word used elsewhere in
Hebrews for "chastening" (12:5, 7 and 11) and "chastisement" (12:8).
Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but
grievous:
nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness
unto them which are exercised thereby
(Heb.12:11). It should be
quite
obvious that the idea of "teaching" being the same as "chastening" in
these scriptures does not involve going to meetings where the message
is preached to the choir. Furthermore, simply listening to someone tell
a new thing to thrill us and make us feel good is not grievous. While
we may feel that we grow deeper by understanding a speaker or a
teacher, it is the chastening that takes place elsewhere that will
teach us how deep the truth we hear is rooted in our hearts! Selah!
If we read on in Titus chapter 2, we find Paul speaks of a redeemed people that are zealous of good works! Oh, no! Paul, that Apostle that many have concluded that he alone had the Gospel of Grace, used that dirty old word "works." Oh, Lord help us, was Paul backsliding?!
Of course Paul did not backslide. Nor was Paul teaching legalism. To save us from going down any rabbit trails, we rest in the confidence that the "good works" could only result in doing the will of God and they are His will! They were ordained by God before the plan of the ages! (Eph.2:10). There is NOTHING GOOD about any other kind of works. They are an abomination! We are not talking about something birthed out of the humanistic slogan, "practice random acts of kindness," and we are not talking about religious performance! We are sharing that which is birthed out of the nature of the new man which does the will of God because that is his nature! What is written upon the heart of the overcomer is a new nature that will naturally execute the will of God. It has nothing to do with a dead work of any kind! When it is Christ working in us the very will of God, it is never a dead work.
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable,
always
abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your
labour is not in vain in the Lord
(1 Cor. 15:58). There is nothing
to
be steadfast and unmoveable in without the vision of going on to the
mature stature of Jesus Christ. Grace is something we grow in. For the
overcomers, it is not enough to just be born, but they must possess the
birth right! When God gives the vision of complete maturity, it tugs at
the heart with a passion to bear the nature of the Father.
Nevertheless, until God gives the vision, grace will always be viewed
from a one-dimensional aspect. This one sided view of grace has the
tendency to limit the Most High, in the sense that we perceive the
ability of God only being able to deliver us from the guilt of sin, and
many people would have it so. However, there is a new man coming on the
scene who has been enabled to put such a foe underfoot! The head of
this corporate new man is JESUS CHRIST! Because of such an uncomparable
Lord, it is the destiny of a son to overcome! The members of the new
man will discern what the vision is not, and like Paul, will be able to
say, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision
(Acts 26:19).