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• WATCHMEN ON THE WALLS
• “HOW CAN SUCH A THING BE”?
• FIRST LOVE
• THE HOUR IS COME

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February 2023

 

 

 

 

WATCHMEN ON THE WALLS

HOW NARROW THE WAY

Curtis Dickinson

        If ever there was a time when a disciple of Christ should stand out in contrast to his contemporaries, it is in this generation when all the world agrees that man has reached a low point in morality. Perhaps that is exactly why people who take their faith seriously are in danger of being accused of belonging to a cult and marked as a threat to society and the establishment.

        The world considers success as power, wealth and fame. All of this was brushed aside by Jesus who taught us to put away the sword and to turn the other cheek. Treasures are to be laid up in heaven, not upon the earth which is passing away. Worldly fame, that which is exalted among men, “is an abomination in the sight of God” (Luke16:15).

        The mainstream church of today honors the wealthy and sticks their names on its buildings, windows and effects. It glories in power and shows its strength by its real estate, the size of its crowds and the popularity of its leaders. It copies the glamour of the world’s entertainers, aping their music and style.

        One who denies self and worldly values not only faces the world’s rejection, but too often he cannot fit into the mainstream church, which considers him a fanatic. However, my purpose here is not to criticize the modern church, but to challenge believers to a self-examination in answering the question: Am I in the way that Jesus called narrow, or am I walking the broad way?

The Way Opposed To The World

        Jesus said, “He that hates his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal” (John12:25). This indicates that the way of life approved by God is in opposition to the way of the world. To walk His way is to go against the flow, which immediately draws the world’s scorn. Such a way of life is foreign to the barbarian culture of our day. In Peter’s words, we are “sojourners and pilgrims” (IIPeter2:11). A pilgrim in a foreign land has no power, is seen as curiously different, and often unwelcome. This was the condition of the church in Peter’s day. Contrast this with the modern church which fears nothing so much as to be considered different from the community and without worldly recognition.

        The Way is opposed to the world because of the direction it is leading - away from society’s norm to the holiness of God, away from the world’s values to spiritual values, away from the world’s temporal treasures - which will have no value in the end - to the eternal. It is other-worldly. The very expression prompts sneers from the sophisticated. Christ’s purpose is a life that transcends all earth-bound dreams. It is distasteful to the world because modern man is grounded in Humanism, with the idea that with enough cooperation and ardor we can bring about the perfect world where everyone is supplied with all the desires his sinful nature demands.

        Such a way is broad and popular all over the world. Revolutionaries and patriots alike have been willing to die for such Utopian dreams. Even a great number of Christians are more zealous for national reformation than spiritual regeneration, and more concerned for the constitution than for the commands of Christ.

        The way of humanism is to have all men conform to the world, that there may be no conflict. The way of Christ is to have all men conform to the image of God, in conflict with the world. It requires a certain detachment from the world and takes issue with the world. The narrow way is opposed to the world.

The Way Is Opposed By The World

        “If you were of the world, the world would love its own,” Jesus said, “but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you” (John15:19). He explained that this was because “they know not him that sent me.” Nothing evokes the world’s anger like the claim Jesus made: “No man comes to the father but by me” (John14:7). Those who know not Jehovah God reject this claim to exclusiveness. They think that all religions are to be recognized as equal. A few years ago, when the president of the Southern Baptist Convention publicly stated that there was no salvation outside of Christ, the media over the whole nation arose in protest. Such exclusive claims by Jesus brands as false all the other gods and religions of the world. They either have to admit it is true or oppose it. Of course, they oppose it.

        The builders of The New World Order realize that true disciples of Jesus will never give up their loyalty and obedience to Christ, nor willingly subject their families to the pagan powers; therefore, there is a great propaganda campaign to denigrate all Christians who refuse to abandon their convictions in order to fit into life on the broad way. The narrow way is bitterly opposed.

The Way Of The Individual

        The broad way is the collective way, socially acceptable, and for the “good of society.” It is the way of the majority vote, denominational approval and the popular format of public worship where people go to witness and applaud the performance of church leaders. In many circumstances, one may attend “worship” and never lose step with the world by giving a solemn thought to his personal condition before God. He is one with the crowd.

        Christ deals with individuals. His commands must be obeyed by individuals. He Himself prayed alone, obeyed alone, and stood alone against the enemy. No one could do His work for Him.

        Faith cannot be delegated, divided up and assigned to a committee. We have Abraham for an example of faith. When he bound Isaac to the altar on Mt. Moriah, he stood alone, no one watching - only God. This was the narrow way.

        The idea prevails that bigger is better. Make things easier by increasing the size of the crowd. Make the road broader. Things seem easier, and more successful when done by a multitude. So, we have made the narrow way a broad way by eliminating the individual Abrahamic experience. Man dares not be alone to make the inward examination, to ponder his own heart before God, and make the commitment for which there is no earthly reward in the form of approval, applause or acceptance. He makes his “decision” for Christ in the crowded auditorium, cheered on to the strains of an invitational hymn.

        What will he do alone on the narrow way, where, like Abraham, he must work out his salvation with fear and trembling with only God to see? When, like Jesus, he must choose the will of God in private and be put to shame in public? Narrow is the way!

The Glory Of The Way

        Men seek honor from the crowd, the multitude, from organizations and institutions. Jesus asked, “How can you believe, who receive glory one of another and the glory that comes from the only God you seek not?” (John5:44) “If any man will serve me, him will the Father honor” (John12:26).

        This is the narrow way, to set out on the course that will be unsung by men, where your sacrifice will be unseen and your name forgotten, where you will receive nothing from man, and if he takes note of you at all it will be to persecute or scorn you. Blessed are you! Such was the way of Christ.

        Honor from God! This is the glory of the narrow way. Those who seek for such honor will receive it in glorious immortality for eternity, while the world which seeks glory among men will get only that - and death” (Rom.2:7-8; 6:23).

        Christ’s way is narrow, but it is the way of joy. It is sheer joy to be detached from the world’s false values, blind alleys, dead-end streets, sullied sensualism, vain knowledge, and arrogant sophistication. It is the way of peace, to be on the way with Him to whom all power is given.

        “Enter in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby. For straight is the gate, and narrow is the way that leads unto life, and few are they that find it” (Matt.7:13,14).

May the King find us walking in the narrow way.

 

 

 

 

“HOW CAN SUCH A THING BE”?

Tom Scullin

        In John3:1-13 Jesus instructs Nicodemus on the necessity of the new birth, which he does not understand. So he asks, “How can such a thing be?” To which Jesus replies, If I have told you earthly things and you have not understood, how will you believe if I tell you of the heavenly things?

        “I have told you earthly things,” seems like a strange way for Jesus to describe “the new birth” teaching He had just given Nicodemus. To understand the basis for Jesus to make that statement, we must go to the scriptures Jesus and the early Church based their teachings on; that is the Old Testament Scriptures that Jesus (Luke4:16-21; Luke24:25-32), Paul (Acts26:22-23; Acts 28:23), and Peter (Acts2.14-21; 2:22-26) used. This was the authority the early Church used as the foundation for all their beliefs and teachings.

        Their teachings were based on the eternal truths that God made known to Israel through the rites, ceremonies and symbols of the sacrificial system, all of which pointed to Christ. “The Gospel was preached unto them” (Heb.4:2), and the means God used to make the Gospel known unto them was the Tabernacle, the courtyard and the rites and ceremonies that were “figures of the true” (Heb.9:24). They were an “example and shadow of heavenly things” (Heb.8). They were carried out in each of the three different areas of service; that is, in THE COURTYARD, in THE HOLY PLACE, and in THE MOST HOLY PLACE.

        1 Cor. 10:11: “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.”

        This sacrificial system that God established with Israel was an earthly representation of divine and heavenly reality (Heb.8:1-5; Heb.9:1-14, 19-26; Heb.10:1,5-12, 19-22). Through this system of earthly spiritual symbolism they were looking forward to the coming MESSIAH and all He would accomplish by His death on the cross, while we now look back and actually partake of all the finished work Jesus, there, accomplished.

        God was adamant in his instructions to Moses; do everything exactly as instructed. Man had nothing to add to this plan that God would accept; no substitutions or deviations would be tolerated, as this was God’s explicitly detailed revelation of the Messiah and what He would do for them and for all of humanity.

        In God’s detailed plan of how He would bring man back into divine favor and fellowship with himself, He instituted the tabernacle, the courtyard and the different rites and symbols in these three areas that He would employ to accomplish His eternal purpose by establishing: No. 1 - THE OUTER COURTYARD with the symbols of ministry and service here that were necessary to picture the vital work that only God could do and only in this exact place by use of the particular symbols of ministry and service that were used in this area. What God would do in this particular area of ministry and service could be done in no other place, not even in heaven. Therefore, the location itself, along with the rites and ceremonies that were needed to show forth the great and mighty victories God would win here for His kingdom and for mankind are critically important for us to know and experience. As important as the symbolic work that could only be done in the courtyard was, it was not the end all of God’s great plan of salvation; it was only the beginning and viewed by God as such.

        The next progression in God’s “eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus” moved from the outer courtyard area to the first compartment of the Tabernacle itself: No. 2 - “THE HOLY PLACE”. Again, the location itself is very symbolic as well as the symbolic rites and ceremonies which were required to represent the highly spiritual ministries and service performed here. The rites and ceremonies carried on in this Holy Place were of a far different nature than were used in the courtyard, as they signified not the earthly things that the courtyard was created to deal with but with the spiritual ministries the priests were called upon to perform and which could only be performed by what this place represented. As wonderful and beneficial as this area of spiritual ministry is, it is not the crowning reason of God’s “eternal purpose;” rather, it was given by God as His crowning means to reach His crowning purpose; that which He began in eternity in His infinite benevolence to such inferior and fallible beings: (Eph.1:4) chosen us in him to be holy and w/out blame, (Rom.8:17) “heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ” in actuality of being, (2Peter1:4) “partakers of the divine nature,” (Rom.8:29) “conformed to the image of his son,” (John17:11,21-23) “one with the Father and with Jesus” and this, the crowning reason for all that has gone before, can only be entered into by the deepest union with the GODHEAD as we come boldly through the mighty fullness of the blood into this place or state of being called: No.3 - “THE HOLY OF HOLIES” the very presence of Father (Heb.10:19-23).

        This is a brief sketch of the Gospel message of Messiah to ancient Israel and to all those called of God. Now, we will get into more specific detail about the different rites and various ceremonies God called for in each area of ministry and service.

        The first area of service was performed on the earth in the open air of THE COURTYARD and consisted of the basic work that dealt with the earthly part of Salvation; that is, the deliverance from sin in the earthly vessel of the natural man. God could not save man from sin from heaven. God in the person of His beloved Son had to come to earth and take upon Himself an earthen body to be able to do what could only be done in this area where the problem existed; that is, in the earthen vessels that had rebelled against His benevolent will. Sin was man’s rejection of God’s Holy will; thus, he was cast out into the earth where his will was the controlling factor that he exercised in constant rejection and rebellion against God. So, here on planet earth, in the fallen and sin-cursed earthen vessels He had created as a special creation to have a divine and intimate relationship with Him, above all other of His created hosts, God came to seek these rebellious earthen creatures who were not seeking him and to save them from themselves (Luke19:10). The earthly dominion of self-will must be overcome (Rev.21:7) in order to progress into God’s eternal purpose (2 Cor.5:15; Luke14:11,26,33; Luke9:23-24).

        On the ground of the earth of the outer court, the mandatory sacrifices for sin were made. The animals were slain here, the blood was caught in a basin and used according to the type of sacrifice. The sacrifice was, then, placed on the brazen altar to be consumed by fire. Also, in the open air of the earth in the outer courtyard was the solid brass laver for the priests to wash their hands and their feet and to wash portions of the sacrifice before being placed on the brazen altar.

        All that was done here was for the judgment (brass) and cleansing (death, blood, fire and water) from sin in the earthen vessels of the priests and people. Here in the earth part where sin was the problem, the judgment (brass) of sin by death, blood, fire, and water were God’s means to deliver from the dominion of sin in the flesh or earth. These sacrifices represented complete deliverance from the dominion of sin in the earthen vessels of the participants (Heb.9:26; Rom.8:2; Titus2:14; Matt.1:21; Luke1:72-75; Rom.6:6; Col.2:11; Rom.6:14).

        Here, in what seems like another strange statement, we see Jesus ministering to Nicodemus from heaven?? (John3:13). What could that mean? Spiritually, He was not ministering from His earth life but from His spiritual union with the Father, for it was the Spirit of the Father in Him governing and directing Him in all He said and did, (John1:18; John14:10-11; John5:19,30; John8:28) which is the exact same place or relationship (John15:4-7) we must have with Jesus (Eph.2:6; John15:5,7; Heb.12:22-25) to be enabled to be and do what He paid the awesome price for us to be and do.

        Here, in the very beginning of Jesus’ ministry, He set the precedent that would identify all of His further ministry: that is, teach “the kingdom of God is at hand” and that man must repent and be converted from the earth way of life unto God’s kingdom way of life (Mark1:14-15; Luke4:43; Luke8:1; John3:1-12; Col.1:13). God’s great plan of salvation was to deliver man from the eternal damnation of his sin of exalting his own will over God’s will. Adam and Eve and all their progeny have followed in this rebellion and rejection of God’s will in favor of their own will. God’s purpose and provision in His plan of Salvation was to bring man back into His Kingdom to the extent that God’s will would again be done “in earth” as it is done in heaven (Matt.6:10; John17:11, 21-23; Rom.8:2,29). To ever accomplish such a seemingly impossible end, the first thing God had to do was overcome the self-will that was controlling the rebellious earthen vessels He set out to save.

        According to these instructions, Jesus was teaching Nicodemus about the earthly part of salvation; that is, how to be born again as the absolute necessity to enter into the Kingdom of God and the tremendous changes that would come about in the earthly vessel when a person is born again (John3:5-8; 1Cor.2:11-14; 1Cor.6:19-20; Col.1:13). Although He does not go on to teach at this time of the heavenly things He referred to because of Nicodemus’ lack of understanding of this most basic truth concerning the earthly things, yet He and the apostles later spent a great deal of time explaining the critically important truths concerning the heavenly things. This is because the earthly part is not the complete truth by itself. Therefore, it needs and requires the additional teaching of the heavenly things because, when understood, believed and received, the earthly things when dealt with in and by God’s provision in Christ Jesus will lead on into the heavenly things, which is God’s ultimate will and purpose.

        When Nicodemus asks “how can such a thing be?” he was expressing his lack of understanding of Jesus’ teaching on “the earthly things” which is the exact same response of the great majority of Christians today to the full extent of what the new birth actually provides for them and brings them into “in Christ.” Because of this unbelief in the hearts of the redeemed regarding all that the earthly part of this great salvation provides for and gives unto them, they are totally unable and unqualified to go beyond the earthly part of salvation on into the spiritual and heavenly part of this great Salvation, which is God’s eternal purpose and will for them. In other words, they do not progress beyond the “new birth” which is only the entrance or doorway into the kingdom, only staying within its periphery with little to no concern to go on into the fullness of all this great Salvation is intended to bring them into. The “earthly things” consist of the essential primary works of God in man which, if believed and entered into, is that which lifts him out of the state of carnality, preparing him to move on into the spiritual state where with the renewed mind he is able to understand spiritual truths and spiritual reality instead of being limited to only earthly knowledge and is able to walk in the spirit and minister spiritual life and deliverance.

        Jesus’ reply to Nicodemus’ question is the answer to why contemporary Christianity is giving such an incomplete, incompetent and false representation of Christ and what He purchased for us by His teachings, death and resurrection. The present day Church has assumed that it has understood what Nicodemus did not understand and has gone forth proclaiming its assumptions as Gospel truth; yet, assumptions do not “heal the broken hearted, or bring deliverance to the captives, set at liberty those that are bound or restore sight to the blind”; Heal the sick, Cleanse the lepers, Raise the dead or cast out devils (John14:12; Luke4: 18; Mark16:15-20; Matt.10:7-8). Nor does it “loose the bands of wickedness, undo the heavy burdens, let the oppressed go free or break every yoke” (Isa.58:6); thus, defective and deficient assumptions have produced a sickly, weak, emaciated, defeated Church.

        The shed blood of the Lamb of God gives us the supernatural new birth Jesus was teaching Nicodemus about that not only “cleansed us from all sin” (1John7,9; Titus2:14; Gal.1:4; Rom.8:2; Col.2:11), but translated us out of our old identity of being part of the old creation “the old man” (Rom.6:6; 2Cor.5:17; Eph.4:22-24) and has established us into a total new state of being where we are “not in the flesh but in the spirit” (Rom.8:9) and, thus, we are seated in heavenly places in Christ (Eph.2:6) with a totally new identity, which before God is, we are joined together “with Christ” (Rom.8:32; Rom.8:17) and “in Christ” (2Cor.1:21; 1Cor.1:9,30; 2Cor.5:17) joint-heirs with Him with all the rights and power inherent in this union belonging to us right now and given, in this new identity, all the authority and power that is necessary to become what He paid for us to be, for we now reign with him (Rev.1:6, 5:10; John1:11-12; John15:7; 2Cor.4:7). For we have been delivered from the powers of darkness and translated into the Kingdom of God’s dear Son (Col.1:13; Mark1:14-15; Matt.12:28; James2:5; Matt.16:19).

        To some, this is merely a concept, an ideal existing only in the mind without spiritual life and reality. This is not about a creed that has no supernatural impact or transforming power in your life. If these words of truth do not result in a life of Spirit and power that results in the manifestation of a supernatural ministry, we have not believed or received what they were given to bring us unto. We are only left with the frustration and limitations of being what is so much less than what He paid for us to be. These truths were given to bring us to Christ, for it is only as we come to and remain “in Him” (John5:39-40; John15:7) that the spiritual reality of all He has given us in the new birth is possessed and operative in life and ministry (John6:29; Rom.8:29,32; John14:12). These truths are the spiritual reality and spiritual life God has provided for us through the new birth, which He demands we believe and walk out in our earthly bodies, which are the temples of the Holy Ghost.

        It is not God’s will or purpose for His people to settle down in the earthly outer court and be satisfied with that as being God’s ultimate will for them. Instead, this area of service supplied by God is for His people to receive and be transformed by all He has provided for them here so that they will be ready to move into the next area of service that does not operate by natural law but by spiritual law.

        Few have advanced beyond the earthly part of God’s eternal provision for His people. Here, God’s salvation has dealt the death blow to sin and self-will in the earthly part of our being, but we have not accepted it as done and over with. Instead, we keep going around in circles in the outer court part of God’s provision for His people, like Israel wandering in the wilderness all those long years because they did not accept God’s supernatural deliverance over the giants. Neither have we accepted God’s supernatural deliverance over the giants of SELF, SIN AND SATAN; thus, we are perennially stuck in an earthly struggle with enemies that have already been dealt the death blow at Calvary, and we can go no further or deeper in God’s great eternal purpose until this primary issue is met and corrected.

        All the Divine, supernatural scope of what Jesus accomplished on the Cross is for us and if we do not believe, receive and walk in all He has here given us, we are destined to be stuck in this earthly outer courtyard area, because we have not met the demands that this area of service was created by God to produce in us; thus, we are unprepared and unqualified to operate by the spiritual and heavenly laws which this next area of service demands of all who function there (John4:23-24; 1Cor.15:50; 1Cor.2:9-14).

        We do not pray that God would bring us into this spiritual union “in Christ,” for He has already done that when we were born again. We are established “in Christ” in this Divine union at Calvary, and all the rights and power inherent in this union belong to us right now! It is our unbelief and ignorance of what He has given us at Calvary that needs to be changed, and must be changed, if we are to be among those who do enter into the fullness of all He paid for on Calvary. (Heb.6:1-2; Heb.4:1-11).

        The evidence that we have truly understood and entered into Jesus’ teaching concerning “the earthly things” is that their spiritual power and reality must and will be manifest in our earthen vessels (2Cor.5:15,17; 2Cor.4:11; Rom.12:1-2; Rom.8:2; Rom.6:6 -14; Col.2:9-12; Col.3:1-3; Eph.2:10,2,12-22; 2Tim.3:16-17; Titus2:14; 1Thes.5:23). This is the proof to heaven of our preparedness to move out of the outer court experience into the next stage of God’s will, purpose and provision for our service in THE HOLY PLACE where the experience changes from dealing with earth life, to life and ministry in the Spirit.

        Everything included “in the earthly things” and “the heavenly things” are already paid for and belong to every believer through the mighty work of Jesus. Why do we see so few availing themselves of this pearl of such inestimable value (Matt.13:45-46)? It seems “they all slumbered and slept” (Matt.25:1-5), and this defines the twenty first century Church.

        What does your heart say to such a rare and costly inheritance? Mine says, “Please help us Lord!”

        The next area of service demands that the worshipers come in out of the open air of the earth of the outer court into the enclosure of the first compartment in the tabernacle, called THE HOLY PLACE. In here, the blood of the sacrifice was sprinkled on the golden altar of incense, and the living coals of fire from the brazen altar were placed on the golden altar upon which the Holy incense of frankincense was cast to create a most pleasant aroma, signifying God’s approval and delight in all that was being done here. Here, the solid golden candlestick with its seven burning candles gave continual light within, shining upon the golden table of showbread upon which the twelve loaves of bread were displayed. The outer walls of this enclosure were made of nonperishable wood covered with gold, and hanging on the golden walls were the shimmering tapestry of the Cherubim with “out-stretched wings.” There is no brass used in this area as was so prevalent in the outer court. Here, gold, cherubim, golden altar, golden light and Holy Bread are all you see, for here all is divine and heavenly with none of the harsh ritual of sacrifice with its stench of the grisly death of earth life repeated over and over, for that part of service was entered into and accomplished in the earth of the outer court. In this area is a higher ministry at the gold altar of incense of intercessory prayer (Rev.8:3) where we are “laborers together with God” (1Cor.3:9), in the presence of the Holy Cherubim, symbols of the mighty power of God, with the divine golden light of the candlestick illuminating the Holy Bread, “which is His body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all” (Eph.1:23). This progression is possible because the necessary work was done in the outer court that brought the believer through to victory over the earth life to be able to live and minister in the “spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Gal.5:16-18,24-25; Rom.8:3-9; Eph.1:3; 2Cor.4:15-18).

        The third progression is into that place or state of being for which all the other progressions were aimed, THE HOLY OF HOLIES. It is here the Father Himself dwells and reigns with long patience as He awaits the precious fruit of the earth to come into the perfect oneness with Himself and Jesus that He paid for on Calvary (1Cor.:9-14; Heb.10:19-20; Eph.1:4; Rom.8:29; Eph.5:25-27; John17:11,21-23; Matt.13:38-43; 1Cor.15:23-28).

        So God’s “eternal purpose that He purposed in Christ Jesus” was to take man through the earthy work of deliverance from the earth, ultimately into perfect oneness with the Godhead (Heb.6:1-2; John17:11,21-23; Rom.8:29; 1Cor.15:46-49; Eph.1:4; Col.1:21-22; Eph.5:25-27). This is the precious fruit of the earth (James5:7), the destiny of the earth that God is in the process of bringing to completeness.

        This is the issue facing the present day church that has settled down in sleep in “the natural things” of the outer courtyard which God intended to be only the first stage of His “eternal Purpose,” which is, that He and the redeemed enter into perfect oneness and unity (John17:11,21-23; Rom.8:29; Eph.4:11-16; Eph.5:25-27; Eph.1:4; Heb.4:1-11) partakers of “The Divine Nature” (2Peter1:4).

        This is in no way a depreciation or belittling of the most gracious and essential work of the new birth, for none of the rest of God’s eternal purpose would be possible without this most necessary dealing with and overcoming the dominion of the earth or flesh. It is just that so very few see anything beyond this initial work of salvation and, therefore, do not seek or expect anything beyond that in this life.

        The unbelievers of God’s fullness for us today are still saying “how can such a thing be?”

        It shall be done! Because God predetermined it to be so before the world began (2Tim.1:9 Titus1:2; Eph.3:11; Eph.1:4-14).

        In view of the infinite reach of God’s love and grace to pay the price we could not pay, not only for our NEW BIRTH (the earthly things) but with the aim to bring us back from our rebellion against His love and grace to finish what He started with Adam (the heavenly things) to be “partakers of the divine nature” (2Peter1:4) brought into the divine union and oneness with the Godhead that Jesus prayed for so long ago on that final Passover night with His disciples (John17:11,21-23).

        Yes, with this view, albeit a limited view, it’s nevertheless sufficient to bring conviction of sin, of righteousness and of judgment (John16:8-11).

        Of SIN: because we have not yet believed “into” Jesus enough to live by His every accomplishment for us, which is why He paid that awesome price.

        Of RIGHTEOUSNESS: It’s only because of the righteousness of His shed blood that we are justified and can still stand before Him,

        Of JUDGMENT: because if we will judge ourselves and correct our ways, we will not be judged.

        Deut.4:29: “But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.

        Jer.24:7: “And I will give them an heart to know me, that I amthe Lord: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.

 

 

 

 

FIRST LOVE

Mary Woodard

The Church At Ephesus

        Somewhere around 70 A.D., during a period of extreme persecution of the Christian church, the apostle John was banished to the Island of Patmos, off the coast of Turkey, for his witness to the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

        While there, Jesus commissioned John, by the Holy Spirit, to write letters to the seven Christian churches which were in Asia at that time.

        After commending the church in Ephesus for their works, their labor, their patience, their discernment between good and evil, and their perseverance, Jesus sends this message to them: “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee because thou hast left thy first love” (Rev.2:4).

        What did He mean by this startling statement? Had the spiritual vitality springing from their love for the Lord degenerated into unprofitable works?

        We believe that this indictment of the church at Ephesus can and should serve as a warning to us today. Where does the church stand today before God?

        Can it be said that many of the churches of today have left their FIRST LOVE? And what about us individuals who make up the church? Where do we stand before the Lord?

Examine Yourselves

        The apostle Paul, speaking to the Corinthian church, said to them: “Examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith. Prove your own selves…” (IICor.13:5).

        Seeing and hearing the things that are going on today, we are forced to the conclusion that many churches and individuals have left and are leaving their FIRST LOVE.

        The purpose of this article is to urge every one of us to examine our own hearts as to whether we have left our FIRST LOVE. Time is growing short, and we cannot afford to put it off. There are some signs by which we can test ourselves.

        1 - Do you remember when you were first saved, how you had such a love and zeal for the Lord you just couldn’t do enough for Him? You were willing to give up anything or anyone in order to serve Him. Your enthusiasm was such that you witnessed to everyone with whom you came in contact. You knew Jesus was alive and that He had saved you. You had such a burden for those closest to you - your family and friends. Do you still have that burden today for those who are without Christ?

        2 - Do you remember how you had such a hunger for the Word of God and such a desire to communicate with Him in prayer? Are you now, like the church in Ephesus, busy working for the Lord but have no time for Him?

        3 - Is Jesus (and the wondrous love and works of God) still your main topic of conversation, or are you more concerned about the events and topics of the day?

        “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above not on things on the earth” (Col.3:1,2).

        4 - Are you loving and compassionate toward others, showing mercy as God has shown you and remembering from where the Lord has brought you? Or is your attitude toward others one of criticism and condemnation and judgment rather than concern and prayers? The apostle Paul knew there was a time to “convince, rebuke, exhort,” but that it should be done “with longsuffering” and “in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted” (IITim.4:2; Gal.6:1).

        5 - How do you spend the time God has given you on this earth? Do you selfishly pursue your own interests, or are you loving and giving toward others out of love for your Lord and the loving and giving attitude He has toward you?

        One would have a difficult time naming all of the distractions today which lead many away from their FIRST LOVE. Sports have captured the minds and hearts of many. Television and the internet are no doubt the biggest distractions. A steady diet of crime, murder, violence, homosexuality, immorality, sex, and the like have hardened the hearts of those who watch it. What was once considered sin and morally wrong according to Biblical standards is now considered natural and normal and no longer looked upon with shame.

        Will you frankly and honestly ask the Lord to reveal to you those areas in which you might be dishonoring God by what you do with your time? Determine not to let the media shape your thinking and your actions.

        “See then that ye walk circumspectly (carefully), not as fools, but as wise. Redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Eph.5:15,16).

        6 - Have you allowed yourself to absorb the attitudes and ways of this world? A good self-image will not take you to heaven. A healthy body is important, but it is not as important as a healthy spirit. A healthy spirit is one which has been born into the family of God through faith in Jesus Christ, and which has been fed and nurtured by the Word of God and the things of God.

        7 - Have you returned to old habits, patterns of life, and personality traits from which the Holy Spirit at one time set you free? We are to put off “the old man” (Rom.6:6; Eph.4:22; Col.3:9) and see that he doesn’t arise again.

        8 - Do you still have convictions given you by the Holy Spirit as to what is right and what is wrong for the Christian? Compromise is running rampant among Christians and in the churches today.

        Sometimes, when I share convictions the Holy Spirit has given me, someone will say to me, “The Lord dealt with me about that at one time.” Have you grieved the Holy Spirit and gone your own way or the way of the world? If so, you need to repent and ask the Lord to help you go His way.

        “If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land” (Isa.1:19).

        9 - Do you depend on others for your spiritual sustenance, or do you get it from God and His Word through the teaching of the Holy Spirit? Others can lead you into error, and many are being led astray by the teachings of men. Test what you read and hear by His Holy Word. Many of those who are in cults and occult practices at one time walked in the Truth of God’s Word, but fell prey to the teaching of men.

God’s Chastening

        The Scriptures, backed by actual events, bear record that God chastens individuals, churches, and nations.

        “For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world” (ICor.11:31,32).

        Those who do not believe in the Son of God are condemned already (John3:18), but we who are Christians need not be. We can either judge and correct ourselves, or we can accept the chastening of the Lord and profit from it.

        Thank God, He doesn’t allow us to continue on going our own way.

        “My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked by Him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth” (Heb.12:5,6).

        When we are chastened, we must repent of that which has brought on the chastening, and we must turn from it.

        “Therefore be zealous and repent” (Rev. 3:19b).

The Church Today

        Many of the churches today are concerned with the reform of the society in which we live. Did Jesus and His disciples attempt to reform society? No, they knew that the only way to cure the ills of society was through the preaching of the gospel and the changing of hearts.

        Many pastors are admitting they simply don’t have time to pray and seek the Lord and meditate on His Word. They say they are just too busy with the affairs of the church. The Scriptures have the answer to this (Acts6:3,4) and all other church problems if they are willing to return to the Word and apply the principles found there.

        Where is the “fire” of the Holy Ghost we read about in the days of the early church and in former revivals?

        Some churches still have the preaching of the Word, but it lacks the power and the anointing to change hearts and lives. On the other hand, some emphasize the work of the Holy Spirit, but neglect the Word. A “revival” built on signs and wonders will not have a lasting effect. Unless the foundation is the Word, one is building on the sand. Jesus told the people who followed Him, in effect, “you don’t want me - you just want what I can do for you” (John6:26; 4:48).

        We must be careful of the counterfeit. The Word tells us “evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived” (IITim.3:13). It also warns of “the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders” (IIThess.2:9) and “the spirits of demons, performing signs” (Rev.16:14).

        The church at Ephesus seemed to have some good things going, as I am sure many churches do today. But did they repent and return to their FIRST LOVE? Apparently not. Jesus had warned them: “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come quickly and remove your lampstand from its place - unless you repent” (Rev.2:5).

        The light of the Ephesus church, as well as the other churches in that area, was eventually extinguished. The country of Turkey, where the seven churches were located, is now reported to be 98% Islam religion, with less than one-tenth of one percent Christian. The former churches are now mosques or museums. Wouldn’t you agree this is a warning to us today?

        “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Rev.2:7).

 

 

 

 

THE HOUR IS COME

Alfred King

        “These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee.” (John17:1) It is of special note that Jesus refers to this moment as “The Hour.” However, we who live after the events which evolved throughout this “hour” have a greater understanding of what He meant when He made this statement, and certainly more than those twelve disciples who were present at the time.

        Five chapters earlier in John, chapter twelve, Jesus was heavy-hearted as He contemplated this “hour,” which would bring about His death and the agony which it would bring. He expressed His apprehension with these words, “Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour” (John12:37). Now, as He prays to His Father, He seeks comfort, knowing this “hour” will produce trials and temptations above which any man has ever experienced. He will face an onslaught of hell above human ability to resist and which will produce agony beyond human ability to endure and, yet, He is ordained for this hour. For this purpose He came into the world. It was determined before the foundations of the world that He would become the sacrificial Lamb which would take away the sin of the world. He would bear the penalty for men’s transgression, for He would be their substitute.

        This hour was “the hour” which was determined before the foundations of the world, “the hour” that would be the major pivotal point in world’s history. It was “the hour” in which Satan would meet his demise. It was “the hour” in which salvation would be offered to the world. It was “the hour” when all beings in heaven and in hell would gather in order to watch this “hour’s” scene unfold, “the hour” when the forces of darkness and hell would unleash its full power and might against the Lord of glory. It was “the hour” when the Son of God would be tested with all the might of hell itself in a final attempt to destroy God’s authority and subjugate God Himself, thereby taking complete control of this world and men’s destiny. It was “the hour” when men, whom God created, would yield themselves completely to Satan’s control and perform a most dastardly deed in crucifying the only begotten Son of God. But it was also “the hour” when a lifeline was thrown out to a dying world and a means provided by which sinful men could be salvaged from eternal damnation. And it was “the hour” when eternal life would be offered to sinners and the way made for men to return to God and regain the fellowship which was lost through Adam’s transgression. This was the greatest hour in human history, for it was “the hour” when Jesus, God’s only Son, took upon Himself all men’s sins and paid sin’s price, thus satisfying eternal justice.

Glorify The Son

        Notice the word “glorify” as we read further into Jesus’ prayer in John 17. After His acknowledgment that the hour is come, He continues in verse one, “glorify thy Son that thy Son also may glorify thee.” And in verse 5, He prays: “And now O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.” Glorify means to honor, exalt, to make glorious, extol, and to magnify. Included in the definition of this word is the revelation of who God is and what God is. When God’s glory is revealed, it is an unveiling of God’s very nature and character; it is His person. This “hour” disclosed God’s omniscience in His wisdom in devising what is often called “His divine plan”, a plan established before the world was formed, a plan in which He would bring about the defeat of Satan and all the demonic spirits of hell. Jesus, the Son of God, would be incarnated and made in the likeness of men and, through His humanity, He would come to “the hour” when He would destroy the works and the devices of the devil. God’s omniscience and omnipotence were revealed as Jesus bore the sins of the whole world, descended into death and hell where He bound the strong man and destroyed his house. The chaos and destruction of Satan’s kingdom might be likened to when He went into the temple with a whip, overturning the tables, sending their money flying and setting all the animals free. He really made a mess of things. Oh, the wisdom and power and glory of our God when He devised His plan for the overthrow of Satan and for the redemption and reconciliation of His people!

        When Satan was successful in producing such hatred and anger in the hearts of Caiaphas and the religious rulers toward Jesus, and was able to find an evil heart in one of Jesus’ disciples, he entered into the heart of Judas to betray the Son of God. He thought that he had the perfect plan to triumph over God. His plan was perfect, for it created the perfect storm for his own destruction when he discovered, too late, that death could not hold Jesus. Jesus arose victorious and Satan’s plan was shown to be ineffective for an omnipotent God, and his plans defective and flawed when launched against Jesus Christ.

        As Jesus prayed, “the glory” of God was to be manifest in ways incomprehensibly amazing. The glory revealed during that “hour” would cause the beings in heaven and hell to marvel and to stand in awe as Jesus faced the cross. “The glory” of God was to be unveiled in a way never before seen, even by the beings in heaven, for the character and beauty of the infinite One would disclose a new dimension of who He is and what He is.

God’s Glory Given To The Disciples

        As Jesus continued His prayer, He turned His attention toward His disciples. Verse 22 reads, “And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one.” Stop for a moment and contemplate what this means in light of what we have just mentioned. This is that to which the church, the disciples of Jesus Christ, are called. God desires to glorify His people with the same glory with which Jesus was adorned, even to the point where the same fellowship and communion which existed between Jesus and His Father might be partaken of by His people.

        Further on in the Lord’s prayer, He prayed, “Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world” (John17:24). Jesus expressed His desire to have His disciples be with Him where they would behold His glory. As previously mentioned, this not only refers to His honor and exaltation but His character, who and what He is. He is infinite, and we will continue throughout the eternal ages to delve into His infinitude and be continually amazed and overcome with those innate attributes of His person.

“Thy Name”

        There is another word Jesus used several times in His prayer recorded in John 17. That word is “name,” more specifically, “thy name,” speaking of His Father. Before we read those portions of His prayer, let’s first consider what is being expressed by our Lord by defining the word “name” from a biblical perspective. Thayer’s Lexicon defines the word name as: “Proper names. The name is used for everything which the name covers, everything the thought or feeling of which is aroused in the mind by mentioning, hearing, remembering the name, i.e. for one’s rank, authority, interests, pleasure, command, excellences, deeds, etc.”

        As examples of names and what they mean and what they conjure up in our minds, we can consider names of things like; a dog, a chair, a car, etc. For people, we might mention George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Adoph Hitler, or people like Albert Einstein, a scientist, Tiger Woods – sports, Elvis Presley – singer, etc. The point here is that these names produce certain thoughts in our minds and perhaps some visuals. Names identify things and people.

        Returning to John 17, in verse 6 Jesus prayed, “I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world; thine they were and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.” Notice how Jesus uses the noun “name” in reference to His Father, “thy name”. (Truthfully, there is no place in scripture where the name of the Father is actually given. I know there are those who believe it is given, but it is questionable at best and Jesus, as far as is recorded in the four Gospels, never calls God by a name but always “Father.” So, we have no reference to the Father’s name. Jesus always addressed Him as “Father.” Not desiring to get into a biblical debate and miss the whole point here, let us stay focused on the word “name”.)

        When Jesus prayed, “I have manifested thy (the Father’s) name,” He was not narrowing the Father down to one or two words. He is stating that He had revealed the Father to His disciples throughout His life in many ways and through various means and manifestations. He unveiled God’s character and nature, just as is stated earlier in this article. Later in His prayer, Jesus again spoke of the Father’s name: Verse 11, “And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.”

        He prayed that His disciples be kept through the Father’s name, by the examples Jesus had set before them. What Jesus did was what He was directed to do from the Father. This that Jesus prayed is for His disciples today as well as those at that time, for later He prays, “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word” (John17:20) . We, then, are to be kept through His name; His omnipotence, His omniscience, and especially His love, for “God is love” (IJohn4:8,16).

        Two more times in His prayer Jesus spoke of the Father’s name: “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled” (John17:12). Again in John 17:26, “And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them and I in them.”

        What we find here is that all the attributes of God are those by which we are kept. We are kept by the power of God and by the commitment and promises of God. We have a sure foundation which cannot be shaken when we realize what God has provided for us through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Revelation Of God’s Love

        The life of our Lord, sacrificed for us, reveals much of who and what God is. It reveals His wisdom, His power, His knowledge, and above all His love. God so loved the world that He sent His Son to die in our place. Such love is incomprehensible, but it is this love that He has promised would be created in His people so that we might become like Him.

        In creation, we find God’s creative ability and power. From nothing, He created all that we see around us: the heavens with all its wonders and beauty, the earth with its sunsets, its nature, all governed by His divine law, the human body which defies knowledge and science and reaches far beyond man’s abilities. And in these human bodies, God has placed a soul, the real you and me, which He is working to save, refine, and perfect. Only God can accomplish this task, but He has promised to do it and bring us into His perfect rest where we will behold in perfect clearness, the beauties of God. He is able to perform it because of His name: His character, power, ability, and love.

        The main attribute that God desires to produce in us is love. Paul wrote to the Corinthians that love far exceeds tongues and interpretation, knowledge, mysteries, and faith. He declared that prophecies shall fail, tongues shall cease, and knowledge shall vanish away, but love will endure. God desires that we serve Him out of love, not out of duty. He wants us to obey His commands because we love Him and not because we don’t want to go to hell or even that we want to go to heaven. We want to go to heaven because we love Him and desire to be with Him throughout eternity. God has provided the means that this can be our case, and it is all found in Jesus Christ who died in our place. May we each allow God to create within us this love upon which all the law and the prophets hang.