As given by the Holy Spirit
Ephesians 1: 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in
Christ:
4 According as he has chosen us in him before the foundation of the
world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus
Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, in which he has made us
accepted in the beloved.
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of
sins, according to the riches of his grace;
8 Which he has abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to
his good pleasure which he has purposed in himself:
10 That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather
together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on
earth; even in him:
11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated
according to the purpose of him who works all things after the counsel of his
own will:
12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted
in Christ.
13 In whom you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the
gospel of your salvation: in whom also after you believed, you were sealed with
that Holy Spirit of promise,
14 Who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of
the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
15 Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus,
and love unto all the saints,
16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my
prayers;
17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may
give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may
know what is the hope of his calling, and what is the riches of the glory of his
inheritance in the saints,
19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who
believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
20 Which he performed in Christ, when he raised him from the dead,
and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion,
and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to
come:
22 And has put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the
head over all things to the church,
23 Which is his body, the fullness of him that fills all in all.
In this chapter of Ephesians we read about the finished accomplished
work wrought out by God in His Son Jesus Christ. Yes He chose us in Him before
the foundation of the world but we still need to be brought into the reality,
revelation and full manifestation of what is written otherwise we are false
witnesses. If what you speak is not a reality in your life to which you can
testify then you are a false witness. Jesus only became a faithful witness after
the work of redemption was accomplished in Him.
Revelation 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him,
whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the
foundation of the world.
God the Father had the plan.
Jesus came and accomplished the plan.
The Holy Spirit now communicates God's plan unto us so we too might become faithful witnesses to the reality and the power of the gospel of His salvation wrought out in our surrendered lives. His gospel can only be testified of when we submit ourselves to God through conformity to the standard of His truth revealed and proclaimed in His Son Jesus the Christ. No conformity to God's truth, no testimony.
Jesus came and accomplished the plan.
The Holy Spirit now communicates God's plan unto us so we too might become faithful witnesses to the reality and the power of the gospel of His salvation wrought out in our surrendered lives. His gospel can only be testified of when we submit ourselves to God through conformity to the standard of His truth revealed and proclaimed in His Son Jesus the Christ. No conformity to God's truth, no testimony.
Is it not written about God's people in Ephesians 4:13 Till we all
come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a
perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:
14 That we from now on be no more children, tossed to and fro, and
carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning
craftiness, by which they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all
things, who is the head, even Christ:
16 From whom the whole body being fitly joined together and knit
together by that which every joint supplies, according to the effectual working
in the measure of every part, makes increase of the body unto the edifying of
itself in love.
I read the other day on a friend of mine's Facebook page a commentary
given by a guy through which He criticised a statement made by Charles Spurgeon.
Charles Spurgeon said the following; "I BELIEVE THE HOLIER A MAN BECOMES, THE
MORE HE MOURNS OVER THE UNHOLINESS WHICH REMAINS IN HIM. "
This statement can only be understood by a person who understand the
journey and process of sanctification. Are we not commanded by God in
Philippians 2:12 to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling.
But then in the following verse it is clearly revealed that only the
Lord God has the ability and power to make us willing to do according to His
good pleasure.
13 For it is God who works in you both to will and to do of His good
pleasure.
Man therefore in his own fleshly strength cannot manifest the
attributes of godliness. Man in his own fleshly limitations cannot walk as Jesus
walked. Man within his own fallen self can only manifest the ungodliness of the
sinful nature. We have no righteousness of our own. It must be wrought into us
by God.
Yes it is so easy to claim what Jesus did on our behalf and it is so
easy to say that our redemption is in Him and that through one sacrifice He has
forever provided the means to be sanctified but to humble oneself before God
through the denial of self and to take up ones cross and follow Jesus is a whole
different story.
Most people have absolutely no clue, idea or experience of the power
and the reality of a life sanctified through the power of the cross of Jesus
Christ.
You cannot speak of what you have not experienced with God. You cannot testify of what you don't know or understand. The redemption of man was accomplished by Christ as we also read in Hebrews 1
You cannot speak of what you have not experienced with God. You cannot testify of what you don't know or understand. The redemption of man was accomplished by Christ as we also read in Hebrews 1
1 God, who at many times and in various manners spoke in time past
unto the fathers by the prophets,
2 Has in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He has
appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds;
3 Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of
His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by
himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
...but this redemption, this authority and power means nothing to a
person who does not come to God.
We are called to overcome and salvation is very different than the
victors crown for which we must run.
Yes as we said, our redemption and salvation was accomplished as we
read in Ephesians 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward
us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power,
20 Which He performed in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead,
and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, but what is the
pathway which Christ had to take to be crowned?
Is it not recorded within the eternal archives of God's kingdom that
He made himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and
was made in the likeness of men:
And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross? And only then it could be said that God also has highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father?
And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross? And only then it could be said that God also has highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father?
So why then do so many Christians in the futility of their unrenewed
thinking claim such an honour without experiencing the pathway to the throne?
Is it not clearly said in Romans 8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are
debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
13 For if you live after the flesh, you shall die: but if you
through the Spirit do put to death the deeds of the body, you shall live.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of
God.
15 For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear;
but you have received the Spirit of adoption, by which we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the
children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with
Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, so that we may be also glorified
together.
If we suffer with Him by taking up our personal cross through the
denial of self and becoming obedient to the point of death to the fleshly earthy
life then and only then can we be raised up to find ourselves seated with Him.
Only those who embrace the royal road of the cross shall be declared as
overcomers in the Presence of the Majesty on high.
Revelation 3:21 To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with Me in
My throne, even as I also overcame, and sat down with My Father in His
throne.22 He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the
churches.
A prophetic word by which our God confirms these truths given through
J Leland Earls during the 1900's
Don't be mislead by those who diminish the victors crown of the
overcomers to the level of salvation.
THE LION, THE LAMB, AND THE SEVEN SEALS
"Now have the seals been broken; now is the sealed book open. Hear now, my people, and I will show you the mystery of the seals as they relate to my end-time purposes. The seals have a double fulfillment: one is the over all historical, covering the period from the days of the increasing alignment of church with the powers of state in the fourth century until the end of the present age, and the other is the short term end-time fulfillment. For I conform all things to the basic pattern of truth which is recorded in My Word. Therefore hear, and I will show you the seals' and their fulfillment during the years that you are living; in the end-time period of the present age.
You shall note that it was the Lion of the tribe of Judah who prevailed to open the seven-sealed book (Rev. 5:5), yet it was a Lamb who took the book, or scroll, from the hand of Him that sat on the throne and opened the seals thereof (Rev. 5:6-7, 6:1). What does this portray? It portrays the truth of Jesus' ministry as King-priest (Heb. 5:10, 7:1-2). As a priest, He is the Lamb of God who gave Himself as the perfect sacrifice on the cross and who ever lives to make intercession for the redeemed (Heb. 7:25-27). As a King, He is the Lion of the tribe of Judah who reigns on the throne of David (Isa. 9:6-7, Luke 1:31-33). Now, during this dispensation of redemption, His Lamb ministry predominates; that is why He is seen as a Lamb (Rev. 5:6). But as the present dispensation draws to a close, and the seals of judgment are opened to bring to an end the mis-rule of man, it is the Lion ministry that begins to prevail; for Jesus the King begins to actively take over that which is rightfully His. He begins to exert the power and authority which was given to Him after His resurrection (Matt. 28:18), in such a way as to completely eliminate the usurpation of Satan-controlled man, and exercise His own right as King. It is during the end-time period of the seals and the trumpets that forces of judgment are set in motion, so that man's civilization will utterly collapse, and thus finally it becomes fulfilled that the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and he shall reign for the eons.’ (Rev. 11:15). The lion nature of Jesus' ruling authority must be made manifest, and this begins to prevail as the seals are opened, but it does not completely predominate until all rival rule and authority has been put down. First, His Lamb ministry of redemption must be completely fulfilled for the present age, even though His Lion ministry of Kingship begins to come to the fore.
This, my people, must also be the pattern in your own lives. First, you must fulfill the pattern of the Lamb. You must learn submission, meekness, sacrifice, and willingness to hear and follow the voice of the Shepherd (John 10:27), or you will never enter the Lion ministry of joint-rulership with Christ. If you are fully yielded and prepared as a Lamb, then you shall come forth in that end-time ministry of power, boldness and authority which is symbolized by the Lion. The fact that the Lion of the tribe of Judah has begun to exercise His prerogatives will be manifested on the earth, not only by judgments upon man's civilization, but also by the bringing forth of a people who shall enter into spiritual realms of 'ruling with Christ that no people have ever experienced before, and which shall cause a spiritual 'shaking' and revival unprecedented in human history. Great shall be the glory, power, and dominion which shall be shown forth by a people who have first come into the fullness of the Lamb nature of full submission, and then are moved into the Lion ministry of the Lord's end-time glorious church.
The preceding is portrayed in the vision which John saw of the mighty messenger with the little book open.' (Rev. 10:1-2). The mighty Messenger, who is preparing an end-time Body through the unveiling of the end-time message of the little book, is seen, crying with a loud voice 'as when a lion roars.' (Rev. 10:3). And when He had cried 'seven thunders uttered their voices. 'Here is portrayed a people, responding to the vibratory pitch of the Lion of the tribe of Judah, and entering into the lion ministry of the seven thunders. No longer meek and lamb-like before the world, but bold as a lion and with Kingly power and authority. Yet, the Lion and the Lamb must 'lie down' together in every member of that Body. (See Isa. 11:6). For unto the Lord Himself, they shall ever be lamb-like; submissive, obedient, hearing only His voice; but unto the world they shall manifest the Lion-like nature of Kingly authority, ruling power, regal bearing, and a Word ministry of spiritual vitality and liberating dynamic. But this shall come forth only in a people thoroughly prepared by the Lord, and who have learned to live and walk in the Spirit, giving themselves in totality to the call of the Spirit upon their lives.
"Now have the seals been broken; now is the sealed book open. Hear now, my people, and I will show you the mystery of the seals as they relate to my end-time purposes. The seals have a double fulfillment: one is the over all historical, covering the period from the days of the increasing alignment of church with the powers of state in the fourth century until the end of the present age, and the other is the short term end-time fulfillment. For I conform all things to the basic pattern of truth which is recorded in My Word. Therefore hear, and I will show you the seals' and their fulfillment during the years that you are living; in the end-time period of the present age.
You shall note that it was the Lion of the tribe of Judah who prevailed to open the seven-sealed book (Rev. 5:5), yet it was a Lamb who took the book, or scroll, from the hand of Him that sat on the throne and opened the seals thereof (Rev. 5:6-7, 6:1). What does this portray? It portrays the truth of Jesus' ministry as King-priest (Heb. 5:10, 7:1-2). As a priest, He is the Lamb of God who gave Himself as the perfect sacrifice on the cross and who ever lives to make intercession for the redeemed (Heb. 7:25-27). As a King, He is the Lion of the tribe of Judah who reigns on the throne of David (Isa. 9:6-7, Luke 1:31-33). Now, during this dispensation of redemption, His Lamb ministry predominates; that is why He is seen as a Lamb (Rev. 5:6). But as the present dispensation draws to a close, and the seals of judgment are opened to bring to an end the mis-rule of man, it is the Lion ministry that begins to prevail; for Jesus the King begins to actively take over that which is rightfully His. He begins to exert the power and authority which was given to Him after His resurrection (Matt. 28:18), in such a way as to completely eliminate the usurpation of Satan-controlled man, and exercise His own right as King. It is during the end-time period of the seals and the trumpets that forces of judgment are set in motion, so that man's civilization will utterly collapse, and thus finally it becomes fulfilled that the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and he shall reign for the eons.’ (Rev. 11:15). The lion nature of Jesus' ruling authority must be made manifest, and this begins to prevail as the seals are opened, but it does not completely predominate until all rival rule and authority has been put down. First, His Lamb ministry of redemption must be completely fulfilled for the present age, even though His Lion ministry of Kingship begins to come to the fore.
This, my people, must also be the pattern in your own lives. First, you must fulfill the pattern of the Lamb. You must learn submission, meekness, sacrifice, and willingness to hear and follow the voice of the Shepherd (John 10:27), or you will never enter the Lion ministry of joint-rulership with Christ. If you are fully yielded and prepared as a Lamb, then you shall come forth in that end-time ministry of power, boldness and authority which is symbolized by the Lion. The fact that the Lion of the tribe of Judah has begun to exercise His prerogatives will be manifested on the earth, not only by judgments upon man's civilization, but also by the bringing forth of a people who shall enter into spiritual realms of 'ruling with Christ that no people have ever experienced before, and which shall cause a spiritual 'shaking' and revival unprecedented in human history. Great shall be the glory, power, and dominion which shall be shown forth by a people who have first come into the fullness of the Lamb nature of full submission, and then are moved into the Lion ministry of the Lord's end-time glorious church.
The preceding is portrayed in the vision which John saw of the mighty messenger with the little book open.' (Rev. 10:1-2). The mighty Messenger, who is preparing an end-time Body through the unveiling of the end-time message of the little book, is seen, crying with a loud voice 'as when a lion roars.' (Rev. 10:3). And when He had cried 'seven thunders uttered their voices. 'Here is portrayed a people, responding to the vibratory pitch of the Lion of the tribe of Judah, and entering into the lion ministry of the seven thunders. No longer meek and lamb-like before the world, but bold as a lion and with Kingly power and authority. Yet, the Lion and the Lamb must 'lie down' together in every member of that Body. (See Isa. 11:6). For unto the Lord Himself, they shall ever be lamb-like; submissive, obedient, hearing only His voice; but unto the world they shall manifest the Lion-like nature of Kingly authority, ruling power, regal bearing, and a Word ministry of spiritual vitality and liberating dynamic. But this shall come forth only in a people thoroughly prepared by the Lord, and who have learned to live and walk in the Spirit, giving themselves in totality to the call of the Spirit upon their lives.
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