Building the Boat

This is an interesting Jewish blogpost about Noah building the Ark.
Notice  the rabbi quotes freely from Cabbalists showing how intermingled both faith camps are, despite the Cabbalists secret wishes to annihilate their brethren while posing as just another Jewish group.

The Church,the Boat,the other Ark,the Ark of testimony in the holy of Holies,our lives,the Word, notice how they are all tied into what the cabbalists here refer to as the dual meaning of Noah's Ark: taiva - Word.

Word is what is being built into us under the guise that we are building something. My generation left the religion of our forebears for a greater Light : Spirit-filled Christianity. So I left my parent's Methodist Church for a newly renewed Baptist Church in Old Amersham, a fore-runner among our early Spirit-filled churches in the UK.
Then we saw more light about how God was building His church. It was a Vision. A light in itself.I moved to Emsworth, an independent Spirit-filled church with a greater Light about how we move corporately in the Melchizedek Order, we gather in the Living presence of God. We started to leave man's control behind and increasingly left God to set the agenda. I am in a church now in Havant which seeks to do the same.

If it seems odd to you that a whole 30 years has passed between the last two churches, and both are seeking much the same, well let it remind you of the Israelites wandering round and round in a pointless wilderness, which was actually, on foot, only eleven days journey. Why the holdup?

The Israelites didnt want to make the inner journey. The New Testament says "Do not be like the Israelites in the wilderness who mumbled and groaned, who became bitter and hardened their heart."
Unless the soli of our heart remains clean and fresh, we cannot remain through channels of the faith of God, for Him to put His great plans through by us. We are given so much grace, then if we persist, He moves on to another people or another generation, but the outworking of His Plan is ceaseless.

What is really being built is TAIVA.  WORD.
We are becoming a people of Word.
It's not really being built either.
More uncovered.
It was always in the DNA of our spirit, but just had to develop. And the devil's job, his name is Satan or resister, is to try to stop it.

This extra layer of resistance acts as a piece of weight in a gym. All it does in the long term is build a more genuine, stronger form of manifestation.

But talking of Satan's work as a piece of weight resistance is to speak lightly of something that is building to fill the whole Earth.It is huge, and the glory of God among His people will be correspondingly Mighty. And we saw a blueprint version in Gideon's 300  men in the Book of Judges.

But this blogpost is about us being called to build an Ark whereby we will be saved.
It's not the boards of wood that are going to save us now. We are called to build communities of Spirit and Word.
To be blunt, we have communities of no Word at all, the world system.
We have communities of Spirit, but little Word.
We have communities of Word but little Spirit.
We have individuals coming into Word and Spirit.

BUT at present We have NO Communities of Word and Spirit. Which was our calling.
So put simply......we have not fulfilled the command to build an Ark. To build places of refuge, like Cities of Refuge.


Numbers 35:The cities which you shall give to the Levites shall be the six cities of refuge, which you shall give for the manslayer to flee to; and in addition to them you shall give forty-two cities. ⁷ All the cities which you shall give to the Levites shall be forty-eight cities, ^[b]together with their pasture lands. ⁸ As for the cities which you shall give from the possession of the sons of Israel, you shall take more from the larger and you shall take less from the smaller; each shall give some of his cities to the Levites in proportion to his possession which he inherits.”

 ⁹ Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, ¹⁰ “Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan, ¹¹ then you shall select for yourselves cities to be your cities of refuge, that the manslayer who has ^[c]killed any person unintentionally may flee there. ¹² The cities shall be to you as a refuge from the avenger, so that the manslayer will not die until he stands before the congregation for ^[d]trial. ¹³ The cities which you are to give shall be your six cities of refuge. ¹⁴ You shall give three cities across the Jordan and three cities ^[e]in the land of Canaan; they are to be cities of refuge. ¹⁵ These six cities shall be for refuge for the sons of Israel, and for the alien and for the sojourner among them; that anyone who ^[f]kills a person unintentionally may flee there.

 ¹⁶ ‘But if he struck him down with an iron object, so that he died, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death. ¹⁷ If he struck him down with a stone in the hand, by which he will die, and as a result he died, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death. ¹⁸ Or if he struck him with a wooden object in the hand, by which he might die, and as a result he died, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death. ¹⁹ The blood avenger himself shall put the murderer to death; he shall put him to death when he meets him. ²⁰ If he pushed him of hatred, or threw something at him lying in wait and as a result he died, ²¹ or if he struck him down with his hand in enmity, and as a result he died, the one who struck him shall surely be put to death, he is a murderer; the blood avenger shall put the murderer to death when he meets him.

 ²² ‘But if he pushed him suddenly without enmity, or threw something at him without lying in wait, ²³ or with any ^[g]deadly object of stone, and without seeing it dropped on him so that he died, while he was not his enemy nor seeking his injury, ²⁴ then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the blood avenger according to these ordinances. ²⁵ The congregation shall deliver the manslayer from the hand of the blood avenger, and the congregation shall restore him to his city of refuge to which he fled; and he shall live in it until the death of the high priest who was anointed with the holy oil. ²⁶ But if the manslayer at any time goes beyond the border of his city of refuge to which he may flee, ²⁷ and the blood avenger finds him outside the border of his city of refuge, and the blood avenger kills the manslayer, he will not be guilty of blood ²⁸ because he should have remained in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest. But after the death of the high priest the manslayer shall return to the land of his possession.

 ²⁹ ‘These things shall be for a statutory ordinance to you throughout your generations in all your dwellings.

 ³⁰ ‘If anyone kills a person, the murderer shall be put to death at the ^[h]evidence of witnesses, but no person shall be put to death on the testimony of one witness. ³¹ Moreover, you shall not take ransom for the life of a murderer who is guilty of death, but he shall surely be put to death. ³² You shall not take ransom for him who has fled to his city of refuge, that he may return to live in the land ^[i]before the death of the priest. ³³ So you shall not pollute the land in which you are; for blood pollutes the land and no expiation can be made for the land for the blood that is shed on it, except by the blood of him who shed it. ³⁴ You shall not defile the land in which you live, in the midst of which I dwell; for I the LORD am dwelling in the midst of the sons of Israel.’”

In these passages we are getting to God's heart on all this within an Old Covenant format.
We are NOT building leftbrain forms here.
We are not making rules which mean every church has to set up an external format which does the same as a city of Refuge. In a sense we tried that in Bible House with some of the French and Argentinian Street people.
But then we discovered we were something "other than that" in form.  At that stage we were a people seeking God for the next stage in His Divine chapter of setting up the Kingdom in the Earth. which was a forerunner to the present light of this blog, and to the many online who are now sharing the same type of things.


The real City of Refuge, or Ark boat we run into is Word. Word that is layered inside us, as we share, as we listen, as we laugh, as we fellowship ,as we seek God, as we worship. Jesus is the City of refuge. His Name is a High Tower, the righteous run into it and are safe. (Please I am not decrying those who are called to faithfully work among those who need a city of refuge...since it is in the heart of God to restore, ALL of us get called to this in some shape or form. For me, one part has been taking on a family that isnt mine, and sweating the heat of both how useless I am at it, and them resenting every minute of this new intruder.)


We have now isolated the the true building brick of Church building. It is the revelation of Jesus Christ in your form as a human being. It is NOT just going forward once in a meeting to accept Jesus as your Saviour.
It is not just being filled with the Spirit, so you can go to the front of many meetings and dance and sing.
It is the CONTINUING revelation that the Lord Jesus Christ wants to come again in you, in your form, AND in whole groups of people like you. Because those corporate forms are NOT TO GET IN THE WAY of the revelation of Jesus Christ in you
they are designated as FLIMSY BOOTHS WITH NO CEILING. The Lord God is YOUR ROOF.

The Taiva, the boat,the Word, within each one is the Church. Do you get that? Anything else gets in the way. So if we gather it is to impart Word in song,speech or other activity. It may be to gather once. It may be to gather regularly for a while. It may be to gather regularly for a whole lifetime.In whatever form, you are the local manifest presence of the Body of Christ  on the Earth while doing so. The corporate form.
We remain ever the corporate form , even when not physically together.
And ofcourse we are ever the individual form of the Body of Christ once believers.

The religion (ie NOT the GENUINE form) of christianity, like Judaism, gathers around special places to be together.
The initial form of Christianity was 12 disciples living, breathing, being around Jesus Ministry of proclaiming the Kingdom on Earth.  God used persecution to break the old Jewish habits, and start to get the new priesthood in Acts , used to the new way of thinking. It's people transplanting Christ. PERIOD.

It's not buildings, procedures, human offices like Pastor , vicar,priest, that determine this Ark.
It's the Word that IS THE ARK.
That Ark governs the particular format for that set of people , in that location, in that time of their lives.
Without Word you have no Ark.
At the moment we have church when there is no Word. When the inscription reads "Ichabod", the glory of God is departed.

We gather to purpose by the Word.

When Morris Cerullo gathers saints, it is always to purpose. He prays before each gathering to "see" what the Holy Spirit is doing in that meeting, then to speak it forth, which is the manner in which Jesus moved. This is what is meant by moving in the Melchizedek Order. It is "Jesus seeing what the Father is doing"...and "if He is working , I must too..."
However, if as I maintain, Morris Cerullo, David Hathaway and other 70-80 year olds approach God in a blinkered Light, and dont really pick up anymore what God is really building today, they may well move in some measure of the Melchizedek order....but  "by your standard of measure, be it unto you".

Morris Cerullo and David Hathaway need to "purchase" new measuring rods from the House of God Licensing Committee at the throne.

What is building the Boat?
If it's not nipping down the woodyard.
If it's not the same as getting involved in all the old church activities, but much more of a bottomline approach in these days....like....Are you believing Galations 2:20 in every part of your living day? Do you see how much of church this shortcircuits, and gets you straight into believing in the Christ that is personally being formed in you. If you are not just in a pipe dream, fairytale form of Christ being imagined in you, but the real Christ,
you will find the world hates you...or better put...the spirit that lives in unbelievers hates you....and you will also find, the same Christ building your version in you, dovetails in with the Living Christ building all the other versions, in the myriad of believers across the earth. And NONE OF THIS looks very much like what is out there at present. Because, as much as what is built out there was built on genuine revelation, inbuilt into our previous worldly thinking is a complete religious blueprint which has nothing to do with the way the Melchedek order actually operates. To give you an idea, think about all the outer forms and patterns of the believers in the Old Testament....not one the same....yet ALL the SAME WORD being brought forth in the Earth.
So at it's basic level, Building the Boat, is believing ON the very life within you according to what the Word of God now says about us.

But individually, it's finding how that LIFE works for us.

Matthew 25

Parable of Ten Virgins

    ¹ “Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. ² Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. ³ For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, ⁴ but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps. ⁵ Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep. ⁶ But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ ⁷ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. ⁸ The foolish said to the prudent, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ ⁹ But the prudent answered, ‘No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ ¹⁰ And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. ¹¹ Later the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open up for us.’ ¹² But he answered, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’ ¹³ Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.

I have not got too much light on this passage, but there is a distinction between what we are kitted out with through Christ's death,burial,ascension and crowning.....which is like the actual EQUIPMENT of the oil lamp,
and the continued supply of oil.

To our generation of Pentecostals and PostPentecostal charismatics, any reference to oil is going to mean partaking in the Holy Spirit. Knowing how to wait on Him. Familiarizing ourselves with how He moves.Knowing how He brings us into the throne room experientially. Knowing and recognizing when He is teaching.
Perhaps then this is part of the difference. It's not relying on a one time experience, and other "priests" to stir up the gift within....we should indeed know how to get our own supply.
There is obviously effort involved, or else all the virgins would have had a ready supply. But it's not flesh effort. And it's a strange oil shop, because we don't buy with money. We buy with believing.

But this supply of oil means something like it has been allowed to permeate our whole being, our whole soul.This is the "going up in secret" that Jesus speaks about in John 7. This is the same "going up in secret" that enabled Ruth to gain blessing from Boaz, and be married to him. This is the same "going up in secret" that is us NOT HEAPING UP words like the Gentiles do anymore....(anybody remember evangelical prayer meetings? and sadly many charismatic ones too) but going into the secret Psalm 91 place in the Shadow of the Most High, the inner room with the Father where we "close the door", that Jesus talked of.

What is "closing the door"?
By the Spirit, shutting down all the ceaseless leftbrain chatter. All the false dreams. All the shameful burdens. All the condemnation. All the false  loftiness. Every single aspect of leftbrain thought that doesnt have a pre-tagged Kingdom label saying, this one passed through customs.

proverbs 3;5-6 directs us to change our "manner of being". Not trust in our insight with all our heart, but Trust in the Lord with all our heart and not to rely on our insight. In all our ways we are to acknowledge Him, knowing He WILL make straight our paths.

As the Rabbi was saying, there is a strange parallel with the BOAT, in that it is the most inclusive thing in the universe.Jesus stretched out His wide arms for every human on the Cross. He was raised up as the serpent of Genesis 3, to take this whole form of existence down with Him. But for those who in the Old Testament did not look upon the serpent raised up, the serpents came and killed them all.  Only Noah's family were saved, because that was all that bothered to enter.
The Hebrews 4 Word is a two edged sword dividing between soul and spirit. It is the Word of total and complete freedom for every single serpent infested human.....but if we don't build that boat for us, we surely will be swept away.

Background Stories

FOT19 - And the People Stood in their Place

The Second Part of Feast of Restoration from George Warnock's Feast of Tabernacles
Just imagine what concern and heartache must have gripped the holy prophet of the Lord as he looked down upon this second temple, slowly rising from the dust--but so very, very incomplete, and far from being a glorious temple. And now on this great day, the last day of the Feast, when the memory of every true Israelite would naturally revert back to the days of Israel's glory and power in the days of Solomon's magnificent kingdom--Haggai would likewise be thinking of the great and tremendous heritage which they had lost because of the captivity. The magnificence of Solomon's temple was utterly unsurpassable. There is nothing in the annals of history to compare with it, past or present. How could this feeble remnant begin to erect a structure even comparable to that wonderful temple? How discouraging their work must have been as they contemplated the glory they had lost! But at that very moment, on the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles, the word of prophecy came upon him and he cried to Zerubbabel and the remnant:

"Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? And how do ye see it now? Is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing! Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the Lord: and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the Lord, and work: for I am with you, saith Lord of hosts: According to the word that I covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt, so my Spirit remaineth among you: fear ye not. For thus saith the Lord of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land, and I will shake all nations, and the Desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of hosts. The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts." (Hag. 2:3-9).

Notice the repetition of the phrase, "Saith the Lord of hosts." God wants us to make no mistake about this: God hath spoken and not man. True, our feeble attempts at restoration are nothing compared to the glory of the early Church, the Temple of the living God erected in apostolic days. But God hath promised: "The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former..." Neither Zerubbabel's Temple nor the Temple of Herod could begin to compare with Solomon's Temple. But God was not speaking of the earthly house; He was speaking of the Temple not made with hands, composed of living stones. And the "Desire of all nations" would be the Glory of that Temple. And so Malachi prophesies: "And the Lord, whom ye seek. shall suddenly come to his temple..." (Mal. 3:1). All nations--yea the creation itself, are waiting eagerly for His appearing, even for the "manifestation of the Sons of God." (Rom. 8:19). Nor shall their hopes and expectations be disappointed.

And how shall this exceeding glory be manifested? By the very shaking of the heavens and the earth. Paul quotes this passage in Heb. 12:26 and assures us that this shall be fulfilled in the Kingdom of the saints. We dealt somewhat with the shaking of the heavens in a previous chapter. The very unseen powers of the heavenlies must be toppled from their thrones; yea, even now are they beginning to feel the impact of heaven-tremors as the Sons of God begin to mount up with wings of an eagle to take unto themselves their God-given authority in the Spirit. "Be strong... Be strong... Be strong" is the threefold prophecy of comfort and encouragement to the builders of the Temple, to the priesthood, and to the remnant. For it is in the spoken word of prophecy that power and strength shall be imparted to the builders, enabling them to use the tools of their ministry in the one hand, and to fight with the Sword of the Spirit in the other. With similar words of encouragement, and with a similar purpose in mind, the apostle Paul exhorts the saints: "Finally, my brethren be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." (Eph. 6:10-12). It is this wrestling with the spiritual hosts of wickedness in "the heavenlies" that shall cause the very heavens to shake and Satan and his hosts to relinquish their kingdom into the hands of the Sons of God. Everything that can be shaken is going to quake and fall before the Sons of God. And then into the very heavenlies shall they ascend, first of all in the Spirit, to take possession of the kingdom left vacant by the casting out of Satan. and his evil hosts. Then shall they be in a position to administer peace and life and blessing to a Church and a world that are in bondage and under oppression.

ZECHARIAH'S PROPHECY (See Zech. 4)

Zechariah likewise prophesied words of encouragement to Zerubbabel and the remnant who laboured on the temple. In what way would the Lord encourage the builders in the colossal task that lay before them? Well, the Lord would give the prophet a vision that would explain the means of their success. How helpless they were! How would the Lord encourage them? And so Zechariah looked, and what did he see? Mountains of stone and timber and mortar? Huge labour battalions marching down from Babylon to help them? Great machines to aid in their seemingly impossible task? Ah no! But he looked, "And behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon and two olive trees by it." A very simple illustration, and meaningless perhaps to many: two olive trees pouring their oil into a candlestick.

Zechariah himself did not know what it meant; and so God gave him the interpretation.

"This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. Who art thou, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it." Shall anything be too hard for the Lord? "By my spirit," saith the Lord, and so shall it be. And now let us notice this great word of encouragement, which God speaketh even now to the builders of this living Temple: "The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it: and thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto you. For who hath despised the day of small things?" Child of God, remember these words; God has pledged His Word that this Temple shall be finished. Let us never lose that vision.

But still Zechariah was puzzled; what were these "two olive trees" that he saw emptying their golden oil into the candlestick? And the angel replied: "These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth." Literally, "These are the two sons of oil..."! Sons of the anointing! It is the Moses-Elijah company, as we shall discover in the next chapter. It is the company of overcomers who shall go forth in the Day of the Lord working all manner of signs and wonders and miracles in the Name of the Lord; and nothing shall stand against them.

"By my spirit," saith the Lord. This is a work of the Spirit of God. The Oil of the Spirit flowing through them: That is the secret of their power.

RESTORATION OF THE WALLS

The books of Ezra and Nehemiah cover too periods of restoration. Neither Ezra nor Nehemiah were present at the rebuilding of the Temple but came many years later: Ezra to teach the people the laws of God, and Nehemiah to rebuild the walls and the gates of the City.

And so we read that "All that could hear with understanding" assembled together "as one man into the street that was before the water gate" while Ezra the priest read from the law of God from morning until midday. This was the first day of the seventh month, the month of the Feast of Tabernacles. (See Neh. 8:1-3). "So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading." (Neh. 8:8). This is the hour of revelation and spiritual understanding. The Spirit is speaking to the churches, but only those with "ears to hear" shall understand what is spoken, The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, and only men whose minds have been quickened by the Spirit shall be able to "give the sense" on the one hand, or "understand the reading" on the other. "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches."

THE PEOPLE IN THEIR PLACE

"And the people stood in their place," (Neh. 8:7). God is setting His ministries in the Body according as it pleases Him, and the time has come when every man must know his place in the Body and serve the Lord accordingly. Ministries have been raised up for the express purpose of administering gifts of the Spirit through prophecy and the laying on of hands--and the saints are exhorted to "war a good warfare" accordingly. (1 Tim. 1:18). We realize, of course, that much harm has been done by those who are attempting to administer gifts to others through prophecy and the laying on of hands--when God has not authorized them to engage in this ministry. But the tares must always grow together with the wheat until the time of harvest. If the child of God is walking in close communion with his Lord, then the Spirit will witness as to the truth of the prophecy which goes forth concerning him. And if he is not walking in close communion with God, then the prophecy will mean nothing to him anyway--except perhaps to harden his heart or fill him with pride. This will I serve as a good test. If pride rises up in the heart, the prophecy--whether true or false, cannot be relied upon. For even a true prophecy must submit to the test of faith and obedience in one's life and ministry. Furthermore, the purpose of prophecy is to establish, edify, comfort and exhort; and if the candidate is left in a state of confusion or turmoil and doubt-he might as well reject what has been said concerning him. "For God is not the Author of confusion, but of peace." (1 Cor. 14:33). We merely mention these things, because we know that many are trying to engage in this ministry of prophecy, with the laying on of hands--and God has never commissioned them to do so. The ministry is real and genuine, as all can testify who have really entered in to the realities of this move of the Spirit. But as surely as the Sower plants good seed, the enemy is there to sow tares--and both must grow together until the harvest.

However, if the child of God who hungers to know God's will, and do it--has not had the opportunity of being set aside by prophecy and the laying on of hands, he need not be in the least discouraged. Let him continue in the things which God has placed in his hand to do. Choose the humble and lowly position, and you cannot go wrong. Pray, fast, intercede, shew mercy, give, help and assist God's people--do whatever the Lord enables you to do, in humility and meekness, and God will honour your efforts. And regardless of any prophecy that has been given to any man, utter consecration unto God is God's will for you, first and foremost. "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God." (Rom. 12:1, 2). That is the will of God for you! Take the lowly position, therefore, and God will exalt you in due course when you are able to receive it. Much better that you should be found doing some humble task, and the Lord promote you unto honour, than that he should be forced to say: "Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room." (Lk. 14:9). If this plan is followed, God will certainly give guidance and direction. And in His own good time, when He chooses to reveal your ministry in greater fulness through prophecy and the laying on of hands, His servants will be directed your way, and led of the Spirit to set you apart unto the work for which God has called you.

SEND PORTIONS TO THE NEEDY

"Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared..." (Neh. 8:10).

As the Feast of Tabernacles begins to dawn upon us, it is becoming increasingly important that the saints have something to minister to their fellow-members in the Body. They must not "appear before the Lord empty: every man shall give as he is able according to the blessing of the Lord." (Deut. 16:16, 17). This strongly reminds us of Paul's exhortations to the Romans and Corinthians, concerning their ministry in the Body of Christ. "Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering..." (Rom. 12:6, 7). The whole ministry of the various members is to edify the Body, and not for their own gratification. "As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." (1 Pet. 4:10). As he ministries develop and the Body is edified, then they will go forth unto the world bringing health and gladness to those who sit in darkness, starvation, and the shadow of death.

VICTORY AND PROSPERITY AHEAD

"Go forth unto the mount, and fetch olive branches, and pine branches, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as it is written..." (Neh. 8:15).

No doubt all these trees are significant of one thing and another. But broadly speaking they depict the victory and prosperity and joy and triumph of the people of God. The "olive"--a true symbol of the Holy Spirit. The olive oil was used for making the holy ointment, for the anointing of prophet, priest, or king. Palm branches, you will recall, were cut down and scattered in the pathway of the King who came riding triumphantly into Jerusalem sitting upon an ass, amidst the shouting of the people and of the children. "Hosanna"' they cried, "Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord." (Mk. 11:9). And the saints who come out of the Great Tribulation clothed in white robes have "palms in their hands," as they shout the victory song and worship the Lamb that was, slain for them. There is a great day of gladness ahead for the saints when the Feast of Tabernacles is observed. But they must leave their homes in the streets of Jerusalem. They must forsake their own ways, their own thoughts, their own plans and desires, and crucify the flesh--in order that the life of Christ and the joy of the Holy Ghost might be their portion.

What a spectacle this scene must have presented. Thousands upon thousands of little humble tabernacles or booths(see true Sukkot as church) erected along the streets of Jerusalem, or upon the house-tops, or in the courts of the temple, or in the open places of the city; all assembled together with one common purpose in mind, with one heart and one soul, to keep the Feast of the Lord. The booth was nothing much to behold--just a humble, fragile hut. Says Paul, "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us." (2 Cor. 4:7). Weymouth's translation of this passage is most expressive: "But we have this treasure in fragile earthen pots, in order that the surpassing greatness of the power may be seen to be God's and not to come from us." Again, Paul says, "Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Cor. 12:9). Literally it reads, "That the power of Christ may spread a Tabernacle over me... " It is the manifestation of Christ within us. It is the crucifixion of our flesh, that the very life of Christ might be revealed, in the power of the Holy Ghost.

OPPOSITION WITHIN AND WITHOUT

Nehemiah gives further light on the opposition that was arrayed against them. As they started the tremendous task, there was nothing more than mockery. One said, "Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall." (Neh. 4:3). But soon their mockery turned to violence. They realized that great progress was being made in spite of their tremendous difficulties, and so they began to get fearful, and tried to hinder the work by force of arms. It became necessary, therefore, for the builders to be armed with spears as well as tools; and they builded with the sword girded by their side. (Neh. 4:18).

If we seek to restore the walls of Jerusalem, we are going to find it necessary in the very near future to put on "the whole armour of God." Mockery is giving way to violence. Satan will soon begin to use force against the saints instead of insult, because he realizes that the plan of God is being fulfilled, even if the work is slow and not any too spectacular.

Then carnality crept into the midst of God's people, and brother was ill-treating brother. Because of the hard times, some were being forced to mortgage their fields and their properties, and the rich were exacting usury from the poor. And we can be sure of this, saints, that one of Satan's sure devices against God's people is in causing internal strife and division. If he cannot conquer by outward attack, he is often most successful by causing the congregation to fall into sin. When Balaam could not curse Israel (for they were God's people and God turned the curse into a blessing)--then he advised Balak to invite the people to a great sacrifice of their gods--and Israel fell into the trap. Consequently a great plague swept through the whole congregation. (Num. 25:1, 2; 31:16).

Befriending: The Rothschilds also wielded much influence and power not only in Secret Societies, but also in Christendom’s churches. The Salvation Army under the suggestion of the Rothschilds adopted the Red Shield (Roth-red Schild-shield) for their logo.

Finally, Sunballat conceived another plot against Nehemiah, perhaps the most subtle of all. If he was unable to conquer by force, or by mockery, he would befriend Nehemiah and in that way betray him. He would propose a conference. "Come, let us meet together..." he suggested. But Nehemiah discerned the true intent and purpose of the proposed meeting, and he replied that he was too busy. (Neh. 6:2-8). Failing that he hired a man to come and persuade Nehemiah to flee into the temple for safety, stating that some were after his life. But Nehemiah had no part in the priesthood, and he refused to sin against God in this manner; and again the plot failed.

Nehemiah's ministry was to govern the land, not to minister in the Temple. Perhaps Satan's most successful form of attack against the saints, is to get them to become involved in some work of the Lord which is not theirs to perform. It appears to be such an innocent thing. And perhaps the need that arises would almost demand that you submit, and take upon yourself some ministry which God has neither enabled you nor called you to perform. But God knows all about it. and he has some who are qualified to meet that need. Let every man minister according to the ability which God gives, and in the place which God has designated for him.

EVERY MAN HAD HIS JOB TO PERFORM

No man needs to be unduly concerned about his ministry if he will but minister according to the ability and power which God has given. For the ministry that you have is one that is suited to you, and one for which God has gifted you. If you are walking with God you will automatically be in your ministry. And the ministry that you have from God has constituted you a "steward," or literally, "a house-manager" of His affairs. Having received a gift from God, therefore, we are called upon to be "good stewards of the manifold grace of God." And as a "steward" of God's House, only one thing is required of you, and that is faithfulness. (1 Cor. 4:1). You are not called upon to be great, or mighty, or prosperous, or clever, or successful, or to do great things--but to be "faithful." Before God that is true greatness, and true success. The lone soldier guarding some obscure vital spot in the field of battle, even if he never sees any action, is just as much entitled to promotion as the man in the front lines. One thing is sure, the Day of Christ is going to reveal every man's faithfulness in building upon the one foundation, which is Jesus Christ. This we know: the Judgment Seat of Christ will reveal quality and not quantity. "And the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is." (1 Cor. 3:13). If it is "gold, silver, precious stones," it will stand the test; and if it is "wood, hay stubble" it will be burnt up, leaving the builder without the crown of glory, saved as through fire.

And so every Israelite had his job to perform. Some on the sheep-gate, some on the fish-gate. Some on this tower, and another on that tower. Some at the fountain, some at the pool, some at the stairs, some at the armories, some at the houses of the priests. But they all worked together, according to their several ability, the prophets of God encouraging them as they built--and in due course the wall was finished, and the defence of the City was made secure.

FOT18 - The Feast of Restoration

At first glimpse, this will seem a familiar phrase to people in 1970s and 80s churches.However it is not the same thing at all. This is a thirdlevel Feast, and part of the complete restoration is the revelation that Christ IS OUR LIFE. It's not systems. It's not pyramids.

It's Christ, the Living Christ, in whom, literally the whole thing hangs together.
We build in the Melchizedek Order .



Feast of Tabernacles - George H. Warnock

CHAPTER 13 - TABERNACLES - THE FEAST OF RESTORATION

As we have considered the spiritual significance of the glory and power and wisdom of Solomon's kingdom, so now let us consider the spiritual significance of the days of restoration, following the captivity. Both temples and both periods of history are applicable to our day: Solomon's day speaking of the glory and power and wisdom of the Church; and the days of Restoration showing in what manner the lost glory is to be restored.

As for the days of Restoration, it will be of particular interest and profit to us if we consider carefully the books of Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai, and Zechariah--because these four books deal particularly with the return of the remnant to Jerusalem following the captivity, and their attempts to restore the walls and the temple and the order of religious worship. Ezra was a priest; Nehemiah was the governor of Jerusalem; and both Haggai and Zechariah were prophets of the Lord who encouraged the builders in the great tasks which lay before them.

THE FIRST FEAST OF TABERNACLES AFTER THE CAPTIVITY

The remnant who had returned from Babylon to Jerusalem were determined that all things should be restored according to the original pattern. And so they kept the Feasts of the Lord also in their due season. "They kept also the feast of tabernacles, as it is written, and offered the daily burnt offerings, as the duty of every day required" (Ezra 3:4). They could not keep the feast in its fullness, for the foundation of the house of the Lord was not yet laid, but they observed the pattern as best they could, and God honoured their faith. And now as the first rays of this glorious Feast begin to appear on the eastern horizon, we have every reason to rejoice--knowing that the days of restoration are here. And little by little we can see how the pattern is being unfolded before our eyes.

THE PEOPLE ASSEMBLE AS ONE MAN

"And when the seventh month was come, and the children of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered themselves as one man to Jerusalem." (Ezra 3:1).

This, of course, is the foundational truth of this whole revival which God has given the Church, and one of the first revelations that came forth: that God would now at this time bring His people together to form one body. At the beginning it was hoped that the Christians everywhere would catch the vision, and that before long the whole Body of saints would become one vital, living organism, united together in the bonds of the Spirit unto one common purpose. But it is becoming apparent that only a remnant are returning to Jerusalem. The vast majority are content to remain in Babylon, for they have grown up in that state, and know nothing of the glory of God which once rested mightily on the Temple of God. They are prosperous enough; and the venture which a few fanatical Israelites have started upon is so utterly hopeless and fantastic that they will have nothing to do with it. Just imagine a small group of Israelites, with no natural resources (for they were a captive people), and very little perhaps in the way of education or business and administrative ability--venturing off to a land they had never seen, to a city utterly wasted and desolate, and starting to erect a temple comparable to Solomon's! And so the majority, the vast majority, were content to remain in Babylon, with only about fifty thousand of the multitudes in Israel thinking it worth their while to go up and start work on the temple.

We know God has a great and eternal purpose for all His precious saints, and when His plan is revealed we shall glory in the wisdom of God who "worketh all things after the counsel of His own will." But it is becoming increasingly evident that the pattern of the remnant in Israel who returned to Jerusalem is the immediate pattern for this hour. And as then, so now, a group of people who have really seen the vision of what God is doing, have assembled together as one man. It is the vision of the Body of Christ. It is the vision and assurance that there must arise out of the dust of Jerusalem a Holy City, a Beautiful City, and a Temple not made with hands--a glorious Church without spot or wrinkle. "Awake, awake, put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city; for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean. Shake thyself from the dust; arise, and sit down, O Jerusalem..." (Isa. 52:1, 2). This whole passage speaks loudly of this day and hour in which we live, when the glory of God is about to be restored to the once-holy city of God, even the "heavenly Jerusalem." "Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion. Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the Lord hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem." (vs. 8, 9).

THE FOUNDATION OF THE TEMPLE LAID

"And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the Lord..." (Ezra 3:10).

The first feast of Tabernacles that they observed was before the foundation of the Temple had been laid. Therefore the real meaning of the Feast was lacking; but it did promise great things to come when the days of restoration were over. That was in the first year of their return from captivity. Now the second year had rolled around, and God had enabled them to lay the foundation for the temple. There was great rejoicing, therefore in the camp of Israel, to know that God had prospered their work, that the foundation was laid, and that the work was progressing. Hence there was cause for great rejoicing.

THE PRAISE OF THE MUSICIANS

"And they sang together by course (or, alternately) in praising and giving thanks unto the Lord; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid." (Ezra 3:11).

It is not without Divine purpose, therefore, that the ministry of spiritual song and music is being restored to the Church. Actually it is the voice of prophecy. We read, therefore, "Moreover David and the captains of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals..." (1 Chron. 25:1). No doubt there was usually prophetic singing accompanied by the musical instruments; and together it formed this great prophetic orchestra and choir. And because it is the voice of prophecy, that is why there is a work of deliverance wrought when songs are sung in the Spirit, or when instruments of music are played in the Spirit. David, you will recall, drove the evil spirit away from Saul, as he played upon the harp. It is the voice of God; and it is a ministry, as it was in the case of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun. Asaph means Gatherer; Heman means Faithful; and Jeduthun means Choir of Praise. What a wonderful description of what is generally called the Heavenly Choir. "The Choir of Praise!" Sung by those who are "Faithful" in their ministry; and to "Gather" the saints together in the unity of the Spirit.

It is not difficult, then, for us to understand why the Choir of Praise has been restored to the Church. The Temple service is being restored. The saints are singing "by course,"--that is, "alternately" in prophecy one to one another, because once again the Lord's Temple is being restored.

WHY THE REJOICING?

"And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the Lord because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid." (Ezra 3:11).

The present work of the Holy Spirit in re-establishing the Temple of God and its spiritual order of worship, has really just started. But we can thank God, nevertheless, that the pattern has been revealed, and that the foundation has been laid. Perhaps it is not too evident to some, because the building is just under construction. It is not our purpose to try to prove that the foundation of apostles and prophets has been relaid. Nor is it really the minister's responsibility to prove any doctrine to anybody. His duty is to minister the Bread of Life to the hungry. If they can receive it, they will be nourished: if they cannot, then perhaps we could administer the sincere milk of the Word that they might grow thereby. According to every man's ability to receive, and their stature in Christ--so may God enable us to minister the words of life. And let us realize that we are sent to feed Christ's sheep, and nourish His people--and not to fill them with doctrines and theories which will not profit. These things, therefore, are written only for those who can receive them; and for none others.

We realize, therefore, that perhaps there are very, very few who can discern the foundation of the temple being relaid in this day. And of course it is most difficult to see a newly laid foundation, for it is usually almost obscured amidst the concrete forms and the supports and the heaps of broken stones and boards that cover the ground. But the Choir of Praise continues to exalt the Lord, and the saints continue to sing one to another in prophecy, because they can see that the foundation has been laid, and the temple is beginning to take shape.

"Now, therefore, ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built (literally, are being built) upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone." (Eph. 2:19, 20).

"And God hath set some in the church, first apostles (1 Cor. 12:28).

The time is at hand when God will vindicate who His ministers are, and what their place is in this new Temple. For these ministries are not by human-appointment, nor by self-appointment, but by Divine appointment. Until now perhaps there has not been any great need for recognized leadership. We have been in the wilderness; and you really do not need a guide until you start travelling through strange territory. But those days are about to end. We stand on the brink of Jordan, Before us lies a good land, a great land, a rich heritage in the Spirit. But it is strange territory, As of old, therefore, God is establishing ministries which shall lead the way across Jordan; and the people must be prepared to follow.

"And it came to pass after three days, that the officers went through the host, and they commanded the people, saying, when ye see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it." (Josh. 3:2, 3). This is a new way. We have not passed this way heretofore. And with this new way, there shall arise new dangers, new problems, new perplexities. Such terrible days are ahead, and such deception shall be manifest by the adversary, that the saints must know who God's ministers are that they might follow them into this good land. Said Paul, "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ." (1 Cor. 11:1).

GREAT OPPOSITION

It would be most enlightening if we could take time to examine in detail the opposition that was raised--against the faithful remnant who laboured on the second temple; for it is a clear picture of what is now transpiring, and what shall yet transpire, as this new Temple begins to rise into her glory, First there was the opposition of the people who dwelt there in the land. Their request was, "Let us build with you: for we seek your God, as ye do." (Ezra 4:2). But Zerubbabel discerned their true nature, and refused to accept their help. No doubt he was condemned for not co-operating with this noble gesture, and this desire for fellowship. But Zerubbabel's action was certainly confirmed in what followed: for immediately they sent letters to the King of Persia, demanding that the builders be forbidden to continue their work. Their argument was quite a modern one: "Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls set up again, then will they not pay toll, tribute, and custom, and so thou shalt endamage the revenue of the kings." (Ezra 4:13).  
There are many "kings" in the Church today, collecting toll and custom from the people, and the restoration of the Church is going to bring about their downfall. In the first place, they were never ordained of God. In the second place, instead of shepherding the flock they are fleecing them. In the third place, when the Church is properly established there will be local elders in each assembly to guide the flock, and there will be no need for a permanently residing pastor. Every minister of God should carefully examine himself in the light of God's controversy with the shepherds of Israel, and make his calling sure:

"Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed; but ye feed not the flock. The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them." (Ezek. 34:2-4).

There seems to be very few real, genuine shepherds, who are prepared to lay down their lives for the sheep. It is no wonder, therefore, that the false shepherds do not want to see the Temple of God restored, and the gates set up! Their revenue shall be endamaged when this happens. And so they persuaded the authorities in Persia to forbid the progress of the work; and the work ceased.

THE PROPHETS ENCOURAGE THE BUILDERS

Just how long the work ceased on the temple we do not know. And just how long the work on this Temple is going to be hindered, we do not know. Perhaps God in mercy will do a quick work. Nevertheless, despite all the opposition and all the obstacles, the work shall continue. Has the Lord not raised prophets to encourage the builders, just as He did for Israel? With the builders, we are told. "Were the prophets of God helping them," encouraging them in their task. (Ezra 5:2). Is it not the purpose of prophecy to speak unto men words of "edification, and exhortation, and comfort?" (1 Cor. 14:3). Edification! Building up! It is the work of prophecy to edify and build up the saints as they labour in this holy Temple of the Lord. The opposition will continue from within as well as from without--but the prophets of God are there to exhort and comfort the saints in every hour of trial.

Once again there were efforts to hinder the work, and the matter was referred to Darius, but permission was granted and the work continued. In fact, he even ordered that timber and salt and wine and oil be given the builders to help them in their task. And so they built and they prophesied... "And they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo." (Ezra 6:14).

HAGGAI'S PROPHECY

Haggai's prophecy is most enlightening, in view of all these facts that we have mentioned. For Haggai and Zechariah were God's special prophets sent to Jerusalem to encourage the builders in their work.

His first task was to cause the people to realize that the hour had really come for the House of God to be built. The problem is the same today: "This people say, the time is not come, the time that the Lord's house should he built." But God gave Haggai a simple word of wisdom, and it was enough to settle that argument. "Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your ceiled houses, and this house lie waste?" (Hag. 1:2, 4). You have your comfortable churches; and, of course, that is all right! You have beautiful carpets, and tapestry, and stained -glass windows, and beautiful furniture... there is plenty of time for that. But you have no time for the restoration of God's beautiful House, the Temple not made with hands, the Temple made of "living stones." Is it not a fact, a solemn fact, that the beauty and glory of the Church of Christ has been sacrificed for the natural beauty and refinement of our places of assembly? The people have no objection to this extravagance whatsoever. But let a group of saints declare their intention of restoring the walls of the heavenly Jerusalem and seeking God's face for a restoration of early apostolic power and glory and unity in the congregation of the saints, and there is no time for it!

"Now therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways." (vs. 6). And well might the Church of Christ consider her ways. "Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages, earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes." (vs. 6). It seems almost perplexing and mysterious sometimes when we consider the ways of the Church. We read of great revivals, of mass healing meetings, of thousands getting converted or filled with the Spirit, But when the hour of testing comes, where is all this glory of which we have boasted? How many really continue to show evidences of salvation when the revival passes on to the next town? How many retain their healing when they get back home? How many keep filled with the spirit? We are not suggesting that these great Healing or Gospel ministries are not genuine. There will be the false, of course; but God has raised up mighty ministries in the power of the Holy Spirit, to bring healing or salvation to the nations; and much has been and is being, accomplished compared to what we have seen in the past. But little, very little compared to what these ministries should produce. We looked for much; and then God blows upon our efforts in the great fanning-mill through which we all must pass, and where is the wheat? Does it not seem to have disappeared with the chaff? And, "Why? saith the Lord of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house." (Hag. 1:9).

The implication is clear, and the indictment against sectarianism is with no uncertain voice. If the Body of Christ is betrayed for the sake of base gain, or for one's own Personal interest in this sect or that, then all our vaunted claims to revival and great mass conversions are empty. Is it not true, that the people assemble together to co-operate in some great mass effort for revival, and after it is all over they run "every man unto his own house..."? Back they go to their little sect and attempt to build it up with the new converts brought to birth by the revival effort. And God blows upon their work by His sifting, testing, trying Spirit; and "Lo, it came to little." Hence the drought, the lack of spiritual power and blessing; the absence of any real fellowship with the saints or unity of the Spirit; and the reason there is no latter rain. God has called the drought, and therefore at His word the Heavens have withholden their dew.

ZERUBBABEL FACES THE CHALLENGE

Zerubbabel (who was in charge of the building of the second temple), and Joshua (who was the high priest), and the remnant of people, obeyed the voice of God as spoken by the prophet, and "they came and did work in the house of the Lord of hosts." (Hag. 1:14). We have already considered in some detail the story of their labours and their problems. But God was with them.

Zerubbabel means "Sown in Babylon," and Joshua is the Hebrew for "Jesus." Is it not true that we have all been planted in Babylon, that great city, the city of all manner of abominations, religious and otherwise? But some have heard the call, "Come out of her, my people" and have been transplanted into another land, the land of their true calling. "Ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven." (Heb. 12:22, 23).

HAGGAI PROPHESIES ON THE LAST DAY OF THE FEAST

It has been assumed that Haggai was probably born on a Feast day, because his name signifies "Feast of Jehovah." However, an amazing passage of scripture in his prophecy reveals that Haggai gave utterance to one of the Church's choice promises on the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles. Therefore he was truly named "Haggai," which signifies "Feast of the Lord." One might wonder why the Scriptures go into such detail at times, in giving us dates and seasons which seem to be meaningless to us. God no doubt has a great plan in it all, and as our eyes become enlightened to the riches of His Word, many delightful surprises are there to greet us. And so we read, "In the seventh month, in the one and twentieth day of the month, came the word of the Lord by the prophet Haggai, saying..." (Hag. 2:1). The seventh month, and the twenty-first day of the month! In other words, in the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles!

The Kingdom : The Cinderella Principle

Here are three examples of the best side of XFactor/*Got Talent.
I know there's a lot of manipulative mood music and editing going on, but if some element was not real in the first place ,you could not manufacture people's responses.

Eventually, sifting through thousands of people you are going to find gems that have been hidden, and this is the purpose of the show. But the ones that really shine have something other than skill, they have something of an inner glow borne through trials, and this is the place they communicate from.
They represent the principle in this phrase:

Isaiah 53:2AMP

²For [the Servant of God] grew up before Him like a tender plant, and like a root out of dry ground; He has no form or comeliness [royal, kingly pomp], that we should look at Him, and no beauty that we should desire Him.

This is AS TRUE of the Son of God, as the sons of God who are being brought forth in the earth.
This is the essence of the Cinderella character of the Kingdom of God, that the wise servant will suddenly inherit over those who would normally be direct in line.
Proverbs 17:2 A servant who acts wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully,
And will share in the inheritance among brothers.


Where things get even more weird is when you start picking up threads which indicate that this very Cinderella principle, which has been known about for millennia , is actually used to create the front stage monsters we love to hate in recent history.
Google: Was Hitler the illegitimate son of Rothschild?
And follow up the many links yourself that state that many of the world players , be it royal blood, American presidents, Stalin,Churchill and Hitler are far more related than you would normally think.
But in regard to Hitler, one theory in his cultivation, was that his own grandfather Rothschild was masterminding the fact that Hitler failed to get into art college, to help form this "cinderella" who would suddenly shine as a charismatic speaker with an ability to turn a whole nation.

So how does all this relate to the genuine Kingdom?

As a general principle, long after men have given up hope and returned to cynical despair at the status quo, the Lord moves in or outside His people ON BEHALF OF HIS PEOPLE.

Read :Zechariah 1:21 but these craftsmen have come to terrify them, to throw down the horns of the nations who have lifted up their horns against the land of Judah in order to scatter it.

In the same passage it refers to other peoples who have been used to bring judgment against Israel or the people of God, that whereas the Lord had been but a little angry, they have gone way overboard in their judgments. That there is a time when the Lord arises. Enough is enough.
verse 21 refers to 4 craftsmen. Interesting that Jesus was a craftsman. I am a craftsman. These are skills learned being shut away, through dint of an awful lot of practice.  Another case of "shutaway" ones being suddenly revealed and having a role.

Zechariah 13 :4 ⁴ Also it will come about in that day that the prophets will each be ashamed of his vision when he prophesies, and they will not put on a hairy robe in order to deceive; ⁵ but he will say, ‘I am not a prophet; I am a tiller of the ground, for a man ^[a]sold me as a slave in my youth.’ ⁶ And one will say to him, ‘What are these wounds between your ^[b]arms?’ Then he will say, ‘Those with which I was wounded in the house of ^[c]my friends.’

In the book of Amos he denies that he is a prophet....
¹² Then Amaziah said to Amos, “Go, you seer, flee away to the land of Judah and there eat bread and there do your prophesying! ¹³ But no longer prophesy at Bethel, for it is a sanctuary of the king and a royal ^[l]residence.”

 ¹⁴ Then Amos replied to Amaziah, “I am not a prophet, nor am I the son of a prophet; for I am a herdsman and a ^[m]grower of sycamore figs. ¹⁵ But the LORD took me from ^[n]following the flock and the LORD said to me, ‘Go prophesy to My people Israel.’ ¹⁶ Now hear the word of the LORD: you are saying, ‘You shall not prophesy against Israel nor shall you ^[o]speak against the house of Isaac.’ ¹⁷ Therefore, thus says the LORD, ‘Your wife will become a harlot in the city, your sons and your daughters will fall by the sword, your land will be parceled up by a measuring line and you yourself will die ^[p]upon unclean soil. Moreover, Israel will certainly go from its land into exile.’”

The meek shall inherit the earth.
A man's gift shall make way for itself.

A Man or woman's office in the Spirit shall make itself known. "And the Holy Spirit set apart Barnabus and Paul for ministry."

That which is told in the secret place shall be voiced abroad.
The Spirit -cycles of Passover,Pentecost and Tabernacles shall follow in their holy Ghost sequence, but not by might, nor by power but by my Spirit says the Lord.

The point of these videos is that the inner and the outer match. The Kingdom is like that.There's a time for Presentation of that which has been believed for by faith.
John 7 was such an occasion. Jesus embodied the Feast.
This was again and again true with Jesus, culminating above all in the Passover, for that was His personal calling. It would be the Church in Acts that would fulfil Pentecost, and the end time Church that would fulfil Tabernacles.

When Behaviour Isn't About Rules - Joel Brueseke

God has created us with such a great deal of value. His love, value and acceptance of us is magnificent! He has bestowed upon us great dignity and worth. Psalm 8 says that "He has crowned us with glory and honor." Other scriptures show how God has made us holy and righteous. He has seated us with Him in heavenly places. He has placed an astounding value on us! All of this has nothing to do with our behavior. It's simply how God has fashioned us, through His love and grace. Psalm 8 also says that He has made us a little lower than Elohim. That is, a little lower than Himself! A little lower than God is a very, very, very high place to be!

We are worth a lot. We are highly valuable creations. We have been created by God with much integrity, much grandeur, much dignity, much worth, majesty, significance, beauty, prestige, renown, glory, honor, nobility. We are royalty - children of the King of kings and Lord of lords!

With all of this in mind, along with the good news of the gospel of God's awesome grace, our behavior isn't so much a matter of right and wrong, but it's more a matter of living as the creatures of glory and honor that we have been created to be! When we engage in ungodly behavior, such as sexual immorality, covetousness, deceit, gossip or whatever, it's not that we're condemned or judged or looked down upon by God, but rather it's that we're living below the true worth and value and glory and honor that God has lovingly and masterfully created us with.

Obviously none of us consistently lives as the holy, righteous, beautiful, astounding creatures that God has made us to be, so we have no right to judge one another.  We only judge ourselves when we judge others. But the point is that when we intentionally decide to live in these ways, we are intentionally degrading the beautiful, majestic, noble, prestigious creations that God has made us to be. We are deeming ourselves as worth-less. That is, we are esteeming ourselves as being worth far less than the magnificent value and glory and honor that God Himself has created us with!  We unfortunately view ourselves as so much lower than how God views us,  and when we do, we act accordingly. We treat ourselves - and others -  according to this low view that we have.

We all fall short in the things we do, and so this isn't about judgment and condemnation. This is about esteeming ourselves as the honorable and noble creations that God has made us to be, and reminding ourselves of this as often as we can so we can rise above the mediocrity of living beneath the reality of who we truly are.  The foundation of who we are - of all that God has truly made us to be, by His grace and not by our deeds - is vitally important to know and understand. It takes away the "law" and "rules" aspect out of behavior and it makes it about the dignity and worth that God Himself esteems us with.

When we realize more and more the true glory and honor with which God Himself has lovingly and splendorously crowned us, we will naturally want to live accordingly - treating ourselves and others with honor and glory, dignity and worth - and we will find the power to do so by God's grace.

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• Don Keathley, Wesley Govender and 5 others like this.
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    Jackie Hyatt Lacy It always goes back to identity! I live out of His Life in me, because that is who I am! When I don't, I need to take a look at my ID card!! :D

    3 hours ago · · 1

Dave Bilbrough teaches how you sing his new songs

The chord chart is here


Dave Bilbrough's main page is here

With the whole Band

When praying for someone's healing.....

 

photos from Google for the phrase" people looking constipated"

Jesus told me yesterday that when we pray for healing it's more like homeostasis than trying to visualise certain bits linking up with certain other bits as the NHS do it. So there we all are when praying for others , trying to do mental NHS(Brits health system)surgery. But the way our bodies actually work is homeostasis. The whole body works to adjust and regulate and normalise everything. Salvation simply means homeostasis..or WHOLENESS..soterio. We dont have to sweat the details...we just speak "wholeness" to the forces "behind" our creation, and leave the spiritual realm to "sweat"out the details of what needs readjusting atomically. Else we'll be there all night,straining hard with our eyebrows, and probably getting quite constipated!

• Carol Lucas Winkler Lol! Yes...we should let the Lord do the heavy work. :)

  35 minutes ago ·
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  Chris Welch Extending this principle ofcourse is the fact that a lot of us are straining too hard at some of the 3rd level revelation. The fact is the true Body of Christ IS thirdlevel...so whatever you haven't caught yet yourself, you can rely on the homeostasis of the whole Body of Christ to put you right.The one thing that can stop homeostasis is described in 1 Corinthians 12."Because you are not an ear, I have no need of you." Poor believer's have been sweating this 3rd level stuff for years thinking they have to have every last ounce in place before they can get together with other believers. NO NOT AT ALL...we collectively will bash you into shape in no time at all!.....providing the devil doesnt do his Galtaions bewitching on us again!

  15 minutes ago ·
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  Chris Welch The problem with churches after a while, is the same as the Israelites inthe wilderness, they take their focus off God, they allow bitterness to become unbelief, and there they sit forever and a day.Bewitched. Back in "doing things" to get something from God.Anglicans are bewitched. Catholics are bewitched.Baptists are bewitched.Terry Virgo's church is bewitched.Havant is bewitched.If the Free Believers hang around too much on Facebook and dont get down to the real stuff of Romans 6-8...they too will be bewitched.

  9 minutes ago ·
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  Michael O'Hara What about when He rebuked the fever of Peter's mother-in-law? Why do you think he "rebuked" it rather than speak healing? (unique "method" in this situation I think) "Then Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her. So He bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and began to wait on them. [Luke 4.38-39]

  7 minutes ago ·
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  Chris Welch great point and only the Spirit can direct...but even rebuking or saying be whole....both are going behind the scenes of creation to get to the root!