The Unity of the Spirit

The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you don't know where the wind comes from or where it's going. That's the way it is with everyone born of the Spirit." (Joh 3:8)

True unity of the Spirit is only realized when brothers and sisters in Christ walk, individually, in daily, intimate fellowship with God. This affords such disciples “ears to hear what the Spirit is saying” which allows the Great Shepherd to lead His flock collectively as He wills (“The wind blows wherever it pleases”).

When these true sheep “hear” His voice, they are empowered to move boldly according to His Kingdom will. As they individually receive their marching orders from the King, a corporate move of God begins to manifest. The Lord moves His pieces around the board strengthening and supplying the movement as needed. He can do this because He has yielded vessels to work with. In the end, the King’s power and resources, channeled through His willing and obedient vessels, produces the goal -- the Kingdom of Heaven operating in power on the earth.

See how good and pleasant it is when brothers and sisters live together in harmony. (Psa 133:1)

False unity of the flesh is evidenced by its prerequisite for doctrinal agreement. This is denominationalism at its core. Under this system, doctrine becomes the unifying principle, rather than one’s personal communication with God in balance with the Word. Though, it’s true, relationship with God is, in many cases, encouraged by denominations, even this is strictly governed by doctrinal instruction (ie. gifts of the Spirit not for today; no Kingdom on earth till after the rapture, etc.).

On the surface there would seem to be wisdom in unifying under the banner of a common doctrinal belief, but the inescapable truth is that without an individual, personal, intimate, relationship with God to facilitate our understanding of scripture, we are left to the “wisdom” of educated men to discern for us what is, and what is not true.

The anointing you received from Christ lives in you. You don't need anyone to teach you something else. Instead, Christ's anointing teaches you about everything. His anointing is true and contains no lie. So live in Christ as he taught you to do. (1Jn 2:27)

The Seven "Mornings" of the Kingdom

…There was evening, then morning, the first day. (Gen 1:5)

Just as the Seven Days of Creation were called out of the darkness (evening) into the light (morning), the Seven Ages of the Church were, likewise, called out of the darkness (trials and tribulations) into the light (promises to the overcomers).

In the book of Revelation (Chapters 1-3) Christ dictates to John, Seven Letters to the Seven Churches that were operating in Asia in John’s day. These seven letters represent a detailed account of the spiritual condition of each church throughout the seven ages of her history on earth. Each letter contains a warning of trouble (evening) that will infect the church of a particular age, as well as a specific and unique promise (morning) to those who “overcome” these trials.

These Seven Days/Ages apply equally to us as individual believers. We too must move through our “evenings” to attain our “mornings” and advance toward the high calling of the King and His Kingdom. For without individual advancement, there can be no Kingdom advancement.

FIRST AGE: SALVATION – church at Ephesus (Let there be light)

Overcomers of this age are promised that they will EAT OF THE TREE OF LIFE which represents the fruit of the true gospel of the Kingdom in the earth. Jesus saved us out of Egypt not just to be free of the Egyptians (sin of the world) but that we might enter Canaan (Kingdom of God on earth). Those who have this desire will, like Joshua and his followers, eat no more of the “manna” (Word without the Spirit) but will eat the fruit of the promised land – THE TREE OF LIFE.

SECOND AGE: SEPARATION – church at Smyrna (waters above)

Overcomers promised they will NEVER BE HURT BY THE SECOND DEATH which speaks of the white throne judgment that will come upon the whole Christ-rejecting world. We are called to separate from the things of the world, so, like Moses and the Israelites in Egypt, we can be set free from their bondage to worship the Lord. The more we separate ourselves from the world to be with Him, the closer He will draw to us to erase the dormant guilt that creates in us a fear of judgment producing false worship and obedience.

THIRD AGE: INTIMACY – church at Pergamos (fruit bearing seed after its kind)

Overcomers promised they will be given HIDDEN MANNA which speaks of the deep things of the Spirit concealed in the Word of God. Intimacy with the Lord means connecting with His thoughts and motives. The more we understand the mind of Christ, the more like Him we will naturally become.

FOURTH AGE: WITNESS – church at Thyatira (greater light to rule the day)

Overcomers promised they will be given AUTHORITY OVER THE NATIONS which speaks of spiritual authority over demonic principalities and powers. God will not entrust such authority to saints that bear no true witness of Him in their lives.

FIFTH AGE: CALLING – church at Sardis (birds flying in Heaven)

Overcomers promised they will be given WHITE RAIMENT which speaks of the priesthood. God must break off completely the limitations we place on Him when we measure the task He’s called us to by our perceived ability to complete it. No one who limits God in this way is ready for the destiny God has for them.

SIXTH AGE: MINISTRY/DESTINY – church at Philadelphia (in the image of God)

Overcomers promised to become a PILLAR IN THE TEMPLE OF GOD which speaks of an immovable position in the presence of the Lord. Once we begin to move in our destiny calling, God establishes us as a fixture in His Kingdom, and all the resources of Heaven can now be entrusted to us.

SEVENTH AGE: KINGDOM – church at Laodicea (God finished His work)

Overcomers promised to SIT WITH GOD ON HIS THRONE which speaks of being a king and priest unto God. The Kingdom began as one man – the Lord Jesus – but has spread to many, each with the same mandate Christ was given – destroy the work of the devil, usher in the Kingdom of God on earth. This can only be accomplished when many individuals walk in their Kingdom destinies without compromise, and without getting ahead of the Lord’s program.

These seven “mornings” must occur in order in your life and mine if we hope to fulfill our purpose on earth to glorify the King in His Kingdom.

1.What is the gospel (Good News) you have believed? Does it include the Kingdom of Christ and your call to worship Jesus as Lord?

2.Have you made up your mind to separate yourself from anything that hinders your relationship with God? Have you decided there will be nothing (not family, occupation, business etc.) that will come before the Lord in your life?

3.Have you heard the Lord speak to you? Can you discern His voice from any other voice in your thoughts or the words of others?

4.Does your life truly reflect the Lord and His Kingdom? Would your family and friends testify of your faithfulness to the Lord and His Kingdom?

5.Have you received a calling from the Lord on your life? Do you know without a doubt what He has destined you for from the foundations of the earth? Do you feel a great burden on your heart for those He is calling you to?

6.Have you begun to walk in your destiny? Has the Lord opened doors for you that no man can shut? Is the vision for your role in the Kingdom becoming clearer to you each day? Is the enemy retreating from the authority of your proclamations?

7.Is the Lord bringing you into alignment with other destiny walkers in the Kingdom? Are your enemies or competitors suffering failure and defeat as you grow and prosper? Do you have the world’s attention?

The Revelation of Jesus Christ

The revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave Him to show his bond-servants… (Rev 1:1)

The Revelation of Jesus Christ is, in truth, a revelation of and to His Body, the church. Understanding this is crucial to grasping the power of the message hidden within this amazing and often confusing book. The church, or more accurately, the Kingdom of God, is often referred to by the Apostle Paul as a “mystery kept hidden from the foundations of the world”. It is this “mystery of God”, the Kingdom, that the book of Revelation was given to unveil.

In the days when the seventh angel is ready to blow his trumpet, the mystery of God will be completed, as he had made this Good News known to his servants, the prophets." (Rev 10:7)

The Seventh Trumpet, which signifies the final warning of God before He returns for His Kingdom Bride, will not blow until the “mystery of God” is “completed”. We’ve already seen that the “mystery” and the “Kingdom” are one and the same. Therefore, the “mystery” won’t be completed until the gospel of the “Kingdom” has covered the whole earth.

"This Gospel of the Kingdom will be spread throughout the world as a testimony to all nations. Then the end will come. (Mat 24:14)

But why was the Kingdom considered a “mystery”?

I saw a scroll in the right hand of the one who sits on the throne. It had writing both on the inside and on the outside. It was sealed with seven seals. (Rev 5:1)

The “scroll”, hidden in God’s own hand from the eyes of men and angels, represents this “mystery of God”, the Kingdom on earth.

And no one in heaven, on earth, or under the earth could open the scroll or look inside it. (Rev 5:3)

The Kingdom had to remain a “mystery” until Christ completed the work He was sent to do.

Then they sang a new song, "You deserve to take the scroll and open the seals on it, because you were slaughtered. You bought people with your blood to be God's own. They are from every tribe, language, people, and nation. (Rev 5:9)

If the mystery of the Kingdom had been revealed too soon, satan would have fought to keep the crucifixion from taking place.

Not one of the rulers of this world has known it. If they had, they wouldn't have crucified the Lord of glory. (1Co 2:8)

Without the crucifixion, the Kingdom could never have existed on earth for there would be no one, but Christ Himself, worthy to enter its gates. That is why the message of the Kingdom was concealed in Old Testament types and shadows, and why Christ spoke only in parables when referencing the Kingdom.

This is why I speak to them this way. They see, but they're blind. They hear, but they don't listen. They don't even try to understand. (Mat 13:13)

Jesus used illustrations to tell the crowds all these things. He did not tell them anything without illustrating it with a story. (Mat 13:34)

It was only after the finished work of the cross that Christ, and later His disciples, began to reveal plainly the message of the Kingdom.

"I have used examples to illustrate these things. The time is coming when I won't use examples to speak to you. Rather, I will speak to you about the Father in plain words. (Joh 16:25)

How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; (Eph 3:3-5)

Unveiling the mystery of God, the Good News of the Kingdom, is the force and function of all the New Testament letters of the Apostles. But it is only in the last book of the bible, the Revelation of Jesus Christ, that the scope and detail of the Kingdom on earth can truly be seen.

Blessed is the one who reads and who hears the words of this prophecy and pays attention to what is written in it because the time is near. (Rev 1:3)

The Mystery of the Seven Trumpets (Summary)

THE FIRST TRUMPET

The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up. (Rev 8:7)

God is warning the church of the last days (first angel sounded) that He will cut off (hail) the people and invalidate (fire) the works of any church operating outside the jurisdiction (blood) of the Kingdom of Christ. All who fall under satan’s jurisdiction (the third part), for they are his planting (trees) not the Lord’s, will be tested (burnt up) in the tribulation to come, including all who, individually, operate in the flesh (green grass) without the Spirit.

And when the King came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And He saith unto him, friend, how camest thou in here not having a wedding garment? And the man was speechless. Then said the King to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Mat 22:11-13)

For no other foundation can man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall test every man's work to reveal what sort it is. (1Co 3:11-13)

And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth... (Rev 12:4)


THE SECOND TRUMPET

And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood; And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed. (Rev 8:8-9)

God is warning (second angel sounded) that He will send the curse of the law of Mt. Sinai (mountain burning with fire) upon every nation (sea) that puts itself under satan’s jurisdiction (the third part). All who serve the law in religious legalism will be declared cut off from the Kingdom (blood) including many who are truly saved (had life) along with countless ministries and missions to the nations of the world (ships).

For you are not come to the mountain that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, (Heb 12:18)

For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continues not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. (Gal 3:10)


THE THIRD TRUMPET

And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter. (Rev 8:10-11)

God is warning (third angel sounded) that the principle doctrines of the church (rivers and fountains) have been corrupted (made bitter) by satan to lead many (the third part) to deny the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the Kingdom of Christ on earth. These doctrines will be a slow acting poison (wormwood) within the church resulting in cutting off from the Kingdom (many men died) all who receive them into their hearts and minds.

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you be ignorant. (1Co 12:1)

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers to tickle their ears. (2Ti 4:3)


THE FOURTH TRUMPET

And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise. (Rev 8:12)

God is warning (fourth angel sounded) the many under satan’s influence (the third part) that the witness of the Spirit (sun), the church (moon), and individual believers (stars), is being diminished by satan through his Spirit-denying doctrines, rendering the church powerless and ineffective (darkened) as a testimony to the world.

Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (2Ti 3:5)

For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. (1Co 4:20)

Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? (Gal 3:3)


THE FIFTH TRUMPET

And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads. And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man. And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them. (Rev 9:1-6)

God is warning (fifth angel sounded) of a coming great lie (locusts) that will create extreme double-mindedness (torment) in the church causing many to fall away from the faith. This lie will originate from fallen angels who were imprisoned for millennia for having cohabitated with human women (from the bottomless pit) to create a demon/human hybrid (scorpions of the earth). These creatures will deceive many into denying the Lord (sun and the air were darkened). Some will try to cut themselves off from the lie (desire to die) but the deception will be too strong to completely reject it (death will flee from them) creating a double-mindedness (torment of a scorpion) that will shut them out from the security and blessings of the Kingdom.

For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. (Mat 24:24)

Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. (2Th 2:4)

Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. (2Th 2:10)

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who cleverly shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their deceiving ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be spoken of as evil. And through covetousness shall they with false words make merchandise of you: their judgment now of a long time delays not, and their damnation sleeps not. For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment… (2Pe 2:1-4)

And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. (Jud 1:6)

When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) (Mat 24:15)

Jas 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.


THE SIXTH TRUMPET

(Please read Revelation 9:13 - 11:13)

God is warning (sixth angel sounded) that the apostates (third part of men) who fall under the spell of the great lie will themselves become agents (horses) of its dissemination (their mouths issued fire, smoke, and brimstone). The book of Revelation (little scroll) will be widely taught (sweet in the mouth) and understood (bitter in the belly). The church will be divided (measuring reed) between those who walk in Kingdom blessings (worshippers in the temple) and those outside the Kingdom (outer court) which will be given over to the jurisdiction of satan (beast that arises from the bottomless pit) until the Lord returns (forty-two months). The Kingdom (two witnesses) will continue to warn (fire proceeds from their mouths) the church of the lie they have given themselves over to, until satan finally succeeds in silencing them (beast will make war and kill them) with the overwhelming power of the lie. That’s when the Lord will come for His Kingdom Bride (they ascended unto Heaven and their enemies beheld them), and the wrath of God (earthquake) will commence upon those still on the earth.

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; (1Ti 4:1)

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who cleverly shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them bringing upon themselves swift destruction. (2Pe 2:1)

And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: (Mat 25:32)

And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practice, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. (Dan 8:24)
…and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished. (Dan 12:7)


THE SEVENTH TRUMPET

And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever… And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth. (Rev 11:15,18)

God is warning (seventh angel sounded) that once the Kingdom Bride (great voices in Heaven) has been taken out (the Kingdom of this world has become the Kingdom of our Lord), there will no longer be a place of refuge on earth from the vengeance of satan (and the nations were angry) or the justice of God (thy wrath is come).

Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. (1Co 15:51-54)

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. (Mat 25:1-12 )

The Mystery of the Seven Trumpets (Pt. 1c)

THE FIRST TRUMPET:

The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up. (Rev 8:7)

As we’ll see throughout the first four trumpets, the phrase “the third part” is repeatedly used to designate that portion of the church that, by the seventh age, has fallen under the influence of satan. It is never used as a reference to the true Kingdom within the church.

And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, (satan) having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth... (Rev 12:4)

As we saw in the account of the opening of the sixth seal, apostate believers are once again depicted as “stars falling from heaven” to the earth. It’s these very ones, called “the third part”, that all of the seven trumpets will be sounded to warn.

The first angel sounded…

The “first angel” refers to Kingdom believers within the last days EVANGELICAL CHURCH. They are commanded to trumpet the Lord’s warning which is found in His letter to the church at Ephesus...

Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto you quickly, and will remove your candlestick out of His place, except you repent. (Rev 2:5)

The evangelical church has forgotten her first love (the gospel of the Kingdom). The first trumpet will sound to call her to repentance.

…and there followed hail…

Hail speaks of stoning, an ancient Hebrew punishment carried out for one purpose only – cutting off sinners from the Kingdom. God is signifying with this “hail” that the day is coming when He will utterly cut off the “third part” (satan’s portion) of the evangelical church. Cutting off does not mean the losing of salvation. Rather, it speaks of being separated, for a season of judgment, from the protection and blessings of the Kingdom.

…and fire…

Fire speaks of purification. It is sent to “burn up” any works of this church not wrought in God.

…mingled with blood…

The “blood” spoken of here is the blood of Heaven. By depicting the hail and fire “mingled” with blood, God is signifying that the authority to cut off (hail) and purify (fire) satan’s portion on earth (third part), is found in the shed blood of Christ.

…and the third part of trees was burnt up…

The “third part of trees” refers to churches planted by satan, not the Lord. How does satan plant churches? With a seed gospel that denies the Lordship and Kingdom of Christ. A “repeat after me” gospel that is prevalent in much of the modern evangelical church.

…and all green grass was burnt up. (Rev 8:7)

The “green grass” speaks of believers that operate in the flesh, not in the Spirit.

For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls away: (1Pe 1:24)

Therefore, taken as a whole, the first trumpet warns the evangelical church of the last days that if she will not repent of abandoning her first love (the true gospel of the Kingdom) she will be cut off from all Kingdom blessings, and her works, her churches, and her people will be consumed in the fires of the coming tribulation.

And that’s just the first trumpet.


To be continued…

The Mystery of the Seven Trumpets (Pt. 1b)

And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. (Rev 8:2)

As stated in the previous post, these seven trumpets are not sent to proclaim the gospel of the Kingdom. That time will have passed with the sixth church age. The seven trumpet blasts are intended as warnings to the last days apostate church, that she must repent of her ways or be consumed by them.

And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake. (Rev 8:5)

The angel takes fire from the golden altar of incense (prayers of the Kingdom saints), hurls it to the earth and we hear “voices” (prophets of God); “thunderings” (judgments of God); “lightnings” (power of God); and an “earthquake” (transference of power to God’s Kingdom) all signifying what the trumpets of God will sound like to those who have ears to hear them.

We will know the seven trumpets are sounding when we hear Kingdom prophets (voices) calling the churches to repentance; apostolic warnings of coming judgment on the church (thunderings); unprecedented displays of Holy Ghost power (lightnings); and a major transfer of power and resources from the world into the Kingdom (earthquake).

And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. (Rev 8:6)

Preparation is key. As citizens of the Kingdom we must understand the King’s warning to each of the seven churches still operating outside His walls, and be ready, willing and able to sound the alarm when and where He directs.

Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand; (Joe 2:1)



To be continued…

The Mystery of the Seven Trumpets (Pt. 1a)

Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand; (Joe 2:1)

As we’ve seen in this study, each of the churches throughout history was given a Kingdom mandate specific to the age they lived in. These mandates directly paralleled the Plan of God for creation as laid out in Genesis 1.

The FIRST AGE was commissioned for the world’s SALVATION; the SECOND AGE for the SEPARATION of the holy from the profane; the THIRD AGE for INTIMACY with the Father; the FOURTH AGE was given a mandate to bear WITNESS of the one true God; the FIFTH AGE was to receive their CALLING to testify to all the nations of the world; the SIXTH AGE was to manifest God’s love to the nations through MINISTRY; and the SEVENTH AGE was to have established the great KINGDOM of God in all the earth.

However, the insurgencies of satan, aided by the free will choices of men, has led to the wholesale corruption of the church throughout virtually every age, so that by the seventh age we see that, though the previous six churches are still active on the earth, God’s original mandate for each has been lost. The EVANGELICAL CHURCH (first age) gospel has been severely compromised; the HOLINESS CHURCH (second age) has become legalist; the DOCTRINAL CHURCH (third age) has interpreted scripture however it sees fit and divided the church because of it; the ORTHODOX CHURCH (fourth age) has regarded man-made traditions above Holy Scripture; the REFORMED CHURCH (fifth age) has all but abandoned the Holy Spirit; the GRACE CHURCH (sixth age) has forgotten the Lordship of Christ; and the CHARISMATIC CHURCH (seventh age) has left the Word of God to pursue signs and wonders.

But God is merciful and He will not send judgment until every attempt has been made to warn His children. That’s the purpose for the seven trumpets. These alarms will sound, in turn, to each of the last days churches as a final call to…

…Come out of her, My people, so that you will not share in her sins, or receive any of her plagues. For her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes. (Rev 18:4-5)

As Jesus wrote to the church of Laodicea, which represents the last days church…

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. (Rev 3:20-22)



To be continued…

The Mystery of the Seven Seals (Pt. 7)

THE SEVENTH SEAL:

And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. (Rev 8:1)

To understand what this “silence” refers to, we must first consider what the “sound” of heaven was previous to this. Keep in mind that throughout the book of Revelation “heaven” speaks of the Kingdom of Heaven on earth, not the Heavenly realm of the Spirit, nor the earth-bound church, but the Kingdom hidden within the church.

In the opening of the sixth seal we saw an angel sent by God to “seal” His servants “in their foreheads”. This speaks of a last days movement to spread the good news of the Kingdom throughout the nations, culminating in the salvation of “a great multitude” that no one could number. This multitude represents the final fullness of the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. Therefore, the “sound” of the Kingdom of Heaven during the sixth age of the church was and is the sound of the gospel of the Kingdom being preached in all the world.

But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. (Rom 10:18)

And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. (Mat 24:14)

The “end” of the age will follow immediately after this Kingdom gospel has been preached, and all the servants of God have been “sealed” with His Holy Spirit. After this, the gospel will be silenced, and a new sound will be coming from the Kingdom of Heaven -- a warning of the coming “Day of the Lord”.

Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand; (Joe 2:1)


To be continued…

The Mystery of the Pearl of Great Price

Back in the fifth parable of Matthew 13, Jesus likens the Kingdom to a “treasure hidden in a field”. As stated in a previous post, I believe this “treasure” speaks of our Kingdom CALLING which is “hidden” from us until God has done His work of preparation – to give us a burden for the “field”, not just ambition for the “treasure”.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. (Mat 13:45-46)

Here, in the sixth parable, the Lord uses the example of a “merchant seeking” pearls to describe the Kingdom. Unlike the fifth parable, where the “field” is what the “man” (Kingdom citizen) sells everything for, here the “merchant” (Kingdom citizen) “went and sold all he had” to buy the one pearl.

What does the “one pearl” refer to? Love. Love is the “one pearl of great price” we are to sell everything else to obtain. Having a burden for the world (“field”) is one thing, being able to express God’s love in the trenches of ministry, with the daily attacks of the enemy on every side, is quite another.

As in the sixth day of creation, this sixth Kingdom parable signifies that the strains of true ministry will always draw out of us the “beasts and creeping things” resident in our hearts and keeping us from releasing genuine love. But this exposure is necessary to produce in us the finished product, a “man in the image of God”, the “pearl of great price”.

For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 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 fulness of Christ: (Eph 4:12-13)

The Mystery of the Seven Seals (Pt. 6c)

THE SIXTH SEAL (Concluded):

The opening of the sixth seal began with an “earthquake”, the result of which caused the sun to be darkened with sackcloth; the moon to become as blood; and the stars to fall from heaven.

And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? (Rev 6:15-17)

Like bats and moles fleeing to their caves and holes in the ground, the world, in fear of the things to come upon the earth during the second world war (“earthquake”), fled into the church (“hid themselves”) in greater numbers than had ever been seen before or since. They were not entering the Kingdom, just the church (dens and rocks), which no longer offered a King to them, but just a quick way to avoid the judgment of God. The “repeat after me” gospel was born, and thousands upon thousands recited their way into church membership, rather than Kingdom citizenship.

This was the cause for the sun (Holy Spirit) to be in sackcloth (grieving); for the moon (church) to become as blood (corrupted with the world’s shadow); and for the stars of heaven (believers) to fall from the tree (turn from the Kingdom).

And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. (Rev 7:2-3)

With the church now teeming with worldliness, the Lord commissioned the faithful of the age to “seal the servants of our God” hidden among the tares of the church.

And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. (Eph 4:30)

This launched a great evangelical movement that would sweep the nations with a powerful message about He who is both Savior and LORD. This is the message Jesus called the “gospel of the Kingdom”.

And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. (Mat 24:14)

The 144,000 that are sealed in verse 4 of Revelation 7 speak of all of the last age believers walking in the Holy Spirit. The Lord uses the tribes of Israel as a symbol for the Kingdom of Heaven. Each of the tribes named is significant because of what their names mean: Judah speaks of “praising God”; Reuben means “son of witness”; Gad means “overcomer”; Asher means “blessing”; Simeon means “hearing”; Levi means “intimacy” etc.

Each of these represent characteristics of the Kingdom. God “seals” them with His Holy Spirit to protect them from what is to come. It’s important to note that two tribes of Israel have intentionally been omitted from this list. Ephraim and Dan. Ephraim’s name means “to multiply”. Dan’s name means “judge”. God is signifying by this that there is no place in His Kingdom for those who care only about church growth in numbers (to multiply) or those who judge others by their own standards. Another point about this is that both Ephraim and Dan were guilty, in the old testament, of bringing idolatry into Israel.

After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all tribes, and nations, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; (Rev 7:9)

The fruit of the sixth church age is the sealing of all God’s Kingdom faithful, from every walk of life, both Jew and Gentile alike. This great multitude is seen holding “palm branches” which speaks of the triumphal entry of Christ into Jerusalem and reminds us He is coming again to complete the victory, but first…

This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. (Mat 24:14)

When that great work is finished the seventh church age will begin. And John tells us it will begin with…

…a silence in heaven... (Rev 8:1)

The Mystery of the Hidden Treasure

"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field…

This is the fifth of seven Kingdom parables found in Matthew 13. In each of the seven parables the Lord likens the Kingdom of Heaven to ideas and concepts understandable to the people of the day.

In this fifth parable, Jesus parallels the Kingdom to a “treasure hidden in a field”. I believe the “treasure” here speaks of our Kingdom CALLING. It is hidden from us until God has done the work of SEPARATION (wheat from the tares) INTIMACY (mustard seed faith) and WITNESS (yeast impacting the dough) all to prepare us for our CALLING (the hidden treasure).

…that a man found and reburied…

If the treasure represents our CALLING, why, once we’ve found it, would we hide it again?

Then in his joy he goes and sells everything he has and buys that field. (Mat 13:44)

Our treasure (CALLING) must remain hidden until we have received the true burden of the Lord for the people He is calling us to. That’s what it means to “sell everything you have and buy that field”. The field is the world. The parable doesn’t say to sell everything and buy the “treasure”. When we’ve surrendered our motives, dreams, goals, agendas etc. for the sake of the “field”, then and only then are we ready to access the treasure and step into our Kingdom CALLING.

REVELATION 1:1

THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST…

Jesus came to earth with a singular revelation for all mankind. This message monopolized virtually every discourse and miracle represented in the four gospels:

From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Mat 4:17)

He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. (Mat 13:11)

Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: (Mat 13:24)

Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: (Mat 13:31)

Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. (Mat 13:33)

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. (Mat 13:44)

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: (Mat 13:45)

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: (Mat 13:47)

WHICH GOD GAVE HIM…

The message of the Kingdom of Heaven was commissioned to Christ by the Father:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (Joh 1:1)

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us… (Joh 1:14)

And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And He came and took the (sealed) book out of the right hand of Him that sat upon the throne. (Rev 5:6-7)

TO SHOW HIS BOND SERVANTS THINGS WHICH MUST SHORTLY COME TO PASS…

The message of the Kingdom was to be given only to those whom the Lord called His “bond servants”:

And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. (Mat 13:10-11)

AND HE SENT AND SIGNIFIED IT BY HIS ANGEL UNTO HIS SERVANT JOHN…

The revelation concerning the Kingdom was to be “signified” to John (and us) through signs and symbols, so that only those who come to Jesus for understanding of the Kingdom will receive it.

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to search it out. (Pro 25:2)

SUMMARY:

The book of Revelation conceals in signs and symbols the Kingdom of Heaven as it unfolds throughout history beginning at the cross of Christ and ending with His return to the earth in victory. Since Christ was expressly sent to the earth by the Father to trumpet the Kingdom and its importance to every believer, any other interpretation of the book of Revelation must be set aside as speculative, unfruitful, and unscriptural.

The Mystery of the Seven Sealed Book

…for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse. (Est 8:8)

And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. (Rev 5:2-3)

The Lamb of God, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, was the only one in all creation deemed worthy to open this awesome book sealed with seven seals and held in the Father’s own hand. But why was the book guarded in such a manner? Who were the contents of the book being hidden from? Who else but satan? The seven sealed book represents a hidden mystery that satan could not be allowed to see until Christ had completed His mission.

And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. (Rev 5:9-10)

Until the resurrection of Christ, satan was ignorant of the fact that Jesus had come, not to persuade men back to God as he supposed, but to pay the sin debt for all mankind so that God, Himself, could dwell in intimate fellowship with His children as Kings and Priests on the Earth. Had satan known this, he never would have allowed the crucifixion to take place much less participated in it.

But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. (1Co 2:7-8)

Because satan knew nothing of God’s plan for mankind’s redemption, he acted according to his own nature and became the instrument of his own crushing defeat by torturing Christ to death on a Roman cross.

In Revelation chapter 5 the rejoicing in Heaven is over the fact that Christ’s finished work now makes it impossible for satan to frustrate the will of God concerning the marriage of His Son to His Bride and their promised reign over the whole Earth which, until the cross, was the legal property of satan by default.

Thus we see that the seven sealed book is an allegory for the truths concealed in the old testament and spoken as a mystery by the prophets who wrote of a Kingdom of Priests and of the coming marriage of the Lamb to His spotless bride.

Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days. (Act 3:24)