GOD’S POWERFUL ARMY
-extracts by David Wilkerson.
Something very powerful and awesome is going on in the world today – something beyond human comprehension – something that will affect the whole world in these last days.
God is preparing a small but powerful army of Christians, the most
dedicated army on the face of the earth. The Lord will come forth to
command them to do exploits; He is going to close out the ages
with a pure, devoted, fearless remnant…
The denominational church system appears to be in the throes of
death. It has almost no influence in the secular world, no mighty
power in Christ. Some accuse me of being “hard” on pastors. But I
am in touch with many godly pastors who grieve as I do over the
backsliding in the ministry today. There is a holy remnant of godly
pastors in the land, and I thank God for every one of them. Yet, it
is still a fact that more and more ministers are racing down the
road of compromise.
The Bible warns that we are not to fret! God has a plan and it is
being manifested…
© 2011 World Challenge – a registered trademark of David Wilkerson.
-Original Sources-
http://www.worldchallenge.org/en/node/15700
http://www.worldchallenge.org/en/node/15702
I believe this with all of my heart, Please pray for me to continue to seek Yah with everything I do.. HalleluYah !
A remnant is transitioning out of the system.
Does the sum total of a remnant not already in the system, exceed the sum total of those in it, or coming out of it?
Praise God! We were so blessed to experienced many of what is said in this piece written! God is great! His voice is loud and clear! His mercy is huge! He speakes to simple pleople, teach and command them to help His people to salvation! Thank you! God bless!
Each group of believers, whether in the system, or in a home church, or on the net, believe they are the remnant. The one true group that has a bead on all truth. The called out ones that are superior to everyone else.
When all the while God is dealing with individuals. Taking them through severe trials, and preparing them as people after His own heart.
The most sobering thing is, those who think they are already in the remnant are the ones who are in the most danger of missing it altogether.
I’m sorry, I don’t find anything in the NT about a small but powerful army, but I DO find that idea in the Latter Rain, Manifested Sons doctrine. I’m very suspicious about any doctrine that is found only in the OT. Since when do we get out end time expectations in the first 4 books of Samuel?
Please, Bro. Wilkerson, give us chapter and verse rather than your speculations from the Old Testament.
Richard Kirby
Andrew, I was going to comment here but now I’m thinking maybe I’ll just email you.
This writing is nice and perhaps in ways it applies to me. But I just simply don’t have it in me to pray as Hannah did and at 51yo, before I go to church on sundays, I find myself asking the Lord if today is the day he’s going to be merciful and FINALLY let me meet my mate…
But, as days turn into weeks and weeks turn into years and years turn into decades, I feel more and more that if it’s true that children are a gift from God, then I must be the most unworthiest sob that God ever made.
I hate to complain Andrew but eventually a man just has to come to grips with the truth. Now, does this make me feel like one of Gods remnants? No Andrew, but it certainly makes me feel like one of Gods rejects…. Making me was one of the dumbest things God ever did.
Harold, I also feel like a failure, I sometimes wish I knew where to go and what to do, it is hard trying to care for my family and still try to do whatever I was made to do.
It is a real feeling to want to fufill what you are created for, but finding that time or place is hard.
SOmetimes I ask ask but im hard of hearing, i dont want to miss Jesus I dont know where anyone is anymore
I agree Richard Kirby.
This is a timely message for our generation, and while we should not be self-conceited as the “last days remnant,” it behooves on us to pray persistently for the Lord to bring revival into a world of decadent religious systems.
There may be differences of opinion here, but brother Wilkerson makes a very beautiful exegesis of this scripture, and this scripture is only found in the Old and not the New Testament, but together, they make the whole counsel of God. We don’t need to find it in both Testaments, for the God who spoke in the Old is still speaking today ! Whether God is raising a ” powerful army” or “manifested sons” the truth is God has a remnant, be it one person or group of person.
The truth is only we ourselves will know who we are, and we all can decieve ourselves thinking (as some said above) , its our group, its us. This isn’t a popularity contest with God , nor each other. Unfortunately this is the sort of talk and system that exists. But no matter, God will be the ONE , remnant or no remnant , group or no group. Let us all just go after God and seek, for HIM, Seek you first the KINGDOM of God and HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS…that is it. It is Christ not us . Bottom line and if your led by the Spirit then follow HIM. HE will guide into all truth AMEN!!
Dear Harold,
You are in good company. Paul was not married, and look what he did for the Body of Christ.
The Lord Jesus was not married. He is the reason there is a Body of Christ.
1 Co 7 is something that may encourage you. Especially this verse:
24Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.
I want to be a part of the coming GLORY
First of all to Harold. God does not make rejects! Elizabeth was looked down on by the people, not God. God found both her and Zacharias righteous in His sight, even while childless. Please realize your importance to God even in the fact Christ paid for your sins, and gives you life in Him, as he does for all who come to Him. I pray the Lord God will set you free from this depression.
Second, God did not make religious denominations, man did. Religion will hold one in bondage, and destroy you. Christianity, being a follower of, and believer in Christ will set you free. The word of God is true, accept it, believe it.
What can one say, but: Yes.
Yes, indeed.
May the Lord Jesus’ will be done.
May He have mercy on us.
In His power.
Praise Him!
I have for some time now (about 10 years) had the feeling that God was not pleased with the denominational church system and want to concur with Pastor Wilkenson that they not only appear to be in the throes of death, but that they are dying and God is raising up a new Church that will form the base of His army to fight the back sliding and bring the real Christians back to Christ. The Church as we see it today is not a building or a Pastor, that so many of us follow because of the way he preaches. The Church is you and me and we should make up this army of God, where ever we are, we should start to make a difference, start to live the values (Fruit of the Spirit) and in this way (by living Christ, and being humble) make the difference. May the Lord Christ Jesus bless you to be his servant.
Love you in Christ, Dieter
Let God give each of us the grace to confess at the end of our journey: ‘I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. finally there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the Righteous Judge, will give me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.’
Let none of us have a testimony whereby we are told, ‘they profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.
LET US PRAY for one another, upholding one another, that, in that day we are among the remnant, and we hear from our Lord and Saviour, “Well done, good and faithful servant’.
Letter to the 1st church.(Ephesus)
1: Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
2: I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
3: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
4: Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
5: Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
6: But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7: He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God
Letter to the 1st church.(Ephesus)
Revelation2:1-7,
1: Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
2: I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
3: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
4: Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
5: Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
6: But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7: He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God
The tree of life is a gift given to those who overcome.
There are not going to be any little cliques in the kingdom of God.
Either you are God centred through Christ or you are hindered by the works of self that use Christ for self advancement. It is the self that creates the cliques.
Yes there is going to be a remnant for the last days but they are going to be the ones that still stand after the fires of persecution has swept through them. It will not be based on how clever they are and how well they grasp their doctrines or if they have the right formulas but on where their centring and faith lie.
Those that hold on through the fires are not going to be the ones most people would consider remnant quality. To remain true to God and faithful to Christ is going to cost everything including reputation, which really is just based on the desires of self.
2nd letter to the churches,(Smyrna)
Revelation2:8-11,
8: And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
9: I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
10: Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
11: He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death
He that overcometh is not hurt if faithful unto death.
For those who say there is no “Great Gospel revival” that occurs in the last days, I offer these verses straight out of the New Testament-
“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the earth, and then the end shall come.” (Mt 24)
“In the last days, says the Lord, I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh.” (Acts 2).
Etc, etc.
All of the great Pentecostal pioneers that I have read about believed in this “one last great revival”. I do too. And naturally, so did Wilkerson.
Bless you!
Andrew Strom.
3rd letter to the churches.(Pergamos).
Revelation 2:12-17,
12: And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
13: I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
14: But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
15: So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
16: Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
17: He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
Not by Might, Not by Power but by His Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts.
4th letter to the churches (Thyatira),
Revelation 2:18-29,
18: And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;
19: I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.
20: Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
21: And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
22: Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
23: And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
24: But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.
25: But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.
26: And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
27: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
28: And I will give him the morning star.
29: He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Hold fast,let us not be found wanting.,lest we suffer the rod of iron.
Come Lord Jesus, come!
HIS Grace is sufficient enough!
HIS Will be done! Not mine!
While many sit around waiting for revival the Lord is working NOW! Where is the Zeal of the Lord
In Gods Holy People, where is the fire that burns within the soul of Gods sons and daughters?I will tell you where…. it is in Gods holy people.
God is in control, Not man. God is not waiting on man!!! He will have His way and He has a TRUE body, not tainted with doctrines of demons, and not sitting in a luke-warm position! Either get Hot or get cold!!!
What is the difference between this message and the latter-rain movement which is so harshly criticized in various evangelicals and charismatic circles. the answer is not much if anything, but if anyone can note any differences, i would appreciate knowing. thanks
Latter Rain came with an enormous raft of emphases and doctrines.
But a belief in a last “great revival” has been common throughout the Pentecostal movement all along. (Read “Azusa Street” and you will see it was there from the start).
I agree with this concept – and with Wilkerson.
Bless you!
Andrew Strom.
Whats the point in promoting something thats not scriptural. Clearly , Wilkersons article based on the first four chapters of 1st Samuel is one of private interpretation and exegetal license.Regardless of what the Azusa St bunch may have said on the matter, or anyone else since then, the new testament paints a very different picture, that being , that as time progresses toward the end , the apostasy will overun many believers, to the point where there will scarcely be any of the elect .
Rev 13:7
And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them.
Sorry, but this does resemble Latter Rain teaching, doctrines or no doctrines. Giving folks a false sense of hope in this regard is not at all ” loving the bretheren” . That only comes with preaching thE truth.!
Firstly to Harold – I turned 50 last month, I got born again nearly 20yrs ago. I was a single mother of a 9yr. I was told by Christians that I had to be specific with my requirements for a husband and write them down. I threw myself into seeking God and His ways while serving in the church. My christian walk has not been easy to say the least! I have never married and now I don’t even want to, I am very happy being single and I know how much the Father loves me. I cherish my relationship with Him above all things and I don’t particular want to share my affections with any one else unless the Father desires.
As far as the remnant goes, when we hear words like this, it encourages me. I am one of the least, I am a quiet person and not particular gifted in any area. For the first time since my salvation I am not in church, I don’t really like it but I don’t believe the Lord wants me there. I do spend a lot of time alone either praying, reading His word or just sitting with the Lord. He has me in a position where I am constantly faced with opportunities to humble myself. Dying to self and taking up my cross is the school of ministry I am enrolled in at present. I question myself constantly as to whether I have missed it and am being decieved. My prayer is always Lord search my heart and lead me into all truth. I have to believe that I am where the Father wants me to be. The way for me has become increasingly narrow but the joy that floods my soul is worth it all. In the last few weeks He has allowed me to do some charity work. My life is very much one step at a time and for others looking in, it doesn’t look like much. I don’t have all the answer and I don’t have to. When we yield to the Holy Spirit in our lives we have to trust that He will correct us if necessary. I do know that I am being prepared for something…….
Seeing as the messages to the churches are being quoted it may be a good idea to do a google search on the term
“nicolaitans doctrine”
As in this verse
Rev 2:6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
Some articles are better than others but it will not take long to get an understanding of what this practice is.
Quite the eye opener if you grasp what the body of Christ is supposed to be.
For those who say there is no “Great Gospel revival” that occurs in the last days, I offer these verses straight out of the New Testament-
“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the earth, and then the end shall come.” (Mt 24)
“In the last days, says the Lord, I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh.” (Acts 2).
Etc, etc.
All of the great Pentecostal pioneers that I have read about believed in this “one last great revival”. I do too. And naturally, so did Wilkerson.
Bless you!
Andrew Strom.
• Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. – John 12:14
• And the temple, when it was being built, was built with stone finished at the quarry, so that no hammer or chisel or any iron tool was heard in the temple while it was being built. – 1st Kings 6:7
• You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. – 1st Peter 2:5
as I read this article on yesterday, I wanted to ask, what does this army look like? My question was not one of sarcasm, because when one thinks of army, they think of death and weapons of mass destruction.
This army spoken of, that I have seen in visions, is really not an army at all in respect to what we call an army.
These are people that have allowed the Lord to make them into His image. Their weapon of mass destruction is one of love, mercy. Only the love of God can truly disarm the enemy. It disarms hatred and prejudice, and is sacrificial in terms of a deep care and concern for others.
One who loves an enemy has no enemy. Yeshua constantly stressed the highest ideals in a human being, so that humankind may practice peace and reconciliation. Hatred and vengeance only breed more hatred and vengeance, however love nourishes and encourages.
The army that was no army at all, were people who had the faces of children. They were sent into the middle of gangs and would not be hurt and their countenance would not change as they would look toward heaven and say to the Father, forgive them Father they know not what they do, and bless them Father. The gang members would be given life and the violence and warring would stop.
I saw in one vision the world as a pill bottle. He took His thumb and would open the top of the world, and then dispense it into His left hand. As He poured, I saw people as pills being given as an antidote for all the ills of the world. The people would not need paxil and the like to have peace in their lives because these that were created in His image would ask Father to give life and His spirit would come in and quicken those who were dead.
I saw the shadow of death leave as the word of God was given with power and love.
I saw the prayers of the saints to be for Father to bless, and I saw the prayers of others that had accusations attached to go unanswered.
His army were those who were made in His image, and had His name.
I am willing to fast and pray and go through any more of breaking and refining needed in me to be a vessel through whom God can have His way. I am joining with David Marsh (in response to his call at ‘Signs and wonders post’), Jordan Shepherd (in response to his call at ‘Apostle Poobah’s post’) and those who have the same burden and willingness to set apart time to pray. Please hold me in your prayers.
Responding to God pouring out His Spirit in the Last Days – I am not disagreeing that God will pour out His Spirit in the LAST DAYS. But I must admit that it may be a great leap of faith accepting that this portion of time we live in, post 21st Century, is what is scripturally defined as LAST DAYS, as recorded in Scripture.
So, I did some googling for scripturally based answers, rather than accept by faith the utterance of a succession of prophets in modern times. I mean no disrespect. I only know that I must rely totally on Scripture. I am not necessarily endorsing what I am about to post, since I do not know the author. My aim is to encourage us all to seek out Scriptural answers, or at least let the word point us to truth, regardless of how much we desire to pay homage to those doing great exploits in the recent past, Asuza Street, or otherwise.
I have observed over the past 15 or so years, passionate leaders of the Church espouse the prophetic utterances of notable ministries, reading and propagating their written material, endorsing their credibility and promoting their conference meetings. They have spent years investing their emotions and resources into their own replicated ministries to give credence to their own activities. These are people hungry for God to move mightily and be part of it. The chief aim, or end goal of this conglomerate of ministries (which many of you would be familiar with) seems to dovetail into one big end time revival. That in itself is not a bad thing to hope for. However, we must be anchored on the word. Today, as I researched a topic, I came across this at http://bible.org/article/speaking-tongues
“The evidence of God’s Word must be the final source of authority. I am stressing this because there are many persons who are not students of the Bible, therefore their only source of knowledge and understanding is subjective, namely, reason or experience. Whatever appeals to their reason, or whatever experiences they have had, settle a matter for them once and for all time.
It is not uncommon to hear someone say something like this: “I cannot believe in Hell because I cannot conceive a loving God sending anyone to such a place of torment.” Such persons might listen to clear and sound expositions on the biblical doctrine of Hell, and yet they will reject what the Bible teaches because of their inner feelings and rationale. And so their rationalization becomes their final authority.
Now I am not suggesting that there is no validity in experience or reason. I am quite sure that there are times when one’s reason and experience are correct and therefore reliable. But neither reason nor experience can be accepted as final authority.”
And so, LAST DAYS – The following material was randomly chosen through google, just a few minutes ago on http://www.bibleissues.org/ The Article, “Are These the Last Days”
“The Bible defines the last days as the entire period from Pentecost to the second coming of Christ.
Acts 2:16-21. 16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: 19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: 21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Peter linked the events which transpired on the Day of Pentecost to the last days prophesy of Joel 2:28-32. That was the beginning of the “last days”. Amazingly some people use this passage as the basis for believing in a great end time revival where God would pour out His Spirit. That promise was fulfilled in 32 AD and continues to be fulfilled even now. That outpouring is not future any more than it is past and present.
1 John 2:18. Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
(John also incorporated and acknowledged his present day timeline as living in the last days because many antichrists had arisen. He also alluded to a future Antichrist).
1Tim. 4:1; 2 Tim. 3:1 – In 64-68 AD, Paul warned Timothy of troubles to come during the last days. It would be foolish to think Paul was advising Timothy to beware of the troubles to come in the year 2001. Timothy is dead. He was never going to live that long. Paul was admonishing Timothy of events to happen in his very day, the “last days”.
See also 1 Cor. 10:11; Heb. 1:1,2; 9:26; James 5:3; 1 Pet 1:20 for other references where the “last days” is identified with the time of Jesus and the apostles.
In Matt. 24:4-8, Jesus listed false christs, wars, famines, and earthquakes as the beginning of birth pains. “But the end is not yet”. There have always been wars, natural disasters and false christs. These are nothing new at all. But at no time in NT history has a war or natural disaster occurred at a worldwide level. Even WWI and WWII involved a handful of nations, but were so called for lack of better names.
The Bible predicts no worldwide catastrophe before the rapture. In 1 Thess. 5:3, it states that the Day of the Lord would come at a time when men would be saying “Peace and safety”. In Rev. 6:4, the future antichrist is mandated to take peace from the earth. How could he take from the earth what does not already exist? The rapture will take place at a time when the world is generally in peace and prosperity. In other words, no major worldwide crisis is expected before then. No financial crash, no world war, no life destroying meteorite, no alien invasion, nothing.
The Bible spells out in much detail what would occur in the Tribulation. But it only speaks generally concerning the present era. Those who use the Bible to make specific predictions would only succeed in embarrassing themselves and many already have. The mystery of iniquity is already at work (2 Thess. 2:7), meaning that things may get worse as time progresses, but it is only in the Tribulation would God really pour out His judgment on the whole world. It is only then that any worldwide catastrophe is expected. Between now and then, the Bible strongly implies that there would be a period of relative peace and prosperity. This is indeed what will deceive men into thinking they do not need God.
Apologies for the long post. Sometimes snippets of information just doesn’t cut it.
Yes, SJ, let us pray, with joyful hearts, thankful hearts and submissive hearts. Love to all.
I’m not an advocate of the Latter Rain or MSOG movements (come to think of it, I’m not big on “movements”, period), though I certainly subscribe to God’s building His church – - a true body of believers that is powerful & strong, one that is not overcome by the world. Now THAT’s a mighty army if ever there was one! And if ever the world needed such a counter-weight, God’s body of true believers is that.
It would take but one nuclear hit, or one major assault by terrorists on U.S. or Israel soil, or one devastating blow from an EMP, or one catastrophic (dare I say supernatural?) event for many to “listen up”. And as long as we have breath, we are God’s Plan A for getting the salvation message to the uttermost of the outermost parts of the earth. Now THAT’s army maneuver if ever there was such.
We are to “beware”, to “be alert”, to “armor up”, and to “be prepared”. Beyond the wisdom & obedience of it, it sure sounds like military readiness to me.
Blessings & peace,
Kathleen
- Where is Scripture of
Christ’s Body will be a remnant?
- Isn’t there Scripture for
Israel being ‘the remnant’?
An intellectual approach to Scripture is forbidden. Weren’t the Pharisees and scribes acquainted with the ‘Word of God’ word to word in Hebrew, Greek, Aramic, you name it? Then how did they miss the revelation contained thereof? Why they failed to recognize the Messiah! We need the Holy Spirit to open the eyes of our understanding to perceive the truth hidden in Scriptures, and also to guide us into all the truth.
About ‘Revival’ my take is as follows: Revival means ‘restoring something back to its former state.’ We can use the parable of ten virgins to understand what ‘revival’ could mean. In the parable of ten virgins, we read about the five virgins who are called wise, the ones who took extra jar of oil with them. We read there, that while the bride groom delayed his appearance, all the ten slumbered and slept. But when the midnight cry was heard by them declaring, ‘Behold the Bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him.’ All of the ten trimmed their lamps (they all did some cleaning work). But the foolish virgins failed to light their lamp for lack of oil. (represents their lazy, casual attitude and their lacking the Holy Spirit). Whereas, the wise ones were able to light their lamps, as they carried extra supply oil, and they could view things clearly, in right perspective, because of their diligence and preparation. These wise virgins trimming and oiling their lamps I believe, represents ‘revival’.
JS, The usage of ‘Peace and safety’ in 1 Thess. 5:3, could be very subjective in application. Take the case of RFID chip. For today’s generation, RFID chip is no big deal. They feel that its basic purpose is to prevent theft and forgery. How many of them think of the real dangers of such technology, except the Bible literates? Who knows or worries of its implications. Similarly, ‘Peace and safety’ for this generation could be very different from what we tend to view as ‘peace and safety’.
And about Rev. 6:4, your take is, “the future antichrist is mandated to take peace from the earth. How could he take from the earth what does not already exist?” But my understanding is that ‘the period when the antichrist is mandated to take peace from the earth’ is preceded by a time, when the people are more or less free to do their own thing rather than being subjected to forced allegiance and obedience. Which might in a way, represent a peaceful environment for them.
‘Revelation Writer’ had a question: Where is Scripture for Christ’s Body will be a remnant? Isn’t there Scripture for Israel being ‘the remnant’?
My response to that question is two-fold:
Firstly ‘remnant’ in English usage could mean a part, that is remaining, that which was part of the actual/original. Secondly, though ‘remnant’ was indicative of ‘Israel’, its application and scope goes beyond that in the New Covenant. Let me raise a question to you. What did Paul mean by saying, ‘For He himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of division between us? – (Ephesians 2:14) In this verse, was Paul referring to Jews and Gentiles being made one in Christ Jesus; or did he mean something else? I believe you would agree that it referred to Jews and Gentiles being made one in Christ Jesus. Can we then safely infer that ‘Ecclesia’/ ‘Church’ according to the New Covenant included Jews and Gentiles both; and therefore ‘remnant’ could be used to indicate both, the bride of Christ Jesus.
(The above explanation is my understanding and those reading it might differ)
Sheeja John,
I am in agreement with your understanding on the ‘remnant’.
Israel has fallen away.God’s churches all fall away.Jesus came the first time because the ‘church’ had fallen away so badly.He will return for the same reason.However there will be a remnant who have not fallen away from true doctrine.
The body of Christ will be strong in the Lord and alike to him.
For those who are having difficulty seeing this powerful army in the Scriptures of the New Testament, what do you think the apostle Paul had in mind in Ephesians Ch. 6?
“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God that ye may be able to stand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
…Meaning that when the battle of the Evil Day is over, it’s these overcoming ones who will be left standing on the battlefield… victorious over all.
Sheeja John, you said, “An intellectual approach to Scripture is forbidden.” I hope you didn’t mean that to be born-again one has to check his brain at the door.
I think I understand your reasoning, especially in relation to the spiritual darkness in which many of the Scribes and Pharisees of Christ’s day lived. With them, however, it was more an issue of spiritual pride which caused them to reject Christ and the truth He revealed. To accept Christ’s teachings would mean they would have to humble themselves and yield their position and status to Him. Their pride would not allow them to do that – not so much their intellect. That’s why He called them hypocrites. They had the truth – they just didn’t want to accept it because it meant dying to themselves.
There also was an aspect where the truth was hidden from them, but again it was because they didn’t want it. Christ said about them in John 3:19-20 – “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.”
When it comes to intellect, we need to recognize that God created our intellect – after His own image, for He is intelligent. Once the Holy Spirit reveals spiritual truth, then one realizes how intelligent and reasonable the Gospel is. It definitely is not thus with the unregenerated mind, for it cannot comprehend the Gospel on its own.
However, the regenerated mind should be a renewed mind and should use its intellect under the direction and anointing of the Holy Spirit. The Gospel and God’s truth, to the renewed mind, is the most intelligent and reasonable path to go. The knowledge and wisdom the fear of the Lord brings work in harmony with the renewed intellect.
God bless,
Wayne
Harold, my brother, my heart felt for you and your frustration. I think I have some understanding of what you must be facing.
May I several perspectives you may not have considered?
First, consider God’s character. He is All-powerful and therefore can do anything. Unfortunately, this is where you seem to get stalled and conclude that He must not like you very much. But I think you know this is not true, for He loves you beyond what you can imagine. After all, He gave the very best He was and had in giving Himself to take your judgment and sin upon Himself as He died in your place. He continues to show His boundless love as He sits on the right hand of the Father, ever interceding on your behalf.
Additionally, please know that He is also All-knowing and All-wise. He knows what is best for you. He knows you better than you know yourself. He knows what you can bear. He knows what He needs to do in your life to mould you into the image of Christ. He knows how to best form you into that unique person and character and purpose He created you to be. He does ALL things well and has promised to do so in Romans 8:28.
The question I encourage you to consider is this: “Are you willing to allow Him to be in charge of your life?” The Lord has had to take me through quite a bit to bring me to the place where I was willing to allow Him to be “the Boss” and do with me as HE wanted.
There is an attitude which God wants His people to have and it is this: to be content with the place or lot in life He has given us. So many today are not content with the financial or social situation He’s put one into. But He wants us to be content in the place of life He’s put us into. He even told slaves to be content with their lot in life (1 Cor. 7:20-24; see also 1 Tim. 6:6-12). Actually much of 1 Corinthians 7 speaks to the concern you are facing. I urge you to read and study it prayerfully to see what God would speak to you there.
There are some things which God will not allow some of His people to have or to get involved in because He knows this is not what is best for us. Sometimes this means going without what others have and even take for granted. God has stripped me of some things which were an important part of my life, but which He deemed were not to be part of my life. There are other things which were dreams of mine which He has not allowed me to take part in. As I have gotten older (older than you) I realize that that I will never have those things as part of my life and am content that He knows what is best for me.
One last aspect which I urge you to consider is that perhaps your singleness is a great gift God has given to you. I am married (for over 35 years now) and love my wife dearly. However, I have not had the freedom to do some of what I wanted to do for the Lord because – as 1 Corinthians 7 says – I must take care of my wife and give consideration, time, and resources to her and her needs. Do you realize how many men would love to have the freedom you have? But they are bound to a commitment they made to their wives.
May I encourage you to focus, not on what you don’t have, but rather on what you do have and what God HAS given you.
I hope this might give you some perspectives which are helpful.
God bless you, brother.
Wayne
Of course, look who Marries The Lamb. The Great Multitude which no one can number of all nations, tribes, tongues and people. Which is jew & gentile /nations.
The JEWS Left After this great multitude?
(Rev.7:9 – Rev.19:1,6)
ARE ‘The Remnant’.
“As a Vine Is The Remnant 0f Israel’ – Jer.6:9
I highly respect David Wilkerson and have for decades. I agree with what he says in this article.
One thing I find interesting is this: Even though he recognized that the denominational church appeared to be dying, he remained an ordained minister of the Assemblies of God until the day he died (I believe – unless someone has more recent information to the contrary).
I had the privilege of hearing him speak under the anointing of the Holy Spirit at a denominational conference in 1982 in Canada. He spoke very pointedly to the sins of the leadership of the denomination which he was addressing.
What I find interesting is that rather than throwing up his hands and giving up on the denominational church and criticizing it, he wept over it, confronted it, and did all he could to encourage them to return to their first love (Christ).
As I study the Old Testament prophets God called during Israel’s backsliding, they had the same characteristics. While they spoke pointedly to the sins of God’s people, they didn’t give up on them but continued to be “watchmen on the wall.” They prayed for and wept over, and preached to their brethren who had turned to other gods and followed after their own sinful ways.
I wonder if there aren’t some lessons to us in all this?
Yours in Christ,
Wayne
Revelation writer,
So are you saying that the vine itself is a remnant because in Jer. the vine has been thoroughly gleaned, which to me says there is nothing left on it.
When it comes to Revelations you can take 20 well verses bible scholars and put them in the same room and ask them to explain the book and none of them will be in full agreement.
That’s just the way it is. All will also interpret the book in the light of the denominational doctrines they hold as well.
In all scriptures the basic foundational understanding of the salvation message is used to interpret all the other aspects of the scriptures as well.
There is going to be a great falling away before the return of Christ with the result that all that will be left is a remnant, but that small group left will know what they are doing and will be solid in their faith.
I think the terrible Apostasy and also this “remnant” situation are already upon us.
God’s Army…
This is what I have seen over the past 15 – 20 years…
There was a major braking free from old religious systems with denominational differences disappearing and churches becoming more open to bring in a harvest of new, unchurched people. (i.e. Mennonite Christian Churches changing names from Mennonite Church to Community Church) The seeker sensitive/ friendly movement came on strong, but, BUT, was that God-made (His timing) or was it man-made (pre-mature)?
With this opening up of the churches came a new desire to see a move of God, a move of the Holy Spirit coming with signs. This desire, however, came with a lack of discernment, and the open doors allowed all kinds of spirits to enter into the churches and its leaders. (Kundalini, Todd Bentley…)
However, during this time there were also those who did not fall for this new move. In fact, God-given discernment caused many seasoned believers to leave the established church and press into God instead.
This is His army being readied for the soon, great harvest.
When the last fortress of the spiritual stronghold of unbelief has fallen, this army will indeed be ready.
In the year 2000, after I had asked the Lord to show me what it will take in the future for believers to effectively do His work, this is what He spoke to me:
“Many have walked on the ‘leading edge’ and I chose to do some of My work; but this is a new season, a final call before the great day of the trumpet. There will be no more ‘leading edge’ for I am going to cause you to jump off the edge. Yes, by faith, uncompromising faith, you must trust Me and jump! And as you leave the old ways behind, opening and renewing your mind, you will know that I am doing a new, a final thing.
“But before you jump you must take off your shoes, for behold, after I will catch you, I am going to set your feet on a truly solid ground; and I will give you new shoes that you must walk in. Shoes that will lead and empow er you for good works.
“You will walk in the anointing and in the light of My righteousness. You will walk and not faint. You will walk with boldness and authority. You will surely tram ple on demons and serpents. You will walk on a strait and narrow path; the path that I, the Lord your God, have prepared for you.
“These are the days of the first harvest, My harvest. For I, Myself, am bringing into My house a people, selected and equipped for war. They will walk and talk in the Spirit, and with great power. They will be My road-crew, making a way in the desert; a strait road to Jerusalem. They will prepare the coming of the Lord, and they will bring in the great second harvest of many souls.”
—————————————————————————-
“Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters,
and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea,
come, buy wine and milk without money and without
price” (Is.55:1).
“Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness,
and for His wonderful works to the children of men”
(Ps.107:8)
Blessings, and All 4 Jesus!
Mario
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPK6KShjzW4&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL
‘the (Vineyard) of the Lord of Host
is The (House 0f Israel)’ – Is.5:7
God ‘brought (A) Vine [remnant] out of Egypt’. – Ps.80:8
‘as (A) vine is the remnant of Israel’. – Jer.9:6
Jesus is now the (True) Vine and His Father The Vinedresser.
All still abiding in Jesus The (True) Vine bear fruit.
John 15
Pastor Wayne, I didn’t mean that we should close our mind, rather, we need to depend on the Holy Spirit for the revelation of truth. And you expound on that point well.
Brother Derek Hale, God has not cast Israel away completely, rather, as Paul points out in Romans 11:25, ‘hardening in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles comes in.’ And we must not forget that, if Israel’s fall is riches for the world, and their failure, riches for the gentiles, how much more their fullness! (Romans 11:12) Let us therefore pray that Israel will recognize their Messiah, Yeshua Ha Mashiach.
Dear Harold, I completely agree with Pastor Wayne’s message to you.
The days that are coming – they are going to be quite perilous.
But we must never forget – that they are temporary. That the spiritual state, and the evilness of this world is only temporary. Our eternal future is close.
There are many here who are going through the furnace. All we can do is LOOK, and keep LOOKING to our Lord. That is what He is training us to do. In that no matter what is happening to us – we will continue to LOOK to Him.
You are fighting the good fight. That is what you are doing. Take courage and dig deep into Him, He is our refuge.
I cannot fathom those who cannot believe that we are perilously close to the very last days.
May I suggest Heisnear.com
Also, I gave 1 page on this topic from my book http://www.theapostleshandbook
THE TIMING OF GOD’S GREAT OUTPOURING
The great revival and God’s great Holy Spirit outpouring are predicted by God to occur – just prior to Jesus return.
Mat.24:14 “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” – This will be done by God’s methods and not man’s.
2 Peter3:8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. – Peter talking about the coming last days in Chapter 3
When God renovated the Earth, He gave us His long term time table. The first 6 days He worked but on the 7th day He rested.
Now (4) thousand years from Adam to Christ, (2) thousand years from Christ to our present time ( = 6 ) and we know that God then comes back to set up His (1) thousand year reign (7th day of rest) over the Earth. That means He is about to return, very soon !
2 Thess.2:3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and that the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition.
- There has been a great ‘falling away’ (or apostasy) that began in the 1960’s and this has accelerated to the point whereby only a minor % of the population now remain as born again Christians.
Luke17:29 “but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. Vs.30 “Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.
- Jesus was talking with the disciples about the Last days of this age of Grace, when He returns. During these days it will fully resemble the moral times of Sodom. When homosexuality, sleeping around and all manner of perversions were openly rife. Does this sound familiar? When was the last time we lived in this decadence?
I put it to you that we must not be ignorant of God’s time table and so I recommend some excellent (rare) books on these subjects;
The Book of Daniel by Clarence Larkin, The Book of Revelation by Clarence Larkin, Dispensational Truth – by Clarence Larkin.
Write to Rev. Clarence Larkin Estate P.O. Box 334, Glenside, Pa 19038 U.S.A. See – http://www.larkinestate.com/
I also recommend – Warning by Barry R. Smith, Second Warning by Barry R. Smith & Final Warning by Barry R. Smith.
See – http://www.barrysmith.org.nz/site/
God bless you all
David Marsh
‘…Many Rulers have destroyed My Vineyard
they have trodden under foot My Portion..’
Jer.12:10
‘God of hosts…visit This Vine,
and the Vineyard Your Hand has planted’
Ps.80:14,15
‘The Vine 0f The Earth’ – Rev.14:18,19 -
- Rom.11
Paul told of A Remnant 0f Israel
being even then
according to the election of grace.
Mario,
Your above message stirred me.
I started posting about a month or so ago, and as I was reading some of the posts, I said to the Lord, we need some new shoes, as I had taken my own off and tucked my feet in my chair and continued to read.
When I was through I looked down and these was a scorpion where I was about to put my foot. I thought to myself, am I seeing a vision or is there really a scorpion where I was about to put my foot down. I went to grab my boots which were beside the chair and the scorpion did not move, and so I stomped it.
The new shoes that I was referring to was to be shod with the good tidings of peace of Is. 52.7, Na.1:15, Luke 1:79, Ro. 10:15 and 16:20, and Eph. 6;15.
the feet are shod or with a shoe of the good tidings of peace. I started thinking that I did not want my feet to be bad, or a bringer of bad news.
I learned that the scorpion is photophobic or afraid of light and thus is probably why it did not move before I stepped on it.
Thank you for bringing that utterance to post.
Blessings
So a Remnant 0f Israel is not anything new.
All of Israel being saved?
‘the 144,000 0f All The Tribes 0f Israel’
being First-Fruits to God (and) The Lamb.
Rev.14:4
But where is a ‘remnant’ of gentiles in Scripture?
Even the foolish virgins
are 50% which isn’t a remnant.
Revelation writer,
Perhaps I am wrong but I see the foolish virgins as they which are of the carnal man, which flesh and blood cannot enter in.
I see the wise virgins as they which are enlightened or with the mind of Christ and thus being the bride because of this oneness or enlightenment.
One can not have a marriage in the dark, can they?
I agree with Kathleen in WA ;Blessings.
Please compare this “God’s Army” message by D. Wilkerson with a past message here called, “The Bride is Leaving Christendom”. They dove-tail together, and I believe that “the Bride” and “God’s Army” are two different facets of the same group of Christians!
Where is “the Remnant” in Scripture? Some of these posts have spoken Ad Hominem against the “Latter Rain” movement teachings–but without addressing anything in specific. Now, I really don’t know the details of that movement and its teachings: but I do know that there is a fallacy in Hasty Generalisation–just because SOME people get prideful and elitist, does not necessarily negate the validity of a particular Biblical argument. I’m nost sure what distortions may have been presented in this “Manifest Sons of God”–but what I do know is that is part of a verse in Romans 8:19 ff. Whatever the MSOG complaint might have been (I know nothing about it) these verses in Romans 8 speak to a future revealing of the sons of God–the word is Huios, which means “A fully-matured son”. There WILLl be fully-matured Christians who are currently concealed within the Church system, who at some point, will be revealed in God’s power and glory. Romans 8:29 also says that Jesus is the first-born among many brethren–meaning that we Christians are not only His brothers, but it hints that we are to be like Him! There are several Scriptural passages saying the same thing in different ways–different facets of the same truth. Revelation 12 I believe is a detailed text on an End Time prophecy regarding exactly this: the time-keys are that the great red dragon has seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. Crowns represent empowerment; the seven heads represent seven consecutive world governments (of the known world, or world pertaining to the Gospel age). See Rev. 17:9-10–five are fallen (Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece) one is (Rome, when John was writing this), and one is yet to come (the AntiChrist’s One World Government). Since ALL seven heads are crowned in Rev. 12, this indicates that this is a future prophecy for our time. The Woman represents the Church (saved, “clothed with the sun”) who has something inside Her, that is both at the same time PART of her, and yet distinctly Separate! In 12:5 the “man-child” (KJV) literally, a Male, Full-Grown son, is birthed, then caught up to God. (No details in this passage as per function). The Woman flees into “the wilderness” where She is nourished 3 1/2 years–by another Prophetic “remnant”. The Church will for the most part go through the Tribulation, nourished by the remnant–the part of the “man-child” that stayed behind! See 12:17. Another facet of this Remnant, called the “man-child” in Rev. 12, is called “he who restrains” in II Thessalonians 2. There Paul brings out that there is “he who restrains until he is taken out of the way”. A SINGULAR noun “The Bride” is used to describe Many Christians: likewise this is also a Singular pronoun. And, in Ephesians 4:11-13 the description of the five offices is given UNTIL we all come into a unity of the faith, unto the Full Knowledge (epiGnosis) of the Son of God, unto a Perfect (mature) Man –singular again, describing whosoever will enter into that; Unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ–references the Romans bit as well as Rev. 12:5. Why a “Remnant”? Simply because although the way is open to all, not all will make the sacrifice to pursue the heart of God as deeply as they might. The Matthew 25 parable of the wise & foolish virgins leaves out an important point in the KJV: In verse 1, the Syriac and Coptic texts, and the Latin Vulgate, say, “…they went forth to meet the Bridegroom AND THE BRIDE.” So you do not have two groups of Christians, but Three: The Bride, who is AWAKE, and the Wise Virgins, who are Asleep, and the Foolish Virgins, who are Asleep. Revel. 22:17 says, “And the Spirit and the Bride say,’Come!’ ” The “virgins” are essentially Bridesmaids. I used to say “O, I don’t want to be a foolish virgin– I want to be a Wise one!” and a friend said, “I don’t want to be a foolish OR wise virgin: they were ALL asleep! I want to be in the ‘Bride’ group–she is AWAKE–getting her dress ready (clean and spotless), looking, waiting, watching!” That gave me perspective. This spawned a phrase that I have heard bandied about: Jesus’s “Warrior-Bride”–that is also from Song of Solomon 6:7 “What will you see in the Shulamite? As it were, the dance of two armies, or two companions.” Again, we are perceiving that there are many members under a singular description. Let us AWAKE, and Arise to the calling God has for us: to be fully-matured in Him; to be so close and intimate with Him and His holiness that we will be called His Bride; to Restrain the dark forces at work in this world; to manifest Jesus to the peoples of this earth, by being found completely in Him.
All 10 virgins were enlightened,they were chased,purified or else they would not have been virgins.They were all prepared for the marriage ceremony and they all had lamps.
There comes a time of waiting on the groom,a time of resting and waiting,Sleep comes and the lamps go out.No-one can tend to their lamp whilst asleep.
Pro 6:10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest–
Pro 24:33 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest–
There is a shout,they all awake and the groom appears yet some cannot find their way to him.At the very last moment they have no light to see their way.
Sleeping is a dangerous activity my friends.
Derek,
I will ponder your perception of it, as you are right they are both virgins.
I may have gotten tunnel vision, based on the passage that says there were two women grinding meal and two men in the field, one was taken and the other was left.
I seen that as the two were one, and that the carnal man and woman were left and the spirit of them were taken.
Like in eccl. 3:21. as the beastly nature of man and then when born from above as being of the spirit.
Some had their lamp oil run dry whilst they were asleep.They woke to find they had not taken spare oil with them.Now the point of note is that those who became brides had taken enough oil with them.
Those with enough oil could not spare any of theirs as they needed to be sure that they themselves could find their way and none of them knew just how much oil would be needed.
The lamp oil is the fuel for the light,symbolic of the Holy Spirit.
If we grieve the Spirit the work in us cannot be fulfilled.To be asleep is to be complacent.
Pro 1:32 For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them;
Complacency is defined as self satisfied.
Thank you Derek, I needed to view this perspective.
This is really good, and deeper than I have gone.
Thank you again for sharing it.
Powerful and stirring. Yes. God is looking for those who are willing to march to the sound of a different drum beat. Now for an increased committment for the doing of it!
Pastor David is/was my Spiritual Father…I fellowship @ Times Square Church for over 8 years. You could not seat under his preaching without being changed ! And yet today reading his older newsletters is ” Like Bread from Heaven ” He always said what was missing in today’s church was the preaching of the Cross and song’s about the Blood of JESUS..I am walking with the Lord since 1982 and I have come across a website that has the POWER to transform your walk with the Lord … On my dying bed I would say this is the Best ever ( directly from the Heart of Our Father ) to his last day saints…. (( The Missing Cross to Purity )) http://www.hallvworthington.com/index.html
By His Grace,
Sonny { Son from ny }
Friar Alex, thanks for sharing the following:
The Matthew 25 parable of the wise & foolish virgins leaves out an important point in the KJV: In verse 1, the Syriac and Coptic texts, and the Latin Vulgate, say, “…they went forth to meet the Bridegroom AND THE BRIDE.”
In fact this is supported by the verse in Revelation 22:17 where we read, ‘And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!”
Sheeja John,
Thanks for this.Where did you find this information?
Yes Sheeja- Very good point.
Makes sense in that the bride is the bride and the virgin is the virgin.
Sonny – Thanks for the anecdote. Dave Wilkerson was a faithful servant of the Lord, full of the Spirit of God, courageous, bold, loving, gentle and sincere.
“What was missing in today’s church was the preaching of the Cross and song’s about the Blood of JESUS.” I agree: What a sad era it was when Churches withdrew from preaching the cross and declaring the simple powerful praise on the blood. I pleaded with a minister to encourage leadership to preach the cross in my AOG Church. I remember while being a mature age student at this Church, I had the job of cleaning the Church auditorium. The presence of God manifested one day and I could not stop singing this song for four straight hours. It has remained with me today:
To God be the glory, to God be the glory, to God be the glory for the things He has done,
With His blood He has saved me
With His power He has raised me
To God be the glory, for the things He has done.
My children and many teenage male students have taken this song into their hearts. And God is faithful and merciful, and greater is He who is in us, than he who is in the world. Like a mighty army, we overcome the things of the world, making a stand for righteousness in a hostile and ungodly world – a world that God weeps for.
To Paul’s folly believing to be their father for betrothong others to One Husband? Makes them A Chaste Virgin. – 2Cor.11
But Jesus shows that even though Virgins are betrothed to The Bridegroom it doesn’t mean they are chaste. – Matt.25
This phrase, The Bride 0f Christ is a false doctrine.
It is not a quote of Scripture.
It is made up for The Pastors’ 0f Paul-Pulpit in making
us believe ‘The Church’ is The Bride 0f Christ.
There is no bride till Wise Virgins
go into The Wedding With The Bridegroom. -
Revelation writer
You are right. The bride is the bride.
But she cannot become a bride until her house is left desolate of the abominations and unclean things.
This is why Is.54 says sing o BARREN that you did not bear. House has to be made desolate and clean so that Father and Son can dwell and not just rest upon as would depict in proverbs of the nagging wife and the husband stays in the top of the house.
The church is full of believers/ wise virgins, and unbelievers/foolish virgins.
I guess I look a Paul differently, in that he was a tent maker. I don’t perceive him to make physical tents, but instead the tents which we are as a dwelling place for God that He may tabernacle in us.
Jordan Shepherd,
Sonny here, I got spiritual goose bumps reading your reply…There is a link to The Missing cross…really a life transforming site…
I am 99% sure that Pastor David left AOG fellowship. Times Church was a Non-Denominational Church…
By His Grace,
Sonny
http://www.hallvworthington.com/index.html
As far as the Virgins…
Did Jesus try to make a point when He called them Virgins, or was it just a given that a young woman, wanting to get married and going to her own wedding had to be a Virgin?
Some food for thought…
A Virgin is someone who did not yet have relations with another…(another god?)
There is a sense of purity about a Virgin, meaning all ten were pure, but only five were acceptable.
If we say that the oil represents the Holy Spirit, how can this kind of “oil” get burned up and then replenished? Where can one go and buy it? How did the five have extra and how did they “carry” the extra?
Blessings, and All 4 Jesus!
Mario
Mario,
All good questions.
As from the customs of that time, most weddings started at night and would last 7 days and 7 nights, so one would literally need much oil to light the festivities, as we know there was not electricity back then and a candle or 2 would not cut it.
Mario Alleckna, you raised a very good question. I went through the same struggle and then God revealed to me that the extra jar of oil represent our diligence to seek out the truth and also growing in holinessand discernment with much prayer and constant infilling of the Holy Spirit. There are times when we may not focus on things that needs focus and attention. During such times while in prayer, Holy Spirit quicken us in spirit and direct our hearts to things around us either to pray about it, or to do something about it, or to be in vigil about it, in order to protect us. We are called to study and meditate on the word of God day and night, and to put on the whole armor of God, that we may be always ready in all situations. You might differ.
Derek Hale and Teshua, lets search out the Scripture as ‘the Word of God is the Sword of the spirit. We live in perilous times and if we are not rooted and grounded in Scripture, in our walk with God, the enemy will easily topple us and disarrange us. Scripture says, ‘they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.’
RevelationWriter you said,
This phrase, The Bride 0f Christ is a false doctrine.
It is not a quote of Scripture.
It is made up for The Pastors’ 0f Paul-Pulpit in making
us believe ‘The Church’ is The Bride 0f Christ.
There is no bride till Wise Virgins
go into The Wedding With The Bridegroom. -
I will quote the following Scriptures, and leave it for your discretion.
He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. – (John 3:29) Here in this verse John the Baptist is referring to Yeshua as the Bridegroom and those who become His, as His bride/Church.
In Genesis 3:16 we read, ‘Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.’ How many of us have viewed this verse in the light of Yeshua being the Bridegroom and the Church being His bride submitted to His Lordship? Apostle Paul speaks about the relationship of Yeshua and the Church by quoting Genesis 2:23. He says in Ephesians 5:30, ‘For we are members of His body, of His flesh and His bones.’
Yes and none of those Scriptures
are a quote, The Bride 0f Christ.
This is a made up phrase for doctrine
of ‘The Body 0f Christ’ on earth.
The Wedding is in heaven
before The Throne 0f God and The Lamb.
Rev.7
“The Marriage Supper 0f The Lamb”
“The Marriage 0f The Lamb” – Rev.19
There is no Marriage 0f The Christ.
There is no Marriage Supper 0f The Christ.
It was revealed only to the prophet John the baptist
that The Christ was (but would be)
The Lamb 0f God-The Bridegroom.
John 1:29,35 – 3:28,29
And those with The Bridegroom
going into heaven with Him for The Wedding?
Are His bride. – Matt.25
The Lamb 0f God, The Bridegroom
being Revealed to John?
He proclaimed it as having happened then.
John’s joy was full but the prophecy was not.
As The Christ
didn’t comes as The Bridegroom then.
- The Christ, first had to come as The Lamb 0f God.
Who takes away the sins of the world.
- Then He comes back as The Bridegroom
to take His bride into The Wedding.
Jesus said so. – Matt.25
For Jesus said, when He comes again.
Then He will be coming as The Bridegroom. – Matt.25
And another thing
John excluded himself as part of the bride?
If being the bride was-even for everyone
who’d come to Christ by that time?
Why would John have excluded himself?
Becaue there’d be no resurrected bride.
The Bridegroom is only coming back for those
who are in the flesh. He said so. – Matt.25
John The Baptist was not given
“The Revelation 0f Jesus Christ” to the Churches.
That was given to the other John ;)
- The anology Paul gave OF husbands & wives
was TO Christ & The Church.
- Paul’s anology was not OF
Christ & The Church TO husbands & wives.
“For the husband
is head of the wife AS ALSO
Christ is the Head 0f The Church,
He Is The Saviour 0f The Body” – Ephs.5:23
(Not The Husband 0f The Body)
(husband love their wives as their own body)
‘Just As The Lord Does The Church’ – Eph.5:28,29
Paul did not say,
Christ’s love for His body The Church;
is just as the husband loves his wife as his own body.
Paul’s, anology was for
husbands and wives T0 Christ and His Church.
To say it the other way around? Isn’t Scripture and creates another doctrine of The Church being Christ’s wife.
When there hasn’t even been “The Marriage 0f The Lamb” yet.
And then we take what The Baptist said; when he saw The Christ as The Bridegroom? When The Bridegroom has not come yet.
I take what Jesus says
over that of any other Apostle or Prophet.
They only saw in part. And spoke in part.
And if we don’t know that?
We will take everything they say and make up doctrine that isn’t only not Scripture, but contary to what Jesus Himself said.
There is no Bride 0f Christ now. Nor ever.
Because Scripture doesn’t say so.
Scripture does not say here was a Bride 0f Christ when The Lamb, The Bridegroom was revealed to The Baptist.
John was settling a disput of ‘purification’ of the baptisim(s) between his disciples and the Jews. As it was revealed to him Who The Christ was. And why people should be of Him. As only He can purify them. For He takes away their sins being The Lamb.
And those, who The Bridegroom has, will be His.
What was revealed to John, was true of Who Jesus is.
But Jesus Disciples often believed and spoke as if His time had come with (them) to fulfill those things revealed to them,
didn’t they? When we know yet even now their timing was wrong.
This is why we must believe what Jesus said of events
and not His disciples.
- I’ll continue the rest later…I must be traveling on now.
Amen. Thank You, Lord, for this much-needed remnant.
In the virgins parable the word virgin is defined as,
1) a virgin
a) a marriageable maiden
b) a woman who has never had sexual intercourse with a man
c) one’s marriageable daughter
2) a man who has abstained from all uncleanness and whoredom attendant on idolatry, and so has kept his chastity
a) one who has never had intercourse with women.
Are we to think of sexual virginity?
I personally believe that out Lord is speaking of lack of uncleanness,whoredom and Idolatory in this parable.
People who are Spiritually marriageable.
So five of the virgins fit the bill and five do not.
As I see it our Lord did not find five of them acceptable to him.
My understanding IS rooted and grounded in Scripture despite what some may think.
Revelation writer,
You seem to put little trust in the writings of Apostles and disciples in this matter of the bride.
These are men who met our Lord,who walked with him and are witnesses to his resurrection.They heard our Lords words with their very ears and share their understanding with us.
You are so right that they only understood in part yet you seem to think that your understanding is more reliable even though we too understand only in part.
This is a slippery slope to trouble my friend,what else written in the epistles can we learn to understand better than they did?
These were men mightily empowered with gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Can we discern better that them?
The parable of the virgins,to state the obvious,is a parable.Jesus was asked why he spoke so often in parables.His disciples asked him.
Matthew 13:9-19,
9: Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
10: And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
11: 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.
12: For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
13: Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
14: And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
15: For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
16: But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
17: For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
18: Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.
19: When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
RevelationWriter, I did not mean the literal relationship of husband and wife to exist between Christ Jesus and His Bride; nor is Christ Jesus marrying the Church as we understand marriage between the betrothed man and woman. It is spiritual intimacy that goes far beyond that. In John 17:20-21 we read Christ Jesus praying the prayer, “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe You sent Me.”
Brother Derek, Thanks.
31 times ‘The Lamb’ is mentioned in The Bible.
26 of those scriptures are in The Revelation 0f Jesus Christ.
Which no other prophet or apostle knew about.
But John the revelator.
The only other time the phrase “The Lamb 0f God” was pronounced is with 2 verses of the 5
outside of ‘The Revelation 0f Jesus Christ’
only by The Baptist Prophet. As The Bridegroom.
Until John The Revelator, John the Baptist was
the only other one to have even spoken of
‘The Lamb 0f God’ being The Bridegroom.
None of the other Apostles taught on
“The Lamb 0f God’ being The Bridegroom.
- John the baptist was given to Proclaimed
The Lamb as The Bridegroom.
- John the Revelator was given ‘The Prophecy’ of
‘The Marriage 0f The Lamb’ and
‘The Marriage Supper 0f The Lamb’
Jesus said,
‘The Words I Speak
They Are Spirit And They Are Life’
- Jesus Commanded,
‘call no one your father, for One Is your Father’
- Often times Paul referred to himself as their ‘father’.
I obey Jesus first, not Paul first.
- Right after The Father revealed to Peter that
Jesus is The Christ The Son 0f The Living God?
- Jesus had to rebuked Peter/satan for being mindful
of the things of men, instead of the things of God.
So I check what Jesus said with what others say.
We are ‘The Body 0f Christ’.
There is no The Bride 0f Christ.
We are all Virgins, wise & foolish.
- Half will Go Into The Wedding With The Bridegroom.
Jesus said so. – Matt.25
- No matter how many Paul as their father betrothed
to One Husband as (a) chaste virgin. – 2Cor.11:2
Pastors’ 0f Paul have also presented ‘The Church’
as (a) chaste virgin to Christ. As our fathers too.
Paul wanted to present all of them as one chaste virgin.
And this is the same mistake Pastors 0f Paul still want today.
As, our fathers too. So they call us all The Bride 0f Christ.
Because they believe what Paul said over what Jesus said.
Matt.25 – 2Cor.11
I find no contradictions in Holy Scripture.There is no contradiction or confusion in the word of God.
John 14:26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
I find no contradictions in Holy Scripture.There is no contradiction or confusion in the word of God.
John 14:26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
We have been taught some falsehood
about “The Bible”my friend.
Yes, Jesus said
The Holy Spirit will remind us of what He said.
Not what His disciples said. Know the difference?
Paul said, Jesus rose the 3rd day
according to scripture, and was…
- SEEN BY, Cephas…
- THEN BY, THE 12…
- AFTER THAT, BY OVER 500 Brethern…
- AFTER THAT, BY James…
- THEN BY ALL, THE Apostles…
- THEN (LAST OF ALL), BY Me [paul]. – 1Cor.15
John 20:18 – Not only didn’t Paul list
Mary Magdalene as THE FIRST to see Jesus
risen from the dead on the 3rd day.
But, Paul didn’t even list Mary AT ALL.
John and Paul contradict each other.
Who do we believe? John of course.
Having recently studied the parable of the 10 virgins, I believe the wrong interpretation has been preached in the church for centuries! Please note that the 10 virgins were the ‘bridesmaids’ – NOT THE BRIDE! The bridegroom in that day went to the bride’s house to get her and to take her to the place where the marriage would be celebrated – the collecting of the bride was usually done in the middle of the night, and the marriage celebrations lasted for days. The bridesmaids went to the house after dark and needed oil for their lamps to see their way to getting to the bride’s house. This is just a simple illustration and Jesus is saying that we simply need to be prepared for his coming. Nothing more, nothing less!
Blessings.
Raheli
Raheli, Nothing more,nothing less?
You find a parable to be nothing more that a simple illustration?
I beg to differ.
Revelation writer,
My Bible quote of Jesus was of him speaking to his disciples.
Telling them that THEY would be reminded of what he had said.
THEIR remembrance was put to pen and paper,not ours.
You may have been taught some falsehood about the bible,as you say,but I was not taught by man my friend.
2Cr 11:2 I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him.
Now I ask you,Why are so many Christians averse to true understanding?
Dear All,
When we present our understanding of truth, do it prayerfully with a GENTLE spirit, so that those who are in error will be convicted by the Holy Spirit. Leave room for God to intervene and do the work. Please do not judge one another, nor condemn one another. When we beat upon one another, we disable the spirit of grace, and our work brings no reward.
Sheeja John,
My understanding of Godly rebuke and correction does not fit with yours.I hope that these words are gentle enough for you.
Our Lord will return with a sharp sword,the sword of correction,a sword with two edges.
Our fight is not with flesh and blood.
Derek,
Amen, our fight is not flesh and blood but with truth and error.
A twoedged sword out of His mouth means that truth will
destroy error, or that the powers of darkness will be exposed and put to shame. His words will pierce the heart or convict of sin.
A strong point to consider is that in Matthew 25, the foolish virgins HAD OIL. They were Saved! But they let their oil run out. It does not mean that initially they were Unbelievers–nor are they unbelievers at the end, when they went out to seek oil “from those who sell it”. A non-believer does not seek the infilling and anointing of the Holy Spirit, which is what the oil signifies. The only difference between the two groups is that one took extra oil, and one did not. But there ARE Three groups–the “virgins” are NOT the Bride; the Bride is at the end of verse 1 in the Syriac, Coptic, and Latin texts–somehow deleted from TR from which the KJV was made. The question before us is: do you want to be in the group (do you have the heart to be in the group) that is closer to Jesus (the Bride, vs. 1) or just a Bridesmaid? The second is not bad–but I’d rather be closer to Him, and I would rather be awake, not asleep. In Song of Solomon 6:8, Solomon’s court women are described as “there are sixty Queens; eighty Concubines; and Virgins without number; but my love, my dove, my Undefiled is but one–the choice one of her mother that bore her.” Typologically, this indicates that there are Christians who are saved, but that’s all the further that they go. (The “virgins”). They are in the Court of the Lord, they serve Him as their King. Then, there is a group is fewer in number (80 as opposed to “without number”) that has occasional interaction with the King (“Concubines”–legally married to him, but only occasional intimacy, at his whim). Then there is a group who have some kind of Authority (the queens) and yet are even fewer in number than the last group. And lastly, there is the Bride–called “the Shulamite” in the Canticle. She is described here as “the choice one of her mother” which I take to mean, the most beautiful and pure that has come forth from the Church (mother). The word “Shulamite” literally means, of the town of Shulem, but the meaning of the word is that of Shalom–peace…the feminine version of Solomon, from the same root word. Jesus is called “The Prince (or, King) of Peace” in Isaiah 9:6. The Bride is a relatively small group of those Christians who will pursue the heart of the Lord, who will be pure and holy; and who will walk step-in-step with Him, knowing His will and doing His will. The Lord would have all Christians to be as close as possible: but people choose their own level of intimacy. Some are content just to be in heaven; they are Saved, and that’s all that matters to them. Then there are those who have occasional spiritual interaction with the Lord, the Gifts, dreams, visions, etc. But they seem to be satisfied with that. Then there are those who seek Him even more diligently, and obtain that power in victory with Him, to where He can trust them with His power and authority (we all have it provisionally, but you don’t give your eight year old the keys to the Bulldozer! Maybe when he is more mature, say at 16). But there are those who, although they operate great spiritual authority in the Lord, cast out demons, work mighty wonders and miracles, seem to take their relationship with Him no further than that. But there are those who, like Mary in the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:39, sit at Jesus’ feet, enthralled and fixed upon Him. How close do you want to be? You can be as close as you want! Worship Jesus not just for what He has done; not just for what He can and does give you; but worship Him for WHO He is, and seek to know the depths of His heart. The “Bride” is a separate group than the “friends of the Bridegroom” and the “five wise virgins” (who are Bridesmaids). But the closeness will also result in being entrusted with His power and authority, as D. Wlikerson put it, “God’s Army will arise”. It’s just the other side of the coin—it’s the same group of people. “The Bride will leave Christendom” and “God’s Army will Arise”…both describe a people who will put aside all else to find the greatest Treasure.
Dear beloved of Jesus,
Thank you for a very interesting discussion about the 10 virgins.
As some of you have stated, in the parable there are 4:
There is, first of all, the bridegroom, secondly, the bride; thirdly the 5 virgins with enough oil, and lastly the 5 virgins found wanting…
Is it possible that this parable goes hand in hand with the story in Matt. 25 where Jesus judges and separates the sheep from the goats?
Here we also have 4: There is, first of all, Jesus as Judge (Bridegroom), secondly His brothers (Bride); thirdly the sheep who get in (virgins with oil), and lastly the goats who are rejected (virgins without oil).
Friar Alex,
I find your post very interesting, and I would like to ask why these 10 were virgins to begin with? Did bridesmaids have to be virgins in those days? How did the five with more oil know that it would take such a long time before the groom would come and they would have to take extra oil? Who told them, or were they just wiser?
I noticed that in your post you also make a distinction between various groups (spiritual levels) of Christians, those who get to be closer with the Lord in Heaven and those who barely get in. May I ask how this fits the parable of the workers in the vineyard who came late in the day and yet received the same pay? What is your take on that?
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Allow me to point out what I think might be a problem in many discussions: our ignorance of God’s SOVEREIGNTY.
I’d like to invite everyone to discuss a mystery that leaves many believers struggling.
The question of whether or not we REALLY have a choice in this life is often based on the following Scriptures:
“…even him whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him.”(Num.16:5)
“…the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself,”(Deut.7:6)
“So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.”(Matt.20:16)
“For many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matt.22:14)
“And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect’s sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.” (Mark 13:20)
“Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?”(Jn.6:17)
“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you…”(Jn.15:16)
“…but I have chosen you out of the world…” (Jn.15:19)
“And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee,…”(Acts22:14)
“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5Having predestined us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will…”(Eph.1:4,5)
“But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 14Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”(2Thes.2:13/14)
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people;”(1Pet.2:9)
“…and they that are with him are called, and chosen,..”(Rev.22:14)
When it comes to choices we could also look at some fundamental issues in a person’s life. For example: We do not have a choice when it comes to the colour of our skin or the parents we were given. Billy Graham’s son, Franklin, did not choose to be born white and he did not choose his dad, neither did the young black teenager choose to be black and have a drug-dealer as a dad.
We do not choose the social surroundings we were born into, however, I am sure we all agree that this things will have some kind of impact on a person’s life.
So the question is: Is there really no level playfield where everyone has equal chances? And how does that fit the picture of a just and loving God?
The following Scripture is something to chew on:
“But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning CHOSEN you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth” (2Thes.2:13/14)
Looking forward to a great discussion.
Blessings, and All 4 Jesus!
Mario
In the parable of ‘Ten Virgins’, we are told that when the midnight cry was heard by the ten virgins, they woke up from their slumber and each of them trimmed their lamp. But we discover that the foolish virgins did not have enough oil and their lamps were going out. They therefore, went to the wise virgins begging for the oil. But the wise virgins declined to provide with any help; rather, they asked the foolish virgins to go and buy from those who sell it. How many of us have wondered over the years as to why these wise virgins refused to share their oil with the foolish ones? Ponder over the reason the wise virgins give for their denial. They say, ‘Lest there should not be enough for us and you?’ What does oil represent here? Could it be grace; or is it Holy Spirit? Let’s turn our attention to Jesus’ statement in John 9:4; there He says to His followers, “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.” In John 12:35, Christ Jesus says, ‘Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you.’ I believe we were called to be in step with God.
When did the ‘Ten Virgins here the cry, “Behold, the bride groom is coming; go out to meet him!” And Jesus said, ‘the night is coming when no one can work.’ Could it be possible that there was no work being done then, and there was therefore no supply of oil? What is this oil, that the virgins are talking about? In Ephesians 2:8 we read, ‘For by GRACE you have been saved through faith’. The writer of ‘Hebrews’ warns us saying, ‘Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the SPIRIT of GRACE? – (Hebrews 10:29) Paul in 2nd Cor. 13:5 says, ‘Examine yourselves as to whether you are in faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?– unless indeed YOU ARE DISQUALIFIED. Were these five foolish virgins disqualified for insulting the SPIRIT of GRACE? Could it be possible that the oil the virgins refer to is the SPIRIT of GRACE? Have we heard the midnight cry, “Behold, the bride groom is coming; go out to meet him!” Are we in the midnight hour?
The parable of the 10 virgins is about access to the Kingdom of Heaven.
The only Spirit that can enter God’s Kingdom is the Holy Spirit which must be untainted by the spirit of man.
If we are not FILLED with God’s Spirit then we are in danger of being rejected as the 5 virgins.
Exd 31:3 and I have FILLED him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts–
Exd 35:31 and he has FILLED him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts–
Deu 34:9 Now Joshua son of Nun was FILLED with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites listened to him and did what the LORD had commanded Moses.
Eze 43:5 Then the Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court, and the glory of the LORD FILLED the temple.
Mic 3:8 But as for me, I am FILLED with power, with the Spirit of the LORD, and with justice and might, to declare to Jacob his transgression, to Israel his sin.
Luk 1:15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be FILLED with the Holy Spirit even from birth.
Luk 1:41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was FILLED with the Holy Spirit.
Luk 1:67 His father Zechariah was FILLED with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:
Act 2:4 All of them were FILLED with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Act 4:8 Then Peter, FILLED with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people!
Act 4:31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all FILLED with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
Act 9:17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord–Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here–has sent me so that you may see again and be FILLED with the Holy Spirit.”
Act 13:9 Then Saul, who was also called Paul, FILLED with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said,
Act 13:52 And the disciples were FILLED with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Eph 5:18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be FILLED with the Spirit.
_____________________________________________________
Please take the time to read the entire chapter 25 of the book of Matthew.
These are the very words of our Lord.
He warns us that in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven we must be FILLED with the Holy Spirit.
My personal experience is that we grieve the Holy Spirit with almost every thought we have.To grieve is to cause great distress,no-one can work effectively under great distress.
Matthew 25,
1: Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
2: And five of them were WISE, and five were FOOLISH.
3: They that were FOOLISH took their lamps, and took NO OIL with them:
4: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5: While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
6: And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
7: Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
8: And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
9: 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.
10: 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.
11: Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12: But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
13: Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
—————————————————————————–
Our Lord speaks on and says the same thing a different way,
14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
15: And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
16: Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
17: And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
18: But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.
19: After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
20: And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
21: His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
22: He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
23: His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
24: Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
25: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
26: His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
27: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
28: Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
29: For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
30: And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
———————————————————————————
AND AGAIN,
31: When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32: 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:
33: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34: Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37: Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38: When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39: Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40: And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
41: Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44: Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45: Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46: And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
‘God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ – James 4:6/ 1st Peter 5:5
Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord; looking carefully LEST ANYONE FALL SHORT OF THE GRACE OF GOD; LEST ANY ROOT OF BITTERNESS SPRINGING UP CAUSE TROUBLE, AND BY THIS MANY BECOME DEFILED. – Hebrews 12:14-15
It is true that God is moving but, (lets be honest), not much in the western world. Where the Spirit of God is moving most powerfully, in those nations many unbelievers are also getting saved. This tends to be where the most powerful corporate national anointing is also present.
Where there is only a remnant tends to be in those nations where the church has largely failed in its calling. I doubt therefore that it will be those countries where God will be doing;
“something beyond human comprehension – something that will affect the whole world in these last days.”
Instead this is more likely to come from where the body of Christ is most effective and most submitted to God, wherermany people are also getting saved.
I would warn against giving others an expectation of a great sucessful revival or Christian triumph in the western world. If that is where what hope and inspiration is based on and this doesnt happen how will such people keep going – especially if the spiritual battle becomes tougher instead of more anointed.
We need to mover beyong revival based thinking to setting our minds on eternal life as our inspiration just as the bible teaches.
We come from an individualistic culture (more so than any other people group). This therefore tends to be overemphasised as opposed to the corparate influences on us as Christians.
The bible says if you will humble yourselveS and pray I will heal your LAND, ie your city or nation.
This reflects the corparate responsibility we face and the effects of this – a responsibility of our national church for our own nation.
If as a national church we respond to this call then the entire body of Christ in that place/city/nation will benefit, even the backslidden Christians will find it easier to access Gods greater anointing. This reflects a corparate blessing from the outpouring of Gods Spirit in that land.
Where the overal church of a land does not respond then everyone living there will be effected negatively with less anointing available. Even a good Christian will therfore be effected by the negative state of the national church he/she is part of.
If we are whittled down to just a remnant due to the failure of the body of Christ in our nation then I think it extremely unlikely that that remnant will birth a nationwide revival in that land
– and time is now so short and evil progressing so rapidly because satan knows that his time is short.
We need to adapt to the environment we will have to live in not live on pipe dreams that only fuel our enthusiasm in the short term but leave us unprepared and paralysed with shock in the longer term.
Eg a sniper or one facing guerilla warfare would be foolish to prepare for a triumphant charge of the light brigade type approach due to a misplced and over optimistic expectation. One prepared for guerilla warfare however could continue quite sucessfully in such an environment. There are great rewards in heaven for those who sucessfully fight a guerilla war for God under great pressure with fewer spiritual resources.
So what prophesies and predictions are we believing?? Those that sound good and appeal to our flesh that promise a great revival in the western world when thias now appears almost illogical, or those that warn that tough times lie ahead instead so we can prepare for sucess within this environment.
While reading the older posts, I found many calling for corporate prayer. None of them received a response including myself. People expect revival without surrendering themselves at the altar of God. Here below I’ll paste a letter that I wrote in March 2007 with slight modification.
Unity of Purpose – The Key
Unity is the key to overcome the principalities and powers of this world; once the other factors ( Biblical Doctrines, maturity, one’s calling) are taken care of. There are armies, innumerable of them, with strategies apparently different from the other, which surely is an asset. Sadly, there is no unity of purpose, as there seems to be no General to lead these armies. Each army is following the command of their commander, who, is at variance with the other. We seem to have lost the vision for which the unction was given. We have narrowed our vision to ‘me and my ministry’. No wonder, we have miserably failed to influence and impact the world.
Three young boys Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego took a stand for their faith in God Almighty and the outcome was –read it, “Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego, who sent His Angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him, and they have frustrated the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they should not serve nor worship any god except their own God!” Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation or language which speaks anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made an ash heap; because there is no other God who can deliver like this.” What in the world are we believers doing sealing our tongue?
John the Baptist had an attitude and an understanding I believe, we all must possess; the attitude that saith “He must increase and I must decrease.” Jesus in His one of the last prayers prayed, “And the glory which You gave Me I have given them that they may be one just as We are one.” John 17:22. The point is, we’ve lost that glory of oneness since each one is busy promoting himself/herself. Abraham dwelt in tents though he was rich. He was solely dependent on God for everything. Gen. 14:22-23 reads thus, ‘But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have lifted my hand to the Lord, God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth, that I will take nothing from a thread to a sandal strap, and that I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich’.
“After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” Gen.15:1. Ask yourself, who is my shield and reward?
Share what you have with others and charge them not anything extra, bless others with what God has blessed you with. For in Exodus 22:25 we read, “If you lend money to any of My people who are poor among you, you shall not be like a moneylender to him; you shall not charge him interest.”
In the book of Acts 2:42-47, we read about the practices of the early church, wherein we read that the believers were together, had all things in common, divided their possessions to all, as anyone had need and continued daily with one accord.
Use the money you receive for the extension of the Kingdom of God and not for building mansions for yourselves. “Jesus never built mansions nor huge structures for carrying out His ministry. He taught, “One’s life does not consist in the abundance of things he possesses”. Luke 12:15. “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master.” Matt. 10: 24-25.
I remember Bishop E. A. Adeboye, during the ‘Azuza Conference 2006′, mentioning about his encounter with God, wherein he was asked to draw a sketch of a man on the ground and then being asked to wipe it out. He explained, how he shuddered at the revelation he received during that encounter. Many a times we forget the One Who chose us, appointed us and empowered us for a purpose. We all are running, but not for the purpose of the Gospel. Wonder! Whether we’ve reached the stage of eating meat or do we still need to be fed with the milk? The only possibility of Christians influencing and impacting the world is, when all the anointed ones get behind The General, Jesus Christ.
Dr. Jerry Horner so beautifully explained the concept of ‘Servant Leaders’: ‘Their Need and Their Role’ basing it on 2 Corinthians 2:14, at one of the conference organized by ‘Bahamas Faith Ministries International’, that it touched my very person deeply and I am compelled to write this note. It’s high time that each of us sit back and evaluate our walk and work, whether, we are following behind our General Jesus Christ or are we marching ahead of Him? And are we even there being counted as part of His army or have we been disqualified?
In Christ,
Sheeja John
Steve,You write,
The bible says if you will humble yourselves and pray I will heal your LAND, ie your city or nation.
We are the land Steve.It is you and I who must be healed.
Pro 24:27 Prepare thy work without and make it fit for thyself in the field and afterwards build thine house.
Luk 9:62 And Jesus said unto him , No man , having put his hand to the plough, and looking back , is fit for the kingdom of God.
Nations do not plough fields,individuals do.A house built before the field work is done is a house that will fall.
The Israelite looked back,they took as much of Egypt with them as they are their beasts could carry.Gold,silver and other worldly valuables and what an unholy mess it got them into.
If we still have some of Egypt with us then we must give it to God,give it back.There is no place for the things of Egypt for those who follow Jesus Christ.
Will our houses,the houses we have built stand up to the forthcoming tribulation?How well have we ploughed our land before building?
Healing our land…
Just as the largest plant develops from a small seed, so also will a land develop wholeness beginning with the smallest part, one person.
There is an interesting Chinese proverb. It goes something like this:
If a man treats his wife with love and respect there will be peace in his marriage.
If a married couple love each other and love their children, teaching them well, there will be peace in that family. If families show integrity and treat their neighbours with respect, there will be peace in that neighbourhood. If all the neighbourhoods treat other neighbourhoods with respect, there will be peace in the whole city. If the people of a city treat the people of other cities with kindness and respect, there will be peace in that province. If provinces treat other provinces with dignity and respect, the whole land will be at peace and prosper.
Things always grow from small to big.
The greatest and most difficult change I could ever attempt to work on, is the change of myself. If everyone would be busy, working on changing themselves for the better no one would have to change someone else.
Blessings, and All 4 Jesus!
Mario
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPK6KShjzW4&feature=related
The following verses tell us how Christ Jesus ministered during His earthly ministry. And it also warns us of reward and punishment depending on our labor. Let us follow in the foot-steps of Christ Jesus.
• Behold, My Servant whom I have chosen, My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased; I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He will declare justice to the Gentiles. He will not quarrel nor cry out, nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets. A BRUISED REED HE WILL NOT BREAK, AND SMOKING FLAX HE WILL NOT QUENCH, TILL HE SENDS FORTH JUSTICE TO VICTORY. And in His name Gentiles will trust. – Matthew 12:18-21
• Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. Assuredly , I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. – Matthew 24: 45-47
• But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour that he is not aware of, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. – Matthew 24:48-51