• The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. (Luke 4:18-19).
  • Tuesday 12 March 2013

    SEVENFOLD SPIRIT OF GOD

    JOYALMINISTRIES


    Let our lesson begin with the emblems and furniture of the wilderness tabernacle. Moses, while he was engulfed in the glory of God on Mt. Sinai, was allowed to experience the heavenly throne room of God. The command was clear and concise, Moses was to make a tabernacle and its furniture after the pattern shown to him on Sinai (Ex 25:9). The book of Hebrews teaches that the pattern given to Moses was based on his experiences in the heavenly realm with God. This series of lessons will not examine the pattern of the wilderness tabernacle nor will it ponder each piece of furniture. These lessons are dedicated to study one item of divine furniture found in the tabernacle, and that item is the holy candlestick. Much has been taught concerning the wilderness candlestick, but our goal in these lessons is to discover the divine prototype revealed to Moses in the throne room of God, and also to identify its influence in our churches and personal lives. We seek to find God’s Holy Menorah.


    (Reference Scriptures: Heb 8:5; 9:23)


    Wilderness Candlestick


    Exod 25:31-40

    And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same. (32) And six branches shall come out of the sides of it; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side: (33) Three bowls made like unto almonds, with a knop and a flower in one branch; and three bowls made like almonds in the other branch, with a knop and a flower: so in the six branches that come out of the candlestick. (34) And in the candlestick shall be four bowls made like unto almonds, with their knops and their flowers. (35) And there shall be a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, according to the six branches that proceed out of the candlestick. (36) Their knops and their branches shall be of the same: all it shall be one beaten work of pure gold. (37) And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it. (38) And the tongs thereof, and the snuffdishes thereof, shall be of pure gold. (39) Of a talent of pure gold shall he make it, with all these vessels. (40) And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.

    While Moses was in the heavenly with God, he witnessed a six branched, seven bowl candlestick that was the prototype of the wilderness menorah. Lets turn to the book of Revelation to examine a possible source of the prototype. John on the island of Patmos experienced seven divine candlesticks. Its logical to assume that Moses and John experienced the same candlesticks.

    Seven Candlesticks


    Rev 1:12-13

    And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; (13) And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. (KJV)

    Rev 1:20

    The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. (KJV)

    In the book of Revelation, John observed, Jesus Christ, the holy Son of Man standing in the midst of seven golden candlesticks. I believe these candlestick were not single branched sticks. I am convinced that these sticks were six branched, seven bowled menorahs.
    Notice that the seven candlesticks represented the seven churches of Revelation. Are the seven churches referred to in the letters of Revelation the only churches who possess divine candlesticks? I think not! There are two possible explanations we could consider.

        • Anointing
        • : Each one of the candlesticks represents one of seven types of anointing a church could exercise.

        • Not Seen
        • : John only witnessed the candlesticks related to the churches he ministered to. Each church established by God would also possess a divine candlestick.

      My personal belief is centered around the seven candlesticks representing seven different anointings that govern a local congregation. In later we will study these different anointings.


      Sevenfold Spirit


      Rev 1:4

      John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; (KJV)

      Rev 3:1

      And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. (KJV)

      Rev 4:5

      And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. (KJV)

      Rev 5:6

      And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. (KJV)

      These four verses clearly indicate that the Holy Spirit has seven different expressions. John envisioned the Holy Spirit as seven distinct spirits, but I don’t believe this application would be correct. The volume of the holy scriptures clearly teach that the Holy Spirit is one distinct person, who is a member of the divine Godhead. The seven Spirits of God seen by John must be the sevenfold expression of the Holy Spirit.

      (Reference Scriptures: Rom 1:20; Col 2:9; John 14:16-17, 26; 15:26-27; 16:7-11)


      Isaiah’s Vision


      Isa 11:1-2

      And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: (2) And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; (KJV)

      I believe Isaiah experienced the same truth as John concerning the sevenfold spirit of God. Notice in verse one that the sevenfold spirit is connected with God’s holy anointing that was imparted to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Messiah. Let me list the seven different expressions of the Holy Spirit.

          1. LORD
          2. : Spirit of divine government.

          3. WISDOM
          4. : Knowing the Mind of God (1Cor 1:30)

          5. UNDERSTANDING
          6. : Knowledge of the Holy (Prov 9:10)

          7. COUNSEL
          8. : Knowing the plan and purpose of God

          9. MIGHT
          10. : Power, valor, or victory

          11. KNOWLEDGE
          12. : Divine knowledge of the Truth

          13. FEAR OF THE LORD
          14. : Divine Reverence

        Consider with me this thought. The wilderness menorah was the symbol of the divine sevenfold Spirit of God. The seven menorah’s seen by John on Patmos are divine expressions of the sevenfold Holy Spirit of God

        .
        Notice in the book of Revelation that each church established by God received an expression of one of the seven divine candlesticks. The goal of this candlestick is to develop an expression of the sevenfold Spirit of God in the midst of the local congregation

        . As I stated before, each candlestick is a specialized anointing from God that establishes the congregation’s purpose and mission. The divine candlestick will enlighten the narrow path with the illumination of truth (Psa 119:105).
        The divine candlestick will work in the local congregation seeking to be a divine expression of each facet of the sevenfold Spirit of God spoken by the prophet Isaiah. The Holy Spirit will work to establish divine government, provide insight into the mind of God, and the knowledge of the holy, raise up the power of God with valor and victory, reveal the truth of God, and nurture divine reverence in each local congregation that is enlightened by a divine candlestick.

        Candlestick Removed


        Rev 2:1-5

        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. (KJV)

        Notice in verse one that Jesus is walking in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks as a king surveying his kingdom. It is important to also notice that the presence of Jesus is found in the midst of the candlesticks, not in the empty halls of vain religion.
        Its important to recognize the seriousness of our divine call. When a local congregation is raised up by the holy unction of the Lord, he places a divine candlestick in the midst of his church to guide it on the path of righteousness. Its also important to note that true body life is directly connected to the divine influence of God’s holy candle light.
        The letter to the church at Ephesus provides a clear warning to all facets of the body of Christ. This church lost their zeal to love and minister to the Lord in the midst of their busy church schedule. Jesus warned the leadership at Ephesus to repent for their lost love, and return to the light of the holy candlestick, or he would remove the stick.
        Why would Jesus remove his holy golden candlestick from any local expression of the body of Christ?
        I think there is only one possible answer to this question. The answer may have different faces, but the root answer will still be the same. The reason Jesus would remove his candlestick is the local congregation has no more need of its illuminating light. The traditions of the church and their dogmatic doctrine have eroded away their relationship with Jesus, and allowed their faith to become a vain and lifeless religion.

        The Human Expression

        Personal Revelation

        Up to this point we studied the concept that God's holy menorah is the sevenfold Spirit of God. We also learned that the body of Christ is filled with the holy light of this seven-branched candlestick. Each local congregation that is anointed by Jesus has placed in their center an expression of God's holy menorah. We also learned that the same local congregation could loose the light of God's menorah when they no longer have need for its light.
        In this lesson we will correlate the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit with the sevenfold expression of the Holy Spirit given to us by the Prophet Isaiah.

        Gifts of the Holy Spirit


        1 Cor 12:4-12

        Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. (5) And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. (6) And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. (7) But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. (8) For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; (9) To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; (10) To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: (11) But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. (12) For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. (KJV)

        Lets take a look at the known gifts of the Holy Spirit.

          • Tongues

          • Interpretation of Tongues

          • Word of Wisdom

          • Word of Knowledge

          • Faith

          • Healing

          • Miracles

          • Prophecy

          • Discernment of Spirits


        Rom 12:4-8

        For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: (5) So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. (6) Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; (7) Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; (8) Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. (KJV)

        The book of Romans provides more insight into the gifts of the Holy Spirit. You will notice that these gifts are understood and experienced while we interact with the body of Christ.

          • Prophecy

          • Ministry

          • Teaching

          • Exhortation

          • Giving

          • Ruling

          • Mercy

        Consider with me a possibility that all the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit emanate from the light of God's holy menorah. The divine candlestick of God is comprised of the sevenfold Holy Spirit. Is it possible that each gift of the Holy Spirit sprouts from one of the branches of the sevenfold Spirit of God. Lets consider these gifts and discover how they interrelate with God's menorah.
        Spirit of the Lord
        The Spirit of the Lord is the essence of divine government. The gift of Ruling (Administration) would spout from this branch. Faith is a much needed gift, but faith is the key that moves the hand of the Lord.
        Spirit of the Wisdom
        The Word of Wisdom obviously must emanate from this branch.
        Spirit of the Understanding
        The Teaching gift has many different sources but the most logical is the Spirit of Understanding, because the divinely gifted teacher functions from a divine understanding of God and his word. The Discernment of Spirits functions with the divine understanding of God
        Spirit of the Counsel
        Counsel is the gift that emanates from compassion. It’s the quality of nurturing advice, therefore the gift of exhortation would find its root in this portion of the menorah.
        Spirit of the Might
        The gifts of healing and miracles would be divine manifestations of God's holy might and power. The gifts of Tongues and Interpretation of Tongues are not what we experience during church services. The true manifestation of these gifts occur on the mission field when a servant of God testifies to the glory of God in a language he or she has never learned, but the audience understands.
        Spirit of the Knowledge
        The gift of prophecy emanates from several different branches combined but the gift functions with a divine knowledge into the way and will of God. The Spirit of Wisdom would also use this gift. The Word of Knowledge must emanate from this branch also.
        Fear of the Lord
        The heart of the Lord is mercy and truth (
        Psa 85:10 86:16 100:5), therefore the gift of mercy must be developed in us when we learn to fear the Lord. Giving also is a developed gift that is nurtured in us through our fear of the Lord. The gift of Ministry is also a developed discipline for all of God's saints are called to the ministry.
        It is important that we understand each church is a divine expression of God's holy menorah, and the anointing resident in each local congregation is a direct result of light emanating from the branches of the candlestick

        .

        Fruit of the Spirit


        Gal 5:22-25

        But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, (23) Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (24) And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. (25) If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (KJV)

        Consider with me the possibility that the fruits of the Spirit grow from the light of God's menorah, as we allow the Holy Spirit to govern us.
        Crucified With Christ
        The key that allows the menorah free expression is the cross of Christ, and our being crucified with Him. Picture with me the possibility that the cross of Christ is the cultivating tool used by the Holy Spirit to nurture in us the His fruit.
        This point cannot be treated to lightly; our spiritual success is intimately connected to the cross of Christ. Simply stated, to the degree we allow ourselves to be crucified with Christ is to the same degree we allow the light of His holy menorah to nurture and transform us. We read in the gospel of Luke that those who are Christ's must learn to deny themselves, take up their personal cross, and follow Him.

        Luke 9:23-24

        And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. (24) For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. (KJV)

        How can we hope to do the will of God when we cannot deny our own appetites and lusts? What is the cross of Christ? It’s the root and eternal confidence of all Christians. To Jesus, His personal cross was doing the will of His Father, and enduring the suffering torment of Calvary. Simply stated; Jesus was crucified long before He embraced the cross on Calvary. The will of our heavenly Father is our own personal cross. The light of God's menorah follows the path of the cross. When we see the fruit of the Spirit coming forth in our lives then we know that the light of God is shining, and we are crucified with Christ.

        Personal Response

        On three occasions (
        Matt 5:15-16 Mark 4:21-22 Luke 11:33-36) Jesus used the concept of a candle as a teaching tool to communicate the truth concerning the light of God. From these three occasions we can glean three principles concerning the menorah of God.
        Let our Lights Shine

        Matt 5:15-16

        Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. (16) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (KJV)

        The first principle taught is the importance to let our lights shine in the world (
        Phil 2:15). No man takes the candle given to him by God and hides it, instead he puts it on a candlestick in order to give light to the house of God. Consider with me the possibility that the candle referred to in this parable is part of God's holy menorah. Resident within us is a portion of the divine candlestick of God. The light shinning forth from us emanates from the sevenfold Holy Spirit of God. Notice that the light that shines from us must first shine in the world, but is also must shine in the house of God. The context of Matthew 5:15 clearly indicates that the purpose of our candlestick is to fill the house with light. What House? The New Testament teaches that the house of God is the body of Christ (1Tim 3:15 Heb 10:21 1Pet 4:17)
        The whole reason why we allow our lights to shine before men is to glorify our heavenly Father in our good works. We read in John 15:8 that our Father is glorified when we bear much fruit. Again we return to the arena of being crucified with Christ.
        Gifts/Calling

        Rom 12:6-8

        Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; (7) Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; (8) Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. (KJV)

        1 Cor 12:4-7

        Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. (5) And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. (6) And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. (7) But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. (KJV)

        1 Cor 14:12

        Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. (KJV)

        Consider with me the possibility that our portion of God's divine menorah manifests in our spiritual gifts and divine calling. We see from these verses that there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit, and one of the main functions of our spiritual gifts is to edify the church (house of God).
        Reference: Matt 22:14 Rom 11:29 1 Cor 14:1, 7:20 Eph 1:18, 4:4 Phil 3:14 2Th 1:11 2 Tim 1:9 2 Pet 1:10

        Eph 4:11-16

        And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (12) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (13) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (14) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; (15) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: (16) From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. (KJV)

        These verses admonish us that all Christians must do the work of the ministry, until we all come in the unity of faith. The body of Christ is comprised of uncounted multitudes of joints shinning forth their portion of God's light. The whole body grows and edifies itself in love when every joint supplies the body with light.
        The parable of Jesus taught that no man lights a candle and puts it under a basket to hide its light; instead the candle is put on a candlestick to fill the whole house with light. In order to put this parable into the context of God's holy menorah we must consider the sobering possibility that our inactivity and lack of ministry involvement in the house of God is directly connected with hiding the light of our candle under a basket. How can our heavenly Father be glorified when we hide his holy light? This question brings us to the second principle that we will examine.
        Exposing That Which is Hid (Secret Sin)

        Mark 4:21-22

        And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick? (22) For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.

        When Mark recorded the second occasion when this parable was presented, Jesus indicated that the light of God's candle will expose the secret sin in our lives.

        Ps 90:8

        Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance. (KJV)

        Its hard to imagine that we all have an arena of secret sin in our hidden lives, but we do. The presence of secret sin is confirmed by our weakened personal spiritual condition.

        John 3:19-21

        And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. (20) For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. (21) But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. (KJV)

        We read in these verses that light came into the world, but men loved darkness more than light because their deeds were evil. Consider with me that the light that came into the world is Jesus, but remember, He is God's holy menorah. Isaiah, the Prophet (Isa 11:1-3) indicated that the coming Messiah would manifest all seven Spirits of God, and we know that Jesus is the Messiah.
        Notice the response of the world to the light of God. Humanity hates the light, neither will they come to it because their deeds are evil. In these verses of scripture two different Greek words are used for the English word "Evil". When we consider these words a clearer picture forms in our minds. When we consider the though of evil deeds, we think of sinister, devilish, and horrid actions. This concept is clearly part of these two different Greek words, but each word also provides interesting insight.

        Evil (verse 19)


        poneros
        (pon-ay-ros'/4190); from a derivative of 4192; hurtful, i.e. evil (properly, in effect or influence, and thus differing from 2556, which refers rather to essential character, as well as from 4550, which indicates degeneracy from original virtue); figuratively, calamitous; also (passively) ill, i.e. diseased; but especially (morally) culpable, i.e. derelict, vicious, facinorous; neuter (singular) mischief, malice, or (plural) guilt; masculine (singular) the devil, or (plural) sinners: KJV-- bad, evil, grievous, harm, lewd, malicious, wicked (-ness). See also 4191.

        poneros
        - (Thayer Greek/English Lexicon)

        1) full of labors, annoyances, hardships

        a) pressed and harassed by labors

        b) bringing toils, annoyances, perils; used of a time full of peril to Christian faith and steadfastness; causing pain and trouble

        2) bad, of a bad nature or condition

        a) in a physical sense: diseased or blind

        b) in an ethical sense: evil wicked, bad

        Notice that this Greek word also has the application of a life full of labor, annoyances, and hardships. Is it possible that the cares of this world, its labors, annoyances, and hardships, frustrate the light of God in us?

        Evil (verse 20)


        phaulos
        (fow'-los/5337); apparently a primary word; "foul" or "flawy", i.e. (figuratively) wicked: KJV-- evil.

        phaulos
        - (Thayer Greek/English Lexicon)

        1) easy, slight, ordinary, mean, worthless, of no account

        2) ethically, bad, base, wicked

        hate - miseo
        (mis-eh'-o/3404); from a primary misos (hatred); to detest (especially to persecute); by extension, to love less: KJV-- hate (-ful).

        Notice the Greek word used for evil in verse 20 has the application of that which is easy, ordinary, or worthless. How much of our lives is consumed with ordinary, worthless activities that have no lasting spiritual value, nor do they advance the kingdom of God?
        Notice that the Greek word used for "Hateth" in verse 20 also has the application of loving one item less than another. Is it possible that we love the light of God less than our own worthless deeds? Those whose lives are filled with empty, ordinary, and worthless deeds treat with indifference the light of God, they would rather have a religion not a relationship.
        We read that those who are doers of truth come to the light, and allow their deeds and secret sins to be exposed by the same light. Again we have a correlation between the divine candlestick of God and the cross.
        Single Eye

        Luke 11:33-36

        No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light. (34) The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness. (35) Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness. (36) If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light. (KJV)

        The third occasion that Jesus presented this parable, He used it as a tool to communicate the principle of having a single heart toward the kingdom of God.

        Matt 6:33

        But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (KJV)

        Jesus wanted us to understand the importance of having a heart dedicated and single in purpose, seeking first the kingdom of God. When our heart is single and focused on the kingdom of God our entire world view will also seen in the light of kingdom. A person who has a single heart will be an ambassador of Christ's kingdom no matter the arena or the environment.

        James 1:5-8

        If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (6) But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. (7) For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. (8) A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. (KJV)

        The double minded Christian is absorbed with self-centered pursuits, therefore he/she is unstable in regards to the kingdom of God. The double minded Christian is infected with the sin of selfish individualism. The strength of the body of Christ is dependant on single hearted perception of each and every joint. How can we be Christ's ambassadors when our lives are filled with self pursuits. In order to
        "… Let (our) light so shine before men …" take our double minded attitude to the cross, and allow the single hearted kingdom view to arise from its death. The single hearted kingdom view is a disciple that must be learn, it is not a natural by-product our a born again experience. Jesus taught that we are to seek first the kingdom, therefore it includes an action and discipline we must learn, and our only tutor in this matter is the cross of Christ.

        Fullness of Time

        God’s Menorah in Human History



        Eph 1:10

        That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: (KJV)

        Consider with me this thought that the divine Menorah is being restored to the body of Christ through holy, sacred events in Church history. It has always been God's will to restore to the church the seven divine candlesticks/truths. Let me briefly present these truths and the approximate date God restored them to the Church. In the fullness of time the light of God’s holy menorah will fill both heaven and earth, because all things in Christ have been brought to together in one.

        Seven Truths

        Salvation by Grace
        This truth was restored by the declarations of Martin Luther on October 31, 1517, when he nailed his Ninety-five Theses on the door of the castle church of Wittenberg. The followers of Luther eventually became known as Lutherians.
        Water Baptism
        The truth of water baptism on the confession of faith began its tedious trek of restoration through the teachings of Conrad, Grebel, and Felix Manz in 1522. The followers of this truth became known as Ana-Baptists. These saints of God suffered tremendous persecution even to the point of torturous death, because the professed water baptism upon the confession of faith; they renounced the authority of the Pope in obedience to the pursuit of their own conscience. The reformer Zwingli was party to these proceedings against the Ana-Baptists; even Luther urged the use of the sword against them by right of law. The Ana-Baptists were the root stock of the Baptist denomination today.
        Holiness
        John Wesley was a minister of God not content with the compromise in the Church. In 1738, he was "strangely warmed in his heart" with his revelation of holiness. In 1743 Wesley drew up a common set of rules for all his prayer societies. Wesley referred to his writings as the "best method of carrying on the work of God." The context of these rules required holy living. The followers of John Wesley eventually became known as Methodists.
        Baptism in the Holy Spirit
        For nearly two hundred years the Lord nurtured and developed the candlesticks restored to the Church. In the latter part of the 1890's small prayer societies were experiencing the baptism in the Holy Spirit, with the evidence in speaking in tongues. It was thought by most observers that this phenomena was the result of a sanctified lifestyle. In 1903, William Seymour, who eventually became the Pastor of the well-known Azusa Street Mission, began to preach that the gift of tongues was not restricted to only a few pious people, but it was open to all who called upon the name of Jesus. His preaching ushered in a world-wide revival that birthed the Pentecostal denomination.
        Healing
        The Latter Rain revival of 1948 to 1951 opened the doors to the great healing ministries of the 1950's. Foremost among the great ministries were William Marrion Branham and Granville Oral Roberts. Other names that were common in these ministries were Morris Cerullo, W.V. Grant, David Nunn, Rex Humbard, Jimmy Swaggart, Robert W. Shamback, David Terrell, and the controversial but anointed Kathryn Kuhlman.
        Laying On Of Hands - Prophecy
        The Latter Rain revival and the healing revivals of the 1950's collapsed because of unethical financial, moral practices, power struggles and human egoism. As with Samson, the power of God was undeniably presence, but the character of God was sadly missing in some cases. These activities caused considerable hunger for God's holy presence, in the early 1960's God began to pour out His Holy Spirit on whoever hungered for His presence. This was the beginning of the Charismatic Renewal; the Pentecostal experience jumped denomination boundaries, and religious people were coming alive to the reality of God. One fruit of this restored truth is the establishment of divine church government.
        Resurrection Power - Eternal Judgment
        The final truth to be restored to the church will be the most powerful. All other church revivals will function together to usher in the power and authority manifested by these two truths. These two truths will demand holiness, God's church must mature. The two witnesses referred to in Revelation chapter eleven will usher in the last great revival. The two witnesses will be much more than two human beings, they will be two anointings released in God's church. Remember, the two witnesses manifest eternal judgment when the call fire down from heaven, they also manifest resurrection power when they rise from the dead. The greatest triumph of these two truths will be the rapture of the body of Christ.

        No comments:

        Post a Comment