Tag: tabernacle

Letters

The Glory of the Lord Fills the House

Peter

Maturing in the Hope of Glory

God our Father is the Father of Glory by whom are all things.  When the time comes, the Lord comes as a quickening Spirit, and we are being glorified in the Father’s name.

Eph 1:17  That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

The Promise gives us Wisdom, who is Christ, and Revelation, also called Understanding, who is the Father.  The Spirit of the Living God enters our house and fills it with God’s glory.  In the Lord’s Prayer, which we are commanded to pray daily, we ask for the Promise to come and bring the power and glory that is our obedience and the resulting Holiness.

Mat 6:13  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever

Glory is the aftereffect or result of the power of the Living Word coming and giving one the ability to overcome their sin.  It is overcoming sin that makes us holy, and Holiness is the glory of God.

1Pe 1:15  But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 

1Pe 1:16  Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 

We are being made to adorn the glory of the Lord, which is holiness.  Everything about the commandments concerns our holiness.  That is the essence of God and who we become in due time as we are made into His sons. We are following the example of the Lord receiving glory and honor from the Father.

2Pe 1:17  For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 

2Pe 1:18  And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. 

Holiness and obedience, which is love, go hand in glove.  The love of God, our obedience, comes from the power of the Holy Spirit, who lives in us once the Promise comes.  Being holy is being perfect, the essence of the Father of Glory, who lives in our heaven now.

Mat 5:48  Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. 

We are made into sons of glory when the captain of our salvation, the Living Spirit of Christ, perfects us through the many sufferings we are appointed.

Heb 2:10  For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 

We are learning obedience by the Spirit, who has brought judgment and righteousness into the house of God.  We follow the Lord and are crucified with Him to be perfected and become holy angels that shine the glory of the Father, being the sons of God.

Heb 5:8  Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 

Heb 5:9  And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; 

Those perfected in this age are the holy angels, the children of the resurrection who come with Christ to judge the nations in the lake of fire.

Mat 25:31  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: 

Christ chooses us to be His church and brings power and glory.  All those in the church of the Lord are being worked on.  Whether it is John’s baptism or Christ’s baptism, the commandments perform the work of sanctifying and cleansing.  By the commandments of the Gospel, we are established as a people without blemish, reflecting His glory.

Eph 5:26  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 

Eph 5:27  That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 

Our calling and election come with an exceedingly high standard of expected behaviour.  The honour given is incomparable with anything offered in this world.  We are the elect of God and have been given many spiritual blessings.  The Israel of God is to be holy and abiding in love, always obeying His commandments.  Anything else is not love, and is not Holiness.

Eph 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 

Eph 1:4  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: 

Jesus Christ, the firstborn of all creation, pure and without blame, is the epitome of Holiness and is the brightness of the Father’s glory.  Jesus Christ, the Living Word, the Son, is Holy and is the glory of God.  The glory comes to live in us.

Heb 1:1  God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 

Heb 1:2  Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 

Heb 1:3  Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; 

The Gospel, which is Christ, is glorious because the Holy Commandments, which are Spirit, are the image of God.  We show others the knowledge of God’s glory when we share and live the Gospel with brethren.

2Co 4:4  In whom the God of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 

2Co 4:5  For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. 

2Co 4:6  For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

The Gospel is the light of God and the knowledge of the glory of God that is the image of Jesus Christ, who is the image of the Father.  When the brightness of the living commandments comes to us, all things are being made new, and we begin to manifest Holiness, which is the glory of God.  This spiritual light manifests outwardly and is seen by all given spiritual eyes.

Joh 1:14  And the Word [Christ in you] was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. 

When we receive Christ, the Promise, we are now Christ in the world, and as He was the light unto the world, so are we.  Shining the light of God glorifies the Father who sits in our heavens with Christ [Joh 14:20].

Mat 5:16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

The Old Testament shadows the true things of Christ.  Yet even the shadow of the living Christ, the commandments were glorious.  When Moses went to speak with the Lord and came out with commandments to give them, his face shone brightly, being full of the Lord’s glory.  Moses had to wear a veil.

2Co 3:7  But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: 

The glory of the Spirit of the Living God far exceeds the glory of the letter of the law, which is the glory we have with the baptism of John.  The coming of the Living Christ by the Promise is the hope of glory coming, which exceeds the glory we once had in the letter before the Spirit comes.

2Co 3:8  How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? 

2Co 3:9  For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. 

2Co 3:10  For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth. 

2Co 3:11  For if that which is done away was glorious, how much more that which remaineth is glorious. 

Losing Our Life Brings His Glory

When the Spirit comes, we are no longer under the law of the carnal mind.  The school master, the shadow of the truth, is gone.  Our lives no longer belong to us; we have been redeemed and belong to the Lord.  We have been made a living sacrifice the moment the Promise comes.  We lay down our lives as the Lord did His.  Laying down our lives is when the Father honors us, and we receive His glory as He glorifies us in His temple.  Christ often speaks of His death and our death on the cross as it precedes the coming of great glory.

Joh 12:26  If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. 

Joh 12:27  Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say?  Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. 

Joh 12:28  Father, glorify thy name.  Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again [Through the coming to us]

We hear the voice of God, either from heaven or from an angel of the Lord who has gone before us.  Judgment is come; it begins in earnest when the Gospel is preached, and the Promise received.  When the time is at hand to be glorified by the Father, there is only a short time left for Satan.  The Lord faithfully reveals what we need to know in His perfect timing.  The devil, the world’s prince, is soon to be cast out of our heavens.  The Spirit of the Living God is not sharing His throne with the prince of this world.

Joh 12:31  Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. 

Joh 12:32  And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

Like Christ, we draw all men to ourselves in due time.  There are very few in this age, but all people come to the Lord and His Christ in the next age.  When we finish the race we were given to run in these physical bodies, we have completed the work the Lord gave us to do.  When we depart these clay vessels, having endured to the end, we are given the same glorified spiritual body as the Father and Christ.

Jhn 17:4  I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

Jhn 17:5  And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

God lays great honour and majesty upon us as we are His true sons.  We are the apple of His eye and have become His glory.

Psa 21:5  His glory is great in thy salvation: honour and majesty hast thou laid upon him.

The resurrected Christ returns to us in the appointed time, ascending into our heaven as the Promised Comforter.  The Spirit of Christ dwelling inside us now gives us the same glory the Father gave the Son, and we are forever with the Lord, beholding His glory.  The Spirit of Christ performs it.

Jhn 17:22  And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:

Jhn 17:23  I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

Jhn 17:24  Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

With the indwelling Promise, we are taught of God by the chastening grace that brings forth righteousness.  The glory of God and our Saviour is revealed increasingly as we mature.

Tit 2:12  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 

Tit 2:13  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 

We never stop learning and growing and being strengthened as Christ increases in us daily by the working of the glorious power of the indwelling living commandments.

Col 1:10  That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 

Col 1:11  Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; 

Progressions of Glory:

There is a progression in receiving glory, just as there is in overcoming sin and becoming holy in all our behaviour.  We see this progression in the shadows of the construction of the tabernacles and physical temples in Israel, which are lessons written for our admonition.  God’s true temple [which we are] is not built by the hands of men [Acts 7:49] but by the power of the living and indwelling commandments.

Isa 66:1  Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me?  and where is the place of my rest? 

Each step toward maturity glorifies the Father, yet there are different levels of glory dependent upon which Baptism [John or Christ] we have completed, our role in the church, and where we stand on the road to maturity in our baptism.

1Co 15:40  There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 

1Co 15:41  There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. 

The Lord gives everyone their measure of faith, and we are His workmanship, so some bear more fruit and thus more glory than others, but it is all of the Lord.

Mar 4:20  And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred. 

The fullness of glory only comes when the Lord’s work is finished, and we are given our new spiritual bodies after finishing the earthly race.  Being raised with Christ, our earnest deposit is glorious, but the fullness is yet to come.

1Co 15:43  It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 

1Co 15:44  It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body.  There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 

We groan and travail in this weak flesh, hoping for the complete deliverance and glory to be revealed.

Php 3:21  Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. 

Progressions of the Building of Tabernacles and Temples

The Promise of Jesus Christ comes when the temple or tabernacle of God is dedicated to the Lord.  Symbolically, this is the day the Ark of the living commandments is brought into us, who are now the temple of God.  The progression of salvation takes time, with both John’s Baptism and Christ’s Baptism [the Promise].  The glory of God and our obedience come little by little.  We see this witnessed multiple times in the stories of Israel’s sojourning and ultimately abiding in the Promised Land.

Deu 7:22  And the LORD thy God will put out those nations before thee by little and little: thou mayest not consume them at once, lest the beasts of the field increase upon thee

Our obedience, that is the glory of God for which we are created, appears little by little, and we are given the fullness when our race is finished.

The first tabernacle erected by Moses in the wilderness reveals its initial filling with God’s glory.  These stories are parables, and we are this tabernacle as we receive our Baptism of John and later the physical temples built in Israel.  The common theme of the glory coming, is that it always follows the bringing in of the commandments, the Ark, into the temple.

Exo 40:21  And he brought the Ark [the commandments] into the tabernacle, and set up the vail of the covering, and covered the Ark of the testimony; as the LORD commanded Moses. 

Exo 40:34  Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. 

Where the commandments of the Lord reside is where the Lord is, because He is the Holy Commandments of the Father.  The glory of the Lord always manifests in the presence of the commandments.  Eventually, Israel entered the Promised Land, and Solomon was led to construct a permanent physical temple.  Here again, we see the commandments, the Ark brought into the temple of God as a parable to them coming into our temple.  The Ark is brought in by the priests who preach and teach the Gospel.

2Ch 5:2  Now Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the chief fathers of the children of Israel, in Jerusalem, that they might bring the Ark of the covenant of the LORD up from the City of David, which is Zion. 

2Ch 5:5  Then they brought up the Ark, the tabernacle of meeting, and all the holy furnishings that were in the tabernacle.  The priests and the Levites brought them up. 

Solomon soon prayed for the Promise of the Spirit [the Spirit is our covering and is the garment of salvation] to fall upon Israel.  The Lord answered the prayer, and fire from heaven came down, filling the entire house.  This ancient event is a shadow of our day of Pentecost and how we pray the Lord to come and fill His house with the glory of the Father.  Solomon’s prayer is an excellent one for us to pray today while we tarry.

2Ch 6:41  Now therefore arise, O LORD God, into thy resting place, thou, and the Ark of thy strength: let thy priests, O LORD God, be clothed with salvation, and let thy saints rejoice in goodness. 

2Ch 7:1  Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house. 

2Ch 7:2  And the priests could not enter into the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD’S house. 

2Ch 7:3  And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever. 

When the temple is filled with the Promise, the glory of the Lord, the thing we have hoped and prayed for has come.  Now we enter into the true sabbath rest of the Lord and can no longer do our own works and ministry.  We now belong to the Lord, having been redeemed from among men.

1Ki 8:10  And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD, 

1Ki 8:11  So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD.

Once redeemed, we only do the Lord’s work henceforth, which is preaching and living the Gospel.  God’s glory, the cloud, covers our sins, and they are no longer remembered.  The Lord has glorified Himself in us, the Holy Temple where He now dwells with the Father.

Isa 44:21  Remember these, O Jacob and Israel; for thou art my servant: I have formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me. 

Isa 44:22  I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee. 

Isa 44:23  Sing, O ye heavens; for the LORD hath done it: shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel.

Isa 44:24  Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;

After Solomon’s temple was sacked, the physical [outward] Ark of the Commandments given to Moses was lost.  Therefore, it could not be brought back into the second physical temple that Ezra and Zerubbabel were instrumental in constructing.  We do not see the glory of the Lord filling that temple at its dedication, as described in Ezra 6.

The Glory of the Latter Temple is Greater

With the baptism of John, there is glory in our house, but nothing compared to the glory of the latter house when the Lord comes by way of the Promise.   We have two physical temples built, Solomon’s, which we looked at earlier, and the second one after Israel [you and me] leave Spiritual Babylon.  Both of these temples are shadows of the makings and remaking of the true temple, which is the temple we are.

1Co 3:16  Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 

1Co 3:17  If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. 

The Lord sends destroyers to both the “fleshly” temples, as we defile them both without the power of the Gospel helping us.  This destruction is for good as it prepares us for the Promise to come, which establishes the true living temple of the Lord, built by His hands and power.  Solomon’s and Ezra’s temples were destroyed at the appointed time so Christ could come with the Promise and establish the true everlasting temple.

Ezra’s temple, like Solomon’s, is a shadow of the true living temple that is to be filled with the Lord’s glory.  However, Ezra’s temple, in type and shadow, exemplifies the final temple more than Solomon’s because it was established by the Spirit of grace and not by works.

Zec 4:6  Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. 

Zec 4:7  Who art thou, O great mountain?  before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.

Few who saw the first temple and were taken into Spiritual Babylon are brought back to see the second temple being built, as many are called, and only a few are chosen.

Hag 2:3  Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now?  is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing? 

The temple we have in the Baptism of John is a shadow of the true temple. That is why we tarry or wait for the Promise to come that brings the power and glory of the true living Word.  Only then can the final everlasting temple be established. When the Promise is given, the Spirit builds God’s temple.  Haggai’s prophecy reflects this symbolism and the difference between the construction of this temple and that of Solomon’s.  The temple of Solomon was built with a great deal of gold, silver, and other trappings that symbolized knowledge and spiritual riches.  Ezra’s temple is much simpler, with less outward adornment of gold and other treasures [knowledge].  Coming out of Spiritual Babylon, we are learning that the power of God lies in the commandments, not in knowledge or appearances.  Ezra’s temple is built as an example of how our temple is being built, namely by the Spirit of the Lord.

Hag 2:4  Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the LORD; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the LORD, and work: for I am with you, saith the LORD of hosts: 

We just have to wait for the power, which is preceded by a spiritual shaking, an earthquake that gives the occasion for the Lord to come.  When this earthquake is finished, then our house of the Lord is filled with His glory, the Promise.

Hag 2:6  For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; 

Hag 2:7  And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts. 

Hag 2:8  The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts. 

There is no comparison between the former glory under John’s baptism and the house’s glory when the Promise, the Living Christ, is received.

Hag 2:9  The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts. 

The Lord does not rest after the coming of the Promise.  He works until His righteousness blossoms and the overcoming of sin bursts forth.  All who overcome sin by the gift of faith are given a new name and wear a crown of glory.  We become the harvesters, the holy angels in the hand of God.

Isa 62:1  For Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. 

Isa 62:2  And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name. 

Isa 62:3  Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God. 

We do not receive the fullness of our crown until we depart these clay vessels made of sinful flesh.  Thus, we are always glad when our time comes to depart these clay vessels, knowing of the fullness of the glory to come and to be with the Lord and all the saints.

The Vision of the Promise and The City of God

Ezekiel’s vision of the final temple of the Living Lord is a vision of the children of the resurrection, each now an angel, full of the Spirit of the living by the commandments, who by their presence manifest the glory of God.  These cherubim, like those seen earlier [Eze 1 and Eze 10], enter the temple from the east gate, as we always follow the Son from east to the west.  The glory of the Lord fills this Temple as each angel coming in, those with Christ resurrected in them, enter into the city.  Their spiritual bodies, being the earth, shine with the glory of God.

Eze 43:2  And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and his voice was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory. 

Eze 43:3  And it was according to the appearance of the vision which I saw, even according to the vision that I saw when I came to destroy the city: and the visions were like the vision that I saw by the river Chebar; and I fell upon my face. 

Eze 43:4  And the glory of the LORD came into the house by the way of the gate whose prospect is toward the east. 

Eze 43:5  So the spirit took me up, and brought me into the inner court; and, behold, the glory of the LORD filled the house. 

The law of the Lord’s final house is simple: it is Holiness.  Holiness is God’s true glory, so we always strive to be holy.

Eze 43:12  This is the law of the house; Upon the top of the mountain the whole limit thereof round about shall be most holy.  Behold, this is the law of the house. 

John’s vision in Revelation confirms Ezekiel’s vision of the Lord’s final living temple. There is no temple per se; the Lord and the Father dwell in the hearts and minds of all the children of the resurrection, who are now the holy angels of the Lord. The glory of God and the Lamb that dwells in everyone is the light.  Those having dominion over their flesh are the kings of the earth who bring the glory and honor given to them by the Father into the Holy city.  Only the Holy can enter.

Rev 21:22  And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. 
Rev 21:23  And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. 
Rev 21:24  And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. 

In closing, everyone must be reminded that even with the indwelling Spirit, we are told to be diligent and vigilant in our walk.  When Christ is taken away [the living commandments], the glory of God departs from that house.  When we leave our first love and wander into riotous living, the glory we had has departed, and we are again the prodigal son.  Keep the commandments sacred, write them on the frontlets of your eyes.  Let’s not be an Ichabod.

1Sa 4:21  And she named the child Ichabod, saying, The glory is departed from Israel: because the Ark of God was taken, and because of her Father in law and her husband.

1Sa 4:22  And she said, The glory is departed from Israel: for the Ark of God is taken.

We earnestly await the fullness of the glory of the Father to be revealed in us in due time.  Our hope of the glory to come makes our sufferings much more bearable.

Rom 8:18  For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 

Rom 8:19  For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 

Grace, peace, and mercy to the brethren.

Click here for a second study titled Created for God’s Glory

 

 

Studies

The Fellowship of the Saints

Peter

The Ministry of Jesus Christ

This three-part study is about fellowship among brethren who share a precious faith and a common salvation journey.  Given the importance of this topic, it is posted in one article here and is broken into three parts as a study series.  To access the study index page click here.

The Lord has opened up heaven and given an expanded understanding of His habitation with the saints and the dwelling place where the healing promises are performed.  It is proper to first speak about the various seasons of our spiritual lives.  We live out a variety of seasons on our journey that serve the Lord’s purpose and plan in perfecting us.

Gen 8:22  While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.

Ecc 3:1  To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 

The appointed times of isolation in the wilderness, times of plenty, times of spiritual famine, and our struggles in overcoming sin are all from the Lord.  There are even appointed seasons for the Lord’s people to be separated and not in communion with their brethren.  Our Lord spent time in the wilderness being prepared for His ministry, and so do we, because as He is, so are we in this world.

None of the seasons and experiences we live through are wasted.  They serve the Lord’s plan and prepare us for what lies ahead. We truly live by every word, including being humbled and made hungry for spiritual food, which can strengthen us.  Here is where Christ quotes the Scriptures when answering the devil’s temptation.

Deu 8:3  And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.

With its four seasons, the physical kosmos provides some insight [Rom 1:21] into how our spiritual life changes.  These seasons are part of “all things” the Lord is working in our lives.  The prosperity of our faith is ensured once we get to the end of the journey.  In between, there will be seasons of plenty and scarcity, yet in the end, the fruits of the Spirit are manifest in us as we are planted near the river of life.

Psa 1:3  And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. 

We may not understand exactly where we are in the moment, but we learn to rest in the knowledge that we are mere clay in the potter’s hands.  There is nothing anyone can do to change what the Lord has declared from the beginning of their life.  We truly serve an all-powerful God.

Act 17:26  And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times [seasons] before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;

It is not up to us to change our seasons, it is all the Lord.  He is completely in charge of the times and seasons we live out.

Dan 2:21  And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:

Act 1:7  And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 

Every season has its ordained purpose.  A wise Solomon penned these words at the end of his life, and they were written for the admonition of the saints who have since followed Christ.

Ecc 3:1  To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 

Ecc 3:2  A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; 

Ecc 3:3  A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 

Ecc 3:4  A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 

Ecc 3:5  A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 

Ecc 3:6  A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 

Ecc 3:7  A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 

Ecc 3:8  A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. 

Our household has been in a time of “casting away stones” and “not embracing” for the past few years. Our lives became increasingly isolated, all by the Lord’s design, and we have written about that as those are prophecies that we also fulfill in time.   Yet a new time is dawning and bringing a season of healing, embracing, and regathering!  The Lord both scatters His people and regathers them at the appointed times. The outcasts of Israel are gathered back together, within and without.

Isa 11:12  And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. 

Again, the Lord is doing it all, first the scattering and then the regathering.

Eze 11:16  Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Although I have cast them far off among the heathen, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet will I be to them as a little sanctuary in the countries where they shall come. 

Eze 11:17  Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even gather you from the people, and assemble you out of the countries where ye have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel. 

The times of isolation are difficult.  Without the benefit of active fellowship, it is challenging not to shrink back from the Word and be pulled into increasingly carnal pursuits.  Recently, this became increasingly obvious, and the Lord stirred our hearts to seek a change and reinitiate progress [healing and overcoming] on our journey.  The zeal and ability to study the Word and to write articles have been reinvigorated.  The Lord has even given us a greater understanding of His plans for our lives.  Such is now the inspiration for this study we joyfully share.  The days of being fully isolated have been shortened as we embrace a new season.

Mar 13:20  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. 

A change in the season does not mean the prior times of isolation were a mistake.  The Lord does not make mistakes, and all things work together for the greater good, even in our times of separation.  The winnowing of the Lord continues within us and without, as the increasingly smaller remnant is being saved in every generation.

Those from whom we were separated in the past left us.  Such is the way it always works with divisions.  The few made faithful in every generation are not removed as the Lord takes the others away.    Christ and His Christ never leaves or forsakes the faithful.  Those who left us were not of us, as John explains.

1Jn 2:19  They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. 

These seasons of separation are the same as being cut off and hated by their brethren and are prophecies every man fulfills.  We do not despise anyone over these things because it is 100% the Lord who tells us these things shall come.  While we may feel alone, we are not alone, as the Spirit of Christ is with us even while we live out the times of separation.

Joh 16:32  Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

The heresies among the brethren are all preordained by the Lord to advance those being made faithful into the kingdom.  The Lord comes to a few, and with His coming, division is the result.

1Co 11:19  For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. 

The loss of brethren along the way is one of many things we are losing as the Lord is making all things new in our lives.

Mat 19:29  And every one that hath forsaken houses,or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

The Lord’s flock experiences separation from who Paul labels as false brethren [Gal 2:4, 2Co 11:26] along the journey.  The experience is nothing new, as it’s also foretold in the shadows of the Old Testament when referring to the mixed multitudes that accompany Israel on its journey out of Egypt and even out of Babylon.  This applies within us, but also applies “without”,  meaning with former brethren.

Exo 12:38  [leaving Egypt] And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle. 

Neh 13:3  [leaving Babylon] Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude. 

These experiences are difficult yet integral to becoming mature in the faith.  Not all who claim to be of Israel are of Israel, and many remain of the synagogue of satan despite professing Christ.  Nonetheless, we are admonished always to keep watch and spot the deceivers sooner rather than later.

Act 20:29  For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 

Act 20:30  Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 

Act 20:31  Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. 

Some brethren have been led astray by those seeking a following and have rejected the true ones of the Lord.  These become pivotal events, spiritual earthquakes and experiences on our journey, as the weight of the Scriptures illustrates. The scattering and eventual regathering is the Lord’s plan for the chosen sheep.

Eze 34:12  As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.

Carnal minds turn against the truth and “the Christ” who speaks it, and thus the scattering of the sheep is a result.  The example of Christ’s crucifixion foreshadows our death to the flesh and being cut off in our appointed time.

 Mat 26:31  Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. 

The Regathering:

The scattered disciples eventually came back together, and so do we in due season.  The theme of the few chosen dwelling together is found throughout the Scriptures. David explains here using spiritual symbols.

Psa 133:1  A Song of degrees of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

Psa 133:2  It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;

Psa 133:3  As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.

The oil on Aaron’s head and beard covering his garments is a symbol of the Spirit of Christ that is among and surrounds the brethren.  This life force protects us and helps keep us on the path to righteousness.  Dew likewise is a symbol for a covering of the Spirit.  Spiritual dew is a moisture that nurtures and sustains the otherwise dry land.  Dew is a symbol of this blessing, bringing eternal life.  The benefits of dwelling in unity are paramount, as the words of the Lord in which we live and abide bring the blessing.

Deu 32:1  Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.

Deu 32:2  My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass:

Those abiding in the fire that is the Lord’s Word are those being saved in this age.  The everlasting burnings are making all things new as death [Rom 8:6, the carnal mind] is being destroyed.  As we experience the second death, we are being resurrected in the “first resurrection” and delivered from our sins.   This resurrection and deliverance from sin [death] comes as we abide in this living fire found in the midst of and the mouth of the Lord’s people.

Jer 5:14  Wherefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them.

The life and journeys of Paul, John, and even Elijah show the pattern and cycle of being rejected by brethren and isolated, and then coming together with a little flock.  This is the way of Christ and the example the Lord gives.  John was exiled on the isle of Patmos by his brethren [Rev 1:9], yet later was sent messengers of the Lord to assist in the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Rev 22:8  And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.

Rev 22:9  Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.

Paul was forsaken by all in Asia (all the churches he started), yet there is always a remnant remaining.  So it is for all of us in our time.

2Ti 1:15  This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.

2Ti 1:16  The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:

Elijah’s experience is our experience and connects our isolation to the promise that we are not alone and remain part of a small yet living remnant.

Rom 11:5  Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

This tiny remnant having the Spirit of Christ is regathered in time, having one mind and one spirit with Him.  We are now becoming fellow citizens with our brethren, abiding together using various means of engagement.   We are to be strangers and foreigners in this world, but NOT so with the household of God.  Our being alone serves its purpose, yet now we grow together.

Eph 2:19  Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

Eph 2:20  And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

Eph 2:21  In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

Eph 2:22  In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

We grow together because, as we shall see below, having an object for our love and service in the kingdom is essential to perfecting us and finishing the race.  The greater works are not for ourselves, nor all in the next age, when all mankind is coming to know the Lord.  Our oneness with the Body is a spiritual phenomenon existing regardless of location, time, and distance.  The Spirit connects us with all in the household of faith, whether we know of them are not.

1Co 5:3  For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,

1Co 5:4  In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Face-to-face gatherings are a blessing if the Lord avails of those opportunities.  Yet the Lord is not limited by physical separation and has given our generation the technology and means of fellowshipping remotely.   To become of one mind, the Body [The Christ, The Church, the Son] needs to be closely connected.  We are commanded to kiss the Son, meaning to be intimate with His Word, which has us loving one another, lest we perish from the narrow way.

Psa 2:12  Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

The living Word lives inside of the Lord’s people, also known as His Christ.  It is through our words and works that He is seen by others.  We need to be intimate [spiritually kissing] with the body of believers as we are able.  This is not a literal kiss, but it is a commandment to not forsake the assembling of ourselves with one another.  Paul and Peter likewise encourage the gathering and intimacy of the Lord’s people.

Rom 16:16  Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.

1Pe 5:14  Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity.

Sitting in our spiritual cave, we are not greeting much less kissing one another.  The pattern of the early church is our example to follow today, where and when possible.

Act 2:46  And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

Dwelling together in unity is an example of marriage that describes the relationship in the spirit of being one with one another.  The Body of Christ is also the bride of Christ and is married to their husband, the Lord Jesus Christ.    The Body is one flesh, meaning it is all connected, being married and being both the wife and the husband to each other, spiritually speaking.

Eph 5:31  For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

Eph 5:32  This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

The little flock of the Lord, His Sheep, are given to one another to be the wife of Jesus Christ within us.  This is our helper who is bringing nurturing, comfort, and love to us as we make this difficult journey to salvation.

Gen 2:18  And the LORD God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.”

Separated from our spiritual wife and without her help, our progress towards salvation is greatly hindered.  In this season, we are readily devoured by the beasts (within and without) that occupy the carnal world.

Eze 34:5  And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered.

Our connections and fellowship cannot always be face-to-face, although we are encouraged to do so.  Our connection is primarily spiritual, as the living word connects us all as we share this common salvation experience.  We reap the down payment reward of this now, having fellowship with the little flock the Lord puts into our path.  We reap the fullness of this connection with all the saints from all generations in the age to come.  This spiritual gathering place is called many things, including a city, a mountain, the holy hill, the temple, the tabernacle, the remnant and is also known as heavenly or spiritual Jerusalem.

Heb 12:22  But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,

Heb 12:23  To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

The true church of the Lord and His Christ is gathered here.  In searching the Scriptures, I was amazed to see with greater clarity just how essential it is for us to be connected to the Living Christ, who is gathered together in every generation.   It is this assembly of Christ, the midst of the church of the living God, where the Lord’s promises of deliverance and healing to the brethren are accomplished.

Heb 2:11  For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one [body, assembly]: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

Heb 2:12  Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.

Our sanctification is the will of God taking place as we abide in the living Christ’s body, comprised of those being made into saints.

1Co 1:2  Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

It is in this spiritual location where the Lord is born within us and raises us up and is giving us His mind.  We are delivered on Mt. Zion, which is the same as the Holy Mountain, the Holy City,  Spiritual Jerusalem, and even the City of David in Old Testament types.

Rom 11:26  And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

Rev 14:1  And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads

The Lord brings us into His spiritual city at the appointed time.  Here those in the faith are gathered, being of one Spirit, and here we are nurtured and thus grow unto the mature man.  Zion symbolizes that holy city and the place where the saints who are the chosen few and are His body are gathered.

Jer 3:14  Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:

Jer 3:15  And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

What happens in/on Mt. Zion is the overcoming as the heathen submit to Christ throughout the earth, which earth we are.

Psa 2:6  Yet have I set my king [you, me, the Christ] upon my holy hill of Zion.

Psa 2:7  I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

Psa 2:8  Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

The congregation of believers, the little flock of the Lord, is Mt. Zion wherein Christ dwells with His people.

Psa 74:2  Remember thy congregation, which thou hast purchased of old; the rod of thine inheritance, which thou hast redeemed; this mount Zion, wherein thou hast dwelt. 

Those given to enter in and abide in the Lord’s tabernacle that is with His people are those who walk upright, do righteousness (obey), and speak truth.

Psa 15:1  A Psalm of David. LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? [Zion is also the tabernacle]

Psa 15:2  He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.

The Lord speaks of things that are not as if they already were [Rom 4:17].  We have not completed the journey until we shed these bodies of flesh and are given new bodies with the fullness of the Spirit.  Yet abiding in the mountain or city of God hastens our progress in making the new earth and heaven within.

The Temple of the Lord

The Lord’s chosen people are now the temple of God [2Co 6:6].  Yet still in our clay vessels, this temple is a temporary version of what is also known as a tabernacle.  Here we commune inwardly and are fed by the Word of God, being led by the Spirit of Christ, waiting for the fullness of the Spirit to come.   Our earthly tabernacle is replaced with a spirit body, a heavenly tabernacle in the age to come.

2Co 5:1  For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

Every one of us is the tabernacle of God individually, yet we are also corporately or collectively the tabernacle of the Lord.  The sum of all of Israel comprises the temple of the living God.  The temples made by man’s hands are torn down and rebuilt by the Living Word that is Jesus Christ.    Scriptures that speak of the dwelling place of the Lord apply to us both individually as well as corporately across the entire Body.   Together or corporately, we are the living stones that comprise the spiritual house of God.

1Pe 2:5  Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

Collectively or corporately we are the husband of the Christ [and also the bride] and are His building.

1Co 3:9  For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. 

The sojourning of Israel in search of the promised land (salvation) in the OT shadows has them gathering in what was often called the tabernacle of the congregation.  The tabernacle was separated from the camp of Israel (think all mankind who eventually is saved and becomes the Israel of God).  It is in this set-apart tabernacle of the congregation where the Lord is found and speaks to His people.

Exo 33:7  And Moses took the tabernacle, and pitched it without the camp, afar off from the camp, and called it the Tabernacle of the congregation. And it came to pass, that every one which sought the LORD went out unto the tabernacle of the congregation, which was without the camp.

This deep truth has not changed.  The Lord still communes with His people in His tabernacle that we are individually and corporately connected with.

Rev 21:3  And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

In part 2 of this study, a search of the Scriptures regarding the ministry of Jesus Christ is reviewed.  The importance of gathering together to perform the ministry to the Lord’s Christ and work the Lord’s greater works is clear.

Part 2 – The Ministry of the Lord’s Christ

Those who are in Christ are the very tabernacle in which He dwells, and we have become the ministers of the tabernacle and the inner sanctuary or court.  The elect of God, the sons of Aaron in type, are the ministers to the Lord’s Christ, doing the greater works.  All these things were written for the admonition of the saints who are now regathered as one as the tabernacle of the congregation.  Our lives become living sacrifices which keep the fire of God’s word ablaze in the congregation and that minister to the children of Israel.

Exo 29:42  This shall be a continual burnt offering throughout your generations at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD: where I will meet you, to speak there unto thee.

Exo 29:43  And there I will meet with the children of Israel, and the tabernacle shall be sanctified by my glory.

Exo 29:44  And I will sanctify the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar: I will sanctify also both Aaron and his sons, to minister to me in the priest’s office.

The ministry is to Christ, meaning to His Christ, the very body and tabernacle in which He dwells.  Not assembling when given the opportunity is harmful, as we neither perform our ministry as commanded nor receive the healing it delivers.  The saints need each other as the elect of God. Our only inheritance is the Body of Christ.  We have been called out and chosen to perform the works of the Lord in His temple or tabernacle.

Jos 13:14  Only unto the tribe of Levi he gave none inheritance; the sacrifices of the LORD God of Israel made by fire are their inheritance, as he said unto them.

The self-sacrifice we are making for one another (The Christ) is made by the fire that is the Word of God.  We endure many tribulations and suffer in the flesh, and are made willing to continue in the faith.  Our only inheritance is in the Lord and in His Christ, which is the congregation of His people.

Eph 1:18  The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

Eph 1:19  And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

It is by being  “in Christ”, including abiding in His Christ, that the power of God works its work to perfect us.  We have been purchased by the Lord and now offer our sacrifices in His sanctuary, which is the congregation. We must be in the sanctuary, as that is the place of our service ministry to the Lord.

Eze 44:27  And in the day that he goeth into the sanctuary, unto the inner court, to minister in the sanctuary, he shall offer his sin offering, saith the Lord GOD.

Eze 44:28  And it shall be unto them for an inheritance: I am their inheritance: and ye shall give them no possession in Israel: I am their possession.

Our inheritance is one another.  This body of Christ is the object of our ministry and where we are being fed and lifted up [overcome] on this mountain.

Psa 28:8  The LORD is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed.

Psa 28:9  Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance: feed them also, and lift them up for ever.

 We are doing the many greater works of Christ now, even in down payment form, as the Lord’s priests and ministers.  A far greater volume of work lies ahead in the age to come when the Lord regathers all mankind to Himself.  A time comes when all mankind is led to seek out the mountain [Mt. Zion] that is the Lord’s sanctuary.  Isaiah and Micah provide a double witness to the Lord’s plan, bringing all men together on His Holy mountain.

Isa 2:2  And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.

Isa 2:3  And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 

The law of God (His commandments, His Words) is being taught on this mountain and in this spiritual city.  It is here that our conversion into the mature man of Christ is taking place as we are ministered to and do minister to others.

Those made faithful are the Lord’s priests who stand before the Lord in the inner sanctuary and minister to Him as He lives and abides in His Body.  Doing it for the least of men is doing it for the Lord.

Mat 25:40  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.

Ezekiel’s vision of the Lord’s final temple has some fascinating Scriptures revealing this deep truth.   When we minister to others of like faith, we are doing it unto Jesus Christ the Lord.

Eze 44:15  But the priests the Levites, the sons of Zadok, that kept the charge of my sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray from me, they shall come near to me to minister unto me, and they shall stand before me to offer unto me the fat and the blood, saith the Lord GOD:

Eze 44:16  They shall enter into my sanctuary, and they shall come near to my table, to minister unto me, and they shall keep my charge.

The Lord is building His House on the timetable He has already declared.  The Lord’s house is also known as a sanctuary where the chosen of Israel gather and actively perform the ministry of Jesus Christ.    It is our high priest, Christ in us, doing the work, yet we are His instruments.  The ministry of the saints includes many varied roles and is needed to perfect the saints and bring all to maturity.

Eph 4:11  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

Eph 4:12  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Everyone in the congregation has a part to play in performing the ministry to Jesus Christ. We have been anointed for this role and are performing it now in all the generations of Israel.

Exo 30:30  And thou shalt anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister unto me in the priest’s office.

Exo 30:31  And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, This shall be an holy anointing oil unto me throughout your generations

This is the high calling of the Lord that we are made to embrace in time.    Being led by the Spirit of Christ, we have become ministering spirits and are a flame of fire as a result of the Word we hold, speak, and live.

Heb 1:7  And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.

Christ set the example for us to follow in serving others as a minister.  The greatest among us are those who serve and sacrifice their desires and lives.

Mat 20:26  But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;

Mat 20:27  And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:

Mat 20:28  Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Abiding alone, separate, and disconnected from the true brethren, we are greatly hindered from becoming active ministers and from receiving the needed ministry from others.  Our spiritual health is greatly improved by abiding in the living household of God and being ministered to by our fellow brethren.  This is the dwelling place of our healing and where we, the tiny remnant of Israel, are being delivered from our sins.

Oba 1:17  But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.

Joe 2:32  And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call

Sickness and Health

None of the chosen sheep of Israel remains lost, where we are spiritually sick and unhealthy.  All the sheep are found and brought back into the fold and made healthy in due time.  The Lord gathers His Church together in one Spirit and brings us together to His holy mountain.  Here we are fed and nourished back to health by the living waters of His Word on the holy mountain that is the assembly.

Eze 34:13  And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country.

The Lord makes us willing to gather when we are awakened to the desolation within our spiritual house and see the need for the living Christ, who is our physician.   When our eyes are opened, we are seeking out the help we need.

Luk 5:31  And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.

Another view of our healing considers the symbol of God’s people as trees.   Trees produce leaves and fruits from their branches, and this becomes the sustenance for the saints.  The Son (sun), water (word), and being planted in good soil in the city of God bring forth a beautiful forest.  Abiding in the city of the living God is where we are being fed spiritual nourishment and where we grow to maturity.

Ezk 47:12  And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.

These trees are sustained by the river of life [the Spirit of God] that flows out from the hearts and minds of the church.  Our spirits are fed and healed from the leaves and fruits of these trees, which are the ministering works of the saints.   It is here, in the city of the Living God, where the Father and Christ abide, sitting on the thrones inside their temple, which temple we are individually and also corporately.

Rev 22:1  And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

Rev 22:2  In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the [inward] nations.

We learn from nature that fruit trees produce better fruit and remain healthier and protected when planted in groups [even an orchard] versus being left alone.  It works the same in the spirit [Rom 1:20], as the “cross-pollination” with other believers of like mind is essential for new growth, ongoing sustenance, and overall spiritual health.

A final symbol of the same consistent truth on how we are nurtured and sustained is to consider the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31.  The bride of Christ is the woman given to help her husband, the Lord’s Christ.  This woman does takes care of her husband and her household by performing many good works.  The elect of God who gather in fellowship is this woman.   Our spiritual growth and health very much depend upon our being nurtured, fed, and clothed by this spiritual woman, which is the church.  Some selected verses from Proverbs 31 show the many good works.

Pro 31:22  She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

Pro 31:23  Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

Pro 31:24  She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

Pro 31:25  Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

Pro 31:26  She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

Pro 31:27  She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

Pro 31:28  Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

The works we are performing are not of us, it is all “Christ in us”.  The praise and thanks we give is not to the flesh of any saint but are always to the Lord.

Jesus Christ, who abides inside all of us, is our High Priest and the minister of the true spiritual tabernacle the Lord creates.  All of us, through Christ, comprise this woman, and as His ministers, and all have something to offer in the ministering of the saints.

Heb 8:3  For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man [Christ in you] have somewhat also to offer.

Understanding this mystery makes it much more emphatic that we do not forsake the assembling when the Lord opens the door for us into His Holy Temple, which is also all of these symbols we have reviewed.  When we forsake the assembling, we are suffering, and our progress towards the kingdom of God is going to be significantly hindered.  We learned this firsthand from our long season of isolation with many groanings and stumbles.  Considering the needs of others versus ourselves is the mindset of Christ that we adopt and which provokes love and many good works.  Christ commands us to love one another as the new commandment, which requires some assembly and connection to one another.  These verses have come to life with much greater meaning and impact.

Heb 10:24  And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

Heb 10:25  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching

That day, the day of the Lord and the revelation of Jesus Christ within us is fast approaching.  Not obeying these commands, we bring judgment upon ourselves, and this keeps us spiritually sick and weak.  Absent the light of Christ and the fire of His Word, we weaken, and some fall back asleep into the world.  Not discerning the Body of Christ, we are bringing damnation upon ourselves and suffering.

1Co 11:28  But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

1Co 11:29  For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 

1Co 11:30  For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

The Lord has a plan to prosper us by regathering us at the appointed time.    Where two or more are gathered, there He is, the living word, in the midst, doing His work in us through one another.

Mal 3:16  Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.

The escaped remnant that the Lord is saving is planted on His holy mountain of Zion.  Tightly knit with our brethren, we begin to bear much fruit as our spiritual sickness and weaknesses are being healed by the ministry of the saints and the Word.

Isa 37:31  And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward:

Isa 37:32  [Septuagint] For from Jerusalem will go forth the remnant that will survive, and those who are being saved from the mountain of Zion. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this

In due time, all our brethren return to our mighty God on this mountain.

In Part 3, we will examine the many commandments regarding our gathering together and what is expected of us in the household of God.

Part 3 – Dwelling Together In Unity

The need and reasons for brethren to dwell together have been well established.  Yet the weight of the Scriptures on this topic is even more impressive when we consider the litany of commandments for how we are to behave in the household of God.  Let’s explore this topic further in the Scriptures that show us how to act in the household of God.

1Ti 3:14  These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:

1Ti 3:15  But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

Eating together, growing together, helping others, teaching one another, forgiving, confessing, correcting, comforting, edifying, praying, healing, and washing each other’s feet in spirit are just some of the actions we have been commanded to perform.   We will look at the actions most often witnessed in the Scriptures, establishing the theme of our spiritual well-being.  Our being connected and active with the living Christ is essential to being delivered of our sins.  The old man dying is done when we are abiding in the light that is the living and active Word of God, Jesus Christ our Lord.

1Jn 1:7  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

The light of Christ is the light unto this world, which light we have now become His witnesses.  The light given to us must not be hidden but must be seen, especially by our brethren who occupy the household of God.

Mat 5:14  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

Mat 5:15  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.

Mat 5:16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Being inactive and separated from our brethren, we are not fulfilling these commandments.  Lord willing, our seasons of being slothful and not actively putting our gifts to work are being shortened.  Without abiding in this light, we struggle to stay on the narrow path.

Psa 119:105  Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

We are His chosen disciples, and the Lord has brought us together where we are taught and commanded as unworthy servants.  Some of our roles for Christ include being His ministers and priests through whom the greater works are getting done.  All we have been given is to be put to use without charge or expectation of any gain.    Christ sends us His disciples with spiritual healing as the primary mission.

Mat 10:8  Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

As our Lord was sent by His Father, so He is sending us also [Joh 20:21].  Our mission is the same.  We are sent to do things for and with one another.

Luk 4:18  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,

The people of God are no longer wired to think and act like the world.  We have been redeemed and are being purified and made zealous to perform these good works.

Tit 2:14  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works

Disciples of Christ are sent to do these good works that serve the Lord’s mission to save the lost house of Israel.  This household of God is our like-minded brethren.  After our conversion, it is the mark of a true Christian to be focused on strengthening the brethren, which is the church.

Luk 22:32  But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

Whatever our spiritual gifts we have, they are not to be buried in the earth.  We are commanded to use them as able ministers of the New Covenant, and this requires them to be shared in fellowship with others in the faith.

1Pe 4:10  As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God

Act 11:26  And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

As the ministers and priests of the Lord, we perform some key functions with one another that make us healthy, wealthy, and wise unto salvation.

The Washing of Feet

Symbolically, we are to be washing one another’s feet to stay the course on our long journey to the very end.  We have already been washed because we know the truth.  However, this washing of feet is essential for us to make corrections and stay on the narrow course.  We are not greater than our Master, who washed our feet and commands us to do unto one another and be happy to do it.

 Joh 13:14  If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.

Joh 13:15  For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

Joh 13:16  Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.

Joh 13:17  If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

When we are disconnected from the living Christ, we neither receive this washing nor are we giving it as the Lord commands.  Struggles will ensue when we are isolated or cut off and do not have our feet washed.

Feeding the Flock

The Lord uses different metaphors or similitudes to say the same thing.   Becoming helpers of each other’s joy, everyone in the faith is to contribute to feeding the flock of God.   This is not about physical food but has everything to do with nurturing one another by speaking and preaching the Word of God.  The word is judging us in our day of the Lord, and this is how salvation is wrought from within.

The Lord told Peter three times to feed His sheep, which are the people of God gathered in fellowship.  If we love Christ we are feeding the sheep.

Joh 21:17  He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

One cannot be content with feeding oneself.  Christ has given each of us gifts that are to be used to advance the kingdom.  Failure to feed the sheep brings rebuke from the Lord, who commands us to feed the brethren.

Ezk 34:2  Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?

Christ has purchased us with His own blood and by His Spirit has made us overseers of His church, so we can feed the church.  This is our duty, a clear commandment we are given to obey and not for any fleshly gain.

Act 20:28  Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

1Pe 5:2  Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

The saints are not all given the same gifts or talents.  However, each of us has something important to contribute to the household of God. We are gathered together for a reason and a purpose, and we should seek wisdom on how we can best serve the Lord.

1Co 12:4  Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

Unique parts of a living body perform different functions, and so it is with the Lord’s Body and His fellowships.  Everyone has something to contribute.  This can be one sharing their thoughts about what others speak [interpreting] or adding supporting Scriptures.  Paul gives us an idea of the variety of possible contributions that collectively feed the flock of God.  Anything that edifies is food for our souls.

1Co 14:26  How is it then, brethren? When ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

The more excellent contribution all of us are commanded to perform is to love one another as Christ loves us.  We should covet the gifts of the Lord and not squander what He gives us.  Yet Paul wrote about an even more excellent way, that is love.

1Co 12:31  But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

A recent article focused on love and made the case that love or charity [agape] is truly the greatest of all.  The other gifts all rank below the manifestation of godly love in our walk.

1Co 13:2  And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing.

Loving God is loving the brethren, the Body of Christ, and the fulfillment of the new commandment the Lord gave us.  This is how we become a walking example of Christ, not only hearing but doing the Word.   Even the silent witness of a brother or sister walking in love, obeying the Lord,  can prick the hearts of others who may need help in an area, and thus the needed washing of our feet is accomplished.

A brief example:  There have been times when my struggles with impatience and harshness have had a light shined upon them when a brother has acted gently, meekly, and patiently in their ministering.  It was a witness for my benefit to bring to mind the command and show me the way.

2Ti 2:24  And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

When one sees a brother or sister who is gentle and patient, one sees Jesus Christ in operation. Someone like me, who struggles to be gentle and humble, is helped and edified by the contribution.  So do not think you do not have a gift. We are all called to bring forth the greatest gift, which is doing Christ.  This is how we love one another, which washes the brethren’s feet and feeds them the good Word.   May this become clear to everyone.

Partaking of Communion

The Lord has put together what He has purposed into a body of believers, all connected in the same Spirit.   The partaking of communion is to be done when the saints are gathered, as the last supper between Christ and His disciples establishes.  Paul spoke of communion as our coming together to eat. The Word is our spiritual sustenance, we eat and that fuels our walk.

We are to partake of this bread and cup of wine as often as we can, dividing it among ourselves.

1Co 10:16  The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

1Co 10:17  For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

The words of Christ are the bread of our new life, and drinking the wine is our experience with the fiery trials and tribulations.  We share these trials communally as they are for the sake of the Body.

Col 1:24  Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:

We are commanded to tarry for one another as we partake of this communion, as we are not all in the same spot of maturity and understanding.  This is teaching us to put the needs of others above ourselves.   Being a living sacrifice means we live for something greater than ourselves.  That object is the flock of God.

Rom 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Let us review some of what the Apostles memorialized as the roles and actions the saints perform when gathered together.   A great many things are getting done when we are gathered and doing them for “one another”.  All of these can be summed up broadly as the acts of godly love.

Praying for one another:

We can suffer from many spiritual and physical ailments.  We are called to stand in the gap for one another and petition the Lord.  We need the fervent prayers of those in the household of faith.

1Ti 2:1  I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

Jas 5:15  And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

Jas 5:16  Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

 Serving one another:

The new commandment the Lord gave us was to simply love one another as He has loved us.  This is how we are to serve the brethren in all things.  This is our reasonable service to one another, which are the works confirming our faith is genuine.

Gal 5:13  For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

Rom 12:10  Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

Rom 12:11  Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 

Rom 12:12  Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

Rom 12:13  Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

These loving acts are not being done if we remain isolated and forsake opportunities to come together with brethren.

Edifying one another: 

A principle of Christ is that it is more blessed to give than to receive.  The gifts we are given are to be put to use, meaning they are to be poured out for the sake of the Lord’s church.  Our mission is to the Israel of God.

1Co 14:12  Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

All the things we do when gathered together are to be for the edification of the church.  There are many ways we can give such edification.

1Co 14:26  How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying

Forbearing one another: 

Humbling ourselves results from practice as we submit ourselves to others in service.  This is walking worthy of our calling.

Eph 4:1  I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

Eph 4:2  With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 

Bearing one another’s burdens – Comforting:

We are helping one another, and we do this by sharing in the burdens the Lord is putting on the brethren.  This can also be described as comforting.

Gal 6:2  Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

1Th_5:11  Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

The God of comfort works through His Body, the congregation of the saints to comfort one another in the same way we have been comforted in our individual tribulation.  It is exciting to see just how closely knit those who share the bread and cup of Christ are to be engaged.

2Co 1:3  Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

2Co 1:4  Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

Teaching and Admonishing:

Teaching one another is how we get spiritual cross-pollination and as a result, bear better and greater amounts of fruits of the Spirit.  Teaching is done not just through studies but by our actions and deeds.

 Col 3:16  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Rom 15:14  And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

Forgiving one another:

As flesh, we are making mistakes, missing the mark as we grow together.  The Lord will bring conflicts at times, so we, in turn, are being taught to forgive just as He has forgiven us.

Col 3:13  Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

Eph 4:32  And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

Encouraging/Exhorting one another

Without the support and encouragement of others, we are more apt to give in to the carnal world and its lusts rather than continue the fight of faith.

Heb 3:13  But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

Jud 1:3  Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

Correcting one another: 

Disconnected and not actively engaged, we are not exhorting one another if there is no communication.  We are all watchmen for the Lord, and when we see the enemy (carnal thinking, sin, etc), we are to warn and help a brother or sister to make corrections.

2Ti 4:2  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

Jas 5:19  Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;

Jas 5:20  Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

These are instructions for the faithful to abide in eternal life. These actions and spiritual works we just reviewed [and a few we did not cover] are not recommendations.  These instructions are commandments and are the words of the Lord as He inspired them to be written and preserved for us.  We should treat them as if they were red-letter words, as there is no difference.

1Co 14:37  If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

Admonishments to Come Together

It is through this symbiosis of the church dwelling with one another that our obedience (love) is being perfected.   The Lord is faithful to bring us back together and connect the remnant with His little flock [the Elect lady and her children].

1Jn 4:12  No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

2Jn 1:5 And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.

The commandments to come together do not cancel out the Scriptures that describe the rejection, separation, and season of isolation that we are fulfilling in the appointed time.   The Lord makes this clear by changing the seasons of our lives at the appointed time.  He opens and closes doors and brings us back together if we have been separated.

A lone sheep has no defense against the enemies within and without.  Roaring lions are everywhere to steal our treasure and take us off the narrow path.  By assimilating together, we are much stronger, healthier, and wiser.  All brethren have the duty of being watchmen for the household of God.

Eze 3:17  Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.

We are not to rest or keep silent, but always be at work and serving one another in many ways as commanded.

Isa 62:6  I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence,

Isa 62:7  And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.

It should be obvious now that we cannot perform these duties if we do not fellowship with others in faith.  Performing these actions requires communion and connection with one another.  We must endure to the end to be saved, and the road is very narrow, requiring great diligence and ongoing care and adjustments in our walk.  We need help from one another to make it, as we have learned from our season of isolation.  This truth has never changed.

Pro 27:17  Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

Ecc 4:12  And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

After spending a lengthy season in isolation, we conclude, given the enhanced understanding the Lord has given, that the flock needs to stay together and actively be engaged with one another.  Missing out on this is to miss the healing and the overcoming, the very purpose of our salvation journey.  If we claim to love God, whom we have not seen, we are then to love our brothers and sisters.   Active love is not performed in isolation.

1Jn 4:20  If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

1Jn 4:21  And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

The Lord lives in us individually, yet the consuming fire that is the Lord’s Word burns bigger, brighter, and hotter in the assembly of heavenly Jerusalem.  The fullness of the new Jerusalem is yet to be seen, but we have access to it right now in a down payment form.  The Lord is now speaking to us from heaven, and we should not turn away from His voice and His tabernacle, which is in the midst of His people.

Rev 21:2  And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Rev 21:3  And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

Christ sets the example we are following.  Nobody who sincerely came to Christ is turned away.  We are likewise to receive one another when given those opportunities.

Rom 15:7  Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.

All who the Lord gathers into the Holy City become helpers of the joy of our fellow brethren.  The Lord does not forget our labor of love for His name’s sake, which is our service to the household of God.

Heb 6:10  For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

We look forward to seeing the fruit of the Lord’s purpose in bringing us back together with a remnant of His people. We extend the right hand of fellowship to others whose hearts have been pricked and desire connection to the living Christ.

We thank the Lord for giving us this understanding and a renewed vigor to feed the flock of God.

Grace and peace to all.

 

Pete & Ronel