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Sunday, December 2, 2012

Countdown to the End of the World: What Does It Mean to Be Sealed in the Time of the End?

The promise to the Philadelphian church in Revelation 3 is a promise to enter into the experience of the 144000. Just as it was said of the 144000 in Revelation 14, it was promised to Philadelphia that they will have the Father's name in their foreheads; it will be given to them as a reward for overcoming. This overcoming is in reference to the conflict with the powers of evil in the great controversy between Christ and Satan.

There are three reasons why the people of God must be sealed before the Second Coming:

1. They are sealed for protection 2. They are sealed for identification 3. They are sealed for empowerment

The sealing of the people of God as a means of protection is reminiscent of the experience of Israel during the outpouring of the ten plagues on the land of Egypt. You will recall the arrangement that Moses was commanded to put in place in anticipation of the tenth plague. This particular plague was to be in the form of the death of the first born of every household. It was commanded that the blood of a lamb was to be placed upon the door post of every house as a means of protecting them from the destroying angel. So will it be in the time of the end with spiritual Israel.

In anticipation of disastrous events that is to affect the earth, it was commanded that the four angels hold back the winds of strife a little longer so as to facilitate the sealing process. The fact that the saints must be sealed before these events seems to suggest they will be given special protection. The magnitude of the adversities to come will make it necessary for God to adjust His security arrangements for His people on earth; the level of protection must be in proportion to the enormity of the security threat.

What we need to understand is that after the sealing work is finished, the work of salvation will shortly come to an end, then Satan will have entire control over the hearts and minds of sinful men and over the natural elements. Just imagine the confusion and the chaos that will ensue when the enemy is allowed to have such a control. This is the kind of calamity that the angels of God are holding back. Therefore, the level of enmity that the people of God will have to face will be of a completely different dimension from what now obtains. Hence the need for extra protection that is far more than we are now given.

The seal of God is also a sign that identifies the people of God as belonging to Him. Since the completion of the sealing work signifies the beginning of catastrophic events, it would be important that a special ID sign be placed on the people of God that will distinguish them from the sinful inhabitants of the world. In order for the angels to know who they are to protect they must have some kind of token by which they determined this.

On the other hand, there will be a time when everybody will eventually have a seal. While there will be the seal of God, Satan will invent his counterfeit- the mark of the beast. Therefore, it will be important for the protecting angels to differentiate between the saints of God from those who are not.

The ultimate effect of the sealing work is the level of empowerment it will give to the people of God. This power will be given in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the last days. It was said that Christ was sealed by the Father (Jn 6:27). This particular sealing is in reference to the outpouring of the Spirit of God upon Jesus at His baptism when His Father confirmed Him as His beloved Son and Messiah. It was through this power that the Son of God was able to minister to the multitudes by signs and miracles.

It was also said that the early disciples were sealed in a similar manner. This is how the Bible describes their sealing experience:

"Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts" 2Cor. 1:21, 22

"That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom also ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise." Eph. 1:12, 13

The sealing of the apostles and the other disciples took place after the Lord poured out His Spirit at Pentecost. You will notice that the same kind of work that Jesus did were performed by His disciples after the endowment of the gift of the Spirit. Just as it was on the day of Pentecost, so will it be in the time of the end.

Based on the ancient harvest analogy, there will be a former and a latter rain. The purpose of the former rain is to bring the fruit to maturity, while the latter rain ripens it and brings it to perfection. What took place at Pentecost is the former rain, but in the time of the end when the 144000 are sealed, the latter rain will be poured out. It is for this reason that they are said to be without fault before the throne of God (Rev. 14:5). When the people of God are sealed in their foreheads, they will see the fulfillment of the promise of the gift of the Spirit through the prophet Joel (Joel 2).

While the prophecy of Joel applies in a secondary sense to Pentecost, it will have a primary fulfillment in the outpouring of the latter rain showers of the last days. Thus, all the miracles and all the signs that marked the early church after Pentecost will be repeated in greater measure when the end-time church is sealed unto the day of redemption (Eph. 4:30). It is at that time that the people of God will be settled into the truth both intellectually and spiritually so that they cannot be moved.

Why Do Some Choose To Believe In God Without Any Proof? The Presidency Dorothy We're Not in Kansas, Christians We're Not in the OT Abraham's Thoughts While Preparing to Sacrifice Isaac How Can We Walk on Water?

What Happens When Love Transforms

"Most people are slow to champion love because they fear the transformation it brings into their lives. And make no mistake about it: love does take over and transform the schemes and operations of our egos in a very mighty way." ~Aberjhani

The biggest barrier for the many in approaching the truth of life that could otherwise set them free is that it costs. The cost, which is in actuality far outweighed by the benefits, seems too great; it's too much of a compromise to a self-propelled and self-satisfied dignity. It's far too much of a pity to acknowledge that most people will need to be brought to a rock bottom experience before they will accede to love.

A sign of a saved person - who has accepted Christ - is resplendence of the Spirit, manifest by them given over to love. The selfish life has, for the large part, gone. This new creation, this intrinsically loving being, has been cleansed in the Spirit of Love.

TRAVERSING WHAT SEEMS A CAVERNOUS CHASM

When we go from the ego to love, we make a sharp transition that is never easier, but from the ego side of things it is a cavernous chasm - it appears impossible to traverse. The devil likes it this way; he wants not one soul won to love.

So we have two dichotomous concepts: the truth and a lie.

The truth: love is but a decision away. The lie is projected as the impossibility of reaching love. The liar tells us the cost in going to love is far too much. We are convinced it's not worth the ticket to ride. And then we give up our exploration of things so wonderfully serene, it's central to the very meaning and purpose of life. For, without love there is no true reason for living.

But these two far-apart concepts both speak powerfully into our lives.

When we choose the lie - the reasons for which pervade through the world everywhere - our spiritual sight is blinded all the more. The ego is happy, but we, inside ourselves, are not.

When we choose the truth - and rare it is that on the first occasion it presents and we are open to it - we see right for the first time. The ego is summarily crushed. When that occurs, and love has finally found its way into our hearts, without competition from the ego, we see life as an abundant and glittering reality of existence we are truly ever grateful for. The outworking is love; we must love our fellows; we must love God. Suddenly life is very simple. And wonderfully, life makes sense.

***

Love bears too much of a cost for some, because it threatens to redefine their identities. This we can understand. It's important to recognise this fear.

When we overcome our fear of the transformation love will make to our lives, we approach love openly and virtue fuses itself to our hearts. Life is never the same again. This is what occurs when we accept Jesus. The Holy Spirit transforms us.

Love transforms lives. What 'was' isn't any more. When love comes into our lives by the Holy Spirit we're changed, revived from death, renewed to life and life abundant.

There Is a Coming Civil War in the Church - Part II

It is not very difficult to see that numbers of God's children are slaves to various kinds of sin, but it is more difficult to understand that we are often in bondage to a hidden enemy that may be strengthened by the teachings and government of the Church. The enemy I am talking about is so subtle and hidden that even some of our strongest and most insightful leaders are often blind to it.

What we need as never before are true Prophets. The nature of the prophetic ministry is that it must not have any hidden agenda or political ties. The true Prophet must know that he is called to represent the heart of the Lord and His heart only. He must be free from political motivation, financial considerations, and absolutely free from the fear of man. It has taken some time for the present prophetic ministry to begin to be purified enough to do this. Yet even God's most renowned Prophet was subject to the enslaving spirit I am writing about.

If the Prophet Elijah could be affected to such a degree by the power of this spirit, what about you and I? The manifestation of this enslavement leads to confusion, depression, loss of vision and a feeling of deep insignificance.

1 Kings 19:4 4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, "It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!" NKJV

Remember this, Elijah was not a novice. He had won some major battles and had been used by God to begin to break the prevailing religious spirit of his day. Indeed, we will need experienced and deeply insightful prophetic ministry to guide us in this hour. May God grant us to recognize them when He sends them to us.

When Jesus was instructing his disciples about the last days he made a statement that for the moment sounded a bit confusing. Yet today we are able to see clearly what He was stating.

Matt 17:11-12 11 Jesus replied, "To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things.

12 But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, NIV

Restore NT:600 from NT:575 and NT:2525; to reconstitute (in health, home or organization)L (emphasis mine) KJV - restore (again). (Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance

When we look at the context of these words we realize that the Lord is telling His disciples that there is an Elijah anointing that is coming in the last days that will "restore all things." He goes on to say that John the Baptist was a type of Elijah and that the religious people of the day rejected and ultimately killed him.

Matt 17:12-13 but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands." 13 Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist. NIV

While seeking the Lord about the end time Elijah anointing I asked the following question. "Lord, what will the Elijah anointing accomplish?" Here was His reply "the Prophetic anointing will confront and destroy strongholds that will not yield to anything else." Dear one, to reject the Lord's end time Prophets is to condemn ourselves to the enslavement of strongholds. Truly, the worst kind of stronghold is the one that we do not see or recognize. Still, if we find ourselves weary, confused, depressed, or discouraged it is very likely that a stronghold is working very powerfully behind the scenes.

Someone has said that a stronghold is "a mindset impregnated with hopelessness that accepts as unchangeable those things that we know are contrary to God's will." Although that is an excellent definition it needs further insight. The stronghold that is even more destructive and dangerous is the one that we have come to believe is the will of God and is protecting us.

Countless believers find themselves depressed, confused, discouraged and fearful. This will eventually lead to a lack in almost every area of our life, including finances, vision, and hope. Yet they have no idea what is causing or creating these debilitating feelings. This is where the true Prophetic ministry must come in.

Jesus made another profound statement when He said:

Matt 10:41 41 He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward. NKJV

What is the Prophets reward? Part of it is the ability to see, confront and destroy hidden strongholds. When Jesus gave the five-fold ministry to the Church each of the five-fold ministries was to equip the saints for the work the Lord has for them to do. The major role of the Prophet in equipping the saints is to empower them to "see". Many times the seeing must come through "dreams and visions." One of the reasons the Lord uses dreams and visions is so that our religious thinking cannot block His truth.

If you have found yourself discouraged, depressed, confused and a dwindling amount of resources, be prepared to cry out for "the Elijah prophets" with all of your heart. They are God's gift to the Church and they will begin to help us to see again.

Rev 3:18-22 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. (Emphasis mine)

We will begin to uncover and destroy the hidden strongholds in coming articles. Pray for God's prophets to see and speak with unprecedented clarity and power.

God Is The Fountain Of Love

Thus, every aspect of God's character is rooted in love. Out of this love, God created an entire universe just for you. We as human beings are the pinnacles of God's creations - molded in His Spiritual image.

When He placed our first ancestors here, He gave them the entire world. And when they turned from God's love to pursue the desires of their flesh, He ejected them from paradise - but not before He clothed them against the elements.

God turned away from Cain after he murdered his brother, but not before He put a mark on him to warn others against harming him.

In every circumstance, even in the midst of the most heinous crimes, God's character of love finds a way to offer mercy.

Throughout ten successive generations after Cain, the world turned its collective backs on God and descended into the pits of moral depravity. It was a situation that God never intended for His children. But He couldn't change them because it would have violated their free will, and God will not do that.

God wanted His children (just like He does in the present day) to live in a continual love relationship with Him. But, it was a choice that the people were unwilling to make, and it broke the heart of their Maker.

Our Creator loves us and wants to extend His mercy to us - but He cannot pardon anyone who will not change his or her ways. He has to let them fall victim to the consequences of their own actions.

Still, the love in God's heart is so big for His children that He tries to look for any way out - for His sake and theirs. Fortunately for you and me, God found one way in this situation:

But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD... Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God. Gen. 6:8, 9. ESV

God found a way that He could work within His own dictates (God has to work in righteousness, not in sin.) to save the human race through a righteous man who sought after Him.

Noah was 500 years old when God enlisted him in the construction of the ark, and it took Noah 100 years to build. Noah was a paragon of faith and obedience.

And then God delivered on His painful promise to purge the earth of evil and bring back the love...

God saved a place in eternity for all people who make the choice to get into a love relationship with Him. He did so because He found a character of love in the man named Noah. In spite of the moral degradation of the world around him, Noah persisted in standing tall for his God.

He obeyed and acted on God's word and was God's instrument for saving the world.

You too can be a Noah. You can let your heart shine and be a character of love. All God asks from you is to walk in love. And if and when that walk gets difficult, all you have to do is to ask God for the strength to persevere. He will never let you down.

And who knows whom you might save?

Related scripture: Gen. 6:5, 6; Gal. 5:19 - 23; Heb. 11:7.

My Bad Fig Tree

I love figs. My dad used to make the best fig preserves. I always looked forward to going to his house because I was sure there would be toast and fig preserves for breakfast. His preserves were the kind with really big chunks in them - sometimes whole figs. He got his figs from a tree that grew without much tending behind his garage - hidden from view from everything else but with a bountiful crop.

I especially like to pick figs off the tree myself. When we lived in California, we had a wonderful fig tree in our back yard. I dried those figs and they were plentiful - so plentiful that when our son's dachshund got on his hind legs to reach the branches and shake more figs down for himself, I just laughed. There were plenty of figs for all of us.

You can imagine my joy when we bought the house we are in now. There is a beautiful fig tree in our backyard. However, much to my dismay, I have not eaten one fig from that tree. The figs start to form, get hard, and drop to the ground. We have pampered that tree - watering it, fertilizing it, pruning it, clearing out the leaves underneath it - nothing works. I have often commented that I think it is related to the fig tree that Jesus cursed.

What has been so confusing to me is how normal my fig tree looks. There is no difference between the appearance of this tree and the other fig trees that have brought me such joy. My only conclusion is - there must be some problem on the inside. Something inherently bad in that tree produces bad fruit.

Many times Jesus compared us to things in nature that produce fruit such as trees and vines. He made the point that what we produce indicates who we are inside. We are saved by grace and not through any effort of our own. The evidence of grace accepted, however, is fruit produced. Ultimately, only God is the judge of anyone's productivity. He does, however, tell us to be watchful.

Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit... by their fruit you will recognize them (Matthew 7:17-20 NIV).

The End of Suffering's Impact

"Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of the search is a second's encounter with God and with eternity." ~Paulo Coelho, Alchemist

Suffering, it can be argued, is a highly subjective state, and it means so many things to so many people. Suffering, it could be said, is the stimulus of all religion - besides aspects of the divine underpinning religion itself. Certainly within the Christian context the scope for suffering is central to the gospel message.

The Christian is called to suffer well, in living after their Lord.

Perhaps we can view Christian theology in this way: with our eyes fixed on Jesus, the Author and the Perfector of our faith, we live connected to the eternal hope - we are, after all, redeemed. The ultimate Christian dream is eternity.

And yet, we can touch eternity, even momentarily, when we transcend the fear that lies within the suffering, by accepting the opportunities to draw on God's grace to carry us through many trials.

THE VALUE OF A GODLY VISION FOR THE ABUNDANT LIFE

Our dreams we can call visions, and these are nothing strange or weird, because they are simply our creative imaginations melded with the passion of our hearts.

Our passions were always meant to offset our suffering.

In other words, we quell the negative power within our suffering by flushing our spirits through, and immersing our souls in, the powerful positive Presence of the living God-through the Holy Spirit living in us... Salvation is now.

When we explore for our vision for life we become open, more and more, to the capacities of God to speak through us, from our hearts into our minds such that we can become aware.

A vision for life beats the threat of death - the spiritual death of being physically alive whilst being emotionally and spiritually immobilised in our fear-ridden suffering.

Jesus went to the cross in order to defeat the powers of sin and death over us; and because salvation is now, whilst we are saved now and for eternity, salvation living really is a 'now' prospect. It begins and continues through the nurture of a vision for life beyond the fear in our suffering.

***

The end of suffering itself is relative. When we purge ourselves of the fear in our suffering, our suffering takes on a resplendent divine quality, and we begin to become less impacted by it. Suffering well is a capacity that the gospel makes as a specialty.