What Will be Restored
As an introduction to this part of the message I want to get people thinking about what is actually missing or what we have lost as Christians over the years since the first century and even before. In other chapters that I have written I have shared about the foundations of our faith that go back to the life of Abraham who is called the father of our faith. I have shown in other teachings that we need to know what was lost when Adam fell. There were many things that Jesus tried to bring back into the knowledge and experience of those who followed him while he ministered in the earth. He was trying to restore things that had been changed from the original teachings of truth and faith. He got a lot of resistance from the status quo of preachers and teachers like the Saducces and Pharisees. One main reason that the Essenes and other group were out nin the sedesert is there were hirelings and false priests of Herod in the Temple.
Jesus was angry at the scribes and leaders of the Jewish religion because they were adding their own agenda to the scriptures. The people who held on to their false religion didn't recognize who he was and did not accept the Word of reformation that was his mission in that day. We know that Pagan holidays and ceremonies, false doctrines, traditions of men, political, worldly and fleshly practices have crept into the conglomeration that we would call our beliefs over the past centuries. We are also in danger of missing the true message as we prepare for Christ's return. It is still being hidden for the Kingdom remains a mystery to those who continue to serve the flesh and the systems of men. It has been covered over in this day by the hype of those who would sell the glospel or manipulate the teaching of the word of God for their own gain. Just like in the first century, even true believers will not be prepared or understand the timing of the Lord's glorious Kingdom, that is coming upon the earth and revealed in His faithful ones.
I doubt that anyone of the original believers would recognize what we call Christianity today as anywhere near what they experienced 2000 years ago. The disciples would be saddened if not appalled at the practices of most assemblies of "believers". The materialism and superficiality of the modern so called churches is almost frightening. Many who walk with Christ on a deeper level, the other hand, would not be accepted in church meetings or would even be thrown out. They would shake up many meetings with their direct and powerful call to spiritual maturity and Holiness. They would be proclaiming a strict Word of repentance and a life of discipline, simplicity and purity. There are actually a few out there who are bringing this kind of message now, and yes, the results are predictable. They are scorned and rejected for not speaking a smooth message. I can only hope that even if this word is not received now that perhaps some seeds will be planted that will ring in the minds and hearts of the reader in the future when times are different and you see what I said to be truth.
It is amazing that Jesus'/Yahshua's final prayer was for us to become ONE as he and the Father were ONE. That in itself is an apparent impossibility as we are divided into thousands of denominations and sects the world over. Each one is of course feeling that they are the most correct or they have the most knowledge and revelation of truth. I strongly feel that most if not all of what we call Christianity will need to drastically change; to return to the roots or it's first love and simplicity of faith. I know that in the near future it is probable, here in the USA, that it will be against the law to own a Bible or to meet openly as in many third world countries. With the enactment of the Hate Crimes Bills and other legislation there is nothing holding back the opposition from closing down state authorized and mandated churches, either.
This question needs to be considered; "If it becomes against the law to be a Christian, will there be enough evidence to convict you?" Ther won't be a lot of fence sitters or luke wwarm believers soon as the dark gets darker and the light gets brighter. NO more middle ground either you are with Chrisat or against him and his people. This situation actually tends to make the Church stronger. I wrote a message a while back that tried to show that persecution rather than prosperity was a growth factor as far as added strength according to historical records for the Body of Christ. Quality will be much more important than quantity as we now see in the compromised status quo we call churches. The more deep or controversial the message Jesus taught; the less followers, even disciples were there with him; John 6:66.
I have been sharing a warning message for 25 years now. Part of that is that as the problems and afflictions increase we will see a greater number of true seekers turn more completely to the Lord. Greater strength and wisdom will be evident as we go through more accute trials and temptations. "When we go through the fires we will come forth as pure gold." Then we can see what Jesus/Yahshua gave us to regain our place in the Spiritual realm to reclaim our inheritance. The Kingdom of God was one of Christ's main messages but we seldom hear it and it has lost it's significance in our lives. We can hopefully relate when we are reminded that the Gospel of the Kingdom must be preached throughout the whole world before the end of this Age. I would state here that what we have seen preached as the "gospel" in most places is not about the Kingdom of God but men's earthly kingdoms.
According to 1 Corinthians 15 all things will be put under YHWH’s feet before the Kingdom is manifested in the earth. I see this as the retaking of the material realm or having regained DOMINION. Adam originally had this rule over the earth. Yahshua/ Jesus showed that he had authority over the things of nature and the spirit realm and gave that power to his disciples then and now. When the Body of Christ walks in this level of power again it will bring restoration of all the earth to it’s original beauty and order under this corporate authority called Overcomers or Sons of God. We read in Revelation 11 that the kingdoms of this world have become the Kingdoms of our God and of His Christ and he shall reign forever and ever. Yahweh created all things in the beginning and called them good; this must be His proclamation, again. Man will be brought back to his original place and stature that he originally had in the Paradise of God, also called the Third Heaven. This dominion is regained through these elect who have totally done the will of the Father. We all have received power and authority (as well as the atonement) through Christ in us.
The things in heaven (the spirit) as well will be brought back into their proper place as the accuser of the brethren is cast down. Then Christ and these perfected ones set up the Kingdom/Millennium age to rule and reign for a thousand years. Satan and his cohorts are bound for this period while further transformation/purification is attained in the hearts of God’s people. All must become presentable to the Father who will come to dwell in the New Jerusalem at the end of this age; Rev. chapters 20-22. This is what Messiah was saying in his statement; “ I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes unto the Father except by/through me”. The scriptures divide between first fruits and the rest of those who receive this state of glory later perhaps meaning the first century believers and those at the end of the age.
Whether you believe that Yahshua the Messiah of YHWH was God dwelling fully as man or man filled with God, it is clear from the records of the scriptures that he walked in the Spirit. His existence was directed and empowered by our Father in Heaven. If we insert "in the Spirit" for "in heavenly places" it should put different perspective on several passages in the Bible. We hopefully realize that this realm is all around us and even inside of us who have received the regeneration of our inner man. I believe that we have a disconnect with this reality for many reasons the most significant being that we have never been taught that we are to allow the Holy Spirit to transform us into a Holy and pure vessel of honor through obedience to His Word. This is called the salvation/sanctification of our soul which comes after the salvation of our spirit. The law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. We know that the wages of sin is death yet most figure that they can never reach perfection so don't see the ultimate promise of their relationship with Christ who says that he leads us to the Father Who is eternal life.
In Acts 15 we read that the Tabernacle of David will be rebuilt i.e. the experience of worshipping 24-7 in His presence (abiding). Some believe this comes after the Kingdom is established but this has to be accomplished in a greater level before the Lord’s return whether or not it is done completely. It is more a spiritual work than a literal place of worship because we are now the Temple where His Spirit abides. I have learned that all ministry flows first from the presence of Yahweh and this happens through reverence and Holiness. The Father still earnestly desires those who will worship Him in Spirit and Truth. We minister unto the Father first and continually because that is how we are able to keep the first commandment. The rest of the commandments flow from His Divine Love/Nature; The fruit of the Spirit.
Only by being able to know [have intimacy with spiritually ] Him are we able to please Him. He will then write His laws upon our heart. Jesus said that to know the Father is the attainment of eternal life. As we behold Him, He transforms us into His image from glory to glory. Moses' trip up the mountain shows the diligence and seperation from the values and motivations of the world systems that is required. Our daily sacrifice of prayer and worship conforms us to the obedience to Christ. As we abide in Yahweh and His Word abides in us we are renewed/transformed body, soul and spirit.
To be changed into His likeness from glory to glory we must “climb the mountain” of His presence as Moses did. When he came down he had to put a veil over his face because those below couldn't bear to see the glory of YHWH emanating from it. In 2nd Corinthians 3:7-8 we are reminded of this event with a promise for today. But if the ministry of death written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance,which glory was passing away,how will the ministry of the spirit not be more glorious..18 But we all,with unveiled face,beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord,are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory..,by the spirit of the Lord.
He will suddenly come to fill His temple; the Holy habitation, not made with hands. Even now it is being built upon the foundation of Apostles and Prophets in preparation for that glory. Words like appearing or manifestation are used in the same context as coming which puts a different light on Christ’s return. He comes in his people; then for them. The Lord of Hosts must have a holy, sanctified dwelling place to reside. This state of spiritual and physical perfection includes not only the completion in grace of the Saints but the healing of the nations and all of the natural realm. I believe this is the ministry of the Tree of Life in the Garden/Paradise that has fruit and branches in every season. The righteous are trees planted by Rivers of Living Water; Ps.1 and John 14:9-27.
When Nehemiah rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem the message was “speak grace to the walls”. The plumb line was given to measure then as in the future Day of the Lord. Zechariah 7 warns all to repent of disobedience. 9 Execute true justice, Show mercy and compassion, everyone to his brother. 10 do not oppress the widow or the fatherless,the alien or the poor. Let none of you plan evil in his heart. This is the dividing line between the faithful and the disobedient ones. These things concerning the restoration of God’s glory filling the earth and being manifest in the incorruptible body represent the final completion of the temple of the Holy Spirit. We are admonished throughout the Bible to make ourselves clean and prepare for the Lord’s coming. Those who continue to walk in Love and humility, as the temple not made with hands, will be filled with the glory of the Lord. For the Lord is Good and His mercy endures forever is our continual proclamation.