The necessary responses for each believer regarding spiritual authority are:
1. To understand the biblical principles of spiritual authority and how it operates
2. To express the authority that God has delegated to them in a proper way
3. To honor the authority that God has delegated to others in humility
Five spheres of delegated authority:
1. Self government - Proverbs 16:32
2. The family - Ephesians 5:18-6:4; Colossians 3:18-22
3. The market place - Ephesians 6:5-8; Colossians 3:22-25
4. The civil government - Romans 13:1-7
5. The church - Hebrews 13:17, 24; 1 Timothy 5:17
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Friday, February 3, 2012
The Jesus in Red
1 Who is this who comes from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah, this One who is glorious in His apparel, traveling in the greatness of His strength?-- "I [Jesus] who speak in righteousness, mighty to save."
2 Why is Your apparel red, and Your garments like one who treads in the winepress?
3 "I have trodden the winepress alone, and from the peoples no one was with Me. For I have trodden them in My anger, and trampled them in My fury; their blood is sprinkled upon My garments, and I have stained all My robes.
4 For the day of vengeance is in My heart, and the year of My redeemed has come.
5 I looked, but there was no one to help, and I wondered that there was no one to uphold; therefore My own arm brought salvation for Me; My own fury, it sustained Me.
6 I have trodden the peoples in My anger, made them drunk in My fury, and brought down their strength to the earth." (Isa. 63:1-6)
2 Why is Your apparel red, and Your garments like one who treads in the winepress?
3 "I have trodden the winepress alone, and from the peoples no one was with Me. For I have trodden them in My anger, and trampled them in My fury; their blood is sprinkled upon My garments, and I have stained all My robes.
4 For the day of vengeance is in My heart, and the year of My redeemed has come.
5 I looked, but there was no one to help, and I wondered that there was no one to uphold; therefore My own arm brought salvation for Me; My own fury, it sustained Me.
6 I have trodden the peoples in My anger, made them drunk in My fury, and brought down their strength to the earth." (Isa. 63:1-6)
Friday, July 1, 2011
The Beauty Realm of God
I. THE CHURCH AT THE END OF THE AGE: ENCOUNTERING GOD’S BEAUTY
A. The Spirit is orchestrating a worldwide worship and prayer movement. The revelation of how God delights in us and beautifies us is one of core truths and entry points into this movement. One of the most significant foundations to restore in the Church is the doctrine of God’s beauty and desire. Why? Because it is essential to fueling the End-Time prayer movement which releases God’s glory and power.
4 For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation. (Psalm 149:4)
B. Isaiah prophesied that Jesus’ beauty would be revealed to God’s people in the End-Times (Isaiah 4:2). There is a compelling power in the revelation of beauty. It answers an ache in our soul that was put there by God. We are born with an ache for the realm of beauty. We cannot live healthy without beauty. Beauty is intrinsic to emotional health. It is a vast subject.
2 In that day the Branch of the LORD (Messiah) shall be beautiful and glorious. (Isaiah 4:2)
C. The revelation of God’s beauty is key to living holy and interpreting God’s judgments at the end of the age. We can resist sin much better when our hearts are fascinated. Also, we interpret His judgments as destroying what hinders love
and beauty. When believers live in this reality, there is no contradiction of Jesus as Bridegroom and Judge. It is a different paradigm of judgment.
D. The study of God’s beauty takes time. It will come slowly for all of us. There is a sense in which you may a lot in a short time, yet there is even a greater sense that this is a life long treasure hunt. God’s grace imparts a new resolve and
assurance that we will have more as we start by establishing new paradigms of God’s beauty. The only way forward is long and loving meditation that includes prayer with fasting and a pursuit of 100-fold obedience.
E. The hungry become more hungry because hunger begets hunger. A little depth in God makes us hungry for more. A beginning hunger for God beckons us and thrusts us into more depth in God, which in turn makes us hungry for deeper things in God. Hunger catapults us into more depth.
7 Deep calls unto deep… (Psalm 42:7)
F. The knowledge of God is not neutral information. It is information with power that beckons, catapults and pulls us into greater depths. God’s river is called desire. Hunger for God is painful. The hunger may feel good in the initial stages, but later it is painful as we become so much more aware of what we do not know and how shallow we actually are. The pain of spiritual hunger is God’s gift to us. It assures that we will keep moving forward. “Blessed are those that mourn” (Matthew 5:4).
God gives more based on hunger. You receive salvation based on our need. For years we can feel like we are doing good spiritually. Then, the power of the knowledge of God begins to touch our hearts. We then begin to long for and even ache for what we do not have. Then, the journey is not so enjoyable. We are more spiritually discontent than ever before. We have a vision and resolve in our heart to press on to the know the deep things of God (1 Corinthians 2:10).
A. The Spirit is orchestrating a worldwide worship and prayer movement. The revelation of how God delights in us and beautifies us is one of core truths and entry points into this movement. One of the most significant foundations to restore in the Church is the doctrine of God’s beauty and desire. Why? Because it is essential to fueling the End-Time prayer movement which releases God’s glory and power.
4 For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation. (Psalm 149:4)
B. Isaiah prophesied that Jesus’ beauty would be revealed to God’s people in the End-Times (Isaiah 4:2). There is a compelling power in the revelation of beauty. It answers an ache in our soul that was put there by God. We are born with an ache for the realm of beauty. We cannot live healthy without beauty. Beauty is intrinsic to emotional health. It is a vast subject.
2 In that day the Branch of the LORD (Messiah) shall be beautiful and glorious. (Isaiah 4:2)
C. The revelation of God’s beauty is key to living holy and interpreting God’s judgments at the end of the age. We can resist sin much better when our hearts are fascinated. Also, we interpret His judgments as destroying what hinders love
and beauty. When believers live in this reality, there is no contradiction of Jesus as Bridegroom and Judge. It is a different paradigm of judgment.
D. The study of God’s beauty takes time. It will come slowly for all of us. There is a sense in which you may a lot in a short time, yet there is even a greater sense that this is a life long treasure hunt. God’s grace imparts a new resolve and
assurance that we will have more as we start by establishing new paradigms of God’s beauty. The only way forward is long and loving meditation that includes prayer with fasting and a pursuit of 100-fold obedience.
E. The hungry become more hungry because hunger begets hunger. A little depth in God makes us hungry for more. A beginning hunger for God beckons us and thrusts us into more depth in God, which in turn makes us hungry for deeper things in God. Hunger catapults us into more depth.
7 Deep calls unto deep… (Psalm 42:7)
F. The knowledge of God is not neutral information. It is information with power that beckons, catapults and pulls us into greater depths. God’s river is called desire. Hunger for God is painful. The hunger may feel good in the initial stages, but later it is painful as we become so much more aware of what we do not know and how shallow we actually are. The pain of spiritual hunger is God’s gift to us. It assures that we will keep moving forward. “Blessed are those that mourn” (Matthew 5:4).
God gives more based on hunger. You receive salvation based on our need. For years we can feel like we are doing good spiritually. Then, the power of the knowledge of God begins to touch our hearts. We then begin to long for and even ache for what we do not have. Then, the journey is not so enjoyable. We are more spiritually discontent than ever before. We have a vision and resolve in our heart to press on to the know the deep things of God (1 Corinthians 2:10).
Monday, May 31, 2010
Jesus Second Coming: His Royal Procession
A. When Jesus returns to earth, He will make a royal procession to His throne in Jerusalem. This will involve a 3-stage process which will include many events occurring over a 30 day period.
B. Stage 1: Jesus’ royal procession across the sky to rapture the Church and to be seen by every person on the earth (Mt. 24:30; Rev. 1:7). Every eye will see Jesus as His kingship is proclaimed with authority over each nation. This requires a global procession over every inhabited place.
7 He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him...all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him... (Rev. 1:7)
C. Every unbeliever will see Jesus clearly enough to have a deep emotional response of mourning. He will travel close enough to the earth and slowly enough across the sky for every unbeliever to see Him clearly enough to understand what is happening and to mourn over rejecting Him.
30 The Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds…with power and great glory. (Mt. 24:30)
D. Stage 2: Jesus’ royal procession on the land as He travels or marches through Edom or modern-day Jordan warring against the Antichrist’s armies on His way to Jerusalem (Isa. 63:1-6; Hab. 3:12; Ps. 110:5-6; 45:3-5). He will set foot on the earth (somewhere in the Middle East) and then march through Bozrah in Edom (Jordan) on His way to liberate Jerusalem (Rev. 19:11-21).
12 You marched through the land in indignation; You trampled the nations… (Hab. 3:12)
E. Stage 3: Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem through the Mount of Olives to be crowned king (Ps. 24:7-10; Jer. 3:17; Zech. 14:3-5; Rev. 19:11-21). Jesus will be celebrated as the Son of David in a coronation parade in Jerusalem and will be crowned King (Zech. 6:13; 14:9). The gates of Jerusalem will be opened to receive Jesus as their messianic King (Mt. 23:39).
7 Lift up your heads, O you gates [of Jerusalem]! The King of glory shall come in. 8 Who is this King…? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle [Armageddon]. (Ps. 24:7-8)
F. Jesus will lead a royal procession into Jerusalem as David did when he bought the ark into Jerusalem (2 Sam. 6). David merged the account of his procession into Jerusalem with the ark with a prophecy of Jesus’ procession into Jerusalem at His second coming (Ps. 68:24-33).
24 They have seen Your procession, O God, the procession of my God, my King, into the sanctuary...29 Because of Your Temple at Jerusalem, kings will bring presents to You...till everyone submits himself...scatter the peoples [nations] who delight in war…32 Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth...33 To Him who rides on the heaven of heavens... (Ps. 68:24-33)
G. Jesus' royal procession will begin in the sky at the seventh trumpet (1 Cor. 15:52; Rev. 11:15) with the rapture and will end in Jerusalem. I refer to these events as Jesus’ royal procession because He will come in great glory and flaming fire and trumpet blasts. He comes with billions of angels and saints as He travels on clouds across the earth for all to see the overwhelming power of His kingship (Mt. 16:27; 24:29-31; 25:31; 1 Thes. 3:13; 4:14-16; 2 Thes. 1:8).
B. Stage 1: Jesus’ royal procession across the sky to rapture the Church and to be seen by every person on the earth (Mt. 24:30; Rev. 1:7). Every eye will see Jesus as His kingship is proclaimed with authority over each nation. This requires a global procession over every inhabited place.
7 He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him...all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him... (Rev. 1:7)
C. Every unbeliever will see Jesus clearly enough to have a deep emotional response of mourning. He will travel close enough to the earth and slowly enough across the sky for every unbeliever to see Him clearly enough to understand what is happening and to mourn over rejecting Him.
30 The Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds…with power and great glory. (Mt. 24:30)
D. Stage 2: Jesus’ royal procession on the land as He travels or marches through Edom or modern-day Jordan warring against the Antichrist’s armies on His way to Jerusalem (Isa. 63:1-6; Hab. 3:12; Ps. 110:5-6; 45:3-5). He will set foot on the earth (somewhere in the Middle East) and then march through Bozrah in Edom (Jordan) on His way to liberate Jerusalem (Rev. 19:11-21).
12 You marched through the land in indignation; You trampled the nations… (Hab. 3:12)
E. Stage 3: Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem through the Mount of Olives to be crowned king (Ps. 24:7-10; Jer. 3:17; Zech. 14:3-5; Rev. 19:11-21). Jesus will be celebrated as the Son of David in a coronation parade in Jerusalem and will be crowned King (Zech. 6:13; 14:9). The gates of Jerusalem will be opened to receive Jesus as their messianic King (Mt. 23:39).
7 Lift up your heads, O you gates [of Jerusalem]! The King of glory shall come in. 8 Who is this King…? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle [Armageddon]. (Ps. 24:7-8)
F. Jesus will lead a royal procession into Jerusalem as David did when he bought the ark into Jerusalem (2 Sam. 6). David merged the account of his procession into Jerusalem with the ark with a prophecy of Jesus’ procession into Jerusalem at His second coming (Ps. 68:24-33).
24 They have seen Your procession, O God, the procession of my God, my King, into the sanctuary...29 Because of Your Temple at Jerusalem, kings will bring presents to You...till everyone submits himself...scatter the peoples [nations] who delight in war…32 Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth...33 To Him who rides on the heaven of heavens... (Ps. 68:24-33)
G. Jesus' royal procession will begin in the sky at the seventh trumpet (1 Cor. 15:52; Rev. 11:15) with the rapture and will end in Jerusalem. I refer to these events as Jesus’ royal procession because He will come in great glory and flaming fire and trumpet blasts. He comes with billions of angels and saints as He travels on clouds across the earth for all to see the overwhelming power of His kingship (Mt. 16:27; 24:29-31; 25:31; 1 Thes. 3:13; 4:14-16; 2 Thes. 1:8).
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Understanding End Times
A. The centerpiece of God’s eternal purpose is for Jesus to come back to establish His kingdom over all the earth as He joins the heavenly and earthly realms together. This is the interpretive key to understanding the end times. Without this foundational revelation, confusion is inevitable.
9 Made known to us the mystery of His will…10 that He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth. (Eph. 1:9-10)
B. Heaven speaks of the spiritual realm where God’s power and presence is openly manifest. Heaven is the place believers have gone for the last 2,000 years (the cross to the second coming) before receiving a resurrected body at the second coming to reign on earth (Rev. 5:10).
C. Earth speaks of the physical realm where human process, emotions and physical sensation reach their fullest expression. We see aspects of the natural and the supernatural dimensions operating together when Jesus appeared in His resurrected body to teach the apostles (Jn. 20-21; Acts 1:3).
D. God’s purpose has always been for His people to live together with Him in this way forever.
3 Behold, the Tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them… (Rev. 21:3)
E. There will be 3 types of people when Jesus appears in the sky to rapture the Church.
1) The redeemed who will be raptured during Jesus’ procession across the sky.
2) The reprobate who took the mark of the Beast will be judged and then killed.
3) The resisters are the unsaved survivors of the tribulation who refused to worship the Antichrist called “those who are left” or “who remain.” (Isa. 4:3; 10:20; 11:11; 49:6; 65:8; 66:19; Jer. 31:2; Ezek. 20:38-42; 36:36; Dan. 12:1; Amos 9:9-10; Joel 2:32; Zech. 12:14; 13:8; 14:16).
F. Jesus’ coming will be in context to a military conflict. He will travel through the city of Bozrah in Edom (Jordan) crushing the armies of the Antichrist on His way to liberate Jerusalem in the Battle of Jerusalem which ends the Armageddon Campaign (which lasts for 3½ years).
11 Behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him…in righteousness He judges and makes war…13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood…14 And the armies in heaven…followed Him on white horses. 15 Out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations…He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God…
16 On His robe… is written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. (Rev. 19:11-16)
9 Made known to us the mystery of His will…10 that He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth. (Eph. 1:9-10)
B. Heaven speaks of the spiritual realm where God’s power and presence is openly manifest. Heaven is the place believers have gone for the last 2,000 years (the cross to the second coming) before receiving a resurrected body at the second coming to reign on earth (Rev. 5:10).
C. Earth speaks of the physical realm where human process, emotions and physical sensation reach their fullest expression. We see aspects of the natural and the supernatural dimensions operating together when Jesus appeared in His resurrected body to teach the apostles (Jn. 20-21; Acts 1:3).
D. God’s purpose has always been for His people to live together with Him in this way forever.
3 Behold, the Tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them… (Rev. 21:3)
E. There will be 3 types of people when Jesus appears in the sky to rapture the Church.
1) The redeemed who will be raptured during Jesus’ procession across the sky.
2) The reprobate who took the mark of the Beast will be judged and then killed.
3) The resisters are the unsaved survivors of the tribulation who refused to worship the Antichrist called “those who are left” or “who remain.” (Isa. 4:3; 10:20; 11:11; 49:6; 65:8; 66:19; Jer. 31:2; Ezek. 20:38-42; 36:36; Dan. 12:1; Amos 9:9-10; Joel 2:32; Zech. 12:14; 13:8; 14:16).
F. Jesus’ coming will be in context to a military conflict. He will travel through the city of Bozrah in Edom (Jordan) crushing the armies of the Antichrist on His way to liberate Jerusalem in the Battle of Jerusalem which ends the Armageddon Campaign (which lasts for 3½ years).
11 Behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him…in righteousness He judges and makes war…13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood…14 And the armies in heaven…followed Him on white horses. 15 Out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations…He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God…
16 On His robe… is written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. (Rev. 19:11-16)
Friday, May 21, 2010
What John Saw Overcame Him
2 Behold, a Throne set in heaven, and One sat on the Throne. (Rev. 4:2)
A. Behold! What John saw overcame him. We want to feel what John felt. John was awed at seeing a Throne before him. John’s spirit trembles as he is overloaded.
B. When John says, “Behold” he is seeing the purpose of his existence and the reason for his suffering and struggle. He is face to face with his purpose. It overwhelms him as the reason of his very being is before him. Our purpose is found in understanding the Throne and One sitting upon it. Our reason for being and our very relevance is only seen as we connect with this One.
25 He gives to all life…28 in Him we live and move and have our being… (Acts 17:25-28)
36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things… (Rom. 11:36)
11 "You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created." (Rev. 4:11)
9 Worthy are You to take the book...for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. (Rev. 5:9; NAS)
A. Behold! What John saw overcame him. We want to feel what John felt. John was awed at seeing a Throne before him. John’s spirit trembles as he is overloaded.
B. When John says, “Behold” he is seeing the purpose of his existence and the reason for his suffering and struggle. He is face to face with his purpose. It overwhelms him as the reason of his very being is before him. Our purpose is found in understanding the Throne and One sitting upon it. Our reason for being and our very relevance is only seen as we connect with this One.
25 He gives to all life…28 in Him we live and move and have our being… (Acts 17:25-28)
36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things… (Rom. 11:36)
11 "You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created." (Rev. 4:11)
9 Worthy are You to take the book...for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. (Rev. 5:9; NAS)
Monday, May 3, 2010
The One Who Sat on The Throne
2 Behold, a Throne set in heaven, and One sat on the Throne. (Rev. 4:2)
A. John sees a real Person on the Throne. He is One with fiery emotions and a vast intellect. What happens in our life and heart affects His heart. He cares for us as He sees and remembers our life and struggle. He feels joy or sadness related to our responses to Him. He feels our pain, sees our value, and plans our future blessing, prosperity and happiness. We are not alone. We will live together with Him forever. A real Person desires deep relationship and partnership with us.
B. He is not only omnipotent (all power) but is omniscient (all knowing). He knows everything and possesses perfect wisdom for every situation.
C. The Lord carefully takes notice of His friends as well as His enemies. This aspect of His Personhood is hated by the ungodly, but is pleasing to those who love Him. He is always watching us. We are always on His mind.
13 There is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. (Heb. 4:13)
3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on…evil and the good. (Prov. 15:3)
D. He has total clarity and fullness of insight into every dark secret. The all-seeing eye of God discerns our negative and positive qualities. His eyes see the yes in our spirit when we fail, more clearly than we do. He sees the cry in our heart to obey Him. Our decisions, victories, failures and struggles heart affects His heart. We may feel alone in this age, however, we really are not.
21 The ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD…He ponders all his paths. (Prov. 5:21)
23 All shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts… (Rev. 2:23).
E. He sees when we endure trials instead of giving up. He sees the positive. He rewards every small act of obedience, especially those hidden from the eyes of others (Mt.6:1-6, 16-18). He remembers and rewards (Heb.6:10). Even small acts, such as giving a cup of cold water, do not go unnoticed by the Lord (Mt. 10:42). Our knowledge of His omniscience persuades us against evil, knowing that it is vain to attempt to hide evil from Him.
F. God interprets all knowledge through the cleanness of His heart. A judge may know all the facts about a case. But if he has an unclean heart, he will misinterpret the information. God sees all without any distortion. His vision is clean. There is no exaggeration in what He perceives.
G. This One desires to be known intimately and enjoyed, not only obeyed and honored.
H. There is One who desires meaningful relevant partnership with His inferiors.
I. John saw the realm of life where all are God-centered. How awesome and unified this place is.
A. John sees a real Person on the Throne. He is One with fiery emotions and a vast intellect. What happens in our life and heart affects His heart. He cares for us as He sees and remembers our life and struggle. He feels joy or sadness related to our responses to Him. He feels our pain, sees our value, and plans our future blessing, prosperity and happiness. We are not alone. We will live together with Him forever. A real Person desires deep relationship and partnership with us.
B. He is not only omnipotent (all power) but is omniscient (all knowing). He knows everything and possesses perfect wisdom for every situation.
C. The Lord carefully takes notice of His friends as well as His enemies. This aspect of His Personhood is hated by the ungodly, but is pleasing to those who love Him. He is always watching us. We are always on His mind.
13 There is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. (Heb. 4:13)
3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on…evil and the good. (Prov. 15:3)
D. He has total clarity and fullness of insight into every dark secret. The all-seeing eye of God discerns our negative and positive qualities. His eyes see the yes in our spirit when we fail, more clearly than we do. He sees the cry in our heart to obey Him. Our decisions, victories, failures and struggles heart affects His heart. We may feel alone in this age, however, we really are not.
21 The ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD…He ponders all his paths. (Prov. 5:21)
23 All shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts… (Rev. 2:23).
E. He sees when we endure trials instead of giving up. He sees the positive. He rewards every small act of obedience, especially those hidden from the eyes of others (Mt.6:1-6, 16-18). He remembers and rewards (Heb.6:10). Even small acts, such as giving a cup of cold water, do not go unnoticed by the Lord (Mt. 10:42). Our knowledge of His omniscience persuades us against evil, knowing that it is vain to attempt to hide evil from Him.
F. God interprets all knowledge through the cleanness of His heart. A judge may know all the facts about a case. But if he has an unclean heart, he will misinterpret the information. God sees all without any distortion. His vision is clean. There is no exaggeration in what He perceives.
G. This One desires to be known intimately and enjoyed, not only obeyed and honored.
H. There is One who desires meaningful relevant partnership with His inferiors.
I. John saw the realm of life where all are God-centered. How awesome and unified this place is.
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