Return to HOME page
The
Reconciler
This letter to Archbishop Seraphim has
many truths and should be read by all who profess to follow Jesus Christ.
Therefore, we present it here for you consideration. We do not view this article
in a positive or negative light but as an article which bears consideration.
Date: 02/27/2006
Subject: The journey into life
My beloved one, whom I am one with,
The
beauty of the journey of life is the element of surprise; and given the
current distress and perplexity which the world is experiencing today,
caused by both man and nature, though inspired by the forces that be, which
man is yet ignorant of, it is important that certain mysteries are brought
to light at this time, that the wearied soul may find comfort in
understanding the time and season, and his designed course and ordained
destiny: for the end of the journey and its glory is upon you. And
though man unfortunately only makes time for that which caters to
the comforts of his flesh; yet a great light so shines upon you
this day, restoratively shedding light on all things. Therefore take
a minute out of your burdensome schedule to discern that which is
being revealed to you, that you may understand the real being that you are,
your neighbor, that which inspires your actions, and the journey you are all on.
This is not about religion, which is divisive, being of man; but about the
spirituality known as life: about the Creator that is Life and his
creatures.
First
of all know this, Those things which you are experiencing of the
natural are really not what they seem: for the veil that is flesh,
in its daily living, deprives one from nourishing his true self, which
is spirit: for even that which might seem devastating to the natural is
truly a disguised blessing to the spirit; divinely designed: for it is the
process of the separating of the spirit from matter; awakening you to
the worthlessness of matter. Thus you look, not to the things which can be
seen in the natural, which are temporal; but to the things which can
only be perceived in the spirit, which are eternal, of which you truly are.
And that you might come to the knowledge of the time and season, the book of
Revelation which has remained a mystery unfolds unto your benefit toward the
end of this message: and know that you can only be taught of God, who
reveals all things unto his creatures at their appointed times, that the
scales of the prejudiced mind might fall off his mind's eye.
As
with all souls, you have been on a journey through your life times (six
generations), since the very beginning of time when you were created as an
eternal being, after the similitude of your Creator, in whom is dominion
over all things seen, which you take for granted, and unseen, in which lies
your hope: terrestrial birth to death is a regenerating part of this divine
journey; like that which is planted. Now, you might be getting impatient,
naturally; but keep reading through to the end: for, to the sower, the rain
is always a welcome sight, even the showers of heaven; but, to the reaper,
it might seem like an impediment: yet, at this point in your making, a wise
one shall joyfully receive the latter rain, sent to you from your
Father/Creator in heaven, the light realm, that you may be
enlighteningly nourished: given the mystery that life is, and the journey
you are on.
The
journey unto perfection, as you experience the travail of your making, (exemplified
in the making of the butterfly, from caterpillar to being rebirthed into its glory,) is
laced with afflictive tribulations that might seem to the conscious
mind as a furnace, which make up a refining cycle that all must
experience; yet intertwined with a soothing and undying hope called
Love. The end of the journey is your perfection into the glory of your
maker, after the similitude of the first begotten Model; which perfection is at
hand, as the time is now fulfilled: the cycle is at its end; grace to you:
for Peace, the latter rain, whom you seek, and whom the world esteems not,
is in your midst, incognito: for as it was at the first, so again it is at
the last! May the scales fall off your eyes: for that which man
subconsciously is seeking, which he yet is ignorantly adamant of, is
about to be fulfilled.
Therefore
I implore you that, though this might seem long, yet allow it to take you on
a wonderful explorative journey, as the mystery unfolds to your benefit and
joy. You might suppose that you have better things you would rather be doing at
this moment than to be reading this; but you do not have to finish it now:
save it, and continue later. For, think of the mystery that is Life: for
this journey you have been on, while you yet sojourn in this
refinery called Earth, is laced with mysteries; subjectively frustrating
mysteries encumbered by man, who has ever sought to solve this mystery
that is Life, ignorant of the fact that he is life, and life is him; yet, in his
ignorant ingenuity, has tricked himself confoundedly. The mystery is
hidden behind two olive tree doors (two obscure cherubims of
glory), each having two leaves, which are opened to all that are purposely
drawn of God to seek his wisdom for the benefit of all his creatures:
and this you shall come to understand further down in this revelation, as
you read through it to the end.
Life!
What is life? Is life really what you perceive it to be? What you suppose
you are experiencing? Or is it who you are? Can life actually be seen? Not
unless the human eye can see into the supernatural (unseen) world. You
perceive that you are alive (living) due to certain senses you
have that relay information to the body in which you abide; senses
that, though you cannot observe, yet you believe to be. And you sense that
if you do not cater to your body, it will perish; but what happens to
that life which is you at that point remains a mystery, since the very
being that you are is obviously separate from the body you are
housed in. What then? Are you a living being, or a temporal space occupier?
What
is living, and which part of you is life? Is it the flesh which wakes up in
the morning, puts on its glory, goes to work, feeds its insatiableness,
comes home, goes to sleep, and starts this all over again, until the day it
ceases to exist terrestrially; or is it the spirit that is housed within the
perishable flesh that is the life? Do not be ignorant of this, The flesh, as
with all matter, of which is the flesh, is vanity; and all matter, being
perishable, will perish. If then the flesh perishes, what is its worth? And
what is your purpose for being?
If that
very part of you that is life is spirit; to where does it belong?
Now it is obvious that the flesh at some point ceases to exist; when the
life that is housed within it leaves it, or is set free of it. And if the
life housed within it is able to leave it, then obviously that life has to
go somewhere. And if the life has the ability to exit a body, and exist
outside of it; then that life, which does not perish (cease to exist) with
the body, must have the ability to remain in existence: in which case then
it defies extinction; therefore it then is an eternal being, hence it is
called Life. And if that life (spirit) in question is the real you, then
which part of you should you be more concerned with its well-being: the
flesh, or the spirit?
And
if for some odd reason it becomes obvious that the spirit, which is the
life, the real you, which is an eternal being, happens to be the one more
precious, then what is the essence of being cocooned in your perishable
flesh? What is your purpose for being a human (flesh), and being subject to
death? There is a justifiable reason for it; especially given the
distress and perplexity that one has to endure while in the flesh. You
will notice that I make reference to scriptures throughout this
message, yet those scriptures affirm enlighteningly the very essence of your
being; but do not come under the impression that this message supports
or is limited to any one faith; but to mankind in general: for the very
source of your being cannot be limited to a self-righteous belief; as you
cannot direct the steps of your source of being, but your source of being
does direct your very steps. And by the time you get to the end of this
message you will perceive life in its true perspective.
Thus
it then becomes imperative to understand who you truly are, (to which it is written,
Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which
is in you, which you have of God, and you are not your own being?);
and to discern where you came from; how you came to be; your purpose for
being here; what you are to become; and what lies ahead. For you were
given over to be housed in vanity, through which you are being refined, as
Paul stated in Romans 8: 20; but as you come to the end of your refinement,
transitioning from the imperfect glory of the flesh to the perfect glory
of the Spirit, it is time to awaken to who you really are, and not
remain snared in that which perishes; as you are a more superior being
than the flesh, and gloriously precious.
And though
life, in regard to its perception in the flesh, and the events that define
and navigate each being, has ever been a mystery; and know that
this mystery that is Life is not a problem that is waiting to be
solved: for the equation has been solved, and the program written into
being: thus it is written in Hebrews 4, The works were finished
from the foundation of the world: and in 2nd Timothy 1: 9, Your
salvation was given unto you in grace before the world began; yet
as you come to the end of your refining experience, that which once was a
mystery gradually unfolds, and you come to the full knowledge of all
things. And, in your knowing, know this, Those things which are written
in the scriptures are symbolic of things which are to come: and all
patterns must be fulfilled; hence David's declaration in 1st Chronicles 28:
19, stating, All this the Lord made me understand in writing by his hand
upon me, even all the works of this pattern; and hence Jesus
preached the mystery of the kingdom in parables.
And
regarding the program being written into being, this is your purpose for
being here on earth in human form. For in the beginning, when God
created man in his twain image (Genesis 1: 26 & 27, and 5: 2),
his likeness manifested in male and female, it was for the sole
purpose of refining his body, which he broke down into the various
members that we all are, to perfection; ridding himself of the negative
(adverse) aspect; hence he called their name Adam (discern
Matthew 19: 4-6); that, upon their subsequent reconciliation in
perfection to him, he may become wholly perfect: thus EHEYEY
ASHER EHEYEH: I SHALL BECOME THAT WHICH I HAVE CHOSEN TO BECOME
(Exodus 3).
The
spirit-man that is life, being of the Spirit (Genesis 2: 7), symbolizes
the image and glory of God (hence Exodus 3: I AM has sent me; or,
THE INSPIRATION OF THAT WHICH I SHALL BECOME has sent me: for you, both
male and female, are one with God: he being the very spirit that is
you, which is being methodically transformed into his chosen glory, to complete his
perfectness upon the reconciliation of all in perfection to him); and
the woman, having been made out of the man, symbolizes the glory of man
(Genesis 2: 21-24; 1st Corinthians 11: 7); i.e. the vein glory that is flesh
(Genesis 6: 1-3).
Having seen
(realized: Genesis 1: 4) the goodness of light, God chose to
separate Good from Evil, thereby creating a divide between Light and
Darkness; and wrote a program for this very purpose. And the
beginning of the program was that man would eat the fruit of
the tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil. And having eaten of this tree,
man, the spirit, was then sent into the world clothed in flesh (as
human) to learn by experience the knowledge of Good and Evil: thus when
God created the man he also created his adversary; and thus the world
consists of both Good and Evil; that in understanding Good and Evil,
Goodness, which is God's will, manifests in man; thus perfecting man (both
male and female: Matthew 22: 30) in the essential goodness known
as Love, and Holiness.
As
Paul inspirationally avowed, I reckon that the sufferings of this
present time (the travail of your making) are not worthy to be
compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest
expectation (hope) of the creature waits for the manifestation of
the sons of God (after the similitude of the first begotten Son: in
other words, The earnest expectation of the creature is his
manifestation as a son of God). For the creature was made subject
to vanity (flesh), not willingly (not by choice: contrary to
popular belief, in regards to Adam and Eve; having been set-up for this
fall), but by reason of him (God) who has
subjected the same (creature) in hope, because the creature
itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption (flesh)
into the glorious liberty of the children of God. Therefore I am persuaded
that nothing can separate the creature from the love of his Creator.
And
though growth is unobservable in its
transpiration, be it spiritual or physical, being silent and gentle, and
occurring unnoticed through contact with the source and forces of life: even
as the rising of the dough by the yeast goes unnoticed; yet each level
attained does not go unnoticed by the perceptive mind. And the cycle of the
sun can be likened to the growth cycle of the soul: as the incandescent
becomes transformed into florescence; even as the sun starts out
incandescent, and ends up reflecting florescent light: thus you no longer
remain a filament, but transform into a florescent gas, known spiritually as
Holy Spirit, as you become reconciled to the eternal source of light: and
this is the mystery embedded in John 3: 8. And, as you might notice, I
use scientific terms here for the scientifically minded; as each and every
creature of God is equally precious, and loved.
The natural world reflects the spiritual world in every sense:
having been created to bear the burden of the spiritual world; yet the
nature of the natural (matter) prevents he that is cocooned in the natural,
while yet in his chrysalis state, from perceiving nature analytically in its
true sense; let alone perceive the Spirit, of whom he is. Now discern the
analogy of John 3: 8: One who is born of the Spirit becomes like the
wind (as the Spirit that begot him), which blows where it
lists (inclines, or chooses): you can hear its sound, but you
cannot tell where it is coming from or where it is headed; and this is
what it means by being born again by the Holy Spirit, as was Christ. True freedom is not in supposing to have the ability to take
control of your state of being: for that ability is not granted man; even as
the foot does not have the ability to direct its own step: for the forces of
the unseen (spirit) world direct the steps of the seen (natural: material)
world.
True
freedom is, realizing that you are subject to the Spirit, the Godhead, who
purposely directs each member's steps through the dark for their own
benefit: each being a precious part of him; as denoted in Proverbs 16:
1&9, Jeremiah 10: 23, and Romans 8: 11; using the forces (stewards)
created for such, including Satan (discern Job 2: 1): to the end that
you become rebirthed into a holy Spirit, in the similitude of your
Maker. And though it is hard to envision this, given the straitness of the
journey; yet take heart: for the
darker the journey seems, the brighter the light at the end of the journey; and
all shall arrive: for, with God, even that which from man’s
perspective seems impossible, is incomprehensibly possible: even as the body
cannot comprehend the working of the head (brain); as salvation is by grace, a
gift to all, and not by merit (that which you did or did
not do).
Therefore
do not, in being led by man's doctrine, disparage another for his
faith: for your faith is not right with God either, being inspired by a
religion: for that neighbor of yours is simply viewing the source
of his life from a different vantage point from you, just like you; and he,
just like you, being also of God, is God experiencing God's self from a
different vantage point, having divine dominion; even as Paul admonished
you in Romans 14: 4. Thus, If any man think that he knows anything, he
knows nothing yet as he ought to know (1st Corinthians 8: 2); in
essence, that which you shall come to know is yet to be revealed to you, as
you are yet to reach that point in your making and experience that
manifestation: for life is not flesh, but spirit; and when it manifests, it
is incontrovertible.
Man,
in naivety, has been misled by his own religious doctrines, inspired by the
crafty devil who misled man at the beginning, (to which God asked Adam, Who
has told you this?); instead of trusting what his Maker speaks
to his heart: of this is the parable of the tares (Matt 13: 24-30). And some
blame Paul, given the mistranslations; referring to him as The false
prophet: Paul did not write the translations. Some of you refer to
Jesus as a false prophet; some refer to Mohammed as a terrorist;
and some refer to Gautama (Buddha) as a mere philosopher: is the
commission in your power?
It
all starts and ends with the great being of the spirit realm; which being is
generally referred to as God, or Father (YHVH), of whom you are a part;
whose proclamation in Isaiah goes thus: I
am the Lord (the source of all beings), and there is none else; there
is no God beside me (there is no One in three, or Three in one; but
One in all and All in all: having dominion over all, and calling his
ordained at their appointed times). I form the light, and create
darkness; I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these
things. Thus, The deceived and the deceiver (Satan) are
God's (Job 12: 16).
Thus
in Ecclesiastes 8&9 Solomon states, When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see (perceive)
the business that is done upon the earth: (for that neither day nor night
rests:) then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the
work that is done under the sun: because though a man labors to seek it out,
yet he shall not find it; yeah further; though a wise man thinks to know it,
yet shall he not be able to find it. For all this I considered in my heart
even to declare all this, That the righteous, and the wise, and their works,
are in the hand of God (being directed thus by God; or, were made thus
by God): no man knows either love or
hatred by all that is playing out before them: for all things come alike to
all men; that is until God opens unto that part of his spirit which you
are the understanding of what it is you are experiencing in the flesh, and
why. And the understanding of
these things is the very purpose of your sojourn on earth in the flesh, the
cocoon in which you are being made.
Thus
Paul stated in Philippians 2, It
is God which works in you (directing your making) both to will
and to do of his good pleasure. And, In
whom we inherit perfection (a glory superior to flesh), being
predestinated according to the purpose of him (God, the Maker)
who works all things after the counsel of his own will. If then you are
a creature, why do you strive with your maker: or do you? Remember, every
given stage of your making you are learning. Thus Paul, iterating
Isaiah 29: 16, said, Woe unto him that
strives with his Maker! Shall the clay say to him that is fashioning him,
What are you making? Has not the potter power over the clay, of the same
lump to make one vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor? Or do you not
understand that the vessel built to experience wrath (the flesh)
is fitted to destruction; while that fashioned in mercy (the
spirit) is being prepared as predestinated unto glory?
Hence
Paul gave you this example in Romans 9: When Rebecca had conceived by Isaac her two sons, Jacob and Esau; (for
the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that
the purpose of God according to election [grace] might stand, not of works [that which you did or did not do],
but of him that calls;) it was said unto her, The elder shall serve the
younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. And
this does not refer to their beings; but what they signify: for the heritage
of Esau gendered to flesh, while the heritage of Jacob gendered to life.
Thus both Pharaoh and Nebuchadnezzar are referred to as God’s servants:
for God set them up for to teach the difference between good and evil;
therefore whom he will he hardens their heart, and whom he will he makes to
have understanding. Thus no one can acknowledge Christ, except God opens his
heart to receive him, as denoted in John 6: 44; likewise, no one can accept
the word of God, nor understand its mystery, except God opens his mind: as
David denoted in 1st Chronicles 28: 19; see also Exodus 25:
40.
But
they that are privileged the knowledge of Christ become self-righteous, as
were the Pharisees, and revert to condemning their fellow
creatures who are yet to know Christ: yet again designed of God, to the end
that salvation shall not be by merit, but a gift to all. The scriptures admonish
you thus in Job 11: Can you by searching find out God? Can you find
out the Almighty unto perfection (can you find out the wisdom of
God with which to perfect yourself)? If he decides to cut off
(as he did the Jews), and shut up (veil the mystery), or gather
all together (at the end, unto his glory), then who can hinder him
(when you know not the mystery of his righteous work)? Therefore
did Isaiah prophesy (in 57: 16): I will not contend forever, says the
Lord; neither will I be always wroth: for I will not allow the spirit,
the souls which I have made, to fail.
Thus
Paul said to you, We all, with open face beholding as in a glass
the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory (from
the glory of the flesh to the glory of the Spirit, even as Christ), by
the Spirit of the Lord (as it is the Spirit of the Lord
that is transforming you from the glory of the flesh to the eternal glory of
the Spirit). To which Paul inquired thus of you, Who are you then to judge another man’s servant? To his own
master he stands or falls. Yea, he shall be set upright: for God is able to
make him stand. For none of us lives to himself, and no man dies to himself.
But I bear record of the believers, that they have a zeal of God, but not
according to knowledge. For they, being ignorant of God’s righteousness (fairness:
him being the potter), and going about to establish their own
righteousness (self-righteous ignorance), have not submitted
themselves unto the righteousness of God.
Many
profess faith in Christ, but are yet to attain as they ought to the
knowledge of the mystery and essence of Christ: thus they glorify flesh
over Spirit, referring to Jesus, the man, as God: idolatry; they forget that
God, being spirit, cannot die: for he is Life; they forget also that
which Paul stated to them in 2nd Corinthians 5: 16, saying, Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have
known Christ after the flesh (as Jesus), yet now henceforth know we him no more (having fulfilled
the atonement needed for the sins of the world, and entered into glory).
For Jesus did say to you, It is the spirit that quickens
(transforms); the flesh is worthless matter.
Thus
Jesus refused to commit himself unto the Jews, as denoted in John 2:
24&25, knowing they would seek to idolize him, instead of offering
praise to the Father who is doing the work through him. Yet
even today you esteem Christmas (the birth of the man Jesus) over
Resurrection Day (i.e. Easter: the birth of the anointed one [Christ] as
Holy Ghost); because you seek to glorify matter, and all that brings
pleasure to that which is matter. Jesus himself, while yet flesh, said
unto the rich young ruler, Why do you
call me good? There is only one who is good, and that is God. And
they that worship him worship him in spirit and in truth. Hence there is
not to be an image of him in the human form. For, which is greater; the
temple, or he that dwells in it? Likewise, which is greater (precious): the body
(matter), or the spirit (life) which dwells within the body?
Therefore
let no man glory in men: for all things are yours, and for your sakes;
whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, (or
Moses, or Gautama, or Mohammed), or
the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are
yours (for your benefit: and though it might seem strait, yet the end is
glorious); and you are Christ’s; and
Christ (the body) is God’s (the
head). For though God had put all
things under him; yet shall Christ, when all things (all souls) shall be subdued unto him, be subject also unto God, that God may be all
in all (not in a selected few; but in all his creatures).
For God was in Christ reconciling the world (not a selected
self-righteous few, but all souls) unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them: (this
is his righteousness, as he is the one directing all things, even the
wicked). Thus Paul again said to you, When that which is perfect comes,
then shall that which is in part (partial, even the unrighteousness of self-righteousness)
be done away with.
Thus God
said to you in Isaiah 49: 15 and 54: 7-10, Can a woman forget her
suckling child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb?
Yea, they may forget; yet will I not forget you. For though it might seem as
if I have forsaken you; but with great mercies will I gather you:
with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on you. For this is as the
waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should
no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I will not be wroth with
you, nor rebuke you, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed. Truth,
as light, verily is incontrovertible: malice may attack it, and ignorance
may deride it; but, in the end, there it is, in full manifestation; humbling
malice and disconcerting ignorance: for God, which is doing the work, is
righteous; and you are of him (John 10: 30 and Psalm 83: 6).
Man's ingenuity,
influenced by the forces of life, has caused him to be snared in
self-centeredness; hence he continues to condemn each member of the same
body of which he is for one trivial reason or another, magnified by his
ego: supposing to himself that he is in line with God's will, yet
segregatively building borders and walls around his vain
self-subservient self in self-righteousness. To this God said in both
Isaiah 55 and Psalm 50, You suppose that I am altogether such a one
as you are; but I will set you in order: for your thoughts are not my
thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.
If
one keeps repeating the same thing over and over, he ends up with the
same result: and there is no growth in stagnation; and no problem can be
solved from the same level of consciousness in which it came to be;
thus everyone grows transformationally in refinement: your purpose for
being in flesh, whether you acknowledge it or not; thus Paul
stated to you in 2nd Corinthians 3, saying, All men, with open face
beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the
same image from glory to glory, by the Spirit of the Lord; and this is
the good pleasure of your Creator. Yet the solution in which the
two great commandments of life are saturated, consisting of one
ingredient, has ever eluded man's senses; as he ignores the fact that all
creatures are members of an inseparable body, regardless of how hard he
strives to segregate himself selfishly: and this one ingredient has
always been the foundation on which every religious faith was formed.
There
is but one Spirit, of whom is that divine ingredient, Love; one destination, (though
varying paths; all leading through one gate, Christ: for your neighbor is
your partner on this journey, and your eternal soul-mate); one truth; and one
life: God. As Paul said to you in 2nd Corinthians 4, God,
who commanded light to shine out of darkness, has shined in our hearts, to
give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face (example)
of Jesus Christ, who lovingly made atonement for your sins. Yet man, in
lacking the true understanding of this ingredient, was unable
to comply with the first great commandment; thus God had to make a
strong consolation for man in the atonement of Christ. Thus again
it is that, since man cannot keep the second great commandment, God has to
again make consolation: the peace offering; both signified by the two
cherubims of glory shadowing the mercy seat; bringing together in one all
paths unto reconciliation.
And
regarding the two cherubims of glory, (and discern the meaning of Glory,)
which were an intrinsic part of the temple which Solomon built as a
pattern of God's temple, it is written in 1st King 6: Within the
oracle (word) are two cherubims of olive tree
(anointed cherubims). And for the entering of the oracle
(word) he made two doors of olive tree. This is a mystery; but
by the time you get to the end of this message the mystery unfolds. And here's
wisdom, Learn the signification of the temple taking seven years to build
(as in three and a half, and another three and a half: and this mystery
can be discerned by he that has discernment, as it relates to
Hebrews 4: 8), in keeping with the ordinances (i.e. Commandments, which
did also come on two tablets of testimony.)
You might not have heard of the peace offering; but it was purposed thus:
for part of your growth is that which was prophesied in Isaiah 52, saying, That
which they had not heard shall they consider. Of this also is it written
in Ecclesiastes 10: 20, saying, A bird of the air shall carry the
voice, and that which has wings (cherub) shall tell the matter. Thus
you were told symbolically in Joshua 3 that there shall be two
thousand years between the time when you shall see the covenant of
God play-out (the first coming) and when you shall receive the
knowledge of the way by which you must go, or enter, into the kingdom
of God (the last coming: discern Revelation 10: 7): in essence, two
thousand years between the first and the last. And know that crossing the
Jordan river, which empties itself into the Dead Sea, is overcoming that
which genders to death (the flesh); and all souls shall pass clean
over the Jordan, as denoted in Joshua 3: 17. Thus the Ark of the Covenant
(the symbol of the covenant of God) overcomes death for man; of which
fulfillment regards the two cherubims of glory shadowing the mercy seat.
And
regarding your growth, consider how the natural reflects the spiritual;
like the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but
simply allow the forces of life to operate through the source of life: they
never know how they grow, they simply find themselves beautiful: that is God
manifesting himself even in plants, for your learning benefit, as denoted in
Romans 1: 20; thus one should take time to learn from that which God has
presented in nature. But with man it is not so, as it is with the lily: for
man, in his ingenuity, ignorantly seeks to plot his own course, supposing to
control the forces of life, thereby generating one strife after another with
himself, and with his Creator/Maker: he forgets that it is God
who is doing the work both to will and to do of his good pleasure. For,
Which one of you can change his vain flesh, or the course of his making, by
will?
That which man sees of life, which he is experiencing, is
simply a reflection of what the spirit (the true him) is going through
(parallel) in the unseen world: for the outer being (the vessel: flesh)
bears the burden of the inner being (the spirit), until the perfection of
the eternal being. Thus you were told by God in Moses, saying, You
are strangers and sojourners with me (being
his temple) on the earth; therefore shall you not oppress each
other, neither avenge nor bear any grudge against each other: but you
shall love your neighbor as yourself (being all one). For,
as Paul admonished you in 1st Thessalonians 4: 8, He
that despises
(condemns another), despises not man, but God, who has also given unto
us his holy Spirit. For the very breath that made Adam a living being
is God (see Genesis 2: 7); in that God breathed himself into Adam, and Adam
became a living soul.
Now,
in knowing that your body is the temple of the living God, know then that
you are a member of his body, which body consists of all his creatures; and
being a member, you are then one with him; and being one with him, the
answer to your questions is within you, housed within Love, and manifested
to you by the Spirit as needed. Paul said this to you in 1st
Corinthians 12: 12-25: As the body is
one, and has many members (parts),
and all the (varying) members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
(Thus you were told in Jesus, Other sheep I have, which are not
of this fold: them also I must bring. For that which was
prophesied in Isaiah 56: 8 must be fulfilled). And know that the body of
Christ is not limited to Christians only, as man supposes to limit God; but
constitutes the entire human race for whom atonement was made.
For
by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body, regardless of who we
are; whether we be Jews or Gentiles (heathen;
and the atheist: for to him also shall the truth be manifested, and
then shall he believe), whether we be bond or free; and have been all
made to drink (not, Chose to drink: given ignorance: for
you would not know what to choose, as all things come alike to man) into
one Spirit (reconciled into one body).
For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall
say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of
the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of
the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye,
where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
But now has God set the members every one of them in the body, as it has
pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But
now are they many members, yet but one body.
Each
part (member) has its (his) own uniquely ordained purpose and function in
the body; as also in each religious faith, yet all being one body in Christ;
even the heathen, and the despots of the world: each one serving their
ordained purpose. The eye cannot say
unto the hand, I have no need of you, therefore condemning it; nor again the
head to the feet, I have no need of you, thereby counting it common. Nay,
much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are
necessary: for upon those members of the body, which we think to be less
honorable, do we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely parts have
more abundant comeliness.
For
our comely parts have no need: but God has tempered the body together, and
given more abundant honor to that part which lacked: that there should be no
schism (divisiveness)
in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another (hence
you were commanded, saying, Love one
another: the second great commandment, which the church has refused to
acknowledge; therefore making it a renegade).
And in that no one comprehends who they really are, thus love then has
become vain; while self-righteousness and self-centeredness have taken
preeminence.
Thus
the order of Melchisedec, which order is revealed in Hebrews 7: 2,
must be fulfilled, as it relates to the ordained purpose of the two
sacrificial lamb offerings in Exodus 29, and the two cherubims of glory in
Hebrews 9: 5; (see also Matthew 8: 4, and Leviticus 14: 3, 4, and 10;
and relate 10 to Revelation 11): for God, being the composer and director,
does not institute a pattern or implement an order without a fulfilling
reason. For he did avow an oath in Jeremiah (31), as stated in Hebrews
8, saying, I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins
(for which atonement was made) and their iniquities (for which
a peace offering is ordained) will I remember no more.
To
this did Paul state in Romans 11, saying, I
would not, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you
should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to
Israel (the body of believers: as ordained), until the fullness of the Gentiles (they that are yet to believe) be
come in (brought in: as denoted in John 10: 16).
And so all Israel (upon the transformation of all into believers) shall be saved (redeemed): as
it is written, There shall come out of Sion (Zion) the Deliverer, and shall
turn away ungodliness from Jacob (the Gentiles): for this is my covenant with them, when I shall take away their sins.
For God has concluded all (mankind: both Jews and Gentiles)
in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. Thus is the depth of
the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God. For of him (creation),
and through him (his righteous work),
and to him (reconciliation), are
all things (to which God shall become all in all): to whom be glory forever. Amen.
Now
understand that which was signified in Matthew 8: 4, as it relates to
Leviticus 14: 3, 10 and 32; and understand that leprosy symbolizes both sin
and iniquity. Upon healing the leper, Jesus said unto him, Go and
show yourself to the priest (as in, The builders of the kingdom),
and offer the gift that Moses commanded (which gift is
defined in Leviticus 14), for a testimony unto them. As defined in
Leviticus, For the healing of the leper, he shall offer two lambs
without blemish (without blame), and one ewe (female) lamb
of the first year (the daughter of her appointed year). This
shall be the commandment for him in which is the plague of leprosy, whose
hand is not able to get that which pertains to his cleansing
(salvation). Thus your salvation is a gift from God; and not earned by
merit: for you cannot of yourself be perfect nor glorified.
Preach
the gospel; the good news of who you are, and that which your Creator has
been doing for himself in you since the beginning of time, which he is
fulfilling in Christ. For of this did Jesus speak a parable, saying in
Matthew 13: 30, Let both (the tares
– doctrine of the flesh, and the
wheat – the precious word) grow
together until the harvest (resurrection and rapture):
and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather the tares (the
flesh and its doctrine: worthless matter) together
first, and bind them in bundles to burn them (the flesh must be killed
for the spirit to be set free: Matthew 24: 28):
but gather the wheat (the precious word: the refined spirit) into
my barn.
Or
then again, as John the Baptist put it, I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that is
coming after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he
shall baptize you (cleanse you: succor you) with the Holy Ghost, and with fire; whose fan is in his hand, and he
will thoroughly purge his floor (earth),
and gather his wheat (all souls: the very spirits housed in flesh)
into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff (the husk which houses
the wheat: the flesh which houses the spirit) with
unquenchable fire: (for the last enemy to be destroyed is death: that
which is susceptible to death). And
this parable many misconstrue to mean that some people (precious souls:
spirits), which have no say-so in their making, will be condemned to
eternal destruction in the lake of fire: hence God said, You think that
I am altogether like you; and you suppose that my thoughts are like your
thoughts.
Paul,
in wisdom, declared, O wretched man
that I am! Who shall deliver me from this body of death (this flesh
which is subject to death)? I thank God for that which he has done
through Jesus Christ our Lord. For that which I find myself doing I allow
not (i.e. I find to be beyond my control): for what I
would, that I do not; but what I hate (which
I know that I should not do), that
I find myself doing. The good that I should do, I do not do; but the evil
that I should not do, that I find myself doing. Now if I do that which
I would not (that which is against my will),
it is no more I that is doing it, but sin (the forces which direct my
being) that dwells in me that is doing
it.
If
you are the pot in the making; who is responsible for your making, you or
the potter? If then the potter is responsible for your making, is he
not also responsible for your state of being at each stage of your making?
Is he then unrighteous as to condemn you for what he has engineered in you?
Do you not understand what Righteousness and Mercy stand for? My beloved, if
you harbor this same supposition of condemnation for your brethren,
whose atonement also was paid for in Christ, then you count the sacrificial
offering of Christ worthless: for that which has been cleansed is clean.
Discern that which the Spirit said to Peter (i.e. the church) in Acts 10:
15; and also discern John 13: 10, He
that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit.
Therefore, the price for your sins, having now been paid, unto salvation for
all, you are no longer under the curse of sin, which curse is death; and as
such, do not condemn your fellow creatures whose salvation was paid for
divinely, which atonement was directed by your Maker.
It was once stated to the Jews (Judaism), in bringing awareness to them of
God fulfilling upon them his recompense, which he pronounced upon
Solomon in 1st Kings 11: 11-13 due to his apostasy, saying in
Matthew 21: 42-44, Did you never read
in the scriptures, The stone which the builders (priests) rejected,
the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and
it is marvelous in our eyes? Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God
shall be taken from you (due to apostasy and self-righteousness),
and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof (for the
fruits are brought forth by grace, a gift, and not by merit).
And
as you, the church, were told symbolically (for it relates to the time of
the end) in John 21: 6, saying, Cast
the net on the right side of the ship (preach the righteousness of the
gospel), and you shall find; so
now I remind you, be a witness unto your brethren of all faiths of the
righteous work your Father in heaven is doing in Christ for you and each and
every one of his creatures; as your salvation is a GIFT of your
Maker, and not attained by merit; and you shall find, or draw in, much fish,
or souls; even all faiths, other sheep: and discern "Sheep". But
first you must find love.
And
if you suppose that one or more of God’s creatures shall be condemned
to eternal hell, then you know not the source of your being. I implore
you then to discern this word spoken in Jesus to the Pharisees in
Matthew 21: 31: I assure you this,
The publicans and the harlots (which the self-righteous
condemn as sinners) go into the
kingdom of God before you. And for such self-righteous suppositions, as
was harbored by the Pharisees, which the church also harbors today, was this
parable of the Worker in the Vineyard spoken: The
kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out
early in the morning to hire laborers (fishers of men) into
his vineyard. And when he had agreed with the laborers for a penny a day, he
sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour, and saw
others standing idle in the marketplace, and said unto them, Go also into
the vineyard; and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went
on into the vineyard to work.
Again
he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. And about
the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and said to
them, Why have you been standing idly here all day? And they said to him,
Because no one has hired us. Then he said to them, Go also into the
vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall you receive. So when
evening came, the lord of the vineyard said to his steward, Call the
laborers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the
first. And when they that were hired about the eleventh hour came, they
received every man a penny.
But
when they that were hired at first came, they supposed that they should have
received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. And when they
had received it, they murmured against the good man of the house, saying,
These that came last had worked but for an hour, and you have made them
equal to us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. But he
answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do you no wrong: did you not agree
with me for a penny? Take that which is yours, and go your way: I will give
to the last, even as unto you. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will
with that which is mine? Is your eye evil, because I am good? Thus the last
shall be first, and the first last. Just
because you were first to be drawn of the Father unto belief does not make
you any superior to your fellow creature who is yet to be drawn: for it is
the potter that is fashioning both you and them to will.
It
was prophesied in Isaiah 40, as stated in Luke 3: 5&6, saying, Every
valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill (egotistic and
self-righteous) shall be brought low (abased);
and the crooked shall be made straight (for it is God which
directs all steps, including the Pharaohs and Nebuchadnezzars of the world:
they too shall be redeemed), and the
rough ways shall be made smooth; and all flesh shall see (receive)
the salvation of God (for it is a gift, given in grace).
And thus the angel said unto the shepherds at the birth of Jesus, Fear not (the glory of the Lord that so shines around you):
for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all
people.
As
you were told in Paul, You are the
temple of the living God; therefore is the gospel this, That God is
refining himself in you, being his temple; and it is not your doing. For
which Paul stated thus, All things are
of God; who in Christ is reconciling the world (not, A few) unto himself, not
imputing their trespasses unto them. And again, For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews
or Gentiles (be you Jew, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, or any
other faith, or faithless, heathen);
all have been made to drink into one Spirit. All being members of the one
body.
It
was stated unto you in Matthew 18: 14, saying in Jesus, The will of your Father which is in heaven is that none of his creatures
should perish: for he did make a promise unto Abraham, saying, In
you shall all the families of the earth be blessed (saved:
ransomed). Thus you were told in
Jesus, saying, For God did not send
his Son into the world to condemn the world, (as many of you do unto
each other in your self-righteousness); but that the world (everyone: all souls) through him
might (can) be saved (upon the fulfillment of
his works). Thus, regarding who
can be saved, you were told, The
things which are impossible with man are possible with God. And thus, in
continuation of Matthew 21: 42-44, And
whosoever shall fall on this stone, (which the builders, priests, reject),
shall be broken (abased); but on
whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. And this is the baptism
of fire: for the precious wheat must be salvaged from its chaff which has
kept it from being harvested in due season.
Salvation,
having been given to man as a gift before the world began (2nd Timothy
1: 9), in grace, cannot be taken away again: not for that which you did
or did not do; thus you were told in Romans 11, saying, Even now, there
is a remnant according to the election of grace (for all must be
brought in). And if by grace, then it is no more of works: otherwise
grace is no more grace. And if it be by works, then it longer is a gift. Thus
you were told in Job 11, saying, Oh, that God would show you the secrets
of (his) wisdom, that they are double to that which is (that
which you know to be)! Know therefore that God exacts of you less than
your iniquity deserves. Therefore in realizing this grace of your
Maker, and learning by experience the abomination of evil, you then find
yourself transforming into holiness/Love, which permeates the glory of God.
Thus
you were told in Isaiah 55: 7&8, Forsake your unrighteous
(self-righteous) thoughts, that you may receive mercy: for my
thoughts (salvation of all: Life) are not your
thoughts (condemnation of your brethren: death). And in
Psalm 50, I have no need for your sacrifices and burnt offerings: for
all things belong to me; but offer your thanksgivings, for that which is
being done for you. But then you hate instruction, and cast my words behind
you: for you speak against your brother, slandering (condemning)
your own mother's son. You think that I am altogether like you: but I
will reprove you, and set everything in order before your eyes.
The
end of the matter is this, though all shall be justly recompensed for that
which they were inspired to do, as everyone must learn through
experience, yet no one will be cast into the Lake of Fire (Hell): thus
Paul stated in 1st Corinthians 15, This is a mystery: We shall not all
sleep, but we shall all be changed (transformed: from the glory
of the flesh to the glory of God); except of course the acid being used
to refine the gold: the refining stewards (forces) which God is using
to refine you; known as the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet:
spirits; as denoted in Revelation 16: 13&14. Thus God said to Satan in
Job 2: 6, Satan, behold, Job is in your hand (under your power);
but save his life.
Thus,
as Jude stated to you (Jude 9), even the archangel, Michael, when contending
with Satan did not bring against him a railing accusation, knowing Satan was
simply doing that which he was required to do; but simply said to him, The
Lord rebuke you (in essence, The Lord keep you in check: see
Job 2: 6, Zechariah 3, and 2nd Peter 2: 11). For though God wrote the
program into being, yet designated stewards to implement them (Michael,
representing Good; and Satan, representing Evil). Thus David said to you, Bless
the Lord God, who makes his ministers a flaming fire. Or as God said
symbolically in Ezekiel 38 to the beast of the end, I
will bring you against my land (of the converted), that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in
you, O Gog; which thing shall be fulfilled after the Parable of the Two
Sticks embedded in Ezekiel 37 has been fulfilled; which parable is relative
to Revelation 11 and Zechariah 4.
Thus,
my beloved, you were admonished in Hebrews 5, saying, For when for the time you ought to be teachers (of the gospel),
you have need that one teach you again those things which are the first
principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk (like
an infant), and not of strong meat (as one now grown in faith into adulthood).
For everyone that uses milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness (the
righteous work of God; he that is directing the steps of both the good
and the evil: for in his righteousness, being the one taking you through
your making unto that which you are to become, did he fulfill the atonement
for you: thus holding you blameless, as Paul stated to you in 2nd
Corinthians 5: 18 & 19): for he is
a babe (an infant, in understanding true righteousness).
But they that understand that no man has power over good and evil have come
of age, and are able to receive strong meat.
Therefore
it is time to leave the principles (the beginning) of the
doctrine of Christ, and go on unto perfection (the doctrine that is
unto perfection: the glory of God);
not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works (for which
atonement was made), and of faith
toward God (His sovereignty having been manifested unto all),
of the doctrine of baptisms (for Christ is your baptism),
and of laying on of hands (as in the days of the apostles),
and of resurrection of the dead (the Holy Son, begotten by the Father
from the dead, having been manifested as Holy Ghost unto many), and of eternal judgment (God, in righteousness, not imputing your
trespasses unto you). For he that is enlightened in the word, yet
seeks for he or another to be renewed again unto repentance, seeks to
crucify to himself the glorified Son of God afresh, and put him to an open
shame: (thus counting the blood of Christ unworthy).
For
the glorified Son, having glorified righteousness, need not make another
sacrifice for sin; and the glory of God cannot be put to shame. Thus it is
prophesied in David (Psalm 85), saying, Mercy (the first:
as in, Atonement) and truth (the last: as in, Wisdom:
Revelation 5: 5, and 10: 7) are met together; righteousness
(the first) and peace (the last) have
kissed each other (in the order of Melchisedec). Truth
shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness (having been
fulfilled) shall look down from heaven. Righteousness shall go
before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.
And
now I will share a mystery with you, which the apostles could not reveal to
you until the appointed time, as denoted in Hebrews 9: 5; even as you
were told that at the time of the end, the mystery of God should be finished
(Revelation 10: 7); which mystery relates to Acts 3: 20-21, Revelation 11
and Zechariah 4, and Luke 17: 20-24 and Matthew 24: 31; which mystery is
embedded in Zechariah 9: 9; and which though was played out as documented in
both John 19: 26 & 27 and Matthew 21: 1-9 (and Jerusalem means City of
Peace: in this case, new Jerusalem, a celestial city beyond death), yet its
meaning has remained veiled until this time of the very end: for it protects
the finale of God’s righteous work for all his creatures, which shall
be justifiably fulfilled by ignorance, thereby fulfilling his divine
word: for God cannot lie, as denoted in Hebrews 6: 18.
He
that has understanding, discern this word in John 19: Woman, behold your son; and,
(John; or, Elias), behold your
mother! And relate that statement of John 19 to this prophesy of
Zechariah: Tell this to the daughter
of Sion (the Christians), and say,
Behold, your King is coming to you, meek, and sitting upon an ass,
and a colt the foal of an ass (both which shall be mocked by ignorance
as asses: unregarded by his own); yet again clarified in John 12: 15, as, Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, your King cometh, sitting on (or,
supposing to be) an ass's colt (symbolic).
For
though you might suppose that the kingdom of heaven shall suddenly appear,
at the sound of the trumpet, as did the Jews at the first coming (as
stated in Luke 19: 11); yet know that, as you were told in Luke 17, the
kingdom of heaven comes not with fanfare; neither by observation: for he
would already be among you at the last coming, even as it was at the first;
for which it was thus stated to you: For as the Light enlightened
the East at the first, so shall it also enlighten the West at the last. Thus
watch.
Is
it not written in Paul, in 1st Corinthians 4, saying, Judge nothing
before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light
(reveal) the hidden things of darkness (the mysteries), and
will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man
have praise of God (upon the unraveling of the mystery of
life)? And Hebrews does state, But we are yet to see the
fulfillment of all that has been put under him. If he then is
supposed to do all these things, would time not be needed for
these revelations? Would it be meaningful and necessary to reveal
these things while people are busy being raptured; being that you are to
meet him in the sky at rapture?
Thus
you were told, Behold, I come as a
thief. Blessed is he that stays alert, watching, discerning that which he
sees, and keeps his garments (immersed in the word), lest he walk naked (ignorant),
and they see his shame. For many suppose they know, yet are they unaware
of the state of their ignorance. Understand the presence of a thief: for he
never comes announced; but is in your midst, yet unawares to anyone
but he that he makes his presence known to: incognito. But, Why: you may
ask? To which I will ask you, If the Jews had known Jesus to be the Christ
at the first coming, would they have offered him in sacrifice? How then
would the righteous work of God be fulfilled?
And
now I charge you, Discern that which I mentioned to you earlier regarding
the order of Melchisedec: At the
first, King of righteousness; and after that, also King of
peace: for God does not do anything without a purpose, neither will he
present a pattern without fulfilling it. For he did also require two
sacrificial lamb offerings at the time the Ten Commandments were instituted
(Exodus 23: 14-16, 29: 38-45 and 34: 22, and Numbers 28: 1-8): one in the
morning (symbolizing the first coming), and one in the evening (the last
coming). As it is written, This burnt offering (of the two lambs)
shall be at the door (i.e. act as the door) of the tabernacle
of the congregation, where I shall meet you, to speak (testify)
unto you. And the tabernacle shall be sanctified by my
glory. Thus you were told in Moses (Deuteronomy 8), saying, You are
being fed with manna which you know not; that you might come
to know that man does not live by bread only, but by every word that
proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord does man live.
And
discern the fact that the Ten Commandments came on two tablets, each
containing five commandments a piece, signifying the two great commandments,
which Jesus spoke of in Matthew 22: 37-40; yet left you he with only one of
the two great commandments (John 13: 34), which, though you are unable
to keep, must also be fulfilled (Matthew 5: 18), after the order of
Melchisedec: having fulfilled the first great commandment on your behalf.
And as it is impossible for man to fulfill the two great commandments, it is
stated in Hebrews 6, saying, By two
unchangeable events, in which it is impossible for God to lie, shall man
have a strong consolation, for entering into that within the veil.
And
for this same reason did the Mercy Seat have two cherubims of glory
shadowing it (Hebrews 9: 5); for which Paul also stated in Ephesians,
saying, To make in himself of twain
one new man. Now discern the terrestrial throne which Solomon built,
which symbolizes the throne of heaven, as described in 1st
Chronicles 9: 18&19; as directed of David the king, who is referred to
also as First and last in 1st
Chronicles 29 (for of his seed was the first, and also is the last), who
passed it on to his son Solomon to build. Seven is God’s perfect number;
having worked six days and rested on the seventh: to which I ask you, How
many years did Christ work at the first coming in Jesus?
As
Hebrews 4 states, If Jesus (his
name at the first coming) had given
them rest (if the atonement was all that was needed, why else would you
still be in the furnace of refinement in human form?),
then would he not afterward have spoken of another day; (for then
everyone would already be in heaven). But
then you were left with one last commandment, which, in seeing the current
state of man, has not been kept either; to which the second part of the
order of Melchisedec needs to be fulfilled: For not one jot or one
tittle (dot) shall in any way pass from the Ten Commandments, till
it is all fulfilled: for the atonement fulfilled only the first
great commandment, which relates to sin; hence, There remains no more
sacrifice for sin (Hebrews 10: 18). As it is, you can only sin
against one who is holy, and that is God; but that which you do against your
neighbor is iniquity, for which a peace offering is needed to bring all
together in one.
Now
discern the pattern of the throne, as built by Solomon: There
were six steps to the throne (signifying six regenerating generations
unto perfection: the throne sets on the seventh, which is perfection, as
denoted in Genesis 5: 24, Jude 14, Hebrews 11: 5, and Job 5: 19;
and the seventh is that which is within the veil, or veiled: he that is
able, let him discern), with a
footstool of gold, which were fastened to the throne, and stays (hands:
arms) on each side of the sitting
place, and two lions (upon who the arm of the Lord shall stay)
standing by the stays (these are they of who you were told in
Zechariah, saying, These are the two
anointed ones that stand by the Lord of the whole earth: and discern the
other word for anointed, or the meaning of the word Christ).
Discern the
meaning of Revelation 5: 5, and Genesis 49: 9-12; and Numbers 24:
17, which states, There shall come a Star out of Jacob (Jewry; the
first coming), and a Scepter shall rise out of Israel (out
of the converted, Christianity; the last coming), and shall smite
through the princes of Moab. And discern the signification of Smiting
the princes of Moab, as denoted in 2nd Samuel 8: 2,
which signifies the first and last comings that make up the complete work
that redeems life. Then again, as you were told in Hebrews 9, It was
necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with
these (as denoted in Exodus 29: 38-46); but the heavenly
things themselves with better sacrifices (the atonement and the
peace offering) than these.
Discern
also the signification of Moses striking the rock on two separate occasions,
(the first time Massah, meaning Temptation, or Sin,
which required an atonement; and the second time Meribah, meaning Strife,
or Iniquity, which requires a peace offering: after the order of
Melchisedec: see Exodus 17: 6&7, Numbers 20: 10-13, and Deuteronomy 33:
8), that the water (word of faith) may flow, to nourish the people.
For, striking the rock (Rock of Salvation), symbolizes striking the Son
of man. For Isaiah did prophecy (Isaiah 12: 3), saying, With joy shall
you draw water out of the wells of salvation. Of this also were
you promised the former rain and latter rain (teachers of
righteousness according to righteousness), as stated in Joel 2: 23; and
in Hosea 6: 3, which states, And the Lord shall come unto us as the
latter rain and the former rain unto the earth; of which also Isaiah
prophesied, I the Lord, the first, and with the last.
And
now back to Solomon's pattern of the throne: And twelve lions (symbolizing the twelve apostles)
stood there on the one side and on the other upon the six steps (behind
the two that stand by the throne, which are also referred to as Sons
of oil, and also as Cherubims of
Glory). There was not the like made in any kingdom.
Now, understand
the time and season, as relating to the seven seals and seven trumpets in
Revelation. The first seal, Revelation 6, reveals A
white horse, and he that sat on him had a bow, and a crown was
given to him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer. To
understand who this is, you would need to go to Genesis 16 and 21, and
Isaiah 10. As stated in Genesis 16, The angel said unto Hagar, Behold,
you are with child, and shall bear a son, and shall call his name Ishmael (meaning,
God shall hear); because the Lord has heard your affliction. And he will be a wild man;
his hand will be against every man, and every man’s hand against him; and
he shall dwell in the presence of (spread throughout) all his brethren.
And again, in Genesis 21, the angel said unto Hagar, Arise,
lift up the lad (Ishmael), and hold him in your hand; for I will make him a
great nation (Islam). And God was with the lad; and he grew, and
dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer (thus the bow).
Of Ishmael came Mohammed, the prophet of Islam, who had a white stead, on
which he went forth conquering; and of this Isaiah prophesied thus, O
Assyrian, the rod of my anger; I will send you against a hypocritical nation
(thus September 11th).
The second seal, of which was a red horse whose rider was
given power to take peace from the earth, symbolizes both Monarchy and the
Christian Crusaders: for the worldly realm (government) also mimics the
spiritual realm; even as the false prophet (Beast
from the Sea: Revelation 13: 1) is of the spiritual realm, and the
Son of Perdition (Beast from the Earth:
Revelation 13: 11) is of the worldly realm. And Nebuchadnezzar’s image of
gold, which is the church, which self-righteously preaches condemnation to the
Lake of Fire for those who do not worship according to its doctrine, as
denoted symbolically in Daniel 3: 4-6, and for those also who do not give to
the church their gifts: gold ($): mammon; is of the spiritual realm
(religion); as also the four beasts of Daniel's dream.
The church forgets that they that worship God worship him
in spirit and in truth; and not according to man's statutes; thus they that
were cast into the fiery furnace, symbolic of they that the church
condemn to eternal travail in the lake of fire, were redeemed by the Son of
God: Daniel 3: 25. Yet also represented by both, the image of gold and
the four beasts in Daniel 3 and 7, is the worldly realm: the four
superpowers of the world, starting with Babylon unto the current superpower,
of whom also is the Son of Perdition.
The third seal, which had a black horse, and whose rider had a
pair of balances (scale) in his hand, symbolizes in the spiritual realm the
height of the taxing power of the papacy and its torturous atrocities, as it
meddled in politics, yet claiming to uphold that which is of Christ and
the Holy Spirit: attempting to balance both God and mammon: forgetting
you cannot serve two masters; and it also symbolizes capitalism in the
worldly realm.
The forth seal revealed a pale horse (white supremacy),
whose rider’s name was Death, and Hell followed with him; and they were
given power over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with the
sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.
This symbolizes a time of great turmoil for a part of man, starting with slavery,
and leading to the world wars, and the holocaust; covering the time of
Lenin, Hitler, Mussolini, and the likes; a dreadful time leading into
communism, and capitalism.
After this comes the fifth seal, which reveals those that were
slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: and this covers
victims of religious zealotry, and of the despots of the world;
and to them were given white robs (righteous comfort); and were told to rest
for a little while, until their fellowservants also and their brethren (all
souls), that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled (in
preparation for the resurrection). And the sixth seal reveals both the
religious conflicts, (nation against nation), and the natural disasters of
the time of the end, which was also prophesied in Luke 21 as a time of great
distress on the earth with perplexity (the earthquake signifies the quaking
or crying of the earth for the things which are coming upon it; yet also
literally occurs: e.g. Oakland, California, and others around the world);
the sea and the waves roaring (hurricanes and tsunamis); and peoples hearts
failing them for fear of those things coming inevitably on the earth: the
powers of heaven being shaken.
And before the commencement of the events that usher in the
very end, the servants of God (the reapers) needed to be sealed: thus four
angels held up the disasters scheduled for the earth (signifying government;
as in September 11th), the sea (signifying religion), and the
trees (signifying natural disasters; as in the hurricanes, tornadoes,
earthquakes, and tsunamis), until the sealing (preparation: birthing) of the
appointed servants.
And now the seventh seal, which reveals the seven trumpets:
the very events that lead to the very end of all things, which events, given
their magnitude, caused silence even in heaven for half an hour. The sound
of the first trumpet announces the first world war. The second trumpet
announces the events of the second world war: the great mountain signifies
America; and this relates to Pearl Harbor, in which a third of its ships
were destroyed. The third trumpet announces the retaliation of the US on
Japan; which thing in the vision was as a great star falling from the sky,
burning as if it were a lamp, and named Wormwood (Bitterness): and this
signifies the atomic bombs which the US dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in
their bitterness over Pearl Harbor; and many people died of its
contaminates. And the fourth trumpet announces the Cold War, and fall of the
USSR.
Now comes the three Woes: the last three trumpets of the end,
starting with the fifth, which announces the beginning of terrorism: suicide
bombers and war lords, which were seen in the vision as locusts: destructive
elements. These so-called locusts were like unto horses prepared unto
battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns of gold (considered as
martyrs): their faces were as the faces of men (being humans). Their hair
looking like women’s signifies both their youth and the fact that some
also were women; and their teeth being as lions signifies their
determination to devour, or annihilate. Their breastplate of iron signifies
the bombs, and tails like scorpions is the sting of their acts. The
king which was over them was named The Destroyer (Abaddon: prince of
the air).
And now the second Woe, which is the sixth trumpet; and this
signifies the event of September 11th, 2001. The River Euphrates
symbolizes Islam, as water symbolizes word of faith; and Euphrates
symbolizes the land of that faith. The four angels symbolize the four
airplanes, which were prepared for (at) an hour, and a day, and a month, and
a year, for to slay the third part of men: as this one act shall lead
to the slaying of a third of mankind. And they were referred to as angels
because they are stewards of God's wrath.
And regarding the four airplanes, this is how Ezekiel saw them back
in the day of his vision: A whirlwind came out of the north, a
great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and
out of the midst of the fire was as it were the color of amber
(signifying a brownish-yellow fossilized fuel, easily electrified or
detonated by friction: aircraft fuel). In the midst of the whirlwind
came the likeness of four living creatures (the four airplanes),
and they had the likeness of a man (the pilot). They each had four
faces: the face of a man (being piloted by man), and the face
of a lion (faith: wrath of the Lamb), on the right side: and
the face of an ox on the left side (thus covering both principalities:
the lion, faith; and the ox, industry, of the earth); and all four
also had the face of an eagle (signifying a great bird).
And each one had four wings (two
at the midsection, and two at the tail). Their feet were straight
(not like man's); and the sole of their feet was like the sole
(hoof) of a calf's foot (black, rubber-like: the tires):
and their color (the airplane's) was the color of burnished brass
(brushed metal). And they had the hands of a man under their wings (the
pilot). Their wings do not move (flap, as a bird's), they stay
straight. And they do not turn like birds, but stay on course: where ever
the spirit (controls) directed them to go, they went. They had
lamps (lights), and they had wheels; and the wheels worked like a
wheel in the middle of a wheel (the wheel and the tire). As for
their rings (strakes - fuselage), they were so high that they were
dreadful; and their fuselages were full of eyes (windows) all
around them (the stretch of them).
When they moved, the wheels moved by them: and when they
lifted up from the earth, their wheels were lifted up
(retracted): for the spirit of the living creature (man) was in
the wheels (controlling the wheels). And the likeness of the
firmament upon the head of the living creatures (the various indicator
lights on the ceiling of the cockpit) was as the color of terrible
crystal (indicating the dimness of the indicator lights). The noise
of their wings (the jet engines) was like the sound of great waters
(thunderous), as the voice of the Almighty, the voice of speech, as the
noise of an host: and when they stood (landed), they let down their
wings (flaps).
And there was a voice from the ceiling when they landed (the
announcements of the flight attendants or pilot). And above the roof of
these four airplanes was the likeness of a throne (leader):
and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness of a man above upon it
(he that masterminded the event). And then I saw the appearance of the
likeness of the glory of the Lord (for to God be the glory, being
his wrath).
For it is as prophesied in Isaiah: O Assyrian, the rod of my anger, (with which I shall chastise my elect); the staff in their hand (the plan you harbor) is
my indignation. I will send him against a hypocritical nation (a
self-righteous people whose mouths speak folly),
against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil,
and to take the prey, and to thread them dawn like the mire of the streets.
Howbeit that is not his intention, neither does his heart suppose he can do
that: but it is in his heart to destroy and cut off (as
infidels) many nations, and not just a few (for the ignorant
ones of this faith also do suppose that those who do not worship through
Mohammed are destined for hell). For his thoughts are, Are not my
princes altogether kings (Are not
my people, or faith, also of the
elect: or, Is Islam not also of
Abraham, and a nation promised of God)?
As I have done unto Samaria and her idols (at the time of Mohammed), shall I not do the same unto Jerusalem (symbolical; as in,
They that are supposed to be of promise)
and her idols?
But as ordained (written into being), God, in continuation,
said of the Assyrian, Wherefore it shall come to pass, that when the
Lord has performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem
(after the Assyrian has accomplished that for which it was raised),
I will punish the fruit of the stout heart (greatness)
of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks. For the axe shall
not boast itself against him that is hewing with it. For the
work shall be fulfilled in the order in which it was written, according
to the mystery of the pattern of the Ark of the Covenant of
promise.
And, as concluded in the sixth trumpet, The rest of the people which were not killed by these plagues yet
repented not of the works of their hands (their doctrines and their
idolatrous inventions), that they
should not worship devils, and idols of gold (mammon), and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood (all things of
vanity): which neither can see, nor
hear, nor walk. Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their
sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts. Yet know that
it is thus ordained, that the word and work of God should be fulfilled. For
after this comes the preparation of the second cherubim of glory, to whom is
handed the little book to digest.
That you might understand the making of the Son, discern that
which David said in 1st Chronicles 28, The Lord made me to understand in writing (in the scriptures)
by his hand upon me, even all the mystery of the works of this
pattern (discern Galatians 4: 4).
It is written in Revelation 5,
Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has prevailed to
open the book, and reveal the seven seals; of whom also is the allegory
of Abel (the first) and Seth (the last) – discern truly Genesis
4: 1 and 4: 25-26; to which is added, Upon
the birth of Seth’s son (doctrine: testimony)
men began to call themselves by the name of the Lord: upon the
fulfillment of the 2nd coming shall man realize his oneness with
God; upon which he shall then be reconciled to God.
Thus Zephaniah 3: 9 states, For then will I restore to the people a pure language (doctrine
of unity), that they may serve the
Lord with one accord. This is he that is to be empowered as a witness,
whom the despotic beast of the end shall kill as the peace offering; having
been given over by his own (the apostate church) who knew him not, upon the
fulfillment of his testimony: thus fulfilling the order of Melchisedec. Thus
states Isaiah 7: 16 regarding the coming of Immanuel
(God with us), that before the
child (at each instance) shall know to refuse the evil, and choose
the good, Jerusalem shall be forsaken of both her kings (the
first and the second comings of Immanuel).
Upon the fulfillment of this mystery shall the church realize
the bridegroom was in its midst, even as was signified in John 21: 7; Peter
symbolizing the church. And to this was it prophesied in Jesus, as written
in John 21: 18, saying, I assure you
this, When you, Peter (the church),
were young, you girded yourself, and walked whither you would: but when you
shall be old (at the time of the end),
you shall stretch forth your hands, and another shall gird you, and carry
you whither you would not go (to fulfill for you that which you would
not). For it is prophesied thus of
the apostate church, saying, I will
remove Judah (Christianity) also
out of my sight, as I have removed Israel (Judaism): for Judah kept not the commandment of their God (the one
commandment left them: love), but
walked in the statutes of Israel which they made (following in the steps
of the self-righteous Pharisees, in accordance of Nebuchadnezzar's image of
gold).
And for those that suppose Jerusalem is still the Holy city;
it is prophesied thus in 2nd Kings 23: 27, saying, I
will cast off this city Jerusalem which I have chosen, and the house (the
temple in Jerusalem) of which I said (unto Solomon),
My name shall be there (thus making way for that which the Holy
Spirit is building: new Jerusalem). Thus it is prophesied in Isaiah unto all
souls, saying, With great mercies (consolations: more than
one sacrificial offering) will I gather you. And upon his
resurrection and ascension (of which Isaiah prophesied, saying, And
he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his deaths)
comes the third Woe. For then the seventh trumpet sounds; and there were
great voices in heaven, saying, The
kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his
Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. At this point the temple
of God was opened in heaven, and in it was seen the ark of his testament
(revealing the mystery of the ark and its two cherubims of glory).
My beloved ones, the end of all exploration is to know the
beginning, the source of conscious energy, from which originates all matter;
which living energy is known as Light, and also known as the living God: whose
essence is the very ingredient known as Righteous Love, which man lacks in
his current state of polarity. Receive the priceless exponent of the divine
mystery, the knowledge of the mercy seat, that you may know who you really
are, and understand who your Creator truly is, and that which he is doing in
you for his good pleasure, which is you; that you may no longer
strive with each other, but look to the glory that awaits you. Know
this, there are pricey worldly treasures; but the lips of knowledge are a
priceless jewel. Man can learn nothing except he leaves the stagnation
and prejudice of his feeble knowledge, and explores the disconcerting
realm of his ignorance, the unknown, allowing light to unfold within
exponentially.
You are a miracle in the making, being fashioned
in love by Love; you are part of a divine whole: therefore you are, as
each and every one is, a vessel of light to the world; do not let your
light be darkness unto others, regardless: for if the light that is in you
is darkness, what good is that darkness? And know this: If light abides
alone, it glorifies Self: but if it transmits itself into vessels of light,
they form and reflect a city of divine lights, spiritually known as new
Jerusalem; thereby glorifying the source of light. You
are a living witness, more powerful than any word or book can witness; even
as John stated, There are three that bear witness in earth: the spirit,
and the water (faith), and the blood; and these three agree
(are incorporated) in one (the flesh: the body).
My dearly beloved, discern as that which is
left of your darkness is being transformed wholly into light, and you
unfold unto perfection in its divine glory: the glory of God. Embrace one
another: for you are all one. Peace be unto you, and grace, from your
Father in heaven; as his grace abounds in your midst! For direct
commune and responses, I can be reached at watersofShiloh@aol.com.
Shalom! Salaam! Namaste!
Eternal love, ever florescent in fluorescence!
John (Salem - Yohanan): to the praise and glory of my Father in heaven.
We also present the
article following these two entitled OLD WELLS, FALLEN MANTLES and NEW FOUNTAINS
LEGALISM
by
Ray C. Stedman
Our study today is
legality, or legalism. There is much misunderstanding on this subject by many.
We tend to think that everybody else has it but that we don't. We often treat it
like the common cold. We don't understand what it is or how to cure it, but
almost everyone suffers from it and we find it to be very highly contagious.
Perhaps it would be more appropriate to liken it to hay fever, since I see that
some of you are joining me in a chorus of snuffing and sniffling and wheezy
breathing. Legality can be very much like that. It comes upon you and you hardly
know what has happened. But there it is. The symptoms are suddenly present and
you don't know what to do with it---certainly not how to cure it---and so you
suffer through it but don't know what is wrong.
But legality is one of
the favorite weapons of the enemy. He loves to get Christians to be legalistic,
for then he has destroyed their enjoyment of the Spirit and he can use them to
spread havoc among a generation or a company of believers and ruin a vital,
active, and growing Christian group. That is exactly what happened in Galatia,
and is what drew forth the letter to the Galatians from the Apostle Paul. Here
was a group of young Christians who had a fantastic beginning. Their response to
the preaching of the apostle was heartwarming. They had given themselves totally
to Christ. Paul was greatly enthusiastic about this group of growing young
Christians. But after a while word came to him that legality had set in,
legalism was taking its toll. What had been a bright and marvelous testimony of
the grace and glory of God was being turned into a dull, apathetic group of
religionists---cold, barren, and empty, almost devoid of spiritual life.
That is what legality
will do. Legalism destroys! It did then and it does the same thing today. I know
of no affliction in Christendom which is more widespread and more devastating in
its destructiveness than this. Across the world today many churches are sunken
into a pall of boredom and futility largely because of the legalistic spirit
which has throttled their spiritual vitality.
Legalism can also be
described as false Christianity because that is essentially what it is. It uses
Christian language and biblical terms. It sounds evangelical. It loves to use
phrases like "evangelism," "fundamentalism," "biblical
literalism," and such. It sounds Christian and looks Christian but it is
emphatically not true Christianity. It as a spurious fake, an imitation
Christianity, an empty, hollow counterfeit of the real thing. It is a burdensome
drag upon the spiritual life that creates a sense of bondage and guilt. It is a
sickening, nauseating fraud in the eyes of others. God describes it in the
Scriptures as a stench in his nostrils. That is what legality really is. We
ought not to be proud of it in any degree although, strangely enough, I find
Christians boasting of their legalism. They don't call it that, but they
nevertheless boast in what is in effect a legalistic spirit. But God does not
boast of it. He finds it disgusting. Yet it is so widespread. Why is that? Why
should it be so universal? Surely the answer is that the enemy strives
diligently to keep us in ignorance as to what legalism really is. We recognize
certain forms of it and try to divest ourselves of those, but then we are not
aware of other forms of it that are gripping our lives and holding us in
bondage. So while we are denouncing legality on one side as practiced by others,
we ourselves are practicing it in another form. Thus it spreads its noxious
influence throughout a local Christian body, across the nation, and throughout
the entire worldwide church.
How can you recognize
legalism? That is the question we want to zero in on. We must first understand
that since legality is basically false Christianity, then you can never
recognize the false unless you understand the true. That is where I want to
start. What is real Christianity? What is Christianity as the Scriptures set it
forth---true Spirit-filled living? Let me attempt a definition. True
Christianity is to manifest genuinely Christlike behavior by dependence on the
working of the Spirit of God within, motivated by a love for the glory and honor
of God. That is the genuine article.
You will notice that it
has three essential elements, and without all three it becomes legality. If it
fails in even one point it is nothing but legality. First, there is an expected
pattern of behavior. There is a law, if you like, a code, to which we are
expected to conform. Many Christians make the mistake of thinking that to be
free from legalism you must become free from any law whatsoever. Nothing is
further from the truth. The Scriptures never endorse that notion. I know that we
sing, "Free from the Law, O happy condition/Jesus hath bled, and there is
remission," but what we are talking about is not freedom from the law but
freedom from the curse of the law. That is something quite different.
There always must be
law. This is a law-governed universe because the law reflects the character of
God. God himself is reality. God is behind all things, and his character is the
law which governs everything. Therefore Christians must always be related to
law---the law of the character of Christ, of the law of the Ten
Commandments---it is the same thing. The Ten Commandments simply describe the
nature of God's character. So true Christianity isn't freedom from the existence
of law. There is always a standard, always a code of conduct to be observed.
That is essential. But be careful what the standard is! You can go wrong
selecting the law. You can be legalistic in the standard you have set.
The second necessary
element is a sufficient and adequate power. That is absolutely essential to true
Christianity. The whole glory of the gospel comes in right at this point. The
good news is that God has given us a sufficient and adequate power, indwelling
us, available to us at all times, so that we never have an excuse for not being
what we ought to be. In the Spirit of Jesus Christ, indwelling us, we have what
it takes---a sufficient and adequate power.
The third essential is a
motive which moves us to action---a powerful, compelling hunger for the glory of
God, an urge that God be honored and.glorified. If I can put all the foregoing
in another way, the true Christian life is fulfilling a law by means of a unique
power because of an overwhelming desire. It requires an outward standard or code
of behavior, an inward power which makes it possible to meet it, and a motive
which drives us on to do so. But it takes all three. You cannot manifest genuine
Christianity without all three. If it fails at any one point it immediately
becomes legality. The other two can be perfect and yet it still will be
legality. You can go wrong at any one of three places.
Let me go over these and
show you what I mean. First, one form of legality is to have the wrong standard.
Legality then becomes making unwarranted or unnecessary demands on yourself or
on someone else, especially in areas which are not prohibited in the Scriptures.
That becomes legality.
There is a standard
which is prescribed. As I have mentioned, the law of God never changes and it is
always right, always applicable and relevant to a Christian. For instance, it is
always wrong to murder or to lie or to steal or to commit adultery or to covet
your neighbor's things. These are always wrong. They are never right. There is
no way ever of justifying them. But there are other areas in which we are given
a great deal of personal liberty, and it is legalism to make standards
(particularly for someone else) in these areas.
Here we must be careful,
because for ourselves it is proper to set standards or rules which apply to us.
When we have difficulty with some situation or we discover a weakness within
ourselves it is wise to make a rule for our own protection. "I will not go
to bars because I have a weakness toward alcohol. I tend to lose control and get
drunk, therefore I won't go there." That may be a perfectly proper rule for
your life. "I find myself easily inflamed by pornographic literature,"
you may say, "therefore I won't read that kind of stuff. I find myself
sexually aroused to the point where I want to do the wrong thing, so I won't
read literature or go to movies which do that to me." It is right to set
these kinds of rules and limitations upon yourself. And you will find they will
change as you grow as a Christian.
But legality comes in
when a group of Christians makes rules for each other or for anybody else. That
is what is wrong. That becomes legalism. We may sit down and explain a situation
to somebody and ask him, "Would you agree to observe this standard of
behavior if you work or study with us?" If he says"yes," then he
has agreed and has adopted the rule for himself. But the Scriptures are careful
not to command behavior in certain areas. When the Corinthians wrote to Paul
they asked, "What about these Christians who are eating meat offered to
idols?" A group of them were upset about this and they wrote to the
apostle, saying, "We don't think that is right, To us that is demon
worship." But Paul wrote back and said, "Now be careful!" He
said, in effect, "It would be the easiest thing in the world for me, as an
apostle, simply to say, 'Yes, you are right, don't eat meat offered to idols,'
but I am not going to say that. What I am going to say is that here is an area
where each man must be fully persuaded in his own mind. You can't make rules for
each other, and you have to honor a weaker brother's conscience. If he is
troubled by a certain action then don't flaunt your liberty in his presence, but
be careful of one another and love each other."
So it becomes legality
for Christians to levy standards of achievement or behavior or spirituality upon
others. Today this involves matters concerning clothing styles, length of hair,
certain demands of ritual observance like whether you may cut your lawn on
Sunday or not, whether or not it is right to eat meat on Friday, food and
behavior restrictions---all these things become legality when they are
legislated upon somebody else. These are areas in which we are left free to be
guided by our conscience, instructed by the word of God in general principles.
We are free to counsel one another and help one another but not to legislate. It
is wrong, absolutely wrong, to so so. It becomes legality when we make
unwarranted demands upon others in an area not prohibited by Scripture. This
focuses upon the what of an issue, what it is you are supposed to do, and you
can be legalistic at this point.
A second form of
legalism (and it is the same basic thing even though it takes another form) has
to do with the power upon which you rely in order to act. Legalism is also the
making of quite proper demands but making them on those who have no awareness of
the proper power it takes to fulfill them. That becomes a very subtle form of
legality because it is always based on a proper demand. It is in the realm which
Scripture authorizes---thou shalt not murder, thou shalt not steal, thou shalt
not lie, and so on---a moral code which is approved of the Scriptures. But even
in that area it is wrong to make a demand upon someone who doesn't understand
the power by which it is to be met. It becomes legality.
Do you see how subtle
this can be? The actual behavior can be exactly the same in the case of a
legalist or of one behaving as an authentic Christian. They both may be real
Christians and their behavior may be exactly the same, but one is legalistic and
the other is not. It is what is going on inside that is the issue in question.
It is a matter of inner reliance. What are you reckoning on to meet this demand?
Are you counting on your ability, your own adequacy, your talent, your
personality? Is that what you are reckoning on in order to accomplish what is
expected of you? Well, if you are reckoning on anything other than the activity
of God at work in you, you are a legalist! We all do this from time to time. Who
has not found himself falling back into some form of reckoning upon
himself---either his ability (to try to show someone what he can do) or his
inability (to use as an excuse). If you do this you immediately become a
legalist. This is focusing now on the how you are going to do something. The
most widespread form of legality in the Christian church is the flesh, trying to
do something before God which will be acceptable to him.
The flesh is the old
life, the natural life inherited from Adam, with its apparent resources of
personality, of ancestry, of commitment, of dedication, and so forth. You can do
all kinds of religious things in the flesh. The flesh can preach a sermon. The
flesh can sing in the choir. The flesh can act as an usher. The flesh can lead
people to Christ. Did you know that? The flesh can go out and be very zealous in
its witnessing and amass a terribly impressive list of people won to Christ,
scalps to hang on a belt. The flesh can do these things but it is absolutely
nauseating in the eyes of God. It is merely religious activity. There is nothing
wrong with what is being done, but what is terribly wrong is the power being
relied upon to do it. That is legality.
That is why, in any
Christian activity, you have to be careful that your inner reliance is on God
and not on you. Otherwise it comes out all wrong and makes all the difference
between heaven and hell, life and death. You can do exactly the same thing that
someone else is doing and, if you do it with a sense of reliance on anything
other than the Spirit of God, what they do will bless people but what you do
will curse them. It is the very same action, absolutely the same. What you do
one moment, trusting in God's Spirit, will bless people and strengthen them and
bless your own life and enrich and fulfill it, but the very next moment you can
do exactly the same thing in the power of the flesh, and it will be damaging and
destructive and hurtful to others and to you. That is why you need to recognize
the subtlety of all this and to be aware that God looks not at the outward
appearance, as man does, but at the inner heart. What is going on inside is
all-important to God. It is paramount that we understand that. Because other
Christians around you approve of what you are doing is no sign at all that what
you are doing is acceptable to God. What you are doing must be done out of a
reliance on the power he provides or else it is nauseating, religious hypocrisy
in his sight, and it will ultimately prove to be that in the eyes of others as
well.
Now let's move to the
third area. You can go wrong in the motive which moves you to do things.
Legality is also the fulfilling of external requirements for reasons of
self-exaltation or personal merit. Here we are focusing on the why of what you
do. You must be right in what you do, how you do it, and why you do it. Why do
you do things? Are you trying to build a reputation for yourself? Do you want a
name as a spiritual Christian and so you let it be known how many Bible verses
you memorize each week, how many hours you spend in prayer, and how much you
give to the missions? That is exactly on a par with the religion of the
Pharisees. This is what Jesus is highlighting in the Sermon on the Mount---men
who love to be seen before men instead of being content to be visible only to
the God and Father who sees in secret. If what is motivating you is a desire to
gain preeminence, some prominence as a Christian, if you long to have your name
blazoned before others, published around the world known here and there, and if
you love to table-hop at Christian conventions (believe me, I know plenty about
this in my own heart), this is legality. It is a stench in the nostrils of God.
It will end up producing only death in your life and increasing the shame and
reprobation of Christianity before the world.
Of course, combinations
of these failures are possible. You can be wrong at two points as well as one,
or at all three---and then you are really a legalist! You can be an obvious
legalist as well as a subtle one. But it is all legality. It is what the
Scriptures fight unstintingly and what the enemy is clever to cover over and
make look like something good.
Now we are ready to
attempt a definition of legality which I hope will fit all the circumstances we
have looked at. Legality is a mechanical and external behavior growing our of
reliance on self, because of a desire to gain a reputation, display a skill, or
satisfy an urge to personal power. That is legality. It is religious
performance, scrupulous and meticulous in its outward form but inwardly, as
Jesus described it, "filled with dead men's bones." It is relying on
self, personality, background, training, and talent or skill instead of the
Spirit of God. And it is operating for and on behalf of one's own personal
glory. That is full-orbed legality.
The thing that is
appalling to us is to remember that there is no way to cheat in this matter. God
knows our hearts. He sees us as we are and he turns off the power immediately
when a legalistic spirit is present, even momentarily, in our life. What we do
out of that spirit never produces anything of value in the kingdom of God. We
can't fool him. We may fool others but we can't fool him. God acts immediately
upon the basis of what he has said he would do, and so legality results always
in death.
That is why it needs
constant evaluation on our part. You can't live the Christian life and never
take a look at yourself. If you go on week after week, year after year, never
examining yourself, never asking, "What kind of a Christian am l? Where am
I before the Lord?" you cannot escape a legalistic spirit. We must always
be asking, "What kind of attitudes do I manifest? What kind of disposition
do I display to others?" You must ask these questions repeatedly. That is
why the Scriptures say, "examine yourselves, whether you be in the
faith." The life of faith requires this.
Furthermore, it requires
an openness to the help of others in this respect. Not only are we to examine
ourselves, but we are to let others examine us, because it is amazing how little
we can see ourselves. At times we can. We all have moments of truth. You know
how they feel. Moments of truth come when you are suddenly aware of what you
are. But God doesn't leave us to depend on these alone. He also gives us the
rest of the body of Christ to help us. So pay attention to what others say about
you---especially if they say it in love and not in harshness. Listen to their
appraisal. They may be seeing something that you are not seeing, and it is
important to consider and to face honestly what others make clear to us.
We don't like that, do
we? We all want to deal with God directly. We don't mind his seeing us. We don't
mind his telling us what is wrong because he does it in secret. But it really
gets to us when he chooses to use someone else to do it. As Oswald Chambers
says, "God never allows you to choose the scene of your own martyrdom. If
you object to the fingers by which he crushes his grapes, you will never become
wine poured out to bless the hearts of others." So don't object to them.
Allow others to minister to you and to help you with their insights into your
life. That is why we need the body.
Well then, what is the
cure of legality? Suppose you find it in your heart---and we all will. If you
can go on week after week and never find any evidences of legality in your life
you are utterly blind. There is something wrong with you, because legality is
there. It is present. It is always waiting to be manifested at any moment of
weakness, and there are plenty of moments of weakness, aren't there? But what do
you do with it when you find it? The Scriptures suggest a very simple and
unfailing remedy. Repent and believe---that is all. Repent of it. Change your
mind about it. Don't justify it. Don't excuse it. Don't call it something else.
Don't try to cover it up and pretend that it is something acceptable. You may
fool the people around you but you won't fool God. He knows. So repent of it.
Admit it. Say so, openly and freely. And then believe that God has already taken
care of it, that death need not follow. Commit it to him and out of death will
come resurrection; from death will come life. The moment you acknowledge the
death, the resurrection immediately follows---always. God brings to life that
which would otherwise be barren and dead. That is the secret of handling
legality.
Bill Newton will forgive
me if I share a little story that he told me just before the service, because it
illustrates this so beautifully. Bill was reminding me of the time when the Salt
Company (a Christian folk-rock music group) was here a year or so ago in our
Body Life service. He was troubled by the music. It wasn't the style to which he
was accustomed. He didn't like the beat and he couldn't understand the words
very clearly, so the music wasn't ministering to him very much. When he looked
over to his wife, LaVose (who plays the piano for us so wonderfully), he saw her
bowed in prayer. He found a moment to ask her, "What's troubling you?"
She said, "You know, the Lord just said to me that he isn't as uptight over
this as I am." Now that is repentance, exactly! That is what it means. It
is facing the fact that God's attitude is different than ours. Something may
bother me but it doesn't bother him and therefore it is my attitude that is
wrong, not his. A belief in and acceptance of God's attitude---that is
repentance.
How much grief we would
be spared in our lives if we gave people the same liberty we expect for
ourselves. We don't want somebody else to tell us how to dress in order to come
to church. There is no rule in the Bible that says you must wear shoes to church
or anything of the sort. I know this is not a problem with us any longer but
there are plenty of places where it is. And I am sure that we have lingering
moments of other kinds of legalism. But I am not trying to judge anyone, I
simply want to say, let's look at the legalistic attitudes we find within us and
judge them in the light of the Word, because legality is death. Legality is
hypocrisy. Legality is phony Christianity. It is a false way to trying to appear
right, and therefore it is a stench in the nostrils of the God of truth who
loves to have people be honest and true as he made them to be.
Discovery Papers Catalog
No. 525
May 14, 1972
Copyright (C) 1995
Discovery Publishing, a ministry of Peninsula Bible Church. This data file is
the sole property of Discovery Publishing, a ministry of Peninsula Bible Church.
It may be copied only in its entirety for circulation freely without charge. All
copies of this data file must contain the above copyright notice. This data file
may not be copied in part, edited, revised, copied for resale or incorporated in
any commercial publications, recordings, broadcasts, performances, displays or
other products offered for sale, without the written permission of Discovery
Publishing. Requests for permission should be made in writing and addressed to
Discovery Publishing, 3505 Middlefield Rd. Palo Alto, CA. 94306-3695.
What Holds
The Universe Together?
by Lambert Dolphin
Jesus and the Creation
Several separate passages in the New Testament make reference to the creation
of the universe. John's gospel speaks of an earlier state of existence than is
described in Verse 1 of Genesis, In the beginning was the Word, [logos] and
the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God;
[before creation] all things were made through him, and without him was not
anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of
men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome
it...And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we
have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father...No one has
ever seen God; the only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has made
him known. (John 1: 1-17) This passage of the New Testament teaches that Jesus
was eternally existent with God the Father prior to the creation of all
things. Further, this Word, the Son of God, was and is fully God in his own
right. At a point late in the history of mankind the Son of God became a man
and was born into the human race in order to solve the problem of death and to
repair a broken universe. (See Philippians Chapter 2, and Hebrews Chapter 2).
Chapter One of Paul's Epistle to the Colossians gives a further description of
the role of Jesus in creation which is consistent with John, [Jesus] is the
image of the invisible God, the first-born [prototokos] of all creation; for
in him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible,
whether thrones or dominions or principalities or authorities [i.e.,
hierarchical angelic powers]---all things were created through him and for
him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the
head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the first-born from the
dead, that in everything he might be pre-eminent. For in him all the fullness
of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all
things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
The Holy Spirit, in giving us this inspired passage of Scripture, now explains
that all things (both visible and invisible) in the entire universe were
created through this same Jesus, the Eternal Word. We may think of the
universe and its intricate design as being conceived in the mind of the Father
then spoken into existence by the Son (who makes the invisible, visible). The
Holy Spirit is the One who energizes and supplies life to the creation, not
only at the time of creation but also moment by moment after that.
We are also told that all things were created for Jesus. He is "the heir
of all things." That means that we are house guests in Someone Else's
universe. There is a future accountability to be given by all of us---history
is headed somewhere and at the end of road stands Jesus to whom all power and
authority has already been given: Jesus said, "The Father judges no one,
but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, even as
they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father
who sent him. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears my word and believes
him who sent me, has eternal life; he does not come into judgment, but has
passed from death to life. Truly, truly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and
now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who
hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the
Son also to have life in himself, and has given him authority to execute
judgment, because he is the Son of man. Do not marvel at this; for the hour is
coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come forth, those
who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil,
to the resurrection of judgment." (John 5:22-29)
One of the
key words in the Colossians passage above ("...and in Christ all things
hold together") is the Greek word sunistemi which means "to
stand-together," "to be compacted together," "to
cohere," "to be constituted with." This passage can be applied
to the structure of the atom, for example. The nucleus of every atom is held
together by what physicists call "weak" and "strong"
forces. (Physicists today are familiar with four basic forces in the natural
world: gravity, electrical forces, a "strong," and a
"weak" nuclear force which act at very short ranges. The first two
forces decrease in strength inversely with the square of the distance between
two objects. Recently two additional close-range, weak gravitational forces
have been suggested. These are thought to be quantum mechanical corrections to
Newton's Law of Gravitation.)
The nucleus
of the atom contains positively-charged and neutral particles--to use a
simplistic model. Mutual electrostatic repulsion between the like-positive
protons would drive the nucleus apart if it were not for the "strong
force" which binds the nucleus together.
The third
New Testament passage which talks about atomic structure and physics is 2
Peter:
"But
the Day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass
away with a loud noise and the elements (atoms) will be dissolved with fire
and the earth and the works that are upon it will be burned up." (2 Peter
3:10) The Greek word translated "elements" in this passage from
Colossians is stoicheion which means the building blocks of the universe, or
"the ordered arrangement of things." It can also mean the
"atomic elements." The word translated "dissolved" is
literally (in Greek) luo, meaning "unloosed." This suggests a
further, future letting-go of the nuclear binding force that holds the nucleus
together. This passage strongly suggests that the active power of God is
behind the mysterious strong force that holds every atomic nucleus together.
If this is so, all the other fundamental forces of nature are likewise forces
that originate with Christ and His sustaining direction of the old creation.
If this is a correct view, were God to merely relax His grasp on the universe
every atom would come apart "by fire" (that is, by nuclear fire).
God dynamically sustains the universe, including the atoms themselves. They
are "stable" only because force from the spiritual realm is being
supplied into the physical nuclear binding fields. Whatever we may think of
God and physics, the Bible leaves us with no room to doubt that God does care
about the sparrow that falls to the ground, the widow, the orphan, and the
homeless. He does not lose track of His children and watches over them with
infinite, patient, intimate Fatherly care. He sustains the universe by His
mighty word of power. He also alters the status quo and, in response to
prayer, frequently changes the course of entire nations.
Another important claim of scripture about the old creation is that God is the
present Sustainer of the universe. That is, He is not uninvolved, remote,
detached and impersonal, leaving things to run by themselves by any means.
Among secular scientists today there are many who acknowledge that God exists.
But He is usually considered as only a First Cause---the One who brought the
universe into existence and set it into motion. But most of these same
scientists assume God was not involved after the initial act of creation. This
is contrary to clear statements in the Bible that God is very much involved in
every event that takes place in the on-going history of the entire universe:
"In many separate revelations---each of which set forth a portion of the
Truth---and in different ways God spoke of old to [our] forefathers in and by
the prophets, [But] in the last of these days He has spoken to us in [the
person of a] Son, Whom He appointed Heir and lawful Owner of all things, also
by and through Whom He created the worlds and the reaches of space and the
ages of time---[that is] [He made, produced, built, operated, and arranged
them in order]. He is the sole expression of the glory of God---[the
Light-being, the out-raying or radiance of the divine],---and He is the
perfect imprint and very image of [God's] nature, upholding and maintaining
and guiding and propelling the universe by His mighty word of power..."
(Hebrews 1:2-3) (Amplified Bible).
Again, the
fact that Jesus is presently sustaining the universe from the realm of the
spiritual raises the question whether there are inputs of energy as well as
force into our physical world which ultimately show up as energy added
"from the outside" of our physical world considered as a closed
system. This is discussed in the next section.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Is Empty
Space Empty?
Aristotle
(384 - 322 BC) taught that the physical world was made up of four elements:
air, earth, fire and water. Tying these all together so that the
"elements" intercommunicated was a "subtle" medium, a
fifth element: the aether--later to be known as the vacuum. (The Latin root
vacuus means "empty"). In a sense the aether was the substratum of
the material world. The Greeks believed that "nature abhors a
vacuum" so they could not imagine space as being totally empty.
The Greeks
believed the stars were suspended from, or attached to, a rotating crystalline
shell at a fixed distance from the earth. When some of the "stars"
(planets) were observed to be moving with respect to the "fixed"
stars, a series of rotating crystal spheres was postulated. The earth was
believed to be fixed, immovable, and at the center of the creation. Not until
the 16th Century were these Greek (Ptolemaic) ideas challenged by the
Copernican revolution. One of the most mysterious concepts in western physics
since Aristotle's day is the concept of the vacuum. Until Galileo Galilei
(1564 - 1642) challenged the notion, the velocity of light was assumed by most
everyone to be infinite, so the nature of the space between the earth and the
crystal spheres was not of great concern.
Rene
Descartes (1596-1640) championed the theory that the aether was a plenum, from
the Greek word meaning "full." Because it was so difficult for the
scientists of that era to understand "action at a distance,"
Descartes imagined that a very dense medium of very small particles pervaded
everything. This medium was capable of transmitting force from one object to
another by collisions. The aether "particles" were in constant
motion and there were no spaces between the particles. In a sense the aether
was more solid than matter, yet invisible. Descartes universe was purely a
"mechanical universe" and his theories were soon superseded.
Galileo's former secretary, Evangelista Torricelli filled a long glass tube
with mercury in 1644. Inverting the tube into a dish of mercury he observed
that the mercury dropped some 30 inches at the closed upper end of the tube,
thereby creating what was obviously a vacuum. Blaise Pascal (1623 -1662) took
this work even further and soon everyone was convinced that the vacuum of
space was empty after all.
If light were corpuscular in nature as some believed, it was not difficult to
image light "particles" (we now call them photons) could traverse a
pure vacuum without the necessity of a real medium pervading all of space. But
other experiments soon began to show that light was a wave phenomenon. Of
course waves could be travel through the plenum aether by collisions, however
at the time only compressional waves were imagined. [Sound waves or seismic
waves are compressional in nature, for instance, but light waves proved to be
transverse]. In parallel with all these growing controversies, the velocity of
light was finally measured by Olaf Roemer in 1675 and found to be finite,
although the values he obtained were a few percent higher than the present
value, 299,792.4358 km/sec.
By the time of Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727) the aether was believed by many
scientists to be "luminiferous." That is, the aether was said to be
more fluid than solid, though it was elastic, and therefore it was a medium
which would support waves. James Clerk Maxwell (1839 - 1879) enjoyed great
success when he found a set of equations which beautifully described how light
waves could travel through such a luminiferous aether. He showed that light
waves are composed of oscillating electric and magnetic vectors in an x-y
plane for a wave traveling in the z-direction. For a waves to exist at all, it
is natural to suppose that there is some sort of supporting medium. Such a
medium must possess elasticity (a spring-like property) and also inertia, (a
mass-like like property). In fact, the velocity of a wave in any medium is
equal to the square root of the stiffness divided by the density of the
medium. In the case of electromagnetic waves (gamma rays, x-rays, radio waves,
heat, and light of various wavelengths), Maxwell found that the aether
possessed an electric-field scaling parameter, called "dielectric
permittivity," and a magnetic-field scaling parameter, called
permeability, such that the velocity of light was equal to one over the square
root of permeability times permittivity. In support of the notion that the
aether was a real medium it was observed that empty space behaved like a
transmission line with a "characteristic impedance" of 377 ohms,
(which is the ratio of permeability to permittivity for "free
space.") This new theory also explained how light slows down in glass, in
gases, in water--because media other than the vacuum had a different
permeability and permittivity. The aether was once again thought of as a very
real medium which could be stretched or compressed--it had resilience or
compliance, and inertia. Yet no known physical substance had a stiffness to
mass density ratio anywhere near 9 x 10^16 which was required of the aether as
a medium. The aether appeared to possess elasticity but negligible inertia.
The idea that some kind of aether medium existed prevailed until 1887 when
Michelson and Morley utilized the Michelson interferometer in an attempt to
detect the relative motion of the earth and the aether--the aether must be
viscous and should be dragged along at least partially with the earth.
According to 19th Century preconceptions the velocity of the earth going
around the sun should be about 30 km/sec. Yet when the measurements were made
no motion of the earth relative to the ether could be detected at all. In
other words, the aether apparently did not exist. Until Einstein's Theory of
Relativity was published in 1905 the negative result of the M-M experiment
baffled scientists.
Einstein showed that the velocity of light has the same value in all reference
frames, whatever their velocity may be relative to other frames. From this
point modern physics took off in the direction of Special and General
Relatively Theory, and Quantum Mechanics. For many scientists the notion that
an actual aether medium existed was simply discarded. Yet the apparent
non-existence of an aether raised many problems and the M-M experiment is not
the end of the story. (For one possible explanation of the negative results of
the M-M experiment see The Sagnac Effect) The whole history of the aether is
fascinating and complex (Ref. 1-5).
To return to
basics, if all the air molecules are pumped out of a chamber, the chamber
still contains residual radiation (electromagnetic noise from stars, x-rays,
and heat radiation). Even before quantum mechanics, it was shown by classical
radiation theory that if the temperature of the container is lowered to
absolute zero, there remains a residual amount of thermal energy that can not
by any means be removed. This residual energy in an empty container at
absolute zero, was named "zero-point energy." Suddenly the
once-empty vacuum was seen as a seething sea of potential energy. (Ref. 6, 7)
Physicist Dr. Hal E. Putoff, notes that the "vacuum" is a vast
reservoir of seething energy out of which particles are being formed and
annihilated constantly. The energy potentials in the vacuum are staggering,
but most of the time the forces involved balance each other out to zero.
Zero Point energy, he says, "is the energy of empty space. There were
arguments starting way back at the time of the Greeks about whether space is
really empty or isn't it. Democritus thought that it was empty and that is how
you have room for the atoms to bump around. You had Aristotle coming along
saying no, I think space is full of something because we have waves of heat
energy and they must travel in something. That argument went back and forth
but finally when quantum theory was developed, it became absolutely clear that
space, if you look at in a microscopic scale, is more like the base of a
waterfall with a lot of frothy, seething activity going on, rather than just
something like a placid, empty space. In fact John Wheeler likes to point out
that in the volume of a coffee cup, for example, in empty space, there is
enough energy to evaporate all of the world's oceans. This is, by the way, not
a fringe concept. It is a basic underlying concept in modern quantum
theory."
Putoff continues, "When the idea of the hydrogen atom was first put
forward in the form that you often see it on textbook covers, where it looks
like a tiny little solar system with the electron planet circling the nuclear
sun, one of the questions at the time was: why doesn't the electron simply
radiate its energy away and spiral into the nucleus, in a way similar to the
way our satellites have certain losses and spiral into the planet? At the
time, the answer was simply, well it is just the magic of quantum theory, it
doesn't obey classical rules, and for some reason hydrogen atoms are like
little perpetual motion machines. But in fact, from the standpoint of the zero
point energy approach, we now recognize - and the calculation has been done,
in fact I published on it myself - we show that indeed you expect an electron
in a hydrogen atom to radiate its energy away, but it picks up energy from the
background zero point energy and therefore is sustained by it. What that means
in terms of physics is that is shows why atoms can be seen as perpetual motion
machines, it is just that they always have an energy input from the background
to make up for the losses."
Australian Astronomer Barry Setterfield has, in the past year, picked up on
this theory of the vacuum to explain the red shift of light from distant
galaxies. (Arizona astronomer William Tifft's research has recently shown that
red-lifted light from the stars is quantized, and this also needed to be
explained). Setterfield's new model takes into account the statistical
evidence that the velocity of light is not a fixed constant--c has evidently
decreased in time by a large factor since creation, see On the Constancy of
the Velocity of Light. Setterfield's new cosmology concludes that the universe
is not expanding at all, (as the Big Bang model has long supposed) but is
static (it has a fixed diameter), and that the original energy input of
outside energy on Day Two of creation--when God stretched out the firmament to
its maximum expanse--accounts for the red-shift and the subsequent velocity of
light decrease.
Setterfield has also provided a rough calculation at the rate at which
"outside" energy from the "vacuum" would have to be fed
into the universe per square meter per second if Hal Putoff is correct and
electrons orbiting the nucleus do radiate energy after all. The compensatory
energy that must be constantly supplied from the vacuum is a staggering 1.071
X 10 (exp 117) kilowatts per square meter! (In scientific notion that is 10
followed by 117 zeroes, kilowatts per square meter).
It is an old tenant of philosophy that ex nihilo nihil fit--out of nothing
nothing comes. To imagine that vast amounts of energy flow into our physical
universe from nowhere, from empty space, out of the "vacuum" at
first appears impossible. To save the day we must resort either to magic or we
must seek some rational explanation in Biblical revelation. (Ref. 8) The
latter is not hard to do.
One the
Second Day of creation week, God said, "Let there be a firmament in the
midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters." And
God made the firmament and separated the waters which were under the firmament
from the waters which were above the firmament. And it was so. And God called
the firmament Heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, a second
day. (Genesis 1: 6-8) The Hebrew word usually translated firmament (raqia)
strongly suggests an originally super dense medium stretched out very thin
("like a tent") on the second day of creation week. This means that
what God created on Day One and Two was time, matter, energy, and space (the
aether). These are the building blocks from which He constructed the universe
evidently.
A careful
examination of Biblical references to the terms "firmament,"
"the heavens" and "the heavenly places" and how they are
used will show that the Bible depicts the spiritual realm as more solid, more
substantial, more permanent than the present, observable, material world. When
God created the universe he created it "two-storied." (Ref. 7) The
spiritual realm is where the angels dwell. It is a so much more solid and
substantial and permanent than our fading material world, that we can best
describe ourselves as ghosts in a shadow-like world surrounded and embedded in
the more substantial world of the spirit. This view of heaven is beautifully
portrayed by C.S. Lewis in his fictional study The Great Divorce. Thinking of
heaven as more solid that the material world suggests the aether is intensely
solid with objects in the physical world being akin to voids in the plenum of
space. It is as if we had come full circle all the way back to Descartes!
If the vacuum is not no-thing, what is the aether made of? It can not be pure
spirit or even "condensed spirit" or we would be flirting with
pantheism, because God is a Spirit, the angels and men are created spirits and
each of these is a "life-form." The aether is not alive. The aether
does appears to have real metric properties which can change as space is
expanded or contracted, yet it appears to be a substance that is more a part
of the created spiritual world than a tangible physical substance. Is the
aether the substrate, the boundary layer between our physical material world
and the created world of the spirit (called in Scripture "the heavenly
places")? This is probably not an unreasonable working hypothesis.
The Bible does speak of God as "the ground of all being" in that He
is not only "above" but also "below." In a famous address
to the philosophers of Athens in the First Century, the Apostle Paul
confronted them with a challenge to their existing polytheism, "The God
who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does
not live in shrines made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he
needed anything, since he himself gives to all men life and breath and
everything. And he made from one [man, i.e., Adam] every nation of men to live
on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the
boundaries of their habitation, that they should seek God, in the hope that
they might feel after him and find him. Yet he is not far from each one of us,
for `In him we live and move and have our being'; as even some of your poets
have said, `For we are indeed his offspring.' Being then God's offspring, we
ought not to think that the Deity is like gold, or silver, or stone, a
representation by the art and imagination of man. The times of ignorance God
overlooked, but now he commands all men everywhere to repent, because he has
fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he
has appointed, [Jesus] and of this he has given assurance to all men by
raising him from the dead." (Acts 17:24-31)
Let us take
a small leap of faith at this point. Assuming the universe is indeed "two
storied" and not "one storied" as the Bible teaches, then
surrounding us there exists a real and "substantial" spiritual
world. Our material world is in fact embedded in the spiritual. The two realms
are coupled, and the Source of all things is in the spiritual world, "By
faith we understand that the world was created by the word of God, so that
what is seen was made out of things which do not appear." (Hebrews 11:3)
"...we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are
unseen; for the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are
unseen are eternal." (2 Cor. 4:18) "Of old thou didst lay the
foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They will
perish, but thou dost endure; they will all wear out like a garment. Thou
changest them like raiment, and they pass away; but thou art the same, and thy
years have no end." (Psalm 102:25-27) Since, as we have already seen,
Colossians and Hebrews credit Jesus with holding all things together and with
sustaining the entire universe "with His mighty word of power," then
it is possible that the apparent vast reservoir modern scientists perceive as
being an inherent, resident power potential of the vacuum---a property of
"empty space" itself has its source in the Upper Story of the
universe. That is, it is the power of God Himself we now feebly glimpse, or
"see through the glass darkly." This power is seen at the boundary
between two worlds, the physical and spiritual.
From behind the curtains of our present world, God supplies not only force but
it would seem He also supplies also vast amounts of energy to sustain the
Creation. In more ways than one we owe not only our lives but the moment by
moment sustenance of the physical universe to His energetic involvement, both
now discernible in the conceptual understanding modern physics has given us.
Knowing the Creator personally gives us every reason to feel secure and to
stand in awe of Almighty God who has by no means left us alone in the
cosmos--it's very existence is a direct expression of His power and His will.
Surely
therefore we must stand in awe of our great God and Creator, along with the
Psalmist who wrote, "O come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a
joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with
thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the
LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the
depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also. The sea is
his, for he made it; for his hands formed the dry land. O come, let us worship
and bow down, let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker! For he is our God, and
we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. O that today you
would hearken to his voice!" (Psalm 95:1-7)
References
and Notes
1. A History of the Theories of the Aether and Electricity, by Sir Edmund
Whittaker. Dover Publications, New York, 1989. 2 Volumes.
2. Thomas G.
Barnes, Space Medium,. Geo/Space research Foundation, El Paso, 1986. The
mysterious properties of the aether as a medium are discussed in this
excellent book by a well known Christian physicist.
3. The
Classical Vacuum, by Timothy H. Boyer, Sci. Am. (August 1985) is a very good
review of the history of the vacuum in classical physics.
4. Is the
vacuum really empty?, by Walter Greiner and Joseph Hamilton, Am. Sci. Mar-Apr.
1980.
5. A
detailed discussion of modern views of the aether, pro and con are to be found
in a book by Ken Seto, Model Mechanics: A New Interpretation of Nature. KHS
Publishing, PO Box 275, Englewood, OH 45322-0275, 1-800-519-0149 (USA Only).
For a comparison of different views of the aether see Two Views on the Aether,
by Ken Seto. Ross Tessian has recently proposed some fascinating new views of
the aether which have been gathered from various newsgroups for the reader's
convenience. Fort a brief summary and additional references see Amara Gaps,
Ether: What is it? Various models of space-time are well described in The
Speed of Light - A Limit on Principle? (By Laro Schatzer, Swiss Physicist)
6. Physicist
Dr. Hal E. Putoff, formerly of SRI International and the University of Texas
at Austin, writes and speaks eloquently on the topic of the Vacuum and
Zero-Point Energy. See "Quantum Vacuum Fluctuations: A New Rosetta Stone
of Physics?", Everything for Nothing , and The Energetic Vacuum:
Implications For Energy Research.
Putoff and
others note that the "vacuum" is a vast reservoir of seething energy
out of which particles are being formed and annihilated constantly. The energy
potentials in the vacuum are staggering, but most of the time the forces
involved balance each other out. However Putoff notes that energy from the
vacuum may be flowing into every atom in the universe from the vacuum at a
rate that balances the energy radiated away by electrons, because electrons
orbiting atomic nuclei are supposed to radiate in classical theory. (For more
on ZPE see for instance, A Foundation for the Unification of Physics, by Paul
Stowe)
6. Professor
Rupert Sheldrake, former director of Biochemistry and Cell Biology at
Cambridge University, was recently featured in an interview along with the
former Dominican priest, Matthew Fox conducted by Richard Scheinn, Religion
and Ethics Writer for the San Jose Mercury News (Ref. 4-6.) In the course of
the discussion Sheldrake said the following,
The whole of
nature and all the universe is supposed to have come forth from what we call
the vacuum, or the vacuum state. It's not just empty space, as you would form
by sucking everything out of a vessel. The vacuum in quantum theory is a
plenitude of potentiality from which virtual particles are emanating all the
time spontaneously, and then being absorbed back.
The vacuum
state underlies everything in the universe, and is the ground of all being. If
you say to modern cosmologists, "How did the whole universe come from
nothing, with the Big Bang?" they tend to talk in terms of a fluctuation
in the vacuum. But by "in the vacuum" they don't mean total
emptiness. They mean such overflowing fullness, that just a fluctuation in it
can give rise to an entire universe. The vacuum is this primal,
undifferentiated potentiality, and it corresponds rather closely to the
Godhead.
Now, as you
say, there's also dark matter, which is not the vacuum state. Dark matter is
more differentiated than the vacuum and is supposed to have a kind of
existence which is invisible to us, but is reflected in its gravitational
force. Ninety to 99 percent of the universe is supposed to be made up of it.
And this is what I compare to the discovery of the cosmic unconscious. Because
just as our conscious minds are now recognized to be part of a vastly larger
unconscious mental system, so the visible and detectable universe that science
has been studying all these years, turns, out to be floating on a sea of dark
matter, which is like the cosmic unconscious...
Sheldrake's
thoughts could be easily construed to suggest that he adheres to a Hindu or
similar pantheistic world view. In pantheism, everything is God or an
extension of God. God is all that there is. See the San Jose (California)
Mercury News, October 14, 1995. San Jose Mercury News and Rupert Sheldrake,
The Rebirth of Nature: The Greening of Science and of God, Park Street Press,
One Park Street, Rochester, VT 05767, 1994. Sheldrake is clearly fascinated
with Christianity, and New Age religion in general, breaking with the
prevailing secular humanism in the academic world. This is an excellent book
and highly recommended. Also, his Seven Experiments That Could Change the
World: A Do-It Yourself Guide to Revolutionary Science, by Rupert Sheldrake,
Riverhead Books, New York, 1995. The author is a former research fellow at the
Royal Society and former directory of studies in biochemistry and cell biology
at Cambridge University. Chapter Six is a discussion of the possible
variability of the "Fundamental Constants." His statistical analyses
are not in-depth, however he raises important fundamental questions concerning
the constants of physics.
7.
Theologian and philosopher Frances Schaeffer several decades ago provided us
with a brilliant analysis of the changes in Western Civilization in the past
two hundred years. Schaeffer showed that the older world view held to a
"two-storied" universe, but that modern, modern man now believes the
universe has only one story. In other words, prior to the Darwinian revolution
and the period known as the Enlightenment, "everyone" assumed there
was both a material universe and a spiritual universe. This tacit assumption
that God and His angels were in the heavens, and man was on the earth---was
reflected in music, art, literature, philosophy and theology pretty much
throughout the western world. Gradually this world view was replaced, step by
step, with the present views of secular humanism and scientific naturalism.
The universe is now believed to have only one story. That is, the spiritual
world does not exist or is irrelevant. God probably does not exist, or if he
does, He does not interact in any way with the universe today. At most He was
possibly a "First Cause" but beyond that need not be considered. The
physical world is all there is and man will eventually be able to explain
everything on a purely naturalistic basis. Of course, in our time this view is
mostly encastled in the leading universities and think tanks. The general
public continues to hold to "archaic" religious views. In fact an
increasing number of respected scientists is calling for a re-examination of
atheistic materialism in favor of a non-Christian but definitely spiritual
world-view, commonly called "the New Age Philosophy." See also, The
Complete Works of Francis A. Schaeffer: A Christian World view, Crossway
Books, Wheaton, Illinois 1982.
8. As shown
in a separate essays, The Limits of Science, and What is Revelation from God?,
science is limited to investigations within the material, physical world. For
information on the realities of the spiritual world, we depend upon
"revelation." It is God who gives us clear information about this
realm. Contrasting the best of human wisdom and scientific information, with
the revelation that comes from God to all who trust Jesus Christ as Lord, Paul
says the following,
"Yet
among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age
or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. But we impart a
secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our
glorification. None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they
had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written,
'What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God
has prepared for those who love him,' God has revealed to us through the
Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For what
person knows a man's thoughts except the spirit of the man which is in him? So
also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we
have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is from God,
that we might understand the gifts bestowed on us by God. And we impart this
in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting
spiritual truths to those who possess the Spirit. The unspiritual [natural]
man does not receive the gifts of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to
him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually
discerned. The spiritual man judges all things, but is himself to be judged by
no one. 'For who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?' But we
have the mind of Christ." (2 Cor. 2:6-16) A fourth great passage
concerning Jesus and His place in creation is found in Revelation Chapter 1,
"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, who is and who
was and who is to come, the Almighty. I John, your brother, who share with you
in Jesus the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance, was on the
island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.
I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like
a trumpet...I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning
I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a
son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden girdle round his
breast; his head and his hair were white as white wool, white as snow; his
eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined
as in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of many waters; in his right
hand he held seven stars, from his mouth issued a sharp two-edged sword, and
his face was like the sun shining in full strength. When I saw him, I fell at
his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand upon me, saying,
"Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one; I died, and
behold I am alive for evermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades."
Here
Jesus is called "the Alpha and Omega," "the First and the
Last." Not only is Jesus the Son of God to be found at the beginning of
history, He also stands at the end of history and at the end of every life. He
is the Judge of all, and He is the heir of all things. Truth from science must
in the long run must agree with Biblical revelation, if the Bible is true. If
the Bible "says what it means and means what it says" (to quote
Chuck Missler) then it is Jesus who holds the universe in his hands. Our
moment-by-moment existence depends on His gracious sustenance of every
electron, every atom, every molecule and every spiritual entity as well.
Comments welcome. Email: lambert@ldolphin.org
This article is URL http://ldolphin.org/cohere.shtml
"OLD WELLS, FALLEN MANTLES and NEW
FOUNTAINS"
[-A vision given during Winter 2001]
~by Michael Edds.
I moved to Cleveland, Ohio in June 2000 to assume the
position as Head of School for an
interdenominational Christian High School. The
school was new but had severe problems, the most severe
totally unknown to me. Prior to my arrival, a teacher had been
arrested for involving a student in pornography. The teacher had
been convicted and sentenced. Upon my arrival, the incident had
become front-page news in the community. To say the least, I
was shocked and angry with the board who hired me and with God
who sent me.
One night I could not sleep. I was very
angry with the Lord for putting me into this
greatly stressful mess. "Surely, I thought, I
desire better than this." Around 2 am, I got up to sit on the
couch and pout. In spite of my upset state, anger and
disgust, the Presence of the Lord settled in the
living room. God did not even pay attention to or
address my complaint. Instead, His presence was so
strong that I physically trembled. He spoke these
words, "Old Wells, Fallen Mantles, and New Fountains." He
instructed me to get my Bible. By that time, I too had set aside
my complaint. His Presence was so great that I did not know
if I could survive it.
I opened my Bible to Isaiah 35: 3-7: "The
eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall
be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as a hart, and
the tongue of the dumb shall sing, for IN THE WILDERNESS SHALL
WATER BREAK OUT and streams in the desert. AND THE PARCHED
GROUND SHALL BECOME A POOL and the thirsty land
SPRINGS OF WATER."
I was directed to verse 19 of [Isaiah 43]: "Behold
I WILL DO A NEW THING. Now it shall
SPRING [BURST] FORTH. Shall ye not know it?"
The Lord was moving so quickly through the scriptures
that I could hardly keep up. His
presence was incredibly strong. I felt like I was
floating. Leaving Isaiah, the Lord took me to Joel 2:23: "He will
cause to come down for you the rain, THE FORMER RAIN AND
THE LATTER RAIN IN THE FIRST MONTH." Then Joel 2:28 was
given which states: "It shall come to pass afterwards that
I WILL POUR OUT MY SPIRIT ON ALL FLESH. Your sons and
daughters shall PROPHESY, YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS
and your YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS."
Finally, Genesis 26:18 finished the scriptures that the
Lord was rapidly giving me: "AND ISAAC DUG
AGAIN the WELLS of water which they had DUG IN THE
DAYS OF ABRAHAM HIS FATHER."
The Lord revealed the meaning of this vision:
The Early Church experienced the fullness of
God. They had the fullness, the gifts
and revelation of the Holy Spirit. They were full of
boldness, power and anointing. God turned the
world upside down through them. The dead
were raised, the blind received sight,
the possessed were set free, the sick healed and the Gospel
was preached to the poor. The anger of Hell was violently
aroused. The more the devil persecuted and killed them, the
more they multiplied and spread. So Satan changed his tactics.
By 300 AD Roman Emperor Constantine made Christianity the
official religion of the Empire. What Satan could not do through persecution,
he accomplished through promotion, position, power, prestige,
acceptance and prosperity. They SOLD OUT! The Church
backslid and the all humanity fell into the brutality of the Dark
Ages.
The purpose of each Great Awakening or the bursting
forth of a spiritual well was to restore an element
of truth that the Early Church possessed back to
the church. Luther restored 'the just shall
live by faith'. Wesley, Whitefield, Edwards and the First Great
Awakening restored repentance, inward holiness and "Christ
in you." The Second Great Awakening with Barton Stone
at Cane Ridge in the West and Francis Asbury in the East brought
restoration in society through evangelism, missions, and
great social renewal such as abolition, child labor laws, and suffrage
movement. The Third Great Awakening of 1857 restored the
power of prayer. Azusa Street Outpouring of 1905 restored the
infilling and gifts of the Holy Spirit. The Lord stated
that He was going to reopen all of the "old
wells" of revival in order to restore TOTAL
truth to His church.
Fallen mantles of ministry and anointing that rested
upon the great men and women of God of old would be
picked up and placed on godly men and women today
to finish what was started long
ago. They are the "Isaacs" that will revisit the old wells
of revival and reopen them. The mantles
of ministry did not die nor were they buried with
Asbury, Wesley, Stone, Amanda Berry Smith and
others. They have only been "on hold" until a generation
would be born that could relate to them and pick them up. Isaiah
58:12 refers to them: "And they that shall be of thee shall
build the old waste places, thou shall raise up the foundations
of many generations, and thou shall be called the repairer
of the breach, the restorer of paths to dwell in." The Lord
said, "What once was shall be again."
Malachi 4:5 prophecies that "I will send you
Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great
and dreadful day of the Lord. And He shall turn the
heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of
the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with
a curse." He said this was not just a generational reconciliation
between the old and the young. It is a restoration of
His people to the Faith once delivered to the Saints, the Faith of
our fathers. The Lord said He was tired of the apostasy, deadness,
programs, personality cults, plans and politics that have
nearly destroyed His church. He is going to restore HIS church
by returning the "Faith of our Fathers to their children (descendants)
and the children (descendants) to the Faith of our Fathers."
The old wells will BURST forth and the fallen mantles will
be picked up. This will be a "suddenly". Isaiah speaks of
it occurring in the desert places and on the barren
heights. In other words, it
will happen in the most unlikely of places. The Lord
continued His interpretation of the vision by explaining to me
that "NEW FOUNTAINS" would gush or break forth also.
Something that has never occurred in any
Great Awakening or in any historic move of God
will exploded upon the scene in our day. Joel
2:23 speaks of God sending the former rain (the Old Wells
of revival) and the latter rain (the New Fountains) in the SAME
MONTH!!! In other words, all of the moves of God and fallen
mantles from Pentecost until now will be reopened and picked
up and combined with a totally new thing from God. It will
literally shake the church and the world. HE WILL RESTORE A
CHURCH WITHOUT SPOT OR WRINKLE! He will not allow the
church to go out defeated. HE WILL ARISE FOR HIS OWN NAME'S
SAKE!
God has been preparing a "Joseph Generation"
that has been enrolled in the "School of
Dung." In this schooling, they have endured
the pain of rejection, slander and isolation. The 'Word of the
Lord' has tried them severely. They cry out, "God why? All I
wanted to do is serve you. All seems to have
'gone to hell in a hand basket'. It seems
just the opposite of what You promised. I
am lonely, the organized church thinks I am crazy, a fanatic, out
on a limb. They have rejected me and hated me because of my
love for you. WHY, OH LORD?"
God has been preparing and perfecting these Josephs in
the darkness and in the prison houses of loneliness
and isolation for a day and hour that they will be
unleashed as a secret weapon on the kingdom of
darkness. He has allowed all of these things to
happen to them for their good. He has prepared a people that He
can trust with His power, gifts, and anointing. In holiness, humility
and boldness they will fulfill His plans in our day. They will
give HIM the glory. They will give HIM total control of the coming
Great Awakening. The door of their prison house of utter
loneliness and rejection is about to open. Their "word" is
about to come. That word is "the King has
need of thee." In a
moment, they will be ushered from prison to position. In a moment,
they will fully understand their long and severe sufferings. In
a moment, they will be brought out into the light of God's divine destiny
for them. God will use them to lead the Coming Great Awakening.
Along with this final Great Awakening is coming Divine
Judgment. Isaiah 35:4 declares, "Your God
shall come with vengeance, even God with a
recompense." God is going to overthrow the abuse and
control of man in His church. He's going to take back the 'ship'
that has been turned into a luxury liner and restore her back
to her original state: a ship of war. HE IS GOING TO TAKE BACK
CONTROL OF HIS CHURCH!!! The Church is HIS bride, not
someone else's. Additionally, this nation is going to be greatly
shaken.
The First Great Awakening preceded the American
Revolution.
Before the Second Great Awakening began at Cane Ridge,
Kentucky, a massive epidemic of Cholera
occurred. In its early days, the Third
Great Awakening saw every bank in the nation collapse.
This awakening was followed by the greatest disaster in
American History when the nation was ripped apart and 600,000
Americans perished in the horrific War Between The States.
A great earthquake hit California at the same time as the
Azusa Street Outpouring. He is going to shake the Church and
this nation. Only that which is of Him will be left standing.
A great hunger for repentance, seeking God, seeking
holiness and seeking truth has exploded within the
'Joseph Generation'. They have studied, researched
and sought out the Old Wells of revival. They
intensely hunger for God to do it again! They cry out,
"Just one more time, oh Lord!" Programs, politics, personalities,
manipulation, and plans in the church sicken them.
THEY MUST HAVE GOD! They MUST be in His
presence! They are meeting in the homes, in the
fields, in the woods, in their prayer closets and
any place that they can totally seek His face. Their
despair has turned into an all-consuming hunger that says, "Give
me God or let me die." GOD HAS HEARD! He is about
to reopen the old wells of revival, He is picking up the
fallen mantles and placing them on men and women,
and He is about to do a new thing!
Every Awakening has incurred the wrath and persecution
of man.
When the Presence and holiness of God confronts
mankind, they must make a decision for or against
Him. When they choose to reject Him,
they lash out and fight against His messengers. In
the mid-1700s, the Baptist in Colonial Virginia were
beaten, imprisoned, and killed for preaching the Gospel. The
Methodist circuit riders were jailed, tarred and feathered, beaten,
abused and martyred for the message of God. The reason
there is little persecution against the Church in America today
is that there is so little of the Presence and Message of God
to confront mankind. The world has heard how to get rich, how
to prosper, how to have self-esteem, and to feel good. They have
not heard the message, "Repent or perish." They have not
heard the anointed Word of God that demands a
decision. Be forewarned, The Final Great
Awakening will usher in a wave of persecution
against the true Church of God. Old Wells of Revival are
on the threshold of being reopened. Fallen Mantles of ministry are
being picked up. New Fountains are rumbling beneath the surface
and about to burst forth. Frank Bartleman (chronicler of the
Azusa Awakening) once said, "To understand what God is going
to do, we must understand what He once did." The most incredible
move of God will suddenly explode upon the scene.
Judgment and a great shaking are coming to the land and
to the church. Persecution of the Isaacs and
Josephs, the true saints of God will
occur. However, they will be covered with such zeal and
boldness, they will be like the Fathers of old: "And they loved
not their lives even until death." (Rev 12:11) God will harvest
a holy remnant from this generation. He will have a church that
is without spot or wrinkle, a pure bride for His Son. Be encouraged. Lift
up your heads. Your God has come! "The King has
need of thee!"
~Mike Edds.
T
Who
Are We?
Well, that depends upon where one is coming from
when asking!
From an Apostolic Succession standpoint (VERY
important to some in the churches) we come from an Eastern Orthodox background
with co-consecrators from the West. Our Orthodox pedigree (lineage) comes
primarily from Russian Orthodox lines and the attempt many years ago to unite
those European immigrants who were Orthodox from various countries. The effort
failed mainly because of ethnic problems but the apostolic line continued on.
Years ago we decided that the original premise of bringing Orthodox Catholics
under a united church would still be true to the ancient teachings and necessary
more than ever today.
As we proceeded in that direction we discovered
that the early church used the term Orthodox Catholics (a title ‘borrowed’
and adopted in part by Rome). It was then a short journey of discovery to
realize that ALL avowed Christians were indeed Catholic and Orthodox if they
were faithful to our Lord’s teachings. How, you say, could we come to such a
conclusion? You might add that some Protestants downright disavow and avoid
anything even suggesting to be Catholic. This behavior has led to an extremely
‘offensive’ defensive practice with its resulting separation of many folks
who desire to follow Jesus. This has happened in the Protestant Churches as
well, much to the dismay. We all need to come together as one in Christ Jesus
under the Father God and powered by the Holy Spirit rather than promoting a
given church as the 'right' and only way.
How we came to the conclusion that ALL who desire
to follow Jesus and live accordingly are indeed ‘orthodox’ and
‘catholic’ is really quite simple. You see, the Greek meaning of the word
‘orthodoxia’ is basically true teachings…..and, the Greek meaning of
‘catholic’ ( a much abused word for many years) is not really
‘universal’ but ‘the fullness thereof’. Well, we said, if the meaning of
Orthodox Catholic is “the true teachings about the fullness thereof” of
Jesus Christ….we certainly were Catholic through and through….and by
extension, so must all true believers come under that aegis.
Now, a couple of points of clarification need to be
added here…..one, to be Roman Catholic means to be a catholic under the
Pope…..to be an orthodox catholic means to be just as much catholic but not
under the Pope……and, two, the East and West Catholic Churches were one until
they began to fragment in the 10th century and finally separate in
the 14th century (over political reasons, not spiritual or of the
faith).
Theologically there is not much difference between
the two. However, there is one basic attitude difference….namely, the West
(RC) practices with a God “that’s gonna getcha if you don’t watch out and
the church is here to protect you”. The East believes in a God of Love who
wants to grant us life and that abundantly…..but here the bulk of the
responsibility lies with the individual and not the church. The clergy are to be
used as a resource and guide on a course upon which both laity and clergy are
embarked. This has caused the Western church to be more controlling and, yes,
even dictatorial. That is not to say that the East has not fallen into the same
trap from time to time but the underlying truth is the love of God who gave His
only Son for our sins. Our sins being those things that separate us from God and
not the many, often superficial, things that are taught to be sins.
It is not difficult to see that a church that makes
major effort to be controlling would need to be skillful at covering up those
happenings that are less than desirable in followers of Jesus Christ. This has
become tragically evident today.
So, being Catholics dedicated to letting God the
Father, our Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit use us in any way they see
fit, we try to live a life as God has asked us to do. We are not always
successful, but God knows that and provides forgiveness (Grace) upon our genuine
repentance and pledge to try not to sin again. It is in this vein that Holy
Communion is so important for we believe (as all Catholics do) in the ‘real’
presence of our Lord in the consecrated Body and Blood. Again, the Orthodox
Catholic attitude towards this, and all the Sacraments, is not to attempt to
dissect them or explain them logically but to simply call them Mysteries and how
He does it is God’s business….ours is to obey and partake of the Divine
Nature.
We live in the West (a designation of our part of
the world), but the Orthodox Catholic spirituality came from out of the East
(not the Orient or China, etc. but Russia, Greece, Syria and other areas). The
East has a Greek language base and the West has a Latin language base. The West
opines logic and reason for all things, even God. The East believes in mystery
and awe. The practical application of this can be explained a bit by the concept
of an Eastern approach to ‘awe’ as one of wonder and deep respectful love.
The Western concept is one of ‘fear’….ergo, punishment for not living
‘right’ but maybe the church can help you through indulgent practices.
Again, the East believes that not living ‘right’ brings its own consequences
that affect the quality of our life and can be overcome through genuine
repentance, changing our behavior/attitude and being forgiven by a loving God.
Why have we gone to such a length to explain the
background of our thought about God; because it affects the quality of worship.
Church going and Holy Day observances are considered an obligation or duty in
the West. However, we believe church going needs to be out of love for God and
His love for us….that is when there can be true praise and thanksgiving for
all He gives to us and the care with which He watches over us!
If you, the readers, have a theologically technical
bent, observe the Western practice of studying God apophatically (basically,
what God is not) while we prefer to seek God to find out what He is, what He
desires of us and how we can best be in an ongoing living relationship with Him
who is supreme.
The outward result of all this is that we worship
Him in Liturgy/Mass and what can be termed “an old fashioned tent meeting”
with much music, praise and Scripture. Each Sunday we celebrate Mass/Liturgy
with Holy Communion. The Holy Bible is “the manufacturer’s handbook”; the
Holy Spirit guides, supports and strengthens us as God oversees it all. In
short, as God wills, the Scripture reveals and the Holy Spirit strengthens us to
‘become’ Jesus to all the world actively living life as He has instructed
and becoming a living witness to the efficacy of God in our lives. We need that
meaning and strength in our lives. In this day and age, God is more
‘relevant’ in our lives than perhaps ever before. Come and See!
==========================================================
Back to HOME
Witness
A Prayer of Clergy
Grant me, 0 Lord:
a servant's heart, committed to consecrated service of
leadership,
a humble heart, meek and gentle as the Lamb, to heal the
brokenhearted,
a eucharistic heart, full of love to worship You in spirit
and in truth,
a praying heart, interceding in the power of the Holy
Spirit without ceasing,
a hearing heart; obedient to Your Word, no matter
what the cost,
a evangelistic heart, on fire with zeal for the salvation
of souls,
a renewed heart; to give You greater honor and glory in
Christ Jesus,
a disciple's heart; following the Lamb wheresoever He
goes, even to death on a Cross.
"I will appoint over you shepherds, after My own heart,
who will shepherd you Wisely and prudently." (Jeremiah 3: 15) from: Intercessors of
the Lamb, Contemplative Formation Center; Omaha, Nebraska
From the Wisdom of William Barclay
Ecclesiasticism is worshipping systems more than worshipping
Jesus Christ.
Ecclesiasticism is limiting the operation of the grace of God.
Ecclesiasticism is making the tradition of the past more
determinative than the need of the present.
Ecclesiasticism is holding an exclusive rather than an inclusive
view of the Church.
People are the most important realities in the world.
Kermit Eby, the great American teacher, in his book The God in
You tells how he feels about teaching. "I know," he says, "that
research is important, yet I know also that a man is more important than a footnote."
He is.
The social reformer must remember it.
"Do not try to convert them," was the advice given to
worker priests in Paris. "Love - for you are placed beside one another for
this."
The social reformer can be tempted to forget people and
concentrate on conditions. But it is people who matter. Change them, and conditions will
change!
The ecclesiastic must remember it
The ecclesiastic's danger is that he may begin to believe
that the most important things in life are ecclesiastical systems, forms of church
government, rituals, liturgies, vestments, etc! The fact is, it is living souls that
matter.
However splendid forms of worship are, they are useless if men
don't find, through them, the way to God.
The theologian must remember it
The danger of the theologian lies in making an idol of a creed or
so intellectualizing Christianity that ordinary people feel lost from it. What a tragedy
this is!
Let no one belittle the theologian, but the fact remains that it
is the evangelist in the street who brings more men to Christ, for his concern is simply
people.
"Show me....!"
On the basis of what he sees of them, the man outside the Church
has come to the conclusion that the claims made for and by Christians are just not true.
To him it must seem that Christians are forever offering to others things which they quite
do not possess themselves.
Just think of some of the claims which so-called Christianity
makes.
It claims that Christianity is the religion of peace, but
the majority of Christians are just worried as anyone else, and the Church spends a lot of
its time trembling for the ark.
It claims to be the religion of power, but Christians are
not noticeably more able to cope with life, nor are they notably more efficient, than
anyone else.
It claims to be the religion of service, and yet
Christians are just as selfish and comfort loving as men of the world.
It claims to be the religion of love and forgiveness, and
yet it is the truth that there is more strife and squabbling in the Church than in any
other institution in this troubled world. The Church where there are not feuds and
resignations is the exception rather than the rule.
Nietzsche, the German pagan philosopher, said bluntly, "Show
me that you are redeemed and then I will believer in your redeemer."
It is not an unfair demand.
Christianity will only become effective when Christians become as
Christian as their claims.
from: Daily Celebration, William Barclay; edited by Denis
Duncan, Word Books, Waco, Texas copyright 1971 All rights reserved
back to Home page
stephanou
Voithia: This article was on the cover of THE ORTHODOX EVANGELIST
Vol.30 Sept Oct.1997 No.5, a newsletter published by Very Rev. Eusebius Stephanou, Th.D.
Fr. Stephanou was a speaker at the Orthodox Christian Laity conference in Boston on
Saturday, November 15. Reprints of this copyrighted article (republished here with
permission) are available for $0.75 per copy plus postage, mail: The Orthodox Brotherhood
of St. Symeon the New Theologian, Inc. 709 Elise Lane, Destin, Florida 32541. Tel: (850)
837-1771.
What Happened to Christ?
Is He Still the Head of the Church?
by Rev. Archimandrite Fr. Eusebius
Stephanou, Th.D.
Have you noticed lately? You must have, if you are alert
and in touch with trends in the Orthodox Church on a national and world scale.
Certainly, this is not the time to think only of your
home Church and to restrict your interest to the local religious scene. The parish Church
is not some kind of self-contained, independent entity. It belongs to a national family of
Churches, indeed to a global family.
What happens in other Orthodox Churches, and especially
at the top echelons of Church leadership, can sooner or later affect us at home at the
grass roots level, whether good or bad, positive or negative.
We are living in an age when you need to be wide awake
and ready to catch the trends in the Church and to follow the direction the winds are
blowing. In an hour of apocalyptic apostasy when predictions in Bible prophecy are
unfolding, any intelligent reflecting man and woman in the Church will show vigilance and
alertness as to what is transpiring in the Orthodox world. It should come with the most
elemental sensitivity to the things of God.
Christ in the Background
If you really have noticed, like I do, you will
undoubtedly catch an unmistakable recent trend among many of our Church leaders. And that
trend is simply this: in public statements, whether spoken or written, the name of the
Lord Jesus Christ is kept in the background, instead of the foreground. His Headship over
the Church is not declared, and if it is, no one takes notice because it is mentioned in
passing and parenthetically. How then can hearts and lives be touched?
Of course, loyalty, unity, fidelity, commitment and
obedience are preached, indeed, quite forcefully, but not the kind that rightfully should
be directed to our Lord and Savior. Rather, it is a devotion and obedience urged for the
"Church," or for the diocese, archdiocese or patriarchate. When we should be
saying "Christ," we say "Church" or the "archdiocese."
Submission is frequently on the lips of our Church leaders, but we are not exhorted to
submit obediently to Christ, but rather to the institutional Church and that usually means
some high-ranking Church leader.
I believe in honoring and respecting our hierarchy,
indeed submitting to their pastoral authority to the extent they themselves are submitted
to the sovereign will of God for His Church. But above all others, we must honor and obey
Him. "whose name is above every name, our true Head and Bishop of our souls, our Lord
Jesus Christ."
We are accountable to God for doing our utmost that Jesus
"may have the pre-eminence in all things" (Col. 1:18). But we need to do it
spontaneously and with a passion for Jesus. It should occur as a natural overflowing of a
heart that is consumed with a love for the Savior. It is the vehement longing of the soul
inflamed by the Blessed Holy Spirit to glorify and exalt that Precious Name with every
breath we take. That kind of craving does not come with seminary training. It comes with
apostolic anointing that comes directly from Heaven.
Obedience First to Christ
Patriarchs, archbishops, bishops and priests:
If you are truly shepherds appointed by the Lamb of God,
then I respectfully urge you to decrease so He can increase, as the Forerunner and Baptist
John said: "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30).
Yes. You speak often about obedience and unity, but make
it crystal clear it is obedience to the Despotes of all (the Master). Yes. Exhort the
people to show loyalty to the Risen Savior, first and foremost. You do well to teach on
commitment, but make certain that the people understand commitment as being directed to
Him Who commands that we "love Him with all our heart and with all our mind and with
all our soul and strength."
Rejoice that those entrusted to you by the Lord are
running to Him, embracing Him, living and dying for Him. Let that be your joy and the joy
of the people. What greater joy can one experience? "He that hath the bride is the
bridegroom, but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth
greatly because of the bridegroom's voice. This my joy therefore is fulfilled"
(3:29).
If you conform to this, then the people of your fold will
also love you and honor you, because you will identify with them in a common passionate
love for Christ. The more you glorify and exalt the Name of the Redeemer the more they
will respect and honor you, be cause they will then unite with you in your perfect
surrender to the Lord of lords and the King of kings.
Yes. Speak of unity. But not the kind that implies
"agree with me and we will be united." Rather, seek that union which says,
"Let us agree together with Christ," and in that awe some union we will find
unity in the diocese, archdiocese and the patriarchate. Vertical unity precedes horizontal
unity,just as vertical love precedes horizontal love.
Apostolic Zeal for the Apostolic Church
Bishops, archbishops, patriarchs and theologians: I am a
sinful and unworthy servant of Christ, but prompted by His quickening Spirit, I
respectfully speak this word I have received from the Lord. You who occupy apostolic
thrones, follow the apostolic model. Put on an apostolic mind. Seek apostolic objectives.
Show apostolic zeal for the proclamation of the Gospel. Remember St. Paul who said:
"Woe is me if I do not evangelize" (1 Cor. 9:16), and "Christ sent me not
to baptize, but to preach the gospel" (1:17). The Lord desires hearts and lives to be
transformed!
You who exercise apostolic authority and claim apostolic
succession: follow the apostles in their consuming zeal to preach the word of the Cross.
Proclaim the message of repentance and forgiveness in the blood of the Lamb, both to those
in the household of faith and to those outside, to "this sinful and adulterous
generation." Make the Cross your testimony to the apostate world that wants peace
without Christ and His atoning death on Calvary.
Rarely, do we hear any mention of the Cross, except
perhaps once a year on Good Friday and on Easter. The word "sin" is avoided. It
is not considered fashionable, because we do not want to offend anyone, especially
prominent figures from the secular world who surround us, political dignitaries,
environmentalists and intellectuals whose favor we covet more than the favor of God.
The Gospel, sin, repentance, forgiveness, atonement are
rarely heard from the mouths of our spiritual leaders, and, if they do mention them, they
do so parenthetically, like a passing thought, rather than as their primary message.
Religious platitudes cannot impact hearts and lives! It is not enough for the Holy
Eucharist to "declare the death of the Lord." The pulpit must also declare it.
Otherwise, what is done at the Altar will be reduced to dead ritual.
We love and respect our Church leaders, but I ask them to
show us how "to decrease," so Jesus can "increase" in our personal
lives and in all authority. Help us see Him as the Head of the Body, His Church.
Lead us with apostolic zeal to the foot of the Cross that
we may surrender to Him in contrition of heart and with tears of inner brokenness. Lead us
to the throne of grace where we can find true unity and where we can discover that unity
begins first with Christ and then unity among ourselves will follow naturally.
If the Greek hierarchy were to do this, Greece, for
example, would be glorified among the nations. If they were to do it in Cyprus, the Turks
there, its well as in Constantinople, in the Balkans and in Asia Minor would be pushed
back to the far eastern region from where they originated.
Need for One Thing
O men of high rank in the Church! Many of you care for
many things, but there is need for only one thing - to proclaim the word of God for the
salvation of souls and to exalt the Master and King of all before small and great and
before the mighty ones upon earth - the One Who says:
I am grieved, you who are My servants, because you engage
excessively in receptions, banquets, testimonial dinners, ethnic celebrations and
anniversary festivities, bestowing titles and citations on the rich and mighty on earth,
but despising the godly of low social standing and the meek and obscure ones. Do you not
remember what I have taught you? "That which is esteemed among men is an abomination
in the sight of god" (Luke 16:15).
Have I not called you to die to self; to deny yourself;
and to carry your cross and follow me in apostolic faithfulness? Imitate the apostles and
lay your lives down in the manner of the Holy Fathers and Confessors who in the cause of
the Kingdom of God Mimic the Despotes and High Priest Whose titles you bear and with which
you are acclaimed in the public worship services.
Things have not changed since the turn of the first
millennium. With the turn of the second millennium the cry of St. Symeon the New
Theologian resounds still timely and poignant. Speak again, O Holy Father, to the Church
of Christ for which you toiled, suffered and were persecuted.
"But who among us priests is concerned with the
beauty of the soul of the spouse of Christ? Show me one and I would be satisfied with him!
But, woe to us, at the turn of the millennium, priests, monks, bishops, and servants of
Christ, because we have trodden upon the laws of our God and Savior as though they have
absolutely not value!" (Hymns of Divine Love, 58).
Can you hear the warning from Heaven, fellow-Orthodox?
Let Christ be the Head of the Church!
Let the Church be the Body of Christ!
Let the Church be "subject to Christ!"
Let the Church be the Bride of Christ!
Let her demonstrate conjugal love for her Divine Spouse!
Return to HOME page
Empire Strikes Back
Women
Concerning Women
a letter to an episcopal friend
by
The Rt. Rev. Alexander Schmemann, S.T.D., LL.D, D.D.
Dear Friend:
When you asked me to outline the Orthodox
reaction to the idea of women's ordination to the priesthood, I thought at first that to
do so would not be too difficult. It is not difficult, indeed, simply to state that the
Orthodox Church is against women's priesthood and to enumerate as fully as possible the
dogmatical, canonical, and spiritual reasons for that opposition.
On second thought, however, I became
convinced that such an answer would be not only useless, but even harmful. Useless,
because all such "formal reasons" - scriptural, traditional, canonical - are
well known to the advocates of women's ordination, as is also well known our general
ecclesiological stand which, depending on their mood and current priorities, our Western
Brothers either hail as Orthodoxy's "main" ecumenical contribution or dismiss as
archaic, narrow-minded, and irrelevant. Harmful, because true formally, this answer would
still vitiate the real Orthodox position by reducing it to a theological context and
perspective, alien to the Orthodox mind. For the Orthodox Church has never faced this
question, it is for us totally extrinsic, a casus irrealis for which we find no basis, no
terms of reference in our Tradition, in the very experience of the Church, and for the
discussion of which we are therefore simply not prepared.
Such is then my difficulty. I cannot
discuss the problem itself because to do so would necessitate the elucidation of our
approach - not to women and to priesthood only - but, above all to God in his Triune Life,
to Creation, Fall and Redemption, to the Church and the mystery of her life, to the
deification of man and the consummation of all things in Christ. Short of all this it
would remain incomprehensible, I am sure, why the ordination of women to priesthood is
tantamount for us to a radical and irreparable mutilation of the entire faith, the
rejection of the whole Scripture, and, needless to say, the end of all
"dialogues" . Short of all this my answer will sound like another
"conservative" and "traditional" defense of the status quo, of
precisely that which many Christians today, having heard it too many times, reject as
hypocrisy, lack of openness to God's will, blindness to the world, etc. Obviously enough
those who reject Tradition would not listen once more to an argumentex traditione....
But to what will they listen? Our
amazement - and the Orthodox reaction is above all that of amazement - is precisely about
the change and, to us, incomprehensible hastiness with which the question of women's
ordination was, first, accepted as an issue, then quickly reduced to the level of a
disciplinary "matter" and finally identified as an issue of policy to be dealt
with by a vote! In this strange situation all I can do is to try to convey to you this
amazement by briefly enumerating its main "components" as I see and understand
them.
The first dimension of our amazement can
be termed "ecumenical." The debate on women's ordination reveals something which
we have suspected for a long time but which now is confirmed beyond any doubt: the total
truly built-in indifference of the Christian West to anything beyond the sphere of its own
problematics, of its own experience. I can only repeat here what I have said before: even
the so-called "ecumenical movement," notwithstanding its claims to the contrary,
has always been, and still is, a purely Western phenomenon, based on Western
presuppositions and determined by a specifically Western agenda. This is not
"pride" or "arrogance." On the contrary, the Christian West is almost
obsessed with a guilt complex and enjoys nothing better than self-criticism and self
condemnation. It is rather a total inability to transcend itself, to accept the simple
idea that its own experience, problems, thought forms and priorities may not be universal,
that they themselves may need to be evaluated and judged in the light of a truly
universal, truly "Catholic" experience. Western Christians would almost
enthusiastically judge and condemn themselves, but on their own terms, within their own
hopelessly "Western" perspective. Thus when they decide -- on the basis of their
own possibly limited and fragmented, specifically Western, "cultural situation"
-- that they must "repair" injustices made to women, they plan to do it
immediately without even asking what the "others" may think about it, and are
sincerely amazed and even saddened by lack, on the part of these "others" of
ecumenical spirit, sympathy and comprehension.
Personally, I have often enough
criticized the historical limitations of the Orthodox mentality not to have the right to
say in all sincerity that to me the debate on women's ordination seems to be provincial,
deeply marked, and even determined by Western selfcenteredness and self-sufficiency, by a
naive, almost childish, conviction that every "trend" in the Western culture
justifies a radical rethinking of the entire Christian tradition. How many such
"trends" we have witnessed during the last decades of our troubled century! How
many corresponding "theologies"! The difference this time, however, is that one
deals in this particular debate not with a passing intellectual and academic
"fad" like "death of God," "secular city," "celebration
of life" etc.-- which, after it has produced a couple of ephemeral best-sellers,
simply disappears, but with the threat of an irreversible and irreparable act which, if it
becomes reality, will produce a new, and this time, I am convinced, final division among
Christians, and will signify, at least for the Orthodox, the end of all dialogues.
It is well known that the advocates of
women's ordination explain the Scriptural and the traditional exclusion of women from
ministry by "cultural conditioning." If Christ did not include women into the
Twelve, if the Church for centuries did not include them into priesthood, it is because of
"culture" which would have made it impossible and unthinkable then. It is not my
purpose to discuss here the theological and exegetical implications of this view as well
as its purely historical basis, which incidentally seems to me extremely weak and shaky;
what is truly amazing is that while absolutely convinced that they understand past
"cultures," the advocates of women's ordination seem to be totally unaware of
their own cultural "conditioning" of their own surrender to culture.
How else can one explain their readiness
to accept what may prove to be a passing phenomenon and what, at any rate, is a phenomenon
barely at its beginning (not to speak of the women's liberation movement, which at present
is nothing but search and experimentation) as a sufficient justification for a radical
change in the very structure of the Church? How else, furthermore, are we to explain that
this movement is accepted on its own terms, within the perspective of "rights",
"justice," "equality," Etc. -- all categories whose ability adequately
to express the Christian faith and to be applied as such within the Church is, to say the
least, questionable?
The sad truth is that the very idea of
women's ordination, as it is presented and discussed today, is the result of too many
confusions and reductions. If its root is surrender to "culture", its pattern of
development is shaped by a surrender to "clericalism." It is indeed almost
entirely dominated by the old "clerical" view of the Church and the double
"reduction" interest in it. The reduction on the one hand, of the Church to a
"power structure," the reduction on the other hand, of that power structure to
clergy. To the alleged "inferiority" of women within the secular power
structure, corresponds their "inferiority," i.e., their exclusion from clergy,
within the ecclesiastical power structure. To their "liberation" in the secular
society must therefore correspond their "liberation" i.e., ordination, in the
Church.
But the Church simply cannot be reduced
to these categories. As long as we try to measure the ineffable mystery of her life by
concepts and ideas a priori alien to her very essence, we entirely mutilate her, and her
real power, her glory and beauty, and her transcendent truth simply escape us.
That is why in conclusion of this letter
I can only confess, without explaining and justifying this confession by my
"proofs." I can confess that the non-ordination of women to priesthood has
nothing, absolutely nothing, to do with whatever "inferiority" we can invent or
imagine. In the essential reality which alone constitutes the content of our faith and
shapes the entire life of the Church, in the reality of the Kingdom of God which is
perfect communion, perfect knowledge, perfect love and ultimately the
"deification" of man, there is truly "neither male nor female." More
than that, in this reality, of which we are made partakers here and now, we all, men and
women, without any distinction, are "Kings and priests," for it is the essential
priesthood of the human nature and vocation that Christ has restored to us.
It is of this priestly life, it is of
this ultimate reality, that the Church is both gift and acceptance. And that she may be
this, that she may always and everywhere be the gift of the Spirit without any measure or
limitations, the Son of God offered himself in a unique sacrifice, and made this unique
sacrifice and this unique priesthood the very foundation, indeed the very "form"
of the Church.
This priesthood is Christ's, not ours.
None of us, man or woman, has any "right" to it; it is emphatically not one of
human vocations, analogous, even if superior, to all others. The priest in the Church is
not "another" priest, and the sacrifice he offers is not "another"
sacrifice. It is forever and only Christ's priesthood and Christ's sacrifice -- for, in
the words of our Prayers of Offertory, it is "Thou who offerest and Thou who art
offered, it is Thou who receivest and Thou who distributest..."
And thus the "institutional"
priest in the Church has no "ontology" of his own. It exists only to make Christ
himself present, to make this unique Priesthood and this unique Sacrifice the source of
the Church's life and the "acquisition" by men of the Holy Spirit. And if the
bearer, the icon and the fulfiller of that unique priesthood, is man and not woman, it is
because Christ is man and not woman.....
Why? This of course is the only
important, the only relevant question. The one precisely that no "culture," no
"sociology," no "history" and even no "exegesis" can answer.
For it can be answered only by theology in the primordial and essential meaning of that
word in the Church; as the contemplation and vision of the Truth itself, as communion with
the uncreated Divine Light. It is only here, in this purified and restored vision that we
might begin to understand why the ineffable mystery of the relationship between God and
His Creation, between God and His chosen people, between God and His Church, are
"essentially" revealed to us as a nuptial mystery, as fulfillment of a mystical
marriage. Why in other terms, Creation itself, the Church herself, man and the world
themselves, when contemplated in their ultimate truth and destiny, are revealed to us as
Bride, as Woman clothed in sun; why in the very depth of her love and knowledge, of her
joy and communion, the Church identifies herself with one Woman, whom she exalts as
"more honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the
Seraphim."
Is it this mystery that has to be
"understood" by means of our broken and fallen world, which knows and
experiences itself only in its brokenness and fragmentation, its tensions and dichotomies
and which, as such, is incapable of the ultimate vision? Or is it this vision and this
unique experience that must again become to us the "means" of our understanding
of the world, the starting point and the very possibility of a truly Divine victory over
all that in this world is but human, historical and cultural.
About the Author: The late Rt.
Rev. Dr. Schmemann, S.T.D., LL.D, D.D., was Dean of St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological
Seminary in Crestwood,N.Y., where he also occupied the chair of Liturgical and Pastoral
Theology.
Born in Estonia, he received his
education in Paris. After completing his Baccalaureate in Philosophy, he graduated from
the St. Sergius Theological Institute in 1945 and in the same year was appointed to the
Institute's Faculty as Lecturer in Church History.
In 1951 he joined St. Vladimir's
Theological Seminary as Professor of Liturgical Theology. In 1962 he was appointed Dean of
the Seminary. In 1959 he was granted the degree of Doctor of Theology. Since 1958 he has
been Adjunct Professor at the Graduate Faculty of Columbia University and was Lecturer in
Eastern Orthodoxy at Union Theological Seminary.
He was a former member of the
Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches and attended the assemblies of
Amsterdam, Lune, Evanston, Oberlin and Montreal. He was a member of the Study and Planning
Committee of the Standing Conference of the Orthodox Bishops in America, of the
Metropolitan Council of the Orthodox Church in America, and of the American Theological
Society.
His publications in English
included: The Historical Road of Eastern Orthodoxy (1963), Sacraments and Orthodoxy
(1965), The Ultimate Questions (1965), Introduction to Liturgical Theology (1966), and
Great Lent (1969).
He was also a member of the
editorial boards of the Journal of Ecumenical Studies and Worship.
Because of his learning, wit, and
personal warmth, he had been a very popular lecturer at the General Theological Seminary,
which awarded him an honorary degree.
Back to Home
The Sins of the
Tongue
The Sins
of the Tongue
Divisive Tongue
Filthy Tongue
Negative
Tongue
Boasting
Tongue
Gossiping Tongue
Judgmental
Tongue
Lying
Tongue
Meddling
Tongue
Murmuring
Tongue
Nagging
Tongue
Sarcastic
Tongue
Flattering
Tongue
St. Ephraim begs God to free His servant
from idle talk in his prayer for humility.
St. Basil said, "The most common and
multifaceted sin is the one enacted by the tongue."
A genuine fast, which was, in fact, what
our Lord was speaking about, is a fast of deep spiritual purpose. He spoke not only of a
fast from food, but ( and more importantly) abstinence from sin as well. Otherwise, we
dishonor the Holy time of Great Lent. What is the use of not eating meat if we are so
careful as to what we put in our mouths and lazily disregard what comes out of our mouths?
This kind are only banished by
prayer and fasting......let us practice the true fast this Lenten season. Let us
fast from an idle tongue and unkind words.
Ps. 141, "Set a watch, O Lord, about
my mouth, and a door of enclosure about my lips."
Also, "Open Thou my lips and my
mouth shall show forth Thy praise."
Note: This article has been excerpted
from Holy Trinity Orthodox Churchs Pastor Fr. Dimitrios Antokas paper "On
Fasting".
Back to Home