vision - the appointment [george h. warnock] year 2007 ~ book

7/29/2019 Vision - The Appointment [George h. Warnock] Year 2007 ~ Book

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THE VISION AND THE APPOINTMENT [George H. Warnock] Year 2007 1

THE VISION AND THE APPOINTMENTGEORGE H. WARNOCK YEAR 2007

"I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what He will say unto me, andwhat I shall answer when I am reproved. And, the Lord answered me, and said, 'Write the vision, and make itplain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end itshall speak, and not lie; though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. Behold his soul

which is lifted up is not upright in him; but the just shall live by his faith."(Hab. 2:1-4)CHAPTERS TITLE SUBTITLES PAGE

1 THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH Standing on My WatchThough the vision tarry, wait for i t!

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2 SOME EXAMPLES OF GODSAPPOINTMENT

Abraham, the Father of All who BelieveAbraham a Foreigner in His own LandLooking for a CityDoes God Change His Mind?The Children of Abraham Embrace his

VisionAbraham, a Far-sighted VisionaryBetter Things for the Sons of the Promise

A Living Hope for this GenerationMoses, the DelivererJoseph, the Dreamer

John the Baptist, the ForerunnerSimeon, the Man who Lived to See the

MessiahMary of Bethany, the WasterOur Lord Jesus - the BondslaveThe Church, the Body of ChristOne Body ... and Members in

ParticularThe New Covenant, a Covenant of

GloryGod's Appointments are in His Time

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3 A NEW MAN - A NEW CREATION Abraham, the Father of All whoBelieve

Two Adams and Two Adamic RacesGod is Preparing a Resting Place

for Himself

A New Sabbath for God's New ManLabouring to Enter into His Rest

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4 OUR HERITAGE IN MT. ZION Zion, the City of God's HabitationYe are come . . . unto an

Innumerable Company of AngelsLet us Beware of Fallen AngelsWhy Does God need Angels?Ye are come . . . to the General

Assembly and Church of theFirstborn which are written inHeaven

Ye are Come . . . to God the Judgeof All

Ye are Come . . . to the spirits ofJust Men made Perfect

Ye are Come . . . to Jesus theMediator of the New Covenant

Ye are come . . . to the Blood ofSprinkling, that speaketh BetterThings than that of Abeling

Blood and Water and Spirit

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5 PURSING THE MORE EXCELLENTWAY

The Lord calls us Back to First LoveThe Virtues of the Love of God

Apprehending the Same Love thatwas in Jesus

For we Know in Part, and Prophesyin Part

"I am the Vine . . . Ye are theBranches"

From Faith, and Hope, to LoveKnowing, as We are Known

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The Ultimate Intention of Gift andMinistry

Gift and Ministry - Swallowed up inLove

The Manifestation of the Sons ofGod

From Faith - Seven Steps Upwardto Love

The Love of Christ which PassethKnowledge

The Gospel According to PaulThe Victory of the Cross

The Hidden Wisdom . . . Revealedin the New Covenant

6 GODS ENCOUNTER WITH MEN A Clear Voice in Times of ApostasyThe Church, God's Standard of

Righteousness

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7 THE FURNACE OF AFFLICTION Earth-quakes and Heaven-quakesThe Triumph of Job's FaithJob's Appointment with a Whirlwind

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CHAPTER ONETHE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH

STANDING ON MY WATCH

"I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what He will say unto me, andwhat I shall answer when I am reproved. And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make iplain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end ishall speak, and not lie; though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. Behold his souwhich is lifted up is not upright in him; but the just shall live by his faith."(Hab. 2:1-4)

Let us just look at the setting of this statement. Habakkuk was a true prophet, who carried a burden for Hispeople. God had laid this burden upon him, so clearly that he could 'see' it: "The burden which Habakkuk theprophet did see."(Hab. 1:1) But he carried the burden with a lot of distress because nothing was happening inthe land, to relieve that burden. Israel's enemies were treacherous, and yet God was silent. The prophet grewbolder. He had to know why God had not come on the scene and changed things. So he went to his watch-tower, and waited for an answer from God. And God made this clear to him: the Vision is true, and it will come

to pass, but only in God's appointed time. In the meantime, while the Vision seems to tarry, youresponsibility is this: "though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come but the just shall live by his faith."

THOUGH THE VISION TARRY, WAIT FOR IT!

God's appointments for us are generally not as we anticipated, because we just know that God is over-extending His time! He is always too late. What are You waiting for? You must know that Your people are ingreat distress now, and still You wait! If You would just come now, You could change things. This has been thecry of God's people in all generations.

But God does not spend time reasoning with us, because He knows we are not capable of understanding whatHe is doing. Generally He does not answer the questions we ask, but He answers the questions we should

have asked. And this is the answer He has given to all generations of time, who have come to Him andunloaded their many concerns as to His ways. "The just shall live by his faith." I recall many years ago in mystudies, that these words were quoted by the apostle Paul in three of his epistles. As I meditated on thepassage in its three different settings, it became evident that in each of these epistles, the apostle was usingthis clear statement of faith, and setting it forth in a threefold dimension. So in these 3 epistles we have abeautiful trilogy in this one statement: The Just Shall Live By Faith.

To the Romans:"For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the justshall live by faith."(Rom. 1:17)

The emphasis is: How to become righteous before God. And so in Romans the apostle declares that we areaccounted to be righteous before God, not by any works of righteousness of our own, but our faith alone is


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counted unto us for righteousness. When God declared to Abraham that his seed would become as the sandon the seashore, and as the stars of heaven, we are told that Abraham "believed in the LORD and He countedit to him for righteousness." (Gen. 15:6)That is the simple meaning of "justification." It is a judicial word: theJudge declares to the man who stands before him: "I declare you righteous," or "I declare you guilty." Abrahamhad yet to be tried and tested a lot more, but because he believed in the LORD's promise, right there Goddeclared him to be righteous, only because of his faith in what God said. This shows us how greatly Godhonours those who believe what He has said. Abraham's faith was counted to him as righteousness, simplybecause He believed God's promise to him.

To the Galatians:"But thatno man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall liveby faith." (Gal. 3:11) Paul had preached the same gospel to the Galatians as he had to the Romans, butsomehow there came into the Galatian Church some teachings of Judaism that were 'bewitching' the people(see Gal 3:1). They had to admit, O yes, we are justified by faith, but we must also keep the Law, obey theordinances as required by the Law, if we are to remain righteous in the sight of God. So the emphasis Paumakes here to the Galatians is simply this: The rule by which we are justified, is the same rule by which we areto live before God. We are justified by faith, and so we shall live by faith. Those old rituals of the Law are notfor us. We do not need to "observe days, and months, and seasons and years," as many were teaching in thaday. Daily we are to walk in the Spirit, and live in the Spirit, by faith. One day in seven is not enough; it must beevery day. This is God's rule for His people. A rule? The very word sounds like another law. And indeed it isanother law, if we understand the difference between laws that pertain to human behaviour, and "the Law othe Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus."(Rom. 8:2) Why do we not consider the Law of the Spirit of Life to be higher

much higher, much more glorious than the Law of Moses? It can only be because the Church of Jesus Christwho profess to be a people who are born of the Spirit, are not manifesting in their lives the beauty of the "fruitof the Spirit." May God shut our mouths when we boast and argue about "justification by faith" if in this so-called state of faith we are manifesting the "works of the flesh" instead of the "fruit of the Spirit."

This is Paul's emphasis to the Galatians: you are to live by the same rule by which you were justified. If wehave truly found new life by the Spirit, then he says, "let us also walk in the Spirit"(Gal. 5:25) This is the ruleand the only rule that can replace the Law of Moses. A "new creation" in Christ Jesus is the only rule we need,and the only rule that will produce a life that is pleasing to God. And so the apostle adds, in his closing remarksto the Galatians: "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a newcreature(or, a new creation).And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, andupon the Israel of God."(Gal. 6:16) It is the Rule of New Creation, the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus,

by which we are to live.

To the Hebrews:"Now the just shall live by faith."(Heb. 10:38) In writing to the Hebrews, the apostle mustemphasize the quality and character of true faith. We are justified by faith, and we live by faith. But true Biblefaith is also an enduring faith - it is not just a mental assentto the truth.

Dare I say that in many cases, this kind of faith may be less than the faith of devils? For often there is no fearof God, while "the devils also believe, and tremble.(Jas. 2:19)

On the Day of Pentecost, after Peter preached to the crowds assembled for that great festival, great convictiongripped the people, and they cried out: "Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them,Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shal

receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."(Acts 2:37-38)

Then on one of Paul's missionary trips he had come to Miletus, which was close to Ephesus where he hadspent much time in the past; and he sent for the elders of the Church to come and meet with him before hewent on his way. He reminded these elders of what he had taught them, "testifying both to the Jews and alsoto the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ."(Acts 20:21)

Bible faith is 'the faith of God,' the faith that He imparts when that man or woman or boy or girl is convicted oftheir sin and rebellion, and confesses with his mouth the Lord Jesus, and believes in his heart that God raisedJesus from the dead (see Rom 10:9,10). And then if we truly believe from the heart, God imparts the witness othe Spirit, the assurance that God has received us into His family (see 1 Jn 5-6).


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If we are truly born of God, the Father is faithful to correct us along the way. He will not spare the rod. He lovesus too much to let us go our own way. The 'mother churches' are inclined to excuse their children. But FatherGod is jealous over His sons and daughters, for they are born of royal blood. When they err in their ways, He isfaithful to take notice and chastise them, yet with much love and mercy. His desire and purpose is to bring forthin their lives the character of the Son of God, who is known as "the Firstborn among many brethren."

"For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth. If ye endurechastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the Father chasteneth not? But if ye

be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons."(Heb. 12:6-8) MotheChurch may insist, These are my sons and daughters. But Father God may say, I am not their Father. But wehave this confidence, the Lord knoweth them that are His.

The clear message to the Hebrews is that faith is a pure faith from God, and that it is an enduring faith... "Fowhen God made promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no greater, He sware by Himself, saying,Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee." (Heb. 6:13, 14) He sware by Himselfbecause there was none greater to swear by. He spoke "two immutable things." He gave His Word - andconfirmed it with an Oath. Very certain, is it not? Now let us hear the next verse: "And so, after he (Abraham)had patiently endured, he obtained the promise." (vs. 15) The promise was as sure and certain as God's Wordand His Oath. But God subjected Abraham to much trial and testing, and his faith was strengthened by thetrial, causing him to endure to the very end.

CHAPTER TWOSOME EXAMPLES OF GOD'S APPOINTMENTS

ABRAHAM, THE FATHER OF ALL WHO BELIEVE

"We introduced Abraham as a man who had enduring faith. But we must go back to his early experiences withGod, to demonstrate how great his faith was in the sight of God. When God told him to leave the country of hisbirth, and Go, there is no indication that he questioned God, or even asked Him where he was to go. He heardwhat God said, and obeyed "and he went out, not knowing whither he went."(Heb. 11:8) God was preparing avessel who would become known as 'the father of all those who believe' (see Rom 4:11; Gal 3:29) And soAbraham's faith must have been great in the sight of God. But the greatness of his faith was not determined by

the mighty works he would perform, nor by great miracles that would cause men to stand in awe of what hehad done. Rather, in God's sight his faith was determined by his obedience to do what God said, withoutasking the reason why. If people asked, Where are you going, Abraham? It appears you are going on ajourney? ~ all he could say was, I don't know! Doesn't make sense, does it? But a walk of faith is not intendedof the Lord to make sense. It takes faith to walk in obedience before the Lord. If you can show a miracle toconfirm your faith, you will probably be held in high esteem by the people. But if there is no miracle to confirmwhat you are doing, you could be subject to a lot of criticism for doing something that does not make sense.

However, we have to be cautious in this matter of faith. We must emphasize that Abraham was walking inobedience to the word of God. Many will say, I'm just going to step out by faith, and do it! There is nothing youand I can do to generate faith, except to know His Word and walk in obedience to His will. Certainly this impliesthat we hear from God. Peter would not think of stepping out of the boat by faith, and going to meet Jesus - not

until he heard that clear word from Jesus Come! There can be no faith, unless we are assured that we arewalking in obedience to His will. Because "faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God"(Rom10:17)

There is a vast amount of teaching around this matter of claiming the promises. If God said it, is that notenough? It was more important to Abraham to obey God, than to claim the promises. When God told him tooffer up Isaac as a burnt offering he didn't argue with God: "God you promised me that through Isaac alnations would be blessed." He obeyed God; he knew that if God said it, He would bring it to pass.

I know God's promises are available to faith, but let us be sure we are asking for things in His Name. Justsaying in your prayer, "I ask this in Jesus' Name" this alone is not enough. Asking in Jesus' Name can only


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be effective as we walk in obedience to His will. Then we know we have His sanction and approval in what weare doing. I know Jesus said, "If ye shall ask anything in My Name, I will do it." (John 14:14) If I go to someonewith a message from the Prime Minister of Canada, and I say, I come to you with a message in the name ofthe Prime Minister - I had better be very sure that the message is consistent with what the Prime Ministerwould say, if he went there himself. When Abraham sent his trusted servant to go to Haran and find a bride forIsaac, his servant went there in fear, and sought the Lord earnestly for guidance, that he might find the bridefor Isaac that God had ordained. He went in the fear of God, and in the fear of his master Abraham.

And so our Lord defines the prayer of faith clearly when He says: "If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in

you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you."(John 15:7)

I am not complicating the process of faith, to make it more difficult; I am clarifying it, to make it more real andmeaningful. Many of God's people have been devastated when they stepped out on faith (or so they thought) and then started to sink! God would spare us the devastation that people have gone through when they latchonto a certain promise, and then attempt to make it work "by faith." It is likely that someone taught them to stepout on God's promises, when God may have wanted them to stay in the boat, until they heard that clear calfrom the Master: "Come!" When Peter heard that clear word that was sufficient: he stepped out of the boat, andwalked on the water by faith. And the water was firm as the dry land, as long as he kept his eyes on Jesus.

Faith cometh by the Word of God, we are told. That is part of the process, yes. But first there must be ahearing ear. The complete scripture is this: "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God

(Rom. 10:17). Jesus proclaimed to each of the seven churches in the Book of Revelation: "He that hath anear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches." He didn't just say, Obey the Scriptures. Rather, Hewould reprove those who would read the scriptures, and not hear what God was saying.

I used to ponder this two-fold faculty we must have: not just an ear - we must have "an ear to hear." Thishardness of hearing is an ongoing process in the hearts of men, as they persistently turn a deaf ear to God. Heis faithful to shine forth His light to "every man that cometh into the world."(John 1:9). No matter how dim thatLight might seem to be, as one comes to the Light, there will be a working of God within him, to increase hisperception to hear, and to see. And to such, the Word becomes a clear admonition from the heart of God:

"Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts."(Heb. 3:7, 8)

When any man or woman or child may hear a sound from the heart of God, this is their door of opportunity tosay, like the boy Samuel of old: "Speak Lord, for Thy servant heareth." Then faith springs up, and little by littleGod prepares our hearts, and begins to teach us His way.

As we walk in His way, God always reserves a 'Day of Appointment' for the Vision to speak. We are trulyblessed when our hearts have been prepared, to hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches.

ABRAHAM A FOREIGNER IN HIS OWN LAND

"By faith Abraham sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange (foreign) country."Do we understand thisstatement? Abraham went about in this land, and understood that it was the Land of Promise that God hadgiven him; but in all of his travels throughout the Land he considered himself to be but a sojourner, a resident

alien. He was a foreigner, rather than a citizen of the land. Other nomadic people were dwelling in the sameland, but he would make no claim to the land for himself. Nor would he remind the other tribes that God hadgiven all that land to him and to his seed. He dwelt there in the Land of Promise for about a hundred years, butalways as a foreigner. He and his son, and grandson, would dwell "in tabernacles (in tents)." And why did Hechoose this way of life? "for he looked for a City which hath foundations, whose Builder and Maker is God."(Heb 11:9, 10)

LOOKING FOR A CITY

Abraham had no interest in settling down and establishing a little city of his own, like many other people did, astheir families increased and multiplied. Cain built himself a city. Nimrod became the founder of four cities. And


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not capable of understanding as yet. How much greater? "Exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think,according to the power that worketh in us"(Eph. 3:20). God wants us to put to one side all these teachings of"How to Succeed" in business or in ministry, or in ordinary daily living - and embrace the Vision of God.

He wants us to know that these "exceeding great and precious promises" are intended to bring us out of theold nature, and into "the divine nature."(2 Pet. 1:4)

He wants us to know that in spite of the wonderful gifts He has given to the Church, there are yet greater thingsin store for those who pursue the "high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

"Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath entered into the heart of man, the things which God hathprepared for them that love Him. But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit, for the Spirit searcheth althings, yea the deep things of God."(1 Cor. 2:9, 10) Then let us look for more grace to see more clearly, andto hear more clearly the revelation of the Spirit concerning these hidden treasures in God. Surely we defeatGod's purpose for our lives if we affirm that God hath revealed these mysteries unto us by His Spirit, and fail togive the Spirit of God His full dominion in our lives, that we might hear and see clearly "what the Spirit is sayingto the churches."

DOES GOD CHANGE HIS MIND?

Let there be no presumption here by the people of Israel, or by those living in our great democratic nations. He

tells us clearly in many places of the Word, that He will be with us, as long as we are with Him. If there isobedience to God, His Word shall stand. But when there is disobedience and rebellion, His covenant isabrogated for that nation, or that people. "If it do evil in My sight, that it obey not My voice, then I will repent ofthe good, wherewith I said I would benefit them."(Jer. 18:10)

Our so-called Christian nations had better understand these principles in God. I know God said He is a Godthat will not repent, because He changes not. "I have purposed it, and will not repent, neither will I turn backfrom it" (see Jer. 4:28) There are many other such scriptures as to God's Sovereign and unchanging purposes.

But the same Sovereign God who declares He will not repent, has told us that if there is repentance by thepeople whom He has appointed for judgment, then He will repent of the punishment that He declared uponthem. If we change our wicked ways, the Sovereign Lord will, by His very nature of love and mercy and

compassion, cancel the judgments that He said would come.

Moses understood that principle of God's justice. So did Jonah, and the other prophets. So did the king ofNineveh, who feared God greatly when Jonah had declared the city would perish in forty days. As His peoplewalk in obedience, He will bless them. If they turn away from Him he will judge them.

God threatened to destroy the nation of Israel that Moses had brought forth out of bondage, saying to Moses:"Let Me alone, that My wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them, and I will make of theea great nation." But Moses refused to "let God alone!" What a great opportunity for Moses to get rid of theserebellious people, and come to a place of glory for himself! But Moses was a true intercessor and mediator,and he called on God to Repent! I almost shudder every time I read that statement - a mortal man telling Godto repent!! He reminded God that He might get a lot of reproach from Egypt, if they heard that He had

destroyed the people who came out of the bondage of Egypt. Are You going to give occasion to the Egyptiansto destroy the reputation of Your great Name? The Egyptians were greatly amazed to see Your awesomeworks, and had great respect for our God. Are You going to give them occasion to say - Israel's God is not aswonderful as we thought He was. He brought them out of Egypt, but was not able to bring them into the Landof Promise, so He destroyed them all in the mountains? Are You prepared to allow our enemies to bringreproach to Your great Name?

All through scripture we learn that this is consistent with the nature and the integrity and justice of our MightySovereign God, who does not change His mind. He will forgive His people when they repent; and He will judgethem, if they turn away from Him. Our Yahweh God declares: "For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore yesons of Jacob are not consumed."Now let us hear what this great mediator said to God: "Turn from Thy fierce


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wrath, and repent!"And what happened? "And the LORD repented of the evil which He thought to do unto Hispeople"(see Ex 32:12-14).

THE CHILDREN OF ABRAHAM EMBRACE HIS VISION

The apostle writing to the Hebrews reminds them that in succeeding generations after Abraham's time Godhad fulfilled the promises He had given to him:

"Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude

and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable."(Heb. 11:12) In other words, the far-reaching promisethat God had given Abraham back in Gen 15:5, 6 had been fulfilled. And yet, in view of God's greater intentionthat He had in mind, the apostle was inspired to write:

"These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuadedof them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth."(Heb. 11:13)These descendants of Abraham "confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims in the earth," just as theirfather Abraham had done. That indescribable vision that Abraham had, took hold of his seed - so they tooconfessed that they were "strangers and pilgrims in the earth." Even David, the beloved Shepherd King oIsrael, living in the land of Israel as King of both Israel and Judah, declared: "I am a stranger with Thee, and asojourner, as all my fathers were."(Ps. 39:12) Why would they say such things? The apostle tells us why: "Forthey that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country."(Heb. 11:14)

And it is for the same reason that we say such things. We have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus, andblessed with the Holy Spirit in our lives. God has revealed to us great things about His plan, His purpose inconforming us to the image of His Son. We have sought to embrace His promises, and walk with Him. Evenso, we cannot say we are completely satisfied.

Now we know why that inner longing and desire to apprehend more of God, lingers with us. God is not satisfiedthat we have come into that state of union with Him, that Jesus walked in, and that is why we are not satisfied.We are aware that our Great High Priest is interceding for us in the heavens, and we cannot be satisfied untiGod is satisfied. We cannot find our Rest in God, until God has found His Rest in us. And that is why we saysuch things, and write such things.

ABRAHAM, A FAR-SIGHTED VISIONARY

Jesus and the apostles would speak of the seed of Abraham in a two-fold manner: as those whose ancestrytraced back to Abraham; but more specifically as those who had a vital connection with Abraham, by faith. Soalso we speak of the Church, as a people who profess to believe in the Lord Jesus; yet knowing that there aremany in the Church who know not the Lord Jesus. Let me illustrate this briefly:

Jesus said to "those Jews that believed on Him, If ye continue in My word then are ye My disciples indeed; andye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Some of them resented the implication that theywere in bondage, and said to Jesus: "We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage ..."

Then Jesus said "I know that ye are Abraham's seed;" and after more confrontation with them He said: "Ye are

of your father the Devil." So this is clear enough, though at first sight it may appear somewhat contradictory.They might trace their lineage to Abraham, and Jesus did not deny that; but His judgment was this: "Ye are ofyour father the Devil" (see Jn. 8:30-44)

Likewise the apostle Paul would speak of Israel this way:

"My prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved."He knew that they were lost without Christ, and hehad a great burden for them. Then he said, "Hath God cast away His people? God forbid. For I also am anIsraelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin." Then he goes on to explain that in the time ofIsrael's extreme apostasy, God always retained for Himself a true people who walked in God's ways. Elijah


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thought he was alone, until God said: "I have reserved to Myself seven thousand men, who have not bowedthe knee to the image of Baal."

God calls them by the name "Israel." Jesus recognized them all as "the seed of Abraham." He does not giveElijah, or any of his prophets, a clear definition of those who are truly His, and those who are not. If He did,men would be inclined to pluck the tares away from the wheat, but God says: Do not do that, because youmight pull up some of the good wheat when you pull up the tares.

And so we speak of a Church, which is yet to be glorious and triumphant. But we know, and God knows, tha

many "Church people" know not our Lord Jesus Christ.

We recognize that there is a true Israel in the midst of the nation of Israel. And we know there is a true Churchin the midst of the Church universal.

"The LORD sent a word unto Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel."(Isa. 9:8)

The Word goes forth to all, and they that have an ear will "hear what the Spirit is saying." It is enough if we payheed to what Paul said to Timothy, with assurance, as well as with admonition:

With assurance, "Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth themthat are His."

And with this admonition, "Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity."(2 Tim. 2:19)

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

BETTER THINGS FOR THE SONS OF THE PROMISE

God always goes beyond His promises in the hour when He fulfills them, and God is pleased with those whohave faith to believe over and beyond the written promises of God. For how could our God find words in ourlanguage that would adequately portray what He has in mind for His people? Within the written promises Hegave us, there are "unsearchable riches" that no scribe could describe (see Eph 3:8) Nevertheless God givesus His Spirit to search out the length and breadth, the height and depth of His infinite love and grace, that no

man can understand, even when he experiences the reality of it.

Why do I not differentiate more between the Church, and Israel? Certainly there is a great difference if we arespeaking in terms of the flesh. But when we speak after the Spirit, God has torn down that wall between us sothat in New Creation Life we are all one in Christ Jesus. This is God's Vision for us, and it ought to be God'sVision for Israel.

Certainly that day of God's revelation to Israel will be much "better" than what Israel had under David - or evenunder Solomon. And much better than what they are hoping for today. God has said: "I will do better unto youthan at your beginnings: and ye shall know that I am the LORD." (Ezek. 36:11) How much better? In manymany ways. We will just briefly mention some of these better things from the book of Hebrews:

The Son is a better administrator than Moses, or the angels.

Our Priest "after the order of Melchizedek" is a better High Priest than the priesthood of Aaron.

The Levitical order is interrupted with the death of the high priest, but our Priest after the order of Melchizedekliveth for ever.

His ministration brings us into a better hope.

He is made a surety of a better covenant:


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Which is established upon better promises.

His ministry involves better sacrifices than those of the Old Covenant.

The New Covenant presents to His people "a better, and an enduring substance."

The sons of Abraham "desire a better country."

And those who suffer with Him, look forward to a "better resurrection."

If we truly love Israel, let us present to them a Better Hope, and a Living Messiah who now reigns on theThrone of David, with "all power in Heaven and in Earth."(see Acts 2:29-33)

He will yet subdue all His enemies under His feet, in the Day of His Power (see Ps 110).

A LIVING HOPE FOR THIS GENERATION

We are not to become disturbed as we see this planet 'waxing old' like a worn-out garment. Certainly it isevident that we are there right now. In my early school days we were told that Planet Earth would probablyburn out - maybe in a million years. Now in my lifetime there is fear for the survival of life on this planet. Wehear reports of the depletion of fish in our oceans, of the diminishing sources of clean water, of the pollution of

our atmosphere, and the deterioration in the quality of our food. Those in high places of our governments andour societies are rightly fearful of the ravages of a world in the process of decay. I mean, right now. And evenas I write these words, there is much fear that yet another nation, perhaps two will be added to the list ofnations who have Nuclear Capability. Let me assure you that our Lord Jesus is in total control.

"But unto the Son He saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever"

And Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the Heavens are the works of Thyhands: they shall perish; but Thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment. And as a vestureshalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but Thou art the Same, and thy years shall not fail"(seeHeb 1:8-12).

Now there is no suggestion here that God will put a patch on Planet Earth so it will last another thousandyears, to fit in with Millennial Theology. The Son, when He walked this earth, had no good thing to say aboutputting a patch on an old garment. He even tells us that the new patch will make the old garment worse than itwas before (see Mark 2:21). Even many scientists are recognizing that there is no hope for the survival ofPlanet Earth. Consequently they are very intent on keeping the space program alive and well always fearfuthat if they have too many disasters in space, it might be the end of their programs. Their hope is that one daythey will discover a pristine planet something like Planet Earth used to be. I recall the excitement in the voice ofan eminent scientist who was asked to comment on the achievement of the USA in landing a man on theMoon. In his discourse he said something like this: Now we can be sure that the human race will survive! Hewas exuberant and confident that nothing could hinder man from exploring the Universe! Believing, no doubt as many scientists do, that man would one day discover another planet for men to inhabit!

As if God would give man a new planet to begin a new civilization, when he has hopelessly failed to managethis beautiful earth that He created for the first man, and gave him authority to rule over it all! God has declaredthrough one of his prophets: "Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among thestars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD."(Obadiah 4)

The old garment of Planet Earth is getting pretty thin these days. And man in his great wisdom has enoughnuclear warheads at his disposal right now to extinguish all life on Planet Earth - if the Son on the Thronewould let him do it. The Son who is Ruler over all may allow man to explode some of these deadly bombs, butwe can be sure that He is in control, and He will let rebellious man go so far, and no farther.

The people who know their God are not to fear, in this hour, except to have a very deep and loving fear of God.How could we survive such burnings? But if we abide in Christ, and have the faith and the commitment of


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Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, we too will come forth out of the fire - without even the smell of smoke onour garments. These men were just mortal men like the rest of us. We need have no fear of the fiery burningsthat may come on Planet Earth, as long as the Son of God is there in the furnace, walking with us in the fireeven as He did with these faithful Hebrews!

The old garment of earth is to be drastically changed, not by the explosive devices of men, but by God's holyFire.

"The world that then was (before the Flood), being overflowed with water, perished: but the heavens and the

earth, which are now, by the same Word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment andperdition of ungodly men."(2 Pet 3:6, 7)And then for the millennial advocates who believe that somehow Godwill patch up this old garment to make it last for another thousand years - the apostle gives this word ofadmonition:

"Be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years asone day."(vs. 8) And what was Peter looking for? A patched-up earth that is even now ragged and torn, andbadly in need of a brand-new wardrobe?

"Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for New Heavens and a New Earth, wherein dwellethrighteousness."(vs. 13)

Abraham looked for it. And so did Peter. And John saw it:

"And I John saw the Holy City, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of Heaven, prepared as a Brideadorned for her Husband."(Rev. 21:2)

Upon the gates of this Holy City are inscribed the"names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel."(Rev21:12-14)

And upon the foundation of this Holy City are written "the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb"(see Rev21:12-14).

What a marvelous union in the New Jerusalem, of the twelve tribes of Israel with the Church of Christ,

founded by the twelve apostles of the Lamb!

MOSES, THE DELIVERER

God does not necessarily shelter His chosen ones in a safe haven somewhere, so the enemy will not findthem. Often He will expose them in open daylight to the eyes of their enemies, who are ignorant of what Godhas in mind. So it was with Moses.

When Pharaoh feared that the people in Goshen were getting too numerous, and could become too powerful -he issued a decree that all the male children born to the people of Israel in Goshen, were to be killed, or castinto the river. But God had an Appointment with one of those little babies in the years to come, and nomurderous strategy devised by this powerful Pharaoh could defeat what God had in mind.

You know the story, how Moses was set afloat in a leak-proof little box made of bulrushes in the quiebackwaters of a river, among the reeds. It looked like a dangerous sort of strategy, but I am sure that motherJochebed had clear guidance from the Lord. Moses' sister Miriam kept careful watch over the ark, a shortdistance away from the shore. You can be sure the family was praying that God would protect this very speciallittle baby. Then as Miriam looked on, Pharaoh's daughter came to the bank of the river with her maidens, andsaw this strange looking little box, and she sent her maidens to retrieve it. As the baby cried she hadcompassion on him. Miriam ran up to her, and saw her little brother in the arms of the princess, and offered togo and bring a nurse of the Hebrew women to look after this tiny three-month-old baby. The princess of Egyptthen unknowingly gave this little baby into the hands of his mother to look after, and paid her wages for doingso. So little Moses was now under the protecting hand of the dictator of Egypt, and in due course his mother


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turned the young lad over to Pharaoh's daughter, and he grew up as Pharaoh's grandson and prince. But hewas old enough to know that he was a Hebrew, and wise enough to keep it a secret.

How many young babies Pharaoh slew to maintain his power over Israel, we do not know. But the one babythat was chosen of God to deliver His people from their slavery grew up as a beloved prince in Pharaoh'scourt!

No matter how clever and powerful the kings of this earth may be, they will never be able to put our YahwehGod to shame, nor His people who put their trust in Him.

Mother Jochebed's prayers prevailed, and in due time God put it in the heart of this young man, to identifyhimself with the Hebrew people, in their slavery: "Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of Godthan to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season."(Heb. 11:25) He wanted to deliver his brethren so badly, buhe had yet to learn God's ways. Because of a very serious error he made, in slaying a cruel Egyptian, he foundhimself in disgrace with Pharaoh, and fled for his life, and became a shepherd in the land of Midian. Gone werehis dreams of delivering his brethren the Hebrews who dwelt in Goshen, suffering great pain and affliction atthe hands of Pharaoh!

But this was still very much a part of God's Vision for him. God had reserved in His heart an Appointment withthis chosen shepherd many years later, as he tended the sheep of his father-in-law on the plains of Midian.

God's appointments may tarry many years, but let us take courage: He must produce patience in His chosenones, or they will not survive the heat of the battle, nor the adoration of their friends. Then one very ordinaryday God spoke to Moses from a burning bush, and equipped him with power and authority to return to Egypt,and deliver the whole nation of Israel. And what were his weapons? He had but a staff in his hand, but by theWord of God who had called him, that stick in his hand became the Rod of God by which He smote Pharaohand all his hosts, and brought His people out of Egypt, in one single night!

JOSEPH, THE DREAMER

The dream Joseph had as a boy seemed quite far-out, and in telling his dream he got in wrong with all hisbrothers. Even his father wondered a little about it, and reproved him for having a dream like that! The Vision ofGod rarely makes sense, and God intends it to be that way, for His ways are far beyond our ways.

I have always considered the story of Joseph as one of the most fascinating stories in the Bible. Also one ofthe most touching. The story illustrates how God brings eternal purposes into being, in the way He leads us, inways that are usually very ordinary and very insignificant; but also sometimes in ways that are very traumatic,very devastating. If we recognize this we will consider our ways very seriously, in all that we do.

Jacob had loaded Joseph down with whatever he could carry, with food to take to his brothers who werelooking after the flocks. He just happened to meet a man along the way that told him where his brothers hadtaken the flocks. When they saw Joseph they started to make plans to kill him. But with some opposition tothat, and with the chance of making a little money, they sold him to Ishmaelites that were on their way to Egypt.So that way they got rid of him, and concocted a very wicked plan that would cause their father to believe thatJoseph was torn of wild beasts. They produced positive evidence of that. Here is Joseph's beautiful coat that

his father had made for him, torn and ragged and soaked in blood. (We wrote about all this in the book TheFamily of God, so this is enough at this point.)

But we must mention Joseph, for whom God had arranged an Appointment with Pharaoh, who was king overall the land of Egypt. We are emphasizing the unfolding of the intricate purposes of God, in one of Hisservants. From treachery, to prison house, to serious false accusations, to dungeons - Joseph experienced allof it. But the Appointment with Pharaoh was in God's agenda from the beginning, and one morning ihappened. He was released from the dungeon, and stood before Pharaoh. And when Joseph interpretedPharaoh's dreams with wisdom and confidence, Pharaoh knew immediately that this man was filled with thewisdom of God, and he made Joseph to be the Chief Justice in the whole land of Egypt.


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Just here, I would remind God's chosen ones, and especially the younger ones who are zealous for God. Donot try to get some kind of a 'plan' from God for your life, so you can start working on it! If you work on yourplan, you will very likely spoil it! Or God may spoil it for you! You need only to know that God has a plan foyour life, get to know His voice, do His will today and every day, and commit yourself into the hands of a lovingGod, and a very capable Predestinator. As you walk in God's will, you cannot miss God's intention for your life.And as you present yourself to Him a 'living sacrifice' - you will learn to walk in His ways, and come to know Hisvoice more clearly (see Rom 12:1,2).

JOHN THE BAPTIST, THE FORERUNNER

Like Isaac's mother, and Joseph's mother, and Samuel's mother - and many others in the Old Testament,John's mother was barren. Not only that, but she was far past the age of child-bearing, when an angeappeared to Zacharias, and declared that his wife Elisabeth would have a son. The angel told him that this sonwould minister in the Spirit and Power of Elijah "to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and thedisobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."(Luke 1:17)

To God's people who love Him, yet are very much aware of their barren condition, let me say to you, Takecourage. I believe this is a day when the prophecy of Isaiah will be fulfilled:

"Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail withchild: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD." (Isa

54:1)

When youthful zeal fades away, and you are aware that, try as you may, you are not making any vital impacton nations, nor on your neighbour next door, yet you love God and desire to bring glory to His Name - Takecourage! God has special love for those who love Him, and do His will, but who feel they cannot produce anyreal evidence that God is pleased in what they are doing.

John the Baptist was born of such parents, and John himself waited long years in the wilderness of Judaea.Waiting for what? For God's timing, for God's Appointment. God had many things to set in place, before Godwould say to John, Go to My people with this Word!

John's real mission was to introduce the Messiah to Israel, in the waters of baptism; and to preach a gospel of

Repentance by way of preparing their hearts for the King who was soon to be revealed. But the whole scenariofor the introduction of his ministry in the earth, had to be carefully overshadowed by the Sovereign God. Lukewho wrote about it saw fit to mention the rulership that prevailed in the Roman Empire, as well as in theTemple in Jerusalem, when John came on the scene. Tiberius was the Emperor of Rome, Pontius Pilate wasGovernor of Judaea, Herod was over Galilee - and so forth. And in the Temple, Annas and Caiaphas were thehigh priests. John was out there in the desert, waiting. Then one day, at the appointed time: "the Word of Godcame unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness, and he came into all the country about Jordan,preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins." (Luke 3:2, 3) He was the prophet that Malachsaid would come in the Spirit of Elijah. But when people asked who he was, he said, "I am the Voice of onecrying in the wilderness."(John 1:23)

How could John ever fit into the system of Annas and Caiaphas? How could he ever become one of their

priests, even though he qualified as one born to Zacharias? No billboards appeared on any synagogue doorannouncing: Prophet John, the son of Zacharias, will be here all this week holding a Prophetic Seminar! ComeHe may have a word from the Lord for you! But somehow the word got around, and the people would find outwhere he was preaching, and they would come to him. Certainly we are all aware that we need to hear fromGod. The people no doubt stood before John a little fearful of what he might say, but they were hungry for God;and John's voice was a call to repentance, and very simple:

"If you have two coats, one is enough. Give the other to someone who needs it."

"If you have more food than you need, share it with someone who is hungry."


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All Palestine was under Roman occupation, and the Roman soldiers were there to keep the peace. They couldbe cruel at times, and they would grumble about their low wages. But there was a hunger in many of them, andthey came to John for a word. And John would say:

"Do violence to no man; neither accuse any falsely, and be content with your wages."

Even Pharisees and Sadducees would come for baptism, and to hear what the Prophet might say. But Johnhad a very hard word for them:

"O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meefor repentance: and think not to say within yourselves, we have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, thatGod is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham." (Matt 3:7-9) After a word like that, only thehungry heart would repent, and submit to the waters of baptism. How many of them walked away at this pointwe do not know.

But the Appointment for John, above all others, was to introduce the One that was to come, in the waters ofbaptism. He waited for that; because God had given him a sign that would be revealed when he baptized theSon of God. It happened right there, at God's appointed time: "And, lo, the heavens were opened unto him,and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him: and lo a voice from Heaven,saying, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."(Matt 3:16, 17)

Wouldn't it be a thrilling ministry, to be a prophet? Not if you were one of God's prophets! Many of them weretortured, and slain. And John, the greatest of them all, was no exception. His head became a gift from a wickedHerod on his birthday, to a dancing party-girl! All because John was a preacher of righteousness and not asmooth talker. He reproved Herod for his adulterous life, and paid for his reproof with his head.

The Lord was not accustomed to giving honour to great men. But I think because of the apparent futility of thisreed 'shaken in the wind', the Lord was constrained to say this about John:

"For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women, there is not a greater prophet than John theBaptist." (Luke 7:28) Bible students are taught to classify the prophets as major and minor. It appears theybase their decision on how large a book they wrote. Isaiah was a major because he wrote a large book ofmany pages. Amos wrote a small book, so he was a minor. But Jesus classified John as the greatest of al

prophets and he didn't write any books.

SIMEON, THE MAN WHO LIVED TO SEE THE MESSIAH

We must mention a few things about Simeon and his Vision. We do not know how old he may have been, butwe assume it was early in life that God said: Simeon, you will not die until you have seen the Messiah! It musthave been very thrilling for him to receive a promise like that. I don't think he bragged about it, but I am sure hewould tell his friends when the subject of the coming Messiah came up. God showed me, you know, that I amgoing to see Him in my lifetime. That's all we know about it. No mention of him seeing the Messiah growinginto manhood, and ministering to people, or setting up His Messianic rule in the earth. It was a simplemandate: Simeon, you are going to live to see the Messiah in your lifetime! We can assume he carried thisVision for many years, and that he was old when it happened, because when he saw the Babe in His infancy,he asked the Lord to release him and let him depart, because He had seen the Messiah, and his purpose in lifehad been fulfilled.

The Vision of God is intended to strengthen us, give us hope, cause us to be patient, and not to be tooconsumed with earthly things that will pass away. But we must also know that the Vision will become our trialWe get tired of waiting. Our expectations may be prolonged beyond what we had hoped. But the Light in oupathway keeps us walking in the right way. Surely the Vision we have from God will be strong within us, until itis fulfilled. It need not grow dim with age if we know that "the path of the just is as the shining Light, thatshineth more and more unto the perfect day."(Prov. 4:18)

Surely He knows that a Vision from His heart to ours, might cause pride to spring up in our hearts. But Heknows how to deal with that. The Vision tarries, and His servant who had the Vision is inclined to get weary of


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waiting. But God's intention is that He might prove, and test, and try in the fire - those who have His VisionAnd perhaps keep them waiting so long, that they may feel inclined to forget it all. But God waits because Hewants to bring forth patience, longsuffering, and endurance in our lives. It is good fruit that God is after. Simeonmay have grown weary of waiting, but nevertheless he stood true to his God: "The same man was just anddevout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto himby the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ."(Luke 2:25, 26)

We have mentioned these things about Simeon to remind ourselves that if it is God's Vision we cherish, thenwe must learn to "walk in the Spirit," for we know not when, where, and how the Vision may come to pass. But

we can be assured that if we "walk in the Spirit" we will not miss it.

Then one day it happened, because this man of God (whose name Simeon, means 'hearing') "came by theSpirit into the Temple." Was he expecting to see Messiah that day? We do not know, and perhaps he did noknow. He just knew that he must go up to the Temple, because the Spirit was leading him there on this day.

"And when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for Him after the custom of the law" - Simeon saw Him!The One that he had looked for these many years. He saw Him! "Then took he Him up in his arms, andblessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy Word: For mineeyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a Light to lighten theGentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel"(see Luke 2:27-32)

Simeon was there in the right place, at the right time, because he was walking in the Spirit; and therefore hecould not miss God's Appointment. God would not let him miss it! You and I will not miss any of God'sappointments if we walk in righteousness, and are living by faith, and enduring any manner of trial or testingthat God may send our way. For He sends the trial and the test not only to prove our faith and confidence inGod, but to burn away the dross from the gold and the silver by His refining fire.

MARY OF BETHANY, THE WASTER

We cannot pass by Mary of Bethany's Appointment with Jesus. It was just prior to His death which wouldhappen in another week or so. "Then Jesus six days before the Passover came to Bethany - and there theymade Him a supper - Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet ofJesus, and wiped His feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment"(John 12:1-3).

God's Appointments are not advertised ahead of time. Only those whose hearts are prepared for HisAppointments will understand. To the rest, the incident may become a source of argument, a cause fodisapproval or for rejection. The disciples were indignant about this waste! So were all the others who sat atthe table. But this was something between Jesus and Mary, and the Lord revealed that Mary had deliberatelyset aside this ointment for the burial of her Lord. "Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of Myburying hath she kept this."(vs. 7) It was not a sudden impulse she had, to come to the house where Jesuswas, and perform a good and notable deed to her Lord. Having sat at the feet of Jesus so many timeslistening intently to what He had to say, she understood that her Lord would suffer and die, but that He wouldrise again the third day. In her sensitivity to the will of God, she just knew that this was the appointed time toanoint Him for burial. The people at the table were shocked at such waste.

But who was the real waster? Mary who was clearly led of the Lord in this act of extravagance? Or the othewomen who went to the tomb on Resurrection Morning, expecting to anoint the dead body of Jesus, and Hewasn't even there? Their preparations for Jesus' dead body were wasted. (The lesson: Don't waste yourmoney to support some worthy cause when Jesus isn't even there.)

Mary's act was a proclamation of Jesus' victory over death, that would become a vital part of the Gospel of theKingdom throughout all the world, and throughout all periods of time.

Why was Mary's act so important, I wonder? Because the ways of the Kingdom of God are totally different fromthe ways of the kingdoms of men. Men will anoint the dead. But Mary would anoint Him who was theResurrection and the Life, even before He died. In what Mary did that day, she was showing forth the very


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essence of the Kingdom of God, not particularly to the handful of people gathered in Bethany that day, but togenerations yet to come ~

That it is a Kingdom where love rules, and where selfish interests are wasted on the ground.

That it is a Kingdom where men and women pour out their very lives in devotion to their Lord, with noexpectation of reward in this life.

That it is a Kingdom of Giving, rather than a Kingdom of Getting.

That it is Giving, even when there is no hope of receiving anything in return.

That it is in Giving not only of our substance, our material things, but as one pouring out his very life as a drinkoffering unto God.

It is something like what Paul said to the Philippians: "Yea, and if I be offered (poured out as a drink offering)upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all."(Phil. 2:17)

Concerning this waste of costly ointment Jesus made a statement in the presence of all who came to thedinner that day - much to the dismay of the guests who sat at the table. And much to the perplexity of manyChristians today who do not understand that a lost world stands in need of the fragrance of the Lord Jesus,

and not just a well-prepared sermon. The fragrance of Christ will turn the hearts of men from the bitter ways ofsin, to the love and mercy of the Lord Jesus - confirming the word of the Gospel, with the manifest Presence ofJesus.

Jesus openly rebuked those who had rebuked Mary - with these words:

"Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this Gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also thatshe hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her."(Mark 14:9)

People in the world may not read our literature, or listen to the words of our Gospel; but they cannot avoidbreathing the fragrance of the Lord Jesus when alabaster boxes are broken, and the fragrance of a life pouredout for Jesus, fills the whole room - or the whole city - or the whole country.

OUR LORD JESUS - THE BONDSLAVE

I know that many of God's people are convinced that we present a Vision for His people that are too high. Godknows that; and that is why our Lord Jesus came down to our level, and even below our level - when He tookupon Himself the form of a bond-slave. Our Lord Jesus is our great Example, who came to earth as a Sonrevealing the glory of the Father. And as a Son of Man, He chose to walk before God in the obedience of abond-slave. He was manifested as the express image of the Father in human form. When the writer to theHebrews introduced Him, he tells us that the Son was the ultimate expression of God's voice in the earth. Informer times God spoke through prophets, and angels, and dreams, and many other ways. But now God "hathin these last days spoken unto us by His Son." (Heb. 1:2) The literal Greek words are "in Son." I know thissounds awkward. But the apostle is emphasizing this final and ultimate Word of God was manifested in Jesus.

The Son was Himself that Word, the very Word of the Father, made flesh and dwelling among us. And so inthe form of a Son of Man, He chose to take upon Himself the role of a bond-slave. He would not considerHimself as a king or a ruler, doing what He thought best. He would have an ear that was pierced, like the slavein the Old Testament who chose to be his master's slave the rest of his life (see Exod. 21:5,6). And so Jesus isthe One who fulfilled the prophecy of David:

"Sacrifice and offering Thou didst not desire;Mine ears hast Thou opened:Burnt offering and sin offeringHast Thou not required.Then said I, Lo, I come:


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In the volume of the bookIt is written of Me,I delight to do Thy will, O My God."(Psa. 40:6-8)

And so we hear this Bond-slave saying words like these:

"The Son can do nothing of Himself."(John 5:19)

"I can of Mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and My judgment is just; because I seek not Mine ownwill, but the will of the Father which hath sent me." (John 5:30)

"The Father hath not left Me alone; for I do always those things that please Him."(John 8:29)

O how different it is these days, when apostles and prophets and pastors can do so many wonderful things, ifonly they can persuade the people to stay with them, and get under their burden!

Our Lord Jesus is truly the Pattern Son - the Son who chose to accept the role of a bondslave. His ear pierced,that He might hear the words of the Father clearly, and His heart motivated by the will of the Father.

At the Last Passover He took a basin of water and a towel, and began to wash the disciples' feet, as a lowly

servant. He taught them, "He that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as hethat doth serve."(Luke 22:26) This is the role that was assumed by the Son of God as He walked in the earth.

He is the Pattern Son, and He taught His disciples how to become 'bond-slaves': "Take My yoke upon you, andlearn of (from) Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." (Matt. 11:29)Surely as we find ourselves in the yoke of Jesus, it ought to be easy to walk as Jesus walked. The father'sAppointment for Him was every day, every moment.

Yet we cannot deny that the supreme Appointment for the Son was to go to the Cross, in obedience to theFather's will. And this act of obedience was so precious in God's eyes, that Christ was awarded the highesprize that the Father could bestow upon anyone, in Heaven or in Earth.

How did He earn this great honour? By becoming the Great Apostle, Prophet, Teacher, Pastor, Evangelist? Bynone of these, although He was all of these and more! It was because He "took upon Him the form of a servan(bond-servant), and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, He humbledHimself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross. Wherefore (for this reason) God alsohath highly exalted Him, and given Him a Name which is above every name: that at the Name of Jesus everyknee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongueshould confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Phil. 2:7-11)

THE CHURCH, THE BODY OF CHRIST

O how this Church, that God ordained to be a wonder and glory in the earth, and in the heavens - how weakshe has become, by trusting in her strength, in her wisdom, in her riches, in her magnificence! And all of it is

supposedly in an attempt to cause the nations to bow at the feet of Christ! But there is a Church in the midst ofthe Church, whose hearts long after God, and it is with these that He has reserved a day of Appointment. It wilbe a very individual Appointment with those who are "members of His body," as well as a corporateAppointment for the whole body.

God forbid that any one would think that his or her position in the Church, will somehow elevate them in thefavour of God. For the body of Christ is composed of many members, and each member of that body iscarefully designed by His creative power to function in union with all other members, and to partake equallywith them in the Life that God has breathed into that body. For no man or devil or evil principality in theheavens will be able to hinder the mighty work that God continues to perform in the members of His body. Hispurpose is "that He might sanctify and cleanse it (the Church) with the washing of water by the Word, that He


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might present it to Himself a glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it shouldbe holy and without blemish."(Eph. 5:26, 27)

Let us not hope for Heaven to bring this about. The Last Adam, "the Lord from Heaven" came to earth to dothis cleansing, healing work in His people, by the blood of His Cross, and "with the washing of water by theWord." It is not by a sudden stroke of perfection when we enter the courts of Heaven. Jesus Himself, chosen tobe the Captain of His people as they war against evil, came to earth as a man that God might make theCaptain of their Salvation "perfect through sufferings."(Heb. 2:10) It is by testing and trial and affliction whilewe walk in the midst of a cruel world, that we learn obedience and come to the stature of Christ.

David said that he was fearfully and wonderfully made. But he was speaking prophetically as he described thevery intricate workings of God in the body of Christ. For this Church is to be an eternal wonder and glory untoGod throughout all ages. David went on to say, "My substance was not hid from Thee, when I was made insecret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth."(Psa. 139:14, 15) Paul identifies this with ouLord Jesus. "When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that Heascended, what is it but that He also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is thesame also that ascended up far above all heavens, that He might fill all things)."(Eph. 4:8-10) I believe Davidwas speaking prophetically about this body of Christ that was "made in secret, and curiously wrought in thelowest parts of the earth." I understand very little about that, but we have much teaching concerning Hisascension Glory, where He reigns with all power in Heaven and in Earth. And has sent forth His Spirit into ourlives, imparting gifts to His people, and enduing them with power and anointing to bring forth this glorious Body

of Christ. Then he declares that God's intention in setting these ministries in the body is that we "grow up intoHim in all things, which is the Head, even Christ."(Eph. 4:15) What marvelous grace, and what a living hope"that we grow up into Christ!"

ONE BODY ... AND MEMBERS IN PARTICULAR

Often there is a tendency to so exalt the truth of God's people being "one body" that we fail to recognize thevery individual life that we are to live as a member of the family of God, or as a sheep in the flock of God.Coming into a body relationship must not interfere with that very personal relationship with Christ that He hasordained. A true body relationship among God's people should enhance and strengthen one's personal walkwith God, rather than making it to be subordinate to a corporate body relationship. Just a few scriptures toillustrate this truth:

"Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular."(1 Cor. 12:27)

A member in particular, just as my eye, my ear, my hand, my heart, is very distinct, and has a very speciafunction, that benefits the whole body.

"Of one body." For this body is only healthy and complete when each individual member receives the care itneeds from the rest of the body.

The sheep hear His voice: And He calleth His own sheep by name (see John 10:3-5). This is very individuaand personal. The Shepherd knows each sheep by name, and each sheep knows his Shepherd, by nameVery often the sheep do not act as if they know the True Shepherd by name. How many of them have beentaught and nurtured by true pastoral ministry, and really know the Shepherd, and walk with Him, and hear Hisvoice when He calls their name? In too many cases this is not even considered necessary. The sheep hear thevoice of their pastor, and they thank him for his counsel. But very often they know not the voice of the TrueShepherd in their own walk with the Lord. Their pastor, their elder, their prophet, has become their mediator,instead of that One Mediator who reigns at the right hand of the Father. The sheep must individually know theirShepherd by Name, and follow Him!

THE NEW COVENANT, A COVENANT OF GLORY

We have mentioned some of those glorious Appointments that men of old had with their God in Old Testamenttimes; and often New Testament (Covenant) believers are inclined to feel that those visitations of God are notfor us in the New Covenant. Is not the New Covenant better than the Old? And if God's people in the Old


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Covenant knew this very individual relationship with God, how much more should we in the New Covenant?The apostles continually remind us of the "better things" that we have in the New Covenant. And Paul goes sofar as to say that the ultimate ministration of the Old Covenant was condemnation and death. "But if theministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could nostedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance, which glory was to be done away: Howshall not the ministration of the Spirit be rather glorious?"(2 Cor. 3:7, 8) Then to cap it off, he makes this veryconclusive statement concerning the glory that was manifested in the Old Testament: "For even that which wasmade glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth."(vs. 10)

Surely God has greater things, far greater things, for His New Covenant people, than He did for the Old.

I am confident that God will in these last days perform such wondrous things through His people (who seekHim and walk with Him), that they will be known as walking signs of the Mighty God they serve. Paul quotesfrom the prophet Isaiah: "Behold I and the children which God hath given me."(Heb. 2:13) The full quotationfrom Isaiah is this:

"Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from theLORD of hosts, which dwelleth in Mount Zion."(Isa. 8:18) The people whom the Father gives to the Son, are"for signs and wonders." Their very lives, and the works they perform, will make them to become a sign and awonder in the earth. Let us never entertain the thought: O well, I know God said He was going to have aglorious Church, without spot or blemish - but it can't happen till we get to Heaven. Jesus came from Heaven

to earth to bring this about. And the Father has given Him sons and daughters from the earth, born of the sameSpirit by which Jesus was born. And they are predestinated "to be conformed to the image of His Son, that Hemight be the firstborn among many brethren."(Rom. 8:29) "Many brethren" in the Family of God, but each sonand daughter a very distinct member of that Family each son and daughter knowing the Voice of their ElderBrother, and following in His footsteps.

GOD'S APPOINTMENTS ARE IN HIS TIME

We must not fail to emphasize God's Timings. And we must know that God's timings are always related toeternal purposes. In union with the Father, Jesus not only did the Father's will, but He always moved in theFather's time. It wasn't a case of - I'm the Prophet, so I'm going to prophesy. Or I'm the Teacher, so I'm goingto travel far and wide and teach God's people. Jesus only did these things as He moved in the Spirit of the

Father, and it was all according to God's eternal purpose and timing. He was always in God's place, doingGod's will, in God's time. Therefore He could say to the people gathered in the Synagogue at Nazareth, that onthat very day He was fulfilling scripture.

"And there was delivered unto Him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when He had opened the book, Hefound the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me topreach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to thecaptives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptableyear of the Lord.And He closed the book, and He gave it again to the minister, and sat down."

Then as they waited, perhaps for some word of exposition, "He began to say unto them, This day is thisscripture fulfilled in your ears." (Luke 4:17-21) This is God's way of "doing the will of God," doing what God

tells us to do, indeed. But also moving in the Spirit of Truth. And if we move in the Spirit, it will always be inGod's time. Jesus would not be pressured by others. He would say to His brethren who urged Him to go downto the Feast: "My time is not yet come: but your time is always ready."(John 7:6)

It was especially grievous to Mary and Martha, whom He loved - that He refused to go and heal their brotherLazarus when his life was ebbing away. When He got the news, "He abode two days still in the same placewhere He was." (John 11:6) He could have gone and healed Lazarus, or spoken the Word from a longdistance, and healed him by a spoken Word. But He moved in the mind and in the will of the Father; and Hemust remain where He was till Lazarus was dead. All because God had a purpose in mind, and the Son alwayswalked in the way of God's Appointment for Him.


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Does it not seem strange how men have been able to turn this all around, and ordain pastors and teachers andapostles and prophets to be in a place of lordship, rather than in a role of servitude? Paul and many otherswere apostles, but Paul said, writing to the Romans: "Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ," and the word servanhere means bond-slave. Many of these great ministries today do not appear to be in the category of bond-slaves, but rather as lords over the flock. And God's people do them a great injustice, by exalting them to aplace of reverence and esteem in the House of God, rather than as servants ministering truth to the flock ofGod.

CHAPTER THREEA NEW MAN A NEW CREATION

ABRAHAM, THE FATHER OF ALL WHO BELIEVE

"How slow we are to comprehend that in God's design and purpose, He would have a people in the earthwalking in the same Spirit that our Lord Jesus walked in. Not to make ourselves equal with Jesus. For we aremuch less, much weaker ~ yet knowing that God's strength is "made perfect in weakness."(2 Cor. 12:9)AndJesus Himself as the Son of God, voluntarily took the role of a slave, a bond-slave who did all that His Masterwanted Him to do.

Surely the more we are filled with the Spirit, the more meek and humble do we become, because that is thenature of the Holy Dove that rested upon Jesus. And therefore Jesus told His disciples that when He went

away, He would send the Comforter to abide with them in His stead. And through Him they would do the sameworks that He had done, because they would be baptized with the same Spirit. And even greater worksbecause He would be exalted to the Throne with all power in Heaven and in Earth, and interceding for thembefore the Father.

We are not talking about the "old Adam" in us attaining the stature that Jesus walked in. We are talking abouthe old Adam being crucified with Christ that the Seed of the Last Adam might bring forth a New Man from theSeed that He has implanted in the soil of our hearts.

TWO ADAMS AND TWO ADAMIC RACES

We are inclined to think this way: Jesus had a great advantage over us, because He had no sin nature, and we

do! True, but in God's glorious plan of Redemption, we are redeemed by the blood of Jesus (the Last Adamby simply believing in the Man Christ Jesus as our Sin-bearer and Substitute. And then by matchless grace, Heputs His Spirit in our hearts, who abides there as our Advocate and Intercessor in the earth - to show us theway by which we shall overcome the Old Adam, that the New Adam might reign as King in our lives.

It is true that our Lord was born without the sin nature, and what assurance this gives us! How else could Hebecome our Redeemer? But He was still subject to temptation as we are, and He was subject to the trial ofobedience, as we are. Even the First Adam was created without a sin nature, and yet he fell - not because ofinherent sin, but because of an act of disobedience.

The first Adam chose to disobey. "Adam was not deceived." is the clear word of the apostle (1 Tim. 2:14) Hewasn't tricked into it, like Eve was. He chose to disobey. It must have been because he knew Eve was the only

creature God had made that was compatible with himself. Adam loved her, and she was very close to hisheart, for she was made from a rib that God took out from Adam's side as he slept. He deliberately chose to gothe way of disobedience, to save his marriage. How could he live without his beloved wife who was now ondeath-row because of her disobedience to God? He loved her, and chose to share the penalty of death withher.

We mention this as a background to what we know about the Last Adam, and how He avoided the pathway ofdisobedience. It was the Father's plan and purpose to undo the tragedy of the Fall, and Jesus came out fromthe bosom of the Father, to be another Adam in the earth, born of "the seed of the woman" but conceived bythe Holy Spirit. He was therefore without sin, but He too would be subject to trial and testing, for anything oranybody that cannot endure trial and testing, is not worthy to be in God's Kingdom.


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The test of Adam and Eve was very simple. It would involve no hardship. But the dazzling gem of the fruit onthe Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil was too much for Eve to resist.

Our Lord (the Last Adam) was subjected to a very severe trial also. Would He be true to the covenant Hedeclared in the prophetic Psalm: "Lo, I come to do Thy will, O God!" Or would He fail? The trial was in Hispathway all through life. 'Son, You are to become the Lamb for the Burnt Offering, and in so doing You wildeliver My people from their captivity to the Law of Sin and Death. But You must learn obedience in order toannul the disobedience of Adam. I have ordained a Bride for You, as I did for Adam. In Your obedience to Me,

You must sleep in death, a death brought about by cruel hatred and malice at the hands of a rebellious mobOnly then will this Bride be redeemed and washed and cleansed from all her filthiness. For Your Bride will bechosen from the sons and daughters of Adam, redeemed by the blood of the Cross, upon which You must die.'

Our precious Lord and Saviour made a full commitment: I will walk in obedience, for the sake of my Bride thatYou have promised Me.

And so we have the story of our redemption. By one act of disobedience of the First Adam we all fell into sinand disobedience by natural generation. And it was by one act of obedience that the Last Adam prevailed. Notdenying of course that He learned obedience through His life, as He walked in union with the Father.Nevertheless His life of obedience culminated in a final act of obedience by which we are redeemed. "For asby one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of One shall many be made

righteous."(Rom. 5:19)

Calvary was in no sense a tragedy - something that could have been avoided if, if, if - All these Ifs must be shutout of our minds, when we realize that our Lord Jesus came as a Lamb, ordained of God to be slain for ourredemption. In the outworking of God's sovereign purposes, this Lamb knew He was ordained to die for Hispeople, but "for the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross, despising the shame, and is set down atthe right hand of the throne of God."(Heb. 12:2) The Captain of our salvation must be made "perfect throughsufferings."(Heb. 2:10) This sacrificial Lamb anticipated the Day when a glorious Church would come forth, Hebeing the Head: "a glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing."(Eph. 5:27). He anticipatedthe day when this holy Bride would be revealed, and one of the holy angels was excited when he saw her, andsaid to John: "Come hither, I will show thee the Bride, the Lamb's wife."(Rev. 21:9)

We must emphasize the perfections of this Holy Bride, these overcoming Sons, this Holy Nation, this RoyaPriesthood, for they are called by many names. We must be convinced that God's plan for us is to becomeHoliness to the Lord, "A crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God."(Isa. 62:3) And many people draw back, thinking they are too unworthy, too human, too carnal, to ever come tosuch a state, until they get to Heaven. Do these people really believe that it would be easier for God to takethem to Heaven, than to work in their lives the perfections of Christ while they walk here in the earth? Goddesigned that the great redemptive work by which we come forth in God's own image and likeness, would takeplace right here in the earth; and the Lord from Heaven came to earth, to become the Last Adam, our sin-bearer. And now by His mediatorial ministry in the heavens, He will continue to faithfully minister all thosevirtues and qualities that are in Him, through His Holy Spirit, to His chosen ones in the earth.

His mandate is secure. Jesus knows what it is all about. He is the "Mediator of a New Covenant" which is not

like the old one, "written and engraven in stones." But a New Covenant where He writes His righteousness, Hismercy, His grace, His beauty, His faithfulness, His own nature and character on our hearts, by the Holy SpiritAnd He will continue to do so until God has procured for His Son a Holy Bride, made ready by precious bloodsprinkled on the heart, and by the renewing grace of His Holy Spirit within us.

We are purged from sin and disobedience by the efficacy of Jesus' blood, and our obedience to the Gospel,which the apostle Paul calls "the obedience of faith." The regenerating power of the Holy Spirit transforms us tobecome heirs of the will of the Last Adam. We hear Him saying in prophetic voice in the Psalms: "Lo I come todo Thy will O God." When this Will of God becomes our Will, by virtue of the new Seed planted within usgrowing within us, and coming to fruition within us, and our minds are renewed by the same Spirit - then we areable to overcome even as He overcame.


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GOD IS PREPARING A RESTING PLACE FOR HIMSELF

I recall reading how Augustine said something like this: "Thou hast made us for Thyself, O LORD, and ourhearts are restless until they find their rest in Thee." I never forgot that gem of truth. But in more recent years Icame to understand there is a counterpart to that:

"God created Man that He might find His resting place in Man, and God can never find rest, until He finds Hishabitation in Man."

Isaiah declares this state of restlessness in God:"For Zion's sake will I not hold My peace,And for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest,Until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness,And the salvation thereof as a Lamp that Burneth."(Isa. 62:1)

Now God is so eager to see His glory shining forth in His people, that He actually sets watchmen on the wallsof Jerusalem, to continually remind Him of His own Vision until it happens!

"I have set watchmen upon thy walls,

O Jerusalem,Which shall never hold their peaceDay nor night;Ye that make mention of the LORD,Keep not silence and give Him no rest,Till He establish, and till He makeJerusalem a Praise in the earth."(Isa. 62:6, 7)

Certainly, brethren, we are often in a state of restlessness as we consider our circumstances, our failures, oubarrenness our helplessness to deal with hopeless conditions that abound in our lives, or in the world aboutus. If only God would make this deep impression on our hearts, that God will not let us REST, in any degree of

fullness, until we cease from our own works, and until God's pleasure in our lives becomes the all-consumingpurpose for which we live.

For it is not about the Canadian Dream, or the American Dream It's all about Him, and His Glory, and HisResting-place, and His Vision for His people.

Never could the Mighty God discover a habitation and resting place for Himself in the vast realms of theheavens, nor in the angelic beings He has created, nor yet in the beautiful unspoiled, untarnished earth that Hehad created. Only Man created in His image, could become a true resting-place for the Most High God. And sowhen man sinned and fell away from His Creator, God's Sabbath Rest was broken. Any tent or temple thatGod ordained in the past, were but for a season, and served only as a faint shadow of the Temple

vision - the appointment [george h. warnock] year 2007 ~ book

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