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Letters of Truth - Spirit of the Word - Covenant Eschatology - Introductory Note - New Stuff
Redemption . . . All in AllTHE SCENT OF WATER
Chapter 5"For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease. Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground; yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant. But man. ..where is he?" [Job 14:7-10].
The searchings of heart and the questionings of the mind which Job faced are closely akin to many of the thoughts which still motivate the probings of men in this generation. How blessed are these nuggets of truth therefore which the Spirit of God reveals to the heart, as we seek to understand the ways of death and life.
In his account of the fall and rebirth of the tree, Job reveals the wonderful and inspiring truth of RESTORATION, one that involves THE SCENT OF WATER. Yet when it came to relating this parable of natural life, Job found it hard to join it to his ponderings on the destiny of man. And the question comes with forceful challenge, "If a man die, shall he live again." [Job 14:14]. Then as the dawning light of truth begins to pierce through the shadows that darken his understanding, Job begins to grasp the truth, and so we read on...
"All the days of my appointed time will I wait, TILL MY CHANGE COME. You shall call, and I will answer You: YOU WILL HAVE A DESIRE TO THE WORK OF YOUR HANDS. For now You number my steps: do You not watch over my sin?" [Job 14:14-16].
RESTORATION is a beautiful word, yet methinks most people little comprehend the true scope of its meaning, and the glory of its outreach. Far too long we have been prone to limit everything to the confines of the natural mind, and circumvent a precious truth with the natural confusions and conclusions of the world. Given in its common usage, we take the word "restoration" to mean an act of restoring, putting back into an unimpaired or much improved condition, putting back into nearly or quite the original form. Thus we use it with the thought of repairing or recovering, and sometimes even limit it to the thought of "patching up."
But to use the word RESTORATION in harmony with the glorious sweep of the Word of God, we must connect it with the word RESURRECTION, and to do so changes the thought from the limited confines of that which is only repaired or patched up, into a NEW LIFE COMPLETELY. This is readily seen in our scripture text concerning a tree that was cut down, its root waxed old in the earth, and the stock thereof died in the ground. But there is HOPE, there is an EXPECTATION, not for the renewing or reviving of the old tree, but of a NEW GROWTH, a new life which shall spring forth out of the old stump. It required but THE SCENT OF WATER to cause that old dry and decayed stump to become the womb of a new life, and it begins to bud and bring forth boughs like a plant.
The illustration is also found in the life of king Nebuchadnezzar, when in his dream he was depicted as a tree "which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto the heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth." But he also saw in his dream how that "a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth." [Daniel 4;20, 23]. The destruction was severe, and the king was driven from men, and did eat grass (Hebrew here is herbs) as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, until the time decreed for his discipline and correction was fulfilled. THEN THE SCENT OF WATER--then the mercy of God was extended to him, and a transformation was made, for not only was the king restored, but it was a new life. Gone was the old life of pride and conceit, or personal glory, now there was manifested a new light which gave glory to God, and he praised and gave honour unto Him that lives for ever and ever.
At the same time he was re-established in his kingdom, excellent majesty was added unto him. Thus we see the outreach of restoration is not just a return to former glory, nor reviving of an old life, but it involves a resurrection into a whole new life, to the glory of our God.
The SCENT of water. This word "scent" meaning the smell, savour, fragrance. It didn't require a great flood of actual water, but the very fragrance thereof reaching out unto the dry, desolate stump, and HOPE WAS REVIVED, and then as the water begins to refresh and bring its life, the boughs grew and flourished.
In spiritual terms this "scent" might be said to be the "VISION" which is a vital part of the real, but not the actual complete fulfillment. But the scent, the fragrance, THE VISION is reaching us, and we find it causes a stirring deep within, and a new life is coming forth. "Where there is no vision, the people perish." [Proverbs 29:18]. We would like to give another our vision, with hope that they too might begin to partake of this new life, but this is not something that one man can pass on to another. Only water can give the SCENT of water. Only the SPIRIT OF GOD can send forth its fragrance, impart the vision needed for today.
"And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out of My Spirit upon ALL FLESH; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions." [Joel 2:28]. A sovereign work of a sovereign God, to impart the vision to every creature, that all might be brought into the fulness of HIS more abundant life.
Along with the word "vision," perhaps we can add the word "SOUND," as a comparable example, for the first sounds that come to one are not the full message, but they prepare the way for that which is to follow, alerting one's attention, and causing, one to give ear to that full message which is to be spoken. And in this connection we have the combining of words, when Elijah said unto Ahab, "There is a sound of abundance of rain." [1 Kings 18:41]. Rather than speaking of the SCENT, he used the word SOUND, but in either case, it denoted that RAIN WAS COMING, and it would bring new life to the drought-strickened nation.
How timely therefore are the words of Psalm 89:15. "Blessed the people that know THE JOYFUL SOUND: they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of Your countenance."
Surely like a withering tree, Christendom has lost its life and glory, it has become a dry and barren thing, twice dead, and ready to be plucked up by the roots. Man has so organized and programized his religion, that it is time for the end of all flesh to come. Many have looked upon the barren fields and wept. Many, in sorrow, have turned to other avenues of religion, searching among the entanglings of science and various cults, trying to find something that would offer a ray of hope. Others have simply gritted their teeth, and with extreme determination fought to carry on in the old form and ceremony, hoping that something would come along with a surge of life and help patch up the decaying tree. But in the midst of all this confusion and chaos we find a remnant, A CALLED OUT COMPANY, who have HEARD THE JOYFUL SOUND, they have caught the SCENT OF WATER, A VISION has gripped their heart, and anew life is springing up in the midst of the earth. To them it is not a revitalizing of the old, a returning to some "good old days of yesteryear," nor yet the propping up of that which is falling down, but they are beginning to taste the glory of a NEW LIFE coming into them from the living fountain of HIS divine life.
"Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive tree shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength." [Habakkuk 3:17-19].
It is not a looking back to see if there is any hope for the old, there is no expectation that the former realms will yet produce any new "meat and drink," but neither is there any discouragement in the hearts of those who have caught THE SCENT OF WATER, for they know that God is simply "taking away the first, that He may establish the second." [Hebrews 10:9]. The old methods of revival are not accomplishing the task of today. The old traditions and creeds of men are not giving enough light to guide the steps of our youth upon today's pathway. And yet, though God's CALLED OUT ONES realize their total inadequacy to meet these tremendous needs, still there is a rejoicing within them, because they have seen THE VISION, they have HEARD THE SOUND, they have RECEIVED THE SCENT OF WATER, and know that GOD HAS A PLAN AND PURPOSE whereby all mankind shall be restored unto their Creator, and that resurrection life shall ultimately reach every individual.
THE SOUND of an abundance of rain! No one can "hear" for another in such a way as to cause another to rejoice in the coming rain, each one must hear for himself. To one dull of hearing, there is no prospect in view, even as to one who is blind, the vision before us offers them no hope. Likewise for those whose sense of smell is deadened by the odors of the flesh, the scent of water has no meaning to them. Far too long has man sought out the titillating and exotic odors of strange realms to excite the flesh, until they no longer can detect the sweet fragrance of the coming rain.
"Because the savour (scent) of your good ointments, your name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love you. Draw me, we will run after you." [Song of Solomon 1:3-4].
DRAW ME! How? By sending forth the sweet fragrance which shall captivate me, and cause me to desire only you. Your name is an ointment poured forth. The name represents the whole nature and character of the one to whom it belongs. HIS LIFE has been poured out, His love and mercy have reached out unto mankind, and those who receive THE SCENT find that it awakens in them a deep desire to RUN AFTER HIM. How expressive are the words of a song someone wrote "Sound afar the tidings of the Saviour's worth,Ring the message over land and sea,
And if I be lifted up above the earth
I will draw all men to Me.
Irresistible, so meek, yet glorious,
Irresistible, o'er all victorious,
Irresistible, He goes before us,
How irresistible the Christ of God!"Yes, indeed, the vision, the sound, the scent of water is most irresistible, for we have found that which speaks satisfaction to the heart. All Christendom might be asleep, and once we were content to slumber with them, but not now. Rather, we say with the scripture, "My heart wakes: It is the voice of my Beloved that knocks, saying, Open to Me, My sister, My Love, My dove, My undefiled: for My head is filled with dew, and My locks with the drops of the night." [Song of Solomon 5:2]. Ah, all might be so still, nothing stirring outwardly, no great revival in progress, everyone slumbers on, until HE COMES, at the sound of His voice, at the scent of water, the fragrance of the dew, of the drops of the night-then there is a response within, a new life awakens, a branch is put forth, new growth begins to take place.
"Down in the human heart, crushed by the tempter,
Cords that lie buried will vibrate once more."The tree is cut down, the life is wasted, hope has fled, and faith is nil. Is there to be no restoration ? YES, A THOUSAND TIMES, YES! At the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant.
"You, O God did send a plentiful rain, whereby You did confirm Your inheritance, when it was weary. Your congregation has dwelt therein: You, O God, have prepared of Your goodness for the poor. The Lord gave the Word: great was the company of those that published it." [Psalm 68:9-11].
Again we find the connection made-- rain to refresh, and the sound of the Word going forth. It doesn't take length of years to cause one to grow weary. The barrenness of religion, the dryness of form and ceremony, and we were like one panting in the desert for a drink of cool water. But the Lord has prepared of His goodness for the poor, and He has given a Word to refresh the weary. "He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the called out." [Revelation 3:6]. It is the Word given line upon line that produces "the rest wherewith you may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing." [Isaiah 28:12]. Many have thought that the "stammering lip, and another tongue" were the refreshing, but not so--this is how God spoke to them because they refused to hear the Word given unto them line upon line, and precept upon precept.
We would not minimize the work of the holy Spirit, for we deeply appreciate every avenue of His moving in the hearts of men, and surely we rejoice in the "speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance." But we also need to be careful to rightly divide the Word of truth, and not apply a scripture where it does not belong. A wide scale movement of "speaking in tongues" is not the RAIN which the Lord has promised. That which shall refresh the weary, and cause new life to spring forth out of the barren, is the inflow of the pure WORD OF THE LORD. "As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is GOOD NEWS from afar country." [Proverbs 25:25]. (Original Editor's note: "Speaking in tongues" is a gift of the Lord and it is imparted to the believer by the holy Spirit. This is one of the major foundational "truths" which most Pentecostal church groups embrace. Oft times the "gift" overshadows the Giver. I quote from a statement of Rev. S. Buell, "The gifts of the Spirit can gratify the flesh." Use, develop each and every gift; however, the gift never should replace the center of our focus, which is Christ, Our Lord.).
"Ask of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and given them showers of rain." [Zechariah 10:1].
"And He will cause to come down for you the rain, the former, and the latter rain in the first. ..and I will restore to you the years..." [Joel 2:23, 25.].
It is significant to note that the words "the former rain" are given in the margin as "A TEACHER OF RIGHTEOUSNESS," for the Hebrew word used here is the same for "former rain" and for "teacher." "Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till He come and rain righteousness upon you." [Hosea 10:12]. TILL
HE COME AND TEACH RIGHTEOUSNESS.
The scent of water--the sound of His word--this is what shall bring forth new life. Men have tried everything else, musical programs, moving pictures, personal testimonies and personality parades, all to no avail. But when there shall be the SOUND OF THE WORD, teaching line upon line the truth so vitally needed for this hour, it shall be as the scent of water which shall cause the old dry and dead stumps to bud and bring forth new life, HIS LIFE.
An illustration of this inner response is found in the life of Elisabeth, the mother of John the Baptist. " And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb. (and she said), For as soon as the voice of your salutation SOUNDED in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy." [Luke 1:41, 44].
The word "sounded" is actually the Greek word "ginomai" meaning TO BECOME. At the very scent of water, just as soon as the voice of the salutation began to become, to take on recognized form in her ears, there was a response from within. It is true, we do not claim to have the full message, our revelations are quite incomplete, but as soon as there is a beginning, and the vision starts TO BECOME, what a stirring we feel deep within. After all, we have been dead and dry for so long, we could not receive the full rain at once, but THE SCENT OF WATER comes, preparing the way for the heavier showers to follow, when we are ready to receive the deeper inworkings of our Lord.
Thus far, in this chapter, we have limited the application pretty much to our own individual paths, and its response in the REMNANT, God's called out ones. But now we would like to sweep out with a more general application to all men. For the question remains, "If a man die, shall he live again?" There is hope for a tree, at the scent of water, it will bud with new life, but what about a man? We cannot generate a spiritual scent of water needed to give new creation life. Job knew this, but his understanding did enlarge to comprehend this much, "all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come." But, what if my change does not come before physical death overtakes me? Ah, the answer follows, "YOU SHALL CALL, AND I WILL ANSWER YOU: YOU WILL HAVE A DESIRE TO THE WORK OF YOUR HANDS." [Job 14:15].
Of the fall and destruction of man, we are well aware-- the tree is cut down, and brought to nought. But GOD HAS NOT FORGOTTEN HIS CREATION, His desire is still towards the work of His hands.
"YOU turn man to destruction: and say, Return, you children of men. For a thousand years in Your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.--Return? O Lord, how long? and let it repent You concerning Your servants. O satisfy us early with Your mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Make us glad according to the days wherein You have afflicted us, and the years where we have seen evil." [Psalm 90:3-4,13-15].
God foreknew the fall of man, and how that death would pass upon all men. Part of His purpose of the ages was to "turn man to destruction." But He also planned for the restoration of that man. The time element is no hindering factor with God, a thousand years being but as a watch in the night. When man began his downward road into destruction, it was with the command that ultimately he was to-- RETURN, YOU CHILDREN OF MEN. So the next question rightly follows, "Return, O Lord, how long?" And then the plea, "O, satisfy us early with Your mercy." What a comprehensive view of the whole process.
Is there any place where the scent of water cannot reach? NO! For "where shall I go from Your Spirit? or where shall I flee from Your presence? If I ascend up into heaven, You are there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, You are There." [Psalm 139:7-8].
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. --Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which ALL that are in the graves shall hear His voice; and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation (Greek, judgment)." [John 5:25,28-29].
The scent of water shall reach ALL MEN, the sound of His voice shall come unto them, and they that hear shall come forth, resurrection for the good brings them into His more abundant life, and resurrection for the evil, rebellious ones, advances them into the process of judgment, i.e. divine correction, before they receive of the fulness of His life. The word "damnation" used in King James translation is actually the Greek word "krisis" meaning judgment. God's judgments are all with purpose, to chasten and correct until restoration is accomplished. (Of which we shall have more to say upon later on.). "When Your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness." [Isaiah 26:9]. (Original Editor's note: We direct the readers attention to The Spirit of The Word, by A.P. Adams, (linked below) Chapter 12. "Probation;" Chapter 15. "Judgment," and Chapter 21. "The Purpose of Evil.").
The scent of water, the sound of rain, the voice of the teachers of righteousness shall ultimately come to every man, for " As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order." [1 Cor. 15:22-23]. How blessed shall be this restoration and resurrection, for though it was "sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power." [1 Cor. 15:42-43].
Who can begin to comprehend the full scope of the NEW LIFE which shall ultimately come to every man? But this is certain, Christ did "taste death for every man." [Hebrews 2:9], and HE IS "the true Light, which lights every man that comes into the world." [John 1:9].
Yes, to God be the glory! He is mindful of the work of His hands, and though for a time it seems that some have been hidden away on the shelf, untouched by the wonders of His grace, time cannot disannul the operations of His grace when He returns to complete that which He has begun, it shall redound to His glory. He is the FAITHFUL CREATOR who shall bring all of His creation into the fulness of His harmony and life.___________________________________ THE SCENT OF WATER
THE SCENT OF WATER has reached this heart of mine.
A wakened a deep longing
To leave behind the thronging.
And seek for higher realms of pure design.The old life now is ending,
The new is far transcending,
Thank God for every process to refine.THE SOUND OF HIS RAIN has reached this heart of mine.
A message so refreshing.
To loose from the immeshing
Of all the carnal ways that would entwine.How blessed is the sounding
Of truths that are abounding
To work in us His purpose so divine.THE LIGHT OF VISION has reached this heart of mine,
Traditions now obscuring
By light that is enduring,
The shadows all dissolved by His sunshine.The scent, the sound. the vision
Shall work their transformation.
Till I, O Lord, am made completely Thine.Letters of Truth - Revelation-A Positive Book - Spirit of the Word -
1. The Law of Circularity
2. No Second Causes
3. The Fifth Dimension
4. Time--By Divine Degrees
5. The Scent of Water
6. Christ--Our Mercyseat and Intercessor
7. Christ--Our Advocate and Ransom
8. Not In Our Stead, But For Us
9. A Joint-participation
10. Therefore Choose Life
11. The Corrective Judgments of God
12. God's Wonderful Vengeance
13. Sufficient-The Evil
14. The Potter's Field
15. Jubilee---And The Returning Field
16. By Man Also
17. What Manner of Man Is This?
18. Till All Men Know
19. To The Uttermost
20. All Things Reconciled