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Letters of Truth - Spirit of the Word - Covenant Eschatology - Introductory Note - New Stuff FROM EMPTINESS TO FULNESS
by Ray Prinzing"What is man, that You are mindful of him, and the son of man, that You visit him? For You have made him to lack a little from God." (Psalm 8:4-5, The Interlinear Bible).
The King James Version reads, "For You have made him a little lower than the angels." For the phrase "made a little lower" the Hebrew text reads, "made to lack," and the word "angels" here is the Hebrew word "elohim," meaning: God, or gods. Thus the correctness of the Interlinear translation.
Once we were contained in the bosom of God. HE IS "the Father of Spirits," (Hebrews 12:9), "And forms the spirit of man within him." (Zech. 12:1). So that we have come from God is an established FACT-- that we also are to return into Him is a FACT-- "For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. - For all things originate with Him and come from Him; all things live through Him, and all things center in and tend to consummate and to end in Him. To Him be glory for ever! amen." (Romans 11:36, Amp.) It is in this interim, from the time we came out of God, and our returning back into Him again, that we are being fully PROCESSED. Through it all God is gaining something for Himself, and for us; a glory acquired through the fall and restoration, which shall redound to His praise, and for our good.
"By faith we understand that the worlds (during the successive ages) were framed - fashioned, put in order and equipped for their intended purpose by the word of God." (Heb. 11:3, Amp.) God has a purpose being wrought out through this appointed time, and He has fitted the time element for the accomplishment of that purpose. Hence we can say with the Psalmist, "My times are in Your hand." (Psalm 31:15). And this "plan of the ages which He made in the anointed Jesus our Lord," (Eph. 3:11, Rotherham), includes all of His creation-- every individual-- as "IN (with, by) Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order (rank, time)." (1 Cor. 15:22-23)
In His rare wisdom and wise design, God LOWERED US, MADE US TO LACK from the realm of His fulness, so that we could be processed, tested, tried, and built up again into a new creation in Him. "Come, and let us return unto the Lord: for He has torn, and He will heal us; He has wounded, and He will bind us up." (Hosea 6:1). It is His sovereign handiwork-- not devil caused, though He may use Satan as a tool in its working-- but it is ALL HIS PLAN AND PURPOSE. "To us there is but one God, the Father, of Whom are all things, and we in Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by Whom are all things, and we by Him. However there is not in every man that knowledge."
(1 Corinthians 8:6-7). Yet it is a precious inworking of grace to come
into the knowledge that there is but ONE GOD-- in control
of all things.However, being MADE TO LACK is but one phase of this outworking, for we read in Ezekiel 36:11, "And I will settle you after your old estates, AND WILL DO BETTER UNTO YOU THAN AT YOUR BEGINNINGS; and you shall know that I am the Lord." While this promise was given to Israel, for a specific outworking in them, yet it also reveals the plan of God for all His creation, for such is the working of God, in harmony with His mercy and grace. As He did for Job when He gave him "twice as much as he had before. - So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning." (Job 42:10, 12).
It is a principle found in all of God's dealings, that He sows the seed of gain in loss itself, so that ultimately He has not only worked all things together INTO GOOD, but MORE GOOD-- for He is totally victorious! Thus in the process of the interplay of good and evil, when the purpose is finished and all evil has been overcome, everything restored back unto the Father again, the glory inherent in the beginning, and the glory acquired by this outworking purpose, shall combine and shine out with greater effulgence, and He shall be magnified. All loss is temporary, all gain is age-abiding.
"For thus says the Lord that created the heavens; God Himself that formed the earth and made it; He has established it, He created it not in vain (void), He formed it to be inhabited." (Isaiah 45:18).
When God created the heavens, and formed the earth, initially He did not create them VOID. "In the BEGINNINGS God..." (the Hebrew is plural). Out of the life and glory that streamed from Himself, HE FORMED--- "I form the LIGHT, and create darkness: I make PEACE, and create evil." (Isa. 45:7). The sequence is properly given-- FIRST CAME THE LIGHT, then followed the darkness. It could not be reversed, you cannot create darkness, and out of it FORM THE LIGHT. Light comes first, and then you can lower the vibration of light until it appears as darkness. But the principle was LIGHT. Likewise, HE MAKES PEACE-- that comes first, and afterwards there can be the disruption of peace, so that you have evil. If evil were the initial beginning, then whatever was formed afterwards, no matter how good it may be for a time, if it were restored to its beginning, it would be evil again. But evil is not eternal, it is temporary. PEACE has the eternal principle in it, so that whatever the chaos that follows, when everything is restored to its original state, it is once more PEACE. GOD'S LIFE IS THE ORIGINAL, out of which all else is created, and when all is restored to its beginning, it will be the fulness of HIS LIFE. All evil is perverted good! That is why you can take that which has been perverted, restore it to its original state, and gain the final victory of GOOD. Praise His name!
So God formed the LIGHT. God, as to His substance, is Spirit; as to His nature, He is love; as to His state of being, He is one; as to His energy force, He is a consuming fire; and as to His manifestation, GOD IS LIGHT. Whatever God first created, when He brought forth the heaven and the earth, we know it was good, it was not created void. Then followed a time of chaos, "And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep." (Gen. 1:2). When God would begin the work of restoration the first thing He does is again express Himself as LIGHT. "And God said, Let there be light: and there was light." Likewise in our own individual state of being, when we have our "understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God..." (Eph. 4:18), the first thing God does for us is to SHINE HIS LIGHT upon our pathway. Beautifully this is seen in the life of Saul (Paul), when "suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven." (Acts 9:3). Our experience may not be as dramatic as his, but it is only as the LIGHT OF GOD'S TRUTH is revealed to us, do we begin to see, to believe into Him as our Lord and Saviour. How precious are the moments when the first rays of His light begin to penetrate our darkened soul.
"So the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground and
breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." (Gen. 2:7). The Hebrew word here for "soul" is "nephesh" and literally means: a breathing one. Obviously-- God breathed into man the breath of life, and so he began to breathe. Praise God, when HE breathes into us, we cannot do anything else but breathe! When He quickens us by His Spirit, we live! When He writes His laws upon our heart, we do them. Since God had just created man a body out of the dust of the earth, when life was breathed into him, he began to live and breathe, with consciousness on this earth plane. But how different it was from that realm of pure spirit, where he had been contained in the bosom of God. No wonder it is often spoken of as a fall, which actually, we find, was threefold.First, our spirit was lowered, made to lack from the full realm of Elohim, from the realm of God. That is why, sensing our lack in ourselves, we are quick to join our spirit to other spirits, to try and fill up that which is lacking. We join our spirit to the spirit of the world, or to the spirit of another man, or, if God draws us, we are joined again unto the Lord, in one spirit with Him. All other spirit energies will never be enough to satisfy us-- only in Christ do we find a fulness that completely satisfies.
Second, the soul realm fell into the realm of "I will." Turning from its oneness with the will of God, "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way." (Isa. 53:6). In this expression of SELF we find we have fallen from that blessed identity of being found in Him.
And thirdly, the body was subjected to the gross materialism of this earth realm. "For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of Him who has subjected the same in hope." (Rom. 8:20), hope that ultimately He shall "change our vile body (body of humiliation), that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body..." (Phil. 3:21).
WHO is responsible for this lowering, falling, subjection? "YOU turn man to destruction; and say, Return, you children of men." (Psalm 90:3). God retains full responsibility for having turned man unto this destruction, (Hebrew, BRUISING). Isaiah confirms this, when he asks, "O Lord, why have YOU made us to err from Your ways, and hardened our heart from Your fear?" (Isaiah 63:17). Thank God for promises, such as when He said to Israel, "And you shall know that I have not done without cause all that I have done in it, says the Lord." (Ezekiel 14:23). We may not understand all of His CAUSES now, but when we see the finished work, we shall know, and we shall bow low to praise Him, worship Him for all His ways. In all of our contact with evil, and ultimately overcoming it by His grace, He will have worked a wonder, be glorified thereby, and we will be blessed.
One of the most vivid illustrations of our LACK, our emptiness, our coming far short, is in Luke 21:2,4. They saw "A certain poor widow putting in two mites ... of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had." She was not enabled for abundant giving, but she suffered a great deficiency, to the extent that in casting in her two mites, she gave all the living that she had, leaving her totally spent. (I know there are other real lessons in this record, of how in the spirit of her giving, out of her poverty she was giving far more than all the rich men that might have cast in large sums of money, but for now we want to use it as a type of extreme lack-- a lack which everyone without Christ experiences deeply). So much has He made us subject to vanity-- emptiness-- a void, that in ourselves we have nothing. Yea, though we were a millionaire, and gave all of our money to feed the poor, it would be but as "two mites", it would never solve the world's hunger. Momentarily it might feed a few, but it would not be contributing anything resulting in a permanent solution. ONLY GOD HAS THE RESOURCES FOR PERMANENT VICTORY-- total restoration in His life.
How man struggles with his "two mites," to change things. We try to fight the war on drugs, combat the inroads of poverty, help stem the tide of abuse, etc. We raise taxes and dump billions more into the bottomless pit of need, and very little is affected. What we lack is that SUPERNATURAL ABILITY to change all the negatives into positives, change the darkness into light, the chaos into peace, the evil into good. Yet we play games 'with our "two mites" and try to con ourselves into believing that our good works will make a lasting difference. Certainly we praise God for one tear that is wiped away, one pain that is alleviated, one sorrow that is eased, etc. but in our present deficiency our "two mites" do not accomplish very much. Though I dare say, we ought not to hold on to our "two mites" just because they won't accomplish much. In the same spirit as the woman who gave her all, we will also GIVE ALL to Him, knowing that HE is able to multiply the seed sown, and to take the "five loaves and two small fish" and feed the multitudes. As the saying goes, "Even little is MUCH when God is in it."
Then we note the LACK in the religious world, with its many institutions, finding again a fulfillment of Revelation 3:17, "You say, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and know not that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." Sure, they think they are rich-- able to build mega-churches costing millions. They have the musical talent, the ingenuity for programs of many kinds, leadership on all levels, technology and all the latest equipment. But the power which transforms lives, a vision of God's eternal purpose, intimate communion with the Father-- of all these, and much more, there is a great lack. Poor and miserable, naked and blind-- religious Babylon carries on until the Day when God has decreed she will utterly fail. (They could also consider themselves Spiritually 'rich' and not be so [web ed.]). Yet even so, it is written that "Babylon is a golden cup in the hand of the Lord," and in spite of her own deficiency, in His mercy HE continues to touch lives. Again we praise God for every sick body healed, every word of comfort and encouragement given, and every heart that is drawn to the Lord. But what GOD is doing in His using of Babylon, does not change her ultimate end.
Peter writes that we need to "ADD to your faith virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, charity," and then states, "But he that LACKS these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and has forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if you do these things, you shall never fail." (2 Peter 1:9-10).
James also addresses our LACK, stating, "If any of you LACK wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering..."
(James 1:5-6)"From where then does wisdom come? and where is the place of understanding? Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the fowls of the air, Destruction and death say, We have heard the fame thereof with our ears. GOD UNDERSTANDS THE WAY, AND HE KNOWS THE PLACE." (Job 28:20-23).
We lack wisdom, GOD KNOWS THE WAY, HE KNOWS THE PLACE, indeed, of our Lord Jesus Christ it is written, "IN HIM all the treasures of divine wisdom, (of comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God), and all the riches of spiritual knowledge and enlightenment are stored up and lie hidden." (Col. 2:3, Amp.) "Christ Jesus, Who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption." (1 Cor. 1:30)
Reading on in Job 28, it tells of the wisdom of God, and how He finds the way for the wind, the water, and lightning. He illustrates it with these things that are all around us, and if you learn the ways of these, you will also have found the way to receive wisdom. To make a way for the wind, He creates a vacuum, A REAL LACK, a low pressure area, then the wind moves into it, till it builds up a high pressure area. The way for water to flow is for it to find its way to the LOWEST DEPTH. The way for lightning, as science proves, is along the line of greatest weakness. Wherever this weakness is, the electrical charges flash across. It takes an emptiness, a lack, a weakness, and lowliness-- and then all of these things find their way to fill the need. And if we would learn some of the operational ways of the wisdom of God, we'll find that it is in the acknowledgment of our need, our nothingness, and a turning to the Lord for HIS SUFFICIENCY and grace that we are prepared to receive of His wisdom. "And unto man He said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, (awesome reverence, acknowledging our need of His help), that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding."
(Job 28:28).It has been said that the barrenness of Sarah's womb was her greatest asset, for this provided an arena for the power of God to work a miracle.
A certain widow woman, with two sons, cried unto Elisha for help, as the creditor was coming to take her two sons for bondmen. And for a solution to the problem, he said to her, "Go, borrow vessels from everywhere, of all your neighbors, EMPTY VESSELS; do not borrow just a few..." (2 Kings 4:3). While she knew it not at the time, the more empty vessels she gathered, the greater would be her riches when God multiplied the oil to fill them. The greater the vacuum, the greater the fulness when HE fills up the empty space. We shun the emptiness, the immense cavity He creates in us, because we forget that this becomes the arena for the tremendous inflow of His fulness.
How Naomi illustrates this-- Naomi returned to Bethlehem, after living for ten years in Moab, and said to her friends, upon her return, "The Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the Lord has brought me home again empty." (Ruth 1:20-21). She had gone out with her husband, and two sons, but all three men had died in Moab, now she returned with only one daughter-in-law, Ruth, the Moabitess. WHY HAS HE STRIPPED ME SO? Because God has a purpose so much greater than you ever dreamed of, as He fulfills His plan for your life. So next Ruth went out to glean in the fields, and in due time had an encounter with Boaz, who said to her, "DO NOT GO EMPTY- HANDED to your mother in law." (Ruth 3:17), so he gave her six measures of barley, (which added to the measure she gleaned in the field, would make seven measures-- number of completeness). In due time, Boaz and Ruth were married, had a son named Obed, who was the grandfather of David, king of Israel. Little did Naomi know what the future would hold as God stripped her of her husband and sons, yet He also purposed kings on her horizon.
Over and over again the principle is laid out for us in the Word. God has purposed to MAKE US TO LACK, to experience the depths of spiritual poverty, etc. that He in turn might fill us with Himself-- till we hunger and thirst no more.
Then we begin to see a glimpse of change. Peter and John are on their way into the temple at the hour of prayer, and a lame man is sitting there, asking alms of them. "Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk." (Acts 3:6). As to the natural there is still nothing to rely on or to boast about-- "silver and gold I do not have," but when it comes to the spiritual side, WE HAVE SOMETHING-- "but what I do have..." What do you have? A faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and in His name. Yea, "Has not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which He has promised to them that love Him?" (James 2:5). Well could Peter and John ask, "Why look so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?" It was not what they had in themselves, but what they had IN CHRIST. Faith (HIS faith in them [web ed.]) brought them INTO HIM-- and it was "His name through faith in His name has made this man strong." What we have is not independent from Christ! Never our power, never our holiness, silver and gold have I none, and spirituality of myself have I none, yet it is out of this nothingness of myself, that I can share the blessings of HIMSELF. For, "He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for you: for My strength is made perfect in weakness... - for when I am weak, them am I strong." (2 Cor. 12:9-10).
All that we have is IN CHRIST, and it is while we are DWELLING IN HIM that we have these tremendous riches which are in Him. If ever we truly understand this, we will take our eyes off of man, and keep them single unto our Lord. IN HIM all fulness is pleased to dwell, and it is our UNION WITH HIM that brings us into such fulness.
" For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might be rich." (2 Cor. 8:9). We thought we would be "rich through His riches," but the truth is, we are made rich "THROUGH HIS POVERTY." He laid aside all of His riches, and partook of humanity's poverty, and it is on this dimension, this common ground of poverty, where "I can of mine own self do nothing," that we are prepared to share of His riches. As the wind blows into the low pressure area, the water flows into the lowland, the lightning flashes across the weak place, etc. so also we bow low to acknowledge that in ourselves we are nothing, and we cry out to HIM who is everything, and then HE MOVES INTO OUR VACUUM and fills us with Himself.
Oh, the wisdom of His way!History has well recorded the fact that sudden wealth is a detriment to a man, for he is unprepared to handle it. But those who have started out with NOTHING, and slowly worked their way upward, learning how to handle the gain as it came to them, will not squander nor waste their riches when they are increased. IF they forget their beginning of poverty, and begin to boast in their riches-- they have already lost. Likewise, when the power of God begins to move through us, and we forget that it is solely because of the GRACE OF GOD, we also will have to go back and learn the basics again-- that it is "through His poverty" that we are enriched by Him. "I am what I am by the grace of God!" (I Cor. 15:10).
Fascinating to read, "He stretches out the north OVER THE EMPTY PLACE." (Job 26:7). Having found a VOID, He prepares to fill it. "Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, IS MOUNT ZION, ON THE SIDES OF THE NORTH, the city of the great King."
(Ps. 48:2). Zion is more than just a geographical location, it is a PEOPLE in whom He shall dwell forever.In view of all our strippings, emptiness, longings for more of Him, how precious are the promises He has given, speaking of His Zion company, "I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread. I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy." (Psalm 132:15-16).
"And I will gather the remnant of My flock out of all countries which I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, NEITHER SHALL THEY BE LACKING, says the Lord."
(Jeremiah 23:3-4)."That you may really come to know - practically, through experience for yourselves - the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge (without experience); that you may be filled through all your being unto all the fulness of God - that is, may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and BECOME A BODY WHOLLY FILLED AND FLOODED WITH GOD HIMSELF!" (Ephesians 3:19, Amplified). Thus shall our God fill up the empty place!