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"You also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy
priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 2:5).Amplified:
"Come, and as living stones be yourselves built into a spiritual house ..."How beautifully the words of a little chorus express this precious truth:
"Lord, build me, and I shall be built,In harmony with this thought, we read in Paul's writings, "You are fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And ARE BUILT upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together grows unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom you also are BUILT TOGETHER for an habitation of God through the Spirit." (Ephesians 2:19-22).
That I may be a temple approved,
Establish me upon Thy Word,
and I shall never be moved."Christendom has long laid emphasis upon being "called to do." Called to be a missionary, called to teach a Sunday school class, called to sing, or to preach, or to hand out tracts, or to a life of intercessory prayer, etc. all of which they relate to the task of "building for God," though it often translates into works for the building of some kingdom for man. But there is ANOTHER CALL, seldom mentioned, and that is the CALL TO BE BUILT BY GOD, to BECOME His dwelling place, where the anointing of BEING swallows up the anointing of "doing," the anointing of KNOWING swallows up the anointing of "feeling," so that all subsequent action flows out of a state of being, to His glory and praise.
"We give thanks to God always for you all-- knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God." (I Thessalonians 1:2,4). The Greek word for "election" literally means: laid out, chosen out of, and bespeaks of that specific act of God when He chooses one, draws that one to Himself, and works in them of His purpose and plan. It is God, and God alone, Who determines the time, and the outworking of His purpose. But the Scriptures are very clear that there are those of whom it can be said, "whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate (to mark off first or beforehand)..." (Romans 8:29). It is a specific act of God, that He chose, laid out, marked out for a certain purpose, a people for Himself. "Elect according to the foreknowledge of God." (1 Peter 1:2). It is a human characteristic that we would like to choose the time of awareness of people's election. But we cannot cause another to be awakened to the fact that God has a calling for them. Jesus clearly stated, "No man can come unto Me, except the Father which has sent Me draw him." (John 6:44). And later, when Peter would enquire of the Lord about another disciple, "And what shall this man do? Jesus said unto him, ... what is that to you? follow Me." (John 21:21-22). Therefore this becomes a very personal thing, "KNOWING, brethren beloved, YOUR election of God." O, my friend, Do you know that you know the call He has upon you?
It is essential, as a part of the foundation of our inner understanding, that we KNOW that GOD has elected us. "You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you (to put, set, place)." (John 15:16). He has a place for every man in His plan and purpose. And as He draws us, we come to Him, and truly "We love Him, BECAUSE HE FIRST loved us." (1 John 4:19). There is an inworking response in us to the initiative which is always HIS!
"Who has saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began." (2 Timothy 1:9). This is not a happenstance, nor a quickly devised scheme to try and rescue a plan that was upset by the devil. Far too many see Satan as causing all of their testings and hard times, and then they have God, the Divine Fireman, rushing about putting out all of the fires, saving us out of all our trials. But God never reacts-- HE INITIATES! He is ALWAYS IN CONTROL! And He is working out a purpose which He planned before the world began. The truth of the matter is-- GOD PURPOSED YOUR FIERY TRIALS, because He has chosen you for a PLACE IN HIM-- and it is necessary to cleanse and purify every one whom He receives.
We take great comfort in KNOWING that long before sin existed, God already had grace waiting-- grace that would bring salvation. For truly, the cure was provided before there was a disease. Christ Jesus is that "Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." (Rev. 13:8). Inasmuch as HE PROVIDES THE VICTORY before He brings on the trial, we are assured that the end is secure. He is the Author and the Finisher, bless His name.
"I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things." (Isaiah 45:7). Do observe the sequence, it is a Biblical sequence, God does not mix up His terminology when He speaks. First He "FORMS THE LIGHT," and then He "creates the darkness" for the outworking of His plan. But LIGHT is already there, ready to swallow up the darkness at any time He so purposes it. PEACE is already present, before He uses the stress, chaos, upheaval, etc. to work its purpose. Since all evil is but perverted good, when He restores all things to their original estate, it is self-evident you have only LIGHT and PEACE. How wonderful is this higher calling-- with VICTORY waiting for us "before the world began."
"Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling..."
(Heb. 3:1)The heavenly realm signifies the HIGHER REALM. Our Lord has called us to "Come up here." He "has raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus..." (Eph. 2:6). Andrew Jukes points out that the Hebrew word for "heaven" means "the placer or arranger," coming from a root word "to set or place," because the heavens are the agents in arranging things on earth, with their gravitational pull, the heat, light, etc. While the Greeks derived their word Theos (God) from the word meaning: to set, or place, for the same reason-- GOD being the DIVINE PLACER, DIVINE ARRANGER. He exercises His influences upon us, and we are DRAWN to Him. He places obstacles in our path for us to COME OVER. Indeed, "the steps of a man are ordered by the Lord." But even more-- He would raise us up to be with Him in the HEAVENLY REALM, sharing His throne with His overcomers, so that we, in Him, might be a part of that vast company that PLACE His life and blessing among all nations. The building, the restoration will be done from the HEAVENLY PERSPECTIVE, and not connived out of imaginations of those who are controlled by the carnal mind. How we long to be a Part of that "placer company"-- so that we might place HIS PEACE in situations of strife and turmoil. Place HIS LIGHT in the areas of darkness. Place HIS JOY where there is sorrow and mourning. Praise God, He is making "known unto (into) us the mystery of His will," so that we can be a part of the outworking purpose "in the dispensation (stewardship) of the fulness of times -- to gather together in one all things in Christ." (Eph. 1:9-10). The HEAVENLY REALM shall see the drawing unto Christ till all is reconciled unto Him. To be built up, raised up into this-- what a glorious vision!
Isaiah spoke of these things, "I have put My words in your mouth, and I have covered you in the shadow of Mine hand, THAT I MAY PLANT THE HEAVENS..." (Isaiah 51:16). This is of first priority-- to plant the heavens-- raise up unto Himself this firstfruits company, and then He can lay the foundations of the earth-- and in successive orders draw all men unto Himself.
While positionally this is the purpose and plan of God for His people, we find that experientially we are STILL ASCENDING. But if you claim to have arrived in the heavenlies, and yet you cannot PLACE AND ARRANGE into order for righteousness, with manifested authority over all realms beneath you, then you have not arrived into the fulness of this vision before us. To know in part, and to prophesy in part, makes it self-evident that the realm of the prefect has not yet come. We find that God is dealing with many about not bearing a false witness, about pretending that we have already arrived into a state of being, when we are only in the process of becoming.
Yes, there is a positive confession of the vision, but self must not lay any claims thereto. "He that speaks of himself seeks his own glory." (John 7:18). But with Paul we can declare that we "press toward the mark." And by the enablement of the grace of God, we will "Set our affection on things above, not on things on the earth." (Col. 3:2).
Jesus came upon James and John, they were "In a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and He called them. And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed Him." (Matt. 4:21-22). Many would rather stay, "mending nets," than to leave and follow on in a higher calling. They love being with the fellowship (fellows-in-the-ship, if we could make a play on words). They feel if the nets get mended, they will catch more fish, i.e. save more souls.
"We would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed: forsake her, and let us go every one into his own country: for her judgment reaches unto heaven, and is lifted up to the skies." (Jeremiah 51:9).
"Every one into his own country" is not an easy way-- as each is led by the Spirit into their own "backside of the desert," their own corner which God has appointed for them. But it is essential-- for not only does God call us out of Babylon, but then He must needs purge Babylon out of us. Yet it is a HOLY calling-- and "holy" means "to be set apart." And as we repeat so often, not only set apart from-- but also SET APART UNTO-- unto Christ.
Being of THE HEAVENLY, it is much more invisible than visible. Religious Babylon, and the carnal (flesh) realm, have much more to show here. And you say, I see all their activity, and I am doing nothing, and you feel so useless and empty. Ah, they are busy building, but GOD HAS A PEOPLE WHO ARE BEING BUILT. "Shall the clay say to him that fashions it, What are You making? or your handiwork say He has no hands?" (Isa. 45:9). We would not accuse God of not having any hands, i.e. of not doing anything. Rather, we would confess that HE is even now "WORKING all things after the counsel of His own will: that we should be to the praise of His glory." (Eph. 1:11-12).
"In the process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. And Abel, he also himself brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering He had not respect." (Genesis 4:3-4).
Now, with the thought of CAIN AND ABEL, connect Paul's statement, "For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other." (Galatians 5:15).
"The carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." (Romans 8:7). THIS IS CAIN! Cain bespeaks of carnality and the flesh realm, Abel answers to the realm of the spirit. The one would BUILD, but the other would BE BUILT!
In both cases the worship-offering is to the Lord. Cain sought acceptance, but as he was, not changed, without death to self. He brought of the earth that which is earthly, just as it was. Abel brought a sacrifice that would require a death process, as he offered his lamb. All of which was symbolic of the need for death to self, which can only come to us as we are made conformable to the death of the greater Lamb of God. We see in Cain that the carnal appreciates "good fruits," what is beautiful in religion, BUT THEY SPARE THE FLESH. The cross, death to self, is rejected as if it were treason. They would rather cultivate the ground, trying to improve the creature. Ignoring sin and the fall, they would seek to improve through self-effort the fallen creature; offer the fruit and cultivation of the cursed earth to God, as though such things would please Him.
While many seemingly reject the blood of the Lamb, do not want to find their identification in the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable to His death, yet they are quick to stain their hands with their own brother's blood, for "whosoever hate his brother is a murderer." (1 John 3:15). Even on the natural level, it is appalling in this day, to find there are those who have no interest in the BLOOD OF CHRIST for cleansing, they will not follow in the steps of Abel leading to The Lamb, but they are willing to follow in the steps of Cain, and "they make haste to shed innocent blood," (Isa. 59:7), even the blood of the unborn as they clamor for the rights for abortion.
"And Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, and dwelt in the land of Nod... and he built a city, and called the name of the city after the name of his son, Enoch." (Genesis 4:16-17).
Names reveal their nature and calling. The name CAIN means: possession, or acquisition. It is a name pointing to his life, to hopes fixed on earthly things. He would go OUT from the presence of the Lord, and build for self. It is certain, there is no way that you can build for self, as long as you remain IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD. In a deep awareness of His presence you can only bow low and worship. But without a daily consciousness of His ABIDING presence, men begin to build for self, and then how swift they are to place their name upon their endeavours. People readily follow the name of a man. As Jesus stated, "I am come in My Father's name, and you receive Me not: if another come in his own name, him you will receive." (John 5:43).
Though we see the many kingdom building programs of man, we will not rail against them. Even Babylon has been a golden cup in the hand of the Lord. But we would warn that if God has apprehended you for His HIGHER CALL, then do not sacrifice that call for the sake of being mixed up with the lesser.
What becomes hard for many, is to see how the efforts of these men will flourish, while God continues to personally strip them of all gifts an graces. Jeremiah had to reckon with this, and said, "Lord ... let me talk with You of Your judgments: ... You have planted them, yea, they have taken root: they grow, yea, they bring forth fruit: You are near in their mouth, and far from their reins. But You, O Lord, know me: You have seen me, and TRIED MINE HEART toward You..." (Jeremiah 12:1-3). Thus we have two workings-- ONE IS BUSY BUILDING, and being blessed by God on that level, while the other is BEING BUILT BY GOD-- with all of His processings which both wound and make whole. Jeremiah knew that he was being TRIED.
David also had to face up to this dichotomy, and acknowledged, "But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked." But when it comes to my own life, what is happening to me? "All the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning." The contrast between the two realms is amazing. So he goes on, "When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood their end."
(Psalm 73:23, 14, 16-17).God is most merciful-- He causes His sun to shine, and the rain to fall, on both the just and the unjust. He knows full well that these proper growing conditions will help the weeds to grow too. But the earth that brings forth thorns and briers will ultimately be rejected, "whose end is to be burned." (Heb. 6:8). Their day of purging will come at His appointed time. Then He will cleanse the earth, and bring forth a new life under the sweet influence of the HEAVENLIES.
Now, we note that the name ABEL means: transitoriness, or, a vapour, thus it speaks of a soon passing from here, of mounting up into another higher atmosphere. While Cain bespeaks of those who would accumulate earthy things and fix their affection on things below, Abel bespeaks of those who see the temporalness of this earth realm, and they already desire to ascend into the permanency of the spiritual. "The things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." (2 Cor. 4:18).
While the names reveal the nature and calling, the acts of their seed speak more. Tracing through the Cain-line, we come to "Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of cattle. And his brother's name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ. -- Tubalcain, an instructor of every artificer in brass and iron." (Gen. 4:20-22).
They would produce the arts, and civilize the world with their culture. They would make natural life easier with their inventions, and the world would become a safer dwelling place. All of these can become very enticing to the flesh, and easy to become involved, if we do not have an eye single to the HIGHER CALL. The needs in the earth are many, and the religious institutions have always tried to fill these needs. We do not condemn such for God has blessed many of these efforts-- building hospitals, colleges, retirement homes, etc. And for whatever good they do, we praise God. Yet we also see how much CONFUSION has pervaded all these institutions, and man has corrupted them-- greed, power, money have all borne their influence. As the occasion arises, with God directing our steps, when it is necessary for us to use these things, or become involved with their operation, we would remember the words of Paul, "And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passes away." (I Cor. 7:31). Our trust is not in men, nor in our works, but in the Lord our God!
The challenge is to not become so involved with the Cain/builders, that we neglect the Abel/ascenders. The call of the HEAVENLY is becoming stronger all the while, and truly, "The things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace." You go out from the presence of the Lord to build for the flesh, you come into the presence of the Lord to be BUILT BY GOD!
Symbolically, metals all figure for truths. Gold and silver speak of that which is more precious, spiritual. Brass and iron, inferior class, speaks of natural things. And in this hard world, iron is more useful. But God, foreseeing better days and advanced truth, has promised, "For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron: I will also make your officers PEACE, and your exactors righteousness." (Isaiah 60:17). Every level raised to a higher dimension!
For the present, the lesser realms have the most to show on earth with all their impressive programs. But the END of their cities and music have also been foretold. "Babylon shall be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. The voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpters, shall be heard no more at all in you: and no craftsman, of whatever craft he be, shall be found any more in you ..." (Revelation 18:21-22).
Significant that Cain, and his seed, would call the names of the cities by their name, or their son's name. But SETH, whom God raised up in Abel's place, after Cain had slain Abel, "To him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the Lord.", (Gen. 4:26). Enos means "mortal," and having acknowledged that anything they could produce was mortal, to have the ENDURING, they turned from their own names, and doings, and called upon the name of the Lord. The margin reads, "They called themselves by the name of the Lord." How marvelous, for to turn from the earthy to the spiritual, and to find our identity in Christ alone-- we would take on His nature and character.
There are those who would go everywhere writing their own name on their buildings, their ministries, whatever they produce-- it finds its identity in them. But there is another people who would take on a NEW NAME-- to be identified in the Lord. Yes, with Abraham, they "look for a city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God." (Heb. 11:10). They do not have to build this city, it is ALREADY BUILT-- God is the Builder, and into this realm they shall ascend, to share the life and glory of Christ.
"Him that overcomes WILL I MAKE A PILLAR in the temple of My God, and he shall go no more out:..." Cain went OUT and built for self. But here we find that the overcomer GOES NO MORE OUT. Why? Because GOD HAS BUILT HIM INTO A PILLAR-- an integral part of the very structure of the temple, and so they share with Him the glorious MINISTRY OF THE TEMPLE-- or as we have previously worded it, they become part of the HEAVENS-- His placers and arrangers for the establishment of His kingdom in the earth.
"And I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, which is new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God: and I will write upon him My new name." (Revelation 3:12).
Having become totally purified and ONE IN HIS NATURE and character, raised up into the heavenlies to become a part of that spiritual dimension, THEN, there is a ministry FROM HEAVEN TO EARTH, which comes down out of heaven, to bring His blessings to the ends of the earth. "And it shall come to pass in that day, I will hear, says the Lord, I will hear the heavens, and they shall hear the earth; and the earth shall hear the corn, and the wine, and the oil." (Hosea 2:21-22). How marvelous! God shall HEAR THE HEAVENS, freely communicate and share with His overcomers, those that are with Him in His throne. The heavens shall hear the earth, with all the groaning of creation-- and being one in the Father's will, they shall meet the need of mankind as GOD would have it met, freely giving His salvation to all men.
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