Letters
of Truth - Spirit
of the Word - Covenant
Eschatology - Introductory
Note - New Stuff
REVELATION
- A Positive Book
Chapter 11 - "Measure The Temple"
(Revelation 11:1-19)
"And there was given
me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure
the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein." (Rev.
11:1).
The ultimate goal of God's purpose being wrought out through the ages,
is to have a people with whom, in whom to dwell, a place where He can PRESENCE
HIMSELF without controversy, and say, "This is My rest for ever: here will
I dwell; for I have desired it." (Psalm 132:14). So He is preparing man,
both individually and corporately, to be partakers of His divine nature,
to be IN HIS OWN IMAGE, so that He might have communion with them. It is
a vital part of the work of redemption to restore man into that state of
being wherein he can fellowship God.
One Scholar has suggested that the ego, striving for its own independence,
to shape things for itself alone, is an expression of the fall; that the
basic "faulting" in man's nature is when he chooses to pursue a purely
aberrant way of life for his personal interests and gain. Thus, mystics
say that the wish to be an independent self is the primary and root sin.
When man "turned every one to his own way," (Isaiah 53:6), there was a
breach made, a fellowship broken, an inheritance lost, a controversy begun.
"For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh:
and these are contrary the one to the other." (Galatians 5:17). Well did
the prophet ask, "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" (Amos
3:3). For "what agreement has the temple of God with idols?" (2 Corinthians
6:16).
In the garden of Eden, Genesis 3 tells us, God was there. He did not have
to call to man until man had sinned, but He presenced Himself and they
communed. But when Adam turned to his own way, his will in contra-distinction
to God's will, the controversy was on. Spontaneous fellowship ended, and
thereafter it was intermittent, limited, coming far short of God's plan.
All the way through the Old Testament we trace this on-again, off-again,
way of fellowship. Betimes men seeking God, betimes going their own way.
Times of awareness of His presence, times of emptiness when they wondered,
"Where are You, Lord?"
God said to Moses, "Let them make Me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among
them." (Exodus 25:8). Sanctuary-- literally, a place set apart. It was
necessary for them to set apart a little area of earth with a tent on it,
for His place of dwelling. But this was only an interim thing, for He yet
planned to SET APART A PEOPLE for Himself: But for the time being, Israel
had too much of Egypt's god in them, along with all their own self-will
and rebellion, so God said, "I will not go up in the midst of you; for
you are a stiff necked people: lest I consume you in the way. - So Moses
took the tabernacle, and pitched it without the camp, afar off from the
camp, and called it the Tabernacle of the congregation. And it came to
pass, that every one which sought the Lord went out unto the Tabernacle
of the congregation, which was without the camp." (Exodus 33:3, 7).
What a commentary on the state of the people, that even though God had
brought them up out of Egypt, so "that I might dwell among them," yet there
was so much controversy in them, they had to set apart a place outside
the camp for Him, where they might go and find Him. Had He stayed in the
camp He would have "consumed them in the way," for, "our God is a consuming
fire," consuming all that is not one in His holiness.
"Wherefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood,
suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto Him without the
camp..." (Hebrews 13:12-13).
And so there has been a going without the camp-- beyond the forms of religion,
beyond symbol and ceremony, to be joined unto Him in one Spirit. We leave
all else behind, that He might become First and Foremost in our life. We
are identified in the "fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable
to His death." And in this union with Him, we find that we are BECOMING
HIS TEMPLE, "Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone. In
Whom you also are builded together for an habitation of God through the
Spirit." (Ephesians 2:20, 22).
Truly, "We are His workmanship..." (Ephesians 2:10), and He is vitally
interested, personally involved in the progress of how HIS building is
coming together. So committed is He to our welfare, we read, "That You
should visit him every morning, and try him every moment." (Job 7:18).
No wonder Jesus taught the necessity for us to "Seek first
the kingdom of God, and His righteousness..." (Matthew 6:33), so that we
might be ready for this DAILY INSPECTION, ready to respond to His voice,
ready for the gentle nudges that would keep us headed in the right direction.
And while, perhaps, there are areas where we yet need much cleansing and
purging, yet "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because
His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Your faithfulness."
(Lamentations 3:22-23).
Furthermore, "We are confident of this very thing, that He which has begun
a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians
1:6). He is both the Author and the Finisher, and He will bring to a successful
conclusion the work which He has begun within us. Indeed, this new creation
temple which He is building, becomes part of "the revelation of Jesus
Christ," to manifest Him, that He might be glorified.
And so the hour came, John saw in his vision, that it was time to "measure
the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein." "And
there was given me a reed like unto a rod."
A rod-- the Greek word is "rhabdos" meaning: rod, staff, sceptre. The comparable
Hebrew word "shebet" is used by David in Psalm 23:4, "Your rod, and Your
staff they comfort me." Our Lord is the Chief Shepherd, and with His rod
He tenderly cares for us, guides us, corrects us, etc. And, "A scepter
of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom." (Hebrews 1:8). Thus,
HE IS THE ROD, the STANDARD, the CRITERION whereby all must be measured.
All must be "conformed to the image of His Son."
"Measure the temple..." It is significant that there are two Greek
words translated as "temple," the word "hieron," referring to the building;
and the word "naos," referring to the inner sanctuary. From the time when
"the veil of the temple was rent in two from the top to the bottom, " (Matthew
27:51 ), as far as God was concerned, it ceased being a temple (naos),
and from thereafter it was just a building, hieron. But Paul picks up this
word "naos" and uses it when speaking of the temple which we become, saying,
"You are the temple (naos) of the living God; as God has said, I will dwell
in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My
people." (2 Corinthians 6:16).
Well Peter wrote, "For the time is come that judgment must begin at the
house of God... first begin at us." (1 Peter 4:19). We wonder why we are
so dealt with by His Spirit-- why His probings go so deep-- why He exacts
such faithfulness and complete surrender from us-- why others are allowed
to go their own way, play their religious games-- why He has stripped away
our desire for these empty realms? Ah, it is because He is dealing with
us as His firstfruits, HIS INNER SANCTUARY, and we are being duly measured
and qualified to become His habitation.
Judgment-- the correctional in workings of God, begin AT, or, literally,
FROM the House of God. The temple is the focal point, the starting point,
and it first must be found approved, before judgment moves outward. Not
until the temple is fully qualified is the ministry ready to reach out
and bring others into alignment with the same Standard. All else will measure
up to the temple, once the temple has measured up to, come into the fulness
of Christ. Then we'll be able to say, in the words of Paul, "Be
followers of me, even as I also am of Christ." It will not be a "do as
I say," but a "do as I am, and as I live," for in state of being we also
become one with our Standard. No wonder this is ever more "a revelation
of Jesus Christ."
"Because it is written, Be holy; for I am holy." (1 Peter 1:16).
HIS HOLINESS is our standard, and when we are one IN and WITH that holiness,
then, and not until then, will we be a part of that living manifestation
of His standard for others.
This brings new meaning to the verse, "For with the same measure that you
mete withal it shall be measured to you again." (Luke 6:38). Jesus Christ
is the Measure, the Stature, and because He is giving this measure out
to us, this is what He shall receive back again-- a creation restored into
fulness and perfection. If our vision is for a partial redemption, God
receiving a few, the Devil receiving the rest, then such is the measure
that we shall receive back again-- a partial redemption. But when our vision
is enlarged and we come into the fulness of the TRUE MEASURE, then we'll
give out of that Supply, and receive back accordingly.
We read, "Divers weights, divers measures, both of them are alike abomination
to the Lord." (Proverbs 20:10). For the phrase "divers weights" the Hebrew
text reads, "a stone and a stone," both the same size perhaps, but one
of much heavier substance than the other. A crooked merchant would substitute
the one for the other to his own benefit. Two cups, but one with a false
bottom, to cause a lesser measure. True, in all natural dealings this is
an abomination to the Lord. But it also has a spiritual application. God
does not have a double standard, one for men, and one for Himself. The
principles He gives to men are MUCH MORE fulfilled in Himself and His dealings
with His creation. His own righteousness becomes the ultimate standard
for all creation.
"The Lord's voice cries unto the city, and wisdom shall see your name:
HEAR THE ROD, and who has appointed it." (Micah 6:9). Then
using Moffatt's translation, and he places verse twelve before verses ten
and eleven, "Hard and harsh are the classes, deceitful are the masses,
with mouths full of falsehood. Can I forget what rogues have hoarded, and
these accursed scant measures? Can I condone wrong balances and short
weights in the trader's bag? Nay, nay."
No wonder people are confused, they have had to contend with such strange
standards and diverse measures. The religious systems have said, "I
am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knows
not that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked."
(Revelation 3:17).
But now the voice cries, "HEAR THE ROD..." Give your attention
to the measuring rod which God has appointed-- it is a scepter of righteousness,
the scepter of His kingdom, His total rule within. He measures and works
in us "that we might arrive at really mature manhood -- the completeness
of personality which is nothing less than the standard height of Christ's
own perfection, and the completeness found in Him." (Ephesians 4:13, Amplified).
In Ezekiel's vision, (chapter 40), they measured the temple, and then every
chamber therein-- each room signifying the office and position of its occupant.
Every room, pillar, gate, etc. had to measure up to the divine specification.
Every man had to qualify for his position in the temple, and each room
had to be duly fitted to the needs of that office. There must be perfect
harmony, hence the measures were exact.
So also, the callings of God upon His firstfruits are tremendous, and the
position, to become a pillar in the temple of our God, requires that we
fully OVERCOME, even as He also overcame. EVEN AS-- in like manner, of
the same quality and kind, for we are to be made perfect in Christ's own
perfection.
How often it has been necessary for Christ to come with a "scourge of small
cords" and drive "out of the temple," (John 2:15), so many things which
are displeasing to Him, till we are cleansed of all that would defile,
that we might measure up to the specifications for His dwelling place.
"And the altar..." The altar bespeaks of the place of sacrifice.
The root thought in sacrifice is that TABLE-BOND between the worshiper
and his God. Made with the design of expressing, securing, or promoting
friendly relations with Him, based upon the belief that the worshiper and
God are capable of holding personal relations which can become closer,
or more hostile. The altar becomes the focal point over which communion,
fellowship, worship take place, as God, and the worshiper, come together
for this time of sharing. It is a place where we draw nigh unto God, while
He also draws nigh unto us.
Israel had various offerings, each signifying a particular area that needed
attention-- God's forgiveness, His peace, His love, His care; while in
turn man surrendered himself evermore to His Creator. And as to the gifts
offered, the law was specific, there could not be an offering of that which
was blind, broken, or maimed, etc. (See Leviticus 22:21-25). And the prophet
Malachi charged the people with profanity and irreverence because "they
brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick," (Malachi 1:13),
while they kept the best of the flocks for themselves.
Jesus asked His disciples, "Whether is greater, the gift, or the altar
that sanctifies the gift? (Matthew 23:19). The answer is obvious, the altar
is greater, and whatever gift is placed on the altar, is sanctified, set
apart to the degree of holiness of the altar, and, in a sense, becomes
identified in oneness with the altar. First and Foremost, Jesus Christ
is our Altar! And He sets us apart to His realm. As we present ourselves
to Him, daily to be "a living sacrifice," we are set apart to His holiness,
glory, and the victory of the Altar.
"Gather My saints together unto Me; those that have made a covenant with
Me by sacrifice." (Psalm 50:5). Coming into a covenant relationship with
Him-- a union forged in "the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable
unto His death." His was the perfect sacrifice, and only IN and BY Him
can we offer ourselves upon the Altar. Obviously, to be acceptable, what
we offer is not the old man of the adamic nature, but the new man, the
new CHRIST-LIFE in which He is well pleased. "Spiritual sacrifices,
acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 2:5). This goes far beyond
that ministry which has "charge at the gates of the house, and ministering
to the house." (Ezekiel 44:11). This is a higher calling, with access to
another altar, to stand before the Lord, to minister unto Him. It was to
this, that the writer to the Hebrews made reference, when we read, "We
have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle."
(Hebrews 13:10).
Moffatt gives, "Our altar is one of which the worshipers have no right
to eat." This implies a realm beyond where we satisfy ourselves, while
we offer our sacrifices, for it is ALL TO HIM. No reservations for self
- totally we are offered to Him! Christ, "through the eternal Spirit offered
Himself without spot to God." (Hebrews 9:14), and it is in our union
with Him, that body, soul, and spirit, all that we are, we give to Him,
to bless Him. An altar beyond all altars, this is measured, and found to
His praise.
"Them that worship." "True worshipers shall worship the Father in
spirit and in truth: for the Father seeks such to worship Him." (John 4:23).
Worship speaks of the complete abasement of self; not just a will-worship,
nor a lip-service, but that total abandonment before Him, bowing at His
feet, to magnify Him alone. Yes, even our worship is to be measured, that
it be pure, from the heart, in spirit and in truth, to glorify God.
He called God "a Spirit," that He might distinguish Him from bodies, directing
our eyes off of man, that we might have a single eye unto our Lord. He
named Him "The Truth," to distinguish Him from a shadow or an image. "Though
we once did estimate Christ from a human viewpoint and as a man, yet now
we have such knowledge of Him that we know Him no longer in terms of the
flesh." (2 Corinthians 5:16, Amplified). Hear it, dear reader, He is measuring
the worshipers, to see if they have GONE BEYOND types and shadows, traditions
and creeds of men, to worship Him in spirit, and in truth. There is a realm
beyond human bodies, and beyond all image and shadow, allegories, etc.
and He would bring us into that reality.
"But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it
not; for it is given unto the nations..." (Revelation 11:2).
The application is two-fold. First, in speaking of our becoming the temple,
He is dealing with our inner man, "the hidden man of the heart." "For the
Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but
the Lord looks on the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7). And so Jesus reproved the
Pharisees, because they "make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter,
but within they are full of extortion and excess." (Matthew 23:25). And
again, emphasizing that it was not the outward, but the inward that mattered,
He said, "Not that which goes into the mouth defiles a man; but that which
comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man." (Matthew 15:11).
Religion concerns itself with the measuring of the outward,
the physical, the self-worth, the fame and success, etc. And they set standards
for dress, and code of action, ignoring the fact that the outward is but
a portrayal ground for the inward-- and sooner or later all masquerades
are stripped away, and we will be seen for what we are. In the measuring
of the temple, altar, worshiper, the instruction was to place the emphasis
upon the spiritual, not the natural-- it is the spiritual realm which is
being dealt with.
Secondly, another application can be drawn-- for the intense dealings of
God are first upon the remnant firstfruits of the new creation order--
the OVERCOMER, which He is leading onward. These are being dealt with in
ways and depths that the multitudes know nothing of. But the people of
the court will carry on with their ministries and programs, often blessed
by God for the realm in which they move, though they are totally ignorant
of the "wheel within a wheel," of the separated walk of those who go on
to worship in spirit and in truth.
It is while the "measuring"
is going on, the processing, purging, up-building of the temple-body, that
we find this "other ministry" taking place out in the court. "And I
will give power unto My two witnesses, and they shall prophesy... clothed
in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing
before the God of the earth." (Revelation 11:3-4).
Again we are directed back into the Old Testament in regards to these symbols,
and their meaning. "What do you see? And I said, I have looked, and behold
a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven
lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top
thereof. -- and the two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the
bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof. -- And I answered again,
and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two
golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves? And he answered me
and said, Know not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.
Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of
the whole earth." (Zechariah 4:2-3, 12-14).
First, it is to be noted that Zechariah did not ask about the identity
of the golden candlestick in the middle. It is the ministry of overcoming
victory, possessing the seven spirits of God. It was prefigured in Zerubbabel,
and revealed in Jesus Christ. It is also to be seen in the TEMPLE once
it is duly measured and become one in Him.
But when it came to the two olive trees, (literally, the sons of oil),
then the prophet asked who they were. Two is the number of witness, as
it is written in the Law: "At the mouth of two witnesses, ... shall the
matter be established." (Deuteronomy 19:15).
And it is noted that they are clothed in "sackcloth" which bespeaks of
a ministry of repentance. Also, it is a type of the present body of our
humiliation. They are not clothed with immortality, since they can be slain.
They are anointed of God, but it is a limited anointing, for they "empty
the golden oil out of themselves." Anything that can be emptied has not
yet been brought into His fulness. They represent a supportive ministry,
and a forerunner to the greater ministry which shall follow. Even as John
the Baptist was a forerunner to Jesus Christ. Theirs is a ministry of discipline,
punishment: "fire proceeds out of their mouth, and devours their
enemies. - These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days
of their prophecy. - (they) smite the earth with all plagues, as often
as they will." (verses 5-6). It is a valid ministry, but in great contrast
to the greater ministry which will follow, when the sons, who are one in
the divine nature of love, are used to help RECONCILE and RESTORE all things
to God. But, when this special "two witness ministry" has run its course,
fulfilled its purpose, then to them also is extended the call "Come up
hither." Thus all the lesser is ultimately swallowed up into the greater,
to the glory and praise of our Lord.
Through all God's workings with man, let us join in with those who "fell
upon their faces, and worshiped God, saying, We give You thanks, O Lord
God Almighty, which are, and was, and are to come; because You have taken
to Your great power, and have reigned." (verses 16-17). Every
working, whether it appears negative or positive, regardless of its level,
is being used to bring forth "a revelation of Jesus Christ," and so we
worship Him.
"And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in His
temple the ark of His testament: and there were lightnings, and voices,
and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail." (19).
When the temple, God's living habitation, His overcoming body, has been
duly measured, fully judged and stands approved, coming up to His standard
of perfection, then comes the UNVEILING-- the temple is opened, and that
which is within is made manifest, and the purpose of God continues its
operation throughout the next age. For so long God has quickened truth
to His "hidden ones," and sealed it up within them, to work in their own
being its transformation process. "Until the time that his word came: the
Word of the Lord tried him." (Psalm 105:19). "I have given them Your Word;
and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world. - They
are not of the world, even as I am not of the world." (John 17:14, 16).
It was HIS WORD, and we receive it, not to immediately run and broadcast
it everywhere, casting it as pearls before swine, but it is to WORK IN
US until we are fully changed. However, not forever does the process continue--
though the "bread corn is bruised; (yet) He will not ever be threshing
it." (Isaiah 28:28). Threshing-- breaking-- NOT FOREVER, only until it
has done its work, then follows a joyful victory. There came a time, when
on the cross, Jesus said, "It is finished." And there shall come that day
when He will have brought to a successful conclusion His redemptive work
in His people.
When the temple is opened, "there was seen in His temple the ark of
His testament." All of the Christ now within His elect shall be revealed,
seen in His temple. He is the Ark of the testament, the Center of our testimony
and victory, and it is to Him that we shall bear witness-- of His salvation,
of His life!
Well did Jeremiah prophesy of this moment, saying, "It shall come to pass...
in those days, says the Lord, they shall say no more, The ark of the covenant
of the Lord: neither shall it come to mind: neither shall they remember
it; neither shall they visit it; neither shall that be done any more."
(Jeremiah 3:16). They will remember no more the former dispensation, typified
by the ark of the first covenant, with all its types, shadows, symbols.
The new Ark is personified in Christ, not a shrine to be visited, nor a
form and ceremony to be ritualized-- HE IS LIFE, HE IS TRUTH. This is the
Christ that shall be revealed in His CHRISTED ones. The Ark of the covenant
of the Old Testament did symbolize His presence, for He "dwells between
the cherubims." (1 Samuel 4:4). And wherever the Ark was, thither the people
went to worship Him. But when He fills this LIVING TEMPLE with Himself,
then wherever one of this corporate temple goes, He is there, to be seen,
to manifest His power and victory.
There are five glorious manifestations that proceed out of this temple,
to establish the reality of His kingdom in the earth. It is a ministry
that is fully equipped for the task, ready to execute the full counsel
of His will.
"And there were lightnings." Lightning speaks of the discharge of
power accompanied by brilliant flashes of light piercing the darkness.
"Can't you send lightnings, that they may go, and say unto you, Here we
are? (margin, or say, behold us)." (Job 38:35). The spiritual reality and
fulfillment of this is none other than the manifestation of the sons of
God, sent forth to do the bidding of the Lord. "Who makes His angels (messengers)
spirit; His ministers a flaming (flashing) fire." (Psalm 104:4).
"He shot out lightnings, and discomfited (troubled) them. Then the channels
of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at
Your rebuke, O Lord." (Psalm 18:14-15). What a beautiful description of
the ministry ready to unfold. Sent forth by God, and the enemy is troubled.
The illumination exposes the whole situation, until the very foundations
are discovered, and the channels are seen. The patterns and ways will be
revealed. Waters often speak of people, and in this day the psychologist
and psychiatrist probe and search, guess and wonder at the ways of man,
and try to learn the patterns so as to help them solve their problems.
But when the blazing light of the seven-fold Spirit of God; the Spirit
of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit
of knowledge, etc. makes these God-sent messengers "of quick understanding,"
then they shall "not judge after the seeing of the eye, neither reprove
after the hearing of the ear: but with righteousness shall they judge the
poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth..." (Isaiah 2:2-4).
Then shall this glorious ministry deliver mankind out of his bondage and
grief, to follow in the way of the Lord. "To heal the brokenhearted, to
preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the
blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable
year of the Lord." (Luke 4:18-19).
"And there were voices." Greek, "phone," a voice, sound. "There
are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them
without signification." (1 Corinthians 14:10). We try to listen and make
sense out of them, but it is very confusing. One man gives forth his message,
followed by another that contradicts the first. And so we learn to "tune
out" all such voices. But these VOICES are identified as coming from an
OPEN TEMPLE, and their message is like unto none other ever heard. "The
kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which has not been told
them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider."
(Isaiah 52:15).
Nor will there be the confusion of voice and outward manifestation, as
when Isaac said, "the voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands
of Esau." (Genesis 27:22). Far too often we have seen the handiwork of
the flesh, and tried to join it to the voice of the Spirit, and it was
confusion. But when the message and the messenger become one, there will
be a life lived that is true to its message-- a clear word that brings
glory to God, and blessing to its hearers. "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." (John 5:25).
"And there were thunderings." A sound, due to the sudden expansion
of the air in the path of the discharge of power. The word is the same
in the Greek for "roar." Ministries have often seemed so impotent, but
when God releases HIS POWER to begin "the times of restitution of all things,
which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world
began," (Acts 3:21), it shall burst forth with a roar, a thundering, striking
terror into the camp of the enemy, and awaken new hope in the heart of
the prisoner that has long been waiting in the region of the shadow of
death.
"You called in trouble, and I delivered you; I answered you in the secret
place of thunder " (Psalm 81:7). Who can comprehend the power of our God?
Who can tell the workings of His energy-force? There shall come a demonstration
of His might, the roar of His deliverance, turning things upside down,
shaking everything that can be shaken, till only His kingdom remains.
"And earthquake." It is significant that throughout the scripture
earthquakes often denote the ending and beginning of dispensations. Climaxing
a victory won, and opening new operations. They are another symbol of God's
irresistible power, which now shall be personified in a people. It signified
that an age has ended, namely the "church age," i.e. the calling out of
a people unto Himself, to be His firstfruits of the new creation order.
It also signified that there is a new age beginning, with further unfolding
of His grace to bring new advances in the restoration of mankind. Earths
will quake, stones will be rolled away, graves will be opened, bands will
be loosed, nothing will remain unmoved in this manifestation of the Lord
coming forth from His temple.
"And a great hail." "Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness
to the plummet: and the HAIL shall sweep away the refuge of the lies, and
the waters shall overflow the hiding place." (Isaiah 28:17).
Although it is written, "My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech
shall distill as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as
the showers upon the grass: because I will publish the name of the Lord,"
(Deuteronomy 32:2-3), yet it is equally true that the truth shall have
a SOLID IMPACT upon the lies and false doctrines of the religions of our
day, and shall utterly demolish the refuge of creedal error and the traditions
of men.
Men have built their kingdoms, walls and barriers seem to abound, but when
God sends forth HIS HAIL from His temple, it will bring an end to the works
of man. Who can tell of all the ways and methods this shall be fulfilled,
for prophecy has amazing ways of fulfillment, far beyond the speculation
of man. But the vision is sure-- John saw the temple measured, and he saw
the finished temple OPENED-- and so shall God's truth be declared, and
established in all the earth. "For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge
of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." (Habakkuk 2:14).
God will have a people through whom this tremendous work shall be accomplished.
His power and glory shall be revealed, and His name shall be glorified
in all the earth!
Contents
- Chapter 12
Letters
of Truth - Redemption--All
In All - Spirit
of the Word -
Covenant
Eschatology - Introductory
Note - New Stuff
Preface
1. Revelation - A Positive Book (Revelation 1:1-6)
2. Coming With Clouds (Revelation 1:7)
3. Companions IN The Processing (Revelation 1:9-20)
4. Christ Revealed In Overcomes (Revelation 2:1-3:22)
5. Come Up For More Revelation (Revelation 4:1-11)
6. The Scroll Of Redemption (Revelation 5:1-14)
7. The Horses Are Riding--Within (Revelation 6:1-8)
8. The Other Seals Are Opened (Revelation 6:9
- 8:1)
9. Let The Trumpets Blow (Revelation 8:1
- 9:21)
10. Personal Participation, Eat The Book (Rev.
10:1-10)
11. Measure The Temple (Revelation 11:19)
12. A Manchild Company Brought Forth (Revelation
12:1-17)
13. The Mark--Of God, Or The Beast (Revelation
13:1-18)
14. With The Lamb (Revelation 14:1-20)
15. Seven Angels With Seven Plagues (Rev. 15:1
- 16:21)
16. Mystery--Babylon The Great (Revelation 17:1-18)
17. Come Out Of Her, My People (Revelation 18:1-24)
18. Let The Hallelujahs Ring (Revelation 19:1-21)
19. The Bottomless Pit (Revelation 20:14)
20. Partakers Of The Foremost Resurrection (Rev.
20:4-6)
21. After The Second Death Process (Revelation
20:6-15)
22. All Things New (Revelation 21:1-21)
23. The Lamb, And The Lambkin (Revelation 21:22-27)
24. The Curse Is Ended Forever (Revelation 22:1-19)
25. Even So, Come, Lord Jesus (Revelation 22:20-21)
