Archives for July 2020

And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

Revelation 1:13

The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

Revelation 1:20

Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;

Revelation 2:1

In the book of Revelation, the 7 churches in Asia Minor are represented by 7 golden candlesticks. Jesus is pictured as walking in the middle of the 7 churches. Of course, since His resurrection and ascension to heaven, Jesus has been seated on a throne in heaven. He is ruling and reigning from heaven, but His influence is still felt on earth. He rules by His Spirit, whom Christ sent back to earth on the day of Pentecost. This is how Christ walks among the 7 churches. Christ’s eyes and legs and arms are an extension of His Spirit. Christ is moving among the churches by His Spirit. How important it is to be baptized with God’s Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Jesus Christ! It enables Christ to walk among us in a close, personal way.

Christ is a light bearing personality. The light is His Truth, the Word of God. So Christ is drawn in a relationship with those that are light bearing. The true church of God is a light bearing or truth bearing entity. Christ walks near those that have a love for His Truth. The entrance of His Word brings light and illumination to our spirits. Christ is a Spirit and He walks among our spirits, which are hopefully filled with His Holy Spirit. This shows us that it is a spiritual walking that Christ is doing. He’s still seated in heavenly places, but His Spirit can be everywhere at once. That’s how He can walk among 7 churches at once. In fact, the 7 churches are a perfect example of ALL churches that call upon the name of Jesus Christ. Christ walks among all churches that have His Truth and that are filled with His Spirit. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. It’s a spiritual promise, fulfilled by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.

Leviticus 10:3

In order to come near God in the Old Testament, the priests had to be sanctified or holy. Now in the New Testament, we the church of Christ are the spiritual priests, offering up spiritual sacrifices. If the types in the OT had to be holy and sanctified, how much more the spiritual reality of those that are priests by way of Christ’s eternal sacrifice? There can be no sin in a Christian’s life. Sin will always cause spiritual death and will always separate us from the love of God. Keep yourself pure, keep yourself holy. It is the price we pay in order to be near to God and His Son Jesus Christ. The ministers of Christ have a higher standard than those who live polluted lives in the world. Walk in righteousness, walk in holiness, so that Christ may walk with you during this life on earth.

But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.

Deuteronomy 30:14

It is the very Word of God that must be near to us, if we are to be near to Christ. Christ’s name is the Word of God! To love the truth of God’s Word is to love Christ Himself. When we love God, we keep His commandments. We keep His Word in our mouth and in our hearts so that we may perform it in our lives. Those that Christ walks among must be doers of the Word, and not hearers only. Those that DO the Word of God are the family of Jesus Christ. He sits enthroned on our hearts, when we honor Him by doing His Word.

The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

Psalm 34:18

We must have God’s heart in order for Him to be close to us. We must hate sin and have sorrow over our past life of sin. We must also hate the world’s sin and be motivated to share the Truth of God’s Word which is the only thing that can set them free. We must pray without ceasing for the lost world, that they may be born again through the Word of Christ. We are Christ’s priests, we are Christ’s ministers. It is our job to pray the Word of God, to preach the Word of God, to evangelize the Word of God, to shine the light of God’s Word through our spirits and bodies, set apart as God’s instruments of righteousness. Only the humble in spirit are close to God’s heart. Only the pure in heart will see or know God.

The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.

Psalm 145:18

We must call upon the Lord in Truth. His Word is Truth. Petition the Lord with what He has already said He will do. Those that love the Word of Truth are people close to God. Those that love Jesus Christ and His righteousness by faith are those that are near to God. Without love for the Word of God, we will get nowhere with God. God’s people are sanctified by faith in His living Word. Jesus walks among those that have God’s Word hidden in their hearts.

But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

Ephesians 2:13

We used to be far from God, but now, through the blood of Jesus, we are made near to God. The blood of Jesus must be applied to our hearts and lives by living the way of Truth. The blood of Jesus cleanses us from ALL sin. We must let the blood of Jesus cleanse us totally and without reservation. We must make no occasion to the flesh, to sin against God after we have been washed by His blood and by His Spirit. Only those that continue in His Word are Christ’s disciples. Only those that continue in holiness are the priests of Christ that may draw near to Him with a pure heart.

It’s important to know that it was God’s work through Christ on the cross that has redeemed us from all sin. It’s not by our own works that we draw near to God. We walk in the faith of Jesus Christ, our heavenly example. As we walk in the faith of Jesus, the works of God show forth in our lives. There must be works, but they must be God’s works. As we trust in God and believe His Word, His Spirit is at work in our lives, producing heavenly works that set the captives free. God’s holy works are to bless God and bless mankind. Our works were always selfish in nature, only doing “good” so that we may be blessed. We know that we will be blessed, but the motive in our hearts for doing God’s works must be to bless God and others first. Our rewards will follow afterwards.

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

Hebrews 10:22

We must have a true heart in order to draw near to Jesus. That is, we must have His Truth in our hearts, which purifies us from all selfish motivations. We exercise our hearts unto the faith of Jesus, believing all the Word of God tells us about God and Christ. There is no way to please God other than by faith in His Word. The blood of Christ and the Word of God sprinkle and wash both our bodies and our spirits, as we put faith in the atoning sacrifice of Christ. Faith in our hearts is what draws Jesus to walk among us. We are walking in Christ’s faith. He is the author and finisher of our faith. When we walk in His faith, He is drawn to our spirits like a magnet is attracted to metal. We are one with Christ by His faith and by His Spirit of Truth.

For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

1 Thessalonians 5:9-10

This is such an important verse! Christ died for us, so that whether we are alive in this body or have died and gone on to be in Christ’s direct presence in heaven, we should live together with Christ! That means as we walk in Christ’s faith and holiness, He walks with us and among us! His Spirit is our guide in this life, directing our path in the way of Truth. Nothing can separate us from the love of God, except ourselves! Except our selfish choice to sin! Keep yourself unspotted from this world and its sin and you will always have Christ’s presence in your life. No matter what you may feel, Christ is with you! He is the faithful shepherd who will never leave His sheep alone.

The summary is this: walk in the Spirit and Christ will walk with you. Walk in Christ’s faith and holiness and righteousness and love and mercy and the peace of God will be your portion. There is peace because Christ is walking with us, giving us peace like a river. There is peace because of the presence of Jesus in our lives. Surely these verses are teaching us again what we already know. We are engraved on the palms of God’s hands. He cannot forsake or leave His people, world without end, amen! Let the presence of Christ in your life motivate you to overcome all temptation! He’s been tempted just as you are, and is able to help those who are tempted. It’s because He’s alive forevermore! He ever LIVES to make intercession for us! Call upon Christ in Truth and watch His faithfulness unfold in your life. He walks among the LIT candlesticks. So shine forth His Truth and His glory and He will be with you always, by faith. Amen.

All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.

Proverbs 16:2

God has a pair of balances in His hand. It contains our deeds and words on one side of the scale. On the other side of the scale is His Word. Are we living up to His Word? Are the scales balanced? Do our actions and words line up with the Word of God? God is not only judging our actions, but the heart behind the actions. In this way, His judgment is just and perfect. His scales are perfect.

These scales are different than the ones that allah, the false god of Islam carries. In Islam, you only have to do 51% good in order to make it to heaven. All the while, the Muslims are in fear of the scales, because they don’t know where they stand. God has a remedy for that fear. Come to Jesus as your Lord and Savior! Jesus lived a life of righteousness on our behalf. We can partake of His righteousness by walking in His actions and words with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength. If you are in Christ, the scales are already balanced! Your life is equal to the standard of Christ as long as you abide in Christ, who did NO SIN. If there is sin in your life, even for a moment, it will throw the scales out of balance. A just and morally perfect life is the only life that will balance the scales and meet God’s approval. Only a life conformed to Jesus Christ will measure up.

A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.

Proverbs 11:1

A just weight and balance are the LORD’S: all the weights of the bag are his work.

Proverbs 16:11

Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good.

Proverbs 20:23

God is not just concerned about a merchant’s scales being in balance. He cares about your heart being in balance. When we are in sin, our lives do not measure up to the standard of Jesus Christ. Only by forsaking the sin and repenting will God be able to restore us to moral perfection that is found only by faith in Jesus Christ.

Notice that a just weight is God’s work. We are His workmanship in Christ Jesus. As we submit our heart to Christ, the Father does a work of righteousness in us. It is a holy cooperation between God and man. God expects us to rule our hearts with His commandments and precepts. A life out of balance is abomination to God! It is morally disgusting and filthy to Him. It will not abide in His sight. In the last day, Christ will say “away from me, all you workers of iniquity”. They were found in sin. Their ways were not equal. The scales were out of balance.

Only a life lived in self sacrificial love of Christ will measure up in the last day. Only those who love God and others with all their heart will pass the test. Is your life balanced on God’s scales? The measuring of your life belongs to Him. He wants everyone to pass the test and measure up to His standard. That’s why He has told us His standard before the judgment comes. We must be holy in love by picking up our cross daily and following Jesus. A life spent reading and studying the Word of God, praying without ceasing, praising and thanking God, speaking the Truth in love to our neighbors, doing good for all that will let us do good for them. This is the standard of righteousness in Christ Jesus. It is the strait and narrow way and few there be that find it! Don’t be out of balance today. Get right with God by DOING those things that are pleasing in His sight. Walk by faith of Jesus Christ. In so doing, you will obtain eternal life and will be sure that your life is in balance on judgment day. Brothers, sisters, keep your heart with all diligence! Amen.

Yet they are thy people and thine inheritance, which thou broughtest out by thy mighty power and by thy stretched out arm.

Deuteronomy 9:29

For the LORD’S portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance.

Deuteronomy 32:9

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

Psalm 33:12

The Lord has chosen His people to be His eternal inheritance. In the Old Testament it was the nation of Israel, but now in the New Testament it is those that have been washed by the blood of Jesus Christ. The Christians, the body of Christ, the bride of Christ, the heavenly Jerusalem and the spiritual Israel. Those that love God and keep His commandments. The chosen remnant of believers in Christ. These are the children of God and they shall live forever and ever with Him.

To have an inheritance there must be the death of someone. A last will and testament is only in effect when someone has died. So Christ died for us, that we could have the eternal life that was promised us before the world began. Eternal life is the inheritance of the children of God. To live forever with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. This is heavenly bliss, to know the Father and the Son. This is eternal life, says John 17:3.

For God to have an inheritance, there must also be the death of US. Not physically, but a death to self. A giving up of all hopes and selfish ambitions. A laying down of ones life for the sake of God and others. Doing what is pleasing in the sight of God. This is picking up our cross daily and following Jesus, which is the only path to eternal life. It’s also the only path to God’s eternal inheritance in us! We must be conformed to the perfect image of Jesus Christ in order to be worthy of being God’s chosen people. Humble yourself and obey God and Jesus. This is the only way to blessing God and being blessed ourselves.

The priests the Levites, and all the tribe of Levi, shall have no part nor inheritance with Israel: they shall eat the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and his inheritance. Therefore shall they have no inheritance among their brethren: the LORD is their inheritance, as he hath said unto them.

Deuteronomy 18:1-2

The Levitical priesthood was a type and shadow of ALL believers in Christ to come. We are a royal priesthood, we are made kings and priests unto God, offering up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. The 12 tribes of Israel received the promised land as their temporary inheritance, until the fulfillment of the promise came through Jesus Christ. Now the new heaven and the new earth is the spiritual land that we inherit as the spiritual 12 tribes of Israel in the New Testament. No longer will we dwell in this sinful world as strangers and pilgrims. We look for a city, heavenly Jerusalem, whose maker and builder is God.

The Levites were said to have God as their inheritance. That is our inheritance today in Christ. Christ has brought us to the Father, that we may know God and Jesus and walk in His holy ways. Again, eternal life is knowing the Father and Jesus His Son. The only way to know God is to understand Him by keeping His commandments. That’s why only the faithful spiritual priests who have made a covenant with God by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ will be allowed into the new heaven and new earth wherein dwells righteousness. All sinners will be excluded. No sinner has eternal life abiding in him. All sinners go to the lake of fire where they will be tormented day and night forever. No sinner has any inheritance from God.

Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Galatians 4:7

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

John 1:12

In order to be a heir of God, one must first be a son or daughter of God. Inheritance is for family members. When we accept Christ as our Savior, we become children of God. When we walk as Jesus walked, we are certifying ourselves that we are the sons and daughters of God. We have an eternal inheritance because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. One must be in Jesus in order to have eternal life, which is our inheritance. What greater gift could God give to us than to give us Himself! He’s worth more than anything in the world and giving Himself away in love is the highest gift He could bestow. Hence, Jesus, who laid down His life for us as a pattern for us to follow in the steps of eternal life. How simple yet profound are the ways of God! What a glorious mystery the Lord is revealing before our eyes!

Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

Revelation 19:7-8

Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

Hebrews 1:2

And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Romans 8:17

Eternal life is all about our marriage to Jesus Christ. We collectively as believers in Christ are His body, are His flesh. We are the wife that He is coming back for soon. We are engaged to Christ because He has given us His Holy Spirit, which is the down payment or engagement ring that shows we belong to Christ. Our husband Christ is the heir of all things by the will of His Father. As His Wife, we get to co-participate in all the wonderful things that God has prepared for those that love Him. We own everything because our husband Christ owns everything. All things that pertain to life and godliness are ours in Christ Jesus. Until that day of Christ comes, we must show ourselves faithful to our future husband.

He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

Revelation 21:7

In the book of Revelation Christ has made many wonderful promises to the overcomers. Those that do not defile themselves with this wicked world we live in. All His promises add up to eternal life with Him. What a great blessing we have from the Lord. All we must do is overcome in this present evil world. If we are faithful to do that, then all of God’s glory is there for us to enjoy forever! If we can overcome in this contrary world, then it will be so easy to continue overcoming in a perfect world wherein dwells righteousness forevermore.

Keep yourself unspotted from this world, for in doing so you will purchase to yourself the blessing of eternal life. God being your inheritance and you being God’s inheritance. Sharing all things together as one body in Christ. What a blessing from the Lord! He truly is a good God and desires to walk with those who will walk in His righteousness of Jesus Christ. You can do all things through Christ which strengthens you. Glory to God in the highest. Amen.