God is Lighting Up His House
You
are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do
men light a lamp and put it under a peck measure, but on a lampstand, and it
gives light to all in the house.
Let your light so shine before men that they may see
your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good
deeds and recognize and honor and praise and glorify your
Father Who is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16(Amp)
One thing the Lord
spoke was that His Church was now becoming rooted and grounded in three
things-Love, Faith, and Truth.
May
He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and
reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself
indwelling your innermost being and personality]. May
Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His
permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and
founded securely on love, That you may have the power and
be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God’s devoted
people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height
and depth [of it]; [That you may really come] to know [practically, 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 fullness of God [may have the
richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and
flooded with God Himself]! Ephesians 3:16-19(Amp)
Withstand him; be firm in
faith [against his onset—rooted,
established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the same
(identical) sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of
Christians) throughout the world. 1 Peter 5:9(Amp)
But
if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in
the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground
of the truth. 1 Timothy 3:15
God has shown the
Prophets in a parable this truth about the Church. God revealed that a house
needs proper wiring for the greater release of His power. Also the ground wire
must be connected for the greater power of God to flow.
THE HOUSE OF GOD
Bob Jones and Keith Davis
THE VISION
In the vision, Bob was taken in the Spirit to a very appealing house.
The Lord, standing to Bob’s left, allowed him to examine the exterior of this
multi level structure. Bob could easily recognize the superior construction and
exceptional quality of this beautiful dwelling that had been prepared by its
designer.
As Bob was making these observations, the Lord said, “Yes, this is a
very beautiful house, unfortunately, it has no lights”. With this statement,
Bob inquired how this could occur in a house so beautifully built. Immediately
upon making this statement, Bob found himself under the house in a “crawl-space”
allowing him to easily see the wiring of the house and the circuits built to
provide electrical power to it. He readily ascertained that the wiring in this
house was of the highest caliber allowing immense amounts of power to flow into
the house in its original blueprint. Unfortunately, a “ reducer” had been
placed on the circuits diminishing the amount of power allowed to flow into
these circuits thus preventing the house from being properly lighted.
A reducer is a piece of equipment that inhibits the total amount of
power allowed in wiring. For instance, if the wiring of a house is 220 volts
and you desire to use an appliance that only requires 110, a reducer is placed
on the outlet limiting the amount of power through the circuit. This is done so
that the excessive power does not destroy the appliance you are desiring to
use. That was the situation Bob observed in this house. The reducer restricted
the flow of power because the wiring and circuits in the house were not
suitably functioning to handle the amount of power the house was designed to
facilitate.
Upon even closer examination, Bob looked behind the reducer and
observed the wires had actually been severed. His first reaction concluded the
enemy had cut the wires to this house so God’s power could not flow to it.
However, the Lord quickly corrected this presumption. It wasn’t the enemy who
had cut the wiring, but the inhabitants of the house.
Bob was instructed that part of his job was to help “rewire” the
“house” so an uninhibited flow of power could come to this habitation, to God’s
glory. The “House” is the church and we are the channels through which God’s
power is to flow. This is the house the Lord is building for His habitation.
The wiring of the house represented Christian leaders and the purity of our
spirit and soul to accommodate the flow of divine power to the earth. The
“wiring” further symbolizes the level of our maturity and character. Thus says the LORD, "Heaven is My throne
and the earth is My footstool. Where then is a house you could build for me?
And where is a place that I may rest? "For My hand made all these things,
thus all these things came into being," declares the LORD. "But to
this one I will look, to him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who
trembles at My word. ( Isaiah 66;1-2)
We are not yet equipped to safely accommodate the great release of
Divine power the Lord is desiring to unleash that would illumine the “House of
Faith”. On the night before the Lord was glorified through the sacrificial
offering of His life, He concluded His teachings saying, "I have many more things to say to you,
but you cannot bear them now. (John 16:12) The Lord has many things to unveil to us in this
generation, only we cannot bear them all now. However, He is desiring to do a
quick work in us allowing full disclosure of Kingdom purposes through His
people, provided we are willing to adhere to the leading of His Spirit with
total abandonment.
THE APPROPRIATE GROUNDING
Upon further observation Bob noticed the “ground” wire was completely
severed. As a result the “Hot Wire” had burned itself out because it did not
have adequate grounding. In electricity, the “ground wire” is a connection in
an electrical circuit that leads to the earth or to a large conducting object.
If this precaution is not observed, a failure of insulation or accident may
occur leading to “shock” or “burn out”. The “hot-wire” is the circuit through
which the power flows.
The Lord graciously explained to Bob the “ground-wire” was the “Logos”
word of God and the “Hot Wire” was the “Rhema”. If the inhabitants of the house
had allowed the “Rhema” of God to come without proper grounding in the “Logos”,
burn-out or short circuiting would be the sure result. All “Rhema” must have
its grounding in the “Logos” Word of God. A fully activated “Hot Wire” is very
dangerous when not grounded . So is it with spiritual reality. If someone
experiences a tremendous release of revelation and power that is not grounded
in the “Logos” Word of God, the propensity for error and calamity is
significant.
The “logos” and “rhema” serve as two witnesses in this illustration. If
either of these two is not functioning properly, the tendency for disaster is
great. That is why the reducer was placed upon the wiring so the great flow of
power from heaven would not destroy the house and its occupants.
LOGOS & RHEMA
A word is a thought given expression. God’s attributes, nature and
thoughts are addressed to us in the Word (Logos) of God. The Logos is
identified with the will of God, or with the Ideas that are in the mind of God.
Christ's incarnation is accordingly understood as the incarnation of these
divine attributes. The Bible is the divinely inspired, inerrant Word (Logos) of
God. However, it takes the Rhema of God to properly appropriate the written
Word. But know this first of all,
that no prophecy of Scripture is {a matter} of one's own interpretation, for no
prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy
Spirit spoke from God. (2 Peter 1:20-21)
Rhema is a “Word” considered or given articulation. It is the
divine appropriation of the written “word”. Simply, it is the inspired insight
with understanding and application expressed to us. It is the power of
inspiration in understanding the written “word” in perfect order. But what does it say? "THE WORD (RHEMA)
IS NEAR YOU, in your mouth and in your heart"?? that is, the word (Rhema)
of faith which we are preaching, (Romans 10:8)
One of the most important aspects of the vision is to understand we are
“grounded” in the revelation of the Word as given by the Holy Spirit. The
scriptures declare the written Word is not a matter of private interpretation;
rather, men of old anointed with the Holy Spirit spoke from God. Very often,
customary understanding of the scriptures derives its foundation in the
doctrines and precepts of men taught as truth. For not knowing
about God's righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not
subject themselves to the righteousness of God. (Rom 10:3)
This serves only as a false grounding and will result in ship wreck
just as much so as if the grounding were not prepared at all. It is the Holy
Spirit that is the Spirit of Truth guiding us into all truth. If we harbor
traditional concepts of scripture that cannot be supported by the entirety of
God’s Word, then we must be willing to open our hearts to the revelation of the
Word as taught by the Spirit of Truth.
THE NOBILITY OF THE BEREANS
The brethren immediately
sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea
The Bereans were described as a noble group inasmuch as they readily
received the Spirit of Truth working through Paul and Silas AND they searched
the scriptures to affirm their message in the written Word. Paul delivered
“cutting-edge” Truth that was contradictory to the previous understanding of
the scriptures taught by the leaders of that day. Nonetheless, Paul’s message
was securely established in the written Word, giving the true application of
the scriptures concerning the Promised Messiah and the Kingdom of God
Charles Spurgeon once spoke of the “Logos” saying, “ So, brethren,
especially is it with the Incarnate Word. We are in the habit of calling the
Bible "the Word of God." I suppose that is accurate enough...of this
incarnate Word, this everlasting Logos, we may say that he standeth for ever.
Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever.” The Bible is not simply
the Word of God; it is the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Bob was then told to observe a worship service. In the service, the
“Rhema” or “hot-wire” was going to be allowed to flow through the Praise and
Worship. During the time of worship, the Holy Spirit imparted revelation to the
people expressing the Lord’s desire to manifest healing to the people in their
spirit, soul, and body. Unfortunately, following this release of revelation,
the people initially continued in the service without giving proper attention
to the revelation or “Rhema” of the Word.
The spiritual “children” in the service responded like a child
receiving a piece of candy. They thought the release was certainly sweet and
good giving a nice spiritual experience, however
did not grasp the full purpose of its meaning. The “young men”
recognized this as a revelation from heaven, yet lacked the maturity to
establish understanding with application for the revelation. The “fathers” then
spoke up acknowledging this was a revelation from heaven and the service could
not continue until its full application found it’s place in the service and God
was allowed to do all that He desired. The “fathers” responded to the “Rhema”
by grounding it in the Logos and resting in it’s Truth until the Holy Spirit
was allowed full liberty to accomplish every purpose He desired.
I am writing to you, LITTLE
CHILDREN, because your sins have been forgiven you for His name's sake. I am
writing to you, FATHERS, because you know Him who has been from the beginning.
I am writing to you, , because YOUNG MEN have overcome the evil one. I have
written to you, children, because you know the Father. I have written to you,
fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I have written
to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you,
and you have overcome the evil one. (1 John 2:12-14)
In this illustration, the “Rhema” word of God disclosed the Lord’s
desire to impart healing to the saints in the worship service. The grounding
for this Word is derived in the written promises that healing is the
“children’s bread.” The “Logos” clearly supported the “Rhema” manifesting the
Lord’s expression for the people. The
Holy Spirit will never sponsor something that is contrary to the Written Word. Furthermore, He is wishing to
manifest in His church all the many good and precious promises in the Written
Word that we have not yet fully experienced.
It requires the maturity of “fathers” to thoroughly recognize the
release of “Rhema” and ground it in the “Logos” Word Of God so nothing is lost
in a service. Maturity and character established in the hearts of the “fathers”
allows the full manifestation of freedom for the Holy Spirit to do His bidding.
These three categories of believers have less to do with biological age, but
more with spiritual maturity and close encounters with the Lord in the “prayer
closet”. It is in being consumed with the Lord and devouring His Word— His Word
is the revelation of His Heart. Your
words were found and I ate them, and your words became for me a joy and the
delight of my heart; for I have been called by your name, O LORD God of hosts.
(Jer 15:16)
The Lord is insisting the lights be fully engaged in the house so all
divine purposes are accomplished without one being lost. Without the maturity
of the “fathers”, great spiritual opportunities are squandered because they are
not recognized when released by the Holy Spirit. All revelation from heaven is
more precious than fine gold. The admonition here is to develop the discernment
and spiritual sensitivity to perceive these expressions of the Spirit and
adhere to them, allowing full liberty in their accomplishment. "It is written, MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON
BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD (Rhema) THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF
GOD." (Matt 4:4)
If we hunger for the anointing of God in our lives, and even more
importantly, if we thirst for intimate fellowship with the Lord, we must become
totally absorbed in His Word. He will never do anything contrary to His written
Word and His Word is His prescribed WAY into the Presence of the Father. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within
you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms {and}
hymns {and} spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (Col
As the vision continued the Lord instructed Bob to begin the process of
adequately “wiring” His church for the release of great power. The Lord
acknowledged we are not yet properly “wired” and equipped to handle the great
source of power to be dispersed in this generation. This symbolic expression
emphasized the great need for continued preparatory refinement. It is
imperative we are properly “grounded” and empowered with both the “Logos” and
“Rhema” revelation of the Lord’s plans, purposes and will. It is the
development of Godly character and maturity essential for the release of this
magnitude of power. We must experientially know what it means to literally
tremble with reverential fear at the sanctity of God’s Word. The Lord is
desiring a spiritual Habitation— IN US. The Spirit is expressing Himself
continuously, unfortunately, there is presently a famine in the “HEARING OF THE
WORD”.
OUR SPIRITUAL UMBILICAL CORD
In many respects we are like a child in the womb of its mother
connected to the mother through the umbilical cord. The “umbilical cord”
portrays the Holy Spirit bonding us to heaven. It functions as a channel
through which the grace and mercy of God flows to us perpetually, even as life
flows from mother to child in the womb providing the issues of life.
Not only does the umbilical cord provide the source of life for the
infant, it most importantly promotes growth and maturity to the point of birth.
The love of the Father flows through our spiritual “umbilical cord” to cleanse
us of all unrighteousness extending His grace, allowing the maturation and
development in us to become sons and daughters of God. It is vital that the
umbilical cord provide the uninhibited flow of blood, nourishment and life to
the maturing child. If anything should block this flow, the life of the child
would be in jeopardy. Our unbelief and precepts of man function as a block that
inhibits the flow of divine life to us, prohibiting proper cleansing and
nourishment creating a critical situation in the maturity of the believer.
For instance, many who enter into sin feel as though they need to do
penance for the remission of their wrong act. Instead, the believer should
simply do faithful repentance and believe the Word of God promising His
blood is adequate to cleanse us of all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9) The flow
of life through the spiritual “umbilical” cord is then dispensed to cleanse us
and prepare us for birth into our calling and commission.
It is the religious spirit that deceives us into entering legalism and
nullifying the grace of God with works. It is the power of Grace that we must
understand the Lord is desiring to release into His church that will illumine
her and prepare her in maturity for the greater measure of the Holy Spirit. Our
works are an outward expression of an inward conviction done as a labor of love
and appreciation for His work of Grace. We cease from ministering FOR God and
begin to minister WITH Him.
If we continue perpetually in rebellious sin, it functions like the
umbilical cord wrapped around the neck of the infant, suppressing the very flow
of life from it until the child is aborted. Many spiritual purposes and
movements are aborted in this manner. An examination of history will also
reveal many great movements of God that were being prepared to be released in
the earth that were lost in this manner.
It is imperative in this generation that we allow the Holy Spirit to
prepare us according to His directives so we are equipped to handle the kind of
power that it will take to become the generation of the righteous. Great and
awesome exploits are prophesied for this generation. We must be conditioned and
equipped for them. The performance of works to promote the remittance of sin,
signifies we have lost faith in the cross and the grace of God. Works should be
an outward expression of an inward appreciation for the grace of God and the
love of God extended to us. It cannot be a substitute for the blood of Jesus
Christ for the remission of sins.
It is likewise mandatory in this hour, that we ground ourselves in His
revelation of the Word through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit so we can
easily discern the deceptions of the enemy that would inhibit the flow of life
to us from the Father. If we find ourselves unknowingly agreeing with the
enemy, it results in our abiding in the domain of Satan rather than the Father.
It is through the Rhema revelation of the written Logos that we recognize the
schemes of the enemy allowing the full release of power to us to escape and
defeat the strongholds of the devil.
When we make our habitation in the Word of God...He will make His
habitation in us. Grounding in the Word of God will actually have us rooted and
grounded in Love, Faith and Truth (Eph. 3:17; Col. 1:23;1 Tim 3:15; KJV) There
are presently some individual believers who have tasted this reality. However,
the Lord is desiring His corporate body to have their grounding in Him so He
can lavish upon them the Presence of God allowing His Glory to fill the earth.
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