The next pages are David Koresh's final statement to the world regarding the message of the Seven Seals. He finished writing it on the last night of his life.
A computer disk of the text was carried out of Mt. Carmel the following day by a Ruth Riddle, a survivor of the fire. It was transcribed by Dr. James Tabor Professor of Religion at the University of North Carolina, and Dr. Phillip Arnold of the Reunion Institute in Houston, Texas.
Search forth for the meaning here,
Hidden within these words
`Tis a song that's sung of fallen tears,
Given way for two love birds.
Love birds yet not of feathered creed
Shot down for gambled play,
And caged a far distance betweenst themselves
For the hunter felt it best that way.
"She bird is mine,'' the hunter said,
'Twas this bird I raised and faithfully fed.''
'Twas he bird who released her from her cage,
Sought her womb in youthful age.
Love birds the name, these birds they call,
Two, plural, love bird, takes two.
'Twas not her womb of which he sought,
And certainly not her youth.
Love birds, the name these birds they call,
Two, plural, love bird, takes two,
It's just that he needed she,
To fly the skies of blue.
And now we see the hunter man,
Robbed without a prey,
The evil which he sought to do,
Caused the birds to pass away.
For loneliness and solitaire,
Is death to every soul.
For birds of God were meant to pair,
The two to complete the whole.
And now we see the final meaning
Of this rhyme and verse:
The pending judgment of the King
Who rules the universe.
For with Adam and his spirit Eve,
To share the kingdom fair;
But when they sinned they lost their crown
In exchange for shame to bear.
So Eve travailed and brought forth death,
And passed the crown to all;
For each to learn the lesson here,
The kingdom of the fall.
For virgins do not bring forth sons,
Until God does reverse,
The inner meaning of the law,
To remove man from the curse.
For in the Christ, we've seen a bride,
The water mixed with blood,
The wife with cloven tongues of fire,
Of whom the Christ has loved.
And now He's back to sing His song,
The life of every spring,
And love birds gather, each one with mate,
For the marriage of the King
INTRODUCTION
John 18:33-38
Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews? Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me? Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and chief priests have delivered thee unto me. What hast thou done? Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world; if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now is my kingdom not from here. Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king, then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end I was born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Everyone that is of the truth heareth my voice. Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.
Strange indeed for the judgment of man, for who knows within himself that his judgment be true?
Scripture tells us that Pilate was convicted of the truth in Christ, but failing to take heed thereto, he lost his soul, causing the blood of the innocent to be shed. How many of us since the dawning of time have committed such things? Who was this Jesus? Who was this Saviour that nearly a whole religious nation rejected?
Matthew told us. Mark, Luke, and John all recorded their side of the story of which remains unto this day, read and judged of all. Likewise, the Acts, the Book of Romans, Corinthians, Ephesians, Galatians and such books open for our learning this most unique mystery of judgment and justice undone. But of all the records the most awe inspiring remains to be the most misunderstood, that being the Revelation of Jesus Christ written by the Apostle John to the churches of Asia and left on record that all who follow may ask the question:
"Who is this Christ and what remains to be the mystery of Him?"
In my work to unfold this mystery to you I will not use great techniques of scholarly display nor in-depth reasonings of philosophy, no sophisticated, congenial language shall be used, just simple talk and reason.
First of all, "the Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave unto Him to show unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass" are to be seen just as that: a revelation of Jesus to reveal to men His wishes and His desires for those who make up His church. For the kingdom of God being that of heaven, and not of this world, is to be revealed unto this world by the means He has chosen -- "the foolishness of preaching." John the Apostle while on the Isle of Patmos received the Lord's messenger and in obedience placed in written form all that he saw and all that he heard pertaining to the mysteries of Christ. And in good faith the Apostle stated, "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein for the time is at hand" (Revelation 1:3).
Likewise John was commanded of the angel, "Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter" (Revelation 1:19). Simply, John's record contains the past, present, and future events that revolve around the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
John in faithfulness sent his writings to the seven churches in Asia and the will of Christ for these churches is plainly revealed from chapter 2 to chapter 4 of Revelation. Therefore on record, all may read and see how Christ has dealt with His churches of old.
Our subject of interest will be taken up from chapters 4-22, for these passages entail the events that are to be after John's time. For it is written (Revelation 4: entire chapter):
After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must be hereafter. And immediately I was in the spirit; and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, the four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
John states that **"that which must be hereafter"**-- sometime after his day there will be a God who sits on His throne. There will be a jury of twenty-four elders. God will be declared as "worthy to receive glory and honour and power," because unto Him and for Him all things were created.
John continues to say (Revelation 5: entire chapter):
And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.
Very clearly John tells of a judgment in which only one question is asked, "Who is worthy" to open or to reveal a book found in the right hand of God clearly sealed with seven seals. John states, "No man in heaven nor in earth, neither under the earth was able to open the book neither to look thereon." Then John is pointed to the hope of all men: the Lamb that was slain. Here is a revelation of Christ as our High Priest in heaven. Here His work is revealed: the opening of the mysteries of God. These mysteries of which reveal Christ and His sufficiency to save all whose prayers are directed to God through Him. Likewise Paul the Apostle has stated:
So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.
For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God...But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard entreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)
But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:] Hebrews 5:5; 7:19, 24-25; 8:6; 9:24; 10:12-14, 26, 29; 12:18-25.
Clearly then, John is showing us of that very event of which Paul the Apostle so clearly writes. Christ is the mediator of the New Covenant and that New Covenant is contained in the seven seals. If we the church have been so long awaiting that which must be hereafter, why is it that so many of us in Christendom have not even heard of the seven seals?
Why is this Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave to Him such a mystery? The Apostle Peter gives us a clue when he said (1 Peter 1:3-5):
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, according to his abundant mercy, hath begotten us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Truly Christ is our only Saviour, our only Mediator between man and God. Likewise, it is true the opening of the seven seals by Christ is as much or more so important for our salvation as any other former gospels. If this salvation is "ready to be revealed in the last time," as Peter says, then we should hear another statement from the Apostle Peter (1 Peter 1:13):
Wherefore, gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ,
So the question remains--What are the seven seals? And the answer remains--a Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave unto Him to show unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass. If these things were to have shortly come to pass then surely they must have already been fulfilled, and if so, does that mean we are His servants if we know these things not? Or could it be that the things which must be hereafter pertaining to God's throne, the judgment, the book, and the Lamb receiving that book are events directed primarily to the last times or the last days? If that's the case are we in the last days? If so then it must be time for God's servants to know these things (Psalms 90:12-17; 91:1-4; 11:3-4).
So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Return, O LORD, how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy servants. O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil. Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children. And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.]
The servant of God will find as we continue in our searching of the scriptures that every book of the Bible meets and ends in the book of Revelation. Gems of most sacred truth are to be uncovered, golden promises never before seen are to be brought to view, for when has grace ever been needed more than now in the time of which we live?
Although we, the servants of God, do not live in Asia, we are none the less to be beneficiaries of their counsels; and they likewise, not being alive today are no doubt to be a part of the grace which we are to receive.
Revelation 6:1-2. And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.
Here in our Heavenly Zion we see the Lamb loose the first seal. This preview of God's revelation of His Son is to be of our utmost interest, for not only will it more clearly reveal the nature of Christ, but it will likewise unfold more clearly the Divine nature of God who is the Author of this revelation.
Now let's turn to Psalms 45:
My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer. Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever. Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty. And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things. Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; whereby the people fall under thee. Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre. Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad. Kings' daughters were among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir. Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father's house; So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him. And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the people shall entreat thy favour. The king's daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold. She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee. With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the king's palace. Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth. I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever.
Verse 1: "My (God's) heart is inditing a good matter: I (God) speak of the things which I (the Creator of all things) have made touching the King (Christ), my (God's) tongue is the pen of a ready writer." Here we see God not only creates all things by His Word but in His wisdom, He has chosen some things to be written that by the power of His word He may bring to pass in His own time. Here we see God by His written Word foretelling his determined purpose for His Son, Christ.
Verse 2: "Thou art fairer than the children of men, grace is poured into thy lips; therefore God hath blessed thee forever, Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty. And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things." Clearly in the Revelation Christ is fairer than the fairest. Those who receive the seals receive the grace found therein. Christ is capable of destroying his enemies for His majesty truly is great in heaven, for it is witnessed that all angels bow before him. What is it that Christ shall ride but the white horse because the book given to Him is the truth and He shall ride prosperously. Verse 5: "Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies whereby the people fall under thee." Here we see the meaning of the bow of which the first seal speaks. Let us pray that none of us refuse "Him that speaks from heaven" and the Spirit of Truth that is now speaking from heaven for it is likewise written in verse 6:
"Thy throne O God, is for ever and ever; the scepter of thy kingdom is a right scepter. Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God** (Christ), **thy God** (Father), **hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad. Kings's daughters were among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir, Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, thy father's house; so shall the King** (Christ) **greatly desire thy beauty; for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him."
How can any man deny that the first seal is a preview into the event spoken of by the 45th Psalm? How important is this insight? How important is it to God, or to Christ, or to the church? While on earth Christ spoke many parables regarding His kingdom and his bride. Let's hear one and see if we cannot more clearly understand the importance of these things.
Matthew 22:1-14:
And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, and sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: and the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: and he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen.
Notice that in this parable of Matthew, Christ clearly teaches that those with indifferent attitudes who would not come to the Marriage Supper were to be slain. Their disinterest offended the King who we know is God. So, likewise, today if we disregard the truth of the first seal we really disregard Christ, who opened it and in so doing we disregard God who gave it. This indifference most surely will place one's salvation in jeopardy.
Matthew 21:42:
Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner; this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?
In this passage we see Christ pointing his hearers to the Rock (His God). We know in Revelation 4 God is pictured as one who appears to be as jasper and sardine stone. This one is the same stone to which Christ referred to. So again we are reminded that what the Father gives to Christ is a revelation of Jesus Christ that God gives to Him to show unto his servants. Was it really David who wrote the Psalms or was it God who spoke through David? Was it really the prophets who wrote their books or was it God who spoke through the prophets? If it was God, we must conclude God claims the book as His and we should more earnestly take it as God's Word.
We find now in Revelation 19 a verification of the events we have just read.
Revelation 19:1-13.
And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God: for true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever. And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia. And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. 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. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
Notice how in verse 9 it says, "Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb!" And he said unto me, "These are the true saying of God!" Being the true saying of God, the first seal of Revelation 6:1-2 must be true according to the saying of God in Psalms 45. And how can we be blessed if we know nothing about the **Marriage Supper of the Lamb** nor what it entails?
Isaiah 33:17:
Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty; they shall behold the land that is very far off.
Are we starting to see the King a little more clearly? And how about that heavenly land very far off?
Isaiah 55:3-4:
Incline your ear, and come unto me; hear, and your soul shall live, and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.
Has not David truly witnessed on behalf of God by God's own power this beautiful marriage of which all are called to receive the knowledge of.
Isaiah 61:8-10:
For I the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the LORD hath blessed. I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
We should surely at this moment realize the importance of learning more thoroughly the meaning of Christ according to the seals lest we be found without "the wedding garment" of God's judgment, for if we receive this enlightenment, this grace which comes from heaven, we shall surely be partakers of the marriage of the Lamb for we are the guests who will "Hearken and consider."
Jeremiah 23:5, 6, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20:
Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that they shall no more say, The LORD liveth, which brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; but, The LORD liveth, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land...For who hath stood in the counsel of the LORD, and hath perceived and heard his word? who hath marked his word, and heard it? Behold, a whirlwind of the LORD is gone forth in fury, even a grievous whirlwind: it shall fall grievously upon the head of the wicked. The anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have executed, and till he have performed the thoughts of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly.
This beautiful prophecy, the Desire of Ages, entails of Christ the Lord our Righteousness and also warns us of the latter days should we be found not standing in the counsel of the Lord. If we, the church of God, stand in the counsel of Christ, especially in the light of the seven seals, shall we not be a part of that beautiful bride spoken of in Jeremiah 33?
Jeremiah 33:14-16:
Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will perform that good thing which I have promised unto the house of Israel and to the house of Judah. In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land. In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely; and this is the name of which she shall be called, THE LORD, OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
She, the city, she, the saints, those who are clothed with the righteousness of Christ and His Word, for it is also promised in verse 17, "David shall never want a man to sit upon the throne of the house of Israel." For Christ remains a King "forever." (Psalm 45:6)
Ezekiel 37:24-25 Daniel 12:1:
And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them. And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children's children for ever: and my servant David shall be their prince for ever.
And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
If we are to be found written in the book, surely we should be found in the first seal for where Christ is revealed, shall not we also be revealed as one who "hearkens and considers" for is not He "our Lord" and shall not we "worship" him "in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24).
In Hosea 2:14 we read, "Therefore, behold I will allure her and bring her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly unto her." The Christian Church being scattered from Jerusalem went throughout all nations. Being amongst the Gentiles, the gospel was to impart unto the Gentiles the riches of God's mercy.
Verse 15: "And I will [give her her vineyards from thence, and the Valley of Achor for a door of hope; and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of] Egypt." Here it is promised that once the unfaithful ones as Achan are taken from amongst God's people we will definitely have a deliverance as all the prophets agree.
Verse 16: And it shall be at that day, saith the LORD, that thou shalt call me Ishi, and shalt call me no more Baali. If we are to call God by such an endearing term, we are to know Him a little better and what better [way] to know him than in the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Verse 17: For I will take away the names of Baalim out of her mouth, and they shall no more be remembered by their name. All false teachers and false prophets are to be forgotten for there is one God, and one Lamb and one seven seal truth.
Verse 18: And in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of the heavens, and with the creeping things of the ground; and I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth, and will make them to lie down safely. Just as Isaiah 11 has promised, so Hosea also promises, peace for those who are called to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
Verses 19 and 20: And I will betroth thee unto me forever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in loving-kindness, and in mercies. I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness; and thou shalt know the LORD. So again, here we see the importance of this opportunity of learning these seven seals and the complete entailment of what that includes.
Verse 21: And it shall come to pass in that day, I will hear, saith the LORD, I will hear the heavens, and they shall hear the earth.] Are we not a part of this event by faith? Is not heaven in total unity to the receiving of these seals from God? Is not God's word supreme in heaven? And it being the Word which reveals Christ now is the time like never before to pray that we may be worthy to understand these things more clearly.
Verse 22 and 23: And the earth shall hear the corn and the wine, and the oil; and they shall hear Jezreel. And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them who were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God. We will not go at this point into the in depth meaning of the book of Hosea in every particular for our primary subject at this point is the first seal and the Marriage is that subject. This should inspire us to look into the meaning of Hosea 3:5: "Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD, their God, and David, their king, and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days".
Joel 2:15,16: Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly. Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that nurse at the breasts; let the bridegroom go forth from his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. Yes, the bride is definitely to be revealed for we know that Christ is in the Heavenly Sanctuary anticipating His Marriage of which God has spoken. Should we not eagerly ourselves be ready to accept this truth and come out of our closet and be revealed to the world as those who love Christ in truth and in righteousness.
Amos 9:11,14,15: In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches of it; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old ... And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyeards, and drink their wine; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them. And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the LORD, thy God.
Obadiah 21: And saviors shall come up on Mount Zion to judge the mount of Eaau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD's.
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
First they raided us
with their guns and helicopters.
When we did not surrender our faith,
They cut our fuel,
electricity, and water.
We did not surrender.
So they intimidated us.
Threats,
Destruction of our
properties.
But we did not surrender.
So they gassed us.
When we did not surrender,
They burned our home,
killing us.
But we did not surrender.
Now, they continue in their lies,
demonizing us.
We are imprisoned as they seek
through their laws
to cover their cruel deeds.
Accusing us
of having faith.
But we are free,
And we will not surrender.
I am empty yet full.
I sorrow but I'm happy.
Momentarily my family and friends
are separated from me.
I'm a stranger from my relatives.
I have been here many days now,
facing two life sentences.
In secret my tears flow.
All for what?
My faith in the
Seven Seals of Scripture.
The price of faith is high.
But now I understand.
It can be no other way.
Father, for your sake,
Forget us not.
It is you who have placed
love for you
in us.
Now you have found us.
Please don't let us go.
Accept our feeble response
of gratitude.
**Livingstone Fagan, Branch Davidian**
The destruction of the Spirit results from a transgression
of the Laws of Commandments protecting her.
But rather than give her up
We suffer the destruction of the body by those who,
through counterfeiting the Law,
Seek to plunder us.
Being unreservedly, and wholeheartedly devoted to you
She is inestimably more valuable than Life in the body.
Mt. Carmel was my marriage to her.
She is the truth of the Seven Seals.
Death and imprisonment are unworthy offerings
in defense of her.
Our Father has said "Vengeance is mine, I will repay."
On these words we rest,
Waiting patiently to fly away.
**Livingstone Fagan, Branch Davidian**
On the subject matter of David Koresh's conduct, a topic so highly misunderstood and misrepresented in the media. There are significant and delicate truths relative to the salvation process giving rise to such actions. In his letter to the FBI prior to his death, he offered to address these questions. This offer was rejected, evidently people want to believe what they want to believe, then so be it! Nevertheless, consider the following.
God instructed the prophet Isaiah to walk naked and barefoot three years; why? (Isaiah 20:1-3) He instructed Hosea the priest, to marry two prostitutes; why? Evidently prostitutes are notably responsive to the call of God, you may recall Rahab and Mary Magdalene. (Hosea 1:1; 3:1) The prophet Ezekiel was instructed to gather grains to make his bread. In the process mix it with "shit". Having done so, he was commanded to eat this and drink water in measure, before the people. God also killed his wife and instructed him not to mourn; why? (Ezekiel 4:9-17; 24:15-18) The Apostle Paul, describes these and such actions as, the foolishness of God, chosen to confound and bring to naught the mighty. Ways and means he employs in His mysterious workings, to nurture faith in the sincere, and capture the insincere in his own craftiness. (I Corinthians 1:19-28; Psalms 58:3-5; Ezekiel 12:2ff; 14:1-11; Jeremiah 17:9; Isaiah 48) Consider Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians, Chapter 2:1-12, note particularly verses 7, 8-12. People have this weird and often unconscious notion they can deceive God. At the revelation of the mystery of God, it will be seen that, God is a bigger serpent than Satan! note Genesis 3:22. Under the third seal, the balance of deceit are in His hand. (Hosea 12:7) No one really escapes with anything, we all ultimately reap what we sow, unless there be one willing to take our place!
Having an awareness that, the basic understanding, of even the existence of the seven seals, let alone their meaning and significance, is for the most part sadly lacking. To enter discussions into matters of detail regarding David's actions serves little purpose. Without sounding paternalistic and arrogant, the response of the Media and the public, clearly indicates a level of spiritual maturity, insufficient to appreciate the importance and significance of these matters. In it's principle, salvation is a reversal of the spiritual rape, performed by Satan on Eve. The fact that he deceived her, constituted a raping of her mind. Mankind consequently, fell from that mental plane of existence enjoyed by Adam and Eve. Their eyes became opened and they were no longer virgins. They now knew sin! The differences in the reversal process are basically twofold. The element of choice, and the fact that, God has to now work with a fallen mind. In this fallen mental state, mankind has lost the mental perception, of his pre- sin condition. God cannot automatically return him to that state, without his exercising his choice. An image of this reversal process, received via a faith perception of the reality, takes place on the carnal plane. This allows the demonstration on this plane of existence, of the exercise of ones choice to return to the pre-sin state of consciousness. We are here dealing with the science of salvation. There are laws governing the spirit, as there are laws of physics. The requirements of these laws, also have to be met. Without a conscious awareness of them, their manifestation by the Spirit, in and upon those she works through, are not comprehended. This is what the Apostle John spoke about in his gospel. (John 1:1-18)
While not everyone is required to go through our experience at Mt. Carmel, everyone is required to give a response of approval or disapproval. Such responses represents an indication of ones choice, either for or against, God's salvation. Ultimately it will be seen, that everyone consciously chose their eternal destiny, be it desirable or undesirable. I believe it pays, to be properly informed of spiritual reality.
David's action and conduct, in harmony with scriptures, facilitated the evidence of the union between the divine and the human. You will recall the Genesis account of the pre- sin union, between God and Man. It was subsequently broken by Satan. This union is reflected in marriage, between man and woman. In the children that result, we see the man and woman joined into one. I realize that today, parents rarely remain faithful to their marriage covenant. Nevertheless, the children remain as natural evidence of that union. This cannot be replaced by a lifeless certificate of marriage. The marriage covenant has been deemed so important by God; for the stability of the universe, of which the family is an image, He has given birth to the concept of children.
They were to be a living and perpetual reminder of that covenant. With all the joy they bring, by their childish foolishness, coupled to the responsibility, they afford us, as parents, they kept alive before our face, our covenant promises. The whole of creation, Adam and Eve being the principle focus, is evidence of the union of God and His Spirit. (Note Genesis 1:1, 2ff; cf. Proverbs 8; Romans 1:19-21)
Finally, the 16th century reformer Martin Luther, introduced the truth: righteousness by faith. At the time, righteousness by works was the prevailing thought shaping theological thinking. The truth of righteousness by faith, was so pervasive in scripture it could not be overturned. Consequently, the prevailing theological thinking, which gave rise to the then socio-political and economic status quo, was overturned. A new order of things emerged, and has continued on to today. It is significant to note that, societies are shaped by ideology. Ideologies have their roots in ones perceptions of God. Where God is perceived as non existent, men do as they please, because they see themselves as answerable to none, but themselves. It is ironic that such thinking, leads men into being gods over their fellow men! Nevertheless, where God is perceived as existing, men act according to their perception of Him. History has shown that, perceptions of God and His requirements, are subject to change and development. The Reformation is a case in point. The subject matter of the Seven Seals and the issues they introduce, are destined to have a profound impact on the existing theological thinking. There are equally profound consequences for the present socio-political and economic status quo.
...And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. (Mt 24:12)
So, Johnny's father comes home one evening, uptight about some problem at the work place. After pulling into the driveway, barely missing Johnny's bike, his anger is inflamed the more. With a beaming smile upon his face, Johnny runs up to the now stationary car, eager to speak with his father. Before he could utter a word, his father angrily bellyaches at him for leaving his bike in the driveway, sending him to his room. Confused and trembling Johnny silently complies. His father grabs his briefcase from the back seat, slams the car door, and makes his way to the house.
Expecting to see his wife, and have her cater to his needs, having had a bad day at work as breadwinner, he hurriedly enters the house. But she is not home. She had been waiting for him for over twenty-five minutes, having cooked a special meal for the family that evening. Before leaving for work this morning, she had asked him to buy an item needed as a final garnish to the meal, on his way home. Anticipating he might not have had opportunity, she nipped to the corner store before they closed. She had left word with Johnny to tell his father this, and have him look in the refrigerator for a special drink she had prepared him. With her not being home, his anger now turns to profanity. About this time his wife arrived. Hearing the high volume of her husbands voice, she became concerned. She rushed to the house, almost dropping her shopping, only to be met by the verbal abuse of her husband. The entire evening is spoiled, the spirit of which continues through to the next morning.
Johnny's mother rose early that morning, so too did Johnny. She wanted to prepare breakfast and get Johnny ready for school. Johnny was anxious to get to school. Last evening, before his father got home, he had learned to tie his shoe lace and was eager to tell his friends. Something he also wanted desperately to share with his father when he approached the car. In his still festering anger, Johnny's father gets up, quickly dresses and leaves the house, not uttering a word to anyone. Soon after his arrival at work, he receives good news concerning the problem that was bothering him. As a matter of fact, excellent news. He was elated. The monetary and promotional rewards were very promising. About an hour later he receives a telephone call from the emergency services. A drunk driver had crashed into his wife and son, while they were crossing the road to school. She's in a coma and Johnny is dead. He immediately rushed to the hospital. On arrival he had opportunity to read the incident report. It stated, Johnny's skull was crushed by the wheel of the car. At the bottom of the page, an eyewitness stated: "...for about ninety seconds before he died, he had been screaming repeatedly, at the top of his voice, the words "Daddy - daddy - daddy - I can tie my shoelace." His last breath. Two days later his wife also died, having never regained consciousness. HOW DO YOU BREAK A HARD HEART?
In it's principal, the life style and conduct of Mt. Carmel, in addition to our experiences following February 28th, 1993, were a series of tests. Designed of heaven, to address the question, HOW MUCH DO YOU LOVE GOD? This is a question to all of humanity, and predicate to receiving the new covenant (The Seven Seals, The mystery of God) reuniting humanity with God. It required a wholistic and unreserved response from mankind, to facilitate the bonding of the covenant, also known as the marriage of the Lamb. This is what affirms its Holiness.
The Biblical backdrop to this begins in Deut 32:21. Prophetically speaking, God stated;
They (Israel) have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God. They have provoked me to anger with their vanities: I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.
Note the reference to those which are not a people. The foolish nation.
Historically, and as the Prophets foretold, Israel became scattered throughout the nations. A situation arising out of disobedience and rebellion from God. Against the background of the above text, consider the role played by the Jewish influence in the events surrounding Waco. We know the role of the Jewish community in shaping world events. At Waco, one notable such organization was the Cult Awareness Network (C.A.N.)
Isaiah 65:1-3, develops the theme of Deut 32:21, further. Note God being sought and found, by a people who asked not, nor sought for Him. A nation not called by His name. (verse1) As a matter of fact it, was He who found them. Note also the rebellious people, those who provoke Him to anger. (verse 2, 3) The former group of verse 1, who are the foolish nation of Deut 32:21, are spoken of as the people to come by Ezra. [ 2 Esdras (Ezra) 1:33-37 NRSV]
Thus says the Lord Almighty: Your (Israel) house is desolate: I will drive you out as the wind driveth the straw; and your sons will not have any children, because you have neglected my commandment and have done what is evil in my sight.I will give your house (The Kingdom) to a people that will come, who without having heard me will believe. Those to whom I have shown no signs will do what I have commanded. They have seen no prophets, yet will recall their former (iniquities).
I call to witness the gratitude of the people that is to come, whose children rejoice with gladness; though they do not see me with bodily eyes, yet with the spirit they will believe the things I have said.
In Psalms 22 they are referred to as the congregation. The ones to whom the Lamb declares His Fathers name, and who He also calls His brethren. (verse 22, 25) Psalms 40, also refers to them as the congregation. Spoken to by the poor and needy, the one who comes in the volume of the book. His iniquities, said to be more than the hairs of His head. (verses 5-10, 12, 17) Note also verse 14, He has enemies who seek to destroy His soul, in contrast to His bodily life. Waco was a spiritual battle made manifest in the material. In Psalms 45, this people is identified with the King, as His fellows. (verse 7) They are brought to view in Zechariah 13:7; Isaiah 57:1, 2; Micah 7:14; Daniel 7:21, 25; 8:10-13, 24, 25; 11:33, 34: 12:10, and elsewhere. Psalms 89, is of particular importance. Note verses 13-18, in connection with the judgment of Revelation 4ff, reference is made to a people that shall be exalted. Verses 28, 34, 39, brings to view the covenant. In Isaiah 55:3, 4, one is introduced named David, who brings the everlasting covenant. He's described as a leader and a commander to the people (and boy did He lead!). In Ezekiel 20:23-28, they again show up. So too is the process of their being brought under the rod, for the purposes of bringing them into the bond of the covenant.
That, the scriptures speak of this people is abundantly clear. To deny this would be to deny the Word, which amounts to denying Christ, who is the Word and God who sent Him. You will recall from "Mt. Carmel: The Unseen Reality," the issue of the judgment is not, in the first instance, what the Seven Seals teaches, but rather who is worthy to reveal it. We are in no doubts as to its contents and who revealed it. This places us in the picture of the people referred to in the above texts. Additionally our being able to testify to these things, is in itself a witness to our being the ones spoken of. This is no mere coincidence. I do however appreciate, that we live in a generation whose ability to perceive truth is virtually non existent. Further, whose knowledge and faith in the Word is nigh diminished. They require tangible proofs of a divine order, but do not fully appreciate the implication. But this too is to come.
In the meantime, Mt. Carmel was the designated place. Its residents were to be the representatives of humanity, from this generation, to address this age long question. The materialization of the events spoken of in the book of Revelation, namely the Kingdom of the Lamb; the subsequent new heaven and earth; the new Jerusalem, were dependent on our response to this question. A response made apparent through the tests.
The scriptures state very clearly, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." The first of the 10 commandments. (Exodus 20:3) Christ amplified this commandment by stating, he that loves father, mother, sister, brother, wife, husband, son, daughter, life, personal theories etc. more than me is not worthy of Me. (Matthew 10:37-39; 15: 8, 9; 16: 24-27; 22:35-40; Luke 10:25-28; 14: 26, 33; Matthew 6:24; 19:12; 2Peter 1:19-20). To place this temporal reality in all its forms (abstract and material) above God is evidently unacceptable. This is understandable given that it is just a shadow.
Mt. Carmel was designed to give precedents to matters spiritual, rather than matters temporal. The soul rather than the body. There were many who came with inherited and cultivated tendencies relative to matters temporal. Mt. Carmel was not designed to cater to these. Such were challenged to high levels of self -discipline in order to remain, or through want of fulfilling these tendencies, be drawn away by them. Both scenarios occurred.
Those who successfully passed the initial hurdles of inherited and cultivated tendencies were to be proved further, Nebuchadnezzar's fiery furnace if you will. For those who failed, it merely meant that, they excluded themselves from the former group. In the further proving, the tests intensified. An example would be the issue of wives and husbands. Among the deepest of all temporal bonds (ropes). It is more important to note here that, mankind's present relationships and sexual habits, "heterosexual" and otherwise are something tolerated by God. They were crutches to enable man to conceptually appreciate the divine family, and were to come to an end. (I Corinthians 7:2, 7, 29; Matthew 19:12; I John 3:9; Isaiah 56, 57)
Without further elaboration, they were a shadow of the reality, and not that reality. In any event, one might say, I love God more than I love my wife or husband, but do we really? How does one know this to be true? We can say we feel it in our hearts, but then love is not a feeling. What happens when feelings change? Also let us not forget the deceit of the human heart. (Jeremiah 17:9) It requires proving. Indeed, it is certainly a test to have God take your wife or husband away thru death. But does this thoroughly prove the ideal, as distinct from the material, of loving God above your spouse? Certainly one can feel proud, ones faith has endured in spite of God taking ones spouse in death. Nevertheless, is it not a more piercing test were God to take your spouse whom you deeply love, and while yet still alive, to have him or her enter the bed chamber of another? Job, identified the significance of this. (Job 31, note verse 10) Would one continue to love God under such circumstances? Would your faith endure? I think not, were your faith based on a feeling. Here we separate those who love God out of self-sacrificing principle, from those who love Him out of feeling, or in theory.
Of a truth, God himself was made to go through the above tests. It happened when mankind, in Adam and Eve, chose to turn from God to Satan. We placed the temporal (shadow) before the spiritual (real), and through having children, we perpetuated in them this evil. This was a slap in the face of God. Yet He still loved us. He sent His son (Word) knowing He would be further abused, to procure for us the opportunity of life, in place of death. In such actions God has proved the depth of His love for us. It's certainly not a feeling, were it such, I doubt very much whether mankind would be still living today! Is it too much that we should be put through such tests?
By putting humanity (in the persons of His chosen representatives) through these tests, exercising them therein, and separating the true from the false, He was able to bring man back into the bond of His covenant. The tests themselves, were conceptually drawn from the culture of this generation. They reflected what humanity does. Their fears, concerns, loves, hates, lusts, dreads etc. Categorically, the general focus of this generation centers around the stomach, genitals, and self display. The pre-occupation with satisfying these lusts have shaped the economic and social structure of society. In the process people have become desensitized to the effects of over indulgence on matters spiritual, as a matter of fact, for a large class its existence is not even recognized. This state of things influenced the intensity of the tests. They had to be such that they effectively proved our hearts, bringing to the surface the truth of whether or not, our love for God was truly self sacrificing, or merely a pretentious deception arising from our carnality. By them, such deceptions were made apparent, and the opportunity afforded to address them. Not all had to go through all the tests. They were specifically geared to personal need. Nevertheless, they were representative of the experience of the present carnality. We were truly proved and exercised in matters spiritual, perfecting our faith (spirit). Having reached a particular place in the bonding of the covenant, we were allowed to be thrown back to the world. To see whether or not, through what it threw at us it could tear us from the covenant, our Garden of Eden experience if you will. This became our ultimate test. The threat of bullets, deception, torture, gassing, flames, imprisonment, betrayal, shame, humiliation, ostracisation and time, we have withstood. Bearing witness to the bond of the covenant. There is a greater depth to this, relative to the issues in the divine realm. But it makes little sense elaborating further, if people cannot perceive what is thus far clearly revealed. It takes a mind that is spiritually aware, to discern the meaning of these things. Appreciating the truth of the Judgment and the Seven Seals (God's giving of Himself to us, the replacing of our spirit with His) are pre-requisites to a proper understanding of these matters.
The agents of the BATF and FBI, further, the government they represented, lacked the necessary qualifications to perceive these things. So too did the media. Their history of perverting the meaning of reality, manipulating the minds of the public, for purposes of economic and political ends, ill equipped them to discern the truth. For the most part, they didn't seem to care. The truth of the meaning of the reality is not determined by the subjective imagination of the human mind. Had these people the basic common decency to listen, they would not have given themselves over to the forces of darkness. The cruelty inflicted upon us, both by the government and the media (for which there's a recompense) would not have occurred. We needn't have gone through this final test. God was already satisfied with what we had thus far attained.
Our subsequent steadfastness of faith, having nevertheless gone through this final test, proved we were already bonded. It therefore represents an open show of our victory. What we individually experienced is both personal and private, between us and God.
We now have an experience with God, that is eternally unique to us. Our God is known to us and we to him. He sit's on a throne with a book in His hand, sealed with Seven Seals. So too is our brother, otherwise known as the Lamb, the only one accounted worthy to take the book and loose the seals of it. Where then is the room for any humanly devised government.
Verily, the foolishness of God is wiser then the wisdom of man!
Inspite of the mountains of evidence, humanity has problems believing there is a God, let alone knowing, or greater still doing his will.
It is a simple conclusion of reason, that truth (reality as it really is) is in the mind of God, not in the mind of man. It must of necessity follow, that to be in truth, one must be situated in the mind of God. Not in one's own mind, becoming so situated is the work of inspiration: our restoration in the divine and the assurance of salvation. From this vantage point, we are positioned in eternity, seeing as God sees. Religiosity aside, to the extent this is accomplished in us, the purpose of Christ's sacrifice has been successful. The mind is as space, in all of its vastness. Presently filled with the shadows of darkness. An ethereal reality, cast by the now substance of forms suspended in the universe of space - the object of our thoughts. Together they form our essential being. Thinking itself, being the effect of change, having its cause outside our time and space. In an ever present reality of light, symbolized by the stars. To the which, this existence is orientated, and is here experienced as conscience.
The Messianic Kingdom - Isaiah 1:2-3, 24-27; 2:2-4; 25:6-9, 46:12-13; 60; 62 (cf. Mt 5:14, last part); 65:18; Jeremiah 23:1-6; Daniel 2:31-35, 44, 45; Micah 4:1-3; Zecheriah 1: 16-17; 8: 1-3, 20-23; 14: 1-3 (12) 4-11, 16- 19; Psalms 48; 122; Revelation 20:4; 21:10; 22:5.
Inspiration - In-spirit. Being situated in the Spirit of God. Through which we become perceptive of the mind (thoughts) of God ( ICor 2:7-16). It requires our being in a state of meditation on spiritual, as opposed to carnal matters (Psalm 1). To the point where the subject of meditation takes over, unveiling itself, as when a flower opens. It is similar to listening to a person tell their story. In your attentive listening you become drawn into the drama. With inspiration, the difference is you're listening to the Spirit of God, as she reveals the thoughts of God. We bring to the process trust (faith). A willingness to give our minds over to the subject of meditation. Further, an extensive grasp of the text of scriptures - the revealed thoughts of God. The subject of meditation (Psalm 1). Being responsible for the origin of the scriptures, the Spirit take over, and through them, is able to bring our minds to maturity of understanding. A task, otherwise impossible by our own weak sensory based spirit (I Peter 1:19-21).
Without eyes we cannot perceive seeing. Without ears we cannot perceive hearing. Likewise smell, taste and touch. Without being the possessors of the Spirit of God, we cannot perceive the Spirit of God. Without being a possessor of God, we cannot perceive God. Being of earth we perceive the earth. Of water, we perceive water. Of air, we perceive air. Being possessors of thought, we perceive thought. Of conscience, we perceive conscience. Only as possessors of these attributes and qualities are we able to perceive them. This does not deny their independent existence, rather our ignorance of them. Through the process of inspiration we are brought into acquirement of them, thereby perceiving them.
God is a Spirit. Note a Spirit, not merely spirit. A particular way of thinking, producing its corresponding thoughts. The thinking, thoughts and expression thereof (Word) comprises the Godhead. In the image of which, we were created. To be as God, is a characteristic state of being, not possible of ourselves.
Adam and Eve's being deceived was not a result of their not knowing what being God meant, but rather their not knowing what, not being as God meant. They were as God. Being created in his image. In falling from their original state of being - in the all knowing spirit and mind of God - they became situated in their own minds. A state of not knowing. Having lost the consciousness of being as God, we have become the play thing of the adversary and his forces.
From the universe of matter, remove the substances forming earth, water, air, ether, we confront the void (nothing) separating us from the ever present reality of light - the domain of God. In truth, "nothing" separates us from God. We need but believe God to be brought back into the divine. Unbelief is the essence of sin keeping us apart. Exodus 24:10. And they saw the God of Israel, and there was under His feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness. Awesome! God dwells on the circle of the universe in light. We dwell within, in darkness. The darkness in the light. Through inspiration we are brought up into light. The full consciousness of God.
As the body has its shadow, so does the mind. Its shadow being manifested by the light of God, as opposed to the sun for the body. In His light we see our thoughts to be just that, shadows of the true light.
It is not how much skill or knowledge we may acquire, but rather our understanding of the nature of knowing. For all human theories are but crutches and scaffolds for the purpose of constructing the mind. Once the mind is constructed they are no longer needed, and as such are torn down. We should not become attached to them, beautiful as they sometimes are. There were useful means of introducing us to the end object of thinking - an activity of faith, and personal evidence of our essential being. Equipping us to better appreciate the first and greatest thinker of all (God), and His thoughts. The depth of which defies all human thoughts. Hence the title God.
It is through faith that all things are. Without it everything returns to nothing - formlessness, and void. It is a humbling thought to imagine that the universe is established on faith. What we call 'facts' are merely laws of faith. We ourselves are a product of faith - God's faith. And are invited to continue in His faith. To deny His being, amounts to a denial of our own existence. Put another way we are the surest evidence of the existence of God. Because He is we are! The intimacy we share is reflected in the relationship of husband and wife. Indeed, this imagery is pervasive in scriptures, and is fragrant with love. Sadly sin has marred its beauty.
We should not forget that, for our sins, all of mankind has procured to itself death. That we live at all, and are able to benefit of salvation, is strictly by the grace and mercy of God. I am in agreement with the judgment of God, that sin and sinners should be destroyed. Thanking God for His mercy in so judging. As a matter of fact I present myself for the immediate execution of his judgments. Better it is to die, than to live in unrighteousness. Trust (faith) - the sacred union of otherwise free entities, who being so much in love with freedom, covenant to sacrifice all including life itself, for the preservation of the freedom of the other.
Love - the active principle of trust, and aroma of life; fragrant with self - sacrifice.
Freedom - another word for dignity. Our very image of God. The essence of His right as God to create and our right to be His creation. It is from this scared doctrine, that choice is born. To control the freedom of another, particularly in matters spiritual, is to place oneself in the position of God. To do so unlawfully, amounts to a challenge of God's right as God, and man's right to be.
God being a Spirit, rather than mere spirit, implies law. For there are many spirits. The laws issuing from the Spirit - God - His word, sets Him apart from all others. His laws are laws of freedom, for God is ultimately free. Being such, we understand the necessity of His being a Spirit as opposed to confinement to form - a condition of the creature, arising from its creature status. The demarcation between creator/creature affords independence in dependence, individuality in oneness. Further extensions of freedom. Righteousness - simply being right. Having its origin in God, whose right and freedom it is, to will and to do as He wills. The same right out of which creation had its being, and based in the power of God's word to create. To deny God this right amounts to a denial of our creation. Humanity is righteous in so far as it is in a harmonious relationship with God. We have no righteousness outside of this. It cannot be otherwise, since we are not possessors of the power of original creativity.
Being saved is our resting - having faith in what God creates. This is our righteousness, as it was with Abraham, who had faith in God's promise of what He intended to do. Knowledge and faith in what God purposes to do for us, given our fallen condition, is our escape from the consequences of sin. This is where the promised Kingdom of God becomes important. Through our faith in this revealed truth, we are translated - first in mind, then - in body into the Kingdom. Our having to wait for the materialization of this promise, is a result of man's failure to come into the faith of it. Further, God's mercy, in not wanting any to perish. But this process of grace has an end. The finality and far reaching consequences of which, lends justification to the wait. These are not just words. Here is the patience of the saints. Failure to come into the faith of what God purposes to create, excludes us from it. We are therefore obliged to walk in the light of God's promises. Being assured it is impossible for God to lie.
Salvation is a creative act of the same nature, as the creation recorded in the book of Genesis. Only this time God is working with living conscious entities capable of making choices. He respects our choice, to reject or share in the salvation He intends to create. This is the beauty of the new creation, we get to take part in its shape. The awesomeness of God leaves one tingling with excitement and love. It is this God, who identifies Himself as our Father, and we His children.
It was the purpose of the scriptures - God's word - to bring the believer to a place in his/her consciousness, of perceiving and trusting the Spirit of God. In the absence of achieving this, the word is without effect. There are those who hide behind the word, quoting it as if they know it, yet are devoid of its Spirit. The word thus becomes a curse, their damnation rather then salvation. The word without the Spirit is dead. The life of the word, enabling our salvation, is the Spirit. Through this means the true believer is made manifest. Further, it (the word) ensures we identify with the right Spirit, being a testimony of that Spirit.
It is better to be in faith than not. For with faith there is hope. To be on the side of unbelief is to be without hope. Too often people's faith fails, when the object appears not to deliver. They throw out the baby with the bath water, Genuine faith is strengthened in disappointment and delay. Those possessed thereof know that it is of equal value to the anticipated object. From the perspective of God - the primary end of our faith - our being matured in faith is the end/object of His faith. In our becoming situated steadfastly in faith regardless, we become as He is. Being accounted worthy, to receive Him as reward. God is unfailing (faithful) were it not so, the universe would be shaky indeed! Faith and God are inseparable. Our growth in faith (being true) is our growth in God, who is true. His children are to rule in the earth made new, where the entire universe becomes open to us. A wise God cannot give such a responsibility into the hands of weaklings. Look at the mess made of this existence. We are here being trained for eternity. Those who would stumble at faith's door, have lost before even beginning. The issue is not confidence in our faith, but rather in God's faith. He seeks to bring us into the faith of it.
We should not forget that faith is forward, not backward looking, "...the substance of things hoped for... (and) evidence of things not seen." Placing faith in a matter of fact reality, now past, shows ignorance of the nature of faith.
The birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension of Christ, are events of history, and no longer objects of faith. They are facts! One either accepts them or rejects them. For those who accept them, they become reasons, for faith in hitherto unfulfilled testimonies of the word of God. Now objects of faith. This is where the Revelations and prophecies become important. Without a knowledge of them, one lacks intelligent faith. This is important, for when the events are manifested, as was with Christ 2,000 years ago, people are ignorant of their meaning and significance. As a result they act contrary to the purposes of God, showing themselves not to be right with Him. This can have devastating consequences, like killing Christ! Seeing that salvation is being right with God, they lose out, becoming captives to pride. The events of Mt. Carmel (Waco) is a present case in point. It is in the light of the book of Revelation, that Mt. Carmel, David, the Seven Seals etc., are to be understood. Not in the light of the propaganda filled media, and misguided human ignorance posing as opinion. Those subject to such, become snared in the trap of, 2Thessalonians 2:7-12; Jeremiah 50: 24; Luke 21: 34-36. The reward of their insincerity and outright rebellion. Those taking heed to the prophecies avoid this, being found in an harmonious relationship with God, and are judged righteous. Righteousness is really that simple. Those of us who were with David, are judged righteous, having stood and acted in the counsel of God. As revealed in the judgment, and the book Sealed with Seven Seals. There is no mistake about this, now a fact of reality. Were I to say different, I would be lying. How people react to this, will essentially be their judgment, note Matthew 25: 31-46, in the light of Romans 3:21-30.
God's actions in the realm of man, become our reasons for faith. His revealed purposes our objects of faith. His compassion and faithfulness, our compulsion to faith. Our fallen condition, our need of faith. To judge what I have written, to be truth, would be a mistake. Truth is a state of being. In so far as I am in that state of being I am true. My utterances arise from my being in the state of truth, and are therefore true. But they remain just that, utterances. Likewise, the word of God - although true - is not truth. God is truth. It is to God all worship belongs. Christ (the word) came to lead us to the Father, to whom he interceded on our behalf. The Seven Seals reveal the outcome of that intercession. It draws our attention to the salvation, God in His righteousness purposes to create for His son, on account of Christ's faithfulness. His reward, Revelation 22:12-14; cf. Matthew 25: 31-46; 6:33; 7:21-23; Revelation 2, 3.
Intuition - the combined effect of the senses and seed of judgment of the fledgling soul. Developed in concert with conscience, we are thereby made able to think God's thoughts after Him, the Source of true Judgment. By themselves our thoughts are really ethereal labels attached to the feelings (processes and objects) of our senses. True thoughts begin with intuition and, with the aid of conscience, mature into judgments. Such judgments form the basis for true ( correct) thinking, producing its corresponding thoughts. At each level - feelings, intuition, judgments, thinking - a new phase of consciousness emerges. In the light of each development, the understanding of the preceding level is completed. Becoming situated in true thinking, the soul is ready for birth.
The importance of conscience in this process cannot be underestimated. It is like the umbilical cord of the developing child in the womb. The fledgling's link to the soul of the universe from which it is nourished and takes its form. Cut prior to maturity, and the soul fails of coming to birth. It dies and ultimately returns to nothing. As with a soul, so with a nation.
The matured soul combines thinking and its corresponding thoughts, the one male and the other female. The perfect image of God. At the birthing they are placed in separate forms, and are one, completely in touch with every aspect of each other. Perfectly mated. This is God's ideal of marriage, of which Adam and Eve in their innocence were an example. His being formed first was an object less in order. Her being the more beautiful, it was necessary for her to be formed from living substance, rather than raw dust. The majesty of femininity. This ideal has been blighted by sin and has degenerated to what we have today. The plan of salvation incorporates its restoration. Of a truth, the soul is created from nothing, coming via dust. In the Kingdom of God we are born perfectly mated.
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