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((My commentary concerning this vision is simply this…..“let it be”…..))
When this vision began, I found myself as though I was an usher in a theater. I was standing on the side of the theater, right down in that area that between the stage and the audience. From where I was standing, I could not only see the seating area and the stage, but I could also see everything that was taking place backstage. When this vision started, all of my focus was on the backstage area, and it was not only extremely huge, but it was also packed with people. Everyone was hurriedly trying to get ready, for the show was about to begin. I then perceived that all these people who were backstage were all members of Christ’s church. I was then told that all of these people had been preparing to go on stage to act out everything that they believed to be right. Needless to say, there was much tension among and anxiety among them.
Suddenly someone called out, “The Lord is coming”. From the reaction of all those who were backstage, I realized that none of them had been expecting for Jesus himself to come to this performance. The thing that surprised me about this announcement was none of these people seemed to be expecting Jesus to come, but neither did any of them seem to have any desire at all for him to be there. Much to my surprise, all of these people backstage were all walking around complaining about his coming, and each one was murmuring the same words, saying, “I have got my rights! I got my rights!” At first, I was greatly bewildered, trying to comprehend why these people of God would act in such a manner concerning the Lord’s coming. I then realized that this stage was nothing but a platform for each one of these people to act out his own beliefs, as well as his own judgments of others, and his own opinions of how others should live their lives as Christians.
Suddenly all of the lights in the theater were turned completely off; that is, except for the lights that shined on the stage area, as well as the lights that were back-stage. I then realized that I had not even had a chance to even observe just how big this theater really was. I assumed that if the backstage and stage area were any indication of how big the sitting area was, then it must at least number in the thousands. It was so dark that I could not see anyone who was sitting anywhere in the arena. This really disappointed me because did not know how Jesus was going to come, and I wanted to be sure that I saw him when he got there. Regardless of size of the sitting arena, I then assumed that the theater at the very least was close to a sell out, if not a sell-out, because of the enormity of the production and the massive number of people who were partaking in it. Then the curtain opened for the first act, and the first thing that I noticed was that the entire stage had been covered in beach sand.
I do not know how to explain how this happened, but for the opening act, all of the people who were backstage, which certainly numbered in the thousands, were all able to come out on stage. I then noticed that each one was also carrying a banner that said, “Christian”. Then all those who were on stage began to greet each other, hug each other, and tell each other that they loved them.
Then I saw this wolf walk up on stage, and I could not believe how poorly disguised he was as one of the brethren, but he just moved around on the stage also greeting and hugging all of the brethren, and telling them how much he loved them. Then all of sudden this wolf began to preach, declaring how he thought God ought to be worshipped. Many of the people who were there said that they did not believe that was the right way that God wanted to be worshipped, so they did not pay any more attention unto him. But there was this portion of people who had agreed with what he said, and they then announced that they believed that this man truly knew the “right” way in which God desired to be worshipped, and so they followed the wolf. When they had separated themselves into their own little group, the wolf then drew a line in the sand that completely compassed their little group.
I then observed as another wolf, with a slightly different, but still poor disguise, as he came up on the stage. I observed him as he did almost exactly the same thing as the first wolf did; greeting, and hugging, and speaking smooth words until he seemed to be accepted by some. Then after a short time, he also began to declare that which he believed was the “right” manner in which God should be worshipped. Again, many disagreed that his way the “right” way, so they did not pay any attention at all unto him. But just like the first wolf, there was a portion of the people who did believe that the words that he had spoken were truth, and they followed after him, surely thinking that they were walking in the “right” way. Then after they had separated themselves into their own group, the wolf then drew a line in the sand that completely compassed everyone who was in that group.
I then observed a third wolf, and again with the same poor excuse for a costume on, he came up on stage, and he also did exactly as the first two wolves had done, with the same exact results. Then there was a fourth, a fifth, as well as several more wolves who had all disguised themselves in same manner as saints on stage, and they imitated all that the saints had done. This continued until all of the people who were on stage had been divided into different groups; and I noticed that each group had drawn a line in the sand that compassed only their group. I also observed that no longer were any of these people carrying banners over them which read, “Christian”, but rather they were now carrying banners over them that identified the group which they belonged, which was also meant to identify the right manner in which they believed God ought to be worshipped. I saw banners that covered about every denomination that I had ever heard of, and then some that I had not even heard of. I then observed that all of these people still seemed to be friendly towards each; that is, until someone said some-thing or did something that crossed the line (the line drawn in the sand), that is, that disagreed with that which they believed to be right. Then they treated each other as though the other group did not even exist. I then observed that when one of these groups spoke seemed to acknowledge the other group, it was only to evil of them and to make accusations against what they believed. About the only thing that they could agree on was to say, “At least we serve the same God; and we agree to disagree; and we believe that it is our “right” for us to do so”.
Then, as the curtain was coming down on this act, I heard the Spirit of the Lord speak to me and say that which is written in I Corinthians 1:10 “Brethren, I beseech you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Christian), that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment”. Then the Spirit of the Lord also said, “This is what is right in the sight of the Lord”. Seeing that the theater was so dark that I could not see anyone in the audience, I was anxiously waiting to see what manner of response was going to come from the audience; but there was none; there was no cheering nor booing. In fact, it was so quite that I, as well as all those who had been up on stage, felt strange to hear nothing but silence.
Then, after a few moments, the curtain arose, and the second act began. This time the stage was all decorated to look like a carnival or the fair, except there were no rides, just many different side show booths. I then saw at the first booth that there was a man who was barking out to the other people who were in this act, and he was trying to entice them into playing a game entitled “Three steps to a better marriage”. This barker seemed to be so confident of what he was trying to sell, that guaranteed that if anyone played this game his way, which he promised was the “right way” that this game should be played, then they would surely see immediate improvement in their marriage. I then saw at the booth next to the first one, a game that was called, “Five easy ways to financial success”; and the barker at this booth was backing up each one of these five ways with a bible verse, which seemingly ensured that anyone who played this game would surely be successful. Then at the next booth, I saw a game that was entitled, “Prosper and gain favor and grace with God through the Ten Commandments”; and this hawker was even dressed up as though he was imitating Moses.
The next booth that I came to was called the blame game. Here I saw people walk up to the barker of this game, and they would say such things as, “Well, I did not seek the Lord because I just did not have any time to seek him”. Then this barker stamped this man’s hand with a rubber stamp that read, “APPROVED: Self-justified”. Then another person walked up and said, “Well, I did not ask the Lord to help me because I believe that I am able to help myself; that I have no need for the Lord”. Again, the barker took the same stamp “APPROVED: Self-justified”, and stamped his hand with it. The next person that came up said, “I did not cast any of my cares upon the Lord because I did not have any belief that the Lord really loved me enough to take care of me”; bam, “APPROVED: Self-justified”. The next man said, “I know that I have followed after false doctrines and religious traditions, but I only did so because everyone in my family also did the same”; again, bam, “APPROVED; Self-justified” was stamped on his hand also. The next guy said, “I know that I should have forgiven this man, and not have slandered him, but he really offended me and hurt my feelings; and I feel that I am just in hurting him also”. Again the barker stamped “APPROVED: Self-justified”. The next man said, “I would have drawn near to the Lord, but I was fearful and afraid that the Lord might not draw near to me in return”; again, “APPROVED: Self-justified”. Another man stepped forth and said, “I have not loved my brethren because my brethren have not loved me”. Bam; “APPROVED: Self-justified”.
The line of people at this game was always very long, for it appeared as though every- one who played this game, they always left with a smile on their face, as though their own self-justifications had freed them from the guilt of their sins or slothfulness. But then the Spirit of the Lord spoke to me and reminded me of that which is written in Romans 4:5 “But to him who works not, but believes on him that justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for “righteousness”.
The next booth that I came to was a game called, “The path to a wonderful life is to live life the right way; and the right way is the way that I tell you”, by John Doe. I was observing that all those who were playing this game, they all seemed to be able to win a victory or two, as though the hawker of this game had allowed them to, so that he could get them just where he wanted them; where he could entice them to continue playing this game until they were so confident that they had the victory, that were willing to risk everything that they. Of course, every one there continued on playing, and when all was said and done, they had not only lost all that which they had previously won, but they had also lost all that which they had before they starting playing the game.
Then the next booth that I saw was like a game that I first played at the fair when I was a kid; a game where you paid a dollar and got to throw two softballs in your attempt to knock over six milk bottles that had been stacked upon each other. The reason that I thought that this was a similar game to this game that I had played when I was a child was because I saw all of these stacks of balls placed on a counter at the front of the booth, just as they had done with this other game. But when I began examining this game to see if it was indeed this game, I saw a man come out and stand in the middle of the back of the booth, facing towards the front of the booth. Then the hawker began to yell out, “This man has been accused and judged to be a child molester”; and without him saying another word, it seemed like everyone then stepped forward, picked up some balls, and began throwing them as hard as they could at this man. I immediately discerned from the noise that these balls were making as they hit this man that they were not softballs at all, but rather stones that were appeared to look like softballs.
After all had finished throwing their stones at this man, he was then dragged out and another man was brought in who stood in the same place as the other man had. Then the barker began to yell out that if there was anyone there who had been offended at all by this man, whether by any word that this man had spoken previously, or because his appearance did not meet their approval, or because he had weaknesses and sins, then come forth and take your best shot at him. After this man was also dragged out of the booth, then another man was brought in; and the barker began to accuse this man for the beer that he drank and the cigarettes that he smoked, and immediately many people eagerly stepped for-ward to throw stones at him. I saw another person brought forth and stoned because he ate fried foods.
I then watched as a young girl was brought forth, accused and then stoned for fashion she chose to wear her clothes. Another man was accused and stoned for being gay; another man was accused and stoned for being of this world; another was stoned for being in the wrong political party; another was stoned for not agreeing with the traditions of others; another was accused and stoned for his religion, another for his race, and another for his nationality. And then there was the man who was accused and stoned for rooting for the wrong team. Then there was the teenage boy who was stoned for not living up to his parent’s expectations. There was a man who was accused and stoned for making a bad decision, and many others were accused and stoned for just making a mistake. There was a teenage girl there that was accused and stoned for not following her parent’s instructions. And of course, there was a young woman there who had been accused and stoned for committing adultery. But the stoning that aroused my curiosity the most was the one about a man who had been stoned many times before for the same offence. But evidently the barker must have gotten great pleasure out of seeing this man suffer for his sin, so he had him brought back out, and he was stoned all over again.
As I continued to watch all of these stonings take place, I suddenly realized that everyone who was there throwing stones, as well as all those who were just standing around, they all appeared to have the same bruises on their own bodies as all those who I had just seen be stoned. Some of their bruises appeared to be so faded that it was if they were almost healed, but somehow I felt as though seemed none of these bruises would never be completely healed. Then there were also bruises on everyone that were so fresh that it appeared as though they themselves had been stoned in the past hour or so. Of all the barkers that I had seen in this act, it was without a doubt that this barker was the best I had seen; for he was able to get everyone to participate in a game many times over in which they themselves had also been hurt in many times over.
I then observed that every time one of the participants hit the person who he was throwing, then that same barker would walk over and give them a piece of paper that was entitled “Official certificate”; and on this certificate was written, “This certificate is your official certification that gives you righteous justification and excuse to judge, or to accuse, or to speak evil, or to condemn, or to find fault with, or to murder, or to slander, or throw stones at all those who have offended you, or defrauded you, or hurt you, or that have sinned against you in any manner”. Of all the booths that I saw displayed in this act, this game, by far, seemed to be the one that people most enjoyed playing; seeing that it is the favorite sport of the self-righteous.
As curtain began to fall on this act, I was wondering who this barker was that could so easily deceive the people of God into participating in a game in which every time they played, they were only condemning themselves. How could this barker so easily entice these so called Christians to play a game where they so willingly and eagerly desired to inflict such pain on those who Jesus Christ came into this world to save, having suffered and died for all men. Then the Spirit of the Lord spoke to me and said, “It is just a sport for Satan to kill, and to steal, and to destroy the lives of all of the saints. It is also only a sport for those who have been deceived by him to do inflict the same pain on those around them”. Then the Spirit of the Lord said, “Truly, everyone who has judged without mercy is also going to be judged without mercy; seeing that God is going to judge them with the same judgment that they have measured and judged others by”. As the curtain came down, again I neither heard any cheering or booing; just an eery silence that seemed to swallow up the entire theater.
When the curtain rose for the next act, I saw several different groups of people who were sitting at round tables, and each person had a Bible opened in front of him. After I had listened for a moment, I realized that a different topic from the scriptures was being discussed at each table. I then focused my attention on the group that was sitting closest to me, and I discerned that they were discussing the doctrine of “once saved always saved”. I then listened as each person shared his own opinion of what he believed to be the “right” interpretation, and each person would use the scriptures themselves to try and back up that which they believed. As soon as someone would hear an interpretation that did not completed disagreed with what they themselves believed, they would almost immediately interrupt the person who was sharing to express their disagreement. Everyone there seemed very confident that the opinion that he believed was right because he was a able to take a verse of scripture, apply his own understanding to it, and bring forth that which he was sure was the truth. It was not long before much strife, contention, and arguing broke out at this table, seeing that everyone seemed willing to defend to the death that which they believed to be right. I noticed that everyone at this table was talking at the same time; and this made me realize that there was not one person in this group who really desired to learn the truth of this matter, for no one had any intention but to defend that which they believed to be right.
I then focused my attention on the other groups, and I heard one discussion taking place about the rapture; another group was discussing tithing; another group was discussing speaking in tongues. But all of the groups had become just like the first group in that each person was using the scriptures to back up the interpretation which he believed to be the “right interpretation”. By this time, there seemed to hardly be any agreement among any of these groups, only arguing and strife. Every time someone would use a scripture to back up his own “righteous” opinion, then you could see others already flipping through the scriptures to back up their own interpretation. Then suddenly, the curtain went down leaving everyone on stage still arguing and defending their own opinions and interpretations. Still, there was not one peep of noise that could be heard coming audience; no cheers, nor jeers. Only silence.
After a few moments, the curtains again arose for the next act, and the first thing that I noticed was what looked like podium right in the middle of the stage, and it stood about 8 feet off the floor; you had to climb a small set of stairs just to stand at it. Again, the rest of the stage was again packed with people. As I was trying to figure out the purpose of this podium, I then observed as a man walked up the steps, stood at the podium, and then proceeded to declare all of the righteous works that he had done. When he was finished, another came to the podium who then began to boast about how often he prayed and fasted, as well as how much money he gave to his church. Then a woman came to the podium who spoke of her involvement in a soup kitchen, as well as the role that she thought that women should take in the church. Then another man came up who spoke in detail about the importance that tradition had in his church. The first thing that I became aware of listening to these people was that they were all speaking of those things which were precious and dear to their own hearts. The second thing that I noticed was that no one else there really seemed to care at all what these people esteemed to be the treasures that they lived their entire lives by; for while they were speaking, all the rest who were on stage seemed to be engaged in small chit chat with those around them.
I then continued to listen as person after person came to the podium, all declaring that which they believed was the right way for a Christian to live. There was one man who came to the podium who, before he spoke the first word, seem to roll out a laminated scroll that continued nothing but documents that reached from the top of the podium to the floor; and it contained his college diploma, two seminary degrees, several counseling certificates, as well as certificates from every one day seminar that he had ever attended. He did this in his attempt to validate himself before the others as though he was the one there who was best qualified to teach how others should live a Christian life. After him came a man who tried to preach his view of the place that he felt like the church should have in society. Again, not one person on stage seemed to be listening, as all seemed to be still engaged in small conversations around the stage. After that man left, a woman took her place at the podium, and she began to exalt herself by comparing herself with the Proverbs 31 woman, not even realizing that Proverbs 31 is not even speaking of a fleshy woman. Still, no one paid any attention to her. There was a man who got up and boasted of his religious doctrine, calling it his old time religion. There was another man who boasted of how many people he had won to Christ; and another boasted of how big his church was, and yet another who boasted of how well his church was hooked into the most modern technology. The people kept parading to the podium for quite some time, with each one boasting of their own goodness, or the strength of their own will-power and determination, or their own intelligence, or their own righteous works.
To be honest with you, I was saddened to see these people speaking of those things which they valued the most, and the truth was that there was no one else that really cared about anything that was being spoken of. Everyone there seemed to be so enamored with self that they could not hear anything that did not seem to be beneficial to self. It was almost as if the person who came to the podium did not even exist in the eyes of the others who were on stage. When the curtain went down on that act, again there was not any applause or jeering; only a silence that suggested that all those who were in the audience cared no more for what they had heard than those others who were on stage. It was then that the Spirit of the Lord spoke two words to me, and I immediately recognized both of these words as coming from the scriptures. The first word was that which is written in Psalm 39:5 “…Truly, every man at his best state is altogether vanity (worthless; vain). I then realized the truth of about all that I had just seen and witnessed in this act, as well as all of the other acts; that man at his best state, devoting himself to any doctrine or counsel whereby he believes that he can do or say anything right of himself, is of no worth at all. Yet, it is of these very things that the people of God gather into the treasures of their heart to live their lives by. Even then, they only have great value to “self”, because everyone else is also absorbed in “self”; and self-righteous means that which is right to one’s own “self”.
The second word that the Spirit of the Lord spoke to me was that which is written in I Peter 1:24 “All flesh is as grass, and “all of the glory of man” is as the flower of grass. The grass withers, and it’s flower falls away. But the word of the Lord endures forever”. What does a man glory in except those things which he believes and does for himself? And what man believes or does anything that he does not believe is right?
Suddenly, the lights came on throughout the theater, and I was shocked to see just how huge this theater actually was; far bigger than anything that I had imagined. It was more like a football stadium in size than a theater. But I was then even more shocked to see that out of all the seats in that theater, there was only person sitting there. He was sitting about 20 rows back and right in the middle seat. I do not know how I knew, but I knew that it was Jesus. He had truly come, and he had been sitting there throughout the entirety of this play, watching everyone play out those things which they believed to be right. Then Jesus stood up and said, “I have seen all the works done here, and I have heard all of the words that have also been spoken; and all that I have seen is vanity, and all that I have heard is vanity; vanity of vanities. This is the act that is, but is not; and that was, and was not, and neither shall it ever be”. A great grief then came on me as I realized that all that which this church had prepared for, as well all that which they truly valued in their hearts, was vain and worthless in the sight of God.
Then Jesus walked down in front of the stage, and turned to walk out the exit that on was the opposite side of where I had been standing. I then realized that the door that Jesus was about to walk through was not really an exit at all, but rather an entrance into another theater. Then I remembered that this was a twin theater. Just as Jesus opened the door, he turned, and motioned to me and said, “Come out of there and follow me”. So I did. When I walked into this other theater, I saw that it was exactly the same size as the other theater; and the seating area, the stage, and the backstage area were all lit up. I then observed that there was a person sitting in about every fifth seat, and many of the people there came over to greet me. I was then told that all of those who were in this theater had come out of the other theater, and that they had all witnessed the same show that I had witnessed, and they were also told by Jesus to follow then into this theater. I then myself sat down, also taking a seat that was about 5 seats from the nearest person.
When I had walked in, I had observed that there was not person at all back-stage. I then observed that the only prop was a large beautiful wooden chair sit-ting in the middle of the stage; and laying beside this chair was a bag that looked similar to the old leather bags that postmen used to carry. It was then that Jesus walked up on stage, and when he did, the theater erupted with great rejoicing and praise. I was then struck by the contrast in which Jesus was received by those in the other theater when they were told he was coming, seeing that I had only heard much murmuring and complaining. Then Jesus, with smiles of great joy sat down in that big chair. And when the cheering had completely subsided, Jesus then greeted everyone of us by saying, “Thank you for believing on me and on my words. Thank you for waiting for me to come to finish the works that I have started. I want to thank you also for enduring my correction, and not loving the corruption of “self”. I want to thank you for believing my word by taking up your crosses and dying to your own desires to be god over your own lives; dying to the lies that have enticed you to believe you can do good of your own self, as well as the lies that have sought to deceive you into believing that you can make your own opinions to be the truth. (I then remembered that which Jesus had said in John 15:5 “Without me, you can do nothing”. Then Jesus said, “Thank you for your patience and your faith”.
Then Jesus reached down into the bag, which I then perceived to contain the prayers of these saints who were here, and he pulled out a card. He then proceeded to read aloud that which was written on the card, “Lord, we have been as a scattered sheep for so long; for there has been division and strife among us, and we know that the members of your church should be like-minded, as well as esteeming the lives of our brethren to be greater than our own. But Lord, you have asked us to do that which we have no wisdom of ourselves to do; thus, it is impossible for us to be that body which you desire to have. If you are willing at this time, would you bring your flock together”? I do not know how to explain this, but this prayer seemed not only to be the request of just one of us, but it was as though it was the prayer of everyone who was sitting in that theater. Then Jesus simply said, “Unity, Be”. And suddenly, we all found ourselves sitting no longer sitting five seats apart, but rather, right next to each other. It happened so fast that there no way for any of us to see how Jesus did this. He simply spoke it, and it was. Not only were all so stunned at how the Lord did this, but we were also stunned in that we all felt as though we had known each other for all of our lives; as though we had all been best friends.
Then Jesus reached down and pulled up another card and read, “Lord, I know that when you called me that you gave me the belief that you were the Son of the living God; and that you shed your blood to cover my sins; and that you were crucified and raised from the dead, but Lord, will you finish the work that you have started in me and give me that belief which believes that all things are possible?” Again, it was as though each one of us could have written that prayer request, for we had all been asking the Lord to do the same. Then Jesus put down the card and said, “Belief, Be”. Suddenly, everyone in the theater just started touching everyone around them with their hands, and some cases, their fingers, and we were all healed of all of our infirmities and weaknesses. This time, everyone in the theater stood up and cheered; rejoicing and praising Jesus for what he had just done. Though none of us felt like we had any sense of time, we must have praised the Lord for hours after that; not only for the belief that had been given to us, but for all the works that were done as a result of that belief.
Again Jesus reached in and pulled out a card with this request upon it, “Lord, you promised that when you came, you would set us free from all of our bond-ages to Satan’s lies. Would you do so now?” At first, Jesus seemed not to pay any attention to this question as he reached back into the bag and pulled out another card and read it, “Lord, you said that it would be by your hand that you would make us to be kings and priests; would you now make us kings and priests unto you?” Then Jesus looked towards us all and said, “I promised you that when I would return, that I would make all those who remained faithful to my words to be a ruler over all that you have. It is done. Now speak and loose your own selves from your bondages”. Immediately, we all began to say such things as, “Anxiety, be gone”; “All evil thoughts, be gone”; “All fear, come out and be cast into the sea”; “Division and strife, perish”; “Uncertainty, flee”. No matter what we spoke immediately came to past. That which we ourselves had not been able to tame was suddenly tamed through the authority that Jesus had given us over our own tongues. It was simply incredible and amazing; for all that misery and trouble that had so easily ruled over the thoughts of our mind were so easily cast out.
No matter what was spoken, it was done. It was just like how God does things, “Light Be”, and it was; and just like Jesus also did things, “Be healed”, and it was. Wow, who would have ever thought that when the Lord made you ruler over all that which you had, it would have been your tongue? I then remembered that which was written in James 3:2 “If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, able also to bridle (rule over) the whole body…8 “But the tongue can no man tame; an unruly evil full of deadly poison”. Again, everyone stood up cheering loudly and rejoicing, praising Jesus and giving thanks to his name; and again, this went on for quite some time. What a contrast to silence that followed all of the acts that I had seen in the other theater.
By the time Jesus pulled out the next card, we were just all filled with joy unspeakable and very giddy, knowing that from this moment on, it was impossible for anything to be impossible. We knew that whatever was asked, we were going to see Jesus perform it. The request on the next card read, “Lord, you said once we believed on you, then you would do that which is exceedingly abundantly above anything that we are able to think or to ask; so would you now do that for us?” Then Jesus, with a child-like smile on his face, leaned forward to towards us and said very quickly, “Abra Cadabra”; and suddenly we were all changed. We all had been changed into the bodies of that of a 20 year old; yet, our faces were that of a child of about 6 years old. Then Jesus, still smiling, said again, “Abra Cadabra”, and we suddenly found ourselves in the most beautiful mountain setting, and we were all standing on top of the water of this mountain lake. The beauty of this place was indescribable. Then we all began walking around kicking at the water like a small child would do in a mud puddle, amazed at the feeling of walking on water as though we were walking on ground. Then Jesus again said, “Abra Cadabra”, and all manner of animals and birds came out of the forest, and they all walked out on the water and stood with us, and they began talking with us. Even some of the fish stuck there heads out of the water so that they also could speak with us. It was like being a living part of a fairy tale, where there was no limits or boundaries that could be placed on Jesus and the things which he was able to do for us. As much joy as we had seeing Jesus do all of these things for us, so also did Jesus seem to have just as much joy performing them for us. Then one final time, Jesus, having the countenance of a playful child, said, “Abra Cadabra”; and we were all immediately back in the theater.
Then Jesus reached down in the bag one final time and he read this request, “Father, you said that unless you built your church, all of our labor would be in vain. So would you now build your church like the one described in your word?” Then Jesus looked up and said, “Church, Be”. And immediately a beautiful spirit filled the room, and it began to stretch forth itself as though it was changing itself into some manner of rope. Then we all seemed to be able to discern that it was not the image of a rope, but rather some manner of soft, beautiful yarn. Then we all watched in amazement as this spiritual yarn began to move in and out of our bodies, actually knitting our hearts together in love a love that was more beautiful than the spirit itself. I know that I myself watched this yarn move in and out of me, but the only thing that I felt was a love for my brethren that was nothing like anything that I had ever experienced before.
The effect of this love was not only a feeling of oneness with everyone in that theater, but it was also a feeling of a unity in liberty. I then realized that every-thing that I had ever loved, I always felt like I must have some manner over it, like one of my favorite shirts; or that I must be in control of it, like my job; or that it must have my approval, like my children; or that I must meet their approval, like my parents; or that it something had to be there that was pleasing to me, like my wife. No, it was not like anything that I had known, but it was like this love freed our minds of all our judgments of other, and we delighted in the liberty that we all had to be ourselves without having to do anything with the thought that it had to please someone else; yet, there was no selfishness at all in this love.
In this new love, we were all still individuals, but we loved each other because it had simply become our nature to love each other without any conditions placed on that love. There was neither any worry among any of us as to what God himself thought of us; for we all knew in our hearts that we were loved by God for the individual that he made each one of us to be. There was no distrust among us, nor was there any worry that you might do something that would cause the others to cease from loving you. In fact, there was no desire in any of our hearts to compare or measure ourselves to anyone else; for we all knew that we were loved by all just as we were. There was not one jealous thought, nor any envious thought, nor any thought to find a fault with another, nor was there any manner of evil thought at all among any of us. There was no judging of any kind among us. In this love is no desire to exalt yourself above others because there is no thought of “self” in this love; only communion with all those around you.
Though I have tried to describe this love in the best manner that I know how, I know that trying to describe this love is like trying to tell somebody about how big this rock was that you saw, and in their minds, they are thinking that you saw a boulder; but then when they actually got to see it, they saw that you had been trying to describe Mt. Everest to them. There are no words in any of man’s languages that can be used to describe a love that not only does not exist in this world, but that cannot even be imagined by the thoughts of any man. This love can only be known by experiencing it. Yet, all that was necessary for this love to come upon us was for Jesus to send his Spirit into us. This love brought forth a unity and a oneness among us, yet it was without any controls, or rules, or laws, or limitations. Just as I can not find the words to describe this love, neither am I able to find any words that can properly define the freedom that was in the liberty that was also brought forth by this love. Even though it was liberty, there was still an absolute loving care for one another that went far beyond any of the boundaries that are of any worldly relationship that I have I ever experienced, or that I have ever heard of. Wow, what a church; and all Jesus did was say, “Church, Be”, and it was.
Then Jesus reached over and pulled out one last card with this request on it, “Lord, I have one desire, and that is that you might give me a new heart and a new mind so that I might be changed into the image of my Father who is in heaven. I would love to have a mind that did not think that it was robbery to think that I could be equal with my God”. Jesus then looked up at all of us, and with tears of joy in his eyes, he then said, “Done”. Then at that very instant, we all witnessed another spirit come forth out of Jesus that was even more awesome in beauty that the other spirit that had brought brotherly love into our hearts. It was as if the first spirit that we saw was as only one color of a rainbow, but this spirit contained all of the colors contained in a rainbow. Suddenly, we all loved our heavenly Father with all of our heart, with all of our soul, with all of our minds, and all of our being. Then we were filled with another manner of love for our brethren that we had not yet experienced, one where we would gladly lay down our lives for our brethren; and this love was so strong, that if you were actually in a place where you it might be required for you to lay down your life for your brethren, there would be no thought in you not to do it.
Then we were all filled with a love for all those who we, at one time or another, had considered to be our enemies. We loved those who hated us; we those who had offended us; we loved those who used us; we loved those who had slandered us; we loved those who were evil and unthankful; and we loved those who persecuted us. Then if that we not enough, we were all then filled with a love for the unlovable; all those who have not met this world’s approval, but have either been outcast, or despised, or neglected, or rejected, or branded in some manner or another. It was then we all knew; we knew that we had been made equal with God through love; unconditional love towards “all” men. There was no desire in any of us to be exalted as God is so that we might be made equal with God. There was no desire in any of us to have any power in ourselves so that we could be made equal with God. There was no desire in any of our hearts to rule over or to have control over the lives of any other; only love. And neither was there any desire in us that said that we must have a name as esteemed and as honored as God’s so that we could be made equal with God. No, no, none of that stuff; for I could now clearly see that all of those desires only came forth from Satan, the very same desires that caused him to fall from his place in God’s kingdom. In fact, it was these same desires that seemed to motivate all those who were acting in the other theater.
When this love had finished filling our hearts, we again all stood, cheering, praising, and greatly thanking our Lord Jesus for all the work that he had just per-formed for us. We sang songs of praise and worship, which went on for what seemed like for many, many hours; but it never got old because of the joy and the life which was now in our hearts and minds. After this time, Jesus stood up and said to us, “You are now my witnesses; witnesses of my love, my goodness, and my power. Now I am sending you out into a world filled with hopelessness, vanity, loneliness, hatred, uncertainty, as well as all manner of wickedness and darkness. I am sending you forth as my priesthood of believers, those who know believe that the only show in town is what I will do for you because I love you. Go, and you know that I will always be with each one of you”.
We were all so excited about the performance that we had just witnessed; and we also knew that we had just witnessed the performance that has no end to it, rather a beginning that would never have an end. We also all had similar feelings, that even though we had just witnessed the power and the love of the Lord in a manner that was far greater than anything that we had ever experienced, we also knew that what we had just experienced was nothing compared to that which was getting ready to come. It was as if we had not only witnessed the real “Greatest Show on Earth”, but also a coming attraction of a show that was going to even be greater. The Spirit then quickened unto me that which Jesus had promised the church, “The works that I do, you will do greater”. Wow.
As I was leaving the theater, I looked back to see how the marquee described what I had just seen. I saw that the marquee on the left side of the theater read, “Mystery Babylon; the false church” Starring all of the foolish who desire to be glorified and exalted as gods”. I then read the marquee that was on the right side, and it read, “New Jerusalem, the church of Jesus Christ”; starring Jesus Christ, and all those who came out of mystery Babylon”. I then thought to myself, “Wow, what a difference there was between the two performances; like the difference between night and day, or should I rather say, like the difference between darkness and light. I then saw this written across the bottom of the marquee, “Coming Soon; very soon: The 144,000 who were redeemed with love and have overcome the world”.
Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through belief that comes forth from the power of the Holy Spirit.
Mitt
Spiritual warfare is a spiritual (non-tangible) battle between opposing forces. The waging of war against an enemy are acts undertaken to destroy the strength of another.
The Webster’s Dictionary definition of warfare:
Military operations between enemies
An activity undertaken by a political unit (as a nation) to weaken or destroy another
Struggle between competing entities
The waging of war against an enemy
In Ephesians 6:12, the Apostle Paul teaches us that we are contending with an enemy. This enemy is an invisible foe. He is our adversary that seeks to oppose God’s plans for us.
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms”.
Many times believers refer to warfare as a position of attack by satan. There are very few of us who are willing to rest in our position with Christ, our rightful place seated with Christ at God’s right hand in the heavenly places far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and wage war against satan. We as followers of Christ must know that in any battle, the Holy Spirit that resides inside of us is greater than that of the world.
When engaged in warfare with the enemy we have to rid ourselves of all ungodly thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors that do not align with Jesus’ teachings preserved for us in God’s word.
Our enemy’s military is made up with armed forces. Satan has an army of demons that are equipped with weapons that works against us to defile, destroy, harass, tempt and attempt to enslave mankind.
2 Corinthians 10:3-4 (NIV)
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the word does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary; they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
These weapons that are used are not physical weapons of flesh and blood, but for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds. By using the weapons of warfare, we are able to put an end to the attacks by our adversary which results in a victorious end.
Before we talk about our spiritual weapons of warfare, I want to first expose some of the weapons that are used by satan and his demonic assailants. Satan uses fear, afflictions, rejection, unbelief or doubt, rebellion, pride, shame and lust as weapons against followers of Christ to defile the hearts of believers in effort to prevent us from fulfilling our destinies. Fear has been his greatest instrument of attack used in the battle and a root issue or strongman in the factor. Fear is the enemy of faith. Fear is bondage.
The enemy uses fear as a weapon against the saints of God. Fear disarms and immobilizes the saints to prevent activity. If in fact a child of God is inactive, He or she is also ineffective for use and therefore is sitting dormant and can not wage warfare against the enemy. Fear is also used in aiding the delays of times and seasons. If you are crippled with fear you will not be able to move into the things of God and therefore enabling the enemy to win over your confidence. In Judges 7:1-8 God commanded Gideon to send those who were filled with fear home. They were not able to confront their enemy in fear. Many Christians have experience this fear in several avenues which has allowed the enemy access of possession and control over them. Fear of public speaking- which results in not answering the call of God for that particular purpose, fear of stepping out on faith- which results in standing still and missing God opportunities to be used by Him, fear of failure- which results in missed accomplishments that overcome obstacles, fear of being alone- which results in not waiting on God for the proper mate or settling for less. This will also allow insecurities and lack of confidence to take root.
Satan wants us to live in bondage to the past and even the future, but God wants us to live in the freedom of His love and power in the present. As the Apostle Paul wrote, “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of Sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father’”(Rom. 8:15). For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love and of sound mind” (2 Tim. 1:7).
God has given us weapons to counter all satanic influence and activity. We have been given authority over the enemy and the ability to oppose his weapons against us. We must be effective in our warfare. So let’s move into what some of our weapons are against the enemy. You may find that God has given you more weapons and even different ones, this is simply what the Holy Spirit led me to use while on the front lines of engaging war against the enemy. I’ve called them my 5 stones to defeat the giant.
Praise- Satan and demons just hate hearing people praise God. Praise releases the presence of God in a way that satan cannot resist. And we know that in His presence there is fullness of joy according to Psalm 16:11. Praise silences the enemy. Psalm 8:2 When the devil comes at you with his weapons of doubt, fear, rejection, you have to lift you voice and praise God anyhow. It’s a difficult thing at times when your soul has been crushed. Or even when you feel as though it’s the end of the world. But when using your weapons of warfare, there is no time for emotionalism. You are in a battle. You have to focus only of truth and that’s the truth of God’s word and what He has already said about your circumstances.
The Word of God- When Jesus was tempted by the enemy in Luke 4:1-13 he overcame the enemy by using the Word of God. One of the reasons why Jesus was so effective in this victory over satan was that He knew what God’s word said. Not only was He is the Word made flesh. I found it very interesting how satan thought he knew what he could say in his attempts of temptations. He also knew God’s word. In fact he knew the Word before the Word became flesh. He even attempted to use God’s Word against Jesus. If you are going to be effective in your spiritual battle you must know the Word of God and know how to use His Word in the proper context. Don’t just be quoting scriptures for any occasion. Know the scriptures to declare for that given circumstances. If satan came to you with thoughts of feeling unworthy and worthless, made you feel as though you was less than the dirt you’ve walked on and tried to tempt your into worldly living in effort to serve him. Don’t start quoting scriptures like. “give and it shall be given unto you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your lap.” But declare that you are fearfully and wonderfully made, you are a child of the Most High God. You are more than a conqueror, You can do all things through Christ which strengthens you. You are not conformed to this world, but you are transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Amen? When we study and meditate on the Word of God that word becomes alive in us. The Word gives us victory over satan. Know the word to be more effective in spiritual warfare.
Prayer- Proverbs 8:34-35 Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoever finds me finds life, And obtains favor from the Lord; Prayer is simply communicating with God. The importance of communicating with God in spiritual warfare is that when you release your concerns God is able to fill you with solutions. He imparts revelation into you that will give you the answers to whatever problem at hand. When communicating with God, He will release wisdom to you so that you will know the proper steps to take in a matter. Proverbs 15:29 states The Lord is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous. The Lord is a God of justice, He will be very gracious to you at the sound of your cry when he hears it he will answer you.
The Name of Jesus- Jesus has the name above all names. I found it very effective to just say the name of Jesus. There is so much power in the name Jesus. There is great authority exercised when using the name of Jesus. By using the name of Jesus you are using authority over all that His name represents. What does His name mean to you? Philippians 2:9-11 “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Ephesians 1:18-25 “I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparable great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority , power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”
Fasting- Fasting when done according to the Word of God is a very powerful weapon to use. “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Isaiah 58:6 Fasting is a lifestyle for a spirit filled believer. I have applied God’s instructions on fasting to my lifestyle and have seen remarkable results, spiritually, physically, emotionally and financially. When engaged in warfare, fasting will enable you to successfully view God’s plans in any given circumstance. Even if God leads you to just fast for whatever purpose, fasting will pierce through darkness and lift false burdens from your path. I’ve also notice that fasting is a cure for busyness. Often times people become “too busy” for the things of God and are consumed with the cares of the world. Fasting will redirect your focus to a purposeful life with God. It was during a 21 day fast that I was able to purchase my home after trying three years. I didn’t fast to get anything, but while fasting I was prompted by the Holy Spirit to begin the process. While fasting, the Holy Spirit will lead you to make the proper decisions that are in alignment with God’s plans for that season of your life. Meditate on Isaiah 58 when fasting.
It is my prayer that God will continue to bless you and release revelation as you walk with Him on your journey!
by Marsha Burns — December 3, 2008:
You, beloved, have again been reproached through the disappointment and disapproval of others. This has brought a sense of condemnation and a subtle, vague impression of guilt and shame. Take the time and make a conscious effort to roll away this reproach from you because it is an attack of the devil and a curse against you. Rise up in the reality of My love for you and refuse to allow this attack to bring you down, says the Lord.
Psalms 119:22 Remove from me reproach and contempt, for I have kept Your testimonies.
December 4, 2008:
Deliberately let go of everything that hinders your forward spiritual and physical momentum. Don’t let up, stop, give up, or go back. If you will persist in moving through the difficulties that have materialized at this point in your life, breakthrough is just ahead. Refuse to allow disappointment or discouragement to devastate your hope or debilitate your faith. Be strong. The enemy will lie to you and try to make you believe that you are not strong enough or smart enough to do this, but I tell you that in your own strength, you may not be, but I am with you and in you, says the Spirit of the Lord, to give you the strength and wisdom that you need to overcome.
2 Corinthians 12:9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
December 5, 2008:
It is impossible for you to accomplish anything when you are overwhelmed by frustration. You must quiet your emotions. Be still so that you can receive My wisdom and direction to get through this roadblock. Look to Me, and know that what is frustrating you is no surprise to Me, and this is a moment in time when you can choose to release it to Me and get some real help. Either I will use this opportunity to bring you to a place of greater understanding and faith, or you will sit at this barricade for as long as it takes to awaken you to realize your inability to progress apart from My help, says the Lord.
Definition of frustration: A deep and chronic sense of insecurity and dissatisfaction arising from unresolved problems or unfulfilled needs.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
by Ron McGatlin
Is it really possible to not only endure but thrive through times of extreme personal and worldwide change? As world systems crumble and life-long situations are abruptly changing, how can it be possible to not be weighed down with concern?
It may depend largely on where we are connected. Let me explain. If our life is connected to the past and dependent on how things were, we will not continue to prosper when that to which we are connected crumbles or fades away. Lives that are connected to the natural world though the passing secular and religious systems will not thrive in the time of severe shaking.
Heb 12:26-28: Whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven. Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.
History emphatically teaches us that all worldly kingdoms are temporal. Any man-made worldly system that we are connected to and dependent upon is subject to major changes and even disappearing. When that to which we are connected is failing, we will not thrive but languish.
Only the spiritual kingdom of God is forever and never fails. Connecting to the unchanging kingdom of God assures us the potential to thrive even while worldly kingdoms are failing.
Those who have severed their connections to secular and religious systems and are connected into the everlasting spiritual kingdom of God will thrive. The bright light of heaven will shine within them and from them. They will be a part of bringing intense spiritual awakenings to many people. The living presence of God in their lives will draw out and rescue many that are perishing without hope. Once translated into the kingdom they too can thrive as sons of God.
Many who have trusted in fallen-world systems will be without hope clinging to pieces of the crumbling old systems. Some will begin searching for real life – searching for a solid foundation in a fluid world. Many will then be given ears to hear the real gospel of the kingdom of heaven on earth. They will turn from their old ways and come to Jesus with their whole hearts to be set free by the powerful presence of God. The effects or results of their ungodly living that had been passed down to them from their forefather’s will be severed as they are adopted into a new heritage of their heavenly Father in the kingdom of the Son of His love.
Col 1:13: He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.
Gal 4:4-7: But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
Rom 8:14-:15: For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”
Changing Our Connection
For some of us this may seem impossible or unreasonable. The past systems may have been good and served us well. Our connection to secular and religious systems has been our lifeline and the key to our thriving in the world as it existed at the time. Looking to a spiritual kingdom may seem nebulous and uncertain after abiding so long connected into worldly kingdoms. Walking and living in the Spirit may not seem as solid or as real as walking in the secular and religious past. Real faith is required to be fully translated from the kingdom of this world into the spiritual kingdom of God.
We are not talking about an abstract pseudo “faith” or fantasy coping concepts to fill our minds with unreal dreamy expectations. We are speaking of a victorious faith supernaturally empowered by the Spirit of the One for Whom and by Whom all things were created and continue to consist. Real faith is anchored in intimately knowing and being known of Christ Jesus as mature sons and heirs of God in Christ.
Everyone has faith in something. We have been trained to have faith in our abilities and in the systems of the fallen world. We have faith in higher education to make us more successful. The fallen world systems taught us to trust in money and accumulated wealth. You can know what kingdom you are connected in by how your time and effort is spent. Most people spend years getting an education to be able to have more money and what it can buy. However, they spend very little time in seeking spiritual truth. For most people seeking pleasure and entertainment far exceeds the time and effort spent in seeking the spiritual things of God and godly living.
To change our connection we must change what we are seeking in life. Sadly the secular world has taught us that spiritual matters were mostly irrelevant to practical life. While religion taught many that seeking spiritual things was for the primary purpose of securing heaven after death. Little consideration has been given to seeking spiritual matters for ordering this life. For most people secular or natural things have been the primary if not the only considerations for preparing for and living this life. Religious things were usually only added in as a small part of one’s life, if at all. The people of the world have connected fully into the secular/natural reality and for the most part ignored the far greater and more important spiritual reality of God and His kingdom.
This backward self-seeking life focus characterized by need, greed, lust, and pride is the cause of worldwide economic, ecological, and political failures. The failure of the secular and religious systems will cause many people to become desperate for a different way of life. The door will be wide open for many to seek new life in the kingdom of God.
Mat 6:33: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
I suspect the greatest spiritual awakening ever may be before us as the light of the real gospel of the kingdom flowing through the powerful presence of God penetrates the darkness of the hearts of men and intervenes in world affairs. A new genuineness will come to the people of God as persecution and difficult times expose the shallowness of life based on the past secular and religious systems.
The major purpose of spiritual awakenings and revivals is more than getting people born again and more than getting them into a church and more than teaching them the Bible. The real purpose of revival and spiritual awakening is the kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven. Revival is to lead to kingdom living now in this life, developing pure holy mature sons of God to rule and reign with Christ. The end of this matter is the return of the kingdoms of this earth to the kingdoms of our God and Christ Jesus preeminent in all things.
Recognizing Kingdom Values
Kingdom values are usually the opposite of fallen-world secular values and different from religious church system values. Stated in brief and general terms some kingdom value changes are: faith instead of fear and worry, giving instead of taking, forgiving and blessing instead of resenting and retaliating, selflessness instead of selfishness, serving instead of being served, sense of always having enough instead of a sense of need, peace and joy instead of strife and depression, rest instead of unrest, focus on heaven’s ways coming to earth instead of going to heaven some day, focus on spiritual reality instead of natural: in general, God-seeking instead of self-seeking and walking in the Spirit instead of the flesh or intellect.
These are just some values that will shift in people who are connected into the kingdom of God and freed of the systems of this fallen world. All of the attributes of God are potentially available through Christ Jesus by the Holy Spirit to all mature sons of the kingdom of Christ.
Some Basic Lifestyle Changes
Family and extended family will grow more closely knit instead of widely scattered and individualistic. The kingdom family will be God-focused and led by the Holy Spirit. Family worship, prayer, and family interaction will replace television, video games, and other forms of empty entertainment. Community will develop among neighbors who trust and pray with one another. Community families will not just look out for themselves but will care for one another. Competition will be changed to cooperation.
Fathers will return to protecting and providing strength and encouragement for their children. Irresponsible and random bringing children into the world or worse disposing of unborn babies will stop. The kingdom norm will be one man and one woman working together with extended family and neighbors to raise godly children and protect them from the devastating wayward lifestyle that many of the past generation grew up with. Joy will be abundant within families walking with God that is not dependant on external situations or circumstances. Children’s hearts will be insulated from devastating stress by the loving presence of God. Adversity will be about, but the solid foundation of a loving family in God’s presence will keep us during the times of difficulty.
There is much more that will change, but these are some examples of thriving in a season of difficult changes.
Isa 26:3: You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.
Col 3:2-3: Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Col 3:5-14: Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.
But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.
The kingdom of God is a spiritual kingdom that changes the world.
The short version is that the kingdom of God works by love – the pure holy love of God in His people through Christ by the Holy Spirit.
Keep on pursuing love.
It never fails.
Ron McGatlin
