THE RECOVERING OF CHRIST

PART VIII

THE LORD APPEARS IN HIS GLORY

We are dealing with the New Creation, the reality of our life, and the reality of our union in Christ. We are dealing with the reality of our life, our union with Christ, and the reality that our union and our life is Christ. And all of those statements are accurate. Everything is finally summed up in a greater realization of Christ.

References:

Union in Christ

Jn 17:20-23

Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

Gal 3:28

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

Rom 12:5

So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
Union with Christ

Rom 6:4, 8

Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. …Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:

Rom 8:17

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

Gal 2:20

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Eph 2:5

Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

Col 2:12-13

Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

Col 2:20

Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,

Col 3:1

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Our Union & Life - is Christ

Jn 6:57

As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.

Jn 14:19-20

Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

Rom 6:11

Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Rom 6:23

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

2Cor 4:10-11

Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

Gal 2:20

Col 3:3-4

For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

1Jn 5:12

He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

Reality of the New Creation

We have been looking at the reality of the New Creation. We will start there and then come back to the purpose of that New Creation. We have come to this in our searching together and there is something with which the Lord would like to confront us. There are those of you who will be confronted by the Lord in your spirits, and I think you will have to do something about this confrontation. The Spirit of the Lord will require something from you, because to whom much is given, much is required. And when the Lord begins to appear, that appearing will always have some consequences. You and I can not grow in the Lord, come to a greater view of Christ, and then remain status quo. So if that is your intention, I am telling you now that some disruption will take place. However, the Lord is always faithful to give direction where direction is truly sought. There will be those who are confronted because the Lord has just built to this confrontation. We are going to be confronted with this reality. It will come off the page and get right into our souls, right into our hearts, and it will do so in the face of JESUS CHRIST. It will do so as part of a greater view, a greater revealing of Him - not just in some Biblical information, not simply as some scripture, not only as some doctrine, but it will come into your heart as a realization of the Lord!

Reference:

Lk 12:48

But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few [stripes]. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

His Workmanship

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works..." (Eph 2:10). Remember, as discussed previously regarding "great expectation", that in Romans there is the statement of expectation and then it comes down and says "And we know... [we who are IN Christ with expectation of Christ, we who are in Christ expecting the Lord of Glory to appear] "…that all things work together for good, to them that love [are loving] God, to them who are called according to his purpose" (Rom 8:28). What is that good? It is that "for whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son that he might be the firstborn among many brethren" (Rom 8:29). "We are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works" (Eph 2:10). Now let’s look at that verse as it is should be understood (For we are his workmanship, a creation in Christ Jesus purposed for the intention of God…). What is this "intention" of God? It is simply "…to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren" (Rom 8:29, emphasis added). This is the "good" thing, which God hath intended from before the world was.

His Divine Increase

"…Which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them" (Eph 2:10). Now we have seen that from the disruption of the world not only is there a New Creation but that God has great purpose for that New Creation. We have also quoted the scripture several times, II Corinthians 5:17, "…if any man be in Christ, he is a New Creature [Creation]. Old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." All things in that creation are of God! Hallelujah! All things in that creation are reconciled unto God. And that creation is given the word of reconciliation and the ministry of reconciliation. You will be confronted, if you have not already, by the Spirit regarding this: that you are a New Creation and as a New Creation, you have an exclusive purpose, and that purpose is only fulfilled and shall only be fulfilled in the fullness of Christ Himself. Our very purpose for being in Christ - our very purpose for living - our very purpose for existing - IN HIM, as a New Creation is for the purpose of His divine increase. That increase comes forth in us - a New Creation, a workmanship created in Christ Jesus for a divine purpose that God ordained in Himself before the foundation, before the disruption of the world. God purposed in Himself, ordained in Himself, determined in Himself a purpose for you and me in Christ Jesus that we be conformed to the image of His Son - that His Son be the firstborn among many brethren. What does that mean?

References:

2Cor 5:18-19

And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

Jn 3:30

He must increase, but I must decrease.

We are In a Person

Colossians, the first chapter (the sister epistle to Ephesians), verse 13, "Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness and hath translated us..." What a tremendous word - HATH TRANSLATED US! That is a divine work of the Spirit of which too many of us are still willingly ignorant. He has translated us (brought us from one creation into another - one kingdom into another) "…into the kingdom of his dear Son" (Col 1:13). But in the margin notes, as well as other versions, the literal Greek says, "the Son of His love." The following verse begins, "In whom..." (Col 1:14). This creation is not a what but rather a whom. Jesus speaks of it in John 14. He says in the coming of the Spirit of Truth you will come to understand, you will know that where I am there you are also, because you will know that I am in my Father, you are in me and I am in you. We are not in a place. No, we are in a person. Hallelujah! The New Creation is not a thing. No, no, the New Creation is a person. The first creation was summed up in a man, Adam. The second creation is summed up in the second man who is the Lord from Heaven. You and I have to do with a person. Hallelujah to God! It is not a thing, not a religion, and not a work. No, we have to do with a person. We are set for the learning of a person, for the knowing of a person, and for the full manifestation of a person. Hallelujah! It is not a religion, not a doctrine, and not a teaching. IT IS A PERSON!

References:

Col 1:13 (KJV with margin notes)

Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: {his…: Gr. the Son of his love}

Col 1:13 (1901 American Standard Version)

who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love;

Jn 14:3

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Jn 14:20

At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you

Comprehending the Church

It is in this comprehension that we are able to come to a comprehension of one another. Until we come to comprehend one another in Christ, we will never have a true comprehension of one another. We will just be a bunch of Christians – much like a bunch of lodge members. We must come to comprehend what our union is, that we are bone of his bone, flesh of his flesh, spirit of his spirit. We must comprehend that our being a New Creation has to do with our union with Him. "At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you" (Jn 14:20). Jesus continues in verse 23 saying that He and His father will come and make their abode us. That is a glorious realization. When one is confronted with this, he will never be able to see the New Creation as just a building, an organization or a collection of people. He will be confronted that the Church, the real Church, is a divine expression in the earth of that heavenly relationship. The Church has to be something more than where you go. The Church must be an expression of CHRIST THAT YOU ARE A PART OF. It must be real - not something that convenes on Sunday morning and dismisses at noon. Somebody will be confronted with that understanding, and then he will have to do something about it. Blessed be the Lamb.

References:

2Sam 5:1

Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh.

1Cor 12:12

For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

Rom 8:9, 16

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. …The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

1Cor 6:17, 20

But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. …For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Eph 4:4

There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

Jn 14:23

Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

Eph 1:22-23

And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Eph 5:30-32

For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

New Comprehension – New Expression

You can not pour new wine into old bottles. A new comprehension of Christ must bring forth a new expression of Christ that will facilitate His fullness - not just the petition of man. The Church is that which is an expression of Christ. It can be in a building. It can be in an auditorium or in a tent. In different countries it meets in all of those places. I met with the Church in an attic in Communist China. It took three days to do that, but it was the Church I met with. It was a living, breathing expression of Christ that I met with. It was not a bunch of people deciding whether or not they were going to be Christians. No, they were believers who comprehended they were part of a New Creation. They have no life but Christ. It was the Church I met with there.

References:

Mrk 2:22

And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.

Col 4:15

Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.

Philem 1:2

And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:

1Ptr 5:13

The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.

He Might Have the Preeminence

Well, continuing in Colossians, "...in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins" (Col 1:14). Yes, all of that is there. "Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature" (Col 1:15). This is referring to Him being the firstborn here in this New Creation. We just read in Romans 8:29 "... to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren." The firstborn: "For by him were all things created, that are in heaven and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him. And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the Church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from [among] the dead..." (Col 1:16-18). We have read these scriptures, but what is the purpose of a New Creation? What is the purpose of our being in Christ? - "... that HE MIGHT HAVE THE PREEMINENCE IN ALL THINGS" (Col 1:18). Hallelujah! It is a creation where He has the preeminence, where He is the firstborn, where He is the reigning Son, and where He is the head, beginning and fullness. "That in all things he might be having the preeminence."

This creation is for a harvest, and the harvest is the fullness of the Lord! We have been talking about the SEED, the KIND, and HARVEST. Here He is the seed. This whole creation is birthed by the seed of God. "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever" (1Ptr 1:23). This is for the purpose of that seed bringing forth after his own kind unto a full harvest! This creation is expecting a harvest. God planted his seed in it in expectation of harvest.

A Creation In Waiting

That brings us back to where we were concerning the fact that this creation is a creation in waiting. The word "hope" means expectation. Expectation – "…Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Col 1:27). It does not mean that He just GIVES you some hope. It means Christ in you IS the expectation of glory. He is the glory that is waiting. He is the glory held in expectation. It is Christ in You. And a whole creation is waiting on His appearing. Glory to God. Paul says, "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed IN US" (Rom 8:18, emphasis added). I Peter 4 verse 13, "But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy." Where is his glory going to be revealed? - IN YOU! Peter and Paul are both talking about the same thing: the glory that shall be revealed in you. Listen, creation of God. There is a glory waiting to be revealed in you; the Lord of Glory come to be magnified and glorified IN his saints, in his saints. The word "glory" as noted before, by Greek definition means "the self revelation of God" and secondly it means "the divine nature of God in expression". Therefore the word "glory" is not a stagnant, dormant term, but an active term. Oh, blessed be the Lamb of God.

References:

Strong’s Greek Lexicon: Col 1:27, "hope" <1680>

1680. elpiv elpis el-pece’; from a primary elpw elpo (to anticipate, ususally with pleasure); expectation (abstractly or concretely) or confidence:— faith, hope.

Online Bible Greek Lexicon: Col 1:27, "hope" <1680>

1680 elpiv elpis el-pece’

from a primary elpo (to anticipate, usually with pleasure); TDNT-2:517,229; n f

AV-hope 53, faith 1; 54

1) expectation of evil, fear

2) expectation of good, hope

2a) in the Christian sense

2a1) joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation

3) on hope, in hope, having hope

3a) the author of hope, or he who is its foundation

3b) the thing hoped for

Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words: Col 1:27, "glory" <1391>

1. doxa ^1391^, "glory" (from dokeo, "to seem…It is used (I) (a) of the nature and acts of God in self-manifestation, i. e., what He essentially is and does, as exhibited in whatever way he reveals Himself in these respects, and particularly in the person of Christ, in whom essentially His "glory" has ever shone forth and ever will do,…the exhibition of His attributes and ways;… (b) of the character and ways of God as exhibited through Christ to and through believers…

(from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words)

Glory Working In this Creation

"Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh IN us, unto him be glory IN the Church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen" (Eph 3:20-21, emphasis added). There is a glory working in this creation and the Spirit of the Lord would bring this creation (as we talked about in a type as a mother in the throes of birth), bring Mt. Zion, to the time of birth. When Zion travails, glory to God! Who is it that is magnified in Zion? Who is set upon his holy hill but THE LORD? It is THE LORD! (Psalm 24).

References:

Jer 4:31

For I have heard a voice as of a woman in travail, and the anguish as of her that bringeth forth her first child, the voice of the daughter of Zion, that bewaileth herself, that spreadeth her hands, saying, Woe is me now! for my soul is wearied because of murderers.

Mic 4:9-10

Now why dost thou cry out aloud? is there no king in thee? is thy counsellor perished? for pangs have taken thee as a woman in travail. Be in pain, and labour to bring forth, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in travail: for now shalt thou go forth out of the city, and thou shalt dwell in the field, and thou shalt go even to Babylon; there shalt thou be delivered; there the LORD shall redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies.

Is 66:8-9

Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children. Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the LORD: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? saith thy God.

Rom 8:22

For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

Rev 12:2

And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.

Rev 12:4-5

And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.

Ps 24:1-10

The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods. Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.

Ye Are Come to Mount Zion

Do we know where Zion is? Zion is in Canaan. Zion is not in the wilderness; Sinai is in the wilderness. The writer of Hebrews brings all of that right over into Christ. Hebrews 12:18 says that we are not come to Mt. Sinai. Verse 22 says, "But ye are come unto Mount Zion…" Ye are come - Where? IN Christ - to Mount Zion, because everything of which Canaan was a type is fulfilled in a New Creation in Christ Jesus. In the Old Covenant, "Mount Zion" always refers to "the high thought of God". It is God's highest thought concerning a people. That is what Zion represents. And He sets His throne in the top of Mount Zion. Do we understand what God's ultimate intention for Zion is, the mount that we have come to in Christ, the mount that is here in this New Creation, the mountain that the word of God says is a people who are dwelling in the high thought of God? David, as a type of Christ, took Israel to the top of Mount Zion, unveiled the ark of the glory of God, lifted the veil and in Zion the glory of God was revealed in the midst of the people. And that was the fading glory; that was a type. But in Christ the reality of the Spirit is come. Hallelujah!

References:

Ps 132:13-18

For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired [it] for his habitation. This [is] my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it. I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread. I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy. There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed. His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish.

Ps 2:6

Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.

Ps 78:68

But chose the tribe of Judah, the mount Zion which he loved.

Is 59:20

And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD.

Is 60:14

The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

2Sam 5:7

Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David.

2Sam 6:1-2

Again, David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand. And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the LORD of hosts that dwelleth between the cherubims.

2Sam 6:12, 15, 17

And it was told king David, saying, The LORD hath blessed the house of Obededom, and all that pertaineth unto him, because of the ark of God. So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obededom into the city of David with gladness. …So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet. …And they brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.

Ps 50:2

Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined.

Ps 102:16

When the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory.

Is 25:7

And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations.

2Cor 3:7-11

But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth. For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.

Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, "ZION"

[ZIE un] (fortification)-- the city of David and the city of God. The meaning of the word Zion underwent a distinct progression in its usage throughout the Bible.

The first mention of Zion in the Bible is in <2 Samuel 5:7>: "David took the stronghold of Zion (that is, the City of David)." Zion, therefore, was the name of the ancient JEBUSITE fortress situated on the southeast hill of Jerusalem at the junction of the Kidron Valley and the Tyropoeon Valley. The name came to stand not only for the fortress but also for the hill on which the fortress stood. After David captured "the stronghold of Zion" by defeating the Jebusites, he called Zion "the City of David" <1 Kin. 8:1; 1 Chr. 11:5; 2 Chr. 5:2>.

When Solomon built the Temple on MOUNT MORIAH (a hill distinct and separate from Mount Zion), and moved the ark of the covenant there, the word Zion expanded in meaning to include also the Temple and the Temple area <Ps. 2:6; 48:2,11-12; 132:13>. It was only a short step until Zion was used as a name for the city of Jerusalem, the land of Judah, and the people of Israel as a whole <Is. 40:9; Jer. 31:12>. The prophet Zechariah spoke of the sons of Zion <Zech. 9:13>. By this time the word Zion had come to mean the entire nation of Israel.

The most important use of the word Zion is in a religious or theological sense. Zion is used figuratively of Israel as the people of God <Is. 60:14>. The spiritual meaning of Zion is continued in the New Testament, where it is given the Christian meaning of God's spiritual kingdom, the church of God, the heavenly Jerusalem <Heb. 12:22; Rev. 14:1>; (Sion, KJV).

Also see DAVID, CITY OF.

(from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary)

What is God's type concerning Zion? "Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come. For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof. So the heathen shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth thy glory. When the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory. [Hallelujah!] He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer. This shall be written for the generation to come..." (Ps 102:13-18, emphasis added). We are that chosen generation, that royal priesthood, that New Creation in Christ Jesus. This is written to us! The rest of the verse reads, "... and the people which shall be created for the praise of the Lord" (Ps 102:18). We are created in Christ Jesus. And the expectation of Zion, the expectation of the mount of the Lord, the expectation of a people created for his praise shall be fulfilled when the Lord of Glory appears in his holy mountain.

References:

1Ptr 2:9

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

Mtt 17:1-5

And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

Veil Done Away

Glory to God. You and I are set in Christ for such a revealing. This term "The Lord appeared, the Lord shall appear" as used in the Hebrew is brought right over in the New Testament words for "reveal" and "revelation", which are "apokalupto" and "apokalupsis" meaning the covering taken off, the veil done away - the revealing of the Lord. Paul used the term when he said, "…when it pleased God…to reveal his Son in me…" (Gal 1:15-16, emphasis added). Hallelujah! Peter uses both these terms synonymously in 1Ptr 1:7, and 12-13.

References:

Online Bible Greek Lexicon: Gal 1:16, "reveal" <601>

601 apokaluptw apokalupto ap-ok-al-oop’-to

from 575 and 2572; TDNT-3:563,405; v

AV-reveal 26; 26

1) to uncover, lay open what has been veiled or covered up

1a) disclose, make bare

2) to make known, make manifest, disclose what before was unknown

Online Bible Greek Lexicon: 1Ptr 1:13, "revelation" <602>

602 apokaluqiv apokalupsis ap-ok-al’-oop-sis

from 601; TDNT-3:563,405; n f

AV-revelation 12, be revealed 2, to lighten + 1519 1, manifestation 1, coming 1, appearing 1; 18

1) laying bear, making naked

2) a disclosure of truth, instruction

2a) concerning things before unknown

2b) used of events by which things or states or persons hitherto withdrawn from view are made visible to all

3) manifestation, appearance

1Ptr 1:5

Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed <601> in the last time.

1Ptr 1:7

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing <602> of Jesus Christ:

1Ptr 1:12-13

Unto whom it was revealed <601>, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. 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 <602> of Jesus Christ;

When He Appears

We previously mentioned, "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above,…set your affections on things above…" (Col 3:1). Why? "For ye are dead [as to that world], and your life is hid with Christ in God" (Col 3:2). What does that mean? "I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you" (Jn 14:20). If your life is hidden with Christ in God, if you are here in Christ, then when shall your life appear? "When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear [as one] with him in [his] glory" (Col 3:4). Hallelujah to God! If we have only one life and that life is Christ, our life will appear WHEN HE APPEARS! If we are a creation created for the expression of the Most High God, when will that expression take place? When He appears - who IS the expression of the Most High - WHEN CHRIST IS REVEALED IN US! This is a creation in waiting - a creation in divine expectation.

This is the reason that I get up and go to bed. This is the reason I live every moment of my life in a divine expectation of His appearing in a creation of which I am part - because that appearing takes place in us. Every time I open the Word I am in expectation of His appearing. Everywhere I go and with whomever I meet, this expectation goes with me. And He "…who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will…" (Eph 1:11) shall bring that expectation to its fullness. Hallelujah to God! Nothing of significance happens until He appears. A whole creation is waiting in expectation. A whole creation is so filled with expectation that there is no way you could get them to exchange that expectation for anything else - like a mother in child birth. What could you offer her as a substitute when she is in the throes of labor? Nothing - no, expectation has come too far.

References:

2Thes 2:1

Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,

Heb 10:25

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

The LORD of Glory

Isaiah 42:1-9, "Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law. Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house. I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them." Oh Hallelujah! - MY GLORY I WILL NOT GIVE TO ANOTHER.

Lord Appears In His Glory

There is a Lord connected to this glory. Now we have preached on the glory of the Lord, but there is a Lord connected to this glory. There is One of whom it was prophesied, who would come and at a time His voice would not be heard, as it were, above a whisper. He would not so much as bring offense even as to break a bruised reed or quench a smoking flax. But he would set judgment in the earth. We know that He came and set judgment in the earth BY HIS CROSS. However, it is also said of this One that He becomes a light to the Gentiles. And it is said of this One that He will not give His glory to another. Before these things come to pass, they are spoken of concerning this One. The whole of the scripture is full of this, but I want to emphasize something. This matter of the glory of God belongs to the Lord alone. It does not belong to me; it does not belong to you. The purpose of this creation is that the Lord of Glory appears and that the Lord appears in His Glory. Very clearly – there is only one man to be exalted in this creation, and that man is the LORD!

References:

Is 42:2-3

He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.

Jn 5:22

For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son;

Jn 5:27

And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.

Jn 9:39

And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.

Jn 12:31

Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

Lk 2:32

A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

Is 42:6-9

I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house. I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.

Ps 46:10

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

Ps 57:5

Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth.

He will be exalted in every manner, in every part, but it is the Lord who will be exalted. We have built a whole religion around the exaltation of ourselves. It is the nature of man to do that. We have taken offices unto ourselves, offices that rightly belong to the Lord, offices that are distributed throughout His body, which in fact are measures of Himself, and we have glorified man. But the Word of God, through the scripture, declares a time of His appearing. Paul brings it right over into view in I Corinthians and says just this, "For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh…are called: but God hath chosen…the base things…" (1Cor 1:26-28), the things that are nothing. Why? It is so "that no flesh shall glory in his presence...that, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord" (1Cor 1:29-31). I am telling you, creation of God, there is a time that is upon us, and the time is His appearing when none shall glory but the Lord.

References:

Eph 4:7-8

But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

Eph 4:11-13

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

The Glory is the Lord’s

When the Lord of Glory appears: in His Holy Sanctuary - which sanctuary you are, in his house - which house you are, in His creation - whose creation you are; this creation is set to manifest the glory of God throughout the earth. But the glory is not ours. THE GLORY IS THE LORD'S. And until the Lord of Glory be revealed in you, there is no glory of the Lord to be expressed. It will just be an exaltation of man. There is a whole creation waiting, but throughout the Bible, right on through the prophets and the parables, we are urged to WATCH and WAIT. The Church has adopted a carnal view of that, but the truth is in the scriptures. Go there and search. We are a New Creation. Christ is in there in us. He is in us in expectation of glory. What are we expecting? Expect that Christ that is within us will appear, that is, be revealed in us, that we become a manifestation of His Glory. Until there is a revealing of Him in His own house, then His house is without glory. So it becomes the work of flesh. And today many have wearied in waiting because their view is outwardly instead of inwardly. They are looking to the sky instead of the heaven of heavens. His appearing is in the heavens. This appearing, in the heavens, is in His own Holy Sanctuary. WE are that sanctuary. The writer of Hebrews declares that. We are that sanctuary made without hands for the purpose of His appearing. We are that New Creation made without hands for the purpose of His appearing. We are a people created for that. But when shall it come? It will come when the Lord shall appear in His glory! Paul says it this way, "…beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, [we] are changed into that same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord" (2Cor 3:18). When Paul says, "Beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into that same image…". He is talking about the image being the LORD of glory, that is the image into which this new creation is to be conformed. It is the image of Christ, His likeness, His kind.

References:

1Cor 6:19-20

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Heb 3:6

But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.

2Cor 5:17, (NKJ)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Mal 3:1-3

Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.

Heb 9:24

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:

Gal 6:14-15, (NKJ)

But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.

Glory Filling the House

This is a creation whose heart cry is that the Lord be revealed in them. This is a creation whose greatest expectation is the appearing of the Lord of Glory - filling the house with the glory, the expression, the manifest nature and character of Himself. Then that house becomes a light to all nations and a city set on a hill, a city that hath foundations. This is not some kind of man-made religious gimmick. We have certain ones that get tired of waiting. When they get tired of waiting, they quit waiting on the Lord of Glory. So we start trying to manufacture things. We substitute programs for His appearing. We substitute ourselves in His place. We call it "getting busy for Jesus" and most of the time it is just works of the flesh. Ask any mother, who has ever waited in expectation of childbirth, if waiting is doing nothing. Waiting is full of activity, but the object is HIS appearing, not me doing something. There is a purpose to it. Everything is controlled by that waiting - where we go, what we do, our thoughts - everything. It is not me doing nothing, but the object of it is not me doing something. The object of it is HIS APPEARING!

References:

1King 8:10-11

And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD, So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD.

Eze 43:5

So the spirit took me up, and brought me into the inner court; and, behold, the glory of the LORD filled the house.

Eze 44:4

Then brought he me the way of the north gate before the house: and I looked, and, behold, the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD: and I fell upon my face.

Rev 21:23-24

And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.

Heb 11:10

For he [Abraham] looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

Every moment, every second, every split-second is filled with the anticipation, the expectation of beholding Him. It makes a difference - God shining forth "…the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Why? It is because "…we have this treasure in earthen vessels…" (2Cor 4:7). Hallelujah!

Reference:

2Cor 4:6-7

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

Thy Light is Come

Isaiah 60:1, "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee." To whom do we think this is written? If it is not written to that New Creation in Christ Jesus, let us cut it out of our books and throw it away. But Paul brought this right over into the New Testament Church and said, "…arise…and Christ shall give thee light" (Eph 5:14). Hallelujah! "Ye are…the children of the day…" (1Thes 5:5), therefore walk in the light of it. To whom is it that His coming is as a thief in the night? It is to those who are not walking in the day! Oh, bless His Holy Name. "For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. Lift up thine eyes round about, and see..." (Is 60:2-4). Look at verse 14. "The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, the city of the LORD, the Zion of the Holy One of Israel" (Is 60:14).

References:

Eph 5:8

For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

1Thes 5:4

But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

"Surely the isles shall wait for me, the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee" (Is 60:9). This is talking about God revealing His Son - in you. Hallelujah! This is speaking of the Lord appearing in a people, in a city, in a temple, in a creation. It is talking about God magnifying the Lord in you. It is talking about the Lord of Glory appearing in a people and appearing in a New Creation. Now, let us talk about the book of Isaiah starting in chapter six. "In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw also the Lord… [Where?] …sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up and his train filled the temple" (Is 6:1). As a result, the glory of the Lord, the express image of Himself, filled all of the earth. And (to paraphrase Isaiah) when he saw that, it was so far beyond him that he fell on his face and cried out, "My God, I can't even speak such a thing." But the Lord came, laid a coal upon his mouth, and said, "You will declare this vision." Everything in the book of Isaiah flows out from the Lord appearing in his temple and the results of the Lord appearing in his holy tabernacle. It is not a book of history; it is a book of Spirit. It is a book of truth, and it is declaring the Holy One of Israel. It is declaring the Lord of Glory appearing in His own sanctuary. Hallelujah!

Reference:

Is 6:1-8

In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

He is a light to the Gentiles, because when He came in a bodily form, He came that His voice not be heard. He came that he draw no attention. We just read that. He comes to bring judgment. And he says in John 12, "Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me" (Jn 12:31-32). Where is it that His voice shall be heard? Where is it that He shall be seen? Where is it that He shall sit upon his throne? It is in you! It is in me! Hallelujah to God. And when the glory of the Lord appears in us, those who are transformed into that image, then the glory of the Lord shall fill all of the earth.

God Revealing His Son

We must see that God's intention is to reveal His Son in a people and that a people become the expression, the evidence, the appearing of Himself. We are certainly not talking about becoming God. We are talking about one God having expression in a New Creation. We are not talking about a bunch of little Jesuses. We are talking about one Lord being revealed in His Holy Sanctuary and that sanctuary being filled with the expression of Him to the point it becomes as a city set on a hill. I am talking about a creation having a seed planted in it, watered, coming forth in full harvest unto the glory of the Almighty God. I am talking about Christ being formed in a people to the extent that that very people become the expression of Christ in the earth. I am talking about the Lord Jesus when He came and said, "…he that hath seen me hath seen the Father" (Jn 14:9). He did not say he was the Father. This is the same Lord Jesus that said, "…Father,…that they may be one, even as we are one" (Jn 17:21-22). I am talking about a creation that when it is unveiled, it is the glory of another, the expression of another - even of Him who created it for that very purpose. I am talking about God revealing His Son in you and about that becoming the very desire and expectation of your soul so that it becomes the purpose for your gathering, the purpose for your searching, and the purpose behind your praying; and that everything you do to one another and as one (in ministry and in whatever you do), in full expectation of His appearing. It will make a tremendous difference. Glory to God!

References:

Gal 1:15-16, emphasis added

But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me…

Rom 8:28-29

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Mtt 5:14-15

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

1Cor 3:6-7

I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

Gal 4:19

My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,

It makes a difference to me. I come and go in full expectation of His appearing. I speak every word in expectation of His appearing. The Father has a heart set on bringing His Son forth in people. If I am going to be a laborer, then I want to be a laborer together with God for the increase of Him. I am here with you in expectation. We are set in Christ for a great expectation - that the Lord's glory appear; that the house be filled with the glory of the Lord; that the earth "…be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea" (Hab 2:14). We have tried to fill the earth with religion, we might as well fill it with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord.

References:

1Cor 3:9-10

For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

Hab 2:13-14

Behold, is it not of the LORD of hosts that the people shall labour in the very fire, and the people shall weary themselves for very vanity? For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

Reveal Thy Son In Me

I do not think that the world or anybody else cares about my religion. The creation is waiting in expectation of the manifestation of the sons of God. That will never take place until the Son is revealed in us. Nations are waiting for the light. That will never take place until the Lord of Glory appears in His creation, because His creation is designed to be that light. Oh, Hallelujah! ARISE AND SHINE! Why? The glory of the Lord is come upon you. Let there be a turning of our hearts to see Him, a turning of our hearts that He may appear. It must start somewhere. Why not let it start in you? It must start somewhere, some part in that New Creation, why not start with this part. REVEAL THY SON IN ME! REVEAL THY SON IN ME! Amen. Let it start here in this part. Glory to God. That is for what we are purposed. We are not purposed to simply run around saying, "I'm a New Creation." That New Creation has a purpose, and that purpose is the increase of Him brought forth in the earth to the glory of God our Father. Hallelujah!

Reference:

2Cor 3:16-18

Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

LORD, I THANK YOU FOR THE PATIENCE OF THESE DEAR PEOPLE, TO WAIT THROUGH SO MANY WORDS. IN ALL OF THE VOLUME, LET THY WORD, THY VOICE BE HEARD. SOMEHOW LET THE SPIRIT OF GOD BRING SOULS IN THIS PLACE TO A CONFRONTATION WITH A COMPREHENSION OF CHRIST OF WHICH THEY CAN NEVER TURN AWAY. DO THAT LORD BY YOUR SPIRIT. BRING US INTO A COMPREHENSION THAT WE ARE NOT INVOLVED IN A RELIGION, BUT IN A PERSON - IN A PERSON! FOR THE PURPOSE OF GIVING HIM FULL AND COMPLETE EXPRESSION. MY GOD, BY YOUR SPIRIT DEAL WITH US ACCORDING TO THE TRUTH AS THE TRUTH IS IN CHRIST. AND WE THANK YOU FOR IT. I COMMIT THESE HEARTS TO YOUR KEEPING FOR SUCH A CONFRONTING. IN JESUS' NAME. AMEN AND AMEN.

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