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Heir Borne

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Colossians 1:24 [Even] now I rejoice in the midst of my sufferings on your behalf. And in my own person I am making up whatever is still lacking and remains to be completed [on our part] of Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of His body, which is the church.

Years ago I was reading Acts 5:40-42 that stated: and summoning the apostles, they flogged them and sternly forbade them to speak in or about the name of Jesus, and allowed them to go.41 So they went out from the presence of the council (Sanhedrin), rejoicing that they were being counted worthy [dignified by the indignity] to suffer shame and be exposed to disgrace for [the sake of] His name.42 Yet [in spite of the threats] they never ceased for a single day, both in the temple area and at home, to teach and to proclaim the good news (Gospel) of Jesus [as] the Christ (the Messiah). Verse 41 dumbfounded me: So they went out from the presence of the council (Sanhedrin), rejoicing that they were being counted worthy [dignified by the indignity] to suffer shame and be exposed to disgrace for [the sake of] His name.

For years I couldn’t understand the reaction of the Disciples until I combined it with Paul’s declaration in Colossians 1:24: I am making up whatever is still lacking and remains to be completed [on our part] of Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of His body…We don’t fully comprehend the fact that we make up the Body of Jesus. It’s not simply metaphorical, or symbolic language. We are the Body of Jesus. That means everything we suffer in obedient surrender to Jesus is being done to Jesus. That is the honor. Your sufferings are equal to Christ’s sufferings and you are being made one with Him through His sufferings. Your rejections, and persecutions, and the criticisms you receive on His behalf, your sacrificial, and misunderstood obediences, giving till it hurts, and giving to those who use and abuse you – all of these are added to the furrowed scars in His back, the nail scars in His feet and hands, and His thorn-pierced brow. All of these are added to His Glorified, Resurrected Body! Isaiah 49:16 states: See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands…(Which means we really are engraved on the palms of His hands.)

Recently a member of our church asked, Is Jesus still suffering? To which I replied, Absolutely! He suffers long in His love, and prayers for us. But it never crossed my mind to add, when we suffer – He suffers. We become His nail-pierced hands and feet. We become His pierced side, and His thorn-pierced brow. We become His scarred and furrowed back. We become the drops of blood He sweat in the Garden.

Most avoid suffering at all costs failing to realize these eternal truths. For these things we will be rewarded as He returns to earth in His Glory. For you see, His Glorified scars become our glory as we share in His Glory. This is why Paul reminds us in the book of Romans 8:17-18 And if we are [His] children, then we are [His] heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His inheritance with Him]; only we must share His suffering if we are to share His glory.18 [But what of that?] For I consider that the sufferings of this present time (this present life) are not worth being compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us and in us and for us and conferred on us! Jesus’ Glory is to return to this earth to rule and reign. Only the meek will inherit the earth with Him. The meek being those who chose to suffer with Him in faithful love and surrender to His Word, His Will, and His Way. These are the true sons, and daughters of God. Those who are willing to follow Him in discipleship, serving others, witness, and missions. As the prophet Bob Jones was asked by Jesus, Did you learn to Love? Love God with ALL? Love your neighbor as yourself?

Happy Sukkot (Tabernacles)

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Throughout the years of ministry I have sought to teach followers of Jesus their Hebraic roots and their relevance for today. Often, and ignorantly, I will hear statements like, “We are not under the Jewish Law.” or “Are you trying to “Judaize” us?” or “Are you trying to make us Jewish?” Their comments expose an ignorance of God’s Word and the inadequacy of their partnership with the Spirit. (He really is our Teacher)

Born-again, followers of Jesus believe the Bible is God’s Inspired, Authoritative Word. It is the bedrock, and foundation of the things we believe and practice. With that in mind, we hold the tension between no longer being bound by the Old Testament Law – and our freedom purchased from it by Jesus’ sacrificial, Blood. Yet, though we have been set free from the keeping of the feasts, festivals, sacrificial law, and dietary restrictions – there are principles contained in its teachings that still apply. (The Ten Commandments are part of the Law. Yet, we still practice their teachings) Case in point, true, born-again, followers of Jesus believe He is returning to earth to reign a 1000 years. We believe this because Jesus taught it, and Old Testament prophets affirmed its inevitability. Regarding this time the prophet Zechariah wrote: Zechariah 14:16-19 And everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles or Booths.17 And it shall be that whoso of the families of the earth shall not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, upon them there shall be no rain.18 And if the family of Egypt does not go up to Jerusalem and present themselves, upon them there shall be no rain, but there shall be the plague with which the Lord will smite the nations that go not up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.19 This shall be the consequent punishment of the sin of Egypt and the consequent punishment of the sin of all the nations that do not go up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.

During the Millennial (1000) Year Reign we will observe and keep the Feast of Sukkot, (Tabernacles, or Booths) and make pilgrimage to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of Hosts. (All followers of Jesus look forward to that wonderful day) During the month of September or October, a sukkah, or temporary shelter is erected in front of the entrance to our church. And over the years, Crystal Brown, and others have gone about the business of decorating it – for all to see. We do this as a testimony of our belief that Jesus is returning to earth – to tabernacle, or make His permanent home with us. John alludes to this in his gospel account: And the Word (Christ) became flesh (human, incarnate) and tabernacled (fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile) among us; and we [actually] saw His glory (His honor, His majesty), such glory as an only begotten son receives from his father, full of grace (favor, loving-kindness) and truth. John 1:14 AMPC

In 2022 The Pew Research Group survey of Americans revealed a surprising 55% of adults, including three quarters of Christians, say Jesus is returning. Pew Research observed: Respondents who said they believe Jesus will return to Earth were also asked how certain they are that this will happen during their lifetime. One-in-ten Americans say they believe the second coming of Jesus will definitely or probably occur during their lifetime, 27% are not sure if Jesus will return in their lifetime, and 19% say the return of Jesus will definitely or probably not occur during their lifetime. That’s a considerable amount of people. Sadly, of those Christian respondents, how many are actually cognizant of the Old Testament prophecies that testify to the fact that we will celebrate this Biblical Feast with Jesus? Are you ready?

The Watchmen!

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Revelation 4:1-2 After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice which I had heard addressing me like [the calling of] a war trumpet said, Come up here, and I will show you what must take place in the future. 2 At once I came under the [Holy] Spirit’s power, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with One seated on the throne!

In John 10:1-7 reveals to us Who the Door is in Revelation 4:1-2. It states: I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, he who does not enter by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up some other way (elsewhere, from some other quarter) is a thief and a robber.2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.3 The watchman opens the door for this man, and the sheep listen to his voice and heed it; and he calls his own sheep by name and brings (leads) them out.4 When he has brought his own sheep outside, he walks on before them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.5 They will never [on any account] follow a stranger, but will run away from him because they do not know the voice of strangers or recognize their call.6 Jesus used this parable (illustration) with them, but they did not understand what He was talking about.7 So Jesus said again, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that I Myself am the Door for the sheep. AMPC

Watchmen open the Door! Watchmen know His Voice! Watchmen listen for the Shepherds Voice! Luke 21:36 reminds us: Keep awake then and watch at all times [be discreet, attentive, and ready], praying that you may have the full strength and ability and be accounted worthy to escape all these things [taken together] that will take place, and to stand in the presence of the Son of Man. AMPC

What are we to be watching, praying and waiting for? The Return of Jesus. But, especially during this time of year we are to be watchful, and listening. Is there a specific thing we are to seek? Revelation 4:1-2 gives us a clue: Come up here, and I will show you what must take place in the future. 2 At once I came under the [Holy] Spirit’s power, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with One seated on the throne! Now you may be tempted to say, Robert I can’t know what will happen in the future. I am not a prophet. Let me ask you a question. How much of the Bible do you believe and trust? Your Bible promises you in John 16:13 But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth). For He will not speak His own message [on His own authority]; but He will tell whatever He hears [from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him], and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come [that will happen in the future]. AMPC

Did you see that? Do you believe it? If you believe it then you can know from the Revelation 4:1-2 connection with Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur – that you and I have been given an invitation to know what must take place in the future. Now you might say this passage only applies to John. I can’t go into Heaven. Yet Eph. 2:6 states, And He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together [giving us joint seating with Him] in the heavenly sphere [by virtue of our being] in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One). AMPC According to Scripture our spirits are already seated in Heavenly Places with Jesus.

In conclusion, Can you see that the Testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of all prophecy? (Revelation 19:10) Prophecy fulfilled is the manifestation of spoken words becoming manifested reality. From this passage you can deduce that the testimony of Jesus contained in Scripture is a prophetic testimony waiting to manifest. Scripture is a collection of testimonies of Jesus manifesting in others lives. It is through the testimony of Scripture that Jesus became a Manifested Reality in your life. Scripture was given to us by God not simply for us to know about God but to see His Testimony manifested in our lives.

During this holy season don’t be content with simply preparing for the Return of Jesus. Take the time to step out in faith on the testimony of His Word to ask Him, Lord what is coming this new year that you want me to pray with You about and prepare others to know? He’s knocking in Revelation 3:20. Are you willing to open the Door? Are you willing to listen to what He has to say?

Ministering to the Lord

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1 Chronicles 16:4 “He appointed Levites to minister before the ark of the Lord and to celebrate [by calling to mind], thanking and praising the Lord, the God of Israel”

Ministering to the Lord. Now there’s a concept that’s out of this world -literally and figuratively. Several months ago our church’s mother’s day out program offered a Thanksgiving service whose participants were ages 2-5 years old. Parents, grandparents, relatives and friends of the family packed the church sanctuary to get a glimpse of a child or children who were part of their family. I was as fascinated watching them as I was watching the children bumble through their lines and lyrics while lighting up the room with their innocence and joy. Following that service I was praying in that same sanctuary and I sensed the Lord say something to me. He said, “That’s what I do when you sing to Me.” Our worship, and our prayers cause God to light up with joy, expectation, and delight as we seek to draw near to Him. Now that’s ministering to the Lord. What’s fascinating is David posted priests to perform this task twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. Why? David had glimpsed the millennial, or thousand year reign of Christ, when all nations would gather before Him to worship Him on earth. David was getting the priests “warmed up” for the return of their Messiah. This week I wanted us to seek to do this. To warm up, if you will, for the return of Jesus. Why not conclude our fast in seeking to minister to Him?