Walking Through the Fire (Repost)

Isaiah 43:2

When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

When you walk more deeply with God, the storms can begin to rage more fiercely. The waters of trouble will rise up like rivers. The flames will be heated up seven times more. Yet God has instructed us to trust and not fear; He has promised to manifest Himself in a glorious way in the midst of every trial. In quietness and confidence, we can WALK through the fire, and the flames will not even touch us. He goes out before us, and He is our rear guard.

Related Scriptures: Daniel 3:16-30; Genesis 15:1-6; Isaiah 52:1-15; Isaiah 30:1-15

The Fruitful Place Was A Wilderness

Jeremiah 4:25-27

I beheld, and, lo, there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled. I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful place was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the LORD, and by His fierce anger. For thus hath the LORD said, The whole land shall be desolate; yet will I not make a full end.

From Adam to Noah the descent of mankind into depravity was such an abomination to the LORD God that His fierce anger was turned against the earth and its inhabitants. Lucifer enlisted one third of the angels in support of his rebellion; they in turn took part in the corruption of mankind in a vain attempt to prevent the Holy and Anointed One, Jesus Christ the Messiah, from being born. Eight souls were saved from the flood, to preserve God’s perfect will for the ages. In redeeming the earth for the final time, the LORD God will purge it by fire until the wilderness of sin is annihilated, and the fruitful place eternally restored. The whole land will be desolate for a season, yet He will not make a full end.

See also Change Them As A Vesture; Out Of the Midst Of the Fire

Related Scriptures: Genesis 6:1-22; Revelation 12:1-17; Revelation 16:1-21

All the Hills Moved Lightly

Jeremiah 4:23-24

I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void; and the heavens, and they had no light. I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly.

God did not create the heaven and earth in vain, He formed the earth and made it to be inhabited. Created, made, and formed: these are all separate aspects of His omnipotence. The act of creation is His power to bring things into being from the invisible realm. The act of making is when He changes material that already exists. The act of forming is His work in shaping material, molding it like a potter molds clay. He has purposed, and will restore His creation to His intention, both for the earth and its inhabitants.

See also To Build and To Plant; also definitions of Hebrew words for created (Bara’); made (‘Asah); and formed (Yatsar’).

Related Scriptures: Isaiah 45:5-25; Isaiah 54:1-17; Jeremiah 18:1-10; Acts 3:13-26

He Magnified His Word (Repost)

Psalms 138:2

I will worship toward Thy holy temple, and praise Thy name for Thy lovingkindness and for Thy truth: for Thou hast magnified Thy Word above all Thy name.

He has magnified His Word above all His name. Jesus Christ is the embodiment of God’s passion for mankind. This is His lovingkindness, and His truth: that He poured out His Godhood and walked with us, so that we would be able to walk with Him again, eternally, in the cool of the day in the perfection of creation.

See also Scepter of Righteousness; Fall Upon That Stone

Related Scriptures: Hebrews 1:1-14; Isaiah 53:1-12; Genesis 3:8; Hebrews 4:9-16; Acts 1:1-11

He Has Given the Former Rain Moderately

Joel 2:23

Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for He hath given you the former rain moderately, and He will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.

The former and latter rain refers to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, which will usher in the baptism of the restored earth with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD. This is the baptism that will restore His people Israel into right standing as a nation, and place closure on their disobedience in rejecting Jesus Christ as their Messiah. The former rain has fallen moderately on the nation of Israel, as some have become born again. The former and latter rain will be a Holy Spirit cloudburst over His people Israel, as He shows Himself strong in defeating her enemies.

See also the previous two posts below: The Appointed Weeks of the Harvest; Latter and Former Rain. (This completes an initial overview the LORD ministered to me on the phrase “former and latter rain”, which only occurs three times in Scripture.)

Related Scriptures: Habakkuk 2:1-20; Daniel 9:24-27; Revelation 7:1-17

The Appointed Weeks of the Harvest

Jeremiah 5:24

Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in His season: He reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest.

According to the response to Daniel’s prayer, the LORD God has determined seventy weeks upon His people: to put an end to disobedience, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for evil, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. These are six very specific purposes that will be accomplished through the tribulation, and the remnant of Israel will be snatched from the fire and delivered into the millennial reign of the Lord Jesus Christ. As the church is engrafted into Israel in the spirit, it is essential that every believer receive these six purposes accomplished in their hearts, in order to avoid the tribulation and be raptured by the Lord prior to His second coming. Here is what He strongly warned about these perilous times, “Take heed that no man deceive you.”

See also Prophesy the Breath of Life; The Promise of His Coming

Related Scriptures: Daniel 9:1-27; Zephaniah 3:1-20; Romans 9:15-33; Matthew 24:1-51

Latter and Former Rain

Hosea 6:3

Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: His going forth is prepared as the morning; and He shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.

During the millennium and beyond we shall know, as we follow on to know Him, for He Who is perfect will be revealed and we shall be changed to perfection. He is the Sun of Righteousness, Whose way is prepared as the glorious sunrise. The former and latter rain will usher in the coming of the King of kings and Lord of lords. The Holy Spirit is about to be poured out on all flesh, as a glorious witness of the Prince of Peace for eternity.

Related Scriptures: 1Co 13:9-13; Isa 9:1-7; Joel 2:21-32; Mal 4:1-6

He Will Raise Us Up

Hosea 6:2

After two days will He revive us: in the third day He will raise us up, and we shall live in His sight.

Here is a picture of the coming resurrection. The Lord Jesus was two days in hell before He led captivity captive. He was raised up on the third day. Since the cross it has been two thousand years, which is as two days to the LORD. During this time He has purposed to revive humanity. Now we are in the third day when He will raise up mankind. Make straight paths for your feet, He is even at the door. The time is at hand when the faithful shall live in His sight for eternity, even as He purposed from the foundation of the world.

Related Scriptures: 2Pe 3:8; Mat 12:39-41; Mat 24:33; Heb 12:12-14; Mat 13:35; Mat 25:34-40; Heb 4:1-9

He Will Heal Us

Hos 6:1

Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for He hath torn, and He will heal us; He hath smitten, and He will bind us up.

The LORD corrects according to His ways of judgment: righteously, and always on the side of His truth. There are no grey areas with God, only unbelief by men. Consider this: if one ignores God’s law of gravity and steps off a cliff, there are consequences. So when this passage describes tearing and smiting, this is His faithfulness to His judgment. When it describes healing and binding up of wounds, it is His abundant mercy when we return to Him.

Related Scriptures: Deu 32:4; Rom 3:3-4; Psa 119:9-16

Freely Give Us All Things

Romans 8:32

He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

The nature of the love of our Father in heaven is to freely give us all. He will never be denied the fulfillment of His purpose in creation, to raise up mankind in the image of Christ. He will be the firstborn among many brethren, the saints will be living manifestations of His goodness, love, grace, mercy, and truth. The love of God which is fulfilled in us as we dwell in Christ Jesus our Lord, will redeem all corruption in creation and raise up incorruption to the glory of God Almighty.

See also Freely Given to Us; Change Them As A Vesture

Related Scriptures: Romans 8:1-39; John 1:1-34; Jude 1:1-25; Galatians 6:1-18

The Coming of the Lord Draws Near

James 5:7-8

Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

Jesus Christ sowed His life on earth as a seed, that He would be the firstborn among many brethren. When a farmer plants his crops he knows that, with the right conditions of soil and water, patience will bring him the harvest according to the seed sown. God Almighty knows that He will reap many sons from the redemptive sacrifice that his Son made on the cross. He also is looking to us, the children that He has drawn to Him, to patiently cultivate and establish our hearts in the knowledge of His coming. Now more than ever before, we should be looking to that blessed hope moment by moment, and maturing into our position in the body of Christ. The glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ draws near.

See also Fallen Corn of Wheat; Firstborn From the Dead

Related Scriptures: John 12:23-36; Romans 8:28-39; Colossians 2:6-15; 2Thessalonians 2:13-17; Titus 2:1-15

Grace Unto the Humble

James 4:6

But He giveth more grace. Wherefore He saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Friendship with the things of the world leads away from the things of God; ultimately it leads to self reliance, pride, and outward rebellion. The Lord Jesus Christ is the foundation of creation, and His example for mankind is humble submission to the Father. The mysteries of God are written into the world by the Holy Spirit, and humility is the path to His heart and the unraveling of these mysteries in the spirit. Pride turns the mind inward on itself; humility turns it outward toward God.

See also Christ: The Architect of Souls

Related Scriptures: 2Peter 1:1-11; 1John 2:15-25; Matthew 18:1-11; Mark 4:11-34

The Darkness Comprehended It Not

John 1:5

And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

Only the Creator can truly comprehend the vastness of creation. His being encompasses infinity, for without Him was not any thing made that was made. From the foundation of the world, He set forth His plan for Jesus Christ to be the express image of the Godhead; the face of God revealed to mankind. When God shows His face, darkness flees and those who follow Truth are drawn to the Light. Soon the Lord Jesus will appear again to mankind, to gather those who belong to the Father and redeem the earth from corruption.

See also The Candle of the LORD; The Promise of His Coming

Related Scriptures: Job 9:1-14; John 1:1-18; Hebrews 1:1-14; Exodus 33:11-23; Titus 2:11-15

Deep Calls Unto Deep

Psalm 42:7

Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of Thy waterspouts: all Thy waves and Thy billows are gone over me.

The indwelling Person of the Holy Spirit in our hearts is our open line of communication to the Father of spirits. From deep within our spirit man we can hear exactly what Deep Himself has to say to us personally. We must tune our souls and be willing to listen to Him, and He will speak volumes about the mysteries of our hearts through His Word.

See also Revealed Unto Children

Related Scriptures: Psalm 42:1-11; Jonah 2:1-10; Hebrews 12:1-13; 1Corinthians 2:1-16; Psalm 139:1-24

The Bride, The Lamb’s Wife

Revelation 21:9-10

And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,

The Holy City of Jerusalem, descending from God out of heaven and inhabited by the raptured saints of God, is the bride of the Lamb. The Holy City Jerusalem is said to be prepared as a bride and adorned for her husband, the Lord Jesus Christ. Just as the LORD created the earth to be inhabited by His own selection process, so also at the judgment seat of Christ, the Word will divide amongst those who will be made one flesh with Him.

See also Dividing And Divided By the Word

Related Scriptures: Revelation 21:1-14; Isaiah 45:11-25 (inhabited earth); Ephesians 5:22-33; 2Corinthians 5:1-21

In Power and In the Holy Ghost

1Thessalonians 1:5-6

For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:

The power of God comes into our lives through the gospel of Jesus Christ, and is conveyed by the Holy Spirit. It is sound doctrine, but it is also far more: it is the Word of God that releases both the authority and explosive power of the Creator into our world to shape our circumstances. When affliction rises up and we walk in the power of God, the joy of the Lord will overtake us and we can rejoice in the middle of tribulation as the kingdom of God manifests through us. Thanks be to God, Who fills us with His power, and equips us to walk in victory!

See also Walking Through the Fire

Related Scriptures: John 14:12-31; Hebrews 6:1-20; Luke 24:44-53; Acts 1:1-12; Romans 14:1-23; 1Corinthians 15:34-58

The Spirit of Slumber

Romans 11:8

(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.
The dispensation of God was suspended in order that the fullness of the Gentiles might obtain the salvation offered by the Lord Jesus Christ. Daniel’s seventieth week is approaching, during which time the LORD God will gather His elect out of Israel and bring them into the eternal Promised Land. The former and latter rains of Joel are in progress, and will soon accelerate. Watch for the signs that the nation of Israel is awakening from the spirit of slumber.

See also Prophesy the Breath of Life

Related Scriptures: Isaiah 29:1-24; Romans 11:25-36; Daniel 9:1-27; Joel 2:12-32

The Third Part Through The Fire

Zechariah 13:8-9

And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on My name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is My people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.

The landscape of the human heart is cluttered with the cumulative effects of iniquity, transgression, and sin. Before the Lord fulfills His Word to restore hearts of flesh to us, He pulls up the stones and prepares the soil. The remainder is passed through the fire to be purified and sanctified to the Lord. Call on His name in the midst of the fire. The LORD, He is our God!

See also Search The Heart

Related Scriptures: Exodus 34:1-17 (KJV); Exodus 34:1-17; John 16:7-11; Matthew 3:11-12; 1Corinthians 1:1-9; Psalm 18:1-50

Smite The Shepherd

Zechariah 13:6-7

And one shall say unto Him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then He shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of My friends. Awake, O sword, against My shepherd, and against the man that is My fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn Mine hand upon the little ones.

When we open our hearts to those closest to us in the sincere love of God, we are wide open to the possibility of wounding. Inevitably the wounding comes. This is God presenting us with an opportunity to become like Christ. It is up to us what we do with this opportunity: either we can let it scatter us, or we can stand strong in intercessory prayer and be perfected in the image of Christ. When we purpose to follow Him, He will continue to present the tests until we pass, striking down every last bit of iniquity in our hearts.

See also He Magnified His Word

Related Scriptures: 1John 3:16-24; Isaiah 53:1-12; Hebrews 7:13-28; Romans 8:28-39

Broken, Snared, And Taken

Isaiah 28:13

But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

As we continue deeper with the Lord, there will be a process that just does not seem as though it could come from Him, but it does. When we go forward without His prompting, there will be a falling backward; we will be broken, snared, and taken. This is to prevent us from much greater harm, and to build us up on the True Foundation, the Word of God. Like a stonecutter, He will take the edges off that do not fit with the Head of the Corner, and we will be shaped. It is all part of being perfected in the image of Christ.

See also Precept Upon Precept; Fall Upon That Stone

Related Scriptures: Matthew 21:33-44; Philippians 3:8-15; Hebrews 10:1-25; Psalm 118:1-29; Romans 8:26-31

Stammering Lips And Another Tongue

Isaiah 28:11-12

For with stammering lips and another tongue will He speak to this people. To whom He said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.

The Holy Spirit manifests in the believer in many ways. He will inspire us to verbalize our own divine prayer language. He enters our hearts to turn them from stone to flesh, and to write all of God’s commandments there.[There are far more than ten of them.] He helps us to pray with confidence when our souls are uncertain or deeply troubled. He teaches us the deeper wisdom of God, drawing us away from the milk to eat the meat. He inspires our hearts and souls to go deeper with the Lord Jesus Christ; to follow Him further into faith. He never talks about Himself, only about the Lord. He energizes our human spirits, and encourages our souls. Listen carefully, and praise the Lord for the gifts of the Spirit!

See also Latter And Former Rain

Related Scriptures: 1Corinthians 14:1-15; Ezekiel 36:24-28; Romans 8:26-27; 1Corinthians 2:1-16; John 16:7-16; Jude 1:20-25

Every Good and Perfect Gift

James 1:17-18

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with Whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Of His own will begat He us with the Word of Truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.

When we confessed with our mouths that Jesus Christ is our Lord, and believed in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead, we were adopted by the Father of lights. This was done of His own will: our heavenly Father drew us to Himself to be partakers of His good and perfect gifts, every one of them. The Word of Truth, placed in our mouths and planted in our hearts, gave us access to the first gift immediately: the indwelling of His Holy Spirit as our personal leader, guide, and mentor. Following the promptings of the Holy Spirit help us to immediately grow in the likeness of His beloved Son and to lay hold of our inheritance. Thank you, Abba!

See also Freely Given To Us

Related Scriptures: Romans 10:4-13; John 6:37-51: John 15:26-27; Romans 8:1-39

A Vesture Dipped In Blood

Revelation 19:12-13

His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns; and He had a name written, that no man knew, but He Himself. And He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and His name is called The Word of God.

When Jesus Christ returns to the Mount of Olives to establish His millennial reign, He will be coming from the winepress of the wrath of Almighty God, and clothed with a vesture dipped in blood. It is the great and terrible day of the Lord, and He will bring God’s judgment upon His sworn enemies. Christ did not come the first time to judge the world, but to save it, yet rejection of His word will judge those who do. God is not a man that He should lie, neither the son of man that He should repent. The Son of Man will return to judge by the Word God sent out, and that never returns void. Adore the King of kings, and Lord of Lords, for His mercy endures forever to those who choose mercy over judgment.

See also Mercy Rejoices Against Judgment

Related Scriptures: Revelation 19:14-21; Joel 2:11-14; John 12:44-50; Numbers 23:19-24; Isaiah 55:1-13; Jeremiah 33:1-11

The Testimony of Jesus

Revelation 19:10-11

And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He doth judge and make war.

The testimony of Jesus is our receipt of the promises of God, which are in Him yes, and in Him Amen. Through our testimony the Holy Spirit releases instruction, encouragement, and comfort to the saints on earth. We can receive His promises now: health and healing, soul restoration, dominion, continuous and continual blessing. Through the manifestation of these things the heavens are opened to us on earth, and we work the works of Him Who sent us in righteousness. As we do so the Lord Jesus, Faithful and True, will judge and make war on our behalf even now, until such time as the Scripture is fulfilled and He returns to redeem the earth.

See also Scepter of Righteousness

Related Scriptures: 2Corinthians 1:12-24; 1Corinthians 14:1-40; John 6:28-50; Philippians 3:8-15; Micah 4:1-13

Discern Both Good and Evil

Hebrews 5:14

But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

In the midst of gross darkness, there is Light from the Lord Jesus. He is the Light of the world in the believer, yet in order to perceive light we must fully receive His Word and bear witness to the Light within us. Maturity in Christ begins by exercising the senses of discernment, and continues as one is increasingly able to perceive the fullness of the Light of Jesus Christ within.

See also The Candle of the LORD

Related Scriptures: Isaiah 60:1-5; John 1:1-18; 1John 2:1-11; Malachi 3:1-18

The Whole Duty of Man

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

Character is built one moment at a time. It takes place in the heart and soul, and Jesus Christ is the foundation of all. Faith in God is the beginning of life, and works combined with faith make life come alive.

See also The Word Shall Judge

Related Scriptures: Psalm 66:16-20; 2Timothy 2:14-26; Mark 11:22-26; James 2:14-26; John 10:9-11

They Held Their Peace

Luke 20:26

And they could not take hold of His words before the people: and they marvelled at His answer, and held their peace.

Many have tried since the birth of the Son of man to pick apart His words, and thereby to seize Him in attempts to undermine the truth before the people. Inevitably everyone will stand before God, silent and alone, marveling and in awe at the simplicity of His Truth and the righteousness of His judgment. To those who strive to manipulate His Word, the Word will judge them and grind them to powder, as Jesus Christ passes through their midst untouched. His desire is for mercy to triumph over judgment, but this can only happen after we submit to His Word.

See also Mercy Rejoices Against Judgment

Related Scriptures: Luke 20:1-25; 2Corinthians 5:1-21; Revelation 20:10-15; James 2:1-13

Have the Light of Life

John 8:12

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

The Holy Spirit dwelling in our hearts seals believers as God’s possession. Christ in us is the gift of God: we are now in possession of the Light of life. God has detailed expectations of how we should make use of His Light, but His central focus in all of this, what wraps up everything He desires, is the manifestation of His Son in our lives. Christ in us, the hope of glory, will be His glory shining through us.

Related Scriptures: Ephesians 1:11-23; Matthew 5:13-20; John 1:1-18; Philippians 3:1-21; Colossians 1:15-29

Cast Out of the Vineyard

Luke 20:14-15

But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours. So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them?

The LORD of the vineyard has promised to cast out of His vineyard that which does not please Him. The Jews that stumbled at the Son of God sealed their own judgment by casting Him out. Yet God has not permanently cast out Israel in this: they have stumbled but not fallen. Instead this was an opportunity for the church to be born, and the Gentiles to receive inheritance from the Son. Let us be faithful husbandmen in the vineyard of the LORD of hosts. His kingdom come.

Related Scriptures: Hebrews 13:11-15; Romans 11:1-36; John 12:37-50

The LORD of the Vineyard

Luke 20:13

Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him.

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit took counsel in the ageless past of predawn creation. Before the foundation of the world, the LORD of the vineyard declared His decree to His beloved Son: You will be the Lamb slain for the sins of rebellious mankind. The kingdom of God and of His Christ were clearly foreshadowed by God, throughout the holy Scriptures, and also at Jesus’ baptism in the Holy Spirit and at His transfiguration. All of this to patiently and eternally carry out His original purpose for mankind: Adam made from the dust of the created world in His image. Reverence the LORD of the vineyard!

Related Scriptures: Ephesians 1:3-14; Matthew 13:34-43; Mark 1:9-13; Mark 9:1-10; Genesis 1:26-28; Revelation 12:10-11