A PREPARED PEOPLE WITH A HOLY PURPOSE
Part Sixteen April 2000
There never has been a Day as great, as wonderful, and as awe-inspiring as
this glorious, new kingdom Day. To understand, by the Spirit, all that our
Father has provided for us during this great Day should inspire us to attain to
more holy and heavenly realms in the Spirit, and should also make us glad to be
alive in such a Day. Surely we are a privileged people, not because of who or
what we are, but because our Father chose us as His own, and ordained that we
should live on this earth during this most awesome period of time. Wonderful
promises and blessings are ours to receive as we walk in complete obedience to
our Father's specific will for this new Day.
At this time, the Lord is preparing a people to become manifest sons of God.
They are His elect and chosen remnant. The tests and trials necessary for their
preparation have been difficult, but the glory to be revealed in and through
them will prove to be much greater than all their sufferings combined. If we are
led by the Spirit and are enduring the sufferings of Christ, we are sons of God
(see He. 12:7). The Spirit of God thus testifies together
with our own spirit, assuring us that we are indeed sons of God. "And if we
are [His] children (or sons), 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. [But what of that?] For I consider
that the sufferings of this present time (this present life) are not worthy
being compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us and in us and
for us, and conferred on us!" (Ro. 8:16-18, Amp.)
The sufferings of Christ are our Father's method of bringing us to the
greater spiritual maturity of sonship manifest, to share in His inheritance.
Every test and trial we go through by His grace adds and multiplies much greater
glory to our future lives in the kingdom of our Father, when we shall finally
come forth in His image and likeness. And the manifestation of our sonship will
be the full and complete redemption of our bodies. There is no other
manifestation that will begin the restoration of all things and deliver the
whole creation from this bondage of sin and death, than will the manifestation
of our sonship. That final and complete display will be our full bodily change,
from this body of corruption, sin and death, to our new body of incorruptible
life, created in the glorious image and likeness of Christ, our honorable King
and Lord of all.
Every part of the creation, including the lowly grass, shrubs, plants, trees,
animals, birds, fish, and all creeping and crawling things, are groaning
inwardly, waiting expectantly, hopefully, and longingly for the manifestation of
our sonship, which is our bodily change (Ro. 8:22-23). When the sons of God are
made known, that is, when they are revealed and disclosed as sons of God by
their bodily change, the whole creation shall then be released from its bondage
to frailty, futility, and frustration, into the glorious liberty and victory of
the sons of God. When once this radiant vision of the truth of our sonship fully
dawns on our spiritual minds, we will then pay any price necessary in added
tests and trials to bring this vision to fruition and witness its fulfillment
everywhere in the whole, vast creation of God.
The Need for the Feet, the Hands, and the Head to be Washed
When we see our need for deliverance and cleansing by the Spirit, as Peter
did, we will reply as he did. When Jesus washed the disciple's feet and came to
Peter to wash his feet, he objected, declaring that Jesus would never wash his
feet. But Jesus replied, "If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me"
(see Jo. 13:6-8). Jesus was actually saying to Peter, as He is to each of us,
"if you do not submit to the cleansing work of the Spirit in your life, you
shall have no companionship or fellowship with me, to share in my inheritance."
Then, realizing his need for that cleansing, Peter humbly and penitently
replied, "Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head."
In other words, Peter was saying, "Lord, cleanse me thoroughly in every part
of my being. Wash not only my feet, but my hands and my head also. My feet need
to be cleansed so I will walk humbly and obediently before you. This will enable
me to walk in all your ways of faithfulness and true righteousness and holiness.
Cleanse also my hands, so that all my works shall glorify your Name, and will
also magnify you and fulfill your kingdom purposes in all the earth. And by all
means cleanse my head, so I may receive the fullness of the mind of Christ.
Then, with the wisdom, knowledge and understanding of your all-wise and
all-knowing mind, I will hear your word, fully understand it, and then walk it
out. This will bring that word to glorious fulfillment among all mankind in all
the earth, and throughout all the vast universe."
There is wonderful, prophetic truth revealed in the foot washing service that
took place that day when Jesus washed the disciple's feet. That old, lifeless
ceremony has been raised to a higher realm and then fulfilled in the Spirit!
When Jesus came to Peter to wash his feet and Peter resisted, Jesus said to him,
"What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter"
(Jo. 13:7). The disciples had no idea why Jesus washed their feet that day, but
He told them "thou shalt know hereafter." That
"hereafter" has come, and now we know why Jesus washed the
disciple's feet that day.
The feet of a baby usually are the last part of the body to come forth out of
the womb of the mother; so also are we the last members to be added to the body
of Christ. Therefore, prophetically and spiritually, we are the feet members of
the body of Christ. Also, the feet of the body of Christ are those members who
are on the earth at this time of the ending of one age and the beginning of
another. The feet company, which we are, are being used of our Father to fulfill
His kingdom purposes in the earth at this crucial hour. Being the feet of the
body of Christ describes our spiritual function in our Father's kingdom, more
than our location within the body of Christ.
This feet company is a vital part of the body of Christ (1 Co. 12:21). It is
that part of the body that we are, which may seem to be unnecessary, more
feeble, and "less honourable, upon these (members) we bestow more abundant
honor" (vs. 22-23). More abundant honor shall be bestowed on the feet
company because of the mighty and glorious work this anointed remnant is doing
and shall yet do for the advancement of the kingdom of God in all the earth.
This anointed feet company is treading on Satan, defeating him and putting him
under the feet of the body, which they are, by the reign of Christ. They shall
continue to tread on Satan, defeating him and rendering him powerless and
ineffectual all during this age (Ge. 3:15, Ro. 16:20, Rev. 20:1-3). And Christ
shall continue to reign, as He is doing now, until every enemy has been put
under the feet of this Christ body.
In Old Testament times, it was the custom to wash a person's feet after
traveling (see Ge. 18:4, 19:2, 24:32 & 43:24). Of course, the roads were dusty
and their feet obviously got dirty, but so also did other parts of their bodies.
But only the feet were mentioned as needing to be washed. This speaks to us
today of the need for the washing or the cleansing of the feet of the body of
Christ. As the last members to be added to the body, we are the feet company.
And as the feet of the body, we have a rich and rewarding, high calling in God.
For this reason, the feet must be washed and cleansed more thoroughly than any
other part of this anointed body.
If we can see, by the Spirit, that we are the feet company of this
soon-to-be, gloriously arrayed body of Christ, then we may also see and
understand that many other scriptural promises also apply to us. Many
unfulfilled, prophetic promises given in God's word apply specifically to the
feet company of the body of Christ, as we shall see. For example, the Lord gave
this promise to the Israelites whom He delivered out of Egyptian bondage and led
to their promised land, disciplining and correcting them as they journeyed. The
word given to Israel then applies prophetically to the body of Christ today (1
Co. 10:11): "Every place whereon the soles of YOUR
FEET shall tread shall be your's: from the wilderness and Lebanon, from
the river, the river Euphrates, even unto the uttermost sea shall your coast be.
There shall no man be able to stand before you: for the Lord
your God shall lay the fear of you and the dread of you upon all the
land that ye shall tread upon, as he hath said unto you" (De.
11:24-25).
Over the years, as we have traveled throughout this country and other parts
of the world, we felt very strongly that every place where we walked was ours in
the spirit. That is, the places and areas where we literally walked on this
earth were places assigned to us by the Father. We are also learning that
nothing happens to us merely by accident, or without a purpose. All that takes
place in our lives is ordered and directed of our Father for His glory, to
fulfill His kingdom purposes, and for our ultimate good. There are no mistakes
in God! If He leads us to a certain area, whether we understand it or not, our
Father has a purpose in leading us there. And I believe it is His purpose, in
leading us to walk certain areas of this world, for us to have a spiritual
ministry or function to fulfill in that area. We may never go there again,
either to preach or witness or to do any of the other old order works of the
past. But our presence there has left a mark or a sign in the spirit,
prophesying future deliverance and restoration for that area. Thus God has said,
"Every place whereon the soles of your feet shall
tread (or wherever you shall walk) shall be your's." If He has
spoken this word to your heart, doubt it not, but believe Him!
The Lord also said, "There shall no man be able to stand before
you: for the Lord your God shall lay the fear of you and the dread of
you upon all the land that ye shall tread upon, as he hath said
unto you." No man shall be able to stand before us to prevent us from
walking up to our assigned high places in the Spirit (see Ps. 31:8, 40:2-3 & Hab.
3:19). This is especially true of the old carnal man, which is the Adamic mind
and nature within us. Our carnal flesh, the Adamic man of this world, or the
other man within us, will not prevent us from ascending the spiritual heights in
God and taking our place in our Father's throne and kingdom. In the reality of
the Spirit, that old, carnal man of the flesh is already dead!
When we have purposed to do only and always the perfect will of our Father,
He will then help us in attaining our spiritual goal in Christ. Our Father will
make us kingdom ambassadors, who manifest His peace and righteousness in the
earth, so that all the "land" shall become His. The key to knowing this truth
and understanding it as our truth is found in the last few words of that
scripture, "as he hath said unto you." If the Lord has spoken this word
to your heart, it is yours, no one can ever deny its significance in your life
or take it from you.
Later, Joshua recounted the story of Israel's deliverance, and the promises
given them if they would follow the Lord and wholly do all His will. He said to
the people, "And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon
THY FEET have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children's forever,
because thou hast wholly followed the Lord my God" (Joshua 14:9). There is
an inheritance for the body of Christ - for all the sons of God, who are
obedient to do all the holy will of their Father. That inheritance is not
promised to those who do one part of the will of God and then revert to doing
what their own carnal minds think is the will of their Father.
But that divine inheritance shall be given to those who have "wholly
followed the Lord my God." It is not enough to leave the church system at
Father's leading. We must also be delivered of all the principles and practices
of that old order, that we might receive our promised inheritance in the kingdom
of our Father.
When Israel journeyed to the Jordan River, which was then overflowing its
banks, they needed to cross over it. The Lord instructed the people to follow
the priests bearing the ark. He told them they would get to the other side of
that river as they followed those priests. "And as they that bare the ark
were come unto Jordan, and THE FEET of the priests that bare the ark
were dipped in the brim of the water, That the waters which came down
from above stood upon an heap...., and those that came down toward the sea of
the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed
over right against Jericho. And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of
the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites
passed over on dry ground, until ALL the people were passed clean over
Jordan" (Joshua 3:14-17).
What a wonderful and glorious revelation of the Spirit it is for us to see
and fully understand that we are the feet company of the body of Christ! When
this truth is quickened and made alive to us by the Spirit, we will then also
see and understand how great and magnificent our Father's plan and purpose is
for us, and why our processing must be so thorough, severe and complete in every
detail. We are the feet company, and as such we must be more thoroughly
processed and prepared by the Spirit. In Ezekiel's vision, which was a vision of
the body of Christ, the prophet described the feet more than any other part of
that anointed body. He thus prophesied, "And their
feet were straight feet; and the sole of their
feet was like the sole of a calf's foot: and they sparkled like
the colour of burnished brass" (Ez. 1:7, Dan. 10:6, Rev. 1:15 &
2:18).
Why are the feet of the body of Christ the only members of the Body mentioned
here? And why are they described as "straight feet,"
that "sparkled like the colour of burnished brass?"
Because the feet are an important part of the body, and are being more
thoroughly cleansed and processed by the Spirit than any other part! They are
"straight feet," for they have become upright and
righteous through the tests and trials they endured. The sole of their feet is
mentioned, indicating their power with God. This feet company sparkles like the
color of burnished brass. This shows that the elect saints of that company have
been brightened by being sharpened and polished in the fiery presence of the
Lord, just as a piece of metal would be sharpened by heating it in the fire and
then hammering it on an anvil until it is sharp.
The lives of those in this feet company are patterned after the life of
Joseph. In Israel's history, the Lord called for a famine in the land. So He
sent Joseph into Egypt before or ahead of all Israel, that he might be the means
of supplying bread to his brethren to feed them during that famine and preserve
their lives. So also has the Lord sent us before or ahead of all others, that we
might supply spiritual bread for the multitudes. But first Joseph was sold as a
servant and then put in an Egyptian prison. Even so were we sold as a servant,
so to speak. Then we were placed in our symbolic prison, where we worship the
Lord alone in the quiet seclusion and privacy of our spiritual booths.
It is written of Joseph, "He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was
sold as a servant: Whose FEET they hurt with fetters: he was
laid in iron: Until the time that his word came: the word of the Lord
tried him" (see Ps. 105:16-21). Notice again, the feet are the
only members of the body mentioned here! The feet company, which we are, are
being tried like as by fire, by the burning, purging presence of the Lord. We
are being hurt or wounded, as Jesus was, by the "fetters" of man. And until the
time that the word of the Lord comes forth to release us, that same word of
release now tests and tries us. The feet company must go through more severe
tests and trials than any other segment of this Christ body. And this scriptural
story shows this to be the truth. When we are released, as Joseph was, by a word
from God, we shall reign in righteousness and peace as kings and priests with
Christ, even as Joseph reigned in Egypt (see verses 20-21).
In a vision while on the Isle of Patmos, John saw this feet company "like
unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace" (Rev. 1:15). The original
Greek words for this passage tell us that those of this feet company were
ignited and inflamed in the fiery furnace, which caused them to glow as they
burned. They were refined in the fire of God's awesome and holy presence (He.
12:29). And when they were properly and thoroughly burned, cleansed, and
refined, they were then inflamed by the holy fires of the presence of their
Father. Those of that company were ignited and inflamed of their Father, so that
they glowed with His holy love and the deep passion of God for suffering
humanity, and for the groaning, travailing creation. They were so inflamed with
His holy love, fervor and passion that they vowed to press on in God, by His
Spirit, until they attained to the fullness of Christ and the manifestation of
the sons of God.
Later, John again saw that same anointed feet company "as pillars of
fire" (Rev. 10:1). Pillars suggest supporting posts that are rigid and
strong. They support the entire body, and also are the pillars in the house of
the Lord. As "pillars of fire," they not only support the house, but
all who pass through those pillars are similarly burned and processed as they
have been. When we have been thoroughly cleansed, the feet company of this
Christ-body, which we are, shall tread on Satan, thus rendering him useless all
during this age. And the feet shall carry this entire Christ body into the
fullness of the kingdom. The feet company are those saints of God who are on
earth now, whose spiritual maturity is bringing the kingdom of God, with all its
blessings and benefits, to the earth in a greater way. Also, this feet company
shall be the first part of this anointed body to touch the overflowing waters of
the symbolic and mighty Jordan River.
The name Jordan, from the original Hebrew, means a descender. That original
Hebrew word is taken from another, meaning to descend, to bring down, to cast
down, or to fall down, and also to go downward to a lower region, or to go
downward to the enemy. Jordan is symbolic of death, which is the great enemy of
all mankind and of the whole creation. It is the great enemy that all mankind
has faced when their term here in this earthly realm is finished. The powerful
adversary of death will be the last enemy to be put under the feet of this
Christ-body. But death shall surely be conquered by the might and power of the
reign of Christ (1 Cor. 15:25-26). There is no earthly power that shall ever
conquer death, the great enemy of all. Medical science, or any of the other
sciences of man, shall never conquer death and defeat it. Death can only be
conquered by the greater power of Christ, Who has already conquered it, and Who
is the almighty, sovereign and all-powerful King of kings and Lord of lords.
There are several scriptures which, when quickened to us by the Spirit, will
help us understand that the Jordan River typifies death. During the dialog Job
had with the Lord, the Lord spoke to him out of the whirlwind, and said,
"Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto
me." The Lord was about to ask Job some challenging questions, such as, "do
you have an arm like God?" Or, "can you handle the rage of man, and behold the
proud, and then abase him, or bring him low?" Or, "can you tread down the
wicked?" Then the Lord tells Job that if he can do these things, "then will
I also confess unto thee that thine own right hand can save thee" (see Job
40:6-14). Of course, it is already an established truth that we cannot possibly
save ourselves by our own feeble, right hand. Only God can save us! And He is
gradually and permanently saving us, by the power of the risen Christ within!
Then the Lord spoke of the carnal, Adamic man within us all, when He said to
Job, "Behold now behemoth, which I made with (or, within) thee;
he eateth grass as an ox. Lo now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is
in the navel of his belly" (Job 40:15-16). The Lord continues to describe
the carnal, Adamic man, or the natural man of the flesh, in verses seventeen to
twenty-two of this chapter. That "behemoth," which is the Adamic man
within us, "eateth grass as an ox." This means that he has an animal
nature with animal instincts. Then God says of "behemoth," this Adamic man of
the flesh within us, "Behold, he drinketh up a river, and hasteth not:
he trusteth that he can draw up Jordan into his mouth"
(Job 40:23). In this prophetic passage, the Jordan River is linked with the
Adamic man's attempt to defy death. This is partially true, for the destiny of
man is uniquely and prophetically tied to death, which is typically and
symbolically represented by the Jordan River. That old man within us all also
drinks the waters of the life of man. "He" attempts to control our lives as "he"
drains us of our life and its resources, through addictions and other carnal
means. But Christ the King within us prevents him from doing so. That "behemoth"
also trusts that "he" can "draw up Jordan into his mouth,"
but it is impossible for him to do so.
How often have carnal-minded, intelligent scientists, explorers, and others
tried to discover ways to evade death and nullify its power? In 1513 Ponce de
Leon explored the Bahamas and Florida in search of the fountain of youth. When
he finally found a flowing fountain of water in Northern Florida, Ponce de Leon
drank of it, thinking it to be the fountain of youth. But he died! And so also
have many others who thought they could drink of the symbolic waters of the
Jordan, and thus overcome its prophetic power of death. Scientists and
researchers alike continue their experiments as they search for the elusive key
of life. Not only is the Jordan typically and symbolically a formidable foe,
but, according to The Companion Bible, the shore of that mighty, symbolic river
abounds with "proud beasts in the undergrowth on the banks of the Jordan." (See
Jer. 12:5, 49:19, & 50:44.) Perhaps those "proud beasts" hiding in the
undergrowth of that symbolic river are the many carnal, fleshly manifestations
of this "behemoth," or this Adamic man, which is within all mankind.
Others also have shown the traits of this "behemoth" within us all, who
"trusteth that he can draw up Jordan into his mouth." But
none have been able to do so, and no man outside of Christ shall ever
"draw up Jordan," thus conquering death (see Ecc. 8:8).
Only those who are in Christ, and who are anointed and empowered of their Father
to cross symbolic Jordan's great divide of death, shall conquer it (Ro. 5:17 &
21, 6:3-8)! That anointed and empowered people will be the feet company. As man
is prophetically identified with the Jordan, so it is that through man, the
power of death shall be destroyed and all shall be freed of its influence and
power (1 Co. 15:21). Of course, Jesus Christ has already conquered death (2 Tim.
1:10), becoming the firstfruits of the resurrection Life of Christ (1 Co.
15:23). The next in divine order to receive that Life are the feet company,
including "they that are Christ's at his coming." Then, all enemies
everywhere will be destroyed, including death, the last enemy (1 Co. 15:25-26).
The feet of the priests bearing the ark of the covenant stepped into the
waters of the mighty Jordan at God's command, thus dividing that overflowing
river. So also shall the feet company of this anointed body be the first to
touch the mighty waters of the symbolic Jordan, thus nullifying the power of
death and bringing forth true Life for all. And as the feet company, we shall
prophetically stand in the symbolic Jordan until all Israel, or until every
member of this anointed Christ body, has crossed over death to receive the
resurrection Life of Christ in fullness (as in Joshua 3:14-17). The prophet
Zechariah foretold of symbolic Jordan's destruction, when he prophesied,
"the pride of Jordan is spoiled" (Zech. 11:3). Wonderful beyond
comprehension will be the final victory of Christ, our King and Lord of all, and
those who are with Him and in Him! Then we will fully realize and understand
that the sufferings of Christ, which we endured, were as nothing compared with
the great glory that will then be revealed IN US. Hallelujah, and blessed be the
Name of the Lord!
Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, "Death is
swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy
victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But
thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ"
(1 Co. 15:54-57). And, "He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of
death, and brake their bands in sunder" (Ps. 107:15). Again, the promise is
given, "And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your
agreement with hell shall not stand" (Is. 28:18). And again, it is written,
"I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from
death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction"
(Hos. 13:14).
The prophet Amos foretold of the end of death and the beginning of the
fullness of the Life of Christ in the kingdom of God. He said, "Seek him
that maketh the seven stars and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death
into the morning, and maketh the day dark with night: that calleth for
the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The Lord
is his name" (Amos 5:8). At this time of the beginning of a new Day, we are
witnessing the sovereign power of our Father God. He is unleashing the might of
His creation upon the earth, to bring people to repentance. He calls for the
waters of the sea to come forth. And when those waters obey His command, the
clouds are filled with that water, then to be directed by our loving, merciful
Father to be released as torrents of rain on certain, designated areas of this
world, to bring men to repentance and teach them His ways of truth and
righteousness.
In all that our Father is doing now, He is doing it to turn man away from sin
and death, and unto His righteousness and Life abundant. Our Father is slowly
but surely turning the darkness of this night of the shadow of death into the
new morning of the righteousness, peace, and life of the kingdom of God. And He
is doing it with us, by the might and power of His omnipotent Spirit, and not by
the feeble works of the past order of man's carnal, religious efforts.
Therefore, we are told to seek Him Who is doing all these things; the Lord is
His Name. He is Jehovah, the Sovereign, self-Existent and Eternal One! And He
shall not fail in one thing He has purposed to do, by His Spirit!
The Psalmist prophesied of us, when he declared, "This shall be written
for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall
praise the Lord. For he hath looked down from the height of his
sanctuary; from heaven did the Lord behold the earth; To hear the groaning of
the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death; To
declare the name of the Lord in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem; When the
people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the Lord" (Ps.
102:18-22). This is a prophecy of the kingdom of God as it shall be when the
people and the kingdoms are fully gathered together to serve the Lord. We are
that "generation to come." We are part of the
forty-second generation, which is the generation of the fullness and the
completeness of Christ, including Christ the Head and Christ the body (see Mt.
1:17). When the Lord has released His feet company and the entire Christ body
from death, or when the sons of God are manifested, the new morning shall then
dawn on the earth and the nations shall begin to serve the Lord.
In this process of creating us in the image and likeness of Christ, our souls
must first be brought to a death and a resurrection, spiritually speaking, that
we might be totally transformed in both soul, and body (Ro. 12:2). David spoke
of this process, when he said, "For thou hast delivered my soul from
death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk
before God in the light of the living?" (Ps. 56:13.) The Psalmist also
said, "I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.
The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I
found trouble and sorrow. Then called I upon the name of the Lord: O Lord, I
beseech thee, deliver my soul. Gracious is the Lord, and
righteous; yea, our God is merciful. The Lord preserveth the simple: I was
brought low, and he helped me. Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the
Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee. For thou hast delivered my soul from
death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. I will walk
before the Lord in the land of the living" (Ps. 116:1-9).
Many saints of old also experienced the tests and trials of this life. They
not only experienced the sufferings of Christ as we are, but they also came
through them victoriously, just as we are also. The sufferings of Christ, which
all the elect are going through now, are preparing us to live the Life of Christ
in glorious fullness. It is possible that we are now standing on the threshold
of that Life, both in Father's time and according to His eternal purposes, which
will usher in the fullness of the kingdom of God and release the creation from
its long and painful bondage to sin and death. When once we truly see the glory
that is to be revealed in us, for us and through us, by the Spirit, the paltry
elements of man's religious order and the things of this world will soon lose
their appeal. Then we will earnestly seek to enter into that endless,
resurrection Life of Christ.
Once again, the Psalmist expressed the cry of our hearts, when he said,
"Let them now that fear the Lord say, that his mercy endureth for ever. I called
upon the Lord in distress: the Lord answered me, and set me in a large place.
The right hand of the Lord is exalted: the right hand of the Lord doeth
valiantly. I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.
The Lord hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death.
Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise
the Lord: This gate of the Lord, into which the righteous shall enter. I
will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation"
(Ps. 118:4-5, 16-21).
When we cried to the Lord in our distress, He answered us and set our feet in
a large place in the Spirit (Ps. 31:8). Look around you, and see in the Spirit!
You are seated with Him in heavenly places in Christ. And since you are IN
CHRIST, if only in an elementary sense, the broad expanse of the fullness of
Christ is before you. Take and eat of Him; partake of Him in fullness! He has
become your salvation! Cease eating off man's meager table, and feast instead on
the spiritual riches that He is! He has chastened you sore, but He has not given
you over to death. With each blow of His chastening whip, our souls are the more
restored, the gates of His righteousness are opened wider, and we are blessed by
being empowered and enabled to walk a little deeper into the paths of the
righteousness of Christ (Ps. 23:3). When those gates have fully opened wide, the
chastened overcomers shall enter in, to receive the fullness of the
righteousness, glory and Life of Christ in abundance. Thus, it is written,
"In the way of righteousness IS LIFE; and in the pathway thereof THERE IS NO
DEATH" (Pro. 12:28).
From the Book of Joshua we learn more about the significance of the FEET
company and what this truth means to us today. In the tenth chapter, five kings
and their armies fought against Gibeon. The men of Gibeon went to Joshua asking
him for help against that massive foe. So Joshua went immediately to help them.
The Lord gave His promise to Joshua, saying, "Fear them not: for I have
delivered them into thine hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee"
(Joshua 10:5-8). Joshua and the hosts of Israel fought against them and
prevailed. The Lord also cast great hailstones from heaven upon those armies,
thus defeating them. Joshua continued to fight as darkness descended, but he
would not give up the battle because of that darkness.
Joshua then spoke forth in the sight of all Israel, and commanded the sun to
stand still. "So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not
to go down about a whole day. And there was no day like that before it or after
it, that the Lord hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the Lord fought for
Israel" (Jos. 10:12-14). What a wonderful day that was! Yet we live in a
more glorious Day, when the Lord shall fight for His chosen elect as they stand
before their typical Jordan, seeking an end to death and the manifestation of
the sons of God. This manifestation will release the creation from its long and
painful bondage and bring forth the Life of Christ for all.
Joshua continued fighting the enemy until most of them were eliminated. The
enemies that remained "entered into fenced cities." The five kings that
ruled over those enemy nations were released from the caves where they were kept
during the battles. Now, notice what happened next: Joshua called for the
captains of the men of war to come forth. Then Joshua said to them, "Come
near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings." And
when the captains of the men of war put their feet on the necks of those enemy
kings, Joshua spoke these words, which are prophetic and apply to the FEET
company of the Christ body today: "Fear not, nor be dismayed, be
strong and of good courage: for thus shall the Lord do to all your enemies
against whom ye fight" (Jos. 10:24-25).
Symbolically and in the Spirit, we should see that all our enemies are under
our feet. Every enemy is under our feet personally, and they are also under this
feet company of the corporate body of Christ, which we are. As Joshua commanded
the captains of the armies of Israel to place their feet on the necks of the
kings of their enemies, even so are we to see that all our enemies, including
Satan, have been put under the feet of this body, which we are, and that those
enemies no longer have any power in our lives. Where are all our enemies? Our
chief enemies, which are the devil and the carnal man within us, are under our
feet, thus placing all other lesser enemies under our feet as well (see 2 Sam.
38-41, Ps. 18:40, 91:3, & Mal. 4:3). And since we see our feet as being on the
necks of our chief enemies, we have the positive assurance that every enemy
shall be thoroughly defeated in due time. They are already defeated and are
powerless, as far as we are concerned. Others will rant and rave and war against
the devil, but we see him as a defeated foe, even as we await his final end.
Contrary to what some have thought about the kingdom of God, His kingdom is
the realm of God's dominion which has as its function and purpose to put down
all other rule, authority and power, defeat every enemy and put them all under
the feet of this corporate Christ, including Christ the Head and Christ the
body. "For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The
last enemy that shall be destroyed is death" (1 Co. 15:24-26). The
wonderful period or age of the kingdom of God in all the earth will not be a
time of constant and unlimited peace, righteousness, blessings, and love, as was
previously thought by some of us. But the beginning era of the kingdom of God on
earth is a time of spiritual warfare and spiritual darkness. It is a period of
time that is mixed with gross spiritual darkness along with some of the
blessings and benefits of the kingdom of God, just as Isaiah prophesied it would
be (see Is. 60:1-2, 11-14, 17-22).
This new Day began at evening time, as spiritual darkness in the earth was
increasing. Isaiah prophesied of the light of the Spirit shining within and
among God's people at the same time that "darkness shall cover the earth,
and gross darkness the people" (Is. 60:1-2). This is most certainly that
time! The Spirit of the Lord has risen within and among the Lord's elect at the
very time when spiritual darkness is increasing. This is the sign of the coming
of the kingdom of God to the earth in a greater way! And this is always God's
answer to spiritual darkness! He will always manifest His light, life and
presence in His saints when spiritual darkness is the greatest, so that the
spiritual Light within them and upon them will dispel all that darkness. If you
are really concerned about the spiritual darkness in the world at this time,
along with its destructive influence and power over all mankind, heed the
prophets admonition and "arise, shine" in the Spirit.
This prophetic word is telling us to rise up out of the spiritual doldrums
that can diminish the power of His light within us! Let the Spirit of the Lord
shine forth from within us! Let there be no manifestation of darkness from
within us! You and I are that city that is set on a hill; we have become the
light of the world (Mt. 5:14-16)! Therefore, the only hope for the world is for
us to "arise, shine" in the Spirit. The works of the Lord, as mentioned
in verse sixteen, are not what they once were. There is nothing we can do of our
own works that will meet the great need of the groaning creation. The works and
principles of the old church order of the past are gone for ever. Our calling
now is to BECOME AND BE! Furthermore, the Light of Christ within us may be the
only Light the people of the world will ever see! Therefore, we will arise and
shine, "for thy (OUR) light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon
thee (US)."
Spiritual darkness covers the earth, and gross darkness the hearts of the
people. But the Lord has risen upon us, is rising upon us, and shall yet rise
upon us in greater fullness. Therefore, His glory shall be seen upon us. The
kingdom of God has now come to the earth in a greater way! We are called to
serve His kingdom principles and purposes in this new Day, and indeed we shall,
by the leading of His Spirit. Multitudes will be delivered when we arise and
shine in the Spirit to dispel this darkness, and the Lord will be glorified! Not
only that, but God has declared, "I will glorify the house of my glory"
(Is. 60:7). This means that we who make up the house of the Lord shall also
share in that glory that will yet be revealed.
Then, the word of the Lord through the prophet Isaiah declares, "and I
will make the place of MY FEET glorious" (Vs. 13). Why do
you suppose the feet are mentioned in this prophecy? Why not the head, or the
arms, or some other part of the body of Christ? Why should it be that the feet
are the only members of the body to be mentioned in this prophecy of the coming
of the kingdom of God to the earth? For the simple reason that THE FEET COMPANY
have a very distinct purpose to fulfill regarding the kingdom of God! They are
the only members of the body of Christ on the earth at this time of the coming
of the kingdom of God to the earth in greater fullness. It is that part of the
body that has been given the responsibility of defeating Satan, and keeping him
and other enemies in subjection all during this age of the kingdom of God on
earth (see Ge. 3:15, Ps. 8:6, 47:3, 91:13, Ro. 16:20, 1 Co. 15:25, 27, Eph.
1:22, He. 2:8, Rev. 20:1-3).
According to Isaiah's prophecy, the Lord will "beautify the place
of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious."
What a promise that is! The whole company of His sanctuary will be beautified,
and the place of His feet shall be made more glorious than any other members of
this body except the Head. There is no portion of the body that will ever exceed
the glory of Christ, our brilliant and honorable Head! But the FEET company
shall be made glorious when these anointed, called, and chosen Melchisedec
priests have finished their work and have attained to their appointed high
calling of God in Christ. The tests and trials, along with our separation from
those involved in the ways of the past, have been difficult to endure. But the
greater glory to be revealed in us, for us, and through us will show beyond any
doubt that it was worth living the life we did, which we lived every step of
this way in obedience to Father's perfect will.
Isaiah's prophecy continues with more promises of kingdom blessings, "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. Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated, so that no man went through
thee, I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations"
(Is. 60:14-15).
Isn't it wonderful to realize that Father knows and understands all about our
situation? He observes our every move, and is walking with us through every
trial, by the Spirit. He knows full well that we may have been afflicted by
others, that we have been despised and rejected as the first Son was, and that
we have been forsaken and hated, so that no man came through us on their way to
God. Not only does He know and understand all about us, but our Father planned
it this way for us before we were ever born. And He also has purposed that we
shall be rewarded with much more than we could ever think we might have lost. At
the end of our appointed period of trials, Father will make our critics and
opponents "bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet."
He will also make us "an eternal excellency, a joy of many
generations." And the Lord will be all the more glorified because
of our high-priestly, Melchisedec ministry in His kingdom!
There is something else that is significant and applies to this feet company,
which we are. It is found in the prophecy of Zacharias, which he gave at the
time of the birth of his son, John the Baptist. Zacharias was filled with the
Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for
he hath visited and redeemed his people, And hath raised up an horn of salvation
for us in the house of his servant David; As he spake by the mouth of his holy
prophets, which have been since the world began: That we should be saved from
our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; To perform the mercy
promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;. . And thou, child,
shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of
the Lord to prepare his ways; ... To give light to them that sit in darkness and
in the shadow of death, to guide OUR FEET into the way of peace"
(Lu. 1:67-72, 76, 79).
Portions of this prophecy were certainly fulfilled during the life of John,
but much of it is still being fulfilled, especially the last verse. John was
called to "go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways." And one
of the ways of the Lord is "to give light to them that sit in darkness and
in the shadow of death, to guide OUR FEET into the way of peace."
The feet are mentioned in this prophecy to show the prophetic purpose God has
for the feet of the body of Christ. The feet company are shod with the gospel of
peace (Eph. 6:15); they are the first to enter into the peace of the kingdom of
God. And when the feet enter into the kingdom, they bring the entire body with
them.
The Lord must have a prophetic purpose for the feet of the body of Christ
that applies to this present Day. If this were not true, why would there be so
much emphasis on the feet throughout the prophetic word? And why should the feet
be mentioned when other portions of the body are not? Surely the feet company of
the body of Christ have a very distinct and definite plan and purpose to fulfill
in the kingdom of our Father! And by His grace, we shall fulfill it all! Now
notice what else the prophetic word says about this feet company: "How
beautiful upon the mountains are THE FEET OF HIM that bringeth good
tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that
publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, thy God reigneth!"
(Is. 52:7.) "The feet of him" suggests a person,
specifically a man, which is the Manchild. The feet of that Man are beautiful!
And they receive the first dominion of the kingdom of God before any others
(Micah 4:8). They are not false prophets of doom and gloom, but they bring good
tidings of good things. This feet company are publishers of peace; they also
declare the full salvation of the Lord! And they obediently announce in Zion,
"THY GOD REIGNETH!"
Paul and Emily Mueller
P O BOX 25055, PORTLAND, OR 97298-0055
