Part Eleven
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DIVINE ENCOUNTER (RENEWAL FELLOWSHIP) 

P. O. BOX 3625 WARRI, DELTA STATE , NIGERIA .

TOPIC: THE SIGNS OF THE LAST DAYS       TEXT II TIM. 3:1

PART 11  

THE HOLY SPIRIT - THE SIGN OF A UNIVERSAL LAW AT THE END  

            "But know this, that in the last days perilous times shall come" 2Tim.3:1 KJV.

            There are interesting passages in the word of God that prove to us, the true signs that we should be looking for at the consummation of the ages. Not the explosion of planet earth, or the extinction of mankind by a supposed `imaginary' antichrist of the religious world but rather a glorious looking forward to the unveiling of the true sign (Christ) in a people of God for the emancipation of creation. For the word says "I consider that what we suffer at this present time cannot be compared at all with the glory that is to be revealed to us (and in us) (Christ in you the hope of Glory - Col. 1: 27, what is to be revealed is what is within us and not a rapture). All of creation waits with eager longing for God to reveal His Sons. For creation was condemned to lose its purpose (The Eden like state) not of its own will, but because God willed it to be so (that means Adam through whom creation fell into chaos could not have resisted the fall as it is willed by God) yet there was the hope that creation itself would one day be set free from its slavery to decay and would share the glorious freedom of the children of God. For we know that up to the present time ALL OF CREATION (right from the smallest ant to the most civilized being on earth) groans with pains - Rom.8:18-22 GNV. Yes of a truth creation is in pains, of sickness, poverty, wars, famine, insecurity, national conflicts, hatred, political, social and economic instability within and without, what is more, no sense of direction, men are lost in every realm, seeking and groping in the dark for possible solution. Even religiously, men are looking for a Saviour, a rapture and a possible deliverer from the sky. But thank God for His wisdom, the Saviour is within and not without (Lk.17:20-21, 2Cor.13:5). And what a hope for creation when all enemies of man shall be brought under subjection to the Christ in the Sons of God; as they manifest the power and the glory of God. This shall be the final fulfillment of the "...sure mercies of David..." as prophesied by Isaiah; which speaks of the conquering power of God in David as a king in subduing all nations that opposed Israel so that at the end Solomon his son had no wars to fight. And so we read "behold, I have appointed Him (the Messiah - Christ in His people - the sons of God or David as representing Him) for a witness - one who shall testify of salvation - to the nations, a prince and commander to the peoples. Behold you ( Israel - Children of God) shall call nations that you know not, and nations that did not know you, shall run to you because of the Lord your God, and of the Holy one of Israel , for HE HAS GLORIFIED YOU (Christ in you the hope of Glory Col. l: 27)... You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills, the trees of the field - all the world around you - will rejoice. Where once were thorns. (resulting from the curse) fir trees will grow: where briers grew (thorns and briers speaking of imperfection and confusion in creation) the myrtle trees will sprout up. This miracle will make the Lord's name very great and be an everlasting sign (of God's power and love)" Isa.55:4-5, 12­13 AMP, TLB. People of God what a sign we are asked to behold! It is about time we proclaimed to creation that their salvation in the corporate body of Christ is around the corner, when the tears of mankind shall cease. Hallehijah! We must see, as God sees, or else we will miss the plans and purpose of God for creation. For His thought are not our thoughts neither His ways our ways (Isa.55:8). If only we will continue to follow on religiously. But now we must come to terms with His thoughts and His ways because we have the mind of Christ (ICor.2:16). For in Christ we are new creatures (2Cor.5:17). Therefore we can think His thoughts and walk in His ways to reveal His mind and ways to creation for deliverance.  

SO WHAT IS GOD'S PLAN AND HOW IS HE BRINGING IT TO PASS?  

            As we come into the Spirit only (Rev.4:l Rom.8:9) can we see clearly the mind of God. On this platform I wish to declare to you that, God in His infinite wisdom has determined that ALL FLESH (mankind) SHALL SEE (experience) THE SALVATION (Savior) OF GOD (Lk 3:6). And this is going to happen through the ministry of judgment in Christ through the Sons. Hear this "...if then we (mankind) are the Children of God, we ought not to imagine God in terms of gold or silver or stone contrived by human art or imagination. Now while it is true that God has overlooked the days of ignorance (of imagining the shape of God), He now commands all men everywhere to repent. For he has fixed g -day on which He will JUDGE the whole world (1 Cc - G: 2+. The saints shall judge the world) in justice (righteousness), by the standard of a man     the

corporate body of Christ - the Church) whom He has appointed (see Heb. 11:7. God's standard in the days of Noah was Noah's righteousness). That this is so, He has guaranteed to all men by raising this man from the dead" Acts 17:29 -31. Philips. What is the guarantee to all men? It is the release of His Spirit into creation for the purpose of reconciliation and that all men shall partake of the resurrection. For "...He has ...given us His Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee" (2Cor.1:22 RSV). "That was the true light which shines upon every man as he comes into the world". (Jn.1:9 Philips). The release of the Spirit was only possible after the Father raised Him from the dead. He was raised as a proof of what mankind shall experience even as He is the firstborn among many brethren (Rom.8:29) and the firstborn of every creature (Col.1:15). "For as in Adam all (mankind) die, even so in Christ shall all (mankind) be made alive. But every man in His own order, Christ the first fruits...." 1 Cor.15:22-24). Knowing also that it is the Spirit that carries the resurrection power. Rom1:3-4.  

WHAT THEN IS THE EFFECT OF THE MINISTRY OF JUDGMENT?  

            Again we read "...when thy judgments (plural) are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness" (Isa.26:9). " O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge   the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth... Then shall the earth yield her increase and God, even our own God shall bless us". Ps.67:4,6. Only after judgment. Can you see it? People of God, God's judgment will produce righteousness and praise on earth at the end. Even the strongest nation shall bow to the judgment of God. Now hear the word of the Lord. "In that day (appointed day of judgment) there will be an altar (place of worship) to the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt , and a pillar to the Lord at its border. And it shall be for a sign (the altar) and for a witness (the pillar Jos. 4:19 -24) to the Lord of hosts in the land of Egypt ; (the realm that keeps God's, people in slavery to sin shall acknowledge God). For they will cry to the Lord because of oppressors, and He will send them a Savior, even a mighty one, and He will deliver them. And the Lord will make Himself known to Egypt , and the Egyptians will know (have knowledge of, be acquainted with, give heed to and Cherish) the Lord IN THAT DAY and will worship with sacrifice of animal and vegetable offerings; they will vow and vow to the Lord and perform it. And the Lord shall smite Egypt , smiting and healing it and they will return to the Lord, and He will listen to their entreaties and heal them. In that day shall there be a high way out of Egypt (a revelation of God's life) to Assyria (another strong enemy of Israel and world power then) and the Assyrians will come to Egypt and the Egyptian into Assyria (reconciliation of warring world powers), and the Egyptians will worship (the Lord) with the Assyrians. In that day Israel shall be the third with Egypt and Assyria (in the Messianic league), a blessing in the midst of the earth. Whom the Lord of host has blessed, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people and Assyria , the work of my hands, and Israel my heritage" Isa.19:19-25 AMP. This is clear enough that all realms of creation shall bow to the covenant of God in Christ. Phil.2:9-11.  

CHRIST-THE UNIVERSAL LAW IN ALL MANKIND AT THE END  

            And "...this is the new agreement (covenant) I will make with the people of Israel (God's people), says the Lord: I will write my laws in their hearts so that they will know what I want them to do without my even telling them, and these laws will be in their hearts so that they will want to obey them, and I will be their God and they shall be my people. And no one then will need to speak to his friend or neighbor or brother saying, You too should know the Lord; because everyone, great or small will know me already. And I will be merciful to them in their wrong doings, and I will remember their sins no more" Heb.8:10-12 TLB. "For (then) the law of the Spirit of life (which is) in Christ Jesus (the law of our new being) has freed me (us) from the law of sin and death (externally regulated codes that have no power to change man) Rom.8:2 AMP. This is going to be possible because the Lord has decreed that "...(the time is coming when) the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea" (Hab.2:14 AMP). For "...truly I (God) live, ...all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord" (Nub. 14:21 ). What is this knowledge of the glory of the Lord? It is the knowledge of Christ. For "He (Christ) is the sole expression of the glory of God - the light-being the out-raying of divine. He is the perfect imprint and very image of (God's) nature..." Heb.1:3 AMP. In other words as we receive the knowledge of the very perfect image of God, we become one with Him in thought and actions for while the spirit is the seat of consciousness, - life, the soul realm is the personality of a being which is the product of knowledge. While nature is inborn, the image of God is our true nature. Character is formed e.g. a smoker but can be refined through knowledge. Now here God is refining the character of man to be able to reveal His true nature - The God-man.

To be continued OGAGA O. DAVID

 

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