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Revelation 11 – 6/28/15

Interesting that Jesus appeared with Moses and Elijah on the Mt of Transfiguration. Some have said Moses brought God’s people out of Egypt, while Elijah brought Egypt out of God’s people. Their ministries are reiterated in Revelation 11. Some think they will return. Not so.

He speaks of those of the temple, not the outer-court Christians. Measure them in the temple. Why? To see if they come to the measure of the stature of the fullness if Christ. Are they conformed to His image?

Ye are the Temple of the Holy Ghost. These are the 2 witnesses. Jesus said I bear witness of myself and my father in heaven bears witness of me. Two witnesses are you and Christ in you, fully formed. The world will try to silence your testimony with condemnation but Christ will resurrect and restore. Though fallen you will arise at His call. That’s when the enemy is truly terrified. You became a witness when baptized in the HG. In Rev 11 he gives power to those with power. A double portion.

At Pentecost we received “dunamos” or dynamite power. Rev 11 is a different kind of power. In the Greek it’s called exousia or authority power. Fire proceeds from your mouth and in this manner ememies are killed. God wants to use you and destroy the works of the devil. Submit to Jesus and cry out to be baptized in the Fire of the Holy Ghost. No more church game, just the reality of His presence.

Who is that Forth Man? 6/14/15

And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Eccl 4:12.

It is a powerful thing to understand who you are and whose you are when salvation comes and the Spirit of the Living God comes to reside within you by faith, all made possible by our Lord and Savior, Jesus, the Christ.  It is written that *two shall withstand him*.  So who are these two witnesses?

Jesus said, “I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.” (John 8:18)

The same is true of us, we bear witness of ourselves and the Spirit of Jesus that is within us bears witness.  This is the “two (that) shall withstand him”.

Further more, “a threefold cord is not quickly broken”.  Who is the third man?  When we stand together, at least two of us, there is a threefold cord; two believers and Jesus.  Even better is when there are three believers which brings to mind the forth man in the fiery furnace with Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego. (Dan 3:24-26).    And who is that Forth Man?  Please watch this video by Brother Oral Roberts to answer that question.

ON the Resurrection, Some Will Not Taste Death 6/14/15

ON THE RESURRECTION, SOME WILL NOT TASTE DEATH

1 Corinthians 15: [14] And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. [31] I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I DIE DAILY. [32] If after the manner of men I HAVE FOUGHT WITH BEASTS AT EPHESUS, WHAT ADVANTAGETH IT ME, IF THE DEAD RISE NOT? let us eat and drink; for tomorrow we die.

2 Corinthians 11: [23] Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, IN DEATHS OFT.

Hebrews 11: [5] By faith ENOCH WAS TRANSLATED THAT HE SHOULD NOT SEE DEATH; AND WAS NOT FOUND, BECAUSE GOD HAD TRANSLATED HIM: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. [6] But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Hebrews 11: [17] By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, [18] Of whom it was said, That IN ISAAC SHALL THY SEED BE CALLED: [19] ACCOUNTING THAT GOD WAS ABLE TO RAISE HIM UP, EVEN FROM THE DEAD; from whence also he received him in a figure.

Hebrews 11: [33] Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions. [34] Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. [35] WOMEN RECEIVED THEIR DEAD RAISED TO LIFE AGAIN: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:

JOHN 11: [21] Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. [22] But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. [23] Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. [24] Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. [25] Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: [26] AND WHOSOEVER LIVETH AND BELIEVETH IN ME SHALL NEVER DIE. BELIEVEST THOU THIS? [39] Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. [43] And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. [44] And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

1 Corinthians 15: [51] Behold, I shew you a mystery; WE SHALL NOT ALL SLEEP, BUT WE SHALL ALL BE CHANGED, [52] In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

Romans 8: [11] But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, HE THAT RAISED UP CHRIST FROM THE DEAD SHALL ALSO QUICKEN YOUR MORTAL BODIES by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

Job 19: [26] And though after my skin worms destroy this body, YET IN MY FLESH SHALL I SEE GOD:

1 Corinthians 15: [55] O death, where is thy sting? O GRAVE, WHERE IS THY VICTORY? [56] The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. [57] But thanks be to GOD, WHICH GIVETH US THE VICTORY through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jerry Turk's photo.

Seeing HIM who is Unseen – 6/7/15

I am thankful for the many men and women of God that have discipled me in the Lord. Almost All have gone on to their reward. They were not televangelists but rather were those who stood outside of the limelight…for they stood in another light. They were those who had seen Him who is invisible.

Decades ago they saw the great falling away and warned of such. But they also experienced a foretaste of the great rains of God…rains that are yet to come! They could not help but speak of that which had touched them; the finger of God impregnated them with vision. Vision beyond their day and beyond the forms and rituals of a church that had denied the power of Christ indwelling His body. They became living testimonies of the Living Christ! Where ever they went living truth was imparted.

Today, we have traded a crucified life for a self-satisfied life. We want degreed clergy who know how to tickle our ears rather than the man/woman of God who has travailed in agony that Christ be formed in us. Professional “Christianity” in all its many forms can never take the place of the true

Bride of Christ, who has, like those mentioned above, tasted of the powers of the age to come, have seen Him who is invisible and have been wrecked for anything less than His manifest presence and glory. God will always have a witness (one who demonstrates who Christ truly is) in the Earth. And even in the midst of gross darkness, the Lord is yet arising upon His remnant Bride. His glory shall be seen upon her and kings shall arise to the brightness of His rising within her.

Where are today’s visionaries? Where are those pioneers of the Heavenly way who are not afraid to stand-out as the true testimony of Jesus… in the midst of apostacy and gross darkness and let God arise? -from West Africa

Modern Day Judaizers – 6/6/15

MODERN DAY JUDAIZERS

In his day Paul admonished and rebuked JUDAIZERS, or those who defined the Christian faith based not solely on the GRACE of Jesus Christ but also on their obedience to the LAW. “I marvel that you are so soon removed from him who called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel… O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you?…Are you so foolish having begun in the Spirit are now made perfect by the flesh?” [Gal 1:6; 3:1-3].

Those who espouse the same doctrine, that is, those who insist on the law’s equality with grace or supremacy of the law over grace, are modern-day JUDAIZERS and they remain with us today. Indeed, modern JUDAIZERS often avoid using the name “JESUS” which is the Anglicized form of the Greek “IESOUS” used by Paul. Incidentally, “IESOUS” has been verified in a plethora of ancient manuals, the earliest manuscripts dating c.125. Instead, these JUDAIZERS refer to Jesus as YAHSHUA or Yahoshua Hamashiach.

Now if a Messianic Jew or Christian who is Judaized seeks to identify Jesus with his Hebrew name, most non-Jewish Christians are not bothered or offended. However, the offense comes when a Messianic Jew or a Judaized Christian insists on the Hebrew name for Christ and blatantly declares that others who know him as Jesus Christ are false Christians, antichrist or destined for the great tribulation,hell, etc. Beloved, this is pure ASKENAZIM influence and derivation, and is therefore not valid. What do I mean by the ASKENAZIM? Before I explain allow me to introduce and cite my primary source. I humbly suggest that a reading of Arthur Koestler’s, THE THIRTEENTH TRIBE might provide an understanding to the origin this misguided theology. In the 1950s Koestler was a world famous and highly awarded Jewish author who exposed modern day Jews as neither Jewish nor Hebrew in origin. This volume, THE THIRTEENTH TRIBE, was Koestler’s last work. Shortly after publication of this work his body and his wife’s body were found in their London home after they allegedly ended their lives in joint suicide.

In any event, by examining ancient documents Koestler effectively argues that modern day Jews or the ASKENAZIM are descendants of the Khazars who originated from the steps of Russia and who converted to Judaism under the mandate of their King, Bulan the Magnificent shortly after the rise of Islam. Essentially, there is no evidence to support the notion that modern Jews are descended from the Jews of the Bible.

Nonetheless, Koestler’s point is irrelevant to the Grace-Faith-Christian who acknowledges that “In Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, bond or free, male or female [Gal 3:28].” In other words, even though Arthur Koestler may be correct and modern Jews probably are not the Jews of the Bible, to the Christian “Koestler’s fact” is meaningless where GRACE is the ACCEPTED HIGHER ORDER. Indeed, even Christians with a surface understanding of the Old Testament are aware of Ruth the Moabite and Rahab the Canaanite who became Jews and were assimilated. So, in this sense the ASKNAZI Jews are assimilated Jews, but Jews nonetheless.

Of course to the Judaized Christian a lineage that links the Jews of the Bible to modern day Jews is paramount because the law is paramount (or at least equal to the order of grace). Incidentally, Paul considered a Judaized Christian a non-Christian. To him the term Judaized Christian was essentially an oxymoron. According to Paul, if a Christian clings tenaciously to the power of the law, then they have “fallen from grace.”

Moreover, Paul mitigates the authority of Jews from ancient Palestine or those who became known as SEPHARDIC Jews. In Romans 11:28 we read: “As concerning the Gospel, they are enemies for your sakes.” The occasional claim of a modern-day Jews who links himself or herself to a SEPHARDIC heritage is dubious at best. Most historians agree that the SEPHARDIM 1) assimilated into European, Middle Eastern or African societies, 2) converted to other religions or 3) were annihilated in various purgings like the one conducted by Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain

CONCLUSION:
In 1Timothy 1:4 Paul admonishes us “Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.” Hence we are encouraged to avoid these sort of contentions altogether. In this hour when “the love of many shall wax cold,” we are confronted on every side by those who further divide or deceive the Body of Christ. In addition to contentions over the “true-name of God” other Judaizers readily engage in arguments about where to worship, who to submit to and what day of the week worship should be conducted. Avoid these people and their issues like the plague. Know that your salvation is based on God-given faith in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Recall the Philippian jailer who begs of Paul and Silas, “Sirs, What must I do to be saved?” They simply responded, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved and thy house” [Acts 16:30-31]. Notice that they made no mandate that the jailer learn how Jesus is spoken in Hebrew, what day is the correct Sabbath, or even the need to become a Jew first before becoming a Christian. Again, legal mandates or rituals were not even mentioned when one of the malefactors crucified alongside the Savior said to Jesus, “Remember me when you come into your kingdom. To this individual Jesus simply replied, “Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise” [Lk 23:42-43].

But how is the believer to know the truth? There are so many opinions; so many others who are so persuasive and have such strong convictions. In John 16:13 Jesus said, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.” This passage is a direct reference to the believer’s need to be BAPTIZED IN THE HOLY GHOST.  Without which the believer “will be ever learning, never coming to the knowledge of the truth” [2Tim 3: 7]. But even at this Pentecostal Feast we read of a great falling away that occurred in the Old Testament [Nu 16:32]. Hence Paul prays that the Ephesians receive the “SPIRIT OF WISDOM AND REVELATION” in the knowledge of Him so that the “eyes of understanding can truly be enlightened [Eph 1:17-18]. “This experience of enlightenment correlates to the Feast of Trumpets that follows the Feast of Pentecost [Nu 10:35 & Ps 68:1].

Beloved, pull up your tent stakes, let God arise and move into the TRUTH by HIS SPIRIT. Do not hesitate. Ask God for His Spirit to reveal to you the mystery of the gospel that has been hidden for ages. Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ will not disappoint you.

God bless you in the name of Jesus,
Brother Jerry Turk

I Exalt Thee -Chris Quilala / Jesus Culture
Chris Quilala singing “I Exalt Thee” from the “Your Love Never Fails” CD/DVD, available on jesusculture.com. This DVD was recorded live at a Jesus Culture Co…

Why Do You Seek the Living Among the Dead? 6/4/15

Why do you seek the living among the dead? 

The two angels asked this of the women as they went to the tomb of Jesus on the third day (Luke 24:5, 23).  It is a very simple question that is actually a statement.  After all, why would anyone look for life in the middle of a graveyard?

Indeed, the question posed by the angels at the tomb was more of a rebuke than anything else, just as Jesus rebuked the scribes and pharasees:

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!  For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. (Matt 23:27)

Two tombs. No life.

There was a time when the presence of the Lord was in a box, the ark of the covenant.   The presence of the Lord now resides within us.

Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?   If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him.  For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are. (1 Corinthians 3:16,17)

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? (1 Corinthians 6:19)

Beloved, it is time for us all to stop looking for the living among the dead.  God’s presence no longer resides in a box and never did reside in a church building.  The tombs of religions and churches have no life.

Jesus is the way, the truth and the LIFE. (John 14:6)    The truth of Jesus is the only way to life we will ever find.  Without Jesus living in us through HIS Spirit by faith, we also are little more than lifeless tombs.  Only as HIS presence, HIS Spirit continually fills us are we being born again into everlasting life.  Jesus is our prize, our pearl of great price. (Matt 13:45-46)

In Malachi 3:1 we are told that Lord will suddenly come to HIS temple, which is us if we believe in HIM:

And the Lord, whom you seek,
Will suddenly come to His temple,
Even the Messenger of the covenant,
In whom you delight.
Behold, He is coming,”
Says the Lord of hosts.

God bless you beyond what you can think or imagine,

Brother Andrew

 

Jesus Came to Fulfill the Law – 6/3/15

JESUS CAME TO FULFILL THE LAW.

He did not come to re-establish, reinforce, reintroduce, reiterate, reaffirm, remain in, or re-institute the law. “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ [Jn 1:16].”

Why is this important? Because the law was taught by priests who were from the tribe of Levi. They were known as Levites or Levitical Priests. But Jesus was from the tribe of Judah whose descendants were called Jews. Now Moses, and all 12 Hebrew tribes including Judah descended from Abraham. And yet Abraham gave tithe or 10% of his spoil to Melchizedek because Melchizedek was from a higher order than the law.

Melchizedek had neither beginning of days nor end of life. Likewise in Hebrews 6:20 Jesus is revealed “after the order of Melchizedek.” For example, Jesus said, “before Abraham was I AM [Jn 8:58].” Again Jesus is like Melchizedek for “He ever liveth to make intercession for us [Heb 7:25].” Intercession means Jesus is advocating like our lawyer for our innocence because He paid the penalty for our sin on the cross. The intercessory work of Christ is God’s grace or unmerited favor.

If we trust in our ability to keep the law we will surely perish. Even our righteousness is as filthy rags [Isa 64:6]. If we repent of our sins, seek forgiveness for our sinful nature and trust, or have faith in His grace to save us,we will stand before Him at the Judgment Seat clothed in His righteousness and inherit eternal life.

Jesus Christ Sermon on the Mount The Higher Law
Matthew 5:17-48 17¶Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18For verily I say unto you, Till h…
YOUTUBE.COM

So Deep in the Pit – 6/3/15

EVER BEEN SO DEEP IN THE PIT thought you’d never get out? I heard a preacher once say there were so many Christians in his family it was like he was born one. Well not me. By the time I was five I was valedictorian of my class in the School of Sin. Got a PhD in sin at 7 and by 12 went professional. Heart so dark all I could think was how to get pleasure, popularity or pity. If it was wrong I wanted to try it. Hated myself cause I was lost. Didn’t even think “found” was an option.

Then one gloomy day, like all the rest, JESUS sucker punched me right in the Soul. He grabbed me by the collar, yanked me out of the miry clay and put me forever on solid rock. Didn’t even know what hope was until then.

By His grace I turned my back on a pit of filth and He gave me joy unspeakable and full of glory. Hallelujah! You been there too? You know what I’m talking about? There might be a few who do. If Jesus did that for you then I’ll bet you sing about Him at the top of your lungs every chance you get. This is one of those songs that comes to me and I can’t be quiet. It tells my story better than I can. Hope you like it too.

He Brought Me Out Of The Miry Clay
Music, praise and worship and choir songs by the VBFA Choir led by Music Pastor Rev. Gary Grisham at Van Buren First Assembly of God, Arkansas. Pastor Bobby …
YOUTUBE.COM

Spiritual Experiences Foretold in Hebrew Feasts 6/2/15

SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCES FORETOLD IN HEBREW FEASTS

Directing your attention to Exodus 23:17, 34:23 and Deuteronomy 16:2-3, &16 we read that the Lord commands the men of Israel to come before Him three times a year.  The 16th chapter of Deuteronomy is more specific and these three times a year are identified. They include the Feast of Passover or Unleavened, the Feast of Weeks or Pentecost and the Feast of Tabernacles.  According to the Hebrew calendar there were initially a total of seven feasts ordained by God.  An additional two feasts were added later.  These three feasts correlate to essential spiritual experiences in Christ.

First it is generally understood that it was no accident that Jesus was crucified on the feast of Passover.  God was offering up his Lamb once and for all so that this annual practice that was initiated when the Hebrews fled from Egypt would not need to be repeated.  Consequently we view our salvation experience or born again experience as the spiritual fulfillment of Passover initiated centuries before.  That is, the Passover was instituted as a type and shadow of things to come.  The blood of an innocent lamb had to be put on the doorpost and lintels of each household so that the death Angel would pass-over.  Where there was no blood applied the firstborn died.  Likewise, when we come to Christ we accept his shed blood on the cross like the blood that was applied to the vertical door posts and horizontal lintels for the propitiation of our sins.  We leave a cursed kingdom of darkness where God’s judgment and wrath is poured out and we enter into His glorious kingdom of light that carries with it the promise of eternal life.  Passover is a perfect picture of what Christ did for us on Calvary in type and shadow.  Indeed the Christian knows that it was no coincidence that Jesus died on Passover.

Concurrent with the Feast of Passover two other feasts are celebrated in the springtime.  These include the Feast of the Unleavened Bread and the Feast of the Firstfruits (Ex 34:18-20).  Sometimes they are collectively simply called the Passover, and at other times in the Old Testament they are simply referred to the Feast of the Unleavened as in Deuteronomy 16:16.  These, like Passover are also symbolic and instituted as a foreshadowing of events in the life of the believer that have spiritual significance.  As the Hebrews approached the Red Sea and Pharaoh’s army was in pursuit, the Hebrews were unable to allow their bread to rise with the yeast or leaven.  They were instructed that they had to eat their bread in haste or “unleavened.”  Jesus said regarding sin, a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump, cast out therefore the leaven.  This is a type and shadow of the need for repentance – when a person first comes to Christ.  We are brought out of Egypt (spiritually speaking) by the blood of the Lamb and we repent of our sins or cast out the leaven.

Finally, after they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land and the Egyptians were drowned, they celebrated the Feast of Firstfruits.  This is described as such because the Hebrews offered unto God sacrifices including a portion of their first or early harvest.  Even their firstborn were dedicated to God and were thereafter called to a priestly order.  Again this is a perfect type and shadow of the commitment that is made to Christ at the time of salvation.  Recall Paul’s words “that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, wholly acceptable unto God which is your reasonable service.”

Following their safe escape and out of the reach of Pharaoh one might naturally think that they would travel directly to the Promised Land.  Instead God directs them in the opposite direction, to the southern region of the Sinai Peninsula, to Mount Sinai.  There Moses receives the 10 Commandments.  Because this occurs 50 days after Passover or on the day after seven weeks it is called the Feast of Weeks or the Feast of Pentecost (from the Greek like pentagon: five sided building).  Once again this is perfectly fulfilled in the book of Acts on the Feast of Pentecost when the Holy Ghost was first poured out on the 120 disciples in the upper room.  Recall from Jeremiah 31:33 and II Corinthians 3:3 (paraphrasing) I will no longer write my words on tablets of stone but on your hearts, and again in Isaiah 28:11 “with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.”  Hence, just as it was absolutely necessary that Jesus die on the Feast of Passover, so too was it absolutely necessary that the Holy Ghost be poured out on the Feast of Pentecost.  The first Pentecost described in Exodus was a celebration of the word of God given in a literal or natural way, on tablets of stone.  The book of Acts reveals Pentecost fulfilled where the word of God is delivered spiritually and his disciples utter the very oracles of God by speaking in tongues.  However, take note that when Moses gave the Hebrews the 10 Commandments etched in stone by God’s own finger there was a great falling away.  Indeed a golden calf was erected and worshiped.  The earth opened up and swallowed 3000 who sought to overthrow Moses and his leadership.  So too, we should not be surprised as we enter into this spiritual Pentecost and we witness or are overwhelmed with a great falling away.  Despite this mighty demonstration of God’s power at Pentecost the believer can also testify to the persistence of the carnal mind, which is often evident by the abundant working of the flesh.  Indeed, more than any other feast we struggle with our own behaviors and the behaviors of other believers who have given way to fleshly and carnal desires, and they are often blatantly publicized.  Hence we come to realize that these events associated with apostasy, debauchery and degradation were foretold in type and shadow at Mt Sinai.  Why?  Because just as it was not God’s intention that the Hebrews were to remain in the wilderness, it is also not God’s intention that we remain fixated on the Baptism of the Holy Ghost as God’s goal for our life.  God desires that we move on to the Promised Land.

The next three feasts are celebrated conjointly like the first three feasts, and as a group are known collectively as the harvest feasts (in the fall season) or the Feasts of the Ingathering.  In Numbers 11 we read that God instructs Moses to construct trumpets made of silver of which much could be said regarding their spiritual significance.  For example, silver which tarnishes was used to purchase Joseph by Potiphar.  Our Lord was betrayed for 30 pieces of silver (further explanation for another time).  Nonetheless, the traditional ceremonial shofar was not used.  Instead these silver trumpets were used to announce to the encamped Hebrews the need to move on.  The glory cloud was moving, the trumpets were sounding, tent stakes needed to be pulled up and God’s people needed to follow Him to the land of promise.  Ephesians 1:13 “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also, after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise. (Verses15-17)  I… cease not to… mention of you in my prayers that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory may give unto you the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in the knowledge of Him.”  Essentially this experience which involves divine revelation empowers the Christian to actually comprehend the full extent of His love to “usward who believe.”  No more “ever learning, never coming to the knowledge of the truth.”  No more need for Sunday school.  It is because of this enlightening experience that the songwriter wrote, “Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.”  This revelation is divine wisdom.  At long last the Christian understands God’s purpose and goal for the entire body of Christ.  In brief that goal is to “conform us to His image,” and that we as “His body” are to be “filled with all the fullness of God.”  But this encounter with Christ is inclusive of much more.  Knowing the goal and knowing how to get there are two different things; hence the need for wisdom and revelation.  And although reception of divine illumination can be likened to a spiritual experience, it is probably better understood in the context of a journey, much like the Hebrews who traveled from Sinai to Palestine.  Yet at the same time this feast is experiential because a quickening in the spirit occurs with each new insight.  For example, in their journey the Hebrews had many experiences and received many specific instructions.  They were fed by manna and later by quail.  Water miraculously gushed from the rock and quenched their thirst.  They were healed when they simply looked upon the bronze serpent held up on Moses’ staff.  They were overshadowed by the pillar of cloud by day, which protected them from the blistering desert rays.  They were warmed at night from freezing temperatures by the pillar of fire.  They received instruction to construct a tabernacle as well as an altar of sacrifice, a water laver, a golden candlestick, a table of shew bread and the Ark of the Covenant.  An order of priests was established with specific duties.  Even the garments of the priests were specified by the Lord himself.  All of these events, instructions and more are provided as type and shadow of Wisdom and Revelation that is available in the realm of the Spirit for the believer.

After receiving such great Wisdom and Revelation from Christ himself the believer is attacked and tried in the natural and spiritual realms in a way like never before.  Revelations gained at the Feast of Trumpets are tried in the fire by a seemingly endless series of tribulations.  Because it is so difficult to rejoice in the midst of horrific personal tribulation this period of time is not referred to as a feast but is simply called the Day of Atonement.  The believer becomes well acquainted with the books of Job and James.  They become your new best friends while sackcloth and ashes are, for the first time, truly understood.  Like the 40 days of Noah’s flood or the 40 days that Jesus spent in the wilderness it now becomes personal.  Indeed this period of time can be likened unto the 40 weeks of Job’s trials or like the 40 weeks of gestation before birth.  This is a marked period of time foreordained by the Lord to confirm and solidify divine revelations that nourished the believer during the Feast of Trumpets.  It’s as if Trumpets is a time of preparing the soil for a great planting.  It is often a time of rejoicing and typically many are involved.  At the end of the day there is satisfaction in the cool of the summer evening.  It is a job well done.  While Atonement involves waiting, pulling weeds and chasing away birds and rodents who would readily devour your garden and its fresh tender shoots, it is a difficult time and lonely time in which the heat of the noonday sun beats down mercilessly.  And unlike the time of planting, no one is there to help.

Finally at long last the believer has come to the River Jordan.  This experience, known as the Feast of Tabernacles is characterized by deliverance.  Here each believer tabernacles intimately with the Lord as He delivers the New Creation Manchild who is born to slay giants.  Just as the Hebrews are delivered out of the wilderness and into the Promised Land, so to is the believer birthed into a Kingdom Walk.  All of the carnality associated with Pentecost is rebuked and cast out by Jesus himself.  He may use other believers as midwives to assist in this task but the believer knows assuredly that only Jesus can do this mighty work.  And with this deliverance we march into the Promised Land on dry ground while the Jordan River parts.  We are well aware that there are giants in the land but we have been reassured that…
We are able to go up and take the country
And possess the land from Jordan to the sea,
And though giants tall there be our way to hinder,
God will surely give the victory.

I also mentioned two other feasts that were added.  These include the Dedication of the Temple when fire fell from heaven and consumed 144,000 sacrifices while God’s glory like a thick cloud filled the Temple.  It is beyond the scope of this writing to share this experience at this time but please know that this is a direct reference to the baptism of fire.

The feast of Purim was also instituted and referenced in the book of Esther.  Again this is outside of our discussion but please understand that this is a reference to the intercessory work of Christ in our life when we needed it most.  For most of us after we began the Kingdom Walk, we were immediately involved in healing the sick, raising the dead and casting out demons.  But unforeseen consequences occurred.  We became totally full of ourselves, totally enamored with our “high spiritual standing.”  Essentially we become what Oswald Chambers calls “spiritual prigs.”  Though we were involved in signs and wonders we are oblivious to our arrogance, pride and blackened hearts.  And so our great intercessor, Jesus, the Son of the Living God, slowly begins to reveal how deeply offensive we really were, how very shallow we had become, how truly unlovely we appeared.  And once again he broke us, molded us afresh and we are again brought back and prepared to rebuild the Temple a second time.  While we were performing mighty miracles we were carried off to Babylon.  In some cases years, or even decades passed but God is faithful and brings us back to the land of promise.  He gives us careful instruction and he revives our soul.  We are allowed to rebuild. One might ask, What is the Land of Promise?  The Promised Land is JESUS, our true inheritance.

In another time and another season, perhaps I will be able to share the significance of the three other days of holy convocation: Sabbath, Sabbatical and Jubilees.  It has been a pleasure to share with you and thank you for friending me. It may be that the information that I have just shared is not new to you at all.  However if it is new to you, I hope and pray that you receive it not from me but from the Lord Jesus Christ himself for I am nothing and He is everything.

In His Service,
Brother Jerry Turk
Check out this video on YouTube:

http://youtu.be/v_G8NAIGPPA

One Out of Season – 5/30/15

ONE OUT OF SEASON

I. YET NOT I
I am pretty much a literalist when it comes to Paul. If you do not believe literally what the Bible says about Paul, then you will probably wrestle with this message. But if you believe the testimony of Paul to be true, then you may be open to this word that I feel burdened to share with you.

If the Bible says that Paul was thrown to beasts at Ephesus, then I believe that he was given over to lions in that city. If scripture says a viper leaped from a fire and bit Paul and he lived instead of died, then that is literally what happened. If Paul says he was in “deaths oft,” then it means that he was in death more than once and came back to continue the Lord’s work. And if Paul says, “nevertheless I live, yet not I but Christ liveth in me,” then this too I take to mean exactly that.

II. OH WRETCHED MAN
I have noticed that many churches today are beginning to take a very subtle position that suggests that Paul had a sin problem. Paul’s credibility seems questioned in some places. For example, some preaching will point to Romans 7 when Paul says, “Oh wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from this body of death?” and interpret this to be Paul’s personal cry. Here is Paul in Romans 7, they say, complaining that he is in bondage to sin. (“That which I would, I do not; and that which I would not, that I do.”) It must mean that Paul still had a sin problem. This has almost become an accepted doctrine. Beloved, Paul did not have a sin problem. That is not the truth. In speaking to the Romans, Paul became all things to all men, presenting to that church the universal wretched condition of mankind, the state of every man who is not totally the bondslave of Jesus Christ. Why did Paul present this dilemma in Romans 7:24? So that he could answer his own question by saying in the next verse, “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord,” going on in the eighth chapter to expound the law of the Spirit.

Are we really to believe that this man Paul, who survived stonings, lions, the bites of vipers, who considered whether he should go to be with the Lord or stay behind to preach the gospel; that this man who was recognized by the demons of hell as having authority over them had a sin problem? (2 Cor. 11:25, I Cor. 15:32, Acts 28:3-6, Phil. 1:21-26, Acts 19:15)

You see, the Body of Christ has difficulty in coming to grips with the apostle Paul. Everyone accepts that Jesus had no sin because after all, He was God incarnate. But Paul was completely human. Human mother, human father, just like you and me. So this is the problem: it is a hard thing for us to admit to the fact that Paul was REALLY filled with all the fullness of God, because if we admit that it could happen to one totally human being, then we are obliged to ask ourselves if it is possible for US to be filled with the fullness of God as well. Rather than face this question, it is easier to say that maybe Paul had a sin problem. It is easier to scan the scriptures looking for some error he made or some contradiction or some fault. That would let us off the hook. Then we wouldn’t need to feel uncomfortable about the lack in our own relationship with the Lord.

III. TEMPER TANTRUMS
I will offer you another example which has gained support among born again ranks which suggests that Paul was not quite on target. It has to do with the disagreement between Paul and Barnabas, about whether John Mark should accompany them to visit the brethren. The disagreement was severe enough to cause Paul and Barnabas to go separate ways. (Acts 15) Later, in II Timothy 4:11, Paul requests that John Mark come to him, saying that he was profitable to Paul in the ministry. Paul, according to this fable, had a temper tantrum with Barnabas over John Mark and later saw the error in his judgment. Therefore, Paul was incorrect in his earlier dealings with John Mark. But as we examine the scriptures again, we see a different series of events. In Acts 13:13, Paul and Barnabas were in Pamphylia with various of the brethren, including John Mark. John Mark apparently abandoned the work without the leading of the Lord or the blessing of the apostle. It is clear that he deserted his brethren by leaving Pamphylia. Two chapters later, in Acts 15:38, Paul was therefore reluctant to allow him to rejoin the journey because of John Mark’s earlier instability and unfaithfulness in Pamphylia. Paul’s later statement in Timothy declaring that John Mark was now profitable to the ministry is simply a testimony of how the Holy Ghost had worked with John Mark and established him in the faith over a period of time. It is in no way indicative of a sin or temper problem with Paul.

But here again, it is easier to believe that Paul was in error than to believe that God can fill all in all. (Eph. 1:23) This is a subtle error crept into the church today in order to subvert your faith in God and to keep you from pressing on to the stature of the fullness of Christ. (Eph. 4:13)

IV. THORN IN THE FLESH
Or what about Paul’s “thorn in the flesh?” (I Cor. 12:7) This has produced some interesting speculations and fables as well. Some say it was blindness, some say sin. But the Bible leaves no mystery, for it clearly states in the same verse that the thorn was a messenger of Satan (an evil spirit) sent to buffet Paul. It really does not matter what the evil spirit was. Some get caught up trying to figure this out. The point, as Paul went on to explain in the next verse, is that after his third petition to God to remove this thorn, he realized that God’s strength is PERFECTED in weakness, and that the weaker Paul was, the MORE PERFECT Christ was in him. (I Cor. 12:9) And that is precisely the whole point of all Paul’s writing and his very ministry: that he became nothing and of no reputation that ONLY CHRIST SHOULD REMAIN. Therefore, he even gloried in this buffeting, for when he was weak, then Christ in him was stronger than ever.

V. THE PROBLEM WITH WOMEN
And still yet, some would rob you of your faith would tell you that Paul was in error because he was prejudiced against women. (I Cor. 14:34) Paul was not a social reformer any more than Jesus was. By the time Jesus went to the cross, the Romans were still in power, which was a disappointment even to the disciples. The gospel addresses something much deeper than social reform. It addresses the transformation of the heart by the Holy Ghost.

We know, for example, that in the Old Testament there is much discussion about a reference to a birthing-type experience, which we know is the birthing forth of Christ. (Gal. 4:19) You and I are called to bring forth Christ as a woman brings forth a child. (See Is. 21:3, 6:17; Jer. 22:23, 48:41, 49:22, 50:43; Mi. 4:9 for a few references to a birthing experience). Shall women say to men that they cannot bring forth Christ in the Spirit because they are incapable of childbearing in the natural? Of course not. But why is this ridiculous? Because we know that in the things of the Spirit THERE IS NO DISTINCTION BETWEEN MALE AND FEMALE and that ALL are called to bring forth Christ, man and woman alike.

There is a natural order and there is a spiritual order, of which Paul was aware. We must not confuse the two orders. The spiritual order SUPERSEDES the natural order. God is not and never has been a respecter of persons. (Acts 10:34) This is clear. Esau should have had the blessing, but Jacob received. Reuben was entitled, being the firstborn of Jacob, but Joseph became ruler over Egypt and received his father’s blessing. David, the youngest of Jesse, was anointed king of Israel. THE SPIRITUAL ORDER SUPERSEDES THE NATURAL ORDER. The very fact that God sent Paul to the Gentiles, by which grace we are saved today, proves magnificently that God is no respecter of persons. This includes male and female in the things of the Spirit. God does not care whether the earthen vessel is black, or Puerto Rican, or female. It is always the way of flesh to pigeon-hole people into higher and lower categories. It is the way of carnality. (Ja. 2:1-4) But the call of God is to WHOSOEVER WILL. It is not related to anything of the outward appearance, but it is completely related to the heart, which knows no color, no nationality, and no gender. (I Sam. 16:7)

Paul spoke to the Corinthian church about women. This was the most carnal flock of the day and surely Paul recognized this. The Corinthians were still having trouble with very fundamental truths. They were still involved with fornication, incest, and idol worship. (I Cor. 5:1) And so Paul ministered to them on a level they could understand. He shared with them the milk of the Word, being babes in Christ. (Heb. 5:13) But meat belongs to them that are of full age. (Heb. 5:14) Therefore to another body, he had the liberty to share the truth: in Christ there is no Jew or Gentile, bond or free, male or female. (Gal. 3:28) They could receive this truth.

VI. ONE OUT OF SEASON
Why have we elaborated so long on these questions about Paul? Do we worship Paul? God forbid.

Paul said he was one born out of due time or season. (I Cor. 15:8) When apples are in season, then all the trees bear their fruit at that time. It would indeed be a strange thing for only one apple tree to bear fruit in a whole orchard. Yet this is what Paul said about himself. Another way of saying out of season would be, “before the appropriate time.” Paul would not have spoken of being out of season unless there was coming a season of similar fruit at a later time. Through the eye of the Spirit, Paul knew that the “season” for others like himself was coming. (Eph. 1:10)  This is why it is so important that your faith should not be robbed by those who tell you that Paul, an apostle to this generation, had fallen short of the mark.

Paul knew that others would come who, IN THEIR NATURAL LIFETIME, would surrender their wills, their ambitions, their desires, and die daily to win Christ. He knew that others would come who, IN THEIR NATURAL LIFETIME, would have the treasure of complete Christ in earthen vessels (2 Cor. 4:7) ; who would bruise Satan under their heels (Rom. 16:20); who would pull down strongholds and be recognized by the powers of darkness because it was only Christ that was seen in them.

In fact, he knew that an ENTIRE GENERATION would come forth, in season, who would be the revealing of the Lord in the earth, who would be the mouth of the Lord to speak only His words, the arm of the Lord mighty in battle, the feet of the Lord who bring good tidings, who jointly fit together as Christ, His Body; not separated from the Head, but completely and perfectly controlled by the Head.  One Christ, many members; He who fills all in all.

That season is upon us for the rest of this orchard to bear fruit.  That season is upon us for the remnant who are willing to go the way of the cross to become the manifested presence of the Lord Himself, who have given up everything so that ONLY CHRIST REMAINS in an earthen vessel.

Many people followed the ministry of Christ, they pressed in for healings and deliverance and blessings.  People got what they needed.  Praise God, He meets our needs.  So too today, thousands press in continually to have their needs met.  But have you noticed who the Holy Ghost chose to tell us about?  Those who went beyond receiving blessings to also lay down their lives – their SELF-LIVES – that they might receive the prize of the high calling, that Christ should be allowed to express Himself through them without hindrance.

VII. BUY OF THE LORD
Isaiah 55:1 says, “Ho, everyone that thirsteth, come ye to the waters and he that hath no money; come ye, BUY, and eat; yea, come, BUY wine and milk without money and without price.”

A widow who met Elijah “bought” for herself a never-ending supply of oil by her obedience to the prophet’s command to give. (I Ki. 17:10-16)

Five virgins were instructed to go and BUY oil for their lamps. (Mt. 25:8)

In Matthew, a man sold all that he had to BUY a pearl of great price.

And in Revelation, we are counseled to BUY of the Lord gold tried in the fire. (Rev. 3:18)

How can this be, if Christ paid the price, that we should need to buy anything of the Lord?

Before Christ, it was not possible to “buy” anything of the Father at any price. The veil was not yet rent in twain making His presence and His life available to us.  The sacrifice of Christ makes available to us what was never available before; the fullness of God. (Eph. 3:19)

When you get saved, you “buy” with your repentance what Christ has made available by the blood; you accept your salvation.  As you go farther and farther in your walk with the Lord, He shows you more of what is available to each individual what and how much they will “buy.” You can buy a little, or you can buy a lot, or you can buy EVERYTHING. You can have a thirty fold, a sixty fold, or a hundred fold increase. It is up to you. The hundred fold increase speaks about the total fullness of God in a totally surrendered life.

We cannot buy with our money. We cannot even buy with our time and labors, for we know that our works are insufficient. (Eph. 2:8 & 9)

But we can buy God’s fullness with our hearts.  Each time you humble yourself to know the Lord, you are BUYING of Him. (Ja. 4:6-10)  Each time you ask for forgiveness or forgive another, you are BUYING of Him.  Each time you come to a Gethsemane in your life and choose God’s way instead of your own, you are BUYING gold, wine, milk, and oil which are in the Spirit representatives of more of the Lord.  You purchase this fullness with the laying down of your self-life.  It is the narrow way Jesus spoke about.  Jesus did it.  Paul did it, being totally human.  The point is, IT IS AVAILABLE TO YOU BY CHRIST.

Any teaching that tells you it is not available is sponsored by a spirit of unbelief that limits God by not confessing that with God all things are possible. (Heb. 3:19)  The powers of darkness would love you to believe that Paul had a sin problem.  They would love you to believe that you are not really joint-heirs with Jesus Christ. (Rom. 8:17)  They would love you to believe that it is not possible for us, being human, to be only earthen vessels containing nothing but Christ.

I declare to you by the Spirit, it is not only possible, but the hour is at hand when the prayer of Jesus in John 17 that we should be one in Him shall become a reality. That remnant shall declare that the works they do are the works of the Father. They shall declare as Jesus declared that whoever has seen them has seen the Father because Christ is ALL THAT REMAINS IN THEM.

You can buy of the Lord as much as you want. But, as the man considered the cost of the house before he built it, consider what you are willing to buy. (Luke 14:28)

Let God arise in you and all His enemies – not a few, but ALL – shall scatter. (Ps. 68:1)  Who are His enemies?  Not the prince of this world, for he is already cast down. (Jn. 12:31)  The enemy of God is the flesh that yet remains IN US, resisting the work of the Holy Ghost.  As you buy of the Lord, He will increase more and more, and you will decrease (John 3:30) until, if you buy enough, He is all that is left: that pearl of great price. (Mt. 13:46)  There is no glory to the shell the pearl comes in. It is cast out and forgotten. But the pearl is that for which a man will SELL AND BUY.

IN JESUS NAME,
Bro Jerry Turk & Sis Jacalyn Eddy.