Sovereignty

Posted on February 8, 2022 by AntiochCMI

“And to Him was given dominion, glory and sovereignty, that all the peoples, nations, and men of every language might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion which will not pass away; and His Kingdom is one which will not be destroyed” (Daniel 7:14). NASB

There is something about the nature of evil that resists the Sovereignty of God and the Sovereignty of Man. We see this resistance in governments at all levels and we see this resistance within the hearts of men. The battle in the souls of men and the battle in authoritarian powers is all about supremacy.

In the Exodus story of Israel in Egypt Pharoah resisted the supremacy of God to the death of his own firstborn son; then relented, only to pursue Moses once again with the disastrous consequences at the Red Sea. This resistance to the Sovereignty of God is endemic in the sinful nature of fallen man. Pride, hubris, arrogance, and self-will are at enmity with the Sovereignty of God. The only salvation is in surrender, brokenness, a humble and contrite heart before a merciful God of love and grace.

Sovereignty: (Aramaic: Malkuw, from Malkuwth): Supreme authority, dominion, kingdom, kingly, realm, to reign above

In the Scriptures there was one Prophet above the others who most understood the Sovereignty of God, and that Prophet was Daniel. His visions and dreams and his position in the Babylonian Empire gave him a perspective few have known. His vision in Daniel 7 is exquisite in portraying the everlasting kingdom and Sovereignty of Christ and His reign through the People of God, the Saints:

“Then the Sovereignty, the Dominion, and the greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the People, the Saints of the Highest One; His Kingdom will be an everlasting Kingdom, and all the dominions will serve and obey Him” (Daniel 7:27).

Do we hear what the Prophet has spoken? The Dominion of Christ and His Sovereign Reign in the earth will be through the People, the Holy Ones in Christ, the Saints. Is it any wonder the rulers of this present age so persecute the Ecclesia, the Church of the Firstborn, the Body of Christ? Do they not know their time is short and coming to an end? The prophesies of Daniel shall surely be fulfilled for the word of the Lord is faithful and true and will not fail to come to pass.

So powerful was Daniel’s interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream that the king had to fall on his face and acknowledge the Sovereignty of the God of heaven and earth. Listen to the word of the Lord:

“And in the days of those kings the God of Heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed, and that sovereignty will not be left for another people; it will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, but it will itself endure forever. . .Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face and did homage to Daniel and gave orders to present to him an offering and fragrant incense. The king answered Daniel and said, ‘Surely your God is a God of gods and a Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, since you have been able to reveal this mystery'” (Daniel 2:44, 46-47).

In his vision the Apostle John both saw and heard “a voice come from the Throne of God, saying, ‘Give praise to our God, all you His bondservants, you who fear Him, the small and great’. And I heard as it were, the voice of a great multitude and as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty pearls of thunder, saying, ‘Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give all the glory to Him. . .'” (Revelation 19:5-7a).

Yes, Sovereignty belongs to the Lord, and He has made His dwelling place in His people. “And the Saints of the Most High shall take the Kingdom, and possess the Kingdom forever, even for ever and ever” (Daniel 7:18). Rejoice, Saints of God, in the Kingdom of Christ, we are the Church Triumphant!

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Do No Harm

Posted on February 5, 2022 by AntiochCMI

“Love does no harm to his neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfillment of the Law” (Romans 13:10).

Harm (Gr. Kakos): Injurious, evil, bad

By the commandment of the Lord we are to “love your neighbor as yourself” (cf. Leviticus 19:18). This axiom is foundational to a civil society and especially so in the Body of Christ. It was also so commanded by Jesus, illustrated by the story of the Good Samaritan (cf. Luke 10:27ff).

Think of the wonderful world in which we would live if everyone lived by this simple phrase, “do no harm”. There would be no murder, no adultery, no insults, no abuse of children or spouse, no battery, no arson, no theft, no evil deeds of any kind. It is a world in which love would reign, and love does no harm.

But alas, such a world must wait until the coming of the new age of angels, and the glory that is coming when Christ returns and all will be changed. No, Christ well knew what a world it is in which we now live and so commanded His disciples: “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves; be, therefore, wise as serpents and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16).

Harmless (Gr. Akeraios): Innocent, simple, unmixed

“Harmless as doves” is such a beautiful phrase to contemplate. You become no threat to anyone. You will do no harm to anyone. You will be kind, gentle, loving, caring, blessing those you meet with a smile and friendship. You are innocent of evil doing. You do nothing immoral, perverted, corrupt, tainted or defiled. This is the nature of the Divine. This is the nature of Jesus, our High Priest, of Whom it is written: “For such an High Priest became us, Who is Holy, Harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners and made higher than the heavens” (Hebrews 7:26).

The Apostle knew of the world in which we live, for he suffered much harm at the hands of evil men. Even so, he gave us wise counsel in his Epistle to the Philippians when he wrote: “Be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom you shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15). This is something we determine by the grace of God and the love of Christ dwelling within. It is a life worthy of saints.

There is also a warning from the Lord to the those who would do harm to the saints of God when He said, “Touch not Mine anointed, and do My Prophets no harm” (I Chronicles 16:22; Psalms 105:15). Woe to those who violate that command; for He has also said “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord” (Romans 12:19). Pay back is coming, big time to those who now ruthlessly violate the warning of the Lord and persecute the innocent.

But for now, saints of God, let us be encouraged. Let us walk in love. Let us be wise. Let us be sober. Let us be sincere. Let us do no harm.

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A Mouth to Speak

Posted on February 2, 2022 by AntiochCMI

“And you shall speak to Aaron, and put words in his mouth; and I will be with your mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what you shall do” (Exodus 4:15).

As it was in the days of Moses, the servant of God, so it is today. As then, there was a great need for one to speak to power; so today, the need is great for one to speak the word of the Lord to the powers in the earth, and to the powers behind them in the spirit world. As it is written, “Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth” (Deuteronomy 32:1). We have been given ears to hear and mouths to speak; even so we must hear from heaven and speak that which we hear.

This ability to speak comes not from one with great oratory skills, or power of persuasion, nor eloquence of tongue. The ability to speak comes from the power of the prophetic word of the Lord.

Moses was a self-declared man, “not eloquent. . .slow of speech, and slow of tongue” (Exodus 4:10b). Yet, what was the answer of the Lord? “Who made man’s mouth. . .is it not I, the Lord?” (Exodus 4:11). Yes, it is the Lord’s doing, and it is only for us to obey the prompting, the unction, the inspiration of the Almighty. It is the Lord Who will be our mouth, and it is the Lord Who will teach us what we are to say.

Did not Jesus, Himself, instruct us: “When they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what you shall speak, neither premeditate; but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak; for it is not you that speak, but the Holy Spirit” (Mark 13:11). This is the key to our speaking in our day. Speak by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, not with “words that man’s wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Spirit teaches. . .” (I Corinthians 2:3).

Moses was commanded to go to Pharaoh and declare “Thus says the Lord God of Israel, Let My people go!” (Exodus 5:1). This required boldness, obedience and at the same time humility before and trust in the God Who sent Moses and gave him his assignment. This is our assignment in our day. We have been given a mouth and we have been given words to speak; and it is our solemn duty to obey and to go wherever we may be sent.

Apostello: Being obedient to the command of the Lord and speaking the word of the Lord wherever we may be sent is the essence of Apostello, the Greek word for sent. This is the mission. This is the calling to which we must be faithful and true. This was the vision from the beginning, and this is the pathway on which we will follow to the end.

The Psalmist declared, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer” (Psalms 19:14). O, may it be so. May our words resonate in the hearts of the hearers, as coming from the Lord. May it be with us as it was with the Apostles. Indeed, may it be noted that we have been with Jesus (cf. Acts 4:13).

It was the Apostle Peter who wrote: “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God. . .” (I Peter 4:11a). Speak as the mouthpiece of God. Speak the prophetic word as the Spirit gives utterance.

The Mouth of the Lord: When the Prophets spoke, they spoke not their own words from their own mouth; but declared the word of the Lord by “the mouth of the Lord” (Isaiah 40:5; Jeremiah 9:12; Ezekiel 3:27). This is the power of the word of God coming to us from the very heart of God by the Holy Spirit spoken through our mouths to the people.

Let all who have ears to hear, let them hear what the Spirit is speaking through all who have a mouth to speak in our time and to this generation.

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Prepared Unto Every Good Work

Posted on January 29, 2022 by AntiochCMI

If a man, therefore, purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the Master’s use, and prepared unto every good work” (II Timothy 2:21)

Prepared: (Gr. Hetoimazo; from Hetoimos; from Heteos): Internal Fitness, Ready

Being internally fit and ready for every good work requires a process of training, discipline, instruction, self-denial, sacrifice, and exercise of one’s mind, body and spirit. It is a complete transformation of one’s being. This requires a purging of the old carnal, earthly nature of man to become a completely new vessel of gold and silver, a vessel of honor molded into the nature of the Divine.

Preparations of the Heart: Proverbs 16:1 speaks to this matter of preparation distinctly: “The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue is from the Lord”. It is the Lord who makes the heart ready, and internally fit for the work to which He calls. That good work that the Lord anticipated beforehand for us and into which He directed us all along the way.

Meet for the Master’s Use: Meet: (Gr. Euchrestos): Easily used, useful, profitable; from Eu: Good, well; and Chrestos: Graciously useful. The prepared heart is easily used without resistance, profitable for that which the Master purposed and planned, full of grace, kindness and of a good spirit. This prepared heart fits the circumstances. Do you need a calm, secure, and steady mind and heart in the hour of trouble? The prepared heart will suffice for the situation.

The Scriptures are full of examples of prepared hearts: Jacob, Joseph, David, Daniel come to mind. Of Joseph the Psalmist wrote: “He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for 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” (Psalms 105:17-19). Tried and true, Joseph at the right time rose to the occasion being made ready by the preparations of the Lord into that to which he had been called. What a wonderful testimony to a vessel of honor, a prepared heart, meet for the Master’s use.

Sanctified: (Gr. Hagiazo; from Hagios): To make Holy, Purified, To Consecrate, Morally Blameless. There is a process to entire sanctification for the human soul. When we come to Jesus, He Redeems, cleanses from sin, Justifies, forgives us of all sin and we stand before Him in His righteousness; then the process of working out our salvation with fear and trembling begins (cf. Philippians 2:12). The process of purging the soul of the dross to bring forth the gold, the fully formed Son in manifest glory is a preparation in man that only the Holy Spirit can do and complete (cf. Galatians 4:19). It is a glorious working of God to both will and to do of His good pleasure (cf. Philippians 2:13). Entire sanctification requires a complete yielding and surrendering of our will to the will of God. Only then will the preparations of the heart be fully perfected.

How is it with your soul? Are you hungry for the things of God? Are you ready to yield, to surrender to the inward working of God? Are you ready to be internally fit? As the Apostle well said, “Bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come” (I Timothy 4:8). Tell me, are you ready? Are you prepared for every good work? No better time to begin the process then right now.

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Worthy of Blame

Posted on January 24, 2022 by AntiochCMI

“But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face because he was to be blamed” (Galatians 2:11).

Blame (Gr. Kataginosko): To note against, to find fault with

Blame (Gr. Momoamai, from momos): A flaw or blot, blemish, disgraceful act

In his Epistle to the Galatians the Apostle Paul notes an occasion when he had to confront the Apostle Peter in Antioch when Peter was acting in a hypocritical manner over the issue of Jewish dietary laws. Peter’s vituperous behavior was called out by Paul because of his great concern for the integrity of the Gospel.

“When I saw they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the Gospel, I said to Peter; before them all, ‘If you, being a Jew, live after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why do you compel the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?'” (Galatians 2:14). The Apostle exposed the double standard in Peter’s actions for he knew it was contrary to the liberty of the believer, harmful to the community of saints and a roadblock to the Gospel of salvation through Grace.

The Apostle expressed this further in his second Epistle to the Corinthians, writing: “Giving no offence in anything, that the ministry be not blamed” (II Corinthians 6:3). It behooves us to hold, as the Apostle did, the Gospel and the ministry in high esteem and to guard them against reproach.

When we as believers act contrary to the Gospel, it is a blot and blemish to the ministry and is worthy of blame to those who conduct themselves in that way. The unbelievers, the other believers and the Lord Himself by the Holy Spirit will find fault and make a note against such disgraceful actions. When confronted in this way it is incumbent upon us to acknowledge our faults, humble ourselves and repent of our hypocritical, carnal, fleshly, and deceitful actions. Only in this way will the Gospel, the ministry and the saints be protected from the erosive influence of the world, the flesh and our enemy, the Devil.

What is the cause of our dissembling? In Peter’s case it was fear. Paul describes the situation this way: “Before certain came from James, Peter ate with the Gentiles; but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision (Jewish believers). And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation” (Galatians 2:12-13).

As Paul wrote also to the Galatians, “A little leaven leavens the whole lump” (Galatians 5:9; see also I Corinthians 5:6). We must stand guard over the household of faith and protect it from all harmful influences.

Self-seeking, self-promotion, pride, fear of man, timidity, are leaven in the Body of Christ that will bring reproach, blame and rebuke from the Lord. We must lay such things aside.

The Apostle Peter recovered from his duplicitous ways and wrote in his second great Epistle: “Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the Day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved and the elements shall melt with fervent heat. Nevertheless, we according to His promise look for new heavens and a new earth wherein dwells righteousness. Wherefore, Beloved, seeing that you look for such things, be diligent that you may be found in Him in peace, without spot and blameless” (II Peter 3:12-14).

Blameless, without fault, in right standing before Christ in love. What a glorious vision we have been given as the Bride of Christ. “Presented to Christ a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that She should be holy and without blemish (without blame)” (Ephesians 5:27).

Only the Spirit of Christ working within us can do such a marvelous work of grace. Glory be to His holy Name.

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The Power of Agreement

Posted on January 22, 2022 by AntiochCMI

“I say unto you that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father Who is in Heaven” (Matthew 18:19).

Agree (Gr. Sumphoneo, from Sumphonos): Sounding together, accordant, consent, harmonious, one accord

The beauty of agreement is a veritable symphony of coming together in one accord to produce a sound from Heaven that transcends the earth realm and lifts us into the unity of the Spirit in the heavenly realm wherein dwells the glory of God. This was the atmosphere on the Day of Pentecost when “they were all in one accord in one place, and suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. . .” (Acts 2:1b-2). This sounding together of the Spirit with cloven tongues of fire and the breath of the Almighty released as a mighty wind gave birth to the Ekklesia, the Church of the Firstborn, and the Assembly of the Saints. This is the power of Agreement in action to initiate the greatest movement among mankind for all eternity.

Coming into Agreement with God produces the amalgamation of our spirit and heart with the Spirit and heart of the Divine. We become one in the One by mutual consent to be joined in one Spirit, the Spirit of Christ (cf. I Corinthians 6:17). This is the earnest expectation of the Creation as it waits for the manifestation of the sons of God (cf. Romans 8:19).

There is power in Agreement as it produces a walk with God in the Covenant bonds of love, unity, peace and the joy of the Lord. Indeed, as the Prophet Amos spoke so succinctly, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3). The rhetorical question is clear; no, unless we come into Agreement with God, we will never have power with God, or be moved by His Spirit into His eternal purposes for the Saints.

Abraham had power with God as he came into Agreement with God and it was counted unto him as righteousness (cf. Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:3). Believing God, trusting God, agreeing with God produce the power of faith with God. This is the power of Agreement in action.

The Power of Agreement extends to us in our relationships in the Body of Christ. Jesus said, “if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything. . .it shall be done”. The power of Agreement on earth is a powerful yes and amen in the heavens. This is the very Word of the Lord.

Jesus said, “If a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand” (Mark 3:25). Woe to the house divided. It is only in Agreement with God and Agreement with each other in the Spirit of God as we “endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (cf. Ephesians 4:3), that we shall prosper in the Lord and in the Kingdom. Discord, division, strife, and malice will only bring ruin.

The keeping of relationships is in Agreement: Family, the Body of Christ, Enterprise, Government all are kept together by coming into Agreement. God, in His Sovereign wisdom gave us the Key to unlock the Door to the Power of God. The Son always Agrees with the Father, the Spirit always bears witness to the Truth and the Father always glorifies the Son. Agreement, yes, amen! Done!

Let us by mutual consent with God, walking in company with Him, being in one accord with Him, coming into Agreement with Him, release the harmonious sound of Heaven to bring forth the most beautiful symphonic music carried by the wind of the Spirit into the utmost parts of the earth and be witness to the greatest harvest of souls since that first release at Pentecost. Let us proclaim the Power of Agreement and see the fulfillment of all that which the Prophets have spoken. And then the end shall come.

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The Victory of the Saints

Posted on January 19, 2022 by AntiochCMI

“Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the victory. . .” (I Chronicles 29:11a).

Victory (Heb. Netsach): A goal, Splendor, the bright object toward which we travel, Truthfulness, Confidence (from I Chron.29:11)

Victory (Gr. Nikos, from Nike): A conquest, triumph

The glorious aspect of our God is His magnanimous Spirit to bring us with Him in all He does and is (cf. Hebrews 2:10). His great victory over His enemies was not for Himself alone, but on our behalf and for us to receive and in which to live. Yes, we can live a victorious and triumphant life in Christ, our Lord and Savior today.

There are two great enemies of God and man: sin and death. God, in Christ claimed victory over both of these great enemies; first in the Cross and second in the Resurrection, and both of these great victories are for the Saints.

“That as sin has reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 5:21). Thus says the Apostle to the Church at Rome and to all the Saints for all time.

First Sin reigned over the Saints; now righteousness reigns. Death came upon us as a consequence of Sin, now eternal life reigns through the righteousness of Christ. This is our victory through our faith in Him. “For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith” (I John 5:4).

The embodiment of Sin is called the Man of Sin (cf. II Thessalonians 2:3). The spirit of the Man of Sin is at work in all ages and is at work in our time through the spirit of Antichrist, called the Beast in the Scriptures. In Revelation, the Apostle John saw by a vision a great sign in heaven and was made to see “a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the Beast, and over the Image, and over his Mark, and over the number of his name. . .” (Revelation 15:2). These were singing “the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying Great and marvelous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of Saints” (Revelation 15:3).

The victory of God our King, the Conquest, the Triumph of His mighty works and ways through the Cross and by His Resurrection from the dead translate to and are conferred upon the Saints in whom He works; first through Christ in the Incarnation and second through the Holy Spirit indwelling the Saints in the Life of the Ekklesia, His Body. It is through His Body that Christ is being glorified in the earth today (cf. II Thessalonians 1:10). It is through His Body that the triumphant victory of Christ is working and through whom Christ is being glorified and magnified to the rulers of the darkness of this evil age; those now living under the system of the Beast.

We live in perilous times, troublesome times, like Winter when all is barren and covered in ice and snow. We need an abiding place, a place to dwell, to work, and live in the Kingdom of God. The Apostle Paul found such a place during his tribulations. He wrote to Titus, his faithful Brother in the Lord and companion in faith: “When I shall send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me to Nicopolis; for I have determined there to winter” (Titus 3:12). Nicopolis means “the victorious city”.

In all your trials, troubles, tribulations and the times of winter, find your Nicopolis, your victorious city in Christ Jesus. Like Abraham, look to the Lord by faith and seek for that City “which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (Hebrews 11:10).

Christ Jesus, the victory of the saints.

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The Kingdom, the Power, the Glory

Posted on January 15, 2022 by AntiochCMI

“For Thine is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory forever. Amen” (Matthew 6:13b)

Kingdom: (Gr. Basileia): Royalty, Rule, a Realm, Reign

Kingdom: (Heb. Mamlakah): Dominion, King’s Reign, Royal, a Realm

Power: (Heb. Ghebuwrah): Force, Valor, Victorious, Might, Strength

Power: (Gr. Dunamis): Miraculous Power, Ability, Might, Strength

Glory: (Gr. Doxa): Dignity, Honor, Praise, Worship

Glory: (Heb. Tipharah): Majesty, Beauty, Bravery, Comely, Fair, Honor

The Realm of God in all His majestic splendor is beyond description. Words fail to capture the magnificence of His Domain. The Scriptures give us only small glimpses of the inexpressible wonder of His Kingdom, His Power and His Glory.

King David spoke of these things in his prayer at the time of transferring his kingdom reign to Solomon:

“David blessed the Lord before all the congregation, and said, ‘Blessed be Thou, Lord God of Israel our father, for ever and ever. Thine, O Lord is the greatness, and the power, and the glory and the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is Thine; Thine is the Kingdom, O Lord, and Thou art exalted as Head above all.

Both riches and honor come of Thee, and Thou reignest over all; and in Thine hand is power and might; and in Thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.

Now, therefore, our God, we thank Thee, and praise Thy glorious Name‘” (I Chronicles 29:10-13).

The Son of David, Jesus, our Lord, taught us to pray to our Heavenly Father, Lord of the Universe by saying:

“Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed by Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven” (Matthew 6:9-10).

Thy Kingdom Come. We welcome the Royal Reign and Rule of Heaven to rule and reign in the earth, in our lives, in our homes and families, communities, States and Nations. We welcome the will of God to be done here as it is done there in Heaven. This rule and reign is a spiritual dominion in our hearts, in our spirits by the Spirit of God.

The Apostle expressed it this way: “For the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost” (Romans 14:17). This is a glorious truth because it means the Kingdom is accessible to everyone who believes. We can all welcome the Kingdom into our daily lives and live in God’s realm, under His dominion, His Royal rule without fear, with full confidence of continuous victory in the Kingdom of God. We can live in hope, a joyful expectation of God’s goodness and grace. We can have the peace of God reigning in our hearts by faith in the Holy Spirit.

Thine is the Power. Living in the Kingdom is living with miraculous power, ability, might and strength. From the natural to the supernatural; from the earthly to the heavenly, from the fleshly to the spiritual, from one degree of Glory to another. The powerful force of the Spirit of God is working in us mightily (cf. Colossians 1:29).

Thine is the Glory. When we welcome the Kingdom, we welcome the dignity, honor, beauty, and majesty of the King and He is glorious. He is worthy of worship and all praise forever. There is a glory in our love relationship as the Bride of Christ with our Lord. It is comely, fair, honorable, and beautiful. It is wonderful and full of glory.

As we live in our world today, it is a tremendous comfort to the heart to know that we are not living under any other government, than the government of God. We have no king, but Jesus. We live in His Kingdom; we live in His Power, and we live in the Glory of God.

“Of the increase of His Government and peace there shall be no end upon the Throne of David, and upon His Kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform it” (Isaiah 9:7).

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Come Out!

Posted on January 11, 2022 by AntiochCMI

“. . .come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord” (II Corinthians 6:17).

World: (Gr. Kosmos, from Komizo): An orderly arrangement

There is a dichotomy to which we must give attention in the vital areas of our lives. The world, the flesh; the Kingdom and the Spirit. We commonly hear said, “we are in the world, but not of it” and the Scripture, “For though we walk in the flesh (our bodies), we do not war (walk) after the flesh” (II Corinthians 10:3). There is a coming out of the natural order (the world) to live in a greater and higher order, (the Kingdom).

This change of order was announced from the beginnings of the Gospel with John the Baptist who shouted, “Repent! the Kingdom of God is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). This was followed by the coming of Jesus, Who said, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). Two voices announcing a change, a coming out of the old order into something new.

Living in the world and being comfortable with that cosmos, that orderly arrangement is antithetical to life in the Kingdom and in the Spirit. This is the reason for the imperative “come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord”. This exclamation of the Apostle in his letter to Corinth follows a passage of comparisons he was making in his Epistle: “Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers; for what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion has light with darkness? and what concord has Christ with Belial? or what part has he that believes with an infidel? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? for you are the temple of the living God; as God has said I will dwell in them and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people” (II Corinthians 6:14-16).

The point of departure from the world to the Kingdom is the Cross of Calvary. The Apostle identified with the Cross so intimately that it became to him his coming out and coming into his new life. As he wrote to the Galatians: “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by Whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world” (Galatians 6:14). In our vernacular we would say, “The world is dead to me, and I am dead to the world.” That is a coming out to the max.

Jesus used the example of the master/servant relationship and declared: “No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24). The world and the Kingdom fit the same analogy. Which master will you serve?

Coming out gives us our center of being. We place ourselves under the control of the Spirit and release ourselves from the control of the world. This is a powerful deliverance from bondage into the freedom of the sons of God. The Apostle emphasized this in his first Epistle to the Corinthians: “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient; all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power/authority (control) of any” (I Corinthians 6:12). This world has control and power over so many. Coming out and being separate unto God is true release into liberty, indeed.

Come out! Separate yourself to God. This powerful command comes with a wonderful promise if we are willing to obey: “I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty” (II Corinthians 6:17b-18). Oh, the glory of it all.

Come out from among them. . .today!

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Stay in the Way

Posted on January 7, 2022 by AntiochCMI

“I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. . .” (John 14:6)

While we are on our way, staying in the Way is the only way. Staying in the Way is the only way to lasting peace, comfort, joy, true love, prosperity and happiness.

Staying in the Way will also bring us trials, tribulation, heartbreak, persecutions, groans and travails in intercessory prayer, suffering, pain, dying to self, afflictions of the soul and taking on the afflictions of Christ (cf. Colossians 1:24).

Staying in the Way will bring both joys and sorrows, wins and losses, trophies and crosses, medals and crowns; where there are also scorns and frowns, and curses abound, with many a back stab to betray; but staying in the Way is the only way for the faithful.

Our Apostolic Fathers stayed in the Way and were known as followers of “The Way” (cf. Acts 24:14). Followers of the Way know that staying in the Way is Eternal Life and Truth. Our Apostolic Fathers confessed their faith and lived their faith every day in confident belief that it was the fulfillment of all that was spoken in the Law and the Prophets. Oh, by the way most of them laid down their lives as martyrs as they stayed in the Way.

Staying in the Way is staying in the “way of Peace” (cf. Romans 3:17); staying the “way of Truth” (cf. II Peter 2:2); staying in the “way of Life” (cf. Matthew 7:14); following the “more excellent way” of love (cf. I Corinthians 12:31).

Many today are out of the Way, who need a friend, a minister, a father or mother, a sister or brother to come along side and guide them and bring them into the Way that is Life and is Truth (cf. Hebrews 5:2). We were all once that way, that is out of the Way, but the Lord had compassion on us in our sin through His lovingkindness, forbearance and tender mercies (cf. Romans 3:12, 25). May we be willing to go into the highways, byways and hedges and compel them to come into the Father’s House, that His House may be full (cf. Matthew 22:9; Luke 14:23).

Are you staying in the Way? A follower of The Way? You are in good company. The company of our Apostolic Fathers, the company of the saints both old and the new, the company of Angels, and you are a friend of Jesus, Who is the Way, the Truth and the Life, and no man can come to the Father, except through Him.

Stay in the Way.

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