The Wonders of the kingdom of God.

[Episkopos]

they prophesied when the Spirit rested upon them, but they never did it again

Yes...and even Saul prophesied so that people said...is Saul also among the prophets?"

 

[bbyrd009]

great point, ties in even i guess,

Now I will share this..even though I expect some opposition to it. But this is a helpful way to understand the relationship between grace and faith.

We begin with just our own faith. Everyone has a human faith. If we didn't have some kind of faith, we couldn't get through our day.

Now when we turn all our attention to God by the faith we have and the trust we can have inside us...God will respond by giving us a measure of grace...that is equal and identical to the measure of the faith OF Jesus Christ we are receiving. IOW if God gives us more grace we will also get more of the faith OF Jesus.

Now many see this as a digital....yes or no ...concerning grace. As in...you either have all of grace or none of it. A zero sum game. But it really is analog whereby the more faith we receive from God through His empowerment...the more grace (which IS His empowerment) we will receive...and the more His grace the more of His faith. These work together in God for the things that are eternal and spiritual. These are kingdom things...so very little understood in these perilous times ...if at all.

So then the grace that comes from heaven also is equal to the faith we have received from heaven. This is an experiential faith in the goodness and POWER of God. This transaction is meant to build us up in the holy faith OF Jesus.

So then we are being built up 2 different ways. Our own natural faith is built up because we have had an answered prayer. That is on one level.

But ALSO we have new insight, knowledge and understanding of spiritual things, of His kingdom, because of the visitation of God. We can only receive of His divinity, holiness, and spiritual power (grace) through a visitation of God. We may or may not SEE that visitation...but it's effects are imprinted in our hearts....and eventually our minds as we let the heart renew the mind in us. And this is to build us up in the faith received OF Jesus.

How did Peter walk on water? Did he do this by his own faith? No. Our faith is directed at the Lord...who empowers us by grace to do as He calls us to do. So Peter was wise to ask Jesus to call him out on the water. When Jesus said....come...immediately the grace was given to Peter to walk on the water towards His Lord. That grace produced the same faith that Jesus had...a supernatural faith that can do miraculous things. Our human faith cannot breach the barrier of the natural world into the spiritual realm of it's own.

So in this way we go from faith to Faith...from glory to Glory...and actually from grace to grace.

So then we all have our own faith to cry out to God with. But the faith OF Jesus Christ already knows what to do and how to do it. Our faith then becomes attached to His...just as our lives become attached to His. And this is the purpose of the New Covenant that we should walk IN Him.

The amazing name Eldad: meaning and etymology
The amazing name Medad: meaning and etymology
did not go out unto the tabernacle, but remained in the camp which wasnt the tent in the middle of the camp? hmm

 

[Episkopos]

great point, ties in even i guess,

The amazing name Eldad: meaning and etymology
The amazing name Medad: meaning and etymology
did not go out unto the tabernacle, but remained in the camp which wasnt the tent in the middle of the camp? hmm

Meaning that God is present everywhere. No need to belong to a specific group. Hence God remains the initiator of relationship.

 

[bbyrd009]

Meaning that God is present everywhere. No need to belong to a specific group. Hence God remains the initiator of relationship.

ah, so.
But didnt God tell Moses to command them to come to the tent?

i still like it though, though i maybe wouldnt be sounding so sure...

 

[Miss Hepburn]

*snip*...The will of God is unfathomable. God is fully unpredictable in His judgments.
He sees things we don't. His ways are vastly greater than our own....how can we comprehend them?
And that is because of grace. God is not under any law. He does what He wills.
Hence the need for humility and fear...that we might be considered to become vessels of mercy.
Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord....

What's the date? I sort of disagree on something!!!!

Well, at least, I am coming from a different 'angle', a different perspective. Let's just get the word 'fear' outta the way...
there is nothing to fear...I know, I know it is a very used word in the Old Testament...but, we know there is nothing to fear...
even if we have brought upon ourselves all sorts of problems...lost job, wife left us, illness...when we love God, accept our situation,
work towards getting out of our mess...there is nothing to fear because we focus on the things above and not on the earth.
We could expound for a long time on trusting the Lord, no matter what.

Now, we know that there are many contradictory verses in the Bible and there are many verses saying God is
unfathomable. There are verses saying you can never know or see God...yet there are verses that say the exact opposite!

I will say, and please don't believe me*, that God is not mysterious or unfathomable....how about that?!

We can know what unfolds or comes about in our lives. Why? Well, 1, because of the brilliant systems of checks and balances
set up in the Universe our genius Father Creator...sowing and reaping. Yay! Life is pretty simple.
Everything has a reason, tho, we may not know it at the moment...and the reason is always the same! Again Yay!

The Lord said to or through Jeremiah something that changed the course of my life... when my mouth dropped in a
Holt Spirit-given moment. Jeremiah 9:23-24
Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom,
let not the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches;
24 but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows me,
that I am the Lord who practice steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth;
for in these things I delight, says the Lord.”
What? We CAN know and understand the Lord? Yes, we can.

* Do not believe me...find out for yourself...search out this understanding of the Mind of God, research, study, pray,
meditate, contemplate, ponder, question, be still, seek out this 'knowing'. Will it happen overnight? Maybe not, maybe it will.
Nothing will ever be a surprise again...or in the least can be figured out as to why.

 

[Episkopos]

4 but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows me,

All the ways of God are to us as a double edged sword. It cuts both ways. The truth is like a wheel within a wheel. What seems to be on the outside is not the same on the inside. Like the roots and branches of a tree. Hence the contradictory messages in the bible. It is about knowing where to apply these...without cancelling them out. Putting things in their proper place...in their proper perspective.

So the above verse can mean IF you want to glory (which you shouldn't do) then glory in trying to understand me and my ways (which we cannot do). So IOW don't glory in a boastful way. Don't boast outwardly in knowing God...as Balaam did. Keep that to yourself to glory inwardly if you REALLY do know God and His ways. THAT is to REALLY know Him. God resists the proud...but gives grace to the humble. Claim nothing for yourself.

But deep within we can glory (inwardly) that we know the Lord. It is a secret thing happening in a secret place. A life that is "hid with God' doesn't draw attention to itself. Otherwise it wouldn't be hiding from the vanity of this world. So then only they who are genuinely God's vessels of mercy can glory inwardly. Anybody can pretend to glory outwardly....as we see so often. But that is vainglory meant to puff oneself up.


But among the disciples of Christ...we retain humility...not boasting except in what weakens us and kills the outward man...so we can glory in the cross that takes us to death. Nobody will do that unless they have a genuine connection to God and HIS life. Why boast of what you are losing? But such is the wisdom that comes from God.

So we are to be different than people in the world...set part, holy.

Gal. 6:14 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.


The eternal wisdom of glorying in what we are losing...:) (knowing what we are gaining through that)

 

[bbyrd009]

But deep within we can glory (inwardly) that we know the Lord. It is a secret thing happening in a secret place.

i would root that out and kill it too, wadr

But among the disciples of Christ...we retain humility

ah, the "we" that i find i cannot include myself in, yeh. Yet they surely do, yup

 

[Miss Hepburn]

...
So the above verse can mean IF you want to glory (which you shouldn't do) then glory in trying to understand me and my ways
(which we cannot do). So IOW don't glory in a boastful way. Don't boast outwardly in knowing God...as Balaam did.
Keep that to yourself to glory inwardly if you REALLY do know God and His ways. THAT is to REALLY know Him.
God resists the proud...but gives grace to the humble. Claim nothing for yourself.
But deep within we can glory (inwardly) that we know the Lord. It is a secret thing happening in a secret place.
A life that is "hid with God' doesn't draw attention to itself. Otherwise it wouldn't be hiding from the vanity of this world.
So then only they who are genuinely God's vessels of mercy can glory inwardly. Anybody can pretend to glory outwardly....as we see so often. But that is vainglory meant to puff oneself up.

If I may comment ;) A different view, a different angle, perspective...
Ok, 'want' is no where in the verse...myself, I can't speak on it then. Btw, you prob know that glory and boast were used in diff versions.
But he who must boast, let him boast of this that he knows and understands me so saith the Lord, for example.
Also, don't get mad at me!

But God says nothing about any 'trying' to understand Him...and He is clearly saying we can by saying
''know and understand me"...and if you must boast (glory in... glory in THAT!)
Boasting and glorying in, to me,
has to do with Joy and declaring...'joyously proclaiming so all can know and also know!"..no pride, no vanity, pure joy...no need to
keep your light under a bushel basket.

Jump up and down!
Draw as much attention to yourself as you can...shout it!
Commune with God in the Secret Place....then, Do NOT keep it secret!!
Speak of the joys that God is.
We see things differently, oh well so what.

And pretending has nothing to do with what I'm talking about.
People limit themselves and what they can know way too much...and when you finally do understand God and
how He does things...ah....share it!!!
One does not get to that point without great humility...joy or glorying in that is so often mistaken by others as arrogance or pride..far from it.
It's just joy! :)

 

[Nancy]

That was VERY good!

The whole post, I mean. Btw, I have never read anyone else say, "Visitation of God" or from God...thank you for that...people must open that He does Visit you, can Visit you.
When that expectation, desire, willingness, fearlessness and stillness combine...
just wait and see. ;) Sit.

My faith was clearly God-given, yup, it's all Him.
Now, I have no need for faith or belief...years of profound experiences...now I know.
I don't have faith that God will take the 1 year long cough away from the kitty...I know it will be done, period.
(Just to give an example of what I'm saying.)
And the next day.. gone...did not come back...of course...it's been months...of course.
Later, it wasn't eating for over a week I heard, I went over...next morning I get a call..."She's EATING?
Not just turning away from the food or licking; she is CHEWING?"
Well, of course. There is no surprise with the Lord....just big gratitude and awe at His Love.
It's all a Gift.
(I tell these little stories to encourage and give praise to the One and Only...God Himself.)

I cannot remember a time where He did NOT answer my prayers. When He does the impossible, I have to repent of being surprised because, as you say OF COURSE He answered my prayer??!! Oh me of little faith! Hahaha!
It is exciting though, to wonder how He will answer. And His timing!!!!! Yikes, NEVER too soon or too late. Eerily on time. ♥

 

[Nancy]

God of wonders. You are holy! \0/\0/\O/[/QUOT

 

[complete]

I thought it just might be time to have a very positive praiseful thread about the wonders of a walk in the Spirit. :)

We have this treasure in earthen vessels.

We are to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Now this a miraculous place to be...so far away from our routine worldly lives so that few can believe we have access to so much from God. But God gives us His grace.

All He asks from us to see this realm is faith. To enter in costs us everything, of course. But we can still taste and see the goodness of the Lord for ourselves...as a free gift of grace from Him.

The kingdom of God is full of light. A shimmering light that reflects the glory of God. It is a dimension just beyond our human sight. It is in another realm; the realm of the Spirit.

In the Spirit we see things that are not visible to the human eye. We see things on people, angels at times and whatever comes into that realm; that heavenly place.

To walk in that place we are clothed with His light...as one is dressed in clothing. Paul calls this the "armour of light" or the full armour of God. It is from that anointing that we walk victoriously in this world...far beyond the reach of it's lusts and desires. In the Spirit we have a refuge, a sanctuary of peace and glory.

Few have experienced this walk as it is going very far to even consider such a place. A human faith can't even consider it as a possibility. No, it is a surprise that such a kingdom exists at all. But this is what it means to be "in" Christ. To be where He is. To have fellowship with Him and the Father.

This is what ALL who seek the Lord should desire to enter into. That place where He dwells...where His name is...where His authority rules and His presence fills all things...

* This communication of @Episkopos, makes me feel the need to sound out a warning: for Satan masquerades as an angel of light, and seeks to deceive the unwary.

* I take no pleasure in saying this, but I see the 'likes' this has received, and the responses made; and realise the potential for deception that is here.

In Christ Jesus
Chris

 

[Episkopos]

* This communication by Episkopos, makes me feel the need to sound out a warning: for Satan masquerades as an angel of light, and seeks to deceive the unwary.

* I take no pleasure in saying this, but I see the 'likes' this has received, and the responses made; and realise the potential for deception that is here.

In Christ Jesus
Chris

There is a perceivable danger when going from a theory about God into the actual experience of God in reality. People who are used to human beliefs rather than a supernatural faith tend towards the fear of the unknown.

But Jesus Christ has overcome the world.

Luke 12:31 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

 

[complete]

There is a perceivable danger when going from a theory about God into the actual experience of God in reality. People who are used to human beliefs rather than a supernatural faith tend towards the fear of the unknown.

But Jesus Christ has overcome the world.

Luke 12:31 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Hello @Episkopos,

I have had the joy of a living relationship with my Saviour since 1960, so your words have no bearing. What I also have is experience of you, and of what you have to say, and so I do not retract the warning.

In Christ Jesus
Chris

 

[bbyrd009]

Hello @Episkopos,

I have had the joy of a living relationship with my Saviour since 1960, so your words have no bearing. What I also have is experience of you, and of what you have to say, and so I do not retract the warning.

In Christ Jesus
Chris

boy, could you clarify it then? What bothers you about that post? ty

 

[VictoryinJesus]

* This communication makes me feel the need to sound out a warning: for Satan masquerades as an angel of light, and seeks to deceive the unwary.

* I take no pleasure in saying this, but I see the 'likes' this has received, and the responses made; and realise the potential for deception that is here.

In Christ Jesus
Chris

Charity, I also have struggled with this thread reading it from afar. Maybe it is me but I’m skeptical when others compare God to swimming in a millionaires pool and being accepted, which (IMO) would be accepted for all the wrong reasons. Proverbs 19:6
[6] Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.

As you, I don’t take no pleasure in posting but am confused. For instance others have spoken of Kat Kerr(in other threads) who claims to be a prophet whose gone to heaven and describes big roller coasters and an amusement park. Had no idea who she was until looking her up. Hesitate to follow all her descriptions of Heaven and God at 1 Corinthians 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.


...comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But then God also compares many mansions in His Father’s house where He had to go to prepare a place and if He prepared a place for you He will come again....to Hebrews 8:2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.

Wadr though...it is no different than waiting for Him to return in the flesh and restore (rebuild) what Paul had said was destroyed. Galatians 2:18-21
[18] For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. [19] For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. [20] I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. [21] I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

 

[Episkopos]

...comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But then God also compares many mansions in His Father’s house where He had to go to prepare a place and if He prepared a place for you He will come again....to Hebrews 8:2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.

...or comparing religious things with religious things???

What is taught in modern churches is that you only enter into the kingdom after you die. Believing that means very few will seek the Lord in order to walk as they did in the early church. But one has always had to be a kind of revolutionary to abide in the faith OF Jesus Christ.

But few will dare to take things that far. And that is the whole point of the religious doctrines...to confuse the gospel and make people to wait until after they die in order to partake of the grace of the NT. But by then it's too late. How can we bear an eternal fruit by abiding in an eternal place if we can't do that in this life?

The doctrines of today are very conducive to the natural unbelief of people towards the miraculous things of God. Especially the things of the kingdom. We see "the great falling away" in this trend. We are now at the point where the gospel of the kingdom that Jesus and Paul preached is seen as "another gospel" by many. And "another gospel" that Paul earned us against so severely is accepted as the truth. It is the world upside down. Very clever on the devil's part to be sure.

The abiding places (mansions) in the kingdom of God are there to be entered into NOW. We are to be translated into the kingdom (which is of the Spirit) by faith. If we don't believe we have that calling or that the grace is now available for that through what Christ affords us by grace...then we have the result which is evident in the modern condition of the church...which is religious but not spiritual.

Do you have anything to share concerning the wonders of the kingdom of God?

(This thread is an attempt at a positive witness towards encouragement and edification after all)

 

[Miss Hepburn]

Hey, I never compared God to being a millionaire in a pool ...read the ques I was asked and answered.@VictoryinJesus

 

[VictoryinJesus]

Hey, I never compared God to being a millionaire in a pool ...read the ques I was asked and answered.@VictoryinJesus

Miss Hepburn, last thing I want is to injure a sister of Faith. Maybe I misunderstood your description of peace. I’m sorry if I offended you. It is the being accepted you referenced...and do see maybe you were referring to floating in a millionaires pool as God who possesses all things and being accepted of Him...as your peace? My struggle is a trauma suffered as a young girl of coming to the age where in school there were no longer assigned seats. which I found to be a horror with no where to sit or fit in. It hurts still to have no place and to remember that horror and wishing it could go back to assigned seats. Anything millionaire or of acceptable before men ...I’ve found sad, selective and rejecting and no peace at all. Sometimes in reading your post I wonder if you have been shunned of the same? That is all...I meant no disrespect of you but in referring to all that was behind as coming down in the Hope and peace found only in Christ.

 

[complete]

boy, could you clarify it then? What bothers you about that post? ty

I thought it just might be time to have a very positive praiseful thread about the wonders of a walk in the Spirit. :)

We have this treasure in earthen vessels.

We are to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Now this a miraculous place to be...so far away from our routine worldly lives so that few can believe we have access to so much from God. But God gives us His grace.

All of us is what He asks from us to see this realm is faith. To enter in costs us everything, of course. But we can still taste and see the goodness of the Lord for ourselves...as a free gift of grace from Him.

The kingdom of God is full of light. A shimmering light that reflects the glory of God. It is a dimension just beyond our human sight. It is in another realm; the realm of the Spirit.

In the Spirit we see things that are not visible to the human eye. We see things on people, angels at times and whatever comes into that realm; that heavenly place.

To walk in that place we are clothed with His light...as one is dressed in clothing. Paul calls this the "armour of light" or the full armour of God. It is from that anointing that we walk victoriously in this world...far beyond the reach of it's lusts and desires. In the Spirit we have a refuge, a sanctuary of peace and glory.

Few have experienced this walk as it is going very far to even consider such a place. A human faith can't even consider it as a possibility. No, it is a surprise that such a kingdom exists at all. But this is what it means to be "in" Christ. To be where He is. To have fellowship with Him and the Father.

This is what ALL who seek the Lord should desire to enter into. That place where He dwells...where His name is...where His authority rules and His presence fills all things...

'Christ Jesus our Lord: -
In Whom we have boldness
and access with confidence
by the faith of Him.'
(Eph 3:11b-12)
Hello @Episkopos,

By the time I responded to your post, you had received many likes, and several responses, from people who were sharing their experiences of communion with God, in Christ Jesus, while meditating on His Word, during which they had been blessed with joy in the knowledge of His presence.

* This is an experience available to all who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, for in Him, we have access by one spirit unto the Father (Ephesians 2:18); and can come 'boldly' unto His throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16), and find mercy and grace in time of need.

* Your description of this place as being 'full of light', of 'shimmering light', of being 'clothed in light', (or 'the armour of light') of it 'being in a dimension beyond our sight', of 'seeing angels'. This sounds like the things said by those who practice transcendental meditation, and see visions while in an alpha state produced by prolonged meditation and fasting. It sounds very much like spiritualism too,

* This is not the experience of the believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, and is not something to be sought. For it opens the mind up to the influences of seducing spirits.

* I hope this 'clarification' satisfies @bbyrd009's request for clarification too.

In Christ Jesus
Chris

 

[Episkopos]

our description of this place as being 'full of light', of 'shimmering light', of being 'clothed in light', (or 'the armour of light') of it 'being in a dimension beyond our sight', of 'seeing angels'. This sounds like the things said by those who practice transcendental meditation, and see visions in an alpha state produced by prolonged meditation and fasting. It sounds very much like spiritualism too,

This is not the experience of the believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, and is not something to be sought. For it opens the mind up to the influences of seducing spirits.

In Christ Jesus
Chris

This is just fear and ignorance on your part. You should say that this is not the experience of modern believers...who are mainly the product of the modern churches who teach modern doctrine. Where is the faith that enters into the Spirit? Are you afraid of the word..."Spirit." ??? Do you have any experience with the Holy Spirit? Are you a cessationist?

And yet you don't consider what you have NOT experienced as being ok. As in..better to NOT experience than experience. Better to be safe than sorry?
But all my experience in the Spirit is the same as what the bible speaks of...the testimony of the saints in light. The presence of God from His visitation and empowerment to walk in the light in Zion.

This is basic walking in the Spirit. :)

The problem is when people remain at a religious and powerless level their whole lives. What good is there in remaining outside of the kingdom life?

If you are too afraid to seek the Lord about it...do more study on the book of Acts. And just remember that the devil seeks to copy the things of God. But if you know the Lord's voice and presence there is no danger.

Do you have confidence in the Lord as a person...from experience (not just theory)? Everybody will say they have confidence in the Lord, of course...since that is the right thing to say. But actually very few people have that kind of confidence to go boldly before the Lord. Just look at your own fear and lack of understanding of these things.

You can't enter into Christ without experiencing the grace of God which is in the light.