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FinnishEsperantoIn Hebrews 12:25 we read:
"See that you refuse not Him that speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him that spoke on earh; much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from Him that speaks from heaven."
"HASHEM: THE NAME OF THE LORD REVEALED:
Who is speaking to us from heaven? Let's examine this in the holy scriptures. Saul of Tarsus, a Pharisee; was journeying to Damascus. Damascus was a city some 150 miles northeast from Jerusalem; and watered by the river Abana. The Jews of this region were strong in numbers, and the city housed also some Messianic Christians. These Christians at this time were termed "this sect" called "The Way, for attributing Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation." For Jesus Himself had clearly stated: "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no man comes to the Father but through Me." (John 14:6) This term "The Way" is also an Old Testament term from "Is. 40:3, speaking of the highway of holiness." Psalms 1:6 also speaks of the "Way of righteousness versus the way of the wicked."
IT WILL BE SHOWN WHAT YOU MUST DO:
The believers of this region, had found a place of refuge in this city; worshipping within the synagogues.
From the language of Acts 26:11, Damascus appears to have been only one of several cities over which Saul's authority stretched at this time. Traveling now, with warrents to arrest any Christians which might be found, suddenly as he journeyed down this road; he was struck by a blinding light, that all Jews recognize as "the SHEKINAH GLORY of God. In Acts 26:6, Paul calls it a great light.
Saul fell to the earth as he heard a voice from heaven saying: "Saul, Saul: (The Lord speaking in Hebrew said: Saoul, Saoul) Why are you persecuting Me?" From other instances in scripture, Jesus used this endearing repetitive use of peoples names, such as in speaking to Martha, saying: Martha, Martha. And again with Simon, Simon, Lovest thou Me?
Acts 26:14, tells us that Paul as well as his companions fell to the ground. The others, hearing not the voice, beheld the light; but did not discern the person of Jesus Christ. (Acts 22:9)
GOD DEALS WITH US ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS:
Saul as spokesman enquired for the group: "Who are you Lord?" The voice that spoke said: "I am Jesus."
In persecuting the disciples, Saul was persecuting Jesus. The best manuscripts do not say Saul stood trembling and astonished, though he may have. But simply that he said: "Lord what will you have me to do?" And Jesus said:
"Arise and go into the city, and it will be shown you what you must do."
Can you imagine the rest of that journey for this Pharisee who had prided himself on his knowledge, being instructed to go now, with just a couple of sentences? Nevertheless, humbled by his encounterwith the Living Word, he went.
And I notice how many men and women of faith, upon hearing God's voice, went forth, without a great deal of knowledge, and perhaps just a sentence or two; but valuing the One who said this to them.
JESUS CHRIST'S REVEALING TO ANANIAS:
The disciple Ananias,(Hananias) whose name means Jehovah is gracious; was highly regarded by Jews and Christians alike. (Acts 22:12) In a vision, our glorified Lord appeared to him and said:
Ananias!" And Ananias said: "Here I am, Lord." From this we see a man, who knows God's voice, and does not seem surprised by it. Rather he waits attentively as a servant for whatever the Lord has to say to him. And the Lord said:
Arise, and go into the street called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for behold he prays, and has seen in a vision, a man named Ananias putting his hands on him that he might see."
Now listen to the trusting relationship of this disciple with His Lord. He is not afraid to expose his inmost feelings to Jesus, saying:
Lord, I have heard by many of this man; and how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem: and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on your name." But the Lord said:
Go your way: for he is a chosen vessel unto Me, to bear My name before the Gentiles, and kings; and the children of Israel: For I will show him how great things he must suffer for My names sake.
So we see that God revealed to Ananias three distinct phases of the Apostle Paul's ministry:
1) His ministry would be to 1) The Gentiles 2) Kings 3) The Children of Israel. God not only desires fellowship with us, but in the case of ministry, reveals His will that we might be vessels through whom He can accomplish His purposes in this earth.
WHEN THE SPIRIT OF JESUS FORBIDS YOU TO DO A THING:
The disciples of the Lord "assayed to go to Bithynia," but the "Spirit of Jesus" (kai ouk eiasen autos to pneuma Iesou) forbid them to go there at that time. In those days, Bithynia was to the north of ancient Galacia. This is the same Spirit of the Lord, who in verse 6, had forbidden them to go into Asia, that now closed the door to Bithynia. Jesus reveals Himself to the church of Philadelphia, as "He that has the key of David. He that opens and no man shuts; and shuts and no man opens." (Rev. 3:7) This exact phrase occurs no where else, but we see "The Spirit of Christ in Romans 8:9, and the Spirit of Jesus Christ in Phil. 1:19. Again we read: God has sent for the the Spirit of His Son into your heart crying abba Father.
And Jesus own words: In that day, you will know that I am in My Father and you in Me and I in you. (John 14:20) For haden't Jesus promised before He went away: "I will not leave you comfortless, but "I" will come to you?" (John 14:18) People make a point of Jesus saying: "I will send you another Comfortor." But the point being, Jesus was with them in the flesh, and He was going to the Father, and they would no longer know Him in that capacity as flesh. But as Spirit. It's similar to Jesus telling Mary: "Touch Me not!" (John 20:17) Or in Greek: "Don't be clinging to Me."
It wasn't as if Jesus was saying: "Get your hand's off Me!" As if in his resurrected state, He was too holy for her to touch. Thomas was granted to touch the nail-prints in His hands. (John 20:25) It wasn't that Jesus never allowed women to touch Him. The woman with the alabaster of box, (Matthew 26:7, Mark 14:3, Luke 7:37) and the woman with the issue of blood both reached out and touched Him. (Mark 5:28)
WHAT'S THE SPIRIT IS SAYING TO THE CHURCHES:
Seven times in two chapters of the book of Revelation, we red: "Let he that has an ear, hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches:
1) ToThe Church of Ephesus from He that has the 7 stars in his right hand, who walks amid the 7 golden candlesticks: "He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches; To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the tree of life; which is in the midst of the paradise of God. (Rev. 2:7)
Who is this speaking, who identifies Himself in this way? Rev. 1:8 tells us that it is Alpha and Omega. Rev. 1:18: Again this is "I am He that lives and was dead and behold I am alive forevermore." Christians everywhere identify this as Jesus Christ, who said: "In that day, you will know, that I am in My Father, and you in Me and I in you!" (John 14:20) 2)To The Church of Smyrna: "These things says the First and the last, which was dead and is alive." He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches; He that overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death." (Rev. 2:11
Who is this that identifies Himself in this way? Again, the First and the Last and He which was dead and is alive, are terms that the church associates with the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. 3) "To The Church of Pergamos: "These things says He that has the sharp sword with two edges. He that has an ear, let Him hear what the Spirit says to the Churches. I will give to him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knows except he that recives it. (Rev. 2:17) Who is this speaking to the church of Pergamos in this way? It is Jesus Christ, who said: If you have seen Me, you have seen the Father. I and My Father are one!" (John 14:6-20)
4) "To The Church of Thyatira: From the Son of God whose eyes are like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass. He that has an ear hear what the Spirit says to the Churches: And I will give him the Morning Star." (Rev. 2:29) 5) "To the Church of Sardis: He that has an ear, let him hear, what the Spirit says to the churches. He that overcomes, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before the Father, and before His angels.
6)"To The Church of Philadelphia: He that has an ear, hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He that overcomes will I make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon Him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God; which is New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God: and I will write on him My new name."
7)"To The Church of Laodicea:From "The Amen, the Faithful and true Witness." "Let he that has an ear, hear what the Spirit says to the Churches: To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.
So, we see that the Spirit is saying: "Hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches. But look who is doing the talking. It's Jesus Christ, as our great High Priest, walking among the 7 Golden Lampstands, (Representative of the fulness of the body of Christ)
Turn to Rev. 21:22-23. "And I saw no temple therein, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon to shine in it; for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light (Greek text="lamp") thereof. Forever believers who overcome will experience God in Christ, as their eternal abiding place--and Everlasting Light!
Lark's Links
Lion's Gate
Lark Ascending
Le Alouette Prophetique
Bird In Hand
The Olive Tree:
There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer and turn away ungodliness from
Jacob
