Unity and an Eschatological mindset

12/24/11

Greetings,

                The New Year is right around the corner! What’s more, tomorrow is Christmas. Believe it or not this is the fifty-second BRIDE email on the topic of unity. This will also be the last. I will be taking a week off and BRIDE emails will resume beginning the first Saturday of 2012. The topic of the coming year will be spiritual warfare. We will discuss what it means, what’s involved, and most importantly how to exercise the victory that we have in Jesus Christ. If you have friends, family, or acquaintances that you believe will benefit from learning about spiritual warfare please send me their email addresses so that I can add them to the recipient list! With all that is coming upon the earth, it is time for the body of Christ to arise as the powerhouse that God has appointed us to be.

                With that said, I was asked an interesting question recently. A friend of mine asked me what perspective the body of Christ should have in regards to the last days. This was a good question because many perspectives have been suggested by various sources. Some have said that we should simply focus on being “rapture ready.” This means we should be saved and prepared to vanish at any time so that we don’t have to deal with all of the negative things coming upon the earth. Another perspective suggests that we should be prepared to hide in caves, under rocks, or in holes in the ground. Some have even suggested that Jesus won’t come back until the whole world becomes Christian, so we should just keep evangelizing the lost.

                All of these suggestions have reasons for embracing them, but I am not convinced that any of these are the final say as it pertains to what perspective we should assume. As God has opened my eyes to His unfolding plan I have realized that He has a grand, awe-inspiring agenda prepared for the last days. In light of this, one passage in particular gives us a blunt glimpse of the plan that God has. The book of Daniel actually tells us what we will be doing in the last days. When we stop and consider what is truly being said it begins to reveal what kind of perspective we really should be embracing.

                “…but the people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits.” (Daniel 11:32)

                In order to understand the ramifications of this brief passage we must establish its timeframe. Believe it or not, the timeframe for this comment is the coming antichrist’s rule. This season will reveal the greatest evil ever released upon the earth. In spite of the darkest season history will ever record and without concern for the seemingly impossible circumstances under which they will be operating—the Christians of the last days that know their God will be strong and do exploits.

                There is nothing impossible for the true people of God because we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13). We are not looking forward to evacuation, but to a glorious mission. However, we must know our God. These people of Daniel 11:32 will have become the answer to the following prayer of Jesus:

                “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word (the testimony of the first apostles); That they all may be one, as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are.” (John 17:20-22)

                The implications of this prayer are staggering beyond the imagination. Jesus is essentially praying for everyone that will ever believe upon His name. However, what He prays for them is nothing short of bewildering. He prays that they will be one in the same way that He and the Father are one. There is no unity as powerful as the unity of the Godhead. Jesus prays that the church will achieve the same unity that He shares with the Father. (This unity is manifested trans-dimensionally which is why Jesus says that the unity will manifest “in us”). This unity will allow for the saints to be strong and execute great exploits in the face of the antichrist agenda.

                Jesus goes on and declares that the activation of this unity among the saints will cause the world to believe in Him. This means that the result of unity is a massive harvest of souls—a side-effect of the strength and exploits of the last day saints. Jesus also speaks about His glory. Some people think that God will not share His glory. This is not what the Bible says. The Bible says that God will not give His glory to another (Isaiah 42:8). However, He will share His glory with those found in Him. The very glory of Jesus has been given to the church. Jesus says that He has given His glory to the church that we might become one in Him. This glory will empower unity, strength and great exploits in the last days.

                Unity is inseparable from the coming moves of God. As I have said before, unity is not an end in and of itself. Unity is necessary in order to achieve the things that God has planned for the last days. Moreover, I am not speaking of a counterfeit unity based around a globalist agenda. This is a false unity and it is a counterfeit and a means of control. There is only one true unity and that is unity based on the common goal of coming to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:13). As the year winds to a close, let us keep in mind that Jesus has more prepared for us than we can imagine. Let us together press on towards the mark of the prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14)!

Discussion

1.       What perspective regarding the last days have you embraced until this point?

2.       What perspective regarding the last days does Daniel 11:32 suggest we should embrace?

3.       When Jesus prays for the unity of the church, what kind of unity does He pray for?

4.       What are some of the most powerful lessons in reference to unity in the body of Christ that you have learned in the past year?

5.       Do you have any suggestions that will allow me to improve these letters in the coming year? (Feel free to email me the answer to this question)

The Power of the Blood

12/17/11

Greetings,

                The old saying, “There’s power in the blood,” is as relevant today as it was on the day that the blood dripped from the body of Jesus. Why is the blood powerful? In order to understand the power of the blood of Jesus we must understand the system of dealing with sin that God instituted. All sin had to be paid for, and the payment for sin has always been blood. The first sin—when Adam and Eve ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil—was paid for with blood. This blood was shed when God killed an animal and used the skins to clothe Adam and Eve.

“Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them” (Genesis 3:21)

                This set up a pattern. This pattern followed into the sacrifices of Cain and Abel. God respected Abel’s sacrifice because it was a blood sacrifice. God did not respect Cain’s sacrifice because it was not a blood sacrifice.

“And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.” (Genesis 4:3-5)

 Why does it have to be blood? This is a very relevant question, particularly from our cultural standpoint. Most would cringe at the thought of attending a blood sacrifice ritual. The matter comes down to the issue of life and death. The Bible is clear that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). When Adam and Eve sinned, death entered by that sin (Romans 5:12). Since sin brings death, this must be counterbalanced by life. Life is the opposite of death. Where is life to be found? Life is found in the blood.

“For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.” (Leviticus 17:11)

Where ever there is sin, death is given entrance. When life is introduced, death is defeated. The blood sacrifice introduces life. The blood sacrifice releases the life that is necessary to make atonement for our souls. This is important because God’s goal is to redeem us from death. God calls death His enemy. In fact, God’s ultimate plan is to destroy death altogether.

“The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” (1 Corinthians 15:26)

In order to crush the problem of sin and overcome death God appointed a solution. A sacrifice was to be made whose blood contained enough life to destroy the power of sin forever. There was only one sacrifice that had the power to do this. God had to sacrifice His only begotten Son, because the blood that His Son carried contained the very life of God. By the shedding of this blood, Jesus would become the ultimate payment for the sins of mankind. The Greek word that refers to the life of God is the Word zoe, and this is the term that Jesus employs in the following verse.

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life [zoe]: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:26)

                Not only did this life abide in Jesus, but when it was poured out it gave us access to the very life of God. This life was passed down to us through the breaking of His body and the shedding of His blood. This is one of the reasons why communion is so powerful—the wine represents the blood that forever broke the power of sin and gave us access to the very life of God.

                “Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh [the communion bread], and drinketh my blood [the communion wine], hath eternal life [zoe]; and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:53-54)

                The word propitiation means to atone for; it can also be defined as an expiatory work. In plain English propitiation is the means by which man is reconciled to God. Jesus, by shedding His blood, became the means by which we were reconciled to God. This is why He is the only door (John 10:9) and why salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8).

“And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2:2)

                As we begin to understand the power and purpose of the blood of Jesus, a lot of things begin to go deeper. This leads into the concept of the family of God. God is big on family. One thing that all families share is a common bloodline. When God set out to create a family, He decided that He was going to birth children into His own kingdom. This is why we are born again. We must be born into the kingdom of God, and this is a spiritual birth into the life of God. At this point we not only become members of God’s family, but also members of God’s blood line. The same blood that was in Jesus is the blood that works in us.

“For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named” (Ephesians 3:14-15)

                As Christians we are a family united by the bloodline of God. The same life force that redeemed us from sin literally runs in our spiritual veins fueling us with the life of God. This blood allows God to grant us eternal life! In light of this an important question must be asked. How is it that such a supernaturally strong force can be working in us, yet unity among the body of Christ remains a fleeting thought throughout much of Christendom? We truly are blood brothers and sisters in Christ, let’s tap into that.

Discussion

1.       What are the wages of sin?

2.       How does a blood sacrifice make atonement for sin?

3.       What is the meaning of the word “propitiation”?

4.       What kind of life abides in the blood of Jesus?

5.       What is the role of the blood of Jesus is the family of God?

Transdimensional Church

              12/10/11

Greetings,

                The nature of the human spirit, particularly when considering the spiritual nature of the Christian, is truly an amazing concept. This week we are going to explore some deep spiritual implications regarding the spiritual nature and tie it in with our function as the body of Christ. We are going to pick up with a comment made by Paul in the book of Ephesians.

                “And hath put all things under his [Jesus’] feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.” (Ephesians 1:22-23)

                This passage is the tail end of a prayer written down by the apostle beginning in verse 16. To be honest, I recommend to everyone that this prayer be memorized and prayed on a regular basis because it is supremely powerful. Nonetheless, when we arrive at the end of the prayer we learn some important lessons.

He begins by saying that all things have been put under the feet of Jesus. This is interesting because when I look outside my window I don’t actually see the foot of Jesus stepping on anything. Do you? Of course not! So then if all things are under the feet of Jesus, where are his feet? This sounds like a silly question but I am very serious. When we read this we often immediately think: Oh that’s just an expression. Is it really? I propose that it’s much more than an expression.

If we do not regard this as an expression then we have to figure out why when we look outside of our windows we don’t see the feet of Jesus standing on everything. How does this work? The answer is that the feet of Jesus, being located in the third heaven (2 Corinthians 10:2-4), are fixed in a dimensionally superior position. Jesus has been seated in heavenly places in the third heaven at the right hand of the Father.

“which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 1:20 NKJV)

Every dimensional realm or “heavenly place” where the activity of Satan is permitted is therefore underneath the feet of Jesus.

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12 NKJV)

In order to comprehend what I’m about to tell you, it is going to require a conscious decision on your part to stretch the realms of your understanding. Going into the deeper truths of God requires a dismissal of unilateral thinking. We often try to bring the Word of God down into a framework that accommodates a practical approach. This is okay at times, but to truly walk out our inheritance involves allowing the Word of God to bring us up into a heavenly framework to accommodate a heavenly approach.

Notice that the phrase “heavenly places” is plural in both Ephesians 1:20 and Ephesians 6:12. One group of heavenly places houses wicked spirits. Another group houses Jesus and the realms of heaven. The group of heavenly places that houses Jesus is defined by the Bible as the third heaven. Therefore, beneath this realm are more heavenly places that can be understood as the second heaven. This is the spiritual realm from which Satan and his kingdom conducts their activity.

Within the respective heavens are multiple dimensions. This is why the phrase “heavenly places” is plural in both occasions.  Notice that Jesus is seated in heavenly places. A single person (Jesus Christ) is said to occupy multiple dimensions. The existence that Jesus enjoys in heaven is a trans-dimensional existence. Moreover, this trans-dimensional existence extends right through the second heaven and into our world because the Bible says that Christ is in us.

“To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27)

Not only does Jesus Christ enjoy a trans-dimensional existence, but so do Christians. All humans are born as trans-dimensional entities because of the fact that we have a spirit. Our spirit participates in the spiritual realm while running our physical body on this dimensional plane. It is therefore, trans-dimensional. While we have a conscious mind (soul) and a subconscious mind (heart) we also have an unconscious mind which comes from the spiritual experiences that we have neither conscious nor subconscious awareness of. What distinguishes Christians from other people is the fact that our trans-dimensional nature extends all the way into the dimension containing the throne of God (which is the beginning and end of eternity). Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father and we are seated in Him.

“and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6 NKJV)

This is why we can come boldly to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16). Only once we understand all of these things can we understand the passage that we began with. Here it is again:

“And hath put all things under his [Jesus’] feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.” (Ephesians 1:22-23)

The church is the body of Christ and the fullness of Him that fills all in all. Just as Jesus in His trans-dimensional identity fills all in all so that He is omnipresent, so the church corporately partakes of the omnipresent nature of Christ in the heavenly places. Doing battle with a church that has a full revelation of the power we wield corporately is what the devil is scared to death of. It is my prayer that as you meditate on this letter, you will begin to comprehend these higher concepts. There is much more that can be said on these things, but we will save that for another time.

Discussion

1.       Is the church the body of Christ?

2.       What does it mean to have a trans-dimensional nature?

3.       Is Jesus trans-dimensional?

4.       Are you trans-dimensional?

5.       What does this mean for the church acting in unity?

The Intimate Bride

10/29/11

Greetings,

                God is the ultimate Romantic. His beauty is boundless. His eyes are filled with the burning of eternal passion. He seeks not only to be close to us, but to actually cover us with His feathers (Psalm 91:4). He houses us within Himself, becoming our fortress, our security, and our refuge (Psalm 91:2). Getting to know this side of God is a road less travelled for many believers. The reason is that it is incredibly scary. When the apostle John looked into the eyes of Jesus he fell as if dead at His feet.

“And I turned to see the voice that spake with me…His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire…And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead.” (Revelation 1:12a, 14, 17a)

I have experienced these eyes. Although I do not claim to have seen Jesus manifest like the apostle John, I know that I have experienced these eyes in the realm of the spirit during times of deep prayer. I have felt the terror of having nothing to hide as eyes full of the knowledge and authority of eternity pierced through me. My spirit has trembled and quaked in the presence of God. His holiness and perfection are unimaginably intimidating. How can we draw close?

The themes of marriage fill the scriptures. The present age that we are in began with marriage and it will end in marriage. It began with the marriage of Adam and Eve and it will end with the marriage of the church to Jesus Christ. Marriage is something that is ever so important to God. If you find this hard to believe, simply consider that everything leading up to the return of Jesus is ultimately for the preparation of the church to become the wife of the Lamb. Christianity isn’t about a method for getting to heaven. It is about becoming prepared to be wed to the very God that sits upon eternity.

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” (Ephesians 5:25-27)

 Let this sink in for a moment. If we are afraid to look into the eyes of God, how can we consider ourselves ready to be married to Him? Have you ever found yourself in a position where you had to look someone in the eyes and found it particularly difficult? For instance, consider failing your boss and having to explain yourself. Think about how difficult it can be at times to disappoint simple human authority. How about facing a close friend after you’ve utterly betrayed their trust? Looking into the eyes of pain that you are responsible for is chilling. What about answering to your parents after you did something very wrong and you knew it? Guilt weighs heavily upon the soul.

We can hide things from men, but a single glance from God brings everything to the surface. Nothing can be hidden from His sight. Now imagine yourself, right where you are. Suddenly Jesus is standing before you. The entire atmosphere shifts as darkness flees his presence. Everything around you conforms to the brilliance of his magnificence. Every justification and excuse you make before men utterly fails you. Your spirit collapses within you, your head spins, and you weep profusely. He draws close because you cannot move. He looks into your eyes, and the depth of eternity is burned violently into your heart. You have just experienced the ecstasy of your future spouse.

What are we living for? When will the day come when the church begins to understand that this isn’t about a church program or a weekend seminar? When will a new identity define the church? We are the bride of Christ. We are called to be intimate with the Most High God. This isn’t just for me or the super-spiritual guy that everyone is uncomfortable to be around. The church isn’t prepared until you are prepared. Our preparation requires a united effort. Are you ready to look into the eyes of Jesus, your lover; or does the thought of it cause your bowels to sink within you? Be honest with yourself because you’re not hiding anything from God.

“Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.” (Psalm 44:21)

Discussion

1.       What emotions does the thought of looking Jesus in the eyes evoke within you?

2.       How prepared are you to call Jesus you spouse?

3.       Have you ever felt intimate with God?

4.       Is intimacy for the super-spiritual or for the whole church?

5.       What is the most incredible moment of intimacy you have experienced with God?

Governmental Unity

10/22/11

Greetings,

                This week we are going to take a look at the role of church government in establishing unity. Once proper church government is in place and unity has been established, the Spirit of God will operate in ways that boggle the imagination. This is modeled for us in the book of Acts.

                Before we jump in, I need to establish an important fact. Everything in the Bible has significance. This not only extends to the stories and wisdom it relays, but into every color and number that it employs. For some people, it is too difficult to accept that one book could be so perfectly accurate. Yet when the evidence is considered, the fact that the Bible uses the same meanings for numbers from beginning to end cannot be denied, even by the greatest skeptic. The importance of their meaning as established by Scripture is carried even into realms such as dream interpretation.

                Having said this I am going to give a few examples of what I mean. The number one means unity and the beginning of something. God is three and yet one. When people act as one they are operating in unity. God is also the beginning and the end. The book of Genesis, being book number one of the Bible, discusses the beginning of creation. The number three stands for whatever is solid, real, substantial or complete. We live in a three-dimensional world with length, width, and height. As Christians, we believe in the triune God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, God is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient. The list goes on.

                For a thorough discussion of the importance of number in Scripture I recommend a book by E.W. Bullinger called Number in Scripture: Its Supernatural Design and Spiritual Significance (Kregel Publications, 1967). With this said, I want to focus in on the numbers of importance for this letter. These are the numbers eleven and twelve.

The number twelve is the number of perfect government. This is established by the fact that Jesus appointed twelve apostles. There are twelve tribes of Israel. There are also twelve gates to New Jerusalem according to the book of Revelation. Eleven, being one short of twelve becomes representative of imperfect government, disorder, disorganization, and imperfection. When Jacob lost Joseph (leaving him with 11 sons), he was miserable and mourned His loss. While Jacob was the Father of Israel, his brother Esau became the father of the Edomites. It is recorded that God said, “Jacob have I loved but Esau have I hated.” There were twelve tribes of Israel but according to Genesis 36:40-43 there were eleven Dukes of Edom. In addition, consider that Zedekiah reigned in Jerusalem for eleven years before Nebuchadnezzar conquered him and ended Israeli control of Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 36:11, Jeremiah 39:2).

                What does this have to do with our topic? We are going to pick up our discussion at the ascension of Jesus.  At that time only eleven apostles were alive because the twelfth—Judas—had committed suicide after betraying Jesus (Acts 1:16-19). This represented imperfect government, something that God would not allow his church to be built upon. When Jesus ascended to heaven, eleven apostles watched, and then returned to Jerusalem to wait in the upper room for the promise of the Holy Spirit. This was in obedience to what Jesus told them.

“And being assembled together with them, He [Jesus] commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” (Acts 1:4-5 NKJV)

When they got there they were in one accord in prayer and supplication, yet the promise of the Spirit did not come.

“And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: [1] Peter, [2] James, [3] John, and [4] Andrew; [5] Philip and [6] Thomas; [7] Bartholomew and [8] Matthew; [9] James the son of Alphaeus and [10] Simon the Zealot; and [11] Judas the son of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.” (Acts 1:13-14 NKJV)

They were in one accord. They had unity, but it was based on imperfect government. At one point Peter had a revelation and stood up to speak. He realized that Psalms 109:8 prophesied exactly what would have to happen. Judas had betrayed Jesus and another man would have to take his office. Peter said:

“For it is written in the Book of Psalms: ‘Let his dwelling place be desolate, And let no one live in it’; and, ‘Let another take his office.’” (Acts 1:20)

When everyone else realized that he was right they selected two men, prayed and cast lots. The lot fell on Matthias and he became the twelfth apostle, taking the office of Judas. After his selection, they went back to prayer and supplication. Perfect government and unity was in place. Only at this time did the promise of the Spirit manifest on the day of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit showed up with signs, wonders, and did things that were certainly beyond the disciples imaginations. He showed up as tongues of fire and baptized everyone in the upper room.

“When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.” (Acts 2:1-3)

As we work towards unity and all of the possibility that it will open up for us, we must keep in mind that it must be established along with proper government. We are part of a kingdom. A kingdom is a government. This is why Ephesians 4:11 lists the offices of God’s government over his church. All must be in place and fully functional for unity to have its intended impact.

“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-13)

Discussion

1.       Are numbers in the Bible significant?

2.       What is the significance of the number 12?

3.       What is the significance of the number 11?

4.       What is the significance of the number 1?

5.       What happens when you take the difference of 11 and 12? [12-11=___]

Vision and Eschatology

10/8/11

Greetings,

                This week we are going to talk about vision, context, and how it relates to unity. Have you ever heard this line before?

“Get out there and do something for God!”

It may be full of passion, full of conviction, and heartily spoken, but at the end of the day the question must be asked: what is something? We must have a definition of what we are doing for God because it enables us to cast vision. According to the Bible we will have major problems without vision.

“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” (Proverbs 29:18)

My vision is to promote unity in the body of Christ worldwide and assist in the creation and development of sheep nations. For those unfamiliar with the term “sheep nations,” these will be entire geographies where the kingdom of God reigns in and through the hearts of men. When I say that I’m going to get out there and do something for God I know exactly what something means. As long as I hold fast to the vision, spiritual death will remain far from me. Moreover, those that come alongside me will have no question as to what we are trying to do.

I personally believe that in this hour, possibly more than any other time in history, the requirement upon the church to be strategically effective is huge. I also believe that our ability to be strategically effective in this hour is going to rest heavily upon our ability to properly divide the word of God on the topic of eschatology. Eschatology is simply a theological term denoting the study of last things.

If our eschatology is wrong, the vision that we cast will be inadequate to accommodate the impending circumstances. Let us use an example. We are going to consider two random football teams. The first team is the Cleveland Browns and the second team is the New England Patriots. Let’s take a fictional look at how their respective coaches cast vision to their teams.

Brown’s coach: Alright boys! I am just as unenthusiastic about this game as you are. Remember, if you make mistakes, God still loves you. It does not matter how the game goes because we’re going to be teleported into outer space before the game is even over. Are you ready!

Patriots coach: Alright men! We’ve been practicing very hard. Today we are going to remain focused on the goal: executing the victory. You must believe that this game is already won. Offense, you get across that goal line like your daughter’s life depends on it. Defense, your goal is to gain more yards than the offense. This is the vision. Are you ready!

After reading the two visions, which do you think is more effective? First of all, the Brown’s coach is addressing his team as children, setting a low level of expectancy. The Patriot’s coach addresses his team as men, setting a high level of expectancy. God calls us to maturity, but many leaders suppress the spiritual growth of their people by casting faulty vision that takes people nowhere. They put no demand upon their flocks.

                Furthermore, the Brown’s coach is out to make a good show. The vision he casts is completely illogical. It cannot yield victory. The catch is that the Brown’s coach doesn’t expect to be around to finish the game. He casts a vision based upon his understanding of the future. As a result of his limited foresight, he assumes that certain things will take place, thereby tainting his ability to cast a vision based around victory. His vision is based around escape and he is promoting cowardice. Unfortunately, if people are trained to escape, when hardship comes they will look for a way out.

“Let no one deceive or beguile you in any way, for that day will not come except the apostasy comes first [unless the predicted great falling away of those who have professed to be Christians has come], and the man of lawlessness (sin) is revealed, who is the son of doom (of perdition)” (2 Thessalonians 2:3)

The Patriot’s coach has enforced discipline and practice among his ranks. They are prepared to win. When he stands before them to cast the vision he declares their victory. He makes no plans for escape. He is in it to win it and his team will follow his lead. His vision is based upon a proper understanding of why they are going onto the field. They are going out there to play hard, to stand face-to-face with a determined opponent and come out victorious. No one is leaving until the last play has been carried out. His vision is fixed on the prize, and he has planned properly in order to attain the declared victory.

If you haven’t figured it out already, I am speaking in part to the debate between pre-tribulation and post-tribulation rapture theology. The rapture is the point in time when Jesus returns for his church and we meet him in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:17). Casting vision in this hour that is based around pre-tribulation rapture theology is akin to playing football like the Browns. Casting vision based around post-tribulation rapture theology is akin to playing football like the Patriots. Who do you think will perform better?

The Bible has a lot to say about the last days. It speaks of a coming antichrist, a false prophet, and great plagues that will shake the world among other things. A pre-tribulation rapture approach to this teaches people that they have no responsibility to be spiritually, psychologically, or emotionally prepared to deal with these things. They are taught about escape. This is the most backwards approach to the Christian faith possible.  We have the victory in Jesus Christ, why would we have any need for escape?

My vision is intended to be effective under the circumstances involved with going head-to-head with the darkest forces ever released into the earth. Those that come alongside me will be trained to think like champions and not like cowards. I will see to the creation and development of sheep nations in the face of the antichrist agenda. To this end I will work to establish unity among the body of Christ because it will be necessary. How do you want to “play ball?”

Discussion

1.       According to the Bible, what happens when there is no vision?

2.       When you consider doing something for God, have you defined what that something is?

3.       What are you going to do to allow God to speak His vision for you to you?

4.       What is the vision of BRIDE Ministries (my vision)?

5.       When you consider your approach to Christianity, is it closer to a Brown’s approach or a Patriot’s approach?

Parable of 2 Kingdoms

9/10/11

Greetings,

                Once upon a time there were two kingdoms. The kings of these two kingdoms were diametrically opposed. As a matter of fact there was only one thing that they agreed on. They were agreed on the fact that they agreed about nothing. For this reason, they were continually at war.

                One of the kings was valiant and brave. He was a hero of heroes and supremely powerful. A parable was often spoken of this king. It was said that “wisdom itself was birthed from his loins.” This king’s style of rulership was just, fair, and compassionate. This king not only loved his people, he loved his enemies as well. The people of his kingdom simply called him Father because of the affection they had for him.

                The other king was a coward. He was cunning and intelligent, yet he never took responsibility and always blamed his faults on others. He was harsh, despicable, and he lied all the time. A parable was often spoken of this king. It was said that “lies and deception were birthed from his loins.” This king was a ruthless tyrant over his kingdom. The people of his kingdom called him the devil because he was wicked to the core.

                Each kingdom sat upon its own mountain and there was a deep valley between the mountains. This valley was full of dead men’s bones, disease, and constant fear of war. Whenever the kingdoms went to war, they fought their battles there. Those that took up residence in this valley could never find peace and fulfillment. Since the valley wasn’t technically its own kingdom, it had a mayor. The mayor’s name was Pride.

The Father’s kingdom sat on a beautiful mountain full of every treasure imaginable. It was always brilliant and shining and it was said that from a distance it looked like a lamp set upon a hill. The food of this kingdom was the best in the world. Everyone drank “milk of the word” and “living water”. The older people ate “strong meat” and everyone partook of the “fruit of the Spirit”. The “bread of life” was served in every bakery. As far as the real estate, there were only mansions and they were all free because the Father’s son paid for them.

The devil’s kingdom sat upon a mountain that was always covered by thick black clouds. There was never any sunshine. Nothing ever got better because laws were never passed. There was only one law. Obey the devil when he wants you to do something, or else lose your life by various forms of torture. As far as the real estate, there were only apartments because the devil owned everything. They were unclean, had no running water, and were ridiculously expensive. Everything in his kingdom came with a high price.

As crazy as this may sound, the devil’s kingdom actually had a very large population. However, what was even more shocking was the population of the valley. Many of the citizens of the Father’s kingdom chose not to live on his mountain. Instead they built shacks in the valley. The materials that were used to build these shacks were exported from the devil’s kingdom, and as you can imagine, they were overpriced. The lives of those in the valley were racked by war and torment.

The devil would often attack those living in the valley. The Father would come and fight against the devil when the people in the valley called for his help. Unfortunately, many times they wouldn’t call. The devil would often go into this valley and get away with beating up on people. Every once in a while, he would even take prisoners back to his mountain and make them pay rent for one of his filthy apartments. He would put them in places like “Bitterness Lane,” “Selfishness Street,” “Addiction Avenue,” “Pornography Place,” or the dreaded “Fornication Station.” The Father grieved continually for those both in the valley and in the devil’s kingdom.

_________________________________

                This story is meant to illustrate many of the things going on in the spirit realm today. It is inspired by a conversation that I had with a friend of mine. Whenever a country is invaded, those that are first to lose out are those that live in the outskirts and small villages. These little villages have no defense and are often separated from the military might of the major cities of the kingdom or nation. They will have no walls and they might not even have trained warriors. Thus when another kingdom or nation attacks, all they can do is lose.

                Many people in the body of Christ have recreated this scenario by spiritually separating themselves from other believers. By doing this they effectively remove accountability and mutual spiritual support and wind up in a spiritual valley. This is often done by refusing to attend a church or Bible fellowship. However, I want to add that this can be done within a church as well. Relationship with other believers is the key. Without relationship and accountability it is only a matter of time before pride begins to affect the person. This is why Pride was the mayor of the valley in our illustration. Pride leads to things like self will, selfishness, resentment, and a host of other sinful acts and attitudes.

                Those that pay the price to submit and sacrifice their lives and do everything the Father asks of them will inevitably find themselves housed upon the mountain. They will be able to take full advantage of the inheritance Jesus purchased for them because they will be freely interacting with it. This is illustrated by those living on the Father’s mountain in their mansions. We are all given mansions (John 14:2) in our heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6), but many people will go their whole lives without ever accessing any of the blessings stored up there (Galatians 5:19-21). This isn’t the Father’s will but it is the choice of the individuals.

                On another level, this is also true of church congregations. Many refuse to partner with other bodies of believers. They prefer to be by themselves. In my opinion, it is almost just as bad for a group of believers to sequester themselves from the body of Christ at large as it is for an individual to separate themselves from a church home. These churches will remain ineffective on a larger scale. No single church can reach an entire city for Christ. It takes cooperation. When we look at state wide or nationwide levels of influence, this fact becomes even more pronounced.

                We as the body of Christ need to get out of the valley and unite upon the Father’s mountain. It won’t be easy, but it is necessary. When we look at the story, it illustrates that true unity isn’t intended to be established among those in the valley. They are too busy arguing their own points and living in the warzone to think clearly and be effective. Pride is the authority over the people in the valley. Those that live in the valley will not unite and if they try it will simply fail.

Unity is intended to be established by God among those that are willing to submit their lives in order to live on His Mountain and freely interact with their inheritance. Among those that are willing to live this lifestyle, God will establish unity. It will be these people that accomplish the purposes of God as a powerful force of righteousness in a lost and dying world. Those that remain in the valley will remain ineffective and live lives racked by spiritual war, a lack of peace, and repetitive failure.

Discussion

1.       Where do most of the Christians in your sphere of influence live: the kingdom of the Father, the Valley, or the Kingdom of Darkness?

2.       Where do you live?

3.       Why do you believe that this is your current spiritual location?

4.       What can be done in your life to migrate into a place of more power and effectiveness as a citizen of the Father’s kingdom?

5.       What will be required for unity to be established among the people of God?