November 2000

[Part Twenty-four]

                Until Jesus Christ is manifest as the “Light of our world” (Jn 8:12) all men are held in the firm grip of spiritual darkness causing their souls to embrace their putrid flesh as a false comforter. These landlocked ones are forced to eke out an existence from the harsh “thorns, thistles and bitter herbs of a cursed soil”; and “Eat the dust” of their human labors all their lives!” (Ge 3:17, 19) But as the “Daystar arises in their hearts”(2 Pet 1:19) renewed hope springs to life bringing healing to their land- redeeming their body, soul and spirit! This Enlightened Spirit of the Christ Nature gives them wings to fly above all earthly concerns! In their new name and nature of “OVERCOMERS” the earth below beholds them as a thing of beauty to be greatly desired! This new winged nature is expressed in every part of their triune being!
                 As SPIRIT we are the majestic EAGLE whose powerful wings lift us high above the earth even to the very mountain tops; with a broad wingspan to soar freely through the heavens. With an enlightened vision we discern even small objects on the earth below! As eagles of the Christ Nature, we take “live prey” captive for our God; unlike vultures who feed on carrion (Dict. “Flesh that is dead, putrefied, and unfit for food”)! Eagles, unlike other birds, gather; but do not flock together (as in denominational or segregational religious systems)! This highest order of fowl symbolizes the OVERCOMING STRENGTH OF CHRIST!
                As SOUL we are the white DOVE who is “Harmless, and yet wise as serpents”(Mt 10:16); whose love call will be heard in all the land crying, “Rise up, my love, my fair one and come away!! Behold, the winter is past, the rain is over at last; the flowers now appear on the earth; the time of singing is come!” This lower order of fowl represents the HUMBLE HEART OF CHRIST!
                As a BODY we are the beauteous BUTTERFLY metamorphosed from the earth-bound caterpillar whose redeemed and transformed flesh is typified in the “coat of many colors” (Ge 37:3) made for Joseph (Heb 3130- “adding”) by his father who had earlier undergone a change in name and nature- from Jacob (“Supplanter”) to Israel (“One who fights with God”; whom God put to the test of thinking his beloved son was dead. In reality, Joseph’s disappearance was perpetrated by his eleven brothers (11 = judgment) who were jealous of his favor both with their natural father and God. But by this event, all men would come to learn a Truth spoken by “overcomer” Joseph- “What you meant for EVIL, God meant for GOOD to SAVE MANY PEOPLE ALIVE!” (Ge 50:20)
                The redemption of our BODY is what every son of God is now anxiously awaiting!! This final transformation is all that prevents us from being sent forth in the radiant glory of Christ to redeem all the world from their sin and death! (See: Ro 8:16-23) This refers to the redemption of our body as our “adoption” into Sonship! It used to confuse me to think we had to be “adopted” as sons, when Jas 1:18 says, “Of His own Will, our Father BEGAT US with the Word of Truth (i.e., His Son, Jesus Christ), as a kind of firstfruits of His creation.” So if we are born again as His firstfruits, why must we still be adopted? Because our heavenly Father is Spirit not flesh and since “Flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of heaven” (1 Cor 15:50) He has to redeem, (i.e., “adopt”) sanctify and glorify our flesh (as wood overlaid with gold) so all His creation is saved! Our soul is typified by the prodigal son who squandered his inheritance on his flesh; but then later repents and returns home to be “adopted” by His Father as a son; while the other brother typifies our spirit who, although, in darkness for a time was still part of God! Soon His Spirit shall be the “Wind beneath our wings” and we shall then “Fly away, O Glory” to the “SUN of Righteousness that arises with healing in His wings!” (Mal 4:2)

[TO BE CONTINUED]