November 2002

Special Word for

THANKSGIVING DAY

Every day must be a day of thanksgiving
for God’s people because He directs us to

“Give THANKS in EVERYTHING
FOR IT IS GOD’S WILL FOR YOU TO
DO THIS THROUGH JESUS CHRIST
[lit. “Saving Anointing”]!” (1 Thess 5:18)

             Php 4:13 says, “I can do ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST Who strengthens me”; and there is no doubt, “all things”, includes obedience to God’s Sovereign Will- which is seen here as: “Giving thanks in everything!” Such all-inclusive gratitude seems impossible when terrible things happen- such as the 9-11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center and Pentagon last year. In fact, giving thanks for bad things sounds ludicrous to finite reasoning. The carnal mind perceives any violation against flesh and blood as completely unacceptable! But God says in Isa 55:8-9,

“My thoughts are not your thoughts; neither are your ways My Ways, says the Lord! For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My Ways higher than your ways; and My thoughts than your thoughts!?”

             Moses gave us glorious, natural types and shadows of those more glorious spiritual things yet to come; perhaps the greatest being the Tabernacle of God in the wilderness. This construction correlates perfectly with the Parable of the Sower which speaks of the 30 fold, 60 fold and 100 fold Fruit-bearing sequence of the repentant heart.
              The Outer Court of the Tabernacle typifies man’s 30 fold Salvation experience where he accepts the atonement for his sins with the Blood-sacrifice of Jesus Christ upon the Altar- or Cross; for “They overcame by the Blood of the Lamb!”(Rev 12:11) He is also washed clean at the laver in the “water of repentance” (Mt 3:11) which symbolizes the Word of God! Here is the first phase of the Baptism- for the body. This is called the Baptism of water.
              The Inner Court, or Holy Place, reveals man’s 60 fold Consecration experience where he is enlightened by the Light of Truth and the first principles of God; and receives Gifts of the Spirit (Heb 2:4); thus “They overcame by the Word of their testimony!” (Rev 12:11) Here is the second phase of the Baptism- for the soul. This is called the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
              The Innermost Court, or Holy of Holies, represents man’s 100 fold Sonship experience where he must become a “New creation in Christ.” (2 Cor 5:17) Here he is clothed upon by the High Priestly Nature of Jesus Christ so he is able to enter into the Presence of the Most High God and lay hands on the Ark of the Covenant! No flesh and blood enters here unless it is swallowed up in God’s Anointing as: “They overcame by not loving their *lives unto the death!” (Rev 12:11) [*Greek 5590 for “lives” is translated throughout the NT as “SOUL”!] This is far more important than laying down one’s flesh body for his faith; it means the sacrificing of his natural core existence that is, his INTELLECT, EMOTIONS and SELF-WILL for his faith! Then he is fully possessed by the Spirit Being of Jesus Christ and is permitted to enter into Timeless Divinity! This is the third and final phase of God’s Baptism- for the spirit! This is called the Baptism of Fire!
              As God calls each one to this metamorphosis, there is no turning back; he is never the same! He is first brought into the Outer Court as a “lamb to be slain”; then he enters the Inner Court as a “sheep to be shorn” (Isa 53:7). But when he reaches the Innermost Court, he cannot enter- under pain of death- until he becomes “A new creature in Christ!” (Gal 6:15) Only a “Good Shepherd” (Jn 10:11) who walks uprightly (not as a beast on all fours) is permitted to tread this holy ground!
              This is our transfiguration from mortal to immortal; corruptible to incorruptible; natural to spiritual- as promised to all mankind in 1 Cor 15:42-58.
              Mt 6:33 exhorts all believers to “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His UPRIGHTNESS”; but let all who would approach the hallowed Kingdom of our God understand fully that we must, “ENTER HIS GATES WITH THANKSGIVING; AND ENTER HIS COURTS WITH PRAISE!! BE THANKFUL TO HIM AND BLESS HIS NAME; FOR THE LORD IS GOOD; HIS MERCY IS EVERLASTING; AND HIS TRUTH ENDURES TO ALL GENERATIONS!” (Ps 100:4-5) Once again, let us leave you with this admonition in Eph 5:20-
             

“GIVE THANKS TO GOD THE FATHER
ALWAYS- FOR A-L-L THINGS, IN THE
NAME OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST!”

Have a blessed Thanksgiving celebration today
and everyday in the Lord Jesus Christ! Amen!