God’s Timing and Purposes – Ecc. 3:1-8

Part 9

Pastor Vicky Moots

Kingman, Kansas

Ecc. 3:5a: “A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together…”  In the natural sense, if you have a piece of rocky ground and you want to plant a garden in it, you would need to discard the stones that are in your way, for you would consider them to have no value.  And yet, at other times, stones are gathered together to make rock gardens or to construct stone fences or buildings.  It is all a matter of your perspective and what you perceive as being important at that time.

An important spiritual correlation to this is the fact that Jesus is called the Cornerstone by Paul in Eph. 2:20: “…Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.”  In addition, we, as Christians, are called living stones by Peter in I Pet. 2:5: “Ye also, as lively [living] stones, are built up a spiritual house…”

So let us explore this a little further.  That would mean that there would be a time when spiritual stones would also be cast away and a time when they would be gathered together.  To cast away something means “to discard or abandon” it because it is deemed as having no value.

Isaiah prophesied in Isa. 53:3 that the Messiah would be rejected: “He is despised and rejected of men…and we esteemed him not [as nothing].”  But Isaiah also refers to Him as a precious corner stone in Isa. 28:16: “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation.”  Peter refers to this same Scripture in speaking of Jesus and explains to us how that He is both precious and yet rejected, in I Pet. 2:7-8: “Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed [rejected], the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient.”

To better understand the rejection of Jesus as a spiritual corner stone, I need to discuss the purpose and importance of an earthly corner stone in those days and how a corner stone was selected for use.  A corner stone is also called a foundation stone because it is the first stone that was set in the construction of a building.  It was usually a very large stone, the larger the better, that was cut out of a mountain for that specific purpose.  It needed to have a 90-degree corner angle, because all the other stones were placed in reference to the cornerstone.  Its purpose was to determine the position of the entire structure and to stabilize it.  Before a corner stone was selected for use, it was carefully measured and tested (or tried) to be sure it was square, to ensure proper alignment for the rest of the building.

So why was Jesus rejected? We know that He was perfect in every way, just as the Passover lamb had to be perfect.  I believe it was because He did not measure up to the religious expectations of a Messiah.  Although Jesus lined up with God’s measurements, He did not line with their religious views.  He was considered to be too small and insignificant, just like the small size of the manna in the wilderness.

He was poor and had a lowly birth that was deemed questionable.  He was esteemed as “nothing,” as far as the religious world was concerned, and unworthy to be a King or Messiah.  He came unto them “lowly, and riding upon an ass” as was foretold in Zech. 9:9, rather than a horse drawn chariot.  They not only rejected Him, they hated Him and cast Him away as a small stone would be cast away.

Because the world hated and rejected Jesus, the Corner stone, it will also hate and reject us and cast us away, since we are His living stones, connected to Him.  Jesus warned us of this in John 15:18-19: “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.  If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world…therefore the world hateth you.”

Now, what about the gathering of stones? Stones were gathered together for the purpose of building something.  Spiritually, it can refer to Christians gathering together in Jesus’ name to worship and fellowship with each other as a body.  Jesus said in Matt. 18:20, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”  This is important to us spiritually, and we are warned in Heb. 10:25 to not forsake the assembling of ourselves together.

We are joined to each other, as well as to the Lord, for a purpose, which Peter explains to us in I Pet. 2:4: “To whom [Jesus] coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house…”  Paul enlarges further regarding this spiritual house in Eph. 2:20-22 when he says that we are of the household of God, “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye are also builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”

Now is the time for gathering stones together.  The Holy Spirit is currently gathering us, as living stones, together during this church age and placing us appropriately (fitly framed together) to form a spiritual temple for the Lord.  Each one of us, no matter how small, is also chosen of God and precious in His sight, as was Jesus.

Even if we have been cast away by the world, the Lord will never cast us away.  Jesus assures us of this in John 6:37: “…him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”  Each one of us is important in God’s eyes.

God has chosen us and placed us alongside Jesus, the Corner stone, lining us up with Him (not with each other).  This is done in the same manner in which a stone building is constructed, for all stones must be lined up with the corner stone itself.  Paul tells us in I Cor. 3:10 that we are God’s building, and He is the one doing the work.

One day soon there will be another important time of gathering together of stones, God’s precious living stones, when the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout and with the trump of God, and we will be caught up together with Him in the air (I Thess. 4:16-17)!

 Who are the Beasts and Elders of Revelation?

W. J. Franklin

The beasts (R.V. living creatures) and elders are often mentioned together, but are also mentioned separately. See Rev. 11:16-18; 15:7. They are mentioned at times as individuals – Rev. 5:5; 6:1. Together, they worship God for creation, Rev. 4:9-11; for redemption, 5:8-10; and for judgment, 19:1-4. 

They are redeemed human beings – 5:8-10. They are seen in heaven before any judgments of the seals, trumpets, woes, or vials are poured out. The evidence of their sainthood is that they are elders, wear crowns, and on thrones or are in the great throne. Angels are never promised crowns, are not offered the place of reigning with Christ neither are they offered a place in the throne. They sing of their redemption– Rev. 5:9. Angels never join in the redemption song, neither is it ever said in the Bible that angels sing, for that matter, but since they are not redeemed, they do not sing redemption’s story.

It is promised to the saints that they shall judge the world and angels. These are seen uniting with Christ in judgment. Note that the beasts (living creatures) call out the horsemen of Revelation 6. Those are judgment scenes. One of the beasts will give the seven angels of Rev. 15 the seven vials full of the wrath of God – Rev. 15:7. In fact, the angels that pour out the vials of wrath are identified as saints – Rev. 19:10; 22:8-9. They are fulfilling I Cor. 6:2-3. Angels are never promised this office of judging the world. These saints are joined with Christ, acting under Him, and carrying out His will in the judgments. Note the statement of Rev. 18:20, where the better reading is “God hath judged your judgment on her.”

We believe that all will agree that these represent the highest development of sainthood. People are here that claimed all that Christ purchased for them. They learned to appropriate His work for victory in its fulness here, and will reign with Him there fully.

They seem to represent one company, reigning as kings, serving as priests. In their song, they are made kings and priests. After the marriage of the Lamb, they are never mentioned again, implying that they will constitute the bride or wife of the Lamb. They are mentioned first in Rev. 4:4-6 and last in 19:4, Where they join with all heaven in praising God for the destruction of the vile woman, Babylon of Rev. 17-18.

 THE ENCOURAGING WORD

“From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord’s name is to be praised.”  Psalm 113: 3

“Blessed be the Lord, who bears our burdens and carries us day by day, even the God who is our salvation! Selah.”  Psalm. 68:19

“What time I am afraid, I will have confidence and put my trust and reliance on you.”  Psalm 56:3

 

“Let me hear your loving kindness in the morning; for I trust in you; teach me the way in which I should walk; For to you I lift up my soul.”  Psalm 143:8

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”  Colossians 4:2

“Our help is in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth.”  Psalm 124:8

“Therefore encourage (admonish, exhort) one another and edify – strengthen and build up – one another, just as you are doing.”  I Thessalonians 5:11 (Amp)  

Martha Wainright

 WORDS OF LIFE

Jack Davis

Ezekiel 37:1-10

“O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord.”

With this vision of dry bones, Ezekiel was told to speak God’s Word to His people. This vision points our attention prophetically to Israel’s national resurrection (Vs. 11-14), but I note here some prevailing principles for our day.

God does perform His Word. He has promised to give the increase when the truth is spoken. Eph. 4:15, “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.”

In verses one and two of Ezek. 37, we are told how the Lord touched Ezekiel, moved him and placed him in the valley of dry bones. There he is shown the peoples condition, and asked a probing question as to the possibility of these dismembered, scattered, dry, lifeless bones being made alive. He answers that such knowledge belongs to the Lord. 

We are awestruck and our hearts are somewhat crushed to see pictures of the bones of the holocaust, even knowing that God’s Word has been, is being, and will be fulfilled. It still touches us deeply.

Words of Life

Ezekiel wasn’t told to “shake” nor “gather,” join the bones to one another nor to put meat upon them. He was simply to speak the word of the Lord. The Lord tells what wonders He will perform. This is always God’s way. Of course he and we are to speak to comfort, exhortation and edification by divine inspiration. 

The messenger’s responsibility is to obey God and say what He would have spoken. His people are to hear, heed with believing hearts, and God imparts life.

Partakers of an abundant life are privileged to share with those who will listen, “wonderful words of life.” How comforting for those that truly minister to know that God’s Word is quick and powerful (living and energizing), and works effectually in those that believe. 

Jesus said most clearly, “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” – John 6:63.

Following Peter and the other apostles marvelous prison release, when “the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth,” They were told “Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life” – Acts 5:20. Peter also was to leave the results with the Lord. 

Shall not we whom have been set free also stand and speak the wonderful Words of life? OH YES! And we do not have much time left to say “Hear and live!!”

 Do You Know What I Have Done?

Gordon Crook, Pastor
Grace Assembly, Wichita, Kansas

“So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” John 13:12-17

This is a very important passage that tends to get little attention in the modern church. It is very contrary to what our culture teaches us and presses for us to conform to. We are encouraged to seek and take a place of prominence whenever we can. Power and authority are important things to be captured in our lives.

Most of what Jesus teaches us is so very contrary to what we learn from our culture today. When we understand and remember that we are God’s children, with the life of Christ in us, we should expect that we would be very different from the world. Not in some weird way of appearance, but our attitude should align with that life of Christ as we yield to Him. 

So much of what Jesus taught while He was in this world, has to do with attitude, and not some religious activity. Religious activity is driven by some expectation of some person or persons, but when we are yielding to Jesus Christ, He is changing our attitudes to be like Him.

In Matthew 20:26, Jesus makes a similar statement to His disciples. He reminds them that they will not be like the other people around them. The difference in John is that Jesus shows them by example. This is very powerful, because His point is very simple. If Jesus, their Lord, would stoop to wash their feet (something usually reserved for the servants), then they could not say it was beneath them.

Paul reminds us that Jesus became poor so that we might be rich - 2 Corinthians 8:9. The degree of Jesus’ condescension is hard for us to understand. He was not just “their” Lord and Master, He was God, who created all things, Lord over all and He came down to serve humanity. Why would we think we are above that?

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” - Philippians 2:5-8.

The question Jesus asks of His disciples is, “Do you know what I have done to you?” The intent of the question is to see if they understood what He had done. They knew the mechanics of what He had done, but understanding is different. We can often look at the letter of what we read or consider the mechanics of what was done, but understanding what Jesus is teaching requires the Holy Spirit to reveal the depth of the instruction.

Paul says, “Let this mind be in you.” He is speaking about us having the same mind of Christ, the same attitude that Jesus had. This can only happen by the work of the Holy Spirit. When we read a passage like this, and then decide that we are going to be just like that, we are destined to fail. Only the Holy Spirit, working through God’s Word, can actually change our attitudes and our hearts. Not just a forcing of our will to do something a certain way, but a true attitude of heart that causes us to desire that action.

“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another” - Galatians 5:13.

Our culture in the United States is one of thinking we have great freedom, and we get angry when we feel someone has limited or breached our freedom. This is an attitude of “me first” and it is contrary to God’s Word. Paul speaks of a liberty that is greater than even our freedom we have in this country, but he reminds us that we are not to use that as an occasion to our flesh (our personal desires) over the attitude of serving others.

We should be very careful about allowing the world (even the “Christian” world) to set our attitudes. God wants to change our attitudes to be more like our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Let (allow, yield to) this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.

 THE LAMB

Anita Clark – Pastor
Grace Chapel, Carbondale, Kansas

Jesus Christ was made sin for us, and became the “Lamb of God” as the sacrifice of God for the sins of the world.  In II Corinthians 5:21 Apostle Paul wrote, “For He (Father God) hath made Him (Jesus) to be sin for us, Who knew no sin, that we might be the righteousness of God in Him.” As He hung upon the cross, He carried every sin that was ever committed before He came to earth and every sin that would ever be committed in the future.

When John the Baptist saw Jesus come to the river Jordan, where John was baptizing many who came to him, He exclaimed, “Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world” (John 1:29). The next day John again exclaimed, when he was seeing Jesus walking along, “Behold the Lamb of God.”  Why would John call Jesus “the Lamb?”  He had a revelation of Who this man really was.

The first offering God told Israel to do, as they were still captives down in Egypt, was the Passover Offering. We do want to remember that God’s people had been offering animals to God since the time of Adam, Eve and Abel (Gen. 4).

 In Exodus 12 God was getting ready to deliver Israel from their horrible life lived in Egypt as slaves for 430 years. God initiated a special offering, called the Passover. This is a special feast to Israel today, although they don’t go about celebrating exactly how God told them to at this time. In Exodus 14:1-14 God told them how to perform the sacrifice on this last night before He would take them out of Egypt and send them on their way to a new land (Israel).  This feast speaks of our Savior, Jesus Christ and His death as our substitute covering our sins and giving us salvation.

God instructed for the people to have this Passover time in the first month. Because the offering of this lamb represented Jesus Christ who would take away the sins of the world, the lamb was to be sacrificed first, showing that Jesus Christ must die and the importance of this sacrifice would merit all attention first. Every household was to sacrifice a lamb, and put the blood on the top of the door and the two side pieces of the door frame. This resembles a cross.  

“In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb... a lamb for a house” Vs. 3.  They had to obey God’s instruction or they would be under His wrath.  They were obedient and did exactly as He told them to do. In verse 4, it says, “...according to the number of souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb.” This speaks that provision would be made for each individual present who needed to eat of the lamb.  It is so beautiful that in speaking of Jesus Christ’s life and death, there is plenty of Lamb to go around to all persons ever living on this earth.  

 

Verse 5 speaks to us of the perfection of the lamb. “Your lamb shall be without blemish.” They were to watch the lamb to see if there was any imperfection. This corresponds with the 3 ½ years Jesus walked upon this earth before His crucifixion. No fault could be found in Him. There is none! How perfect is our dear Lord Jesus Christ. Even Pilot said, “I find no fault in this man.” Jesus is holy and righteous and filled with compassion and love toward us all. He was a young man “the male of the first year.” Also in this verse, it says, “...ye shall take Him out from the sheep and the goats,” which speaks of how he was separated, dedicated as the perfect sacrifice. Hebrews 7:26 says, “For such a high priest became us (as a human being) who is  holy, harmless undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens.” He was and is the Holy Son of God in His life here on earth and now in heaven.

Exodus 12:6 says “...and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.” This statement is so true of what happened on that fateful day when our dear Lord Jesus was brought before Pilot. All of the religious Jews and many who were not believers in Jesus cursed him and cried out “Crucify him, Crucify him.”

Vs. 8, speaks of  how they were to prepare the lamb. And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire.” This speaks of the judgment of God. Remember what took place as Jesus hung on the cross. God the Father turned His back on Jesus as he hung there bearing the sins of all the world and there was great darkness and an earthquake. “He who knew no sin was made sin for us.” Eating the flesh of the Lamb speaks of partaking of Christ’s sacrifice for us, accepting it into our whole being, fully yielding ourselves to God. Also, in vs. 8 God told them to eat the sacrifice with “unleavened bread.” Leaven puffs up and speaks of our fleshly nature. Jesus had no fleshly earthly nature. Vs. 11 -This is the Lord’s Passover.

The Prophet Isaiah wrote in Isaiah 53 about the Messiah who would suffer and die for our sins 712 years before Jesus was on earth. Verse 7 says, “He was oppressed and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth. He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb so He opened not His mouth.” I recommend that you read all of this chapter. It speaks of Christ’s suffering when he died for us.

I Peter 1:18, says “For as much as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things such as silver and gold for your vain conversation, but with the precious blood of Christ, as a Lamb without blemish and without spot.”  In the book of Revelation, Jesus, the Son of God is called “The Lamb” in chapter 5:6 & 8.  And in Revelation 13:8 it speaks of “The Lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world.” I want to impress on you, this was God’s plan before the creation of the world.  Jesus is called the Lamb (capital L) 27 times in the book of Revelation. In chapter 19:7 - “Let us be glad and rejoice and give honor to Him; for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His wife hath made herself ready.” 

Revelation 21:27 says, “And there shall in no wise enter into it (the city, New Jerusalem) anything that defiles, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or a lie; but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” This scripture is very plain to understand. If you receive the Lord Jesus Christ into your life as your Lord and Savior, you will have your name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.  It will never be erased.  This is the most important book ever written. Again I say - It will never be marked out or erased. Jesus is the only sacrifice for our sins.  He will always be the Lamb of God.

 Prophecy

Earlene Davis

Personal Lessons in Christ’s letters to the seven Churches – Rev. 2 & 3.

The overcomers of Ephesus are Smyrna saints. Rev. 2:8-10, “And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” 

What a great reward, in addition to the tree of life, they have a crown of life. They speak of the full overcomers who are faithful unto death. They shall not be judged with the world (I Cor. 11:31-32). They will not even know any of the hurts of that judgment – V. 11. So we know they judged themselves by the Word of God.

 

Romans 8:13, “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” This mean,  to die prematurely and only the Lord is judge of this. There are those who sin willfully and do not repent. They refuse to judge their own flesh by God’s Word, even when the Lord warns them. They will not receive the reward they should have gained. But those that overcome will not be hurt of such death.

Just as Smyrna speaks of the overcomers of Ephesus, the Pergamos saints picture the non-overcomers. Rev. 2:12-17, “And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is (in the world): and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith…Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly…He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.” 

Their reward is “to eat of the hidden manna” – V. 17. 

Ephesus overcomers were to eat of the tree of life, but here it is hidden Manna. That is food they ate in the wilderness. Manna means, “what is it?” The children of Israel didn’t know what it was. The thought here is not only what is it, but where is it? It was hidden, they didn’t know where to get the manna, speaking of the Word of God. The Lord had to give it to them, He would feed them as you would feed a little child - (Rev. 7:17).

They were also given “a white stone and in the stone a new name written.” The Greek word for stone here is the stones used in judgments (in voting for commendation or for condemnation), by a judge or jury. If they voted for a person, they put a white stone in a receptacle. If they voted against the person, they put in a black stone. So we see they had a white stone, they were accepted in the Beloved. They had a new name, they were born again. That is graceious, but not like having full fellowship with the Lord. Do you see a difference in rewards?

There is quite a difference in rewards, the reward promised to Ephesus overcomers – “to eat of the tree of life (which is Christ) in the midst of the paradise of God.” 

To Smyrna overcomers a greater reward was promised. In addition to the tree of life, they would have “a crown of life” and not be judged with the world (not even know any of the hurts of that Judgment). They are full overcomers who are faithful unto death (those who go by the way of the grave).

The reward promised to Pergamos overcomers was “to eat of the hidden manna” (He will feed them like a child); also a white stone (accepted in the Beloved); with a new name written “on the stone (born again, having the name of Jesus). Now this is precious, but not like having a crown of life. So they are of a lesser rank. 

More about rewards in the next issue, we will read of Thyatira and Sardis overcomers and who they represent dispensationally of the Church Age.