"And there appeared a great wonder in heaven . . . "
Brothers and Sisters, below is a "copied and pasted" section of Ray Prinzing's "Revelation, A Positive Book". I'm posting it here for you to read, ponder, and comment if you should want to do so.
For me, it deeply and strongly speaks to my heart. Although my "flesh" wants to conform to the world, and be as everyone else, the deepest part of me desires to be "conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren."
Over the last 6 months or so, I've sensed a strong change within me. It is as Peter 1:8 says: "Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory . . ." Furthermore, He is operating in me in such a way it is as John describes it in 1 John 3:3: "And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure."
Yes, as this hope continues to grow within, I continue to lose the desire for the things of this world (lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, the pride of life). Just yesterday, my wife and I were in one of those big stores that has groceries, and general merchandise. As we shopped for groceries, I said: "I'm going to check out the stuff in the "guys" area. As I got to that area, and as I was looking at the tools, drills, generators, etc., it seemed that the Spirit was saying to me: "Why are you looking at this stuff?" At that point, all the desire left me, and I rejoined my wife over in the grocery section.
I'll have to confess, I've been "apprehended". I know it in my "KNOWER"! It's not been by the help of the "church", because I dropped about 15 years ago – but it has been by His drawing – nothing more. "But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain . . . " (1 Cor 15:10)
"How blessed are those who dwell in Your house! They are ever praising You. Selah. How blessed is the man whose strength is in You, In whose heart are the highways to Zion (manifested sons – that's us)! Passing through the valley of Baca ( E.W. Bullinger describes the valley "of Baca" as "of weeping") they make it a spring; The early rain also covers it with blessings. They go from strength to strength, Every one of them appears before God in Zion." (Psalms 84:7 NASB)
" . . . whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit." (1 Cor 3:16-18 NASB)
In Philippians chapter 3, Paul hints at the deeper calling as he "press(ed) toward the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." He alludes to it when he wrote, "If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead." Although this is true, some versions say: " . . . the resurrection from among the dead" or ". . . out from among the dead." This is keeping with John 5:25 where Jesus said "Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live." This was revealed to me about 6 months ago at my mother's funeral. The family has asked me to speak at the service, and in my researching, I came across this group of verses down to and through verse 28. In verse 28, I saw there was another "voice of the Son of God" who was calling to those in the graves. Then, going back to verse 25, that "voice of the Son of God" was calling to the dead in spirit, but still alive in the body. Nevertheless, as I spoke to the people congregated at her funeral, I was rejoicing within the "inner new man," God was speaking to me in His words - the message that I was giving, however, was going over their heads. They were understanding it as the general resurrection at the end, but I had realized that I had already been resurrected by the power of His Word! Just as Jesus spoke to this affect in John 8:43 when he said: "Why do ye not understand my speech? Even because ye cannot hear my word."
Oh, press on brothers and sisters, the time is at hand! We are about to be "caught up" into the heavenly realm – listen to that voice that NOW IS.
Oh, praise His name!!
A Manchild Company Brought Forth
(Revelation 12:1-17)
Chapter 12
By Ray Prinzing
""And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron..." (Revelation 12:1-17).
The chapter begins, "And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: and she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered." (verses 1-2).
"Travailing in birth," is a phrase that has been applied to many levels, "For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now." (Romans 8:22). All creation longs to be delivered from the tyranny of change and decay. This is a part of that generalized "travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it." (Ecclesiastes 3:10). In so many ways and workings we go through certain pains and travail to bring forth that which was conceived in our heart and mind.
But this is a much more specific travail, it portends the birthing of the "overcomers." It is not hard to understand what is meant by the symbol of the "woman,"-- she represents the church, the body of Christ. This is not a reference to any organization of man. The church-- from the Greek "ekklesia" means: called out. Basically this refers to our being called out of this world's system, to become a part of that new creation species of which Jesus Christ is the Head. "By one Spirit are we all baptized into one body." (1 Corinthians 12:13). If we are in that body at all, it is by the one and selfsame Spirit. There are many levels of development and growth, but the calling is HIS. As [Ezekiel's] wheel within a wheel, we find various dimensions of relationship with Christ from those who know Him only as:
Jesus, Saviour from their sins;
to Christ, the Anointing in their life;
to Lord, and His sovereign Lordship of all that touches their life.
Yet it can be said of this woman, as was said of Mary long ago, "The holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the son of God," (Luke 1:35).
A further point of identification is also given, for she is seen "clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars."
Once more we turn to the Old Testament for the first usage of these symbols. Sun, moon, and stars, are used in Joseph's dream (Genesis 37:9). When the dream was told to his father, these symbols were understood as referring to Joseph's father, mother, and brethren. This identifies them as symbols pertaining to Israel. Furthermore, the church also finds its beginning roots in Israel-- and was spoken of as being "the church in the wilderness." (Acts 7:38). CALLED OUT of Egypt, to be unto God a holy nation, His peculiar (purchased) people.
Through the centuries and generations God has continued to CALL OUT a people unto Himself, and then out of this corporate company comes a remnant, the aforementioned "wheel within a wheel," known as the overcomer, or, as the term is given in this chapter, the manchild, i.e. the sons of God.
The forming of "a body" within the corporate body of Christ, is a sovereign work of God.
Man cannot gender this son company, nor take this position unto himself. God places within the heart of individuals a desire for His fullness, the call to "come up higher," and it burns within like a fire, consuming the dross. It strips away self-will, it separates them from their brethren as being different, peculiar, alone unto God.
The church in general cannot understand them, they are a burden to her. Often she is ashamed of them, for when everything is running smoothly, suddenly one of these "odd ones" becomes moved on to go deeper into God, and it upsets the whole program as these hungry hearts cry out for more of Him. They express their dis-satisfaction with the present realm, and the church feels condemned, as if she wasn't able to provide enough to meet the need. Why must they always cry out for more?
While others are enjoying the general fellowship of the meeting, these strange ones seem withdrawn, groaning and seeking for a further dimension of His grace and holiness, travailing for a move of the Spirit that would bring them into more of the reality of His life. While the church stands with upraised hands to praise the Lord for present blessings, these same non-conformists are weeping. Why? Why can't they be more content with what God is doing all around them? So it is "in part," can't they be thankful for what they have? NO! God Himself has placed a call within that cannot be satisfied with anything less than His fullness.
Oftentimes when local groups and gatherings cannot tolerate them anymore, the Spirit simply draws these "apprehended ones" from the fellowship and religious activity, and they walk alone, separated unto God. They are not backslidden, they have not lost out with God, they are only cut off from their brethren for the time being-- it is a part of the travail, caught in the throes of being birthed into higher dimensions. While certainly the church longs to be delivered of this "unusual body within its being," let it also be said that this child longs just as much, or more, for its own deliverance. No more to be confined to this present realm, restricted by the boundaries placed upon it. Yes, they long to be loosed into the fullness of the spirit's flow." (end quote)
I hope everyone is blessed by this,
AmeriKen
Dayton, OH
Brother, I think this hits the nail directly on the head as far as I'm concerned. It carries a heavy resonation with it, a challenge for us to become hungrier for more than we can comprehend. The hard part is, accepting the uncomprehendable things of God when they approach us through the eyes of others who've responded openly to the calling to press in deeper . . .not in knowledge, but in his nature.
Great word bro. Great word.
:cloud9: AMEN :thumbsup:
Good word :icon_flower: :icon_flower: : :icon_flower:
QuoteSo it is "in part," can't they be thankful for what they have? NO! God Himself has placed a call within that cannot be satisfied with anything less than His fullness
AMEN :icon_flower: