Theme to consider here : Revelation is a form of spiritual light !

For with You is the fountain of life;

in Your light we see light.

Psalm 36:9

But all things being exposed by the light are

clearly revealed, for everything having

been revealed is light.

Ephesians 5:13

There’s a saying: “The prayer that won’t move your heart, is unlikely to move the heart of God either.”

The meaning behind this is to get us to be engaged in prayer and not just speak out without paying attention to what we’re actually saying. In other words: pray specifically and with fervency. Note what James 5:16 says.

“Confess your sins one to another, and pray one for another,

that you may be healed. The effectual fervent

prayer of the righteous man avails much.”

The emphasis in the Greek apparently is on the word “fervent” not on “righteous”. It’s not simply our righteousness in Christ that gets our prayer heard (even though it’s vitally important of course), but our fervency in asking.

If we initiate something in the Spirit, the Father will respond. The Holy Spirit always responds to spiritual activity – as long as it’s righteous spiritual activity and not deception, pride or manipulation born from the soul of man.

Recently as I was pondering this, these questions came to mind.

• “What revelations did I have this week?
• “What have I experienced this week in the Lord?”

It was as though the Father was asking me, “Are My revelations becoming your experience?” It was quite sobering. I began to see more clearly how the Father desires to present Himself to the Body of His Son. He loves to reveal Himself.

Partly because of this I began to understand how the Father wants us to receive an increase in spiritual ability. This would require us to learn to walk and live in His Spirit. Being sensitive in the Holy Spirit allows the Father to deal with us in many ways.

For example, if we are truly open to the ways of heaven, there may well be occasions when we shouldn’t ask the Lord to stay His hand, but do with us as He chooses. That’s a very serious attitude to have. Remember what Job said: “Even though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.” (Job 13:15). Now that’s maturity in the Spirit.

Why does the Father desire us be spiritual active? Answer: So we can adjust our lives and align with His purpose. It’s got nothing to do with becoming “more spiritual” and “holy” and honoured by others. So many times people think that by being “more spiritual” they will be seen as more holy. In fact it’s the other way around. Becoming increasingly spiritual is the result of living a holy life, not vice versa.

Many of us have fallen for this trap at various times I’m sure. We think that if we can prophesy well (and hopefully accurately), heal the sick, and have insightful dreams and visions, then we’ll be looked upon as spiritually mature, close to God, anointed, etc.

But it doesn’t work that way. Miracles come out of holiness of life. You don’t become holy because you can do miracles. This is the false reasoning the Catholic church has when it wants to “make a saint”. It goes looking for “holy people” and then sees if they’ve done a miracle – and whamo, you get made a saint! Quite unbiblical.

So it is that revelation, which is a form of spiritual light, enables us to see what God sees. Look at this text about Elisha.

“And Elisha prayed and said, I beg You, O Lord, open his eyes so

that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man.

And he looked, and behold, the mountain was full of horses

and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

2 Kings 6:17

Dreams and visions are part of this too. Likewise also prophesies.

Now most of us would thoroughly love to “see” into the heavenlies I’m sure. We would be thrilled to see into the spiritual realm and know what’s going on. But seeing what God sees isn’t a one way street. The other side of the coin is: Would you like to see how God sees you? Probably not.

This is the other side of spiritual advancement. To know God AND to be known by God.

The more spiritual you become in Christ, the more aware of sin you will become. The point is, to grow spiritually will open us up to God’s scrutiny. This is a point not usually recognised by many Christians.

The more revelations, dreams, prophesies and spiritual revelation you receive, the more you will personally come under the microscope of the Lord’s gaze. It will be unsettling to say the least.

When God’s light shines, everything is seen in its true colour.

“And there is no creature hidden from His sight,

but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes

of Him to whom we have to give an account.”

Hebrews 4:13

Spiritual advancement (or revival, if you like to call it that), whether it be individual or corporate, only seems to come when God’s light focuses upon us. Therefore we need to see (1) our own state, and (2) God’s abundant grace to meet the state we’re in.

While most of us would think it would be a good thing to “see” just where we’re at, it’s quite amazing that we also have the ability NOT to recognise the pride and self-centredness within.

They said to him, “Let us sit in your glory, one at your right and one at your left.”

But Jesus told them, “You don’t realize what you’re asking. Can you drink from

the cup that I’m going to drink from or be baptized with the baptism with

which I’m going to be baptized?” They told him, “We can.” Jesus said to

them, “You will drink from the cup that I’m going to drink and be

baptized with the baptism with which I’m going to be baptized.

Mark 10:37-39.

The most effective Christians seem to have been those who judge their own lives, not according to their own measure, but solely according to the Word.

But if we judged ourselves correctly, we would not be judged.

Now while we are being judged by the Lord, we are being

disciplined lest we be condemned along with the world.

1 Corinthians 11: 31-32

If we desire spiritual insight into God’s purpose for our lives, our churches, even our towns and cities, then first we need to let God’s light work in us personally. It is a spiritual truth that our spirit is released from bondage and darkness according to the very degree of our brokenness.

Or to put it another way; revival begins furthest from the eyes of man and closest to the eyes of God.

The effects of this are powerful, and indeed, vital. When we know our own weak spiritual state, we gradually learn to hate it. This makes us distrust our own thoughts, and seek only for God’s. As we learn this reality, we actually grow quieter in the Lord. Wisdom brings a settling of the spirit man. This can often be misunderstood by others who think “we’ve lost it” or have given up in spiritual things because we don’t argue the point anymore, or think we have to defend every doctrine that’s being debated.

Indeed the most common characteristic of a truly mature believer is their humility. They have been broken by the Lord many times, and learned to bend to His will. Spiritual insight and revelatory light is born out of the fear of the Lord.

The very shedding of the Father’s light on us is not for condemnation, but for rewarding!

Search me, O God, and know my heart;

Try me and know my anxious thoughts;

And see if there be any hurtful way in me,

And lead me in the everlasting way.

Psalm 139: 23-24

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Teach me to do Thy good pleasure,

For Thou art my God –Thy Spirit is good,

Lead me into a land of uprightness.

Psalm 143:10

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My eyes shall be on the faithful of the land,

so that they may dwell with me;

he who walks in a perfect way shall serve me.

Psalm 101:6

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It is a great joy to arrive at this place spiritually. It’s an exhaustive journey because the soul will have to die many times, willing to be crucified and learn the ways of heaven. But the rewards are eternal, and bring great pleasure to our heavenly Father.

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….Peter McArthur

….www.issachar.org.au

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There is a recurring theme in the New Testament that thrills the heart of any believer born again from above – and that is the wondrous phrase “all things”.

If anyone should ask you “What is the purpose of God; what is His grand plan?” -  then use the answer as succinctly put in Romans 11:36, which reads:

In this text is the great three-fold expression of God’s purpose. In these inspired words are the three great actions of the Father declared, namely, Creation, Redemption, and Restoration. These three cover Christ as the Source, the Agent, and the Goal itself.

Jesus Christ, pre-existent as The Word, is the Beginning, the Now, and the Prize to come. This sums up everything that is eternal, rich and true about the Lord Jesus Christ.

It’s no wonder that Paul is moved (literally) to write “Amen” at the end of this awesome declaration. There would be nothing to say except “Amen” to it.

It’s as though, right in the middle of his discourse Paul interjects with an exclamation of “Yes, this is so true, and I cannot but help to agree with it!”

See the dramatic point being made? Here is a phrase so heavenly inspired, so true, so absolutely against contradiction, that Paul cannot but help to write AMEN to that.

We can almost hear him verbally shouting in his room, Amen!

This gives us a clue to the extraordinary revelation of this verse: Christ is the Source, the Maintainer, and indeed the very End of “all things”. So let’s take heart from this wondrous truth and digest its great breadth.

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We start with the FIRST revelation – “OF Him”.

This speaks to us of the pre-existent Christ (the Word) in the Past tense, particularly in relation to His part in Creation (as the Word of God). See how the following verses highlight this – and please take note of how often “all things” appears.

All things came into being through Him, and without Him not even

one thing came into being that has come into being.

Jhn 1:3

..but to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him,

and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we by Him.

1 Cor 8:6

..and to bring to light all, what is the fellowship of the mystery having been hidden

from eternity in God, the One creating all things through Jesus Christ.

Eph 3:9

For all things were created in Him, the things in the heavens, and the things on the earth,

the visible and the invisible; whether thrones, or lordships, or rulers, or authorities,

all things have been created through Him and for Him.

Col 1:16

..in these last days did speak to us in a Son, whom He appointed heir of all things,

through whom also He did make the ages.

Heb 1:2

For it was fitting for Him, because of whom are all things, and through whom are all things,

having brought many sons to glory, to perfect Him as the Author of their salvation through sufferings.

Heb 2:10

Lord, You are worthy to receive the glory and the honour and the power,

because You created all things, and through Your will they exist and were created.

Rev 4:11

In the verses we see that everything flows out from Christ as Creator. Not only is He this, but also the very fountain of all true spiritual delights and favours, the source of every grace. By taking these verses to heart we see that nothing is by accident, certainly not creation. Evolution has no place here, and to believe in it, tears away the wondrous truth that “all things” were created “out of Him” to whom they owe their continued existence.

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Now to the SECOND revelation – “THROUGH Him”.

This speaks of Christ as the Preserver in the Present. See once more how the phrase “all things” occurs. It’s starting to build a pattern for us, if we have eyes to see.

All things were yielded up to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son

except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father, except the Son,

and the one to whom the Son purposes to reveal Him.

Mtt 11:27

The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand.

Jhn 3:35

Jesus knowing that the Father has given all things into His hands,

and that He came out from God, and goes away to God.

Jhn 13:3

All things which the Father has are Mine. For this reason I said that He

receives from Mine, and will announce to you.

Jhn 16:15

In the above verses we can see that the Father has delivered “all things” into the HANDS of the Son. Remember that old chorus, “He’s got the whole world in His hands”? Well, here are the texts that sum it up.

Not only do we see that “all things” progressed OUT of Him, but that those same “all things” are delivered up into His hands and are being sustained THROUGH Him. That is to say, through His ever-present power, He being the agent or maintainer who holds “all things” together.

The mystery and the wonder of even this part of the revelation is mind blowing, and should cause our thoughts to stand still in amazement. Well, it does to me!

What a comfort and hope to know that He, out from whom “all things” proceed, is also the One who holds all together in His hands.

As we continue to see how God’s purpose is unfolding “though” Christ, we note that “all things” are not only in His hands, but also placed “under His FEET. Don’t forget to look for the “all things” phrase!

For He subjected all things under His feet; but when He says that all things have been subjected,

it is plain that it excepts Him who has subjected all things to Him.

1 Cor 15:27

..and He put all things under His feet and gave Him to be Head over all things to the assembly.

Eph 1:22

And He is the Head of the body, the assembly, who is the Beginning,

the First-born out of the dead, that He be pre-eminent in all things.

Col 1:18

You have subjected all things under his feet. For in subjecting to him all things,

He left nothing not subjected to him. But now we do not yet see all things

having been subjected to him.

Heb 2:8

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First we saw how “all things” are in Christ’s hands. Then we saw how “all things” are under His feet.

Now we come to see how “all things” are WORKING because of Him.

But we know that to the ones loving God all things are working together for good,

to those being called according to purpose.

Rms 8:28

And He is before all things, and all things have subsisted in Him.

Col 1:17

..who being the shining splendour of His glory,

and the express image of His essence, and upholding all things by the

Word of His power, having made purification of our sins through

Himself, He sat down on the right of the Majesty on high.

Heb 1:3

So we have seen three aspects of how the Father is working through the Son in this Present time. He is working here and now; note that the Greek emphasis that all things (lit.) “are working together”. In this present dispensation “all things” are in His hand, under His feet, and working together to accomplish the Father’s eternal purpose.

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Now to our THIRD revelation – “TO Him”.

Here we have a truth that speaks of Christ in the Future tense – “to” Him. The idea behind this is to declare that “all things” will definitely come to a point (determined by the Father) where these shall not simply be made subject to Christ, but to bring them within His total sphere of operation and purpose.

So it will be (in the future) that Christ will marshal “all things” and cause them to be transformed and then subjected to His authority. What a moment that will be!

But when all things are subjected to Him, then

the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One

who has subjected all things to Him, that God may

be all things in all.

1 Cor 15:28

..for an administration of the fullness of the times,

He might bring together all things in Christ,

those in heaven and those on the earth, in Him.

Eph 1:10

He that came down is the same who also went up above

all the heavens, that He might fill all things.

Eph 4:10

..who will transform our body of humiliation, for it

to be conformed to His body of glory, according

to the working of Him to be able even to subject

all things to Himself.

Philp 3:21

..and through Him making peace by the blood of

His cross, to reconcile all things to Himself;

through Him, whether the things on the earth,

or the things in the heavens.

Col 1:20

And the One sitting on the throne said, Behold! I make

all things new. And He says to me, Write, because these Words

are faithful and true.

Rev 21:5

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So to conclude: we have the three great expressions of the Father’s purpose, which are, that all things have come out of Christ, all things are continuing through Him, and all things will head unto Him.

“OF Him”                           (Past tense)

“THROUGH Him”                     (Present tense)

“UNTO Him”                            (Future tense)

What more is there to say – except a resounding “Amen” !

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.…Peter McArthur

…www.issachar.org.au

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by Peter McArthur

Some time ago the Lord showed me that the teachers of The Word would be enriched by the coming forth of the Teachers of Revelation. This doesn’t mean that revelation will supplant the Word. Never! But it does mean that revelation insight (entirely in accordance with the Word of God) will begin to come into play in a very rich way. Of course there have been teachers of revelation all through the ages, but there seems to be a time coming when great insight will erupt bringing forth wonderful understanding of the Word.

Not long after I received this from the Lord a had a very powerful dream. In the dream I was looking at a “person” standing before me. All I could see was his torso, not his feet or face. He was quite tall and large, dressed in some sort of nondescript garment or robe. No words were spoken by either of us.

He was holding an open book with its pages before me so I could see them. He flicked through this book until he came to a particular chapter, then held it open for me to see the heading. It simply read: Truth Re-visited

I instinctively knew this was a messenger angel. The dream abruptly finished having only lasted about 20 seconds or so. From this dream I knew that the Holy Spirit would begin to teach me the truths of Scripture that I had either become complacent about, or misunderstood. Since then I have been alert to study the Word carefully, slowly and with fresh revelation. The results for me personally, and the Fellowship, have been as dramatic as my conversion and Baptism in the Spirit.

I would like to share some of this insight with you now.

TRUTH BY REVELATION

Revelation-truth is actually a form of light. “Revelation” is the supernatural imparting of truth that sheds light on something that was previously either partially obscured, or totally hidden from view. The concealing of truth may be due to man’s inability to understand and receive that Truth at a particular season, or it may be because God had a pre-determined moment for that Truth to come to light, and hence withheld it until the appropriate time frame.

“God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son…” Heb. 1: 1-2

“When the time had fully come” would a suitable phrase to bear in mind.

Note also these other examples. Jesus said, “Go up to the feast yourselves; I do not go up to this feast because My time has not yet fully come.” John 7: 8 “

And “when the day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place“. Acts 2: 1

Revelation comes to us by God’s chosen moment of intervention, not by man’s methodology or twisting the arm of God. So it’s only by revelation that truths come to us, and this is dependent on God, not us. Understanding this principle will save us much heartache when we don’t see people respond to certain teachings the way we think they should. How often have we longed to see someone grasp a truth that’s revolutionized our own life, yet they don’t seem over excited about it.

Note the texts that highlight a principle here.

• “...the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery, having been unvoiced during eternal times ” Rom 16:25

• “For I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it except by a revelation of Jesus Christ.” Gal 1:12

• “...that by revelation He made known to me the mystery ” Eph 3:3

• “A revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to Him to declare to His servants things which must shortly come to pass ” Rev 1:1

The inspiration that accompanies such revelation enables the recipient to proclaim the truth as something directly received from God and therefore infallibly correct. It’s often this factor, along with the dramatic experience of receiving the revelation itself, which drives the recipient on his quest to impart the truth. This takes on a life of its own, so to speak. However, here lurks a subtle danger. As we receive a revelatory truth we are captured by it, often become entirely taken up by it. It can consume us.

That however isn’t so much the danger, although caution should apply here. The greater danger lies in discriminating against other believers who haven’t (as yet) received this truth. Judgmentalism, and finally elitism, so easily set in to the undiscerning. The process works like this: We receive a revelatory truth (often after much searching and prayer). It captivates us; we see the light and are thoroughly changed by it. Our thoughts and minds are transformed by this truth. It grips us and we cannot help but share it. Sometimes there’s an acceptance by others; more than not there’s rejection, or at least suspicion. Then comes the temptation to separate from those who have not, or will not, receive this truth.

This can be a literal, physical separation ending up in a church split. In moderate cases a sectarian group is established; in extreme cases a cult rises up. Or, the recipient of the truth remains within their congregation (for a time), physically part of the assembly but mentally (if not spiritually) separate. There’s a kind of spiritual divorce happening. It’s a bit like a married couple who are physically together but emotionally divorced. They stay together, technically “married”, but inwardly divorced from one another. I mention this because this role has been played over and over throughout church history.

As we delve into the wonder and excitement of the Mystery in this study, it can so easily grip and move us. We can be fascinated by it, consuming it, even seeing it as the final Truth of all Truth! A simple reflection of some of the events of church history, let alone our own spiritual journey and that of others, will show this attitude to be dangerous. We will require a wisdom borne out of maturity to keep balanced here. It’s natural to desire to share something new and exciting.

But spiritually speaking we need discernment when coming to share revelatory truth. Passing it on before it’s done it’s deep work in us first can be disastrous. So often Truth has been injured by the recipient declaring it too soon. Our soul will want to rise up, proclaim the message (often with more soulish zeal than spiritual wisdom), and wonder why others don’t rush forward to embrace it!

Like Paul, let’s humbly pray that spiritual enlightenment for others will come according to God’s timing. And be extremely wary of speaking and acting as if you have Truth others don’t have. Humility was a key-mark in the life of the Lord Jesus. Only after the work of Truth had done it’s work in Him was He called forth by the Father to begin His public ministry.

We see the same pattern at work in so many others recorded in Scripture. Let’s imitate them! Remember the principle: Revelatory Truth is granted by God according to His timing. You didn’t work it up. You didn’t make it happen. It was given, granted, offered and graced upon you by the Lord to you as a beloved one.

So be humble and act wisely. Paul had received many revelations during his sixty or so years of ministry. Yet at the end of his earthly life he received the revelation of a Mystery that totally realigned his purpose as an Apostle. He remained humble in this. He didn’t run off and start a new movement. When he met others who couldn’t fathom out what he was preaching, he didn’t separate himself but prayed for them to have the eyes of their heart enlightened.

Let’s be exited about our bible studying by all means, but please be discerning and let the Mystery as found in Paul’s prison Epistles do its work deep in your heart first before indiscriminately force-feeding it to whoever you meet. I may sound strong here but I do desire you to act wisely, and with maturity.

In Him,

Peter McArthur

The Issachar Ministry

I also encourage you to read the following article by Lambert Dolphin

http:/issacharministry.org.au/teachings/truth-must-be-received-and-lived

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