“A Voice for the Gathering Saints”
Duane Stewart
www.avoiceforthegatheringsaints.org
“An Appointed Time – For God’s Kingdom to Come”
Luke 24:44-45, “Then He [Jesus]said to them, these are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me. And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures”.
As another morning of another day of God arises upon the earth, there is among God’s people an awakening taking place that is moving them into another reality. This new awakened reality is bringing forth, as the breath of God blows, the knowing of who a people are in Christ. This breath of God is making alive the fullness of God’s purpose within the vessels to shine forth the Christ appearing as He comes forth through that people. This awakening is according to that which God promised even before the foundation of the world. Eph. 1:4-5 states, “Just as He [God] chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will”.
“Adoption”, the Greek word “HUIOTHESIA”, has the meaning of “son-ship”. This speaks of those birthed of the Holy Spirit and are the sons of God by a spiritual regeneration. John 3:8 reveals, “The wind [Spirit of God] blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit”. In this remember, God has made promises and ordered a release of understanding them as He sends forth these re-born one’s in the Spirit without measure. John 3:34, “For He Whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure”.
God’s realm of “reality” is the necessary awakening that is maturing an elect people for Him. “Reality” is a word meaning, “the quality or fact of being real, the quality of being true to life”. The divine principle of “reality” speaks of the mental activity of a mature individual to meet the unavoidable demands of one’s environment. This principle speaks of those who, born of the spirit, now dwell according to the divine government, the nature of God Himself. Is this not the reason and present tense purpose that the breath of God, His Spirit, is blowing to awaken His people? That is, to live a life of the heavens, which is a spiritual awakened people with understanding of who and what they are in God.
The awakening, to become the reality of God’s purpose from the beginning, is that which is now being birthed into the earth in a generation of sons as they begin to appear. This appearing is the “fullness of times” concerning that which had its beginning and progression that God first spoke of in Gen. 1:26, “Then God said, let us make man in Our image, according to our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth”. According to God’s design in line with His purpose of creation, God established a seven-day plan. This plan had its beginning and manifesting starting point in the Garden of Eden, to continue on from there throughout His seven one thousand years of establishing a people knowing the reality of that purpose. Thus, in Genesis God’s purposed creation begin its time on God’s road to maturity.
Note, that when Adam and Eve were removed from the Garden of Eden because of the sin of disobedience, they were removed from the supply of a God-life, the tree of life. In this fall, a sacrifice became the necessary need and this God was willing to supply. First, the blood of approved animals which could only covered the sin and needed to be constantly repeated. Then, in due season, the greater sacrifice was supplied as Jesus, the begotten Son, came in the fullness of a time for man’s needed righteousness. This begotten Son’s purpose was making available the God-life to be restored to fallen man. This, the blood of fallen animals could not restore but the God-life of Jesus can and does. That is to each one willing to receive the sacrifice made available. This Jesus came in the form of a man who manifested before mankind the tree of life. At His Death He became a seed to be received within the hearts of man. This received seed within man was to grow into maturity until they reached the image and likeness of God. Thus, a 3 ½ year ministry and revealing of the nature of God for the seed receivers to become as He is. John 1:1-4, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men”.
Herein, redemption becomes available as man is being justified in Christ. The sacrifice of Jesus received makes available to man once again what was rejected by Adam in the garden. John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten san, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life”. This life, now available to man through receiving the sacrifice of Jesus puts before man and makes available again the tree of life. That is, a supply of the Christ nature by living life in Christ. 1 John 5:11-12, “And this is the testimony; that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life”.
Note and receive understanding, that God has never changed His purpose for man’s creation. It is because of His love and the sacrifice of His Begotten Son that a door has been opened. This door is the gate leading to the tree of life wherein that which was lost can now be found. 1 Cor. 1:30 declares, “But of Him [God] you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God – and righteousness and sanctification and redemption”. Where then do we stand? In Christ we receive His Spirit which promotes for us fellowship in and with Him. Fellowshipping with Him creates within us a divine order of life that progressively removes the old sin nature while restoring unto receiving man the Christ nature. In Christ nature we have fellowship with the Father. 1 John 1:3, “That which we [John and other disciples] have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ”.
Herein is power to serve, power to transit from the old life to the new. That is, by receiving within the power of the Holy Spirit, the agent needed for renewal dwells within. His work is to regenerate, to renew in us a life of righteousness and holiness. In Christ, with the indwelling Holy Spirit, we become a part of God’s new creation. Eph. 2:19-22 reveals the new, “Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit”.
In that God desires to build for Himself a dwelling place, He has sent forth the Holy Spirit to build up, to sanctify each willing vessel in which He can dwell. Herein man can again have intimate fellowship with God the Father. From this same Holy Spirit man can receive and become His light and His love. Notice the truth of Psalms 36:9, “For with you is the fountain of life; in Your [God’s] light we see light”. Seeing His light for what purpose but to become that light being sent to the world. In becoming that light, it means more than something spoken or talked about. The light that is within us is a life that God purposed to radiate from the vessel to affect the world we are sent to. 2 Cor. 4:6, “For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness [to shine from out of carnal man], who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ”.
This light of God that flows forth from within the vessel now flows with the love of God as He pours His love into us. This is a God love that so changes the vessel that where hate and confusion once existed now flows a river of peace and joy. Rom. 5:5, “Now hope does not disappoint, because the love [self-giving love that He gives freely] of God has been poured out in our hearts [souls] by the Holy Spirit that was given to us”. Now stands a life being removed from the old fallen nature called Adam. Jesus, as He sends the Holy Spirit to us, purposes to manifest Himself through those receiving Him. John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid”.
Herein, by dwelling in God’s law of love a peace with God’s joy permeates the vessel and the mind of Christ begins to flow. No longer manifesting a life of worldly confusions but now receiving and sharing in the secrets of Christ. 1 Cor. 2:16, “For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ”. We cannot dismiss the fact that God’s purpose has always been to share Himself with His family of sons. How, but by changing the old corrupt nature to the nature of God through Christ. By the receiving of Christ within, the nature of God progressively reveals the mind of Christ to the vessel. Herein Christ and God’s secrets are revealed because they now belong to us. Deut. 29:29, “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the word of this law [the Christ nature]”.
Are we not beginning to see a people who have not only received Him but are now manifesting the knowledge and wisdom of the Christ? Are these not a people who are progressively maturing into the Christ nature (His mind) as they become the full stature of Christ? Is this not the desire of the Holy Spirit for each of us who have received Him? Col. 1:9-10, “For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God”. A born again people who are now, in the progress of their spiritual maturity, become God’s light to a darkened world. This speaks of the knowledge and wisdom of God now dwelling within a people. This Christ nature within is to manifest light as it shines out in this world of darkness. 2 Cor. 4:6, “for it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts [souls – man’s mind, will, emotions and desires] to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ”.
Yes, a people appearing because of God’s grace. These are appearing to minister gifts and ministries as Christ, through His body, reveals to the world that truly Jesus was sent from the Father. This same Jesus is now appearing through His many member body as these Spirit sent gifts reveal God’s grace. 1 Peter 4:10, “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God”. Stewards are those who manage the household or the estate. This also speaks of Christians who use the gifts entrusted to them, by the Lord, for the strengthening and encouragement of any believer. These stand steadfast in the Christ while taking dominion, power and authority as they establish God’s kingdom on the earth.
Herein, we again should consider the adoption. Love from God was exercised to birth, prepare, mature and receive His Sons into His family. A time is upon us for each son to receive delegated authority from the Father who desires to share His throne with the heirs and joint-heirs with Christ. Meaning that these sons are to reign with Him. For this cause, to reign with Him, God fulfills every jot and tittle according to His ordained purpose. That is, He has called, He has justified and is even now glorifying His people as they are conformed to the image of Christ. Gal. 4:1-2 & 5, “Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, but is under guardians [tutors – the Holy spirit ministries and gifts] and stewards until the time appointed by the Father. … To redeem those who are under the law [of sin and death]; that we might receive the adoption [son-ship] as sons”. Speaking of the Christ, the head Jesus and His many member body. Called, justified and now glorified to manifest the Christ to the world.
Is this not the position the Apostle Paul took in his desire to please God? Phil. 3:14, “I [Paul] press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call [the high calling] of God in Christ Jesus [becoming an adopted son as a part of Christ body]”. In this we likewise pass through the sufferings of this world to become the expressed glory of God. Those of His family take on the nature of the Father Himself. (Please read Rom. 8:18-30).
Rom. 8:30, “Moreover whom He predestined [foreordained to be conformed to Christ], them He also called; and whom He called, them He also justified [to set forth as righteous]: and whom He justified, them He also glorified”. In this we become a people who glorify the father in all we are. To be sent into the world even as Jesus was sent. Jesus herein sanctified Himself that we might likewise be sanctified by the truth. Overcomers who have sat down with Christ in His throne. Come, let us now establish God’s kingdom upon the earth. A time for heaven and earth to come together as we let the river of life flow from within.
Unto these the curse has been removed. The fallen nature has been eradicated and in these the voice of our beloved says, arise my fair one and come away with me. Rev. 22:1-5, “And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face, and His mane shall be on their foreheads [mind of Christ]. There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord god gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever”. To this we say Amen and Amen.