"Then brought He me out of the way of
the gate north ward, and led me about the way without unto the utter gate by the
way that looketh eastward; and, behold, there ran out waters on the right side.―
A river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim
in, a river that could not be passed over." [Ezekiel 47:2, 5].
"And the temple of God was
opened... and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an
earthquake, and great hail." [Revelation 11:19].
If ever there was a purpose
appointed to a people, it is that we might BECOME the fixed dwelling place of
God, His habitation, THE TEMPLE OF HIMSELF. Such a high, holy, heavenly calling
is staggering to the mind of man, but the Spirit of God quickens this as a truth
to be both believed and experienced. Indeed, it is the challenge of each man to
yield to the inworkings of God's grace, so that we might be brought to full
stature in Christ, and filled with His fulness. As already seen in previous
chapters, the glory of the Lord comes into the temple, and the door is shut, so
that never again shall the glory of God depart from man, and "Ichabod" be
written over the door, literally meaning, "the glory of God is departed," or,
"where is the glory?" But His glory shall abide within, and the blessing thereof
shall flow out. Since the door is shut, Ezekiel's vision describes how that the
water flows out from "under the threshold of the house eastward." [Ezekiel
47:1]. It will not be dissipated by man, nor lost,
but flows out to become a great river,
bringing life to many.
Jesus also spoke of this
DIVINE FLOW, when He said, "He that believeth on Me, as the scripture hath said,
out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." [John 7:38]. Quickening
streams of divine life flowing out from the heart of those who have become ONE
IN CHRIST filled with His Spirit to the degree that He becomes the OVERFLOW that
issues forth.
The outflow from God's
temple is a river that cannot be passed over, it is an outflow that no man can
circumvent or restrain, because the totality thereof is Christ, He is the
Circumference, embracing the whole, and He is the Center, the Alpha and the
Omega "that filleth all in all." [Ephesians 1:23].
Then Revelation lists five
glorious manifestations that proceed out of this temple to establish the FULL
ARRANGEMENT of His redemption for creation, and the execution of His will in all
the earth. There is no need to speak of a New Testament, which is a complete, a
full arrangement, unless it can become a reality in the life of those who hear
about it. And the "ministry" which is given to execute the whole counsel of His
will, shall be fully equipped for the task. The present inworkings of the
Spirit, and the revelation of the truth to our hearts, is for "instruction, for
reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in
obedience, and for training in righteousness (that is, in holy living, in
conformity to God's will in thought, purpose and action), SO THAT the man of God
may be complete and proficient, well-fitted and thoroughly equipped for every
good work." [2 Timothy 3:16-17, Amplified].
"And there were
lightnings…" Lightning speaks of that discharge of power accompanied by its
brilliant flashes of light piercing the darkness.
"Canst thou send
lightnings, that they may go, and say unto thee, Here we are? (margin, or say,
behold us)." [Job 38:35]. Lightning flashes― behold us! The spiritual reality
and fulfillment of this is none other than the manifestation of the sons of God,
sent forth to do the bidding of the Lord. "Who maketh His angels (messengers)
spirit; His ministers a flaming (flashing) fire." [Psalm 104:4].
The word "flaming" used
here is the same word that is used in Genesis 3:24, which speaks of how God
placed "a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of
life." No thief or robber could approach the tree of life without being exposed
by this flashing, illuminating sword. He that comes to the light shall be made
manifest for what he is, and God's TEMPLE shall not only remain holy, but from
it shall proceed lightnings which shall expose every evil work in creation, that
it may be judged and corrected. Evil will not come to the light, lest it be
reproved, therefore God will send forth His light to the evil, "and this is the
condemnation (Greek, JUDGMENT), that light is come into the world." [John 3:19].
Ah illumination is for the purpose of correction― not just to expose and
condemn, to make ashamed, but that there might be a restoration unto
righteousness.
Heretofore betimes there
have been little flashes of light that penetrate our darknss, a word of
knowledge, a word of wisdom is imparted, and we have been grateful, but it has
been so fragmentary, so "in part," "for we know in part, and we prophesy in
part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall
be done away ." [1 Corinthians 13:9-10]. But there shall be a full word, a
complete word, which shall work its beautiful process of correction and
restoration.
Ezekiel 1:14 tells us that
"the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of
lightning." Swift to do the Father's will, instant obedience― empowered with His
ability for the task. Ministering life, light, and deliverance according to the
purpose of God.
"He shot out lightnings,
and discomfited (troubled) them. Then the channels of waters were seen, and the
foundations of the world were discovered at Thy rebuke, O Lord, at the blast of
the breath of Thy nostrils. He sent from above, He took me, and drew me out of
many waters." [Psalm 18:14-16].
What a beautiful picture of
the ministry to come. Sent forth by God, and the enemy is troubled. The
illumination exposes the whole situation, until the very foundations are
discovered, and the channels are seen. The patterns and ways will be revealed.
Waters often speak of peoples, and in this day the psychologist and the
psychiatrist probe and search, and guess and wonder at the ways of man, trying
to learn the patterns so as to help them solve their problems. Ah, the blazing
light of the SPIRIT OF WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING, THE SPIRIT OF COUNCIL AND
MIGHT, THE SPIRIT OF KNOWLEDGE, shall make these God-sent messengers "of quick
understanding" and they shall "not judge after the seeing of his eyes, neither
reprove after the hearing of his ears: but with righteousness shall he judge the
poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth…" [Isaiah 11:2-4].
And wherefore this glorious
ministry, it is to draw mankind out of his bondage and grief, to bring
deliverance to groaning creation, "to heal the brokenhearted, to preach
deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at
liberty them that are bruised." [Luke 4:18].
"I the Lord have called
thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give
thee for a covenant of the people, FOR A LIGHT OF THE NATIONS; to open the blind
eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, them that sit in darkness out
of the prison house." [Isaiah 42:6-7].
"When the Lord shall build
up Zion (HIS OVERCOMING FIRST FRUITS, HIS DWELLING PLACE), He shall appear in
His glory. He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their
prayer. This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which
shall be created shall praise the Lord. For He hath looked down from the height
of His sanctuary; from heaven did the Lord behold the earth; to hear the
groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death." [Psalm
102:16-20].
"He maketh lightnings for
the rain..." [Psalm 135:7]. What illumination shall accompany the rain? One of
the Hebrew words used for "rain" is "yarah" which is also the Hebrew word for
"teach." Thus we have the combining of both the message and its illumination,
which shall be most effective and bring forth results to the glory of God. There
has been much teaching through the years, but the mind of man has been so
darkened, it brought forth little fruitage. But when the temple is opened, and
the lightnings issue forth, the message will have inherent in it a quickening,
and understanding-giving light, so that people shall grasp the truth and be able
to respond and believe. And so also we read, "His lightnings ENLIGHTENED the
world." [Psalm 97:4].
"For the earth shall be
filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the
sea." [Habakkuk 2:14].
"Every valley shall be
filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; ...and all flesh shall
see the salvation of the Lord." [Luke 3:5-6].
"And there were…voices…"
Greek, "phone," a voice, sound.
"There are, it may be, so
many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them without signification." [1
Corinthians 14:10]. We try to listen and make sense out of them all, and only
end up more confused. One man will broadcast his message, and the next man
follows with another that contradicts the first. But these VOICES are identified
as coming from an OPEN TEMPLE, and their message is like unto none other ever
heard. "The kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which hath not been
told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they
consider." [Isaiah 52-15]. Then, "they also that erred in spirit shall come to
understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine." [Isaiah 29:24].
Nor will there be the
confusion of voice and outward manifestation, as when Isaac said, "the voice is
Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau." [Genesis 27:22]. Far too
often have we had the handiwork of the
flesh, and tried to join it to the
voice of the Spirit, and confused others. But the message and the messenger
become ONE, a life lived that is true to the message proclaimed, and there shall
be no confusion as to what is meant.
Nor will these VOICES be as
unknown and undiscerned as "the voices of the prophets which are read every
sabbath day." [Acts 13:27]. Yes, the voice of the prophet is heard, the
scriptures are read, a part of the ceremony and ritual of each sabbath day, and
yet how little is truly heard and understood. But when the anointed voice sounds
forth from God's open temple, in the hour of His divine appointment, men will
stop and listen, compelled by a message that answers the deep cry of their
heart. As Jesus said, "The words that I speak unto you, are spirit, and are
life." [John 6:63].
Whose voice then shook the
earth: but now He hath promised, saying, "Yet once more I shake not the earth
only, but also heaven." [Hebrews 12:26]. The pure declaration of truth is going
to shake heaven and earth-for the message will not be in parables, but
illuminated reality. And so great will be the effect of that sounding that we
also read, "For the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves
shall hear His voice, and shall come forth..." [John 5:28], some unto the
resurrection of more abundant life, and some advancing into the process of
judgment's correction.
What a voice is this that
those who are wrapped in death, caught in the throes of the CARNAL MIND, for "to
be carnally minded is death," [Romans 8:6], they suddenly stir and awaken to
hear the voice of truth, receive the message, and begin the process of growth
and development unto spiritual stature? Ah, this is a VOICE UNTO LIFE, speaking
words of life, peace, and victory for creation. No wonder all creation is on
tiptoe, waiting to see the wonderful sight of the sons of God coming into their
inheritance in Christ. It means that there shall be a sounding forth of a
message of life that shall reverse the process of degeneration and begin a
glorious regeneration.
"And there were...
thunderings..." A sound, due to the sudden expansion of the air in the path
of the discharge of power. The word is the same in the Greek for "roar." Here
are sudden vibration reactions which accompany the releases of His power.
Ministeries have seemed to
be so "impotent," but when God releases HIS POWER to begin "the times of
restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy
prophets since the world began." [Acts 3:21]. It shall burst forth with a roar,
a thundering, striking terror into the camp of the enemy, and awaken a new hope
in the heart of the prisoner waiting in the region of the shadow of death.
"Lo, these are parts of His
ways: but how little a portion is heard of Him? but the thunder of His power who
can understand?" [Job 26:14].
"He giveth power to the
faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength." [Isaiah 40:29].
"For the kingdom of God is not in word, BUT IN POWER." [1 Corinthians 4:20].
"Thou calledst in trouble,
and I delivered thee; I answered thee in the secret place of thunder..." [Psalm
81:7]. Who can comprehend the power of our God? Who can tell of the workings of
His energy-force? But the world shall yet see a demonstration of His might, and
the roar of His release of power, turning things upside down, and shaking
everything that can be shaken, and gloriously, powerfully establishing His
kingdom in the earth. PRAISE GOD!
"His radiance is a
lightning blaze, on either side flash rays... and there He veils His might."
[Habakkuk 3-4, Moffatt Translation]. He has hidden His power within His temple,
it is now effectually working in His elect to bring them to spiritual maturity,
but when this process is finished and the temple is opened, that power shall go
forth to fulfill His word of reconciliation, and with that discharge of power
there shall be thunderings.
"And earthquake..."
It is significant that throughout the scripture earthquakes seem to denote the
ending and beginning of dispensations. Climaxing a victory won, and opening new
operations. They are another symbol of God's irresistible power, which now shall
be personified in a people. It signifies that an age has ended, namely the
"church age," i.e. the calling out of a people unto Himself, to be His first
fruits of a new creation. And it also signifies that there is anew age
beginning, the greater unfolding of His grace to bring new advances of
restoration to man. Earths will quake, stones will be rolled away, graves will
be opened, bands will be loosed, nothing will remain unmoved in this
manifestation of the presence of the Lord coming forth from His temple.
"And a great hail..."
"Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the
HAIL shall sweep away the refuge of the lies, and the waters shall overflow the
hiding place." [Isaiah 28: 17].
Although it is written, "My
doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small
rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass: because I will
publish the name of the Lord... [Deuteronomy 32:2-3], it is equally true that
the truth shall have a solid impact upon the lies and false doctrines, and shall
utterly demolish the refuge of creedal error and the traditions of men.
"There shall be an
overflowing shower: and ye, O great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind
shall rend it. ― So will I break down the wall that ye have daubed with
untempered mortar, and bring it down to the ground, so that the foundation
thereof shall be discovered, and it shall fall,
and ye shall be consumed in the midst
thereof: and ye shall know that I AM THE LORD." [Ezekiel 13:11,14].
The kingdoms of man have
been built, their works are reared up, and the walls and barriers have been
made, but when God send forth HIS HAIL from His temple, it will break down all
the works of man, and the very foundations upon which they have built shall be
discovered. Man shall come to know that the Lord, He is God and He alone.
Who can tell just the ways
and methods this shall be fulfilled, for prophecy has amazing ways of
fulfillment, beyond the speculation of the mind of man, but this we know, God is
preparing a people through whom much of this tremendous work shall be
accomplished. His power and glory
shall be revealed, and His name shall
be glorified in the earth.
VICTORY FROM THE TEMPLE
Wonderful power that moves to fulfill
The age-during purpose of God,
Outflow of the vessel become His will,
Fruition of discipline's rod.
The glorious presence of Him who dwells
In this temple He hath prepared,
Presence of love that completely excels
All powers the earth hath declared.
Release Thy flashes of truth to prevail
And pierce through the shades of the
night,
The darkest regions of hell to assail,
Illumine the whole with Thy light.
And utter Thy voice with its clarity,
Pure words that are spirit and life,
Revealing the depths of Thy mystery,
Becalming all atmospheres rife.
Answer the world with Thy thunderings
rare,
Till selfhood is silent and spent,
Unveiling Thy might by Thine arm made
bare,
Poured out of the flesh Thou hast rent.
Shaking the earth till the mountains
are moved,
And the hills from Thy presence flee,
And every knee bowed in worship has
proved
From sin's galling thralldom they're
free.
Send forth Thy great hail that shall
sweep away
The refuge of lies and deceit,
Till truth is established and takes the
prey,
With mercy and justice complete.
Long has Thy power in temples been
sealed,
O Lord, how we yearn for release,
When out of our deep Thy life is
revealed,
And righteousness merges with peace.
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