The Raven and the dove

This Blog takes the reader back to the days of Noah...after the Flood where God's Mercy only rested upon the Ark that escaped the waters of God's Judgment found in the flood. Noah's family and many species of animals contained in the Earth were upon that Ark. This included the raven and the dove.The Judgment and Wrath of an angry God upon humanity had ceased as the waters upon the Earth were descending. The winds began drying the earth. God's Judgment upon humanity was over. The 150 days of water from the fountains of the deep and the windows of Heaven were restrained. God's Judgment ceased. The screaming and torment of people without mercy that were trying to escape Judgment was over, after 5 months of continuous water. Besides in the Ark...at that time no mercy was found upon the Earth.

After the floodwaters ceased for forty days Noah opened the window of the Ark. The tops of the mountains began coming into view. Noah sent out a Raven, a scavenger bird that fed upon the decayed flesh that rest upon the earth after the floodwaters slowly began drying. The Earth cycled through its natural process of bringing forth life from it's natural vegetation. God had purged the Earth with Judgment. God had purged humanity with Judgment. From the refuge of the Ark Noah also sent out a dove to find the Earth's fruitful vegetation of life, that began growing after the flood. The dove finally returned with an olive leaf in it's beak to give assurance to Noah that the Earth had revived from the Flood. Seven days later Noah sent out the dove, and the dove never returned.

This small story about the raven and the dove was passed on to a dear Brother of mine who was helping a preacher friend of ours by the name of Hubert Lindsey who became ill. Many of you have heard me speak of Brother Lindsey as he became a stroke victim in the 90's and was placed in a nursing home. When my dear Brother Howard had taken Brother Lindsey out of the nursing home, into his own home to act as caregiver...Brother Lindsey began preaching about the raven and the dove and this story was passed on to me in 1992. It has stuck in my heart and always will for the glory of God.

Much of my Christian life has been inspired by the preaching of Brother Hubert Lindsey. Brother Lindsey got me to Christ and opened up the scriptures with vast depth that has foundated this writer/preacher for 38 years. In these past few years I have began Blogging for Christ and likewise opening the scriptures as they were opened to me by the Spirit of God. I love writing and serving Christ with a whole heart. Noah inspires this writer because Noah heard from God and minded God with strict obedience. Even today it is important that believers in Christ hear from God, mind God and obey Him. By doing so, we likewise will escape the fierce Wrath and Judgment of and angry God that is promised to come.

I will close with the grounds for this Blog in the following passage from the book of Genesis. I'm glad that Jesus is my Ark and my lifetime homework assignment is to get my family into Jesus to escape God's future Judgment and Wrath. Along life's way I tell people and preach to people about how Jesus is the Ark and how Jesus gives us refuge from the promised Judgment of come. I also love the story about the raven and the dove because they both came play after God's Judgment was over. As long as we're in Christ we will never have to face the Judgment and Wrath of an angry God. The raven and the dove remind me of the solace that is found in Christ the deliverer. Yes, Christ is my Saviour. Yes, Christ created the raven and the dove. Yes, Christ saved Noah and His family from the Judgment to come. Noah got the enjoy the bliss found in the raven and the dove. So does this preacher. Glory! How about you?

Gen 8:1-12...And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters asswaged; The fountains also of the deep and the windows of heaven were stopped, and the rain from heaven was restrained; And the waters returned from off the earth continually: and after the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters were abated. And the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat. And the waters decreased continually until the tenth month: in the tenth month, on the first day of the month, were the tops of the mountains seen. And it came to pass at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made: And he sent forth a raven, which went forth to and fro, until the waters were dried up from off the earth. Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground; But the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot, and she returned unto him into the ark, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth: then he put forth his hand, and took her, and pulled her in unto him into the ark. And he stayed yet other seven days; and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark; And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf pluckt off: so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth. And he stayed yet other seven days; and sent forth the dove; which returned not again unto him any more.

This Blog is dedicated to my dear Brother and teacher of the Bible...Hubert T. Lindsey who still today from Heaven...reminds this writer to keep in memory the things of Christ and the truth of God's Word. Perhaps it will help us all to keep in mind the precious treasure of God's creation of the raven and the dove.

With love,

Disciples had the Spirit before the crucifixion

During His earthly ministry Jesus spoke of "another Comforter" pointing to the Spirit of Truth or the Holy Spirit. Even though the Grace dispensation had not yet started nor had the Church been birthed - Jesus stated these disciples "knew" the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit "dwelled" with them.

John 14:16-17...And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

Moreover Jesus stated the Holy Spirit would be "in" them making another reference to the future power of the Indwelling Spirit. The New Testament records (after the death of Christ) define the work of the Indwelling Spirit as the Baptism with the Holy Spirit relative to the experience of the day of Pentecost. This event being suggested by Jesus when He told the disciples to tarry in Jerusalem where they would be "endued with power from on high".

Luke 24:44...And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

The ministry of the Holy Spirit

 

In the Grace Covenant (now) that we live under, the power of the Gospel that flows into the human soul is performed by the ministry of the Holy Spirit. When Christ is preached from the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms the Holy Spirit testifies and touches the heart of man. Man can see himself in light of the person of Jesus whose Holy Spirit ministers to man’s inward makeup. the inward part of man longing to reach out for his personal need of a Savior and Redeemer.

·        The goodness of God leads sinful man to repentance.

·        The first work of the Holy Spirit convicts the sinner.

·        The Holy Spirit gives man a willingness to believe.

·        The Holy Spirit regenerates the heart in the new birth.

·        After the new birth the Holy Spirit gives man a desire to quit sin.

·        After Salvation the Holy Spirit helps the believer to realize what the adamic nature is

·        Crucifixion of the old man is revealed and becomes path to sanctification.

·        The Sanctifying power of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire destroys the Adamic Nature

·        After the believer is sanctified and filled renewal takes place

·        Being preserved in the Spirit is the final result of an entirely sanctified man.

 

About Church members

In relation to the Church: I'm illustrating the big picture: the entire Spiritual body of believers; It's origin; and how it stays into play at this present hour. The bible says Christ purchased the Church with His own blood. That body is God's holy and eternal body offered to all believers in Christ. As possible members we who believe, can be adopted into that spiritual body through faith in Christ and connection to God's Salvation through the forgiveness of sins. Salvation being present tense with the promise of a future Eternal Life "if" one continues with faith and connection to Christ, a living Savior - until the point of death. This is the purpose of God's Church and predestinated will of God for anyone that latches on to Christ our Savior and Redeemer - in the present tense. The ultimate goal afterwards is to stay connected all the way through life into Eternity where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

Forgiveness of sins

When a man receives forgiveness of sins it does not mean he has blanket coverage to sin - for life. Forgiveness of sins is and actual experience where condemnation is lifted and man comes into right-standing with Christ to be walked out - daily. It's called redemption as the redemptive work of the cross of Calvary flows into the human soul. Redemption is an "inner work" of the Spirit of God's Mercy and Grace that forgives and brings righteousness into the believing heart. Redemption and forgiveness of sins are based primarily on the blessing found in Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. A forgiven man knows how, why, and when forgiveness was found in Christ the Savior and redeemer.

• Colossians 1:14...In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
• Acts 13:38...Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:

Forgiveness of sins qualifies a believer in Christ to be Justified and regenerated in the Spirit. Forgiveness is maintained by belief in Christ and faithfulness to Him. An unfaithful man does not have blanket coverage over the acts of sin.

(6) Judgments

1. Righteous Judgment - Now for the child of God in the present tense - Man is either righteous or unrighteous - Judgment made by God when you accept Christ.
2. Judgment at point of death - The soul of man will either go to Heaven or Hell
3. Judgment at the Rapture of the Church - dead in Christ will rise - those alive in Christ will be caught up to meet with Him in the air. All members of Chists's body escape future Tribulation and Wrath. The rest are left behind and will go into the Great Tribulation.
4. Judgment during the 7 year Tribulation - Tribulation saints who are redeemed at that time will become righteous. At the end of the Tribulation - Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. The unrighteous dead and alive will await the Judgment seat of Christ's second appearing.
5. Divine Judgment with fire - Second coming of Christ with all the saints - Glorified Saints will experience Eternity on Earth. Tribulation saints (men who accept Christ without glorification) will enter the Kingdom on earth. Glorified saints will escape the second death. Those who are not glorified and redeemed  are lost. These will be later resurrected (physically) and cast into Eternal darkness.
6. Judgment of the Great White Throne - at the end of the 1000 year reign heaven and earth fled away (All redeemed will be caught up). This Bodily resurrection will be for the unjust. Death, Hell, and the Devil himself will be cast in the sea of fire's second death. The just will return from Heaven (Heavenly Jerusalem) and reign for Eternity on Earth with Christ. Final Judgment. Final redemption and the perfect earth will thus become as Eden was at Creation. 

The wrath of the Lamb

 Revelation 6:12-17...And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

The prophetic content of the above verses found in the book of Revelation are not taking place now...but will take place in the future. The wrath of the Lamb takes place when Christ "physically" returns to Earth...a second time as promised. The wrath of the Lamb will only be ministered on Earth after the Rapture of the Church, and after the seven year Tribulation.

During the 7 year Tribulation 5 seals will be opened by God. All seals show a picture of the ministering of God's Wrath upon the face of the Earth during the Great Tribulation. This event makes no reference to now in the Church Age. The 6th seal points to the actual "Wrath of the Lamb".

Jesus was recognized as a gentle Lamb during His Earthly ministry. Jesus is foretold to be a Lamb of Wrath in His second coming.  Many Jewish people from the 12 Tribes of Israel that are scattered around the globe...who acknowledge Christ as the promised Messiah (at that time) will accept Christ and enter the 1000 year Kingdom on Earth. Gentiles who accept the Messiah-ship of Christ will likewise enter this same 1000 Kingdom.

Revelation 7:9-13...After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, beunto our God for ever and ever. Amen. And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Note the Tribulation Saints...or people robed in white that accepted Christ during the Great Tribulation. These saints escape the Wrath and Judgment of an angry Christ who returns a second time with vengance upon those who don't obey the Gospel.

2 Thessolonians 1:7-10...when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.