Jesus Conquered Sin, Death & Hell

 “When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby. Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.”

‭‭John‬ ‭11:4-6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

John wrote this Gospel at the end of the century.  Here Jesus replies to the news that Lazarus is sick by saying that Lazarus’s sickness is not to face death but to face the glory of God triumphing over and above death!  And the Son of God be glorified because of that.  Indeed Jesus loved Martha, her sister and Lazarus.  After He heard of Lazarus’s sickness, Jesus did not go immediately but remained where He was for another two days.  In His deliberate delay here, Jesus’s focus was on His mission - knowing that soon He would enter mankind’s death, disengage the gates of Hades and be raised on the third day.  For when John was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, Jesus told him, ““I Am He Who lives and was dead; and, behold, I Am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”  We worship the Living God Who conquered sin, death and hell.  Hallelujah!

Watchman Intercessor

 “and he cried, A lion: My Lord, I stand continually upon the watchtower in the daytime, and I am set in my ward whole nights:”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭21:8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah saw prophetically that God tells him to post a watchman/sentry who cries out, “a Lion!”  This is the Lion of Judah Who was qualified to open the seals of the book in heaven and avert disaster.  The watchman cries out, “I continually stand on this watch-tower day after day for You, O Lord.  I’m stationed at my post throughout the night..”. The ministry in the New Testament of a watchman is an intercessor.  It is vital that every church and every city has intercessors to stand on their post day after day.  The Lord Jesus has given a crucial importance to this ministry as our High Priest Who is able also to save us to the uttermost that come to God by Him, seeing He ever lives to make intercession for us.  So our priority is that we pray at all times.  Thank You, Lord Jesus!

The Good Shepherd’s Love

 “No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.”

‭‭John‬ ‭10:18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jesus has just revealed that He is the Good Shepherd Who lays down His Life for His sheep.  No one takes Jesus’s Life from Him.  He knows He is the I AM when He lays down His Life and takes it up again.  This is the conclusion of His Father’s prophetic purpose, which is what Jesus is all about.  Jesus lived and communicated from His awareness of the prophetic significance of His Life’s mission in laying down His Life and in co-raising fallen mankind together with Him in His resurrection!  Thanks be to God, Amen!

A Parable of the Cross

 “And the LORD said, Like as my servant Isaiah hath walked naked and barefoot three years for a sign and wonder upon Egypt and upon Ethiopia;”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭20:3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Then the Lord Yahweh said, “Just as my servant Isaiah has walked naked and barefoot for three years as a prophetic sign and a wonder as a warning of what is coming to Egypt and Cush..”.   Isaiah’s three year ministry of walking about naked and barefoot was prophetic and a walking parable of Jesus removing His glory and putting on flesh, doing what was told by His Father.  Jesus Himself said that the Son is unable to do anything from Himself or through His own initiative for He only did the works that He saw the Father doing, for the Son does the same works as His Father.  He did this so we could be clothed in His righteousness.  Jesus hung on the Cross naked forgiving and loving humanity in spite of the shame.  All this, so we could be righteous!  What love is this that the Majesty of creation in glory should so humble Himself to love us His creation! Jesus clothed Himself with humility to show that God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble.  Let’s believe in all that Jesus did as an example for us to share in His glory because He gave us the gift of righteousness and the abundance of grace to reign.  Hallelujah!

Grace Disarms Karma

 “Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.”

‭‭John‬ ‭9:3-4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

John records when Jesus’s disciples asked Jesus if the blind man had sinned or his parents, and that’s why he was punished by being blind from birth, Jesus answered emphatically, “His condition has absolutely nothing to do with any sins committed either by himself or his parents!  Neither he nor his parents were guilty of sin, this is an opportunity for God’s action to be unveiled in him!  We together, must occupy ourselves to accomplish the work of Him Who sent Me - you must take sides with me!”  Jesus absolutely disarms the karma principle that religion hinges on, which is, that intent and actions of an individual (cause) influence the future of that individual (effect).  Jesus explains that we cannot pull in two opposite directions in the same team!  Grace and karma do not go hand in hand!  Let’s believe that disease, sickness and disorder came through sin and Jesus is the only One Who has given a death blow to this on the Cross because of His grace.  Let’s bow before Him Who is worthy of all glory!

All Nations Shall See His Glory

 “And the LORD shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the LORD in that day, and shall do sacrifice and oblation; yea, they shall vow a vow unto the LORD, and perform it.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭19:21‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah prophesies divine grace for Egypt that the Lord Yahweh will reveal to Egyptians Who He really is, and they will know Him intimately.  They will worship Him with sacrifices and burnt offerings.  They will make vows to the Lord Yahweh, and they will keep them.  When the famous ten plagues happened in Egypt, the Pharaoh promised to let the children of Israel go but then took back the promise.  Isaiah proclaims that this spirit of broken promises will be broken off Egypt.  The Lord Yahweh knows their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that He will gather not only Egypt but all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see His glory.  This time is soon upon us and it is our blessed hope.  Glory to God!

Grace gives Freedom

 “When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.”

‭‭John‬ ‭8:10-11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

When Jesus stood up again, there was no one there except the woman.  So Jesus asked her, “Where are they?  Has no one condemned you?”  She answered, “No one Lord!”  And Jesus said to her, “Neither am I condemning you - go and sin no more - never again believe a lie about yourself!”  Sin is that which is without form, or distorted, believing a lie about yourself.  Let’s believe that sin will not conquer us, for God already has! We are not governed by law but governed by the reign of the grace of God.  Grace has revealed our freedom from sin because Jesus took all humanity’s sin and nailed it to the Cross, past, present and future.  Thankfully the woman here did not respond with, “depart from me for I am sinful!”  Sin-consciousness is what empowers religion, but grace gave freedom.  Grace and truth come only from Jesus!  Hallelujah!

God’s Dwelling Place

 “For so the LORD said unto me, I will take my rest, and I will consider in my dwelling place like a clear heat upon herbs, and like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭18:4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah prophesies what the Lord Yahweh said to him: Yahweh will rest calm and confident as He looks from His dwelling place, serene as on a pleasant summer day or a cool, refreshing cloud in the heat of harvest.  Today, the Body of Christ is His dwelling place as God is transforming each of us who believes Him, into the Holy of Holies, His dwelling place, through the power of the Holy Spirit living in us!  Hallelujah!

Living Waters Gushing Out of Us

 “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.”

‭‭John‬ ‭7:38‬ ‭KJV‬‬

John records Jesus calling all those who are thirsty to come to Him and drink and we would realise that Jesus is Whom the Scriptures are all about.  When we drink we will discover uniquely for ourselves, face to face with Jesus that we are what He is all about and rivers of living waters will gush out of our innermost being!  Jesus cried out loudly that He is the prophetic picture and promise in all its completeness.  We are God’s redeemed society, the holy city, the new Jerusalem, the Bride in spotless magnificence, beautifully adorned for the Bridegroom!  It is through faith that we gush out the living waters from our innermost being by the Holy Spirit outpouring!  Glory to God!

Living the Resurrection Life

 “And it shall be as when the harvestman gathereth the corn, and reapeth the ears with his arm; and it shall be as he that gathereth ears in the valley of Rephaim. Yet gleaning grapes shall be left in it, as the shaking of an olive tree, two or three berries in the top of the uppermost bough, four or five in the outmost fruitful branches thereof, saith the LORD God of Israel.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭17:5-6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah prophesied that it will be as when a farmer harvests the standing grain and gathers armloads of grain, and as one gathers ears of grain in the valley of Giants.  Yet some gleanings will remain, as when an olive tree is shaken, leaving two or three olives in the highest branches and four or five on its fruitful branches, declares Lord Yahweh, the God of Israel.  Jesus’s life within us will soon reap a harvest of glory.  Armloads (sons and daughters of power) of grain (spiritual harvest) will be seen in coming days through mighty men and women.  Farmers had to leave some fruit behind for the needs of the poor and the stranger to glean.  Today, for our any need, two or three are sufficient when we gather in agreement.  The highest branches point to our glorious resurrection life in the spiritual realm of bringing heaven on earth, because of the Blood sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ!  Hallelujah!

Union & Communion

 “Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

‭‭John‬ ‭6:54‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jesus explains “Eternal life comes to the one who eats My body and drinks My Blood, and I will raise him up in the last day.  Our every meal is a celebration of the incarnation.  To eat Jesus’s flesh and to drink His blood is to digest Jesus like our body is designed to digest food and it becomes flesh.  This communicates to us that we are co-risen with Jesus in the final conclusion of His work of redemption.  Jesus is the conclusion of prophetic time!  The shewbread on the table in the sanctuary was the Bread of His Presence or literally Face-Bread.  We are face to face with Jesus when we remember His Presence and His Oneness with us as we partake of His Communion Table.  Let the depth of what Christ has done for mankind, make us grateful to enjoy our union with Him.  Thank You Jesus!

Night & Day Prayer & Worship

 “Let mine outcasts dwell with thee, Moab; be thou a covert to them from the face of the spoiler: for the extortioner is at an end, the spoiler ceaseth, the oppressors are consumed out of the land. And in mercy shall the throne be established: and he shall sit upon it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging, and seeking judgment, and hasting righteousness.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭16:4-5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah continues to prophecy to allow the Moabite fugitives to stay with Judah and to be a shelter for them from the destroyer.  One day the oppressor will be no more.  The destroyer will come to an end, and the tyrant will vanish from the land.  Then a government of unfailing love will be established, with a faithful King in the tabernacle of David, passionate for justice and swift to do what is right. In the days of King David, he established a tabernacle that had singers and musicians who ministered to the Lord night and day. Today in the new covenant, prayer is in the spirit of David’s tabernacle. This means that there is night and day prayer and worship.  The promise of the restoration of the tabernacle of David refers to the Kingdom of God’s governmental restoration of David’s international rule as part of the restoration of national Israel in the millennial kingdom.  Let’s be part of the day and night prayer and worship to usher in the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven.  Amen!

The Truth has Set Us Free

 “Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.”

‭‭John‬ ‭5:14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

This was the man with an infirmity for thirty eight years by the Bethesda pool at the sheep-gate in Jerusalem whom Jesus healed on the Sabbath!  When Jesus found him later at the synagogue, He said to the healed man, “See you have become whole! Do not continue in your old distorted mindset, then nothing worse can happen to you!”  It is so important to see our wholeness and not our distortedness.  We reflect what we behold!  To see ourselves through God’s eyes is the only way to escape the distortion of contradiction.  The religious mind has for so long connected God’s judgment with sickness and disease but Jesus said that the Father judges no one, for He has given to the Son all the authority to judge.  Jesus introduces us to the God Who would rather become our distortions and diseases on the Cross and go into our darkness and hell to deliver us from its claim, than to send sickness to us and send us to hell!  Nothing makes the religious mindset more nervous and mad than when the sin and judgment paradigm gets taken out of the equation!  The Truth has set us free let’s not get into the wrong mindset and let’s allow the Gospel to be the Gospel!  Hallelujah!

Humble Yourself to Receive Grace

 “The burden of Moab. Because in the night Ar of Moab is laid waste, and brought to silence; Because in the night Kir of Moab is laid waste, and brought to silence; He is gone up to Bajith, and to Dibon, the high places, to weep: Moab shall howl over Nebo, and over Medeba: on all their heads shall be baldness, and every beard cut off.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭15:1-2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah prophesies concerning Moab.  The city of Ar was devastated, destroyed in the night.  The city of Kir was devastated, destroyed in the night.  The people of Dibon went to their temple to weep: they went up to their high places to lament.  Moab wails with sorrow over what happened to Mount Nebo and Mount Medeba.  Humiliated, every head is shaved and every beard cut off.  Moab, which means “seed of the father”, was a descendant of Lot, conceived out of incest with his daughter. Ruth, king David’s great-grandmother was a Moabite, and an ancestor of the Son of David, the Messiah.  The prophet Isaiah was painfully grieved over the sorrows coming to Moab.  Prophecies may not be despised for they are a warning to change our thinking.  Moab had become pride-filled and God in His compassion warned them through His prophets.  The only way to hear God’s voice, plan and purpose is to be humble.  Let’s humble ourselves and receive His grace for God’s purpose to be fulfilled in our lives.  Amen!

Spring up O Well, Within My Soul

 “but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”

‭‭John‬ ‭4:14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jesus tells the woman at the well that whoever drinks from the source of this water that Jesus shall give, will never thirst again; because the water that He gives becomes an artesian well bursting from within, defining the life of the ages!  Unlike a man-made hole, dug in the ground to access seepage water, Jesus speaks of a spring of water, an artesian well! To discover the fountain within our innermost being is the most beneficial thing we can do.  To drink from Jesus is to be persuaded He is what the Scriptures are all about (then we will personally discover that Jesus is what we are all about) and rivers of living water will gush out of our innermost being!  It’s all about faith in what the Holy Spirit will do in and through us to reveal Christ.  Thank You Holy Spirit!

Be Not Deceived by Abiding in Christ

 “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭14:12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Although Isaiah prophesied about the king of Babylon, it is concerning the Babylonian system represented by Satan, once known as Lucifer.  Isaiah says to look how Lucifer has fallen from his heavenly place, the shining one, son of the dawn; who has been cut down to the ground, the one who conquered nations.  Let’s not be deceived by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sits in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God; and now we know what withholds that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity does already work: only He Who now restrains will restrain, until He be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the Spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming!  Let’s abide in the Vine, abide in the Word of His grace, abide in our relationship with the mighty Holy Spirit and be led by Him, ready to be taken away!  Glory Hallelujah!

Born Again

 “Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.”

‭‭John‬ ‭3:7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jesus explained this to Nicodemus the Jewish leader who visited Jesus at night to find out about Him saying “You shouldn’t be amazed by My statement, ‘You all must be born from above!”  Jesus says to us not to be surprised when He says to mankind, that we couldn’t get here in the flesh unless we got here from above!  The born again ones are those who discover their genesis in God beyond their natural conception!  This is not about our blood lineage or whether we were a wanted or an unwanted child - this is about our God-begottenness - we are His dream come true!  We are not the invention of our parents!  You are the greatest idea God has ever had! Thank You Father!

God’s Kingdom Come, Hos Will be Done

 “The noise of a multitude in the mountains, like as of a great people; a tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together: the LORD of hosts mustereth the host of the battle. They come from a far country, from the end of heaven, even the LORD, and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole land.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭13:4-5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah pronounces God’s judgment saying to listen to the thunderous noise heard on the mountain, like that of a massive multitude.  Listen again, the kingdoms are in an uproar; nations are assembling together.  The Almighty Lord Yahweh is mustering an army for war.  They are coming from a faraway land, from the end of the heavens.  Here comes Yahweh with His instruments of judgment, ready to revenge the entire land.  This prophecy was towards Babylon.  Babylon today is a metaphor for the world’s political and religious system.  God’s prophetic Word always comes to pass.  Nations warring with each other is for God’s purpose to be fulfilled that the Jews return to their homeland and for the Church to release the supernatural power of Almighty God even amongst enemy nations, so that every nation and its people would bow their knees to the Lord Jesus and confess that He is Lord with the increase of signs, wonders and miracles and “greater works” happening in these last days, to the praise of Jesus’s glory!  Amen!

The Only True Address of God

 “But he spake of the temple of his body.”

‭‭John‬ ‭2:21‬ ‭KJV‬‬

John the apostle wrote that the people did not understand that the Temple Jesus was pointing to, was the human body.  In Christ, the only true address of God was to be redeemed in human life in His resurrection!  The Most High does not dwell in houses made with hands.  Heaven is God’s Throne, and the earth His Footstool.  What house can humans build for Him, or what is the place of His rest?  Does not God’s Hand make all these things?  The most sacred place in the universe is the body of the redeemed, which is the Temple of the Spirit of God!  There is nowhere in eternity that can match this!  The Word became flesh and now resides within us for Jesus said “in that day you will know that I Am in My Father and you in Me and I in you!”  What a glorious Gospel!  Glory to God!

Living Wells of Salvation

 “Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭12:3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah prophesied that when the Holy Spirit would be sent  it would be with triumphant joy we will drink deeply from the wells of salvation.  The streams of salvation represent Jesus’s Life in us.  Through Christ, God’s sons and daughters are living wells of salvation, containers bringing the water of life to others.  In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come to Me, and drink. He that believes on Me, as the scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this Jesus spoke of the Spirit, which they that believe on Him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)  All we are to do is only believe in Jesus Christ and His finished work on the Cross.  Let’s believe with child-like faith.  Thank You, Jesus!

Christ Unveils Grace & Truth

 “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”

‭‭John‬ ‭1:17‬ ‭KJV

John’s revelation was that Moses gave the Law, but Jesus, the Anointed One, unveils truth wrapped in tender mercy.  The law was given through Moses; grace and truth have their genesis in Jesus Christ.  Against the stark backdrop of the law, with Moses representing the condemned state of mankind, Jesus Christ unveils grace and truth!  Moses represents the system of performance as the basis to one’s standing before God.  Jesus Christ is incarnate grace and truth, the life of our design on display in human form, as in a mirror.  Let’s bow down before the awesome grace and truth Jesus brought into us and bought for us!  Hallelujah!

As a Child in the Kingdom of Heaven

 “And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭11:8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah’s amazing prophecy of what it is like in the Kingdom of God!  The nursing child will play safely near the rattlesnake’s den, and the toddler will stretch out his hand and shine light over the serpent.  The same Hebrew word for putting out his hand can be translated as an opening of light.  Jesus Himself said that unless we become like little children, we can never enter heaven’s Kingdom reality.  Even little children in God’s Kingdom have power over the serpent and bring light into its hiding place.  The nature of the weaned child is the nature of Christ being produced in us.  All is subdued and hostility removed in the Kingdom of God.  Christ will transform our humble bodies and transfigure us into the identical likeness of His glorified body. And using His matchless power, He continually subdues everything to Himself.  Let’s believe the Word, that is Christ Himself.  Glory to God!

Water & Blood & Spirit agree

 “This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.”

‭‭1 John‬ ‭5:6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

This is He Who was to come; He arrived in the flesh through His mother’s womb - by Water and Blood - Jesus Christ.  And in His ministry as the Christ, He was not only borne witness to by John the Baptist in the prophetic baptism of water, but He went all the way into His baptism of death, in His shed Blood, where He died mankind’s death.  And it is the Spirit that bears witness according to His own Being, which is Truth.  If mankind’s salvation could be secured only in the incarnation of the Christ and His three years of ministry, then His death and resurrection would be irrelevant.  The three witnesses are the Spirit and the Water and the Blood agreeing as one.  Let’s believe in the completion of our faith which is that we believe in the Living God, Who became Man, and Who died and rose again to give us His Resurrection Power!  Thank You Jesus !

Christ’s Wisdom is Given to Us by Faith

 “Shall I not, as I have done unto Samaria and her idols, so do to Jerusalem and her idols? Wherefore it shall come to pass, that when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks. For he saith, By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom; for I am prudent: and I have removed the bounds of the people, and have robbed their treasures, and I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man:”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭10:11-13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Will God not do the same thing to Jerusalem and Samaria and their idols?  After carrying out His purpose on Mount Zion and Jerusalem, God will punish the king of Assyria because of his overbearing arrogance and unrestrained pride, since he boasted, “Look what I have done by the strength of my hand and by my wisdom.  See how clever I am, I have erased the borders of nations and plundered their treasures.  I have been like a mighty conqueror, subduing those in strong fortresses.  Blasphemously boasting, Assyria’s king equates Yahweh with all the other gods and their idols that he conquered.  The same rod that God used for him will strike him down, because of his arrogance.  Assyria represents human reasoning with imaginations that exalts itself against God.  The inferior intellect of man falls far short of the wisdom and knowledge of God.  Today Christ is the wisdom and power of God to us.  Amen!

Love made Perfect

 “Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.”

‭‭1 John‬ ‭4:17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Such a wonderful revelation to John the apostle, that by living in God, love has been brought to its full expression in us so that we may fearlessly face the day of judgment, because all that Jesus now is, so are we in this world.  We are awakened to our full inclusion in this love union - everything is perfect!  Its completeness is not compromised in contradiction.  Our confident conversation echoes this fellowship even in the face of crisis; because as Jesus is, so are we in this world - our lives are mirrored in Him.  We are as blameless in this life as Jesus is!  This perfect love union is the source of our confidence whenever we face the scrutiny of contradiction in our daily lives.  Hallelujah!

The Kingdom of God Authority

 “Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭9:7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah prophesied of Christ Who was to come, that great and vast is His dominion.  He will bring immeasurable peace and prosperity.  He will rule on David’s throne and over David’s kingdom to establish and uphold it by promoting justice and righteousness from this time forward and forevermore.  The marvellous passion that the LORD, Commander of Angel Armies, has for His people will ensure that it is finished!  The Kingdom of God’s governmental authority and dominion will continually expand.  The peace, prosperity, wholeness and success are all part of what Christ brought us.  It is the intense devotion of the LORD that will accomplish this.  Prophesied over 2500 years’ ago, this was fulfilled two thousand years ago and the Kingdom of God continues to increase.  May His zeal continue through us to bring many souls into His Kingdom.  Thank You Jesus!

The Mystery of Redemption

 “Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.”

‭‭1 John‬ ‭3:12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Cain’s killing of his brother was motivated in the eating of the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil.  Cain’s idea of Divine Favour was to count his own works being superior to his brother’s faith righteousness.  Here in the two sons of Adam and Eve, we have the first generation of fallen mankind confronted with their personal pursuit of a lost identity and a lost sense of value and favour.  The tree of the knowledge of good and evil represents mankind’s lost sense of identity and righteousness, where the global pursuit of mankind would now be the constant effort to achieve righteousness by means of works.  This inevitably leads to disappointment where shame replaced innocence, and union and fellowship are lost.  This was a prophetic picture of mankind murdering our brother Jesus.  When Adam and Eve sinned, they were clothed by Elohim with the skin of an animal, not to appease His anger.  It was to unveil the mystery of redemption when Jesus would clothe Himself in human skin.  The Lion of Judah would become the Lamb of God to free mankind’s mind to rediscover God’s image and likeness in our skin!  Hallelujah to the Lamb!

Celebrating Christ’s Crucifixion

 “Moreover the LORD said unto me, Take thee a great roll, and write in it with a man's pen concerning Mahershalalhashbaz. And I took unto me faithful witnesses to record, Uriah the priest, and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭8:1-2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The Lord Yahweh said to Isaiah, “Take a large tablet and engrave upon it these words using man’s stylus: Quickly, to the Plunder!  Hurry, to the Loot!  Then summon two reliable men, Uriah the priest and Zechariah, son of Jeberechiah, to act as witnesses.”  God can use what is written by man to touch man.  Weak, ordinary, frail man has the grace to write and speak for God.  Isaiah named his soon to be born son, Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz, the longest name in the Bible.  The prophetic act of writing on a tablet needed to be witnessed by men of stature so that when the fulfilment of the demise of the northern kingdom came to pass, it would be impossible to deny Isaiah’s prophetic message.  It must have been publicised is a visible way for people passing by to wonder what it meant.  This was a vivid way to make known the prophecy.  Jesus was publicly crucified vividly, witnessed by Roman authorities and the high priest and the Jewish elders.  So that 2000 years later this crucifixion is still celebrated!  Thank You, Father,  for the prophetic Word!  Amen!

Zoe-life in Us

 “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”

‭‭1 John‬ ‭2:16-17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

John the beloved disciple of Jesus revealed that for all that the world can offer us—the gratification of our flesh, the allurement of the things of the world, and the obsession with status and importance —none of these things come from the Father but from the world. This world and its desires are in the process of passing away, but those who love to do the will of God live forever.  There is a clear distinction between the biological, physical life that is exploited by the condemning and negative world system, and the genuine Zoe-life of our design that has its source in the Father.  The one engages the individual with a constant yearning and craving for fleshly gratification, with eyes desperately looking out for recognition - this inevitably results in cheap, empty and boastful conversation, which is so utterly boring.  While the Father’s Life satisfies completely!  The world system with all its glamorous dreams, comes and goes.  But whoever engages with God’s desires, abides unchanged into the conclusion of the ages.  Let’s be those who abide in the Father’s Zoe-life, because we are in Christ.  Hallelujah!

Fit Vessels for the Master’s Use

 “Then said the LORD unto Isaiah, Go forth now to meet Ahaz, thou, and Shearjashub thy son, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller's field;”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭7:3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The LORD spoke to Isaiah and told him to go and meet with king Ahaz and he will find the king on the road to the Washerman’s Field at the end of the aqueduct where it empties into the upper pool.  Isaiah was asked to take with him his son, whom he named a Remnant Will Return.  Ahaz was probably inspecting the city’s vulnerable water supply.  God has raised prophets in the Church to enable us to be vulnerable when we’re walking on the road to being purified and made ready for God to use us.  It is only the Blood of Jesus that washes us to cleanse our hearts from unbelief.  These false belief systems close our hearts from the true work of the Holy Spirit.  God’s desire is for us to be the aqueduct from which rivers of living water flow.  Isaiah was married and had at least two sons.  Shearjashub was a walking oracle of hope, with a promise in his name - that God will preserve a remnant.  Let’s humble ourselves to allow the Holy Spirit to work in our hearts to be vessels fit for the Master’s use.  Amen!

Deception

 “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”

‭‭1 John‬ ‭1:8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

John telling us that if we boast that we have no sin, we’re only fooling ourselves and are strangers to the truth.  To claim innocence by our own efforts under the law of personal performance, is to deceive ourselves and to deliberately ignore the truth - the truth about us does not mean that we now have to go into denial as if we haven’t done anything wrong!  If we’ve hurt or wronged someone, we need to go to them and be reconciled.  To apologise means to restore harmony.  But the essence of confession is a conversation inspired by the revelation of the love of God demonstrated in Christ.  The focus of this conversation shifts from what we did wrong to what Jesus did right!  We do not need to first get rid of the darkness and then bring in the light.  Light deals effectively and effortlessly with darkness.  The light of the glorious Gospel does not reveal sin, it reveals our freedom from it!  Hallelujah!