Faith is more than just believing in God for a miracle. Over that it is our residence in the Spiritual realm. An article: Faith-high into the blue and beyond.
Always do we underestimate the unsurpassable greatness of faith, that which soars high into the blue, and then beyond. How far beyond? Further than we may realize, since it ascends into infinity. It meets God where He lives, and there the unthinkable happens; the unspeakable clears for itself a path. But we His people ever sell it short. We begin to contemplate the evil we have done, the darkness yet present within us, and transgressions that inevitably lie in the future. Then in all this we condemn our soul. We forget, or worse, have never understood, that faith far overrides every past, present, and future infraction of the believing child of God. Faith totally obliterates every work of darkness spawned from out of our hearts and minds, and moreover, eliminates every righteous work born of the light, when they rise up in attempts to justify us. Every work of darkness, more evil than we can imagine, and every labor of the light, no matter how great, are neutralized together, brought to nothing, and in the eyes of God stripped of all power and influence, when they are set up against the heart whose journey is by faith. Faith transcends both the good and the evil. Faith moves God. It moves Him from His place. When we take hold of Him through faith He is suddenly surprised; He is impressed. When we grasp His heart and wrench it, He is stirred, and amazed, and wonders over us. He is moved from His place, yet to His delight.
But just how great is our faith towards Him? Does it wrestle with Him until the dawn is awakened, so that His cry to us is “Let Me go for the day breaks!”? How mighty is the working of our faith? Do we overcome Him by it like Jacob of old? Not that we are greater than He, but He allows for Himself to be jostled by the heart that believes all things. He lets Himself become seized and shaken as a father who play wrestles with his young one, for he loves him so. Yes, faith is the thing that can stand alone and yet give pleasure to the King of the universe. He is not awestruck by the worst evils or the highest good, whether they be of men or angels, for He knows the works that every created soul is capable of. But it is by faith that He is disengaged from where He stands fixed; and it is when we move into the sphere of faith, and take up residence there, that we interact with Jehovah God as a full grown son with his father, a son who brings great pleasure.
Faith is a language; it is the language that the Almighty understands. He shares the innermost things with the one who lives there. As those upon a high mountain peak look down at the foothills, so does faith look upon the doings of men. Faith enters into secret places and truly sees that “all things are possible with God,“ for faith knows that “His understanding is infinite,” that “His judgments are unsearchable, and that His ways are past finding out.” Faith is the key that unlocks the door that leads back to beyond the beginning, when all that existed was light and truth and eternal Spirit. Faith sees God face to face and lives, though not in the flesh. Faith moves the mountains that are truly of old, those which were established by the morning stars on the day that they chose their allegiances. Faith has no limits as do deeds; its grounds of operation are infinity. There it sees all things; there it lives where it desires; there it loves and meets every need; there its joy is light inextinguishable; its peace is eternally flowing rivers; and its praises are forever; they are forever and forever; they are forever without end.
J. Pecoraro
Monday, March 16, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Great Spirit Ocean
Who is the Holy Spirit? There is more than one symbol used in the scriptures that tells us of who He is and what He’s about. There is for instance the Dove. The Dove speaks of the Spirit’s gentleness and His peace-like nature. There is fire. The fire conveys to the Christian a type of power, a power that at times overwhelms us. It burns in the very center of our being in accordance with our faith, and therefore can cause us to become great in word and in deed. We mustn’t forget the Wind. The Wind portrays the mystique of the Holy Spirit, and indeed He is mysterious. Jesus compared the Spirit to the mystery of the wind when describing to Nicodemus that holy birth given from above: “The wind blows where it wishes,” he said, “and you can 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.” The peaceful and gentle Dove, the all consuming Fire, the mysterious Wind. We call this imagery, and it is this imagery that gives us a glimpse into the nature of the One we call the Holy Spirit.
Yet the imagery that I have found to be my very favorite cannot be discovered in the scriptures. It is however certainly biblical. Though it would reveal the Spirit’s peace, its consummation of us, and its mystique, these are not its emphasis. Its emphasis is the Spirit’s infinity, yet all of the Spirit’s attributes are to be found in the picture. I believe that the imagery of which I speak was given me of the Spirit, and I have come to cherish it to this day. I once envisioned an infinite ocean – a sunlit infinite ocean of peace and love and joy, and really every good gift that comes down from “the Father of lights.” Not on the north, or the south, or the east, or the west, was there seen a shore. Likewise there existed no floor to the Great Ocean. It did however have one border. The Ocean ended at the top, I guess is a way of putting it. Yes, the Ocean’s only border was the surface. But the surface is needed since this is the Ocean that we are baptized down into when we are baptized into God’s Holy Spirit. It is much different than being baptized into water. When we are baptized into water, the water is physical and without life. Also it has borders, even if they are not within our view. But when we are baptized into the Holy Spirit of God the waters are spiritual and altogether alive. These are the living waters that we read of in the scriptures. To add, there are no borders, since this Ocean is God the Holy Spirit, and all who believe in Him and know Him also know that He is from everlasting to everlasting.
It is a very sad thing that the average Pentecostal believes that speaking in tongues signifies that the baptism of the Spirit has been made complete. But the fact of the matter is that this great baptism is never made complete. For what the first step of a never ending journey is to the remainder of the journey, so is the experience of speaking in other tongues to this Spirit baptism. It is only one of the very first things to occur, yet we make it to cover the length and breadth of our adventure. This I say because we use the terms “tongues,” and “baptism of the Holy Spirit,” interchangeably, as though there is no difference at all between the two. But I repeat, “tongues,” is only a small part of this experience. It occurs when we first go under the surface of the waters, being as I said, one of the very first things to occur. That is why we often hear it referred to as the “initial evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.” However, from that point God wants to move us on; He wants to take us deeper under the surface. He wants us to come to know Him down in the depths of His Spirit – an intimate knowing of Him.
There are many Christians who speak with other tongues whose lives all but fall apart in times of trials. When the stormy tempestuous winds blow they are tossed to and fro. Why is this? It’s because they have never ventured very far down beneath the surface of the waters, where they had first received the gift of tongues. And don’t we all know how the waters at the surface get tossed about during the times of great gales? Since those waters are the spiritual lodging places of many, the many are tossed about. However, the waters far down under are not moved at all. When the fierce winds blow, the waters of the deep remain still and calm, and full of peace. Likewise, those who know their God in the depths of this Spirit Ocean are still and at peace during the dark and threatening days of their lives. This is why our Lord was so calm during the storm on the Sea of Galilee, as opposed to His disciples, who were frantic with fear. Their lodging places were on the surface of the waters in those days, and it was those very same disturbed waters that were actually symbolizing who they were.
There is a very important factor about this Ocean that makes it different than any ocean of our Earth. The further down you descend in any of the oceans of our world, the darker it becomes, for we are going further away from the sun. On the contrary, the further we go into the great Spirit Ocean, the lighter it becomes. For now we draw ever more near to the True Light of the world, of which the sun is only in some ways a type. Also we become engulfed in the “Father of Lights.” And do they not speak of the knowledge of Him? Oh the joy and the power of the waters made alive by His Spirit! And their length and breadth are from everlasting to everlasting. Praise Him; praise Him for the life eternal that He bestows upon those who call on Him, whoever descends to know the heart of the Father in the fullness of understanding. Other tongues? We’ve only just begun, as a lady once sang. We have only broken the ocean’s surface. And the surface waters will always afford us many wonderful pleasures in our God. But they should not become our lodging place. For the Ocean is great. And where can its boundaries be discovered? Let us not be afraid to know Him in the deep.
J. Pecoraro
Feb. 10th, 2009
Yet the imagery that I have found to be my very favorite cannot be discovered in the scriptures. It is however certainly biblical. Though it would reveal the Spirit’s peace, its consummation of us, and its mystique, these are not its emphasis. Its emphasis is the Spirit’s infinity, yet all of the Spirit’s attributes are to be found in the picture. I believe that the imagery of which I speak was given me of the Spirit, and I have come to cherish it to this day. I once envisioned an infinite ocean – a sunlit infinite ocean of peace and love and joy, and really every good gift that comes down from “the Father of lights.” Not on the north, or the south, or the east, or the west, was there seen a shore. Likewise there existed no floor to the Great Ocean. It did however have one border. The Ocean ended at the top, I guess is a way of putting it. Yes, the Ocean’s only border was the surface. But the surface is needed since this is the Ocean that we are baptized down into when we are baptized into God’s Holy Spirit. It is much different than being baptized into water. When we are baptized into water, the water is physical and without life. Also it has borders, even if they are not within our view. But when we are baptized into the Holy Spirit of God the waters are spiritual and altogether alive. These are the living waters that we read of in the scriptures. To add, there are no borders, since this Ocean is God the Holy Spirit, and all who believe in Him and know Him also know that He is from everlasting to everlasting.
It is a very sad thing that the average Pentecostal believes that speaking in tongues signifies that the baptism of the Spirit has been made complete. But the fact of the matter is that this great baptism is never made complete. For what the first step of a never ending journey is to the remainder of the journey, so is the experience of speaking in other tongues to this Spirit baptism. It is only one of the very first things to occur, yet we make it to cover the length and breadth of our adventure. This I say because we use the terms “tongues,” and “baptism of the Holy Spirit,” interchangeably, as though there is no difference at all between the two. But I repeat, “tongues,” is only a small part of this experience. It occurs when we first go under the surface of the waters, being as I said, one of the very first things to occur. That is why we often hear it referred to as the “initial evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.” However, from that point God wants to move us on; He wants to take us deeper under the surface. He wants us to come to know Him down in the depths of His Spirit – an intimate knowing of Him.
There are many Christians who speak with other tongues whose lives all but fall apart in times of trials. When the stormy tempestuous winds blow they are tossed to and fro. Why is this? It’s because they have never ventured very far down beneath the surface of the waters, where they had first received the gift of tongues. And don’t we all know how the waters at the surface get tossed about during the times of great gales? Since those waters are the spiritual lodging places of many, the many are tossed about. However, the waters far down under are not moved at all. When the fierce winds blow, the waters of the deep remain still and calm, and full of peace. Likewise, those who know their God in the depths of this Spirit Ocean are still and at peace during the dark and threatening days of their lives. This is why our Lord was so calm during the storm on the Sea of Galilee, as opposed to His disciples, who were frantic with fear. Their lodging places were on the surface of the waters in those days, and it was those very same disturbed waters that were actually symbolizing who they were.
There is a very important factor about this Ocean that makes it different than any ocean of our Earth. The further down you descend in any of the oceans of our world, the darker it becomes, for we are going further away from the sun. On the contrary, the further we go into the great Spirit Ocean, the lighter it becomes. For now we draw ever more near to the True Light of the world, of which the sun is only in some ways a type. Also we become engulfed in the “Father of Lights.” And do they not speak of the knowledge of Him? Oh the joy and the power of the waters made alive by His Spirit! And their length and breadth are from everlasting to everlasting. Praise Him; praise Him for the life eternal that He bestows upon those who call on Him, whoever descends to know the heart of the Father in the fullness of understanding. Other tongues? We’ve only just begun, as a lady once sang. We have only broken the ocean’s surface. And the surface waters will always afford us many wonderful pleasures in our God. But they should not become our lodging place. For the Ocean is great. And where can its boundaries be discovered? Let us not be afraid to know Him in the deep.
J. Pecoraro
Feb. 10th, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
Another Kind of Brother: Remembering Raul Velez
Some days ago I received a bit of tragic news from the director of Chicago Teen Challenge, a place where I had worked on a part-time basis, from February of 1996 to January of 2003. As we rode along in his vehicle he informed me that Raul Velez, a student I had come to know well in those days, had been shot and killed on his sister’s front porch. It happened on the day before Thanksgiving, while he was calling on his nephew. Upon hearing this I cried out in anguish, “oh no!” Never had I reacted so emotionally in hearing of someone’s death, whether friend or relative. I had even surprised myself. But Raul was special in my eyes. Sometimes you meet a person, and after getting to know them awhile, you sense that they are of a like spirit as your own. That’s the way it was with him and I. Over the months that he was there we had developed a mutual appreciation for one another.
I would say that about seven hundred men entered that program in my seven years there. I considered us all brothers, not sons of one human father, to be sure. We were brothers of another kind, sons of our Father above. And never were we this more, than when our spirits were joined together to study the Word of Truth. Of all seven hundred, I cannot think of one whose friendship I valued more than I did Raul’s. And this was the one who I had received the horrifying news about. In the past, I don’t know how many times I’ve told my wife that the Cubs had traded my favorite player. It seemed this happened every year for quite a few years. However, that was only one out of thirty players or so. But now, out of seven hundred, I’d lost my favorite brother. I only hope that a real gem is given us in his place.
Only two years ago, I and another former student of Teen Challenge, went to pick up Raul at his house. It was great to see him again. All three of us were gone from the program a good while now. I learned of how some months before, Raul was shot multiple times by a gang banger, a former rival of his. He had nearly died, but was spared. Raul lived in a gang infested neighborhood, in which he himself was once involved in gang activity. Not only this, but he was an important figure, feared and respected by many. He also had a reputation of brawling with the men in blue. It seemed he had no fear of anything in those days.
It was sometime around 2001 that Raul entered Teen Challenge. He had grown tired of all his evil ways, and no doubt, numerous incarcerations. He knew that somewhere God was watching, and that with Him there must be forgiveness; he was determined to seek His face and to throw himself upon His mercy. This is what he’d done. He finished the program, refusing to drop out as did so many. Raul’s life had become a changed one. He struggled more than most to stay on the right path. Still, if he wandered off, he’d find his way back again. He was not of the quitting kind.
Living only two or three blocks from the Teen Challenge center, he would often take walks there. He found that visiting and talking with the staff proved to be a means of spiritual support for him. It was during one of those walks that he was badly shot up. Seeing the vehicle approach, he knew there was nowhere to run. All that he could do was to throw himself under a parked car. The offender then hopped out of his own car, and mercilessly placing his firearm under the vehicle where Raul lay, he let the hot lead fly. I later saw his scars- not a very pretty sight.
Back somewhere around fifty years ago, a smash hit play came to Broadway. Later it became a movie. Over time I’ve viewed it again and again. If it hasn’t become my very favorite movie ever, there couldn’t be more than two or three others that would rival it. The name of it is West Side Story. Both the setting and its story line seem for some reason to resonate deep within me, making a connection in my spirit that I could never put into words. Being drawn to the inner city, and the love that I have for it, is a thing that God has placed in my heart, I’m sure. My desire is towards it and its people. No doubt this is why the Lord has led me into ministry in these areas. Raul Velez lived his entire life in the inner city. Surprisingly, his life mirrored that of one of West Side Story’s main characters. His name was Tony. For most of Tony’s days, few as they were, there was but one thing that he lived for. It was the gang to which he belonged. Also his gang brothers considered him a very important person to the family. These same things could have been said about Raul.
There came a day when Tony sensed a very beautiful thing coming his way. It was just around the corner, just down the street; this was what he had told his best buddy. The news seemed good to Riff. But what scared him was the fact that this thing may not have been connected to their way of life. For as of late Tony seemed to be losing interest in the Jets – the Jets – that which had become their world. Likewise it occurred with Raul. He’d reached a point where he had envisioned another road for himself, a brighter hope, a greater future, one in fact that would span eternity. Subsequently, upon coming to Teen Challenge, he came to believe in the concept of everlasting life in a wonderful city of pure light, a city made without hands, as the scripture tells it. Raul came to believe in such a place. Beyond this he learned to embrace its promises.
In the movie, West Side Story, Tony’s dream appeared to him one night, just as he believed it would. It came in the form of a beautiful young lady. He’d met her at a dance. It was love at first sight, as we like to say. The two wasted no time in making plans. First and foremost they would marry. And though she was the sister of a rival gang leader, they would win him over. They would also make Riff understand. Beyond this they would bring the Jets and the Sharks together in peace. Lastly, due to the fact that the two were not of the same race, they’d also cause their parents to see through the same new eyes that they had discovered. Then, upon changing so many lives for the good, they would leave the inner city. They would seek out open spaces – a place to stretch out their souls. They’d find peace and quiet and raise their own family. Their hope was firm and their joy was bursting, while they looked ahead to a bright future. It was never meant to be for the young couple, so filled with love for each other. When news of the two reached the ears of a certain member of the Sharks, he found Tony and gunned him down. The sounds of shots sent members of both gangs running to where he lay. Also, there came the one he loved. As he drew his last breaths, Maria sang to him even now a beautiful song of hope. Tony died on the same bloodstained streets he once played on, and later fought on, the only streets he would ever know. Very similar were the circumstances surrounding the death of Raul Velez. After completing his time at Teen Challenge, he began to distance himself from his former associates. More time passed and he had moved to a neighborhood further west of where he grew up. It wasn’t considered a high crime area; neither was it gang infested. Raul had become engaged and was looking forward to a marriage in which he was about to become a father to a young boy about ten years of age. He had received his CDL and it seemed it was but a matter of time before he’d be landing a job. But just like with Tony, his dream for some reason was not meant to be. Who knows why but God and the angels - most especially the ones who knew and walked with Raul? But we poor mortals could only speculate. Would the words of fools sound empty to the wise? Nearly every time. Would the words of the wise make sense to fools? Probably not. But in the end it still remains that it is God alone who fully knows and understands every matter. What the family and friends of Raul Velez could only know for sure, is that on November 26th, 2008, the day before Thanksgiving, he was shot to death on his sister’s porch. He drew his last breath on the same bloodstained streets that he once played on, and later fought on, the only streets he would ever really know. His blossom fell, and short of the bright future he had begun to envision. I must believe that he’s been caught up to an even brighter place, a land of eternal light, where he’ll again know the young lady and her boy, but then in a much more perfect way. And he’ll know not only them, but the untold number that his God shall bring him. God bless my brother. Eternal life to my good friend.
J. Pecoraro
Jan 28th, 2009
P.S. Pray for the family of Raul.
I would say that about seven hundred men entered that program in my seven years there. I considered us all brothers, not sons of one human father, to be sure. We were brothers of another kind, sons of our Father above. And never were we this more, than when our spirits were joined together to study the Word of Truth. Of all seven hundred, I cannot think of one whose friendship I valued more than I did Raul’s. And this was the one who I had received the horrifying news about. In the past, I don’t know how many times I’ve told my wife that the Cubs had traded my favorite player. It seemed this happened every year for quite a few years. However, that was only one out of thirty players or so. But now, out of seven hundred, I’d lost my favorite brother. I only hope that a real gem is given us in his place.
Only two years ago, I and another former student of Teen Challenge, went to pick up Raul at his house. It was great to see him again. All three of us were gone from the program a good while now. I learned of how some months before, Raul was shot multiple times by a gang banger, a former rival of his. He had nearly died, but was spared. Raul lived in a gang infested neighborhood, in which he himself was once involved in gang activity. Not only this, but he was an important figure, feared and respected by many. He also had a reputation of brawling with the men in blue. It seemed he had no fear of anything in those days.
It was sometime around 2001 that Raul entered Teen Challenge. He had grown tired of all his evil ways, and no doubt, numerous incarcerations. He knew that somewhere God was watching, and that with Him there must be forgiveness; he was determined to seek His face and to throw himself upon His mercy. This is what he’d done. He finished the program, refusing to drop out as did so many. Raul’s life had become a changed one. He struggled more than most to stay on the right path. Still, if he wandered off, he’d find his way back again. He was not of the quitting kind.
Living only two or three blocks from the Teen Challenge center, he would often take walks there. He found that visiting and talking with the staff proved to be a means of spiritual support for him. It was during one of those walks that he was badly shot up. Seeing the vehicle approach, he knew there was nowhere to run. All that he could do was to throw himself under a parked car. The offender then hopped out of his own car, and mercilessly placing his firearm under the vehicle where Raul lay, he let the hot lead fly. I later saw his scars- not a very pretty sight.
Back somewhere around fifty years ago, a smash hit play came to Broadway. Later it became a movie. Over time I’ve viewed it again and again. If it hasn’t become my very favorite movie ever, there couldn’t be more than two or three others that would rival it. The name of it is West Side Story. Both the setting and its story line seem for some reason to resonate deep within me, making a connection in my spirit that I could never put into words. Being drawn to the inner city, and the love that I have for it, is a thing that God has placed in my heart, I’m sure. My desire is towards it and its people. No doubt this is why the Lord has led me into ministry in these areas. Raul Velez lived his entire life in the inner city. Surprisingly, his life mirrored that of one of West Side Story’s main characters. His name was Tony. For most of Tony’s days, few as they were, there was but one thing that he lived for. It was the gang to which he belonged. Also his gang brothers considered him a very important person to the family. These same things could have been said about Raul.
There came a day when Tony sensed a very beautiful thing coming his way. It was just around the corner, just down the street; this was what he had told his best buddy. The news seemed good to Riff. But what scared him was the fact that this thing may not have been connected to their way of life. For as of late Tony seemed to be losing interest in the Jets – the Jets – that which had become their world. Likewise it occurred with Raul. He’d reached a point where he had envisioned another road for himself, a brighter hope, a greater future, one in fact that would span eternity. Subsequently, upon coming to Teen Challenge, he came to believe in the concept of everlasting life in a wonderful city of pure light, a city made without hands, as the scripture tells it. Raul came to believe in such a place. Beyond this he learned to embrace its promises.
In the movie, West Side Story, Tony’s dream appeared to him one night, just as he believed it would. It came in the form of a beautiful young lady. He’d met her at a dance. It was love at first sight, as we like to say. The two wasted no time in making plans. First and foremost they would marry. And though she was the sister of a rival gang leader, they would win him over. They would also make Riff understand. Beyond this they would bring the Jets and the Sharks together in peace. Lastly, due to the fact that the two were not of the same race, they’d also cause their parents to see through the same new eyes that they had discovered. Then, upon changing so many lives for the good, they would leave the inner city. They would seek out open spaces – a place to stretch out their souls. They’d find peace and quiet and raise their own family. Their hope was firm and their joy was bursting, while they looked ahead to a bright future. It was never meant to be for the young couple, so filled with love for each other. When news of the two reached the ears of a certain member of the Sharks, he found Tony and gunned him down. The sounds of shots sent members of both gangs running to where he lay. Also, there came the one he loved. As he drew his last breaths, Maria sang to him even now a beautiful song of hope. Tony died on the same bloodstained streets he once played on, and later fought on, the only streets he would ever know. Very similar were the circumstances surrounding the death of Raul Velez. After completing his time at Teen Challenge, he began to distance himself from his former associates. More time passed and he had moved to a neighborhood further west of where he grew up. It wasn’t considered a high crime area; neither was it gang infested. Raul had become engaged and was looking forward to a marriage in which he was about to become a father to a young boy about ten years of age. He had received his CDL and it seemed it was but a matter of time before he’d be landing a job. But just like with Tony, his dream for some reason was not meant to be. Who knows why but God and the angels - most especially the ones who knew and walked with Raul? But we poor mortals could only speculate. Would the words of fools sound empty to the wise? Nearly every time. Would the words of the wise make sense to fools? Probably not. But in the end it still remains that it is God alone who fully knows and understands every matter. What the family and friends of Raul Velez could only know for sure, is that on November 26th, 2008, the day before Thanksgiving, he was shot to death on his sister’s porch. He drew his last breath on the same bloodstained streets that he once played on, and later fought on, the only streets he would ever really know. His blossom fell, and short of the bright future he had begun to envision. I must believe that he’s been caught up to an even brighter place, a land of eternal light, where he’ll again know the young lady and her boy, but then in a much more perfect way. And he’ll know not only them, but the untold number that his God shall bring him. God bless my brother. Eternal life to my good friend.
J. Pecoraro
Jan 28th, 2009
P.S. Pray for the family of Raul.
Monday, January 19, 2009
The Real Economy
The following article was written in September 2008. It is the reason why some opening statements will appear as old news.
In Webster's Dictionary, one of the definitions for the word economy reads, "the management of household or private affairs and esp. expenses." Today, when we Americans hear the word economy, automatically we become minded of what kind of shape the nation is in, monetarily speaking. As of late, the talk we hear is not at all good. The foundations are beginning to shake, so it seems. People are becoming increasingly fearful. And some even say that a recession, or even worse, is just a matter of time. But what is one of the things that can cause an economy to rebound during tough times such as these? It is for people to spend; the more we spend the better. The more that our dollars circulate from person to person and place to place the healthier the economy will become. It is a free flow of currency that will help set a nation on its feet again. And so, a good and stable economy depends largely on the spending of the people. Is there then a different criteria for the economy of the universal body of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God? Will it also not thrive because of the spending of the people? I would say most definitely. The answer is the same as for the secular society about us. The answer is spending. But it will not be the flow of currency that will make for a strong economy. This is because the kingdom of God is not of this world. It is for the time, in this world, but never of it. And so, the cure for the economy of the church of Christ can never be a healthy circulation of currency. But it is other things that must be released by the people, things far greater in value than money. What must each and every member of Christ's beloved church become determined to spend upon one another? Moreover, what is it that we must see ourselves as obligated to throw into the free flowing streams of the economy of God? These are the things that make the kingdom of God go-round:
First and foremost we must shed upon one another love. This we will do as we allow Christ our head to shed abroad his own love in our hearts.
What about joy? Is it not the joy that comes from knowing that we are a child of God, that inspires another to keep moving on when their path turns rugged?
There's the peace that passes understanding that causes one to wonder as they behold it in their brother. They soon are bent on knowing it for themselves.
The patience with which we endure trials goes on display to many; they then are moved to become strong and to wait upon the God of heaven and earth.
Acts of goodness and of kindness flow through the hearts of their recipients; like quiet, gentle streams they mightily bless the soul.
Those who are ever true to their word serve as fine examples and firm pillars for young ones who follow in their way.
To be gentle among all men and maintain a right spirit, is always as a crown of gold upon the head. Those who see it raise their vision to higher heights.
Wisdom is gleaned from believers who walk before us.
We catch the faith of another; scales fall and our eyes are opened wide.
Healings pass from the hand of one who has known their share of burdens; a miracle has made us whole.
The hospitality of some bring us together that we may know our brothers and sisters; we become united in our God.
From teachers we learn. By shepherds we are kept. Through prophets we hear the Words of the Father. He thunders them; He whispers them; He sings to us in the night - "this is the way" is the song that He gives.
All of these things are the practices that stir the economy of God. This indeed is the true economy. It is what is real, for it is forever. It is not like man's economy. The foundation trembles, the walls begin to shake, and it all comes down. A rebuilding is needed. Also, the economy of man is made to work by a thing the scripture calls "a root of all kinds of evil.” But the economy of God is caused to flow by the things that are born of love.
When taking this subject matter into serious consideration, there should arise a question that every believer must ask themselves. The question is this: What is the condition of the economy in the church today? I say this regretfully. I see a recession, and that at best. Why do I believe it? The answer is in one simple word. The word is hording. One may say, "The things that you spoke of are called gifts in the Bible. These gifts are not for everyone. So how can those without, horde? How can they play any real part in stimulating the economy of God's people?" My only response would be this: What loving earthly father would give gifts to some of His children but not to others? How cruel a thing it would be. To quote Jesus, "If you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts unto you?" God, who is in heaven, has surely by His love and mercy, gifted every human being in some way. How much more does He gift those born of His Spirit? Yet I am convinced that many of His offspring are totally inactive in the contribution of their gifts - gifts of which others are in need and would be stirred.
I believe that there are multiple reasons for this, but none that will be justified by the gift Giver one day. We may hear from Him, "I know that you were occupied with your work more than most,” or, “I was aware of the health problems you had," or, "I realized that you had a large family to tend to." But never will we hear, "I understand." Actually, there are a number of factors that keep us from spending our gifts upon one another. I would say that one of the most common is fear. So many have all their lives felt insecure, inferior to others, uncertain of themselves due to past failures. And so they are deadly afraid that if they gave an effort to extend an ability or two, that the result may be too painful - or worse, disastrous.
Another deterrent is that we don't see any real need for our input. We think that enough is being put into practice by others. And so we ask ourselves how much more of an impact our little addition would have on the Lord's redeemed. Since our hands are full with other matters as it is, we rationalize that all will go well in our absence. Then there are those who have never even been instructed that they are to be a living and active member in the eternal body of Christ. Normally, these have long attended churches non evangelical in nature. And the reasons go on. But each one of them stay alive and breathing in us due to the same great sin of omission. Simply, it is this. We do not talk to the Father. Without a daily time of communion with Him, through the person of the Son and of the Spirit, we walk through this life spiritually blindfolded. Born again or not, we will from time to time hear no more than a few words from His throne. The "personal relationship" with God that we evangelicals like to speak of will be only meaningless terminology. And if our footprints were seen on the path that we travel, they would appear as those of a staggering man; this signifying as the scripture says, "double-minded and unstable in all his ways.” Or as it is written in the letter to the Ephesians, "tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine.” In other words, without an established and an effective life of communion with God our Maker, our journeying with Him in the Spirit would be of little gain at best. When on the waters, shipwreck would often be the case. And remember, to the carnal mind, shipwreck may not be detected for what it is. For if we are at that time, knowing a period of worldly success, we will never see beyond it. To sum it up, if we do not stay in touch with the Almighty, by way of strong and meaningful prayer times, we will hear little, see little, and know little intimacy in the Father and the Son. Also, we will wander about, often mistaking fallacies for truth. Unstable will be our foundation, and with the destroyer always near. But such are not the horrific misfortunes of the sons and the daughters that speak always with the Father.
From the storehouse of their thoughts, they bring before Him all their matters. He directs them in the way.
They praise His Name until the Spirit rains down upon them. Are they not then His delight?
Upon the glory and the power, the beauty and the majesty, the wind and the fire, His love and His mercies, do they always dwell. He renews their minds with good things.
And to those who lay bare to Him all that is in their hearts, He in turn becomes an open book. And so they glean much wisdom and much knowledge, from abba Father. He unfolds it to them because they sit always at His feet. They become wise also of things deceptive, for He grants them a discerning spirit.
But in addition to all these, they learn of a matter of crucial importance. They have discovered who they are in the body of Jesus Christ. They have found their place. For He has clearly pointed it out to them. And in that capacity do they employ themselves. This they do through a strength and an understanding that comes not from themselves. Surely they do their part in stimulating the economy in the church of the living God.
All, however, are not of this way. Why? I reiterate. The great sin of omission keeps them from exercising their roles among their brothers and their sisters. That sin being, they do not keep company with the Father and the Son. If they did, He would bring to light many things. This He longs to do. But He only does it to the same degree that we speak with Him. And one thing that He truly desires to reveal is who we are, so that we may know how to function. If we feel that there are issues that will hinder us from functioning in the way He has prescribed, He will remove even mountains. We must only continue to ask and believe. One may say, "I can't believe for a thing so big." Yet when we were born of Him, we needed to believe Him for a supernatural birth. He is the same Person now that He was at that time, and it is the same faith that we exercise - not a greater one. We simply believe. He then will remove any obstacle that keeps us from taking our place in the Son. But it all must begin with consistent times of communion. From these we come to know and trust Him more; we see just how real He is, and how true are His promises.
Presently, I believe that the economy in this nation of “kings and priests,” as we are defined in scripture, is not doing well at all. Kings have always been men of great wealth and power, and priests have always been more than cared for by those for whom they intercede. So how is it that there is a nation of “kings and priests” who belong to none but Almighty God, yet they are found to be in rags? It must be an astounding thing to behold by the angels - those who walk with us, who speak a word, who minister to our needs.
For many years now, church leaders along with their flocks, have prayed for the kingdom to be revived. They have prayed, fasted, begged, and wept over the matter. It is going to come. Personally, I believe that it shouldn't be long now - one last revival. I also believe we're going to get something more from the hand of God, something we've neither asked for, nor have been looking for. I feel we may be in store for a second reformation, though not as major a one as the first. I see the church being turned upside down, and then upright again. Although our heads may swim a bit before we stand firm on our feet, we then will see more clear than ever. Men and women of faith have for decades sought the Lord for a powerful awakening. But when this final move of the Spirit comes, it will not be due so much to the prayers of the saints as it will be to the carrying out of the perfect will of the Most High. For the time will be right, the stage will be set, and the Spirit will fall. Suddenly the economy will start to thrive; it will thrive, and it will thrive, and it will thrive, and there will be none to stop it. For the Almighty Maker of the heavens and the earth has all at once jump started it. Where the efforts of men could not bring the rain, God, by a Word, has sent a deluge overnight. In that day, all of His children will speak with Him. All will become acquainted with their Father in heaven. This they will do by way of the Son. Believers everywhere will come to know their place in the great and holy temple of the most high God. Each will understand that they are a precious living stone, amongst an untold number of other living stones, just as themselves. And, like a mighty cornerstone, there stands none but the Son of God - strong and true forever. This powerful act of the One who reigns on high will commence in such a way that the church will quickly pick up on it and hasten forward by its power. Unlike at other times in our history, there will come no slowdown of this final surge of God's Spirit upon the earth. It will be through no effort of the flesh that the resources of heaven will be so richly spent upon one another, each one doing their part. Then it will come - the great catching away. Now every hidden hope will be brought to light - every dream fulfilled. Now shall we abide with our Christ, and walk with our King. Now the kingdom reigns.
By: J. Pecoraro
September 30, 2008
In Webster's Dictionary, one of the definitions for the word economy reads, "the management of household or private affairs and esp. expenses." Today, when we Americans hear the word economy, automatically we become minded of what kind of shape the nation is in, monetarily speaking. As of late, the talk we hear is not at all good. The foundations are beginning to shake, so it seems. People are becoming increasingly fearful. And some even say that a recession, or even worse, is just a matter of time. But what is one of the things that can cause an economy to rebound during tough times such as these? It is for people to spend; the more we spend the better. The more that our dollars circulate from person to person and place to place the healthier the economy will become. It is a free flow of currency that will help set a nation on its feet again. And so, a good and stable economy depends largely on the spending of the people. Is there then a different criteria for the economy of the universal body of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God? Will it also not thrive because of the spending of the people? I would say most definitely. The answer is the same as for the secular society about us. The answer is spending. But it will not be the flow of currency that will make for a strong economy. This is because the kingdom of God is not of this world. It is for the time, in this world, but never of it. And so, the cure for the economy of the church of Christ can never be a healthy circulation of currency. But it is other things that must be released by the people, things far greater in value than money. What must each and every member of Christ's beloved church become determined to spend upon one another? Moreover, what is it that we must see ourselves as obligated to throw into the free flowing streams of the economy of God? These are the things that make the kingdom of God go-round:
First and foremost we must shed upon one another love. This we will do as we allow Christ our head to shed abroad his own love in our hearts.
What about joy? Is it not the joy that comes from knowing that we are a child of God, that inspires another to keep moving on when their path turns rugged?
There's the peace that passes understanding that causes one to wonder as they behold it in their brother. They soon are bent on knowing it for themselves.
The patience with which we endure trials goes on display to many; they then are moved to become strong and to wait upon the God of heaven and earth.
Acts of goodness and of kindness flow through the hearts of their recipients; like quiet, gentle streams they mightily bless the soul.
Those who are ever true to their word serve as fine examples and firm pillars for young ones who follow in their way.
To be gentle among all men and maintain a right spirit, is always as a crown of gold upon the head. Those who see it raise their vision to higher heights.
Wisdom is gleaned from believers who walk before us.
We catch the faith of another; scales fall and our eyes are opened wide.
Healings pass from the hand of one who has known their share of burdens; a miracle has made us whole.
The hospitality of some bring us together that we may know our brothers and sisters; we become united in our God.
From teachers we learn. By shepherds we are kept. Through prophets we hear the Words of the Father. He thunders them; He whispers them; He sings to us in the night - "this is the way" is the song that He gives.
All of these things are the practices that stir the economy of God. This indeed is the true economy. It is what is real, for it is forever. It is not like man's economy. The foundation trembles, the walls begin to shake, and it all comes down. A rebuilding is needed. Also, the economy of man is made to work by a thing the scripture calls "a root of all kinds of evil.” But the economy of God is caused to flow by the things that are born of love.
When taking this subject matter into serious consideration, there should arise a question that every believer must ask themselves. The question is this: What is the condition of the economy in the church today? I say this regretfully. I see a recession, and that at best. Why do I believe it? The answer is in one simple word. The word is hording. One may say, "The things that you spoke of are called gifts in the Bible. These gifts are not for everyone. So how can those without, horde? How can they play any real part in stimulating the economy of God's people?" My only response would be this: What loving earthly father would give gifts to some of His children but not to others? How cruel a thing it would be. To quote Jesus, "If you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts unto you?" God, who is in heaven, has surely by His love and mercy, gifted every human being in some way. How much more does He gift those born of His Spirit? Yet I am convinced that many of His offspring are totally inactive in the contribution of their gifts - gifts of which others are in need and would be stirred.
I believe that there are multiple reasons for this, but none that will be justified by the gift Giver one day. We may hear from Him, "I know that you were occupied with your work more than most,” or, “I was aware of the health problems you had," or, "I realized that you had a large family to tend to." But never will we hear, "I understand." Actually, there are a number of factors that keep us from spending our gifts upon one another. I would say that one of the most common is fear. So many have all their lives felt insecure, inferior to others, uncertain of themselves due to past failures. And so they are deadly afraid that if they gave an effort to extend an ability or two, that the result may be too painful - or worse, disastrous.
Another deterrent is that we don't see any real need for our input. We think that enough is being put into practice by others. And so we ask ourselves how much more of an impact our little addition would have on the Lord's redeemed. Since our hands are full with other matters as it is, we rationalize that all will go well in our absence. Then there are those who have never even been instructed that they are to be a living and active member in the eternal body of Christ. Normally, these have long attended churches non evangelical in nature. And the reasons go on. But each one of them stay alive and breathing in us due to the same great sin of omission. Simply, it is this. We do not talk to the Father. Without a daily time of communion with Him, through the person of the Son and of the Spirit, we walk through this life spiritually blindfolded. Born again or not, we will from time to time hear no more than a few words from His throne. The "personal relationship" with God that we evangelicals like to speak of will be only meaningless terminology. And if our footprints were seen on the path that we travel, they would appear as those of a staggering man; this signifying as the scripture says, "double-minded and unstable in all his ways.” Or as it is written in the letter to the Ephesians, "tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine.” In other words, without an established and an effective life of communion with God our Maker, our journeying with Him in the Spirit would be of little gain at best. When on the waters, shipwreck would often be the case. And remember, to the carnal mind, shipwreck may not be detected for what it is. For if we are at that time, knowing a period of worldly success, we will never see beyond it. To sum it up, if we do not stay in touch with the Almighty, by way of strong and meaningful prayer times, we will hear little, see little, and know little intimacy in the Father and the Son. Also, we will wander about, often mistaking fallacies for truth. Unstable will be our foundation, and with the destroyer always near. But such are not the horrific misfortunes of the sons and the daughters that speak always with the Father.
From the storehouse of their thoughts, they bring before Him all their matters. He directs them in the way.
They praise His Name until the Spirit rains down upon them. Are they not then His delight?
Upon the glory and the power, the beauty and the majesty, the wind and the fire, His love and His mercies, do they always dwell. He renews their minds with good things.
And to those who lay bare to Him all that is in their hearts, He in turn becomes an open book. And so they glean much wisdom and much knowledge, from abba Father. He unfolds it to them because they sit always at His feet. They become wise also of things deceptive, for He grants them a discerning spirit.
But in addition to all these, they learn of a matter of crucial importance. They have discovered who they are in the body of Jesus Christ. They have found their place. For He has clearly pointed it out to them. And in that capacity do they employ themselves. This they do through a strength and an understanding that comes not from themselves. Surely they do their part in stimulating the economy in the church of the living God.
All, however, are not of this way. Why? I reiterate. The great sin of omission keeps them from exercising their roles among their brothers and their sisters. That sin being, they do not keep company with the Father and the Son. If they did, He would bring to light many things. This He longs to do. But He only does it to the same degree that we speak with Him. And one thing that He truly desires to reveal is who we are, so that we may know how to function. If we feel that there are issues that will hinder us from functioning in the way He has prescribed, He will remove even mountains. We must only continue to ask and believe. One may say, "I can't believe for a thing so big." Yet when we were born of Him, we needed to believe Him for a supernatural birth. He is the same Person now that He was at that time, and it is the same faith that we exercise - not a greater one. We simply believe. He then will remove any obstacle that keeps us from taking our place in the Son. But it all must begin with consistent times of communion. From these we come to know and trust Him more; we see just how real He is, and how true are His promises.
Presently, I believe that the economy in this nation of “kings and priests,” as we are defined in scripture, is not doing well at all. Kings have always been men of great wealth and power, and priests have always been more than cared for by those for whom they intercede. So how is it that there is a nation of “kings and priests” who belong to none but Almighty God, yet they are found to be in rags? It must be an astounding thing to behold by the angels - those who walk with us, who speak a word, who minister to our needs.
For many years now, church leaders along with their flocks, have prayed for the kingdom to be revived. They have prayed, fasted, begged, and wept over the matter. It is going to come. Personally, I believe that it shouldn't be long now - one last revival. I also believe we're going to get something more from the hand of God, something we've neither asked for, nor have been looking for. I feel we may be in store for a second reformation, though not as major a one as the first. I see the church being turned upside down, and then upright again. Although our heads may swim a bit before we stand firm on our feet, we then will see more clear than ever. Men and women of faith have for decades sought the Lord for a powerful awakening. But when this final move of the Spirit comes, it will not be due so much to the prayers of the saints as it will be to the carrying out of the perfect will of the Most High. For the time will be right, the stage will be set, and the Spirit will fall. Suddenly the economy will start to thrive; it will thrive, and it will thrive, and it will thrive, and there will be none to stop it. For the Almighty Maker of the heavens and the earth has all at once jump started it. Where the efforts of men could not bring the rain, God, by a Word, has sent a deluge overnight. In that day, all of His children will speak with Him. All will become acquainted with their Father in heaven. This they will do by way of the Son. Believers everywhere will come to know their place in the great and holy temple of the most high God. Each will understand that they are a precious living stone, amongst an untold number of other living stones, just as themselves. And, like a mighty cornerstone, there stands none but the Son of God - strong and true forever. This powerful act of the One who reigns on high will commence in such a way that the church will quickly pick up on it and hasten forward by its power. Unlike at other times in our history, there will come no slowdown of this final surge of God's Spirit upon the earth. It will be through no effort of the flesh that the resources of heaven will be so richly spent upon one another, each one doing their part. Then it will come - the great catching away. Now every hidden hope will be brought to light - every dream fulfilled. Now shall we abide with our Christ, and walk with our King. Now the kingdom reigns.
By: J. Pecoraro
September 30, 2008
Friday, January 2, 2009
From Melchizedek, to Levi, to Melchizedek Forever
Once, long ago, there roamed upon the earth a very peculiar man. He was a man steeped in mystery, and so great, that even the beast he rode must had been especially chosen by his God. He was a solitary man. By all means he was a king. Yet he had no kingdom in our world. Beyond this he was a priest. Yet he had no temple in which to perform ceremonial acts. Instead, his service was directed straight to the heart of the Creator of the heavens and the earth. As king he ruled not over lands; neither did he rule over peoples. But the dominion of his inheritance was all virtue perfected, all goodness complete. Thus we are told that Melchizedek was “king of righteousness” and “king of peace.” Also, it can be read of him that he was “without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life.” To add, his priesthood would be forever. In him there would reside no condemnation, nor would there be any darkness of the soul.
Melchizedek lived about five hundred years before a Hebrew people were liberated from the land of Egypt by the hand of God himself. This put him as a contemporary of Abraham’s. Following Israel’s miraculous crossing of the Red Sea, en route to a land that the Lord was preparing for them, a society of their own needed to be formed. At the very heart of this society would be a religion known as Judaism. At the center of this religion would be the Levitical Priesthood. Both for the priests and all the people, rules and regulations beyond number were given. These needed to be revered and obeyed. They were handed down to the priests by the man Moses. But these were entrusted to Moses by none other than the Almighty, who would descend upon the gloomy mountain called “Sinai.” There God’s law was given to the man of His choice, through the mediation of angels. Since man had become estranged from his Creator, and there were none who walked “in the way,” the law of God was needed to govern and give structure to a people He would call unto Himself. Still, all of the law in its entirety would only be needed until the arrival of a future time, a new day, one far superior to the day of Moses.
Generations rose and generations fell. The racing hands of time swept even the centuries along. Yet one thing that would ever remain in the minds of the Hebrew people was the coming of a messiah. This concept was to them a Rock, and at the very core of their beliefs. It was a Rock that could neither be moved nor shaken. They looked for a Deliverer - a leader by who Israel would one day rule the world, casting off forever all of the yokes which had been placed upon them by other nations. In fact, their focus was more on a worldly kingdom than it was on a heavenly one. A Messiah indeed was waiting in the wings, but little did the Israelites know that the works he would perform would be so fantastic that they would greatly stagger the minds of men. They would go far beyond the ruling of the nations. For his ultimate purpose , where it concerned his brethren - those over which he would wisely govern and gently lead - would be to reinstate for them an order which had existed long long ago - the order of Melchizedek. He would in that day bring the Levitical order to extinction.
But who was this man of mystery? The man Melchizedek has baffled the minds of theologians through the ages, having become a very controversial character. I believe the answer is that his identity is really not so important. And so, it seems to me that even some great theological minds have somehow missed the point here. God did not move upon the author of “Hebrews” to write of this man so that we can spend a lot of time and energy guessing who he might have been. Instead we need to realize that our Heavenly Father had set within Melchizedek what the life-style of the man of faith is destined to become, and that through the Spirit, it should be diligently directed to that end. But don’t the scriptures clearly tell us that it is Christ that we are to pattern ourselves after? Most assuredly. Therefore it is none other than Jesus who shall be, and in fact is today, at the head of this new order. Surely this is inferred in the book of Hebrews. Who else, since He is God in the flesh? Certainly He will not be second in line to Melchizedek. Remember that the scriptures call the Lord the “Son of David.” But he is not David’s subordinate in any sense of the word. Likewise, the same holds true with Melchizedek, although, in the case of this man, it can very well be, that he and the Christ could never be set apart from one another.
The order of Melchizedek existed long before the Levitical Priesthood. Still, it only consisted of a single man. Though in some mystical sense he was many. He was a forerunner - one who would come to prepare a way for an order that would some day be an eternal priesthood, following the demise of all things Levitical. Moreover, in olden days, prior to the birth of the Redeemer, there were priests, and there were kings. No man, however, was both a priest and a king - excluding Melchizedek himself. Yet in the eternal priesthood that was to come from him, every priest would be a king, and every king a priest, even as the one who would spearhead the everlasting race.
Each man as priest would minister to the God of the heavens and the earth all love, devotion, reverence, and obedience, along with every good virtue rooted in the hearts of the living. Then from a heart pure, in which sin could no longer find a place, he would intercede for the many. To the great and Holy Father of lights, he would petition; this so that his kinsmen may prosper through untold blessings. By such communion his spirit would thrive all the more.
As a king, he would set his love upon all those his God would bring him. Upon their heads he’d set it. Because of his love, there would rest upon his own head a golden crown. For truly, love is as a crown of pure gold by which men become kings. And so his crown is for a sign that he sheds his love abroad. In unsurpassing gladness he’d serve and bless a great host of God’s creations all the days of eternity. He’d live under no law. For such a life is not in need of law. The love of the One who reigns on high would ever be its sole governing power.
Now, here is what has remained hidden for too long from the church of the Living God. The order of Melchizedek has already begun. Or should I say that it has taken up its Life once again? This came to pass in the days when the Son of God rose from the dead, at the time when He walked immortal among His disciples, and when He, before many witnesses, ascended into heaven. On the day that the Savior put off mortality, and became a new creation, the order of Melchizedek was reinstated. However, it is no longer made up of one mysterious man, but of multitudes upon multitudes of peculiar people.
In the second chapter of 1 Peter, “peculiar” is how the church is described: “a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people.” In this verse, “special people,” is found under the word peculiar in Young’s concordance. And so, all who have been elected to follow the Son in the eternal and “royal priesthood” have been made to be of a curious breed even as their forerunner. Now every person born of faith, every son and daughter of the Father, has been called to follow His Christ in the order of Melchizedek. It then behooves all men to walk as kings and priests unto their God, even as it has become every woman’s desire to minister unto Him in spirit and truth, and in all of her royal beauty.
The Day is upon us; the sun is rising in the sky. And today, we the church must open our eyes more than ever before. We who make up the Body of the One who is God in the flesh must give strict attention to the apostle’s admonition in the thirteenth chapter of the book of Romans: “The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.” Again he says in the fifth chapter of Ephesians: “Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” The time has come for us to rise above all of the weaknesses of our religious ways. Is not the end of all things at hand? Hasn’t the day arrived that the yoke of religion with all of its futile efforts be cast off from us? Or for what reason is it written, “Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty?” It is written because the Lord our God desires to liberate us from an order that has long ago become extinct. This was an order by which all men were bound by its laws, and by the works of their own strength. And through it, writes the author of “Hebrews,” “there was nothing made perfect.” But in the new order that has come with our Lord - “the Lord who is the Spirit” - all things have been made perfect. “And where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” What then must we do? We must invoke the Spirit of the Lord, so that we may be made free - free from the old Levitical Priesthood and set at liberty from the bondage of religion. If from our hearts we desire for the Spirit to rain down upon us, He will come. Then it will be for us as it is written in the fifth chapter of the book of Galatians: “But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”
Do we as believers in the One, True, Triune God, still hang back? Are we yet restrained by cords of slavery, not being able to break free from an ancient priesthood - an order, though dead, its influence lives on? We must give every effort, and utter every prayer to the Father in heaven, to be loosed from what is no more. Then we may take our rightful place in a new order - an order that will remain through ages everlasting. Then truly will we reign with the Son, where He is forever seated at the right hand of God.
- J. Pecoraro
November 25, 2008
“To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever.”
In the Holy scriptures there has been but one man besides Jesus to whom the office of both king and priest have been ascribed. It is the man Melchizedek. For the bible to ascribe all of God’s children as of his type, I would think that the intent is clearly to link us together with him.
Melchizedek’s ministry was in effect for hundreds of years before the Levitical Priesthood had ever begun. Then following a long period of Levitical intervention to the Almighty, on behalf of Israel, it arose again – as from the dead – to take up it’s life a second time; but now forever. No longer, as under the law, would one priest enter the “holy of holies,” to represent before God all of His chosen people. For upon the cross, when the Son cried out, “It is finished,” the curtain of the sacred sanctuary was torn by Hands invisible – from top to bottom. Now all born of the Spirit have been granted access into that most holy place – yes, even the secret place of God. Now every son has become a priest.
Likewise there would no longer be one king set over a great number of people, and for the mere purpose of ruling over them. For all who have become part of the second creation have also with this been made kings. Many – perhaps the vast majority – may never rule over a single soul. But a king is not one who simply reigns over others. Neither was it ever meant to be so by the Creator above. For what in essence makes a man a king, is when all of the grand and glorious fruits of our Heavenly Father flourish in him even as the oceans’ floors team with life in a vast array. For what is it that the bible tells us Melchizedek was king of? Not of a people, but of righteousness and of peace.
In the sacred writings of our God, He has done more than to take us from Levi to Melchizedek. He has gone from a garden in the beginning to a wondrous and brilliant city of gold in the end; He has moved from a single nation to the whole world; from law to the gospel; from the shadows of the old world to the substance of the new; from the flesh to the Spirit; one priest, He has multiplied into innumerable figures – one king, into an untold number. From little, to much, to the cup overflowing – this has and shall forever be the workings of our God.
Melchizedek lived about five hundred years before a Hebrew people were liberated from the land of Egypt by the hand of God himself. This put him as a contemporary of Abraham’s. Following Israel’s miraculous crossing of the Red Sea, en route to a land that the Lord was preparing for them, a society of their own needed to be formed. At the very heart of this society would be a religion known as Judaism. At the center of this religion would be the Levitical Priesthood. Both for the priests and all the people, rules and regulations beyond number were given. These needed to be revered and obeyed. They were handed down to the priests by the man Moses. But these were entrusted to Moses by none other than the Almighty, who would descend upon the gloomy mountain called “Sinai.” There God’s law was given to the man of His choice, through the mediation of angels. Since man had become estranged from his Creator, and there were none who walked “in the way,” the law of God was needed to govern and give structure to a people He would call unto Himself. Still, all of the law in its entirety would only be needed until the arrival of a future time, a new day, one far superior to the day of Moses.
Generations rose and generations fell. The racing hands of time swept even the centuries along. Yet one thing that would ever remain in the minds of the Hebrew people was the coming of a messiah. This concept was to them a Rock, and at the very core of their beliefs. It was a Rock that could neither be moved nor shaken. They looked for a Deliverer - a leader by who Israel would one day rule the world, casting off forever all of the yokes which had been placed upon them by other nations. In fact, their focus was more on a worldly kingdom than it was on a heavenly one. A Messiah indeed was waiting in the wings, but little did the Israelites know that the works he would perform would be so fantastic that they would greatly stagger the minds of men. They would go far beyond the ruling of the nations. For his ultimate purpose , where it concerned his brethren - those over which he would wisely govern and gently lead - would be to reinstate for them an order which had existed long long ago - the order of Melchizedek. He would in that day bring the Levitical order to extinction.
But who was this man of mystery? The man Melchizedek has baffled the minds of theologians through the ages, having become a very controversial character. I believe the answer is that his identity is really not so important. And so, it seems to me that even some great theological minds have somehow missed the point here. God did not move upon the author of “Hebrews” to write of this man so that we can spend a lot of time and energy guessing who he might have been. Instead we need to realize that our Heavenly Father had set within Melchizedek what the life-style of the man of faith is destined to become, and that through the Spirit, it should be diligently directed to that end. But don’t the scriptures clearly tell us that it is Christ that we are to pattern ourselves after? Most assuredly. Therefore it is none other than Jesus who shall be, and in fact is today, at the head of this new order. Surely this is inferred in the book of Hebrews. Who else, since He is God in the flesh? Certainly He will not be second in line to Melchizedek. Remember that the scriptures call the Lord the “Son of David.” But he is not David’s subordinate in any sense of the word. Likewise, the same holds true with Melchizedek, although, in the case of this man, it can very well be, that he and the Christ could never be set apart from one another.
The order of Melchizedek existed long before the Levitical Priesthood. Still, it only consisted of a single man. Though in some mystical sense he was many. He was a forerunner - one who would come to prepare a way for an order that would some day be an eternal priesthood, following the demise of all things Levitical. Moreover, in olden days, prior to the birth of the Redeemer, there were priests, and there were kings. No man, however, was both a priest and a king - excluding Melchizedek himself. Yet in the eternal priesthood that was to come from him, every priest would be a king, and every king a priest, even as the one who would spearhead the everlasting race.
Each man as priest would minister to the God of the heavens and the earth all love, devotion, reverence, and obedience, along with every good virtue rooted in the hearts of the living. Then from a heart pure, in which sin could no longer find a place, he would intercede for the many. To the great and Holy Father of lights, he would petition; this so that his kinsmen may prosper through untold blessings. By such communion his spirit would thrive all the more.
As a king, he would set his love upon all those his God would bring him. Upon their heads he’d set it. Because of his love, there would rest upon his own head a golden crown. For truly, love is as a crown of pure gold by which men become kings. And so his crown is for a sign that he sheds his love abroad. In unsurpassing gladness he’d serve and bless a great host of God’s creations all the days of eternity. He’d live under no law. For such a life is not in need of law. The love of the One who reigns on high would ever be its sole governing power.
Now, here is what has remained hidden for too long from the church of the Living God. The order of Melchizedek has already begun. Or should I say that it has taken up its Life once again? This came to pass in the days when the Son of God rose from the dead, at the time when He walked immortal among His disciples, and when He, before many witnesses, ascended into heaven. On the day that the Savior put off mortality, and became a new creation, the order of Melchizedek was reinstated. However, it is no longer made up of one mysterious man, but of multitudes upon multitudes of peculiar people.
In the second chapter of 1 Peter, “peculiar” is how the church is described: “a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people.” In this verse, “special people,” is found under the word peculiar in Young’s concordance. And so, all who have been elected to follow the Son in the eternal and “royal priesthood” have been made to be of a curious breed even as their forerunner. Now every person born of faith, every son and daughter of the Father, has been called to follow His Christ in the order of Melchizedek. It then behooves all men to walk as kings and priests unto their God, even as it has become every woman’s desire to minister unto Him in spirit and truth, and in all of her royal beauty.
The Day is upon us; the sun is rising in the sky. And today, we the church must open our eyes more than ever before. We who make up the Body of the One who is God in the flesh must give strict attention to the apostle’s admonition in the thirteenth chapter of the book of Romans: “The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.” Again he says in the fifth chapter of Ephesians: “Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” The time has come for us to rise above all of the weaknesses of our religious ways. Is not the end of all things at hand? Hasn’t the day arrived that the yoke of religion with all of its futile efforts be cast off from us? Or for what reason is it written, “Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty?” It is written because the Lord our God desires to liberate us from an order that has long ago become extinct. This was an order by which all men were bound by its laws, and by the works of their own strength. And through it, writes the author of “Hebrews,” “there was nothing made perfect.” But in the new order that has come with our Lord - “the Lord who is the Spirit” - all things have been made perfect. “And where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” What then must we do? We must invoke the Spirit of the Lord, so that we may be made free - free from the old Levitical Priesthood and set at liberty from the bondage of religion. If from our hearts we desire for the Spirit to rain down upon us, He will come. Then it will be for us as it is written in the fifth chapter of the book of Galatians: “But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”
Do we as believers in the One, True, Triune God, still hang back? Are we yet restrained by cords of slavery, not being able to break free from an ancient priesthood - an order, though dead, its influence lives on? We must give every effort, and utter every prayer to the Father in heaven, to be loosed from what is no more. Then we may take our rightful place in a new order - an order that will remain through ages everlasting. Then truly will we reign with the Son, where He is forever seated at the right hand of God.
- J. Pecoraro
November 25, 2008
“To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever.”
In the Holy scriptures there has been but one man besides Jesus to whom the office of both king and priest have been ascribed. It is the man Melchizedek. For the bible to ascribe all of God’s children as of his type, I would think that the intent is clearly to link us together with him.
Melchizedek’s ministry was in effect for hundreds of years before the Levitical Priesthood had ever begun. Then following a long period of Levitical intervention to the Almighty, on behalf of Israel, it arose again – as from the dead – to take up it’s life a second time; but now forever. No longer, as under the law, would one priest enter the “holy of holies,” to represent before God all of His chosen people. For upon the cross, when the Son cried out, “It is finished,” the curtain of the sacred sanctuary was torn by Hands invisible – from top to bottom. Now all born of the Spirit have been granted access into that most holy place – yes, even the secret place of God. Now every son has become a priest.
Likewise there would no longer be one king set over a great number of people, and for the mere purpose of ruling over them. For all who have become part of the second creation have also with this been made kings. Many – perhaps the vast majority – may never rule over a single soul. But a king is not one who simply reigns over others. Neither was it ever meant to be so by the Creator above. For what in essence makes a man a king, is when all of the grand and glorious fruits of our Heavenly Father flourish in him even as the oceans’ floors team with life in a vast array. For what is it that the bible tells us Melchizedek was king of? Not of a people, but of righteousness and of peace.
In the sacred writings of our God, He has done more than to take us from Levi to Melchizedek. He has gone from a garden in the beginning to a wondrous and brilliant city of gold in the end; He has moved from a single nation to the whole world; from law to the gospel; from the shadows of the old world to the substance of the new; from the flesh to the Spirit; one priest, He has multiplied into innumerable figures – one king, into an untold number. From little, to much, to the cup overflowing – this has and shall forever be the workings of our God.
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