BEING ONE

"I no longer preach or teach unity for the Body of Christ”

Unity is not the objective - unity is the fruit, oneness the branches and humility the root. To put the emphasis on unity is to short-circuit the process of maturation. The fruit that is produced will not be fruit that will remain - it will not produce after its own kind nor will it offer nourishment to those who partake of it. If we focus on unity we will miss the calling mark of our Lord’s High Priestly Prayer recorded in John 17.

Indeed it is not unity the Savior is praying for in His Church - but oneness. "I in them, and Thou in me, that they may be perfected into one, and that the world may know that Thou didst send me, and didst love them as Thou didst love me." John 17:23 Young’s Literal Translation. "that they may become perfectly one," is the way the English Standard Version has it.

John 17, Jesus' prayer when authentically applied, God blesses "the church" community, and entire city in a substantial manner. These verses are the entreaty of the Son to the Father for absolute harmony and are prayed on our behalf. Let this prayer become our entreaty toward one another. This prayer for each other eliminates jealousy, strife, discord, (my church is the "only church" and your church is not attitude  that develops wholeness of His Church, His Body.)

I recently asked a city-reaching comrade what Jesus prayed for in these verses.

His reply, "That we would be one." I continued, "You mean He didn’t pray for unity?" "No!" was his answer, "For unity is an attempt to create cooperation from the outside in while oneness works its way from the inside out."

WE ARE ALREADY ONE! Walk in that.

"May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 15:5-6 ESV

OUR NEW NAME


"To Him who overcomes... I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it." (Rev.2:17c)


The Word tells us that "We are in the light as He is in the light" and "be ye perfect even as your Father in heaven is perfect" (Matt. 5:48) and " to perfect holiness".  JESUS reached into the heart of the Father and brought forth a white stone which decreed us to be innocent through His sacrifice.  Upon this stone was a new name (nature) which cannot be known by any man (carnality).


In Hebrew a white stone was given to a man who had been forgiven great sins.  In Hebrew Court the white stone was given on the right hand for not guilty, the black stone for guilty. The former accused then wore the white stone and stood on the right  (symbolic of acquittal, court satisfied by the Blood of Jesus Covenant) as a sign that he had been forgiven. 


In the Middle Ages alchemists were fond of speaking of the 'lapis lazuli,' or white stone (actually a rich azure or sky-blue).Alchemists sought by science and discipline to build themselves into perfected stones - actually to become the white stone by which they could possess total knowledge and wisdom.


On the island of Patmos, whether or not John was aware of alchemy, the Holy Spirit certainly was, and the Lord promised, [Rev. 2:17]. But the Holy Spirit may also be saying something like this: 'To him who overcomes will I give a perfected soul; no one has to study alchemy to achieve it.' Every Christian is in the process of being transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ, which will finally be accomplished in 'the twinkling of an eye' (1 Cor. 15:52) - as a gift and not by alchemic science or its modern counterpart, 


To him who overcomes I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will go out no more. And I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of Heaven from My God, and My new name.(Rev 3:12)


In the Hebrew a person’s name was his nature, so they were very careful in naming a baby. Example, my husband David’s name means beloved, lover of all. My son’s name is Sean, a derivative of John which means God is gracious.


Therefore, our new name that is written in heaven is His nature. Our new name is Jesus. In the Old Testament, Hebrew names such as Joshua, Jehoshua, and Jeshua are simply linguistic variations of Jesus, meaning "God's salvation" or "God is my help," my salvation, my healer, my protector, my deliver, my refuge etc. His name/ His nature is written on our foreheads: His nature is embedded in our hearts and minds.


And I looked, and lo, the Lamb stood on Mount Zion. And with Him were a hundred and forty-four thousands, having His Father's name written in their foreheads. (Rev 14:1)
And they will see His face, and His name will be in their foreheads.(Rev 22:4)

ZION IS A PLACE; ZION IS A PEOPLE

ZION IS A PLACE 


The writings of the prophet Isaiah reveal Zion to be the place of His presence.  The Book of Psalms richly describes Zion as a people of praise and glory.   


The Church is rousing from the slumber of compromise and cowardice.  We are standing up with new faith and new courage.  We now stir ourselves with new perspective.  Zion is a place, the secret place of the Most High.  This point of view is from the heavens, the foreordained place of our being seated with Christ. 


God is searching the nations (2 Chron. 16:9) for a sold-out people with this new attitude of heart.  We are waiting on the Lord (Isa. 40:31), learning to see things from His point of view, to move at His pace, and to operate our lives and ministries under His directives. 


We quiet our hearts that we may enter His peace.  We sense our inadequacies, but are being empowered by His strength.  We lay down our wills that we may clearly hear His calling.  We are mounting up, lifted and carried by the wind of His Spirit.  We steadily move ahead, ever sensitive to His timing.  We confidently act, giving ourselves only to the things that He has asked us to do. 


THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ZION 


2 Samuel 5:7, KJV  Nevertheless David took (captured, seized, occupied) the strong hold (fortress, castle) of Zion: the same is the city of David.  


The meaning of “Zion” underwent a distinct progression in its usage.  Its first mention above is the name of the ancient Jebusite fortress situated on the southeast hill of Jerusalem.  After David captured this ancient stronghold, he called Zion "the city of David” (1 Kg. 8:1; 1 Chron. 11:5; 2 Chron. 5:2).

When Solomon built the Temple on Mount Moriah (a hill distinct from Mount Zion), and moved the Ark of the Covenant there, the word “Zion” expanded in meaning to include also the Temple and the Temple area (Psa. 2:6; 48:2,11-12; 132:13).  Later, “Zion” was used as a name for the city of Jerusalem, the land of Judah, and the people of Israel as a whole (Isa. 40:9; Jer. 31:12).  


The Hebrew word for Zion is Tsiyown (Strong’s #6726 and #6725), and it means, “conspicuousness; a monument, sign post,  column, landmark, or a guiding pillar; sunny mountain.”  “Zion” has also been translated as, “sunny; clear, unobstructed, or sunshine; set up, placed, or established.  


There are two dominant themes associated with Zion in both Testaments.  One is political, and the other is religious.  


First, Zion was the city of King David, the capital city and the governing city of the nation—this reveals the king principle.   

In Zion, King David (a type of King Jesus) ruled over the people of God.  The government of God was revealed in the Kingdom of David.  The law went forth from Zion, and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem (Isa. 2:3; Mic. 4:2).  Zion was the abode of the king and his family.  It was the highest pinnacle of attainable glory, rulership, and power (compare the White House in the city of Washington).   
Second, Zion was the city of the Tabernacle of David, the sacred city, the religious capital of the nation—this reveals the priest principle.   

In Zion, David also led the nation in a new order of worship and ministry.  His Tabernacle was a simple, single tent (with no veil) which constituted the transplanting of the Most Holy Place with its Ark of the Covenant to the top of David’s “holy hill.”  It was on this holy ground that the “sweet psalmist of Israel” (2 Sam. 23:1) composed many of his 73 psalms of praise.  


The revelation of New Testament worship originated under David’s tent.  The use of the mouth (speaking, singing, and shouting), the hands (clapping, lifting, and playing instruments), and the whole body (bowing, kneeling, and dancing) to praise the Lord was a stark contrast to the old Mosaic order. 
   
David changed the ministry of the priests.  Instead of having to carry the heavy burden of the Mosaic Tabernacle from place to place, they now were appointed and divided into 24 courses (1 Chron. 24) to praise the God of Israel round the clock, seven days a week (24/7)!  The present-day “harp and bowl” meetings (constant worship and intercession) are based upon David’s pattern.  


Psalms 2:6, KJV  Yet have I set My king upon My holy hill of Zion… (compare Psa. 15:1; 43:3).  
The “holy hill” of Zion points to the New Testament priesthood after the order of Melchisedec (Heb. 5:1-8:6).  This is the King-Priest ministry of the ascended Christ, His “more excellent ministry” (Heb. 8:6), and His “royal priesthood” (1 Pet. 2:9).  This priestly ministry is the manifestation of the ascended life, flowing out from the finished work of King Jesus who is seated and enthroned within the Most Holy Place.  This is the outflowing of the indwelling Christ from the heart. 


Zion is a People


Zion in this third day refers symbolically to the perfect Church: The Church that has its leadership manifesting the person and the full character of Jesus Christ with a fully submitted followership that are walking after the example of their leaders. Submission, humility, love orderliness, purity and the manifest power of godliness is the order of things in Zion Church.


"Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined" Psalms 50: 2

ADORNING THE BRIDE OF CHRIST

The precious materials used in the construction of New Jerusalem magnify its beauty and glory. New Jerusalem is the Bride; we are the living stones. In Scotland living stones are used in stone wall construction because a living stone can be split and shaped to fit together.

Rev. 21:19 The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper (Jasper is another name for diamond), the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald,

 Rev. 21:20 the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. Rev. 21:21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.

All of the precious gems and stones mentioned in Rev. 21 are anisotropic stones which produce the colors of the rainbow in brilliant light. They will not wash out or lose their color. Anisotropic is a term used in gemology for double refraction. Anisotropic when applied to crystals it is the display of unequal physical properties in different directions. An example would be a mineral which has a different hardness when tested in different directions. If a stone darkens evenly at every 90 degree interval, the stone is said to be doubly refractive or anisotropic. In other words the stone gives off even brilliant light and color.

Adorned as the Bride

 What are the clothed with as the Bride? Garments: Garments represent all outward attitudes and external appearances. Garment are the symbol of who we are and how we present ourselves (Ps. 73:6, 104:2, 109:19; Isa. 64:6; Jer. 43:12; Mal. 2:16; Zec. 13:4; Da. 7:9; Mk 10:50; 16:5; Jude 23; Rev. 1;13).

Garments speak of our outer man, our actions, what others perceive of us. "Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy." (Revelation 3:4) Garments speak of IDENTITY. Remember what Adam was clothed with originally? The Psalms tell us that Adam had been crowned or ‘clothed’ with GLORY and honor; “What is man, that thou art mindful of him... For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels (the word translated there as angels is Elohim in Hebrew), and hast crowned him with glory and honour.” (Psalms 8:4-5 my input in parenthesis)

That word translated as crowned is atar in Hebrew and means to encircle, to compass. So we see that Adam’s clothing befit his IDENTITY in the nature of God. When Adam sinned he was no longer clothed with the glory, he was naked. Because he CHOSE to operate with a different nature or IDENTITY, God then clothed him with the skins of a beast. His clothing now befit his identity in the carnal BEAST nature. So I believe that garments are a reflection of identity. 23:7) So our garments, our IDENTITY must be 'washed' in the reality of a renewed mind.

Crown: Isaiah prophesied of Him, "In that day shall the Lord of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of His people" (Isa. 28:5). APPLIED TO THE CHRISTIAN: Jesus' blood has washed away our sins, qualifying us to enter the race--the Christian walk. the Bride of Christ, is like the virtuous woman who is a crown to her husband (Prov. 12:4; 31:10-31; Eph. 5:31-32). The prophet Zechariah foresaw the Church, "They shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon His land"

(Zech. 9:16). This is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith (1 Jn. 5:4; Rev. 15:2). Esther can also represent the strength and dynamics of an apostolic church and an apostolic people, which is not restricted to gender. She is truly “Apostolic” in her function and mandate. This is also reflected in her preparation to the throne. Notice that she spends 12 months in preparation.

 Again, twelve is the number of Government and it is also the number of the Apostolic. This is just awesome. Esther is truly the picture of an APOSTOLIC PEOPLE!!! For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus TO DO THE GOOD WORKS which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Eph. 2:10 And He gave us...leaders (apostles, prophets, evangelists, teachers) to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we ALL REACH UNITY in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become ATTAINING TO THE WHOLE MEASURE OF THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST. (I believe this refers to the no veil, Christ in us, hope of glory, actual movement of glory)

 Eph. 1:14 The church at its max in history is going to need church planters (apostles) and visionaries (prophets) like never before. Those who go out to the highways and by-ways and COMPEL them to come in. Those who are able to impart to the world even as they stand in the line at the grocery store and at the children's ball games.

God is going to equip to church to be the light of the world, the salt of the earth and to do it with signs and wonders following. She hasn’t been this way before. The old ways and ministrations of the Spirit were good for the last season, but they will not take her into the next phase. He is calling her up to new heights of worship, of revelation, and glory. There is right now an open door in the heavens for her. It will bring her, I believe, into the fullness of Christ and the complete manifestation of the Father’s glory.

This is the woman of Revelation 12 clothed in the sun (the Father’s glory) and standing on the moon (the finished work of Christ), crowned with twelve stars (the fullness of the Spirit and apostolic power). She is crying out in childbirth, in intercessory prayer, for the full manifestation of Christ and his kingdom in the nations.

 There is a shifting in the heavens taking place right now. The stage of history is being set – nations are rising and falling according to the Father’s predetermined plan to have a Bride for his Son. He will gather her from all nations, tribes, and peoples, so that, "He will say to those who were not his people, ‘You are My people!’ And they will say, ‘You are my God!’"

 (Hos 2:23b). Speaking of today the Bridegroom prophesied, "’In that day…you will call me ‘my husband’. I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will know the LORD’" (Hos 2:16, 19, 20).

 John 14:1-4 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. The word "mansions" in verse 2 is the same word as abode in verse 23 of the same chapter which would then explain verse 2. One of the meanings for the root word for mansions (abode) is "relationship." Mansion in this verse is not a literal opulent house on a planet called heaven. We each are a room in the Father's house where He dwells. The place that Jesus was preparing was a spiritual place for us to dwell in God and for Him to dwell in us. Jesus said later in the chapter that the Father was in Him and He was in the Father and He wants us to be in the same place. Jesus said in verse 3, "That where I am, there ye may be also." He was not referring to a literal golden city in the sky, but He was referring to a spiritual dimension in relationship with God.

 As we have seen in the literal marriage excerpt, the bride was going to be at the Father's house the entire day without the Bridegroom being physically present. An entourage (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers) was sent from the father's house to retrieve the bride early in the wedding day after the bridegroom departed.

 This same word is used in Ezekiel 37:9 when the prophet calls upon the Lord to breathe upon the dry bones that they may live. When this happens, then they stand up on their feet, ‘an exceeding great army’. This word for army is also translated ‘virtuous woman’ elsewhere in the Word where we are told that a virtuous woman is a crown for her husband! From this we can understand that the description in Ezekiel 37 pictures the Bride of Christ, the crown of her Husband, arising as an exceeding great army in the earth! The same thing is described in psalm 110: (Psalms 110:3) Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning shall spring forth your young men who are as the dew’ (AMP) God has a passionate jealous love for His Bride.He will not share her with another and he who touches her touches the apple of His eye. She is his peculiar treasure, His holy nation and He defends her and destroys all that would contaminate or defile her. (Deuteronomy 4:24) For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God. It is the heat of this firey love that makes us pliable enough to have the seal of His Name imprinted upon us. Just as the high priest had to go through a time of consecration after which he received his priestly garments, so too we as His priestly Bride in the earth go through the same process.

 The Lord showed me there is a link between the sealing on our heart and arm and the high priest’s breastplate and shoulder stones. The high priest had the names of the tribes on Israel engraved on his breastplate, over his heart and on his shoulder. These are the names which made up the bride that God betrothed to himself at Shavuot. Jesus is our great High Priest. Now it is time for the Bride to receive the seal of His Name on her heart and shoulder. This is an exchanging of vows, a taking of one anothers’ names. This is a wedding! There is a double pledging and a double sealing, an eternal wedding covenant set in place. This is why we are being asked to say, “here am I, Lord, send me” It speaks of a total surrender, a yielding to the will of the Bridegroom. The description of the making of the breastplate and shoulder stones yields some interesting nuggets of understanding:

 (Exodus 28:11) With the work of an engraver in stone, like the engravings of a signet, shalt thou engrave the two stones with the names of the children of Israel: thou shalt make them to be set in ouches of gold.And thou shalt put the two stones upon the shoulders of the ephod for stones of memorial unto the children of Israel: and Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD upon his two shoulders for a memorial.’ Notice the mention of the signet! The Hebrew word translated ‘ouches’ also means ‘the setting of a gem’. So we see here that consecration and setting in place are linked. The Lord is wanting to position His jewels in their places: (Exodus 28:20) And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be set in gold in their inclosings.

 The stones of the breastplate were set permanently in their ‘enclosings’; this word coming from a root word meaning ‘ consecration’. As we consecrate ourselves and bind ourselves by a pledge to the Lord, He sets us in place in His Bride as he sees fit. This is the position of our priestly office from which we will function in the power and authority of the King of Kings. (Exodus 28:21) ‘ And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet; every one with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes.’