FEAST OF GLORY AND FIRE!
Let's have a party for God!
by John Roy Bohlen and John 5:30
THE MOST HOLY HOLIDAY!!!
GOD’S FAVORITE HOLIDAY - THAT WE FORGOT!!!
You can get the full pdf download of this file here:
Did you ever forget the birthday or the anniversary of someone very important to you? I did. The first year of our marriage, I forgot my wife Karen’s birthday! I haven't since. She reminded me of it, at midnight, the morning of the day after it was over. But God has a really Holy Holiday that most Christians never remembered, because they did not know enough to forget about it in the first place. Yet it is God’s most important Holy Holiday!
It’s really amazing! God has a favorite Holiday. Most Christians don’t even know about it. It’s a Holiday that will soon be celebrated by all of the Nations of the World! In fact, any family that refuses to celebrate this Holiday in the near distant future will be punished. Not now, but in the future - soon.
This Holy-day will not just be for the Jews. It will be observed and celebrated by every one, even by the enemies of the Jews, or they will be punished. Right now, we have the opportunity of enjoying this Holiday without being forced to. But in the future, this Holiday will be mandatory, compulsory and obligatory, for every one, in every Nation, from every family, Jew AND non-Jew, or we will be punished.
In fact, this Holiday was also commanded and compulsory in the past, before Christ, but there is a window of time right now, when it is NOT demanded by God, though it was in the past, and will be in the future.
Would you like to know what this Holiday is? But, first, would you like to guess what it is? Try to guess. . . No, it isn’t Easter. It’s not Christmas. No, it’s not Passover. Not Pentecost. Not Palm Sunday. Not Good Friday. Not Maundy Monday. Not All Saints Day. It’s not even Yom Kippur. No, it’s not New Year’s Day, nor Rosh Ha Shanna, and not Hallowed E’en. It is not even the Sabbath. And, in this, I would like to humbly apologize to all of you who have become legalistic or religious about the Sabbath. But I won’t, and we don't. Do you wanna know what this best of God’s Holy Holidays is? I’ll tell you.
When I tell you, you will agree that what I say is true, because it is clearly talked about in the Bible. It is unmistakably clear.
Please turn with me to the Book of Zechariah, chapter 14. You will find this quickly if you first turn to Matthew, chapter 1, and then turn about 3 or 4 pages back into the Old Testament. Oh yes, even though this passage comes from the Old Testament, it is like reading tomorrow morning’s newspaper, because it clearly talks about when Jesus is coming back, and the events surrounding His Second Coming, and then the favorite Holy Holiday begins!!! Here is the passage:
TOMORROW MORNING’S NEWSPAPER ! !
Zechariah 14:1 “Behold, a Day is coming for Yahweh, when the spoil taken from you will be divided among you. 2 For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city will be captured, the houses plundered, the women ravished, and half of the city exiled, but the rest of the people will not be cut off from the city. 3 Then Yahweh will go forth and fight against those nations, as when He fights on a day of battle. 4 And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which is in front of Jerusalem on the east; and the Mount of Olives will be split in its middle from east to west by a very large valley, so that half of the mountain will move toward the north and the other half toward the south. 5 And you will flee by the valley of My mountains, for the valley of the mountains will reach to Azel; yes, you will flee just as you fled before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then Yahweh, my God, will come, and all the holy ones with Him! 6 And it will come about in that day that there will be no light; the luminaries will dwindle. 7 For it will be a unique day which is known to Yahweh, neither day nor night, but it will come about that at evening time there will be light. 8 And it will come about in that day that living waters will flow out of Jerusalem, half of them toward the Eastern Sea and the other half toward the Western Sea; it will be in summer as well as in winter. 9 And Yahweh will be King over all the Earth; in that day Yahweh will be the only One, and His Name the only One. 10 All the land will be changed into a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem; but Jerusalem will rise and remain on its site from Benjamin's Gate as far as the place of the First Gate to the Corner Gate, and from the Tower of Hananel to the king's wine presses. 11 And people will live in it, and there will be no more curse, for Jerusalem will dwell in security. 12 Now this will be the plague with which Yahweh will strike all the peoples who have gone to war against Jerusalem; their flesh will rot while they stand on their feet, and their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongue will rot in their mouth. 13 And it will come about in that day that a great panic from Yahweh will fall on them; and they will seize one another's hand, and the hand of one will be lifted against the hand of another. 14 And Judah also will fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the surrounding nations will be gathered, gold and silver and garments in great abundance. 15 So also like this plague, will be the plague on the horse, the mule, the camel, the donkey, and all the cattle that will be in those camps. 16 Then it will come about that any who are left of all the Nations that went against Jerusalem will go up from year to year to worship the King, Yahweh Sabbaoth, (the Lord of the Armies of the Universe), and to celebrate the Feast of Booths, (or ‘Sukkot’, or ‘Tabernacles’, or ‘Temporary Shelters’). 17 And it will be, that whichever of the families of the Earth does not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of Hosts, (Yahweh Sabbaoth, the Lord of the Armies of the Universe), there will be no rain on them. 18 And if the family of Egypt does not go up or enter, then no rain will fall on them; it will be the plague with which Yahweh smites the nations who do not go up to celebrate the Feast of Booths, (or ‘Sukkot’, or ‘Tabernacles’, or ‘Temporary Shelters’). 19 This will be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all the Nations who do not go up to celebrate the Feast of Booths, (or ‘Sukkot’, or ‘Tabernacles’, or ‘Temporary Shelters’). 20 In that day there will be inscribed on the bells of the horses, ‘HOLY TO YAHWEH.’ And the cooking pots in Yahweh’s House will be like the bowls before the altar. 21 And every cooking pot in Jerusalem and in Judah will be holy to the LORD of Hosts, (Yahweh Sabbaoth, the Lord of the Armies of the Universe); and all who sacrifice will come and take of them and boil in them. And there will no longer be a Canaanite in the house of the LORD of Hosts, (Yahweh Sabbaoth, the Lord of the Armies of the Universe), in that day.” (NAS)
Sukkot = "OT:5521: 'cukkah' (sook-kaw'); fem of OT:5520; 'a hut or lair':
KJV - 'booth', 'cottage', 'covert', 'pavilion', 'tabernacle', 'tent'.
From (Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright (c) 1994, Biblesoft and International Bible Translators, Inc.)"
Please note: Any time you find the word 'LORD' capitalized in the Bible, you may more properly substitute the word ‘Yahweh’, which is the proper Name God reveals to us exactly 6,823 times in the Old Testament. In other words, the proper Name for God, is Yahweh. Do you know what the phrase ‘Lord of Hosts’ means? It means, ‘Yahweh Sabbaoth, the Lord of the Armies of the Universe. “Host’ here, does not mean, ‘the Holy Spirit’, ‘the communion wafer’, ‘party host’, nor ‘Hostess Twinkies’! One Death Angel killed 185 thousand Assyrians, 70 thousand Israelites, and all of the first-born in Egypt, of humans and animals. Jesus Yah'shua told Pilate that all He had to do to receive rescue, was to say one supernatural word and a whole army of 72 thousand of these Supernatural Warriors would rescue Him. The angels are without number, and Yahweh is the Commander In Chief of all of these incredibly powerful soldiers. This is what is meant by the phrase, “the LORD (or Yahweh) of Hosts”!!! Ex.12:29; 2 K.19:35; Mt.26:53
Back to the subject of God’s most important Holy Holiday.
THE FEAST OF GLORY - TABERNACLES!
Do you enjoy it when someone has a party for you? Do you like it when someone wants to celebrate your birthday, your anniversary? Well, God enjoys it, too! In fact, God likes parties, celebrating Him, so very much, that He told us to set aside one special time each year, for 8 days, just to enjoy Him and His Presence. That's "Presence", not, "presen-t-s".
Even in the New Testament, Jesus Yah'shua seemed to like parties. The first miracle was done just to liven up a party. The story of the Prodigal Son ends with a party. The parable of the Kingdom of God about the lady who lost some money, then found it, she was so happy that she threw a big party to celebrate. (I have often wondered if the party cost more money than the money she lost and found.)
In the Bible, God tells us of a very special party in His honour, that will be celebrated all over the world, every year, for eight days, forever!!! Then, God will say, in the future, that if anybody refuses to celebrate His party, they will be cursed! It is as though they need to show up at the party, just to pick up their permission ticket/coupons to have rain for each following year! This party has a special name - it's called: "The Feast of Tabernacles", or, "The Feast of Glory". The only thing we are to observe or celebrate at this party - is Him!!! His glory, His presence - Him, He, Himself - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!!! (Zechariah 14).
Nearly every year, since 1964, we have celebrated this special party, this Feast of Glory. We send out invitations, even now, this year, you are welcome to come and celebrate with us the Feast of God's Glory, here, at our home and ministry center, out in the country, in Wisconsin. Or, if that is inconvenient for you, or you do not want to accept our invitation, you may have your own party for God, for eight days, every year. We encourage you to take time off from work or from your busy schedule, and just enjoy God for a week!!!!!!! For more information, you may call us at 715-866-4060. Rick Joyner also celebrates this Feast, in North Carolina, as has Pat Robertson, and certain others of whom we know. Each year this special party, this Feast of Tabernacles is a major, major celebration in Jerusalem, with Christians and Jews together from all over the World, celebrating with great pageantry, banners, dancing, singing, worshipping, and joy!
WHAT IS THE FEAST OF BOOTHS OR TABERNACLES??
First of all, let us see the terms the Bible uses to describe this Feast, this most important of all of God’s Holy Holidays.
Lev 23:34 “the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles)” (NAS)
Deut 16:13 “the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles)” (NAS)
Deut 16:16 “the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles)” (NAS)
Deut 31:10 “the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles)” (NAS)
2 Chr 8:13 “the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles)” (NAS)
Ezra 3:4 “the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles)” (NAS)
Zech 14:16 “the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles)” (NAS)
Zech 14:18 “the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles)” (NAS)
Zech 14:19 “the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles)” (NAS)
John 7:2 “the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles)” (NAS)
HOW IS TABERNACLES RELATED TO THE OTHER FEASTS??
There is a strange mystery, a secret, something very unusual, that should arouse great curiosity with us, concerning the 3 main Feasts from the Bible. First, there is the FEAST OF PASSOVER.
Then, there is the FEAST OF PENTECOST.
Finally, there is the FEAST OF TABERNACLES.
With every one of these Feasts, there are 4 common features.
1. Their Divine Historical Origin.
2. Their Divinely Inspired Historical Manner of Observance.
3. Their Personal Application calling for Personal Appropriation.
4. Their Historical Fulfillment.
With regard to the Feast of Passover, the historical beginning took place, at God’s command in Exodus 12, when the blood of the Passover Lamb was slain and applied to the doorpost, so that the Death Angel would pass over the people and not kill them. The historical observance was at the command of God, in the spring of every year. The personal appropriation takes place when we personally invite Christ our Passover Lamb within as Lord and Savior, so that when the Death Angel sees the Blood of the Lamb, having been applied to the door posts of our lives, His judgements will pass over us (pass us by), and not put us to everlasting death. The historical fulfillment of this took place on the literal historical calendar Spring Day of Passover when it was "fully come", that Christ, our Passover Lamb was slain in our behalf, so that His blood could be poured out on and for you and for me, and so that our own sins could be forgiven.
The Feast of Pentecost had its historical beginning when God commanded that the early harvest of winter wheat and the early garden products were harvested in the spring of the year, that God should be praised and thanked for the first fruits of the field and garden. This feast was observed each Spring, during our month of June, as a thanksgiving for this time of the “early rain”. The historical fulfillment took place on the literal physical historical calendar Day of Pentecost, when the first fruits “early rain” out-pouring of the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the Church, in Acts, chapter 2, and following. The personal appropriation takes place, when we personally ask God to fill and baptize us with and in the Holy Spirit, as a first-fruits out pouring of His power, His Presence, and His glory.
However, there is a most exciting, amazing, interesting thing we notice about the Feast of Tabernacles. TABERNACLES HAS NEVER BEEN FULFILLED!!! This Feast of Booths, has never had a bombastic, cataclysmic, world-wide historical, on-the-calendar fulfillment that Passover and Pentecost have enjoyed. The only conclusion we can come to is that TABERNACLES IS YET TO BE FULFILLED, HISTORICALLY!!
HOW AND WHEN IS TABERNACLES TO BE FULFILLED?
To get to the answer to this question, let us look more closely at this Feast, as to its meaning and manner of observance.
LET’S HAVE A PARTY!!!
THE FEAST OF YAHWEH’S GLORY
(Unless otherwise indicated, the Scriptures quoted are from the NAS)
The Bible tells us that in the Olden Days, Daddy Yahweh, Father God, the Lord of all Creation, commissioned, implemented, commanded, started, invented:
3 major yearly parties, observances, celebrations, feasts.
1. The Feast of Passover
2. The Feast of Pentecost
3. The Feast of Tabernacles (Booths, Sukkot, Glory)
There are 4 main things to keep in mind about these Feasts:
1. Their historical origin.
2. Their historical observance
3. Their historical fulfillment
4. Their personal application
The Historical Origin:
1. Passover = When the Death Angel Passed over them.
2. Pentecost = When God provided early harvest each Spring
3. Tabernacles = When God’s glory was with them in the Desert
The Historical Yearly Observance:
1. Passover = Kill the Passover Lamb and eat it, ready to go.
2. Pentecost = A Day of Thanksgiving to God for the First fruits.
3. Tabernacles = Live in shelters: enjoy & celebrate God’s glory.
The Historical Fulfillment: (On the literal calendar date!)
1. Passover = When Christ our Passover Lamb was sacrificed.
2. Pentecost = When the Holy Spirit was bestowed on the Church
3. Tabernacles = ? ? ? NEVER HISTORICALLY FULFILLED!!!
The personal application pertaining to each of the Feasts is as follows:
1. Passover = Salvation from sin - Rev.3:20
2. Pentecost = Baptism and infilling of the Holy Spirit - Acts 2, 3
3. Tabernacles = Glorification - Rom.8; 2 Cor.3:7-18; Jn.17:22
Various translations of the Bible speak of the following feasts:
The Feast of Unleavened Bread (same as Passover)
The Feast of Weeks (same as Pentecost)
The Feast of the Harvest of the Firstfruits (same as Pentecost)
The Feast of Atonement (just precedes, but is a part of Tabernacles)
The Feast of Trumpets (just precedes but is a part of Tabernacles)
The Feast of the Ingathering (same as Tabernacles)
The Feast of the Seventh Month (Tabernacles)
The Feast of the Lord - Yahweh (Tabernacles)
The Feast of Booths (same as Tabernacles)
The Feast of Sukkot (same as Tabernacles)
The Feast of the Seven Days (Tabernacles)
The Feast of Rejoicing! (Tabernacles)
The Feast of the Jews (Tabernacles)
The Feast of Harvest (Tabernacles)
COME TO THE FEAST!
by John Roy Bohlen and John 5:30
Let's have a party! Come to the Feast.
It's already starting, The anointing is released.
There will be no parting, God will be well-pleased.
We'll celebrate it early, God will bless us surely.
In all kinds of weather, nothing could be better
Celebrate His Glory! Let God pour all o're me.
We'll stay 8 days or more! Let's see what God has in store.
We'll have joy galore, Behold His glory over and over.
Not compulsory, nor obligatory,
Not commanded, nor demanded
But voluntarily, "If you please, Madam, Sir".
And, "As you prefer."
Read Zechariah 14, We won't be a poor team.
Look for His out-pouring, Look for His great restoring.
It's already started, 'Bad Guy’ will be out-smarted.
We can meet in the barn loft, We will praise God oft' and oft'.
Come up to the Bohlen Farm, This will be no false alarm,
We will lean on God's strong Arm, We can do the devil harm.
Climb with us God's holy hill, Let us hear His "Peace, be still!"
We will do His holy will, Let's be healed from every ill.
8 days upon the Mount, 8 days with God will count.
We will seek God's lovely Face, He will bless us by His grace.
We'll sing and dance, shout and pray,
We'll worship Him in every way.
He will take our cares away,
We will praise God, come what may.
We love You, Lord.
Your love out-poured.
Oh Lord, You mean so much to me,
Oh Father, You're our Victory!
It is very plain to see,
We need view Your majesty.
Let Your love now pour o're me.
We'll spread Your great grand story.
Let's have a par-ty.
Come to this Feast of Glory!
THE HISTORICAL BEGINNING OF TABERNACLES
The Feast of Tabernacles was commissioned and commanded by God Almighty in Lev 23; and in Deut 16:13, 16; 31:10.
Lev 23:33 “Again Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 34 ‘Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, “On the fifteenth of this seventh month is the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles) for seven days to Yahweh. 35 On the first day is a holy convocation; you shall do no laborious work of any kind. 36 For seven days you shall present an offering by fire to Yahweh. On the eighth day you shall have a holy convocation and present an offering by fire to Yahweh; it is an assembly. You shall do no laborious work.” ’ ” (NAS)
Deut 16:13 “You shall celebrate the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles) seven days after you have gathered in from your threshing floor and your wine vat; 14 and you shall rejoice in your feast, you and your son and your daughter and your male and female servants and the Levite and the stranger and the orphan and the widow who are in your towns. 15 Seven days you shall celebrate a feast (a party) to Yahweh your God in the place which Yahweh chooses, because Yahweh your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that you shall be altogether joyful.” (NAS)
THE HISTORICAL OBSERVANCE OF TABERNACLES
We have the example of the historical observance led by King Solomon in 2 Chronicles 8:13, and by God’s people, in Ezra 3:4, “And they celebrated the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles), as it is written, and offered the fixed number of burnt offerings daily, according to the ordinance, as each day required.” (NAS)
Neh 8:14 “And they found written in the law, how Yahweh had commanded through Moses that the sons of Israel should live in booths (temporary shelters) during the Feast of the Seventh Month (Tabernacles). 15 So they proclaimed and circulated a proclamation in all their cities and in Jerusalem, saying, ‘Go out to the hills, and bring olive branches, and wild olive branches, myrtle branches, palm branches, and branches of other leafy trees, to make booths, as it is written.’ 16 So the people went out and brought them and made booths for themselves, each on his roof, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the square at the Water Gate, and in the square at the Gate of Ephraim. 17 And the entire assembly of those who had returned from the captivity made booths and lived in them. The sons of Israel had indeed not done so from the days of Joshua the son of Nun to that day. And there was great rejoicing. 18 And he read from the book of the law of God daily, from the first day to the last day. And they celebrated the feast, seven days, and on the eighth day there was a solemn assembly according to the ordinance.” (NAS)
THE MEANING OF THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES
Lev 23:39 “On exactly the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the crops of the land, you shall celebrate the Feast of Yahweh for seven days, with a rest on the first day and a rest on the eighth day. 40 Now on the first day, you shall take for yourselves the foliage of beautiful trees, palm branches, and boughs of leafy trees and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before Yahweh your God for seven days. 41 You shall thus celebrate it as a feast (or party) to Yahweh for seven days in the year. It shall be a perpetual statute throughout your generations; you shall celebrate it in the seventh month. (Since the Jewish calendar starts in March/April, the 7th month would be September/October). 42 You shall live in booths (temporary shelters) for seven days; all the native-born in Israel shall live in booths, 43 so that your generations may know that I had the sons of Israel live in booths when I brought them out from the land of Egypt. I am Yahweh your God.” (NAS)
Please note, the Feast of Tabernacles, here, is also called, “Yahweh’s Feast”!
It is important to notice that the reason God commanded them to observe Tabernacles, is because He tabernacled with His Dear Ones in the Wilderness, in His Glory. Please try to picture what it must have been like, with the mighty Pillar of the Fire and Light of the Shekinah Glory of God. Biblical historians tell us that there were between two and one-half million to six million people with Moses in the Wilderness! Can you imagine the logistics of feeding and guiding and counseling this many people in the Wilderness? Just think of the expertise needed for overseeing sanitation, housing, food, water, camping, travel, warfare, and the handling of complaints! The glory cloud had to have been large enough to shelter this many people by day, from the hot sun, and to provide them sufficient light and warmth during the night! Ever since that time, the Jewish people have been, or, were supposed to have been, celebrating this special time. Tabernacles, otherwise known by its Hebrew word, “Sukkot” or ‘shelters’ or ‘booths’, is still being celebrated by the Jews to this very day! When Karen and I were in Jerusalem, we saw one of the temporary shelters that was put together for Sukkot. In Genesis 33:17, we can see what kind of shelter this would be. “And Jacob journeyed to Succoth; and built for himself a house, and made booths (or Sukkot, or succoths) for his livestock, therefore the place is named Succoth.” (NAS)
Traditionally, the Jewish people build a temporary hut, made from branches, and they gather together in families, and have an annual family vacation camp-out!!
WHEN TO CELEBRATE THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES
Lev 23:39 “On exactly the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the crops of the land, you shall celebrate the Feast of Yahweh for seven days, with a rest on the first day and a rest on the eighth day.”
Here's how to know when to celebrate Tabernacles: Look on the calendar, either in September or October to see when Rosh Hashanna and/or Yom Kippur is to take place. Then, look for the very next full moon, about 5 days later. On some calendars, it will actually say, “Sukkot”, meaning “Tabernacles” or “Booths”. (On my Burnett County Dairy Co-op calendar, it says "Sukkot".) The Feast of Tabernacles begins on the night of the full glory of the full moon. Tabernacles can begin as early as mid-September, or as late as mid-October. If the Feast is close to including a second week-end, it is nice to include those days, as well, since much effort has been put into hosting the Feast, as to advertising, plans, meals, lodging, travel, vacation arrangements, etc. If there is a question as to the actual days, we always stretch the Feast out a day or two, just to make certain that we are including all of the days. For example, this year, the full moon arrived a day or two earlier than all of the calendars were indicating the Feast should begin, so, just to make certain, we began the Feast a day earlier, on the night of the full moon. If you make a mistake, God will reward you anyway, because your heart was sincere and earnest. But, remember, do NOT celebrate the Feast because the Old Testament commanded it, or, because it will be compulsory in the future, but, because you now have a window of opportunity to celebrate the Feast while it is voluntary, and, because we are earnestly waiting for the historical fulfillment of the Feast of Tabernacles!!!!!!!
THE HISTORICAL FULFILLMENT OF TABERNACLES
Although it is very certain that Christ was actually born during this time, the Feast of Tabernacles has never, to this day, been historically, bombastically, cataclysmically fulfilled!!! We strongly suspect that this means, that one of these years, the Feast of Tabernacles will be gloriously, historically fulfilled! Wouldn’t it be wonderful and glorious, if it could be fulfilled this year?!!.
Zech 2:5 "For I, saith the LORD (Yahweh), will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her."
Hab 2:14 "For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, (Yahweh) as the waters cover the sea." RSV
Isa 4:5 "And the LORD (Yahweh) will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defense. 6 And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain."
Can you picture the men and women of God trying to imagine how the Feast of Passover, and the Feast of Pentecost were to have been fulfilled, before their happening?!!
Let’s look at how this Feast of Tabernacles is likely to be fulfilled:
The Feast of Tabernacles is, and always has been, a celebration of God’s Glory - His Shekinah glory, manifested by the huge pillar of fire at night and the huge cloud, by day. This Glory of God is the evidence of the Presence of God, the very manifestation or demonstration that God is Present!
Therefore, if one wants to have a real appreciation of the Feast of Tabernacles, or the Feast of Glory, or, the Feast of Glory and Fire, or, the Feast of God’s Presence, then one should study the Glory of God! The Glory of God is the key to the observance and fulfillment of the Feast of Tabernacles.
Here is a recommendation: Find a thick and complete concordance that has every word of the Bible within it, and look up and study every reference on the glory of God. If you really want to study this, you can also look up related words, like: "cloud", "fire", "glorious", "glory", "sukkot", "booths", "tabernacles", "appearance", etc. Here are some of them:
“FEAST OF TABERNACLES”
Gen 33:17; Lev 23:34-44; Deut 16:12-17; 31:10-13; 2 Chr 8:12-13; Ezra 3:3-4; Neh 8:13-18; Zech 14:14-19; John 7:1-8:2; 2 Cor.3;
“GLORY”
Exod 16:7, 10; 24:9-11, 15-18; 29:42-43; 33:9-11, 18-23; 40:34-38
Lev 9:5-6, 23-24; 10:1-2; Num 14:10-11, 13-14, 20-23; 16:19-35, 42-50; 20:5-13; Deut 5:22-33; 1 Sam 4:20-22; 1 King 8:10-12;
1 Chr 16:24-36; 29:10-18; 2 Chr 5:12-14; 7:1-3;
Ps 3:3; 8:4-6; 19:1; 21:1-6; 19:1; 24:7-10; 26:7-8; 29:1-11; 57:5; 63:1-11; 66:1-4; 71:5-9; 72; 73:24; 84:11-12; 85:9; 96:1-6; 7-13; 97:1-6; 102:15-19; 104:30-35; 105:1-5; 138:4-6; 145:10-13; 149:4-9;
Prov 25:2; Isa 4:5-6; 6:1-4; 10:16-20; 24:23; 35:1-10; 40:5; 44:22-24; 46:13; 49:1-4; 58:8; 59:19-60:22; 62:1-3; 66:18;
Jer 14:21-22; Ezek 1:27-28; 3:12; 3:23; 8:4; 9:2-3; 10:3-4, 17-19;
Ezek 11:22-23; 39:21-22; 43:2-6; 44:4;
Dan 7:13-14; Hab 2:14; Hag 2:3-9; Zech 2:5, 8-11;
Matt 6:13; 16:26-27; 17:1-6; 24:30; 25:30-32;
Mark 8:38; 9:1-8; 10:37; 13:26;
Luke 2:8-16; 9:26; 28-36; 21:27; 24:26;
John 1:12-14; 2:11; 5:43-44; 7:18; 8:53-54; 11:4, 39-40; 12:41; 17:1-5, 21-26; Acts 7:2, 54-56; 12:21-24;
Rom 2:5-11; 3:22-24; 5:1-2; 6:4-11; 8:13-23; 26-30; 9:23;
1 Cor 2:7-8; 11:15; 15:40-45; 2 Cor 3:2 - 4:1; 4:3-18
Eph 1:3-14; 3:16-4:3; 5:25-27;
Phil 3:21; 4:19-20; Col 1:26-29; 3:1-4;
1 Thes 2:11-13; II Th 1:9-12; 2:13-14; Titus 2:13-15;
Heb 1:3; 2:7-11; 1 Pet 1:7-8;
1 Pet 1:20-22; 4:11-14; 5:1-4, 5-11; 2 Pet 1:16-19;
Jude 1:24-25; Rev 15:8; 16:9-11; 18:1; 21:9-; 21:22-26
“FIRE”
Exod 3:2-5; 13:20-22; 14:24; 19:8-14; 19:16-25;
Num 9:15-23; 11:1-3; 11:25-29; 16: 35; 21:27-28;
Deut 1:30-33; 4:5-7, 24; 4:35-36; 5:4; 5:22-29; 9:2-3; 18:16-19; 32:22;
Judg 6:21-23; 2 Sam 22:7-16; I Kings 18:38-39; II Ki 1:10-12; 6:17-18
1 Chr 21:26; Neh 9:12; Job 1:16;
Ps 11:6-7; 18:7-16; 21:9; 29:7; 50:3; 58:9; 68:2; 78:13-16; 83:13-15; 97:1-6; 105:31-37; 105:39;
Isa 26:11; 29:6; 30:26-33; 33:10-12; 33:12-16; 43:2; 64:1-3; 66:15-16;
Jer 4:4; 5:14; 6:29; 11:16; 15:14; Jer 17:4; 17:27; 21:10; 21:12; 21:14;
22:7; 23:29; 34:2; 37:8; 37:10; 38:18; 39:8; 43:12,13; 49:2; 49:27; 50:32; 51:30,32; Lam 1:13; 2:3,4; 4:11;
Ezek 1:4,13,27; 5:2,4; 8:2; 10:2,6,7;15:4,5,6,7; 16:41; 19:12,14; 20:26, 47; 21:31,32; 22:20,21, 31; 23:25; 28:18; 30:8,14,16; 36:5; 38:22; 39:6
Joel 2:3,5,30; Amos 1:4,7,10,12,14; 2:2,5,6; 7:4;
Obad 1:18; Micah 1:4,7; Nahum 1:6; 3:13; Zeph 1:18; 3:8
Zech 2:5; 9:4; 13:9; Mal 1:10; 3:2
Matt 3:10,11,12; 7:19; 13:40,42,50; 25:41; 9:43,44,46,48,49;
Luke 3:9,16,17; 12:49; John 15:6; 18:18; 21:9
Acts 2:3,19; 1 Cor 3:13,15; II Th 1:7
Heb 10:27; 12:18,29; 1 Pet 1:7; 2 Pet 3:7; Jude 1:7
Rev 1:14; 2:18; 3:18; 4:5; 8:5,7,8; 9:17,18; 10:1; 11:5; 14:10; 19:12;
“CLOUD”
(Unless otherwise indicated, all verses are taken from the NAS)
Gen 9:13 “I set My bow in the CLOUD, and it shall be for a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth.”
Gen 9:14 “And it shall come about, when I bring a CLOUD over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the CLOUD”
Gen 9:16 “When the bow is in the CLOUD, then I will look upon it, to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.”
Exod 13:21 “And Yahweh was going before them in a pillar of CLOUD by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night.
Exod 13:22 “He did not take away the pillar of CLOUD by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.”
Exod 14:19 “And the angel of God, who had been going before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of CLOUD moved from before them and stood behind them.”
Exod 14:20 “So it came between the camp of Egypt and the camp of Israel; and there was the CLOUD along with the darkness, yet it gave light at night. Thus the one did not come near the other all night.”
Exod 14:24 “And it came about at the morning watch, that Yahweh looked down on the army of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and CLOUD and brought the army of the Egyptians into confusion.”
Exod 16:10 “And it came about as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the sons of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and behold, the glory of Yahweh appeared in the CLOUD.”
Exod 19:9 “And Yahweh said to Moses, 'Behold, I shall come to you in a thick CLOUD, in order that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may also believe in you forever.' Then Moses told the words of the people to Yahweh.”
Exod 19:16 “So it came about on the third day, when it was morning, that there were thunder and lightning flashes and a thick CLOUD upon the mountain and a very loud trumpet sound, so that all the people who {were} in the camp trembled.”
Exod 20:21 “So the people stood at a distance, while Moses approached the thick CLOUD where God {was.}”
Exod 24:15 “Then Moses went up to the mountain, and the CLOUD covered the mountain.”
Exod 24:16 “And the glory of Yahweh rested on Mount Sinai, and the CLOUD covered it for six days; and on the seventh day He called to Moses from the midst of the CLOUD.”
Exod 24:18 “And Moses entered the midst of the CLOUD as he went up to the mountain; and Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.”
Exod 33:9 “And it came about, whenever Moses entered the tent, the pillar of CLOUD would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent; and Yahweh would speak with Moses.”
Exod 33:10 “When all the people saw the pillar of CLOUD standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would arise and worship, each at the entrance of his tent.”
Exod 34:5 “And Yahweh descended in the CLOUD and stood there with him as he called upon the Name of Yahweh.”
Exod 40:34 “Then the CLOUD covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of Yahweh filled the tabernacle.”
Exod 40:35 “And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the CLOUD had settled on it, and the glory of Yahweh filled the tabernacle.”
Exod 40:36 “And throughout all their journeys whenever the CLOUD was taken up from over the tabernacle, the sons of Israel would set out.”
Exod 40:37 “But if the CLOUD was not taken up, then they did not set out until the day when it was taken up.”
Exod 40:38 “For throughout all their journeys, the CLOUD of Yahweh was on the tabernacle by day, and there was fire in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel.”
Lev 16:2 “And Yahweh said to Moses, ‘Tell your brother Aaron that he shall not enter at any time into the holy place inside the veil, before the mercy seat which is on the ark, lest he die; for I will appear in the CLOUD over the mercy seat.’ ”
Lev 16:13 “And he shall put the incense on the fire before Yahweh, that the CLOUD of incense may cover the mercy seat that is on {the ark of} the testimony, lest he die.”
Num 9:15 “Now on the day that the tabernacle was erected, the CLOUD covered the tabernacle, the tent of the testimony, and in the evening it was like the appearance of fire over the tabernacle, until morning.”
Num 9:16 “So it was continuously; the CLOUD would cover it {by day,} and the appearance of fire by night.”
Num 9:17 “And whenever the CLOUD was lifted from over the tent, afterward the sons of Israel would then set out; and in the place where the CLOUD settled down, there the sons of Israel would camp.”
Num 9:18 “At the command of Yahweh, the sons of Israel would set out, and at the command of Yahweh they would camp; as long as the CLOUD settled over the tabernacle, they remained camped.”
Num 9:19 “Even when the CLOUD lingered over the tabernacle for many days, the sons of Israel would keep Yahweh's charge and not set out.”
Num 9:20 “If sometimes the CLOUD remained a few days over the tabernacle, according to the command of Yahweh they remained camped. Then according to the command of Yahweh they set out.”
Num 9:21 “If sometimes the CLOUD remained from evening until morning, when the CLOUD was lifted in the morning, they would move out; or {if it remained} in the daytime and at night, whenever the CLOUD was lifted, they would set out.”
Num 9:22 “Whether it was two days or a month or a year that the CLOUD lingered over the tabernacle, staying above it, the sons of Israel remained camped and did not set out; but when it was lifted, they did set out.”
Num 10:11 “Now it came about in the second year, in the second month, on the twentieth of the month, that the CLOUD was lifted from over the tabernacle of the testimony; 12 And the sons of Israel set out on their journeys from the wilderness of Sinai. Then the CLOUD settled down in the wilderness of Paran.”
Num 10:34 “And the CLOUD of Yahweh was over them by day, when they set out from the camp.”
Num 11:25 “Then Yahweh came down in the CLOUD and spoke to him; and He took of the Spirit Who was upon him and placed {Him} upon the seventy elders. And it came about that when the Spirit rested upon them, they prophesied. But they did not do {it} again.”
Num 12:5 “Then Yahweh came down in a pillar of CLOUD and stood at the doorway of the tent, and He called Aaron and Miriam. When they had both come forward - - .”
Num 12:10 “But when the CLOUD had withdrawn from over the tent, behold, Miriam {was} leprous, as {white as} snow. As Aaron turned toward Miriam, behold, she {was} leprous.”
Num 14:14 “And they will tell {it} to the inhabitants of this land. They have heard that Thou, O Yahweh, art in the midst of this people, for Thou, O Yahweh, art seen eye to eye, while Thy CLOUD stands over them; and Thou dost go before them in a pillar of CLOUD by day and in a pillar of fire by night.”
Num 16:42 “It came about, however, when the congregation had assembled against Moses and Aaron, that they turned toward the tent of meeting, and behold, the CLOUD covered it and the glory of Yahweh appeared.”
Deut 1:33 “Who goes before you on {your} way, to seek out a place for you to encamp, in fire by night and CLOUD by day, to show you the way in which you should go.”
Deut 4:11 “And you came near and stood at the foot of the mountain, and the mountain burned with fire to the {very} heart of the heavens: darkness, CLOUD and thick gloom.”
Deut 5:22 “These words Yahweh spoke to all your assembly at the mountain from the midst of the fire, {of} the CLOUD and {of} the thick gloom, with a great voice, and He added no more. And He wrote them on two tablets of stone and gave them to me.”
Deut 31:15 “And Yahweh appeared in the tent in a pillar of CLOUD, and the pillar of CLOUD stood at the doorway of the tent.”
I King 8:10 “And it came about when the priests came from the holy place, that the CLOUD filled the house of Yahweh.”
I King 8:11 “So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the CLOUD, for the glory of Yahweh filled the house of Yahweh.”
I King 8:12 “Then Solomon said, ‘Yahweh has said that He would dwell in the thick CLOUD.’ ”
I King 18:44 “And it came about at the seventh {time,} that he said, ‘Behold, a CLOUD as small as a man's hand is coming up from the sea.’ And he said, ‘Go up, say to Ahab, “Prepare {your chariot} and go down, so that the {heavy} shower does not stop you.” ’ ”
2 Chr 5:13 “In unison when the trumpeters and the singers were to make themselves heard with one voice to praise and to glorify Yahweh, and when they lifted up their voice accompanied by trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and when they praised Yahweh {saying,} ‘{He} indeed is good for His lovingkindness is everlasting,’ then the house, the house of Yahweh, was filled with a CLOUD.” 2 Chr 5:14 “So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the CLOUD, for the glory of Yahweh filled the house of God.”
2 Chr 6:1 “Then Solomon said, ‘Yahweh has said that He would dwell in the thick CLOUD.’ ”
Neh 9:12 “And with a pillar of CLOUD Thou didst lead them by day, and with a pillar of fire by night to light for them the way in which they were to go.”
Neh 9:19 “Thou, in Thy great compassion, didst not forsake them in the wilderness; the pillar of CLOUD did not leave them by day, to guide them on their way, nor the pillar of fire by night, to light for them the way in which they were to go.”
Job 37:15 “Do you know how God establishes them, and makes the lightning of His CLOUD to shine?”
Job 38:9 “When I made a CLOUD its garment, and thick darkness its swaddling band.”
Ps 78:14 “Then He led them with the CLOUD by day, and all the night with a light of fire.”
Ps 99:7 “He spoke to them in the pillar of CLOUD; they kept His testimonies, and the statute that He gave them.”
Ps 105:39 “He spread a CLOUD for a covering, and fire to illumine by night.”
Isa 4:5 “Then Yahweh will create over the whole area of Mount Zion and over her assemblies a CLOUD by day, even smoke, and the brightness of a flaming fire by night; for over all the glory will be a canopy.” (This speaks of a future time!)
Isa 18:4 “For thus Yahweh has told me, ‘I will look from My dwelling place quietly like dazzling heat in the sunshine, like a CLOUD of dew in the heat of harvest.’ ” (Wouldn't it be lovely, if this would happen NOW?!!)
Isa 19:1 “The oracle concerning Egypt. Behold, Yahweh is riding on a swift CLOUD, and is about to come to Egypt; the idols of Egypt will tremble at His presence, and the heart of the Egyptians will melt within them.”
Lam 3:44 “Thou hast covered thyself with a CLOUD so that no prayer can pass through.”
Ezek 1:4 “And as I looked, behold, a storm wind was coming from the north, a great CLOUD with fire flashing forth continually and a bright light around it, and in its midst something like glowing metal in the midst of the fire.”
Ezek 8:11 “And standing in front of them were seventy elders of the house of Israel, with Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan standing among them, each man with his censer in his hand, and the fragrance of the CLOUD of incense rising.”
Ezek 10:3 “Now the cherubim were standing on the right side of the temple when the man entered, and the CLOUD filled the inner court.”
Ezek 10:4 “Then the glory of Yahweh went up from the cherub to the threshold of the temple, and the temple was filled with the CLOUD, and the court was filled with the brightness of the glory of Yahweh.”
Matt 17:5 “While he was still speaking, behold, a bright CLOUD overshadowed them; and behold, a voice out of the CLOUD, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!’
Mark 9:7 “Then a CLOUD formed, overshadowing them, and a Voice came out of the CLOUD, ‘This is My beloved Son, listen to Him!’ ’
Luke 9:34 “And while he was saying this, a CLOUD formed and {began} to overshadow them; and they were afraid as they entered the CLOUD.”
Luke 9:35 “And a Voice came out of the CLOUD, saying, ‘This is My Son, {My} Chosen One; listen to Him!’ ’
Luke 21:27 “And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a CLOUD with power and great glory.”
Acts 1:9 “And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a CLOUD received Him out of their sight.”
1 Cor 10:1 “For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all under the CLOUD, and all passed through the sea.”
1 Cor 10:2 “And all were baptized into Moses in the CLOUD and in the sea.”
Rev 10:1 “And I saw another strong angel coming down out of Heaven, clothed with a CLOUD; and the rainbow was upon his head, and his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire.”
Rev 11:12 “And they heard a loud voice from Heaven saying to them, ‘Come up here.’ And they went up into Heaven in the CLOUD, and their enemies beheld them.”
Rev 14:14 “And I looked, and behold, a white CLOUD, and sitting on the CLOUD {was} one like a son of man, having a golden crown on His head, and a sharp sickle in His hand.”
Rev 14:15 “And another angel came out of the temple, crying out with a loud voice to him who sat on the CLOUD, ‘Put in your sickle and reap, because the hour to reap has come, because the harvest of the earth is ripe.’ ”
Rev 14:16 “And he who sat on the CLOUD swung His sickle over the earth; and the earth was reaped.”
THE PERSONAL APPROPRIATION OF TABERNACLES
Outline: GLORY NOW - HERE'S HOW!!!
The Promises of God: "The Greater Works", "Whatever You Ask", "Whatever You Bind", "No Difference", "If We Ask Anything According To His Will", "Exceedingly Abundantly Above All",
Verses Pertaining to Glory:
The Feast of Glory - Zech. 14
How To Shine Like The Son - 2 Cor. 3 Lay a foundation.
How to walk like the Son - I John 2.
How to be like the Son - I John 4:17b.
How He is. Rev. 1.
John did cultic heresy: Rev. 19:10. But he won't do it again. Rev. 22:8.
Don't allow people to worship you. Acts 14.
Herod went fishing anyway. Acts 12.
The Future - Revelation 12, Joel 2.
The Manifested Son of God, in the sons of God. Ro.8
Coming to Be Admired in the Sons, All Creation Groans. Ro.8.
Please study the message of the King’s Greatest Secret!, and our book on the Gospel of the Kingdom, from How To Rule The World - Who, When, What, How.
This book is available on our website at:
www.Great-Commission-Ministries.org
I dare and double dare you to have an eager ambition to earn criticism from God on the Judgement Day for believing Him for too much, too soon. Ha-HA!!! Instead, God will criticize us for not believing Him for enough, soon enough.
The 'Rupture' of the Church
The bright promises of God are not a joke. The "Rapture" of the Church is NOT the next thing on God's agenda!!! Unprecedented revival and glory is. Please see Matt 24:13-14 "But he that shall endure unto the End, the same shall be saved. 14 And this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the End come."
The Apostle Paul said that there is only one Gospel. He invokes a curse on anyone preaching any other gospel. Gal.1. This only one Gospel is the Gospel of the Kingdom, of the Lordship of Christ and the leading of the Holy Spirit. For the last 120 years, the percentage of born again Christians on the earth has remained at less than 10 %!
Question: If we do not endure until "The End", will we be saved? Mt.24:13
Question: Will "The End" come before "This Gospel of the Kingdom" is preached "In ALL the world" for a witness to "ALL the nations"??? Mt.24:14
With all of the missionary efforts, huge crusades numbering over a million, and of all our technological advances, how are we going to increase this figure from 10%. We believe that the answer is that God intends to pour out His glory and His power and His Spirit in a way that will make Pentecost look like child's play. We believe that God has been preparing His saints to receive a mighty Supernatural outpouring of Glory and power, that will enable them to do the Greater Works, and go forth in the might and power and glory of God, as Samson set the tails of the foxes on fire and sent them into the fields of the Philistines, to reap the mighty End-Time harvest of the Earth!!! We suspect that, as Passover was gloriously fulfilled on the literal calendar day, and as Pentecost was fulfilled on the literal calendar day, so also, we believe that it is likely that the Feast of Glory - Tabernacles will be fulfilled with a mighty outpouring of God's glory and anointing and power and fire, during the literal calendar time of Sukkot, or Tabernacles. I know why there were only 120 people in the Upper Room on the Day of Pentecost: Of all the other multiplied thousands of people to whom Christ ministered, the rest of them all had "more important things to do" , than to be in the Upper Room. Had I lived then, I would have wanted to be there in that upper room, wouldn't you?
God is looking for a few good men (and women) who will volunteer to be a part of His end-time mighty army who will manifest His Glory. The glory of the Son of God manifested through the sons of God.
Will you stand on the sidelines and criticize? Or, take the dare, and win a world for God?
Perhaps, in the days to come, the earth will serve as a seed-planet that will populate the Universe, with the Overcomers traveling from place to place in space, with the speed of thought, ruling over galaxies of gold!
QUESTIONS
1. What does Romans 8:30 mean, "- those He justified, He also glorified."?
2. What does 1 John 2:6 mean when it says, that if anyone says that he is abiding in Jesus, that they should walk "even as He (Jesus) walked."?
3. What does 1 John 4:17 mean, when it says, "As He (Jesus) is, so are we, in this world."?
4. What does 2 Corinthians 3:18 mean, when it says, "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding, as in a mirror, the glory of the Lord, are transferred into the very same image, from glory to glory."
5. What does 2 Corinthians 3:7-11 mean?
GLORY!
The old Pentecostal hollers "Ohhhhh, glowww-ry!", when he or she is excited. They talk about having a "glory spell", and say that it's better felt than tel't. They recommend being "under the spout-ta, where the glowrah comes out-ta."
A West African Yoruba Christian raises both fists and shouts, "Ogooooooooo!" (glory).
Hollywood made a movie about how black soldiers bravely participated in the muddy, bloody Civil War in the United States, and called the movie "Glory."
An old nickname for the flag of the United States is: "Old Glory."
We sing the song, "His Truth is marching on.", and the line, "There’s a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me."
There is a food called "glorified rice", consisting of rice, poison sugar and whipped cream, etc.
The word "glory", in the Bible, is impossible to adequately define or describe. But we, God and I, will try. When Moses asked Yahweh to show him His glory, God responded that it would be impossible for someone to see very much of God's glory, and live.
So, in Exodus 33, God prepared and put Moses into a special safety seat in the rock, and showed Moses just a little bit of His Glory. In Genesis 16:14, the lady exclaims, "I have seen Yahweh, and yet I am alive!", and referred to the God that sees , as, "El Roi", like the middle name of our oldest grandson, Zoe El Roi.
Can you imagine someone's face shining brighter than the sun? That's why Moses had to put a cloth over his face, so he could talk to people without blinding them, because the face of Moses was shining so brightly that the people could not endure looking at the glory that was on his face.. You know how dangerous it is to look at the sun for even a few seconds, even during an eclipse! The Bible, in 2 Corinthians 3:7-11, and verse 18, tells us that our faces are to look much more brightly than this, and that we can look, in the here and now. Here's how!
Can you imagine a fire large enough in the sky at night that is bright enough for 2 1/2 to 6 million people to see where they are going and what they are doing? That's how large the fire of Glory was to the Children of Israel, God's people, in the dessert. Can you imagine that same fire being hot enough to keep that many people warm, on a cold wilderness night?
The Christmas story from the Bible reads, “And the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid!” from Luke 2:9 KJV and ASV both say ‘sore afraid’, but the NIV says that they were terrified. I believe that they were so scared that they were hurting sore.
A FASCINATINGLY ‘GLORIOUS’ STUDY
One of the most interesting subjects one could study in the Bible, is the Presence or Glory of the Lord, to study out those occasions when God spoke up or showed up, or otherwise revealed Himself. We encourage you to go through the entire Bible, and pay special attention to every reference to God when He reveals Himself. Most of all, to me, the most fascinating, are those words that relate to God's glory, the Shekinah glory of God!!!
THE VERY SAME IMAGE!!!
Would you please turn to 2 Corinthians, chapter 3. I will show you where the Apostle Paul proves himself to be verbose and repetitive, loquacious, and wordy. Read verses 7 and 8: “But if the ministry of death, in letters engraved on stones, came with glory, so that the sons of Israel could not look intently at the face of Moses because of the glory of his face, fading as it was, 8 how shall the ministry of the Spirit fail to be even more with glory?”
Here, you will see that Paul is making a speech and is referring his readers to a portion of Scripture from the Old Testament that he expects his readers to know about. For example, if I mention "The Prodigal Son", or, "David and Goliath", or "The Fiery Furnace", or "The Handwriting on the Wall", most every Christian knows the story, and the details of it. So, also, Paul mentions the time when Moses went up on the Mount, he saw the Glory of God, he came down from the Mount, his face shining like the sun, so brilliantly that no one could look at him, so he had to put a veil over his face so people could stand to talk to him. Then, in verse 8, God, through Paul, makes the point that the glory that was on Moses' face was nothing, by comparison to the glory that is available to us today.
Then, read verse 9: “For if the ministry of condemnation has glory, much more does the ministry of righteousness abound in glory.” Same thing: Moses went up on the Mount, he saw the Glory of God, he came down from the Mount, his face shining like the sun, so brilliantly that no one could look at him, so he had to put a veil over his face so people could stand to talk to him. Here, in verse 9, God, through Paul, makes the point that the glory that was on Moses' face was nothing, by comparison to the glory that is available to us today.
Then, read verse 10: “For indeed what had glory, in this case has no glory on account of the glory that surpasses it.” Same thing: Moses went up on the Mount, he saw the Glory of God, he came down from the Mount, his face shining like the sun, so brilliantly that no one could look at him, so he had to put a veil over his face so people could stand to talk to him. Here, verse 10, God, through Paul, makes the point that the glory on Moses' face was nothing, "NO GLORY" by comparison to the glory that is available to us today!
Then, read verse 11: “For if that which fades away was with glory, much more that which remains is in glory.” (NAS) Same thing: Moses went up on the Mount, he saw the Glory of God. He came down from the Mount, his face shining like the sun, so brilliantly that no one could look at him, so he had to put a veil over his face so people could stand to talk to him. Here, in verse 11, God, through Paul, makes the point that the glory that was on Moses' face was nothing, by comparison to the glory that is available to us today! Note the words, "Much more! Much more!! MUCH MORE!!!". In other words, God wants your face to shine much more brightly, now, than did the face of Moses, as bright as it was.
The grand conclusion comes in verse 18: "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a (looking) glass (or, mirror), the Glory of the LORD, are transformed into the very same image”!!! What image? The image of the Glorified Christ
THE MIRROR!
I ask the people to whom I am preaching, "Where did Moses go to see the glory?" They answer, "To the mountain!" Then I ask them, "Where are we to go, in order to see the glory?" I tell them that I want the answer from this verse 18. They don't know. The answer I am looking for, is: "The Mirror!!!"
In our worship center, we have 2 huge mirrors. Many people do not like mirrors. Most people, when they look into the mirror they see themselves. Many people see inferiority, ugliness, stupidity, failure, defeat, old age, weakness, insufficiency, sickness, or some other negative quality.
Then, I ask them, "Why, the mirror?" The answer I am looking for, is: Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me;" NAS; Col 3:2-3 "For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God."
NAS In other words, the answer is, "The King's Greatest Secret!"! In James 1:23,24, the sinner looks at his face in the mirror and then forgets what kind of person he should be. But in 2 Cor.3:18, the saint is to look at himself in the mirror, and remember that he or she has been crucified with Christ, is dead and buried, that it is no longer he or she who is living, and that the Person being seen in the mirror is the glorified Jesus Christ Himself living within one's self and that Jesus is now living within and looking out through our eyes, living within our skin, our head, our brain, our souls, our spirits, our bones, muscles, cells, bone marrow, walking around within our clothes, our shoes, our lives, our bodies, that it is not we who are talking or walking or thinking or being, but that it is the glorified Christ Who is living His Own glorified Life within us, through us, as us, in our place, with our co-operation and faith and conscious willingness. Amen. Please see our little book, The King's Greatest Secret!!!
Paul is telling us that he has died, that it is NO LONGER Paul who is living, but that it is Christ Who is living within him. In other words, with eyes of faith and humility, WE ARE TO SEE THE GLORIFIED CHRIST LOOKING BACK AT US FROM THE MIRROR!!!!!!!!!!!!
1 John 2:6 "If any one says that he abides in Him (Jesus), he ought also, himself to walk, even as HE walked!!!" The same walk. No difference.
1 John 4:17b says: "As He (Jesus) is, so are we, in this world!!!"
Who? US!
Where? HERE!!
When? NOW!!!!!
When I am in Africa, ministering, I ask the people: "Is Jesus' face, your color, or my color. They smile and point to themselves and say, "My color!" I ask, with a challenge, "Is the color of Jesus eyes, your color or my color?" They laugh and shout, thumping themselves on the chest, and say, "My color!!" Then I taunt them and say, "I can prove to you from the Bible, the color of Jesus' face, the color of Jesus' eyes." I have their attention. "Do you want me to show you?" "Yes", they cry. So, I take them to Revelation, chapter one:
Rev.1:14 & 2:18 “His eyes were like a flame of fire” "His face shone, like the sun in its strength." Then, I ask the people, "What color was Jesus' face?" and I get them to repeat after me, with great volume and drama, "Like the sun in its 'POWAHHHHHHH'!!!!" "What color was Jesus' eyes? "Like a flame of FYAHHHHHHHH!!!" "What color does God want your eyes to be?" "Like a flame of fire!" What color does Jesus want your face to be?" "Like the sun in its power!!" "As He is, so are we, in this world!!!"
Tell me when this prophecy will come to pass: Joel's Army: Joel 2:1 "Blow a trumpet in Zion, And sound an alarm on My holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, For the Day of the LORD (Yahweh) is coming; Surely it is near, 2 A day of darkness and gloom, A day of clouds and thick darkness. As the dawn is spread over the mountains, So there is a great and mighty people; There has never been anything like it, Nor will there be again after it to the years of many generations. 3 A fire consumes before them, And behind them a flame burns. The land is like the garden of Eden before them, But a desolate wilderness behind them, And nothing at all escapes them. 4 Their appearance is like the appearance of horses; And like war horses, so they run. 5 With a noise as of chariots they leap on the tops of the mountains, Like the crackling of a flame of fire consuming the stubble, Like a mighty people arranged for battle. 6 Before them the people are in anguish; All faces turn pale. 7 They run like mighty men; They climb the wall like soldiers; And they each march in line, Nor do they deviate from their paths. 8 They do not crowd each other; They march everyone in his path. When they burst through the defenses, They do not break ranks. 9 They rush on the city, They run on the wall; They climb into the houses, They enter through the windows like a thief. 10 Before them the earth quakes, The heavens tremble, The sun and the moon grow dark, And the stars lose their brightness. 11 And the LORD (Yahweh) utters His voice before His army; Surely His camp is very great, For strong is he who carries out His word. The Day of the LORD (Yahweh) is indeed great and very awesome, And who can endure it?" NAS
Who are these people? Not the Russians. Not grasshoppers. The Bible clearly tells us who these people are! Verse 11: His camp! His army! His camp. Here is; "He who carries out His Word!!!" Those who do God's will! Please note, what the Bible has to say about those who do God's will. You will find a theme that runs through the course of the entire Bible. Those sons of God who are led by His Spirit! (Rom. 8) Jesus said, in Mat.12:50, "For whosoever shall do the will of My Father Which is in Heaven, the same is My brother, and sister, and mother." KJV
Who are these people? The saints! What are they able to do? Ps 149:5 "Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. (Tell me, when will this Scripture come to pass??!) 6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two edged sword in their hand; 7 To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; 8 To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; 9 To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD (Yahweh). KJV "What soever you bind, shall be bound!" Mt.18:18 (WHEN?!) You shall do the "greater works" Jn.14:12! (WHEN?!) "If two of you agree, it SHALL be done!" Mt .18:19 (WHEN?!) Have we seen this? Not to any great extent. Will we see this? Of course! When?
Sukkot OR Sukot OR Booths OR tabernacles (NAS)
(Please note: In every place “Booths” is mentioned in the NAS, “Tabernacles is mentioned in the KJV, the NIV, and the ASV.
Lev 23:34 “Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘On the fifteenth of this seventh month is the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles) for seven days to Yahweh.’ ” (NAS)
Deut 16:13 “You shall celebrate the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles) seven days after you have gathered in from your threshing floor and your wine vat;” (NAS)
Deut 16:16 “Three times in a year all your males shall appear before Yahweh your God in the place which He chooses, at the Feast of Unleavened Bread and at the Feast of Weeks and at the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles), and they shall not appear before Yahweh empty-handed.” (NAS)
Deut 31:10 “Then Moses commanded them, saying, ‘At the end of {every} seven years, at the time of the year of remission of debts, at the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles),’ ” (NAS)
2 Chr 8:13 “And {did so} according to the daily rule, offering {them} up according to the commandment of Moses, for the sabbaths, the new moons, and the three annual feasts-- the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles).” (NAS)
Ezra 3:4 “And they celebrated the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles), as it is written, and {offered} the fixed number of burnt offerings daily, according to the ordinance, as each day required;” (NAS)
Zech 14:16 “Then it will come about that any who are left of all the nations that went against Jerusalem will go up from year to year to worship the King, Yahweh of Hosts, and to celebrate the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles).” (NAS)
Zech 14:18 “And if the family of Egypt does not go up or enter, then no {rain will fall} on them; it will be the plague with which Yahweh smites the nations who do not go up to celebrate the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles).” (NAS)
Zech 14:19 “This will be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all the nations who do not go up to celebrate the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles).” (NAS)
Matt 17:4 “And Peter answered and said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, I will make three tabernacles here, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ ” (NAS)
Mark 9:5 “And Peter answered and said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ ” (NAS)
Luke 9:33 “And it came about, as these were parting from Him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah’-- not realizing what he was saying.” (NAS)
John 7:2 “Now the feast of the Jews, the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles), was at hand.” (NAS) The whole of Chapter 7 takes place at the Feast of Tabernacles.
THE KING’S GREATEST SECRET!
We have a small book available to you, called, The King’s Greatest Secret!, and we exhort and plead with you to make sure you have a good understanding of this.
In order to have a full understanding of the Feast of Tabernacles, it is first necessary to have a full practical working understanding of the "King’s Greatest Secret!" Therefore, we recommend that you leave no stone unturned, that you not give up, until you have come to a gut level, s(S)pirit-level, deeeeep understanding of what it means for Christ Jesus to beeee your Life, the Holy Spirit to beeee your fullness, and for you to have a revelation of what it means, both, to resoundingly know and be able to teach others, the "King’s Greatest Secret", and then, to have a "Throne-Room Mentality". The bottom line is this: If you are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God - - If it is no longer you who live, but Christ That lives in you, then the risen glorified Christ, as your life, should shine upon, and to and through you, with the radiant glory of God, unhindered, uninterrupted, unceasingly, increasingly. "As He is"! How is He? Glorious. Remember this benediction? "May His face shine upon you!" "May He lift up the light of His countenance upon you!" He is the Light of the world. You are the light of the world. Let your light shine!!! Let it shine! Let it shine! May the glory of the Lord shine round about you, and from within you, from your fingers, your face, your eyes, your words, and from your life!!!
THE THRONE-ROOM MENTALITY
After one has learned the truths about “The King's Greatest Secret!”, the next greatest truth one needs to learn and have, as part of his or her walk with God, is what we refer to as "The Throne-Room Mentality". Here's what we mean:
The Bible, in 2 Cor.4:18, points out that the things that are not seen are more real and eternal than the things that are seen, which are temporary, or passing. Elisha, in 2 Kings 6:17 prayed that Yahweh would open the servant's eyes, when the servant could see the problems surrounding them, but could not see the warring angels of God which comprised a greater army than the bad army. So, God opened the young man's eyes to that which was more important, to that "unseen realm" of the real - the Spirit realm, and the realm of the eternal. Just so, our own eyes need to be open to another world that is more real, the realm of the Spirit, the realm of the eternal. The Bible says in 1 Kings 17:1, and in 18:15 that Elijah stood (and stayed) before God!
When the Bible tells us that something is real and true, then we need to believe and receive and act as though it is really real. "Faith is the --- evidence of things not seen!" Heb.11:1
In Ephesians chapter 1:20ff, we are clearly told, and believe, that Jesus:
1. Was quickened
2. Was raised
3. Was seated at the right hand of the Father God, far above all things, on the Throne with the Father.
Eph 1:20 “Which He (God the Father) brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come. 22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the Church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him Who fills all in all.” (NAS)
Sometimes when I preach here and in other countries, I obtain the local pastor's permission to borrow his biggest, most impressive religious chair that the most important dignitary sits in on the platform. I bring it forward to stage center, and place it side-ways to the audience. Then, I ask for a volunteer of a Father-God-looking gentleman from the audience, with a white beard, (or whatever), to play the part of the Heavenly Father. Then I ask for someone, perhaps his wife, to play the part of Jesus. I have her sit in a prominent part of the room, and pretend that she is dead in the tomb. Then I have the person who is playing the part of Father God, act out the raising of Jesus from the dead, from the grave, to the skies, and invite Jesus to come and sit in another large seat, at the right hand of the Father, in the Throne Room. I place this chair next to the Father's chair, but facing the opposite direction, at the right hand of the Father. I will tell you why the opposite direction in a moment.
Then I tell the people that something is missing. I direct their attention to chapter 2 of Ephesians to the part where it plainly tells us that we were also:
1. Quickened together with Christ
2. Raised together with Christ, and that we were:
3. Seated together with Christ, at the Father's right hand, in the Throne-Room of the Father, far over and above every thing that is named, in heaven or on earth.
Eph 2:5 “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:” (KJV)
Colossians 3 also speaks of this: Col 3:1 “If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, Who IS (iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiis) our Life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.” (NAS)
Other places in the Bible also speak of this.
Job 36:7 “He does not take His eyes off the righteous; He enthrones them with kings and exalts them forever.” (NIV)
One of the most beloved Psalms is Psalm 91 that tells us: "He (or she) that dwelllllls (lives) in the Secret Place of the Most High, shall abiiiiide (continually live) under the Shadow of the Almighty."
Ps 91:1 “He (or she) who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say to (YAHWEH) the LORD, ‘My Refuge and my Fortress, My God, in Whom I trust!’
This Psalm goes on to talk about the fact that we are to continually live under our Heavenly Daddy Yahweh's chest feathers, under His wings!!!!!!! Verse 4: “He will cover you with His pinions (feathers), and under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.”
Verse 9: “For you have made (Yahweh), the LORD, my Refuge, even the Most High, your Dwelling Place.”
So, to continue with our stage presentation, I have "Ms. Jesus", who is sitting beside the Father, to go back down into the audience and find a child who will co-operate, a small child, perhaps her own. The child represents you and me, going with Jesus, into His crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection, ascension and glorification. Together they act as though they are dead, in the front row, or someplace where people can see them. Then, I have the Father get up from His Throne, go to where they are, and raise them from the dead. Jesus and we, are being quickened, or, raised from the dead, together, raised from the grave together, ascending to the Father, together, and, finally seated at the right hand of the Father, together, and glorified, together with Jesus on the Throne.
The Bible repeatedly speaks of our Union with Jesus, with the Father, with the Holy Spirit, He in us, and us in Him. “Seated with Christ INNNNNN God!!!” Col.3.
We saw, in The King's Greatest Secret!, how we went with Jesus into His crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection. Now, we see how we continued, in our identification with Him, in His quickening, being raised, ascended and in His being seated at, and glorification, the Right Hand of the Father, in Jesus!!!!!!!
Back to stage center, I then explain the reason that I have the chairs placed side by side, but facing the opposite direction, comes from those Scriptures that talk about our being seated at Heavenly Papa's right hand, and from those Scriptures that talk about Him being seated at our right hand. Psalm 16:8 "I have set Yahweh always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved." But see also verse 11: "Thou wilt show me the paths of life. In Thy Presence is fullness of joy, at Thy right hand, there are pleasures forevermore."
Psalm 63:8 (NIV) says, "My soul clings to You, Your right hand upholds me."
My FATHER’S Lap
Seated on my Heavenly Father’s lap.
What could be better than this?!
Whether working very hard, or taking a nap.
This glorious thought fills me with bliss.
Far above each principality and power,
Every moment, and every hour,
Blessing comes most greatly from this heavenly rest,
Resting my ear against God’s chest.
There is no greater way I could be more blest -
Nesting in God’s arms, by His love caressed.
All harm and alarm far below this Eagle’s nest.
My other ear against His lips is pressed.
Listening to His words of endearment fine,
God’s most loving words and thoughts are surely mine.
He tells me that He loves me, line upon line.
My most productive work is when on Him I recline.
In this Throne Room of God is where I belong.
Under the shadow of His wings, I will sing my song.
My total helplessness in God, makes me the most strong.
When I’m loving Him so much I can do no wrong.
I want to always worship Thee, Lord, in Spirit and in truth,
For all eternity to old age, from youth.
I love You, Papa Yahweh, with all of my heart,
To love and trust and obey to the finish from the start.
To rest and be caressed on Papa’s chest is best, is most blest! No jest!
9 February 1999, by John Roy Bohlen
ILLUSTRATION OF THE THRONE-ROOM
Dear one, look at this lovely intimacy: if you are seated IN Christ, at the right hand of the Father, and, if the Father is at your right hand. On the platform, is seated a man, representing the Father, his wife, representing Jesus, seated facing him at his right hand, with him at her right hand, and with a child representing us, seated on her lap, between them, with his right arm and ear, pressed against the chest of the Father. At this point, I have them tenderly embrace each other, with the child in between, embracing and being embraced.
I stand back and point to them, and explain to the audience: "This is how you are to see yourself in relation to the Heavenly Father, all of the time!!!!!!! - in times of need, times of temptation, times of weariness, of financial need, when you are sick, when you are lonely, when you go to sleep, and as you go through the day - We are to have this 'Throne Room Mentality', all of the time, all the time, all the time, all the time.!!!!!!!"
There is no other way the chairs can be placed if Christ and the Father are to be at each other's right hand! One of God's titles is "El Shaddi" taken from the Hebrew word, "shad" meaning "woman's breast". Often, when the child is nursing at the mother's breast, the baby reaches up and plays with the mother's face or hair, etc.
OH HEAVENLY FATHER
John Roy Bohlen - September 1, 1999
Oooh, Dear Heavenly Father,
I am crying out to You.
At times life gets so confusing that
I don’t know what to do.
When the finances are short -
When there comes a bad report -
When the enemy makes sport -
When the best of plans abort -
When the problems I can’t sort -
When I need a strong support -
Oh, Dear Heavenly Father - - - -.
I will praise You at such a time.
When there seems no reason nor rhyme.
On my Heavenly Daddy’s lap I will climb.
Rest my ear on Your chest sublime,
There is nothing that I know to do
But to trustingly look up to You.
Chose to trust that Your promise is true.
Try to see from Your point of view
Cleave close to You all the day through
Rejoice that each moment is new.
There’s an agony deep in my soul,
Showing Your glory, this is my goal,
Tell Your story from pole to pole,
Helping Thee, help Your Bride be made whole.
Daddy, , Oh Daddy, Daddy.
Papa, . Oh Papa Dear.
Abba, , Oh Abba Yahweh,
Pleeeeeeeeeease, let Your Glory appear.
I would not flee away into sleep.
My yearning’s so strong, I could weep.
The need in my heart is so deep,
Sometimes the road seems soooo steep.
I’m trusting Your promise You’ll keep.
Now, into Your Throne-Room I’ll creep.
Into Your long strong arms I will leap,
I am trusting You, trusting You, trusting You, trrrr-
I am praising You, praising You, praising You, prrrr-
I am cleaving, clinging, clapping, cuddlinnng,
I am singing, shouting, trusting, snugglinnnng -
THE COMFORTER HAS COME!
One time, Karen and I were traveling on a ministry trip together in our van. As we traveled through the night, we both became too tired to continue on our journey, so we decided to sleep in the back of the van. The only problem was that it was about 17 degrees below zero. In other words, it was very very cold outside! But we had with us a huge down king size comforter, filled with feathers. We snuggled together under this large feather comforter, and slept comfortably. The only problem was that Karen kept waking up to check to see if she was cold! But she was warm and comfortable. And God wants us to be comfortable under His wings, under His feathers, all the time, all the time, all the time. Here’s a poem I wrote:
THE DARLING DOWN COMFORTER
My wife gave a gift that was meant to uplift,
To herself and each of the offspring,
A large fluffy blanket for weather
Fully filled with many a fine feather,
Gently gathered from under bird's wing,
I’m so cozy, I laugh and I sing!
I don’t worry about anything.
Can you imagine the feeling, peeking up at the ceiling,
Cold outside, but in bed, covered nose to toes?
Snuggled down ‘neath the down of a goose that God chose.
Ps 91:4 “He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.”
Some times I will take with me, to the teaching, one of these king-size comforters, "The Comforter has come", as the song says about the Holy Spirit, our heavenly Comforter". But, sometimes, in our demonstration, we will find one child after another who is afraid, or who is otherwise unwilling to co-operate with us in our little play demonstration. We continue until we find one who is willing. So, Jesus said, "How often I would have gathered your children, as a mother hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing." Mt.23:37 & Lk.13:34
I have the audience point at stage center and proclaim, “This is where I live.” (Repeat, after me.) “This is my address.” “This is my new home.” “This is where I stay” - “never to leave, never to roam.”
YOUR HEART - OUR HOME!
by John Roy Bohlen - February. 1998
I love You Papa Yahweh, with all my heart.
With all my soul, with every part.
My heart pours out strong love for Thee
My thanks pours out, eternally.
Your flow of grace enables me,
To follow strongly after Thee.
To yearn for Thee quite earnestly.
I'm basking in Your Presence now,
This sweet tranquility makes me bow.
We live far over everything,
We reign serene here with our King.
This is our home, we need not leave,
But ever close, to Thee we cleave.
Not, "Help us live", but, "Be our Life!"
Oh, live through us, there is no strife.
Speak through our lips, bless through our hands.
Walk through our feet, through many lands.
Upon Your lap we take our seat.
We're listening to Your heart beat,
Never to leave here, never to roam
Snuggling close, Your arms are our home.
Beneath Your wings I take my place,
Beneath Your feathers, I find grace.
Within Your Shadow, You Most High,
We never need to say "Good bye."
BACK TO THE THRONE-ROOM!
johnroybohlen and John 5:30
Back to the Throne-Room,
Never to leave.
To the folds of God’s robe,
Always to cleave.
Our Father’s heart beat,
Intimacy listens.
Oh, it is so sweet,
His Glory glistens!
Like a babe reaching up,
Play with God’s whiskers
With Daddy we’ll sup.
Hearing God’s whispers.
BACK TO THE THRONE-ROOM!
“He (or she) that dwells (lives) in the Secret Place” “of the Most High”, “shall abide” (continually live) “under the Shadow” “of the Almighty”. - - He will cover you with His feathers,” “Undah ‘Ees feadahs” and “under His wings” you will find refuge - -" “Underneath are the everlasting arms.” I encourage the people to always see themselves here on their Heavenly Papa’s lap, with their ear against the heart of God, listening to His heart-beat, with their other ear against His lips to receive His kiss, or words of encouragement, guidance, endearment.” The people repeat, a combination of these things, over and over, until, gradually, or suddenly, the light begins to dawn, and they begin to see themselves as living within the circle of our Heavenly Father’s Arms, and that we never need to leave Heavenly Daddy Yahweh's lap, His arms, His chest, this rest. Here are some of the things I will have them repeat, and have them shout, when they repeat: "This is my new home!" "This is my address!" "This is where to find me." "This is where I live - all the time! All the time!! All the time! All the time. - In times of trouble, temptation and when I'm sleeping, walking, waking, worshipping, working!!"
The border crossings in Nigeria can be very tumultuous, very harrying. Early in 1999, Joshua and I were coming home from a very busy ministry trip to Nigeria. We went to the Lagos airport to check through immigration and hoped to board the plane for home. As we approached the ticket counter, we noticed that every single item, in every single bag, of every single passenger was being checked. The uniformed lady in charge of searching the bags demanded of Joshua, “What do you have in the bags?” Joshua smiled very sweetly and said a quiet and gentle, “Hello.” The immigration officer then looked over at me with recognition. She then told us the story of how, five years previously, five hours away, she had been present in a church on a Sunday morning when I presented this “Throne-Room Mentality”. She exclaimed how she had wept with tears of joy at this revelation, and that she had lived in the strength and light of this revelation those 5 years since. She came out from behind the counter to embrace us, and through our tears of joy, had a time of intimate and sweet fellowship, while the customs officials and ticket takers and passengers looked on with wonder. Needless to say, not one of our bags was searched!
Beloved, THIS is where God wants us to live, this is where God wants us to stay. We are ever, always, to live and move and have our being, here, IN Him, in the Secret Place of the Most High!!!!!. This is what we mean by our constant need to have a "Throne Room Mentality". We are to live with this picture, this thinking, this mentality, this awareness, this reality, ever in our hearts and minds and our spirits. This is to be our perspective, our "modus operandi", our way of life. We are to live here always, never ever to depart, with Christ AS our life. Amen.
SMILE OF PLEASURE
John Roy Bohlen - January 21, 1997
There's a yearning in my heart for the Father,
There is nothing I can think of that I'd rather
I'm so hungry for You, Lord, this feeling must not be ignored
'Neath Your wings, 'Neath Your feathers, me, You gather.
Just to sit upon Your lap,
To be awake, or take a nap,
For Your heart-beat I will listen,
With Your glory I will glisten.
Your whispers of endearment, fine,
Your nod of approval, mine.
A gentle hug from you, and then,
To get another hug from You again!
Wouldn't that be great, to think as You think?
To do Your will, quick as a wink?
To know Your heart, to please You well,
To speak Your Word, Your message tell.
To go through the land,
Keep Your every command,
To say what You've planned,
Do Love's every demand.
Oh Father, Your approval, is what I desire,
To think of pleasing you, fills me with fire.
To measure up to Your stern measure,
Your smile of pleasure, this I treasure.
Oh gracious Daddy, Let me please Thee, ever and eternally.
Amen.
ABIDE!!!
Psalm fifteen asks, and answers the question: “O LORD Yahweh, who may abide in Thy tent? Who may dwell on Thy holy hill?” (NAS)
Jesus talks to us about the life and death importance and necessity of our abiding IN HIM! John 15:4 “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch, and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. 9 Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments, and abide in His love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” (NAS)
LIVE THROUGH US!
by john roy bohlen & John 5:30
To have You live through us, Oh what delight!
To shine with Your Glory, Oh what a sight!
To move in Your power, channels of Your might!
Everyone who is willing, You lovingly invite.
To have You bless through our hands, You walk through our feet.
To have You speak through our lips to all that we meet.
Residing in You, our life is complete.
Abiding in You, nothing could be more sweet.
Enjoying Your greatness, in all that we do.
Enjoying Your sweetness, all our lives through.
Our home is Your Presence, this is so true.
Not a stitch of the old life, every thing new.
The Throne-Room perspective - Wow! What a view!
Whew! More fun than the zoo!
All who are willing, to Your bosom drew.
God’s arms are out stretched, there’s room for you, too.
(See the poem “Secret Poem”)
Here are some additional Scriptures:
I Jn 2:23 “Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also. 24 As for you, let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.” (NAS)
I Jn 2:27 “And as for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him. 28 And now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming.” (NAS)
I Jn 4:12 “No one has beheld God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. 14 And we have beheld and bear witness that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 And we have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 17 By this, love is perfected with us, that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world.” (NAS)
II Jn 1:9 “Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son.” (NAS)
Ps 125:1 “Those who trust in Yahweh (the Lord) are as Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. 2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Yahweh (the Lord) surrounds His people from this time forth and forever.” (NAS)
John 14:16 “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; 17 that is the Spirit of Truth, Whom the world cannot receive, because it does not behold Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you, and will be in you.” (NAS)
John 14:23 “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My Word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him, and make Our abode with him.” (NAS)
I Jn 3:5 “And you know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin. 6 No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has seen Him or knows Him.” (NAS)
I Jn 3:22 “Whatever we ask, we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight. 23 And this is His commandment, that we believe in the Name of His Son, Jesus Yah'shua Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us. 24 And the one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And we know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit Whom He has given us.” (NAS)
Deut 33:12 "May the beloved of Yahweh dwell in security by Him, Who shields him all the day, and he dwells between His shoulders." (NAS)
Ps 16:1 “Preserve me, O God, for I take refuge in Thee. 2 I said to Yahweh, ‘Thou art my Lord; I have no good besides Thee.’ ” Then, in verse 8 “I have set Yahweh continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” And, in verse 11 “Thou wilt make known to me the path of life; in Thy presence is fullness of joy; in Thy right hand there are pleasures forever.” (NAS) Do you want more pleasure? Would you like to have more joy? This is where you find it!
Ps 27:4 “One thing I have asked from Yahweh, that I shall seek: that I may dwell in the house of Yahweh, all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of Yahweh, and to meditate in His temple. 5 For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; in the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock.” (NAS)
Ps 61:3 “For Thou hast been a Refuge for me, a Tower of strength against the enemy. 4 Let me dwell in Thy Tent forever; let me take refuge in the shelter of Thy wings. Selah.” = [Think thoughtfully about this!] (NAS)
Ps 140:13 “Surely the righteous will give thanks to Thy Name; the upright will dwell in Thy Presence.” (NAS)
Isa 57:15 “For thus says the High and Exalted One Who lives forever, Whose Name is Holy, ‘I dwell on a high and holy place, and also with the contrite and lowly of spirit in order to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.” (NAS)
Eph 3:16 “That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man; 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God [that is, may have the richest measure of the Divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself] - (AMP). 20 Now to Him Who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the Power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” (NAS) Can you imagine meeting someone who is fillllled with alllll the fullllness of God?!!! This can be YOU! NOW!!!
THE FULFILLMENT OF THE FEAST OF GLORY - TABERNACLES
PERSONAL APPROPRIATION
Try to imagine what this passage from Romans 8:29-30 means:
29 “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren; 30 and whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.” (NAS)
Question: What does it mean, “He also glorified.”!? Many Christians will testify, “I’ve been predestined!” or, “I’ve been justified!” But, who, among us will boldly declare, “I have been glorified!!!”
Consider this: Before a person is born-again, they can not say truthfully testify that they have been justified. Before a person becomes totally committed, one cannot truthfully say that he or she is a disciple of the Lord Christ, based on Luke 14. Yet, here it is:
“foreknew” = past tense
“predestined” = past tense
“justified” = past tense
“glorified” = past tense!!!
A person that does not know about being born again might say, “It is not possible to boldly declare that I have been justified, predestined or foreknown, as I am not aware that I have been justified, predestined or foreknown." He may not be aware that such experiences or testimony are possible for him or her, or any body else. In this same way, a person may not even be aware that an experience called “glorification” may even be possible or available, this side of Heaven. Please, once again, see the section in this article, “Kingdom Glory”. By all means, also make absolutely certain that you have a working revelation knowledge of "The King’s Greatest Secret!," and "The Throne-Room Mentality". You can receive these by writing to our ministry, or by contacting our website:
www.Great-Commission-Ministries.org
For now, however, please be referred to 2 Corinthians, chapter 3: verses, 7,8,9,10,11 & 18. Essentially, these verses tell us that the glory that was on the face of Moses, was nothing, compared to the glory that is available to all of us, today, right now!!! Once again, our articles, “Kingdom Glory”, "The King’s Greatest Secret!," and "The Throne-Room Mentality", all lead the way into this experience the Bible calls, “glorification”. “Whom He justified, these He also glorified.” Rom 8.
THE FULFILLMENT OF TABERNACLES FOR THE CHURCH
When is the End going to come?
Tell me if you can, when is the End going to come??? I ask this question, here, and in other countries, of pastors and Christian leaders.
One common answer is: “Any time from now.” Some times they answer, “No one knows.” Then I show them Matthew 24:14, and Mark 13:10, “This Gospel (of the Kingdom) must first be preached in ALL the World for a witness to ALL THE NATIONS, and THEN the End shall come.”!!! Of the six to seven BILLION people on the Earth, less than 10 % have been born again!!! Less than ten percent have ever heard the Gospel of the Kingdom. This statistic of ten percent has remained the same for more than 100 years!!! Yet with the population explosion, over 5 BILLION people have not yet heard the Gospel of the Kingdom!!! With all of the scientific advancements in communication ability and travel, including such giants as CBN and TBN, and SKY ANGEL networks, this enormous task has not been accomplished, nor will it, unless there is a major miracle revival out-pouring upon the Church of Jesus Christ at large!! In spite of the invention and development of good roads, airplanes, space travel, language study, computers, short wave, other radio, television, the internet, email, etc., the statistic of more than 90 % of the world’s population is still unevangelized. Less than 10% of the world’s population is born-again, and the Gospel of the Kingdom has NOT been preached!!! There are over 1 billion Chinese, 1 billion Indians, one and a half billion Muslims! Most of Europe is ignorant of the Gospel. Yes, progress is being made, isolated revivals have taken place, miracles have been wrought, but something major is lacking! I believe that there is a real key related to the Feast of Tabernacles, and its fulfillment!
THE COMING WORLD-WIDE REVIVAL!!!
These horrible, horrible statistics WILL NOT CHANGE, unless a great cataclysmic, earth shaking out-pouring and bestowal of glory and might and miracle power is mightily poured out in a world-wide avalanche of God’s Presence!!! Please notice: As the fulfillment of the Feast of Pentecost brought the “Early Rain” and the “First Fruits” and the “Former Glory”, so the Feast of Tabernacles brings the promise of the “Latter Rain”, the “Out-pouring of Glory”, and, the “End Time Harvest of the Ages!!!”
Pentecost celebrated the spring-time first fruits harvest. Tabernacles is a Fall Harvest of the summer crops, the final huge full harvest!!! We are believing that now is:
the time of the Latter Rain,
the reaping of Harvest of the Ages, and
the Glory of the Latter House,
the perfecting of the Bride,
the manifestation of the sons of God,
the fulfillment of the Great Commission, and
the marching forth of “Joel’s Army”.
These are the next things on God’s agenda, and NOT the Rapture!!! Matthew 24:14. I saw a book title once that said, I'm Glad I Got Left Behind! Too many people have an escapest mentality that says or thinks, "Let the World go to Hell! Get me outta here! Beam me up, Yahweh!" God has commanded us, and He expects us to, "Occupy, until I come!" The word "occupy" is a war term signifying foreign government supervision.
Let me ask another question: What does it also mean in Romans, chapter 8: 19, when it says that “The earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation (revealing) of the sons of God.” (KJV) ?
How and when well this be fulfilled? "For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD Yahweh, as the waters cover the sea." Hab 2:14 One way in which it can be fulfilled, will be for the born again dear ones to become filled with and familiar with God's great glory, and, as "This Gospel of the Kingdom" gets preached "in alllll the world for a witness to alllllll the nations", so that those who hear, will also become filled with and familiar with God's great glory, and they themselves cover the earth as the waters cover the sea!!!
I have a question for you. "When do you believe that this Scripture from Joel will be fulfilled, and who do you believe this army consists of?"
Joel 2:1-11 Who do you believe that this Scripture pertains to? Verse 11 tells us!
Joel 2:21 “Do not fear, O land, rejoice and be glad, for Yahweh has done great things. 22 Do not fear, beasts of the field, for the pastures of the wilderness have turned green, for the tree has borne its fruit, the fig tree and the vine have yielded in full. 23 So rejoice, O sons of Zion, and be glad in Yahweh your God; for He has given you the early rain for your vindication. And He has poured down for you the rain, the early and latter rain as before. 24 And the threshing floors will be full of grain, and the vats will overflow with the new wine and oil. 25 Then I will make up to you for the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the creeping locust, the stripping locust, and the gnawing locust, My great army which I sent among you. 26 And you shall have plenty to eat and be satisfied, and praise the Name of Yahweh your God, Who has dealt wondrously with you; then My people will never be put to shame. 27 Thus you will know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am Yahweh your God and there is no other; and My people will never be put to shame. 28 And it will come about after this that I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; and your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. 29 And even on the male and female servants I will pour out My Spirit in those days. 30 And I will display wonders in the sky and on the earth, Blood, fire, and columns of smoke. 31 The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and awesome Day of Yahweh comes. 32 And it will come about that whoever calls on the Name of Yahweh will be delivered; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be those who escape, as Yahweh has said, ‘even among the survivors whom Yahweh calls’.” (NAS)
Whom do you believe the following Scripture pertains to, and what is meant by “The Latter Rain”?
Hag 2:6 “For thus says Yahweh of Hosts (Sabbaoth: the armies of the Universe), ‘Once more in a little while, I am going to shake the heavens and the earth, the sea also and the dry land. 7 And I will shake all the Nations; and they will come with the wealth of all Nations; and I will fill this House with glory,’ says Yahweh of Hosts (Sabbaoth: the armies of the Universe). 8 ‘The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,’ declares Yahweh of Hosts (Sabbaoth: the armies of the Universe). 9 ‘The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former,’ says Yahweh of Hosts (Sabbaoth: the armies of the Universe), ‘and in this place I shall give peace,’ declares Yahweh of Hosts (Sabbaoth: the armies of the Universe).” (NAS)
Note again Matthew 24:14: Note this Bible declaration: Eph 5:26 “That He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 that He might present to Himself the Church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she should be holy and blameless.” (NAS) Tell me, "When is the Church going to be sanctified, in all her glory, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing???!" Whenever I hear the song “ ‘Tis a Glorious Church, Without Spot or Wrinkle!” I want to laugh in derision or weep with grief. The Church is, and has been, lukewarm, backslidden, passive, sinning and unconcerned. The only thing that can bring the Church to Her glorified state, we believe, is the literal, physical, bombastic, cataclysmic, historical fulfillment of the Feast of Tabernacles, and in such a way that will make the Day of Pentecost seem like kindergarten, like child’s play, by comparison.
Do you remember those days leading up to the fulfillment of Pentecost? They were waiting in a keen state of expectation, preparation, and anticipation. So we are with Tabernacles. We encourage every Christian to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles, in this state of keen excitement and expectation, as though this year could be the Year!!! Celebrate it, not because you have to, or because you must, or because God will be mad at you if you do not. But, picture with me the fact that of the multiplied thousands and thousands of people to whom Christ ministered, there were only 120 in the Upper Room when Pentecost was fulfilled!!! That’s ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY!!! Where were the thousands and thousands to whom Christ had ministered? I can again tell you where they were: They were all so busy doing more important things that they did not have time to spend, waiting around in some upper room, and, for what??? Some day, the Feast of Tabernacles will become compulsory, obligatory and mandatory, with the promise of cursing and punishment from God, for any Nation, any family who does not. Why is this Feast so important to God, to us?? I personally do not like the thought of being forced, at gun point, to attend my friend’s birthday party, and, at gun point, forced to present to him a present. This is a major reason I celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles NOW, before being forced to do so, while it is voluntary, while I do not HAVE to.
What about you?
Acts 3:20 “And that He may send the Christ, Who has been appointed for you - - even (Yahshua) Jesus. 21 He must remain in Heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as He promised long ago through His holy prophets.” (NIV) When and how is this going to be?
"Held in the Heavens, until - - -"
Please, Light of the World, Glory of the Father, Beloved Jesus Christ, let us behold and reflect Your glory.
Dear Heavenly Father Papa Daddy Yahweh: Please let us enter into manifested sonship, in that we will do Your works, and greater, healing the sick, raising the dead, stilling storms, being channels of Your miracle judgement, being immune to the judgement of others, traveling to every other country by the Holy Spirit, ministering supernaturally to millions by the Holy Spirit, seeing hundreds of millions being born again by Your power, seeing billions fed and saved and filled with the Holy Spirit and brought into the King's Greatest Secret, by the Holy Spirit, and seeing hundreds of millions of churches established by the Holy Spirit, and, forever staying in Your place of favour, by the Holy Spirit, and having an abundant entrance into the Kingdom of God by the Holy Spirit, and doing Your perfect will forever and ever by Your Holy Spirit. Amen.
PREDICTING THE FUTURE?!.
Let’s take a look at tomorrow’s newspapers!
It says in 1 Cor 2:9 “But just as it is written, ‘Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him.’ Then it goes on in verse "10 For to us God (has) revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.” (NAS)
From the King James Bible, 1 Cor 2:9 “But as it is written, ‘Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him. 10 But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.”
In the Book of Joel, chapter 2, from the Bible, and, in Revelation, chapter 12, we have an interesting look at tomorrow’s newspapers.
Here, again, is Joel 2:1-11:
1 “Blow a trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm on My holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of Yahweh is coming; surely it is near, 2 A day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness. As the dawn is spread over the mountains, so there is a great and mighty people; there has never been anything like it, nor will there be again after it to the years of many generations. 3 A fire consumes before them, and behind them a flame burns. The land is like the garden of Eden before them, but a desolate wilderness behind them, and nothing at all escapes them. 4 Their appearance is like the appearance of horses; and like war horses, so they run. 5 With a noise as of chariots they leap on the tops of the mountains, like the crackling of a flame of fire consuming the stubble, like a mighty people arranged for battle. 6 Before them the people are in anguish; all faces turn pale. 7 They run like mighty men; they climb the wall like soldiers; and they each march in line, nor do they deviate from their paths. 8 They do not crowd each other; they march everyone in his path. When they burst through the defenses, they do not break ranks. 9 They rush on the city, they run on the wall; they climb into the houses, they enter through the windows like a thief. 10 Before them the earth quakes, the heavens tremble, the sun and the moon grow dark, and the stars lose their brightness. 11 And Yahweh utters His voice before His army; surely His camp is very great, for strong is he who carries out His word. The Day of Yahweh is indeed great and very awesome, and who can endure it?” (NAS)
Some folks think Joel’s Army is some grasshoppers. Some think it is the Russians. But verse 11 tells us who it is. “And Yahweh utters His voice before His army; surely His camp is very great, for strong is he who carries out His word.” It is His Army, His Camp, a great and mighty people, and it consists of those who are committed to do the will and Word of God. We believe that there is a people spoken of in the Bible from beginning to end, of those saints who are totally committed to doing the will of God. Jesus said, “You are My friends, IF you do the will of My Father.” Jn.15:14 And, “My mother, brother and sister is he (or she) who DOES the will of My Father.” Mt.12:48-50. The Bible calls this group of people who uncompromisingly committed to obey God, by various names, such as: 'the disciples', the 'saints', the 'excellent ones', the 'saviors on Mount Zion', the 'remnant', the 'Overcomers', the 'godly ones', the 'manifested sons', the 'sons of God', the 'friends of God', 'Joel’s Army', the 'mother', 'brother' and 'sister of Christ'. Again, the common element that uniquely pertains to them all, is that they do the will of God!!. “They who are led by the Holy Spirit, ARE the sons of God.” Romans 8.
TRIBULATION
Note the contrast in Joel 2:2 “A day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness. As the dawn is spread over the mountains . .” Here, as in Revelation 12, we see glory and darkness at the same time. The Bible talks about things waxing worse and worse, yet also talks about things getting brighter and better unto the Perfect Day! Prov 4:18. In Revelation 12, there are three groups of people: 1) the 'Woman', 2) the 'Manchild', and 3) “the rest of her children”. All the way through the book of Revelation, there are certain individuals who actually represent people groups. For example, the Mother of Harlots, Mystery Babylon, represents the whole worldly religious, economic, military and governmental/political system, that is not of God. It is an individual that actually represents many people. We believe that the Woman spoken of in Revelation 12 is the Church believers at large, or at least, the intercessors, those who have a mother’s heart to give birth, etc. We believe that the “Man child” is the overcomers, the saints, the disciples, etc., Rev.2:26,27, and that the “rest of her children” represents the vast majority of believers, who are luke warm and who have only a percentage level of discipleship commitment. Rev.3:16.
GLORY? or, GLOOM AND DOOM?
Once, on a ministry trip to Nigeria, I spoke to an American banker who had been in the banking industry for years. I said, “Be honest with me. If I brought $100 to the bank to put it in checking or savings, how many times would the bank be legally able to lend out to lenders.” His reply was terrifying: “If something happened, anything that would shake the people’s faith in the economy, the money would not be available, and the banks would have to close their doors, IF EVEN LESS THAN ONE PERCENT OF THE POPULATION went to the bank at the same time to ask for their money!!!”
During the “Great Depression” of the 1920’ and 30’s, America was on “the gold standard”, the country was largely rural, which meant that folks had food stored in their root cellars and pantries, and many were not dependent on electricity or modern utilities, nor did most Americans have the horrible debt load of today’s citizens.
The American economy is set to collapse any time from now, and in such a way as to make the “Great Depression” look like a picnic, by comparison. When the economy collapses, there will not even be money to pay firemen, the police, soldiers, postal people, or the utility companies. There will be wide-spread looting, burning, rioting and violence. It will be truly a day of “doom and gloom”, but, as Joel 2 also says, it will also be a day “as the dawn is spread upon the mountains”, so there will be “a great and mighty people.” As the Dragon goes off to persecute “the rest of her children”, the woman will be subsisting in the wilderness, and the Manchild overcomers will be “ruling over the Nations with a rod of iron”!
How and when is this going to happen? The answer is: “any time from now”.
Remember Matthew 24:14 “This Gospel of the Kingdom must (first) be preached in all the World for a witness to ALL the Nations, and THEN the End will come!!!” Will the end come, if this Gospel of the Kingdom is not first preached to ALL the World for a witness to ALL the nations? As we said before, there are over 1.4 billion Moslems, 1 billion Chinese, nearly one billion Indians, and nearly a gazillion white people who could care less about God.
What has all of this got to do with the Feast of Tabernacles?? Much in every way! Passover was fulfilled on the calendar, when Christ, our Passover Lamb was slain, so that the Blood of the Lamb can be applied to the door-post of our lives so that the Death Angel will pass over us. Pentecost was fulfilled on the calendar Day of Pentecost when the First Fruits of the Holy Spirit was bestowed bombastically and cataclysmically upon the Church. But Tabernacles has never been fulfilled! It is the Feast of Harvest, In-Gathering, and Glory! When it is fulfilled, we believe that it will be the Glory of the Latter House, the Latter Rain, the Full Harvest of the Earth, with mighty signs and wonders, creative miracles, judgement miracles. This will be the literal calendar time when we see the fulfillment of the promises of God, such as:
1) “These signs shall follow those who believe, they shall lay hands on the sick, and they SHALL recover!” Mk.16:19
2) “If two of you agree as touching ANYTHING, it SHALL be done!” Mt.18
3) “The works that I do, shall you do, and GREATER WORKS!” Jn.14:12
4) “What ever you lose, or bind, shall be loosed, or bound.” Mt.18:18
5) “This honour have all His godly ones, to bind the kings with chains, the nobles with fetters of iron, to execute upon them the judgement written, vengeance upon the nations, and punishments upon the people.” Ps.149
6) “The overcomers will rule over the nations with a rod of iron.” Rev.2
7) "And whatsoever ye shall ask in My Name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If ye shall ask any thing in My Name, I will do it." John 14:1
Be honest with me. Have these promises ever been fulfilled in a very large way by the overcomers??? The time is now, when these promises are to be received, believed and fulfilled in practical experiential ways, as a way of life, as standard procedure, as a regular happening. Amen.
INTEGRITY!
“God desires truth in the inward parts.” “A broken and a contrite heart, God will not despise.” Ps 34:18; 51:17; Isa 57:15; 66:2. In the past, God allowed certain ministries to move in the power of God without much integrity, in many cases. But there has come a change, when God will no longer tolerate this kind of silliness. God is now demanding truth in the inward parts, and is insisting that we be people of pristine integrity, and of the deepest of Christ-like character. Isa.52:11. People often seek God for His power, His provision of money and numbers and fame. But while we have been seeking these things from God, God has been seeking deeper levels and character and integrity from us! 2 Chron 16:9.
Note: It is not difficult for God to give us unlimited power, etc., but it is difficult for God to find people who have enough character and integrity worked within them, so that when God’s power and provision IS bestowed, people will not:
1) build their own kingdom,
- take glory to themselves and become arrogant and thus, ruined, and
3) bring shame to the Name of Christ.
NEGATIVE ASPECTS OF GOD’S GLORY
(A fire can burn as well as bless!)
When one does a careful study of the glory of God, an interesting fact becomes evident: that the appearance of the Glory of Yahweh brought JUDGEMENT, a great percentage of the time, sometimes resulting in the bloody deaths of many people, including the people of God.
Ex 16:10, 17; Num 14:10; 16:19,42; Deut. 5:24 are just a few of the places where glory and judgement occupied the same story.
God’s glory appeared when Korah and his extended family were all killed by God.
The Israelites were killed by the multiplied thousands in the midst of the Glory of God when they disobeyed. Num.16.
When Uzza reached out his hand to steady the ark of the covenant, God struck him dead. 2 Sam.6
A New Testament example would be that of Ananias and Sapphira, in Acts 5, whom God struck dead, simply because they told a lie, in the midst of the greatest revival the world has ever known!!! Even more modern revivals record the deaths of certain ones who fought against the people and the move of God. While we greatly desire that the hand of God be upon us to bless, yet the Bible declares that it is “a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God!!!” Heb.10:27,35. A fire can bless, or it can burn. A knife or sword can cut its owner! So, with the glory. The glory, communion, God's Presence can heal, or it can kill, depending on our state of being, our attitude, our heart condition. 1 Cor.11:29,30 The devil believes, and trembles. We should also tremble. Yahweh explained to Moses that no one could see Yahweh, and live. Yet, God prepared a special cockpit seat, and carved out a hollow spot in the mountain for Moses to fit into, and God allowed Moses to see just a part of Him. Ex.33. "We shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is":!!! 1 Jn.3:2
The film, Raiders of the Lost Ark, features a time when evil men looked into the ark, and were slain, yet, as was the case with the three Hebrew children in the fiery furnace, the flames burned off the bonds of the good guys and set them free, while killing the bad guys.
CONCLUSION
We are about to enter in to the greatest period of revival and anointing and spiritual harvest the world has ever seen! It will be greater that anyone can imagine! God, through His humble dear ones, is going to put new arms and legs on people’s bodies, youth will be renewed, people will be given new sets of teeth, new eyes, new brains, new body parts of all sorts and descriptions. FGM can be supernaturally reversed! The parts lost through cancer can be restored! There will be supernatural provision and protection. Wastebaskets of paper will be turned into money, stones into bread, fuel tanks will be supernaturally filled, water and fool provided. People will become born-again, Spirit filled, sanctified, and glorified by the hundreds of millions, perhaps even billions!. We believe that as with the Feast of Pentecost, so the Feast of Tabernacles, or ‘Sukkot’, or ‘Glory’. or ‘Harvest’, or ‘Ingathering’, will usher in, see and be a time of unprecedented glory and revival. God will use the humblest and least known of His people, while passing by and even judging many major ministries who have the best of reputations, because, in their heart of hearts, they lack integrity.
We believe that the best of this revival and outpouring of God’s glory and miracle power will be ushered in, very soon, probably beginning at the time of the Feast of Tabernacles. Therefore, we encourage everyone to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles with a keen state of expectation, anticipation, hope, and preparation. Amen. You are welcome to join us at our humble Feast, if you cannot find others of like mind with whom to celebrate. Otherwise, we lovingly and earnestly encourage you to observe the Feast of Tabernacles where you are, with whomever you can find that will be willing to celebrate the Presence of the Lord with you. Amen.
WHY WE CELEBRATE TABERNACLES
Here's why we observe the Feast of Tabernacles: It is NOT - , repeat, It is NOT because the Old Testament commands it! It is for the following reasons:
1. It's a really great idea! Isn't it a lovely idea, to gather together for the purpose of enjoying and celebrating Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, for sharing, for worship, for waiting on God, for teaching, for giving each other an opportunity to be used of God to bless others, to allow a creative opportunity for people to allow God to be God through them to the rest of us. Amen. Let's have a party for God!!!
2. As Tabernacles was commanded and demanded and compulsory in the PAST, AND in the FUTURE, we believe that there is a window of opportunity for us to celebrate it now, voluntarily, and NOT because we have to.
3. But NOT because the Torah or Zechariah or the Old Testament commands it!
4. Tabernacles has never yet been fulfilled. We believe that one of these years, soon, perhaps this year, that IT WILL BE FULFILLED, and that, as the people waited, in the New Testament, in the Upper Room, and as Yahshua Jesus, in the New Testament, fulfilled Passover and Pentecost, that Tabernacles will be fulfilled in a mighty outpouring of the Glory and Presence of God in a way that the World has never seen, and the Church has never imagined.
5. Wouldn’t it be wonderful, just to take one week of the year off, with your family, to have a family camp-out, and enjoy and CELEBRATE GOD???!!!
6. One of the brightest and best aspe
c.3t.s. .of Tabernacles, is the celebration of God - TABERNACLING in us!!!!!!!!!!! Therefore we joyfully allow and encourage the people to allow God to live and move and speak and create and dance and sing and do drama, even puppets, do art, etc., through them!!!!!!! It is one thing for Moses to have gone up on the mountain and have had a meeting with Yahweh. But it is another equally delightful thing for us to sit down at table, or wherever, with a human being like you, and have a meeting with the God of Glory Who lives - talks, smiles, and loves - THROUGH YOU!!!!!!!!!!!
7. The leading of the Holy Spirit. Perhaps God Himself will lead you, like HE did the people in the Upper Room, to gather with your family, with fellow Christians, and meet together with Yahweh Papa Daddy God, in the presence of His Glory!
We love you! And, we humbly, joyfully, hopefully, gently urge and invite you to join us! Or, as we have mentioned, celebrate this Favorite but Forgotten Most Holiday Feast of Tabernacles where ever you are!
If you have any questions, need counseling, or desire more information, contact us:
John Roy Bohlen and John 5:30; 715-866-4060
email:
God’s sweet and glorious best to you and to yours. Amen!
Mal 3:1 " - - And the Lord, Whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the Messenger of the Covenant, in Whom you delight, behold, He is coming," says YAHWEH of Hosts (Sabbaoth, the Lord of the Armies of the Universe!)"
CONTACT INFORMATION
You may contact us at:
Great Commission Ministries
9473 County Road D
Webster, WI 54893
Phone: 715-866-4060 email:
Website: www.Great-Commission-Ministries.org
Other books and articles we have written:
How To Rule The World, or Seek 1st the Kingdom of God
The Cult of Cannibals, or, How To Rightly Relate
The Sexual Ministry, or, How To Live Happily Ever After
How To Raise 'Purfect' Kids
The King's Greatest Secret!
FGM, or Female Circumcision
Poetry
Law, Grace and Law
Body Stewardship
The Glorious Church
Apostles: Who, How, What, When and Where
True African Adventure Stories
How To Save Time
What is God's Name?
God’s sweet and glorious best to you and to yours. Amen!
We love you!!!