THE 3
GLORIES OF HEAVEN
The Origin of this Doctrine .... The Gifts and Settings. What, exactly, are we seeing when we watch a Miracle Crusade? Most Christians would enthusiastically answer: "the gospel is being proclaimed, with God confirming through signs and wonders." But something more is happening ... something equally important and exciting. We're being privileged to observe part of God's interesting, effective, New Testament system to reach the world, and mature His loving believers. Beginning with the 1st century Judeo-gentile church, God introduced a specific system to teach doctrine, prophecy events, proclaim the gospel, shepherd the church, and teach His blood bought believers. It's called the 5-fold apostolic settings, and God frequently uses it in combination with His gifts of the Holy Spirit. The two go together; anointed people and supernatural gifts. So, when we watch a miracle crusade we are seeing first hand, the actual functioning of one of these parts of the 5-fold settings ... the evangelist part. But now, lets discuss the other 4 parts. Do you know that they are given that Spirit filled believers can be so changed by God, that they'll be given everlasting entrance into His joyful fabulous presence? I'm not referring here, to the simple requirement to enter heavens outer-court (believe on the atoning death of Jesus Christ) I'm referring here to the requirement to have a rich entrance into the presence of our wonderful God and Father, whose abode is the Holy of Holies. (a.k.a. The City of God, The new Jerusalem, etc.) I'm referring here, to the special maturity and work that God must do in our lives if we're to be accepted into his highest glory. When we received the Holy Spirit, we received neither instantaneous maturity, nor God's 'approval' to enter that third glory with its fabulous rewards and crowns. But in receiving His Spirit we did symbolically enter His second glory, and simultaneously receive His invitation to develop and walk in a proven loyalty, and fervent love unto Him. Those who receive His Spirit have now entered into God's advanced program. In this capacity they will be tested, scourged and molded, and some will advance unto 'election' and fullness of reward in His awesome presence. To accomplish all this , God enables Himself to enter the picture through His Gifts and Settings. Getting changed into His likeness and securing His approval, is not something that Spirit filled believers can do on their own. We must recognize the goal set before us, and the system through which God will enable us to win. He designed the race, the rules, and the prize; as well as furnishing the gifts and the anointed people. This is where I come in. I'm one of the 5 parts. Thirty-plus years ago God set me into His church in the same capacity that He set Peter ... to feed His sheep. The doctrine stated herein, specifically the 3 glories of heaven and attaining to election, is an outflow of this apostolic setting and hearing Him through the gifts. May it be a blessing to the minds and hearts of those who are awakening to a deep need and love for God. |
