The Churches utter dependence upon the Presence of Christ without which they will PERISH:
The importance of this subject cannot be under estimated because it is here that we enter into the most attractive arena’s in all the bible:
1. How to find the presence of Christ
2. How to come into the presence of Chris
3. How to be impowered with the presence of Christ.
Luk 24:5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?
They were seeking the presence of Christ where it was not… in a grave
Very different from the final church that does have the capacity to “follow the Lamb withersoever he goeth”.
Luk 24:17 And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?
Luk 24:25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:
Luk 24:26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?
Luk 24:27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
This is the new testament church in action, coming to an understanding of the prophecies written, don’t you think we need to understand the prophets. The book of revelation was written for our time…
Pro_13:20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
Luke 24:25 Fools are slow to believe the prophets, slow to believe the books that were written for their time
The lips of Christ feed the hearts of these men, so much so that their desire, and longing for the divinity of Christ became hot… What Satan had blinded Christ revealed.
Pro_10:21 The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.
Christ is such a good shepherd, without Christ visiting Mary, the two on the road to Emmaus, and without him visiting the disciples after his resurrection they would have never know him as God in the flesh. As the living God their creator and redeemer. They were just as dependent upon the personal presence of Christ to open their understanding that he was more than a prophet, that he was the Living God, that He was alive and accessible to them as we are today dependent upon the same gift of His presence through the Spirit given to the church today.
But what do we find that church doing with the gift of expounding the scriptures through the Spirit of Prophecy.
We find them acting as “Fools” slow to believe exalting the writings of common men above the gift.
Why are we so weak, because of the lack of the personal presence of Christ among us…
Now is it foolish to not believe the prophets, to not understand the book of revelation in the last days… Let us see what God’s messengers in the bible have to say about that….
Pro_3:35 The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.
And how do we know that they are so needed, we find the last true church just before Christ returns has them: Rev. 12:17
Rev_12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Rev_19:10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
Now what is it that constitutes GOD’S TRUE CHURCH: God has a church. It is not the great cathedral, neither is it the national establishment, neither is it the various denominations; it is the people who love God and keep His commandments. “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20). Where Christ is even among the humble few, this is Christ’s church, for the presence of the High and Holy One who inhabiteth eternity can alone constitute a church. {UL 315.5}
“I am the true Vine.” The Jews had always regarded the vine as the most noble of plants, and a type of all that was powerful, excellent, and fruitful. Israel had been represented as a vine which God had planted in the Promised Land. The Jews based their hope of salvation on the fact of their connection with Israel. (their church) But Jesus says, I am the real Vine. Think not that through a connection with Israel (your church) you may become partakers of the life of God, and inheritors of His promise. Through Me alone is spiritual life received. {DA 675.1}
“I am the true Vine, and My Father is the husbandman.” On the hills of Palestine our heavenly Father had planted this goodly Vine, and He Himself was the husbandman. Many were attracted by the beauty of this Vine, and declared its heavenly origin.
Isa_57:15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
Will you choose to dwell with Christ alone in your heart? Will you make room for no other but HE alone? IF you don’t you will be classified among fools, and in the end find eternal loss.
May the Lord Bless you and Keep You and cause His Face to Shine Upon You
Pastor Ken Tonage
2015 Messages