In chapter 15 of John, Jesus gives us a beautiful illustration explaining the Body of Christ, how it is rooted, grows, and produces fruitage. How it fulfils its purpose.
In reading Jesus illustration we can see he once again used something that his audience was very familiar with, a grapevine. Jesus choice of symbols is fascinating when we parallel it to the body of Christ. For example, The grapevine, is all one plant, connected to the rootstock, it's lifeline. It self-pollinates, producing fruitage within itself, and the nature of the vine is that twines together it branches to strengthen them.
He begins:
"I am the True Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser." Joh 15:1
Jesus is showing us that he is not only the rootstock of the vine(Rev.22:16), but the vine itself. As we join the body by accepting his word in our hearts, we become Jesus and part of the vine. "But those on the good ground are the ones who, in an honest and good heart, having heard the Word, keep it and bring forth fruit with patience." Luk 8:15
God is the vinedresser. The vinedresser is the one who prunes and cares for the vine, training and causing fruitage.
"Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away. And every one that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bring forth more fruit. Now you are clean through the Word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me." Joh 15:2-4
John 17:6 Explains that it is The Father who gives us to Jesus, for those whom he loves he gives to the Son. We abide in Jesus. As we abide in Christ, we are nourished and pruned by the discipline of God to produce more fruitage.(Hebr 12:7-11) In fact if we are not pruned, than we are not sons of God. It is an attentive and caring vinedresser that prunes. He know that in it's early two years of growth, a new branch is not yet strong enough to produces good fruit. Through pruning the branch is strengthen for it's task, and by the third year it can produce to it's full potential. It is also in the benefit of the entire vine(body) that training and pruning occurs, as without it, the whole plant becomes a tangled unproductive mess.
Verse three also explains how we become part of the vine. "you are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you." The word cleanses us, remaking our hearts as a reflection of Christ,(2Cor 4:10) and giving us life within ourselves(John 11:25, John 6:53).
"I am the Vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered. And they gather and cast them into the fire, and they are burned" Joh 15:5,6
Unlike a plant, which can only grow to a certain size, a vine can continue to grow without bounds. But the branches must stay with the rootstock and the vine itself. It cannot exits on it's own. A plant will produce seeds and then die. The seeds will each form their own plants and the cycle continues. But the vine is fed and nourished, by itself. Jesus is our vine, and the body it's branches. To have life, we have to be part of his body. Without him, we dry up, and are cast away. Jesus explains, there is no other way. "Jesus said to him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but by Me. " Joh 14:6
By staying with the vine and bearing fruit, the body of Christ brings Glory to God.
If you abide in Me, and My Words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done to you. In this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, so you shall be My disciples. Joh 15:7,8
The next few verses explain how the body is fed and grows.
"As the Father has loved Me, so I have loved you; continue in My love. If you keep My commandments, you shall abide in My love, even as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. I have spoken these things to you so that My joy might remain in you and your joy might be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." Joh 15:9-12
God is love.
1Jo 4:8 The one who does not love has not known God. For God is love.
Jesus is the expression of God's love, his Word.
"In this the love of God was revealed in us, because God sent His only begotten Son into the world that we might live through Him." 1Jo 4:9
For us to be part of Jesus, to live with him. We must love.
"Jesus answered and said to him, If a man 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." Joh 14:23
Not only must we love God and Jesus, but we must produce fruitage. Our Fruitage, and Christ commandment, is to love one another by expressing the love that Jesus has placed in us.
"This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." Joh 15:12
Unproductive branches are cut off, and tossed away. If the branch stops getting it's nutrients from the vine it withers up and dies.(1Jon 3:10-12) The vine, Jesus, is expressed love. We must also express love to others creating fruitage for the vine body. The vine pollinates itself through expressed love, causing new growth and fruit. So if we do not love our Brother, we cannot love God, we cannot abide with Jesus.
"We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brothers. He who does not love his brother abides in death." 1Jo 3:14
It is a simple, beautiful command, for Jesus explains, all is fulfilled by it being kept, including the purpose of the body of Christ.
"Master, which is the great commandment in the Law? Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." Mat 22:36-40
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Saturday, February 9, 2008
The Righteous Cry
To the afflicted heart
his ears awaken
the suffering soul
his eyes seek
He will not look away
and not deliver
he will not turn around
and not save
Many are the pains of the righteous
saddness swarms from all sides
darkness seeks to bind
and cast into the pit
Wolves wait for the kill
and the dragon breathes an impatient sigh
But oh Lord your hand saves!
Your Voice is my balm
never will you allow my heart to fail
it searches for you.
Raise my voice, so I can sing
lift my eyes to gaze upon your face
grasp my hand and leads me down your path
put your words upon my lips
So I may praise you all my days
and lay them upon your altar
as a sacrifice to your goodness
Show me the mirror so I may see
how to remove the dirt from my face
how to shine just like your Son
and bless those whom you love
May I take what you give
and pour it out
may I possess you
and share you with the world
May I recieve your love
without hesitation
and supply it as freely
as you bestow it to me.
Bless the righteous cry
oh my beloved
for I lie at your feet and wait.
his ears awaken
the suffering soul
his eyes seek
He will not look away
and not deliver
he will not turn around
and not save
Many are the pains of the righteous
saddness swarms from all sides
darkness seeks to bind
and cast into the pit
Wolves wait for the kill
and the dragon breathes an impatient sigh
But oh Lord your hand saves!
Your Voice is my balm
never will you allow my heart to fail
it searches for you.
Raise my voice, so I can sing
lift my eyes to gaze upon your face
grasp my hand and leads me down your path
put your words upon my lips
So I may praise you all my days
and lay them upon your altar
as a sacrifice to your goodness
Show me the mirror so I may see
how to remove the dirt from my face
how to shine just like your Son
and bless those whom you love
May I take what you give
and pour it out
may I possess you
and share you with the world
May I recieve your love
without hesitation
and supply it as freely
as you bestow it to me.
Bless the righteous cry
oh my beloved
for I lie at your feet and wait.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
In God's Image
During some personal reading about a week ago, a friend of mine raised the question "Are angels created in the image of God?" Having never really researched the question myself I took a guess and said "yes" for a few reasons. Since leaving organized religion, I had come to understand more fully the role of angels in the ministry of the Testimony of Christ.
"And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said to me, See, do not do it! I am your fellow servant, and of your brothers who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God, for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." Rev 19:10
Being our fellow servants, they worship, serve and testify to God's glory and to the Lamb. To me this seemed to show a similarity to our own purpose and nature of our worship. Also into my consideration fell the fact that they are also held accountable, just as humans, for pure worship of God. In the old testament it also seems they were in fact used to represent God's face. Gen. 32:25-30. And although all these facts seem to be worthy of consideration. It still does not answer the purposed question. Are angels created in God's image?
The First questions has to be, What is the image of God?
And God said, Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the heavens, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over all the creepers creeping on the earth.
And God created man in His image; in the image of God He created him. He created them male and female. Gen. 1:26,27
Adam was clearly stated to be created in the image of God. What I found interesting was that God seems to be discussing this creation with someone else. "Let us make man in our image." So by this context we see it is no longer just God's image, but OUR image. To whom is God addressing this comment?
We can find this answer in a couple of scriptures.
Who is the image of the invisible God, the First-born of all creation. For all things were created in Him, the things in the heavens, and the things on the earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers, all things were created through Him and for Him.
Col 1:14-16
We can see here, that Jesus is called the image of God. He being the first-born of all creation, also was used to create all things. So when our Father was speaking in Genesis he was speaking to Jesus, his Son, whom he used to create all things. The words "let us", was a direction from God to Jesus to create man in their image. It would be "their" image because Jesus is the expressed image of God.
Has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds, who being the shining splendor of His glory, and the express image of His essence, and upholding all things by the word of His power, through Himself cleansing of our sins, He sat down on the right of the Majesty on high,
Heb 1:2-3
In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving ones, so that the light of the glorious gospel of Christ (who is the image of God) should not dawn on them. 2Co 4:4
With this understanding we can see that Adam was created in the Image of God, The image of God, being Jesus. After Adam and Eve's transgression against God, they no longer reflected his image. Therefore when they had children, they were in the image of Adam, not in the Image of God.
Gen 5:3 And Adam lived one hundred and thirty years and fathered a son in his own likeness, after his own image. And he called his name Seth.
Man continued to multiply according to his own image, and this led to all being enslaved to death. With Jesus coming as the second Adam, death is no longer king over Man. Jesus is now King, and with him all enemies will cease, including death.
For since death is through man, the resurrection of the dead also is through a Man.
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first-fruit, and afterward they who are Christ's at His coming; then is the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God, even the Father; when He makes to cease all rule and all authority and power. for it is right for Him to reign until He has put all the enemies under His feet. The last enemy made to cease is death. 1Co 15:21-26
Man can now reflect God's image again.
And so it is written, "The first man, Adam, became a living soul," the last Adam was a life-giving Spirit. But not the spiritual first, but the natural; afterward the spiritual. The first man was out of earth, earthy; the second Man was the Lord from Heaven. Such the earthy man, such also the earthy ones. And such the heavenly Man, such also the heavenly ones. And according as we bore the image of the earthy man, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man. 1Co 15:45-49
Through Jesus, we can now reflect the image of the heavenly man, in the image of God.
But we all, with our face having been unveiled, having beheld the glory of the Lord as in a mirror, are being changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Lord Spirit. 2Co 3:18
And you should put on the new man, who according to God was created in righteousness and true holiness. Eph 4:24
What a beautiful thing. We as Christians become the body of Christ, his image, in the image of our Heavenly Father. Jesus truly restored to us what was lost and gave to us light and life.
If you have noticed, I still have not addressed the original question "are Angels created in the image of God?" I will be honest, I do not know. The Bible does not tell us. To me it seems that if they share with us, being a reflection of God's image and of Jesus, they would also be included in the body of Christ, or being part of his bride. There is no biblical support for this view. I think the scripture below seems to explain to us the difference in creation.
There are also heavenly bodies and earthly bodies. But the glory of the heavenly is truly different, and that of the earthly different; one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory. 1Co 15:40,41
Since the Bible does not explain to us the specifics of the creation of angels we cannot assume any other creation was made in the image of God other than the first human pair and Jesus.
"And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said to me, See, do not do it! I am your fellow servant, and of your brothers who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God, for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." Rev 19:10
Being our fellow servants, they worship, serve and testify to God's glory and to the Lamb. To me this seemed to show a similarity to our own purpose and nature of our worship. Also into my consideration fell the fact that they are also held accountable, just as humans, for pure worship of God. In the old testament it also seems they were in fact used to represent God's face. Gen. 32:25-30. And although all these facts seem to be worthy of consideration. It still does not answer the purposed question. Are angels created in God's image?
The First questions has to be, What is the image of God?
And God said, Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the heavens, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over all the creepers creeping on the earth.
And God created man in His image; in the image of God He created him. He created them male and female. Gen. 1:26,27
Adam was clearly stated to be created in the image of God. What I found interesting was that God seems to be discussing this creation with someone else. "Let us make man in our image." So by this context we see it is no longer just God's image, but OUR image. To whom is God addressing this comment?
We can find this answer in a couple of scriptures.
Who is the image of the invisible God, the First-born of all creation. For all things were created in Him, the things in the heavens, and the things on the earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers, all things were created through Him and for Him.
Col 1:14-16
We can see here, that Jesus is called the image of God. He being the first-born of all creation, also was used to create all things. So when our Father was speaking in Genesis he was speaking to Jesus, his Son, whom he used to create all things. The words "let us", was a direction from God to Jesus to create man in their image. It would be "their" image because Jesus is the expressed image of God.
Has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds, who being the shining splendor of His glory, and the express image of His essence, and upholding all things by the word of His power, through Himself cleansing of our sins, He sat down on the right of the Majesty on high,
Heb 1:2-3
In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving ones, so that the light of the glorious gospel of Christ (who is the image of God) should not dawn on them. 2Co 4:4
With this understanding we can see that Adam was created in the Image of God, The image of God, being Jesus. After Adam and Eve's transgression against God, they no longer reflected his image. Therefore when they had children, they were in the image of Adam, not in the Image of God.
Gen 5:3 And Adam lived one hundred and thirty years and fathered a son in his own likeness, after his own image. And he called his name Seth.
Man continued to multiply according to his own image, and this led to all being enslaved to death. With Jesus coming as the second Adam, death is no longer king over Man. Jesus is now King, and with him all enemies will cease, including death.
For since death is through man, the resurrection of the dead also is through a Man.
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first-fruit, and afterward they who are Christ's at His coming; then is the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God, even the Father; when He makes to cease all rule and all authority and power. for it is right for Him to reign until He has put all the enemies under His feet. The last enemy made to cease is death. 1Co 15:21-26
Man can now reflect God's image again.
And so it is written, "The first man, Adam, became a living soul," the last Adam was a life-giving Spirit. But not the spiritual first, but the natural; afterward the spiritual. The first man was out of earth, earthy; the second Man was the Lord from Heaven. Such the earthy man, such also the earthy ones. And such the heavenly Man, such also the heavenly ones. And according as we bore the image of the earthy man, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man. 1Co 15:45-49
Through Jesus, we can now reflect the image of the heavenly man, in the image of God.
But we all, with our face having been unveiled, having beheld the glory of the Lord as in a mirror, are being changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Lord Spirit. 2Co 3:18
And you should put on the new man, who according to God was created in righteousness and true holiness. Eph 4:24
What a beautiful thing. We as Christians become the body of Christ, his image, in the image of our Heavenly Father. Jesus truly restored to us what was lost and gave to us light and life.
If you have noticed, I still have not addressed the original question "are Angels created in the image of God?" I will be honest, I do not know. The Bible does not tell us. To me it seems that if they share with us, being a reflection of God's image and of Jesus, they would also be included in the body of Christ, or being part of his bride. There is no biblical support for this view. I think the scripture below seems to explain to us the difference in creation.
There are also heavenly bodies and earthly bodies. But the glory of the heavenly is truly different, and that of the earthly different; one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory. 1Co 15:40,41
Since the Bible does not explain to us the specifics of the creation of angels we cannot assume any other creation was made in the image of God other than the first human pair and Jesus.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Simply Faith
Having read many comments on discussion boards recently concerning Faith and knowledge, I have observed that people seem to unwittingly tie faith to knowledge. Almost a stipulation of having faith is that I have to understand and have deep knowledge of what I am to believe in, before being able to demonstrate faith. Yet, Faith is not tied to understanding, but belief.
1Co 8:1 But concerning the sacrifices to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.
1Co 8:2 And if any man thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know.
1Co 8:3 But if any one loves God, he has been known of him.
Oh what knowledge do we really need? Knowledge of Jesus, of Our Father, knowledge of love. Through this knowledge we can have a firm foundation for our Faith.
Heb 6:18 so that by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us,
Heb 6:19 which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters into that within the veil,
One of the people who have come into my life recently who has given me much insight on the love of God, and the pure demonstration of faith, is "Ruthanne". What is interesting, is that she has very little knowledge and not a lot of capacity to understand. Let me explain.
My "Ruthanne"...
It was several months ago that I met Ms. Ruthanne. She was seated outside a convenient store in my path to work. I entered into a conversation with her while she sat next to a pay phone. She was having a stressful day and was crying. She asked if I would pray with her, so I knelt down and prayed with her for God to help her, and for His Son to grant her peace, and the removal of the darkness that was pressing in upon her.
Now Ruthanne, is what I would call a transient. She is not homeless, but lives in a rather destitute state. She is afraid to bathe, for fear of being attacked. She carries all her valuables with her, for fear of them being stolen. And many nights, sleep eludes her because voices tell her they will kill her in her sleep. she is learning disabled and a ward of the state. Although being married, her husband is not active in trying to comfort her and lift her from these fears. She had no one else in the this world.
Being especially vulnerable because of her mental disabilities. Ruthanne has a past like you would be unable to believe. Being abused and taken advantage of by not only members of her immediate family, but also demonically controlled people who found her to be easy prey. There are no less than three people in prison for what they did to my precious friend. Society as a whole has discarded her, because they either did not care for the odd mannered women, or felt powerless to aid her in any way.
Yet my friends, whom needs to know the love of Jesus, more than her? Was not Jesus in search of such ones to heal? You see, despite her illnesses and odd behavior, and even though told to be valueless to society, she is as precious as Gold. For Ruthanne has pure faith.
She does not understand the seven congregations of Revelation. She could not explain the image of Daniel. And more than likely, could not tell you too much about the accounts in the Gospels. But she does not need this knowledge to show her faith. For she understands the simplicity of Truth. God's gave us his son to show us love. Those who love God, have belief in Jesus. And if we believe and trust in Jesus and his promises and words, our Faith will keep us safe and heal our wounds. She understands the Kingdom of God. She is pure in heart, and therefore God has shown himself to her.
Mat 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart! For they shall see God.
She showers love on all those around her, and prays every chance she gets. She understands that it is Jesus spirit that brings her peace, and it is his Holy Spirit that is giving her physical healing. She explained to me the other day that her Faith will make her well. Ruthanne doesn't know that Jesus said that, and when I explained to her, that those were the words of our Lord, she smiled in delight. How refreshing is her faith, for it is children like her, that shall inherit the kingdom.
She has taught me so much. More than the meaning of a Greek word, or the explanation of a deep prophecy could ever reveal. But teaches by her displays of faith. Showing how simply wonderful is the gospel of our Lord. Knowledge, like many other things shall cease. It is fleeting and perishes. But Love endures forever. Faith in God, Faith in his Son, therefore Faith in Love, shall never cease. And these things stem from the heart, not the head. And how very powerful is that faith.
1Co 13:2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
1Co 13:8 Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.
1Co 13:9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part,
1Co 13:13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Awaken Love
I charge you Oh Daughters of Jerusalem
By the gazelles or by the does of the field
do not stir up or awaken love until it pleases!
How smooth goes down the wine for my beloved
moving gently his sleeping lips
like a bundle of myrrh between my breasts
is where he lies all night
His left hand is under my head
his right hand embraces me
I charge you, O daughters of Jersusalem
do not awaken love until it pleases!
Come let us go to the vineyard,
and see if the vine has budded
pomegrantes bloomed
So that I can give him my love
among our gates, with pleasant fruits
I have been awakened My Beloved
under the apple tree
My garden is ripe
and the spices flow out
as a fire of flame upon your heart
and with love stronger than death
I am awake my Love
waiting for you to say
"Let me hear it"
And then daughters of Jerusalem
I shall stir and awaken love
For it pleases
upon the Mountains of spices
"Make haste my Beloved, Make haste
like a gazelle or young stag
from the mountain of spices."
By the gazelles or by the does of the field
do not stir up or awaken love until it pleases!
How smooth goes down the wine for my beloved
moving gently his sleeping lips
like a bundle of myrrh between my breasts
is where he lies all night
His left hand is under my head
his right hand embraces me
I charge you, O daughters of Jersusalem
do not awaken love until it pleases!
Come let us go to the vineyard,
and see if the vine has budded
pomegrantes bloomed
So that I can give him my love
among our gates, with pleasant fruits
I have been awakened My Beloved
under the apple tree
My garden is ripe
and the spices flow out
as a fire of flame upon your heart
and with love stronger than death
I am awake my Love
waiting for you to say
"Let me hear it"
And then daughters of Jerusalem
I shall stir and awaken love
For it pleases
upon the Mountains of spices
"Make haste my Beloved, Make haste
like a gazelle or young stag
from the mountain of spices."
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Beauty
What do you see Beloved
in this lowly sun-worn girl
for I have been forced to work
in my brothers fields.
"My love, My sister!
How beautiful are your feet
in sandals"
The Watchman has stripped me
of my Veil
"O prince's daughter!
Your thighs are the scuplture
of jewels by a workman."
My Soul had made me
as Chariots of my noble people
"Your navel is a goblet
lacking no drink
your waist is wheat
set about with lillies"
"Oh beautiful one
your stature is as pure
and straight as the palm,
and I will take hold
of it's branches.
Drink deeply my wine
and let is go down
smoothly,
for your love
is as a flame of fire
and you beauty
as a dove, my dove,
and there is no other."
"Let us walk
through the fields
my love, my bride,
smelling the blossoms
and mandrakes.
Where you shall give me your love
and whisper:"
"I am my beloved's
and his desire is toward me."
in this lowly sun-worn girl
for I have been forced to work
in my brothers fields.
"My love, My sister!
How beautiful are your feet
in sandals"
The Watchman has stripped me
of my Veil
"O prince's daughter!
Your thighs are the scuplture
of jewels by a workman."
My Soul had made me
as Chariots of my noble people
"Your navel is a goblet
lacking no drink
your waist is wheat
set about with lillies"
"Oh beautiful one
your stature is as pure
and straight as the palm,
and I will take hold
of it's branches.
Drink deeply my wine
and let is go down
smoothly,
for your love
is as a flame of fire
and you beauty
as a dove, my dove,
and there is no other."
"Let us walk
through the fields
my love, my bride,
smelling the blossoms
and mandrakes.
Where you shall give me your love
and whisper:"
"I am my beloved's
and his desire is toward me."
Friday, October 26, 2007
Our Fellow Servants
"And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said to me, See, do not do it! I am your fellow servant, and of your brothers who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God, for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." Rev 19:10
This scripture brings up two questions for me. One, how are angels my fellow servant, and what is this testimony of Jesus that we share. In trying to answer these questions I came across many interesting Bible verses. For example:
"Then He said to His disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray to the Lord of the harvest that He will send out laborers into His harvest." Mat 9:37,38
We are laborers in the Father's fields. This is further discussed in 1Co 3:4-9 " I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither is he who plants anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. So he planting, and he watering, are one, and each one shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. For of God we are fellow-workers, a field of God, and you are a building of God."
We work with one another, within the body of Christ, in the field to build up the body, and make it a beautiful temple for our Lord to dwell in. Each member of the body contributes to it's growth and harvest, not matter what roll, small or large, that may become.
So the question remains how are Angels our Fellow-servants?
In Jesus illustration of the field of the Kingdom of God. Angels are entrusted as reapers.
"The enemy who sowed them is the Devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels." Mat 13:39 This is further shown in Revelation.
"And another angel came out of the temple in Heaven, also having a sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the altar, who had authority over fire. And he spoke with a great cry to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in your sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe. And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the anger of God." Rev 14:17-19
Not only though are Angels appointed to reaping. They also are entrusted with the care of "Who will inherit salvation." Heb. 1:14 Does that not mean us as God's Children? Peter was spoken of as having a personal angel in Acts 12:15, who aided him in his escape from the Romans and in fufilling his ministry. This also happened in the Old testement. Angel were sent to aid God's servant to fufill thier duties before the Father. "And the angel of Jehovah came to him the second time and touched him, and said, Arise, eat, because the journey is too great for you." 1Ki 19:7
Many times Angels are given messages and information to be delivered to a prophet, or servant of God. (2 Kings 19:45)(Rev. 22:16) It may be a condemnation that is to be proclaimed to the erroring nation, or just comfort for the hearers heart only, as in Zec 1:13 "And Jehovah answered the angel who talked with me with good words, comfortable words." When Jesus was distressed or in need of strengthening The Father would send an angel to comfort and encourage him. "And an angel appeared to Him from Heaven, strengthening Him." Luk 22:43
How comforting to know that we are so loved that our Father uses Angels to help us down our road to Salvation.
And this brings us to how Angels and ourselves give the Testimony of Jesus.
1Jo 5:10 Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son.
Through belief in Jesus the Word of God we give testimony to Jesus and therefore declare that God is true and holy. Jesus is also called the Spirit of Prophecy because in him are the fufillment of the promises given to those who obey him. So when we give the Testimony of Jesus we also prophecy and declare the Glory of God. As children of God we have this honor to spend our lives bringing the testimony of Jesus to the ears of believers. Angels through their work also testify to Jesus, and soon will aid in bringing to fruitation the Kingdom of our Lord.
In researching the Testimony of Jesus I discovered beautiful parallels to the restoration of the Ark of the Covenant or Ark of Testimony, to it's heavenly home. But that is a subject for another time.
This scripture brings up two questions for me. One, how are angels my fellow servant, and what is this testimony of Jesus that we share. In trying to answer these questions I came across many interesting Bible verses. For example:
"Then He said to His disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray to the Lord of the harvest that He will send out laborers into His harvest." Mat 9:37,38
We are laborers in the Father's fields. This is further discussed in 1Co 3:4-9 " I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither is he who plants anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. So he planting, and he watering, are one, and each one shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. For of God we are fellow-workers, a field of God, and you are a building of God."
We work with one another, within the body of Christ, in the field to build up the body, and make it a beautiful temple for our Lord to dwell in. Each member of the body contributes to it's growth and harvest, not matter what roll, small or large, that may become.
So the question remains how are Angels our Fellow-servants?
In Jesus illustration of the field of the Kingdom of God. Angels are entrusted as reapers.
"The enemy who sowed them is the Devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels." Mat 13:39 This is further shown in Revelation.
"And another angel came out of the temple in Heaven, also having a sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the altar, who had authority over fire. And he spoke with a great cry to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in your sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe. And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the anger of God." Rev 14:17-19
Not only though are Angels appointed to reaping. They also are entrusted with the care of "Who will inherit salvation." Heb. 1:14 Does that not mean us as God's Children? Peter was spoken of as having a personal angel in Acts 12:15, who aided him in his escape from the Romans and in fufilling his ministry. This also happened in the Old testement. Angel were sent to aid God's servant to fufill thier duties before the Father. "And the angel of Jehovah came to him the second time and touched him, and said, Arise, eat, because the journey is too great for you." 1Ki 19:7
Many times Angels are given messages and information to be delivered to a prophet, or servant of God. (2 Kings 19:45)(Rev. 22:16) It may be a condemnation that is to be proclaimed to the erroring nation, or just comfort for the hearers heart only, as in Zec 1:13 "And Jehovah answered the angel who talked with me with good words, comfortable words." When Jesus was distressed or in need of strengthening The Father would send an angel to comfort and encourage him. "And an angel appeared to Him from Heaven, strengthening Him." Luk 22:43
How comforting to know that we are so loved that our Father uses Angels to help us down our road to Salvation.
And this brings us to how Angels and ourselves give the Testimony of Jesus.
1Jo 5:10 Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son.
Through belief in Jesus the Word of God we give testimony to Jesus and therefore declare that God is true and holy. Jesus is also called the Spirit of Prophecy because in him are the fufillment of the promises given to those who obey him. So when we give the Testimony of Jesus we also prophecy and declare the Glory of God. As children of God we have this honor to spend our lives bringing the testimony of Jesus to the ears of believers. Angels through their work also testify to Jesus, and soon will aid in bringing to fruitation the Kingdom of our Lord.
In researching the Testimony of Jesus I discovered beautiful parallels to the restoration of the Ark of the Covenant or Ark of Testimony, to it's heavenly home. But that is a subject for another time.
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