.
I would like to touch upon the external dimension that I have seen and experienced regarding how this test unfolds within the sojourner’s life as they encounter Bethel/Eden for the first time.
As I have stated in the previous article there is an external dimension of Bethel where it is known as the place in time where one leaves the man-made church system and they come into the realization that they are the ‘church/temple/house of God’.....they don’t have to GO to church....but that they ARE the church. I really don’t like to use the word ‘church’ for its meaning is derived from ‘circus’ (and how true that is and sad at the same time) so I would prefer to use the original word when referring to the Lord’s called out ones and that is the greek word ‘ekklesia’(strong’s G1577).
It really is a liberating time on so many levels when one finally arrives spiritually at Bethel. I remember how freeing me and my husband felt when we finally cut the chord of the ‘church’ and entered into enjoying our weekend. No more having to hurry up and get the family dressed for ‘church’...no more feeling like we had wasted an entire day with church activities and not having enough time to enjoy our family, really all of it was nothing more than works of the flesh and saying good-bye to that was joyful and freeing. It was also a time of child like wonder...of the Holy Spirit introducing us to new teachers...those that have been born OF HIM...established BY HIM... those of HIS KINGDOM. How delightful it was when the Holy Spirit gave to us these heavenly teachers to help us learn of deep kingdom truths.
These teachers are His hidden ones. They are hidden from the masses and shun the spotlight. They have been trained on the back side of the desert for many years and have no desire to build an empire. They only want to please the Father. You will not find their teachings being sold in the market places of Christendom either for they have come to understand that freely they have received so freely they must give. No, you will not find His hidden ones, period; unless they are given to you from ABOVE. This is the time where one comes into the experiential understanding of what John meant when He said, “A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.”(Jn.3:27). Wow is all I can say.....and I continue to be in awe of all those that have traveled further up Mt. Zion. I honor the Lord in their lives. I appreciate what it has taken and the deaths that they have died in order to manifest more of His life and truth in their earthen vessels....of BECOMING the broken bread that enriches so many.
I love what Ray Prinzing writes about all those that have been called to BECOME HIS BROKEN BREAD..."God is preparing that which shall become “bread for the hungry”. Jesus is the ‘LIVING BREAD which came down from heaven”, (John 6:51), was broken for the world. And now, that which is becoming HIS BODY, becoming in Him “one bread”, (I Corinthians 10:16-17), is also being bruised, broken, as a living sacrifice which shall become the ministration of His life for all of His creation." (end quote).
I give you praise Lord even now for all of your hidden ones, your precious saints that have endured the cross, and are BECOMING ONE with you, to BE your BODY/BREAD that is given for many.
It is during this time of being introduced to new teachers and dining on the richest of fare that the child of God is brought right back to the first test given in Paradise. Yes, this test is still given today. This test is given (and I believe will continue to be given as long as necessary until eventually we pass it) and enter into HIS REST. “ There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience.” (Heb.4:9-11).
Many within Bethel begin to eat from various trees and this is good for God created these trees and called them good. Trees in scripture are symbolic for people. It is from the fruit found within the lives of these holy teachers that Yahweh has given, that the saints of Bethel eat from and enjoy. These precious lambs that are being raised within this lush garden begin to have a very discriminating palate. They no longer are drawn to the shallow and corrupted teachings they once were fed while dwelling in the Harlot’s house, but now have come to relish the table set before them by the King himself. They are growing up in Him and their inner man is becoming stronger by the day. This is the time where the test begins to unfold to find out what is in the heart, the appetite of the heart.
It is here that one can be drawn away by the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. It is here that gluttony can begin to crouch at the door. Gluttony for more and more knowledge. This is where the temptation comes to allow oneself to be given over to epicureanism found within the soul. The dictionary defines epicurean as one “devoted to the pursuit of sensual pleasure, especially to the enjoyment of good food and comfort.”
Yes, the soul will always look for comfort. It will shun the cross. The gluttonous appetite will take and take. The glutton has no patience to wait upon the Lord, to wait to receive from the broken bread of His life. The broken bread can only be received from His hands....His nail pierced hands. It is in the waiting of life’s circumstances (the cross), the yielding, the
processings, the inworkings, that we BECOME crucified with Christ and have our eyes opened to SEE HIM.
This is where the spiritual glutton misses it. For the glutton only wants more and more knowledge, wants to hear more and more revelation and has no desire to be decreased so that the Lord can be increased. They are enticed by the pride of life to tell and show off all of their new found knowledge and wisdom. Sadly, this is true even for those who have heard the call to sonship. There is a temptation to go and tell others and share all the glorious revelation that they have received in the garden. The motivation of the heart is really about promoting self in order to gather a following. Did not Jesus warn us of this when He said “He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.” (John 7:18). This is the ego that has now made Bethel into the golden calf. The fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil has now been ingested and SELF has become the idol.
Ah, but those that wait upon the Lord, those that deny self and say yes to His cross, for them there is an entirely different outcome. They become the TREE OF LIFE people.
The truth is that those that say “Yes Lord, not my will, but yours be done” these are those where the message received and ingested becomes the MESSENGER of His life that is manifested.
They become ONE in the message. Christ is now their life.
It is at this point where Bethel is no longer and external dimension of being a place where one is fed, but becomes and internal place of Christ being the source of living water, that flows from the very throne of God.
To be continued......in pt.3.... ‘The Inward Bethel....feeding on His life”
We cannot contain the overflowing cup of His love thus we share with you these messages of the Life of our Lord as lived out in His saints.
