The Wedding Feast

July 13, 2001

The remnant has been described as the ones not only restoring the temple but also involved in the preparation of the Bride of Christ. It would seem that the wedding feast would precede the actual wedding. The vows may be spoken, the rings may be exchanged and the minister may pronounce them husband and wife but the consummation is not finalized until after the celebration has begun.

We can learn a lot about the wedding feast by understanding wedding customs, especially Jewish ones. The weddings that I have been to have those invited by the groom sit on one side and the friends and relatives invited by the bride sit on the other. Then the marriage ceremony takes place and the Bride and groom go down the aisle while everyone converges in the aisles after them and mingle together at the reception as one family. At the reception and wedding feast, it doesn't matter who invited you, the bride or the groom, but the difference is significant. The guests may not seem to have the love of the groom as much as He loves the bride but rest assured that Jesus loves us all the same.

We are at the point in the prophecy time-line of being that remnant that is to perfect the Bride. This is happening all over the world as the Lord gathers His chosen and brings them together to labor in the final harvest. The Feast of Tabernacles and the Wedding Feast may certainly be the same but everything must be prepared and the scriptures are clear that we are to prepare ourselves. Even the seven angels of Revelation 8 have to prepare themselves before they sound the trumpets. It is not the time to wait on God to move you.

The parables of Jesus are replete with hints of the bridegroom and harvest time: the ten virgins, five which slept and did not fill their lamps; the unprofitable servant as being sifted; the kingdom being prepared; the jealousy of those that worked less and got paid the same; more than a dozen concerning the seeds and sower and wheat and tares; the guests at the wedding feast; the arrogant servants; the bridegroom's friends and his attendants; the unwilling guests; the refusal of those invited - that is just a partial list. Our generation was a favorite theme of Jesus and now we have many saying that everything he predicted was fulfilled in the first century.

Weddings at the time of Jesus were usually arranged. The father of the groom would pay a bride price to the father of the bride and is a good example of what our Heavenly Father did by giving His only son to die as the ultimate price to the church. The betrothal period was known as the preparation and has been ongoing. This was the time that the Bride was examined and made sure of her purity.

For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:2

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:25-27

The church is now in the process of being sanctified. That's right, the church is not yet sanctified, contrary to what the church that has need of nothing will tell you. It is a continuing process of us being saved and now we are about to enter into a period that will include all men, saved and unsaved, righteous and unrighteous. It is the church that will turn their backs on the ones prepared for it that will be left behind. Should we pray just for the church or should supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men? Did Jesus die just for the elect or is He wishing that no one should perish?

Jewish weddings would take place in the home of the groom where only the immediate family and close friends would gather to witness the ceremony. The feast and celebration afterward would include many more invited and sometimes lasted up to seven days with great revelry. The suggestion here for us is the small number and then the big party afterwards for everyone. If this is the case and we are among that chosen few, can you imagine the joy that awaits us when the ceremony is complete and the celebration begins. This is what many of us have been waiting for all of our lives. Oh, people do not miss out on this wonderful invitation that has been given to us to be among the perfected Bride and family of God. Many await the feast to begin at the end of the tribulation period but if we look closer, this may come to pass at the end of the time of the Gentiles, which would be before. That makes the time much closer that what others are teaching and to what many people are expecting to happen next. There are many already mobilizing to go out into the streets.

Jesus as the Bridegroom has been preparing a place for us to dwell together. This is what He promised and we believe it. It is a heavenly place and in His Father's house. Can you imagine what awaits us there?

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:3

We need to understand that there are many things concerning the Bride that have been fulfilled, there are things that are in the process of being fulfilled and that there are things yet to be fulfilled. We need not come to any definite conclusions as to what is what as if we have it all together. Many do this and find themselves out in the dark when the truth comes to light and many of them are telling me to beware as if they have the only light shining. The Bride and Groom love each other, it doesn't matter who is in the assembly as family and friends, the love is pure and undefiled and all are invited to witness the celebration. The feast will include all kinds of people. If we were to describe what type of people become Christian, then let's not forget the adulterers, thieves, dope addicts, alcoholics and heretics. We may be the remnant and we may be under compulsion to discuss the issues and identify sin and root out division, heresy, spots and blemishes and get holy but the wedding feast is different. No longer do we use our plumb-line to measure the house of God, no longer do we exclude gays and fornicators and legalists and gnostics and demon possessed hedonists through a narrow gate, we open the temple gates wide by embracing them all and speaking from the mind of Christ with "forgive them Lord for they know not what they do." And we heal them with the love that the Father had for His Son and Jesus has for His church and lay down our lives for them.

This is a much different description of the church than a holy and spotless Bride, isn't it. It is not ours to judge, this will come later after the Bride and groom have consummated but that is up to God. Then the darkness will be brought to light and all things will be brought into focus and we will all understand.

More discussion on the Bride and guests below. Also other things discussed like the remnant and Babylon, the kingdom and the American false gospel of freedom. Also some on the harvest and judgment, the gathering fellowship and the fire coming to the church.

We have only touched the surface of this, let's hear some more from you. We have some good stuff below, we need to expand on it and see it from the eyes of the world upon us. How does the world see Christians today? Do they see something that they can grasp and take hold of or have we repelled them by thinking too highly of ourselves? Do they see Jesus in us, or do they see a false religious system masquerading as the way to truth? Also we may want to discuss the timing of the feast before tribulation or later. And we could discuss what role Jewish Israel plays in this.

Jay

Dear Jay and all,

The more I look at the picture of husband, bride, wedding feast, guests etc., the more perfect it seems. Regarding who are the guests, who is the bride? it can be answered by a solemn look within asking ourselves, "Who am I really in love with?" If the answer is Jesus then the conclusion is quite clear. Guests, on the other hand need not be in love at all, or perhaps are in love with other things like appearances, the world, the church even. But they can always fall in love like us, and that is a hope worth holding onto when we tell people about Him. When inviting it is surely good to know who we are so that guests will know they are personally invited by bride and groom united in love and purpose.

There are always some doubts along the way concerning our position. What bride can ever honestly say she has always been 100% certain all of the time? I trust at this stage we have surely proved our husband: that He will not forsake us, that He is faithful, that He loves us with an everlasting love, and yes that He loves us even when we have thoroughly failed Him as we do so often. Hear the husband calling to His bride in John 21, verses 15,16,17 "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?" then twice more "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?" Feel the anguish of the loving heart being searched by Him who knows everything - how can I prove I love Him? John14:21 "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him."

Some of us have still a great sorrow for the church, and I believe even this fits into the picture - it is as though some of our loved ones have disapproved of our betrothal, to our astonishment, and have refused the invitation themselves. We grieve over this and pray for them, always hoping they will change their mind before it is too late. But there will come a time when we must set our faces toward Jesus, and look back no more.

It is a long time since we became betrothed, and the day is drawing near. Have we learned to love the things our Lord loves, and hate the things He hates? We are learning, certainly, and we have each other and our ministries. The Lord will surely finish what He started.

Much love from Mary

Part answer:

Participants in these passages fall into the following categories:

  1. The Gospel of God being less strict than when we had only the law. This view allows fashionable and worldly Christianity. The gospel makes up deficiencies which saves those who participate.

  2. The gospel of Divine Benevolence. It's main design to destroy sin and promote holiness. It's whole value is in it's power to make holy.

  3. The gospel of natural sympathy for sinners. A wish to have them saved from hell and no further concern for the lost. A carnal desire to save.

  4. The bride as seeing sin as dishonoring God. They are more distressed to see Christians sin than the lost. This dishonors God more. Overall they have the heart of God and see the whole picture of the condition of man as dishonoring God and there is only one hope and that is to be one with Jesus and the Father. All starts with redemption. Heartbreak exists where the groom does not get His desire of His bride spotless and without wrinkle.

Larry Sloma

Good grasp of the truth. Good letter. I am following a different vision from the Lord right now, but a quick off the top head response to who is the guests are and who is the Bride would probably go back to my vision of last week. I had said I saw the assembly, those in attendance stand up and start rejoicing, and that I was confused if I was supposed to join in. Yet I was sure that God was saying - yes - join in. Well, joining into God's joy and praise is another way of saying join into the rest of God. So Jubilee and rest are connected. It is the connection of the Spirit within us to the Spirit of the living God contained within all of creation.

I am slowly reading a book on the Jewish culture. The book was written as a tool in helping lead the Jewish people to Jesus. One of the problems some Jewish people have is the concept of God being spoken of as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. So one person yet three. The author then goes on to show all the ways one word is expressing many different aspects of God. Same God but God's different personalities/reflections of His purpose and being. As I told you the other day, God is so creative instead of saying - All you see - is Me - God. So when you read the Bride - when you read the assembly, the guest - then to me - and this is without studying or waiting on God for revelation, but I would say words God uses to express His different personalities. God is in the Bride, God is in the Assembly, God is in the worshiper, God is in the banqueting table, God is in the mountain, God is in the temple. could go on forever because God is all of creation. We will know who belongs to God by the love they have for Him, and for each other. You are braver than me? Because I have a fear of the mixture of man and God, where you are able to stand up to it. That must be your part in the body. But even that God uses. I have had a fear of what some people were doing to me, asked God please take them from my life, I can't bear this. But you know what, it was through those people that I learned to wait. Learned that I was supposed to take a different path instead of the one I would have taken if I had reacted quickly to a them/ to the situation they were placing me in. Anyway, I will wait and see if God gives me a vision regarding your current questions before writing anything. Again, really good letter.
Blessings,
Arlette

You people have it all wrong trying to predict the return of Jesus Christ. Look to Jerusalem. That is what Jesus told his disciples. This is when the "end" would come. All of these movies and books written give false, distorted, and inaccurate account of when and where it will all happen. When Christ begins to come, there will be no guessing, theorizing, etc. YOU WILL KNOW!!! And, if you don't know, you will find out after he has come and gone!

Kaballah2000@...

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Hi Kaballah,

I agree with you but we are Christians here getting ready for what has been handed down to us. You need to be more specific. What religion are you to refer to us as "you people?" and what do you mean by "predict?"

Thanks,

Jay

(No return response back)

Dear Jay,

Thanks for again hitting the nail squarely on the head.

I see the wedding feast as the last of the feasts of Israel--the Feast of Tabernacles--the culmination of all that the Father had in mind when He would tabernacle with men and He would be their God and they would be His treasure, His bride, His darling.

As the feast of trumpets lasts for 7 days, so would the wedding feast last for 7 years, while the world and it's systems are going through the period of Tribulation.

Just as The feast of Atonement must precede the feast of tabernacles, judgement on the church must surely precede the Wedding, for Christ must be equally yoked. The Word of God from the mouth of His prophets will bring many in the church to repentance and restoration to make up the sum of the bride--it will be quick and powerfully effective, and much of it will come from the young--surprise !-- who have not had a chance to be infected by the worldly church, who may not even understand about Israel, whose lives are so messed up that death holds no terror for them "they loved not their lives unto death".

I'm excited. Let the prophets speak !

Blessings,


Ada

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Hi Ada,

If the feast will last seven years, this is welcome news, of course it makes perfect sense. I do not see Babylon falling until later in in all this but the atonement, repentance and restoration preceding the celebration puts the judgment in progressive stages and the scripture that if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged comes into play. I am excited too.

Jay

The so called "Guests" will be drawn to the Wedding with an IMPLIED invitation? How else could it possibly work. Every which way you look at it, it takes one of the three, Feast invitation Guest, to make a first move. Try shuffling the situation and you will see what I mean.

Daniel Suarez

Hello, Jay! It is me again. I just read your last e-mail. It is possible that I am wrong, but here is my understanding, which comes from a combination of Bible study, reading history, and revelations:

We must identify Babylon and come out of her. If we do come out as commanded, we will not receive of her judgements. God says that Babylon cannot be healed. She will be punished. If we try to remain in Babylon, thinking that we can heal her, then we are fighting against God, which is a most foolish thing to try to do.

Things will begin to happen once Babylon gives birth (ie. once all of the elect who are in her come out). Once that happens, watch out! Some people are going to be in for a rude awakening. No one really has any excuse any more. They have the same Bible that you and I have. It is their duty to read it and discern if they are being told the truth. Did not those Jews who ended up believing search the scriptures to see if they were being told the truth? So should everyone, but they do not want to because they are hearing what they want to hear. Just as was prophesied, they heap up teachers who tickle their ears. 2Timothy chapter 3 gives an excellent description of them and it says to turn away from them. We are also told to not even invite them into our home if they bring "foreign" doctrine.

Now in Revelation 18:4, where does the voice come from? The voice that says, "come out My people, out from her". It comes from above, not from anyone on earth. It is not for us to try to change Babylon (God said she cannot be healed), nor is it our duty to go to Babylon to tell her people to come out (the voice comes from above). If God has any people in Babylon He will let them know to come out. He will not allow His people to receive her punishments. His people will come out, if they do not, then they are not really His. His people can see through the babble. His people are turned off by the hypocrisy.

Concerning hypocrisy: If you landed on planet Earth from another planet, and you did not understand any of this planet's languages, and you began visiting various places, and you soon realized that every building that had a "+" on it also had audience seating, a stage, and a person on the stage who held the audience's attention, hoping that the audience would like them so that they would get more cash, what would you think the occupation of that person on the stage is? Probably you would think they are an entertainer, an actor. To my knowledge, the word "actor" is not used in the English translation of the Bible, but there is a word used that its meaning is "actor". That word is "hupokrite", or hypocrite as we know it. Now anyone who occupies those stages or who attends their shows should look up the verses with the word hypocrite in them to see what God thinks about them.

The way I handle it is I do not attend Babylon at all. When one of her people ask me a question, I tell them the truth and give them the verses to back up what I am saying. If one of her people judge me or judge someone else in my hearing, then I proclaim the truth if God allows me to, again with scripture. I have had occasions where I knew the truth, yet God would not loosen my tongue to speak. I had scriptures, yet for whatever reason God would not allow that person the opportunity to hear the truth from me. But I do not go out of my way to try to force hearing the truth upon them. Also I speak the truth when someone glorifies one of Babylon's beliefs or practices. Unfortunately, no one seems to listen. They get fighting mad when told in even the kindest most gentle way! Even denying the truth when they see it in print in the Bible! Now to me, that is a grievous thing to do.

The Bible says that God will send delusions to those who do not love the truth. How does He know who does not love the truth? He knows because He knows how much time they spend every day in search of the truth as opposed to how much time a day they spend on sleeping, recreation, self indulgences, etc. He knows what is important to them. Sure, much time sometimes has to be spent on worldly things such as work, but when one is at rest, where is ones mind? Is one happy to hear the lies that are given to them, or does one love God enough to verify what they are being taught? That is serious business, one's salvation and standing with God. One must be diligent. We are not talking here about people who've never heard of God before. We're talking about people who have been "Christians" for 5, 10, 20, 40, 50 years or more! What's wrong with this picture?

Now as far as teachers go: in John 1:38 we are told that "rabbi" means teacher. In Matthew 23:7,8 Yeh'shua said to not be called "rabbi". In John 14:26 we read about the Holy Spirit teaching. I 1John 2:27 again we see that there is no need. Then we have Hebrews 11:8 which is also relevant. The church has not been run in a biblically acceptable way for about 1700 years. There is a reason for that and the answer is in Revelation. God has a plan. His plan is spoken of throughout the Bible. Those who love and truly revere God will make finding out that plan their foremost task. If they truly fear (revere) God, then they will certainly want to find out where they really stand with Him, not where some paid shepherd says they stand. The paid shepherd is not a true shepherd. He will leave the sheep and let the wolves have them when it comes down to it. Which is what one would expect from someone with the audacity to fleece others contrary to the book which they profess to be following.

Do not get me wrong, I do not judge others myself, I leave that up to the Judge. I just try my best to live a life that is pleasing to God. I am not perfect, far from it, but even though I am not perfect, that is no excuse to insult God by doing things that I know I shouldn't, such as try to change Babylon. Babylon cannot be healed.

P.S. Just in case this was not a letter worthy of excommunication.....do you guys have a chat room?

Kimberly West

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Hi Kimberly,

I really like what you say about Babylon. In that the voice to flee from her is not from the church but from above is very significant. We had a very lengthy Babylon discussion in that we mentioned that we are not to remain in Babylon merely out of our love for them. This is good teaching in that any message given to them must be sent through the spirit from the point of restoration of the temple, where the remnant is. Real good point.

The Yahoo forum has a chat room but you need to be able to get there on it to use it. We used it a few times but there is not enough participation there to just go and find someone there. We would post a time where we could meet all at once and that was nice. We prayed for each other and discussed things but it didn't last. Messages on the forum have all but died out, whenever anything is posted lately, it gets very little feedback and too much is expected of me to generate anything. The participation of the list has mostly been through direct e-mail. It has been different in the past but that depends on what is discussed. I will try to see if I can liven it up a little bit.

Jay

very well done......I get so encouraged when I read what you write, because I see the same things but I'm like an island here amongst my brethren. We have such differing views of the Kingdom and what has value. Many of them are (my opinion) carnal in their understanding of the Kingdom. But it is impossible to say that to them because it will be disregarded as being better than they. Besides, you can't make someone see the spiritual Kingdom by only telling them words. The Holy Spirit must give them revelation and I must be patient with them.

Coming from outside the USA, makes me all the more sensitive to the cultural americanized (temporal) Gospel. We do it here too, but it is different. When you go to a new country and visit the churches you see their way of accommodating their own bias. It stands out so clearly when you are not from that country. When I look at the North American church I see it as the most materialistic and militaristic Gospel in the world. I shudder when I think that American ministries want to export their weaknesses to every nation in the world. Much like the one man preacher who does everything when a group of christians get together in the name of Jesus. So Americans feel they should be the propagators of their band of the Gospel to the whole world. That would be a disaster, not a great victory for the Kingdom. They could well learn from their brethren in other nations. It is much easier for them to see America's folly. This is a important key in the preparation of the Bride of Christ. That being the refining and learning (provision) which comes when brethren (the five fold ministry of sorts) come together in equality. The church in China has a deeper understanding of the Kingdom than we do here, in many areas. They live the Gospel, rather than only preach it. They have their weaknesses also but we can learn from our brethren. One of the great tragedies is a church with no needs. Isn't that the picture of the North American church? We think we are rich but we are poor. We give to to others but can not receive even though we are in great need.

As forerunners, our view of the needs of the church is so we can pray. When we point out the needs of the church and its blemishes it must be so we may cooperate with the Lord in its building up and preparation. Prophetic intercession (is their any other kind) is what this must drive us all to.

Blessings to you Brother Jay

Paul Weigel

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Thanks Paul,

I have had a few responses so far on the question but you are the first to comment on what I wrote from the political/economic angle. I believe that people are reluctant to bring up the idea of American materialism out of the fear of sounding unpatriotic, which is tantamount to being sacrilegious. Many prophets are getting the word from the Lord concerning the judgment coming to America and cannot yet even receive it themselves. I am not alone in my thinking that setting up the U.S.A as a divine anointed gospel of freedom to the rest of the world is worshipping the image of the beast but it seems like it sometimes. It is a false freedom and misplaced kingdom of God, it means nothing to the poor of this world except to be exploited and forced to accept free enterprise as a God ordained method to prosper the rich.

Jay

Jay, Paul, anyone -
I see what is missing in me to go and gather more is faith in a greater measure. I know in my desire for the Lord there is a desire to begin the gathering-in, and there have been single divine appointments for me on the streets, for which all glory to God and praise His wonderful name! But I identify now a deeper desire to gather the armfuls, and not only the single ears.

As a gardener I know there is a certain colour to ripeness before a harvest - the fields are white! - there is a certain time which has to be sensitively judged to avoid wastage of time and crop, and thus future store and security. There is also a certain sampling of the crop to test for ripeness, and I think that is what I have done in the Spirit, with the single, divine appointments.

Perhaps the "now" that belongs to God is a bigger now than that which I have hitherto understood. I have to keep the sense of urgency, which is scriptural, but confess and repent of my sense of panic, which is unscriptural. I need to trust the Lord that He will provide me with everything I need to do His will when the time comes to gather in.

I feel for you, Paul, as an "island". I haven't a fellowship or even willing brethren to pray with me as yet. Perhaps you all here would like to pray with me? Or pray the Lord will send me someone to pray with. All donations (of prayer) gratefully received!

One of the most unexpectedly lovely things that have come my way since being here with you is finding submission, one to another, gently. For so long the message I received from the fellowships I belonged to was "you must submit to us, we are in authority and it is given to us by God". I never wanted to do it! But here I find the love of God blowing about like a gentle wind, showing me the things that are needing to be conformed to His wishes.

My tenderest love to you all.

Mary

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What a beautiful picture, the love of fellowship. I think that we can all witness to the love of God blowing about like a gentle wind but I can hear now that the wind cries Mary. I will be praying for you Mary that your faith will increase, please pray for me also that I can put a rein on my own flesh and quit making so many stupid mistakes.

I too have that desire to gather in but it seems that I am like others in that we are waiting for a mighty rushing wind like Pentecost. We had our first one, I do not think we need another, what we need is a good kick in the rear. More answers as to direction, that is for sure, but then again, if Jesus is the way, we have all the direction we need.

There has been another that has wanted to get into the chat room, maybe it is time to do that again and have some prayer together.

Jay

How is the faithful city become a harlot it was full of judgment: righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers. Thy silver is become dross thy wine mixed with water." "Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness. Isaiah 1:22-23, 27

The faithful city Zion, "The city of the Lord, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel (Isaiah 60:14). Zion was an actual physical habitation for God's children. The city of Zion was often used metaphorically in scripture as the city in which His children would dwell in safety under the protection of our God. But Zion, the city, is also a word used by God to describe people and their relationship with Him, corporately or individually. The fact that God's faithful have turned their heart toward the world and played the harlot, stating that once they had been the faithful Bride, but have now become a people, a city who chase after many lovers, is not a new revelation as we read in Isaiah. The fact that people turn to the world, and worship idols putting God second or far from them seems to be a pattern throughout all of history. So it should come as no surprise that this would still be a truth of the relationship of man to God during this generation. We have the Bible before us to remind us of the truth of man and his relationship to God.

In the Isaiah 1:22-23 passage we have been given a promise by God, the city of Zion would be redeemed. Redeemed with judgement and her converts with righteousness. As we enter into the new covenant with Jesus as our Savior we know that He is our redeemer "having obtained eternal redemption for us." Hebrews 9:12, he has paid the price needed for redemption and has set us free. Free from the penalty of sin, which was eternal death, separation from Him. We have been redeemed by the blood of the lamb, the sacrifice required so that our sins would be forgiven. Those who love God have been redeemed and have entered into a personal relationship with Him. We are told in Colossians 1:18 that Jesus is the head of the body, the church, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. So we enter into this relationship individually but we also enter in as a part of a corporate body of Christ "For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones." Ephesians 5:30. If we have become part of the body of Christ it would seem more appropriate to grieve over the near death, lukewarmness, or the mixture that has overtaken another part of the body. For when one part of the body suffers then all the body suffers. To cry out to God for healing and forgiveness would be the way of following Jesus and taking up our cross in pursuing with great love the necessity for the entire Body to made whole and complete. When it is time for judgement, a necessary cutting away of a limb from the body, then God is the one who is able to raise the sword and cut, the one who is will be worthy to impart the judgement and punishment needed.

Ye are the light of the world, A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Matthew 5:14-15

Jesus teaches us a better way of existing together as a city set on a hill, as His body, as people who contain the kingdom within. "for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you." Luke 17:21. If God now reigns in your heart then He instructs us of the laws of this kingdom and that is to love Him, and to love each other. That you are to take His love, His light within you and shine forth brightly to the world. To overcome evil with good, Romans 12:21.

Evil has existed almost from the beginning of our relationship with God, in the Garden of Eden, but God tells us that His love, His light within us can turn people away "from the power of Satan unto God," Acts 26:18. This is great power. He asks us to fight the good fight by letting Him reside within us, to let His love be the overcomer, the wisdom behind our actions. An act of love is to have faith in His promise that all things work together for good. That it is not our will, but His will that is to be done upon this earth. If you desire to be the servant God uses in Matthew 22:3 who goes out to the highways calling others into the wedding ceremony, then come with hands that are clean from bloodshed. Rejoice with the guests, those who were once not welcomed into the marriage supper but now have gained entrance because they were washed in the blood of Jesus, and celebrate in the mercy and goodness of our Lord.

Rise up in His resurrection power by following Jesus' example and allow yourself to die the flesh and its desires daily. For as you die with Him you will also rise with Him.

Blessings,
Arlette

Where is the harvest, in the temple? No, the harvest is outside in the fields. We need to go out to the fields to harvest, not shout at them from the temple. Those in Babylon have already heard but they love that life and have no need or desire to come out, we do not go back there, we have been delivered from that.

We may have all of our own fields to plow but the harvest is for all of us wherever the word has been planted or even whether we have sown seed or not. We need to be in the fields now, whether it is harvest time or not. The crows attack the crop, thieves break in and steal, the soil needs to be nutured with the word and with living water, stones need to be picked up and polished and brought in for the temple walls.

So go. Don't wait for the next step in the restoration process, we have had the mandated call to go out into the fields from the beginning. The fields are already white unto harvest but the laborers are few. Pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out more laborers into the fields.

Jay

Both my wife and I had a dream this morning. In mine I was at an airport, it was under new construction. A jet was coming in for a landing, it was completely vertical when it landed, it was on the tail and rear landing gear, then it slapped down, everyone thought it was going to crash but it thumped very heavily and came to a stop, a voice said that fuel was leaking and so I wanted to run from the area where the fuel was pooling up, instead I was told that was not the right thing to do, I was to head toward the airport, the opposite of what seemed the natural thing to do.

Dana's dream was different but similar: there was a black cloud that looked like a twister (black clouds usually mean definite trouble, I have had visions of them before, usually economic, I have had two such dreams and both were exactly proven out, usually very difficult economic times, this cloud went over the entire area it covered) we thought we should get in our vehicle to get away from the black clouds and we were near a mountain, then without warning the mountain lost half of its top, chunks were flying everywhere, no one had any idea this would happen. We got in my wife's parents van to drive from the volcano and the lava was burning the tires, we grabbed our kids and moved to another similar van, but we had perfect peace about the situation. we took back roads to leave the area and we were "turned around" to get closer to the mountain that was irrupting, the meteorologists were trying to figure out what was going on, they said it would not blow up further, but the road we were on had a swelling out the side of the volcano, we knew that we needed to go that way and we went past the swelling that was the end. The lava didn't get to us, but we were extremely close to the lava and it couldn't harm us. we weren't panicking to leave, although our children were just a little upset.

sometimes dreams mean something in the future is coming up. My job hasn't really advanced much, and the L-rd has made us very mobile, no ties to this area. both dreams happened at the exact same time, we both woke up right after they were done. If you know of someone that is good at interpreting them maybe you can refer me to them or send this one.

G-d bless, thanks Jay, also, thanks for your honesty, that is what is needed now.

Troy

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Hi Troy,

I see your dreams as going into the danger of fire without fear. Trouble coming but the Lord is saying not to run from it but meet it head on. Going into the fire takes a lot of faith.

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Am I in the frying pan?

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You may be in the midst of entering in but your visions show that if you are, you will not get burnt if you trust him and stay faithful. There will be many that go into the frying pan as you say here but will not be so fortunate. Many will go through and fry and many will go through and and get burnt but many will come through without even a scent of smoke. I believe that you and your wife are very fortunate to have such dreams. Jesus will appear in the midst of fire at the second coming, I want to be there too, I just don't want to stay in the fire but be purified by it. There is a baptism of fire, the messenger sends a refiner's fire in its purification.

And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 Thessalonians 1:7

Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. Corinthians 3:13

Jay

[[ We are engaged to be married but Jesus is still expecting a perfected Bride. We are not ready and it seems that only a remnant of the so-called remnant is yet in place to prepare her. We have yet to really see these tears because a lukewarm church is rich and has need of nothing. ]]

This breaks my heart, Jay. It truly does. I thank God for you and your ministry. I can't tell you what a blessing you have been and are to me and countless others who are a part of the remnant which is beginning to open their spiritual eyes to the true things of God. We WILL get there, I am confident, for HE is faithful, even when I am not. Be encouraged, my dear brother, and let us forge ahead with what he has given us. I admire your faith and willingness to speak out. Thank you. I see Jesus in you, brother.

I can pay you no higher compliment.
Watch your topknot, my friend, for there is one who seeks it.
Strength and Honor,
Hail the Lamb!
Love,
Jim Grayson

Jay,

This is a good site. It appears that you are seeking to do the right thing. Here is the problem with the site's comparison of the Queen of the South and Solomon to the northern countries and the third world countries. The site says that the northern countries are oppressing the third world countries. The Queen of the South was from a third world country and she went to the northern countries (Israel) to seek the wisdom of the richest most powerful northern king of her time, Solomon. It would make more sense for the third world countries to seek the wisdom of the Christ fearing northern countries of today. The Queen of the South should condemn the religious leaders of all countries for their dismal failure to follow Christ.

stevej

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Hi Steve,

Appreciate that.

The land of Israel has always been the center. You are right that the Queen of the south went North from her perspective but not to the northern countries. Europe to the west, Russian, Germanic and Slavic countries would be of the north with Asia to the East and of course Africa to the South. They overlap and are not precise, but are still in this way prophetically. Since we have more to the world in our generation, these things include more of a representative depiction and Israel is considered middle east but for the purposes of Biblical prophecy, the description of Israel is still at the center. Your comment is quite good and I appreciate that you understand what I am saying as far as northern oppression.

Actually, I have never heard any one else describe the Queen of the South in the way that I have but then I have never seen a prophetic teacher in the five-fold with a background of Liberation Theology either, outside of third world teachers. And of course, the Queen of the South is for the generation that comes at judgment time, here is the verse:

Luke 11:31 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.

So to answer your concern, I feel that the wisdom of Solomon is for the whole world and can be found in the New Israel, under the New Covenant, which is the Christian church during the times of the Gentiles. It is more than the wisdom of Solomon, it is the voice of God in all who are of His spirit. You seem to agree with that and you are absolutely right in that the Queen of the South should condemn the religious leaders of all countries but it is in the hypocrisy of the Northern nations who have replaced that fear of Christ with smug, self sufficient luke-warm materialism that puts up with the oppression of the third world through a prosperity doctrine and a worship of mammon. They no longer fear God because they are under a strong delusion and not aware of their sin in thinking that gain is godliness (I Timothy 6:5).

Yours in Jesus,

Jay Atkinson

We are discussing the wedding feast right now. Who is invited? We are to go out into the highways and byways and compel them to come in. Who? Everybody. Jesus died for everybody, he died for the righteous, he died for the sinner. He died especially for the sinner. He died for the faithless and for the faithful. He died for the two that hung on the crosses next to him but only one accepted what Jesus had done. That man on the cross that accepted him was not baptized, he knew nothing about anything except that he feared God and asked to be remembered in the Lord's kingdom.

All right, maybe that makes them Christians but we also know that without the law we perish but Jesus fulfilled the law. Even a person who is ignorant of the law and may not have even heard the gospel, if he does what is right in the eyes of God by listening to the law that is written upon his heart, he will be justified.

It is not that hard. There are many who try to make it hard. I have heard people say that no one ever said that the Christian life would be easy. Have you ever heard any one say that? Jesus said that my yoke is easy and my burden light. So many try to place heavy burdens on Christian's shoulders that just should not be there. The gospel of the kingdom includes what Jesus did on the cross to give us freedom. Think of the message that we give to a lost world that Jesus loves them and accepts them just the way that they are. OK, we know that we must be wearing wedding clothes or we will be cast out into the darkness.

Jay

Howdy Jay,

May this late response bless you......anyway,

RE: Who will be the 'bride' of Christ Jesus?

This statement at first seems rather preposterous to the average Christian- for they have been taught that they are Christ's bride, no!

The answer to this is not only deeper than you may suppose but equally simple. Again, the word defends itself no matter what we want it to be.

Concept, biblical concept after another with corroborating scriptures is what hold together Godly doctrine, not isolated verses tossed around to suit ones preference.

Our starting point is Rev. 21:2 "And I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem coming down from God out of heaven prepared as a bride adorned for her husband"

Firstly this is an analogy to 'as a bride', for certainly (Along the prophetic line) the marriage of the lamb has long ago taken place. (See Rev. 19:7)

Isaiah in 62:3-5 & 61:10 depicts the 'daughter of Israel' as the eventual bride, I submit, indeed- Israel has always been the bride of the messiah to come and none other can fit. (If you have access to Bullinger he does a wonderful job explaining this in his Witness to the Stars)

To substitute the church today for these ancient scriptures is very wrong! (And Bullinger can take you back before Gen. 1:1 to reveal this!) For remember the concept that the church all along the way was a 'mystery' and no where revealed in old test. scriptures (Clearly!) mere pagans without hope in God or His promises but- (See Rom. 16:24- Eph. 1:9 , 3:3- & 6:19-)

Also remember what the shock was to the new 'Jewish church' when they discovered that the rebirth and speaking in tongues was for the gentiles too (See Acts 11:18)

The question then remains- who and where are the gentiles in Messiah?

Answer- they are the friends of the bridegroom, yet still and even more so- they are 'in Messiah'. How does it go, 'one new man', 'Christ in you the hope of glory' etc.

Finally, we each have our own parts to play and God has His and as time goes by may you continue to seek out His truths in love. (I say, beware you may find much more than you bargained for, but than this is how it has always been.)

Bless you in Christ Jesus,

B. Al

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Hi Brother Al,

Just in time, I am sending out today. I suppose we agree that we have our parts to play but that is about all. Not that it really matters, what will be will be no matter what part we play. I believe that the children of Israel are under the promise that all nations will be blessed and that is through Jesus. The nation of Israel consisting of all the twelve tribes no longer exists, Israel and Judah parted company three thousand years ago. I believe that the children of Israel today consists of the spiritual sons of Abraham according to the promise, not the flesh. The nation of Israel today in Palestine are not of the twelve tribes but rather Jewish. Judah in present prophetic fulfillments can only consist of the Jewish remnant that remained from the house of David, being the tribes of Judah, and Benjamin and I suppose the Levites (I Kings 12). The rest are the ten lost tribes of Israel and have been dispersed among the Gentiles.

Do our opinions matter in the long run? Not really, I appreciate you bringing this up. The Christian church is the Bride of Christ, more than friends, we are the church that Jesus wants without spot or wrinkle. This is what God is revealing to the prophets today and they are bearing witness to each other but just as important, they are bearing witness to the Word. The Bride of Christ is being discussed all over the prophetic community right now. Paul speaks of this as a mystery but then the Lord will reveal these mysteries to us if we only accept the Bible as written according to a spiritual witness.

For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Ephesians 5:30-32

Jay

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