Tradition vs. Truth
Tradition is often the enemy of truth:
Mark 7:5-9 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?” He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men —the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.” He said to them, “ All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.
At the throne of God, the living creatures...called Seraphim, or burning ones...are continually gazing on God and seeing something new. They declare "Holy" into the throne room, and worship rises, the elders respond as they see the new beauty the Seraphim declare, and they respond "worthy!"
Revelation 4:8-11 The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!” Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: “You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.”
The living creatures are covered in eyes. They are allowed to come near and see, but they can only handle so much! With two wings they cover their eyes. They get a glimpse of the glory...the fire...of God's holiness...get overwhelmed, cry out what they see as they are covering their faces in overwhelmed exuberance...even these burning ones, made to be nearest God, can only bear a little more revelation of who He really is, what He is thinking, and what He is doing at any given time!
Isaiah 6:2-4 Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!” And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke.
The revelation of God's holiness is progressive and powerful. When you get a new glimpse of who God is and what He is doing, it should "shake the house." This isn't limited to Seraphim. People can come to this same throne and see:
Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Anyone who comes to the throne should expect to see something new from the unchanging God!! The uncreated God is "wholly other than" every created thing. God is the well spring and source of every good thing. He is infinite...ever expanding in perfect goodness. He never changes in this attribute, but who He is and what He is doing SHOULD BE "changing" from our perspective. This isn't because God changes but because we can only bear small amounts of revelation at a time.
There is always more to see! The Seraphim continue looking at the same forever God, but they are declaring the new thing they see forever! Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would give me the same access the Seraphim have...that, as I can BEAR new revelation, it is available to me:
John 16:12-15 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.
Tradition wars against this reality. God is in the business of releasing revelation so that HIS government will increase and cover the earth again...just as it did before the fall, in partnership with mankind. Adam and Eve were filled with the Holy Spirit...they operated in a flow of divine revelation...conversation...with the uncreated God and expressed dominion in partnership with God. We are supposed to do the same thing, increase God's government, not man's.
Psalms 115:14-18 May the Lord give you increase more and more, You and your children. May you be blessed by the Lord , Who made heaven and earth. The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord ’s; But the earth He has given to the children of men. The dead do not praise the Lord , Nor any who go down into silence. But we will bless the Lord From this time forth and forevermore. Praise the Lord !
The Lord is blessed when we agree with Him in this partnership! Bless the Lord!
Religion and tradition are a satanic strategy to short-circuit this truth. To replace a living burning and vibrant release of revelation with a duty to conform, to protect those currently in charge or the current viewpoint. Ironically, the "traditional" views that many subscribe to now are only a few hundred years old...they aren't even the tradition of the disciples that knew Jesus!
Tradition is about power...it is about control. Those who try to hold to a tradition are really saying "we like things the way they are." Jesus is NOT ok with this attitude! Jesus does not like things the way they are. He wants to see the fire that paves the way for His return. The fire happens...the division happens... when mankind breaks from tradition and zealously and wholeheartedly loves Him...hastening the day of His return.
Luke 12:49-53 “I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished! Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”
Peter was all about this exciting zeal for the revelation that would divide...to hasten the day:
II Peter 3:10-14 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;
Peter was talking about the fire that is coming. He said "look forward to it." This is what invites the revelation...the watching...the looking forward...the desire to agree that earth is not ok...the old way...the tradition...is not ok! I want you back Lord! What will it take for ME to agree with you about that?!
This fire that Jesus is setting, it stirs things up. It is uncomfortable. Tradition tries to keep things orderly, in a negative way. Order in Church meetings is good, but the order Paul talked about in I Corinthians was a necessary ingredient when powerful and new revelation was being released!
Right now, Jesus is very intent on changing the way things are. Jesus is most interested in returning to earth. This is going to RADICALLY mess up tradition...on purpose. From heaven's perspective, things are NOT ok the way they have been. The Spirit says earth is not ok until Jesus is back on it. The Spirit says "come." The Bride is supposed to say "come"..."come change the way everything is until it agrees with you Jesus...I'm not ok until you are back with me!"
Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.
The water of life is the Spirit. The Spirit is releasing revelation as I can bear it. That means there is more to know. Trying to hold onto the old top-down power scheme is exactly what the Pharisees did. They missed the coming of the very one they claimed to represent. They found themselves actually fighting against God!
Acts 5:29-35, 38-39 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.” When they heard this, they were furious and plotted to kill them. Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while. And he said to them: “Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men.... And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.”
I want to be careful of what I resist!
Mark 7:5-9 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?” He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men —the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.” He said to them, “ All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.
At the throne of God, the living creatures...called Seraphim, or burning ones...are continually gazing on God and seeing something new. They declare "Holy" into the throne room, and worship rises, the elders respond as they see the new beauty the Seraphim declare, and they respond "worthy!"
Revelation 4:8-11 The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!” Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: “You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.”
The living creatures are covered in eyes. They are allowed to come near and see, but they can only handle so much! With two wings they cover their eyes. They get a glimpse of the glory...the fire...of God's holiness...get overwhelmed, cry out what they see as they are covering their faces in overwhelmed exuberance...even these burning ones, made to be nearest God, can only bear a little more revelation of who He really is, what He is thinking, and what He is doing at any given time!
Isaiah 6:2-4 Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!” And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke.
The revelation of God's holiness is progressive and powerful. When you get a new glimpse of who God is and what He is doing, it should "shake the house." This isn't limited to Seraphim. People can come to this same throne and see:
Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Anyone who comes to the throne should expect to see something new from the unchanging God!! The uncreated God is "wholly other than" every created thing. God is the well spring and source of every good thing. He is infinite...ever expanding in perfect goodness. He never changes in this attribute, but who He is and what He is doing SHOULD BE "changing" from our perspective. This isn't because God changes but because we can only bear small amounts of revelation at a time.
There is always more to see! The Seraphim continue looking at the same forever God, but they are declaring the new thing they see forever! Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would give me the same access the Seraphim have...that, as I can BEAR new revelation, it is available to me:
John 16:12-15 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.
Tradition wars against this reality. God is in the business of releasing revelation so that HIS government will increase and cover the earth again...just as it did before the fall, in partnership with mankind. Adam and Eve were filled with the Holy Spirit...they operated in a flow of divine revelation...conversation...with the uncreated God and expressed dominion in partnership with God. We are supposed to do the same thing, increase God's government, not man's.
Psalms 115:14-18 May the Lord give you increase more and more, You and your children. May you be blessed by the Lord , Who made heaven and earth. The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord ’s; But the earth He has given to the children of men. The dead do not praise the Lord , Nor any who go down into silence. But we will bless the Lord From this time forth and forevermore. Praise the Lord !
The Lord is blessed when we agree with Him in this partnership! Bless the Lord!
Religion and tradition are a satanic strategy to short-circuit this truth. To replace a living burning and vibrant release of revelation with a duty to conform, to protect those currently in charge or the current viewpoint. Ironically, the "traditional" views that many subscribe to now are only a few hundred years old...they aren't even the tradition of the disciples that knew Jesus!
Tradition is about power...it is about control. Those who try to hold to a tradition are really saying "we like things the way they are." Jesus is NOT ok with this attitude! Jesus does not like things the way they are. He wants to see the fire that paves the way for His return. The fire happens...the division happens... when mankind breaks from tradition and zealously and wholeheartedly loves Him...hastening the day of His return.
Luke 12:49-53 “I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished! Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”
Peter was all about this exciting zeal for the revelation that would divide...to hasten the day:
II Peter 3:10-14 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;
Peter was talking about the fire that is coming. He said "look forward to it." This is what invites the revelation...the watching...the looking forward...the desire to agree that earth is not ok...the old way...the tradition...is not ok! I want you back Lord! What will it take for ME to agree with you about that?!
This fire that Jesus is setting, it stirs things up. It is uncomfortable. Tradition tries to keep things orderly, in a negative way. Order in Church meetings is good, but the order Paul talked about in I Corinthians was a necessary ingredient when powerful and new revelation was being released!
Right now, Jesus is very intent on changing the way things are. Jesus is most interested in returning to earth. This is going to RADICALLY mess up tradition...on purpose. From heaven's perspective, things are NOT ok the way they have been. The Spirit says earth is not ok until Jesus is back on it. The Spirit says "come." The Bride is supposed to say "come"..."come change the way everything is until it agrees with you Jesus...I'm not ok until you are back with me!"
Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.
The water of life is the Spirit. The Spirit is releasing revelation as I can bear it. That means there is more to know. Trying to hold onto the old top-down power scheme is exactly what the Pharisees did. They missed the coming of the very one they claimed to represent. They found themselves actually fighting against God!
Acts 5:29-35, 38-39 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.” When they heard this, they were furious and plotted to kill them. Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while. And he said to them: “Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men.... And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.”
I want to be careful of what I resist!
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