Pattern of Renewal
There is a pattern of renewal laid out in the Bible. Jesus came to make all things new:
Revelation 21:5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”
Jesus is a "gate" and a "way". There is legal position in God's kingdom...we call that "saved"...and then there is living condition...which the Bible calls "small" (or "least") and "great." Just like in the USA, there are many legal citizens in God's kingdom, but they will not all share the same status and living condition forever. There are great and small when Jesus returns:
Revelation 19:5 Then a voice came from the throne, saying, “Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great!”
Jesus said that if you want greatness, you "do and teach" holiness...not from a standpoint of discipline, but from one of fascination or grace. This is called the "Beatitudes"...not obeying God and growing in poverty, mourning, meekness, hunger, peace, mercy, purity, and persecution out of fear, but rather out of the desire for blessing! Blessed are...
To do and teach these things is what causes a person to walk into greatness:
Matthew 5:19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
There is only one other place I know of that offers a promise for teaching and doing the exact contents of the Book it introduces...that is Revelation:
Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.
This Book...the Revelation of Jesus Christ...is the pinnacle of Godly fascination and goes hand in hand with the Sermon on the Mount. That is because it is the greatest revelation of the fascinating one. To do and teach the truths in the Book of Revelation of Jesus Christ is to step into the true Holy of Holies, take out treasure, and sow it back into the earth. To do and teach this along with the Sermon on the Mount...for the Sermon on the Mount is the answer to the riddle of Revelation...is to actually choose greatness forever. This is what it means to follow Jesus in the way. But be warned, just as the gate...the entering of the kingdom...is narrow (there is only one gate)...the way is DIFFICULT:
Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
If you want greatness in the kingdom, you must to some degree "drink the cup Jesus drank"...which is rejection from the very ones claiming to know God...and you must be baptized with His baptism...which, in the broad strokes, is to lay down your rights and choose meekness...laying down your life and will for the life and will God desires for you. This is what Jesus called "difficult" and "found by few." He was serious. Everyone has a choice...we all get what we want. Few will actually choose greatness in heaven over greatness in the eyes of their peers, but this is true greatness that lasts forever, it is just really hard to see it right now:
Mark 10:35-45 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.” And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?” They said to Him, “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.” But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They said to Him, “We are able.” So Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared.” And when the ten heard it, they began to be greatly displeased with James and John. But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
There is a clear pattern of life...a shadow of the life of Jesus...that is promised to everyone who advances in the way. It is a measure YOU choose of the same glory and persecution Jesus chose perfectly.
The Song of Songs...the story of true greatness, which is a life lived in partnership with God...is intended to directly contrast Ecclesiastes...the story of a life lived in false temporary greatness, called "chasing the wind." Earthly greatness is a lie...Solomon, who tasted it in many ways, said it was unsatisfying and useless.
In the Song of Songs, there is universal "two-fold" test all who are advancing in the "narrow way," or climbing the Holy Mountain to greatness, must pass...first is the test of answering the call of God in faith, despite the scary nature of the call. Answering the call starts with the Bride inviting Jesus into the garden of her heart to "have His way."
She invites the north wind (the harsh circumstances that produce humility) and the south wind (the kinder revelations of insight and glory...the breakthroughs).
Song of Solomon 4:16 Awake, O north wind, And come, O south! Blow upon my garden, That its spices may flow out. Let my beloved come to his garden And eat its pleasant fruits.
Then comes part two: rejection. There is a promised season of rejection that anyone who advances this far in the narrow way must pass through. This is the laying of the foundation of greatness. The pain that the Bride feels in rejection reveals the danger in her heart to pride in the season of breakthrough and increase. The season of acceptance is way more dangerous than the season of rejection. The season of acceptance is where Pharisees are made.
For love, Jesus tests his beloved dove in the season of rejection to make sure she is ready to handle the intense increase that is coming, which is intense partnership in what He is doing in the earth. The leading of many into greatness. The test ALWAYS looks the same. That is why it is in the Bible! It is a universal truth. However, few find the narrow way. Many turn back in the season, or even the simple threat of the season, of rejection and instead choose acceptance in the eyes of man. This makes them accepted in the group of men, but it is a rejection of some measure of eternal greatness. These ones who give in to the world's acceptance love their own temporary lives lived in the gaze of people more than the true greatness available to them on the other side of the season of testing.
This is what the testing ALWAYS will look like:
1. the beloved of God answers the call and opens the door.
2. Jesus appears to be absent once the beloved bride takes the leap of faith. This is scary and requires faith.
3. The religious gatekeepers beat up on the faithful bride and strip away her covering...her veil...her ministry positions. They are threatened by her walk and lovesick intensity.
4. The bride doesn't let that stop her, instead she says "who cares, I am lovesick for my Beloved Groom and His presence"...and she presses on.
This is universal for all who desire to follow Jesus in the way:
Song of Solomon 5:4-8 My beloved put his hand By the latch of the door, And my heart yearned for him. I arose to open for my beloved, And my hands dripped with myrrh, My fingers with liquid myrrh, On the handles of the lock. I opened for my beloved, But my beloved had turned away and was gone. My heart leaped up when he spoke. I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer. The watchmen who went about the city found me. They struck me, they wounded me; The keepers of the walls Took my veil away from me. I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, If you find my beloved, That you tell him I am lovesick!
There are offenses that must come into the life of every "great" follower of Jesus, because to follow Him is in part to share in His suffering. It is written, and must be this way, or the word would be untrue. The "watchmen of the city" have to play their part and the bride has to play hers. Everyone gets a choice in the role they want. Just as clearly as offenses must come, greatness is sure to follow! The beloved dove will get everything she has set her heart on, everything the watchmen compromised to protect, she will be handed freely:
Song of Solomon 6:12 Before I was even aware, My soul had made me As the chariots of my noble people.
This must happen. For love, Jesus is unwilling to build something great on an unprepared foundation. Offenses must come, and so will greatness to those who endure the seasons of testing.
Matthew 18:3-7 and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!
Revelation 21:5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”
Jesus is a "gate" and a "way". There is legal position in God's kingdom...we call that "saved"...and then there is living condition...which the Bible calls "small" (or "least") and "great." Just like in the USA, there are many legal citizens in God's kingdom, but they will not all share the same status and living condition forever. There are great and small when Jesus returns:
Revelation 19:5 Then a voice came from the throne, saying, “Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great!”
Jesus said that if you want greatness, you "do and teach" holiness...not from a standpoint of discipline, but from one of fascination or grace. This is called the "Beatitudes"...not obeying God and growing in poverty, mourning, meekness, hunger, peace, mercy, purity, and persecution out of fear, but rather out of the desire for blessing! Blessed are...
To do and teach these things is what causes a person to walk into greatness:
Matthew 5:19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
There is only one other place I know of that offers a promise for teaching and doing the exact contents of the Book it introduces...that is Revelation:
Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.
This Book...the Revelation of Jesus Christ...is the pinnacle of Godly fascination and goes hand in hand with the Sermon on the Mount. That is because it is the greatest revelation of the fascinating one. To do and teach the truths in the Book of Revelation of Jesus Christ is to step into the true Holy of Holies, take out treasure, and sow it back into the earth. To do and teach this along with the Sermon on the Mount...for the Sermon on the Mount is the answer to the riddle of Revelation...is to actually choose greatness forever. This is what it means to follow Jesus in the way. But be warned, just as the gate...the entering of the kingdom...is narrow (there is only one gate)...the way is DIFFICULT:
Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
If you want greatness in the kingdom, you must to some degree "drink the cup Jesus drank"...which is rejection from the very ones claiming to know God...and you must be baptized with His baptism...which, in the broad strokes, is to lay down your rights and choose meekness...laying down your life and will for the life and will God desires for you. This is what Jesus called "difficult" and "found by few." He was serious. Everyone has a choice...we all get what we want. Few will actually choose greatness in heaven over greatness in the eyes of their peers, but this is true greatness that lasts forever, it is just really hard to see it right now:
Mark 10:35-45 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.” And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?” They said to Him, “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.” But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They said to Him, “We are able.” So Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared.” And when the ten heard it, they began to be greatly displeased with James and John. But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
There is a clear pattern of life...a shadow of the life of Jesus...that is promised to everyone who advances in the way. It is a measure YOU choose of the same glory and persecution Jesus chose perfectly.
The Song of Songs...the story of true greatness, which is a life lived in partnership with God...is intended to directly contrast Ecclesiastes...the story of a life lived in false temporary greatness, called "chasing the wind." Earthly greatness is a lie...Solomon, who tasted it in many ways, said it was unsatisfying and useless.
In the Song of Songs, there is universal "two-fold" test all who are advancing in the "narrow way," or climbing the Holy Mountain to greatness, must pass...first is the test of answering the call of God in faith, despite the scary nature of the call. Answering the call starts with the Bride inviting Jesus into the garden of her heart to "have His way."
She invites the north wind (the harsh circumstances that produce humility) and the south wind (the kinder revelations of insight and glory...the breakthroughs).
Song of Solomon 4:16 Awake, O north wind, And come, O south! Blow upon my garden, That its spices may flow out. Let my beloved come to his garden And eat its pleasant fruits.
Then comes part two: rejection. There is a promised season of rejection that anyone who advances this far in the narrow way must pass through. This is the laying of the foundation of greatness. The pain that the Bride feels in rejection reveals the danger in her heart to pride in the season of breakthrough and increase. The season of acceptance is way more dangerous than the season of rejection. The season of acceptance is where Pharisees are made.
For love, Jesus tests his beloved dove in the season of rejection to make sure she is ready to handle the intense increase that is coming, which is intense partnership in what He is doing in the earth. The leading of many into greatness. The test ALWAYS looks the same. That is why it is in the Bible! It is a universal truth. However, few find the narrow way. Many turn back in the season, or even the simple threat of the season, of rejection and instead choose acceptance in the eyes of man. This makes them accepted in the group of men, but it is a rejection of some measure of eternal greatness. These ones who give in to the world's acceptance love their own temporary lives lived in the gaze of people more than the true greatness available to them on the other side of the season of testing.
This is what the testing ALWAYS will look like:
1. the beloved of God answers the call and opens the door.
2. Jesus appears to be absent once the beloved bride takes the leap of faith. This is scary and requires faith.
3. The religious gatekeepers beat up on the faithful bride and strip away her covering...her veil...her ministry positions. They are threatened by her walk and lovesick intensity.
4. The bride doesn't let that stop her, instead she says "who cares, I am lovesick for my Beloved Groom and His presence"...and she presses on.
This is universal for all who desire to follow Jesus in the way:
Song of Solomon 5:4-8 My beloved put his hand By the latch of the door, And my heart yearned for him. I arose to open for my beloved, And my hands dripped with myrrh, My fingers with liquid myrrh, On the handles of the lock. I opened for my beloved, But my beloved had turned away and was gone. My heart leaped up when he spoke. I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer. The watchmen who went about the city found me. They struck me, they wounded me; The keepers of the walls Took my veil away from me. I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, If you find my beloved, That you tell him I am lovesick!
There are offenses that must come into the life of every "great" follower of Jesus, because to follow Him is in part to share in His suffering. It is written, and must be this way, or the word would be untrue. The "watchmen of the city" have to play their part and the bride has to play hers. Everyone gets a choice in the role they want. Just as clearly as offenses must come, greatness is sure to follow! The beloved dove will get everything she has set her heart on, everything the watchmen compromised to protect, she will be handed freely:
Song of Solomon 6:12 Before I was even aware, My soul had made me As the chariots of my noble people.
This must happen. For love, Jesus is unwilling to build something great on an unprepared foundation. Offenses must come, and so will greatness to those who endure the seasons of testing.
Matthew 18:3-7 and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!
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