The Generation of Jacob
I am really committed to seeing a "Sermon on the Mount" community rise out of a Jacob generation. One that wrestles through the night to receive a new identity, see heaven open, and get the blessing of overcoming...going from being Jacob...the supplanter...to Israel, God's people.
In one generation, our generation, seven divided churches will become one pure and spotless Bride. The seven churches of Revelation 2 and 3 go into the Great Tribulation and what emerges from the fire is one pure and spotless Bride:
Psalms 12:5-6 "For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, Now I will arise," says the LORD; "I will set him in the safety for which he yearns." 6 The words of the LORD are pure words, Like silver tried in a furnace of earth, Purified seven times.
Seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls will literally see seven churches become one. This is what Jesus prayed for in John 17:
John 17:15-21 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. 18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. 20 "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.
In the heart of this passage....17:17... we find the real issue: sanctification. Being set apart. This is what happens in the wrestle.
Right now, the wrestle isn't with the world, it isn't against the races, or the sexuality agenda, it isn't against the economy, or iran...it isn't democrat vs. republican...no...it is a wrestle with God:
Genesis 32:25-31 Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob's hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him. 26 And He said, "Let Me go, for the day breaks." But he said, "I will not let You go unless You bless me!" 27 So He said to him, "What is your name?" He said, "Jacob." 28 And He said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed." 29 Then Jacob asked, saying, "Tell me Your name, I pray." And He said, "Why is it that you ask about My name?" And He blessed him there. 30 So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: "For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved." 31 Just as he crossed over Penuel the sun rose on him, and he limped on his hip.
This is a violent process...this wrestle is truly the wrestle of holiness. It is a wrestling of self WITH God...the help of God to draw out the true identity God pictured when He made me. The holy me...the sanctified me. The ready-to-live-with-a-holy-God-forever me.... this is what the end of the age is all about.
When it is all said and done, the greatest ones will be the least known. Those ready to lead the world forever will have died the most to self. They won't establish their name on the backs of others, but will have rather invited as many as possible to take their place. They really will take the lowest place...for real. They will invite others to speak and they will listen. They will teach others all they know for no compensation at all. They will give it all away to gain it all forever.
I am committed to wrestling in this way. I am not good at it, but I long to be.
I just want Him to come home.
This is the Bride...this is 2017...
#monthsnotyears
Daniel 12:1-4 "At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book. 2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever. 4 "But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase."
Psalms 24:3-7 Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully. 5 He shall receive blessing from the LORD, And righteousness from the God of his salvation. 6 This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him, Who seek Your face. Selah 7 Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in.
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.
What are you wrestling?
In one generation, our generation, seven divided churches will become one pure and spotless Bride. The seven churches of Revelation 2 and 3 go into the Great Tribulation and what emerges from the fire is one pure and spotless Bride:
Psalms 12:5-6 "For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, Now I will arise," says the LORD; "I will set him in the safety for which he yearns." 6 The words of the LORD are pure words, Like silver tried in a furnace of earth, Purified seven times.
Seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls will literally see seven churches become one. This is what Jesus prayed for in John 17:
John 17:15-21 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. 18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. 20 "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.
In the heart of this passage....17:17... we find the real issue: sanctification. Being set apart. This is what happens in the wrestle.
Right now, the wrestle isn't with the world, it isn't against the races, or the sexuality agenda, it isn't against the economy, or iran...it isn't democrat vs. republican...no...it is a wrestle with God:
Genesis 32:25-31 Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob's hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him. 26 And He said, "Let Me go, for the day breaks." But he said, "I will not let You go unless You bless me!" 27 So He said to him, "What is your name?" He said, "Jacob." 28 And He said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed." 29 Then Jacob asked, saying, "Tell me Your name, I pray." And He said, "Why is it that you ask about My name?" And He blessed him there. 30 So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: "For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved." 31 Just as he crossed over Penuel the sun rose on him, and he limped on his hip.
This is a violent process...this wrestle is truly the wrestle of holiness. It is a wrestling of self WITH God...the help of God to draw out the true identity God pictured when He made me. The holy me...the sanctified me. The ready-to-live-with-a-holy-God-forever me.... this is what the end of the age is all about.
When it is all said and done, the greatest ones will be the least known. Those ready to lead the world forever will have died the most to self. They won't establish their name on the backs of others, but will have rather invited as many as possible to take their place. They really will take the lowest place...for real. They will invite others to speak and they will listen. They will teach others all they know for no compensation at all. They will give it all away to gain it all forever.
I am committed to wrestling in this way. I am not good at it, but I long to be.
I just want Him to come home.
This is the Bride...this is 2017...
#monthsnotyears
Daniel 12:1-4 "At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book. 2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever. 4 "But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase."
Psalms 24:3-7 Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully. 5 He shall receive blessing from the LORD, And righteousness from the God of his salvation. 6 This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him, Who seek Your face. Selah 7 Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in.
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.
What are you wrestling?
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