Rising of the Son no 53
The Foundation Stones
April 1, 2017
Brian
Kocourek, pastor
I Peter 2:4 ¶ To whom coming, as unto a living stone,
disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, 5 Ye also, as lively stones,
Let me stop here and say this
word Lively comes from the Greek Word ZAO which means alive or living. It is
used hundreds of times in referring to God and His children.
Matthew 16:16 And
Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Luke 20:38 For he
is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.
John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the
resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though
he were dead, yet shall he live:
I Peter 2:4 ¶ To whom coming, as unto a living stone,
disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, 5 Ye also, as lively stones,
The color of Life is Green) are built up a spiritual house,
an holy priesthood, (there's your
indigo and violet) to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 6
Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him
shall not be confounded. 7 Unto you therefore which believe he is
precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head
of the corner, 8 And a stone of
stumbling, and a rock of offence, even
to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were
appointed. (Now, this is the spiritual side of the stones, and
notice these people were disappointed in the Stone that was raised up By God,
and they crucified Him because they were dissapointed in him. Thus alpha
becomes Omega and the disappointment in the vessel, the Lively stone leads them
to crucify Him again in this hour.)
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, (there's your indigo, purple and
violet colors) an holy nation, (yellow
purified as by Fire, better than Gold that perishes) a peculiar people; (ther's your orange color becuase this
speaks of your character made by His Love - red- and the trials -yellow) that ye should shew forth the praises of him (there's
your blue-for truness) who hath called you out of
darkness into his marvelous light:
Now, remember His marvelous Light is that White
light that was the summation of all the seven colors of God's great fountain of
Life.
For the past few weeks we have been studying the
attributes of God Life coming forth in an expression of Colors out from the Great Living Fountain of Life, that God dwelt in before there was a
beginning.
We examined what these colors represent, and pointed
out which attributes of God were represented in which specific colors. Then we
brought these colors down to the Rainbow Covenant of God with man, and showed
the contract language of God to His Seed in each color represented. We looked
at how each color was actually a complete statement from God, as if each ribbon
of color expressed a certain portion of the great Contract between God and man.
Then we looked into those colors as they were represented in the Breastplate
stones. We examined the stones and showed their meaning, and how each
represented a tribe or seed lineage of Israel and the attributes of life that
each tribe expressed or represented. And finally we examined the relationship
those breastplate stones had with the Urim and Thummim. Most scholars agree that the Urim and Thummim are best translated as “Light” and “Perfection”.
In the Vulgate
we also find that the "URIM"
is translated as DOCTRINE meaning teaching
and instruction. Therefore we see the perfect-light, or rather the Prefection-Light or Perfection-Doctrine represented in the relationship between these
two stones and the stones of the breastplate of God which represents His seed,
His family. Finally we find the Hebrew words, Urim and Thummim, began with the first letter, and closed with the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet, representing the Alpha and Omega ministry of the
Word.
This evening I would like to close out this
series by taking these 12 stones and show how each is represented in the
Foundation of the New Jerusalem. Please do not forget as we read that each
stone represents the attributes of Life in each of the 12 tribes, and now
represent the children of God as Peter had so wonderfully represented us as lively stones.
I Thessalonians 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose
again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For
this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and
remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16
For the Lord himself shall descend from
heaven with a shout,
with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ
shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together
with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be
with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Revelations 21:1 ¶ And I saw a new heaven and a
new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there
was no more sea. 2 And I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God
out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I
heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God [is]
with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God
himself shall be with them, [and be] their God.
Notice that John saw the New Jerusalem wherein
the foundation stones will rest coming down from heaven to set upon the earth.
Brother Branham said in his sermon Future home, Future
home 64-0802 P:149 John said, "I saw the holy City, the New Jerusalem descending out of heaven, as
a bride adorned for her husband." And where did it settle on? Just
exactly like it did on there, upon the earth. Jesus was part of that earth that the Holy Ghost
descended upon (Is that right?) and remained upon Him forever.
It never can leave Him, It's always there (He and God are one.), always has to
remain. And so John
saw the holy City, the New Jerusalem descending like a comet or a dove, coming down out of heaven and
settling upon a redeemed entire earth. To do what? To claim every attribute that He
made the earth for; every man that was represented in the
eternity and every woman is redeemed then. She's been scoured and burned by
fire; Jesus in His fiery temptations in the wilderness for forty days... After
that, notice, it was ready for His ministry then. Think of it, the Holy Ghost descending upon
earth, Jesus, and that holy Blood. Now watch. I hope I don't go
too deep for you. See?
Oh, how we should be such a thankful people to know the
hope of His calling which anchors our soul, knowing that His presence is with
us now, having descended
with a Shout, which is a Message, and
knowing that Message is to prepare us in His Presence and By his Presence to
enter into a Living Union with Him for all Eternity.
3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven
saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is
with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God
himself shall be with them, and be their God.
Therefore when we read of this New Jerusalem, we
must not think in terms of just a Holy mountain, or a Holy City, but we should
be thinking in terms of a Holy People made holy by the presence of a Holy God.
And a people Who are called by His Name dwelling in union with Him, in the
Glorious Light of his Shekinah Presence for all eternity.
That is why we are told 2 And I John saw the holy
city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared
as a bride adorned for her husband.
This evening we will find in our study of the
foundation stones of this New Jerusalem that, just as we were represented in the Breastplate
stones, so too we are represented in these Foundation stones which are
said to be lively stone, or stones
which are made alive, by the living Stone, Christ Jesus. Now, let's continue to read on.
Revelation 21:1 ¶ And I saw a new heaven and a
new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there
was no more sea. 2 And I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared
as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a great voice out of
heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell
with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself
shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall
wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither
sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things
are passed away. 5 And he that sat upon the
throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for
these words are true and faithful. 6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and
the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the
water of life freely.
Now, remember that the seven colors which are
the covenant of God, the covenant of Life was represented and expressed in that
living fountain which God dwelt in before the beginning of all
things. And he is speaking of the time that is coming when we shall actually
receive what the contract promises us, and here it is.
7 He that overcometh shall inherit
all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
Notice, God is speaking of the conclusion of
this great story, the
adoption and placing of sons. Paul also speaks of this in Ephesians
chapter 1.
Ephesians 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the
Father of glory, may give unto you the
spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The
eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope
of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the
saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to
us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and
set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 Far above all
principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named,
not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And hath put all
things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the
church, 23 Which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all.
Notice this fullness of Him that filleth all, is represented in this New Jerusalem that is
said to be like a bride adorned for her husband. It will then be only for the
Bride, as She is the lively-stones
made alive by the living stone Christ.
Revelations 21: 8 But the fearful, and
unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers,
and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth
with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. They will have no part of this Great City of
believers, which are Sons and daughters of God.
9 ¶ And there came unto me one of
the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and
talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's
wife.
Now, notice this is the seventh angel with the
seven last plagues. We don't have time to go into this tonight but the study of
the plagues can be found under the End-Time studies on our website www.Messagedoctrine.net.
Now, notice, this all takes place after those plagues
have been loosed upon the earth and the earth has been destroyed.
10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great
and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy
Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from
God, 11 Having the glory of God: and her light.
Notice it addresses this New Jerusalem as her,
and this is significant because when the scripture speaks in terms of a woman,
it always represents a church. And this church, this Bride was like unto a stone most precious, even like a
jasper stone, clear as crystal;
Now, remember, Christ is the precious stone that was disallowed of the builders, and He became from the corner stone to the head stone, and in so doing, he went from sardine
stone which is red to the Jasper which is Greenish yellow or Amber which is
also the color of the Pillar of fire. And She, His bride
is to said to be like this jasper
stone. She
is like him, for she is flesh of his Flesh and Bone of His Bone, for She is Word and Word manifested. Wearing
the garment of the Word, and anointed with the mantel of his eternal presence.
12 And had a wall great and high, and had twelve
gates, and at the gates twelve angels (Small "a" meaning messengers), and names written thereon, which are the names
of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: 13 On the east three gates; on
the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.
14 And the wall of
the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of
the Lamb.
Notice here there are 12 foundations and each foundation has the name
of the 12 apostles. This is important to remember, because we will get to the
significance of these 12 foundations in a little while into our study. and
remember also that in the 12 stones of the breast plate each stone had a name
of one of the 12 tribes.
15 And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city,
and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.
Notice this
one talking is the chief architect of this City, whose builder and
maker is God. Therefore, it is the
One Who designed the city and He had a measuring instrument in His hand
to ensure the dimensions of the city and every detail was in order.
16 And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the
breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand
furlongs. (a furlong is 220 yards or 1/8th of a mile. 12,000 x 1 mile / 8 equals
1,500 miles square). The length and the breadth
and the height of it are equal.
17 And he measured the wall thereof, an
hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that
is, of the angel. (Notice 144 cubits, which is 12x12 and a cubit is
the length of a man's arm from his elbow to the tip of his finger. A man who is
6' 0" tall will have a cubit measurement of 19". The angel of the
Lord was 6' 0" tall, so his cubit is 19" This is 12" plus
7" inches.
12 is the
number of tribes and the number of apostles, Therefore the 144" cubits represents
the Tribes x Apostles. And 19 inches represents the 12 tribes or 12 apostles
plus the 7
which represents completion.) And the 144,000 cubits in height therefore would be 228,000
feet high walls which would be 43.18 miles high.
18 And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was
pure gold, like unto clear glass (remember, Gold represents deity, therefore the City which
represents the bride is now Deity, God Life coming full circle in Sons and
Daughters. And remember also that the stones
were set in the breastplate of Gold, representing that we are in him. And the stones of the foundation wall are set
into the city which is made of gold, just like the breast plate stones were set
in gold.
19 And the foundations of the
wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones.
Now, here is where we find those stones again.
The same stones we have been studying, which carry within them the seven colors
of the Great Living Fountain which was the very presence of God. In this past verse of Scripture
there are three things spoken of that I would like to bring to our attention.
Let's read them again and I'll list them as I read them.
19 And the 1) foundations of the wall of the city were
garnished with all manner of 2) precious 3) stones.
Let's begin by
examining the Foundation which was translated from the Greek
word "themelios" {them-el'-ee-os}
-- foundation, the foundation of a
building, a wall, or city, metaphorically, the foundations, beginnings, first
principals of institution
or system of truth
so we see that Foundation means Principal, or the first
thing. In Proverbs 4:7 we read Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all
thy getting get understanding.
In Hebrews 11:8 We find Abraham looking for this city that had
foundations, Wisdom…for the Fear of the Lord is the beginning of
Wisdom.
Hebrews
11:8 By faith Abraham, when he
was called to go out into a place which he should after
receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing
whither he went. 9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a
strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with
him of the same promise: 10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose
builder and maker is God.
Remember we read that there were 12 foundations in this city and the names of the 12 apostles were
in them. The foundation
stones represented the Doctrine of the Apostles.
In Hebrews 6:1 we
read, Therefore leaving the principles
of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto
perfection; (completion,
full maturity)
not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith
toward God,
Notice the length of the cubit is
19" or 12 + 7, 12 the number of apostles, and the 7 representing
completion.
We also read in Ephesians 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but
fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets,
Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
21 In whom all the
building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are
builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Now, brother Branham said in his
sermon, Seventy weeks of Daniel
61-0806 P:69 Now, watch, the church age... Listen close
now. Don't miss this.
The church age has come from the beginning of the reformation, Luther, back in the
times there where the
foundation stones was laid which was the doctrine of the apostles.
Why We are not a Denomination? 58-0927 64 Now,
watch. And
the beast that was, and is not, even... is the eighth, and is of the
seventh... the nature of the seventh,... and goeth into perdition. Anyone knows what "perdition"
means, is "hell." And watch where he ascended out of: hell. What is it? the
bottomless pit. There's no foundation for a
Catholic doctrine. There's no Bible for Catholic doctrine.
So the foundation represents Bible
Doctrine, and there is only one Doctrine that if we do not have it we do not
possess God, and that is the Doctrine of Christ. For he is the Doctrine.
To Whom Shall we Go
60-0604 E-52 I know it's hot. We don't have too much time. How many
believes that those statements are true? There's no other way to turn; there's
no other way. Well, how can you be sure? I've condemned the church as an
organization. I've condemned the foundation it's built upon,
upon the doctrine of bishops and so forth. "Having a form of Godliness and denying the power
thereof." Because they do
not believe in Divine healing; they do not believe in the baptism of the Holy
Ghost. They do not believe in the Full Gospel doctrines.
They're a denomination.
QA Hebrews Part 3 57-1006 318-676 Now, these twelve stones was twelve foundations
that was started out from Reuben, and Gad, and on down to Benjamin: twelve
tribes, twelve stones. And those stones in the temple, in the
new heavenly Jerusalem, each foundation will be laid upon one of
the patriarchs. Now, watch, you notice the stones.
Now, you're going to watch them patriarchs reflected right into something else,
just in another question.
Abraham's Covenant Confirmed 61-0210 E-39 But
notice in building the pyramid... Now, watch this. You got a dollar bill in
your pocket? I think I got one. So if you notice on the back of your dollar
bill, why have they got the pyramid says, "The great seal?"
You ever notice on your American dollar? Uh-huh. The great seal... Notice on
that pyramid also, how it starts at the bottom and keeps coming up like this,
minority, minority. And did you notice, the capstone's not even on it. Neither
is the pyramid capped. Why? The capstone was rejected, Jesus Christ, the Head
of it, exactly right. Now, notice, in the Lutheran age, what did we live?
Justification, way down here at the bottom, plating the
foundation stones, Luther. Wesley, we believed in
sanctification, to come into the minority. Pentecost, still the baptism of the
Holy Ghost, up in the minority. But watch, the church that goes right out to
the end of it, right out at the end of that, that church is
going to have to be so perfectly like the ministry of Jesus Christ, till when
that stone comes, it sets right smack in the groove. Oh, hallelujah,
oh. 40 If you can catch
it and know what I'm talking about... The very ministry that Jesus
Christ was doing here on earth, when it comes back, the very same ministry at
Pentecost will not have to widen itself out in organization, but shape itself
up in Christ until the headstone and the church will fit one to the other.
And them is so cemented, till you can't even take a razor blade and go
around and find a crack where they were put together. And that's how the
church is got to come, so much like Christ. And look what we got to do then. Cut away and circumcise and chop off, and form and molded
into the image of Jesus Christ until that church and the cap comes right smack
together. Look at my hand on a shadow on the wall. When it's
away from me, it's scattered out. As it comes, it becomes more closer. There's
not a great big fingers, it's getting smaller and smaller and smaller, getting
darker, darker, and darker, until the shadow, the negative and the positive
becomes one. And that's the way it is in the coming, the church has
got to shape itself till it hasn't got a spot or wrinkle in it.
Amen. There is that second Bible.
Evening
messenger 63-0116 225 What kind of a messenger would God send us for
this last days? I'll tell you this, my brother, sister, as your brother and
fellow servant looking for that time to come, he would be the same kind of a
messenger that come to the other time: the same kind. He'd bring the church
back to the Word. God, let us lay a foundation for it before it gets here. Before he comes, let us put a foundation
out and be stones, cut, ready to stand shoulder to shoulder with him when God
sends him, because He promised He'd do it.
Shoulder to shoulder with that one
that God sends. That's us God's people, standing with God's Message and His
Messenger.
God's only provided place of
worship 65-1128M P:106 You're a creation of the Word. Because the foundation stone was laid in
you before the foundation of the world, predestinated to be sons and
daughters of God. And upon this come stone upon stone in each
age to vindicate that Word that's coming up, just exactly as Jesus did in His
age, which is the Capstone of it all. In Him laid every age. In Jesus
was Moses. In Jesus was David. In Jesus was the prophets. Is that right?
Hebrews Chapter 2 part 1
57-0825M P:31 What happened? Jesus said before He left, "The things that I do, shall you also." Is that
right? "The
things that I do shall you do also, even more than this, for I go to the
Father." Oh, I can see them as they went forth
everywhere (Mark
16), went forth everywhere preaching, the Lord working with them, confirming the Word. And
here Paul giving the same thing, he said that the Gospel begin to be preached
by Jesus and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him. And that's the foundation stone.
Oh, blessed be the Name of the Lord. That's the foundation stone. And to think,
two thousand years has passed. Atheists has raised, and infidels, and skeptics,
and agnostics. But today
that same Jesus confirms His Word in the same manner by those who hear Him.
"Hear
Him" don't mean just to hear a sermon. That means, hear Him.
Just like the stones in the breast
plate lit up when the urim the Doctrine shined upon them, so does the
foundation stones light up when thelight of the glorious doctrine of Christ
shines upon us.
QA Hebrews Part 3 57-1006 317-Q-67 Quickly to our other questions, the
questions now that goes down to Georgia... 67. What do the stones represent in Revelation 21:19 and 20? If you wish to take the time to open your Bibles, which we haven't
too much time now, but I'll try to answer them quickly. Revelation 20, I believe it's 21:19 and 20. Yes. All right, in there you'll find out that he was talking of
the stones that was in the building. And the stones were foundations.
If you'll notice... I do believe you have it there, Brother Neville. And each stone was a foundation. Not one stone a foundation, and the
others... But each stone was a foundation. Each stone was a constant foundation. And there were twelve stones. And if you notice those twelve stones,
give each... First starting out with jasper, and sardius, and
so forth like that, representing each stone.
317-671 In the Bible there you'll find out it was
called certain stones. Some of them a little difference, you never heard of it.
If you look back in the dictionary you find out it's the same stone, just a
different name change. But it starts out with jasper. Jasper was the
stone of the first son, Reuben. The first stone was Reuben, which was jasper. The last stone was Benjamin,
the last stone on top. Now, these twelve stones that the foundations was laid
on, them twelve stones hung on the breastplate of Aaron.
And they represent... He was the high priest of these tribes. Each one of their birthstones in here, in this
plate... And when the people saw this plate, they recognized that Aaron was the
high priest of that entire tribe, when they seen the birthstone in this plate.
318-674 Now, when we got this morning at Brother Neville's message.
And as many times they brought the Urim Thummim. You see it mentioned in the Bible as the way
they knowed whether their message was truth or not. Those stones, when they'd
go to telling what the man said, the prophet prophesied, and those stones all reflected together. It made a conglomeration of light that took sapphire, and
jasper, and carbuncle, and all those other stones reflecting their light; it
made one great big beautiful rainbow color that blended the whole thing
together. Now, now, the day when that Urim Thummim was taken away with that priesthood, now this Bible
is God's Urim Thummim today. And when a preacher preaches, it
must not be just one little place here, and that's all he puts his hopes upon; it must be the entire Bible reflecting the message that
the man's a-preaching. That is the thing. Not just one place,
and say, "Well, the Bible says this." Oh, sure, it says lots of
things. But you must make it all be put
together. And when the Spirit of God comes and
gets into the Word, It places it all together and reflects one great big Light,
and that Light is Jesus Christ. Amen.
318-676 Now, these
twelve stones was twelve foundations that was started out from Reuben, and Gad,
and on down to Benjamin: twelve tribes, twelve stones. And those stones in
the temple, in the new heavenly Jerusalem,
each foundation will be laid upon one of the patriarchs. Now, watch, you notice
the stones. Now, you're going to watch them patriarchs reflected right into
something else, just in another question.
Luke 14:28 For
which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth
the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 Lest haply, after he hath
laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to
mock him, 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. Therefore, we are admonished in scripture
that a price must be considered before the foundation can be completed.
Luke 6:47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings,
and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:
48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose (remember we are warned in scripture that satan will come in like a flood, these are the trials in abundance.), the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and
could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. (On Christ the Solid rock I stand all other
ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand.) 49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is
like a man that without a foundation built
an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and
immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great. The difference between the two is not the
foundation itself, but where that foundation is laid. Lucifer and Michael both
had breastplates made with precious stones, and even both of them had 9 stones
in common. But the breastplate was worn over the heart, and it all depended
upon whose heart it was over.
Paul was careful not to preach where another man
had already laid a foundation.
Romans 15:20 Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ
was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:
I Corinthians 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given
unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation,
and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth
thereupon. 11 ¶ For other foundation can no man lay
than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man
build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
13 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. (And what greater fire to do so than the Holy Fire
of God's Shekinah presence< his pillar of Fire among us.)
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. 16 ¶ Know ye not that ye
are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of
God dwelleth in you? 17 If any man defile the temple of God, him
shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which
temple ye are. 18 ¶ Let no man deceive
himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become
a fool, that he may be wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness
with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise,
that they are vain. 21 ¶ Therefore let no man glory in men. For all
things are yours; 22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or
life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; 23 And ye
are Christ's; and Christ is God's.
QA 64-0823E 1021-119 And now, if you notice on your
American dollar bill, that great headstone, an eye, says, "The Great
Seal." It will come. And notice those stones... Was anybody here
ever at the pyramids in Egypt? Well, if you notice... There, there's hands
there that's up back there. All right. Those
stones are laying in there so perfect, and that top, where the cupola like
in the top of it, when that stone comes, it'll be like a great diamond fitting
right down in there just perfect with it. Now, that stone would not fit down there on that bottom foundation, neither
will it fit on the second foundation or the third foundation. It'll only fit on the top
foundation, when the entire building has become fitted to the
stone. And Jesus cannot come until a
church, a body of believers and the ministry that He once...?... will have to
be the same as it was then to... And then, that brings... "Them without us is not made perfect," Paul said, Hebrews 11. "Without us they cannot be perfected." They
must have this ministry to raise up the Lutheran, Wesley, and all them down
through their ages. When that come, when that part of the where the eagles
gathered... "Just as the carcass is the
eagles will be gathered,"
the question was. Oh, it's just perfect. I hope that answered the question.
Revelations 21 deals with the New Jerusalem and we found
verse 19
spoke of three attributes concerning the Foundation of the New Jerusalem. 19 And the 1) foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with
all manner of 2) precious 3) stones.
And notice the foundation itself speaks of the doctrine, the foundation of the Apostles it says which is the
Doctrine which they not
only held, but were completely identified with.
Now, these Stones that make up the foundation, which brother
Branham said the 12 foundations were the doctrine of the 12 Apostles. Therefore, we want to
examine closer what that doctrine was that would make up the Doctrinal
Foundation of the New Jerusalem.
To begin with they are called Precious Stones and that is why they
are considered gemstones, for so they are precious. But let's look closer at
these stones for we know that Jesus is spoken of directly as the precious
One. To begin let's read
from Revelations 21 again.
Revelations 21:19 And the 1) foundation(s) (notice it is Plural, many foundations, in
fact 12 foundations) of the wall of the city [were] garnished with
all manner of 2) precious 3) stones.
2) Precious: GRK timios, {tim'-ee-os} 1) of great price i.e.
precious 2) held in honor, esteem, especially dear.
Now, before we look at the stones, we must first understand that
they are described as precious,
which means there has been a great price paid for them.
James 5:7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the
coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience
for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. 8 Be ye also patient;
stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. 9 Grudge not one
against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth
before the door.
I hope we can see the representation of
the Elect or chosen with the breastplate, which by the way, the Hebrew word for
Breastplate is actually the Hebrew Word "chosen".
And I hope we understand, Christ is the precious stone, he is the Urim, He is the
Doctrine, and He is
thummim which is the
Perfection.
1 Peter 2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the
scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner
stone, elect, precious (The
Urim and Thummim were considered precious stones): and he that believeth on him shall not be
confounded (shall not be confused. Why? Because, they
have the Urim, which is the Doctrine, and with the Doctrine, the
confusion goes away.) 7 Unto you therefore which believe [he is] precious: but unto
them, which be disobedient, the
stone (He's still a stone, but he is a rejected
stone). which the builders disallowed, the same is
made the head of the corner, 8 And a
stone of stumbling, and a
rock of offence, [even to them] which stumble at the word, being
disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 9 But ye [are] a chosen generation.
And did you know that the Hebrew word for
breast plate in the Authorized Version of the Bible translated the Hebrew word
“chosen" as breastplate?, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye
should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into
his marvelous light: (unto this Urim and Thummim).
Now, we have shown that Christ is the Precious stone that was
disallowed of the builders. Not that He didn't fit, it's just that they did not
know what to do with him. And because they did not know where to place Him and
His Ministry, they rejected Him. And yet we find that the Foundation stones
which is the doctrine of the Apostle are also identified with Christ for He is the Doctrine.
And He being the precious stone is a sort of first fruit of those others who
make up the foundation, namely the elect.
I Corinthians 15:23 But every man in his own order: Christ the
first fruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming (Parousia). Notice that Christ is the first fruits, and remember the
fruit is the teaching of the season according to brother Branham. And the Word doctrine means teaching. Therefore the fruit
is the doctrine, and if Christ is the first FRUIT or first of all DOCTRINE, then we are and must look
at the other doctrine that makes up the 12 foundation stones.
II Timothy 2:6 The husbandman
that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.
Now let's read this with our new understanding. The husbandman
that labors must be the first partaker of the fruits (the doctrine). Therefore we are looking at the doctrine and
the effect the doctrine has upon the one who partakes of it. Notice, the husbandry-man is the one who tills the soil to bring
forth the Fruit, which is the doctrine. He works the fruit, he works the doctrine for one
purpose, and that is to partake of its bounty. And that is for
one purpose, and that is to sustain Life, or to nourish the Life that lies
within him. Therefore if Christ is the first-fruit, or the first to partake of
the doctrine, then we must look at what that fruit, or that doctrine did for
Him.
John 7:16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine
is not mine, but his that sent me. 17 If any man will do his will, he shall
know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. 18 He
that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory
that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
Notice that Jesus is telling us it is not his Doctrine, therefore
not his fruit, But God's.
Matthew 21:42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in
the scriptures, The stone which the builders
rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in
our eyes? 43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from
you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.
44 And whosoever
shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it
will grind him to powder.
Proverbs 3:9 Honor the LORD with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase: 10 So shall thy
barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
Romans 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth
and travaileth in pain together until now. 23 And not only they, but ourselves
also, which have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we
ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption,
to wit, the redemption of our body.
I Corinthians 15:20 ¶ But now is Christ risen from the dead, and
become the first fruits of them that slept. 21 For
since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For
as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man
in his own order: Christ the first fruits;
afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. Remember, As Jesus came so must we.
James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is
from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no
variableness, neither shadow of turning. 18 Of his own will begat he us with the
word of truth, that we should be a kind of first
fruits of his
creatures.
Now, what does the Scripture mean when it calls us a kind of first
fruit? It is speaking of the resurrection. Jesus was the first to be raised up by
the Father and given a Glorified Body. Then we which have received the True
Baptism of the Holy Spirit will follow after the first fruit, and will be
raised up incorruptible even as Jesus was raised up not seeing corruption in
His Body.
Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the
Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not
the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 10 ¶ And if Christ be in you, the body is
dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if
the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that
raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his
Spirit that dwelleth in you. 12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the
flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall
die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall
live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
Israel at the Red Sea 1 53-0326 72 And Matthew
27 says that many of
the bodies of the saints that slept in the dust of the earth, rose, and came
out of the city, and appeared to many of them in the city. I can see Sarah and
Abraham coming down the street, saying, "Oh, honey, look there. They've
changed these things a little bit. Look around here how this looks."
Somebody said, "Who is that couple there? It seems like they're
strangers." They say, "We're recognized." Vanished out of their
sight, like He went through the wall, you know, and they didn't even know or
see Him come in. Went out. They had glorified bodies, and they appeared back on
earth (Hallelujah.) for a first fruits of the proof of
God's power and the resurrection.
God's Covenant With Abraham 56-0428 E-58 Oh, my. I ain't to my text yet. We'll
just have to let it go, maybe. I don't want to hold you; tomorrow's Sunday. You
love Him? You believe Him? He's risen from the dead, the
first fruits of those who slept. He's here tonight. He's in His Person, in His power. The Bible
said, in Hebrews 13:8, "Jesus is the same yesterday, today
and for ever." You believe that? Then if He said, "The things that I
do shall you also, more than this shall you do for I go unto My Father,"
He's obligated to that Word. Is that right?
Now, the thing of it is, is that this all comes about by His
Presence and His Doctrine indwelling the hearts of the believer and bringing
forth a Spiritual resurrection from amongst those who are spiritually dead,
quickening us to Life everlasting, and readying us for the catching away. Remember, Christ is the Doctrine and He is the Light. He is our Urim and when the Light of the Urim passes
through the stones of the
foundation, the doctrine of the saints, it causes the same light to
not only pass through but to become reflected from those stones, "us"
in the process. Then when we stand there in that Light of His glorious Presence
we begin to change from image to image, even by the Spirit of the Lord.
II Corinthians 3:13 And not as Moses, which put a vail over his
face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that
which is abolished: 14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day
remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which
vail is done away in Christ. 15 But even unto this day, when Moses is
read, the vail is upon their heart. 16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to
the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. 17 Now the Lord is that Spirit:
and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with
open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the
same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
When Moses came down from having dwelt in the presence of God for
40 days and nights, his face shown forth with the Glory of God. It so scared the
people that they asked him to cover his face with a veil, and Paul tells us
that veil is still around, and William Branham told us that veil is traditions
and creeds, and it according to Paul, is to be done away with when the hearts
are turned back to the Word, which is the understanding of the Doctrine of
Christ. Then he tells us we will receive a change from glory to glory, and from
image to image until we find the New Jerusalem, the bride herself is seen in
the same image as her mate, the Revealed Word.
Revelation 21:10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a
great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem,
descending out of heaven from God, 11 Having
the glory of God: and her light was
like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;
Revelation 21:22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord
God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. 23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither
of the moon, to shine in it: for the
glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb [is] the light thereof.
Notice it is not her that gives off the light, but the light is
from the radiating Glory of God through His Son in Her Midst, and she is but
reflecting it.
Planting of the Vine And Where To Plant It 59-0920 E-31 No wonder they're odd and
peculiar people. No wonder they act strange. They don't have no more affairs of
this world, for they are dead and buried in Christ, and are raised to a new life to be the first fruits of them that
enjoy the spiritual resurrection. That the Holy Spirit would flow through every
member, and would show forth the Glory of God, like God showed Egypt when He
brought forth the Vine.
It all begins with a Spiritual resurrection within. When does this
Spiritual resurrection take place? When the Lord Himself descends with a shout.
When He comes into our midst and reveals Himself in His true Character, then we
are able to be revealed in our true character as well. And it takes the
Doctrine to bring about this perfecting of the saints which is a maturing
process brought on by the rain..
I John 3:1¶ Behold, what manner of love the Father
hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the
world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons
of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he
shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every
man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
Notice that something happens when we see Him. We are changed into
His Image, and it begins a process within us that takes us from glory to glory,
and from image to image, until we are changed to be like him. And John tells us
here that it begins a purging process as well. We begin to purge ourselves from
the old man to the desires of the new man. And our renewing is made possible by
the doctrine, the knowledge of Christ as we see in Colossian 3:10
Colossians 3:1 ¶ If
ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ
sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above,
not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with
Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also
appear with him in glory. 5
¶ Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication,
uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which
is idolatry: 6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children
of disobedience: 7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in
them. 8 ¶ But now ye also put off all these;
anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 9 Lie
not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the
image of him that created him: 11
Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision,
Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. 12 ¶ Put on therefore, as the elect of God,
holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness,
longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man
have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And
above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And
let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in
one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in
all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and
spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And
whatsoever ye do in word or deed, [do] all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God and the Father by him. 18 ¶ Wives, submit yourselves unto your own
husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love [your] wives, and be
not bitter against them. 20 Children, obey [your] parents in all things: for
this is well pleasing unto the Lord. 21 Fathers, provoke not your children [to
anger], lest they be discouraged. 22 Servants, obey in all things [your]
masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in
singleness of heart, fearing God: 23 And whatsoever ye do, do [it] heartily, as
to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the
reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he that doeth
wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect
of persons.
I Know 60-0417S 62 Before Abraham could see Elohim
there had to be twenty-five years of testing. Before the Hebrew children could
see the Son of God they had to go into a fiery furnace. Before Daniel could see an Angel
he had to go into the lion's den. Before Job could ever see the
resurrection he had to go in and lose everything he had; but then by a vision
he saw. And if Job by a vision could stand so firmly upon a promise, how much
more ought we to do, after Christ has raised from the dead and become the First fruits of those that slept, and sent back the
Holy Spirit as a seal of promise upon us, that we too shall live. "Because, I live, you live also." Seeing His
great Presence among us, working, doing the same signs and wonders that He did
on earth, giving us the hopes. And we come to the resurrection
and then remain on our ash heaps? Let's get off the ash heap today with a new
vision, with a new power, with a new determination that we see God in His
power. We see the resurrection of the things coming.
Christ is the Mystery 63-0728 74-1 He, the Head, is the First fruits of the resurrection. (We'll go off this
revelation. Just a little while longer, if you say so. All right, all right;
just a little bit now.) He is
the First fruits of the resurrection. Is that right? What? Then what is He?
He's the Head of the Body, which is His Church, Bride. Uh-huh. Then the
Bride-body must follow the Head, for it is part of His resurrection and part of
the mystery. It's impossible for it not to go. Oh, my. It's part of God's mystery.
How God revealed Himself here and raised it up by the Word, so He reveals the
Church and raises it up by the same Word. It's a part of His threefold mystery.
Feast of the Trumpets 64-0719M 48-3 There will come a messenger in the last
days, will guide the people back to the first fruits, back to the original
faith. Grant it, Lord, that that
great Messenger among us now, the great Christ, the Holy Spirit made vivid,
made understanding, opening up the Word and revealing It to us, may He guide
them back to the original
Pentecostal faith.
Paradox 64-0418B E-
Now, if that Life that was in Him, that same Spirit, is not in you, no
matter how nice you try to be, you can't come forth. There's nothing there
to raise you up. You can take corn, hybrid it with something else; it won't
bear no more. It's finished.
World is Falling Apart 63-1115 188 That's the only way we'll ever know God and keep our world
together, is back to the principles of Jesus Christ, back
to His doctrine, back to the Holy Ghost again leading the Church.
Evening Messenger 63-0116 221 Confessions is stones. That's right. 'Cause Peter, upon his
confession, was called a stone, little rock: Peter, his confession. Now, stones
is all right, but what good or what value is a stone to a building if there
isn't a true stone mason there with a sharp tool of the Word to cut them and make them sons of God?
See? What good is a confession? That's the reason you come back and can't find
thirty out of thirty thousand. You just roll the stones out of the dust, and
roll them out there, and they're not fit for the temple yet. They've got to be
cut, measured up to the Word of God, placed in there, joined together, built upon the foundation of
the apostles' doctrine, Jesus Christ the Cornerstone.
We Would See Jesus 62-0712 E-85 The
nature of a woman is to submit to a man. And that's what the church ought to be
doing, submitting to Christ, to His Word, to His doctrine, to His principles. She takes no thought
for Herself. She has no head. Christ is Her Head, not some ecclesiastical
bunch. But Christ is Her Head, the Word. And the Word was made flesh and
dwelled among us. Hallelujah. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and
forever, that same manifestation of the Word. Do you believe it?
Five identifications 60-0911E 45 Well, then this is the church that
says that Christ is her Husband, and her doctrine is
contrary to His Teaching. She's a whore.
God's Only Provided Place of Worship 65-1128M 251 Then a new creation, not to a
denomination, but to the Word. You're a creation of the Word. Because the
foundation stone was laid in you before the foundation of the world,
predestinated to be sons and daughters of God And upon this come stone upon stone
in each age to vindicate that Word that's coming up, just exactly as Jesus did in His age, which is the Capstone of it all. In Him
laid every age. In Jesus was Moses. In Jesus was David. In Jesus was the
prophets. Is that right? Look at Joseph, sold for almost thirty pieces of
silver, throwed in, supposed to be dead, taken out, went and come to the right
hand of Pharaoh. Look, exactly, Jesus was--Mo--a--Joseph was in Jesus. And when
He come, He was the fullness of the kings, prophets (Hallelujah); the Godhead
bodily rested in Him. He come to redeem out of there a Bride, a Masterpiece, a
Masterpiece that says to Satan that... When he says, "Days of miracles is
past. There's no such a thing as these things you're talking about."
"Get thee behind me, Satan." See? See, a Masterpiece standing in a
garden...
315-4 Philadelphia Church Age - Church Age Book Cpt 8 Now He is not only giving crowns but He says that these in the bride will be made pillars in the temple of God.
But what is the temple of God? Jesus spoke of His body as being the temple. It
was. It was the temple of God. But now that we are His body, the true church is the temple of God by
the Holy Ghost within us. Now He is going to make the
over comer a pillar in that temple. But what is a pillar?
A pillar is actually a part of the foundation for it
holds up the superstructure. Praise God, that puts the over
comer right in with the apostles and prophets, for it says in Ephesians 2:19-22, "Now
therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the
saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the
apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone; In
Whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the
Lord: In Whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the
Spirit." Yes, that
verse 22 says that we
are builded together with them. Everything went through the DOOR (Jesus) and is a part of
that body or temple. Now when God puts a man in the
temple as a pillar and makes him a part of that foundation group
what is He doing? He is giving him the revelation
of the Word and of Himself,
because that is exactly what the apostles and prophets had. Matthew 16:17. There he is in that Word. There he stands. No one can get
him out.
Let's bow our heads in prayer.