September 2006

It is common to have struggles while living a Christian life. Of course, some of us have many trials and sorrows. Jesus said we would, but to take heart that he had overcome the world. 1 Christ was described in Isaiah chapter 53 as being a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, said that every child of God defeats this evil world by trusting Christ to give the victory. 2

The Lamps of God

Our heavenly Father has always provided a way out of our struggles in Christ. It is not Him who has been irresponsible, but us who have lacked responsibility. He has initiated our victory, and has given us the grace or the ability to respond through His love. But we still try to live our life in our flesh or in our own ability instead of yielding to the power of Christ's victory. It is in His grace and righteousness that we reign as priests and kings. 3

The same was true during the days of Zechariah [B.C. 520], who told the Jews they must live under Gentile rule for a period of time, but after further purging the King would come. The Babylonians destroyed the temple [representing God's Light] in Jerusalem and took the nation of Judah captive for 70 years. A few men were allowed to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. The LORD spoke through the prophet Zechariah to Zerubbabel as he struggled in his flesh to rebuild the temple.

The Prophet Zechariah saw a golden lampstand with seven lamps and a bowl on top it. The seven lamps had seven pipes connected to the bowl, which was filled by two golden pipes from two olive trees, representing Jesus Christ as Priest and King. He saw the olive oil [manifold Spirit] being piped directly from the trees [Jesus Christ] to the lamps without the priest having to supply fleshly power. The Lord said: "Not by your might nor by your power, but by My Spirit ... Who are you, 0 great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain [all struggles flattened]. And He shall bring forth the capstone [stone to mark the completion of the newly rebuilt temple, representing our completion in Christ] with shouts of 'Grace, grace to it."' 4

Grace is our heavenly Father using His ability in our behalf, doing what we cannot do with our fleshly ability, through the finished work of the cross. Our faith is solely in Christ's work at the cross, which makes us complete in Him as temples of the living God. The Apostle Paul asks: Don't you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? 5 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 6

The LORD confirmed to Zerubbabel that his hands [empowered by grace] would complete the temple, "For who has despised the day of small things? For these seven rejoice to see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. They are the eyes of the LORD, which scan to and from throughout the whole earth. 7 The LORD has begun a small thing in your life, but He sees your life complete as the bride of Christ. God rejoices in seeing Christ's light manifest in our mortal flesh.

The Eyes of the Lord

We saw the manifold wisdom of God in last month's view, when Jews and Gentiles were joined together as the Church of Jesus Christ, because of His cleansing blood, and their regeneration by the Holy Spirit. We who believe are carefully joined together, becoming a holy temple for he LORD. 8 The manifold wisdom of God has unfolded since the Garden of Eden to this present time by the sevenfold character of the Holy Spirit.

The Spirit of God is one in His essence, but influences by His grace in multiple ways. His spiritual blessings gives perfect wisdom to Adam and Eve in the Garden. He gives understanding of sin through the Law of Moses. He gives counsel to His children, as He did the Israelites through the wilderness Tabernacle. He gives us His might through His own Son dwelling on earth. He gives us the knowledge that Jesus took our punishment for sin on the Cross. He gives us the fear of the Lord(reverence) in our hearts when He makes us new creations. Since Christ lives within us, our spirit is alive because we have been made the righteousness of God in Christ. 9

Just as Zechariah prophesied twenty-five hundred years ago, the LORD brought forth His servant, [Jesus Christ] ... He promised to remove iniquity in one day [at the cross]. He prophesied that the man whose name is THE BRANCH, Who will branch out where He is and build the Temple of the LORD. He will build the LORD's Temple, and He will receive royal honor and will rule as King from His throne. 10

The Eyes of Prisoners

When the eyes of prisoners are opened by faith in Jesus Christ to the manifold wisdom of God: a Godly esteem, dignity and hope springs forth in their hearts. Because of guilt, shame and condemnation, people in prison would faint unless they believe and see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. 11 I see men acknowledging their acceptance, value and worth for the first time, because they see themselves from God's heavenly perspective. It is evident that the eyes of the LORD still search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. 12

It is my desire to walk moment by moment consciously aware of our spiritual connection in Christ to God's throne room. For our benefit God made Christ to be wisdom itself. He is the one who makes us righteous. He sanctifies us, making us pure and holy. And He redeems us, giving Himself to purchase our freedom. As the Scriptures say: "The Person who wishes to boast should boast only of what the LORD has done." 13

The Apostle John boasted in God's heavenly perspective when he was called up into heaven to see a vision of the revelation of Jesus Christ. Similar to the prophet Zechariah, he saw in front of the throne seven lampstands with burning flames. They are the seven Spirits of God. 14 He looked and saw a Lamb that had been killed but was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God that are sent out into every part of the earth. 15 This is the Lamb, Jesus Christ, slain before the foundation of the world for the sins of mankind. 16

Jesus Manifested In Us

Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, is God's manifold wisdom, connected to mankind through the seven fold Spirit. The Lord's seven horns are His power, strength and authority to rule. The seven eyes are His ability to see what is going on in the rest of the creative realm while He is in the heavenly throne room. These represent the seven Spirits of God sent out into every part of the earth. Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever. 17

We are the Body of Christ, anointed with the manifold wisdom of God. We are commissioned with His power, strength and authority to go throughout the earth, participating in every aspect of government, education, media, business and the church. All praise to Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding His blood for us. He has made us His kingdom and His priests who serve before God His Father. Give to Him everlasting glory! He rules forever and ever! Amen! 18

It is God who saves us and chooses us to live a holy life. He does this not because we deserve it, but because that was His plan long before the world began -- to show His love and kindness to us through Jesus Christ. He has made all of this plain to us by the coming of Christ Jesus, our Savior. He broke the power of death and showed us the way to everlasting life through the Gospel [Good News]. 19

A Prayer For You...

Father, I thank you for the spirit of wisdom and understanding that enables me to grow in my knowledge of You. I pray that my heart will be flooded with light so that I can understand the wonderful future You have promised to me. Help me to realize what a rich and glorious inheritance You have given to me. I pray that I will begin to
understand the incredible greatness of Your power in me as a believer in Christ. I know this is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him in the place of honor at Your right hand in the heavenly realm. Help me to realize that I am seated with Him in heavenly realms all because we are one with Christ Jesus, my LORD! Amen! 20

Manifold Wisdom of God Study Charts

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