FIRE BY NIGHT
"Reflections Upon Reflections" [of The Father's Heart]
JANUARY 31ST
"AUTHORITIES"
Words of prophecy:
* My "judgement" is My Word
and My Word is My judgement. The first and foremost purpose of My
"judgement" [Word] is always to heal [reconcile]!
* Only I know what is needed to be
ministered in any given set of circumstances, and only the one who abides in My
Word and fellowships with Me will truly be able to minister My
"indignation" [righteous judgement]. For to those who walk with Me I
have revealed the depths of My heart.
...."Let every soul
put himself habitually in subjection to authorities who hold position over
them, for there is not an authority except that ordained by God. Moreover, the
existing authorities stand permanently ordained by God. So that the one who
sets himself in array against the authority, against the ordinance of God has
set himself, with the result that he is in a permanent position of antagonism
against the ordinance. And those who resist shall receive for themselves
judgement. For the rulers are not a terror to the good work but to the evil.
Now, do you desire not to be afraid of the authority? Keep on doing good, and
you will have commendation from him, for he is God's servant to you for good.
But if you are habitually doing that which is evil, be fearing, for not in vain
is he wearing the sword, for he is God's servant, and executor of wrath upon
the one who practices the evil. On which account there is a necessity for
putting one's self in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also because
of conscience"....
Romans 13:1-6 Kenneth S. Wuest Translation [literal Greek translation]
1 John 3:21-24 NASB
This portion of
Scripture deals with "authorities" and as one looks at this passage
in other translations they sometimes get the idea that Paul is talking
exclusively of governmental authorities [that is civil authorities]. Now
certainly civil or governmental authority is a key part in the Father's plan to
institute His order in the earth without question but I believe that as one
meditates on the above passage they will gain an immediate and a deeper
understanding of spiritual authority. If we, as believers, do not submit
ourselves entirely to the "inherent" authority of God [the Word
{Will} of God] [John 7:17-18], then we will not
be able to discern correctly those "delegated authorities which are of God
and those which are not! If it is God's authority being put forth and we align
ourselves in any way against that authority - delegated or otherwise -
judgement shall, ultimately, come and it shall come swiftly!
WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO KNOW
BEYOND A SHADOW OF A DOUBT THAT WHICH IS OF GOD AND THAT WHICH IS NOT OF GOD
In this last hour, it is
certain that all those found to be fighting against God will receive judgement
upon their "unrighteous" words and actions [Jesus said "Whoever
is not for Me, is against Me"] [Matthew 12:30].
It must never be a matter of one just "assuming" whether one is from
God or whether one is not from God. We are going to have to "know"
beyond a shadow of a doubt in our hearts [by revelation] that which is of God
and that which is not of God. It is certain that any "continued"
reliance upon the darkened understanding of the flesh [old nature] will ALWAYS
place one in the position of fighting against the true work of God. There are
many who, up until this time, have been used as vessels of persecution against
the "sent ones" of God, and this is most certainly not a pleasing
thing to the Father - for He counts the rejection of those whom He has sent as
a rejection of Himself [Act 9:4-5]! Every child
of God must come to the full realization that those whom God has sent to them
as "gifts" are there for their blessing and their edification - and,
that, as they continually place themselves in one accord with the thoughts and
intentions of the Father's heart they will surely experience a great impartation
of Grace through those delegated authorities that He has placed in their life [Matthew 10:40-41].
THE TRUE DELEGATED AUTHORITIES OF GOD SHALL BE A
"STUMBLING BLOCK" AND A "CONVICTING PRESENCE" TO EACH ONE
OF THEIR EVIL WORDS AND ACTIONS
On the other hand, those
who choose to deviate from the path of God's will and, thus,
"presumptuously" [through self-desire and the pursuit of self-glory]
take it upon themselves to "work for God", will find that the true
delegated authorities of God [handmaidens and bondservants] will be a
"stumbling block" and a "convicting presence" to each and
every one of their evil words and actions [Isaiah
4:1-6]. The anointing that is upon the true servants of God in this last
hour shall powerfully convict men and women of their sin and, at the same time,
show them the perfect way back to the Father - and His tender love and
forgiveness. If one [wilfully] chooses not to submit themselves
"wholly" to the Father and His Word [Will] then they will be
incapable [non-desirous] of submitting themselves to "His" delegated
authorities - for these authorities are nothing more [and nothing less] than
"messengers" of the deepest thoughts and intentions of the Father's
heart. The words that they speak will ALWAYS point the hearer to the Word of
God and to a deeper consecration [and intimate fellowship in the "inner
chamber"] - the end-all desire of the Father in this being that they walk
in the fullness of all that He created them for [their "ministries" -
Kingdom-position] in the time that they have remaining in the earth.
IT MUST BE UNDERSTOOD CLEARLY THAT EVERY ONE WHO ANSWERS THE CALL TO BE A
TRUE DELEGATED AUTHORITY MUST HAVE THIS ONE THING ENGRAVED UPON THEIR HEARTS
AND THAT IS, THAT THEY NO LONGER LIVE FOR THEMSELVES, BUT FOR GOD - TO DO HIS
WILL ALONE!
The Wuest translation of
the Bible describes clearly that those whom God sends are sent for the good of
the people ["for he is God's servant to you
for good"]. This portion of Scripture goes on to say, "but
if you are habitually doing that which is evil, be fearing, for not in vain is
he wearing the sword, for he is God's servant, and executor of wrath upon the
one who practices the evil." In many cases there has been much abuse by
those in a position of "authority" because they have taken it upon
themselves to judge falsely and unrighteously [apart from the love of God] the
people they were attempting to lead. It must be understood clearly that every
one who answers the call to be a true delegated authority must have this one
thing engraved upon their hearts - and that is, that they NO LONGER LIVE FOR
THEMSELVES [2 Corinthians 5:15] but for God, to
do His Will, alone. Based on this "revelation" the delegated
authority can THEN be a pure vessel of what the Father has to say - and, thus,
they become His "mouthpiece".
THE TRUE DELEGATED AUTHORITY'S
WORDS AND ACTIONS ARE ALWAYS FOR THE GREATEST ETERNAL BENEFIT OF THE HEARER
Sometimes, when one is
called to speak the truth in love and, thus, through their words God's
judgement is poured out upon both the sin and the sinner, they are mistakenly
accused of exalting themselves above the one being [righteously] judged. Even
though it may "appear" as though these things are so, the fact that
they have committed themselves solely to do the will of God, and the fact that
they "remain" willing to do all His will [at all times] means that
their words and actions are ALWAYS for the greatest eternal benefit of the
hearer. If the Father is pleased in a situation [and only He knows the reality
of one's heart condition] then they shall be vessels of His
"commendation", and if He is displeased then they shall become
vessels of His righteous indignation and wrath [particularly where rebellion is
concerned] - which are STILL manifestations of His perfect love towards those
who have wilfully entered on to the "broad path" of destruction. Make
no mistake there is NO "condemnation" or "criticism" found
in the love of the Father [for they are rooted in fear and self-exaltation] and
while, at times, "all discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful,
but sorrowful" [Hebrews 12:9-11] - it is
ALWAYS with a view to that rebellious one entering into a deep and thorough
repentance before Him.
Ephesians 4:15-16 NASB