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Each day when we read from our copy of the inspired written word of God, we set forth our focus to draw from it one thing or another. Whether it be our daily encouraging word, the wisdoms of Solomon, the songs of praises of David, lessons from history, the story of Jesus, or whatever our reasons and needs may be, each word we read is divine and is permanently written upon the tablets of our hearts. Praise the Lord!
It is both interesting and revealing to do a survey by asking other believers the question: “How would you best describe what the Holy Bible is?”
Not to be surprised, we hear a wide range of answers such as; “I view it as a spiritual road map”, or “I read it as a book of good moral teachings”, or even “I interpret it as a supernatural love letter from God”. Whatever the view may be, and however God whispers to each of our hearts to receive it, there is no wrong answer.
The reason for the wide range of views is simply this: The Holy Bible is like an onion having many layers. The deeper you peel off layers of an onion, the stronger the potency becomes. Likewise, the deeper you penetrate the layers of scripture, the stronger the potency of truth is revealed. With dedication to study and persistence at “knocking at God’s door” for wisdom, knowledge and understanding, the potency of truth begins to emerge. It is subtle at first, until it progressively becomes potently mind opening and life changing, but never more than what God gives us to handle according to the measure given us.
| Excerpts From “It Rains Of Burning Arrows” By Thomas A. Dickman |
By keeping to the narrow hard-pressed way that leads to its core, sooner or later many of us encounter the deepest layer of pure sweet potency. For some, we recognize this as the crowning core layer, or, the “golden layer”. For others, this layer is opaque. And for the rest, this layer is transparent.
Inscribed on this golden layer is the word “AMEN”, the final inspired written word of God recorded by the apostle John. Depending on our range and clarity of “sight”, The WORD either “glistens of light like fire”, or it “blends lukewarmly into the background of opaqueness”, or it is “cold-stricken by a passing glance”.
The final word “AMEN” represents the pillar and ground of truth. From the first word “IN” of Genisis to the last word “AMEN” of Revelation, we are given the complete written oracles of God by which we are to use as instruction and for “learning”.
We all begin to learn as newborn babes, desiring the unadulterated milk of the Word, in order that we may grow by it. As we progress, our minds and hearts gradually develop at different stages, different levels, different speeds, by different influences, etc., just as it happens among "little children”.
Once we reach to full maturity, having been firmly rooted and built up in Christ, we are to be set-apart from the “world” to conform to the precepts of God, not man. We are entrusted to guard the pillar and ground of truth, and to avoid the temporary trappings and traditions of men, according to the elementary matters of the world. We are instructed to SEEK God FIRST for wisdom and knowledge of the truth; and for a clear understanding of His will for us.
We are His ekklesia that is not built of stone and mortar. We are His workmanship, built and joined together as a body upon The Rock of Christ.
With the first word of the oracles of God ending with the last, we are “IN AMEN” with The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, co-heirs according to the promise.
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The Golden Layer: "And to the messenger of the assembly in Philadelphia write, 'He who is set-apart, He who is true, He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens, says this: “I know your works – see, I have set before you an open door, and no one is able to shut it – that you have little power, yet have guarded My Word, and have not denied My Name". (Rev 3:7-8)
The Opaque Layer: "And to the messenger of the assembly in Laodikeia write, 'The Amen, the Trustworthy and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of Elohim, says this: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I would [wish] that you were cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am going to vomit you out of My mouth". (Rev 3:14-16)
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The word "ekklesia" is Greek in origin, being that Greek is the original language of the New Testament. Most of our "Christian" bible translations define ekklesia simply as "Church". However, In the broader sense of its original meaning, it is best defined as "a calling out" or "assembly".
The word "Church" has been commonly understood as being associated with "a building which contains an organized religion". This is not the apostolic meaning of ekklesia [church], nor is ekklesia a religion in any way, shape or form. Rather it is the universal body of followers of Christ, headed by Christ, joined together in truth, spirit, love and faith.
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by Thomas A. Dickman
Copyright 2008