“Ministers of God’s Last Day Church” – Part One of Two
By Duane Stewart
God’s nature of love is the characteristic that motivated God and moved Him to give mankind the very best of heaven. This very best became God’s sacrifice for the redemption of fallen man because the creation had fallen away from God, resulting in being placed under a curse. Because of this fall, creation was unable to continue in fellowshipping or relating with their creator, why, because of now having a corrupt sin nature. This sin nature then became creations character makeup and manifestations because of disobedience to God. In this fall, fallen man became a creation that was only able to manifest the corruption of his sin-nature. Nevertheless, God’s love and mercy, manifesting from within His own heart was willing to supply the only qualified needed sacrifice. This best of heaven, the Son, was birthed as a flesh man into the earth with but one purpose. That purpose, to fulfill the now needed sacrifice for sin, as God’s Son become the Word of God made flesh, as Jesus the Christ He come to die in man’s destined place.
Man’s restoration, by the acceptance of the sacrifice God gave, results for fallen man the ability to partake and know a restoration back to God’s original design. This speaks of a man being made after God’s image and likeness as spoken by God. Because of His love, God willingly supplies and cleanses any rebellious harlot people to reveal unto them His desire. That is, through the expression of His grace and mercy, He forgives and releases to man His order of redemption. Redemption from God is His divine order, which makes salvation and the process of sanctification available. This sanctification is a working progression by the Holy Spirit that removes all the spots of sin and the wrinkles of false doctrine, deception and carnal traditions. In this, faith in Christ makes sanctification and redemption available to receiving man.
God’s love, when submitted unto, is purposed to cleanse any harlot church or individual as God births from among this church or people the proper ministries needed for the propagation of God’s full redemption. These birthed ministries (not being lords but servants) spiritually mature in becoming the expression of God’s Word, not just spoken. This birthing results because Jesus Christ became the spiritual seed of God placed within those vessels who receive Him. Herein these are called to be a first-fruits like-kind ministry for Christ. Eph. 5:25-27, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify [set it apart] and cleanse her with the washing of water by the Word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish”. What is God’s true church to look like?
This is pointing to God’s ordained church and the question often asked is, where is such a church today? Where is the greater glory that God promised? Is it not time for the approaching harvest? In this, the first-fruits of the harvest are now standing up in spiritual maturity to become God’s lively end-time ministry. These first-fruits of the harvest are, in their spiritual maturity, to be presented by God unto the entire world. This first-fruit ministry presents, through manifesting a Christ-like life style, the Christ to the world by becoming God’s desired perfect man. Eph. 4:13, “Till we all come to the unity of the faith, and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ”.
Herein God sends forth His end-time first-fruit perfected ministry (again, not as lords over people but humble servants) for His purpose. This purpose is to prepare for Christ a church without spot or wrinkle, His bride. Therefore, the needed ministry of God’s true Word are those who are ministering sanctification and a cleansing as they wash the unclean church through manifesting God’s Word of truth. In this ministry of end-time purposes, we can see through the type God shows us concerning some of the children of Israel, a ministry made ready to secure the Promised Land. These are the promises of God that also speaks of and to His purified church of today.
Joshua 3:3-5, “And they commanded the people, saying, when, you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God [this Christ fulfilled completely and is the manifesting ark of the covenant], and the Priest, the Levites, bearing it [today’s king/priest ministry who become the expression of Christ as first-fruits], then you shall set out from your place and go after it [your place has been the wilderness journey which the adulteress church has also been in]. Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure [could the last 2000 years of the church fulfill this measure?]. Do not come near it that you may know the way by which you must go, for you have not passed this way before [the church for 2000 years, processed by the Holy Spirit, is to receive revelation of this way they have not walked in before]. And Joshua said to the people; sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you”.
The Christian Community of today has come to their time of purification, speaking of the needed cleansing to prepare themselves to know the fullness of God’s purpose. God’s effectual first-fruit ministry are becoming His wonders for establishing His Kingdom (the church has a need for sanctification). This end-time ministry shall bring spiritual release unto the church. These wonders of God are His first-fruit people who manifest the nature, the likeness and image of God as Christ’ many member body. These members are the ministry who manifest the expression of God in the earth. Thus, with Christ Jesus fulfilling all that the Ark of the Covenant represents in Joshua 3:3 above, this ministry of the first-fruits is likewise passing over into another realm with and in Christ. These are the people whom Christ shall do wonders through, as the power of the Christ nature in them destroys all the enemies who occupy the land of man’s corrupted vessel, his selfish sin-natured mind-set.
Are we not God’s true people, the land in which He desires to abide in, a people becoming the manifesting temple as God’s dwelling place? In considering the commission that Christ Jesus left for the church, we should take note of the order in which God uses to bring forth this purposed kingdom unto man’s world. The commission first was to go to the house of Israel (today’s Christian Community); for God has declared that judgment is to begin at His house. 1 Peter 4:17, “For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the Gospel of God”?
Meaning God’s judgment begins the progression He uses, that the church in judgment, is to become His true church, one without spot or wrinkle. God’s method is to send forth His first-fruits. This group of purified saints, who manifest the divine government of God, they shall minister to the church first. Matt. 10:1 & 5-8, “And when He called His twelve [God’s number for divine government – His nature] disciples to Him, He gave them power [Christ authority from His nature – His divine government] over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. … These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them saying, do not go into the way of the Gentiles [the worldly unregenerate people], and do not enter a city of the Samaritans [the carnal minded people who worship other gods]. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel [the carnal minded lukewarm rebellious church that commits spiritual adultery]. And as you go, preach, saying, the kingdom of heaven is at hand [has drawn near]. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, and raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give”.
The commission was first restricted for them to go only to the adulterous church, bringing forth judgment for deliverance. Remember, Christ is coming to appear to a church that is without spot or wrinkle. Thus, a church purified, who can now receive the Christ at His appearing through His first-fruits, that the church herself might then begin manifesting light and deliverance to a darken corrupt world. Therefore, the coming forth of God’s first-fruits is to bring deliverance to the fallen Christian Community and then the commission increases to continue, taking judgment and/or deliverance to every creature. These first-fruits are even now coming forth as they minister in the power and authority of God to establish God’s kingdom here on earth, first in the church and then to all the earth.
Mark 16:14-18 says, “Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table, and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. And He said to them, go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized [into Christ] will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In my name [nature] they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will in no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover”. Thus, God’s commission to the restored church is now to reach out to affect the entire world.
In considering the above stated commission, a question is often asked. Is it time for God to be glorified and was there ever a time when God was not to be glorified? In this we ask, where is the glory of the latter house spoken of by God? Hosea 2:9a, “The glory of this latter house [Christ, head and body, the true church] shall be greater than the former …” Thus, a promised glory, one that exceeds any other time of glory as these In-Christ ones appear in the earth manifesting God’s throne-room authority, that is, a people manifesting the nature of God throughout the land. This truth was declared through Jesus Himself when some Greeks came looking for Him, asking to see Him.
John 12:23-26, “But Jesus answered them, saying, the hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life [men’s natural carnal life] will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, let him follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, him my Father will honor”. In this above scripture, we can see that Christ was more than just a mere man, but a man overcoming all things and becoming God’s seed planted within the earth called man. Jesus Christ, that seed, according to God’s law of reproduction, will bring forth after its own kind. This Christ-seed, purposed by God to enlarge His kingdom, has chosen to manifest Himself through His many member body and through them, He would establish His kingdom on earth.
Duane Stewart
duanestewart70@aol.com
www.avoiceforthegatheringsaints.org
“Ministers of God’s Last Day Church” – Part Two of Two
By Duane Stewart
Eph. 5:25-27, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify [set her apart] and cleanse her with the washing of water by the Word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish”.
Today, in the earth, humanity is hearing a sound of travail with a groaning being expressed. This groaning becomes a travail, which is unknowingly sounding through the life-styles that each person lives. Unbeknown to the many this travail and groaning is expressing a desire to be delivered from every form of corruption that envelopes all of creation. But, this desire for deliverance shall come only as the kingdom of God expresses and manifest itself. Speaking concerning all those receiving deliverance, that they might experience God’s glorious and offered liberty. Rom. 8:21-23 declares, “Because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now”. As this world groans another cry can also be heard, a cry that is shouting out, where is the glory of God’s latter house as spoken of in scripture? In considering this question, let us remember the statement made by Samuel, a judge and prophet in Israel, to rebellious King Saul.
1 Sam. 15:22-23, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He has rejected you from being king”. In this truth concerning obedience, where is it that the modern day rebellious church of today stands? Along with the above scripture, the church has also rejected God’s word. Therefore, they are not able to become or express (manifest) God’s present-day dwelling place. In the eyes of the world, what kind of reputation does this adulterous church have? Where do you individually stand in these matters? In this know, that Christ is even now looking for and appearing to a church, a people who are without spot and wrinkle.
With Gods, end-time commission resting upon a first-fruit ministry and then extending unto a purified church, His bride, they are becoming a people filled with the power and authority that only comes from God. This power and authority is the results of a relationship likened unto a husband and his wife. A like-kind relationship that follows the experience that came upon the disciples in the upper-room on the Day of Pentecost. In this, according to the Word, know that this first-fruits ministry shall know and experience a glory beyond the glory of the former house Israel and that of the early church. These will dwell in the glory of God’s latter house, a time when both the early and latter rain fall together. This is a moving, a maturing, a being birthed into the Holiest of All, the throne room authority of Christ Jesus. In this, Peter and John moved beyond the fear they experienced when Jesus was, in death, taken from them.
This fear, temporary in action, caused Peter to know the experience of denying Jesus, the Christ. But now, with the indwelling Holy Spirit, they moved in obedience to manifest the power and authority of God from within. Acts 3:4-8, “And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, look on us. So, he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. Then Peter said, silver and gold I do not have, but what I have I give to you: In the name of [the nature, the same spirit that was in Jesus was now manifesting through them] Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise and walk. And he took him by the right hand [Peter had learned the right way from the wrong way days earlier when he had gone back to fishing] and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength”.
Thus, we see fear replaced with the boldness that is the product of obedience to God. In this, we must remember that obedience is better than sacrifice. This lesson had been taught to and learned by Peter while earlier (some ten days or so), when at the seashore going fishing. This is the activity of fishing Peter returned to after the death and resurrection of Jesus, the Christ. But now, concerning the healing of the lame man, while no longer depending upon the natural realm of silver and gold, Peter now had the things of the heavenly spiritual realm of God to share. What method is used and how does most of the Christian Community of today react?
Let’s take note of the occasion when Peter, while not yet filled with the Holy Spirits anointing, he seemingly felt so alone because of Jesus’ death. This aloneness feeling moved Him to living only to the feelings of the natural realm. While feeling that he no longer had Jesus’ immediate presence, Peter did what most natural minded men would do, he went fishing, that is, reverting to his old life-style. Is this not the major problem with today’s modernistic carnal minded church? Having removed themselves from the influence of the Holy Spirit’s ministry, they find themselves responding to carnal religious activities, which always lean to depending upon the old life-style understandings of the carnal mind. John 21:3 says, “Simon Peter said to them, I am going fishing. They said to him, we are going with you also. They went out and immediately got into the boat [boat of the carnal mind], and that night they caught nothing”.
The church, called to be a light unto the world, called to be the children of the day, find they are working only for themselves and their own kingdoms while using the tools of the night (no spiritual enlightenment). Night, also speaks of the darkness that covers the earth with gross darkness griping the minds of today’s carnal minded church ministries and members. However, let us take note that Christ makes Himself available to those who need Him and have a desire to know Him. Herein Christ brings forth the morning, the light of life realm as He stands before the church of today with this declaration from John 21:4-5,” But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore, yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said to them, Children, have you any food? They answered Him, No”.
What about the groaning church of today with all the seemingly advancements in their carnal works, their numerical growth and so-called prosperity messages? But, do they have any spiritual food? Here is the necessary lesson that was needed for them to learn. There is a right way and a wrong way in responding to the things of God. Understanding is needed for all believers everywhere. A knowing that nothing of the carnal mind can become spiritual food for God’s people. Nothing coming from natural fleshly talents, nor carnal knowledge and experiences, help or is it considered God’s right way.
Today’s ministry and church members must understand, it is only in obedience to the Holy Spirits anointing and leading that results in food for those who are spiritually hungry. John 21:6, “And He said to them, cast the net on the right side [there is a wrong side or way of doing Godly things] of the boat, and you will find some. So, they cast [obedience], and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish”. Remember, they had fished all night while using all the wrong methods, carnal inspirations, working without any spiritual leadership and understanding without having any success. This speaks of failure. The old nature does not profit nor increase spirituality.
Carnal methods are the spots and wrinkles that hinder Christ in making His presence known among these many adulterous groups. These are groups who depend upon self’s ability, even as the lukewarm Laodicean church as revealed in Rev. 3:14-22 (please read). Herein, today as then, judgment stands before this lukewarm church, the beginning of judgment as the ministry of God’s first-fruits appear. We must recognize the need and be willing to know and experience the ongoing pre-requisite established by God for this appearing of Christ’ first-fruit ministry.
This pre-requisite and the foregoing necessity is as stated in John 21:18-19. Therefore let us hear what the Spirit of Christ is speaking to the church, “Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger [a people that are spiritually immature], you girded yourself [dressed self-according to the understandings of their immaturity and carnal doctrines with passed down traditions of man] and walked where you wished [ordered their own life-styles patterned after selfish ways and desires – church’s promoting a gospel that feeds carnality and not the spiritual needs of the spirit and soul of the people]; but when you are old [spiritually mature because of a daily dying to the self-nature], you will stretch forth your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish [speaking of a daily dying that is the results of obedience to God alone]. This He spoke signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, follow me”.
This truth, as spoken to Peter applies to all those called to be members of the kingdom of God. Today’s people have a need for obedience, which brings a death to the self-life and religious activities, allowing them to follow Christ Jesus alone. Christ, where He is now in the Father, is where we belong. Does He not sit at the Fathers right hand, with an extended hand to every recruited overcomer that they might also sit with Him in the throne-room of His power and authority? Rev. 3:21, “To Him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne”.
This throne-room authority is the coming forth of today’s first-fruits ministry and being extended to the purified church that is to establish God’s kingdom in all the earth. Can you not hear God calling and are you willing to respond? Are you part of those called ones, called to be a part of God’s last day ministry to the last day church? Are you willing to reach out for God’s heart, for His kingdom to manifest itself through you, in establishing God’s kingdom in all the earth? These overcomers are God’s last day ministers given to purify the church. Therefore, hear God’s call and come forth in the power and authority of that sent Holy Spirit. Become God’s true and pure church in expressing His life.
Duane Stewart
duanestewart70@aol.com
www.avoiceforthegatheringsaints.org