“God – Revealing Himself” – By Duane Stewart

1 John 3:2, “Beloved, now are we the sons [children] of God, and it doth not yet appear [been brought to light, made manifest] what we shall be: but we know [to know without effort, to understand] that when He shall appear [when He is revealed], we shall be like Him; for we shall see [the condition of the one to whose eye the object is presented, to truly comprehend] Him as He is”. 

The things of God which He has purposed and prepared for His creation, for the large part, remain hidden from most of humanity. These hidden truths remain as such because of rebellion and unbelief that continues to be the motivating factor of the many. In looking at the Children of Israel as an example, an example that continues to exist among many peoples of the Christian Community today. Why is it that the things of God continue to be hidden? Deut. 29:25-28 reveals for man why these many hidden truths remain hidden today, “Then men shall say, because they have forsaken the covenant of the Lord God of their fathers, which He made with them when he brought them forth out of the land of Egypt [points to God’s altar of salvation for the world today]: for they went and served other gods, and worshipped them gods whom they knew not and whom God had not given unto them: And the anger of the Lord was kindled against this land [speaking of individual vessels and religious groups who depart from being God’s dwelling place] to bring upon it all the curses that are written in this book: And the Lord rooted them out of their land [God’s promised presence concerning many among the Christian community has also departed], and in wrath, and in great indignation, and cast them into another land [moved from spiritual enlightenment to carnal religious forms, rituals and darkness], as it is this day”.

But know, God’s intention for His creation has never ceased to be. He declares that His purpose shall be revealed and restored among receiving men. Know that He shall bring forth a revelation of Himself for and through His purposed many member manifestation. Why, because from eternity He has purposed to have for Himself a temple and then created a people to become that temple, His dwelling place. God has stated that His secret things are His, but His revealed things belong to man and his children forever so that man may do all His words in becoming the manifest nature of God’s government. Deut. 29:29, “The secret things belong unto the Lord our God; But those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever”. Pointing to this truth, “the revealed and secret things of God which have not yet been seen will yet be revealed”.

Note the results of revealed truth, how God has purposed to bring into the now his truth that it may be manifested through His purposed temple. Deut. 30:11-14, “For this commandment which I command you this day, it is not hidden from you, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? Neither is it beyond the sea, that you shouldest say, who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? But the word is very nigh unto you, in thy mouth, and it thy heart, that you mayest do it”. This is speaking of a hearing people who shall manifest that which God speaks, that which He has purposed. Herein, the modern-day church can, but will it become the greater glory which God’s Word speaks, and Jesus spoke of? In their rebellion, it must be forsaken, faith must be exercised and from among them God desires to birth a company of son’s who shall manifest and establish God’s kingdom on earth.

What kind of cry is it that we are hearing shouted out from the world today? Is the world, in its many different languages, cultures, and religious concepts, crying out to be shown the true Christ? Many, while not knowing the true reason, find themselves groaning from within, desiring to see something that speaks of reality. Could the church, liken unto Philip, also be seeking to see, to know the Father and His purpose? Could they be missing the mark because of blindness through rebellion and doubt as to any reality of a living present-tense God? Is not the Holy Spirit available to reveal God to all who hunger and thirst? John 14:8-9, “Philip said unto Him, Lord show us the Father, and it suffices us. Jesus said unto Him, have I been so long time with, and yet hast you not known [to come or get to know, learn, perceive, by experience] Me Philip? He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father; and how say you then, show us the Father?”

Is this God’s purpose in birthing His many sons, a family that shall manifest with the first-born son, Jesus Christ and His nature unto the world? Is this the desire and heart felt cry coming forth from God’s true people of today? These are allowing the indwelling Holy Spirit to complete a work of redemption within them. These are those who manifest the completion of stature which manifest the Christ before the world. Note the cry as spoken in Psalms 43:3, “O send out Thy light and Thy truth: Let them lead me; let them bring [ by guiding counsel] me unto Thy holy hill [God’s dwelling place – Zion] and to Thy tabernacles [His habitations, His temples, His living within man]”.

In this, God’s declaration unto His people, and because of the present-tense darkness and gross-darkness that envelopes the people, we are told, Isa. 60:1-2, “Arise [awake]shine; for thy light [God’s glory] is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth [the condition of the peoples, the nations just before God’s glory shines forth through His many sons] and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon you, and His glory shall be seen upon you”. Speaking unto those who mature unto God’s presence, those that manifest His glory unto the nations. These are those who respond to the cry coming out from the world. The groaning and travailing from within them is a cry for the appearing, the manifestation of God’s many sons. Rom. 8:19, “For the earnest expectation [anxious looking for] of the creature [creation] waits for the manifestation [the unveiling, the revelation, the uncovering, making visible] of the sons of God”.

Unto those who live but have spiritual blinded eyes, they are unable to see the truth concerning the coming forth of God’s revealed sons. But, a prayer of hope is uttered for God to heal blinded eyes for the appearing of these coming sons is now upon us. This means, that these sons are not to be the expression of their own works or talents. These come not by much intellectual study and natural learning. Nay, but these sons are the new creation ones being birthed by God, a people who become and finish the work concerning God’s creation. These are God’s re-born sons. Eph. 2:10, “For we are His workmanship [God’s handy work alone, His new creation] created in Christ Jesus unto good works [resting upon God’s foundation], which God hath before ordained [prepared beforehand] that we should walk in them”. Can we remember God’s promises back in Deuteronomy as to God revealing himself and the things of God to a people? In this, the season of manifestation is upon this humble and contrite people who have come to know that God and God alone brings to pass those things He has declared. Revealing Himself that He might also be revealed unto the world through His family of sons. A family of sons destined to dwell with God in His throne-room authority. Those whom then will manifest Christ nature, His life unto the world. God’s promised kingdom, while hidden to most, is to break forth and be uncovered through His sons that the world may behold Him in His glory through these sons.

Herein we should take note that these promises of God are a present-tense truth, a truth to be manifested as His truth is made known. Since the first-born Son Jesus Christ was raised from the grave He now dwells with the Father. Meaning, Christ now dwells in an authority as stated in Eph. 1:21, “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”.

Take note, this victory and authority is not just for some future time or event but is available in this, our time, in this world. Meaning that unto those many re-birthed sons, they become one with the Christ in this world according to the prayer of Jesus in John 17:22-23, “And the glory which Thou gave Me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be made perfect [perfected – matured spiritually] in one, and that the world may know that Thou hast sent Me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me”. In considering these scriptures note that they agree with the words written in Eph. 2:6-7, “And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together [like kind authority] in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us [coming from heaven, the invisible, to be revealed in earth – pointing to His sons] through Christ Jesus [a remaining within Him]”. 

Note, when a certain time had come for God to reveal Himself, Jesus was birthed to reveal Him. But, even as with many among the populace of today, He was rejected. Notice that this rejection was mostly centered and founded around the religious arena. What about today, is He not to appear again? Also, as with the day of Jesus, the many religious groups are rejecting Him in His now time appearing. How is He appearing today? Is He not calling and even now justifying His appearing through the birthing of His elected first-fruits, the man-child being birthed from out of the church? Col. 1:18-19 states, “And He is the Head [note and read Eph. 1:22-23] of the body, the church [called out ones]: Who is the beginning, the first-born from the dead; that in all things He might have the pre-eminence. For it pleased the Father [Eph. 1:22-23] that in Him should all fulness dwell”. Thus, according to His word of promise, the Christ is coming to make an appearance that shall, not only reveal Him as a many member body, but they shall also establish His kingdom upon the earth.

Note that God always manifested Himself in each season as He reveals Himself with purpose. So, while every eye shall behold Him, and every knee shall bow, we can faithfully stand upon the truth of Christ and His coming. Meanwhile, a revealing is taking place as the Holy Spirit is fulfilling His purpose for this season, that is not only a dwelling within the souls of the sons, but to reveal Himself through them. In this revealing, as the Holy Spirits reveals Him, the revealing is for a present-tense manifesting through His sons. As the body of Christ, men begin to know their inheritance in Him, which is to be manifested before the whole world. How do you see Him even as He now reveals Himself? Col. 1:9-10, “For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that you might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding [productive thought]; that you walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in all knowledge of God; … verses 12-13, “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers [reaching, and touching and becoming the Christ nature] of the inheritance of the saints in light [the light]: Who hath delivered [rescued] us from the power [authority] of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His Dear Son; … verse 15, “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature”.

God’s trumpet is sounding for the appearing of the coming Christ. The revealing of the Christ is now upon us as the elect are seeing and knowing the revealing of God as He makes Himself known. Let us not keep God afar-off or a God that is unreachable, but a God which is making Himself known to His elect. Rev. 21:3, “And I heard a great voice out of heaven [the invisible spiritual realm] saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men [among, in company with the sons of men], and He will dwell [tabernacle] with them, and they shall be His people and God Himself shall be with them and be their God”. A revealing of the final and glorious fulfillment of the promises of God. A knowing that the revealing of Himself shall produce, as fruit, from the overcomer who shall see Him and become like Him to inherit all things. Note the promise as stated in Rev. 21:7, “He that overcometh shall inherit all things [all God’s promises]; and I will be His God, and he [the overcomer] shall be My son [a son having a relationship to the Father – His family – the Christ one’s]”.

Yes, God has and is revealing Himself with this question, how do you see Him and are you seeing him as He really is? Thus, a time, a season for the fulness of times is come as God reveals Himself to the children of God, purposed to mature them into His sons to become the visible expression of an invisible God. In this the world shall begin to see the coming of the Christ as the first-fruits man-child with the Head Jesus Christ, make their appearance according to God’s order. To this we say, amen, come quickly.