In The Midst - Luke 17:20-21

Luke 17:20-21 ESV 

Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.”

The kingdom of God has come into the world through the heart of the believer. Wherever two or more are gathered, He is there in our midst.  He is with us individually, but the body of Christ appears and takes shape when we gather. We are one in the Spirit, yet a distinct person in fellowship of believers. 

He has come in an unexpected way. He speaks to each one of us in a personal way, not as a conquering king, but as a savior and friend. 

In the book of Revelation, Christ is standing in the midst of the lamp stands that represents the churches and the Church. In Him we stand before God. 

In The Image

If heaven will be the new earth, then we walk on this earth and in bodies that are being transformed into the newness of life. Our bodies will be resurrected and the earth restored. Heaven and earth are united in man, which is in the image of God, that is in Jesus Christ. 

Purify - Hebrews 9:13-14

Hebrews 9:13-14 ESV 

For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

The sacrificial blood of animals only served to sanctify the flesh of man, but did not make him clean on the inside. The flesh could be purified, but the soul was not. Repentance was not required. 

The sacrificial blood of Christ would cleanse the whole man. He began to preach a different word. "Repent." This allows for a cleansing of the inside, because it's what's on the inside of a man that defiles Him. Repentance will make one pure, and only the pure in heart will see God. 

A pure heart is a choice, an ongoing choice. He is faithful even when we are not. 

Passover

Passover is on April 11 this year on the Jewish religious calendar. This is the calendar established by God for the times and seasons. 

This was when Jesus died, to the day and to the hour. Remember Him on this day as He asked us to do. 

We should be aware of the times and seasons so we won't be surprised when they are fulfilled. 

Under The Alter - Revelation 6:9-11

Revelation 6:9-11 ESV 

When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.

These souls under the alter must be the saints of Israel. The Church is not under an altar, but seated with God and with crowns of life. God has not abandoned Israel, nor forgotten her. A little while remains until the time of the wrath of God is fulfilled and the full number has paid the price, just as the many fell in the desert wilderness long ago. They will be restored once the wrath passes. 

They witnessed to the word of God, bearing the oracles of God through the wilderness and into the promised land. Their testimony is about God. The testimony of the Church is about Jesus Christ. 

God Had Taken Him - Hebrews 11:5

Hebrews 11:5 ESV 

By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God.

There are two men who did not die before God took them. Elijah was the other one. 

It may be a reasonable proposition to say these men might be the two witnesses that will testify in the last days. They will face death at last, for it is given that every man will die once. What a unique witness they would have!

They will be slain in the streets of Jerusalem, only to be brought back to life after three days and taken back into heaven. This would be the ultimate testimony and witness of Jesus Christ. 

Dwell With Man

The Garden of Eden is replaced by the New Jerusalem which will descend from heaven and rest on earth. Christ and His Bride, the Church, will fulfill the charge of Adam and Eve. God will dwell with man.