Christian's Handbook 4

Handbook 4 highlights God's appointed times and appointed works while emphasizing their importance and urgency for His people throughout their generations.

Priests and the Greater Works

Handbook 4: Article 42 - Part 4: An Appointed Time, an Appointed Work: Renewing the Kingdom

Consider John's vision and ponder this "Greater Work!":

"And there was given me a measuring rod like a staff, and someone said, 'Rise and measure the temple (or sanctuary) of the Lord, and the altar, and those who worship in it. And throw out the court which is outside the sanctuary and do not measure it for it has been given to the nations, and they will tread underfoot the holy city for forty two months. And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for twelve hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.' They are the two olive trees and the two lamp stands that stand before the Lord of the earth...

They have the power to shut up the sky, in order that rain may not fall during the days of their prophesying; and they have power over the waters to waters to turn them into blood, and to smite the earth with every plague, as often as they desire. And when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the abyss will make war with them, and overcome them and kill them...

And after three day and a half the breath of life from God came into them, And they stood on their feet, and great fear fell upon those who were beholding them. And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying, 'Come up here.'

And in that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell; and seven thousand people (Lit. names of men, seven thousand) were killed... and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven...

And the seventh angel sounded; and there arose loud voices in heaven saying,

'The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.'"

Revelation 11:1-4, 6-8, 11-13, 15

Zechariah's Vision

"Then the angel who was speaking with me returned. And roused me as a man who is awakened from his sleep.

(And I saw) a lamp stand all of gold and two olive trees by it, on the right and the other on the left side.

And I asked, 'What are these, my lord?' He answered...'This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel saying, "Not by might nor by power but by My Spirit," says the Lord of hosts.

Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain; then he will bring forth the top stone with shouts of "Grace, grace" to it... The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of the house, and his hands will finish it. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you.

For who has despised the day of small beginnings (or things). But these seven will be glad when they see the plumb line (Lit. plummet stone) in the hand of Zerubbabel -- these are the eyes of the Lord which range to and from throughout the earth.'

(Then I said), 'What are these two olive trees on the right of the lamp stand and on its left... What are the two olive branches which are beside the two golden pipes, which empty the golden oil from themselves?'

Then he said, 'These are the two anointed ones (Lit. sons of fresh oil) who are standing by the Lord of the whole earth.'"

Zechariah 4

"But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in the house of God;
I trust in the loving kindness of God forever and ever.
I will give Thee thanks forever, because Thou hast done it.
I will wait on Thy name, for it is good; in the presence of the godly ones."

Psalm 52:8, 9

A Priest Serves the Purposes of God in His Generation

"How great are Thy works, O Lord!
Thy purposes are very deep...
For behold, Thine enemies, O Lord,
For behold, Thine enemies will perish...

But Thou hast exalted my horn like that of the wild ox;
I have been anointed with fresh oil.

The righteous man will flourish like the palm tree,
He will grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
Planted in the house of the Lord,
They will flourish in the courts of our God."

Psalm 92:5, 9, 10, 12, 13

David served the purposes of God in his generation and still serves a purpose in our generation.

"Do you not know that the Lord God of Israel gave the rule over Israel forever to David, to him and his sons?"

2 Chronicles 13:5

The Tabernacle of David

The apostles and the elders came together to see about circumcision and the Gentiles.

James speaking:

"Simeon has related how God first concerned Himself about taking from among the Gentiles a people for His name. And with this the words of the Prophets agree, just as it is written, 'After these things I will return, and I will rebuild the tabernacle (or tent) of David which has fallen, and I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it, in order that the rest of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles upon whom My name is called,' says the Lord, who makes these things known from of old."

Acts 15:16-18

"'Behold, the eyes of the Lord God are on the sinful kingdom, and I will destroy it from the face of the earth; nevertheless, I will not totally destroy the house of Jacob,' declares the Lord. 'For behold, I am commanding, and I will shake the house of Jacob among all nations as grain is shaken in a sieve, but not a pebble will fall to the ground. All the sinners of My people will die by the sword, those who say, "The calamity will not overtake or confront us."

In that day I will raise up the fallen booth (or shelter or tabernacle) of David, and wall up its breaches; I will rebuild it as in the days of old; that they may possess the remnant of Edom; and all the Gentiles (or nations) who are called by My name...'"

Amos 9:8-10

Solomon speaking:

"You know that David my father was unable to build a house for the name of the Lord his God because of the wars which surrounded him, until the Lord put them under the souls of his feet."

1 Kings 5:3

"...the Lord will certainly make for my lord an enduring house, because my lord is fighting the battles of the Lord, and evil shall not be found in you all your days. And should anyone rise up to pursue and to seek your soul, then the soul of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of the living with the Lord your God..."

2 Samuel 25:28, 29


Words to Rightly Divide

"Then the Lord awoke as from sleep,
Like a warrior sobered up from wine.
And He drove His adversaries backward;
He put them on everlasting reproach.

But He chose Judah,
Mount Zion which He loved.
And He built His sanctuary like the Heights,
Like the earth which He has founded forever.

He also chose David His servant...
To shepherd Jacob, His people,
And Israel, His inheritance.
So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart,
And guided them with skillful hands."

Psalm 78:65, 66, 68-72

"For the Lord has chosen Zion;
He has desired it for His habitation.
This is My resting place forever;
Here I will dwell, for I have desired it.

Her priests I will clothe with salvation
And her godly one will sing for joy.
Then I will cause the horn of David to spring forth;
I have prepared a lamp for My anointed.
His enemies I will clothe with shame;
But upon Himself, His crown shall shine."

Psalm 132:13-18

The Key of David

"And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:
'He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one can shut, and who shuts and no one can open says this: "I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power and have not denied My name. Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of the Satan, who say that they are Jews, and are not, but lie -- behold, I will make them to come and bow down before your feet, and to know that I have loved you."'"

Revelation 3:7-9


Though the greater works and the kingdom still seemed cloaked in mystery, we have this encouragement:

"For nothing is hidden except to be revealed; nor has anything been secret, but that it should come to light."

Mark 4:22

So let us press on!

Ask and keep on asking,
Seek and keep on seeking,
Knock and keep on knocking.

For he who asks receives,
And he who seeks, finds,
And to him who knocks, it shall be opened.

"...let us lay aside every encumbrance... and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, who... sat down at the right hand of the throne of God..."

Hebrews 12:1, 2

...waiting for His enemies to be made a footstool for His feet!


« LastNext »

  1. A Tale of Two Mountains
  2. The Kingdom Is a Kingdom of Priests
  3. The Priesthood
  4. A Portrait of a Priest
  5. A Priest's Apparel
  6. Priests and the Greater Works
  7. A Postscript: 9/24/12

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