In the book of Amos 7:7-8 is mentioned the plume line and also in Zechariah4:10
and Ezekiel Chapter 40:3,5 and 42:16 speaks of an angel with a measuring rod and especially Revelation:11.1 is an angel who gives a measuring rod to the Apostle John and instructs him thus, "Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there". I will not attempt to get into all the prophetic aspects of these scriptures but rather want to use them to illustrate the fact that God is an exacting God. A measuring device is used to enable a workman to create something precise or to determine if something is not precise. A plumb line is used to determine if an object is straight up and down or if it is leaning. When I built screen doors for a living I soon learned how important precise measurements were to creating a properly functioning product. A couple of times I failed to check if the door jamb that I would be installing a door into was plumb on both sides and the result was that one corner of my screen door stuck out and looked terrible.
and Ezekiel Chapter 40:3,5 and 42:16 speaks of an angel with a measuring rod and especially Revelation:11.1 is an angel who gives a measuring rod to the Apostle John and instructs him thus, "Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there". I will not attempt to get into all the prophetic aspects of these scriptures but rather want to use them to illustrate the fact that God is an exacting God. A measuring device is used to enable a workman to create something precise or to determine if something is not precise. A plumb line is used to determine if an object is straight up and down or if it is leaning. When I built screen doors for a living I soon learned how important precise measurements were to creating a properly functioning product. A couple of times I failed to check if the door jamb that I would be installing a door into was plumb on both sides and the result was that one corner of my screen door stuck out and looked terrible.
Now back to the verse in Revelation 11. John is told to measure the temple of God, the altar and the people who are worshipping there. This is not a temple of timbers and steel and cement that isbeing measured but a temple of flesh and blood for the New Testament tells us that we are the temple of God 1 Corinthians 6:19.
This is all ablout God determining the condition of His Church and His measuring rod and plumb line are exacting. Any timbers that are twisted, too short or too long will simply be removed. If any are found to not be standing straight they too will be removed. He states very clearly that He is returning for a Church without spot or wrinkle or any such thing but that she should be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:27 Wow, that sounds impossible and it is for man without God but with God all things are possible. Matthew 19.26
This is where man's idea of the gospel and the true gospel part ways because man has concocted the idea that if I believe in Jesus then God already sees me in this perfect state and that is simply not what scripture teaches.
Scripture says this; Philippians 2:11-13 (New King James Version)
11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
Scripture says this; Philippians 2:11-13 (New King James Version)
11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
The first part of the above scripture gives us a key but is seldom understood. It simply says that we must confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Biblically Lord means "BOSS". How can anyone know what the boss wants if they don't read His word. The bible is God's instruction manual for living and developing into the character and stature that He purposes for us. How can we understand what the bible is saying if we don't have someone to explain it for us? That is the role of the Holy Spirit 1 John 2:27 How can you be taught by the Holy Spirit when He is no longer taught in the church? If the Holy Spirit is mentioned at all from the pulpit He is spoken of in mystical terms rather than as a Person, the third Person of the Godhead that was sent to carry on the earthly ministry of Jesus. When Jesus was on earth he was followed by literally thousands of people and many folks walked for days just to get a glimse of him or to hear Him speak but he came for primarily one purpose and that was to die and after death to return to the Father and send the Holy Spirit to carry on His ministry of teaching, healing and working of miracles but in a way that no one would need to travel for miles and days to experience Him. He is as present as Jesus was,and for those who choose to experience him, He is just as real, but more accessable.
I believe the Holy Spirit has been marginalized because when He is present man is not in control and todays leaders want control and I believe that is indisputable. Just walk into any church and try standing up and telling what God has been doing in your life or what he has been showing you in scripture and find out what happens. A skunk would find a better welcome. And yet here is what scripture has to say about church meetings:
1 Corinthians 14:26
[ Orderly Worship ] What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.
I could go on more about church but that is not my purpose here. I think the church already has enough critics and will answer to God for her failures. However my point is that many people when they think about Christianity or religion, going to church is the first thing that comes to mind. Let me say this; When we stand before the throne of God and face judgement chances are very good that church and how many times you attended will not even be mentioned. This is not even a mark on the plumb line. What are the marks on the plumb line and the measuring rod?
Galatians 5:21-23 (New International Version)
21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Now the good characteristics are listed, love joy, peace etc. are looked upon as desirable Christian characteristics but they are not the result of good behaviour or religous activity and in many cases not the result of years of church attendance. They are called the "Fruit of the Spirit" and are simply the result of a life that is given over to obedience to the revealed will of God and the direction of the Holy Spirit in our life. We all know that if we let our kids hang out with losers it is more likely they will develope a loser mentality themselves but it is much more serious in spiritual life because we become like what we worship. A person given over to pornography becomes obsessed with sex. A person given over to any appetite develops traits associated with that particular obsession. Now some would say being spiritually obsessed is equally bad. Here is my interpretation of a religous fanatic.
A religous fantatic is "anyone who loves Jesus more than me". I have a level of love and dedication to Christ determined by a whole series of factors going back 34 years this october. To some who perhaps have a different view or less experience with Him I am a fanatic. There are others who have different and perhaps greater experience with Him than I, and therefore to me they may be fanatics.
In the end it is God who is the judge and He has the measuring rod and plumb line in His hand and the standard He will apply is His written word as revealed to us by His Spirit. Do not trust me, Ask God to give you His Spirit and then devote yourself to spending time with Him and in the Word and see what He reveals to you. I promise that we will find ourselves to be in agreement because Our God is not a God of confusion but a God of order. 1Corinthians 14:33, James 3:16
I think it is clear that all the denominations we have today are the result of confusion of the first order and we all know who is the father of confusion.
God bless you all and may He reveal His truth to you as you seek Him.
1 Corinthians 14:26
[ Orderly Worship ] What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.
I could go on more about church but that is not my purpose here. I think the church already has enough critics and will answer to God for her failures. However my point is that many people when they think about Christianity or religion, going to church is the first thing that comes to mind. Let me say this; When we stand before the throne of God and face judgement chances are very good that church and how many times you attended will not even be mentioned. This is not even a mark on the plumb line. What are the marks on the plumb line and the measuring rod?
Galatians 5:21-23 (New International Version)
21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Now the good characteristics are listed, love joy, peace etc. are looked upon as desirable Christian characteristics but they are not the result of good behaviour or religous activity and in many cases not the result of years of church attendance. They are called the "Fruit of the Spirit" and are simply the result of a life that is given over to obedience to the revealed will of God and the direction of the Holy Spirit in our life. We all know that if we let our kids hang out with losers it is more likely they will develope a loser mentality themselves but it is much more serious in spiritual life because we become like what we worship. A person given over to pornography becomes obsessed with sex. A person given over to any appetite develops traits associated with that particular obsession. Now some would say being spiritually obsessed is equally bad. Here is my interpretation of a religous fanatic.
A religous fantatic is "anyone who loves Jesus more than me". I have a level of love and dedication to Christ determined by a whole series of factors going back 34 years this october. To some who perhaps have a different view or less experience with Him I am a fanatic. There are others who have different and perhaps greater experience with Him than I, and therefore to me they may be fanatics.
In the end it is God who is the judge and He has the measuring rod and plumb line in His hand and the standard He will apply is His written word as revealed to us by His Spirit. Do not trust me, Ask God to give you His Spirit and then devote yourself to spending time with Him and in the Word and see what He reveals to you. I promise that we will find ourselves to be in agreement because Our God is not a God of confusion but a God of order. 1Corinthians 14:33, James 3:16
I think it is clear that all the denominations we have today are the result of confusion of the first order and we all know who is the father of confusion.
God bless you all and may He reveal His truth to you as you seek Him.
comments are always welcome.
Email acts2216@eoni.com or justjohn@eoni.com
john Martin
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