Morning Watch Review of Ezekiel Training (1) Jan. 9 15, that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. who is born of the Spirit.

Transcription

1 Monday 1/9 midst of the fire. who was connected to the heavens. The John 3:6, 8 heavens could therefore be opened to him and 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and could even come down to the earth, enabling that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. God s heavenly things to be seen by people on 8 The wind blows where it wills, and you hear earth and to be fulfilled among them on earth. the sound of it, but you do not know where it 1 4 God s visions are His revelations, which comes from and where it goes; so is everyone enable his people to see divine, spiritual, who is born of the Spirit. heavenly things. Ezekiel saw spiritual, Acts 2:2 heavenly visions in his spirit (cf. Eph. 3:3-5; 2 And suddenly there was a sound out of Rev. 1:10; 4:2; 17:3; 21:10) under an opened heaven, as of a rushing violent wind, and it heaven. And he presented these visions to filled the whole house where they were sitting. God s people in captivity (3:10-11) that they eventually detested the idols, turned their Exo. 14:20 hearts to God, and were returned to their 20 And it came between the camp of the homeland after seventy years. Egyptians and the camp of Israel. And the The Bible as a whole, and the book of cloud was there with the darkness, yet it gave Ezekiel as a miniature of the Bible, reveal that light by night to them. Thus one did not come God s eternal intention is to dispense Himself near the other all night. into His chosen people, making them the same Prov. 16:15 as He is in His life, His nature, and His image 15 In the light of the king s countenance is life, but not in His Godhead, that they might be And his favor is like a cloud of the latter rain. mingled with Him as one entity and be built Heb. 12:29 together in Him. This is the central point of the 29 For our God is also a consuming fire. revelation of the Bible and also of the four Message 2 The Spiritual History of a Normal visions presented in the book of Ezekiel. hristian The Wind, the loud the Fire and the Electrum Ezek. 3 1 God wanted Ezekiel not only to Related verses Ezek. 1:1-3 (1, 3) 1 Now in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth of the month, while I was among the captives by the river hebar, the 3 heavens were opened and I saw 4 visions of God. 2 On the fifth of the month (it was the fifth year of King Jehoiachin s captivity) 3 The 1 word of Jehovah came expressly to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the haldeans by the river hebar; and the 5 hand of Jehovah was upon him there. Ezek.8:3 3 And He stretched out the form of a hand and took me by a lock of my head; and the Spirit lifted me up between the earth and heaven and brought me to Jerusalem in the visions of God, to the entrance of the gate of the inner court that faces north, where the seat of the idol of jealousy was, which provokes to jealousy. Acts 26:19 19 Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, Prov. 29:18a 18a Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint; Message 1 - Visions of God and the Unveiling of God s Purpose and the Desire of His Heart Ezek. 1:4 4 And I looked, and there came a storm 1 wind from the 2 north, a great 3 cloud and a 4 fire flashing incessantly; and there was a brightness around it, and from the midst of it there was something like the sight of 5 electrum, from the Footnotes Ezek. 1:1 3 The opening of the heavens is God s special visitation (cf. Gen. 28:11-17; Matt. 3:16-27; Acts 7:56). The people of Israel had been damaged by Satan and carried away into captivity; as a result, the heavens could not be opened to them. However, among those in captivity there was a priest, Ezekiel (v. 3), who was seeing God and contacting Him and behold with his eyes but also to hear with his ears (40:4); hence, He gave him His words along with His visions. God s word to Ezekiel was not an ordinary word but an express word, a special word. God s express words enable us both to understand the visions and to proclaim and explain what we have seen (1 or. 2:9-13). 3 5 The hand of the Lord follows the word of the Lord. If what one ministers is truly God s word, God s almighty hand will follow to accomplish what he speaks. God s hand upon Living Stream Ministry, 2017, used by permission 1

2 man is also for leading man and for causing 4 4 The fire seen by Ezekiel signifies God s one to take action (cf. 1 Kings 18:46). After burning and sanctifying power (Deut. 4:24; the Lord s hand came upon Ezekiel, he did not Heb. 12:29). Whenever God visits us, His holy act according to his own choice but according fire comes to consume in us everything that to the leading and directing of the Lord s hand. does not match His holy nature and Ezek. 4 1 As with the entire Bible, the book of disposition. This burning fire also causes us to Ezekiel uses visible, physical things to signify be enlightened concerning our spiritual spiritual things. The storm wind here is a condition before God. The more the fire of the figure of the powerful Spirit of God (Acts 2:2, Holy Spirit burns in us, the more we are 4a). In the scriptures the wind has both a purified and enlightened (cf. Isa. 6:5-7; 1 John negative and a positive significance. In its 1:7). negative significance the wind is a symbol, or 4 5 Following the rendering of the Septuagint sign, of God s judgment upon man (Jer. 49:26; and the Vulgate; others translate, glowing Rev. 7:1). In its positive significance the wind metal. An unknown substance; some think a symbolizes the blowing of the Holy Spirit mixture of gold and silver (Darby). Gold upon man or the descending of the Holy Spirit signifies the nature of God, and silver signifies upon man to cause man to have God s life redemption. The electrum, composed of the (37:9-10; John 3:6-8; Acts 2:2-21). The storm elements of gold and silver, signifies the wind here has this positive significance. Lamb-God, the redeeming God (see note 1 5 in 4 2 From the north means from God (Psa. Rev. 22). That the glowing electrum appeared 75:607a; Isa. 14:13). Whenever God visits us from the midst of the fire indicates that the and revives us, His Spirit blows on us like a burning of the divine fire is for the mighty wind to bring a spiritual storm into our manifestation of the electrum. life, into our work, and into our church, The spiritual history of a normal hristian causing us to be dissatisfied and concerned should be a continual cycle involving the about our spiritual condition and to have a turn experience of God as the wind, the cloud, the in our spiritual life. fire, and the electrum. The more we experience 4 3 The cloud here is a figure of God as the the wind, the cloud, and the fire, the more the Spirit abiding with his people and covering electrum is constituted into our being, making them in order to care for them and show favor us a people who are filled with the triune God to them (Exo. 13:21; 40:34-35; Prov. 16:15; 1 and who manifest His glory. The issue of the or. 10:1-2). God comes to us as the wind, but spiritual transactions involving the blowing he stays with us as the cloud. Together, the wind, the covering cloud, and the purifying wind and the cloud are an indication that an fire is the glowing electrum the radiant important transaction is about to take place expression of the redeeming God. f. note 7 3 between God and man. in 1 John 1. Living Stream Ministry, 2017, used by permission 2

3 Tuesday 1/10 10 As for the likeness of their faces, they had the face of a 1 man; and the four of them had the face of a lion on the right side, and the four of them had the face of an ox on the left side, and the four of them had the face of an eagle. 11 And thus their faces were. And their wings were spread out upward; two wings of each were 2 joined one to another, and two 3 covered their bodies. Related verses Ezek.1:5-6, 10 5 And from the midst of it there came the likeness of 1 four living creatures. And this was their appearance: They had the likeness of a 2 man. 6 And every one had four faces, and every one of them had four 2 wings. 10 As for the likeness of their faces, they had the face of a 1 man; and the four of them had the face of a lion on the right side, and the four of them had the face of an ox on the left side, and the four of them had the face of an eagle. Rev. 1:18 18 And the living One; and I became dead, and behold, I am living forever and ever; and I have the keys of death and of Hades. John 6:51 51 I am the living bread which came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he shall live forever; And the bread which I will give is My flesh, given for the life of the world. Dan. 11:32b 32b But the people who know their God will show strength and take action. Message 3 The Four Living reatures Ezek. 1:9, (12) 9 Their wings were joined one to another; they did not turn as they went; each went straight forward. 12 And each went 1 straight forward; wherever the 2 Spirit was to go, they went; they did not turn as they went. 13 As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, like the appearance of 1 torches; the fire went to and fro among the living creatures, and the fire was 3 bright; and out of the fire went forth lightning. 14 And the living creatures 1 ran to and fro like the appearance of a lightning bolt. Rom. 12:4-5 4 For just as in one body we have many members, and all the members do not have the same function. 5 So we who are many are one Body in hrist, and individually members one of another. Message 4 The oordination of the Four Living reatures Footnotes Ezek. 1:5 1 And at the beginning of the verse indicates that in addition to the electrum, the four living creatures came out from the midst of the fire. The more we experience God as the blowing wind, the overshadowing cloud, the burning fire, and the glowing electrum, the more we are enlivened with the divine life to become the four living creatures. The number four is related to God s creation (Isa. 11:12; Jer. 49:36; Rev. 7:1) and signifies man as God s creature. 5 2 The four living creatures are reckoned not as individuals but as a group, as one entity. As such, they are the corporate expression of the man on the throne (v. 26). That the four living creatures bar the likeness of a man and that God on the throne also bears the appearance of a man indicates that God s central thought and His arrangement are related to man (Gen. 1:26; Psa. 8:4-8). According to the vision unveiled in this chapter, man is the means for God to move on the earth, and man is the means for God to administrate on the throne. God uses the wind, the cloud, the fire, and the electrum to enliven us in order to gain man as the means of His manifestation, move, and administration. Ezek. 1:6 2 These must be the wings of an eagle, since among the creatures represented by the four faces (v.10), only the eagle has wings. In the Scriptures the wings of an eagle signify the grace, strength and power of God applied to us (Exo. 19:4; Isa ; 1 or. 15:10; 2 or. 1:12; 4:7; 12:9). Ezek Each living creature had four faces (v.6). The face of a man indicates that the living creatures live in a proper humanity, the humanity of Jesus. The face of a lion indicates that in relation to sin, the world, and Satan they are bold, strong, victorious, and reigning (Rev. 5;5; Rom. 5:17). The face of an ox indicates that they are willing to bear the burden, to labor, and even to sacrifice Living Stream Ministry, 2017, used by permission 3

4 themselves (1 or. 15:10, 58; Acts 20:24; Phil. must always express ourselves like a normal man; by the Spirit (Gal. 5:16, 25) and according to the 2:30). The face of an eagle indicates that the living but the moving and overshadowing wings should spirit (Rom. 8:4). creatures are transcendent, buoyant, and powerful give others an impression of the Divine Being, an in the life of God (John 6:15; Phil. 4:12-13). impression that we have God with us as our power and protection. The four living creatures with their four faces signify a coordinated, corporate entity, the corporate hrist (1 or. 12:12 and note 2) as the corporate expression of God among human beings. The four faces of the living creatures portray the life of hrist as depicted in the four Gospels: Matthew shows hrist as a lion, the King of God s kingdom; Mark portrays Him as an ox, the Servant of God; Luke depicts Him as a man, the Man- Savior; and John shows Him as an eagle, the very God (see note 1 1, par. 3, in Matt. 1). Thus the four living creatures are a corporate expression of hrist, living out the life of hrist in a corporate way. Ezek Verses 11b-14 convey a clear picture of the coordination of the living creatures, a portrait of the proper church life. The joining of two wings of the living creatures is for their corporate moving in coordination. The eagle s wings are the means by which they are coordinated and move as one. This signifies that their coordination is not in themselves but in God and by the divine power, the divine strength, and the divine grace. This is similar to the boards of the tabernacle being joined into one building by the overlaying gold and the gold rings (Exo. 26:26-29 and notes) The wings of an eagle are not only for moving but also for protection. Whatever we do and whatever we are must be by the grace of the Lord and the power of the Lord (1 or. 15:10; 2 or. 1:12; 4:7). At the same time, we are under the overshadowing, the covering, of the Lord s grace and the Lord s power (Psa. 17:8; 57:1; 63:7; 91:4; 2 cor. 12:9b). The living creatures look like a man (v.5), but they move like an eagle. This indicates that we 12 1 Lit., in the direction of their faces. The move of the living creatures is not individual but corporate. They move as one entity in coordination. Each of the living creatures faces one direction. As they face these four directions, two of their wings spread out and touch the adjacent creatures wings, forming a square. When the living creatures move, they do not need to turn; one moves straight forward while the opposite creature moves backward and the other two move sideways (v.90. this a beautiful picture of the coordination in the church as the Body of hrist, in which each member has his particular position and function, or ministry (Rom. 12:4-8; 1 cor. 12:14-30; Eph. 4:7-16). When one member functions, he moves straight forward to fulfill his function, and the other members accommodate him by moving in the same direction, some moving backward: and others moving sideways. According to the vision of the four living creatures, the coordination of the believers as members of the Body of hrist results in the corporate expression of God in hrist, in the move of God on the earth, and in the administration of God on the earth, and in the administration of God on the Throne, thus affording God a way to manifest His glory and accomplish His eternal purpose and plan. In order to participate in such a coordination, we need to have the spiritual experiences and the practical living symbolized by the details in vv The living creatures following the Spirit indicates that in order to have the genuine coordination, we need to deny ourselves and walk 13 1 The issue of the coordination of the living creatures is that they become burning coals, with the holy God as a consuming fire burning among them and within them (Heb. 12:29; cf. Exo. 3:2 and note 2). Furthermore, they become burning torches for shining and enlightening (cf. Rev. 4:5b). The burning of the coals and the enlightening of the torches signify that the sanctifying fire becomes the sanctifying light. That both the Lord on the throne (v. 26) and the living creatures have the appearance of fire indicates that the living creatures are the expression of the Lord That the fire was bright indicates that in their coordination the living creatures manifested a glorious and majestic condition The running of the living creatures like lightning indicates that the living creatures, having a proper coordination, being the burning coals and the burning torches, and having the divine fire going to and fro among them, will not walk but run. They run because they have the power and the impact. Living Stream Ministry, 2017, used by permission 4

5 Wednesday 1/11 become weary. 2 or. 4:7 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellency of the power may be of God and not out of us. 2 or. 12:9 9 And He has said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly therefore I will rather boast in my weaknesses that the power of hrist might tabernacle over me. Related verses Ezek. 1:5-11 (6-8) 5 And from the midst of it there came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance: They had the likeness of a man. 6 And every one had four faces, and every one of them had four wings. 7 And their feet were straight feet, and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf s foot; and they sparkled like the sight of burnished bronze. 8 And the hands of a man were under their wings on their four sides. And the four of them had their faces and their wings thus: 9 Their wings were joined one to another; they did not turn as they went; each went straight forward. 10 As for the likeness of their faces, they had the face of a man; and the four of them had the face of a lion on the right side, and the four of them had the face of an ox on the left side, and the four of them had the face of an eagle. 11 And thus their faces were. And their wings were spread out upward; two wings of each were joined one to another, and two covered their bodies. Isa. 40:31 31 Yet those who wait on Jehovah will renew their strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles; They will run and will not faint; They will walk and will not Message 5 The Wings of an Eagle, the Hands of a Man, and the Feet of a alf Ezek. 1:15-21 (15-18) 15 And as I watched the living creatures, I saw a 1 wheel upon the earth beside the living creatures, for each of their four 2 faces. 16 The appearance of the wheels and their workmanship were like the sight of 1 beryl. And the four of them had 2 one likeness; that is, their appearance and their workmanship were as it were 3 a wheel within a wheel. 17 Whenever they went, they went in their 1 four directions; they did not turn as they went. 18 As for their rims, they were 1 high and they were awesome; and the rims of the four of them were full of 2 eyes all around. 19 And whenever the living creatures 1 went, the wheels went beside them; and whenever the living creatures were lifted up above the earth, the wheels were lifted up also. 20 Wherever the 1 Spirit was to go, they went wherever the Spirit was to go. And the wheels were lifted up alongside them, for the Spirit of the living creature was in the wheels. 21 Whenever those went, these went; and whenever those stood still, these stood still; and whenever those were lifted up above the earth, the wheels were lifted up alongside them; for the Spirit of the living creature was in the wheels. Mark 12:30 30 And you shall love the Lord your God from your whole heart and from your whole soul and from your whole mind and from your whole strength. Matt. 6:10 10 Your kingdom come; Your will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth. Message 6 The High and Awesome Wheels Footnotes Ezek. 1:15 1 The entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation presents a full picture of the economy of God (Eph. 1:10; 3:9; 1 Tim. 1:4) and of God s move on earth to carry out His economy. In the book of Ezekiel God s economy and God s move in His economy are signified by a wheel. The hub of this great wheel signifies hrist as the center of God s economy, and the rim signifies hrist s counterpart, the church, Living Stream Ministry, 2017, used by permission 5

6 which consummates in the New Jerusalem. 1:17 1 The wheels going in four directions, The spokes of the wheel spreading from the not turning as they went, indicates a move hub to the rim signify the many believers in coordination, without any turns (cf. note as the members of hrist ). The appearing of the wheels on the 1:18 1 In ourselves we should be small, but earth beside the living creatures indicates the wheel beside us, i.e., the move of God s that God s move on earth follows the economy with us, should be high and coordination of the four living creatures. awesome (1 or. 15;9; 2 or. 11:5; 12:11; The move by a wheel implies an Eph. 3:8-11). extraordinary move with a purpose. 1:18 2 Eyes indicate insight, foresight, and Furthermore, it implies that this move is other kinds of sight. The more we have the not by our own strength. move of the Lord, the more we are 1:15 2 The wheels being for the four faces enlightened and the more we will be able to of the living creatures indicates that if we see. would have the Lord s move, we must first 1:19 1 That the wheels follow the living live out the Lord, expressing Him. 1:16 1 creatures indicates that if we move in faith, Beryl is the appearance of the Lord the Lord will follow our move. when He is moving (Dan. 10:6). This indicates that within the move of the 1:20 1 The wheels follow the creatures (vv. wheels is the appearance of the Lord. 19, 21), and the creatures follow the Spirit, 1:16 2 That all four wheels had the same but the Spirit is in the wheels. This likeness, the same appearance, indicates indicates that we are one with the Lord, and that the move of the Lord has the same He is one with us (1 or. 6:17). The Lord likeness and appearance in every church (1 follows us, we follow the Spirit, and the or. 4:17; 7:17; 11:16; 14:33; 16:1; 1 Thes. Spirit is in the wheels. 2:14; see notes 7 3 in Rev. 2 and 20 1 in Rev. 1). 1:16 3 A wheel within a wheel indicates that in the move of the living creatures there is the move of the Lord, i.e., that the Lord moves in their moving (cf. James 5:17 and note). The inner wheel, the Lord as the hub, is the source of power for the moving of the outer wheel, the church as the rim. Living Stream Ministry, 2017, used by permission 6

7 Thursday 1/12 face and I heard the voice of someone and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; speaking. 56 And he said, Behold, I see the heavens Related verses 1 John 1:3, 6-7 opened up and the Son of Man standing at the Ezek. 1:22-28 (22-25) 3 That which we have seen and heard we right hand of God. 22 And over the heads of the living creature there was the likeness of an 1 report also to you that you also may have 57 But they cried out with a loud voice and expanse, like the fellowship with us, and indeed our fellowship covered their ears and rushed upon him with sight of awesome crystal, stretched forth over is with the Father and with His Son Jesus one accord. their heads above. hrist. 58 And they threw him outside of the city and 23 And under the expanse one pair of their wings went 1 straight out, one toward the other; 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their each had another pair 2 covering their bodies on and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and are garments at the feet of a young man called this side and on that side. not practicing the truth; Saul. 24 And I heard the sound of their wings, like 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the 59 And they stoned Stephen as he called upon the sound of great waters, like the 1 voice of the light, we have fellowship with one another, the Lord and said, Lord Jesus, receive my Almighty, as they went; it was the sound of a and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us spirit! tumult, like the sound of an army. Whenever from every sin. 60 And kneeling down, he cried out with a loud voice, Lord, do not hold this sin against they stood still, they dropped their wings. 2 or. 1:12 them. And when he had said this, he fell 25 And there was a 1 voice from above the 12 For our boasting is this, the testimony of asleep. expanse that was over their heads. When they our conscience, that in singleness and sincerity Rom. 5:17, 21 stood still, they dropped their wings. of God, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace 26 And above the expanse that was over their of God, we have conducted ourselves in the 17 For if by the offense of the one death heads was the likeness of a 1 throne, like the world, and more abundantly toward you. reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift appearance of a sapphire stone; and upon the Message 7 The Highest Point in Our Spiritual of righteousness will reign in life through the likeness of the throne was One in appearance Experience Having a lear Sky with a Throne like a 3 One, Jesus hrist. man, above it. Above It 27 Then I saw something like the sight of Ezek. 1: In order that just as sin reigned in death, so 1 electrum, like the appearance of fire encased See same day preceding also grace might reign through righteousness all around, from the appearance of His loins unto eternal life through Jesus hrist our Lord. Gen. 1:26 and upward; and from the appearance of His 26 And God said, Let Us make man in Our Message 8 The Man on the Throne loins and downward, I saw something like the image, according to Our likeness; and let them appearance of fire. And there was brightness have dominion over the fish of the sea and Footnotes all around Him. over the birds of heaven and over the cattle and Ezek. 1:22 1 Based on the experiences signified in 28 Like the appearance of the rainbow that is over all the earth and over every creeping thing vv. 4-21, the spiritual sky over the heads of the in the cloud on a day of rain, such was the that creeps upon the earth. living creatures is crystal clear, like a great expanse appearance of the brightness all around. This Acts 7:55-60 (56, 59-60) of awesome crystal. Furthermore, this sky is was the appearance of the likeness of the glory expanding and is as stable, unchanging, as crystal. 55 But being full of the Holy Spirit, he looked of Jehovah. And when I saw it, I fell on my In such a situation there is nothing between the intently into heaven and saw the glory of God living creatures and God and nothing between them Living Stream Ministry, 2017, used by permission 7

8 and one another. They have a thorough fellowship with the Lord and with one another. This requires the maintaining of a pure conscience without any offense toward God and men (Acts 24:16) The wings of the living creatures going straight out signifies that under a clear and expanding sky we can have the adequate and proper coordination, a coordination that is altogether straight, with nothing crooked. f. note The using of the two wings to cover the living creatures indicates that in the coordination we should not display ourselves but should hide ourselves under the Lord s grace (2 or. 3:5-6; 12:9; Phil. 3:3). See note The voice coming out of the wings that were joined to one another is the testimony of the living creatures. This indicates that the voice of the testimony of any local church must be the voice of a corporate, coordinated body, a voice that comes out of the proper coordination (cf. Acts 2:14). Such a testimony will be strong, like the sound of great waters; moreover, it will be the voice of God Himself and the voice of an army fighting the battle for God s economy This is God s voice. The living creatures standing still and dropping their wings indicates that they know not only how to speak and sound forth their voice but also how to listen to God s voice (cf. Exo. 21:5-6; Isa. 50:4-5; Luke 10:38-42) The four living creatures are not only for the manifestation of the Lord and not only for the move of the Lord but also for the administration, the government, of the Lord. The Lord is among them and above them for His manifestation, move, and government. In such a situation God is not only the God of heaven but also the God of the earth (see note 25 3 in Matt. 11). Through the living creatures the heavens are open to the earth and are joined to the earth. The Lord s presence is always with His throne. The Lord s throne is both in the third heaven and in our spirit (Rev. 4:2-3; Heb. 4:16 and note 1; cf. 2 Tim. 4:22). The throne above the crystal clear expanse indicates that whenever we have a clear sky in our hristian life and in our church life, we will be under the ruling of the throne. The highest point in our spiritual experience is having a clear sky with a throne above it. To reach this point means that in everything we allow God to have the preeminence and are completely submissive to God s authority and administration. The throne is not only for God to reign over us but also for God to accomplish His eternal purpose. If we have the throne in our spiritual life, God will not only rule over us but will also fulfill His purpose in us, with us, and through us The One on the throne looks like a man, yet with Him there is the appearance of the glory of Jehovah (v. 280, indicating that the One sitting on the throne is both God and man. This is Jesus hrist, the God-man, the mingling of God and man. He was the complete God, and He was incarnated to be a man (John 1:1, 14). Having the nature of man, He lived, died, resurrected, and ascended as a man, and now as the One on the throne, He is still the Son of Man (John 6:62; Acts 7:56). Hence, since the ascension of the Lord Jesus there has been a man on the throne. In the millennium and in the new heaven and new earth for eternity, there will still be a man on the throne (Matt. 19:28; Rev. 22:1, 3). As revealed in the Bible, God s mysterious intention in his relationship with man is to mingle Himself with man and thereby to become the same as man and make man the same as God in life, in nature, and in expression but not in the Godhead. Man was created in the image of God to express God and to rule for God (Gen. 1:26-28 and notes). The One on the throne and the four living creatures both have the appearance of a man, indicating that the four living creatures on earth are the expression of the One on the throne (see note 5 2 ). This expression is the manifestation of God in humanity (1 Tim. 3:15-16). God in heaven desires to gain man on earth for His expression by working Himself into man. Furthermore, God s intention is to work on man in order that man will be on the throne. As the Pioneer, the Forerunner, the Lord Jesus cut the way to enter into glory and sit on the throne (Heb. 2:6-9), and we, His many brothers, are now following Him (Heb. 2:10-12; Rev. 3:21; 22:5) The appearance of the man on the throne has two aspects; from His loins upward He has the appearance of electrum, and from His loins downward, the appearance of fire. The upper part of a man, from his loins to his head, is the part of feeling, of sensation, signifying his nature and disposition. According to His nature and disposition the Lord Jesus on the throne has the appearance of electrum, signifying the redeeming God. The lower part of man s body is for moving. The appearance of fire from the loins downward signifies the Lord s appearance in his move with God s burning and sanctifying power (see note 4 4 ). When the Lord comes to us, He comes as fire to enlighten, search, and burn. Then through the fire He becomes electrum to us. After all the negative things have been burned out of us by the Lord as the consuming fire (Heb. 12:29), the electrum, the redeeming God, will remain in us. See note 4 5. Living Stream Ministry, 2017, used by permission 8

9 Friday 1/13 the Experience of the hristian Life, and the Message 10 Eating the Scroll Eating and hurch Life Digesting the Word of God Related verses Ezek. 2:8 10 (8) Ezek. 1:28 28 Like the appearance of the 1 8 But you, son of man, hear what I say to you; Footnotes rainbow that is do not be rebellious like that rebellious house. Ezek. 1:28 1 A rainbow as the brightness in the cloud on a day of rain, such was the Open your mouth and eat what I give you. around the man who is sitting on the throne appearance of the brightness all around. This 9 And I looked, and there was a hand, put forth signifies the splendor and glory around the was the appearance of the likeness of the glory toward me; and in it there was a scroll book. Lord on the throne. At Noah s time the of Jehovah. And when I saw it, I fell on my 10 And He spread it before me. And it was rainbow in the cloud was a sign of God s face and I heard the voice of someone written on the front and back, and on it were faithfulness in keeping His covenant with man speaking. written lamentations, mourning, and woe. and every living creature that he would never Gen. 9:13 13 I set My 1 Ezek. 3:1-3 (1, 3) again destroy mankind with a flood ( see note bow in the clouds, and it shall be 1 Then He said to me, Son of man, eat what 13 1 in Gen. 9). for a sign of a covenant between Me and the you find; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the A rainbow can be considered as being earth. house of Israel. produced from the combining of three basic Rev. 4:2-3 2 So I opened my mouth, and He gave me that colors red, yellow, and blue. Red, the color of 2 Immediately I was in spirit; and behold, there scroll to eat. fire, refers to God s holiness; yellow, the color was a throne set in heaven, and upon the throne 3 And He said to me, Son of man, feed your of electrum, signifies God s glory; and blue, there was One sitting; stomach and fill your inward parts with this the color of the sapphire throne, signifies 3 And He who was sitting was like a jasper scroll that I am giving you. And I ate it, and it God s righteousness. God s righteousness, stone and a sardius in appearance, and there was like honey in my mouth in its sweetness. holiness, and glory are three divine attributes was a 3 rainbow around the throne like an that keep sinners away from God (see note 24 1 Jer. 15:16a emerald in appearance. 16a Your words were found and I 1 in Gen. 3). However, hrist came, died on the ate them, Rev. 21:19 The 1 foundations of the wall of the cross to satisfy the requirements of God s 1 Pet. 2:2-3 city were adorned with every precious stone: righteousness, holiness, and glory, and was 2 As newborn babes, long for the 2 guileless the first foundation was jasper; the second, resurrected, and He is now our righteousness, milk of the word in order that by it you may sapphire; the third, chalcedony; and the fourth, holiness, and glory (1 or. 1:30). Because we, 4 grow 5 unto salvation, emerald; the believers, are now in hrist, in the sight of 3 If you have tasted that the Lord is good. God we bear the appearance of hrist as 1 or. 1:9 Heb. 5:13-14 righteousness, holiness, and glory. This is the 9 God is faithful, through whom you were 13 For everyone who partakes of milk is appearance of a rainbow as a testimony of called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus inexperienced in the word of righteousness, for God s faithfulness in sparing us and saving us, hrist our Lord. he is an infant; the fallen ones, from His judgment on sinners. 1 John 1:9 14 But solid food is for the full-grown, who In the New Jerusalem, a city whose 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and because of practice have their faculties foundations have the appearance of a rainbow. righteous to forgive us our sins and cleanse us exercised for discriminating between both (Rev. 21:19-20), we, the aggregate of the saved from all unrighteousness. good and evil. ones, will be a rainbow reflecting the Message 9 The Rainbow the onsummation of Living Stream Ministry, 2017, used by permission 9

10 brightness of God s righteousness, holiness and glory and testifying forever that our God is righteous and faithful (see note 19 1, par. 2, in rev. 21). As portrayed in this chapter, the hristian life and the church life will consummate in such a rainbow. At that point God s eternal plan will have been accomplished. Gen. 9:13 1 The rainbow signifies God s faithfulness in keeping His covenant. God Himself is faithfulness (1 or. 1:9; 1 John 1:9). He is faithful to His word, and his word is His covenant. The rainbow is seen again at the end of the Bible (Rev. 4:3), indicating that God s faithfulness will remain forever. See note 3 3 in Rev. 4, note 19 1, par. 2, in Rev. 21, and note 28 1 in Ezek. 1. Rev. 4:3 3 The rainbow is a sign of God s covenant with man and all living creatures that He will not destroy them again with a flood (Gen. 9:8-17). This book shows that God will judge the earth with all its inhabitants. The rainbow around His throne signifies that God is the covenanting God, the faithful God, who will keep His covenant while executing his judgment upon the earth. He will not judge mankind again with a flood nor destroy all mankind, but will keep a part of mankind to be the nations on the new earth for his glory (21:24, 26). Rev. 21:19 1 (para. 2): The colors of the foundation s twelve precious stones, which signify the twelve apostles, are as follows: the first stone is green, the second and third are blue, the fourth is green, the fifth and sixth are red, the seventh is yellow, the eighth is bluish green, the ninth is yellow, the tenth is applegreen, the eleventh and twelfth are purple. The twelve layers of the foundation in the above colors have the appearance of a rainbow, signifying that the city is built upon and secured by God s faithfulness in keeping His covenant (Gen. 9:8-17) and that the foundation of the city is trustworthy and reliable. Jer. 15:16 1 According to the entire revelation in the Holy Bible, God s words are good for us to eat, and we need to eat them (Psa. 119:103; Matt. 4:4; Heb. 5:12-14; 1 Pet. 2:2-3). God s word is the divine supply as food to nourish us. Through the word as our food, God dispenses his riches into our inner being to nourish us that we may be constituted with His element. This is a crucial aspect of God s economy. When we eat God s words, His word becomes our heart s gladness and joy. 1 Pet. 2:2 3 The Greek word, translated reasonable in Rom. 12:1, is an adjective, derived from the noun word; hence, of the word; having the sense of pertaining to the mind (in contrast to the body), to the rational faculties; hence, rational, logical, reasonable. The milk of the word is not milk for the body but milk for the soul, the inner being. It is conveyed in the word of God to nourish our inner man through the understanding of our rational mind and is assimilated by our mental faculties. 2 4 To grow is a matter of life and in life. We received the divine life through regeneration, and we need to grow in this life and with this life by being nourished with the milk conveyed in the word of God. 2 5 I.e., resulting in. Growth in life results in salvation. Salvation here, as the result of growth in life, is not initial salvation. God s full and complete salvation has a long span from generation, including justification, to glorification (Rom. 8:30). At regeneration we receive initial salvation (see note 5 5 in ch. 1). Then we need to grow by feeding on hrist as the nourishing milk in the word of God, unto full salvation, unto maturity for glorification. This will be the salvation of our soul, which will be revealed to us at the revelation of the Lord Jesus (1:5 and note5; 1:9-10, 13). However, according to the context, unto a salvation here refers directly to being built up as a spiritual house into a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices in v. 5, and to tell out the virtues of Him in v. 9. New Song The Rainbow Living Stream Ministry, 2017, used by permission 10

11 E B Abba, Father, we approach Thee B /D Worship of the Father His Redemption E 1. God Ab has ba, Fa set ther, H is sign, we ap a rproach ain - Thee bow, MIn idst tour he Sav r ain - ior s y clouds pre a cious - name. bove; E B B /D E We, Tis Thy the child to - ken ren, here of His as sem cov - bling, nant With Now the prom man ised and earth bless ing He claim. loves; B /D B B /D B From Ne er our a - guilt gain His t o blood send has a del washed - uge, us, H Tis ence through H is fait Himh - our ful - souls ness draw is nigh, t old! E /G A E A The Rainbow E And He Thy is true Spir to it too eve - has ry taught prom - us ise, And Ab His ba, Fa change ther, - less thus word we to hold! cry. A A A E E /G E /G E /G m A F 7 F 7 F 7 E /B B 7 B B B E Once as prodigals we wandered, In our folly, far from Thee; But Thy 2. grace, The appearance o er sin abounding, of that rainbow, Rescued Brightly us from misery. in its splendor s shown lothed in Round garments the of Lamb-God salvation of redemption, At Thy table Seated is our there place; upon the throne; We rejoice, With and Thou His righteousness rejoicest, and glory In the riches And of His Thy holiness grace. He shines! olors blue and red and yellow 3. Thou the prodigal Show forth hast heaven s pardoned, hues divine! Kissed us with a Father s love; Killed 3. the Lo! fatted The calf, open and door made in us heaven; Fit Thy purpose See the to jasper approve. God enthroned. It is meet, we hear Thee saying, That same firm, majestic rainbow We should merry be and glad; Still surrounds the reigning One. I have found My once-lost children, Though He must judge fallen sinners, Now they live who once were dead. With the rainbow He is crowned! He must spare us as He promised; By His cov nant He is bound! 4. Abba, Father, we adore Thee, While the hosts in heaven above 5. God is faithful, who has E en called in us us, now learn the wonders To His Son s communion Of real; Thy wisdom, grace, and love. When we share in hrist Soon our before wisdom, Thy throne assembled, He on us His image seals; All Thy children shall proclaim Attributes of God wrought Abba s in love us shown in redemption, Make us righteous, holy, And bright! how full is Abba s name! Soon we, too, will be a rainbow For His pleasure, His delight! 6. May the meaning of the rainbow Be our full reality; In the church and in our living, God expressed for all to see; Round the throne in that bright ity, Grateful voices we shall raise: God is faithful in salvation! Shout to His eternal praise! 4. New Jerusalem s foundation Is adorned with precious stones; On the colors of a rainbow Rests the building God would own. Now His steadfastness eternal For that ity is secured! We the saved ones joy to witness: Yes! God's faithfulness endures!

12 Saturday 1/14 of Israel, are My people, declares the Lord Jehovah. 31 And you are My flock, the flock of My pasture; you are men, and I am your God, declares the Lord Jehovah. 1 Pet. 2:25 25 For you were like sheep being led astray, but you have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. Related verses Ezek. 34:11-16, 23, (12-15, 23, 30) 11 For thus says the Lord Jehovah, 1 I Myself, even I, will search for My sheep and seek them out. 12 As a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day when he is among his sheep which are scattered, so I will seek out My sheep; and I will deliver them from all the places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. 13 And I will 1 bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries and bring them into their own land, and I will feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the 2 streams and in all the inhabited places of the land. 14 I will feed them with good pasture, and their dwelling place will be upon the mountains of the heights of Israel; there they will 1 lie down in a good dwelling place, and on rich pasture they will feed upon the mountains of Israel. 15 I Myself will shepherd My flock, and I will cause them to lie down, declares the Lord Jehovah. 16 I will seek the lost one and bring back the one that was driven away and bind up the broken one and strengthen the sick one; but the fat one and the strong one I will destroy - I will feed them with judgment. 23 And I will set up over them one Shepherd, My Servant 1 David, and He will feed them; He will feed them, and He will be their Shepherd. 30 Thus they will know that I, Jehovah their God, am 1 with them, and that they, the house 1 Pet.5:2, 4 2 Shepherd the flock of God among you, overseeing not under compulsion but willingly, according to God; not by seeking gain through base means but eagerly; 4 And when the hief Shepherd is manifested, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Message 11 God s Recovery by Life through His Shepherding Ezek. 36:23-27, (23, 25-27, 37) 23 And I will sanctify My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations will know that I am Jehovah, declares the Lord Jehovah, when I am sanctified in you in their sight. 24 And I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land. 25 And I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you will be clean; from all your filthiness and from all your idols I will cleanse you. 26 I will also give you a new heart, and a 1 new spirit I will put within you; and I will take away the heart of stone out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put 1 My Spirit within you and cause you to 2 walk in My statutes, and My ordinances you shall keep and do. 35 And they will say, This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden, and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are fortified and inhabited. 36 Then the nations that are left all around you will know that I, Jehovah, have rebuilt the ruined places and planted that which was desolate. I, Jehovah, have spoken, and I will do it. 37 Thus says the Lord Jehovah, Moreover for this I will be 1 inquired of by the house of Israel to do it for them; I will increase them with men like a flock. 38 Like the holy flock for sacrifices, like the flock of Jerusalem in her appointed feasts, so will the waste cities be filled with flocks of men; and they will know that I am Jehovah. Matt. 6:9 9 You then pray in this way: Our Father who is in the heavens, Your name be sanctified; Prov. 4:23 23 Keep your heart with all vigilance, For from it are the issues of life. John 4:24 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truthfulness. Message 12 The Inward Recovery by Life for the arrying Out of God s Economy Footnotes Ezek. 34:11 1 In God s recovery by life, God first sends the watchman to sound the trumpet to His people that they may repent, turn, and Living Stream Ministry, 2017, used by permission 11

13 live (ch. 33); then He Himself appears as the Ezek. 36:26 1 In His recovery by life the Lord Shepherd to search for and seek out His sheep. gives us a new heart and a new spirit. Our After John the Baptist sounded the trumpet of heart is our loving organ, and our spirit is our repentance (Matt. 3:1-2), the Lord Jesus came receiving organ. While we are in a fallen or as the Shepherd (Matt. 9:36; Luke 15:1-7; John backslidden state, our heart toward the Lord is 10:11). stony and hard, and our spirit is deadened 13 1 As the Shepherd, the Lord will gather His (Eph. 2:1; 4:18). When the Lord saves us or people, His sheep, out of the nations and bring revives us, he renews our heart, making our them back to the land of anaan, which stony heart a heart of flesh, a heart that is soft typifies the all-inclusive hrist as the allotted and loving toward Him (cf. 2 or. 3:3). Furthermore, portion of God s people (see note 7 1 in Deut. He enlivens and renews our spirit with his 8), to dwell on the high mountains (v. 14), divine life (ol. 2:13). As a result, we love the signifying the resurrected and ascended hrist. Lord and desire Him with our renewed heart, 13 2 The streams here signify the life-giving and we can contact Him, receive Him, and Spirit as the living water (John 7:37-39), who contain Him by exercising our renewed spirit. is given to us by God as our spiritual drink ( In His recovery by life God not only gives or. 12:13), and the rich pasture (v. 14) us a new heart and a new spirit (v.26) but also signifies hrist as the feeding place for God s puts His Spirit within us, in our spirit, making people (John 10:9). By means of the Spirit as the two spirits one mingled spirit (Rom. 8:9, the streams, we enjoy hrist as our rich pasture 16) and causing us to be one spirit with Him (1 (Psa. 23:2; cf. Rev. 22:1-2). or. 6:17) In His recovery by life, while the Lord 27 2 God s Spirit within us contains God s feeds us and gives us something to drink, He nature, and God s nature corresponds to God s also gives us rest and heals us (v. 16). law. Because we have God s nature within us 23 1 Referring to hrist, who is the real David (2 Pet. 1:4), we are able to keep His law (Matt. 12:3), the real Shepherd of God s flock spontaneously by walking according to our (Psa. 23; John 10:11; Heb. 13:20) and the King regenerated spirit, which is indwelt by the (v. 24) of God s people (Isa. 9:7; Hosea 3:5; Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:4; Gal. 5:16, 22-23). Micah 5:2; Luke 1:32-33) The Lord promised to increase our number 30 1 God s recovered people have God s with men like a flock, but we need to pray for presence, God is among them, and they are this and ask Him to do it (cf. Luke 10:2). before God (vv ). This portrays the perfect fellowship with God, the fellowship in New Translation of hinese 442 I am oneness, in the mingling of God and man, in Reborn which we are one with God and He is one with us. Living Stream Ministry, 2017, used by permission 12

14 He leadeth me! O blessed thought Experience of hrist Following Him 585 (Tune: H ymns, #585) G 7 /E F Dm 1. Once He lead I eth was me! cap - t ur O ed bless by ed t he thought, foe, Deat O h s words pr is - with on heav n - er, ly en - slaved com fort by fraught; sin; What But 7 /E F e er in com I pas do, - wher sion, e er t en - der I - ly, be, Still God br ought tis hrist s me hand back thatt o /G G 7 horus G F F/A lead hrist eth a - me. gain! () He I lead am eth re - born! me! What He lead won - drous eth me! grace! ByNew His spir own - it hand new He lead heart eth He gave! me; His G /E F faith Spir - ful it in fol - low t o mine s er been I wouldplaced; be, For H is na by - His t ur e hand I may He lead now par eth tme. ake! /E F Am Am /G Am F /G Am F G 7 G 7 G 7 2. Sometimes mid scenes of deepest gloom, Sometimes where Eden s bowers bloom, 2. With water clean He sprinkled me; By waters still, o er troubled sea, From Still tis filth His and hand idols that set leadeth me free. me. Stone heart with heart of flesh replaced; 3. Lord, I would clasp Thy hand in mine, His new creation making me! Nor ever murmur or repine; 3. Yes, ontent, God whatever Himself lot is now I see, my life; His Since nature it is Thou is forever that leadest mine. me. 4. All And His when commands my task on I earth can fulfill, is done, Since When, I by possess Thy grace, His the life vict ry s divine! won, E en death s cold wave I will not flee, 4. He Since is my Thou God in triumph and I am leadest His; me. Our fellowship how near, how dear. He is my blessed portion full; I'll never leave Him, never veer! 5. God s hrist is now my dwelling place; He is my bountiful supply. By eating Him, the bread of life, I am forever satisfied!