The Ekklesia Here & Now! Blake L. Higginbotham

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The Ekklesia Here & Now! Blake L. Higginbotham C.A.M.P. Publications 2012 2

The Ekklesia Here & Now! By Blake L. Higginbotham Printed in the United States All rights reserved solely by the author. The author guarantees all contents are original and do not infringe upon the legal rights of any other person or work. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without the permission of the author. The views in this book are those of the publisher. Unless otherwise indicated, Bible quotations are primarily taken from The New American Standard Bible. The proper Biblical Hebrew name of the Father God (Yahweh) and His son Jesus (Yahshua) are used throughout the book. They are also used in scriptural quotations in the place of God and Jesus. Some capitalization is at the author s discretion for the purpose of emphasis. 3

Table of Contents Chapter 1- I Will Build My Ekklesia------------- 4 Chapter 2 The Revelation of Messiah -------- 9 Chapter 3- Called Out & Gathered Together-15 Chapter 4 The Fellowship of the Mystery ---20 Conclusion ---------------------------------------------26 4

Chapter 1 I Will Build My Ekklesia Matthew 16:13-20 Now when Yahshua came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, Who do people say that the Son of Man is? 14 And they said, Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. 15 He said to them, But who do you say that I am? 16 Simon Peter answered, You are the Messiah, the Son of the living Elohim. 17 And Yahshua said to him, Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My Ekklesia and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven. 20 Then He warned the disciples that they should tell no one that He was the Messiah. NASB Ekklesia A called out and gathered together people Note: It speaks of a people who have been called out of the religious systems of this world. They have been gathered together by Holy Spirit for the greater purpose of the Kingdom of Yahweh. They represent the judicial branch and legislative arm of the Kingdom of Yahweh. 5

They have been strategically repositioned and synergistically placed in order to advance the Kingdom of Yahweh. They have been divinely commissioned and empowered to represent Yahshua the Messiah in every area of life and ministry. Hebrews 10:19-25 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Yahshua, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of Yahweh, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, [The Ekklesia]-[What Yahweh is assembling and putting together by His Spirit] as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 12:22-29 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living Elohim, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, 23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to Yahweh the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 to Yahshua the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel. 25 See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. 6

For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, 26 whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven. 27 Now this, Yet once more, indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve Yahweh acceptably with reverence and godly fear. 29 For our Elohim is a consuming fire. I have been asking some hard questions concerning the issues that we are facing in the modern-day Ekklesia. The following represents some possible answers. Note: These observations do not represent a comprehensive approach to the problems that we continue to experience; but they are some thoughts that we need to consider. Questions: I. What did the first-century Ekklesia have that we don t have? 1. They had eye witness accounts of the death, burial and resurrection of Yahshua the Messiah. 2. They had divine empowerment through the revelation of Messiah and Holy Spirit Baptism. 7

3. They had a better spiritual and practical understanding of the Kingdom of Yahweh. 4. They had the first-hand, personal testimonies of the Apostles of the Lamb. (Living Witnesses) 5. They had one another and the strength of the corporate expression. They had community and family that sincerely loved and cared for one another. Note: They understood and embraced the City Ekklesia concept. They were the Apostolic/Kingdom Ekklesia of their time. A. What didn t they have? 6. They didn t have a book (The Scripture, Holy Bible, The Word, Etc.) 7. They didn t have nice, cushy places in which to assemble. (Church Buildings and Other Facilities) 8. They didn t have celebrity preachers and kingpin ministries with whom to contend. 9. They didn t have books, CDs & Christian television upon which to stand and depend. 10. They didn t have as many walls, barriers and territorial boundaries in which to overcome. 11. They didn t have a tolerant government or system in which to live and thrive. Note: The government and system of that time, was hostile to their operation and very existence. 8

II. What do we have that the first-century Ekklesia didn t have? 1. We have a Book. (The Scripture, Holy Bible, The Word Etc.)-(Multiple Translations with Commentaries) 2. We have nice, cushy places in which to assemble. (One on every street corner in every major city) 3. We have celebrity preachers and king-pin ministries with whom to contend. 4. We have books, CDs & Christian television upon which to stand and depend. 5. We have numerous walls, barriers and territorial boundaries in which to overcome. 6. We have a government and system that is tolerant of our operation and very existence. Note: The above statements of fact should not be used to summarily condemn all of these practices; but they do represent some things we need to consider as we move from a popular, acceptable way of thinking, to a new way of seeing and processing the revelation of Messiah. 9

Chapter 2 The Revelation of Messiah Matthew 16:13-20 Now when Yahshua came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, Who do people say that the Son of Man is? 14 And they said, Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. 15 He said to them, But who do you say that I am? 16 Simon Peter answered, You are the Messiah, the Son of the living Elohim. 17 And Yahshua said to him, Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock [the revelation of Messiah by the Spirit] I will build My Ekklesia and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven. 20 Then He warned the disciples that they should tell no one that He was the Messiah. NASB Ekklesia- A called out and gathered together people Note; It speaks of a people who have been called out of the religious systems of this world. They have been gathered together by Holy Spirit for the greater purpose of the Kingdom of Yahweh. They represent the judicial branch and legislative arm of the Kingdom of Yahweh. 10

They have been strategically repositioned and synergistically placed in order to advance the Kingdom of Yahweh. They have been divinely commissioned and empowered to represent Yahshua the Messiah in every area of life and ministry. Ephesians 4:1-10 Therefore I, the prisoner of Yahshua, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is ONE BODY and ONE SPIRIT, just as also you were called in ONE HOPE of your calling; 5 ONE SOVEREIGN, ONE FAITH, ONE BAPTISM, 6 ONE ELOHIM and FATHER of all who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Messiah s gift. 8 Therefore it says, When He ascended on high, He led captive a host of captives, and He gave gifts to men. 9 (Now this expression, He ascended, what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.) NASB In light of all this, here s what I want you to do. While I m locked up here, a prisoner for the Master, I want you to get out there and walk better yet, run! on the road God called you to travel. I don t want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don t want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. 11

2 And mark that you do this with humility and discipline not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, 3 alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences. 4 You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. 5 You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness. 7 But that doesn t mean you should all look and speak and act the same. TMSG I, therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, accepting one another in love, 3 diligently keeping the unity of the Spirit with the peace that binds us. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope at your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all. 7 Now grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of the Christ s gift. HCSB Challenge & Charge: We need to ask ourselves some gut-wrenching questions about what we really believe to be true concerning this passage of scripture. As long as we are content to function and operate divided by boundaries and separated by the walls of religion, we will never fully realize oneness of purpose in Him. 12

As long as we allow a spirit of pride and competition to rule our hearts and minds, we will never be able to fully comprehend the value and worth of the gifts that He has given. If we are truly ONE BODY, then why are we still saying MY, YOUR or THIER ministry? If we are ONE SPIRIT, then why do we withdraw our hearts from one another and separate over nothing at all? If we are called in ONE HOPE of our calling then why do we go here and there trying to gain acceptance and fulfillment in everything but Him? If we are of ONE FAITH, ONE SOVEREIGN and ONE BAPTISM, then why are we not walking together in agreement, being further empowered to change the world in which we live? Why, When & How long will it take for us to repent, change and make this right? Note: This is a Second Chapter of Acts moment for the Ekklesia, and we have an opportunity to make some things right in our lifetime! Prayer & Declaration: Father, we ask you to grant us the grace to repent and change today. We ask you root up and pull down all the idols of our hearts that do not honor and glorify Your name. Father, change in us the things that we are either unwilling or unable to change, and help us find ourselves in You. Father, forgive us for falling short of Your glory and for being dull of hearing, hard hearted and stubborn, as it pertains to Your greater Kingdom purpose. Father, we ask you to save us from our own demise, and deliver us from the clutches of evil. Father, cleanse us, purge us and make us whole. 13

Thank you for another chance to make things right as we fully surrender to Your will and by Your loving embrace finally come together. So it is! Ephesians 4:8-10 Therefore it says, When He ascended on high, He led captive a host of captives, and He gave gifts to men. 9 (Now this expression, He ascended, what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.) NASB Note: Yahshua is the Door. He is the only way in or out. Yahshua is the way, the truth and the life, and no man comes unto the Father; but by Him. The way up is down and we must lower ourselves and become of no reputation, in order to see the worth and experience the value of the gifts that have been given. Until the walls of religion that divide and separate us from one another are removed from our hearts, minds and vocabulary, we will not be able to receive or experience the full benefit of the gifts that have been given. Ephesians 4:11-16 Note: There is a sound emanating forth from the Father s heart, and the true sons are being drawn to it. The closer we get to the sound, the more it becomes a voice, and the more we hear His voice, the more it becomes a word. If you can hear it, the word that is proceeding out of His mouth in this hour will reconfigure all of us to His will and purpose. 14

John 14:1-4 Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in Yahweh, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father s house are many (Dwelling Places)-(Abodes)-(Habitats); if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And where I go you know, and the way you know. Note: The house the Yahshua is building is already built in the Father s heart. It behooves all of us to find ourselves at home in Him, and then we will truly know the way. Brethren, think on these things! 15

Chapter 3 Called Out & Gathering Together Question 1: How did we move from the authentic, organic expression of the first century Ekklesia to the institutional /organizational modern-day church model? Ekklesia A called out and gathered together people Note: It speaks of a people who have been called out of the religious systems of this world. They have been gathered together by Holy Spirit for the greater purpose of the Kingdom of Yahweh. They represent the judicial branch and legislative arm of the Kingdom of Yahweh. They have been strategically repositioned and synergistically placed in order to advance the Kingdom of Yahweh. They have been divinely commissioned and empowered to represent Yahshua the Messiah in every area of life and ministry. I have been asking some hard questions concerning the issues that we are facing in the modern-day Ekklesia. The following represents some possible answers. These observations do not represent a comprehensive approach to the problems that we continue to experience; but they are some thoughts that we need to consider. Questions: I. What did the first-century Ekklesia have that we don t have? 16

1. They had eye witness accounts of the death, burial and resurrection of Yahshua the Messiah. 2. They had divine empowerment through the revelation of Messiah and Holy Spirit Baptism. 3. They had a better spiritual and practical understanding of the Kingdom of Yahweh. 4. They had the first-hand, personal testimonies of the Apostles of the Lamb. (Living Witnesses) 5. They had one another and the strength of the corporate expression. They had community and family that sincerely loved and cared for one another. Note: They understood and embraced the City Ekklesia concept. They were the Apostolic/Kingdom Ekklesia of their time. A. What didn t they have? 6. They didn t have a book (The Scripture, Holy Bible, The Word, Etc.) 7. They didn t have nice, cushy places in which to assemble. (Church Buildings and Other Facilities) 8. They didn t have celebrity preachers and kingpin ministries with whom to contend. 9. They didn t have books, CDs & Christian television upon which to stand and depend. 10. They didn t have as many walls, barriers and territorial boundaries in which to overcome. 17

11. They didn t have a tolerant government or system in which to live and thrive. (The government and system of that time, was hostile to their operation and very existence) II. What do we have that the first-century Ekklesia didn t have? 7. We have a Book. (The Scripture, Holy Bible, The Word Etc.)-(Multiple Translations with Commentaries) 8. We have nice, cushy places in which to assemble. (One on every street corner in every major city) 9. We have celebrity preachers and king-pin ministries with whom to contend. 10. We have books, CDs & Christian television upon which to stand and depend. 11. We have numerous walls, barriers and territorial boundaries in which to overcome. 12. We have a government and system that is tolerant of our operation and very existence. Note: The above statements of fact should not be used to summarily condemn all of these practices; but they do represent some things we need to consider as we move from a popular, acceptable way of thinking to a new way of seeing and processing the revelation of Messiah. 18

I recently arrived at some soft conclusions concerning two things that may have contributed to the deterioration of the integrity of the Ekklesia over the centuries and they are not intended to represent the only contributing factors; but rather represent issues that are still detracting from our common wealth and purpose in Him. Most of the ministry and teaching in the first century Ekklesia revolved around the apostles of the lamb and what they lived and taught. They had great influence among the people; but something was lost between the interpretation and impartation of their hearts that resulted in an insecure foundation and unstable structure that was not sustainable throughout the centuries. What we have become today is a mixture of mingled seed or contaminated strain. It is my premise that the only way we can hope to regain the ground that has been lost to the Ekklesia in our lifetime is to move beyond revelation of the scripture into the realization of the truth. We must continue to hear and obey the voice of the Spirit for ourselves and not lean too heavily on the staff and authority of the word spoken to our forefathers and predecessors. We must receive the impartation of the heart of the Father of our fathers and begin to speak from that heart to an all but lost and fatherless generation. 19

Chapter 4 The Fellowship of the Mystery Question 2: What was lost between the interpretation and the impartation of the Father s heart through the apostles and prophets of the lamb? In order to make something right, you need to know what went wrong. blh I realize that this is a hard question and it will be difficult to explore all of the possible answers with any sense and clarity. However, it is my hope that this study will help all of us answer some of the questions that we have had for a very long time. Romans 16:25-27 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Yahshua Messiah, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began 26 but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting Elohim, for obedience to the faith 27 to Yahweh, alone wise, be glory through Yahshua Messiah forever. So it is! NKJV [but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith; to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen.] NASB Paul speaks of the revelation of the mystery which was hidden to previous generations until it was revealed to him and others for the purpose of proclaiming it to the nations. 20

The gospel that he preached came to him by revelation knowledge; but was concealed in the law and the prophets until by the Spirit, he received understanding, and it was by the wisdom of understanding that many would come to a saving knowledge of the truth. The revelation of the mystery to which Paul was referring in the above Scripture, speaks of the gospel that he preached to the people of Rome. That message was salvation by grace and a better understanding of the finished work of Yahshua on the impaling post. His message was different that any message that had ever been preached before and nobody else could have preached it any better. It was also about knowing who you are in Yahshua and growing up in the grace and knowledge of the truth. Note: Part of the answer to the question being asked in this book is the mystery of the revelation of Messiah and the wisdom of understanding that comes to us by living and walking in the Spirit. Part of what was lost between the interpretation and impartation of the Father s heart has to do with the way the gospel was heard and received, and the degree to which the hearer was being transformed. What I have discovered over the years is, salvation cannot be fully realized apart from a real life transformation and a true conversion includes being baptized in and empowered by Holy Spirit. I have also come to realize that Messiah cannot be fully formed in a new convert without discipleship. While there is a shared responsibility in the process, it is the responsibility of elders and leaders to train and equip the saints for the real works of service. 21

Ephesians 4: 11-13 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Messiah, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of Yahweh, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Messiah; One thing that the apostles of the lamb had going for them was they personally walked and talked with Yahshua and their personal testimony was based on the reality that they had been with Him. They had eye-witness accounts and hands-on ministry that represented irrefutable evidence that demands a verdict. My question to you is do you have a story? If so, share it with those who are ready to hear it. Share it in a way that speaks of the life that you have come to know in Him. By all means, just share it. 1 Corinthians 2:1-16 And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of Yahweh. 2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Yahshua Messiah and Him crucified. 3 I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of Yahweh. 6 However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 But we speak the wisdom of Yahweh in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which Yahweh ordained before the ages for our glory, 8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Sovereign of glory. 22

9 But as it is written: Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which Yahweh has prepared for those who love Him. 10 But Yahweh has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, and the deep things of Yahweh. 11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of Yahweh except the Spirit of Yahweh. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from Yahweh, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by Yahweh. 13 These things we also speak, not in words which man s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of Yahweh, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. 16 For who has known the mind of Yahweh that he may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Messiah. It is important to note that the only way that we can understand the revelation of the mystery is to know Him personally, and by the operation and working of Holy Spirit come to know who we are in Him. Spiritual revelation and understanding does not come to us through the excellence of speech or the persuasive words of human wisdom; but the sons of Yahweh come into spiritual understanding by way of Holy Spirit communication. Mature disciples have their senses trained to discern the difference between good and evil and they have developed the ability to hear the voice of the Spirit. Deep is calling to deep, and in order to see and hear the things that He has prepared for us we need to be able to communicate with Him spirit to Spirit. 23

Ephesians 1:7-14 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, 9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, 10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Messiah, both which are in heaven and which are on earth in Him. 11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, 12 that we who first trusted in Messiah should be to the praise of His glory. 13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. Every son in every generation is responsible to catch the Heart and Spirit of the Father in their lifetime. blh Ephesians 3:1-12 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Messiah Yahshua for you Gentiles 2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of Yahweh which was given to me for you, 3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Messiah), 5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: 24

6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Messiah through the gospel, 7 of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of Messiah given to me by the effective working of His power. 8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Messiah, 9 and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in Messiah who created all things through Yahshua Messiah; 10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of Messiah might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, 11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Messiah Yahshua our Sovereign, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. 13 Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. The above passage of scripture contains the key ingredient that we need to impart to the next generation, because it has been all but lost to the Ekklesia in our lifetime. Many who once embrace the fellowship of the mystery have grown weary in well doing or become disillusioned in the work. It is my prayer that the reality of the fellowship of the mystery will be restored to all of us in the time we have remaining; but for some it is already too late. It is my opinion that much has been lost between the interpretation and the impartation of the Father s heart because of doctrinal division that is primarily established in wrong theology, and the glaring reality that many who have had some level of spiritual encounter; but have not really tasted of the heavenly gift, or the age to come. 25

It saddens me to think that much of our lives has been wasted coming to this low point in history; but I am encouraged by what I am seeing and hearing and it is my desire to be empowered once again to carry the greatest story ever told to this lost and dying generation. I am convinced that the fellowship of the mystery and the manifold wisdom of Messiah must be restored to the Ekklesia in order to fulfill Yahweh s practical will and purpose for our lives, and thereby advance the Kingdom through a transgenerational impartation. There is therefore NOW no condemnation to those who are in Messiah Yahshua, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For as many as are led by the Spirit of Yahweh, these are sons of Yahweh. Every son in every generation must catch the heart and Spirit of the Father in their lifetime blh Note: It may come to us through those who represent the Father; but in the end, it has to become the reality by which we live, move and have our being. 26

CONCLUSION In order to make something right, you need to know what went wrong. blh I have concluded that the only way we are going to turn this great ship of Zion back on course in our lifetimes is by making the turn in our heart s concerning the Ekklesia and Regional Work. We must make a concerted effort to change and represent a new way of functioning and operating together. We must do it TODAY! We must be willing to contend for it TOMORROW! We must continue to walk it out and live it for the rest of our lives. I do not see much changing about what we are presently doing until such time we are willing to embrace the revelation of Messiah and the fellowship of the Mystery. Ekklesia A called out and gathered together people It speaks of a people who have been called out of the religious systems of this world. They have been gathered together by Holy Spirit for the greater purpose of the Kingdom of Yahweh. They represent the judicial branch and legislative arm of the Kingdom of Yahweh. They have been strategically repositioned and synergistically placed in order to advance the Kingdom of Yahweh. They have been divinely commissioned and empowered to represent Yahshua the Messiah in every area of life and ministry. 27

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