It's up to us!

Worshiped with Church in The Now online this morning. It was a good service and message. Jon Scott sang a very good song I think was his own "Love is not a thing, love is a verb" very moving, love it, I felt strong moving of the Holy Spirit as the group did the song.

The message was on the text of Isaiah Chapter 11 and Acts 3:21.

Acts 3:21 (NKJV)

whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.

Isaiah 11:1–9 (NKJV)

11 There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse,
And a Branch shall grow out of his roots.
2 The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him,
The Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
The Spirit of counsel and might,
The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.

3 His delight is in the fear of the LORD,
And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes,
Nor decide by the hearing of His ears;
4 But with righteousness He shall judge the poor,
And decide with equity for the meek of the earth;
He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth,
And with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked.
5 Righteousness shall be the belt of His loins,
And faithfulness the belt of His waist.

6 “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb,
The leopard shall lie down with the young goat,
The calf and the young lion and the fatling together;
And a little child shall lead them.
7 The cow and the bear shall graze;
Their young ones shall lie down together;
And the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
8 The nursing child shall play by the cobra’s hole,
And the weaned child shall put his hand in the viper’s den.
9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain,
For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD
As the waters cover the sea.

Bishop was speaking on reconciliation or the reconciliation of all things and how he and most, even now do not see this but think of salvation as a personal thing in the future mainly. I suppose it is personal in one aspect but this is not the *Big Picture* God has in mind for the work of Christ. I even believed this at one time. We can see more and more as we study this message that it has always been God's intention to reconcile creation to himself and His Kingdom eventually as in these verses in Isaiah 11:1-9 and as is stated in Acts 3:21, Eph 1:9-12, Col 1:20, 2 Co 5:18-20 and others even in the book of Revelation.The bible speaks of this happening to the whole world not just individuals. This lead into how we need the Holy Spirit which Jesus said He would send after He went away so that we could, believe it or not, do even greater things than he had! Amazing! Bishop mentioned how the name of the Holy Spirit is the PARAKLĒTOS (3875) literally, called to one’s side, i.e., to one’s aid, is primarily a verbal adjective, and suggests the capability or adaptability for giving aid - a helper, advocate, comforter. we should take note that the meaning is "one called" to ones side. therefore it stands to reason he is there, but waiting for our call for help. This in turn leads to the realization that we need to ask the Holy Spirit for help and accompaniment every day and in all we do. This was an eye opener for me even although it is so simple. It seems it is the simplest things I miss most often straining to see the deeper things. He went on to explain how that if we applied these things to our daily lives it could literally change the world into the utopian that the book of Isaiah speaks of, and bring about the reconciliation of all things. Bishop Swilley also mentioned something called "THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT" and how that relates to this. I need to look this up on the internet and see what he was talking about.

"Holy Spirit, I ask you now to invade my life with your presence and power. Fill me now, mind, body, spirit and soul with Yourself. May I become The Christ in my world to bring about the reconciliation of all things in my realm of influence. Heal me, enlighten me, give me revelation, wisdom, power, comfort, grace, favor, and guidance in all my ways and life. May it be obvious to all those with whom I have to do. Not to build me up or put me on a pedestal or make much of me; but to glorify YOU in the world bringing Glory to The Father and The Son. May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to You; effecting Good to all those around me and those who hear and see me. In The Mighty Name above all names - Jesus Christ, I pray, Amen!"

Amazingly, just now, after praying this prayer; for the first time, I can now see clearly why it says in Acts 3:21 that "Jesus must remain in heaven" - until.. the reconciliation of all things as is foretold in Isaiah and other prophets - because God sent the Holy Spirit of Christ to us for *US* to accomplish this wonderful work in us and by us; as Jesus said "I must go away so the Spirit can come to take my place, ( John 14:26 )( John 16:7 ) so then you will do even greater things than I" ( John 14:12 ) This is speaking of US FINISHING WHAT HE STARTED TO DO! I have always been quite bewildered by the words of Acts 3:21 asking myself "why does it say that Jesus must stay in heaven until then…" It has all become so clear to me now. Thank God for Bishop Jim Swilley and his teaching; what a blessing and enlightenment this morning! I have a whole new perspective now on these things; Praise God!

Acts 3:21 (NKJV)

whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.

Ephesians 1:9–12 (NKJV)

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 Christ, 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 Christ should be to the praise of His glory.

Colossians 1:20 (NKJV)

and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.

2 Corinthians 5:18–20 (NKJV)

18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.

John 14:26 (CEV)

But the Holy Spirit will come and help you, because the Father will send the Spirit to take my place. The Spirit will teach you everything and will remind you of what I said while I was with you.

John 16:7 (CEV)

But I tell you that I am going to do what is best for you. That is why I am going away. The Holy Spirit cannot come to help you until I leave. But after I am gone, I will send the Spirit to you.

John 14:12 (GW)

“I can guarantee this truth: Those who believe in me will do the things that I am doing. THEY WILL DO EVEN GREATER THINGS because I am going to the Father."

Hallelujah!!!

Pastor Dennis DDC

Every Knee Shall Bow!

Romans 14:11 (GW)
Scripture says,
“As certainly as I live, says the Lord,
everyone will worship me
and everyone will praise God.”

”"As Certainly as I Live…"That's pretty Certain! How many does "Everyone" leave out?

By the way, this is stated here in Romans quoting Is 45:22-24; also in Ps 72:11; Phl 2:10-11; and Rev 5:13 No less than FIVE TIMES maybe more... I think God was trying to get a point across dont you? If the scripture says something once it is very important if it is repeated they say this is double confirmation and if three times it is imperative that you know this. I guess five times blows it through the roof lighting up the heavens with fireworks with a message intended for ALL TO SEE!!! HALLELUJAH!!!

The word "Bow" is interesting since the word "Shall" is not actually in the text. "Bow" in the original κάμπτω (G2578, LN 53.61) is a verb, future, active, indicative, Third person, Singular.
Verb = Action

Future = The verb tense where the writer portrays an action or state of being that will occur in the future

Active = The grammatical voice that signifies that the subject is performing the verbal action or is in the state described by the verb

Indicative = The mood in which the action of the verb or the state of being it describes is presented by the writer as real. It is the mood of assertion, where the writer portrays something as actual (as opposed to possible or contingent on intention)

Third Person = In grammar, ‘person’ refers to the feature of verbs or pronouns that helps us distinguish “grammatical actors” in spoken or written communication. The “first person” points to the speaker or performer (“I”); the “second person” points to the person being addressed (“you”); and the “third person” refers to the person being spoken about (“he,” “they”).

singular — Refers to one person or thing. In grammar, the feature of a word that informs whether one (singular) or more (plural) persons or things are referred to or performing an action

Now then, considering the morphology of this word it is quite clear the author intended what the text says THEY WILL! not if's and's or but's THEY ALL WILL! GIVE PRAISE! Not pleading not to be thrown into Hell Fire, but, PRAISE for their Salvation at that time!

Isaiah 45:22–24 (GW)

²² Turn to me and be saved, all who live at the ends of the earth,

because I am God, and there is no other.

²³ I have bound myself with an oath.

A word has gone out from my righteous mouth that will not be recalled,

“Every knee will bow to me

and every tongue will swear ⌊allegiance⌋.”

²⁴ It will be said of me,

“Certainly, righteousness and strength are found in the Lord alone.”

All who are angry with him will come to him and be ashamed.  

Psalm 72:11 (NKJV)

Yes, all kings shall fall down before Him;
All nations shall serve Him.

Philippians 2:10–11 (NASB95)

10 so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  

Revelation 5:13–14 (NKJV)

¹³ And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying:

“Blessing and honor and glory and power

Be to Him who sits on the throne,

And to the Lamb, forever and ever!”

¹⁴ Then the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever.  

AND AMEN! DDC.

What More is Needed?

What could anyone add to this?

What more could God do to prove His Love? To ask for more is absurd! Jesus is the Savior of the World, He accomplished his mission, don’t ever think He didn’t. Any other doctrine is legalistic prideful thinking and belief and trust in self not Jesus Christ and is a mockery of his death and resurrection.