The Daily Word of Righteousness

The Manifestation of Christ, #5

Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness. (Malachi 3:1-3)

God desires living stones for His eternal Temple. Christ is ready to come and Personally supervise the cutting and perfecting of each stone. The initial perfecting of the House of God, the Wife of the Lamb, will take place before the Lord Jesus appears in the clouds of glory, as we understand the schedule of events.

The first part of the feast of Tabernacles is the memorial of blowing of Trumpets, which signifies the personal coming of the King of Glory to us to prepare us for the entrance of the Father and the Son.

The second part of the feast of Tabernacles is the Day of Atonement (Day of Reconciliation). This is the baptism with fire spoken of by Malachi (3:1-3); John the Baptist (Matthew 3:11); the writer of the Book of Hebrews (12:6); the Apostle Peter (I Peter 4:12); and the Apostle John (Revelation 3:19).

Notice the similar expressions in John 14:3 and Hebrews 12:6:

... I will come again, and receive you unto myself;.... (John 14:3)

... and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. (Hebrews 12:6)

"Receive you unto myself"; "every son whom he receiveth."

King Jesus "enters through the gates of Jerusalem," so to speak, and then strides into the "temple" of our personality. The Lord comes to us as our adversary. He is at war with most of our personality because our personality is lustful and rebellious. God sends tribulation to us in order to separate us from our sins and self-love. What are we to do? We are to "be zealous therefore, and repent" (Revelation 3:19).

We must learn to keep our spirit pure, especially when we are passing through the "Day of Reconciliation." Numerous believers fail to profit from the Lord's chastening. They become bitter against circumstances, people, and sometimes against God Himself.

Who gave Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to the robbers? did not the LORD, he against whom we have sinned? for they would not walk in his ways, neither were they obedient unto his law. Therefore he hath poured upon him the fury of his anger, and the strength of battle: and it hath set him on fire round about, yet he knew not; and it burned him, yet he laid it not to heart. (Isaiah 42:24,25)

They cannot understand why they are confused and frustrated continually. They think it is Satan hindering the work of God, when the truth often is that it is God using messengers of Satan to slow the believers down and turn them to Himself. Satan is seeking to harm them but God uses the evil for a good purpose when the Christians respond correctly.

To be continued.