The Daily Word of Righteousness

One in Christ in God, #60

Jesus answered and said to him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. (John 14:23)

It is our understanding that the "Tabernacles" experience of the dwelling of the Father and the Son in the saints will take place before the resurrection of the dead, before the change in the mortal body, and that such indwelling will enable the saints—God's remnant—to be more than equal to anything Satan is able to bring forth on the earth during the last days.

We can find the concept of the inner Presence of Christ in the writings of the Prophets of Israel. In Joel 2:31 we have a statement concerning turning the sun into darkness and the moon into blood—two events that we know will occur just before the return of Christ in the clouds of glory.

But look what else will be true during those darkest of days!

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call. (Joel 2:32)

In the darkest hour of earth's history, just before the return of Christ, there will be power in Zion—the Body of Christ—to deliver "whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord."

Again, in chapter three of Joel:

The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining. The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the Lord will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel. (Joel 3:15,16)

At the moment of what appears to be the greatest defeat for the Kingdom of God, the Lord will take His place in the Church and roar defiantly against the enemy. Instead of weakness in that hour there will be the hope and strength of the Lord that will make each believer a Divine source of power, bringing victory over the worst evil the enemy can achieve.

It is our point of view that the preparation for the entrance of the fullness of Christ into His Church has begun already, while in the world sin is descending to foul depths. Because of the Holy Spirit's work in us we are learning to confess our sins, opening the doors of our heart so the Lord Jesus can enter us to a greater degree.

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: (Malachi 3:1,2)

The temple of the Lord is the Body of Christ. As we lift up the everlasting doors of our heart the Lord of Armies enters, ready to do battle against His enemies. Therefore, we must confess our sins and repent so Christ can obtain victory and settle down to rest in us. We are His inheritance, His land of promise.

To be continued.