LIGHTENED BY HIS GLORY-
Lightened By His Glory is a new single ministry experiment that brings together various ministries pressing together for many needful reasons. We believe it is a great sin to do nothing in the case of an emergency, and we believe that we are living in a time of great emergency. The enemy of souls is seeking to unite all the world into one body, as prophecy signifies: “Babylon the great..is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.” (Rev. 18:2) In that call for unity, he is uniting all who are held captive under his satanic sophistry to keep them from ” the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” (2 Thes. 2:10)
We are seeing that call for unity in every area of society, from the Catholic church, to the evangelicals, to the religious world, and the political realm, all are endeavoring to unite in a common purpose; a common cause; seeking for some commonality which will bind them together, and it is Satan’s purpose to unite them with himself in the place “prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matt. 25:41). Therefore, seeing as he is fitting people for destruction in everlasting fire, we are compelled by the mind of Christ to move toward true unity unto life everlasting. For this cause, the body of Christ is to recognize it’s identity as a member of the body, and what the function is of that member to the rest of the body.
Experimental features of the Lightened By His Glory ministry are:
Ministries coming together to present a united front in present truth.
The several ministries not supposing to direct the body of Christ of themselves, or feel sufficient in themselves, but to feel their sufficiency in Christ so as to have one head, one mind, which is Christ, that no arbitrary supremacy, no schism in the body, should surface amongst the brethren. Forum-based to encourage fellowship, sharing, and coming close to one another in the body of Christ.
In short, it is about unity in the body of Truth, and overcoming division by the Spirit of truth; presenting the opportunity to come close to one another. So we’ll be discussing the drive behind the experiment that is Lightened By His Glory:
The Unity of the Faith
The Purpose of the Body of Christ
The Revelation of the Glory of God
THE UNITY OF THE FAITH
The importance of the unity of the faith cannot be undermined, but it is essential for preparing to stand in the day of God Almighty. Therefore, it will be seen to be the most essential preparation that has ever been, or ever will be given, for man to have. Let every sign in this last hour, every prophetic moment, from that of apostasy, to the advancing movements of the body of Christ, declare the words: “…prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.”
For this cause, unity behooves us. The enemy of souls sees the need of uniting his ranks, and the Babylonish armies are joining hands, seeking harmony amongst themselves, but the Word of Jehovah declares: “Israel doth not know, My people doth not consider.”
Let us consider therefore the need for this thing called unity.
What is unity? And why is there divisions preventing it?
“Unity” comes from the latin word “unam”, which means “one”. In the Greek version of the Bible, the word unity means “oneness.” Therefore to have unity of the faith is to declare that we have “one faith”, just as the Bible teaches in Ephesians 4:4.
Eph 4:4 There is one body…one faith.
If then there is one body, one faith, and we are to have unity. We are admonished to be: “Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Eph. 4:3)
God is the author of peace and unity. He is One, and His only-begotten Son, who He has appointed heir of all things and Lord of all, is one, and the same kind of unity they have is to exist in our body.
Joh 17:22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
Christ is not divided against God, and Christ is not divided against His own body. They are one in purpose, and no division exists between them, but perfect accord in all things. So why then is there divisions in the body of Christ if it is to be one as They are?
1Co 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
Notice that strife=carnal. Therefore strife brings divisions.
The Bible tells us division comes from being carnal, and defines being carnal as divided even against God:
“Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” (Romans 8:7)
1Co 1:13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
It might be better said in this day, “I am of the General Conference,” or “I am of the Davidians,” or “I am of the feast-keeping, antitrinitarians.” Again, I say, is Christ divided? Yet men get themselves up creeds, so that they cannot be edified or benefited by one another; pride shuts the door between brethren, and as a result, many lose precious blessings. Does that mean we fellowship with darkness or deception? It doesn’t, but if we both truly have the Spirit of God, we will come together humbly to consider ourselves and one another’s position in the light of the Bible, letting the weight of evidence have it’s say, and to give every word it’s place. Sadly, in many cases, this is not the order of things.
It bears repeating that the Spirit of God is not in strife, but in peace, and truth. For those who would come forth from the captivity of Babylon (which includes the doctrines of spiritual Babylon, and it’s king, Satan [Is. 14]), the promise is given:
Jer. 33:6 “Behold, I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them, and will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth.”
Therefore, if we peaceably come together, believing that there is “one faith”, and one mind that establishes that faith (the mind of Christ), then we can be certain that the one Word God has given, will bring us all to speak the same thing. This is the purpose of Lightened By His Glory.
Christ is one body, not many bodies endeavoring unity, but many members [parts] and one body that promises unity, because one is single, and cannot be otherwise minded. If Christ has one body, then He is not divided against Himself.
Rom 12:4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
Rom 12:5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
We are told that Christ has many members in this body, each with their own function. As the body works together, we are to be so harmonious in purpose, functioning together for a great divine purpose that only God could accomplish through the Spirit; the only thing that frustrates this work is the carnal man at enmity with God.
What is to be the purpose of the body of Christ?
1Co 12:25 “…there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
1Co 12:26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
1Co 12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.”
Now, body, I ask you. Is there no schisms in your body? Is there no strife or envying amongst you? Do you have the same care for all of your parts? Do you suffer when one is suffering? Do you rejoice when one functions to glorify the cause of the whole? If yes is the answer to these all, and is true in your own experience, the promise is given you: “ye are the body of Christ.” What a unity is to exist amongst our brethren! What a high calling! Therefore it is necessary that we pull together in the Spirit of a meek and lowly mind as never before. This endeavoring for unity calls us each to be a blessing to the body for the purpose of preparing for Christ’s return.
Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Eph 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Eph 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
Eph 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Yet if we all proclaim that we are of Christ, having His Spirit of meekness, peace, and a sound mind, and if we all proclaim the Word of God as our sole rule of faith, our Teacher, Guide, and Instructor in matters of truth, righteousness, and mercy, then why cannot we bear patiently and kindly with one another? If we have assurance that we have the truth, then it will bear the closest scrutiny, and still be firm and unmoveable because it is built upon the rock of God’s immuteable word; more than this, if you have such a firm truth, it will come with the fruits of the Spirit of truth, which is “love, joy, peace” (Gal. 5:21-23).
If wisdom is from heaven, the way a man responds to the investigating eye of the Word of God will reveal the true nature of his disposition, as it is written:
Psa 119:130 “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.”,
Pro. 15:31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.
Pro. 17:10 A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.
Pro 6:23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
Isa 8:20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
So what does the word reveal about the wisdom that a man has?
Jas 3:13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
Jas 3:14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
Jas 3:15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
Jas 3:16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
Jas 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
Jas 3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
Therefore the Scripture declares that we have nothing to lose by close investigation, but all of heaven to gain. Therefore, we are told to be “speaking the truth” in Eph. 4:15, not in strife, which is carnal, but in love, which is spiritual. And love is patient, it is kind, it suffers long with another, it doesn’t envy, strive, boast itself (1 Cor. 13:4-5). That instruction is not merely for those who are little members in the body, but also for big members that are employed by Christ for larger workloads, such as teachers, preachers, prophets, and apostles. The bigger members need the aid of the smaller just as much for their perfection; God has designed the body in just such a way. Therefore, in coming together, pressing toward unity of Spirit and Truth, it is for “perfecting of the saints”; this is for “the edifying of the body of Christ“. This is the purpose of the experiment of Lightened By His Glory. It is to encourage unity amongst all parts of the body, and praise the Lord that we can have one another. We thank God for you all.
Christ’s desire for us, His will, and what is pleasing in His eyes, is to see the fulfillment of His prayer:
Joh 17:11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
Joh 17:23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
This is to make us perfect in one! Truly amazing! And it is this unity that the world will know that we are one! Yet Satan is seeking to counterfeit this most glorious work, by uniting all into his diseased, leprous, malfunctioning body of chaos. Just as their is a counterfeit to the Sabbath, or false health messages, and false Christianity, there is also a false unity, and a counterfeit glory that comes by another spirit that is not the Spirit of truth (see 1 John 4:1).
THE GLORY OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE SON OF GOD
Another important aspect to being made perfect has to do with the glory of God. See Christ’s prayer for unity:
Joh 17:24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
And that is exactly what the Scriptures, at the time when Satan has deceptively united the world into his own body called Babylon, have revealed to us:
Rev 18:1 And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.
How is the earth to be lightened by Christ’s glory that He desires men to behold?
2Co 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
What is His glory?
Exo 33:18 And he (Moses) said, I beseech thee, shew me Thy glory.
Exo 33:19 And He said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.
His glory is the revelation of His goodness, His character. Therefore, we each are to behold His glory, and be transformed by the same Spirit. Therefore, we must know Him, and this is part of that process.
Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
To come to perfection means coming into the knowledge of the Son of God, and into unity of the faith.
2Co 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Therefore, for His glory to be revealed to us, is to give us knowledge of Himself. This is the last revelation to be given to the world:
Isa 40:3 “…Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Isa 40:4 Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:
Isa 40:5 And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it”
Isa 40:9 O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!
Isa 40:10 Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.
Isa 40:11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
The only way that we all can come into the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man is when we pull together. When we are united, then the world will see, and believe that we are in Christ, and Christ is in us; to know Him, to reveal that knowledge of His glory upon our faces as Moses did by beholding Him, that is our life.
Joh 17:2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
Joh 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
2Pe 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
2Pe 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
2Pe 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
We must pull together as never before. When we have His glory, His goodness, being revealed in us, all will benefit from it, and become a revelation of Jesus Christ to the world. Soldiers of Christ arise!
