WAKE UP! TAKE YOUR POSITION

 TEXT: JUDGES 4: 1-9

Judges portrays Christ as Deliverer and Judge

The Book of Judges, a period marked by cyclical oppression and deliverance in Israel’s history. The Israelites repeatedly turned away from God, faced oppression by enemy nations, cried out for deliverance, and were rescued by judges appointed by God.

Our text serves as a reminder to us that we may encounter situations where we feel we have God’s support, yet we still face obstacles in our lives that shines a light on our humanity and limitations. It’s natural to have moments of doubt and fear when confronted with life challenges. He told believers to call on Him in times of trouble; I will deliver you (Psalm 50:15).

Just like Judah, we might find ourselves in a situation where no matter how hard we try, some battles seem beyond our reach. Yet, through those moments, we are still called to faith and perseverance. We are reminded that trusting in God means relying on Him, even when circumstances do not favour us.

The Bible emphasizes that we are called to be used by God, serving not just for ourselves but for a greater purpose.  Deborah and Barak are a narrative of faith, courage, and collaboration. It shows how Deborah’s wisdom and faith, combined with Barak’s leadership, demonstrate the power of working together to achieve God’s purpose.

Their legacy encourages us to rely on divine guidance, respect one another’s gifts, and step boldly into the roles we are called to play. I want to share three takeaways in this message; (1) The importance of collaboration, (2) Have faith in God’s plan, and (3) God’s unwavering presence.

Judges chapter 4 opens with refrain: Vs 1: "Again the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD.”  The book cycles through sin, servitude, supplication, and silence.   When Ehud was dead (or after Ehud died), the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD.

This moment marks a significant transition in the written account. Ehud was the third judge God appointed to rescue the Israelites from their foreign enemy. He brought 80 years of peace to Israel after personally assassinating Eglon, the King of Moab.

Once Ehud was dead, the Israelites again did evil in the sight of the LORD. This meant the end of a period of peace and the beginning of a new period of disobedience and oppression for Israel.

Judges 4:2, So the LORD sold them (Israel) into the hand of Jabin, king of Canaan.

Jabin was given divine permission for oppression for covenant faithfulness on God’s part. See! Israel broke the stipulations: God kept His word regarding disciplinary consequences. From Sinai onward God bound Israel to a covenant that included explicit sanctions: “If you do not obey the LORD your God…those who hate you shall rule over you.” (Leviticus 26: 14-17).

 The challenges that Judah faced were not isolated incidents but part of an ongoing narrative involving a lack of faith, and the consequences of not fully trusting God. You’ve heard that old cliché’ – “when the cat’s away, the mouse will play.”

When those judges died, Israel returned to worshipping idols, and this vicious cycle of idolatry – bondage – deliverance repeated itself for 430 years through fifteen judges, who varied in their faithfulness to God.

Judges 4:3, the children of Israel cried out to the LORD, for Jabin had nine hundred chariots of iron, and he cruelly oppressed them for twenty years. The chariots were a military threat which represented the super- weapon, made of iron or wood and was the most feared and powerful weapons of the day.

Israel was not powerful enough to defeat such an invincible army therefore, Jabin and Sisera, commander and force of the army, had no problem oppressing Israel. The iron chariots made them feel helpless believing they were unable to defeat the Canaanites on their own, their technology didn’t match this cutting-edge military power.

After twenty years of unbearable circumstances, Israel literally, repented by crying out to the LORD for help. But when the Israelites cried out to the LORD, He raised up judges to rescue them. Crying out to the LORD is a reminder of the importance of repentance and reliance on God in times of trouble. It encourages believers to turn to God in prayer, trusting in His power to deliver and restore. How many know, God is faithful in responding to cries of His people.

 But God should be the first place to turn when we are facing struggles or dilemmas. The Israelites chose to go their own way and got into a mess. We often do the same trying to control our own lives without God’s help that only lead to struggles and confusion.

On the other hand, when we stay into daily contact with God, we are less likely to create painful circumstances for ourselves. This is a lesson the Israelites never fully learned. When struggles come our way God want us to come to Him first seeking His strength and guidance.

The tribe of Judah had already decided years ago that the Canaanites were an impossible foe. Judges 1:19 signifies the shift from total victory under Joshua to partial obedience and lack of faith among the tribes of Israel. Although, God was with Judah and they took possession of the hill country, they failed to drive out the inhabitants of the plains because they had “iron chariots.”

God’s presence is crucial for victory, but human efforts alone are not sufficient to overcome all obstacles. Our reliance on God’s strength and faithfulness is not optional. When Israel allowed the inhabitants to remain in Canaan it became a source of temptation and disaster for Israel. Thereby, setting the stage for the cycle of sin and disobedience in the Book of Judges. 

So many times, in Scripture God shows up when His people cry out for help. He has left on record, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” In this case, Israel was paralyzed by fear of Sisera, who boasted 900 iron chariots. Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you” declares the LORD. So, God raised up a Judge to rescue His people.

First – HAVE FAITH IN GOD’S PLAN

So, God rose up an unlikely judge, a woman name Deborah. An Old Testament wife, prophet, and judge in Israel’s history after Moses. Her prophetic ministry took place in the land of Israel. She established the prophetic order in Israel.

The ancient Hebrew culture was deeply sexist. This society’s misogyny continues to bleed through the biblical text even down into today. It’s obvious that each of the sixty-six books that comprise the canon (Bible) was written by men for men.

The role of the woman in this culture was relegated to maintaining the household, which included, bearing, naming and raising children, managing the family resources; preparing meals; cleaning house; applying medicinal therapies to sick family members, and in many ways catering to the needs of the man.

Many of the social, political and especially religious institutions excluded women. For example, women had to perform their morning rituals significantly farther away from Yahweh’s temple proper than the men.

In Ezekiel 8:14, women pray by the temple’s northern gate, while men participate in the service in the temple’s inner court between the temple’s front porch and its courtyard altar.

The Leviticus purity laws restricted women’s access to the temple during their menses and postpartum discharges. In the biblical world, the woman’s social value was determined by the men in her life whether it was her father, husband, son or male relative. It was, therefore, important for women to be married and even more so to give birth to sons (Williams). Thank God for Jesus!

Here, Deborah has risen to the heights of leadership, the fourth - first - only female judge in the ancient Hebrew community, which is worthy of special attention. We all know that women face unique, extraordinary challenges in leadership in male-dominant industries. Romans 8:31 “If God is for us, who can be against us” meaning, Deborah had the ultimate backing of the Almighty God, making them victorious over any adversities they may face.

Judges 4:4 says, she was a prophetess and was judging in Israel at the time the Israelites endured Canaanites oppression under the rule of Jabin. During this period, she executed her role as “judge”. The term “judge” doesn’t mean someone who sits in a court and decides legal issues; the Hebrew word “shaphat” means more the idea of heroic leader.

The Hebrew word “Shophetim” is derived from a word meaning - to put right, and so to rule, and this is exactly what these judges did (Morgan). These national deliverers were not elected, and they didn’t come to leadership through royal succession. They were specially gifted by God for leadership in their times and the people of God recognized and respected that gifting.

The Israelites had great obstacles. They were surrounded by people who lived in the most terrible immorality and idolatry, making a constant temptation to the same sins. Thy were focused mainly on three things: money, sex, and having a relationship with God on “my” terms instead of “God’s” terms.

So, the book of Judges shows a time of sometimes confusing, difficult, and dark times after the death of Joshua. There was no standing office of national leadership, had no king, no president, and no prime minister on earth. – only God. Yet at the necessary and appropriate times God brought forth a leader for the nation and these leaders would rise and do His /her job as assigned and evaporate when done. This required the people to maintain a real abiding trust and faith in God.

Hebrews 11:6 Without faith it is impossible to please God. It’s a fundamental, essential requirement to have a relationship with HIM.

Psalm 20:7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses (all forms human/self -reliance), but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. Our security is in God’s name rather than our own strength, wealth, and intellect.

Judges 4:5: Deborah was awakened to the call of God in her life. She executed her role as judge by holding court. Her courtroom was located under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah in the mountain of Ephraim.

She chose to seat herself under a date palm tree when her nation was busy in the chaotic worship of idols - she sat.

With the strong arm of Canaanite oppression destroying her people - she sat.

As people came to her, crying in their pain - she sat - joining her people as they “cried out to the LORD for help” (Judges 4:3).

She was neither complacent nor indifferent. She rested in the security of her calling, anointing, and gifts. Deborah knew her place and knew her God.

She sat between Ramah, meaning “hill or height” and Bethel meaning “house of God”:

It would have been easy for her to push toward Ramah for status, promotion, and position. She did not!

It would have been easy for to escape from the pressures and ugliness of her imposing culture in Bethel, secluded in God’s presence. She would not!

She chose the place between self-promotion and self-protection. She was a remarkable woman, a rarity in her time. Unlike other judges who sat at the city gate, or held circuit court from city to city, Deborah was among her people. To this remote location they came, day after day, morning until evening, she was accessible to all. The Mother of Israel was always on duty.

Bethel was in the hill country of Ephraim. Ephraim means “double fruitfulness.” As we align ourselves with God’s purpose and direction, there will be double fruitfulness. The palm tree is beyond a doubt fruitful. It begins producing at 6-8 years and bears abundant clusters of fruit until well over a hundred.

Look at it! Double is the smallest dimension of blessing available to us. Though double is good, a hundredfold is possible – those who hear and understand God’s word can produce a harvest yielding a hundred, sixty, or thirty times what was planted (Matthew 13:23).

Deborah knew who she was and what she was called to. Here she stayed unwavering. May we come to the place where we can see clearly God’s plan and position for our lives and be willing to stay in His choosing…as a homemaker or a doctor…as a janitor or a garbage collector…or teacher or a lawyer…no matter the profession.

Don’t move from God’s position: Excel where you are. Remain faithful to the task in front of you. Increase comes from staying on the course.

While she sat, under the palm tree of Deborah, interceding for her people, seeking their freedom. There was no shortage of wisdom and justice. Beneath the straight and upright palm, Deborah prove herself true to God and compassionate to the needs of others. As she sat under the palm, she declared peace and victory over her distraught nation. Deborah was judging Israel when she received prophetic revelation for Barak to fight the Canaanites.

THE IMPORTANCE OF COLLABORATION

It ‘s amazing, Israel already had a judge in place, yet they cried out to the LORD for help because of the Canaanite oppression. Maybe the expectation of her judgeship was restricted to providing spiritual leadership, educational leadership, presiding over court cases, but when it came to providing military leadership, even as an established sitting judge to Israel for twenty years, she was still overlooked. Before and after her reign, they naturally gravitated to the male judges, looking to them for military leadership.

Maybe God allowed them to languish in oppression for twenty years during Deborah’s tenure because they refused to recognize that just as God had been with the judge of the past, HE was also with Deborah (Judges 2:18).

The fact that God elevated her to that position indicated that she was qualified to provide military leadership. How did God answer the Israelites prayers? By using Deborah, the judge they already had in place. Even when women are elevated to positions of power in a male-dominated industry, many times their capacities to carry out the full responsibilities required for the position are still questioned. Today, America is wearing the same shoes and walking in the pathway of the Israelites regarding women.

The Palm of Deborah was a perfect symbol of this woman’s internal strength, divine call, anointed leadership, and powerful intercession. Her greatest time of fruitfulness was about to explode, because she positioned herself in humility, and excellence like the palm tree under which she sat.

The LORD spoke to her giving her the strategy to defeat the oppressor to win their freedom. She began to put the divine plan into action and summoned the military leader Barak to advise him of the action plan.

The partnership between Deborah and Barak speaks a profound truth: collaboration can amplify strength and bring about success and a blend of spiritual and military strategy. Deborah’s role was to provide vision and divine insight, while Barak’s was to execute the plan on the ground. Their partnership was characterized by mutual respect and trust, each playing their part without envy or competition.

Judges 4:6: Deborah summons Barak to reveal God’s plan.

 Has not the Lord God of Israel commanded, deploy troops (Israelites), and take with you 10,000 men from the sons of Naphtali (6^th son Jacob/Bilhah known for swiftness/grace/favor of God) and Zebulun (6^th son of Jacob/Leah, known for bravery/skill in battle) and position them at Mount Tabor.

Judges 4:7: I WILL DEPLOY SISERA, COMMANDER OF JABIN’S ARMY, WITH HIS CHARIOTS AND HIS MULTIUDE AT THE RIVER KISHON; AND I WILL DELIVER HIM INTO YOUR HAND.

Mount Tabor: Because of its height and strategic location in the northeastern part of the valley of Jezreel, 10 miles from the beginning of the Kishon River. It was ideally suited for deploying troops. From this elevated position they could observe the movements of Sisera’s army.

River of Kishon flows through the Plain of Esdraelon and the valley of Jezreel. Often, it floods much of the valley in rainy season. Sisera wisely chose this area of the river because he was able to move the chariots freely. However, the LORD sent a storm and a flood which curtailed the mobility of the chariots and swept away the forces of Sisera and they were defeated (Judes 5:20-21). Remember the Egyptian Army at the Red Sea.

Judges 4:8: Barak agreed with the plan under the condition that Deborah accompanies him to the battle. His hesitation to go without Deborah showed a lack of trust in the LORD. Deborah had so much faith in God’s plan that she gladly complied with His condition, but prophesies that Sisera will be delivered into the hands of a woman (vs 9). This prophecy highlights that the triumph would not be attributed to a singular hero, but rather a collective effort, showing us that God’s plans often transcend human expectations.

Sisera’s defeat was not only a tactical triumph but also a dramatic unraveling of events. When he found his mighty chariot army incapacitated, he took to the ground and fled on foot seeking refuge. His flight led him to the tent of Jael that he viewed a safe haven. However, it was there he met his demise as she drove the peg through his temple, killing him instantly. This act fulfilled Deborah’s prophecy and turning point in the battle.

In conclusion:

Believers, wake up! And take your position – truly God has need of you.

God is inspiring us to awaken from our own apathy. Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”  

The same God who inspired Deborah, is calling you to arise and do His will. And when God calls you to His purpose, He ‘ll give you the unction to go forth.

Consider Philippians 2:13 “For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”

Go, Grow, and Glow, in the love of God.

Evangelist Brenda Hansley

The Fire of God!

Text: Exodus 3:1-2: Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb. Vs 2: And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.

Moses was the son of Amram and Jochebed, and brother of Miriam and Aaron, of the tribe of Levi. He led the Israelites out of Egypt. He was raised by Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son and she called him “Moses”, because she had drawn him out of the water.

The Word of God says when Moses was grown, he went out unto his brethren and looked on their burdens, and he spied an Egyptian smiting a Hebrew, one of his brethren and he slew the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. When Moses realized this thing was known, he feared, and when Pharaoh heard of it, he sought to slay Moses and so Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh and dwelt in the land of Midian for forty years (Exodus 2:11-25).

It was there, in Midian when Moses saw this awesome sight of the burning bush.

·       Exodus 3:2: And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. Vs 3: And Moses said, “I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt”.

This angel of the LORD was God Himself! Hebrews 12:29: Our God is a consuming fire.

·       Vs 4: And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, “Moses, Moses”. And he said, “Here am I”. Vs 5: And he said, “Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou stand is holy ground”. Vs 6: Moreover, he said, “I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob”. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.

Bush in this verse is ceneh’ meaning to prick, a bramble. The nature of a bramble bush is that it is typically thorny and dense, often growing in dry or rocky areas. Brambles are known for their ability to survive in harsh environments, and their thorns can make them difficult to approach or handle. In biblical times, the bramble was considered a lowly and common shrub, symbolizing humility and often associated with wilderness or desolation.

The nature of this bush (the ability to survive in harsh environments; humility; wilderness or desolation) in which Moses awed with the “fire of God burning the bush and the bush wasn’t burnt”, was exactly what God was preparing him to experience but yet God would give him the strength to endure!

What did God say to Paul in Acts 9 (Saul’s conversion): vs 4: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, “Saul, Saul, why persecute thou me”? Vs 5: And he said, “Who art thou, Lord”? And the Lord said, “I am Jesus whom thou persecute: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks”.

Prick in Webster means a tiny puncture made by a sharp point; to pain sharply; to raise the ear erect; to listen closely. Pricks in Acts 9:4, is the Greek word ken’tron from (kente’o) (to prick); a point (center), a sting (poison) or goad; (fig) divine impulse. This was the prompting and conscience “stings” Saul felt before conversion, and I believe what Moses felt before yielding to God.

The place Moses went to after killing the Egyptian was Midian, meaning in Hebrew, brawling, contention, quarrel, discord, strife. I believe these things were going on within Moses as he battled in his mind or a “kicking against the pricks” when God said to him:

·       Exodus 3:9: Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them. Vs 10: Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou may bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt. Vs 11: And Moses said unto God, “Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt”? vs 12: And he said, “Certainly I will be with thee: and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: “When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God upon this mountain”!

I’m sure, you and I have had those same prickly feelings (by way of fear) as Moses and Saul experienced, a “kicking against the pricks” when it was our turn to step out and obey God!  LORD HAVE MERCY! But the same God that was with Moses and Saul, that same God was and is with us now and that same “fire” is still burning!!

But how many know that God always win!!

·       Luke 9:23: And he said to them all, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow me”.

·       Luke 14:27: And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

God appeared also unto Abraham in Genesis 22:11: And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, “Abraham, Abraham”: and he said, “Here am I”.

***Exodus 3:2b: And he (Moses) looked, and behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.

Fire here is the root word esh (aysh), meaning fire; burning; fiery; flaming; hot. In its first Biblical appearance, the word “esh” (aysh), represents God’s presence as a torch of fire. Hebrews 12:29: For our God is a consuming fire.

This same fire is on the inside of us burning out of us everything that’s not like Christ!

What is fire? According to the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, it is represented as the symbol of Jehovah’s Presence and the instrument of His power in the way either of approval or destruction.

Fire stands for cleansing and purification. In its true essence it is the fire of Spirit, or the divine energy which never ceases its life-giving purifying glow.

When its cleansing work is completed in man’s mind and body there is no more error to be consumed, and it then manifests in purified man as his eternal life.

What is eternal life? It is knowing God and the Son, Jesus Christ! “And this is life eternal, that they might know (ginos’ko) [to know absolutely [completely; entirely; perfectly]; understand; be aware of] thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John 17:3).

This fire has always been around even since the beginning, from Genesis to Revelation. How long has God been around, and He is fire! Deuteronomy 4:24: For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire even a jealous God. This same word is confirmed in Hebrew 12:29: For our God is a consuming fire.

Besides being a consuming fire, our God is Spirit (St. John 4:24), life, love, substance, power, intelligence, Truth. John 14:6: “I am the way, the truth, and the life”!

Fire symbolizes a positive, affirmative mindset, contrasting with the negative or watery (liquefied) state of mind.

On the norm, water can put out fire. But let me tell you, water can’t put out this fire because it’s the fire of God Himself.

I could start a fire with the lighting of a match and throw water on it, and it puts the fire out. God’s fire stood and can stand the test, 1^st Kings 18. Elijah challenges four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and four hundred prophets of the grove who ate at Jezebel’s table.

·       Vs 23: Let them therefore give us two bullocks and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: vs 24: And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answers by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, it is well spoken. Vs 36: And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant and that I have done all these things at thy word. Vs 37: Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. Vs 38: Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.

This same fire followed the Israelites by night in a pillar of fire to give them light and He was a pillar of a cloud by day to lead them the way (Exodus 13:21). Vs 22 states, “He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people”.

Reminds me of Hebrews 13:5, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.

Offerings were made unto God by fire:

·       Leviticus 23 (the feasts of the LORD): vs 8: But you shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD seven days: in the seventh day is a holy convocation: you shall do no servile work therein.

·       Numbers 15 (offerings required of Israel): vs 1: And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: vs 2: Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, “When you be come into the land of your habitations, which I give unto you”: vs 3: And will make an offering by fire unto the LORD, a burnt-offering, or a sacrifice in performing a vow, or in a freewill-offering, or in your solemn feasts, to make a sweet savour unto the LORD, of the herd, or of the flock: vs 4: Then shall he that offers his offering unto the LORD bring a meat-offering of a tenth deal of flour mingled with the forth part of an hin of oil.

This same fire is burning NOW and will forever burn from generation to generation.

Let’s look at four characteristics of this fire. Characteristics are typical traits of a particular person, place or thing. But the “thing” we’re talking about is the “FIRE OF GOD”!

FIRE PURIFIES (removes contamination from):

·       Malachi 3:2: But who may abide the day of his coming? And who shall stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap: vs 3: 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.

·       Matthew 3:11: I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire!

·       Revelation 3:18: I counsel thee to buy me gold tried in the fire, that thou may be rich and white raiment, that thou may be clothed and that the shame of thy nakedness, doth not appear.

FIRE CAN BE DESTRUCTIVE:

·       Genesis 19:24: Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven.

·       Numbers 11:1: And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it and his anger was kindled, and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.

GOD’S FIRE IS A PRESERVER:

·       Genesis 3:24: So, he drove out the man, and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubim’s, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

·       Daniel 3 (the Hebrew boys in the fiery furnace):

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had been placed over the affairs of the province of Babylon, and having been given official responsibilities, they had been stripped of their identity and were considered citizens of Babylon. King Nebuchadnezzars’ empire had just risen to power and set up an image of gold and at the sound of the musical instruments, all nations, people, and languages should fall down and worship the golden image. But the three Hebrew Boys were determined they would remain true to the living God!

This is what the false church system of today has done to the sons of God (males/females). They want you to bow down to their system: to teach, preach, eat and drink only what they serve and have been serving these meals and drinks for over fifty plus years. But many of you know that we that have been brought out of religion can’t bow to that system, and when you refuse, you (we) are also tried in the fire. Because the Hebrew Boys would not bow down to the Babylonian system they were thrown into a fiery furnace. Not only were they tried by the fire, but they were thrown into it bound. But because they trusted in the True and Living God, the fire burned off the bondage the Babylonians had bound them with, yet they themselves were untouched by the fire. Remember, the fiery furnace was turned up seven times hotter than usual. Seven represents perfection and completeness, typifying the completeness and perfection of God's awesomeness in all He does. This also shows forth how we the church are being  brought to a perfected state in God by His fire yet with the ability to withstand the fiery trials that come to destroy us! The fire preserved the Hebrew Boys but the same fire destroyed the very ones who threw them in. Therefore, don't worry about your haters, your enemies.

·       Isaiah 43:2: When thou pass through the waters, I will be with thee: and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walk through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. Vs 3: For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Savior.

Lastly, this very FIRE IS FRIENDLY:

Are you familiar with the term “friendly fire”? Psalm 104:4: Who makes his angels spirits and his ministers a flaming fire.

These angels are not those we’ve been told that fly around with wings, but these angels are messengers (prophets; priests; teachers; ambassadors) walking around on two feet that God has empowered and appointed on behalf of Himself that has inhaled God’s very breath and life, that He has made of quick understanding to do what He said to Isaiah:

·       Isaiah 58:1: Cry aloud, spare not lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.

These are they that Jesus spoke about in Luke 21:14-15, “Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what you shall answer: for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay (antep’o) [refute or deny] nor resist” (anthis’temi) [stand against; oppose; withstand].

His ministers (servants; worshippers) are those set on fire with the Word of God, kindled by the anointing of the Holy Ghost, willing to do whatever God say to do and go wherever He sends them.

·       Matthew 16:24: If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Remember what John said, Matthew 3:11, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire”.

Why the Holy Ghost?  Because the Holy Ghost is that which empowers us to do the works that Jesus Himself did.

·       Luke 10:19: I give unto you power (exousi’a) [ability; authority; jurisdiction] to tread on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

·       Acts 1:8: You shall receive power (du’namis) [enablement to perform miracles] after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you to be witnesses unto me.

 why with “fire”? Because the fire is that which purifies and burns out of God’s people everything that is not like Him, just as fire refines gold!

That’s what the trials are for that we go through, to make us like our Heavenly Father, just as Jesus was when He walked the earth. 1^st John 4:17, “As he is, so are we, in this world”!!

Therefore, let the fire light of God burn and so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven (Matthew 5:16).

Evangelist Mary Perry

The two great lights (pt.2)

Genesis [shows Christ, our “Creator God”].  Genesis is the book of beginnings [creation; origin; formation; birth; production].  

Text:  Genesis 1:14: And God said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years”:  Vs 15: And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth:  and it was so.  Vs 16: And God made two great lights, the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night:  he made the stars also.  Vs 17: And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth.  Vs 18: And to rule over the day and over the night and to divide the light from the darkness, and God saw that it was good.  Vs 19: And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.

We know that there are different kinds of “light”.  The scripture shows:

Cosmic light:  As the Sun, moon, and stars.

Miraculous light: (Acts 12) [Peter delivered from prison]: 

·       Vs 7: And behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison:  and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, “Arise up quickly”.  And his chains fell off from his hands.

Artificial light: (Flash lights; bulbs, etc):  (Acts 16:16-40) [Paul and Silas in prison; they prayed; God sends an earthquake, shake the prison, the doors open, and everyone’s hands were loosed]: 

·       Vs 27: And the keeper of the prison awakened out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.  Vs 28: But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, “Do thyself no harm:  for we are all here”.  Vs 29: Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas.  Vs 30: And brought them out, and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved”.

Genesis 1:14, God said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven, to divide the day from the night”.

I began in part 1 of this message saying that the two great lights, God is speaking of in Genesis 1:16 are not the physical sun and the moon, but it is Christ, who is the greater light, and the devil, who is the lesser light.  Why is that?  It’s because the Sun typifies the light, life, and power of the Almighty God.  Just as the earth need the light, life, and power of the Sun, to bring forth vegetation and all man needs to live in this realm of the universe, we need the light, life, and power of the Son of God to live in this realm of the universe eternally.  The Moon symbolizes the devil, which has no light of its own.  The only light the moon has is what it gets from the sun.  The only power the devil has is what God allows him to have.  (Example: Job’s testing) [Job 1:7-12].

Genesis 1:14, God said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven, to divide the day from the night”.

These “lights” God was talking about here, were not cosmic, or artificial, but they are people!  The definition of “lights” here is from the Hebrew word maowr’, meaning, a luminous body or luminary; light (as an element); brightness; cheerfulness.

Now, we already know that the Sun and moon are present in the universe as cosmic lights.  A luminary is a person who inspires or influences others, especially one prominent in a particular sphere.  We already know that the sons of God, [male/female], (builders of the family name) and morning stars (those that stepped out at the dawn of creation with the Kingdom message in their mouth), that God spoke to Job about in Job 38, were God’s agents or ambassadors in the earth, walking in “the greater light”, between Genesis 1:1, and verse 2, before they were overcome by darkness (the lesser light).

The writer of Hebrews wrote:  Hebrew 11:3: Through faith we understand that the worlds (ages) were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

 I believe there were worlds that existed within Genesis 1:1, and verse 2.

This world we are in is not the only world that has ever been.  Ecclesiastes 1:9: The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be:  and that which is done is that which shall be done:  and there is no new thing under the sun.  Vs 10: Is there anything whereof it may be said, “See, this is new”?  It has been already of old time, which was before us.

God spoke to Job about the sons of God and the morning stars: 

·       Job 38:4: Where was thou when I laid the foundations (yacad’) [to sit down together; consult: appointed; take counsel; (lay for a) foundation; instruct; establish; ordain] of the earth? Declare, if thou hast understanding.  Vs 5: Who hath laid (suwm) [appointed; call (a name); charged; committed; ordered; placed; preserved; purposed; rewarded; tread down (over); worked] the measures thereof, if thou know?  Or who hath stretched the line upon it?

What is it God has measured and stretched a line upon?  It’s the “holy city” that God measured with a reed (people), that John saw coming down from God out of heaven in Revelation 21:10-17.

These foundations were people (male/female) that God had appointed, instructed, ordained, anointed, and put in position as His representatives or ambassadors in the earth to rule over creation. 

·       Vs 6: Whereupon are the foundations (e’den) [strength; a basis; column; socket] / (adown’) [sovereign; controller (human or divine): lord; master; owner] thereof fastened?  Or who laid (yarah’) to lay or throw (an arrow, ie to shoot): (fig) to point out (as if by aiming the finger); to teach; direct; inform; instruct] the corner stone (Jesus Christ) thereof.

This word “laid” in Job 38:6, is from the same word “law” in 2^nd Chronicles 23:18, speaking of “the law of Moses”:  or 2^nd Chronicles 31:3, speaking of “the law of the LORD”, is taken from which is the root word torah’, which is a precept or statute; especially the Pentateuch.  It goes to another root word yarah’, meaning, to flow as water (to rain); to lay or throw (an arrow, ie to shoot): (fig) to point out (as if by aiming the finger); to teach; direct; inform; instruct.  The law was given “to aim the finger and point or direct” God’s people to CHRIST!!  When Christ came, He said:  Matthew 5:17: Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets:  I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.  And how did He fulfill the law?  He fulfilled it in “LOVE”.  Romans 13:8: Owe no man anything but to love one another:  for he that loves another hath fulfilled the law.

·       Job 38:7: When the morning stars sang (ranaw’) [to shout (for joy): cry out; be joyful greatly; rejoice; sing (aloud; for joy; out); triumph] together, and all the sons of God shouted (ruwa’) [to mar (by breaking): (fig) to split the ears (with sound); shout (for alarm or joy):  blow an alarm; cry (aloud, out); destroy; make a joyful noise; smart; sound an alarm; triumph] for joy?

These “foundations” [morning stars and sons of God] were fastened (locked into; secured) within the “cornerstone” (Jesus Christ) even then.  And when they came forth with the Kingdom message it split or broke in pieces the death message of the “lesser light” and rang in their hearing the message of the “greater light” which is life, that brought with it incorruption, immortality, and power!!  Remember, Jesus Christ has always been!  He was and is “the beginning” (cornerstone) that the Spirit God created everything in!! 

·       Genesis 1:1: In the beginning (JESUS CHRIST), God created.

·       Revelation 1:8: I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, said the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

·       Revelation 3:14: These things said the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God.

The darkness those “foundations” (morning stars; sons of God) succumbed to was choshek’, meaning, misery, destruction, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness, night, obscurity, withholding of the light, and eventually death.  These sons of God and morning star messengers consisted of both (male/female), had been walking and living in the cheerfulness, eternal life, divine health, power, dominion, and authority of “the greater light” [Christ], but became subject to death, ignorance, destruction of “the lesser light” [the devil], through pride and disobedience.

The foundations of the earth God laid were not bricks or cinderblocks, but people.  In Psalm 82:1, God stands in the congregation of the mighty:  he judges among the gods. 

The gods (the elohiyms) are the people God gives charge over the creation, as the morning stars, sons of God, Adam (each inclusive of male and female), at that time.  He still wants the gods, us, Christ’s body of believers, to oversee or rule over the creation now!!  Romans 8:19: For the earnest expectation of the creature (creation), waits for the manifestation of the sons of God.

·       Psalm 82:6: I have said you are gods (elohiyms):  and all of you are children (sons) of the Most High. 

We today, the believers in Jesus Christ (male/female), are also classed as “gods”!  John 10:22-42 [the Jews try to arrest Jesus and wanted to kill Him because of what He said): 

·       Vs 30: I and my Father are one. Vs 31: The Jews took up stones again to stone him.  Vs 32: Jesus answered them, “Many good works have I showed you from my Father; for which of those works do you stone me”?  Vs 33: The Jews answered him, saying, “For a good work we stone thee not, but for blasphemy; and because that thou being a man, make thyself God.  Vs 34: Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, I said, you are gods”?  

Here in Psalm 82:1-6 [A psalm of Asaph] (he that gathers or removes reproach): [appointed by David over the service of song and by Solomon in the Temple services (1^st Chronicles 6:39; 15:17, 19]: [David called this Asaph “the seer” (2^nd Chronicles 29:30):

·       Vs 1: God stands in the congregation of the mighty; he judges among the gods.  Vs 2: How long will you judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked?  Vs 3: Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.  Vs 4: Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.  Vs 5: “They know not, neither will they understand:  they walk on in darkness (misery; the absence of light):  all the foundations (yacad’) [to sit down together; consult:  appointed; take counsel; (lay for a) foundation; instruct; establish; ordain] of the earth are out of course”.

Even the foundations (morning stars; sons of God; Adam [male/female]), those that had been walking in the greater light, were now out of course.  Course is from the root word mowt, meaning, they had wavered, slipped, in decay, and had been shaken out of their seat of authority, removed from their divinity, and had fallen back into their humanity.

The same question can still be asked today, “Who are they that know not, neither understand, and are walking on in darkness?  As it was in Genesis 1:6-7, speaking of, the waters (people) under the firmament, so it is today, there are still people classed as the waters under the firmament of heaven, because they won’t accept truth.  What truth?  That they are already in heaven, being in Christ, and can have the fullness of God in them now and have all that God has provided for us now, through Jesus Christ.  

• Revelation 17:15: And he said unto me, "The WATERS which thou saw where the whore sits, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues".

But God has always had a remnant, and He still has a remnant that believes in the “sure foundation”, who is Jesus the Christ. 

·       1^st Corinthians 3:11, “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus the Christ”. 

So, our Heavenly Father, still has some waters (people) that are above the firmament!  These are those that know that they are already in heaven, being in CHRIST!

·       Ephesians 2:5: Even when we were dead (past tense) in sins, hath quickened (made alive) us together with CHRIST, (by grace you are saved):  vs 6: And hath (already) raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places IN CHRIST JESUS.

Heavenly is the root word epouran’ios, meaning, in heaven.  This definition includes what pertains to or is in heaven (the high place).  It goes to the other root word for Heaven, ouranos’, meaning, elevation; the abode of God; happiness; power; eternity; the Gospel.

·       Acts 7:48: Howbeit the Most High (hup’sistos) [highest; the Supreme God; the heavens] dwells not in temples made with hands as said the prophet.  Vs 49: Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will you build me?  Said the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?

God’s rest in this verse is eire’ne, meaning peace; prosperity:  one; quietness.  God’s rest is Him having peace with and being one with His people!

·       John 17:20: Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word: vs 21: That they all may be one, as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us.

·       Romans 5:1-2: Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

If you are “in God”, who is the Most High, then that means you are in Heaven (the high place)!  And surely, if God be in you, He is in His abode (Heaven), or resting place, which is in you and in me!!

Heaven is God’s throne (seat of authority), and earth is my footstool (hupopod’ion) [something under foot; foot (rest)].  God rules out of “heaven”, His abode, which is from within you and me.  We are God’s “heaven”.

·       Psalm 19:1: The heavens (God’s people) declare (caphar’) [celebrate; tells; communes; show forth; speak] the glory (kabowd’) [weight (the anointing); splendor; copiousness] of God.  And the firmament (Heavens unending great expanse) shows (nagad’) [to front; manifest; announce  (by word of mouth); explain; praise; profess; report; certify] his handiwork (ma’aseh’)[an action; transaction; activity; product; work; labor; deed; occupation; business; power].

We the believers are the ones that declare the glory of God in the earth, and, are the ones His power flows through, also showing forth His glory, by the anointing of the Holy Ghost (Acts 1:8).

The “earth” is the Adam man (the old man; the natural man), the lesser light, that we must put under our feet, or make our “footstool”, and let the Christ man, the greater light, arise and rule in our lives. 

·       1^st Corinthians 15: 22: For as in Adam (the lesser light) all die, even so in Christ (the greater light) shall all be made alive. 

These are the believers that have the greater light, Christ IN THEM, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).  But they are also IN CHRIST (the greater light), that makes them new creatures (creations):  old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (2^nd Corinthians 5:17).

Genesis 2:1: Thus the heavens and the earth were finished (kalah’) [end; complete; accomplish; fulfilled], and all, the host (tsaba’) [a mass of persons (or things); espec. organized for war (an army); a campaign; worshippers; company; soldiers] of them.  Vs 2: And on the seventh day God ended (kalah’) his work which he had made:  and he rested (shabath’) [to repose; desist; cease; celebrate; still] on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.  Vs 3: And God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it:  because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.

The word repose has a definition that means to place trust in someone; to place power in the control of some person or group. 

God has now completed or ended (accomplished) His work and is now giving control over the creation into the hands of a group of people that He trusts with His power to rule and reign over everything in creation, as He has instructed.

·       Genesis 1:26: And God said, “Let us make man (Adam) in our image, after our likeness:  and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.  Vs 27: So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him:  male and female created he them.  Vs 28: And God blessed them and God said unto them, “Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it:  and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moves upon the earth”.

These are the one’s God created in His image, after His likeness.  This man is a group of people, or “lights (luminaries), called Adam composed of both male and female.  God has brought them up out of the lesser light into the greater light!!

·       Genesis 5:1: This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man (aw-dawm’), in the likeness of God made he him:  vs 2: Male and female created he them, and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created.

This is the man Adam (male/female) that is ruling in Genesis 2:4: These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD (Yehovah) God (Elohim) made the earth and the heavens.

Genesis 1:1: In the beginning God (Elohim) created the “heaven and the earth”.  Genesis 2:4: These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the “earth and the heavens”. 

Why does it say, “the earth and the heavens”?  Because the LORD God, now, has to take these people that are bound by the “earth man”, the natural, flesh, or carnal man, out of the lesser light [ignorance; misery; destruction, death], and through a metamorphic process, bring them into the “heavens” (higher realms of spirituality), or the greater light [wisdom; incorruption; immortality; power; divine health; eternal life].

The man (aw-dawm’) the LORD God formed in Genesis 2:7, was already in existence, but the LORD God squeezed and pressured him (male/female) out of the dust [not the dirt], but the dust [ashen color of death; destruction; ignorance; ruin; misery] he was in by breathing into him the breath of life, making him a living soul.  In other words, the LORD God brought man from the earth (flesh or carnal man) into the heavens (higher realms of spirituality), with God’s mind in him.  He moved him from the lesser light, into the greater light!

The Adam race of people, before God created them in His image, classified as “the waters under the firmament”.  But after God made them in His own image and after His likeness, they qualified as “the waters above the firmament”!  [PRAISE BREAK]!!!

But, the sons of God and morning stars, as well as Adam, lost their place of ruling authority in God through disobedience, and fell from divinity back into humanity.  But God in His awesomeness had a plan to restore back to creation, all that Adam lost because of the “lesser light”, and through Jesus the Christ, “the greater light”, has given this kingdom authority back to those that will believe it and receive it!!

·       1^st Corinthians 15:20: But now is Christ risen from the dead and become the first fruits of them that slept.  Vs 21: For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.  Vs 22: For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

·       2^nd Corinthians 5:17: Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature (creation):  old things are passed away:  behold, all things are become new.

Those of us that have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior, and has taken hold of the truth that we don’t have to die to go to “heaven”, to be with Him, but know that we are already “in heaven”, being IN CHRIST, we are those “lights in the firmament”, or “the waters above the firmament”.  Remember in Genesis 1:8, God called the firmament Heaven! So, those waiting to die and go to heaven to be with God are “the waters under the firmament”.  Don’t allow yourself to be classed with “the waters under the firmament” and come on up into the heavenlies and qualify with the “lights in the firmament” or the “waters above the firmament”!!

Jesus said:  Matthew 4:16: The people which sat in darkness (skot’os) [shadiness; obscurity (lack of understanding)] saw “great light” (phos) [to shine or make manifest, espec. by rays; luminousness; fire; light]; make known one’s thoughts]:  and to them which sat in the region (cho’ra) [empty expanse]/(chas’ma)[cha’o (to gape or yawn); a chasm or vacancy (impassable interval); gulf] and shadow (ski’a) [darkness of error] of death, light (knowledge) is sprung us.  Vs 17: From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, “Repent (metanoe’o) [to think differently or afterwards; reconsider] for the kingdom (basilei’a) [royalty; a realm]/(basileuce) [foundation of power] of heaven is at hand” [nigh; ready] (in you).

Now we are called “sons of light”!!

·       Ephesians 5:8: For you were (past tense) sometimes in darkness, but now are you light in the Lord: walk as children (sons) of light.

Why does it say, “You are light in the Lord”?  That’s because this “light” here, is the same “Light” that God Himself is!!  1^st John 1:5-10 [speaks of there being no darkness in God]: 

·       Vs 5: This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light (phos), and in him is no darkness at all”!

1^st John 4:17, “As he is, so are we, in this world”!  This assures us, that we are also that same “light”!

·       1^st Thessalonians 5:4: But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

We all at one time was in “that day”, sitting in darkness, being trapped in the order of religious teachings, but God brought us out and took the scales of deceit off our eyes, so that we like Peter, could see “The Christ”, (Matthew 16:16).  Now we have found our way back to our Heavenly Father’s house, by “coming to ourselves”, as the “lost son” in Luke 15, did.  You are the Father’s house, because you are where He dwells!  We aren’t waiting to go to where He is, He IS COME (present tense) to us and dwells in us and walks in us!!!

·       2^nd Corinthians 6:16: You are the temple of the living God:  as God hath said, I will dwell in them and walk in them:  and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Therefore, we are His “lighthouses”!!

·       1^st Thessalonians 5:5: You are all the children (sons) of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

That’s why the Psalmist said: Psalm 150:1: Praise you the LORD.  Praise God in his sanctuary:  praise him in the firmament of his power!

We are those “lights in the firmament”, shining with the very “light of God’s glory”!!!  Jesus said, Matthew 5:14, “You are the light of the world”. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid!!

Therefore, walk in the “greater light”!! Live in the “greater light” and let Him shine through us so, that it will dispel the works of the “lesser light” [the devil], and enjoy the victory that Jesus Christ (the Greater Light) has given us!!

Pastor Gracie Perry