Releasing Ministries, Destiny and Purpose

sweetrevival · Mar 14, 2005

Thank you for that explanation Mark. Can you explain the teachings of the Eastern orthodox Church in terms of their acceptance of the Trinity please. Sorry to be uncomfortable with the word "staret", but I have been caught with unfamiliar foreign words before. Understanding where it comes from will clarify any doubts that could come into this teaching.

Mark Downham · Mar 15, 2005

Sweet Revival

I am going to quote without amendment or abridgement from on a number of the views held by -

His All Holiness Bartholomew: Archbishop of Constantinople and New Rome, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople

on the Eastern Orthodox Credal Alignment and Catechism.

I am using his Liturgical and Ecclesiastical title out of respect to the denominational ecclesiology of the Eastern Orthodox Church.

A number of the Bishops in the Greek, Antiochian and Russian Orthodox Denominations within Ecumenical Orthodox Heterodoxy are aware of my Ecclesiology and approach to Holy Communion (The Divine Liturgy, the Sacraments, the Elements, the Ordinances) and we still have communion in spirit in the Holy Spirit.

Eastern Orthodox Creed

Orthodox Catechism

GOD THE FATHER:

GOD THE FATHER is the fountainhead of the Holy Trinity. The Scriptures reveal the one God is Three Persons -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit -- eternally sharing the one divine nature. From the Father the Son is begotten before all ages and all time (Psalm 2:7; II Corinthians 11:31). It is from the Father that the Holy Spirit eternally proceeds (John 15:26). God the Father created all things through the Son, in the Holy Spirit (Genesis 1 and 2; John 1:3; Job 33:4), and we are called to worship Him (John 4:23). The Father loves us and sent His Son to give us everlasting life (John 3:16).

JESUS CHRIST

JESUS CHRIST is the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, eternally born of the Father. He became man, and thus He is at once fully God and fully man. His coming to earth was foretold in the Old Testament by the prophets. Because Jesus Christ is at the heart of Christianity, the Orthodox Church has given more attention to knowing Him than to anything or anyone else.

In reciting the Nicene Creed, Orthodox Christians regularly affirm the historic faith concerning Jesus as they say, "I believe... in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the only begotten, begotten of the Father before all ages, Light of Light, true God of true God; begotten, not made; of one essence with the Father; by Whom all things were made; Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end."

THE HOLY SPIRIT

THE HOLY SPIRIT is one of the Persons of the Holy Trinity and is one in essence with the Father. Orthodox Christians repeatedly confess, "And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of life, Who proceeds from the Father, Who together with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified..." He is called the "promise of the Father" (Acts 1:4), given by Christ as a gift to the Church, to empower the Church for service to God (Acts 1:8), to place God's love in our hearts (Romans 5:5), and to impart spiritual gifts (I Corinthians 12:7-13) and virtues (Galatians 5:22, 23) for Christian life and witness. Orthodox Christians believe the biblical promise that the Holy Spirit is given through chrismation (anointing) at baptism (Acts 2:38). We are to grow in our experience of the Holy Spirit for the rest of our lives.

INCARNATION

INCARNATION refers to Jesus Christ coming "in the flesh". The eternal Son of God the Father assumed to Himself a complete human nature from the Virgin Mary. He was (and is) one divine Person, fully possessing from God the Father the entirety of the divine nature, and in His coming in the flesh fully possessing a human nature from the Virgin Mary. By His Incarnation, the Son forever possesses two natures in His one Person. The Son of God, limitless in His divine nature, voluntarily and willingly accepted limitation in His humanity in which He experienced hunger, thirst, fatigue -- and ultimately, death. The Incarnation is indispensable to Christianity -- there is no Christianity without it. The Scriptures record, "...every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God" (I John 4:3). By His Incarnation, the Son of God redeemed human nature, a redemption made accessible to all who are joined to Him in His glorified humanity.

SIN

SIN literally means to "miss the mark." As St. Paul writes, "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). We sin when we pervert what God has given us as good, falling short of His purposes for us. Our sins separate us from God (Isaiah 59:1, 2), leaving us spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1). To save us, the Son of God assumed our humanity, and being without sin "He condemned sin in the flesh" (Romans 8:3). In His mercy, God forgives our sins when we confess them and turn from them, giving us strength to overcome sin in our lives. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (I John 1:9).

SALVATION

SALVATION is the divine gift through which men and women are delivered from sin and death, united to Christ, and brought into His eternal kingdom. Those who heard St. Peter's sermon on the day of Pentecost asked what they must do to be saved. He answered, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38). Salvation begins with these three steps: 1) repent, 2) be baptized, and 3) receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. To repent means to change our mind about how we have been, to turn from our sin and to commit ourselves to Christ. To be baptized means to be born again by being joined into union with Christ. And to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit means to receive the Spirit Who empowers us to enter a new life in Christ, to be nurtured in the Church, and to be conformed to God's image.

Salvation demands faith in Jesus Christ. People cannot save themselves by their own good works. Salvation is "faith working through love". It is an ongoing, life-long process. Salvation is past tense in that, through the death and Resurrection of Christ, we have been saved. It is present tense, for we are "being saved" by our active participation through faith in our union with Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. Salvation is also future, for we must yet be saved at His glorious Second Coming.

BAPTISM

BAPTISM is the way in which a person is actually united to Christ. The experience of salvation is initiated in the waters of baptism. The Apostle Paul teaches in Romans 6: 1-6 that in baptism we experience Christ's death and resurrection. In it our sins are truly forgiven and we are energized by our union with Christ to live a holy life. The Orthodox Church practices baptism by full immersion.

Currently, some consider baptism to be only an "outward sign" of belief in Christ. This innovation has no historical or biblical precedent. Others reduce it to a mere perfunctory obedience to Christ's command (cf. Matthew 28:19, 20). Still others, ignoring the Bible completely, reject baptism as a vital factor in salvation. Orthodoxy maintains that these contemporary innovations rob sincere people of the most important assurances that baptism provides -- namely that they have been united to Christ and are part of His Church.

NEW BIRTH

NEW BIRTH is receipt of new life. It is how we gain entrance into God's kingdom and His Church. Jesus said, "Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God" (John 3:5). From its beginning, the Church has taught that the "water" is the baptismal water and the "Spirit" is the Holy Spirit. The new birth occurs in baptism where we die with Christ, are buried with Him, and are raised with Him in the newness of His resurrection, being joined into union with Him in His glorified humanity (Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3, 4). The idea that being "born again" is a religious experience disassociated from baptism is a recent one and has no biblical basis whatsoever.

JUSTIFICATION

JUSTIFICATION is a word used in the Scriptures to mean that in Christ we are forgiven and actually made righteous in our living. Justification is not a once-for-all, instantaneous pronouncement guaranteeing eternal salvation, regardless of how wickedly a person might live from that point on. Neither is it merely a legal declaration that an unrighteous person is righteous. Rather, justification is a living, dynamic, day-to-day reality for the one who follows Christ. The Christian actively pursues a righteous life in the grace and power of God granted to all who continue to believe in Him.

SANCTIFICATION

SANCTIFICATION is being set apart for God. It involves us in the process of being cleansed and made holy by Christ in the Holy Spirit. We are called to be saints and to grow into the likeness of God. Having been given the gift of the Holy Spirit, we actively participate in sanctification. We cooperate with God, we work together with Him, that we may know Him, becoming by grace what He is by nature.

THE BIBLE

THE BIBLE is the divinely inspired Word of God (II Timothy 3:16), and is a crucial part of God's self-revelation to the human race. The Old Testament tells the history of that revelation from Creation through the Age of the Prophets. The New Testament records the birth and life of Jesus as well as the writings of His Apostles. It also includes some of the history of the early Church and especially sets forth the Church's apostolic doctrine. Though these writings were read in the Churches from the time they first appeared, the earliest listings of all the New Testament books exactly as we know them today, is found in the 33rd Canon of a local council held at Carthage in 318, and in a fragment of St. Athanasius of Alexandria's Festal Letter in 367. Both sources list all of the books of the New Testament without exception. A local council, probably held at Rome in 382, set forth a complete list of the canonical books of both the Old and New Testaments. The Scriptures are at the very heart of Orthodox worship and devotion.

EUCHARIST

EUCHARIST means "thanksgiving" and early became a synonym for Holy Communion. The Eucharist is the center of worship in the Orthodox Church. Because Jesus said of the bread and wine at the Last Supper, "This is my body", "This is my blood", and "Do this in remembrance of Me" (Luke 22: 19,20), His followers believe -- and do -- nothing less. In the Eucharist, we partake mystically of Christ's Body and Blood, which impart His life and strength to us. The celebration of the Eucharist was a regular part of the Church's life from its beginning. Early Christians began calling the Eucharist "the medicine of immortality" because they recognized the great grace of God that was received in it.

LITURGY

LITURGY is a term used to describe the shape or form of the Church's corporate worship of God. The word liturgy derives from a Greek word which means "the common work". All the biblical references to worship in heaven involve liturgy.

In the Old Testament, God ordered a liturgy, or specific pattern of worship. We find it described in detail in the books of Exodus and Leviticus. In the New Testament we find the Church carrying over the worship of the Old Testament Israel as expressed in both the synagogue and the temple, adjusting them in keeping with their fulfillment in Christ. The Orthodox Liturgy, which developed over many centuries, still maintains that ancient shape of worship. The main elements in the Liturgy include hymns, the reading and proclamation of the Gospel, prayers, and the Eucharist itself. For Orthodox Christians, the expressions "The Liturgy" or "Divine Liturgy" refer to the eucharistic rite instituted by Christ Himself at the Last (Mystical) Supper.

COMMUNION OF SAINTS

COMMUNION OF SAINTS: When Christians depart this life, they remain a vital part of the Church, the body of Christ. They are alive in the Lord and "registered in heaven" (Hebrews 12:23). They worship God (Revelation 4:10) and inhabit His heavenly dwelling places (John 14:2). In the Eucharist we come "to the city of the living God" and join in communion with the saints in our worship of God (Hebrews 12:22). They are that "great cloud of witnesses" which surrounds us, and we seek to imitate them in running "the race set before us" (Hebrews 12:1). Rejecting or ignoring the communion of saints is a denial of the fact that those who have died in Christ are still part of his holy Church.

CREED

CREED comes from the Latin credo, "I believe". From the earliest days of the Church, creeds have been living confessions of what Christians believe and not simply formal, academic, Church pronouncements. Such confessions of faith appear as early as the New Testament, where, for example, St. Paul quotes a creed to remind Timothy, "God...was revealed in the flesh..." (I Timothy 3:16). The creeds were approved by Church councils, usually to give a concise statement of the truth in the face of the invasion of heresy.

The most important creed in Christendom is the Nicene Creed, the product of two Ecumenical Councils in the fourth century. Delineated in the midst of a life-and-death controversy, it contains the essence of New Testament teaching about the Holy Trinity, guarding that life-giving truth against those who would change the very nature of God and reduce Jesus Christ to a created being, rather than God in the flesh. The creeds give us a sure interpretation of the Scriptures against those who would distort them to support their own religious schemes. Called the "symbol of faith" and confessed in many of the services of the Church, the Nicene Creed constantly reminds the Orthodox Christian of what he personally believes, keeping his faith on track.

Blessings.

Mark

Mark Downham · Mar 15, 2005

Revelation 2;1 -

These are the words of Him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands

The Lord Jesus Christ is the Eight Star and the Eight Golden Lampstand - He is standing in the Gap for the House of Judah.

Ezekiel 22:30 -

I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land

Isaiah 63:5 -

I looked, but there was no one to help, I was appalled that no one gave support; so my own arm worked salvation for me

I will discuss what is the Lamp of the House of David, who holds it,the purpose for why they are holding it and to whom it must be given - do you know that the Lamp, the Light of the Nations, His Natal Star actually stopped above David's Fallen Tent and that is what Simeon saw in the Temple?

Luke 2:25-31:

25Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all people, 32 a Light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.

2 Chronicles 21:7

7 Nevertheless, because of the covenant the LORD had made with David, the LORD was not willing to destroy the house of David. He had promised to maintain a lamp for him and his descendants for ever

Psalm 132:17

I will cause the horn of David to spring forth;
I have prepared a lamp for Mine anointed.

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Now Ruach Elohim (the literal breath of God - the Holy Spirit ) when he breathes on the Torah it becomes alive - the Living Word in the hand of David - that star,the Gospel in His his Hand - His Sling Shot - with which we slay Giants - the Torah starts to shine with an inner life - it becomes a prophetic testament to the Gospel and Revelation 19:10 says that the Testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy - the Torah as Law expressed through Grace is the Gospel- because it is expressed through the Cross and the Light of the world hung on the Cross and the Cross is the Lamp in the House of David.

Ok- lets talk about the Torah as Living Words - those Living Stones being built on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets and the Lord Jesus Christ who is the founding Cornerstone -

In orthodox Jewish thought words are held to be the building blocks of the universe - the Divine DNA - not the Living Word who fills everything through the Cross (which is a Messianic Jewish understanding) - but words. So even the letters of the Hebrew alphabet have power of and in themselves quite apart from the words they represent and comprise.

Now Messianic Jewish thought says that this is only a veiled understanding - a partial and confused understanding, because Isaiah 55:10, 11 says -

10 As the rain and the snow

come down from heaven,

and do not return to it

without watering the earth

and making it bud and flourish,

so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:

It will not return to me empty,

but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

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Not words - with no Life of their own - but His Living Word which fills the universe and testifies through the Cross to the Resurrection.

You see in Jewish thought when a person spoke a word, it was perceived to be a living thing - but it is not a Word of Life without His invested and sustaining presence.

Once out of the speaker's mouth it became distinct from that person. It had a life source of its own although still representing that person - but without HIM it has no sustaining power.

As an assumed living thing, it was thought that - that word would,of itself, accomplish exactly what was said - Like sin, every word not spoken in and through HIM has no life, no power, no Life purpose and no weapon formed against us can prosper - these words will fallshort at our feet and we will stand on them - the Messianic Jewish Church will crush them under their feet in winning for the Lamb, the rewards of His sufferings.

So when God speaks - Ruach Elohim - His power is in what He says and it is He Himself in his words- let there be light - as the Living Word expressed as the Lamp of David, the Light of the World on the Cross - As John simply states -

John 1:1-5

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning.
3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it

Do you understand this?

When we choose words of Life and not Death- we are in Him and speaking through Him - which is what it means to prophesy through and in everything that we are and express.

If You are reading this and feel a stirring in your spirit in The Holy Spirit - I bless you and into your hand I place the Lamp of the House of David to hold it high in the midst of the Nations until Him to whom it must be given and you will not put the Lamp down until He returns -

Amen.

Psalm 119: 130a -

The unfolding of your words gives light

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Psalm 119:105 -

Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

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Mark

talitha · Mar 15, 2005

must..... print.... out......

thank you again for all this teaching, it's incredible.......

It's interesting to me that you took this terminology from the Russian language. At some point over the course of my two long visits to Siberia I began to be told that my "soul is Russian." It's also been prophesied over me that I am a "mother," even though at 40 years old I have no natural children...... Hmmmm...... We shall see what develops....... if this happens in my life, I would be a "starka," I think, since I am a woman (I think that's the correct feminine ending, not sure)

I have a question -- would you consider Rasputin to have been a starets? I mean, obviously if some of the stories are true he lost his way to some extent, but.....?

before I get this thread too off course, I'll shut my mouth.......

blessings
tal

Mark Downham · Mar 15, 2005

Tal

Yes - You are a Starka.

Galatians 4:27

For it is written: Be glad, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth and cry aloud, you who have no labor pains; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband.

Tal, your name is no longer Sarai but Sarah - a spiritual multitude will come from you -

Genesis 17: 15,16b

15 God also said to Abraham, As for Sarai....you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah.
16 ...I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her.

I release this in your ministry, right now! Receive this commission, mantle and anointing in Faith. Amen.

As for Rasputin - He was a Russian Orthodox Monk - He was carnal and licentious - I treat Rasputin as a cautionary tale.

Rasputin's rise to preeminence was due to his close relationship with Nicholas II's wife, Alexandra. The heir to the throne, Alexis, suffered from hemophaelia, and only Rasputin could do what the top medical professors could not: he could stop the boy's bleeding. Because of this, Alexandra believed he was a holy man sent to protect Alexis and she kept him close by at all times, despite the fact that he rarely bathed.

We all have choices - He made poor choices.

I am going to discuss the Christian Spiritual Walk in a material world at some point - which you may find interesting.

Thanks for your encouragement.

Love.

Mark

Mark Downham · Mar 15, 2005

I would like to discuss spiritual Mantles and those who are called to wear them - Us, the Church.

A Mantle is basically interchangeable with God's Presence/Spirit.

2 Kings 2: 12 - 14

12 And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.

This is a prophetic enactment of coming into God's presence and prefigures the Temple Curtain being torn in two.

13 He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan

He took up his ministry and office - the Jordan symbolises:

1. Sacramental Ordination.

2. Baptism and Anointing.

3. Transition and the sense of crossing over.

14 And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.

In smiting the waters - the mantle was revealed to be an instrument of transferred and prophetic/symbolic Spiritual Power - again the parting symbolises crossing over into purpose, calling, ministry, appointment.

Elijah threw his mantle over Elisha - again prophetic/symbolic enactment of calling, anointing, conferment of authority - Elisha has a family business, with twelve hired men ploughing in a line with teams of oxen - he is prosperous and successful - this peripatetic wildman comes up and throws his mantle around him - Elisha then burns the plough, sacrifices the Oxen and follows Elijah into the invisible, the intangible, the crossing over into calling - in the Kairos of incarnational reality.

I Kings 19:19-21

The Call of Elisha

19 So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. 20 Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. "Let me kiss my father and mother good-by," he said, "and then I will come with you."

"Go back," Elijah replied. "What have I done to you?" 21 So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his attendant.

Before the fall - Adam was clothed with the glory of God.

Genesis 1:27

27 So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

This image was a conferment of presence covering Adam and in effect a mantle.

The critical factor is transference.

The people who mentor us will in some way transfer - impart - actually, I will use the expression - impartation - there will be an impartation of the work of th Holy Spirit in their lives.

The transference of mantles in the Old Testament is expressed through Impartation in the New Testament.

Romans 1:11 - Paul says

I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong

Mark Downham · Mar 15, 2005

If his words are written on your heart and not on tablets of stone then you have become the new ark of the covenant and the tabernacle of his presence is the Holy of Holies within you through the Holy Spirit.

The tabernacle of his presence - which was outside the Camp on Calvary covered the Ark - his presence through the Cross is an expression of that weight of glory resting on us.

Do you know what happened to Smith Wigglesworth - he caught fire - through catching hold of His mantle - he reached up and touched the hem of His mantle and it set Him on Fire.

Zechariah 3:1-5

Clean Garments for the High Priest

1 Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD , and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him. 2 The LORD said to Satan, "The LORD rebuke you, Satan! The LORD , who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?" 3 Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. 4 The angel said to those who were standing before him, "Take off his filthy clothes." Then he said to Joshua, "See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put rich garments on you." 5 Then I said, "Put a clean turban on his head." So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him, while the angel of the LORD stood by.

Mantles and Hands are prophetically and symbolically interchangeable.

The laying on of hands in the Old and New Testament were for the following purposes:

Blessing.
The setting in place and anointing of leaders.
Consecration.
Impartation of spiritual gifts, strength, authority or wisdom.
Substitution and the transfer of punishment.
Healing
Deliverance.
Prophecy.
To receive the Baptism with the Holy Spirit - Bishops in Liturgical Denominations do this under their Sacrament of Confirmation.

In the Old Testament, the laying on of hands often conferred spiritual blessings.

When Moses was soon to die, the Lord had Moses lay his hands upon Joshua. Joshua was already "a man in whom is the spirit," but through the laying on of hands, Joshua became full of wisdom and the anointing of Moses was transferred onto him.

In the New Testament, Jesus blessed the little children and laid His hands on them.

The Levites were brought before the Lord and the children of Israel put their hands on them.

The Levites then laid their hands upon the heads of the bullocks, one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering unto the Lord to make an atonement for the Levites. This does not mean that the actual sinfulness of the people was transferred to the substitute but rather that the liability to punishment was transferred. In other words, the substitute bore the punishment of the people's sins.

Through the hands being laid on the sacrifice, they identified themselves with the offering and the sin was transferred from the sinner to the victim so that their hands would be clean to serve. Hands were laid on the victim and the sin of the sinner confessed over it. The substitute then bore the sins of the people, and their sins were said to be "laid upon it" thereby being removed.

This is a type of the atonement of Jesus, through our confession, our sins are transferred to Him so we can become holy. The Levites were then separated from among the children of Israel and belonged to the Lord completely for His service. This is also a type of the salvation in the Christian church that differentiates those who are merely justified from those who are wholly sanctified. Through faith, we lay our hands upon the Lamb of God, He takes away our sin, purifies us and consecrates us to service.

The laying on of hands in consecration and ordination is used today by many churches and it has real spiritual power. The Holy Spirit separated Paul and Barnabas for the work and the prophets and teachers laid hands upon them and sent them on their way in the power of the Holy Ghost. Today, officers of the church have hands laid on by those who confer the authority of the Holy Ghost to equip those who will serve in the church. The officers of the early church were ordained by prayer, fasting and the laying on of hands. This action did not equip them with spiritual gifts, the Seven Deacons of Acts were men chosen already "full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom." True servants of God are ordained because they are qualified, not qualified by being ordained.

Jesus laid hands on those to be healed.

Jesus did not say the sick would be immediately healed but promised, "they will recover" leaving the question of timing open. Sometimes healing is received immediately and at other times it is a gradual process. Nonetheless, Jesus promised and we should stand firm on it.

Jesus before He was received into Heaven, Jesus told us that those that believe in the gospel and are baptized will also be able to lay hands on the sick in His name and they will recover. The book of Acts is full of examples of the apostles using their hands with the same power that Jesus had with "many signs and wonders." Ananias laid his hands on Paul, restoring his sight. The apostles Barnabas and Paul had the power, Paul healed many by laying on of hands and God's power is described as "special miracles by the hands of Paul."

Early in church history, the anointing with oil replaced much of the laying on of hands. The Biblical imperative of laying on of hands is the reason given for chrismation (anointing with oil) following baptism in the Orthodox church, marking a convert with myrrh. Chrismation represents the seal of the grace-giving powers that are bestowed through the ceremony for spiritual life. The practice of laying on of hands were retained in the Middle Ages through the ceremonial functions and the custom of applying relics and the prayers of healing. It has always been used for ordination or setting apart for service. The laying on of hands was considered a sacrament and divine mystery, a visible representation of receiving the Holy Spirit. The Wesleyan and Whitefield revivals, the Great Awakening and the holiness movement saw the power and faith restored apart from mere ceremony, tradition and formality.

Many churches today still use the laying on of hands as a ritual - prophetic and symbolic enactment - to "confirm" people with real spiritual power and authority in Christ. Holy hands even with little faith under this kind of power is sufficient to drive out demons and demolish strongholds, heal the sick and anoint true servants.

Through the laying on of hands, with prayers and fasting, Paul and Barnabas were commissioned and empowered for the work God had for them to do. By the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled, God had opened "the door of faith unto the Gentiles." Elders, deacons and bishops are consecrated by the laying on of hands. The gift that was in Timothy was given him by prophecy with the laying on of hands by the presbytery. Paul was to remind Timothy to stir up this gift of God. When Paul wrote the Romans, he longed to see them so that "I may impart to you some spiritual gift." That had to be in the laying on of hands or he would not have to see them in person. The Holy Spirit came upon those at Ephesus that Paul would lay hands on and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. Peter and John laid hands upon the Samaritans and they received the Holy Spirit.

At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was given to the whole group through the spontaneous action of God with tongues of fire resting on each of them. Others receive it through repentance. We stand in prayer lines to be prophesied to and receive the impartation of the Holy Ghost and spiritual gifts. Many in the healing and revival ministries lay on holy hands and many fall back from the power. Many of us report the same experiences when we receive the power, many "slain by the spirit." The simultaneous feeling of peace and power, the tingling sensations and the compulsion to lift up our hands and drink of the spirit, sometimes just a relaxing surrender reassuring us that He is in control, and that His love for us is greater than we will ever be able to comprehend. Many report of the power to stretch out our hands in prayer and spiritual agreement toward others, feeling the virtue and power leaving us through our hands.

The weight of glory commented on by Paul was a spiritual mantle.

Mark Downham · Mar 15, 2005

2 Corinthians 4:16-18.

Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. 17 For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, 18 while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal

That weight of glory is a spiritual mantle - it is transforming when it rests on your shoulders - everything changes - you cross over your Jordan.

No living man has seen the deep scarlet colour of the Mantle of Justice soaked in Love worn by the Church and when we go up and go forth in the authority of that mantle even very rocks groan, utter and cry justice.

Amen.

Mark

psalms 91 · Mar 15, 2005

what a wonderful spirit led post on mantles

Mark Downham · Mar 15, 2005

Bill 16652

ABRAHAM'S REVELATION

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by Bill Burns
Faith Tabernacle

When the Lord, our God, was ready to initiate a covenant that would establish His rule in the earth, He looked for a man to make covenant with. The man that God found was Abram, whose name He changed to Abraham. In Genesis chapter 12 the Lord spoke to Abraham and told him to leave his father's house, and Abraham departed as the Lord had spoken to him. By faith, Abraham obeyed God, and it was accounted to him as righteousness and, therefore, the covenant process continued.

The covenant with Abraham is the first of the theocratic covenants which pertain to God's rule (through covenant) over a chosen people. Because God's covenant with Abraham would become the model of the subsequent theocratic covenants (which required blood sacrifice), the Lord revealed His master plan by identifying the three covenants by which He would redeem and bless mankind. The covenant process with Abraham was progressive even as this present covenant of grace that we live in is (Hebrews 10:36). Progression is contingent upon man's obedience to the covenant conditions or laws.

When we follow the Genesis account of God's interaction with Abraham, we find that the Lord continued to speak of covenant promises, but Abraham did not receive the promises until later (as a result of his obedience).

God did not confirm the covenant with Abraham (by blood) until after Abraham saw Christ's Day (Calvary) and had revelation of the blood of atonement which the cross would yield. This truth was revealed by Jesus Himself in John 8:56 "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad."

It is my opinion that Abraham saw Christ's Day through Melchizedek who was a king and a priest of God Most High. Melchizedek was a type of Christ as seen in the communion elements as he brought bread and wine to Abraham. This revelation of the blood and body of Christ brought Abraham's covenant (with the blessings) into the New Covenant. This great mystery is revealed by the Apostle Paul in Galatians 3:14-29.

Melchizedek blessed Abraham, and Abraham gave him a tithe of all (Genesis 14:19-20). It was after Abraham broke bread and drank wine and gave of his sustenance that God ratified the covenant with the shedding of blood (sacrifices). Genesis 15:1 tells us after these things (meeting with Melchizedek) that he spoke to Abraham these marvelous words. Genesis 15:1, "After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, 'Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.'"

Abraham then asked a question of God: Genesis 15:8, "And he said, 'Lord GOD, how shall I know that I will inherit it?'" We find the answer in Genesis 15:9-14, "So He said to him, 'Bring Me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.' Then he brought all these to Him and cut them in two, down the middle, and placed each piece opposite the other; but he did not cut the birds in two. And when the vultures came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away. Now when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, horror and great darkness fell upon him. Then He said to Abram: 'Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them, and they will afflict them four hundred years. And also the nation whom they serve I will judge; afterward they shall come out with great possessions.'" In this passage of scripture God reveals three covenants through which He would establish divine rule over His people, those who would choose to live in covenant with Him according to covenant law.

Genesis 15:9 tells us that the heifer, goat and ram were to be three years of age. The number three points to three covenants in three ages or dispensations. The covenant with Abraham (faith), with Moses (the law) and the Christ (grace). The greatest of these would be the third (the ram), which is symbolic of Christ. Abraham saw this on the day of his final test of obedience. The story is recorded in Genesis 22. The fourth verse tells us that it was on the third day that he saw Calvary (in the land of Moriah), and it was there on Calvary that God provided a ram caught in the thicket by its horns.

The three-year-old heifer was symbolic of God's covenant with Abraham, a covenant based on obedience (Genesis 17:1-2) as a result of faith which would produce works of obedience. This covenant would be carried into the New Covenant of grace and was, therefore, foreshadowed by the law as the ashes of a red (blood) heifer. (Numbers 19:2-10). Thus, the second covenant, which would pass away pointed to the blood of everlasting atonement.

The second covenant (the law) is symbolized by the female goat. This foreshadows the removal of the goats from the sheep (sons of the Ram) in the final covenant. The goats will be removed from the covenant promise even as the law (second covenant) was removed and replaced by a better covenant. (Matthew 25:31-34 and Hebrews 7:22; 8:13; 9:13).

The ram represents the covenant that we are presently a part of, the New Covenant of grace. Grace came because of the shed blood of the Lamb of God. Let us look into heaven's glory and see this Lamb: Revelation 5:6, "And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth."

The seven horns represent the fullness of Christ's authority and the seven eyes the fullness of the Spirit which Jesus had without measure.

At this point we must examine Abraham's actions when he offered the five-fold sacrifice before God. Genesis 15, verse 10 tells us that the heifer, goat and ram were cut in two. The word "covenant" means to cut (an agreement). So again, we see that three covenants were cut (made), and God ratified the covenants by walking through the blood as a burning torch and smoking oven (Genesis 15:17). This represents God's promise of the coming of the third covenant of grace in which He would baptize His covenant people with the Holy Spirit and fire (torch), and His glory (smoking furnace) would rest upon them as the anointing.

Abraham must have known this because he did not cut the birds in two. The turtle dove and pigeon represent the progression of the third covenant as it moves into the third day. In the likeness of the Ram (Lamb) with the fullness of the Spirit, represented by the turtle dove (the Holy Spirit) and will become the carrier pigeon--carrying the good news of the gospel unto all the world, and then the end shall come.

It will also be in the third day of the third covenant that the five-fold ministry (Ephesians 4:11) will be raised up under the power of the covenant promise. Ephesians 4:12-13, "For the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."

It may also be possible that these five symbols (heifer, goat, ram, turtle dove, and pigeon) represent the five-fold ministry. I will let you determine which symbol represents which ministry office.

I will, however, prophesy to you about the last two symbols. Evangelism is about to become prophetic. The one carrying the message is going to be accompanied by the Spirit, for these two were not divided. Hidden sins will be revealed, and many will come to Jesus. A new wave of healing power will come forth through the evangelist and will testify to the greatness of our God.

This was Abraham's revelation, and now ours. So now I must warn you that we must do like Abraham did. Genesis 15:11, "And when the vultures came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away." Satan always comes to steal revelation because revelation unlocks the mysteries of God and, therefore, releases the great power of God. We now find ourselves at the end of the age when great darkness covers the land. Genesis 15:12, "Now when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, horror and great darkness fell upon him." We find ourselves in the midnight hour when darkness is upon the people. Therefore, our glorious God will become a flaming torch and a smoking oven of His glory--the cloud by day and the fire by night--and He shall lead His covenant sons of glory into the final victory! Even so, come Lord Jesus! Amen.

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You remind me of Abraham.

Love.

Mark

psalms 91 · Mar 15, 2005

thank you for your obedience mark as once again you have enlightened me and showed me new truths. you are highly blessed of God

Hadron · Mar 15, 2005

This month in my church's singles group, The Door, we will be going over purpose and calling, perhaps even releasing as well. Sounds like a great time for me to go through this thread...

KleinerApfel · Mar 15, 2005

Mark Downham said:
Before the fall - Adam was clothed with the glory of God.

OH WOW!

Enlightenment! One of those things that once pointed out it's impossible to see why I never got it before!
Thank you.

I suppose the same goes for Eve?

God bless,
love Susana

Mark Downham · Mar 15, 2005

Susana

I suppose the same goes for Eve

Yes -

Genesis 3:20 -

Adam named his wife Eve, because she would become the mother of all the living.

As in All those who are spiritually alive in Her Seed who is the Son of Man, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Mark

Mark Downham · Mar 15, 2005

Penumbra

This month in my church's singles group, The Door, we will be going over purpose and calling, perhaps even releasing as well

I release your ministry, destiny and purpose in Him and to His glory! Right now! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ! Amen.

Acts 16:26

Immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were loosed.

Mark

Mark Downham · Mar 15, 2005

Here is an example of how the Lord's Prayer can be used in making Prophetic Proclamations and Declarations in releasing His presence into your ministry.

A Prayer of Healing through Worship

Heavenly Father,
We come into Your presence to love and adore You.
Thank You for Your love and Your desire for union with us.
We welcome all that You wish to do through
this healing prayer. We open ourselves to communication
with You and Jesus through the ministry of the Holy
Spirit. Come Holy Spirit, anoint us with healing so
deep it reaches back into our blood line; with
healing so wide it impacts our friends and relatives;
with healing so high it draws us into Your holiness.

Holy Spirit, come with Your fire. Our Father Which Art In Heaven---

Father God,
by Your grace I come to You with all that I am
and all that I ever hope to be.
I am Your child born of Your love.
Jesus brought me into Your presence.
You alone satisfy my soul.
You in me and I in You;
this is the path of healing for my soul.
By Your grace I come into Your presence
with simple, trusting assurance, certain
of Your love for me. In Your presence all
fear and insecurity melt away and deep hurts
become healing memories. In Your presence
I am strengthened and filled with hope. Father
in heaven, I breathe the breath of heaven
deep inside my spirit. Your heaven flows
through me. May the light of Your glory be
present with me throughout this day.
I love You Father.

Hallowed Be Thy Name---

Father,
I choose to live this one precious life in a
way that honors Your holy name. You call me
to worship, and I come. Oh Father, let all
that is within me cry holy. Let every wound
of my past dissolve in the light of Your
wonderful presence. Turn my weaknesses into
strengths, my failures into victories, my sorrows
into joy. Perfect all that concerns me as I
gaze upon Your holiness.

Thy Kingdom Come---

Father,
Your kingdom of love is in my heart.
It is not I who live but Christ who lives
in me. I am identified with my risen Lord
Jesus and Your kingdom is established in my
spirit. In coming to know Jesus, I am
discovering who I am, Precious Lord. Your
kingdom has come into my emotions,
and they are in a healthy balance.
Your kingdom has come into my mind,
and it is sanctified. Your kingdom
has come into my body, and I am becoming
healthy. Your kingdom rules my heart, and
I live a life of richness and depth. Your
kingdom has come into my mouth, and I speak
words that heal and liberate. Because Your
kingdom rules my life I am resilient and
filled with hope in all circumstances.

Thy Will Be Done---

Father in heaven,
unite my will with that of Your son.
Thank You for giving me a spirit of
submission, tender and open to the
Holy Spirit. In every circumstance I
commend myself to Your grace and choose
what is pleasing to You. Father,
I delight to do Your will. When I
lay my life before You and say "Thy
will be done," You receive it
as an act of worship. Wonderful Lord,
You have come tenderly into the deepest
struggles of my life and whispered, "Just
keep Your eyes on me. Trust me to take
care of You." You have come into my
broken heart and made it a place of worship.
You have drawn me to praise You when
everything in my world was in ashes.
You have called me to trust beyond all
reason. I lay my life upon the altar of
Your love and say with joy in my soul,
"Thy will be done." Jesus, I trust in You."

On Earth As It Is In Heaven---

Father,
my heart beats with Your heart.
For me, to live is Christ.
Thank You, Holy Spirit,
for bringing my life into harmony
with heaven. Thank You, Holy Spirit,
for teaching me how to walk with
Jesus in His resurrected life. Thank
You, that the attitudes of heaven
are my attitudes. I think Your
thoughts and walk in Your presence.
I carry the light of Heaven wherever I go.

Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread---

Father,
You have always taken care of me, and
You always will. You give me what
I need each day and prepare for my
tomorrow. My faith is growing. Thank
You for my daily joy that draws me
to worship when sadness comes. Thank
You for Your healing balm that soothes
the day's aches and pains. Thank
You for Your perfect love that soaks
away my fear. Your tender daily
care in every area of need draws me
to my knees in worship. Thank You
for walking with me day by day.
In our growing friendship You have
never failed me, ever. I love You,
Father. I love You, Jesus, Bread
of Heaven. I love You, Holy Spirit.

Forgive Us Our Debts---

Father,
thank You for Your gift of mercy in my life;
Your mercy that reaches my heart, because I have
forgiven those who hurt me. I confess my sins and
receive forgiveness. I am free from condemnation
and safely united to You. Your truth has made me free.
I love You Father.

As We Forgive Our Debtors---

Father,
by the grace of the cross I let go of
bitterness resentment and unforgiveness.
If there are hidden roots of unforgiveness,
thank You for shining Your light on them.
I entrust this area to You. Thank You, for
turning injury into compassion and hurts
into intercessions. Forgiveness brings
heaven to earth. I love You, Father---

And Lead Us Not Into Temptation---

Thank You, Father,
for keeping me on a path that leads to holiness.
With Your grace I see temptation when it comes,
and brush it off the path. Your love is stronger
than the urge to sin. Thank You for healing any
areas of my soul that might be vulnerable to temptation.
Jesus, You are my Shepherd and my hiding place. You
guide me to safe pastures. I am responsive to the
voice of the Holy Spirit who warns me of trouble ahead.
Thank You, Father. I Love You.

But Deliver Us From Evil---

Father,
Thank You for protecting me from every evil and for
bringing me a gift of peace. You have broken the chain
of oppression, delivered me from depression, anger, guilt,
and fear. At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow;
addictions, perversions, hopelessness, worthlessness,
loneliness and despair must bend their knee to the
name of Jesus. I cast down every argument and every
high thing in me that exalts itself against the
knowledge of God. I bring every thought into captivity
to the obedience of Christ. Thank You for giving me
the power over all the power of the enemy. Nothing
shall hurt me. You have given me a spirit of praise
and worship, which is my strength in the face of the
enemy. Thank You for Your armor, Your name, Your blood,
Your Spirit. No weapon formed against me shall prosper.
Thank You Father. I love You.

For Thine Is The Kingdom.. And The Power.. And The Glory Forever

Father,
every gift You have given me, every dream, every talent,
every possesion, every resource and hope for the future,
I return to You with love. All is Yours.
May Your name be glorified, may Your kingdom come.
Take Lord, receive, All my liberty, My memory,
my understanding, my entire will. All that I have
and possess. You have given all to me; To You,
O' Lord, I return it. All is Yours. Dispose of it
wholly according to You will. Give me Your love
and Your grace, for this is sufficient for me. Amen!!

Revelation 19:10 -

The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy

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Luke 11:1

One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, Lord, teach us to pray..."

Prayer is prophecy. When you pray you prophesy.

Mark

Mark Downham · Mar 15, 2005

Prophetic Declarations can and will release Physical and Spiritual Healing - Physical, Mental, Emotional and Spiritual Healing -

Start by asking the Lord to heal your imagination through releasing His Incarnational and Real Presence into your imagination - right now!

God Is The Healer

He revealed Himself to His people as Jehovah-Rapha (The Lord your Healer, Exod 15:26).
He wants to heal those who are sick and hurting. Give Him the opportunity to do so by
coming to Him in prayer based on His revealed Word (will).

Jesus Paid A Price For Our Healing
Surely He has borne our griefs (sicknesses) and carried our sorrows (pains); yet
we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our
transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was
upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:4,5

Healing was purchased in the atonement. It is as available as salvation.
He bore our sins and penalty so that we don't have to. In the same way,
He bore our sicknesses and diseases so that we don't have to.

Is It God's Will To Heal?
Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins,
might live for righteousness-- by whose stripes you were healed. 1 Pet 2:24

It is not a question anymore. He has already done it. It is past tense.
All that is left is "receiving" it.

We Are To Release God's Kingdom (Rule And Reign) On Earth
Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10
Jesus instructed us to pray and release God's Kingdom (His will) on earth. Once you
know what God's will is, you can pray with confidence.
Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His
will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we
have the petitions that we have asked of Him. 1 John 5:14,15

God Is The Author And Source Of Life
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.
I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power,
who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the
devil, for God was with Him. Acts 10:38

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father
of lights, with Whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. James 1:17

God is the author and source of life, health, and all that is good.
We have an enemy that desires to destroy us, whom we are to resist
steadfast in the faith. (James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8,9)

As believers we can lay hands on the sick (our part) and they
will recover (God's part). (Mark 16:17)

Scriptures On Healing
Exod 15:26
"If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what
is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all
His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which
I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you."

Exod 23:25-26
So you shall serve the LORD your God, and He will bless your bread and your water.
And I will take sickness away from the midst of you. No one shall suffer miscarriage
or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days.

Ps 103:1-5
Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name!
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits:
Who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with
loving kindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth
with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Ps 105:37
He also brought them out with silver and gold, and there was none
feeble among His tribes.

Ps 107:20
He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.

Prov 3:5-8
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own
understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall
direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD
and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones.

Prov 4:20-22
My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings.
Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of
your heart; For they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh.

Isa 53:4-5
Surely He has borne our griefs (sicknesses) and carried our sorrows (pains); yet
we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our
transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was
upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.

Matt 4:23-24
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of
the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people.
Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who
were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were
demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them.

Matt 8:16-17
When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And
He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, that it might be
fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: "He Himself took
our infirmities and bore our sicknesses."

Matt 9:35
Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their
synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every
sickness and every disease among the people.

Mark 1:40-42
Then a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, "If
You are willing, You can make me clean." And Jesus, moved with compassion, put out
His hand and touched him, and said to him, "I am willing; be cleansed." As soon as
He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed.

Luke 6:17-19
And He came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of His disciples
and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of
Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases, as well as those
who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed. And the whole multitude
sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all.

Acts 5:16
Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people
and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

Acts 10:38
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with
power, Who went about doing good, and healing all who were oppressed
by the devil, for God was with Him.

1 Pet 2:24
who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having
died to sins, might live for righteousness-- by whose stripes you were healed.

If you start kneeling on these promises and declare them to the Lord you will release an incarnational dynamic between Heaven and Earth and You will have a Healing Encounter.

Amen.

Mark

Angel*Eyes · Mar 15, 2005

Thanks for the healing article. I definitely need both physical and spiritual healing. Also, my sister has a really bad physical condition. When I get time, I'm definitely going to read through all of this.

Mark Downham · Mar 15, 2005

Angel*Eyes

We need to have a serious discussion on how we cleanse our Lives, even objects in our Homes - which could act as focus points for the enemy - we have to ask the Lord to show us where our lives and homes need cleansing - so that we can go in and possess the Land - in terms of receiving our Healing - in our bodies, our minds, our emotions, our wills, our imaginations and our hearts/spirits.

Leviticus 14:33-53

Cleansing a Leprous House

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33The LORD further spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying:

34"When you enter the land of Canaan, which I give you for a possession, and I put a mark of leprosy on a house in the land of your possession,

35then the one who owns the house shall come and tell the priest, saying, 'Something like a mark of leprosy has become visible to me in the house.'

36"The priest shall then command that they empty the house before the priest goes in to look at the mark, so that everything in the house need not become unclean; and afterward the priest shall go in to look at the house.

37"So he shall look at the mark, and if the mark on the walls of the house has greenish or reddish depressions and appears deeper than the surface,

38then the priest shall come out of the house, to the doorway, and quarantine the house for seven days.

39"The priest shall return on the seventh day and make an inspection. If the mark has indeed spread in the walls of the house,

40then the priest shall order them to tear out the stones with the mark in them and throw them away at an unclean place outside the city.

41"He shall have the house scraped all around inside, and they shall dump the plaster that they scrape off at an unclean place outside the city.

42"Then they shall take other stones and replace those stones, and he shall take other plaster and replaster the house.

43"If, however, the mark breaks out again in the house after he has torn out the stones and scraped the house, and after it has been replastered,

44then the priest shall come in and make an inspection. If he sees that the mark has indeed spread in the house, it is (AH)a malignant mark in the house; it is unclean.

45"He shall therefore tear down the house, its stones, and its timbers, and all the plaster of the house, and he shall take them outside the city to an unclean place - the Cross.

46"Moreover, whoever goes into the house during the time that he has quarantined it, becomes unclean until evening.

47"Likewise, whoever lies down in the house shall wash his clothes - in the Blood of the Lamb, and whoever eats in the house shall wash his clothes.

48"If, on the other hand, the priest comes in and makes an inspection and the mark has not indeed spread in the house after the house has been replastered, then the priest shall pronounce the house clean because the mark has not reappeared.

49"To cleanse the house then, he shall take two birds and cedar wood and a scarlet string and hyssop,

50and he shall slaughter the one bird in an earthenware vessel over running water.
51"Then he shall take the cedar wood and the hyssop and the scarlet string, with the live bird, and dip them in the blood of the slain bird as well as in the running water, and sprinkle the house seven times.

52"He shall thus cleanse the house with the blood of the bird and with the running water, along with the live bird and with the cedar wood and with the hyssop and with the scarlet string.

53"However, he shall let the live bird go free outside the city into the open field. So He shall make atonement for the house, and it will be clean."

We need to be radical about this and let go of anything that in any way interferes with each us practising His Presence - for me, it was Leftfield politics, culture and radical intelligensia - I just cut it all off - I had to replace those stones and replaster the House.

I Corinthians 2:2 -

For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

In His Love.

Mark

Angel*Eyes · Mar 15, 2005

Oh, ok. I have to think about what the problem could be. I know I don't think have any unforgiveness or anything like that. Could it be a generational curse? Well, I have to pray about it. Thanks.

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