"ON EAGLES' WINGS MINISTRIES"

“See how I bare you on eagles’ wings and brought you unto myself.” Exodus 19: 4.
 

Royce Kennedy, 909 Whistling Duck Drive, Largo, MD 20774, U. S. A.

          Website: www.godfire.net/kennedy: Email: Rkenn909@hotmail.com***

"Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servants whom I have chosen; that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I am the Lord; and beside me there is no Savior. I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore, ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, that I am God."  Isaiah 43:10-12.

 As we study God’s ultimate intentions for his entire creation beginning in Genesis, one thing stands out very clearly: even before time began, God had set in place the building blocks to his kingdom and his ultimate residence with man; and within man. In the process, as we shall see in this study, from the very "get-go" the Creator placed man as the major player in his grand design. Instead of building a wall of separation between himself and man, God constructed man within the framework of himself. DO NOT LET THIS TRUTH SLIP AWAY FROM YOU!! To teach our oneness with God in religious circles is to ask for trouble: and to be castigated by mainstream religion. We grew up being made to understand that God is holy: in fact, so holy that he dares not look upon sin; and as sinners, we must come to him pleading for mercy, confessing our unworthiness.

 Even the name Adam carries certain connotation that impacts the ever-unfolding workings which are his predestinated will for us and for creation at large. The Hebrew word for Adam, is ad’-um or aw-dawn: It means to show blood in the face, to flush, to turn rosy, and of low degree. Remember that David wrote saying that man was made a little lower than the angels which means a little lower than el-o-heem which is plural meaning lower than the Gods. This fits the announcement: "Come let US make man in OUR IMAGE and after OUR LIKENESS. After man disobeyed God’s command, the Lord said: "Behold, the man is become as one of US, to know good and evil." Genesis 2:22. The word image is tsch’-lem and it means to shade, resemblance, a representative, a figure. The word likeness is dem-ooth and it means resemblance, model, manner, similitude. We know that God is Spirit, but from the words used in the creation of man, we see a precursor, or a harbinger of things to come.

Let us look at the fact that God breathe into man, the breath of life, and he became a living soul. That breath of life that is in every man is the God-part of all of us. And we know that at death the spirit returns to God who gave it, while the body returns to the dust. The apostle John puts it this way: "In him (the Word) was life; and the life was the light of men. That was the true Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world." John 1:3,9. Thus, it is clear that God has placed himself in every person that comes into this world. We often remind ourselves that Paul referred to the words of certain of their own prophets who said: "For we are also his offspring (meaning his offshoot or next of kin) much like your son or daughter. If this statement be true, "forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device." Acts 17:28,29. To put in bluntly—in the light of scripture—IF YOU WANT TO SEE GOD—look in the mirror. Why? How? Because Christ had promised that: "If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and make our abode with him or "in him." John 14: 23.

 Also, Paul wrote in one of his pastoral letters to remind the saints: "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." 2nd Corinthians 6: 16. Israel’s call to be God’s witnesses was not based upon, or tempered with the components as seen in the New Testament. What was lacking in them is spelled out in the biblical narrative. "For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it." Hebrews 4:2. We have a better calling for us to be his witnesses as instituted by Christ himself, just prior to his ascension up into heaven. He appeared into the room where the disciples had gathered, and we read: "Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and said unto them, Peace be unto you. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whosesoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whosoever sins ye retain, they are retained." John 20:19-23.

 So far, as religious practices go, it is only the Catholic Church that systemically practice the forgiveness of sins. I remember one of my Chinese cousins in Kingston, Jamaica, telling me how much money he had to pay to the church, to remove his wife from purgatory to heaven. Something on that premise! But for this study, let us pay careful scrutiny to what Jesus said. As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. What is abundantly clear, is that the disciples were given the same mandate as Christ himself, who made that announcement. The mandate that Christ placed upon the disciples, included all that Jesus did in his earthly ministry. Don’t forget the term "EVEN SO SEND I YOU." The disciples were now involved into the same equation with Christ himself. Jesus did say at one time: "Take my yoke upon you and learn of me." Matthew 11:29. So then, from Christ walking the shores of Galilee to this very day, we, as his disciples are still called upon to LEARN JESUS CHRIST.

 This places the impetus on us to observe how Christ started to preach and teach and do many wonderful things. We begin at his baptism, when the Holy Ghost in the form of a dove descended and sat upon him, and the Father speaking his approval of the Christ. (It was at his baptism that he became the Messiah, or the anointed one. We are told that he received the Holy Ghost without measure: but for what ever that was worth, Jesus did not gather together his disciples and set out to establish the "Church of the New Age—or the First Church of God’s Kingdom."

 So far, Jesus did all the right things! He came to church on the right day: "the sabbath day" and he went to the right place "the synagogue."  He read from the right book "the prophet Esaias" and so far, everything worked well for Jesus, but not for long, because in his next statement he blew it. He literally blew away the sentiments, beliefs, and practices of the old system and stirred the wrath of the congregation. "And he began to say unto them, THIS DAY is the scripture fulfilled in your ears. And all bear him witness and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph’s son? And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, and rose up and thrust him out of the city." Luke 4:16-22,28,29. Now we have Jesus ministering in the power of the Holy Spirit; and this was echoed and witnessed by the apostles.  In due time, Jesus went some distance with his disciples and at this crucial moment, perhaps with the disciples sensing the imminent departure of Jesus, they asked about the timing of the restoration of the kingdom to Israel. Instead of giving a direct answer to the disciples’ question about the restoration of the kingdom to Israel, Jesus puts them on notice for an event that could not be matched anywhere, anytime.

 "And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." Acts 1:6-8. This grand event that would happen in another 10 days with the outpouring of the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost, marked the new dynamics of the witnesses of Christ, and the birth of what we call ‘The Apostolic Church." It did not take long for the disciples to publicly bear witness of the resurrection, and that Christ was indeed alive from the dead. In their defense before the council of what God had done, Peter addressed the situation saying: "The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be Prince and as Savior, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him." Acts 5:30-32.  Notice that Peter was not serving as a witness by himself: he was not standing alone, for we read again: And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him  To be like Jesus, and to serve as he served, we must take into account what the records in scripture speaks of him. Here is a status that tops everything that pertains to the preaching of gospel—to have a ministry that heaven has approved.

 "Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know." Acts 2:22  There can be no improvement or stream-lining or modernizing of a ministry that is already approved of God: and may we add, a ministry that is not approved by God, will no doubt fall into the category to whom Christ will say: "Depart from me, I never knew you." Matthew 7: 23. Let us look at another biblical account of the person and ministry of Jesus Christ. "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all things which he did, both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God raised up the third day and shewed him openly; not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead." Acts 10:38-41.

 It a pivotal moment in time; Jesus assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which saith he, ye have heard of me. The disciples had a concern of their own. "When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore the kingdom again to Israel? The disciples were no doubt thinking of an Old Testament  prophecy that said: "In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen down, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old." Amos 9:11. Jesus’ reply did not directly answer their question: rather, he inserted a separate dynamic designed to serve a present cause. "And he said unto them, it is not for you to know the times and the seasons which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." Acts 1:4-8.

 Amos 9:11 can easily be used as a foundation scripture to those who teach many prophesies in a literal sense, especially those relating to the restoration of natural Israel upon a literal throne that is deemed to be David’s throne. But we have a scenario in which Peter went to the house of Cornelius a Gentile, and while speaking the Holy Ghost fell upon all in the room, and as Peter testified "for they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Acts10: 45,46           

 Peter declared that he could not withstand God in his effort to baptize those gathered, with the Holy Ghost as he did upon them at the beginning at Pentecost. Once again, we reiterate the fact that Amos 9:11 serves as a classic statement of truth for the future rise of Israel as a nation to once again sit upon the throne of David. But after Peter delivered his account of his visit to Cornelius’s house, how, and what he spoke, and how the Holy Ghost fell upon everyone in the house: Peter reaffirming that he could not withstand God, James, the chief apostle and seemingly the chairman over the council in Jerusalem  offered his observation, and his assessment of the whole case against Peter. He had paid close attention to Peter’s testimony, marking the importance of every word, and the big picture mirrored in the before them. James did not equate the call of the Gentiles with the rebuilding of Israel. After things had calmed down, James offered his address and his conclusion.

 "And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: Simeon hath declared how God at first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name (note carefully the connection that James made to Peter’s account of what happened.. He did not link the Peter’s account to the restoration of natural Israel to become the top above all other nations) James continued: And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, after this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: that the residue (the remainder of men) of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord that doeth all these things. Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world." Acts 157-18. So then, taken in the truth that it was written in, Amos 9:11 has no connection with the future building of a reestablished Israeli State. Alas! The rebuilding of David’s tabernacle and the ruins thereof relates entirely to the Gentiles receiving salvation, and a process that reaches out to the residue of me. Beating the drum of David’s throne being rebuilt in Jerusalem might sound good to ears that are tuned in to the big futuristic picture. But the truth in scripture can easily lead us out of darkness and misguided interpretations.

 We are called by the Father, to be his witnesses, not merely by what we say about our personal salvation. It is based upon what we have become in our union with Christ. That union is so real that we are told this truth: "For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones." Ephesians 5:30. Paul explained it even further: "For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 1st Corinthians 12:12. From this vantage point, we can see very clearly how different we are as witnesses of Christ, than Israel of old.  We have said this before in previous writings, but we will repeat it since it fits in perfectly with the thoughts being considered i.e. "oneness with Christ."

 Saul of Tarsus was on the Damascus road, bearing letters of authority to pursue, capture, and bring back to Jerusalem in chains, those Christians with whom he fought a pitched battle. On his way, he was suddenly accosted by the risen Christ in a blaze of brilliant glory, in so much that he was thrown to the ground face down and suddenly with blinded eyes. The Lord was the first to speak: he asked why Saul was persecuting him, to which Saul asked: "who art thou Lord that I persecute?" Bear in mind that Saul was persecuting Christians (although at this point in time, the word Christian had not been coined and introduced into the daily conversation about the followers of Christ.) But in answering the question about the person Saul was persecuting, the Lord replied: "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks."

 To put this thought in its proper perspective, let us speculate that Jesus could have said: "why persecute my followers?" or "Why persecute those who are preaching my resurrection, saying that I am alive from the dead?" Jesus could have referred to the second or third person: but he answered in the first person: "I am Jesus!" Paul wrote, as we quoted above, that we are members of his body, of his flesh and of his bones. There is no need to speculate, to wonder and to ponder the truth in this lesson. Jesus is saying that the people you are persecuting are my body—THEY ARE ME!! We have heard the term" the mystical body of Christ." I personally do not subscribe to that philosophy. The church is not his mystical body—we are actually, in reality—his body—his flesh—and his bones; thus, becoming his perfect witnesses in the earth empowered by the Holy Spirit, as we speak as the oracles of God. Yes! As he is, so are we in this world. 1st John 4: 17.  It is because of this truth, this dynamic, why we are exhorted by the Apostle Paul, that we should be conformed to the image (the likeness and personality) of Jesus Christ. That is why our conversion (born again) experience is designed for us to be made partakers of the divine nature—to be like him 2nd Peter 1:4.

Please be reminded to make your gifts payable to Royce Kennedy and not to the ministry.

Royce Kennedy
909 Whistling Duck Drive
Upper Marlboro, MD 20774-7134
 

email