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“THE POTTER’S HOUSE IS STILL OPEN” part 2. MARCH 2018.

         To continue our study of this subject, we will connect with Paul, in his letter to the Romans. Here, he is speaking of our salvation and the different phases that we go through into the process of development. Many of these concepts have been taught in public bible study classes, in weekend meetings of sons of God, meeting in hotel conference rooms and such the like. In this study, we were going to proceed very slowly, giving our undivided attention to what the scriptures actually said: especially as it pertains to the ordained time cycles and the impact we experience as they unfold before our very eyes. 

          Paul takes us back in time as it relates to our salvation, and our progression in our walk as sons of God. It is of vital importance that you follow me, as together we look more closely into what God began for his own purpose before time began. We are opening our study by examining the fact that we were in God’s master plan for the ages, before the ages came into being. In other words, before the worlds were framed by the word of God: before man set his foot on this terrestrial plane and our parents, grandparents and great, great; great grandparents were born, our salvation was a matter birthed in the Divine Mind, approved, sealed and signed by God. 

          Paul takes us by the hand and escorts us through the galleries of time for us to observe the greatness of God, and the fact that we were an integral part of his desire and good wishes for his creation. Paul assures us on this basis: “According as he hath chosen us IN HIM BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD (or before the foundations of the world were broken up—between Genesis 1: 1 and verse 3) that we should be holy and without blame before him in love. Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will. To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.” Ephesians 1:4-6. The transaction is done and complete as the Creator ordained it to be. Listen to the good part—how this came to be! “According to the riches of his grace; having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to HIS GOOD PLEASURE which he hath purposed IN HIMSELF.” Ephesians 1: 9. Let us take it step by step—phase by phase as it applies to each and every one of us. This will be the main shaft, the central beam, the cap stone upon which salvation has been built. As we shall see in short order, our salvation began before time began. So then, nothing about you and your God is by chance or accident.  Your coming to Christ as Savior is not an amazing discovery to him.

         “For whom he did foreknow, (known to him before we were born) he also did predestinate (pre-determined) to be conformed (made like unto—fashioned into the same image) to the image of his Son, that he (the Son) might be the firstborn among many brethren. Another translation says: That he might be the firstborn among a family of many brothers. But speaking realistically, if Jesus Christ is called the firstborn among us, it stands to reason that many other sons JUST LIKE HIM must emerge from the same family tree. If there wouldn’t be others like him, he’d be called the ONLY BEGOTTEN—but in this case he is called the FIRSTBORN among many brethren. So, the die is cast, and God’s blueprint began to take shape thousands of years ago. 

          To add a little more substance to the thought, the writer of Hebrews records a supporting scripture. “For both he that sanctifeth and they who are sanctified ARE ALL OF ONE: for which cause (because of this fact, this indisputable truth) he is not ashamed to call them brethren. Hebrews 2: 11. Remember that he is the first born among many brethren. Here is a little icing on the cake to open the door to our understanding. “Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; whither the forerunner (Jesus Christ) is for us entered, even Jesus made an high priest, forever after the order of Melchisedec.” Hebrew 6: 19, 20. 

Let us follow closely along that path that leads from our first exposure to the saving grace of Christ. Paul uses a specific term that is meant to drive home his point. “Moreover (to continue his train of thought) whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.” Romans 8:30. In the practice of our Christian faith, very early we are taught the doctrine of justification. Different Christian Entities believe, teach and practice different forms of justification. If we follow closely to what the bible actually said about justification we should not be far off the main walk way into our growth in the ways of the Lord, by the pure doctrine of his teachings. 

          Again, we borrow from Paul’s pastoral letter: “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.” Romans 5: 1, 2. Having been justified by faith in Christ Jesus, there is really no need to search and ask for peace with God. Peace with God is already on the books. It is already an established status for the child of God who embraces BY FATH what God has already done. The process and our walk unto perfection is laid out in the order and sequence rendered by the apostle. First, he lays out God’s foreknowledge of us; followed by God’s predestination of us, specifically to be conformed (made like—patterned after) the image of his Son, Jesus Christ. As we said earlier, he becomes the firstborn when others take on his image.

         He fore knew us, then predestinated us and justified us: watch this carefully! And whom he justified, them he also glorified.” Romans 8. 30. I am taking a closer look at this entire process so as to equate it with the lives and ministers of the Christian faith. That includes altar workers, church mothers, Sunday school and young people teachers, and missionaries, both at home and abroad. Many of us over the years have ministered around the altar where people received the Holy Ghost by our laying of hands. Contrary spirits got cast out, and many received healing to their bodies. Many ministers have reached the world by personal visits and by way of radio and television. Some of these ministers became household names like Ford or Westinghouse. But here is the biggest question of the day?  

          The last part of Romans 8: 30 ends by saying: “And whom he justified, them he also glorified.” But let us sit back and take a moment to ponder, and even search the pages of church history, through the great Welch revivals, and the great pouring out of the Holy Spirit that began in Topeka, Kansas, and burned its way to Los Angeles on Azusa Street. The Los Angeles revival was triggered by the visit of one Brother Seymore from Topeka, Kansas. In fact, when he arrived in Los Angeles and those who invited him saw that he was a black man, they rejected him. A few people outside the group in question, decided to grant the brother an open door, and the Holy Ghost took over in such mighty waves, that the rest is history. 

          But for this study, let us take a stroll back to the ending of Romans 8: 30. Indeed! “Whom he justified, them he also glorified.” But go back to the library and research the lives of Christians; starting with the original apostles of Jesus Christ. Let your research bring you down the corridor of time: through the rise and fall of world kingdoms. End your search with the death of Billy Graham, Jerry Falwell, Bennie Skinner, Ray Prinzing, Kelly Varner, and any more names you wish to add. Before you walk away to pure yourself a hot or cold drink, ask yourself how many people of God who left their foot prints in the sands of time did display the true signs of being glorified? Think back on the basic doctrines that you were taught as a new convert and a babe in Christ. 

          You were taught even a small portion of the doctrine of PREDESTINATION and the doctrine of JUSTIFICATION—to be followed by the doctrine of GLORIFICATION—but alas! I am sure that in your local “church” and your exposure to other ministries over the years, very little or in many cases, nothing has been taught about “glorification.” But this process and goal of the believer is contained in the same package as others in the same verse. I suppose it dwindles in value and is relegated to the back burner, because history, beginning with the original apostles and reaching to our day, the evidence of a single person demonstrating the fact of being glorified has never come to the forefront. Being glorified became a lost or neglected truth on our part: but it remains a dynamic truth in scripture.

Going back even to the time of Christ and the birth of the apostolic church at Pentecost, we cannot find a single account that identifies a single person of whom it can be reasonably said, he or she was glorified in our midst. Being glorified is listed as the last and final stage of our being, as it pertains to God’s master plan for all of us. Each time we stand by a grave to say goodbye to a departed loved one, we mention the great work of faith and dedication of the departed—but we are not able to say that the beloved departed soul was glorified. Even the minister who stands in a blaze of Holy Ghost anointing, ministering to the needs of those that fill the auditorium, even they do not display a single sign that he or she has been glorified. It seems to me that we have to look elsewhere to a different dimension and a new mindset to come to grips with the concept of our glorification. Yes! Being glorified is for us! Yes! it is among God’s promises and a part of our redemption in God’s blue print before the ages. 

          Paul added more on the subject? He wrote: “Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory (not vain glory or improvised glory) and honor and immortality, and eternal life.” Romans 2: 6, 7. That is Paul’s progress chart upon which we ought to build our faith. What are the major factors we are recommended and admonished to seek after? GLORY—HONOR—IMMORTALITY—ETERNAL LIFE.  In scripture, the Holy Ghost was not given until after Jesus Christ was glorified; thus, we read: “And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come that the Son of man should be glorified.” Jon 12:23-27. Here, Jesus pointed to his death, as the corn of wheat that must fall into the earth and die: otherwise, it remains alone. 

          However, under normal circumstances Jesus parted the curtains, lifted the veil and allowed his disciples to see what his glorification looks like. “And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, and was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as light.” Matthew 17: 1, 2. This brings to mind how the face of Moses shone as he returned from meeting face to face with God. We are also reminded of the case of Stephen that also contributed a small portion of what being glorified is all about. This man was put on trial for his faith in Jesus Christ, and for his profound sermon, rehearsing God’s dealings with ancient Israel.  

          His accusers testified against him saying: “We have heard him say, that Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us. And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, SAW HIS FACE AS IT HAD BEEN THE FACE OF AN ANGEL.” Acts 6: 14, 15. These are only glimpses of what being glorified will be like. They are simply “previews.”

          God does not leave himself without a witness; thus, we have many witnesses.We said earlier that Paul exhorted us to seek GLORY—HONOR—IMMORTALITY—ETERNAL LIFE. But how do we attain unto those higher realms.  Because the teachings of churches as we know them today fail to emphasize the need to seek glory, it has been left on the sideline. In church, we are taught much on what happens from conversion, to living a full and productive Christian life; and finally finish our course on this terrestrial plane. In showing us the way to obtain glory, Paul had to refer to Moses, who covered his face. “For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious. Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech. And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which was abolished. But even unto this, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless, when it (the heart) shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.” 2^nd Corinthians 3:11-16. 

          To begin our upward journey unto glorification, Paul pointed the way and what we must first do to begin the process. He writes: “But we all, with open face (or uncovered face- removing the vail of vain traditions of the elders so we can see the truth as it really is) beholding as in a glass (as in a mirror) the glory of the Lord, are changed into the  same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2^nd Corinthians 3: 18. Based upon most church doctrines, when you look in the mirror, you do not see the glory of the Lord. That is because you are always told that you are a sinner on repentance ground, seeking mercy from the Lord. That is the image you will see looking back at you. But according to Paul’s version of events, when you uncover your face from the covering of man-made, vain traditions, you will see the glory of the Lord, and as the process continues, you are being changed into the same image, from glory to glory. This is a progressive growth that impacts the very cells of the body.  

As Israel got ready to depart Egypt, the blood on the door posts was to protect from the death angel; but the eating of the flesh of the Passover lamb was to give strength to their physical bodies. So, on that same basis, we today who come to Jesus as our Savior, have his blood applied securing our eternal salvation. But the redemption of our body has also been provided for and is outlined in scripture. Our major religious organizations and prominent highly visible ministries that reach around the globe, continue to be silent on the subject of “Body felt salvation.” For the most part, institutional religion maintains a ministry that reaches out to the saving of the soul. I have heard ministers say from the pulpit—in my presence: “Don’t try to save the body because it is not going to be saved.” That, my friend, is an uninformed and severely limited view. God’s salvation provided in Christ, and enacted by Christ himself, covers every aspect of the human being. It is designed to save us—spirit, soul, and body. SALVATION IS FOR THE WHOLE MAN!

Royce O. Kennedy