In the Beginning – B’reshite
Throughout history, humanity has gazed in awe upon the heavens, observing the solar system, and innumerable galaxies. Although the magnificent display of the heavenly bodies continues to give glory to their Creator, ungodly men deny His existence and reject His Sovereignty. Moreover, they worship the beauty and wonder of nature. Because of their unbelief, the wicked suppress the knowledge of God and are deceived by Satan. Therefore, humanity possesses a spirit of hostility and rebellion toward God. Nevertheless, the Lord extends His loving nature and goodness by placing eternity in their heart and conscience. In reality, they are like lost children suffering from a void and emptiness of their spirit, longing for an intimate relationship with God as their Father. In response to their inner cry to know him, the heavenly Father has revealed Himself and His plan of salvation to godly men. By faith, they have responded to His call to follow Him and obey His Voice. In a burning bush, God called out to Moses and revealed Himself as the Great “I am” who hears the cry of His people for deliverance from Egyptian slavery and oppression. In obedience to the call of God, Moses delivered the children of Israel to be a holy nation. Through performing great miracles, signs and wonders, God demonstrated His Lordship over the nations and in particular Israel. In the wilderness, the Lord declared Himself to be their God. Through the prophetic ministry of Moses, God revealed Himself as the Creator of the heavens and the earth. Moreover, as a royal priesthood, Israel is called to worship their Creator. The people who are called by His Name fear God as their Creator and obey His commandments written in the Hebrew Bible.
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth”. In Genesis, the book of the beginnings, God revealed Himself as the Creator of the universe. By faith, Jews and Christians hold firmly to their conviction that the Hebrew Bible presents the only true and reliable account of Creation. Moreover, “All Scripture is given by the inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work ” (II Timothy 3:16). Furthermore, no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation , “ for prophecy never came by the will of men, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (II Peter 1:20,21). Without the illumination of the Spirit of God, no man is able to interpret or understand the true meaning of God’s Word. The Spirit of Truth imparts a “spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints” (Ephesians 1:17, 18). In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul prayed that the spiritual eyes of the saints would be opened to receive a deeper personal knowledge and understanding of God. His earnest desire was to raise up church leadership (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers) “for the equipping of the saints of God, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” The role of church leaders was to train and prepare people for their particular service and ministry inside and outside the church to the end that all would “come into 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 Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-13) The spiritual growth of the church is measured by the overall conformity of her members to the image of Christ in His nature and character. To attain spiritual maturity, the children of God are to be diligent and disciplined in their daily study and application of the Word of God. “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (II Timothy 2:15).The day will surely arrive when all Christians will face judgment of God who will test the quality of their works by fire. If their works are deemed as worthless in the Kingdom of God, they will be burned as hay, wood, and stubble. Although they will not lose their salvation, they will stand before God ashamed of their works (I Corinthians 3:12-15). Therefore, the members of the church encourage one another to do good works and grow in their personal knowledge of Him. They speak “the truth in love that they may grow up in all things into Him…Christ” (Ephesians 4:15) By His Word, they are sanctified and set apart to be His inheritance in Christ through whom they have obtained His eternal life. In order to build a mature, godly character, Christians must fill their hearts and minds with the Word of Christ (Colossians 3:16). Empowered by the Spirit and the Word of God, they have the capacity and power to fulfill their calling in the Kingdom of God. Through the power and authority vested in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Christians are called to rule and reign with Christ who is now seated at the right hand of God. Presently, He is held in the heavens until His enemies are totally decimated and put under His feet. (I Corinthians 15:25). “For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His Feet” (Psalm 110:1).
The challenge of this dissertation to all members of the Body of Christ is to grow up into full maturity in Christ, fulfill their calling to walk daily in His victory, and put Satan under their feet. Spiritual maturity is the inner strength and fortitude to stand against the evil forces. In the book of Revelation, the saints of God overcome all enemy forces by the Blood of the Lamb, the Word of God as their testimony, and the laying down of their lives (Revelation 12:11). As overcomers, they acquire skill in spiritual warfare through the exercising of their faith. Through intercession and prayer without ceasing, mighty men, women, and children penetrate the dark domain of Satan to destroy his evil works. Moreover, there is no age limit in the call to effective ministry and service unto God, the Father.
Furthermore, all Christians are called to be the light that shines in a dark world. Through signs, wonders, and miracles, they are able to demonstrate the power and presence of God’s Kingdom. His people are called to reflect the glory of God through their daily walk. Their lives are a testimony of God’s power to rule over all His enemies. Now, the saints of God must impact the culture of humanism that has stood in opposition to the Kingdom of God. The church must provide strong leaders who effectively expose and destroy corrupt men and women who seek to destroy the spiritual heritage of the United States of America. As the righteousness of God, spiritual leaders are to be bold and strong in their declaration of the truth of the Gospel. All Christians use their divine power and authority to defeat their enemies. Victory in Christ is assured for His overcomers, for He has established His church upon Himself as a firm foundation. He is the Rock upon which she stands. Therefore, the gates of Hell will not prevail against her. The risen Lord Jesus Christ, He poured out the Holy Spirit to empower His disciples as witnesses of His resurrection.