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Date Posted: 10:51:23 08/09/06 Wed
Author: Don Atkin
Subject: THE NATURE OF AN OVERCOMING PEOPLE




Paul Galligan



The current revelation that the Lord is opening up to us which came late in the International School, when I was teaching on Spiritual Warfare, is to do with the corporate nature of the church which the Lord has given to us in the understanding and practice of apostolic company. In the days of Noah the ark of salvation was a boat, but in these last days the ark of salvation is the church of Jesus Christ. Of course this demands a full and deep understanding of the true church as revealed in the New Testament.



The understanding of apostolic company comes firstly from the example of the 120 disciples including the apostles and their leadership, who continued in the upper room in obedience to Jesus in Acts 1. These brethren continued in prayer and supplication and were “in one accord”. The main task given to Peter by the Holy Spirit was to set the twelfth apostle in place so that the foundations upon which the church was to be built, would be complete. Later in the Book of Acts we find reference to “companions” Acts 4:23, 21:8 and “company” Acts 15:22.



In mid 2001 the Lord instructed us to form an apostolic company and over the years He has enlightened us as to the understanding and practice of apostolic company. The apostolic company is raised up by the Lord to become a “pattern” people. Paul refers to this in Phil.3:15-17 where he speaks of those who “are mature” as having the “same mind” and walking “by [WINDOWS-1252?]the same rule”.



Earlier in 1 Cor.2:6-16, Paul refers to the “wisdom of God in a mystery” which is for the mature to receive and this wisdom “God [WINDOWS-1252?]ordained before the ages for our glory”. God has always intended for the church to come to maturity and it is essential for the church to come to maturity to be able to receive the revelation of the mystery and begin to experience and walk in the glory of the Lord. In these last days the concept of [WINDOWS-1252?]‘church’ has become very confused with many referring to a building as the church. Therefore God is specifically raising apostolic companies to model New Testament church. Notice that Paul says “we have the mind of Christ” v16! It is a plural reality! No one member of the body will ever have “the [WINDOWS-1252?]mind of Christ” on their own but it is a corporate reality.



By the Blood of the Lamb...

In teaching from Rev.12:11, it dawned on us that the victory over Satan, the accuser of the brethren, is only possible as a corporate [plural] body of believers, properly joined together, overcome him. The Scripture says 'they overcame him'. It is as the saints are joined together in apostolic company - a pattern people - who are committed to walking in maturity, that "the blood of the Lamb" works to give the saints the victory.



How does the blood of the Lamb work? 1Jn.1:7 tells us, "if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin." Brethren, it is essential that we walk together in the light of Jesus Christ, being led by His Spirit in the light of His word, being in open, respectful and loving fellowship and submitting to one another in the fear of Christ. According to Eph.5:18-21 a submitted life to the brethren in the fear of God, is a sign of a Spirit filled life.



Therefore whenever difficulties, disagreements, misunderstandings or any other problem arise between brethren, we must keep very short accounts and be reconciled quickly to one another in the fear of Christ. This is how the “blood of Jesus Christ” works in the body: whenever a problem [sin] arises it is to be dealt with immediately by repentance and confession, allowing the blood of Christ to cleanse. Thus the relationships in the body are restored in the short term, allowing true fellowship and enabling the saints to walk in the light together. While there is vital need for each individual saint to walk in the light of Jesus Christ, it is the corporate experience and expression that God is [WINDOWS-1252?]looking for – the church walking in maturity – and it is the corporate expression that will overcome the accuser of the brethren, providing for all the members in the fellowship to be walking in victory.



Colossians 3:12-17 is a powerful and commanding guide to life together in the body of Christ. God expects the body to function in this way, "bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another, even as Christ forgave you, so you also." We can too easily overlook the clear teaching and guidance of God through the Scripture in which He is instructing us as to how we should walk and conduct ourselves in relationships in the body. The apostolic company is referred to as [WINDOWS-1252?]‘the elect of God’ [WINDOWS-1252?]and “the elect” [WINDOWS-1252?]are to “put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness and long [WINDOWS-1252?]suffering.” All of these are relationship words, governing our attitudes and our actions in relationship to other members of the body. Then the Scripture says [WINDOWS-1252?]“put on love … and let the peace of God rule in your [WINDOWS-1252?]hearts.” This is all in the context of the body.



By the Word of Their Testimony

Secondly they overcame the accuser of the brethren "by the word of their testimony". Notice again it is a corporate confession, 'their testimony'. This takes us again to Phil.3:15-17 "as many as are mature, have this mind ... Let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind." Let us "be a pattern people"!



In the Spirit Filled Life Bible the Kingdom Dynamics underneath Rom.10:8 comments on the word 'confess' Greek 'Homologeo': it has the connotation of 'a binding public declaration by which a legal relation is contractually established'. Literally this word means 'to speak the same word'. Remember we have talked about Heb.3:1 and the confession of Jesus our Apostle [this confession has been missing from the church for 1800 years].



The word of their testimony is the apostolic confession of "the faith once and for all delivered to the saints" Jude 3. This is the testimony: the knowledge of the mystery; the fellowship of the mystery (Eph.3:2-11); the reality of adoption as sons (Eph.1:5). It is to the company, the church corporate, that God gives "the mind of Christ" 1 Cor.2:16.



So the word of our testimony is our understanding and confession of who we are: the body of Christ, the elect of God, the saints, and the high calling [attaining to the resurrection of the dead, Phil 3:11] and purpose of God which He has already accomplished in Christ Jesus (Eph.3:11) and is now bringing to pass in the last days church.



This testimony includes the knowledge [WINDOWS-1252?]of the mystery, “the fellowship of the [WINDOWS-1252?]mystery” Eph.3:9, whereby God now intends “that the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the [WINDOWS-1252?]heavenlies.” v10 Can you now see how the corporate church walks in victory, overcoming the accuser of the brethren?



Loving not their own Lives to the Death

Thirdly they overcame him "loving not their own lives to the death". This is the outworking of 1 Jn 3:16 "by this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." Loving not our lives to the death speaks of our commitment to the fellowship, to the apostolic company and our appreciation of our placement in the body of Christ, "we were bought with a price." The ultimate price is martyrdom, and martyrdom is not only 'dying for the faith' but it is also laying our lives down for our friends. In [WINDOWS-1252?]recent times the Lord has made it clear to us that He wants us ‘to give our [WINDOWS-1252?]heart to Him and to one another’. This is the nature of apostolic company. I have given my heart to my brethren. My brethren have given their hearts. As the [WINDOWS-1252?]reality of ‘loving not our own lives to the death’ becomes known to us, the committed relationships that we enjoy become a powerful bulwark against the [WINDOWS-1252?]enemy’s attack, which mostly comes through accusations.



When we begin to walk in this revelation of apostolic company, of true Christian fellowship and community, we will experience corporately enormous victory over the evil one and the glory of Christ will be more and more manifest in and through the saints.

Paul Galligan. 09.08.06







BUILDING WITH THE PROPHETIC

Apostle Curtis Forbes
Founder and President of:
Proton Ministries International
www.protonministries.com
www.protonministries.org
www.protonministries.net

You cannot build with teaching; you can only build upon teaching. You must build with the prophetic, which is directly [WINDOWS-1252?]connected to the revelatory realm, or better known as “the spirit of [WINDOWS-1252?]wisdom and revelation” as stated in Eph 1:17

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him”…

The overall purpose of the prophetic is to “discern” the Lord Himself, the very likeness, nature, and essence of who He is, in direct relation to His entire creation. Take into consideration the awesome example of all the apostles who wrote the New Testament, especially the Apostle Paul as he [WINDOWS-1252?]stated in Eph 3:3, “How [WINDOWS-1252?]that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery” … the Apostle Paul uses the term by revelation and similar terms several times.

The Greek word here is apokalupsis #602 in the Greek N.T. which denotes a very direct, intimate, intense, relationship between the person being revealed, which is Jesus, and the person to whom He is being revealed; which in this case it is the Apostle Paul. The word apokalupsis [WINDOWS-1252?]or “revelation” is not just an unveiling, disclosure, uncovering, or revealing, it also includes the interpretation of the same, the instant impartation of understanding. Very rarely is this a complete understanding, but it is always at least a functional knowledge and understanding.

When Paul used the word “revelation” I do not think he was just talking about either Logos alone or Rhema. Alone, (Logos: #3056 in N.T. Greek: a larger, more encompassing intelligible discourse, as in the entire word of God as a whole, Rhema: # 4487 in N.T. Greek: a word spoken or uttered, denoting more of an operative or all powerful word or command of God,)

They are both written, and they are both spoken! apokalupsis [WINDOWS-1252?]or “Revelation” is a simultaneous release and impartation of understanding involving both Logos and Rhema!! Hallelujah!!! In the New Testament the Apostle Paul was without a doubt the most prolific biblical teacher and writer, responsible for one third of the New Testament and even though his teachings were very revolutionary, they were all based upon previous revelatory truths in the Old Testament meanwhile he was hearing and receiving a new divine understanding and a new application after Jesus fulfilled the law, incorporating both Logos and Rhema building a powerful progression and a solid foundation of truth.

True “didaskō” 1 Cor. 12:28) teaching should be the fruit or result of the prophetic, even with N.T. apostles. True teaching should always provide an awesome foundation of steady progression after being forged by the prophetic. True, solid, teaching always builds revelation upon revelation creating a powerful, organic or natural progression; this is the pattern all the way through the word of God.

The Lord always releases His word prophetically, but then we still must see, hear, discern from the Lord how to administer, distribute, or teach that word. Prime example: Moses received the law [WINDOWS-1252?]prophetically, then he still distributed or “taught” the word of the Lord to the children of Israel directly after the “pattern [WINDOWS-1252?]which he saw in heaven”, this was not just another method of teaching … [WINDOWS-1252?]it was directly after the pattern! Now we are talking about “principle” not just [WINDOWS-1252?]a “method”

If teaching does not first come from the prophetic it [WINDOWS-1252?]will always end up “methodical” or based upon “methods” and not the very essence of the Lord Himself ...over emphasis on methods will absolutely circumvent and choke out the prophetic, which is exactly what the spirit of religion wants. Again, another prime example; in the span of time from when the law was given - until Jesus Christ, the law became literally thousands of rules and regulations that had nothing whatsoever to do with the nature or likeness of God and they had almost completely lost the precious experiential knowledge of the very essence of God.

This snare and entrapment of methods are some of the very best friends of tradition and religion; you must understand that the spirit of religion is the absolute antecedent of the spirit of revelation mentioned in Eph 1:17. We must understand that the character of God, the person of God, [WINDOWS-1252?]the word of God, and the motives of God never change … but His methods always change.

This is very evident all the way through the word of God. The scene in the Garden of Eden changed, and then there was a span of time before the law, of course that changed when the Lord gave the law, then obviously that changed when His Son Jesus came and fulfilled the law then died for us on the cross! These are just the major and most obvious changes. We could very possibly look at dozens and dozens of different examples concerning this principle.

God has always used various methods, but they always change, this is why we cannot build with teaching or get locked into one particular method or another. The spirit of revelation can protect us from this trap. If the enemy could keep the Church hung up on methods, (which he has done a great job so far) then he can always keep the church, the body of Christ in a perpetual state of confusion, strife, envy, and division. In [WINDOWS-1252?]James 3:16 it says: “for where envying and strife is, [WINDOWS-1252?]there is confusion and every evil work”.

This [WINDOWS-1252?]seems to be the “method” of the enemy - to get us locked into and focused on one particular method or another when the methods of God are ever changing, then we [WINDOWS-1252?]fight against each other because “your methods (or teachings) are different than [WINDOWS-1252?]my methods”. This trickery of the enemy reminds me of the doctrine of Balaam who taught Balac to cast a stumbling block of sin before the children of Israel so they would defile themselves and ultimately cause a blockage to the blessing and favor of God.

This is a brutally vicious, repetitious cycle that can only be broken and corrected by the spirit of revelation. Not to be redundant, but methods are not [WINDOWS-1252?]always bad, God has always used different methods, but we must understand – they [WINDOWS-1252?]always change – We will see how this word “method” is used as a trap and snare in a couple of different scriptures

Eph. 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the ‘wiles” (#3180 [WINDOWS-1252?]“methodia” method, snare, trap, trickery, deceit…) of the devil. Also in Eph 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive (# 3180 methodia) the actual translation here is :

“whereby they lie in wait for the circumvention of [WINDOWS-1252?]deception”

This becomes a major problem if we are bent toward or focused on teaching instead of the prophetic, or the spirit of revelation, where by His grace we are able to discern “The Revelation of [WINDOWS-1252?]Jesus Christ” which is only the first step, in a 5 – fold progression of revelation. (1) The revelation of Jesus Christ, which leads us into: (2) the revelation of Gods purpose for man, which leads us into: (3) the revelation of the kingdom of God, which leads us into: (4) the revelation of the Church, which leads us into: (5) the revelation of Gods purpose for the nations.

In the New Testament, if we do not receive our [WINDOWS-1252?]teachings after our pattern - which is Jesus Christ – you will not have a true progression of revelation, you will only find a vacillation (1.to sway from one side to the other; to oscillate. 2. to swing indecisively from one course of action or opinion to another; to waver; to be irresolute); which ultimately leads to a double minded man who is unstable in all his ways - James 1:8.

All truth – [WINDOWS-1252?]revelation – always builds a steady natural, organic, progression. The further [WINDOWS-1252?]teaching gets away from truth – revelation – it will result in a synthetic, fabricated, manufactured, process of manipulation and control which will always inevitably produce vacillation, instability, and major frustration, not being able to receive anything from the Lord. The foul spirit of Religion absolutely loves this scenario, robbing God of the good pleasures of His goodness in blessing man, also robbing man of the very promises of God like [WINDOWS-1252?]this one found in John 15:15 … but I have called you friends; for all things that I
have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
As well as John 14:21 : He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest (show, reveal) myself to him.

The very heartbeat of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is to communicate and reveal truth into the very deepest regions of our heart eradicating bondage and [WINDOWS-1252?]darkness within seconds … things which took the enemy a lifetime of twisting and perverting to accomplish. Truth and revelation are without a doubt the very deadliest of enemies to satan and all the hoards of hell.

Karl [WINDOWS-1252?]Marx, the German philosopher and co-writer of “The Communist [WINDOWS-1252?]Manifesto” made a very radical statement in the 1800’s that “religion [WINDOWS-1252?]is the very opiate of the people” wow! Was he ever right!!! In other words, having a religious mindset is a lot like sitting around smoking dope all day, it does nothing more than stupefy and totally corrupt the human mind, but The Revelation of Jesus Christ will absolutely galvanize you, protecting you from corruption, from the spirit of religion, which is nothing but a deadly cancer to the body of Christ.

Hopefully now you see a little better and are able to understand why the enemy does not want anyone to be filled with the Holy Spirit, pray in tongues, to actively communicate with the Lord and receive revelation from Him and understand the word of God! To progress organically and naturally, building revelation upon revelation, in direct relationship with Jesus Christ. Producing fruit and then reproducing even more fruit. Not synthetic or manufactured methods which causes people to become sterile, unproductive, fragmented and unstable...Curtis Forbes

SOWING SEEDS WHO ARE SONS

Don Atkin

KINGDOMQUEST International Ministries

http://www.donatkin.com http://www.kingdomquest.net

The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom. - Matthew 13:38


Jesus, the firstborn Son of God and prototype and firstborn of many sons, referring to Himself, said: Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain (Matthew 12:24).

He went on to explain, He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor (verses 25-26).

We are to see ourselves as good seeds, sons of the kingdom, hating our lives in this world, willingly falling into the ground (the field of the world that God so loves), and dying daily as we follow Jesus Christ in pursuit of His kingdom.


SUFFERING SONS

The suffering we embrace is not to take us by surprise (I Peter 4:12-19). We are to count it all joy when we fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of our faith produces patience, that we may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing (James 1:2-4).

Our Father, in bringing many sons to glory, made the captain of our salvation perfect through sufferings (Hebrews 2:10). He also predestined (us) to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren (Romans 8:29).

A right attitude is important, and it is usually developed over a period of time. Learning to "land softly" in "good soil," and trusting God to give the increase, requires a process of growing. Joy comes in the morning as light dawns upon our situation, and we see His strength being made perfect in our weakness. First the root, then the shoot, then the fruit! Joyful suffering eventually produces joyful sons.

[WINDOWS-1252?]
God’s eternal plan and purpose will come to fruition as we fall into the ground and die. If we fail to do so, we remain alone. If we do so, we will bring forth abundant and abiding fruit - 30, 60, even 100 fold!


DISCIPLING SONS

Sons are not produced merely through proclamation. Jesus spoke to multitudes, but poured out His life, every fiber of His being, into twelve men who would be the first fruits of His fathering ministry. His priority and methodology can be found by studying the gospels.

(My book, "Like Father, Like Son," is based [WINDOWS-1252?]upon Jesus’ priority and methodology, and is subtitled,

"Discipling Sons For God." It is available online, at www.DonAtkin.com.)

Our commission is not merely to preach. It is to disciple the nations! Biblical preaching was primarily to the unsaved people in the world, who need demonstration at least as much as proclamation. We are to preach the gospel of the kingdom to them, and then disciple those who respond.

Jesus devoted most of His three and one-half year ministry to discipling twelve men who were then sent to change their world. Mentoring seems to be a preferred term in our day. It seems a little softer. Maybe that is part of the problem - less dying involved!

We have been commissioned to disciple sons for God, training them how to gracefully die to self daily in pouring out their lives to others.

It takes time to gather baggage. It takes time to get rid of baggage. We all come into the kingdom with history. We are largely the products of our environment. Not only does our environment need to change so that we are living in the atmosphere and spirit of heaven, but we need to be purged of baggage. This often requires deliverance, inner healing, and release from the effects of generational curses.

Many never get free enough to die to self. They go through life self-consumed because they cannot make themselves vulnerable enough to receive the help and training, healing and equipping, they need. They never come into fruition because they are never equipped for the work of the ministry which God ordained for them to walk in. (See Ephesians 2:10; 4:11-24.)

Discipleship is a Bible term, used by Jesus to describe a very necessary process:

A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. - Matthew 10:24-25

Such a process requires authority, submission and accountability. Jesus commended a centurion for his great faith because he understood these principles. (See Matthew 8:5-10.)

MATURING SONS

Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. - Galatians 4:1-2

The perfecting (maturing) process requires that the son posture himself as a slave, submitting himself to the delegated authority of the God-appointed guardian/steward in his life.

"God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." - James 4:6-8

Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. - I Peter 5:5-7

Get it? He cares for you! He wants you to properly posture yourself that He may exalt you when you are ready - perfected, matured.

The posture of the appointed teacher/guardian/steward is also very important. We who are privileged to obey the Great Commission by discipling nations are to be postured as servant sons who wash the feet of our disciples, bringing refreshment and life to them in [WINDOWS-1252?]love. We are to father them with Father’s love and wisdom, always pointing them to the Lord Jesus and to our Father who is in heaven. They might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet not many fathers whose example they may imitate. (See I Corinthians 4:14-16.)

Instruct and demonstrate for them how to rightly relate to God and men. Caution them to not love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, "Rabbi, Rabbi."

But you, do not be called "Rabbi"; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. - Matthew 23:6-12


RELEASING SONS

Some sons are to stay. Most are to be sent. One hindrance to kingdom expansion is the failure of some leaders to raise up, and then release sons. Another hindrance is our failure to make room for those who are raised up. We sometimes "disciple them to death." Or, we keep them at our side at the expense of their own destiny, because we perceive that they are integral to our personal success. We never send them forth to be sown in the soil of the world as seeds - sons of the kingdom. Our sons are really His sons, sons of the kingdom, to be sown as seeds among the nations as directed by the Holy Spirit!

We need to have a strategy for releasing maturing sons into the harvest.

Jesus, devoted a short time of very few years to the twelve who would become the apostles of the Lamb. They were still very young when He met with them and said,

You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.

You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. These things I command you, that you love one another.- John 15:14-17

We are to choose disciples who have the right attitude of submissive obedience and accountability, who are willing to unselfishly serve to the point of dying daily, and will follow our example of humility. We need to impart unto them all that the Father gives us. Then we must appoint them to go - go and bear fruit, relating directly to the Father as sons being revealed to their worlds as lights in dark places.

We are to enjoy their continuing friendship, as we are all brothers. I am a blessed man today, enjoying the friendship of many brothers in many nations whom I have been privileged to father, steward, guard - as sons of the kingdom. It is my joy to pray for them, encourage them, counsel them, affirm them, and support them in any way that I can.

They are multiplying the very Seed that will release all of creation from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God (Romans 8:21).

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