The Seraphim

(Part 1)

Pub. #88.97

BURNING COALS OF FIRE
THOMAS WYATT'S VISION

"As for the likeness of THE LIVING CREATURES, their appearance was like BURNING COALS OF FIRE..." (Ezek 1:13).

Fire, no doubt, is the single most important element in the universe. When harnessed, its power and diversity become unlimited. Not too many years ago few men could imagine fire being used for much more than warming themselves, cooking food, and making tools and weapons. However, when God entrusted another form of fire (electricity) to man — the world was changed forever.

Electricity was like a tidal wave of invisible fire surging through tiny wires and engulfing every phase of civilized life with a glorious new standard of living. For the first time man took the lightning bolt, as it were, bridled it, and rode it down paths of his own desire. It became a workhorse that served him well. What a wonderful thing God has blessed humanity with — fire.

But who has ever heard of living creatures like burning coals of fire? Sounds a lot like characters of a science fiction thriller, doesn’t it? What Ezekiel saw and wrote about is phenomenal, to say the least; yet his words are fanning and igniting the same flame in our lives, and it is not science fiction.

We first noticed these living creatures (the cherubim) in Genesis 3:24 when man was cast from the Garden of Eden. They were not living creatures at that time, however, for they were not yet transformed. We saw them also in the tabernacle, and now they appear in Ezekiel where they have been changed and come forth in full manifestation.

The cherubim in the beginning kept man from every fragment of God’s glory, while in Ezekiel they radiated with it. It staggers the mind at the journey man has made with these strange creatures — all the way from the outskirts of Eden, and back to the glorious throne of God.

It became clear in our five-part series, SECRETS OF THE CHERUBIM, how they are the principle thoughts and imaginations of man's mind, or imaginary figures, as the definition goes. Cherubim are so closely related to man that there is no way to see them apart from one another. At the very onslaught of his expulsion from the Garden, to his rising back to glory, they are with him.

In man’s pursuit of life the cherubim (his thoughts) are ever–changing, and as they change so does the man. They seem to be the inspiration that lies at the root of his inmost being, and from that root, of course, comes the fruit of whatever is conceived and nurtured. Solomon put the matter clearly: "...As he thinketh in his heart, so is he" (Prov 23:7). Please note, he did not say, "As a man thinks he is, so is he" — not at all, but "As he thinketh in his heart, so is he." Most of us, at one time or another, probably thought we were something we were not. When that happened, we often claimed it as an established fact when it was clear that we hadn’t even scratched the surface of our proclamations.

Impatience had much to do with our thoughts of having already arrived to this high place of distinction. We assumed and tried to believe the house had already been filled with the glory of God. During these times of delusion we often proclaimed it to be a fact, when there was no evidence at all. We felt it would never become a reality if we didn’t step out in faith and call those things that are not as though they are. What was lacking was enduring patience that would carry us to the end of faith where reality would swallow up the unseen faith.

If we have already arrived, if the glory has in fact filled each vessel, along with the corporate body as a whole, no one will have to proclaim anything. Don’t you think WE WOULD KNOW IT? And, no doubt, Israel (spiritually speaking) would also know something has happened. Remember. The sound of the cherubim’s wings were heard all the way to the outer court as the voice of the Almighty God when He speaketh (Ezek 1:24, 10:5). But to date, neither those in the Holy of Holies, nor those of the outer-court have heard such a message from the heavens. And secondly, the very fact that we must proclaim something ‘to be’ in order for it to become a reality is a testimony that we do not believe it is here. Brethren, such hyper-faith of ‘naming and claiming it’ will work no better than to presume God will give us a new Cadillac every year by doing the same. I’ve tried that type of ‘faith’, and I can tell you — it doesn’t work! There are certain results that come from the powers of the human mind when engaged by ‘positive thinking’; those things, however, should not be confused with the mind of Christ and the powers of His Spirit.

When the time comes, dear friends, for the glory and the cherubim to rise — THE WHOLE HOUSE OF THE LORD WILL KNOW IT! They won’t have to be told anything. When their former foundation trembles and becomes unstable in the awesome presence of the Holy glory of God — WE SHALL ALL KNOW IT!

The thinking that changes a man is not frivolous thoughts of the unregenerate cherubim. Such thoughts are still those that keep him from the tree of life rather than opening the door to it. Transformation comes by more than surface ideas. What a man thinks in his heart is deep, it is the core of his life. Whether of life or of death, they are his storehouses of grain, his clouds of rain, and the sun that gives the increase. It is his constant drive and sustenance. These thoughts are what bring forth the fruit after its own kind. These are the thoughts — godly or ungodly, inspired by God or inspired by man — that makes a person what he is. They are the cherubim placed in man and joined so tightly by the mandate of God that no one can put them asunder. What a union! What a marriage! Not made in heaven, but made in the dust of his heart, and it is made to last.

At one point in our journey we found ourselves in the Holy of Holies. It is here that our thoughts became Christ’s thoughts and our ways His ways; but this is not the end of our travels. Although the gold of God is a wonderful place to come to — there is more! According to Ezekiel there is a higher place yet, and it comes with the rising of Christ’s glory from the Mercyseat and filling the whole house. It is then that the golden cherubim also rise, and their words are heard as great waters, a mighty host of the Lord’s army (Ezek 1:24).

Until now we have known our Lord from the place of the Mercyseat and hidden from view. Those in the outer-court and wilderness of the world are oblivious to it. They can see no glory in our lives. This is obvious. There is nothing about us that anyone desires; for the glory is covered not only by the cherubim in the veil of their minds, but also by those of the curtains in our own flesh and human temperaments. The sacred glory of Christ is covered as it ought to be, and shall remain so until the proper hour of unveiling.

Not only is that sacred glory covered, even the garments wherewith we are clothed are not for everyone to see. Although some, we are sure, would like to parade before the world in them, God will not allow such holy things to be made common. He said in Ezekiel 42:14 — "When the priests enter therein, then shall they not go out of the holy place into the outer court, but there they shall lay their garments wherein they minister; for they are holy; and shall put on other garments, and shall approach to those things which are for the people." (Ezek 42:14).

Practically everyone in the world would love to possess God’s glory, but only when it does not cost them anything. If it is not gold tried in the fire, they possess it unworthily, thereby defiling it. When our image becomes a blazing firebrand, however, no one will want it, for those who even come near it shall be burned. In the likeness of fire we become a great threat to man’s kingdoms. Therefore, if he could, man would prevent the change — but try as he may, failure will be his fruit.

Herod tried to stop the Son of God from making His appearance 2,000 years ago, and failed. With Roman guards at the tomb, the religious leaders tried to stop His resurrection, and failed. From that time until now, they have attempted to prevent His coming in His people, and failed. The hour is swiftly approaching for His glorious appearing in His house, and they will fail again. He will appear mightily, and together we shall rise!

Well-meaning men cannot speed it along by trying to unveil themselves, but one thing is sure, neither can ill-meaning men hinder it. What God has determined will come to pass!

As surely as the barley cannot be harvested before the time, neither can man stop God from bringing forth His sons of glory when it is time. When the hour comes for a child to be born, it will be born — and likewise, the sudden coming of the Lord in His temple. When the time comes for the transformed cherubim to rise in the image of glorious fire — they shall rise! Simple and true.

We see a beautiful parallel to this manifestation of fire with the last trumpet of 1st Corinthians 15:52. This transforming message resounding as the voice of the Lord shall shake the foundation of every son’s temple (Isa 6:4). Everything of the old order, as good as it may have been, shall lose its stability. Their cherubim (their golden imaginations in the mind of Christ and they themselves) will rise beyond all things earthy. The image of gold they possessed while over the Mercyseat was glorious to say the least; but in a ‘moment and twinkle of the eye’ they will find a place in the heavens far above anything they had ever known, or could have imagined. It seems impossible for such a thing to be, but from the flame that is burning in our hearts we see things as never before, and we know it shall come to pass.

Paul spoke of the phenomenal change from the earthy to the heavenly in 1st Corinthians 15:49-55. And it comes when our vision changes (i.e., the twinkling of the eye) as a result of hearing a word never before declared. The last trumpet, the last message, will leave no foundation secure. With sudden action we will unload all our securities, as the word twinkling suggests in the Greek. With our eyes fix upon Him who is fire, we shall be changed into the same image — into living creatures of fire!

Many feel they are now declaring and hearing the Last Message; but if this is true — where is the change? We see the gold, but not the fire. Even the message we ourselves declare is not the Last Message. It speaks of the Last message — but it is not that message. If it was, we would see thousands sweeping across the land as a wave of living fire and transforming the world. But we don’t see it, yet. Many are waiting, like at Pentecost, for the tabernacles of their bodies to be changed. Be reminded, however, this change comes when the Last Trumpet is sounded. It is more than believing and waiting for it happen — it comes by HEARING!

Ezekiel’s vision concerning the absolute change of the cherubim, the sons of God, is recorded in verses 13 and 14 of the first chapter of his book. It speaks volumes when we see it by the Spirit and how it applies directly to our lives today. After the cherubim lifted from the Mercyseat, he saw them no longer as gold, but as FIRE! Finally, praise God, we come to the full manifestation of God’s image — WHO IS A CONSUMING FIRE! (Heb 12:29).

BURNING COALS OF FIRE

"As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire... (Ezek 1:13).

The above verses speak of the Fruit of Fiery Seeds sown a long time ago. Very early on in the scriptures we are left with a principle — that every living thing has its seed within itself, and it yields fruit after his own kind (Gen 1:11).

This principle of life is relevant and true on every scale — from the one-celled amoeba to God Himself. Grass has its seed in itself — and yields fruit after its own kind; cattle has its seed within itself — and yields fruit after his own kind; and God, WHO IS A CONSUMING FIRE, has His Seed in Himself — and He brought forth the fruit after His own kind.

In the beginning Adam was a light bringer, a light bearer — the son of the morning, if you please (rf. Isa 14:12). He was in the image and likeness of God, and was commissioned to take that likeness (light) to the world. Before he began his journey, however, he fell from the heavens of Eden, as his glory faded beneath his coat of skin and the cherubim by which he was covered.

In order for Adam to be called a light bringer, he would have to possess the character of light, hence, the image of God who is light. And light he was! Every fiber of his being shone with God’s glory, inwardly and outwardly; but his expulsion from the Garden ended his shining.

Nevertheless, that coal of fire lies deep in every soul, waiting to be rekindled and once again for man to abide in the heavens of Eden from whence he was cast. This time, however, it shall endure all temptations — for the Spirit is that of the Last Adam and not the first Adam.

Can any of us forget when we were kindled and the flame of glory rose alive in our hearts? For some it may have developed more gradually rather than a burst of light as it was with others. Nonetheless, there was a time when the fire of God was stirred and set afire our sleeping souls.

From the letters we receive there is growing evidence that the fervent flames have died in many churches, fellowships, and individuals alike. If you happen to be in that company, don’t give up hope — for the flame of God is eternal. If it has been sparked — it will come forth again in due season. Let me share a moving vision taken from Thomas Wyatt’s book, THUNDER BEFORE DAWN:

"Just before we went to Africa, God came to me in a vision. In it I stood where I could view the whole world, and it was wrapped in darkness. At times I could see great fires springing up on the surface of the earth and the people would gather around the fires to warm themselves. Then, as I continued to watch, fires would break out in other places. But without exception, after a large group would gather around the fire, little evil-looking figures came out of the shadows. Those who were gathered around the fire were so occupied with rejoicing that they seemed wholly unconscious of these little figures. But, from where I stood, I could see these shadowy figures as they came silently out of the surrounding darkness. I noticed that each one was carrying a little, engraved shovel. These, they placed in the hands of each one who stood around the fire. In the immediate vicinity, I could see where great fires had burned in bygone days, but had long since burned themselves out, leaving only great heaps of ashes.

"As I watched, each of those around the fire would go over to the ash heap, fill his little shovel with cold ashes; then, with much dignity — as though faithfully performing a solemn duty — they would scatter the cold ashes very carefully over the fire. This they continued to do until the fire was completely smothered and dead. They then knelt in the ashes and prayed for light and warmth. This procedure was repeated over, and over, and over. The world began to grow darker and colder, and the men continued in their efforts to extinguish every fire, here, there, and everywhere....

"All the fires had long since died out, and the people were weeping and wailing as they prayed for light and warmth. My heart was deeply stirred and I began to pray with a fervency that can only be born in the darkness of the world's Gethsemanes. Then I became a part of the scene, kneeling in the ashes. No longer an interceding observer, I prayed even more fervently. I stood to my feet and lifted my hands and my face toward heaven. I began to cry with great agony of soul. Louder and louder I lifted my voice, in frantic desperation, until all the other crying around about me was merged into my own desperate cry.

"As I stood there, calling unto the Lord with all the anguish of my soul, I saw a light, ‘way, ‘way high in the heavens, just a speck of light. It began to come closer and closer, and then, suddenly, it stood by my side — a celestial Being of FIRE. He was formed like a man and yet he was a Being of fire. In his hand was a trumpet of fire which he handed to me saying, 'Blow!' I stood transfixed, overcome with awe! He placed the trumpet to my lips; I breathed into it, and Lo! The sound was amplified until it reverberated over the countryside. As I continued to blow, the creature of fire leaped into the ashes and stirred the smoldering embers until the flames leaped high into the sky. I was now blowing the trumpet louder and louder, and people began coming out of the darkness from every direction. The light from the fire seemed now to light the whole earth, and, as the people gathered, they began to march past the fiery messenger. He stood in the flaming fire, and, when they went by, he would give to each of them a trumpet of fire. They, in turn, would put it to their lips and start out across the earth, blowing with all their strength. As they went, fires were lighted everywhere. It seemed as though the very tones of the trumpets were lighting fires, sending a great wall of flame rolling across the earth. It was consuming everything in its path — burning everything as it went. As I looked, I thought, 'What desolation! What desolation! Everything that we have known is gone.' Then it began to rain, a slow, gentle rain.

"As I watched, vegetation began to spring up — grass, green herbs and trees, and every tree was loaded with fruit. Everything was fruitful, there wasn't one thing twisted, warped or barren. I turned to speak to the messenger, but he was gone. Yet the whole world remained beautiful and serene. The warfare was accomplished, the Kingdom of God had been established in the earth, and peace reigned. The long night was over, and morning had come." — End quote.

I believe we all can relate to some degree with the above vision. Remember when there were churches and home meetings like wonderful bonfires of life? It might have been in a gathering of only two or three, or perhaps it was with a hundred or more. Regardless of the size, those meetings were places of warmth and light. Other meeting places across the country would spring up, seemingly spontaneous with no one laboring to get things started. But to our dismay, and almost without fail, the life of those meetings eventually waned and died.

Unknown to the ones gathered, they were very instrumental themselves in causing this; for as the vision depicted, there were those little evil things of darkness that placed engraved shovels in their hands with which to smother the flames. In one sense these shovels represent man’s spirit and word together as one. Such a union of thoughts could only come from the darkness of the human heart, from whence every evil thing is born and proceeds (Jer 17:9, Mat 15:19). They are so quiet and subtle they usually go unnoticed. As in the beginning, the engraved cherubim of the flesh keep the way of God’s sacred glory.

The heart of man harbors every creature and can conjure up all sorts of imaginations. It is out of this darkness that such evil looking creatures come with subtle thoughts to work things out. Men, of course, will embrace products of their is own making, whether of good or evil. When these evil-looking figures with little shovels of engraved instructions were placed in the people’s hands, they performed accordingly.

Religious thoughts are hard to ignore, aren’t they? They go deep, and when put into action they are the tools that smother the flames of life. When spiritual people cease to progress, they will settle for the status quo. The fire, of course, will diminish, and the little workers of darkness are quick to supply the supposed solutions. Following the engraved inspirations of their own minds, they go back to what they used to work — the revivals and revelations of yesteryear. With great religious dignity, they scoop from those ash heaps what used to be alive, hoping to rekindle their old glory.

It is no wonder the cold and unenlightened people of the world today are reluctant to draw close to the saints and their meeting places. If there was an abundance of life and warmth to be found it would be different. The sad truth is, there is hardly any. What was once a lighted world, with the fires of the Lord everywhere, has grown very dark and cold. This has caused more than a few to fall asleep in Gethsemane and to be scattered by the imaginations of their own cherubim.

However, there are still those who are sincere in the Lord, and regardless of the circumstances, they press on, never giving themselves to the delusions of such mental persuasions. Are we not among them, and do we not also cry with them as one voice? — "My heart is fixed, O God; my heart is steadfast...Awake, my glory, awake...I will awake right early [I will awake the dawn]! Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let Your glory be over all the earth." (Psa 57:7,8,11 Amplified). Although ashes of bygone days may have been shoveled upon the fires of life, we are not running off on tangents. But in unison and with lifted hands (surrendered), we are entering into great travail and agony of the soul (brokenness), and praying with such fervency (desperation) that it stirs the very heavens of God.

Individuals may have been in travail for quite sometime now, and with no apparent results. Nevertheless, I believe others are beginning to realize the seriousness of the hour and are hearing those distressing cries. They are getting louder and louder, and our own voices are starting to lift in anthem with them in this great time of need. This will surely continue on until all the other cries about us are merged into one desperate cry.

This is when we too, with uplifted hands, eyes, and voices, will see a tiny speck of light high in the heavens of God descending until it stands with us as a glorious celestial Being of fire. In this darkness that has shrouded the earth like the shadow of death, we will certainly not despise those seemingly insignificant, distant specks of light coming from above. We will not ignore our Lord's presence within, nor will we dismiss the anointed word of lowly people in obscurity, nor scoff at small revelations — for these things are Christ Himself descending as a refining fire. Yes, it is He who will be placing in our hands His FLAMING TRUMPETS to sound over the face of the cold and dark earth.

If we think we have had a word before, just wait until the fiery trumpet of the Lord is placed to the lips of those in travail. Transfixed and overcome with awe at the glory of their Lord, they shall sound, and His word will be heard reverberating from their once travailing lips. It will not be as it was before, where little evil figures came out of the darkness with instruments of slow death in their hands. But this time, it will be the once-forgotten saints gone into seclusion, and they will come from every direction to the fires stirred by the heavenly Anointing. The smoldering embers will once again grow to a blaze of glorious light. This time, however, it will be different from before, for the people will not be standing idle around the fires, keeping the light and warmth to themselves; but they will cast the ash-laden shovels aside and in their place take up the flaming trumpets of the Last message. Proceeding then into the night, they shall triumphantly sound judgment over the face of the earth like a rolling tidal wave of death — yet this death is the death of death. It shall bring to naught the works and pomp of every man, as it establishes the glorious Kingdom of God throughout the world.

Yes indeed, the sound of the message born in travail and great despair, and the stirring of Fire from heaven, will draw the elect of God from the seclusion of this present dark night. Their flaming message will judge the world and bring them all to a godly sorrow that works repentance unto salvation (2 Cor 7:10). From there they will possess the fruitful knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. As this mighty army of God marches forward, sounding their trumpets louder and louder, the blazing flames shall advance upward and onward, even beyond the horizons of our own expectations, until the purging fires of God cover the earth as the waters cover the seas. Praise God — what a glorious wave of fiery Life and Holy justice!

(Part 2)

Pub. #89.97

THE BURNING BUSH
SCOFFERS
AS A BOLT OF LIGHTNING

"As for the likeness of the LIVING CREATURES, their appearance was like BURNING COALS OF FIRE, and like the appearance of lamps: it went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of THE FIRE WENT FORTH LIGHTNING. " (Ezekiel 1:13).  

What a tremendous and adventurous journey we have embarked upon. Untold casualties mark the earth like disquieted shores of many battles. Although countless souls have fallen, there is a vanguard that presses onward. It began in the Garden of Eden, and until we arrive back to that place in God — the quest shall continue.

With the root of sin in our hearts, we were cast into the earth to roam through perilous places and distant lands. The winds of time carried us to frontiers we could never have imagined. Being void of light we became naked, but God’s grace prepared us for our new element. Rather than leaving us in this shuttering lack, He clothed us for a season with coats of skin. These garments were not only appropriate fittings for the wilderness of the world, they helped to keep the way of the tree of life. To insure the security of Eden, God wove throughout our clothing the covering cherubim. This, of course, is symbolized in the curtains and veil of the tabernacle.

We encountered many wilderness battles, wild beasts, and fierce storms in our travels. Our return also took us through various phases of the tabernacle. Therein the cherubim, of course, were ever-present and ever-changing. In retrospect, we cannot help from noticing how we expressed the image of whatever they were at any given time, and as they changed along the way, so did we. That is what deep-rooted thoughts (imaginations/cherubim) do to us. They mold a man’s character. A man is truly what he thinks, i.e., "...as he thinketh in his heart, so is he" (Prov 23:7).

We look ahead now, and approaching the finish line of this great race, we see a ribbon of fire stretched across our path. It is in the form of a Sword. It is the Word of the Almighty God — a Living Flame. Upon passing through this transforming blaze of Consuming Fire, we are changed into its exact image — living creatures of fire, if you please, as Ezekiel 1:13 so pointedly speaks.

Let us not suppose cherubim of fire are special creations apart from man. For they are so joined together that, in effect, they are one and the same. When as fire, they are men in Christ who sit with Him on His throne. They are the manchild, the sons of God’s manifestation. There is a simple truth that is often overlooked. Those in and around Christ and His throne are the ones who overcome and inherit all things (Rev 21:7). They are those who sit with Him on His throne and rule with Him (Rev 3:21). They are not mystical spirit beings who have never been clothed with flesh. They are not intangible spirits who know nothing about overcoming such things as temptation, sin, and death. Not at all! They are those who were once clothed upon with dust. They were the ones who overcame the cunning serpent of the wilderness. They slew the dragon in the sea, and cast from the heavens the one who made war against Christ and His saints. They are the ones who overcame by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony, and were lifted up to the throne in the blazon glory of God their Father!  

These transformed manifestations they become are the same anointed cherubim that covered God’s glory over the Mercyseat. But here, we see them no longer as His golden thoughts and pure manifestations in the sons of God — but Living creatures of Fire. They are aflame with His glory. This is what awaits those who are called and endure to the end of the long journey. Although they must pass through death and darkness, turmoil and pain — the summit provides God’s glorious effulgence.

We might note that ‘Living Creatures’ speak of those who are ‘Alive in God’. The term speaks of possessing the full, incorruptible, eternal life of the One from whom they were birthed. They are more than a mere reflection of His life, such as the moon reflecting the glory of the Sun. They are in union with Him and radiate the light of His life. Like Jesus before them, they are fire in the earth, the very expression of God’s substance (Heb 1:3). These living creatures, the Sons of God, are engulfed in the same element by which they were conceived — namely, Fire.

They who are born from above know God’s Seed was planted in them, and with GOD BEING A CONSUMING FIRE (Heb 12:29) — what other seed could they have been conceived by but Fire? It is common knowledge that everything is begotten after its own kind, and the principle stands true with God and His offspring as well. When we grasp what true sonship is, not adoption as modern man understands the word, we will know that we were not placed in the family of God by the legal act of the cross and the testimony of His resurrection. These two are extremely important, and without them we would still be with no hope. But praise God — there is more! With the experience of His life stirring within, and along with the closeness of our relationship to Him — we know we were conceived by the Living Seed. There is no question that by birth we are heirs of God, joint heirs with Jesus Christ, whereby we call Him Abba Father. (Rom 8:14-19).

Hopefully, that flaming Seed has consumed most of the carnal rubbish in our lives. If not, the unquenchable fire will burn until there is no fuel left to burn. Once it has finished its course in us, it will then spread into the world and continue on until not one fragment of flesh remains.

As this seed grows and becomes mature, God’s glory will come forth as burning coals of fire, igniting everywhere the lives of others. Like living lamps, they will give sight to the blind and light the way for those in darkness. Those who love darkness, however, will be blinded for a time by the brightness of the light.

The living creatures shall shoot forth as FLASHES OF LIGHTNING, going to where they are sent, striking their targets, and returning again (Ezek 1:13-14). They will reach out from the throne of God to accomplish His purpose, and like lightning from a thunder cloud that strikes the earth, they shall never be separated from Him. They shall not return void, but will accomplish that which pleases Him, and they shall prosper in the things whereto they are sent (Isa 55:11). Whatever the living creatures hear their Father speak and see Him do, as their Lord before them, that is what they shall speak and do. This is what is in store for those who are LIVING CREATURES in the likeness of FIRE!

THE BURNING BUSH

Moses witnessed something very similar to the LIVING CREATURES: "And the ANGEL of the LORD appeared unto him in a FLAME of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the BUSH burned with FIRE, and the bush was not consumed....And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, GOD called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I." (Exo 3:2,4).

Only those who are in the express image of God can be ablaze with fire and not be consumed. They cannot be hurt by the second death, for they are the second death. They are the flaming element of the lake of fire. Such a thing can have no power over those who are themselves fire. It is from the midst of this image, God’s image, that His voice is heard (Exo 3:4).

Continuing on, we notice things began to change in the presence of God’s commanding voice: "And He said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground." (Exo 3:5). The Hebrew meaning of shoes in this verse is: "a sandal tongue; by extension a sandal or slipper (sometimes as a symbol of occupancy, a refusal to marry, or of something valueless)" (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance).

With a definition as this, it is easily seen why one is compelled to remove his ‘shoes’ when the glory of God is manifested: That which every human wears is a tongue that no man can tame; it is an unruly evil, and full of deadly poison (James 3:8). The shoe is what ‘men’ walk in. It is ‘his’ way of walking, and not God’s way. Shoes occupy the man. They compass his every movement upon the earth. Shoes of skin have cherubim covering them. Such overlaid skins are of no value when it comes to Holy things, even to the point of forbidding to marry (1 Tim 4:3). All who wear them are kept from being joined to the Lord and becoming one spirit (1 Cor 6:17).

The ground becomes holy in every place the bush burns. When it appears, those who have walked in the wilderness of the world will take off their shoes. They shall discard their leather, their skin, their covering of flesh wherein the cherubim are sewn. That thin skin which separates them from God shall be no more. All who see that glory and hear God’s voice from the midst of His holy body shall remove their carnal ways.

SCOFFERS

Many today may not believe the season for such a manifestation is upon us, as Peter wrote of the scoffers in His second letter: "Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation." (2 Pet 3:3-4). Let them disbelieve if they so choose; but this will not hinder in the least His coming as fire in a cloud of ten thousands of His saints.

In addition, the unconsumed bush that burned did not ask anyone’s opinion whether it should or should not manifest in such a manner. It did not enquire of Moses whether such a thing was possible or not. When the time came — it burned, and the world was changed forever. It was from that bush that God spoke and commissioned him to free His people from Egypt. Although he was but one man, the armies of Pharaoh could not impede the purpose of God. And likewise, brethren, when the sons of God are manifested, people will begin to be delivered from Egypt. The world shall be turned upside-down (Acts 17:6), as in the days of the apostles. Kingdoms shall pass away in a mighty rush.

It matters not who believes it, when God’s messengers of fire appear "...The heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up" (2 Pet 3:10). The fact is, He is already appearing to a degree in His Living Creatures of Fire. The following is an example of what we are speaking.

AS A BOLT OF LIGHTNING

Our dear friend and co-laborer in Christ, Sister Clydean Echols, was recently sent as a flaming bolt of lightning to Mexico. And let me tell you, the fire of Christ’s glory dissolved men’s ruling heavens, and every fragment of their old foundations melted away. That land was set on fire, burning up the works of the enemy’s best laid plans!

For three days and nights before she received the Spirit of the Word to go, the glory of the Lord burned in her as a coal of fire. To those He caused to see it, she shined like a lamp of the Lord. It was so glorious, she told us, that she had never experienced anything like it.

A notorious neighbor stole a herd of 30 to 40 head of cows belonging to Brother & Sister Echols during those three days. They tracked some of them to a place on his property where they were loaded onto a truck and hauled off. The sheriff, however, was reluctant to confront the man. Under normal conditions this would not have posed a problem; but this man always carried a gun and had the reputation of being the meanest man in the county. It was believed he would use it on anyone who set foot upon his land. Nonetheless, Sister Echols did a little scouting around and found about twenty of her stolen herd on the man’s property. Since the law didn’t want to get too involved, she did as the Lord directed.

She opened the gate and began talking to her cows. "Generally," she said, "anytime those cows went through a gate leading to open pasture, they just scattered. Well, this time was different. As one would begin to leave the others, I would just call it by name and say it was better if it stayed with the rest. I was in perfect communion with the whole herd, and they complied with everything I said. I just kept talking to them and lead them all the way to the corral."

While Sister Echols was enjoying the bliss of this new place in Christ, the Lord Spoke and told her to take their camper and stay a day or two on their property that was rented out to another man. They were inside talking with him when the cattle thief drove up. Brother Echols went out to see who it was. He came face to face with a madman. He was so enraged because of Sister Echols taking her cows back that he was ready to kill them all. He was shouting and cursing Brother Echols, and accusing him of stealing ‘his’ cows!

As many of you know, Brother Echols had a stroke about seven years ago, and at times he can’t say too many words. That particular night, the only word he could say was, "Yep." The crazed man kept saying, "You stole my cows!" And Brother Echols replied each time with a confirming, "Yep," and the more he said it the more furious the other man became.

By the time Sister Echols realized who was outside, and what was going on, the rage of the wild-man was at its boiling point. His eyes were ablaze with fire, and his hand on his pistol. She walked toward him while asking our Father for direction. He spoke to her and simply said, "Edify the man — encourage him." And that is what she did. Rather than accusing him, or attempting to defend their position, she blessed him. Her words of edification pierced his heart. She related that when she spoke, He stumbled backwards as if he’d been hit between the eyes with a hammer. In the light of Christ’s glory he staggered like a drunk man. His strength left him as he slumped to ground on his knees and slowly pulled himself upon an old tire that was laying nearby. He just sat there with limp arms dangling at his side, and his head bowed in humble confusion. Sister Echols said she truly had compassion for the man, that she felt no animosity toward him at all. She even invited him to come over for supper some night, telling the man that they needed to get better acquainted.

The next day she received a call from the cattle rustler. He was still broken and sobbing terribly. She asked him what was wrong, and he replied, "I don’t know. I don’t know. I need to talk to you." "What about," she answered. "I don’t know. All I know is, I need to talk to you." She told him that it was not her he needed to talk to, but God. "Just go out into the woods and talk to God. He knows what your problems are, and He will make things right and tell you what you must know or do."

She was like a coal of living fire those three days, and it transformed a wild-man’s life. We have not heard what has transpired with the man since then; but what happened shortly afterwards in Mexico, far transcended this experience, as Sister Echols related to us. She also wrote about it in her latest newsletter. The following is an edited portion of her letter:

"I don’t know where to start or what to say; but His presence is so near and real to me. This is the day I have been living for. I want to share with you about our trip to Mexico. Although everything in the natural seemed to hinder and work against us, I knew by the Spirit we were to go, and on the way we were to stop by and spend a few days in Hot Springs with the brethren there.

"Brother & Sister Roach were there Sunday morning and afternoon. They drove in from Harrison just before the services began, and due to the lack of time, we didn’t have time to talk before things got started. What was so surprising and such a blessing, was that during Brother Roach’s message, he pointed his finger at me and said. ‘You are going to Mexico. You are not just going to have a vacation. You are going like a lightning bolt from the throne of God. You are going down into Mexico, and there’s going to be a thunder in your wake. Those people are never going to be the same. Lives are going to be touched.’ He went right on preaching. After church, he came and asked what we were doing in Hot Springs. I told him, ‘We are loaded and headed for Mexico.’ Praise God! What a confirmation that we were right on course!

"After making it into Mexico, we were helping the brother there to build a meeting place. His sister was really giving him a hard way to go. She is rich, as far as money goes, so her word to the others to not help her brother carried a lot of weight. Not only was she working against her brother — she detested me to no end, and I knew it. Nevertheless, I just kept trying to be friends with her. The day she was going back to Vera Cruz, the pastor asked us to pray before she left. The glory of God filled that little shed so profoundly that it shook the heavens. I looked at the sister, and told her that God was breaking her. She looked at me like she could kill me. In the midst of her hatred and rebellion, the glory of God hit her, and she began to weep. She fell on one brother’s neck, and then another, and another, and finally she fell on mine. But she was still rebelling against her brother, the pastor. It wasn’t long, however, that she went and just clung to him and wept. God washed away two generations of hate and bitterness in that family. Did I ever see the glory of God that day!

"Brother Echols, and Teddy Short from Hot Springs, got sick — but especially Teddy. He came down with hepatitis, and but for God’s grace he would not have made it. His liver felt like a baseball, and he was so hot with fever that it felt like touching a hot stove. Being so far away from a city with a doctor, the only thing we could do was to pray, and pray some more. But this was with seemingly no results.

"Teddy slept in a building on the floor. I told him the night he was so sick that I would make a pallet for myself and stay with him; but he said it wasn’t necessary. I let him know that I would not sleep, but stay awake praying all night for him. And if he needed us, just come to the door and holler. About 1:00 a.m. I heard the Spirit say. ‘It is going to be all right.’ Teddy told us that about that same time he was so hot with fever he knew he was in serious trouble. He dragged himself to the door to call for someone, and a woman he had never seen before came out of the night and drew water from the well. She poured it over him and cooled the fever. She left and wasn’t seen again. We still don’t know who she was, except she was sent by God to save Teddy’s life.

"On two different occasions I exchanged my American dollars for Mexican pesos, so we could buy enough gas and food to get back to the border. Each time I wound up giving it all away. Since we were planning on leaving Mexico that weekend, we drove to a larger city — and I took the LAST $200 I had to exchange it. I sat in the back of the pickup in 100 degree heat while the Mexican man and girl went to the bank. The Spirit took me into the heavens once again. It lasted more than two hours.

"I saw Mexico as God sees it. He then asked me what was in my heart, and I said, ‘Oh, Lord — to see your people set free.’ He replied, ‘What you loose in heaven is loosed in the earth, and what you bind is bound.’ I began to hear the Spirit of Truth bind poverty, terror, ignorance, brutality, crime, violence, etc., and loose the glory of God and open the window of heaven to this people — and I knew they would never be the same.

"When the man came back, I got out and thanked him for changing the money for me, and when I spoke, I didn’t even know what I was saying; but he began to weep. People began to gather around, and they were all weeping. The man asked, ‘Do you know what you are saying.’ ‘No I don’t,’ I said. ‘What am I saying?’ ‘You are telling them,’ the man informed me, ‘that they don’t have to live under poverty any longer, the heavens are open, and they can walk right into God’s presence, and He will bless and help them.’ He told me that what I had said needed no translation, that I had been speaking in Spanish — a language I do not know. Praise God!

"Once we were back at the church and ready to leave, the pastor wanted to ride to the boarder with us. We came to a house, and he asked us to pull over. We walked up to and under a thatched roof. It was a place you wouldn’t even put chickens in, and the family was living there. Out walked a thirty-five year old man who was skin and bones, and gasping to breathe. His wife and four kids were in the yard. He was a mechanic and body man, but hadn’t been able to work for a long time.

"As we walked under the roof, the glory of God hit that place, and I think the ground shook. I had never witnessed this kind of glory in all my life. God took my hand and it felt like fire running through me. I had never felt anything like it. I touched the man’s nose, and then the back of his head, then his chest. All at once he threw up his hands and began to weep. He breathed clear to his toes, as we watched the color of his skin change. The glory of God was moving all over him. The children were transfixed, and tears were just streaming down their cheeks and soaking their clothes.

"We were getting back into the truck, and I heard the Man of my house say, ‘If you knew the Gift of God that is in you....’ Then He continued, ‘You say, Bless you brother, be warmed and filled, and YOU (He emphasized the YOU) do nothing.’ I said, ‘I hear you Father.’ In my pocket was the last money we had in Mexico, and we were only half way back to the border. Nevertheless, I took it all and put it into his hand, and said, ‘Bless you Brother.’ When he saw that money, his expression would repay you a million times over, even if you had to walk to the border.

"Teddy had been telling me, I had better behave and stop giving it all away. I told him to be quiet and let me do what I have to do. I was seeing the glory of God in action, and this was the best thing I had ever tasted. So, what was money to me right now? He said, ‘That is all we have. How much did you give him?’ ‘I gave it all.’ He just shook his head and said, ‘You won’t do.’

"While driving down the road, and the gas tank was only one-fourth full, I spoke to the Lord. ‘I obeyed You, so what now?’ I did not hear a clear word; but I kept feeling like looking into the zipper-pocket where we had kept the money. I knew there wasn’t any; but I had to look. Praise God! There were two crisp, one-hundred dollar bills in it. They were so new and crisp that I don’t believe any man had ever touched them. God put them there, for I know I hadn’t. I showed them to Teddy and said, ‘Now explain this.’ And of course, he couldn’t, and neither could I, but they were there.

"Before leaving this part of the story, I must go back and tell you about when I was getting the money exchanged (the last money I gave away). I was in the back of the truck in the heat, and I heard voices singing. As strange as you may think it sounds, I knew I was hearing Abraham and Sarah’s voices, and many others in the Book. I also heard groups all across America we know, and very clearly voices of certain people we had known. I heard my father’s voice, Sister Stephenson, Dan Forbes, and so many I can’t call them all. And do you know what they were singing? ‘Until death is destroyed off His Jewels. Till all proclaim His righteous judgments, bringing mercy and grace, and all shall know that the heavens do rule.’

"When we got back to the States, the Lord continued to replenish what I had given away. When we were in Lindale, Texas I was asked to share about our trip. God must have blessed either them or me. I guess both, for they gave us $1000. I had never gotten an offering like that in my life. But I never saw the glory of God like this in my life. I am more persuaded today than ever that words alone cannot break the bondage, sermons have no power in themselves; but the glory of God can, and does. That is what it takes. He just blows over a situation, and it is all OK.

"I really appreciate the people’s obedience at the Lindale church. I did not tell them I gave away all my money, my bill money. I did not ask for any money. They just gave it! God owns it all any way.

"On the way home from Texas, He spoke in my heart and said, ‘You will start to get phone calls and you will hear the Macedonian Call — Come help us.’ The word, ‘Macedonian’, means ‘extended land’. So I know it will not be a word like I’ve ever ministered before, and it won’t be the usual beaten paths anymore. I am ready and willing to go and share, and be what He wants for me.

"The first call came from Wilda Wright in Stanton, Tennessee. Brother Jesse Brooks said he saw a trumpet to my mouth, and it was blowing. He also said that it was a ministry of miracles, and they were already happening, and the trumpet is also sounding. I’ve had two calls since then. Please pray for me. If I can help in any way, let me know." — End quote. (You can call her at 501-447-2575, or write, Clydean Echols HC 78 Box 13, Leslie, AR 72645.)

While on our last trip to Oklahoma and Arkansas, we heard a similar testimony from Alyce McPherson. She said that she was caught up for five hours, and the same thing happened at the same time to her close friend, Jean Batterton.  She spoke of this experience in her article, HIS APPEARING:

"I have been behind the veil. Christ Himself appeared out of the midst of me and totally seized me into a glory I have never experienced before. He came from the inside out and was in total control I was inside Him and found myself experiencing a oneness with Christ Himself. I felt His great love and compassion for mankind and I saw all things finished in Him. Understand what I am saying; all things are finished in Him! In the realm of spirit He has finished what He was sent to do. Now He has seated Himself in a position, high above all principality and power. This position will never be usurped by any other power for He has put all things under foot. He will come as a thief out from the midst of man, binding the strong man of the house and taking full control as He catches man up into the glory behind the veil of our flesh. We will never again return to the beggarly elements of earth's consciousness for we will be enveloped with the mind of Christ.

"I did not stay there, but I was there. While I was there I was able to function in the realm of earth and accomplish the necessary things of life, but my mind was His mind, seated in the heavens. My whole being was bathed in pure love for His creation. There was no respect of persons in this place in Him.

"When I was released again to earth's consciousness, I asked Him why I could not stay, His answer was; 'I took you behind the veil, so that you could spy out the land I'm taking you to, and now you are to bring back the report to creation.'

"I knew why He was willing to give His life in the flesh and return as the seed of a quickening Spirit. It was to take up the greater glory of indwelling all mankind as the life principal of a new creation in the earth. A seed after His own planting. A people who would declare His generation The glory of this appearing will never pass away nor be defiled by man.. It is a place prepared in the midst of man himself. This place is the Christ in man and will soon emerge from the inside out and swallow up death in victory. A people will walk upon the earth with the mind of Christ in total control, putting down all rule and authority."

Sister Echols also said she had gotten reports from others across the country who were being caught up into this glory. They all, as it was told to us, were in prayer and worshiping God when it happened.

During that September trip, the primary word I ministered was on the Living Creatures of Fire and the Seraphim. It goes without saying how tremendously encouraged it was to hear about these Golden Cherubim being changed temporarily into the Living Creatures of Burning Fire. The very thing that has been stirring in my Spirit was in a measure already happening; but this measure is not to be taken lightly. For let us recall Thomas Wyatt’s vision (Pub. #96.88, free upon request) concerning this. In essence, God’s Glory that shall sweep over the earth like a tidal wave of fire begins with the sounding of ONE blazing trumpet.

Brethren, I believe the season is swiftly approaching for coming out of darkness and taking the trumpet of fire to our own lips. The Lord is stirring the cold ashes and we shall soon sound the call to arms. It will be death for some, of course, but life for the others. Those who are made alive by the sound of Christ’s awakening voice shall rejoice and breathe heaven’s fire into their lungs, burning every refuse of sin from within. In turn, they shall blast the same flaming wave from their purified lips. Nothing but ashes will remain of those it finds in its path. It will sweep over all who dwell in the earth, from the church to the utmost parts of the world. They shall surely die; but from the ashes of this death will come the beauty of life. Our Lord will give them "...Beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. (Isa 61:3).

(Part 3)

Pub. #90.97

THE WHOLE EARTH IS FULL OF HIS GLORY
I AM UNDONE
FULL OF EYES

"In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood THE SERAPHIMS: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory." (Isa 6:1-3)

Our understanding of the cherubim has been an unfolding experience. Undoubtedly, they are among the most secretive objects of God’s creation. Now we come to the SERAPHIM who are just as evasive, or perhaps more so. Less is known about them than the cherubim. We can search the scriptures for some insight; but with what our Bible translations today have to offer, we won’t glean much. To begin with, the seraphim are only mentioned twice in the entire Bible: once in verse 2 of Isaiah chapter six, and again in verse 6. So you see, in the natural, there is not much to work from.

The seraphim, like the cherubim, also cover God’s glory; but what they cover is much closer than what we saw with the cherubim. The glory they cover is in their own faces and feet. This symbolism shows that the carnal eye is not permitted to see God’s radiance in their faces, i.e., their transformed nature. Nor can man see the glory of the walk in which they are called. No one can follow their steps, and furthermore, neither can they be hindered. As the wind, the Seraphim go whithersoever they choose (John 3:8). Their presence will not go unnoticed, this is sure, but the world will not know much about their person. Although they are full of God’s glory, like their Lord before them, they do not usurp it for themselves (Phil 2:6-7). This glory is only for the One who deserves it, Jesus Christ.

It is inherent in man to desire recognition. He wants to be noticed and known by name and face. He thrives on admiration. It is in his makeup to heap honor upon himself. To bask in the glory worthy of his ‘good’ works come natural to him. The seraphim, on the other hand, cover their glory. What a contrast!

Craving recognition from men is a good indicator that we have a distance to go. Hopefully, we are beyond that syndrome of personal self-worship and gratification, or in simpler terms — carnality.

Seraphim is a transliteration of the Hebrew word saraphim. It is the plural of seraph, or saraph. Although the word is seen only twice in our English translations, as mentioned above, it is used 126 times in the Hebrew.

Most all the other places where the Hebrew word is used relate to things being burned with fire, and at times in the negative sense. In many cases fire was used in connection with God's judgment upon sin. Isaiah 6:2-6 portrays the seraphim as intelligent, holy messengers of God who deal with sin. Not only do they bring earthshaking news from the throne; but with fire they purify men’s hearts, their unclean lips. Isaiah had no idea his lips were unclean until the glory of God’s throne and anointed word pierced his darkness.  

What happened to Isaiah upon hearing those flaming words remind us of John 5:24-25. "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life....The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live." With statements such as these, it might cause us to think the seraphim are very closely related to Christ, doesn’t it?

THE WHOLE EARTH IS FULL OF HIS GLORY

Listen to the words of one seraph to the other: "Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: THE WHOLE EARTH IS FULL OF HIS GLORY" (Isa 6:3). That declaration must have been like a bolt of lightning flashing from the throne (Ezk 1:13-14), for Isaiah’s life began to take on a marvelous change. What he saw and heard shook the very foundation of his confidence. The doorposts of the house, his house, moved and became unstable. He was left with no self-assurance. He was undone (Isa 6:4-5).

Why would so few words have been so earth shaking, especially to a man like Isaiah? There is no great mystery here, for when any fragment of Adam remains in a man, and the glory of God is seen or heard, his earth will always quake as his heavens pass away. At the presence of such glory, there is left no place for anything earthy.

The declaration, Holy, holy, holy, is powerful. Not in the natural, perhaps, but it is in the spiritual sense. The Hebrew word for ‘holy’ means ‘sacred’, and the root word (qadash) means clean’. When one sees by the spirit how sacred, how utterly clean God is, everything else appears muddled and dirty. Viewing God’s holiness in one dimension can arrest a person; but when three dimensions of His holiness are manifested, it is, no doubt, akin to standing on the surface of the Sun. No natural man can see such glory and live. There will be a change.

There is great significance in numbers, especially this one: "Three stands for that which is solid, real, substantial, complete, and entire. All things that are specially complete are stamped with this number three. Three denotes divine perfection" (E.W. Bullinger’s book, Numbers in Scripture). When one of the seraphim declared those three divine words of perfection, they pierced Isaiah’s soul like searing rivets of blazing fire. The unchained lightning of God’s absolute perfection surged through his being. It was a jolt more than his natural mind could handle, and he was left undone. The word repeated three times is enough to reduce any man to ashes; but the finishing touches for Isaiah’s transformation and perception of things followed: "...The whole earth is full of His glory." We all toy with such statements, and anxiously await that fire-filled day; but if we saw it in the scope that Isaiah saw it, we would also be left undone. Furthermore, there is an appointed time when we shall not only see it, but be a part of it (to be covered more in depth later in this series).

Nevertheless, what do we suppose ‘the whole earth’ is referring to? I believe it is speaking of exactly that: the whole earth, everything in it and of it, and everything of its heavens, land, and sea. In the earth, there is a church, a government, and the people, and all three shall be bathed in God’s glory. But there is more. Spiritually speaking, we know every person is a miniature earth themselves. Their earth consists of a spirit, soul, and body. These three realms of every person shall also be filled with God’s glory. Our Lord is able to save them all to the uttermost, to the uttermost region of a man, to the uttermost region of the earth. He is not only able, but He will do it, and Isaiah saw it! He saw God’s perfection from one end of the ages to the other and everything between. Every man, woman, and child was seen totally clean and without blemish. The whole earth was full of God’s glory. The church was pure, the government was pure, and all the people flowed like a pure symphony, crystal clear, in God’s harmony of sacred holiness. Everything and everyone was pure! Praise God! Although a prophet, what a humbling experience to a man formed from the dust, and so shall it be with you and me, brethren, and also the others.  

What, or rather, who are these winged creatures that wield such powerful words of earthshaking changes in ones life? When we understand what and who the cherubim and the living creatures are, it becomes increasingly clear, especially when we see how closely related they are to one another. There is an obvious parallel between Isaiah's seraphim, Ezekiel's four living creatures, and the cherubim. We will see also the four beasts (living creatures) of Revelation speak the same. There are slight variations by each writer; but they are all associated to the same things: The manifestation of God's Glory from the throne, i.e., the Lord high and lifted up with his train filling the temple; the fiery splendor of the seraphim’s voices; and men’s lips being touched by God’s living fire. Dead stones would even be transformed and glorify God in this three-dimensional manifestation! O, who can abide His presence, as Malachi 3:2 questions? The answer is clear — no one in his natural might.

When a man finds himself in such lofty presence, the abounding evil of his heart will cease its beating. No longer will it spill ill words over the threshold of his lips. Where the law failed the live coal from the altar will succeed. It will stop the flood of sin that ever flows from that which Jeremiah said was deceitful above all things and desperately wicked (Jer 17:9). The law can bridle a man's tongue for a season; but it takes the fire of God to change it.

Many Christians have a hard time relating to fire in the spiritual sense. When they think of people being judged by fire, it is very difficult for them to see it being anything but literal. The lake of fire, for instance, is often viewed as natural fire. This is a good example of how men have missed the mark of truth. We will not discuss the lake of fire at this time; but before continuing, and for the sake of clarity, we will take a brief moment and let the scriptures identify fire as it is commonly used:

"Wherefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make My WORDS in thy mouth FIRE, and this people wood, and it shall devour them." "...HIS WORD was in mine heart as a BURNING FIRE shut up in my bones..." "Is not MY WORD like as A FIRE? saith the LORD..." (Jer 5:14, 20:9, 23:29). "Who maketh His angels spirits; HIS MINISTERS a FLAMING FIRE" (Psa 104:4). And especially — "For THE LORD THY GOD is A CONSUMING FIRE (Deut 4:24, Heb 12:29). And death and hell were cast into THE LAKE OF FIRE" (Rev 20:14).

We see God is a consuming fire, His words are burning fire, His ministers are fire, His lake is fire, and together with these we have His seraphim of fire. Can they be separated from on another? We think not! They all burn with glory, God’s glory! When it comes to fire, light, lightning and glory — they are all one and the same, the express manifestation of God.

Let us also notice what it is to consume. For this action to take place there has to be two objects — a consumer and that which is consumed. In the above verse, God is the Consumer and people are the things consumed. With this, let us recall the powerful closing words of Paul after his discourse concerning the whole world: "For out of Him, and through Him, and INTO HIM, the all" (Rom 11:36 Literal). Paul simply tells us that ‘the all’ (excluding none) came out of God and shall eventually return to God. They shall all be consumed by God — He who is a consuming fire. It is simple physics: ‘The all’ who pass THROUGH and back INTO God shall become the same fire that He is.

We don't have to be rocket scientists to understand that everything Fire consumes is changed into that same element and image. When a blade of grass is consumed by fire, the law of physics rules and the grass becomes a flame. When combustible elements are subjected to fire — they change! They have no choice.

And we thought we were going to put on the image of Christ without any pain. Not so, dear friends, and neither will the rest of the world, for as Peter said: "Looking for and hastening unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat" (2 Pet 3:12). There may be a nuclear war in the future that will ravish the heavens and the earth, as some believe and teach. We have no contention with this idea, for there is a great possibility of such things. It may literally happen; but the fire of which we speak has nothing to do with natural things. The fire is God — and in His blazing presence nothing of man's carnal powers and elemental arrangements will remain. That which is in the heavens of a man's spirit and soul will be consumed by fire. His kingdoms, all the elements of his flesh, and the base works in the world will vanish away in the awesome presence of God’s Seraphim of fire. And then will be seen: "Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: THE WHOLE EARTH IS FULL OF HIS GLORY" (Isa 6:3). Praise His glorious, fire-filled name!

To be a part of this world-changing fire, something must happen. To be ministering flames of God, dear friends, there must be a change on our part. The simple truth — we must be born from above, as Jesus said to Nicodemus (John 3:3). In other words, and since the Sun is from above, let us say, we must be born from the Sun/Son. We must first be conceived of that heavenly Seed, and from there that fire of God must consume the man of earth before we come into that same glorious image. How else could the Seraphim (the Burning Ones) have come to such blazing glory? No other way could it have happened. Carnal thoughts become Spiritual thoughts when God's flame is applied; self-centeredness becomes God-centeredness, hatred becomes Love, and evil men become Godly men.

Living Fire begets living fire the same way natural fire begets natural fire. All seeds bring forth after their own kind. Every living creature begets after its own kind. God alone is the eternal, self-existent, living flame that was not begotten. He simply is and always has been. He is the I AM! Everything else, however, must come from their parents.

The Seed by which we were begotten was of God. It was a Living Coal of Fire, pure and Holy. That is what was placed into the womb of our hearts, dear sons — a live coal of fire from the altar of the Son. Although men tried, it could not be extinguished. There may have been periods when the flame was a mere ember, and appeared dead; but it would not die, it could not die. It could not die any more than God Himself could die. If His Seed could die, then He could die; but we know such a thing is eternally impossible.

After one is conceived by the Spirit of Fire, i.e., the baptism of fire, as John the Baptist called it, he or she increases in glory. Once maturity is established, these flaming ministers become awesome manifestations of God to all they touch. Their flaming presence will change people's lives forever; for this is the law of physics.

For example, Isaiah was quite a man of God, even before he saw and heard the voice of the seraphim, the burning ones. He was a well-known prophet in the land, and had probably thought of himself as a man of great honor, and he was. For was he not chosen of God, and who else in his day had kept the letter of the law any better than he himself? What more could anyone have required or asked? The fact is, he was doing exactly what he was called to do, and nothing more was required of him, until, however, the time came for a change.

I AM UNDONE

At seeing the Lord high and lifted up and, hearing the thundering voice of one seraph to the other, Isaiah's world took on a drastic change. His former strength died, and what he once trusted in vanished. This did not happen, we might note, until his king (Uzziah) died. Most of us have, or have had, Uzziah as a king at one time or another, and he must go before the victory we are seeking becomes a reality. Uzziah represents various things in our lives, which we will hopefully cover some of them in the next publication. Today, however, we will only touch the subject.

The primary meaning of the name Uzziah is the Strength of God. One would not think such a thing has to go, but under certain conditions, it does. You see, when God’s strength becomes our king, rather than God Himself — it must go. As good as God’s strength is in our lives, it cannot take the place of God Himself. God’s strength was Uzziah’s downfall, or at least the way he took it as his own. It is common for men and women to lift God’s gifts and wonder-working power upon the throne of their minds. The ministries He gives to people very often become their kings. There is a season, however, which will dethrone them. It is when the King of that power is seen. When He is seen high and lifted up, and His voice is trumpeted through the lips of the seraphim, you can count on all other kings to become naught. No longer will we worship God’s strength in our lives; but all honor and glory and praise will be to Him alone.

When Isaiah’s king died, he saw the LORD high and lifted up. His own worth diminished to nothing, even his past calling became insignificant. The final blow to his self-esteem came with the word of the seraph. It opened his eyes and he saw God's glory filling the whole earth: "Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of His glory" (Isa 6:3). In the majestic sphere of such a grand declaration, the prophet could say nothing, except, "...Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts." (Isa 6:5).

When the LORD is seen, the greatest of men are not immune to being humbled. Ezekiel fell upon his face when he saw Him and heard His voice in and about the living creatures (Ezek 1:28). Something similar happened to Jeremiah when the word came to him. He said, "...Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child" (Jer 1:6). Fortunately, his own assessment of himself was not the end of the matter. The LORD followed with, "Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Then the LORD put forth His hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put My words in thy mouth." (Jer 1:7,9).

In the presence of God and at the sound of His voice, both Jeremiah and Isaiah had trouble with their mouths, i.e., their hearts. Jeremiah viewed himself as a child with nothing to say, and Isaiah felt that his lips were unclean. If it had gone no farther, they would probably have been right, and would have vanished into obscurity. But a live coal was placed upon each prophets’ mouth, and that changed things.

The seraph placed it upon Isaiah's lips, and what touched Jeremiah's mouth was God's flaming hand as His word of fire was planted within. In the first chapter of Ezekiel these living creatures are seen as burning coals of fire (Ezek 1:13). Isaiah described them as seraphim (burners, burning fire), and every place they went and every thing they touched was affected greatly. Their words caused great men to melt like wax. These fiery wonders, these manifestations of God, destroyed the old and ushered in the new — and they shall do likewise once again.

Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel’s description of these living entities were so symbolic that they defy man's natural logic to decipher. Without the Spirit of revelation it is impossible to unravel these great mysteries, but this, of course, stands to reason, as Paul enlightened us: "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him" (1 Cor 2:9).

One purpose of the cherubim, i.e., seraphim or living creatures, is to keep things hidden. From the beginning they have concealed the sacred things of God, and as long as carnal men remain, it will be the same. As man progresses deeper into Christ, however, they will see more and more of God’s wondrous glory, and all who see and hear will be tremendously changed.

FULL OF EYES

Ezekiel saw the cherubim completely covered with eyes: "And their whole body, and their backs, and their hands, and their wings, and the wheels, were full of eyes round about, even the wheels that they four had" (Ezek 10:12).

Who could have imagined such creatures? It is no wonder some people fail to put much stock into what he wrote. Some believe he saw flying saucers, while others conclude that he only had a bad dream from eating too many turnip greens, or perhaps some loco weed had found its way into his stew. But we can rest assured, it was neither. What he saw was by the Spirit, and it was not an illusion. John's words help to clarify that which seems strange to some. Chapter five of Revelation speaks of eyes; but this time there are seven of them, and they are associated with the slain Lamb.

Seven, as it is commonly understood, also speaks of perfection. Seven is the most frequently used number in the Bible. The Hebrew word for seven is sheval (Grk. hepta). It is from the root savah, to be full or satisfied, have enough of. Seven speaks of fulness, completion, perfection. Nothing can be added to it or taken from it without marring it. Hence the word Shavath — to cease, desist, rest; and Shabbath — Sabbath, or day of rest. It is Seven, therefore, that stamps perfection and completion to the things it is connected with: Of time, it tells of the Sabbath, and marks off the week of seven days. Seven completes the colors of the spectrum and rainbow. Seven also satisfies in music the notes of the scale, with the eighth being the same as the first, yet with a higher pitch, etc. (ref. Strong's Exhaustive Conc. & Theological Word Book of the Old Testament).

Therefore, the seven eyes of the Lamb speak of perfection, completion, nothing is lacking in what they represent. The following verse tells us plainly what the eyes are: "And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth." (Rev 5:6).

With only a small amount of insight we can see that the eyes of the cherubim, the seraphim, the living creatures, and those of the Lamb are all the same. They are THE SPIRIT of the Living God manifested IN FULLNESS. Let us pause for a moment and consider where the fullness of His Spirit is going: The seven Spirits of God are sent forth into A–L–L THE EARTH. Brethren, this hasn't happened yet; for if it had, we would see the whole world falling on their faces before the Lord; but praise God, we shall see it! It is His plan for the ages. Few, however, know very little about His plan that spans the eons of time. Those who should be wise with years are disappointingly backward in the affairs of God and His kingdom. Where they should be filled with light, darkness abides. In turn, they keep the people bound in the same.

Few are remotely aware that the Spirit is being prepared to be sent forth into all the earth. Before this, however, it will be sent into the whole expanse of our earth — our spirit, our soul, and our body. The Gospel that went forth in the days of the apostles turned the world upside down (Acts 17:6). There had never been anything like it before or since. The sending forth of the seven eyes of the Lamb, however, which are the same as those of the Living creatures who are full of eyes, i.e., the fullness of God's Spirit, transcends anything that has happened to date. It is far beyond the range of man's finite imaginations. The Church as an infant was glorious; but just wait until it is of age — who can fathom it?

While enduring his affliction on Patmos, John saw it as signs. He found himself caught up to a place few have been lifted. What he saw was the same as Ezekiel and Isaiah’s visions. The heavenly creatures had wings, multiple eyes, and voices, and in the Old Testament the creatures were of fire. It is easily seen that they speak of the refining process they went through. They were judged and found worthy to become flaming emissaries of God. Their fiery appearance also speaks of the world coming into judgment at their presence. The wings, of course, indicate their dominion and authority in realms higher than any of the earth. Their habitation is in the heavens. Their power and authority are spiritual. The living creatures are full of eyes. The eyes are the fullness of the Spirit of God going throughout the earth.

(Part 4)

Pub. #91.97

IN THE YEAR KING UZZIAH DIED

"IN THE YEAR THAT KING UZZIAH DIED I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple....Then said I, woe is me! For I am undone..." (Isaiah 6:1,5).

Isaiah’s world came to a crashing end when Uzziah died; but with that end came also a new beginning. Prior to the king’s death, and though he was a prophet, he had never seen the Lord in such majesty. And shall it be different with the elect of God? We believe not, for it is clear that every son either presently has or has had king Uzziah ruling over him. This king can be honorable, like the meaning of the name Uzziah, Strength, or Might of God, as mentioned in Publication #97.90.

Uzziah can also represent presumption, arrogance, and self-aggrandizement, which reflects the character and spirit of the man. Such traits are seen throughout the world. A large number live blatantly contrary to God or anything good — they delight in sin. On a different scale, the rule of Uzziah is rampant in the church as well, and it is not uncommon to see it among the sons. No one is immune to the power of this self-serving king.

We may be quick to say there is but one King who has the right to rule over anyone, and it is Jesus Christ. We know that He alone bought every man, woman, and child that has ever been or shall ever be. Jesus spent His redeeming blood that all might live. In doing so, He became the King of the whole earth and heir of all. We attest to all these wonderful things. What we say and believe, however, has not kept us from bowing to other kings, specifically to the one named Uzziah. Let us notice a brief history of this king, as it is recorded in 2nd Chronicles 26:8-21, and see how closely it relates.

For whatever reason, the Ammonites gave gifts to Uzziah. The Ammonites were the inbred descendants of Lot, and like Lot, when men become intoxicated on the wine of the world, they will do what Lot did. They will lay with the fruit of their own loins, figuratively speaking. They will lay with what their own carnal minds have conceived and birthed. The offspring of such incestuous relationships will certainly reward them; but such rewards will be that of the earth and not of the heavens. Make no mistake about it — those temporal things will be their only reward.

Their names may spread abroad, even outside the corridors of the church and into the far reaches of the world, as it was with Uzziah. But this avails nothing. Unless their mighty exploits are due to Jesus Christ raising them up, every thing they have accomplished is in their name and not the name of Jesus. They may attach the word Jesus to what they are doing, but it takes more than dropping His name here and there to make it in His name.

Uzziah strengthened himself exceedingly. Paul said something about this to the Galatians when he upbraided them for finishing in the flesh what had begun in the Spirit (Gal 3:1-3). At almost every turn we can see parallels of church leaders today and king Uzziah. To maintain his/their power and fame, he/they built fortified towers all around Jerusalem.

Towers are for the purpose of guarding a city, and warning the inhabitants against anyone who might be a threat to the king’s empire. There can be a number of things that would be a person’s city, but in religion, a ministry or congregation fits very well. Nothing will go unnoticed by those who stand guard over these cherished cities. A man’s Uzziah will cover every side and corner of what he has accomplished to ensure against harm from any potential threat. Those of the church system, as well as kingdom meetings, will let various teachings and other ministers go unnoticed, that is, until the people they are ‘protecting’ get interested in someone else or the word they are bringing out. At the slightest threat to their empire an alarm will be sounded.

Men, like Uzziah, will muster a host of fighting men. They not only fight on the home front for the safety of their city, but those building kingdoms send out bands of warriors to conquer, strengthen, and build a greater church, ministry, or any prized work of an individual or body of people. It is like Jesus said, "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves" (Mat 23:15). Such is the king that sits upon the carnal throne of mens’ minds, or upon the throne called the pulpit of many churches and television platforms around the world.

The saga of Uzziah’s exploits continues with him having prepared for his warriors (proselytes) shields, and spears, and helmets, and habergeons and bows, and slings to cast stones. Like Uzziah, men will do the same. They make sure those who defend them are equipped with ‘their’ shield of presumptuous faith; ‘their’ spears and swords, of persuasive doctrines; ‘their’ helmets of pseudo salvation; ‘their’ habergeons (Heb., breastplates) of self-righteousness; ‘their’ bows and arrows of human reasoning and convincing words of the letter that killeth; and slings to cast stones of cruel accusations. Their defense is truly a religious counterfeit of Ephesians 6:14-17.

Uzziah made engines, invented by cunning men. If the people knew the contriving that goes on behind the closed doors of many religious leaders (in ‘Kingdom’ circles also), their faith and trust in anything that goes by the name of Christ would be terribly shaken. Even on the single scale of a person who has no ‘following’, he or she will contrive and create mechanisms to make their scheme of things work. That is, until Uzziah dies and the true King sits as Lord.

The lust for power and fame worked upon this king until he was exceedingly strong. It was then that his heart was lifted up to his own destruction. Pride is such a deceiving snare, and untold numbers come to know its evil grip before their fall. The root of pride is in most people, and it doesn’t take much to quicken it. Prosperity, for instance, can cause it to spread like wildfire in one’s soul. Prosperity itself is not bad; but the lust of prosperity is an unholy portent. When physical wealth is watered by fame and power, pride can grow in a person’s life until he is consumed by it. Although God may have set him in a high place; with pride at the helm, he will think more of himself than he ought. Uzziah’s final undoing came in this prosperous, but deceptive, arena of life, or rather death. That which he trusted in could not save him. Neither he, his fortune, his fame, his name, nor his vast armies could deliver him from HIS OWN destruction.

Uzziah was lifted in his own self-worth because of what he had done. Let us suppose for a moment that he gave God credit for his great victories and unparalleled achievements. He, no doubt, felt it was due to God finding favor in him for being such a great guy. Either way, pride was a strong factor. Like the proud spirit of many who usurp the place of Christ Jesus, Uzziah rushed in where angels fear to tread. He went into to the holy place to burn incense. In His pride he ^transgressed against the LORD his God. He went into the temple, not as a humbled lamb who had laid his life down, but he charged in as a proud bull.

If you will lend your ear to the Spirit, you can hear him, and many others, echoing the words of Isaiah 12:13-14, "For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High (by the power of my own strength)." (Parenthesis for emphasis). Those bowing to Uzziah today, those who look to their own self-rule, do not have the mind of Jesus. Although in the form of God, He did not think it robbery to be equal with God. No, this is not translated well enough to convey the proper meaning. Check most other translations and you will see that it should read: "Who, being in the form of God, had no plundering thoughts of grasping after equality with God" (Phil 2:6). Uzziah had such thoughts, and so do men today, but Jesus didn’t. Not like the seekers of fame and power, it goes on to say in verses 7 and 8 that He made Himself of no reputation, humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. With these credentials (no reputation, humbled, and dead to self and I will), God therefore, highly exalted Him, and gave Him a name which is above every name.

We are overrun with these glory-hounds and power-mongers of Uzziah. You can hardly turn on the TV or attend a church without seeing such men and women touting their great knowledge of the Bible. On one hand they are ruthless charlatans, and on the other they are spiritual dwarfs playing church. Either way, they have no business going into the holy place and ministering the bread of the Lord — they are blemished. We see all this and cry out, "How long, O Lord? How long before you bring and end to this ignorance and hypocrisy?" Not long brethren, not long, for as with Uzziah, so shall it be with those usurpers of God’s glory. The end of Uzziah in the church (and the world), and all those bowing to him, will come with the Help of the God.

He will send the son of Zadok, Azariah the high priest, along with eighty other priests of the LORD, that are valiant men. The Hebrew word for valiant is, "chayil". It means, "a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength." (Strong’s). Who among us today are ‘valiant’ men of God? Who will not compromise when their king conflicts with God’s way of doing things? That king, of course, is their pastor, their leader, their desires, or their own cunning ideas.

The son of Zadok, (Heb., to be or make right), Azariah (Jah, or God has helped), and the eighty valiant ones shall be the catalyst of bringing the old to death and the new to life. The uncompromising integrity of Azariah — those born of the One who is Right and the One who will make Right — will withstand that powerful carnal machine and all its working parts called Uzziah. With one voice across the land, they shall declare, "It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the LORD, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither shall it be for thine honour from the LORD God. Then Uzziah was wroth, and had a censer in his hand to burn incense: and while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy even rose up in his forehead before the priests in the house of the LORD, from beside the incense altar. And Uzziah the king was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house, being a leper; for he was cut off from the house of the LORD: and Jotham his son was over the king's house, judging the people of the land."

Leprosy is a blood disease and is manifested in the flesh after coursing throughout the body for a time. Spiritually speaking it is sin. The forehead, of course, represents one’s soul — his mind, will, emotions, and intellect. A man is looking for trouble when he bows himself to his own carnal worth, which is leprous, and he lifts himself up as God. That scheming sin of rebellion will eventually surface in the sight of those in the house of God. His every thought and action is diseased, and those with eyes to see (discernment) can see it.

The church system is full of Uzziahs. Their fabrications are phenomenal. They are masters at mixing doctrinal potions that sedate religious people into childlike stupors. Some have the art of crafting mind boggling teachings from seemingly insignificant words and scriptures of the Bible. Their followers say of them, "No man has ever spoken like this man. He is a God!" And these men and women grow so accustomed to being worshiped by the people that they begin to believe it. Sadly, the people fail to see the leprosy that has infected their worshipful master’s life, but in time they will see it. He may enter the house of God as a proud high priest; but he will leave a humbled leper. He is already a leper inwardly, but it goes unperceived by most. When the time comes for his reign to end, all will see what was always there. And like Uzziah of old, he will remain prostrate all the days of his natural life in the sickhouse of lepers. He may repent in sackcloth and ashes, and come to know Jesus as His Lord and King; but he will not likely ever rise again to grandeur while in his mortal body.

Although he may continue ‘ministering’ in a small way to the people in ‘his’ church, and to ‘his’ flock who receive his tapes and literature, he is not ministering in the house of the Lord, for he is a leper. It is forbidden (rf. Lev. 21:17-23, Lev. 22:2-6). Leprosy is a very contagious and defiling disease, and God will not allow it in His house. Therefore, when spiritual lepers rule, you can know that their rule is not in the house of God — but in several houses or leper colonies.

Let me hasten to tell you, and please remember this, my dear friends — people who hang around lepers for very long invariably come down with the same disease. They don’t even smell the stink of rotting flesh, for theirs is in the same condition. Therefore, let us with all diligence take heed of who, what, and how we hear, as Jesus warned (Mark 4:24 Luke 8:18). Leaven of the Pharisees is deadly, but leprosy is not only deadly, it is repulsive. Therefore, stay away from the dinner tables of lepers; unless, however, you are sent to heal them.

Brethren, let us know one thing; regardless of how strong or far-reaching we have built our sanctimonious cities, or how influential, ecumenical, and loved we may be, our ‘king Uzziah’ will be stricken with leprosy to never rise and rule again. It is then that God’s glory will be seen. His fire in the hand of the seraphim will reach to the depths of hell and consume every carnal thing. Nothing shall remain, not even a twig.

"For a fire is kindled in Mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains" (Deut 32:22). What mountain, or man’s kingdom, does this exclude? None — absolutely none! The foundations of every kingdom established by the arm of flesh shall burn with fire. But first, the Holy men of God, such as Isaiah, will have their tongues touched by a live coal of fire, and their lives will be transformed forever. The others shall fair less fortunate.

What, or who, do you suppose this fire is? No doubt, much of God’s fire is His burning Word of truth within, and also the fiery circumstances without, but there is more. Concerning Isaiah, it had to do with the seraphim (the burning ones) having a live coal (a living Word tried seven times, Psa 12:6) from the altar. With the rest of the world, it is also the seraphim, yet they come in God’s heated anger. This anger, of course, is not in the unforgiving anger that the church system envisions of God. It is the anger that breaks rebellion and brings restoration.

His voice shall be heard, not from within as the gentle words of correction, but from the thundering voice of the flaming seraphim. "And the LORD shall cause His glorious voice to be heard, and shall show the lighting down of His arm, with the indignation of His anger, and with the flame of a devouring fire, with scattering, and tempest, and hailstones" (Isa 30:30).

Please be reminded that God’s ‘glorious’ voice in the above verse speaks of His voice being declared as fire. Also, glory, light, and fire are synonymous terms that speak of God. It is His Voice, His Word, His Spirit, and His People being manifested, and they all come as fire. Therefore, when God causes His glorious voice to be heard and His presence is seen, we can count on people’s lives changing. God’s furnace will melt the hardest of hearts and consume the most rebellious spirit.

Isaiah 31:9 tells us, God’s fire is in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem. Now, we don’t for a moment believe this is a natural fire or furnace, do we? Of course not! This fire is His Word going forth to refine those of the Kingdom of God and they who dwell in His City of Peace. God’s fire speaks of those who endure to the end, and are raised in His glory. They are His flames of fire around the heavenly throne that He sends into the church and the world. They are God’s seraphim — His lightning, His glory. And they go forth from the throne to execute judgment upon both the good and the evil (Ezek 1:13-14).

Who could imagine the grand kingdoms of renowned men being brought down, especially those that are so strong and seem to be doing so much ‘good’? Most would think it an impossibility for anyone or anything to be able to break their ranks or weaken them to any degree. But when God sends His burning ones, i.e., the seraphim, ^we will see the impossible so easily achieved.

RESTORATION

I suppose that one of the gravest misconceptions about God concerns His judgment upon humanity, especially when it comes to judgment by fire. It is broadly believed that most of earth’s inhabitants will either live throughout eternity in an inextinguishable lake of fire, or God will burn them to ashes and they will be forever forgotten. A few say that there is nothing beyond the last heartbeat, but perhaps they don’t believe Romans 11:36. Such views are so far from the truth that if so many people didn’t believe these fabricated scenarios, it would be almost humorous.

We do not, of course, make light of God’s judgments; for they can be very severe, painful, and most exacting. When God’s mighty left hand of judgment falls upon people, they will tell you that all hell has broken loose. And when a river of fire streams from the mouths of His flaming seraphim, the pain to the carnal soul can be overwhelming. Nevertheless, once that phase of judgment has worked its purpose, God’s right hand of glory is seen. It comes in downpours and swells of life, bringing liberty and joyful peace for evermore. In this judgment "The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, and the excellency of our God" (Isa 35:1-2).

There is a time for the destroying fire; but there is also a time for the restoring rain: "For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off" (Isa 55:12-13).

Contrary to what is often believed and thought, God does not send fire without sending rain afterwards. He is the One who gives "...beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified" (Isa 61:3).

With both, the work of the fiery seraphim and the rain dropping from the cloud of the corporate body, God’s glory is seen and His praise heard throughout every realm of His Kingdom, first in the heavens and then the earth: "God came from Teman, and the Holy One from mount Paran. Selah. His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of His praise. And His brightness was as the light; He had horns [rays of power, Heb.] coming out of His hand: and there was the hiding of his power. Before Him went the pestilence, and burning coals went forth at his feet. He stood, and measured the earth: He beheld, and drove asunder the nations; and the everlasting mountains were scattered, the perpetual hills did bow: His ways are everlasting" (Hab 3:3-4,6).

Brethren, He doesn’t just do such awesome feats without His elect. He inhabits His body, His people, and it is in and through them that His bright glory and fire are manifested. Such scriptures that Habakkuk wrote remind us so much of Thomas Wyatt’s vision we noted in Publication #96:88.

What a wonderful and tremendous work of goodness awaits not only the sons, but all the saints, not to mention the rest of the world. The power of God’s goodness is unmeasured by man, and grossly misunderstood. It was His goodness that delivered Israel out of Egypt and led them through the wilderness. Other glorious events are described in the Bible as His powerful goodness. On mount Sinai the presence of His power was seen as devouring fire. Our dear friend and anointed writer, J. Preston Eby, penned a timely word on this subject in Part 24 of THE LORD’S PRAYER:

"Now when you think of God’s goodness, set aside that kind of ‘niceness’ our culture has so often portrayed as goodness. God’s goodness is powerful. So powerful that the tiniest portion of it could wipe out all the sin that ever existed in a millisecond. That’s why in Old Testament times, when the glory manifested, God covered it with a cloud. He had to protect mankind from it to keep it from obliterating them. You can see an example of that in Exodus 24, when God appeared to Israel at mount Sinai. ‘And the glory of the Lord abode upon mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days: and the seventh day God called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud. And the sight of the glory of the Lord was like a devouring fire on top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel’ (Ex. 24:16-17).

"Make a mental note here of the fact that the glory of God appeared as ‘a devouring fire.’ As we search the scriptures, you’re going to see that fire again and again." He continues by shedding light on the above scriptures we quoted above from Habakkuk about God having horns coming out of His hand, and hiding His power:

"One translation calls them lightning-like shafts of splendor. The Bible tells us that in these fiery, lightning-like shafts lies the hiding place of God’s power. That alone is enough to let us know that experiencing the glory is more than having a warm, ‘spiritual’ feeling. It’s an encounter with the very nature, being and power of God because His nature, being, and power is His glory! The prophet Ezekiel gives a strikingly similar picture of God’s glory. He says, ‘Then I beheld, and lo a likeness as the appearance of fire: from the appearance of His loins even downward, fire; and from His loins even upward, as the appearance of brightness, as the color of amber’ (Ezk.8:2)." — End Quote.

The above scriptures and thoughts speak volumes to us in this late hour. In the natural, we see God’s glory in pictures, movies, and upon the backdrop of our own minds; but these glowing pseudo lights are products of our imaginations. God manifests His glory through people, as mentioned above. That is His way, to come forth from those who possess His glory, and that glory, of course, is Jesus Christ.

As He was the Light of the world (John 9:5), they are also the light of the world (Matt 5:14). The winged seraphim of fire soar throughout the heavens and round about the throne shining brightly with Christ’s glory. Their presence is beheld in the earth also. They are seen by some as God’s feet of burning coals treading out the winepress. From that shall come the spirit of praise that will fill the whole earth.

The seraphim are not seen but twice in our English Bibles; but after we see how they represent God’s glory, His Word, His flaming ministers, and His substance of consuming fire — they are seen everywhere in the scriptures. They are all over the place, specifically in reference to the close of this age. It is a wonder we never saw it before. Of course, what is revealed by the Spirit is always simple and easily seen. Until then, no amount of human reasoning will open the heavens to such glorious sights and holy manifestations. Man in the height of his glory has failed in his attempts to shine with God’s glory. Men of the earth have no brilliance of God with which to manifest righteousness, but those in the heavens do. It is the heavens that declare His righteousness, and all the people shall see His glory (Psa 97:6). When this God-fire is heralded across the earth, all who serve the graven images of their own minds, they who bow to and boast themselves of their own cunning idols, shall be confounded (Psa 97:7).

Therefore, let the heathen rage and imagine a vain thing — their ranting and idols will avail nothing. They are not here to stay. Their day will end when our God sends His glorious seraphim of fire to the uttermost parts of every man’s earth, and they too shall say, "Woe is me, for I am undone." Praise God!

(Part 5)

Pub. #92.97

AND ONE CRIED HOLY, HOLY, HOLY
FLIGHT OF THE CHERUBIM

"And the four beasts...rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come" (Rev. 4:8).

The four beasts — or seraphim as we have been looking into — are phenomenal manifestations of God’s flaming glory. When they speak men’s lives and kingdoms are shaken and come to naught. The apostle John heard the same words that came as lightning bolts into Isaiah’s heart. At their piercing sound, both men saw the whole earth swept over with the glory of the LORD. Ezekiel and Isaiah wrote about these creatures of fire, but neither saw God’s finished work of their calling. John, however, was given vision enough to pick up where they had left off, which brings into focus God’s immutable purpose for His creation.

"And the four beasts...rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to Him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, The four and twenty elders fall down before Him that sat on the throne, and worship Him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created." (Rev 4:8-11).

A dear friend and co-laborer in Christ, Danny Crotts, made a statement last June at the convention in Duncan, Arizona which strongly influenced this present series. What he said was a coal of fire that impacted my spirit. In essence he said: "There was something about what the Living Creatures said that caused the twenty-four elders, the priesthood, to cast their crowns at the feet of the Lamb and fall on their faces before Him." Although God burned those words deep within, I did not fully grasp them at the time, nor is it yet complete in my understanding; but with time and the nurturing of that word, a great deal has developed.

What do you suppose could possibly cause the twenty-four elders, the reigning kingdom of Levitical priests, to fall before the King and to cast their crowns before His throne? Had they not already bowed their knees in loving reverence to their Lord? Indeed they had, but such glory had never before been witnessed. The true grandeur of His finished work had never entered their minds, and what they heard and saw left them undone.

The words of the living creatures, the seraphim, opened a window in the heavens, and the elders saw the finished work of the cross and the resurrection. It left them in profound wonder. They beheld the outcome of our Lord’s glorious Word going forth into the whole earth. They saw every battle won, every victory held secure, every hardship and trial overcome, and it was all due to one thing — He who sat upon the throne. He alone was worthy to wear the crowns, and in high worship they displayed their love and deep appreciation.

Moreover, what John saw while caught up in rapturous glory was God’s unfolding Holiness in every realm and faction of humanity. It included every spirit, every soul, and every body. Not one thing in one person was left out. Who could have imagined anything so grand? — certainly not the undeveloped cherubim of Adam’s mind; but the glorified seraphim in God’s image of fire, declared it. They manifested it as only God’s glorious firebrands could do, and in the face of such splendor the priesthood was left undone.

Let all who are called to strive for the prize of the high calling continue to do so — for it is a noble race. It is good to lay up spiritual treasures in the heavens (Matt 6:20). To obtain gold for their crowns (Rev 4:4) — it is worth the price. But know this, fellow sojourners, when the words are heard — "HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come" — every crown will go. Every saint will know that there is not one shred of power in their own lives that accomplished a thing. It was all Him!

We must understand, however, these select words do not possess some magical power. What John saw and heard in the throne-room was merely a sign that pointed to a greater reality. Those winged creatures of life symbolize one portion of Christ's body, and when they speak — lives will change. Like the Living Word before them, their words will emanate with electrifying power. They will be the expression of God’s sovereignty as they fly throughout the earth declaring "HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come."

Words that anyone speaks are declarations of who they are. For instance, when the slurred words of a drunkard roll vulgarly from his drooling lips, even a child knows his speech is an outward manifestation of what he is inwardly. Words do not make the man, but it is the man that makes the words. The fact is, if he said nothing, the word that he is would still declare his true identity. His demeanor would speak as loudly as his words. His entire life, whether sober or drunk, would testify to the world what he is. That which he speaks is merely one manifestation that stamps the man as a drunk. Speech is not the only way his identity is known, and so it is with everyone else. It matters not whether people are liars, cheats, or thieves; or whether they are humble, loving, kind, God-fearing saints — their lives are words spoken and all can see and hear who and what they are. By and large — people are books, some more open than others, and read by all.

It is no different with the seraphim, i.e., the living creatures. Who and what they are shall be made known by the Word they declare. The open manifestation of their lives will likewise a declaration of the Word. They will have a Word of holiness to minister, and it will ignite men’s souls; but they will be more than just messengers of a word. They will be the very substance of what they say, and whether they speak or remain silent, their lives will declare — "HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, Lord God Almighty, which WAS, and IS, and IS TO COME!" Hallelujah!

Talk about a complete, three-way work — the past, present, and future are reached into and made holy! Lord God Almighty! What a declaration! What a manifestation! Holiness, purity, absolute cleanliness in everything and everyone who have ever been, everyone who is, and everyone who shall ever be! That is what is in those immortal words — "HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, Lord God Almighty, which WAS, and IS, and IS TO COME!"

When those of the Levitical priesthood in the visible church hear and see the ultimate outcome of God’s ultimate grace — they will find themselves undone and as a child who cannot speak. They shall cast their crowns before the One who has done all these things.

The living creatures (the seraphim) can represent none other than the elect of God — the Sons who endure to the end, if you please — for no greater honor can one be placed than that of a faithful son. This stands true even in the natural, and much more in the spiritual.

The voice that the elders heard came from the many membered body of the sons of God, the firstfruits company of sons. They shine with the very expression of the One sitting upon the throne, Jesus, the Lamb of God. Rising out of Him are the living creatures with four faces, or manifestations: the face of the lion (king of the earth), the face of a young ox (servant), the face of a man (the last Adam), and the face of a flying eagle (king of the heavens).

John saw this body of elect sons declaring the full scope of God’s holy work through Jesus Christ. Their words rolled out the scene of what Jesus came to accomplish. And what they spoke, we might add, was much more than a mere news bulletin. The declaration was the manifestation of the fact! John saw the end of the ages when all is subdued in Christ, when every kingdom has fallen and become His and His anointed ones (Rev 11:15), when every tongue has reverently confessed Him as their Lord, and every humble knee has bowed to Him in godly sorrow and repentance — and thus, to the glory of God the Father (Phil 2:9-11). What John saw far surpasses anything man’s mortal mind could possibly conceive, as the theologies of most religions adequately demonstrate.

In the same manner we were all made alive at hearing the Voice of the Son of God (John 4:24), so shall it be for the rest of the world. Every soul is quickened by hearing the voice of the Son of God, and at the end of this age that voice will trumpet from the heavens as lightning into every quadrant of the earth. Each person today who is alive in Christ heard His voice of fire at one time or another, and it set them ablaze with light. On the grand scale, however, we have not seen huge numbers streaming forth as God’s firebrands. His word of fire has ignited life in one here and another there. At various anointed moves of the Spirit, hundreds, or even thousands, would turn from the world of darkness as they were delivered into the kingdom of His dear Son. On occasions during the past two thousand years, it seemed as if God’s glory would sweep the earth before it was over with.

The first three hundred years of her existence, the new Church pressed hard toward the goal of conquering the kingdom of darkness; but with the establishment of organized religion the flame quickly died. More than one thousand years followed with very little Light. Various one’s kindled a few sparks during the Dark-ages. Some small and short-lived fires were built later on in that long night. The longer-lasting fire, and much more apparent, was the one kindled by Martin Luther. The Reformation seemed to have the promise of God’s Kingdom being established once and for all in the world; but it was not to be. Men again attempted to refine, control, and improve what God was doing. It was as if religious minds viewed Him as weak and inept, or else they simply wanted preeminence and took the kingdom by force. The same things happened in the 19th century when Charles Finney, the Wesley brothers, and other anointed ministers of fire swept across the land and sea. And of course, the surge of life came upon many during the first several years of this century, and then again in the 1950s, which is called Latter Rain.

Compiling all these, and many more wonderful and mighty moves of God in people’s lives, it would seem that His works have been monumental, and in their season they were. The world has been forever changed because of what He has done over the centuries. However, when we consider the whole of God’s plan, and when we compare the number of fire-branded saints to the rest of the world — they are only sparks in a dark night. At best, calculations have a scant 10 percent as being saved Christians since Pentecost. According to this, it would appear that God is failing miserably. To add insult to injury, His handpicked, top-notched, number-one Son also failed in His mission. What an embarrassing and sad day it would be if the redeeming blood of Jesus could only secure and save a small fraction of creation. It would be utterly humiliating on God’s part to suffer such defeat — especially after displaying His Son in shameful death upon Golgotha’s hill, raising Him from the dead, and then promising to save the world through Him. If we take Christendom’s skewed concept of the final outcome of things, the above is an accurate scenario. However, we refuse to bow to such outlandish lies about our God and Savior. No longer shall we dance to the off-keyed flute of such unlearned pipers.

The truth remains today as it has always stood. God is taking out of the world a people for His name (Acts 15:14). His purpose was never to save the whole world before the proper season. He has been very patient in selecting those who are to manifest His name, His nature, of fire to the world. Once the golden Cherubim, the elect Sons of God, rise from the Mercyseat as the Seraphim of fire then the flaming glory of God’s fire shall descend from the heavens upon the earth. Those like Him will sound the call — Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty. The whole earth is full of His glory. That long awaited season of every ear hearing the quickening voice of the Son of God will have arrived. The time will have come for every eye to see the Salvation of God. In the same way those in the flame-consuming nature of God became alive, so shall the rest of the world. They too shall hear the voice of the Son of God as the Seraphim trumpet it from one end of the earth to the other. The heavens of men’s thinking will pass away with a great noise, and man’s arrangements shall melt with fervent heat. The earth, Adam’s source, also and the works that are therein, every carnal thing, shall be burned up in the presence of God’s burners, the anointed Seraphim (rf. Peter 3:10). As it was with Isaiah, and as it was with the elect of God, so shall it be with the world at large. Each soul will declare in the presence of the burning glory of Jesus Christ: "Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts." (Isa 6:5).

Prior to such an array of humble reverence to the King of kings, the four living creatures, together with the twenty-four elders, are moved deeply when He opens the seals of the book of men’s lives. Even those in the flaming image of God whose declaration, ‘Holy, holy, holy,’ caused the elders to cast down their crowns to Jesus, shall also enter into high and holy worship. Even while ablaze with God’s glory, they cover their faces and think not that they are anything (Isa 6:2). All praise is due to the Lamb, and in awesome reverence they and the elders lift in song as never before:

"And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation" (Rev 5:9).

It is little wonder that He was found worthy to open the seals of men’s lives — He had paid the price for them. They were His. He bought the field (the whole world) containing the pearl of great price. The great price, the cost, of course, was His atoning blood. Along with the field came the key of life with which to unlock the treasure chest of His purchase. With this key, and at the close of the ages, the new owner will release every soul and bring forth His glory in each vessel. With such resplendent glory pouring forth, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders sing a new song. Hallelujah!

Song is probably the highest form of worship there is, not just song in itself, but song that has its music set by the chords of the spirit. There is a song we sing that speaks well of this: "You are the Song that I sing. You are the Melody. You are the Music. You are the Song that I sing." The new song is a song of praise never before sung. Prior to this, there had never been anything that caused such an overflowing from the harps of their souls. FROM WHERE ARE THE ELECT CALLED?

Let us pause for just a moment and notice something in the above verse that is often overlooked. The four living creatures and the twenty-four elders were saying: "Thou hast redeemed US to God by Thy blood OUT OF EVERY KINDRED, and TONGUE, and PEOPLE, and NATION."

There is an ever-mounting doctrine that is completely opposed to this declaration. It is called various things; but it is primarily known as British Israelism, Identity, and in extreme circles White Supremacy. They all have the same foundation, which maintains that God’s elect are only taken from the "white-Caucasian" race of people. Although British Israelism and Identity people embrace this concept, they are not generally filled with hate toward the blacks and Jews like those of White Supremacy. Nevertheless, in the light of the above verse, we must pose the bitter question to those who view things more in the natural than the spiritual. It is this: From where did God redeem the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders? Was it not from EVERY KINDRED, and TONGUE, and PEOPLE, and NATION? And also, it is commonly held by most of those who embrace this teaching that the elders are the sons, the elect of God. Above all, we see that the living creatures are God’s elect. The twenty-four elders are elected also, but theirs is certainly a different calling.

Nevertheless, the point we are considering is from where do the living creatures and elders come. If God only calls and places into His body those with "white" skin, and whose natural blood line can be traced back to Abraham — how could He take men and women from EVERY kindred, EVERY tongue, EVERY people, and EVERY nation? To me, it is clear. Every kindred, tongue, people, and nation speaks of every race of people, and not just those of Caucasian descent. It also tells me that God is not a respecter of persons. The point was made well by Peter when he said: "...Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him" (Acts 10:34-35). We will leave this thought with the following verse from Paul. "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female (there is neither black nor white): for ye are all O-N-E in Christ Jesus" (Gal 3:28). (Parenthesis supplied). Now, back to our topic at hand. EVERY CREATURE DECLARING GLORY

When the living creatures declared the holiness of the Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come, the priesthood fell before the Lamb of God and worshiped Him. Afterwards, the living creatures worshiped Him, and then others are seen following suit. "And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands" (Rev 5:11).

What a tremendous thing John was privileged to see and hear — the entirety of Christ’s many membered body worshiping and giving praise to their Lord and Savior. The beasts (the flaming seraphim), the elders (the priests of the Kingdom), and the angels (everyone called into His service) were seen and heard in numbers innumerable. Oh, but let us not stop short of such great victory and wonders to behold. Due to the high praise, worship, and testimony of life — the rest of creation can’t help from being drawn to the light of such glory.

The very thing Jesus came to do is finished. The living word of God’s fire consumes all hardships and turmoil. It renders creation with no more tears, no more death, no more sorrow, no more pain in all of God’s creation; for the former things are passed away (Rev 21:4). "And EVERY CREATURE which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever." (Rev 5:13). "And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshiped Him that liveth for ever and ever" (Rev 5:14).

This is a hard thing for religious minds to accept. They call God’s infinite grace to all, to every creature, heresy. They read the same verses above that you and I read; but the eyes of their religious persuasions edit and filter the truth from them. There will, however, be a day when those IN THE LIKENESS OF FIRE come forth and declare the holiness of God, and the most hardened skeptic shall give way to truth. They will know that Jesus is not a potential Savior of all men; but He is in fact — the Savior of all men. The proud edict of "us four and no more" will vanish away. No longer will it be, "us two and nothing new," for He that sits upon the throne of power said, "BEHOLD, I MAKE ALL THINGS NEW. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful" (Rev 21:5). Believest thou this? I will be so bold to say — if not, ye shall. For truly, the seraphim of God will blaze their way through every heart that resides upon this dark earth. Praise the wonderful name of our Lord Jesus Christ!

FLIGHT OF THE CHERUBIM

So now, in the written word only, we have perhaps come to the end of the Cherubim’s journey. From the very beginning of man’s expulsion from the Garden of God the cherubim are seen inseparable from him. They were ever taking flight in the form of Imaginations in the heavens of his carnal mind and keeping the way of the Tree of Life. Adam’s imaginations of regaining what was lost, as creative and grand as they might have been, were the very things that prevented him from that which he sought. Try as he may, whether climbing some other way than Jesus or storming the heaven by force, man could not find it in himself to ascend back to Paradise Lost, for as a man thinketh is his heart, so is he, and his heart could never bypass his own imagined image of God to see Him for what and who He is. His "lofty" thoughts keep him earth bound and roaming endlessly through the wilderness.

Elwin R. Roach