#368 Kingdom: The Union Of LIFE
There are “truths” that we may sense as “true” but we may not be able to speak of these with any confidence because they are too far above our experience. These “truths” apparently live in an realm of theory or speculation to the natural man. These are “truths”, which are still mysteries, can be known but not known in any fulness outside of our actual experience of “Truth.” If we speak or write of such things we are labeled as “mystics.” This is NOT a derogatory term to those with vision.
mystic >noun a person who seeks by contemplation and self-surrender to attain unity with the Deity and reach truths beyond human understanding.
The dictionary definition would apply to any religion in which there is a “deity” in which one may come into harmony by some sort of meditation and reflection. Buddhism or most of the oriental religions have this sort of philosophy. They develop a theory that is not apparent to or satisfying to the five physical senses and not obvious to natural intelligence but boarders upon a “mystical intuition.” Many of these “religions” develop “mystical symbols” to convey certain meaning that only has relevance to those who are privy to that knowledge within the religion. Icons carry some of this mysticism. My wife and I were involved in that sort of search for reality for over 15 years. Then what IS the difference between “natural mysticism” and this next dimension of life, revelation, wisdom and knowledge that we are assigning to the Holy Place Life and ministry? “Natural mysticism” originates in the fallen soul of man and functions through the “fallen psychic powers” of the soul. There is now a rampant growth of “natural and supernatural mysticism” connected to these religions within the world system. Islam is fragmenting into cults of mysticism that are at war with everything and everybody. We can conclude that there is a “mysticism of darkness” and a “mysticism of Light.” Of course there is also the mixture in which we were involved.
All these different groupings of mysticism revolve around the natural life of the natural man. However, there may be supernatural manifestations within the religion that has nothing to do with God or His manifestations. By “natural mysticism” we do not mean that there is NO spiritual dimension involved. Sometimes these things function through the natural ‘spirit” of the natural man and manifest through the fallen soul and its inherent powers.
There certainly are “spirits of darkness” like those that manifested spiritual things in Egypt when Moses and Aaron were manifesting the supernatural evidence of God in their midst. Today, for example, there is a mysticism that is called “Christian” that is nothing like the Christianity that is shown in our scriptures. For that reason it is necessary to define the difference between these and the source of these counterfeit and flagrant things. The “mysticism” of the Holy Place disappears as soon as we experience that dimension. All these “mysteries” are knowable in this life even if they are not generally known today.
Genuine Christianity involves a certain amount of “mysticism” because it teaches things that go beyond the agreement and understanding of the five physical senses. In Christianity we may call this realm the “dimension of faith.” It is this realm that offends the natural man and opponents of Christianity because “faith” is not logical and exceeds the boundaries of natural understanding. Natural man has no understanding of these other realms because his understanding is limited to natural and earthly realms.
Since there is so much confusion and misunderstanding within the realms of “natural mysticism” what could possible be the response to another level of mysticism which we are calling “Union of Life” with God Almighty, the Great I Am, the Creator God who spoke the universe into being?
It is obvious that the natural man will totally reject anything that is “spiritual” since he has no ability to understand these things. Therefore, we can expect tremendous opposition, persecution and much misunderstanding connected to this “ other dimension of Life.” Why is this understanding necessary for us? Because the Kingdom Government of God functions in that realm above the comprehension of the natural man. Even if the natural man preaches from a pulpit and has studied theology his response will be ; What New Doctrine Is This??
This is NOT a new doctrine! This is just the Vine Branch Union that is revealed in John 15 but also shown in several other places. But why is this important at this junction in our journey? Because of the multitude and the magnitude of questions that will arise concerning the reality of the Kingdom in our experience. If we only speak of the Kingdom as coming sometime in the future we escape the problems and the questions.
My theory is that the “Kingdom within” is a matter of Life-Union with the King and His Government. In other words the Living and abiding Word of God is also the Living and Abiding Kingdom of God. The Word, the Spirit and the Kingdom cannot be separated. The Vine-branch union is a “union of Life” with the Creator God.
Mat 13:44 "The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has, and buys that field.
The Kingdom is a tremendous treasure that has been hidden within this dirt {field} that has been formed into a body. [ this truly Is a great mystery] One of the “mysteries” that has been hidden concerns this invisible Kingdom Government of God that we say dwells in us and is directing our lives. We speak about this King Eternal that dwells in us and has established His Kingdom on earth, in us! We may even be bold enough to say that the Spirit of the Living God And The Living and Abiding Word of God dwells in us. We may fantasize about being able to speak both the Word and the Spirit. This is “mysticism” Por Excelencia.
As the natural light of the Outer Court begins to fade and the supernatural light of the Holy Place begins to rise (as the Morning Star) in our hearts, the mysteries will begin to become realities. As the “eyes” of the inner man begin to see and the “ears” of the inner man begin to hear the and the “heart” of the inner man begins to understand, the mysteries begin to become experiential reality. Have these things hidden mysteries ALWAYS been there? Yes! Does God have to do one more thing to create these things? Not at all! We just could not see them or hear them or understand them from the natural light dimension.
Therefore, we have not been able to fully surrender to His Kingdom Government that has been birthed in us. We should NOT be discouraged by this because those things that are in the Holy Place realm are only revealed IN the Holy Place realm. Why? Because the illumination for these things {the seven flames of Fire} is ONLY in the Holy place realm.
The offence of “Kingdom mysticism” is selectively shared by those who only see by natural light. Mysticism is no longer mysticism to those who have made the “metamorphosis” and now begin to “see” by the Light of the Seven Spirits of God. In this dimension ALL these “hidden things” { the interior things} of this dimension are normal for the Christian. Even the “greater works” that are always a popular theme are normal in this dimension. The mysteries and confusion that we are facing now are dissolved by the Light of the Holy Place. Everything is made manifest by the Light!
Mar 4:22 "For nothing is hidden, except to be revealed; nor has anything been secret, but that it should come to light.
Eph 5:13 But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.
Of course most of what we are saying is just speculation about the Holy Place. All theory and speculation and is based upon many concepts and opinions. We are limited to fantasizing and speculating UNTIL we begin to share the LIFE of the next dimension. This “Life” of that dimension IS the “Light” of that dimension and of course visa versa. In that Holy Place dimension Life, Light and Truth, Wisdom and Worship all begin to become one. Many individual “Life functions” are like the Gold Boards that are joined together to become ONE Sanctuary.
We attempt to speak of “Union Life” with natural words which cannot reach into that realm of the illumination of the Seven Spirits of God. We give natural examples that fall short of reality. Still, we keep trying.
For example; If we squeeze out several cups of lemon juice and pour them into a large pitcher of cold water we have a composite which we call lemonade. It is no longer two elements of lemon juice and water it has “metamorphosed” into a “union.” Lemonade is NOT lemon juice that believes something about water or about what would happen if they became one. Lemonade is the experience of lemon juice and water becoming one.
When we speak about experiencing the “fulness of Christ” we are not speaking about what we believe or what we have by faith or what we will have when we die and go to heaven. We can’t speak of experiencing the “fulness of Christ” unless we speak of coming into a “Union of Life” with Him. This “metamorphosis” is not just producing ANOTHER creature with wings but being transformed into THAT Higher Life that has no limitation.
This IS the dimension that we are applying to Gal 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me.
This is the Vine-branch union that is NOT physical, natural or logical but is in the Life dimension. Galatians 2:20 is true “Christian mysticism.”
Natural Christianity can quote this verse and believe that Paul actually had that experience but never be able to accept that this is normal for every Christian. We can “believe” that John 15 is absolutely true but live our whole “Christian life” without the actual experience. We can fight for the truth expressed in John 17 that the Father, the Son, The Holy Spirit and the believer will someday become ONE but never expect this Vine-branch union to be experienced in this life. We might call this “future or someday mysticism!”
Coming to a place of “Union Life” means that, for us, there is no difference between life and death. One is entirely equal to the other. We have no preference one way or the other. Why? Because I’m in agreement with which ever is the will of God for me.
Rom 14:7 For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself;
8 for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. 9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.
We don’t have a preference between life and death because both are equal! If We live, we will live for the Lord but if we die, we will die for the Lord. Whether we live OR die it is all the same.
Phi 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. 23 But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; 24 yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. And convinced of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith,
Act 20:22 "And now, behold, bound in spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me. 24 "But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, in order that I may finish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God. 25 "And now, behold, I know that all of you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will see my face no more.
It is so easy to make these eternal truths into another Christian cliche and miss the real reason Paul could say this with such conviction. I am guessing that AFTER we have entered into this realm of “Life Union” there is no difference between being here or there or being in this body or out of this body is all the same. Why? Because everything is about Life and living in that dimension and that makes everything else irrelevant.
Obviously as long as we are clinging to this life and things relating to the earth we have not yet made the transition. In the Holy Place dimension and that unique illumination of the various pieces of furniture along with all the boards, curtains, coverings, veils, and Cherubim, ALL the former experiences in the Outer Court Realms loose their attraction and importance. Our focus is wholly upon the Presence of God and His will for us at the moment. Maintaining the Illumination of the Seven Spirits of God and completing His purpose, to bring joy to His heart, is all that matters. Natural life and death issues are of no importance because we have entered into the realm of the LIFE of Eternity and have witnessed Truth as Eternal Reality.
In standing before Him, ministering to Him and burning Incense we touch His Life. When we then “become His minister” whether we are sharing with 1 or 100 or 1000 is all the same. His will is the only thing that matters. Doing what we “see” Him doing becomes the number one priority. Repeating what we heard Him saying is the only thing that matters. This IS the ministry of the next dimension!
This Holy Place Life and Ministry to God speaks of the Consecration of the inner man. When the Inner man recognizes NO DIFFERENCE between life and death we could say that Consecration of the Inner Man is approaching “fulness.” We all know that the Consecration of the outer man does not bring us to this total abandonment to God.
My wife and I consecrated ourselves “totally” to God over 37 years ago but we never knew about the Consecration of the inner man. Therefore, we never came to the experience of both the inner and the outer man being crucified with Christ. The “nevertheless I live” was the aspect that we were able to see. “Yet NOT I but Christ” was not a reality. Why? Because we didn’t recognize the extent or fulness of the Consecration necessary for “Union Life.” “Union Life” is NOT the doctrine of total surrender but the LIFE of total surrender. Actually, I have no idea what that means yet.
We use words to speak about these things but the LIFE of these things is still a mystery. We may “see” the truth from a distance but the experience eludes us. We call this “seeing” “spiritual vision” because it is of another realm. We know that Moses stood on Mt. Nebo and “saw” the land of promise but never was able to enter into that experience. Many in the past may have had this “vision” and some even experienced the fulness.
My theory is that this generation is much closer to the reality of “union Life” that any previous generation. Why? Because of the pioneers that preceded us and are watching us run this race. Still, it is entirely possible that this generation will pass and this truth of “Life Union” may not be restored to the church as experience. Why? Because there must be the pioneers in this generation who will pay the price to come to the Life experience of union. As long as we are content with the “doctrine of union”, the experience will elude us.
“Sonship” by definition is “sharing the Life of the Father”. Even spiritual babies share a portion of His Life, Zoe! We are bold to say we are born again from the eternal seed and share His Life.! However, when we speak about the “members of His body” we are referring to those who have come into a One Life Union with the Head. This is what we are calling “UNION LIFE.”
I am speculating that “the two shall become One” is not speaking about anything natural or physical but can only refer to “living by His One Life.” When we speak about the Bride of Christ in carnal terms it misleads those who listen into relating this relationship as something
“romantic.” I have a book about “The Divine Love Affair” that suggests that “romance” was the reason for creation. It suggests that God is after romance. Romance is a human term and relates to human relationships. We may make some carnal comparisons and natural applications but if we make this physical or sexual we miss the Divine Truth of “LIFE UNION.”
Can we actually get ALL this that I have shared from John 15? No! But the “truth” of Life Union is still there! But the real question is this; Is this “Life-Union” with the Creator the “normal Christian Life or some corrupt form of “mysticism?”
John 15:5 "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing. 6 "If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch, and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you. 8 "By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.
The question we are presenting is this; What IS the alternative to “abiding in the Vine?” Is Abiding in the Vine a doctrinal statement to be believed or is this the experience of “life union with the Vine?” Do we have an option to produce much fruit and glorify the Father or just remain good believers? We can conclude that there MUST be a “Life Union” with the Vine or the “branch” will not posses the Life of the Vine. The result of this is that it will surely become a dead stick and then be cast into the fire to be burned.
Some “Christians” just see the scriptures as simple suggestions and nice stories that we should learn in Sunday School. However, this example Jesus gave seems very serious and caries with it eternal consequences and clearly states the difference between fruit and fire. If we were really “Bible fundamentalists” we would see this “life union” is the normal Christian Life, according to scripture.
The “theological and easy way out” is to declare that this is just a parable and we CANNOT set doctrine with parables. Parables are stories told to emphasize a point but are not cut in stone doctrines. Therefore, we believe that if you accept Jesus as your personal Savior that you are automatically joined to the Vine. {But what if you never produce the fruit of Christ in your life?} Well, bearing fruit only has to do with rewards and can never affect your salvation! These answers actually satisfy whole denominations.
These are only excuses and create “nice doctrines” but this lukewarmness does NOT accurately support or agree with scriptures?
It is my opinion that Eternity is too important to base it upon men’s doctrines and lame excuses that explain away the clear teaching of scripture?
Several Bible Scholars agree that Christ will reproduce Himself in the church so that the saints can grow up to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. This “fulness” will be the many members of the body of Christ. The uncertainty connected with this conclusion is that it doesn’t define how this “fulness” develops in the body of Christ for His body to reproduce Himself on the earth.
If we accept the popular opinion, that seems to be standard in the church, which declares that teaching doctrines and church fellowship will develop and mature the body of Christ, we are left with very few other explanations or options. This is the reason we must introduce the concept of “union Life” as the means to this goal. If we assume that some intellectual understanding IS maturity we will be forever teaching but never leading to the knowledge of the Truth. If we remove the “Divine Life” from the demands of maturity or perfection we just rely upon some human development and call that maturity.
God is at work in us to remove everything that hinders the free flow of the “River of His Life” in us. My theory is that the free flow of that river IS the key to the next restoration. In every place where the “self-life” is present and motivates us, the Holy Spirit is working to cleanse and remove this opposition and obstruction to the fulness of His Life in us. The “ministry” of His Life is the goal of the next dimension of ministry. Ministering Word and Spirit, Life and Truth is the definition of “being His Minister.”
I am speculating that “being Consumed In His Life” is the goal for each one of us BEFORE we make the final transition into the “Eternity of Life.” My opinion is that the emptiness that we feel is the lack of the fulness of His Life. My theory is that ALL who are willing to decrease in their “self-life WILL increase in “His LIFE.” Human Effort in this transition will certainly fail. Complete surrender and consecration of the inner man is the sure means to experience the fulness of His Life. This is “Christian Mysticism” Par Excellence.