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Psalm of Promised Glory
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Psalm of Promised Glory |
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Stephanos
since 2000-07-31
Posts 3618Statesboro, GA, USA 
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Is this that promised glory which by prophets was foretold? Is such the restoration so described by tongues of old long desired through the ages more than opulence of gold? Have we even caught an inkling of the things behind the veil or glimpsed the rising figure which approaches down this trail that was forged by messianic hope and love that cannot fail? Are these temples raised with flinty angled walls on every side the houses they assert with voices lifted up in pride? Should ones so very blinded think themselves to be a guide? And yet the scriptures call the Church the pillar and foundation the ground of godly truth, a royal priesthood, holy nation, and a lighthouse raised for pilgrims called to righteous aberration. If there is not a clarity in us of true example evincing for the world a proof above reproach, most ample to turn them toward the very truths they're so inclined to trample then how can we fulfill our holy mandate and the task of giving them a reason for our hope perchance they ask? For they must see a hope indeed and not a wishful mask. It's not that God is bound to please their scrutinizing gaze or prove by wonders on demand his clear unhidden praise ever whispered on the trailing winds and lavished in the rays that fall to warm and cheer the Earth from Heaven's happy skies. God is not accountable to man's exacting "whys" which out of unbelieving hearts continually arise. It's just that if we did attain unto that Sabbath day and worldlings still persisted in contempt for things we say at least we could be sure that blame shall not ours to pay. But as it stands because of us so many times God's name is blasphemed by the Gentile world or slighted by the same or worst of any patronized with superficial fame. If we could manifest a Christ as in the days of Palestine likened to his virtue and his lowly character divine then we might be unto the world an oracle and sign, a people to be reckoned with, our message close and keen of more than jaded platitudes repeated by machine summoning the nations to decide for what they've seen. For the kingdom of our God can never come by word alone but with acts of holy power emanating from the throne of him who must bear witness to the truth he calls his own. Yet not within a generation seeking for a sign does iniative inhere but the prerogative divine resides with God who out of darkness causes light to shine. How long Oh Lord before you act? Let grace again prevail as blossoms in the vernal seasons blanket hill and vale. Show us in the desert place your good and ancient trail. For then the cross and crown for us might manifest indeed and spring up from the barren earth like small forgotten seed that was hid yet often sprinkled with our salty tears of need. Oh for the day when Kingdom revelation closes in. The saved will then prove really saved and even ways of sin will not be so ambiguous. The time will come again for godly persecutions and considering the cost. For threshing times may well reveal the lost as really lost. Ship gravitate to harbors when the seas are wildly tossed. Neutrality is wearisome whose season waxes old. The preference of our Lord would have us either hot or cold. As advocates of good and bad must both in time prove bold. But let us not be certain that the masses we've consigned to hopelessness are really so. It may be that we'll find that only on the firmest rock could Simon loose or bind. And when again the Lord restores our feet to solid ground giving us a name that's new, I hope we will have found it is with heathen gold made pure that saintly ones are crowned. The treasures of the Earth are men and women everywhere as jewels lost and ruined yet restored to gleam most fair to coronate the head of Christ and meet him in the air. So overcome our self made crosses, idle crowns as well. Let us show unto the world a Heaven and a hell real and really ascertained by us who wish to tell. Grant us such reality that speaking mouths may show more than just a puppetry of things they scarcely know. Let Heaven's revelation come and dwell with us below. We long for things that live above which here we cannot find. Entrust our spirit with those things we treasure in our mind. For Lord we know beyond all doubt that you are good and kind. And you will grant revival for the sake of your great name and heal us in those areas where we have been to blame. Let grace with such a mighty flow deluge our sins and shame. For this that promised glory which by prophets was foretold is the holy restoration so described by tongues of old. And such we have desired much more than opulence of gold. SDJ 5/2000 < !signature--> -Grace is God's giving of what is not deserved while mercy is God's withholding of what is deserved- [This message has been edited by Stephanos (edited 08-01-2000).] |
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| © Copyright 2000 Stephen Douglas Jones - All Rights Reserved | |||
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ellie LeJeune Member Elite
since 2000-01-10
Posts 4156King of Prussia, PA USA |
WOW! I 've just come out of a spellbound trance. This incredible poem had me riveted from beginning to the end. The flow and endless scriptural truths is astounding. This is truly an inspirational Pearl. Thank you. ellie Summers haunting melody that awakens the butterflies, calling them to join the dance in their silent song of praise to God. eL |
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Stephanos
since 2000-07-31
Posts 3618Statesboro, GA, USA |
Ellie, thanks for your response. I know this one is very concentrated and meditative and not to mention painfully long for verse. Not a common pick for casual light verse reading. However I think it is worth battling your way through for the rewards inside. Anyway I promise to try to post a wider variety in the future. Shorter and more palattable maybe. However that is not my natural inclination you know! Thanks, SDJ |
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Alle'cram Senior Member
since 2000-02-28
Posts 1816Texas |
Stephanos, Indeed it is worthy and filled with wisdom from beginning to end. So many truths really stand out but one I especially liked. "Have we even caught an inkling of the things behind the veil or glimpsed the rising figure which approaches down this trail" "The saved will then prove really saved and even ways of sin will not be so ambiguous. The time will come again for godly persecutions and considering the cost. For threshing times may well reveal the lost as really lost." If I may, let me just add one thought here; Things will not be confusing then (tribulation) but some may not know scriptures that desires death to the "mark of the beast", the only way, at that point to make heaven (to take death and God rather than the mark of the beast, which is a automatic disqualification for heaven.) |
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YeshuJah Malikk Member
since 2000-06-29
Posts 263 |
My brother, my brother.. oh how God hath blessed thee. It is for reasons which you so nobly state that I do not darken the doors of those flinty walls anymore. I am convinced that the Church is not where most think it is. In any event I do not and cannot hold my self aloof, for if I should let my light so shine, in whatever corner I find myself. God can use me. The church today seems filled with much talking and no power. Yet this is a spiritual battle. 'For we wrestle not against flesh and blood but principalities and powers' I agree with you that persecutions will again be the fire that purgeth. SOme seem not to think it will happen, but scripture plainly signals that it will. At that time mere words will not suffice. I will keep these words in my heart, and pray God that I find the grace to live as he commands I do. This convicted me, but everytime I go back to the church I find nothing.. nothing. God help us all. Thank you for sharing. |
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Stephanos
since 2000-07-31
Posts 3618Statesboro, GA, USA |
I appreciate all of your responses (and for chewing your way through this one! (not exactly Helen Steiner Rice is it?) I just wanted to make a comment or two to Yeshujah: I didn't want to give the wrong impression that because of the condition of "christendom" today I have totally rejected the outward expressions of 'organized religion'. Let me explain. Though I am very dissappointed in much of what I see in churches today, I am convinced that there is a company of people (a remnant if you will) interspersed and scattered among the church world at large who are as the scriptures attested before "waiting on the consolation of Israel". In the accounts of scripture many times the Spirit of our God would come to some humble, hungry, and pious person who was waiting on the Kingdom of God right there in the midst of religious tradition and practice. Yet the difference with these is that they were not satisfied with whatever status or prestige or established dogma their religious institutions had attained. They, much like you and I, feel that all of this sadly falls short of the Glory of our God. And though they were committed to influencing their religious surroundings as much as possible, they found themselves mystically waiting on something. This something would burst on the scene and declare that "the Kingdom of God is near" and show afterall what was thought to be the Kingdom was really not the Kingdom! The big difference is these were not self righteous, self satisfied people in contrast to the scribes and pharisees... "Woe unto you"...who were confident that they were the true Children of Abraham. They forgot that God could raise up children for Abraham out of the very stones their sandals tread upon day after day. It is interesting though that the Angel of the LORD came to Zacharias who was faithful to the service of the temple (from which the glory had long departed to use Ezekiel's words), to Mary and Joseph who seemed to comply with the requirements of the Law filtered through the rabbis of their day, to Simeon and Anna who seemed to almost live at church. Even Jesus as was the custom of his day frequented the synagogue and preached the gospel first unto "the house of Israel". He still called that corrupted temple "My Father's house" though it had long been a den of theives, and said "Zeal for your house has eaten me up". For Old testament examples consider Samuel who was raised up in Eli's household where the "sons of Eli (meaning the Lofty one) were the sons of Belial (meaning worthless)." That's where the word of the Lord seemed to come first because of the covenant he made with them. Albeit I do understand that the Lord doesn't stop with what is outwardly considered his household. There is no difference between the Jew and the uncircumcised greek according to the book of Romans. But he did say to the question "What advantage then has the Jew?": Much in every way . . . Today perhaps we are in the same situation. Someone has to stay in the organized realms of religion to ensure it does not utterly disintegrate into unrighteousness. I like to think it is the husk that contains the precious kernel. Yes of course it is but a husk, yet the grain resides inside it. Are there other fields and other heads of wheat outside of this entity? Sure there are. But what is on the inside here must die and produce so that it will not abide alone (as Jesus said). Please understand I do not condemn anyone for choosing to reside for the most part outside of contemporary religious orders. I have many feelings and annoyances kindred to yours. I am just cautious to leave until the Lord would make that clear to me. For I cannot limit God to speak inside the walls of institution. He is God and he "does whatsoever pleases him". The word of the Lord has gone out into the whole earth. Praise him! May he speak both within and without for those who have ears to hear. Only let us not forsake the assembling of ourselves (true believers) together as is the manner of some. This assembly I understand will be different for everyone and does not always mean going to the church building on the corner. Peace and love and friendship to you my brother in Christ Jesus who is the head of the body, the Church, the true temple of God made without hands and destined for Eternal Glory. -Grace is God's giving of what is not deserved while mercy is God's withholding of what is deserved- |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
This is magnificent, Stephanos. It touched me deeply. Denise |
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LoveAll Member
since 2000-05-24
Posts 148B'dale, USA |
WOW...that was just amazing! It was too good for words. "For the kingdom of our God can never come by word alone but with acts of holy power emanating from the throne of him who must bear witness to the truth he calls his own." Just wonderful!  God Bless |
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