The Parable of the Day

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=168 BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF" background="129a11c3.png"> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Welcome to the Heart4God Website!"><U><B><IMG SRC="4b55a500.png" border=0 width="90" height="80" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id2.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Writings of Joseph Herrin"><U><B>Writings by Date</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id212.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Writings of Joseph Herrin Organized "><U><B>Writings by Topic</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.heart4god.ws/Audio/index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.heart4god.ws/Audio/index.htm"><U><B>Audio Files</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id690.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Videos"><U><B>Videos</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id323.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Writings of Others"><U><B>Other Authors</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id324.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Links"><U><B>Links</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id339.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Questions and Answers"><U><B>Q&A</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id328.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Heart4God Email List"><U><B>Heart4God E-mail List</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.parablesblog.blogspot.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.parablesblog.blogspot.com"><U><B>Parables Blog</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id306.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="File Downloads"><U><B><IMG SRC="2b264140.png" border=0 width="100" height="20" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <bR> <div> <B>The Parable of the Day</B></div> <div> <IMG SRC="c2827160.png" border=0 width="807" height="22" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,</div> <bR> <div> I have found that the Father will very frequently arrange for me to encounter questions, or engage in conversations, that direct my mind to consider things that He wants me to understand. Oftentimes these ideas have a direct bearing on events and circumstances of this day, or coming days, and they serve to prepare me to walk with understanding through the course appointed.</div> <bR> <div> <B>The Parable of the Day</B></div> <bR> <div> Recently a brother wrote to me and asked the following question:</div> <bR> <div> <I>I come across many writers who clearly are believers in the Lord and they know the Lord's voice and have been used greatly of the Lord, but yet hold to the teaching of eternal damnation. I ask myself (and the Lord), “Why didn't they get this light of the Restitution of all things?” If this indeed is true, why didn't great men of God like George Whitefield, or Jonathan Edwards get this light?  They were greatly used by God, but yet held to, and taught many times on, the eternal damnation of the wicked.  That is where I am caught now. If this theology is true (which it does bear witness to my spirit) then why do great men of God who truly have been used by God and know God's voice, why weren't they given this light?</I></div> <bR> <div> My response is as follows:</div> <bR> <div> Our understanding of truth is not an all or nothing affair. It is a progressive matter. I will use the apostle Paul's letter to the Hebrews to illustrate this point. He wrote:</div> <bR> <div> Hebrews 5:11-6:3</div> <div> Concerning him [Melchizedek] we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil. Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of instruction about washings and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment. And this we will do, if God permits.</div> <bR> <div> The apostle Paul here is expressing his earnest desire to share with the saints concerning some revelations the Spirit of Christ has given to him concerning Melchizedek. Suppose, however, his topic was not Mechizedek, but Yahweh's plan of the ages to reconcile all things unto Himself through the cross of Christ. If we looked at it this way, we could understand some things relating to why many very sincere believers who have been used of God have failed to comprehend various truths of the Kingdom.</div> <div>  </div> <div> Paul mentions here that there are certain things that he classifies as elementary teachings. These are: faith toward God, instruction about washings and laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead and "aionian" judgment.</div> <bR> <div> If you consider most of the teachings of the men you have mentioned, such as Jonathan Edwards and John and Charles Wesley, you will recognize that the bulk of their teaching lay in the realm of elementary things. This is the equivalent of children in kindergarten and elementary school learning the alphabet, the number system, colors, days of the week and months of the year, as well as some basic lessons built upon these foundations, such as addition and subtraction, and sentence structure.</div> <bR> <div> After a brilliant start, the church for many centuries declined into great spiritual darkness. We know this period as "The Dark Ages." During this time the Catholic Church under Satan's leadership nearly eradicated all of the higher teaching of the Kingdom of God. Mass was conducted in Latin where most of the people did not understand a word that was spoken, and the few men and women who dared to proclaim truth were persecuted, and many were put to death.</div> <bR> <div> Martin Luther, Jonathan Edwards, George Whitefield, and the Wesleys have all had their part in restoring the teaching of the truths of the kingdom to the church. However, they had to start at a very basic level, for the people were unaccustomed to truth, and had been held in darkness for many long years. These men themselves had embraced many things that came out of darkness, and they had to press into the presence of God to have their understanding corrected. Some truths remained hidden in darkness, however.</div> <bR> <div> This is not an indictment against these men. It actually reveals the work of God as we get closer to the end of the age. Consider the structure of a day in God's eyes. According to Genesis, the day starts in the evening when it is light. Night then comes, followed by morning. Thus the day both starts and ends in light, but there is a long period of darkness in between.</div> <bR> <div> Genesis 1:5</div> <div> God called the light day, and the darkness He called night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day.</div> <bR> <div> The church age has followed this same pattern. It began with great light, as the brilliance of Christ shone in the darkness. The church began with much illumination under the instruction of the apostles, but then it fell into a period of darkness. We have been in a period for quite some time now where the light has been returning, but it does not return all at once. Before the end of the age, however, there will be a true body of believers who see things with a clarity that has not been known before.</div> <bR> <div> II Peter 1:19</div> <div> So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.</div> <bR> <div> The Scriptures speak of a time known as "the restoration of all things."</div> <bR> <div> Acts 3:19-21</div> <div> Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time.</div> <bR> <div> It is revealed in this Scripture that the restoration of all things will come at an appointed time prior to the return of Christ to the earth. As we get closer to His return, more truths of the kingdom are restored. Yet, it is ever a remnant who are able to receive the truth. As the day comes closer to the return of Christ, the elect will gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of the ways of God, and His plan of redemption. They will discern more of their own part in bringing reconciliation between the creation and Yahweh.</div> <bR> <div> We are privileged to live in an hour when the return of the Lord is very close. Much truth is being restored. Much understanding is being given. I do not believe our receiving this greater light is due to our own piety, nor because we are superior to the saints who have preceded us. It is simply due to the plan of God being closer to its ultimate fulfillment than it was previously. You and I are honored to be receiving understanding of things that the saints you named did not perceive. The day they were walking in was much darker.</div> <bR> <div> You might wonder that I would say this, for the world seems to be growing ever darker, and this is true. Yet at the same time that the world is growing darker, there is a remnant that are increasing in the light that is revealed in them.</div> <bR> <div> Isaiah 60:1-2</div> <div> "Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of Yahweh has risen upon you. For behold, darkness will cover the earth and deep darkness the peoples; but Yahweh will rise upon you and His glory will appear upon you."</div> <bR> <div> At the same time that darkness is increasing in all realms under the dominion of Satan, light is increasing in the realms under the dominion of Yahweh. (I must note here that not all of Christianity is under the dominion of Yahweh. But He has always had a remnant.) This is an awesome thing to behold. Consider yourself blessed that you are in the realm of increasing light.</div> <bR> <div> I hope these words will serve as a witness to the voice of the Spirit who dwells in all the saints of Christ.</div> <div> [End Reply]</div> <bR> <div> Yahweh has given us many parables which reveal His work among His creation. The structure of the Biblical day is one such parable as it begins in the light of evening, passes through the dark of night, and ends in the brilliance of the morning light. The earth is also a parable of man, for man’s body was formed of the dust of the earth and the apostle Paul says, “The first man was from the earth, earthy.” </div> <bR> <div> We see that the earth follows this same pattern. In Genesis 1:1 we read “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Quickly, however, the earth falls under the curse of darkness. “But the earth became formless and void, and was covered in darkness.” This darkness remained until the Spirit of Christ began to move to re-make the earth, beginning with the first action of this restoration. “The God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.”</div> <bR> <div> The works of God frequently reveal this pattern. There is a period of time when Yahweh’s kingdom makes a great advance, which is followed by a period of decline into great darkness. For a moment this seems as if darkness has triumphed, but the end has not yet been seen. The end of all of God’s works are climaxed in brilliant light and purity of the truth.</div> <bR> <div> We see this same pattern in Israel’s occupation of the promised land. Under Joshua (a type of Yahshua) great advances are made. Enemies are subdued, slain, or driven out, and the land is cleansed of idolatry. Over time, however, the people revert to the practices of darkness, and at times it seems that the light is completely eclipsed until the people are given into the captivity of their enemies. But the end is not yet. We are seeing the appearance of light once more as Israel has once more returned to her land. There is also a righteous remnant of Messianic Jews in Israel who worship Yahshua as the Son of God. This is merely a remnant, however, for the end has not yet come. When Yahweh has completed His work with the natural descendants of Israel, then will the words be fulfilled:</div> <bR> <div> Romans 11:26</div> <div> Thus all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove ungodliness from Jacob."</div> <bR> <div> We again see this pattern in the Son of God. He was the light of the world, and He shone brilliantly in a darkened world. He was life, yet after completing His earthly ministry He tasted death for all mankind. He was laid in the darkness of a tomb, and was sealed in darkness by the stone that was rolled against the entrance. He then descended into hell, but the end was not yet. Hallelujah! He rose again, and now is seated at the right hand of power, having all authority. He has received a name above all names, and is clothed in unapproachable glory.</div> <bR> <div> All of these things serve as a pattern for the church. The church began in great light. In Jerusalem the saints overthrew the spirit of the beast nature that goes on its belly and lives to satisfy its appetites. They held all things in common, and no one claimed that anything they had was their own. They were intent upon the teaching of the apostles, and were breaking bread together with unity and peace and joy. Miracles were common among them, and the people held them in high esteem.</div> <bR> <div> Then came the night. Covetousness re-entered the church. No longer did the saints claim to own nothing. No longer did they share all things commonly. In Corinth we see them defrauding one another; suing each other in courts over material possessions. The doctrine of the apostles, and the teaching of Christ, became corrupted. Men turned away from sound doctrine and embraced myths and fables. The church became pictured as a great harlot riding upon a beast as the darkness overtook her. Miracles ceased, and the church was despised by the world who understood her true heart.</div> <bR> <div> God is not finished, however. He is leading a remnant to a place of greater light, of greater selflessness, of greater understanding, than the church has ever experienced before. The end will be glorious. The glory of the latter temple will far surpass the glory of the former. Miracles will return, and greater works will be done than those which Christ performed in His earthly ministry.</div> <bR> <div> All those who wait, and who look with anticipation to these things, need to exercise great diligence to make themselves worthy to be partakers with the saints in light. They must be careful to follow the Lamb wherever He leads, and to submit to His fiery judgments that they might be prepared to walk as saints of light. The glory of the Most Holy Place is set before them, and only that which has been cleansed and purified can enter in.</div> <bR> <div> Jane Leade, in her prophecy of 1697 stated:</div> <bR> <div> <I>But when the bridal church shall be made ready, and thoroughly cleansed and sanctified from every spot of defilement through the blood of CHRIST, then he will no longer delay his coming in person...</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>A new and glorious church may rise up in whom there shall be no fault to be found, like as he findeth none with the PHILADELPHIA. (Rev. 3)</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>THEN shall the glory of GOD and of the Lamb so rest upon it, as the cloud upon the typical tabernacle, so that it shall be called, The Tabernacle of Wisdom.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>Though this PHILADELPHIAN church is not known in visibility, yet it may lie hid at this present time </I><I><B><U>as in the womb of the morning</U></B></I><I>. </I>[Emphasis Added]</div> <bR> <div> <I>Notwithstanding, it will be brought forth into visibility as coming out of the wilderness, within a short period...</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>WHEREFORE the spirit of DAVID shall most eminently revive in this church, and most specially in some or other selected members of it, as the blossoming root, which is to precede the DAY OF SOLOMON in the blessed MILLENNIUM these will have might given them, to overcome the Dragon and his angels, (even as David and his army overcame Goliath and the PHILISTINES)...</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>For which — there must be raised up, certain HEAD POWERS to bear the first shock, who are to be persons of great eminence and favor with the TRINITY: whose dread and fear shall fall upon all nations (visible and invisible) because of the mighty acting power of the Holy Ghost, which shall rest upon them.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>For CHRIST before his own distinct and personal appearance, will first appear and represent himself in some CHOSEN VESSEL or vessels anointed to be leaders unto the rest, and to bring them into the promised land — the new creation state.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>Thus, MOSES, JOSHUA and AARON, may be considered as types of some, upon whom the same spirit may come, yet to rest in a greater proportion, whereby they shall make way for the ransomed of the Lord to return to MOUNT ZION.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>BUT — none shall stand in any considerable office under GOD, but who are tried stones, after the pattern and similitude of the chief corner stone — CHRIST.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>THIS will be a FIERY trial, which very FEW will be able to pass, or bear up in; wherefore the WAITERS for the visible breaking out of this Church, are strictly charged to hold that fast which they have, and to wait together in the unity of PURE LOVE, praying in the Holy Ghost according to the apostolical pattern, that they may be sent forth to multiply — more universally.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>This TRIAL will be of absolute necessity to every one in particular, and to all in general, for the constituting and cementing of the true Philadelphian Church; by clearing away all the remaining infirmities of nature, and burning up all that there is of hay, stubble or dross, which they may have added to the work of the LORD.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>FOR — nothing must remain in this pure Church, but what can abide in the FIRE. For as a Refiner will the LORD purify the sons and daughters of it, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto Him an offering in perfect righteousness.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>Though the operation of the Holy Spirit in these WAITERS, may for a LONG TIME, contend with many infirmities and evils, yet, if it be kept continually warm and watched too, it cannot at the last, but work out a perfect cure, and bring about a full and perfect redemption from the earth.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>There may be some, at present living, who may come to be thus fully and totally redeemed; having ANOTHER BODY put on them, that is, — one after the priestly order.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>WHEREFORE it is required on our part to suffer the spirit of burning to do upon us the refining work, fanning us with his fiery breath, and searching every part within us, until all be pure and clear, and we thereby arrive to this FIXED BODY, from whence the WONDERS are to flow out.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>Hence these Priests will have a deep inward search, and a divine sight into the secret things of the Deity; will be able to prophecy in a clear ground, not darkly and enigmatically, for they will know what is couched in the first originality of all beings, and in the eternal archetype of nature; and so will be capacitated to bring them forth, according to the divine counsel and ordination.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>The LORD, whose hand is lifted up, sweareth in truth and righteousness, that from ABRAHAM'S line according to the Spirit, there shall arise an HOLY PRIESTHOOD...</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>THESE — are the characteristics or marks whereby this pure Virgin Church, so founded, shall be certainly known and distinguished from all others, and whereby the unction and true sound of the Holy Ghost shall be discerned from THAT which is FALSE, LOW, and COUNTERFEIT.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>There must be a manifestation of the Spirit, wherewith to edify and raise up this Church suitable to the Resurrection of CHRIST.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>This manifestation — must be in the absoluteness of power, as well as in the beauty of holiness; so — bringing down Heaven upon earth, and representing HERE — the NEW JERUSALEM state.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>In order to which, spirits that are thus purely begotten and born of GOD, can ascend to the new Jerusalem above, where their HEAD, in great majesty, doth reign, and receive THERE such a mission, whereby they shall be empowered to bring down to this world its transcendent glory.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>None but those that are risen with CHRIST in the regeneration, can thus ascend, and none, but those that have so ascended, and received of his glory, can descend again to communicate the same, being thereby his representatives upon the new earth, as subordinate Priests and Princes under him.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>Now, HE that is ascended and glorified, has made himself, as it were, our debtor; consequently, he will not be wanting in qualifying and furnishing out certain high and principal instruments, WHO SHALL BE MOST HUMBLE, and as little regarded as David was, whom he will dignify with great honour and priestly sovereignty, for the drawing to them the scattered flocks, and gathering them into one fold, out of all nations, and languages, and kindreds.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>THEREFORE, there should be a holy emulation and ambition stirred up among all the lovers of JESUS, that they may be of the first fruits unto him that is risen from the dead, and so be made principal agents for him and with him; that they may, if possible, be of the number of the first born of the New Jerusalem Mother.</I></div> <div> [End Excerpt]</div> <bR> <div> This remarkable prophecy by an overcoming saint of the 17th century is meat for the mature. The majority of those in Christendom cannot receive these words today. Those focused upon attaining the baubles of a fallen world, and upon satiating themselves with its pleasures, cannot eat from the table from which this message was taken. Only those who have submitted to the cross of the disciple of Christ, and who have begun to enter into the purification of many trials, will be able to have their spiritual senses opened to understand what is being testified by the Spirit called Holy.</div> <bR> <div> If you would like to read this prophecy in its entirety, along with Scriptures that have been added that bear witness to its message, you can view it here:</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id630.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Jane Leades Prophecy"><U>Jane Leade's Prophecy</U></A></div> <bR> <div> May you be encouraged by these words.</div> <bR> <div> Joseph Herrin</div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>