The Secret Of God's Rest - Des Walter

The world in which we live is a world of make believe, but man’s ability to discern between that which is real and the fake has been greatly diminished. The whole paradigm of life changed for all mankind in the Garden of Eden, and for so many it has never been restored because the religious world has created confusion as to what is the true reality of man. We understand that if the first premise is false then whatever is built on that premise will not stand. Today religion has developed its teaching by starting with Adam, who had eaten of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, considering he was the FIRST MAN. Therefore it is assumed that all of mankind has been generated out of that one man who was cast out of the Garden of Eden and out from the presence of God. Therefore all mankind are sinners and God is angry with them placing them under a curse.
However, the very foundation of this assumption is wrong, for Paul declares in Eph 2:10 that we are all God’s workmanship, CREATED in Christ Jesus who is the only son God ever created in Gen.1: 26-27. That first man never sinned and is declared to be the Only Begotten Son of the Living God. For four thousand years man walked on the earth ignorant of his true identity, until the day came when Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem’s manger. His life became an enigma, as people debated who he really was. He demonstrated abilities beyond the capacity of other men that set him apart from everyone else. Finally one day he asked the disciples who the people thought he was? They replied that the people did not know, but their best guess was that he was one of the Prophets or even John the Baptist who had been beheaded. So he turned to the disciples and asked them who they thought he was? Peter responded having received revelation from God saying, "You are the Christ the Son of the Living God."
Peter could never have known Jesus true identity unless it had been revealed to him, for he was looking at a man just like himself from a human point of view. But now he saw him as a spirit being but clothed in a man’s body. He saw something beyond what his eyes could tell him, for he realized that Jesus functioned out of a higher dimension than mortal man. The Son of the Living God was never considered to be a part of humanity with a body, two arms and two legs. The people knew that God is spirit for Jesus himself had declared this to the woman at the well, so if God is spirit, then his son must also be spirit. Jesus did not ask the question of the disciples in order to discover for himself who he was for he already knew, but so that they might realize that he came into the world to reveal man’s true identity, for this had been lost to all mankind. It must have surely dawned on Peter and the rest of the disciples that this revelation would change their concept of their own identity.
In creation that first man of Gen 1:26-27 was Christ the son of the living God, but he was also a corporate man, for out of him came forth all of mankind, who also had the same quality and identity as Christ. But the truth of man’s origin and identity became lost in the sense of separation from God that Adam endured in the Garden. This separation from God had a dramatic effect on man’s consciousness that lowered him into another dimension of life that destroyed the memory of his origin and true identity. Because Adam in the Garden was also a "Corporate Man" what happened to him there in the Garden of Eden, affected all mankind with the same amnesia. About 4000 years later a child was born of a virgin in Bethlehem and that child was that same MAN created in Gen 1:26-27. But this man-child was BORN OF A WOMAN just as all men since Adam have been born, except that his mother was a virgin for he was conceived of INCORUPTIBLE SEED, which was the SEED OF GOD.
Now here is an amazing truth that we need to grasp, that has been overlooked by the religious world for 2000 years. The birthing of Jesus Christ into this world is the birthing of that CORPORATE MAN that includes you and I. So what does this mean? It means that there is no difference between you and Jesus Christ, for you were birthed in him. The Apostle John declared this when he said in 1 John 4:17 "Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment, because AS HE IS SO ARE WE IN THIS WORLD." His creation out of God was also our creation. We were created in the likeness and image of God, just as he was. Forasmuch as you are manifestly declared to be THE LETTER OF CHRIST TO ALL CREATION ministered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God and not in tables of stone, but in the fleshy tables of the heart as a true expression of God.
This birthing of Jesus Christ is our birthing also for our natural birth was by means of an egg and a sperm, which produced a mortal human being. But our birthing through the virgin was a birthing through the INCORRUPTIBLE SEED OF GOD that cannot be corrupted and neither can it sin. John the Apostle made it very clear THAT WHICH IS BORN OF GOD CANNOT SIN FOR HIS SEED REMAINS IN HIM. In that birthing, our origin is out of the SEED OF GOD that has never been tainted by sin nor affected by the carnal mind, nor can it be corrupted at all.
The birthing of Jesus Christ on the earth was indeed the birthing of that corporate man whose destiny is to set all creation free. Mary, the virgin chosen to be the vessel through whom the Christ was to be birthed on the earth was the sign given to the tribe of Judah in the reign of King Ahaz. Isaiah, God’s prophet said to Ahaz, you refuse to ask a sign of the Lord in order to discover what is God’s will for you at this time, so he says to you I am going to give you a sign whether you want it or not. "Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall call his name IMMANUEL, which means "God with us." What did this mean to the King of Judah? This prophecy declared that any King that believed he could rule apart from God would be consumed by his own folly. The conception of this child had nothing to do with any MAN, for it would be birthed by a VIRGIN, but in that birth God would become visible on the earth in the form of MAN, in a people who would be Kings and Priests unto God.
King Ahaz was arrogant and self-willed, who divided Israel and brought trouble and strife to the whole nation. But in this Prophecy God was telling Ahaz that there was coming a day when God would declare his authority on the earth through a people who would recognize Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God as their Lord and King, ruling and reigning within them, for he would be IMMANUEL. This is Jesus Christ the son of the Living God, out of whom would come the whole Elohim Company. This company consists of the Chosen Generation of God, the Royal Priesthood, the Holy Nation and a people designated as belonging to God. His birth at Bethlehem represents a people, who would not be born of an "Egg and a Sperm," but of the same incorruptible "Seed of God."
The Prophet Isaiah continued his prophecy saying that the Lord sent a "Word" unto Jacob but it hath lighted upon Israel. Jacob referred to Israel in their rebellion and disobedience, and they could not understand nor receive that word, but it is the true Israel of God that now receives the enlightenment and revelation of what the Prophet was saying. As we read this prophecy we find that this word applies to a people who are living on the earth today.
"For unto US a child is born, unto US a Son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulders and his Name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his Kingdom to order and to establish it with Justice and with Judgment from henceforth, even forever."
The religious world like Israel of old has never "heard" this word, so they did not see that it had any relevance to them. However, the Child is born TO US, and the Son is given TO US. Paul tells us in Eph 2:10 that we were created in CHRIST JESUS and therefore we were birthed 2000 years ago on the earth not of "Flesh and Blood," but born of the spirit of God by the incorruptible seed. Jesus Christ was a corporate man in Gen.1 for all mankind was in him, so in his birthing into this world 2000 years ago he was also a corporate man, birthing a people who would take on the nature and character of their true identity, being the product of the Divine Seed.
Peter reminds us that we have been BORN AGAIN not of corruptible seed but of INCORRUPTIBLE, by the WORD OF GOD, which lives and abides forever. Because of this birthing there has been established within us, the THRONE OF GOD, which the Apostle John saw when he was invited to ascend in the spirit, where a door was opened in his understanding into the Temple of God which was his body. It was there that he saw a Throne from which God would rule over the Nations. Concerning the King who ruled from that Throne it is said, "Of the increase of his government there would be no limit." This is the divine authority that now functions in us, until all his enemies become his footstool and he becomes Lord of ALL.
In our birthing, we are destined to rule and reign with him as Kings and priests unto our God. In the light of these things it is amazing that many Christians today still suffer from depression and are beset by enemies that enslave and imprison them and they see no way of being free. Beloved we are born to REIGN with Christ, for his name is "Wonderful" or without equal. He is also called "Counselor," or able to guide and direct our path for he is Omniscient. He is the Mighty God, maker of heaven and earth, and the Everlasting Father who is constantly bringing his children to Birth. Then finally we are told that he is the PRINCE OF PEACE who will cause the nations to beat their weapons into ploughshares, and there will be no more wars or strife, as the Peace of God is established in the hearts of his children first. The divisions in the Christian Church and the dividing of God’s people on the basis of doctrines, must give way to an expression of divine Love, as God’s people find their unity and oneness in the Christ of God.
The illumination of the spirit of the Lord is helping us today to see that whatever Jesus Christ is, that is what we are. Jesus told us that true sonship was to do only what he saw his Father do, and to only say what he heard his Father say. It is for this reason that Father has revealed to the Son what he is doing in the heavenly realm, because he knows that the Son will bring it to pass on the earth. This is the lesson we all must learn for this is OUR God given responsibility. Jesus spoke to Peter about this when he told him he would be given the keys to the Kingdom of God saying, "Whatever you shall bind on earth, you will know that Father has already bound that thing in the heavenly realm. And what ever you loose on the earth, Father will already have loosed it in the heavens." In other words whatever we see Father doing in the heavenly realm, that is what we must do on the earth, for this is according to the Lords Prayer. "Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done ON EARTH EVEN AS IT IS IN HEAVEN."
It is the corporate nature of the Christ that makes us ONE with him for if we came out of him, that means whatever he is, that is what we are. Now if we apply this also to the Cross we find again that he did not die simply as himself, for himself, but he "Tasted death for EVERY MAN." His death IS OUR DEATH for we died IN HIM. Then it follows that we were also buried with him and this agrees with what Paul told is in Rom 6. "Do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ, were baptized into HIS DEATH, so the reality of Baptism is not in water, but IN HIS DEATH. This means that the "WATER" is simply a symbol of his death, burial and resurrection. So we have also been BURIED WITH HIM, to be raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father to walk as a New Creation Man in a NEW dimension of LIVING. Paul continues, "If we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, it stands to reason that we would be raised up out of the same incorruptible SEED in resurrection into exactly the same LIFE THAT HE IS LIVING.
Whatever we were before our death IN CHRIST on the Cross no longer exists, for that person IS D-E-A-D, and the scripture informs us that "If we ARE DEAD then we are FREE FROM SIN, and the power of DEATH has been broken so that we do not have to die again." To take this even further, the whole concept of a life apart from God is simply a result of the Adamic dream. The man of resurrection has never sinned for he is the product of the incorruptible seed that did not originate from the EARTH. Through the Cross, the MAN OF SIN who is ADAM died, for Jesus Christ died as the LAST ADAM to bring to an end that Adamic consciousness that declared we were sinners. Beloved, this is the GOOD NEWS of the Gospel that Paul preached, liberating us from everything that would seek to bind us. In this new LIFE there are no limitations except those we impose upon ourselves. We are set free in order to liberate the rest of creation that has been held in bondage. All these things are being revealed today to those who have been searching for release for many years, but until this day many remain bound by their humanity, and the limitations of their MORTALITY. Today Father is revealing the TRUTH to you so that you might be free.
How is he revealing this truth to you? By you reading this word, for the spirit of God is now unveiling the Christ dwelling IN YOU, by which the seed of freedom is being planted in your consciousness. If you really want to be free, and to know the Truth of your identity, you need to reject the religious teachings of man and believe that which Father is revealing to you now. Ephesians 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former manner of living of the OLD MAN, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, having no true reality, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind. Then put on the NEW MAN, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Let us continue in this revelation for this is not the end but there is much more that needs to be brought to light. When we read the Bible we get the idea that it was written chronologically and so when we open the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ we consider that whatever is written there is for "The END TIME." So we tend to dismiss it from our understanding of "Present Day Truth." But do you realize that it was written by the Apostle John who lived in what we would term New Testament times, while imprisoned on the Island of Patmos, where abandoned prisoners lived out their miserable lives. John was not a murderer nor was he a wicked man, but he was there because of his testimony of Jesus Christ. In that desolate place where many went insane, he saw the greatest revelations of the Christ that any man has ever seen.
I just want to share a few things he recorded for us who live in the 21st Century, even though it was written so long ago. He begins his revelation saying, "Grace and peace be unto YOU (that is to YOU) from HIM WHICH IS," that is Christ who still IS, but he is no longer the INVISIBLE GOD that Israel never saw, nor is he the BABE OF BETHLEHEM, and neither is he hanging on a CROSS, but exists on this earth as YOU AND ME. He is today in the form of MAN walking the streets in every town in every country, revealing himself through a PEOPLE. But John continues, "Which WAS and which IS TO COME." Yes, he was the Messiah of the Old Testament but was also Jesus Christ the Son of the living God, living for about 33 years on the earth. But he is also the one who is to COME. For many, this means that just as he came the first time in the form of a man born of a virgin so he will return again to the earth at a particular time.
This so called "Coming of Christ" is often referred to as the SECOND COMING, but this is because they have not understood who he is. Remember that he is a Corporate Man that includes all who were created in him in the beginning. He has been revealed to a people at this time, who now understand that they are IN HIM now, and have always been in him even from creation. So our eyes are being opened to find we were involved in everything that he did including the miracles, as well as his death, burial and resurrection. Jesus Christ has been coming ever since he entered again into the invisible realm of Spirit. But he came back on the day of Pentecost to indwell 120 who were gathered unto him in the upper room. Equipping them for the task of releasing the captives, setting them free. His coming is not to the whole world but to take his seat on the Throne that has been established in his people whose bodies have become the Temple of God.
Let us consider further what John has to say about Jesus Christ. He called him the First begotten of the dead, but being a corporate man all of mankind was also raised in him. Then he called him, The Prince of the Kings of the earth, and these refer to the saints of God for we are told that he has made us Kings and Priests unto God and his Father, to him be glory and dominion forever. Then the resurrected Christ speaks and tells us, "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end," which means he was that first man out of whom all mankind was created." He is also the Last Man or the Omega, having been through the fire of God and taking us with him, through death, burial and resurrection. The fire of God is not destructive but is a purifying fire that removes that which is not of God, refining the Gold of our being. He was tempted in all points just as we have been but without sin.
At this point John turns to SEE THE VOICE that spoke such wonderful words to him. He saw the seven Golden Candlesticks, the testimony of Christ on the earth, and in the midst of the light he saw one, "LIKE UNTO THE SON OF GOD." What a breath taking picture is here revealed to us, for John saw the saints of God all standing in that light "In his Likeness and Image" looking like the Son of God. Let us not pass on too quickly lest we loose the import of this amazing scene. How wonderful these word pictures are showing us who we are in reality. So many Christians are still crying out to God to forgive them for what they may have done, feeling so unworthy of God’s love, because they have never seen what John saw 2000 years ago. Beloved we are the Lamp stand or the LIGHT of God on the earth today, and it is no longer a candle we hold in our hand, but that LIGHT radiates out of our true being for the Light of Life dwelling in us is illuminating the Glorified Christ of our true identity. This is the LIGHT OF THE WORLD that this darkened world is waiting to see and John was given a glimpse of it all those years ago for you and I today.
This one now speaks and says, "I am he that liveth and was dead, and behold I am alive for evermore Amen, and I have in my hand the keys of hell and death." It is time for the people of God to declare the truth to the world, to destroy the lies of religion that have kept mankind bound in sin and darkness. John recorded these things for our encouragement and blessing, for they all speak about the people of God who are NOW, AS HE IS. This whole book is a most wonderful revelation of the Christ in his people. But now let us look at chapter twenty-one, to see the climax of this revelation. John saw a new heavens and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away. Remember we are the heavens and the earth and now the Light has come and all the shadows are fleeing away, so we have been revealed in our true being, standing in the midst of the Candlesticks.
John was allowed to see the NEW HEAVENS that have been cleansed from the contamination of the serpent. In place of the carnal mind that cannot know God and is set at enmity with God, there is now the Mind of Christ. This is the mind that has never been involved with the snake, and functions in accord with Truth. According to God’s design the Heavens are to rule in the affairs of men, so as the NEW EARTH appears it is no longer flesh and blood, as it was under the direction of the carnal mind. The Christ who is now Lord breathes his Life into every cell in our body, until it is no longer flesh and blood, but has become spirit materialized. These things were revealed through John so that we might know the Father’s will and purpose for us. The old earth of our mortality has gone, and the heavens with its warfare involving the carnal mind has now been won, so we stand clothed upon with Christ wearing the robe of righteousness. And John says there is no more sea, which means there is no more separation, for on this earth the sea separates peoples and nations. The omni-present Christ has made us one with all of creation and joined us with all mankind as one family.
Then John says he saw the HOLY CITY, the NEW JERUSALEM coming down from God out of heaven prepared as a Bride adorned for her husband. That which had been separated in the Garden of Eden by the carnal mind, now has been united by the mind of Christ to find we are ONE IN HIM. Then out of the Heavens comes a voice saying,
"Behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and he shall dwell with them and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain, for all these former things are passed away." Then he that sat upon the throne said, "Behold I make all things NEW, for it is done, I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, and I will give unto him that is thirsty of the fountain of the water of life freely."
The Journey of Life
At this point in time I would like to share with you, that most Christians have ignored the provision that God has made for them in this world, where they can live without lack of any kind as was provided for Adam in the Garden of Eden. Instead, they would prefer to live by the sweat of their brow, and the consequences of their choice is poverty, sickness, pain and death.
Adam lived in the Garden of Eden where he never raised a sweat. His food was all provided his fellowship with God was perfect as they shared life together as one and there was no lack whatsoever. This is but a picture of the Rest of God that he enjoyed, but he added to what he was and had a knowledge system that took him out of paradise and put him in a wilderness where he had to earn his bread by the sweat of his brow. This has now become the "Norm" for God’s people today. How many people tell me they have so little time to meditate in the presence of God as life for them has become so hectic. We now must have the best of everything and to pay for it requires more and more of our time so that God is pushed into a corner and perhaps on Sunday they may squeeze an hour in just to let God know that he is not forgotten all together. If ever there was a day when we needed to experience the REST OF GOD it is this very day. It does not make any sense to have to work so much, just to live without finding time to relax and enjoy the Lord who holds the key to abundant life.
The "Rest of God" is not something to which we must attain, but simply something we must accept as God’s gift to his people. What does this mean for us today? It means that we do not have to do anything to qualify in order to enter into "His Rest," considering that it is something we have established by our own works and faithfulness. Nor is it by attaining a high degree of spirituality beyond others, but it is a matter of simply BELIEVING GOD. It is our many WORKS PROGRAMS that keep us out in the wilderness, trying to prove our spirituality in the hope that one day I will make it and God will accept me into the promised land. Religion is based on DOING, and this has barred the people of God from entering into GOD’S REST. How did God enter into rest, because remember it is GOD’S REST we are entering into, and it was as he looked at all that he had created and said, "It is VERY GOOD." There was nothing to be added, nothing that needed to be changed, everything was PERFECTION, so at that point GOD RESTED.
But man just cannot BELIEVE GOD!! I hear Man shouting, "God you are wrong, I am a sinner and need to be changed, I have a heart problem, I am in debt because you have not blessed me like you said you would. And I have a very bad marriage and children who are on drugs. How could I possibly enter into rest while I am in this mess?? There is an answer and I have great joy in my heart to be able to tell you there is nothing you have to do nor anything you could do, to enter into God’s rest except to BELIEVE GOD. Gods invitation to YOU to enter into HIS REST is based upon the fact that,
All God’s works WERE FINISHED to his own satisfaction totally and completely from the foundation or the fertilization of the divine seed of God from which you came in creation, clothed in perfection.
The truth here revealed was that the day Jesus Christ was born on the earth at Bethlehem, was in fact the birthing of the Christ in the consciousness of all mankind. In reality it was the liberation of all humanity from material bondage and limitation. His birth on the earth is the only true revelation of the Almighty God, declaring that he is the true origin of all mankind, and has never been separated from any of his creation. At the same time he declared man’s true identity is not, "A mortal human being," as so many considers themselves to be. The divine abilities that were in evidence in the life of Jesus Christ are available to all mankind once we see the reflection of himself in us, for he said, "The things that I do, you can do also and greater things than these because I go to my Father."
He revealed the secret in John 14:10 that allowed Jesus to do what we call miracles. The first step was to understand that he was IN THE FATHER, and the next thing was that the FATHER WAS IN HIM. This means that Jesus the man was an integral part of God without any sense of separation at all. Then if the Father was in him, this indicated that the spirit that was in Jesus was God dwelling in him, so that the words he spoke were in fact, God speaking through him. But the most astonishing thing about this revelation was that it was not Jesus that did the miracles himself, but it was the Father who did the work through him, using his voice and his hands and feet. Jesus made it clear that the same situation applies to us today. In John 14:20 he made it clear for all to know, that at that day I am in the Father and you are in me, and I am in you."
We need to realize that every attempt to try and make ourselves perfect is a denial of the truth that God spoke in the beginning. The influence of modern society has so contaminated our mind that we find it difficult to understand that all the superficial issues of our lives, and the changes that seem evident to us are the result of the fact that we believe everything that our sensory perception tells us through our five natural senses. None of those five senses will ever tell you the truth, for they are the nature of the carnal mind. The spirit of Christ within you, that still small voice is the only voice that will always tell you the TRUTH. The challenge for each of us today is to enter into HIS REST where the perfection of our being is already set. Changes beyond our imagination and blessing upon blessing is stored up for us, as this becomes our reality.
Of course modern life in the 21st century is not conducive to living in the "Rest of God," but there is a people who are "Ceasing from their own works," and entering into God’s Rest. The invitation remains open as the Scripture says, "There remains therefore a REST to the people of God." It is important for us to realize that Christ dwells within us and he has already entered into that Rest while we worry our selves sick over so many things. Does not the scriptures say, "As he IS so are we in this world." There is nothing that we need to enter into rest, and is Christ not our true identity, and our Life. We must discover that our identity is Christ and not that imaginary mortal human being that we have falsely identified as who we are. Here is the key to unlock this seeming contradiction between our true identity and who be thought we were. Christ was spoken into existence in the beginning and that is who we are so when he came to this earth and was at the river Jordan the heavens opened and God spoke saying, "This is my well beloved son in whom I am well pleased." There he stands representing mankind just as perfect as he was when he came forth from the hand of the creator. Beloved see yourself in him and enter into God’s rest.
The Apostle Paul tells us that the carnal mind is death. Many years ago the Children of Israel made a Covenant with death, and it would seem that many today have made that same covenant. Most Christians look upon death as inevitable and so as old age creeps up on them they simply become resigned to it, and often being it as a blessed release. However, Jesus said, "No man takes my life from me for I have power to lay down my life and have power to take it again." The truth for me is that my Life is hid with God in Christ, and so there is nothing in this world that can touch it. Sickness and death result from the sense of separation, that so many feel between themselves and God. We are born into this world through our mothers and therefore we believe we are simply mortal human beings, but within this body is a spirit that is my true identity and that spirit came from God. With this knowledge I can safely enter into God’s rest and know that he will complete in me that which he desires.
The appearing of Christ on the earth revealed to us, that all our limitations are the result of our mind having been infected by the snake, destroying our God consciousness. God’s purpose in creation was that man would become the dwelling place of God on this earth. So when the disciples took Jesus to see the great Temple that they had taken 46 years to build, he declared, "Destroy THIS temple, for it was simply a symbol of humanities idea of God’s dwelling place, an ornate structure called a Temple made by men’s hands." He told them, in three days I will build MY TEMPLE, but this time he was referring to the true Temple of God, which is HIS BODY.
The first man created out of whom we have all come, was the only Son God ever created but let us be clear, that man was a corporate man and not just a single identity. This was the BODY God had decided was to be his temple. However, man living out of a human consciousness could not be the Body of Christ, for that body would function as mortal and would succumb to death. But God’s temple must be eternal for he is the eternal God, and therefore he said it would take three days to "build" his Temple. This refers to the three days involving the DEATH, BURIAL and RESURRECTION of Jesus Christ, but because he is a corporate being and we are all IN HIM, we become involved in his death also just as we were in his Birth. So when he died WE also died in him, so that his death was OUR death.
That "Death" was the end of our humanity, with all its human limitations and bondages. Only in death could we leave behind the sense of false identity, and the thinking patterns of that identity. On the Cross of Calvary our blood as well as His blood was shed, bringing that mortal life that is in the blood to an end. His body was broken there on that cross to become the broken bread for a hungry world, and His flesh, which he said he would give for the life of the world. For flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. Then there was his burial where the SEED of God which he was, had to be planted in accordance with his own words. He said, "Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and dies it abides alone, but if it dies it will bring forth much fruit."
Abraham was told that Christ is the "Seed" through which the blessing of God would flow to all the nations of the world. As we died in him so we were buried in him, so that the seed of God, which has been planted in every man, might through death now burst forth in new life releasing the divine expression of our true identity for all mankind to see. So on the third day the tomb that had imprisoned us restricting our understanding and limiting our expression of life, burst open releasing God’s NEW CREATION MAN, in all his resurrection glory. That man no longer saw himself as a spirit and a soul, living in a body, but he had become ONE, spirit and soul united as in creation called CHRIST, who now breathes his life into every cell in my body until it becomes manifested as spirit. He could walk through walls, move as the wind and able to do the will of God. When we function out of that Christ mind we also will do exactly all that he has done and is still doing today through a people.
The limitations that are upon our lives today are simply the fact that we have not yet believed the truth about ourselves that is revealed in Jesus Christ, for what he is NOW so are we in the world today. His life and the wonderful works that he did and all expressions of that higher life has always been ours, but we have lived out of a false identity that is controlled by our natural mind. We have the potential to LIVE as he LIVED, doing what he did, and expressing what he is, for he told us that the things that he did we could do also and even greater things than these because he went to the Father. The human mind is driven by "Cause and Effect," but the truth is that God is the only cause of all things, for he is ALL and in ALL.
The only source of true life is God himself expressing himself through man. That is why Jesus Christ spoke like no other man, for he was speaking truth, which he received from God. This truth was not just what he preached it was what he was, for he said, "I am the Truth." Because of this we also must be able to say what he said, for it is just as true for us as it is for him. He said I am the Door, and we also become the door for our generation for the same Christ dwells in us, to open the understanding of the people to see the Christ manifest in us as it was in Jesus. He said I am the WAY, and we also are the way by revealing the Christ in us who opens the way into the realm of spirit for all to follow. He said, "I am the Good Shepherd," and that is what we are to our generation for the Christ of God dwells in us.
Jesus declared how his relationship with his Father operated. First of all he made the statement, "I and my Father are ONE!" This statement almost cause the Jews to stone him for blasphemy, for their carnal minds could not understand the true import of his words, and it is still the same today. He was saying that his true identity which is Christ, and his Father (God) are ONE. He then quoted from Psalm 82:6 where the Psalmist says, "I have said ye are gods,(Elohim) and all of you are children of the Most High God." Our origin is out of God, so according to the law of bio-genetics, we must be what he is. But then Jesus says that he only does what he sees his Father do. To put it in another way, the Father reveals to the Son what he is doing because he knows that the son will bring it to pass on the earth. Then he states that he only says what he hears his Father say, so that as the Sons of God we are to say only what the Father is saying for his words are spirit and life. Sons do not preach sermons, they only speak words of Life.
Man has been given the capacity to receive revelation from God, as we embrace the Christ life as our own and the Christ Mind that allows us to function according to the spirit that dwells in us. The carnal or natural mind is enmity with God and cannot know or understand the things of God; therefore we must elevate the Christ mind above the natural mind to be free of all human limitations. Jesus Christ made us to understand that all men were created equal because all of humanity constitutes ONE Corporate Man all of whom have come from the One God. It is important for us to get to know the Christ that dwells within as we enter into our "Closet" and shut the door. It is there we will discover that our true identity is Omni-present, Omniscient and Omnipotent, dwelling in Light in the deepest part of our being, called the Most Holy Place. Once we embrace that understanding we will live as Christ lived on the earth, doing what he did. But for many people this seems like an impossible dream.
God fills the universe of our being as well as the universe at large, and we find that he is an integral part of our being. Jacob had a vision of a ladder reaching from earth to heaven linking the two together with a divine activity in both directions. He found he was connected to the spirit world and was not separated from it, and that there is an invitation for us all to enter into the secret place of the Most High, where we will discover that we are in the centre of every created thing. In that place we are one with all creation both visible and invisible. Jacob was to discover that the outward reality he saw was in fact a picture of that which is inward, and in the morning as the "Light" of God illumined his mind he said, "Surely God is in this place and I did not know it." He discovered that his body was actually the "House of God."
Every one of us is responsible to deal with the areas of unreality that persist in our lives. Elijah challenged Israel over their constant infidelity in their relationship with God, by putting Baal and their priesthood on trial. The test was to see if Baal’s reputation as "Lord" or possessor could stand the test. Baal was originally the Sun God so he was involved with the harvest bring light and warmth. Worship involved giving their children to this god by "Passing them through the fire." The 450 prophets of Baal were called to make a sacrifice of a bullock to Baal but the rules of the sacrifice were that Baal himself must initiate the fire that consumed the sacrifice. After the prophets every attempt to get Baal to respond failed they watched as Elijah set up the altar according to the word of the Lord God. After pouring water 7 times on the sacrifice and the altar, Elijah prayed and the fire of God fell from heaven and consumed the sacrifice. Thus were the prophets of Baal and their pseudo god discredited in the sight of Israel.
This produced a revival in Israel as the nation returned to worship the living God. Now we read these things recorded in the Scriptures, but who is there today who can challenge the pseudo god that is worshipped in most churches all over the world today? People are told "God" will love you if you give your heart to him, and he has taken your sin and sicknesses to the cross to set you free. He will bless your life and protect you etc etc, but it does not seem to become reality for the people. Christians die of cancer today just as the "Unsaved" do, they have divorce in their marriages, and their children get on drugs and abuse themselves in other ways, just the same as the people in the world. But today very few preachers’ challenge that so called "God" of the Christians that is worshipped all over the world. The truth is that that "God" has no more reality than did the BAAL of the Old Testament, for it is only the God of the imagination and has no true reality. We teach the people that our God is LOVE, but at the same time tell the people that God will burn you forever in hell if you do not do what he says. Such a contradiction remains, breeding confusion in the hearts of God people all over the world, as to what God is.
The God that dwells within us is spirit, as Jesus told the woman at the well and so cannot be known through of sensory perception, nor through our natural mind. He is only accessible through our consciousness and there we perceive him as Wisdom, Love and Truth. The same consciousness that functioned in Jesus Christ must also function in us. That spirit fills the universe, for everything that is visible to us today came out of that invisible realm of spirit. When he said, "I and my Father are ONE," we must understand that we also are part of that O-N-E, as we are ONE body and ONE spirit, being made of ONE blood or life with all the nations of the earth. MAN was created out of that ONE spirit that is God, constituting mankind as ONE family all having the same Father and therefore the same origin. For this reason the word declares, "God so loved THE WORLD," indicating that there is not a man on this planet that is not included in that love.
However, if we listened to the majority of preachers today you could never believe that statement to be true. Religion would declare if a man is a thief because he stole something, or a gambler, or drinks alcohol, God could not possibly love them, because they are sinners. Would everybody who has never sinned please stand up, but there was not a soul who could affirm they were sinless. So does God really love the whole world regardless of what they may or may not have done? Two thousand years ago Jesus Christ went to the Cross and died, not simply to forgive the sins of the people but to destroy the very ROOT of sin and not just the FRUIT. Most Christians look upon the death of Christ as being a payment to God that would "Buy" our forgiveness, just as Israel killed millions of animals and sacrificed them to God for their sins. So they tell God they are sorry for being bad and ask him to come into their heart, and then have a party to celebrate the difference between them and the rest of the world. The incredible thing is that such a person will continue to sin just as the rest of the world does, but he will be quick to remind everyone that he has been forgiven!!!
Having been forgiven we announce to everybody, we are "Saved" and now we can relax because we have bought our ticket to "Heaven" when they die!! I find it incredible that Jesus our Master and Teacher never once told a single person to do what preachers are telling people to do today. We have divided society on the basis of some religious theory created by man but never sanctioned by Jesus Christ. But worse still we condemn the rest of the world because they are sinners and relegate them to a burning hell forever and ever. No wonder there are more heathen on the earth today than there ever was, and in countries like India, less than 2% are Christians, even after hundreds of years of missionary work.
God’s people must return to reality as far as God is concerned, and stop destroying his character by presenting him as a monster who creates mankind, but is happy to burn the majority of them in a burning hell, because they do not respond to his demands. The natural or carnal mind of man cannot know God, nor will it tell you the truth about anything spiritual. Man has become convinced that he is separated from God who is spirit, and this has caused our bodies to age and finally succumb to death. Jesus said, "That which is born of the spirit is spirit, but that which is born of the flesh is flesh." Our natural birth was for the formation of our body, however, the Body is not you. You are spirit because you came out from God who is spirit. Jesus introduced God to us as FATHER, for there is no other source of life in the universe. If God is our Father then we must be spirit just as he is, but now that spirit lives in a body. Our body is important to God because man was created to be the dwelling place of God on this earth, and it is through our body that we give expression to what God is. Jesus said in Heb 10:5, "Sacrifices and offerings you DID NOT DESIRE, in spite of the thousands of animals that were killed as sacrifices in Israel’s history, BUT you gave me a body."
Your body was given to you not for you to use it just for your own benefit, but as a vessel through which HE could manifest HIMSELF to the world through you. Man was destined to walk this earth as a demonstration of God living through man. Adam lived in the Garden of Eden without aging or any deterioration of his body, until a sense of separation came upon him, whereby the soul (female aspect of his being) became separated from him. As a result of this duality Adam became convinced that the female part of his being was now a separate entity from himself. This is the sense of separation that has robbed us of our true relationship with our heavenly Father, for at that time man became a LIVING SOUL. We have lived out of this limited expression of our true being from that time until Jesus Christ, God’s proto type man appeared on the earth to declare to all mankind our true identity and function.
He said he came from the Father and that he and the Father were ONE with no sense of separation at all. He was given a body just like ours being born of a woman, but his true identity was not the body he had, but the spirit that dwelt in him. Jesus asked the disciples who the people thought he was, but they replied that they really did not know who he was. He then asked the disciples who they thought he was, and Peter who had received revelation from the Father answered, "You are the CHRIST the Son of the Living God." But standing in front of Peter was a M-A-N just like you and I. This was a revelation to all mankind, for we all came out from this ONE MAN according to Eph 2:10. For the first time in history we were able to see what MAN really was, and he lived among us for about 33 years. We have been so brainwashed by the teachings of man and blinded by our natural mind, that we really have no idea who we are and what we are capable of doing.
Peter tells us in his epistle that we are Born from above, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible. This "Seed" of God has been sown in every man and it contains man’s true identity and if we will allow that seen to reproduce in us it will release the same Christ life that we marvel at in Jesus Christ. Notice that this life is the very life of God and it is INCORRUPTIBLE. Did Jesus fail at all in his life on the earth? NO, even at his trial the great Judge Pilate declared "I find no fault in him." That is exactly the same life that is in you, but perhaps it is still in "SEED" form until it is planted in the earth of our humanity. John tells us in his epistle, "That which is born of God does not sin." He continues by saying, "Whoever abides in Christ does not sin, but whoever sins has not seen him (Christ), neither do they know him. The Prophet Isaiah tells us, that those who live in a vital relationship with the Lord shall renew their strength. They will mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint.
In Psalm 46:10 we read, "Be still and know that I am God." Most Christians look up in the sky when we speak about God or heaven, but the Truth is that God is not external to us but he dwells within us. So to meet God or to commune with him we must go INSIDE. As we develop a relationship with God who is our Father we will let go of the crazy notions of a God up in the sky, and our self-delusions and ignorance. Only then will we begin to hear his voice speaking within us. Then you will begin to realize that the God that dwells in you is OMNI-PRESENT, that is he is everywhere at all times and fills the universe. Then he is also OMNICIENT, which means that he is all knowing having within himself the sum of all knowledge, for he is the creator of all things. But there is more for he is also OMNIPOTENT, which means that he, is all-powerful and there is no other power in all the universe. So we are told, "Do not resist evil." The reason is that there is no other power anywhere, so there is nothing to fight or destroy. This is the TRUTH that makes us free from fear and anxiety for the almighty dwells in us. Once we understand this the true nature of God can be expressed through our daily lives.
We need to make that invisible connection with the Christ who is God that dwells within ourselves. Out of our relationship with the Father we will discover the power of God flowing through us to fulfill every desire. Jesus Christ was in touch with the Father at the grave of Lazarus, so that he saw what he was doing in the spirit realm and Jesus simply brought that divine action into the visible world, calling Lazarus forth after being dead four days. These are in fact the Keys of the Kingdom that are available to us also. Whatever you bind on the earth will already be bound in the heavenly realm, and whatever you loose on earth will have already been loosed in the realm of spirit. So the Father wants us to know what he is doing in that heavenly realm because he expects us to bring the manifestation forth in the visible realm for others to see.
In the Scriptures we find nature is used to help us understand spiritual truth. In Psalm 1, we find man likened to a Tree, so if we look at an old tree that could be a hundred years old or more, we can see on the tips of the branches there is new growth developing with new leaves springing forth. The tree is constantly being renewed with new growth appearing to replace the old. The tree may bring forth new flowers an then the new fruit appears. Often this provides food for the birds and animals but when it has all gone we wait a while and more new growth appears with new flowers and then the new fruit appears again. This is a vital process that is going on constantly in nature and is a picture of ourselves. Cells are dying everyday but there are new cells being produced to replace the old so in fact we should not be growing old as we do. Our life begins with a single cell, but that cell at a certain point divides and continues to divide until it is a complete body that is made up of millions of cells. If cells are being produced to replace the old so it should not get old and eventually die. A tree does not die of old age but only by some external action.
We are spirit living in a body and our identity is not found in the body itself which is simply the house we live in, but in the spirit. Paul explained what we are when he said, "We have an OUTER MAN which is our body and it is perishing away every day, but we also have an INNER MAN which is being renewed every day. Most Christians still live out of the outer man living as mortal human beings, and being subject to sickness, pain and death. 2Cor. 4:16. The inner man is the Man of the Heart and this is the most holy place where God dwells. This is what Paul was speaking about when he said, "Don’t you know that your body is the TEMPLE OF GOD which is in you, which you have of God, and you are not your own. God’s Temple is not the outer man because that is perishing, but it is the inner man, which is being renewed every day and is not subject to sin sickness pain or death. The outer man is mortal but the inner man is a spiritual body and that is eternal being in the likeness and image of God.
Paul continues the discussion about these two parts of our being, the outer man and the inner man, in 2Cor5:1. For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle or body were dissolved we have a building of God a house not made with hands that is eternal in the heavens. In the Garden of Eden when the female part of Adam’s being was separated from him, the woman he called Eve joined herself to the Body so she could pro-create, and that is what we became a "Living Soul." So now Paul says that if that connection between the soul and the body could be removed we would HAVE right now our true spiritual body that is eternal. This means that we would not have to wait to die and be buried in the cemetery, in order to get our eternal body for we already have it. The soul connection with the body is the reason for most of our sickness because if we feel sick we are sick. The mind controls our body and this is the basis of most of our problems. Now with the mortal body free from the soul, it can now come under the power of the spirit who breathes his life into every cell in our body.
Then Paul continues on saying we groan in this mortal body that is perishing, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house from heaven. This refers to our spiritual inner man, which is our eternal body from heaven, but he is not speaking about dying at all. He says he has no desire to be unclothed which means to be dead for in death the spirit that is you leaves the body and you are unclothed. But he makes an important statement in verse 6. "Therefore we are always confident knowing that while we are AT HOME in the Mortal Body we are absent from the Lord." This is because God does not live in our outer body, which is perishing, just as he did not dwell in the outer court of the Tabernacle. So if we are living and settled in the outer mortal man we are separated from the Lord who dwells in his Holy Temple in the INNER MAN OF THE HEART.



Jesus told us that he is the Vine and we are the branches

The Law Of Seed Planting - r jackson

To plant a garden you must first pick a special place to plant it. You watch for how much sun the area gets. Is the soil good? The next thing is to build a fence around it to protect it from predators. Now you are ready to start your garden. You till up the soil, make rows and add amendments, and then you plant your seed. Each seed needs different things, space, depth of planting, soil type and etc.

The seed you plant dies, or the shell rots and breaks open. In side of the shell a new plant grows. You must keep them watered, fertilized and weeded. If you planted tomato seeds they mature and produce fruit. Each plant from one seed will produce 25 – 50 tomatoes during the season. Each tomato will have hundreds of seed. One seed could produce 5000 new seeds. This is an amazing fact. In this one plant we can witness with amazement, Gods wonderment, it is a miracle in itself.

If we plant a seed of kindness in someone and it takes root and sprouts it will produce fruit, the fruit being this – the place you planted the seed was fertilized (ready for kindness) the seed was watered and weeded by the person that you gave it to (this means that person thought good thoughts about what you did.) Each time they think of your deed they are watering and fertilizing the plant. It grows inside of then and produces fruit (anything placed in the heart has no choice but to grow, good or bad). That person does acts of kindness for other people and those people take care of their seed and it grows and produces fruit. One seed that was planted on good soil can go on producing good fruit forever.

You plant a seed of money. God does not require you to tithe your money. You do not have to pick the garden in which you will sow you money, God will talk to your heart and your heart will tell you where to plant your money seed. If you keep your heart sensitive to the needs of others, whether it is an individual or a charitable organization, or what ever moves your heart, you will know where to plant your money seed. When you plant your seed, only do it for one reason, that your heart, not you mind told you to do it. Plant your seed in the darkness, in other words, don’t do it for recognition, do it in as much secrecy as you can. Do it without telling anyone except your mate. Do not do it for a tax deduction. Don’t even take a tax deduction. If you help an individual do not let them know that it was you that helped them. If you plant your money seed with the right conditions, as shown, it will be like the tomato, producing fruit and thousands of seed in you garden. You will be blessed a hundred fold. You don’t need to give 10%, just give what you can. Don’t just give what you have left over, it must mean something to you in order for it to mean something to God. Your giving might be 1% or 50%, just do what’s in your heart. Don't give to the church and let then deside what to do with you gift, you need to deside what good you can do with your money, this will please the Father. Give to the widows, the poor, the orphans and people who are helping other people. God will touch your heart.

Eternal Life - Des Walter

INTRODUCTION

As we read the bible we discover that those issues concerning LIFE and how it function, are all presented to us in parabolic form. By this I do not mean that they are written as "fables", but that they are all demonstrated for as in nature.
It is perfectly obvious that the account of CREATION is in fact the presentation of a network of LIFE, from forms that are too small to see with the naked eye right through to the trees, rivers oceans, and the sun, moon and stars. When it comes to MAN, he is found in a GARDEN surrounded by all the various forms of life. The "fall of man" is the most talked about event in the life of this man Adam, and is expressed as a choice between eating the fruit of two different trees, the Tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil and the Tree of LIFE.
Nature therefore becomes a material representation of spiritual realities, and the divine order. The problem for Adam did not simply come because of his choice of the Tree, nor because he ate the fruit, but from the FRUIT ITSELF. This "FRUIT" contained a seed pregnant with its own form of "LIFE" which was released into the blood stream of humanity, for all of mankind was represented in Adam.
All of these facts should cause us to ask the question; as to WHY nature should be so extensively used to illustrate this thing we call LIFE? However it must be obvious to all that the God who created MAN, also created every other form of life. I believe this fact has not been duly considered by many, and this has led them to conceive that the LIFE in man is quite distinct from all others forms of life. Remember we are speaking about LIFE ITSELF and not the FORM it may have been given in creation.
I will confess to you that MY eyes have been opened to see in all of nature a revelation of LIFE, that gives us an understanding, which can be found nowhere else. It is my purpose in this notes to share with you some of the details I have discovered, that will help to unlock the mysteries of LIFE that have been ignored by so many.
One reason for our lack of true understanding of LIFE has been the fact that Christians have DIVIDED it into two parts. One is called PHYSICAL LIFE, which incorporates all of nature as well as man in his "natural" state. The other is called SPIRITUAL LIFE, which is said to come form God and can only be accessed by Man through repentance and faith in God. I am convinced that this distinction is not accurate and in fact conceals the truth concerning LIFE as it is revealed in JESUS CHRIST. More about this as we proceed with the discussion.

CREATION
Creation is presented to us as the BEGINNINGS of ALL THINGS. You will notice I have used the plural word "beginnings" which is found in the Hebrew scriptures is Genesis 1:1. This word is valid because ALL things that the Creator ELOHIM decided to create found their beginning at that time.
It is obvious that LIFE is the real focus of creation in its myriad forms, the highest of which is MAN. The source and origin of all life is God out of whom everything came. No definition is given as to what life really is, for it remains a mystery. Scientists have spent countless hours studying the phenomena, grasping something of its process but unable to unlock its secrets. The illusive dream of the scientists is to produce LIFE by some chemical means, but he has never succeeded and never will.
In creation, and therefore in nature, God has provided us with an explanatory handbook of life and the laws that govern it. But despite the revelations made available to us in nature, life itself remains shrouded in mystery, but at the same time directs our thoughts, like a signpost back to its source, which is GOD. It says to us, all life is simply a manifestation of GOD regardless of its form, and therefore the mystery remains, and will continue to do so.
Nature is God’s great university unlocking many secrets giving us a better understanding of how life functions. As we give it careful thought, we are awakened to the fact that there are definite LAWS that govern its activity. These laws are established by the same one who created all things, and are not random in operation but show a fixed pattern, functioning uniformly through out the universe.
Jesus said, "Consider the lilies of the field HOW THEY GROW". This is not such a strange statement in light of the fact that the principle of GROWTH is the same for the lily as it is for mankind. Doctors may be able to identify issues that may stunt growth, but the PROCESS of growth remains a mystery. Jesus challenges a man’s ability to add to his stature by any means, for its impossible to modify growth, because it is part of the mystery of LIFE.
It is impossible to put life itself under a microscope, but we can study the LAWS God has set in motion which impact upon that life. These laws, which are displayed in nature, enable us to understand more about life that finds its source in God.

LAW
When we speak of LAW our mind pictures a courtroom, complete with a judge and prosecutor, and so we think in terms of legality, violations and punishment. However, what about the Law of Gravity, Genetics or Bio-Genesis? These have nothing to do with legality and no one is about to be charged if they are violated. So we need to see the "Law of God" as being a part of the DIVINE ORDER that is constant in all of nature, rather than legal issues demanding punishment for any violations. Many of the erroneous views concerning God's Laws, are put to rest when we see them relating to an ORDER that was established in the beginning, and has never been changed.
One of the most striking aspects of nature is the fact that it conforms to a beautiful order which is easily observable, yet it as mysterious as life itself. Perhaps the very mystery of that order is the thing that helps convince us that it has a divine origin. However there is no doubt that the two greatest factors in the DIVINE ORDER of this universe are these.
Firstly, there is continuity in these laws right from the beginning of time without any deviation.
And secondly, these laws provide a harmony in nature, which is evident to every man. From time to time mankind has expressed a desire to tap into this harmony, as the stress of living tends to overwhelm him. Various movements have sprung up over the years particularly among the youth, in a bid to discover peace by seeking to "plug in" to the harmony displayed in nature. From a purely natural point of view, such efforts did bring many a sense of relief, even if only temporary. However it is interesting to note that Jesus himself directed people's thoughts towards nature when he ministered to them.
"TAKE NO THOUGHT FOR YOUR LIFE, WHAT YOU SHALL EAT OR WHAT YOU WILL DRINK, NOR YET FOR YOUR BODY, WHAT YOU SHALL PUT ON. IS NOT THE "LIFE" MORE THAN MEAT AND THE BODY MORE THAN RAIMENT? BEHOLD THE FOWLS OF THE AIR, FOR THEY SOW NOT, NEITHER DO THEY REAP NOR GATHER INTO BARNS, YET YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER FEEDS THEM. ARE YOU NOT MUCH BETTER THAN THEY? WHICH OF YOU BY TAKING THOUGHT CAN ADD ONE CUBIT UNTO HIS STATURE? AND WHY TAKE YOU THOUGHT FOR RAIMENT? CONSIDER THE LILIES OF THE FIELD, HOW THEY GROW, FOR THEY TOIL NOT NEITHER DO THEY SPIN, AND YET I SAY UNTO YOU THAT EVEN SOLOMON IN ALL HIS GLORY WAS NOT ARRAYED LIKE ONE OF THESE, WHEREFORE IF GOD SO CLOTHE THE GRASS OF THE FIELD WHICH LIVES TODAY AND TOMORROW IS CAST INTO THE OVEN, SHALL HE NOT MUCH MORE CLOTHE YOU, O YE OF LITTLE FAITH. THEREFORE TAKE NO THOUGHT SAYING WHAT SHALL WE EAT, OR WHAT SHALL WE DRINK, OR WHAT SHALL BE OUR CLOTHING. FOR AFTER ALL THESE THINGS DO THE GENTILES (HEATHEN) SEEK, FOR YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER KNOWETH THAT YOU HAVE NEED OF ALL THESE THINGS. BUT SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS AND ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE ADDED UNTO YOU."
I would like to draw your attention to several things mentioned in this passage of SCRIPTURE. The first is that Jesus did not hesitate to reiterate NATURAL LAWS and than apply them to humanity. This is contrary to what many Christians believe, but as we consider what he had to say we see that the "order" established in creation has a definite bearing upon our life today. Therefore we cannot gain a true understanding of life without reference to them.
Our bodies of flesh and blood have an affinity to the earth on which we live. Therefore the natural laws of the universe apply equally to us as they do to what we call nature. Do you realize that GRAVITY is essential for our body to function? Our human organism is designed to function according to the condition of GRAVITY, and if it ceased to function, so would our body. The natural laws, which supply our atmosphere, are just as essential for us as they are for any other segment of nature.
It is also foolishness on our part that we have considered NATURAL LAWS have no place in the realm of the SPIRIT. To live under one set of laws and than suddenly to have to ignore them and conform to totally different laws would create chaos. However it may be questioned as to how GRAVITY would apply to SPIRIT, so allow me to explain. A Spirit is free from gravity and able to move anywhere any time without any resistance from such a LAW. This is not because the LAW OF GRAVITY does not exist for spirit, but because it operates only on mass. Therefore as far as SPIRIT is concerned, GRAVITY still functions as usual, but because there is no mass involved, gravity has no influence over it. So we can see that no NEW law needs to be enforced and no natural law needs to be cancelled, for gravity to function in continuity, even in the realm of SPIRIT.
The purpose of this study is not to go through of the various laws oh the universe, which would make it academic and without spiritual virtue, but to show that the God who established the natural laws, is the same GOD WHO IS SPIRIT AND TRUTH. We must bear in mind that the physical material world was not the first to be created, but that it actually came out the UNSEEN WORLD of spirit. The original creation of Genesis 1 must have been of necessity, spiritual.
This being the case, it is logical to us to consider that the laws governing the material world had already been laid in the Spiritual, and not the other way around. Thus the natural world becomes an incarnation or physical representation of the SPIRITUAL. Perhaps here we are discovering the purpose and function of this natural of world, as an object lesson or living representation of a higher order, which holds the key to reality. Thus Paul exhorts us, "Not to look at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen, for the things that are seen are TEMPORAL, but the things which are not seen are ETERNAL." 2 Cor 4:18.
Unfortunately most Christians have no concept of the SPIRITUAL WORLD, because reality for them is bound up in the world that is visible to the naked eye, all of which Paul says is purely TEMPORAL. God has so ordained, all things will continue to function in conformity to the laws or ORDER established in creation. No one would be able to live in this world if God's order failed to operate. Just imagine for a moment the world as illustrated in a children's book called, "THE CHANCE WORLD,"
In that world everything happens by CHANCE. The sun might rise in the morning or it may not. Or it could rise at midday. If we jumped up in the air we might not come down because gravity may not function. Such would be a mad chaotic world if God's order was not consistent.
Jehovah said, "Of all the trees of the Garden you may freely eat, but of the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil, YOU SHALL NOT EAT OF EAT OF IT, FOR IN THE DAY THAT THOU EATEST THERE OF, IN DYING THOU SHALT DIE." Gen 2:16-17. We have distorted the TRUTH when we make this to be a LAW in the legal sense. If this was meant to be a LAW in the legal sense, I believe God would have said, "If you eat of that tree of the knowledge of good and evil, I WILL PUNISH YOU WITH DEATH."
In no way can you read into scripture such a threat. God was telling Adam of an established ORDER governing the thing we call L-I-F-E. What exactly do we know about that order of life? Adam needed to know that HE COULD LOOSE the life he had, simply by embracing the knowledge system know as GOOD and EVIL. It may shock you to know that this Divine ORDER concerning LIFE has never been rescinded and is just as valid today.
Paul tells us that there are CELESTIAL bodies and there are TERRESTRIAL bodies functioning on different levels of LIFE. 1 Cor. 5:40. Paul continues, "The first Man (Adam) is of the EARTH, EARTHY, but the second man (Jesus Christ) is the LORD FROM HEAVEN. Adam was a living SOUL while Jesus Christ is a L-I-F-E, GIVING SPIRIT.
Adam was told that the LIFE he received from God would be lost to him, and replaced by an inferior "Life" called "Death" if he ate from the wrong tree. Why was that so? Because the knowledge of Good and Evil does not, and cannot function within the consciousness of eternal life, but can operate only on the lower lever of MORTAL LIFE. These two "levels" of LIFE are mutually exclusive, without any possibility of one encroaching on the other.
On the scale of LIFE, we can only move downward. According to God's order, ascending to a higher level demands that someone from that higher order reach down and LIFTS US UP. Thus the plant reaches down into the inorganic mineral world and absorbs the mineral into itself, where that higher order within the plant, transforms it into living tissues. Christ likewise reached down into humanity tasting death for every man, raising us up IN HIMSELF into eternal life.
Our mortality locks us up to the LAW of SIN and DEATH under which order we are cut off from the reality of GOD. Man, being by creation a spiritual creature, therefore finds it necessary to create an IMAGINARY GOD responsible for GOOD, and an opposing "God" called the DEVIL, who is responsible for EVIL. This "fruit" of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, has now dragged man down to the point where his "LIFE" is VANITY. The high and holy calling of God invested in man has been obscured by a knowledge system that has erased the very purpose of his creation, thus affecting all other life in this universe that was made subject to him.

DEATH WAS IN THE FRUIT
I trust we have gone beyond the kindergarten concepts taught by religion suggesting Adam simply ate an APPLE. Nature becomes the allegory that explains Spiritual truth. The divine ORDER in the beginning was that the SEED of the tree would be IN THE FRUIT. The Garden of Eden was a representation of the heart of MAN and still is to this very day. Every man is today walking in his "garden" with access to these same two trees. The divine order set by God in the beginning is still valid. THE SEED that contains the LIFE of every TREE is in itself!
So there is something here far more than Adam satisfying his natural hunger, in the eating of that fruit. In doing so he was PLANTING WITHIN HIMSELF an alien consciousness, as the SEED released its " LIFE" in Adam. Adam had access to all the trees of the garden, including the TREE OF LIFE that was the Divine source of all LIFE. However MAN chose to find his LIFE in a knowledge system depicted as a tree, whose life is not generated in God, but like a parasite, feeds from the natural or Carnal mind of man, producing a pseudo "Life" which God called DEATH. This is despite Adam knowing that God is the fountain of all wisdom and knowledge. Thus the TRUE understanding of God was lost being replaced by a duality of authority involving GOOD and EVIL.
This KNOWLEDGE of Good and Evil was generated within the MIND of MAN, so that the "LIFE" it produced was INFERIOR to the LIFE of GOD because of its source. This lower level of LIFE, made Adam a Mortal HUMAN BEING, replacing the Spiritual LIFE that Man was given by Jehovah in the beginning. So that day, Adam died to his GOD CONSCIOUSNESS, where GOD is in everything, as represented in creation.
Now a new consciousness called GOOD and EVIL, became established in man, the source of which was in his MIND and not in God. His first thought in this "new" arrangement was, that he was NAKED, for he was no longer conscious of the mantle of divinity that covered man in creation. The exposure of his nakedness highlighted the difference he perceived between himself and God that caused him to be ashamed to stand in his presence. What a change for MAN who was created in the Likeness and Image of God, to now be ashamed to stand before God and declaring he was NAKED.
Beloved, as you read these words I want you to see how closely your life is represented in this man ADAM. Do not the same feelings of guilt and shame overcome you, as you sense the presence of the Lord? Paul says, in this body we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our Spiritually body, which is from heaven, so that we will not be found naked, and that our mortality might be swallowed up of LIFE.
Be assured beloved, that the "GOD LIFE" Adam had in the beginning, could only be affected by the MIND of MAN, No devil or demon external to man had the power to bring him into death. The potential to rob man of that Life was resident within his MIND when the Soul or Female became separated from the influence of God.
Do not speak of some devil out there that can rob man of his inheritance, for it does not exist. It is the CARNAL MIND that Paul says IS DEATH, and sees God as its enemy. Solomon said, "The power of LIFE and DEATH is in THE TONGUE", and not in the devil. It is the HEART or MIND that believes, but it is the TONGUE that makes the confession bringing it into manifestation.
God gave to man spiritual and mental capacities far beyond any other living creature that he had made. It had to be so because man was made in the likeness and image of God, and not as some human robot manipulated by remote control. A free man, controlled by no other force than L-O-V-E, is the only one that could only fulfill the will and purpose of the creator. Therefore the possibility that man would use his great mind to search for a "life giving knowledge" outside of God was a definite possibility.
How many of God's people today have embraced the fruit of the tree of the "knowledge" of good and evil, honestly believing that God intended we should live by this knowledge. Like Adam, Man has come to believe that God has the ultimate ability to discern between GOOD and EVIL, and so we believe that the more we are sensitive to these things, the closer we must be getting to living as GOD! Man has reduced GODLINESS to an ability to choose the GOOD and shun the EVIL, which in religious terms simply means that I "love" God and "hate" the devil. Such is the foolishness of the human heart.
The power of the human MIND is patterned on the GOD MIND, and is greater than we could ever imagine, having the ability to CREATE OUR OWN WORLD. For those who reject the tree of knowledge and eat of the tree of LIFE, their world is expressed as a garden filled with peace and joy. But for those who choose the tree of knowledge, it is a wilderness, with devils opposing them on every side, making their life a misery.
The Truth for those with EARS to hear what the Spirit is saying to his people, is that "To KNOW THEE (In Reality) the only true God and Jesus Christ who you have sent," IS ETERNAL LIFE, and that is the only Life of God. However DEATH for Adam, involved being lowered from a dimension of ETERNAL L-I-F-E lived in communion with God, into a lower level of living complete with a consciousness of sin and separation from God. For Adam and for all mankind that "level" of LIFE is called in the Bible, D-E-A-T-H. This "life" cannot embrace the glories of the heavenlies, nor can it know God or fellowship with him. A tree has no capacity to fellowship with an animal, and neither can an animal commune with a MAN, because we are speaking about LIFE on different levels, although each possesses what we call LIFE.
Adam reasoned in his mind that he could raise himself to a higher level of life, by embracing a knowledge that was outside of GOD and all that he had created. After creation was complete, God pronounced that everything was VERY GOOD. With this in mind, we realize that GOOD and EVIL, which is a comparison system, had no place whatsoever in all of creation, for EVERYTHING WAS VERY GOOD, and evil was unknown.
Thus was birthed in the CARNAL MIND of man, an imaginary world of angels with wings like a bird, devils, demons, and evil spirits, which have joined the ranks of "reality" even for those who claim to know God. To believe such things, we must call God a liar, because he told us everything he created was VERY GOOD, when in fact much of creation must have been EVIL. Conversely, to BELIEVE what GOD said, causes us to abandon anything to do with the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and know that God spoke the truth.
Why is the LIE so easy to believe? Because man’s knowledge is limited to the physical material world of appearance, in which good and evil function and this is all he knows. Paul says everything in that world of visibility is passing away, but the eternal realities only exist in the UNSEEN WORLD OF SPIRIT. In that Spiritual world there is NO GOOD AND EVIL for GOD IS ALL AND IN ALL! Adam died to that spiritual world by eating of the fruit of the tree of knowledge.
Thus Paul says, "DEATH was passed upon all men, " because no one could stop it or escape its power. Why was that? Here is where nature teaches us concerning the divine ORDER. A TREE has LIFE, and functions according to the ORDER established in the "beginning". However a TREE knows nothing about the glory of our God and has no power to fellowship with him, and yet IT IS ALIVE. There is NO TREE in the universe that has or ever will be able to fellowship with God, because its L-I-F-E is of a lower order that renders it incapable of Spiritual participation. But this is only true in this physical world, for we are called "Trees of Righteousness" growing in the spiritual world. We can say the same for the animals and for the birds and the fish all of which have LIFE.
MAN born of a woman, with all his powers of comprehension and knowledge, has no ability to commune with God on the level of LIFE with which he was born of a woman. Why is that? Because mortal LIFE has no capacity to access the SPIRITUAL REALM in which God dwells, any more than a tree can understand electronics. Each level of life has only a limited range of association that is necessary for it to function. To speak of man having the ability to do something that will enable him to possess eternal life, is as foolish as a tree thinking it could somehow become part of humanity.
For this reason Salvation is BY GRACE, THROUGH FAITH and that NOT OF YOURSELVES, IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD. God's order does not allow anything to rise up to the next highest order of LIFE without being LIFTED up by something or someone in that higher order.

THE SEEN and THE UNSEEN.
The writer to the Hebrews tells us that, "Through faith we understand that the worlds (eons) were farmed by the WORD OF GOD so that THINGS WHICH ARE SEEN, WERE NOT MADE OF THINGS WHICH DO APPEAR." Heb 11:3. This is a most important statement and one we should ponder. GOD IS SPIRIT so it is logical to assume that creation must have been spiritual in the first instance. Then out of that spiritual creation Jehovah brings forth a manifestation into the visible world where it has become Man’s reality.
Scripture declares concerning creation, it was the WORD or LOGOS that MADE ALL THINGS, and without him was not anything made that was made. Jn 1:3. Many theologians have taught that God created the heavens and the earth OUT OF NOTHING. But this is nonsense, and contrary to the Truth. Scripture says that THINGS were not created out that which we can see, but OUT OF THE UNSEEN or SPIRITUAL REALM. To put it clearly, ALL of creation came OUT OF GOD that is SPIRIT. Paul states this in Romans 11:36.
"For from HIM and to HIM are ALL THINGS, for all things originate with him and come from him. All things live through him, and all things centre in and tend to consummate, and to end IN HIM." (Amp.)
The ATOMS are the building blocks of the universe and their form could hardly be called MATERIAL. They consist of PROTONS and NEUTRONS functioning as a miniature universe with its own "gravity" and power. On this basis matter does not appear to be as solid as we might think, but may be considered more Spiritual than physical. In this regard Heb 1:3 tells us that Christ UPHOLDS or HOLDS TOGETHER ALL THINGS by the Word of his power. Having spoken all things into existence, they will remain that way by the power of HIS WORD. However this entire material world, which includes our bodies could be dismantled in a moment of time, if God withdraws his Word.
When we look at a magnificent building or piece of architecture, tell me where did it have its beginning, in the visible or physical realm? The answer is it began in the invisible world as a thought in the mind of some engineer or architect. Before one brick had been laid upon another, someone had an IDEA seeing it in his or her mind as the finished product. But it was only a thought or an idea at that point in time, for there was no representation of that idea visible in the physical world.
The next step was for that man to draw the design on paper with all the relevant details making it possible for someone to actually bring it into visibility in the material world. Only then can anyone actually SEE a representation of that idea. It began in the "spiritual" unseen realm but now appears as a representation of the spiritual in the visible world.
Now we can look at creation from the point of view of TRUTH. Elohim being SPIRIT purposed in himself that he would have a creation in which he would invest himself. Thus WISDOM expressed itself through creation, but at that point there was no visible representation of any of those ideas. The manifestation of those ideas was yet to come, as the WORD or CHRIST gave form to them. Jn 1:3.
Here we see the DIVINE ORDER set in motion and continues to function as one of the LAWS OF GOD. It is God (Elohim) that creates (the idea which is unseen) but it is MAN the only begotten SON that brings forth the manifestation (the visible) of that which is created. Hence Jesus Christ makes it very clear that, "I AND MY FATHER ARE ONE." Jn 10:30. The father and Son act in concert, doing exactly what he sees the Father do, for whatsoever he doeth, these also doeth the SON likewise."
This is the divine ORDER (law) laid down in creation, that the Father CREATES and the SON brings the mind and will of God into manifestation. This same order applies today to the true SONS of God just as it did in the beginning. Therefore the whole purpose of the SONS of God today, involves bringing into visibility that expression of God that he spoke into existence in the beginning.
It is true that creation was finished on the sixth day, and then God rested, but we must understand that creation at that time had no yet found expression in the visible world, for it was SPIRIT. Because of this we need to clearly understand what God created when he said, "Let us make man in our image and after our likeness." Gen 1:26.
In the very next verse the Bible says, "So God created MAN in his image, in the IMAGE OF GOD created he HIM, MALE AND FEMALE CREATED HE THEM."
First of all take note of the fact that this MAN was in the IMAGE AND LIKENESS of GOD. Do you believe God had a BODY of flesh and blood? If so, then we can assume rightly that the MAN would be created with the same body. B-U-T….
GOD IS SPIRIT.
Why then we should we believe that the likeness and image of God expressed in creation, is a flesh and blood body!! Secondly we are told that this MAN is both MALE and FEMALE, which is a problem for many to grasp, because of our BODY ORIENTATION in a physical world. No beloved, that CREATED MAN was SPIRIT just as was the rest of creation.
If this is not true we must believe that John had it all wrong, when he said, "In the beginning was the WORD and the WORD was with God and the WORD was God. The same was in the beginning with God. ALL THINGS WERE M-A-D-E BY HIM (THE WORD) AND WITHOUT HIM WAS NOT ANYTHING MADE THAT WAS MADE" John 1:1-2. The word "MADE" is the Greek word "GINOMA" meaning TO CAUSE TO BE OR BECOME. Contrary to many commentators’ views, the WORD did not CREATE all things, BUT he MADE them. (verse 3.)
Because creation was initially spiritual, belonging to the UNSEEN WORLD, there was not in the first instance anything VISIBLE!! Hebrews tells us that things, which appear, were not made of things that are visible. Everything came out of the invisible world. Thus the scripture makes it clear for us as we read on in Genesis 2.
V3 And God blesssed the seventh day, and sanctified it, for in it He hath ceased from all His work which God had prepared for making.V4 These are births of the heavens and of the earth in their being prepared, in the day of Jehovah God's making earth and heavens; V5. And no shrub of the field is yet in the earth, and no herb of the field yet sprouted, for Jehovah God hath not raineth upon the earth, and a man there is not serve the ground, V6. And a mist goes up from the earth, and hath watered the whole face of the ground. (Youngs Translation)
It becomes evident that Creation was a Spiritual existence with God (Elohim) speaking everything into existence in the Spirit world, preparing them for manifestation in the visible world. According to John it is the WORD that brought everything into manifestation, or made them visible. We notice as we read the account in Genesis 2:1-3, it speaks about GOD or ELOHIM. However in verse 4 we notice another who is called the Lord God. This is literally JEHOVAH ELOHIM and this is the one that MADE (not created) THE EARTH AND THE HEAVENS, bringing them into visibility.
I believe it is important that we identity this one, who MADE all things and without it him was not anything MADE that was made. John tells us he was FACE TO FACE WITH GOD (Elohim) in the beginning. The only one we are told who was there with God was MAN created in his image and likeness.
This is the JEHOVAH of the Old Testament, whose name was so holy that Israel would not pronounce it. Whenever that name occurred in their Scripture, they always pronounced it 'Adonai. The equivalent word in the Greek is Kurios, meaning a supreme master. Jehovah has been rendered in the English Bible as LORD, printed in small capitals. This is the proper name of the God of the Hebrews. Heb. ' adon, means one possessed or absolute control. The old plural form of this Hebrew word is 'Adonai.
As we stated before, the only SON created by God was the WORDS or LOGOS and this M-A-N is pure SPIRIT with no mention of any physical body. This is the MESSIAH and JEHOVAH of the Old Testament and the I AM THAT I AM, who spoke to Moses. This one brought creation into manifestation in the visible world. In Genesis 2:7 we see this Jehovah or Spirit MAN bringing forth a manifestation of HIMSELF, using the dust of the earth. Having FORMED the MAN he then proceeded to breathe into his nostrils the BREATH OF LIVES, and MAN BECAME A LIVING SOUL.

ETERNAL LIFE
The creation of man was quite unique and different from everything else. For instance all plant life came forth FROM THE EARTH, (Gen 1:11) as did the animals or souls. Gen 1:24. However, God SPOKE man into existence in creation by a WORD. Gen 1:26. This "WORD" was the total expression of the heart of God. Therefore he came forth in the very likeness and image of God as the finished product, without any progressive perfecting. I believe this to be quite distinct from the rest of creation, and makes MAN unique.
Part of that distinction lies in the fact he is called JEHOVAH which means, "The existing One." Thus his life has no limit declaring himself to be the ALPHA and the OMEGA, the beginning and the end. Thus he was endowed with the LIFE OF GOD, which is referred to as ETERNAL LIFE.
However it must be remembered that JEHOVAH of the Old Testament, the MESSIAH, had no true representation in the material world. Adam in the Garden was but a FIGURE of the one who was finally to be revealed in Jesus Christ. Therefore the knowledge of God in the Old Testament was very limited. Moses and Abraham were allowed to speak to God in a far more intimate way than anyone else.
For the rest of the people, they were dependent upon the prophets, many of whom spoke a word partly from God but mixed with the thoughts of man. During this time Israel developed there own theology and a complete religious system, which stood in stark contrast to, the revelation of God manifest in Christ Jesus. Part of the reason for the false concepts they developed was the fact that MAN saw himself as a separate entity from God, having come from the DUST.
Man was limited to what he could SEE touch feel etc. So the DUST became the MAN, instead of understanding that his L-I-F-E had nothing to do with the earth for IT IS SPIRIT and its origin is GOD. The mind of man now had no ability to embrace the things that are of God, because it was carnal. All of the REALITIES in man's life were visible and touchable.
The tabernacle and Temple were expression of their inability to KNOW GOD. The MOST HOLY PLACE was sealed off to MANKIND leaving God as a mystical figure outside of man's knowledge. Thus in Israel's history he was only revealed in the cloud, pillar of fire, the burning mountain, and as a mystical figure represented in various object and places.
Even MOSES who spoke with God face to face had to ask God to reveal himself to him. EX 33:18-20. This request was only partially granted, as he was not allowed to see the FACE OF GOD. Therefore the LAW was necessary to bring a semblance of ORDER and preserve the life of man. It declared as much of God as man could understand because of the blindness of his heart, in words that the carnal mind could grasp. The LAW relied upon its negative effect to cause man to understand that he was not submitted to God neither indeed could he be, as he was unable to keep God's requirements.
Although some of their prophets declared much Truth it could only be understood in part because of the darkness of their hearts. But the chief word for them was that JEHOVAH their MESSIAH, would one day be born of a virgin, and this would be IMMANUEL, GOD WITH US.
However even this knowledge was distorted in their minds to the point, that when he came unto his own people, they would not receive him. According to their mind he would come as a mighty King manifesting great power in destroying their human enemies, and leading the nation of Israel to victory. It was their prophet Isaiah who declared, "He shall grow up before him as a tender plant and as a root out of a dry ground, having no form or comliness, that when we shall see him there is no beauty that we should desire him.
The hope of mankind is in the fact that, "To as many as received him, (as the true revelation of MAN in the likeness and image of GOD, and therefore of GOD HIMSELF) to these he gives the authority to become the Sons of God, even to then that believe in his NAME (his nature). John 1:12-13.
This LIFE manifested in Christ Jesus is the first time ETERNAL LIFE had ever been seen on the earth. To him, the LAW was not something imposed upon him limiting his activities or the development of a holiness to prove his identity, but the fulfilment of all RIGHTEUOUSNESS, which is an aspect of Eternal Life.
Adam squandered his life in hi quest for knowledge, which was outside of all that is God. John tells us that eternal life is identified with the KNOWLEDGE OF GOD. Therefore without that knowledge of GOD there can be no such LIFE. This helps us to understand that "Eternal Life" involves far more than simply longevity. After all Methuselah lived for 969 years, which is almost beyond our imagination, but no one could say his life was ETERNAL. If we could live on this earth for 5000 years and then died, neither could we lay claim to eternal life.
This one thing is certain, that the conditions necessary for eternal life DO NOT EXIST ON THIS EARTH, they exist only in the spiritual realm.
Man is totally unique in all of creation because of the high degree of consciousness God gave him, which allows him the ability to relate to everything that has life. However Eternal Life remains out of his reach because he has lost the ability to relate God who is the very source of LIFE>
Man has the ability to fellowship with MAN, because he knows and understands mankind. Paul says, "For what man knoweth the things of man, save the spirit of man which is in him." 1 Cor 2:11. But such ability does nothing to extend his life, because he already knows what man is.
However John tells us that element that eternal life involves the KNOWLEDGE OF GOD, and Jesus Christ who was sent into the world. Jn 17:3. This is not a natural knowledge for man, because it is unknowable through the natural faculty of man's MIND and consciousness. Scripture says that eyes have not seen it, and ears have not heard it, and man's mind has not even considered such knowledge. 1 Cor 2:7-10.
Paul declares that by revelation he was able to declare the WISDOM OF GOD which is a mystery hidden from the ancient men of this age. However God ordained before this aged began, that man should have access to this wisdom, and that it would add another dimension to the glory of man.
Eternal LIFE is therefore a QUALITY of life that links MAN with GOD. To speak of life eternal as SOME THING, which we can get, is proof of man's ignorance of spiritual things. Christendom has presented this life as a kind of reward given by God to those who "ask Christ into their heart," and repent of their sins. Thus it is considered to be, that which gives us access to a place called heaven after we die.
The "Gospel" that has become so popular today presents eternal life as the "dream life" Christian will live in some ethereal heaven walking on streets of gold. It has become one of the great incentives offered to mankind to induce him to come to Christ. The other enticement is to escape a burning hell forever. But to conceive such to be the mind and purpose of God as the ultimate intention for mankind created in his likeness and image, surely indicate how far we have come from the TRUTH.
No wonder Paul tells us to present our bodies as a LIVING sacrifice, and BE TRANSFORMED by the RENEWING OF YOUR MIND. Rom 12:1-2. Our LIFE is not centered in, or dependent upon our Body, because it is hid with Christ in God. Paul continues, "SO WE being many (people) ARE ACTUALLY INCORPORATED IN ONE BODY IN CHRIST, AND EVERYONE ARE MEMBERS ONE OF ANOTHER."
Beloved I want you to grasp the truth the Spirit is revealing to us here. In the beginning God created ONE SON the I AM THAT I AM, the self-existing one and the CHRIST. This one came out of God created in his likeness and image. Now Paul reveals to us that we, that is you and I were CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS. Eph 2:10. So this is OUR BEGINNING also, with GOD as our origin. Paul also tells us that we were chosen in HIM before the disruption of the world, or before Adam brought sin and death upon mankind. Can you grasp these things?
Christ is the IMAGE OF THE INVISIBLE GOD AND THE FIRSTBORN OF EVERY CREATURE. He is the HEAD OF THE BODY (of Christ) WHO IS THE BEGINNING, THE FIRSTBORN FROM THE DEAD. Col 1:!5-18.
So now we have established our origin or where we came from, in the beginning. According to Romans 11:36 all of creation came OUT OF GOD and exists as a part of GOD and finally must return in completeness into GOD. Here we begin to see what ETERNAL LIFE really represents. This LIFE ETERNAL cannot exist APART FROM GOD for IT IS GOD who is the LIFE PRINCIPLE contained in all of creation. Creation does not exist apart from God, and the TRUTH is neither does MAN. But in eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, man saw himself separate from God and believe God was his enemy.
However the Spirit is now revealing CHRIST not as some figure head up in the sky, which we must expect to return some time in the future, BUT LIVING IN MAN NOW as our LIFE. This one resident within us is the IMAGE OF GOD and the righteousness of God, and declares I AND MY FATHER ARE ONE, which makes US, ONE WITH GOD. AS we enter into this consciousness we are not waiting to go to heaven, for we have arrived. This beloved IS ETERNAL LIFE.
The really is just as Jesus declared, "AT THAT DAY YOU WILL KNOW THAT, "I AM IN MY FATHER, AND YOU ARE IN ME AND I AM IN YOU." Jn 14:20
THIS BELOVED IS LIFE ETERNAL. Anything less than this is not eternal life as revealed in Jesus Christ. The religious focus many Christians have of eternal life, is having our sins forgiven and going to heaven when they die. But this has very little relevance to the TRUTH.
Here is the TRUTH. If you have a God who is up in the sky, or in some ethereal heaven, you have never experienced eternal LIFE. If you cannot believe you were created in Christ Jesus and that you LIVE IN HIM, making you ONE WITH GOD, then you do not have eternal life.
When man became separate from God in his mind, there was nothing that could sustain that Life of God and so man died. God has never been separated from his creation except in the mind of man. Here is how the prophet Jeremiah considered Israel. They have forsaken the fountain of LIVING WATERS, and hewed them out cistern, BROKEN CISTERNS, that can HOLD NO WATER. Jer 2:13.
Many have been deceived into believing they have ETERNAL LIFE, even though they have no enlarge consciousness, nor any greater dimension to the life they live, and are just as susceptible to the power of death. This would be the same as Adam saying nothing had changed after eating of the tree of knowledge. Be assured, beloved, Eternal Life for us today is an equally of life which creates its own heaven, and lifts us into the Kingdom of God.
Eternal life is not a T-H-I-N-G we can get FROM God under any conditions. It is not in doctrines, or religious observances, or law keeping, regardless of what they may be, but can only be experienced IN UNION WITH GOD.
This is LIFE ETERNAL, to know THEE
The only TRUE GOD and Jesus Christ
Whom thou hast sent. Jn 17:3

Beloved, there is no eternal life outside of GOD, for there is nothing out there that can support such a LIFE. Therefore it is not until we enter into union with God that we will ever experience that life which exists only in him.
To this end did Jesus pray, "that they all may be ONE, as thou Father art IN ME and I IN THEE, that they also may be ONE IN US, that the world may believe that thou hast sent me?
And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them, that they may be ONE even as WE ARE ONE." John 17:21-24.
This is the consummation of God's purpose for man, and which has always been the divine intention. To KNOW GOD is to enter into union with him, and share that Eternal Life which was manifested in Christ. This is the same life that was given to you, when you were created in Christ Jesus. It is the darkness of our hearts that has hidden the TRUTH from us, until we believed mortality, or the dying process was the heritage of man. But Christ has now come that we might have LIFE and have it more abundantly.
May the Lord give you understanding of these precious truths.