Man-Child — Tracing God’s Progressive Purpose from Law to Grace to Fullness Until Creation Is Delivered into the Liberty of the Sons of God
BY
Carl Timothy Wray
AUTHOR
Carl Timothy Wray is the founder of The Finished Work of Christ ministry and Zion University. For more than forty years, he has devoted himself to the study of Scripture, tracing God’s eternal purpose from Genesis to Revelation. His writings focus on the Finished Work of Christ, the Plan of the Ages, the Throne of God, the Revelation of Jesus Christ, and the progressive manifestation of God’s Kingdom until all things are gathered together in Christ. Through hundreds of freely distributed books and teachings, Carl seeks to help believers discern what God has done, what God is doing, and what God shall yet do according to His eternal purpose in Christ Jesus.
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Man-Child: INTRODUCTION
One of the greatest problems facing the Church today is not a lack of Scripture. It is a lack of distinction.
Many believers read the Bible faithfully, yet struggle to discern the difference between Law and Grace, between Grace and Fullness, between preparation and manifestation, between promise and fulfillment, and between what God has done, what God is doing, and what God shall yet do.
As a result, truths that belong to different administrations, different ages, different priesthoods, and different levels of maturity are often mixed together. When distinctions disappear, confusion follows.
This confusion has caused many believers to stop their journey before reaching the destination God intended. Some stop at the Law. Others stop at Pentecost. Others stop at ministry. Still others stop at gifts, experiences, or impartations. Yet the Scriptures continually point beyond every administration toward a greater unveiling of Christ.
The purpose of this book is not to diminish what God has done in previous ages. The Law had a purpose. The Levitical priesthood had a purpose. The Church Age has a purpose. The Fivefold Ministry has a purpose. Every administration was ordained by God and given a divine assignment.
The question is not whether these administrations were necessary.
The question is whether they were the final destination.
Romans chapter eight reveals a creation that is still groaning.
Creation is waiting.
Creation is expecting.
Creation is travailing.
The Apostle Paul tells us exactly what creation is waiting for:
“The earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.”
This book examines why creation is still groaning, why the Scriptures continually point toward a greater fullness, and why the revelation of the Man-Child stands as one of the most important themes in understanding the consummation of this present evil age.
Our goal is simple.
To establish clear distinctions.
To trace God’s progressive purpose.
To understand the administrations of the ages.
To discern the priesthoods, ministries, mandates, and manifestations revealed throughout Scripture.
And ultimately, to see how all things are moving toward the fullness of Christ until creation itself is delivered into the glorious liberty of the sons of God.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
The Necessity of Distinctions
PART ONE
THE ETERNAL PURPOSE
Chapter 1
The God of Purpose Before the Foundation of the World
Chapter 2
The Three Great Ages of God’s Purpose
PART TWO
THE AGE OF LAW
Chapter 3
Aaron and the Age of Law
Chapter 4
The Mandate of Shadow and Type
Chapter 5
Why the Law Could Not Bring Fullness
PART THREE
THE CHURCH AGE
Chapter 6
The Birth of the Church Age
Chapter 7
The Royal Priesthood
Chapter 8
The Fivefold Ministry and Its Divine Assignment
Chapter 9
The Purpose and Limitations of Pentecost
PART FOUR
THE GROANING OF CREATION
Chapter 10
Why Creation Is Still Groaning
Chapter 11
The Distinction Between Spirit, Soul, and Body
Chapter 12
From Thirtyfold to Sixtyfold to Hundredfold
Chapter 13
The Mark of the Prize
PART FIVE
THE KINGDOM AGE
Chapter 14
The Appearing of the Melchizedek Administration
Chapter 15
The Birth of the Man-Child
Chapter 16
Caught Up Unto God and His Throne
Chapter 17
The Kingdom Age Begins
PART SIX
THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST
Chapter 18
The Throne Governing Through Sons
Chapter 19
The Liberty of the Sons of God
Chapter 20
God All in All
Conclusion
The Consummation of This Present Evil Age and the Gathering Together of All Things in Christ
CHAPTER 1
THE GOD OF PURPOSE BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD
One of the greatest mistakes believers make when studying Scripture is beginning in Genesis 1:1.
While Genesis reveals the beginning of creation, it does not reveal the beginning of God’s purpose.
God’s purpose did not begin in Genesis.
God’s purpose did not begin with Adam.
God’s purpose did not begin with Israel.
God’s purpose did not begin with the Church.
God’s purpose existed before the foundation of the world.
If we fail to begin where God begins, we will misunderstand where God is taking creation.
To understand the Man-Child, the Kingdom Age, the manifestation of the sons of God, and the consummation of this present evil age, we must first establish the eternal purpose of God that existed before creation itself.
CHOSEN BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD
Ephesians 1:4
“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.”
Notice carefully what Paul says.
He does not say God chose us after the fall.
He does not say God chose us after Adam.
He does not say God chose us after Israel.
He says God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world.
Before there was a creation, there was a purpose.
Before there was a problem, there was a plan.
Before there was a fall, there was a redemption.
Before there was time, there was Christ.
The purpose existed before the process.
The end existed before the beginning.
God never reacts.
God reveals.
God unfolds.
God manifests what He purposed from the beginning.
GRACE GIVEN BEFORE THE WORLD BEGAN
2 Timothy 1:9
“Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.”
Paul again directs our attention beyond creation.
He takes us beyond Adam.
Beyond Moses.
Beyond Israel.
Beyond the Church.
Beyond history itself.
He reveals a grace that existed before the world began.
This means God’s purpose was not created by man’s failure.
God’s purpose was established before man’s existence.
The ages are not God attempting to repair a mistake.
The ages are God progressively unfolding what He purposed in Christ before the world began.
THE PROMISE BEFORE THE AGES
Titus 1:2
“In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began.”
Again we see the same pattern.
The promise comes before the ages.
The purpose comes before the ages.
The life comes before the ages.
Everything begins in God.
Everything proceeds through God.
Everything ultimately returns unto God.
The Scriptures continually direct our attention beyond the visible realm and into the eternal purpose that existed before creation.
THE GLORY BEFORE THE WORLD WAS
John 17:5
“And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.”
Jesus lifts His eyes toward heaven and speaks of a glory that existed before the world.
This is one of the most profound statements in all of Scripture.
Before there was a cross, there was glory.
Before there was a curse, there was glory.
Before there was death, there was glory.
Before there was time, there was glory.
Jesus reveals that God’s purpose begins in eternal glory and ultimately returns creation to that glory.
The story of Scripture is not merely the story of sin.
It is the story of God’s eternal purpose unfolding through the ages until all things are gathered together in Christ.
THE END DECLARED FROM THE BEGINNING
Isaiah 46:9-10
“I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,
Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done.”
God does not discover the future.
God declares it.
God does not react to history.
God governs history.
The end was established before the beginning.
The destination was established before the journey.
The purpose was established before the process.
This is why the believer must learn to view Scripture through the lens of God’s eternal purpose.
The Bible is not a collection of unrelated events.
It is the progressive unveiling of one purpose.
THE PLAN OF THE AGES
Ephesians 1:10
“That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ.”
Here we discover the destination.
God is gathering all things into Christ.
The Law serves this purpose.
Israel serves this purpose.
The Church serves this purpose.
The Fivefold Ministry serves this purpose.
The manifestation of the sons of God serves this purpose.
The Kingdom serves this purpose.
Every administration serves the same eternal purpose.
Every age serves the same eternal purpose.
Every ministry serves the same eternal purpose.
Everything is moving toward the gathering together of all things in Christ.
WHY THIS FOUNDATION MATTERS
If we begin with Adam, we will misunderstand God’s purpose.
If we begin with sin, we will misunderstand God’s purpose.
If we begin with the curse, we will misunderstand God’s purpose.
We must begin where God begins.
Before the foundation of the world.
Before the ages.
Before creation.
Before time.
Before Adam.
Before Moses.
Before Israel.
Before the Church.
Before all things stood the eternal purpose of God in Christ.
This is the foundation upon which every other chapter in this book will rest.
Until a believer understands God’s purpose before the foundation of the world, he cannot properly discern the purpose of the Law, the purpose of Grace, the purpose of the Church Age, the purpose of the Man-Child, or the purpose of the Kingdom Age.
The end was declared before the beginning.
The purpose existed before the process.
The destination existed before the journey.
And God’s eternal purpose remains unchanged as He progressively unfolds His plan through the ages until all things are gathered together in Christ.
CHAPTER 2
THE THREE GREAT AGES OF GOD’S PURPOSE
Having established God’s eternal purpose before the foundation of the world, we must now understand how that purpose unfolds through time.
God is a God of order.
God is a God of administration.
God is a God of purpose.
The Lord does not reveal everything at once. He reveals His purpose progressively, unfolding His plan through successive ages, administrations, priesthoods, ministries, and manifestations.
Many of the confusions that exist in Christianity today exist because believers fail to discern the distinctions between the ages.
Truths that belong to one age are often mixed with truths that belong to another age.
Promises belonging to one administration are often confused with the fulfillment belonging to another administration.
As a result, many believers know individual Scriptures but do not understand where those Scriptures belong within God’s progressive purpose.
To properly understand the Man-Child, we must first understand the ages.
GOD WORKS THROUGH AGES
Ephesians 1:10
“That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ.”
Notice the phrase:
“The dispensation of the fulness of times.”
God administers His purpose through times, seasons, and ages.
The purpose never changes.
The administration changes.
The destination never changes.
The process changes.
The Christ never changes.
The manifestation increases.
Every age reveals another measure of God’s eternal purpose.
THE AGE OF LAW
The first great administration revealed in Scripture is the Age of Law.
This administration was given through Moses.
Galatians 3:24
“Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ.”
The Law had a purpose.
The Law had a mandate.
The Law had a priesthood.
The Law had a ministry.
The Law had a measure of glory.
But the Law was never intended to be the final destination.
The Law revealed sin.
The Law revealed righteousness.
The Law revealed shadow and type.
The Law prepared the way.
The Law pointed beyond itself.
The Law served a greater purpose.
THE LEVITICAL PRIESTHOOD
Every age possesses a priesthood.
The priesthood of the Law Age was the Levitical Priesthood.
Aaron and his sons were given a divine assignment.
Exodus 28:1
“And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office.”
The priesthood was not the purpose.
The priesthood served the purpose.
The sacrifices were not the purpose.
The sacrifices served the purpose.
The temple was not the purpose.
The temple served the purpose.
Everything pointed toward Christ.
Everything pointed toward fulfillment.
Everything pointed toward something greater.
SHADOWS ARE NOT THE SUBSTANCE
Hebrews 10:1
“For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things…”
The Law was glorious.
The Law was holy.
The Law was ordained by God.
Yet the Law itself declared its own limitation.
It was a shadow.
A shadow reveals something.
A shadow points to something.
A shadow announces something.
But a shadow is not the substance itself.
The Law was designed to prepare creation for the coming of Christ.
THE TRANSITION TO A GREATER AGE
Galatians 4:4-5
“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son.”
Notice again the language of administration.
“The fulness of the time.”
God brought the Law to its appointed completion.
The Law fulfilled its assignment.
The Law completed its purpose.
The Law prepared the way.
Then God introduced a greater administration.
A greater covenant.
A greater priesthood.
A greater manifestation.
The birth of Jesus marked the beginning of a transition from shadow to reality.
THE CHURCH AGE
Acts 2 records one of the greatest transitions in Scripture.
The Holy Spirit was poured out.
The Church was born.
A new administration appeared.
A new priesthood appeared.
A new ministry appeared.
A new mandate appeared.
The Church Age was not given to reveal shadow.
The Church Age was given to reveal Christ.
Acts 2:17
“And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh.”
The Spirit was given.
Life was given.
Power was given.
Gifts were given.
Ministries were given.
Yet even this glorious administration pointed beyond itself.
THE ROYAL PRIESTHOOD
1 Peter 2:9
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood.”
Notice the distinction.
Aaron’s administration possessed a Levitical priesthood.
The Church Age possesses a Royal Priesthood.
The administration changed.
The priesthood changed.
The mandate changed.
The measure changed.
The purpose remained the same.
God was still moving creation toward fullness.
THE FIVEFOLD MINISTRY
Ephesians 4:11-12
“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
For the perfecting of the saints…”
The Fivefold Ministry possesses a divine mandate.
It equips.
It trains.
It matures.
It perfects.
It prepares.
The Fivefold Ministry is not failure.
The Fivefold Ministry is success.
It accomplishes exactly what God assigned it to accomplish.
But the Fivefold Ministry points beyond itself.
Its purpose is preparation.
Its purpose is maturity.
Its purpose is growth.
Its purpose is to bring believers toward a greater manifestation.
THE AGE TO COME
Romans 8:19
“For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.”
Here we discover something remarkable.
Creation is still waiting.
Creation is still groaning.
Creation is still expecting.
Why?
Because God’s purpose is still unfolding.
The Law was not the finish.
The Church Age was not the finish.
Preparation is not the finish.
Manifestation lies ahead.
The Scriptures continually point toward a greater unveiling.
THE KINGDOM AGE
The Kingdom Age represents the administration of fullness.
The Kingdom Age represents manifestation.
The Kingdom Age represents maturity.
The Kingdom Age represents the fulfillment of what previous ages prepared.
Daniel 7:18
“But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever.”
The Kingdom Age introduces another level of administration.
Another level of manifestation.
Another level of authority.
Another level of maturity.
Not a different purpose.
The same purpose brought to a greater measure of fulfillment.
ONE PURPOSE THROUGH ALL AGES
Many see separate stories.
God sees one story.
Many see separate covenants.
God sees one purpose.
Many see separate administrations.
God sees one unfolding plan.
The Age of Law served the purpose.
The Church Age serves the purpose.
The Kingdom Age serves the purpose.
Every priesthood serves the purpose.
Every ministry serves the purpose.
Every administration serves the purpose.
The purpose is unchanged.
The manifestation increases.
The glory increases.
The revelation increases.
The maturity increases.
God is progressively unfolding His eternal purpose through successive ages until all things are gathered together in Christ.
THE NECESSITY OF DISCERNMENT
If a believer cannot discern the ages, he cannot discern the Scriptures.
He will confuse shadow with substance.
Preparation with manifestation.
Promise with fulfillment.
Growth with maturity.
The purpose of distinction is not division.
The purpose of distinction is understanding.
The believer who understands the ages can properly discern what God has done, what God is doing, and what God shall yet do.
Only then can he cooperate with the present work of Christ and move forward into the fullness of God’s purpose.
CHAPTER 3
AARON AND THE AGE OF LAW
Having established God’s eternal purpose and the three great ages through which that purpose unfolds, we now turn our attention to the first great administration revealed in Scripture: the Age of Law.
Many believers misunderstand the Law because they fail to understand its purpose.
Some dismiss the Law altogether.
Others attempt to remain under the Law.
Both positions miss the point.
The Law was never intended to be the destination.
The Law was intended to prepare creation for a greater revelation.
The Law had a purpose.
The Law had a mandate.
The Law had a priesthood.
The Law had a ministry.
The Law had a glory.
But the Law also had limitations.
Until we understand both its purpose and its limitations, we cannot properly understand why God moved creation into a greater administration.
GOD CHOSE AARON
Exodus 28:1
“And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office.”
God did not leave Israel without administration.
God raised up a priesthood.
God chose Aaron.
God chose Aaron’s sons.
God established a ministry.
God established an order.
God established a government.
The priesthood was not man’s idea.
The priesthood was God’s idea.
Aaron did not appoint himself.
God appointed him.
Aaron’s priesthood was a divine administration established by God for a divine purpose.
THE LEVITICAL PRIESTHOOD
The priesthood of the Law Age was the Levitical Priesthood.
Every age possesses a priesthood.
Every priesthood possesses a mandate.
Every mandate possesses a purpose.
The purpose of the Levitical Priesthood was not to bring creation into fullness.
Its purpose was to preserve the testimony of God within Israel until the appointed time of fulfillment.
The priesthood taught.
The priesthood sacrificed.
The priesthood ministered.
The priesthood preserved.
The priesthood instructed.
The priesthood pointed forward.
Everything about the priesthood testified that something greater was coming.
THE LAW REVEALED SIN
Romans 3:20
“For by the law is the knowledge of sin.”
The Law revealed what sin was.
The Law exposed transgression.
The Law established righteousness.
The Law distinguished between clean and unclean.
The Law revealed God’s standard.
The Law was holy.
The Law was just.
The Law was good.
Yet the Law itself could not remove the problem it revealed.
The Law could expose darkness.
The Law could not produce life.
The Law could identify the disease.
The Law could not cure the disease.
THE LAW WAS A SCHOOLMASTER
Galatians 3:24
“Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ.”
Paul gives us one of the clearest descriptions of the Law’s purpose.
The Law was a schoolmaster.
The Law was a teacher.
The Law was a guide.
The Law was a preparation.
The Law was not Christ.
The Law led men toward Christ.
The Law pointed beyond itself.
Every sacrifice pointed toward Christ.
Every feast pointed toward Christ.
Every priest pointed toward Christ.
Every ordinance pointed toward Christ.
Everything was moving toward fulfillment.
SHADOW AND TYPE
Hebrews 10:1
“For the law having a shadow of good things to come.”
This may be one of the most important distinctions in the entire Bible.
A shadow is real.
A shadow is valuable.
A shadow communicates truth.
But a shadow is not the substance.
A shadow cannot replace the reality.
Aaron was a shadow.
The sacrifices were shadows.
The tabernacle was a shadow.
The priesthood was a shadow.
The feast days were shadows.
God gave them all.
God ordained them all.
God used them all.
Yet all of them testified that something greater was coming.
THE GLORY OF THE LAW
Many believers speak negatively about the Law.
The Scriptures do not.
The Law possessed glory.
2 Corinthians 3:7
“But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious…”
The Law possessed glory.
The priesthood possessed glory.
Moses possessed glory.
The tabernacle possessed glory.
The presence of God was revealed within that administration.
Yet the glory was not the fullness of glory.
The Law revealed a measure.
God intended a greater measure.
THE LIMITATION OF AARON’S MINISTRY
This is where many believers become confused.
The limitation of Aaron’s ministry was not failure.
The limitation of Aaron’s ministry was assignment.
Aaron could only accomplish what God assigned him to accomplish.
Aaron was not called to establish the New Covenant.
Aaron was not called to pour out the Holy Spirit.
Aaron was not called to produce manifested sonship.
Aaron was not called to redeem the whole man.
Aaron was called to preserve the testimony until the appointed time.
His assignment was glorious.
His assignment was necessary.
His assignment was limited.
EVERY ADMINISTRATION HAS A MEASURE
This is one of the great principles of God’s purpose.
God never gives an administration more authority than its assignment requires.
Aaron received the measure necessary for his mandate.
The Law received the measure necessary for its purpose.
The priesthood received the measure necessary for its assignment.
The measure reveals the mandate.
The mandate reveals the purpose.
The purpose reveals the administration.
Everything God gave Aaron was sufficient for what Aaron was called to do.
Nothing more.
Nothing less.
WHY CREATION WAS NOT WAITING FOR AARON
Romans 8:19
“For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.”
Creation was never waiting for Aaron.
Creation was never waiting for another sacrifice.
Creation was never waiting for another shadow.
Creation was never waiting for another type.
Creation was waiting for fulfillment.
Creation was waiting for manifestation.
Creation was waiting for reality.
The Law pointed toward the answer.
The Law was not the answer.
Aaron testified of the answer.
Aaron was not the answer.
Everything in the Law pointed toward Christ.
THE NECESSITY OF A GREATER PRIESTHOOD
The existence of Aaron’s priesthood proved that mankind needed mediation.
The existence of sacrifice proved mankind needed redemption.
The existence of the tabernacle proved mankind needed access.
The existence of shadows proved mankind needed reality.
Everything within the Law testified that a greater priesthood was coming.
A greater covenant was coming.
A greater ministry was coming.
A greater administration was coming.
The Law itself prophesied its own fulfillment.
THE TRANSITION TO A GREATER GLORY
Galatians 4:4
“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son.”
The Law completed its assignment.
Aaron completed his assignment.
The priesthood completed its assignment.
The shadow completed its assignment.
The schoolmaster completed its assignment.
The preparation completed its assignment.
And when the fullness of time arrived, God introduced a greater administration.
The Age of Law had served its purpose.
The next stage of God’s eternal purpose was ready to appear.
The transition from Aaron to Christ was not a rejection of the Law.
It was the fulfillment of the Law.
The transition was not failure.
The transition was maturity.
The transition was progression.
The transition was God moving creation from shadow toward substance, from preparation toward manifestation, and from one measure of glory toward another.
For the path of the just is as the shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
CHAPTER 4
THE MANDATE OF SHADOW AND TYPE
One of the greatest mistakes believers make when studying Scripture is expecting shadow to accomplish what only substance can accomplish.
God never intended shadow to be the destination.
God never intended type to be the destination.
God never intended preparation to be the destination.
Every shadow was given to reveal something greater.
Every type was given to point toward fulfillment.
Every symbol was given to announce a coming reality.
Until a believer understands the purpose of shadow and type, he cannot understand why God progressively moves creation from one administration to another, ultimately leading toward the manifestation revealed in the Man-Child.
GOD SPEAKS THROUGH PATTERNS
Hebrews 8:5
“Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things.”
God has always revealed heavenly realities through earthly patterns.
The tabernacle was a pattern.
The priesthood was a pattern.
The sacrifices were a pattern.
The feasts were a pattern.
Israel itself became a pattern.
The purpose of a pattern is not to replace reality.
The purpose of a pattern is to reveal reality.
The pattern prepares the mind.
The pattern prepares the understanding.
The pattern prepares the expectation.
Then, when fulfillment appears, the prepared heart recognizes what God has been saying all along.
THE TABERNACLE WAS A SHADOW
The tabernacle revealed Christ.
The altar revealed Christ.
The laver revealed Christ.
The candlestick revealed Christ.
The table of shewbread revealed Christ.
The holy of holies revealed Christ.
Every piece of furniture testified of Christ.
Yet none of the furniture was Christ.
The tabernacle pointed beyond itself.
The priesthood pointed beyond itself.
Everything pointed toward a greater unveiling.
The Man-Child cannot be understood apart from this principle because the Man-Child itself appears at the end of a long progression of revelation.
THE FEASTS WERE PROPHETIC
Colossians 2:16-17
“Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.”
Passover was a shadow.
Pentecost was a shadow.
Tabernacles was a shadow.
Each feast revealed a stage in God’s purpose.
Passover revealed deliverance.
Pentecost revealed empowerment.
Tabernacles pointed toward fullness.
The feasts were not random religious observances.
The feasts were prophetic announcements.
God was showing His people where He was taking creation.
Every feast pointed beyond itself.
Every feast carried a promise.
Every feast prepared for fulfillment.
AARON’S MANDATE
Aaron possessed a divine mandate.
His assignment was real.
His ministry was necessary.
His priesthood was ordained by God.
Yet Aaron’s assignment had boundaries.
Aaron could offer sacrifices.
Aaron could teach Israel.
Aaron could preserve the testimony.
Aaron could maintain the tabernacle.
Aaron could reveal God’s standards.
But Aaron could not bring creation into fullness.
Aaron could reveal the need.
Aaron could not become the answer.
Aaron could point toward Christ.
Aaron could not replace Christ.
The distinction is vital.
The limitation was not failure.
The limitation was assignment.
WHY GOD GAVE SHADOWS
Galatians 3:19
“Wherefore then serveth the law?”
The question remains relevant today.
Why did God give shadows?
Why did God give types?
Why did God give symbols?
Because God was preparing creation for a greater revelation.
The shadow created expectation.
The type created understanding.
The symbol created anticipation.
The preparation created hunger.
God was teaching His people to recognize fulfillment when it arrived.
PREPARATION IS NOT MANIFESTATION
This distinction becomes one of the most important themes in this book.
Preparation is necessary.
Manifestation is necessary.
But preparation and manifestation are not the same thing.
The Law prepared.
The priesthood prepared.
The sacrifices prepared.
The feasts prepared.
The tabernacle prepared.
Everything was moving toward manifestation.
In the same way, later administrations would also prepare for something greater.
The principle remains unchanged throughout Scripture.
God prepares.
Then God manifests.
God promises.
Then God fulfills.
God plants.
Then God harvests.
THE PROGRESSION OF GLORY
2 Corinthians 3:18
“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory.”
Notice the language.
Not from failure to success.
Not from darkness to light.
But from glory to glory.
Aaron possessed glory.
The Law possessed glory.
The priesthood possessed glory.
The tabernacle possessed glory.
Yet God intended a greater glory.
The Church Age reveals a greater glory.
The Kingdom Age reveals a greater glory.
The Man-Child reveals another measure of that glory.
God is progressively unveiling Christ through successive administrations.
WHY SHADOWS COULD NOT SATISFY CREATION
Romans 8:19
“For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.”
Creation was never waiting for another shadow.
Creation was never waiting for another type.
Creation was never waiting for another symbol.
Creation was waiting for manifestation.
The groaning of creation reveals that preparation alone cannot satisfy the purpose of God.
The shadow was necessary.
The type was necessary.
The pattern was necessary.
But creation was destined for more than preparation.
Creation was destined for fulfillment.
THE MAN-CHILD AND THE END OF PREPARATION
As we move through Scripture, we continually discover administrations that prepare for greater administrations.
Aaron prepared for Christ.
The Law prepared for Grace.
Pentecost prepares for fullness.
The Fivefold prepares for maturity.
Everything points forward.
Everything moves forward.
Everything advances toward fulfillment.
This is why the revelation of the Man-Child becomes so significant.
The Man-Child appears at the culmination of a long process of preparation.
The Man-Child represents the transition from preparation toward manifestation.
The Man-Child stands as a testimony that God’s purpose is moving toward fullness.
The Man-Child does not diminish previous administrations.
The Man-Child reveals what previous administrations were preparing for.
THE NECESSITY OF DISCERNMENT
A believer who cannot distinguish shadow from substance will continually stop short of God’s purpose.
He will mistake preparation for fulfillment.
He will mistake promise for manifestation.
He will mistake process for completion.
But when distinction comes, understanding follows.
Then the believer begins to see the progressive purpose of God unfolding from age to age, from glory to glory, from preparation to manifestation, until creation itself is delivered into the liberty of the sons of God.
Every shadow served a purpose.
Every type served a purpose.
Every administration served a purpose.
And every purpose ultimately points toward the fullness of Christ and the consummation of God’s eternal plan.
CHAPTER 5
WHY THE LAW COULD NOT BRING FULLNESS
Having established the divine purpose of the Law and the necessity of shadow and type, we now arrive at an important question.
If the Law came from God, why did God move beyond it?
If the priesthood came from God, why did God establish another priesthood?
If the sacrifices came from God, why were greater sacrifices necessary?
The answer is not found in failure.
The answer is found in purpose.
The Law accomplished exactly what God assigned it to accomplish.
The question is not whether the Law succeeded.
The question is whether the Law was assigned to bring creation into fullness.
The Scriptures answer that question plainly.
THE LAW WAS PERFECT FOR ITS PURPOSE
Psalm 19:7
“The law of the Lord is perfect.”
Many believers speak as though the Law itself was defective.
The Scriptures never do.
The Law was holy.
The Law was just.
The Law was good.
Romans 7:12
“Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.”
The problem was never the Law.
The problem was the assignment of the Law.
The Law was never assigned to bring creation into fullness.
The Law was assigned to prepare creation for fullness.
THE LAW REVEALED THE PROBLEM
Romans 3:20
“For by the law is the knowledge of sin.”
The Law exposed sin.
The Law identified sin.
The Law revealed sin.
The Law judged sin.
The Law defined righteousness.
But the Law could not remove what it revealed.
A mirror can reveal dirt.
A mirror cannot wash dirt away.
The Law functioned as a divine mirror.
The Law revealed mankind’s condition.
The Law revealed mankind’s need.
The Law revealed mankind’s inability.
The Law prepared the way for a greater administration.
THE LAW COULD NOT IMPART LIFE
Galatians 3:21
“For if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.”
This verse is one of the clearest distinctions in all of Scripture.
The Law could command.
The Law could instruct.
The Law could warn.
The Law could judge.
The Law could reveal.
The Law could not impart life.
Life belonged to a greater administration.
Life belonged to Christ.
Life belonged to the Spirit.
Life belonged to a greater glory.
THE LAW COULD NOT PERFECT THE WORSHIPPER
Hebrews 10:1
“For the law having a shadow of good things to come… can never with those sacrifices… make the comers thereunto perfect.”
The Law could not perfect.
The sacrifices could not perfect.
The priesthood could not perfect.
The temple could not perfect.
The ceremonies could not perfect.
Everything pointed toward perfection.
Nothing within that administration could produce perfection.
The Law revealed the destination.
The Law could not become the destination.
THE LAW COULD NOT REMOVE THE CONSCIENCE OF SIN
Hebrews 10:2
“…because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.”
Year after year sacrifices continued.
Year after year reminders continued.
Year after year ceremonies continued.
The repetition itself testified that something greater was needed.
The repetition announced incompletion.
The repetition pointed toward fulfillment.
The repetition prophesied a greater work that was yet to come.
THE LIMITATION OF AARON’S PRIESTHOOD
Aaron’s priesthood was glorious.
Aaron’s priesthood was necessary.
Aaron’s priesthood was ordained by God.
Yet Aaron’s priesthood possessed limitations.
Aaron could minister for the people.
Aaron could not transform the people.
Aaron could offer sacrifices.
Aaron could not remove sin.
Aaron could reveal righteousness.
Aaron could not impart life.
Aaron could preserve the testimony.
Aaron could not bring creation into fullness.
Again, the limitation was not failure.
The limitation was assignment.
WHY CREATION KEPT GROANING
Romans 8:22
“For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.”
Creation continued groaning.
Creation continued waiting.
Creation continued expecting.
Why?
Because the Law could not satisfy the deepest need of creation.
The Law could reveal God’s purpose.
The Law could not complete God’s purpose.
The Law could reveal the promise.
The Law could not produce the fulfillment.
The groaning remained because fulfillment had not yet appeared.
THE LAW PREPARED FOR A GREATER COVENANT
Hebrews 8:6
“But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant.”
The existence of a better covenant tells us something.
The previous covenant possessed limitations.
The previous covenant possessed boundaries.
The previous covenant possessed a purpose.
God was never abandoning His purpose.
God was advancing His purpose.
The covenant changed.
The purpose remained.
The administration changed.
The destination remained.
The measure increased.
THE LAW PREPARED FOR A GREATER PRIESTHOOD
Hebrews 7:11
“If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood… what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec?”
This may be one of the most important questions in Scripture.
If perfection had arrived through Aaron, why would another priesthood be necessary?
If fullness had arrived through Aaron, why would another priesthood be necessary?
If completion had arrived through Aaron, why would another priesthood be necessary?
The existence of another priesthood reveals that God intended something greater.
The Levitical priesthood served its purpose.
A greater administration was coming.
THE LAW PREPARED FOR SONSHIP
Galatians 4:1-5
The Law functioned as a tutor.
The Law functioned as a governor.
The Law functioned as a schoolmaster.
The purpose of the tutor is not to remain forever.
The purpose of the tutor is maturity.
The purpose of preparation is manifestation.
The purpose of instruction is sonship.
Everything within the Law pointed toward maturity.
Everything pointed toward a greater unveiling of Christ.
WHY THIS MATTERS TO THE MAN-CHILD
The same principle appears throughout Scripture.
God establishes an administration.
The administration fulfills its assignment.
The administration reaches its appointed limit.
God introduces a greater administration.
Aaron prepared for Christ.
The Law prepared for Grace.
Preparation prepared for manifestation.
This principle becomes critical to understanding the Man-Child.
Many believers assume the present administration is the final administration.
Yet the Scriptures continually reveal progression.
The Law pointed beyond itself.
The priesthood pointed beyond itself.
The sacrifices pointed beyond themselves.
Everything moved toward a greater revelation.
The same principle will continue throughout this book as we examine the Church Age, the Royal Priesthood, the Fivefold Ministry, and ultimately the revelation of the Man-Child.
FROM PREPARATION TO FULFILLMENT
The Law was glorious.
The Law was necessary.
The Law was ordained by God.
Yet the Law could not bring creation into fullness.
Its purpose was preparation.
Its purpose was instruction.
Its purpose was revelation.
Its purpose was expectation.
The Law prepared the way.
The Law announced the coming reality.
The Law testified of Christ.
The Law testified of sonship.
The Law testified of fullness.
The Law testified of things yet to come.
And when its assignment was complete, God moved creation forward into a greater administration, a greater covenant, a greater priesthood, and a greater manifestation of His eternal purpose.
For God is always moving from glory to glory until all things are gathered together in Christ.
CHAPTER 6
THE BIRTH OF THE CHURCH AGE
Every age possesses a birth.
Every administration possesses a beginning.
Every covenant possesses an appointed time of manifestation.
Just as the Age of Law began through Moses and the giving of the Law, the Church Age began through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
This was not merely another event in history.
This was a divine transition.
A new administration appeared.
A new priesthood appeared.
A new ministry appeared.
A new mandate appeared.
God was moving creation from shadow into reality, from preparation into impartation, and from one measure of glory into a greater measure of glory.
THE FULLNESS OF TIME HAD COME
Galatians 4:4
“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son.”
The birth of Jesus was not accidental.
The timing was not accidental.
The transition was not accidental.
The Law had completed its assignment.
The schoolmaster had completed its assignment.
The preparation had completed its assignment.
The shadow had completed its assignment.
When the fullness of time arrived, God introduced a greater administration.
The Age of Law had prepared the way.
The Church Age was now ready to appear.
CHRIST THE FIRSTFRUITS
1 Corinthians 15:23
“But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.”
Every administration begins with Christ.
The Church Age begins with Christ.
The Kingdom Age begins with Christ.
Every revelation begins with Christ.
Every manifestation begins with Christ.
Jesus became the firstfruits of a greater harvest.
The seed entered the ground.
The seed died.
The seed arose.
The seed multiplied.
The Church Age emerges from the resurrection life of Jesus Christ.
THE PROMISE OF THE FATHER
Acts 1:4-5
“…wait for the promise of the Father.”
Before Pentecost could arrive, a promise had to be fulfilled.
Jesus understood that the next administration would require a new empowerment.
The disciples possessed revelation.
The disciples possessed instruction.
The disciples possessed experience.
Yet Jesus commanded them to wait.
Why?
Because a new administration was about to appear.
A new glory was about to appear.
A new measure was about to appear.
THE DAY OF PENTECOST
Acts 2:1-4
“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come…”
Notice the language.
Pentecost was fully come.
The appointed season had arrived.
The transition had arrived.
The next administration had arrived.
The Holy Spirit was poured out.
The Church was born.
The Age of Grace moved into visible manifestation.
This was not merely a revival meeting.
This was the birth of an age.
WHY IT IS CALLED THE CHURCH AGE
Many ask why we call this administration the Church Age.
The answer is simple.
Because Acts chapter 2 marks the birth of the Church.
The Body of Christ entered history in a new way.
The Spirit was poured out upon all flesh.
A corporate people emerged.
A new priesthood emerged.
A new ministry emerged.
A new mandate emerged.
The Church became God’s visible vessel for this administration.
Therefore we call it the Church Age.
Not because the Church is the final destination.
But because the Church is the divinely appointed vessel of this administration.
THE CHURCH RECEIVED A NEW MANDATE
Matthew 28:19-20
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations.”
The Law had one mandate.
The Church received another.
The Church was commissioned to carry the Gospel.
The Church was commissioned to make disciples.
The Church was commissioned to reveal Christ.
The Church was commissioned to carry the testimony of Jesus throughout the earth.
The mandate changed because the administration changed.
The purpose remained the same.
God was still moving creation toward fullness.
THE CHURCH RECEIVED A NEW PRIESTHOOD
1 Peter 2:9
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood.”
The distinction is important.
Aaron possessed a Levitical Priesthood.
The Church possesses a Royal Priesthood.
The administration changed.
The priesthood changed.
The covenant changed.
The measure changed.
The purpose remained.
God was advancing His eternal purpose through a greater administration.
THE CHURCH RECEIVED A NEW MINISTRY
Ephesians 4:11
“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers.”
The Church Age introduced the Fivefold Ministry.
This ministry possesses a divine assignment.
It equips.
It trains.
It matures.
It prepares.
It perfects.
The Fivefold Ministry is not man’s invention.
It is Christ’s gift to His Body.
It serves a specific purpose within God’s progressive plan.
THE CHURCH RECEIVED THE EARNEST OF THE SPIRIT
Ephesians 1:13-14
“…which is the earnest of our inheritance.”
This distinction is crucial.
The Spirit was given.
The inheritance was promised.
The Spirit became the earnest.
The down payment.
The guarantee.
The pledge.
The existence of an earnest reveals something important.
An earnest points toward something greater.
An earnest announces that more is coming.
An earnest testifies that fullness lies ahead.
The Church Age received a glorious measure.
Yet the very language of Scripture points beyond that measure toward a greater fulfillment.
PENTECOST WAS GLORIOUS
The Church Age introduced tremendous realities.
The Holy Spirit was poured out.
The gifts appeared.
The Body of Christ emerged.
The Gospel spread throughout the nations.
The Royal Priesthood appeared.
The Fivefold Ministry appeared.
The New Covenant was proclaimed.
The glory was real.
The power was real.
The ministry was real.
The administration was real.
Yet the Church Age itself points beyond itself.
THE LIMITATION OF PENTECOST
The limitation of Pentecost is not failure.
The limitation of Pentecost is assignment.
Pentecost was never assigned to remain a beginning forever.
Pentecost was assigned to prepare.
Pentecost was assigned to equip.
Pentecost was assigned to mature.
Pentecost was assigned to form Christ within His people.
Pentecost was assigned to prepare creation for a greater manifestation.
The limitation is not weakness.
The limitation is purpose.
Every administration receives the measure necessary for its assignment.
WHY CREATION CONTINUES TO GROAN
Romans 8:19
“For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.”
Pentecost was glorious.
The Church Age was glorious.
The Royal Priesthood is glorious.
The Fivefold Ministry is glorious.
Yet creation continues to groan.
Creation continues to wait.
Creation continues to expect.
Why?
Because preparation is not manifestation.
Impartation is not manifestation.
Formation is not manifestation.
The Church Age prepares for something greater.
The Church Age points beyond itself.
The Church Age serves God’s eternal purpose by bringing many sons unto glory.
THE CHURCH AGE PREPARES FOR FULLNESS
The Law prepared for Christ.
The Church Age prepares for manifestation.
The Law prepared for Grace.
The Church Age prepares for fullness.
The Law pointed toward Pentecost.
Pentecost points toward a greater unveiling.
Everything in God’s purpose continues moving forward.
Everything continues advancing toward maturity.
Everything continues advancing toward fulfillment.
The Church Age is not the end of God’s purpose.
The Church Age is a vital administration within God’s purpose.
It possesses a priesthood.
It possesses a ministry.
It possesses a mandate.
It possesses a glory.
Yet like every administration before it, it ultimately points beyond itself toward the fullness of Christ and the consummation of God’s eternal plan.
For God is always moving from glory to glory until all things are gathered together in Christ.
CHAPTER 7
THE ROYAL PRIESTHOOD
One of the most important distinctions in understanding the Church Age is understanding the priesthood God assigned to it.
Every administration possesses a priesthood.
Every priesthood possesses a mandate.
Every mandate possesses a purpose.
The Age of Law possessed the Levitical Priesthood.
The Church Age possesses the Royal Priesthood.
The Kingdom Age will reveal a greater administration.
Many believers confuse these priesthoods because they fail to distinguish the ages in which they operate.
The result is confusion.
The purpose of this chapter is to establish the identity, purpose, glory, and assignment of the Royal Priesthood.
YE ARE A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD
1 Peter 2:9
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.”
Notice the language carefully.
Peter does not say:
“You shall become a Royal Priesthood.”
Peter says:
“Ye are a Royal Priesthood.”
This is present reality language.
This is Church Age language.
This is Pentecostal language.
Peter is speaking to believers living within the present administration.
The Royal Priesthood is the priesthood of the Church Age.
A NEW PRIESTHOOD FOR A NEW ADMINISTRATION
The appearance of a new priesthood reveals the appearance of a new administration.
Aaron’s priesthood belonged to the Law.
The Royal Priesthood belongs to the Church.
Aaron ministered through sacrifices.
The Royal Priesthood ministers through Christ.
Aaron ministered through shadows.
The Royal Priesthood ministers through reality.
Aaron ministered through external ordinances.
The Royal Priesthood ministers through the indwelling Spirit.
The administration changed.
The purpose continued.
God was advancing His eternal purpose through a greater measure of revelation.
THE PRIVILEGE OF THE ROYAL PRIESTHOOD
Under the Law, only certain men could approach certain places.
Only certain priests could minister in certain realms.
Only certain individuals could enter certain dimensions of service.
The Church Age introduced a remarkable change.
Every believer receives access.
Every believer receives standing.
Every believer receives life.
Every believer receives participation in the Royal Priesthood.
The Church Age greatly expanded access to God through Jesus Christ.
THE PURPOSE OF THE ROYAL PRIESTHOOD
Peter does not merely identify the priesthood.
He identifies its assignment.
“That ye should shew forth the praises of him…”
The Royal Priesthood exists to reveal Christ.
The Royal Priesthood exists to testify of Christ.
The Royal Priesthood exists to proclaim Christ.
The Royal Priesthood exists to reveal the goodness of God.
The Church Age possesses a ministry of witness.
The Church Age possesses a ministry of testimony.
The Church Age possesses a ministry of proclamation.
THE ROYAL PRIESTHOOD AND THE FIVEFOLD MINISTRY
The Royal Priesthood and the Fivefold Ministry are not competitors.
They are partners within the same administration.
Ephesians 4:11-12
“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
For the perfecting of the saints…”
The Fivefold Ministry equips.
The Royal Priesthood functions.
The Fivefold Ministry prepares.
The Royal Priesthood serves.
The Fivefold Ministry matures.
The Royal Priesthood manifests the life it has received.
Both belong to the same administration.
Both serve the same purpose.
Both advance God’s eternal plan.
THE GLORY OF THE CHURCH AGE
The Church Age possesses a glory that the previous administration could not reveal.
The Spirit was poured out.
The New Covenant appeared.
The Body of Christ appeared.
The gifts appeared.
The Fivefold Ministry appeared.
The Royal Priesthood appeared.
The Gospel moved among the nations.
The Church Age revealed a greater measure of Christ than the administration of shadow and type.
This glory should never be minimized.
This glory should never be ignored.
This glory was ordained by God.
THE LIMITATION OF THE ROYAL PRIESTHOOD
This is where distinction becomes important.
The limitation of the Royal Priesthood is not failure.
The limitation of the Royal Priesthood is assignment.
The Royal Priesthood possesses a mandate.
The Royal Priesthood possesses a purpose.
The Royal Priesthood possesses a measure.
The Royal Priesthood was never assigned to remain a beginning forever.
The Church Age is an age of formation.
The Church Age is an age of growth.
The Church Age is an age of preparation.
The Church Age is an age of maturity.
The Church Age prepares believers for greater manifestation.
THE EARNEST AND THE INHERITANCE
Ephesians 1:13-14
“…which is the earnest of our inheritance.”
One of the most important words in the Church Age is the word earnest.
An earnest is glorious.
An earnest is real.
An earnest is valuable.
But an earnest points toward something greater.
The existence of an earnest reveals the existence of an inheritance.
The existence of a beginning reveals the existence of a completion.
The existence of preparation reveals the existence of fulfillment.
The Royal Priesthood possesses a glorious earnest of what God has promised.
NOW AND NOT YET
1 John 3:2
“Beloved, now are we the sons of God…”
That is present reality.
That is Church Age language.
That is Royal Priesthood language.
But John continues:
“…and it doth not yet appear what we shall be.”
Now we encounter another distinction.
Present possession.
Future manifestation.
Present reality.
Future unveiling.
Present sonship.
Future fullness.
The Church Age continually reveals this pattern.
WHY CREATION IS STILL WAITING
Romans 8:19
“For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.”
Creation is not waiting for another shadow.
Creation is not waiting for another type.
Creation is not waiting for another beginning.
Creation is waiting for manifestation.
The Royal Priesthood reveals Christ.
The Royal Priesthood proclaims Christ.
The Royal Priesthood testifies of Christ.
Yet creation continues to groan because God’s purpose is still unfolding.
The Scriptures continually point toward a greater unveiling.
THE ROYAL PRIESTHOOD POINTS FORWARD
Just as Aaron pointed beyond himself, the Royal Priesthood points beyond itself.
Not because it has failed.
Not because it is insufficient.
But because God always moves from glory to glory.
The Law pointed toward Christ.
The Church Age points toward fullness.
The Royal Priesthood points toward a greater manifestation.
The earnest points toward the inheritance.
The preparation points toward fulfillment.
The promise points toward realization.
Everything within this administration continues moving toward the fullness of Christ.
THE NECESSITY OF DISTINCTION
A believer who cannot distinguish the Royal Priesthood from previous administrations will misunderstand the Church Age.
A believer who cannot distinguish preparation from manifestation will misunderstand God’s purpose.
The Royal Priesthood possesses a glorious assignment.
The Royal Priesthood possesses a glorious ministry.
The Royal Priesthood possesses a glorious mandate.
Yet the Royal Priesthood itself testifies that God’s purpose is still advancing.
The Church Age remains one of the greatest revelations ever given to mankind.
But even this glorious administration points toward a greater unveiling of Christ until all things are gathered together in Him and creation is delivered into the liberty of the sons of God.
For God continues moving from glory to glory until His eternal purpose stands fully revealed.
CHAPTER 8
THE FIVEFOLD MINISTRY AND ITS DIVINE ASSIGNMENT
One of the greatest revelations given to the Church Age is the revelation of the Fivefold Ministry.
For nearly two thousand years, the Fivefold Ministry has served as God’s primary instrument for equipping, maturing, instructing, correcting, and preparing His people.
The Fivefold Ministry is not man’s idea.
The Fivefold Ministry is Christ’s gift to His Body.
The Fivefold Ministry possesses a divine mandate.
The Fivefold Ministry possesses a divine purpose.
The Fivefold Ministry possesses a divine assignment.
Yet one of the greatest mistakes believers make is confusing the purpose of the Fivefold Ministry with the ultimate purpose of God.
The Fivefold Ministry is glorious.
The Fivefold Ministry is necessary.
The Fivefold Ministry is powerful.
The Fivefold Ministry is indispensable to the Church Age.
But the Fivefold Ministry was never assigned to be the final destination.
To understand the significance of the Man-Child, we must first understand the divine purpose and limitations of the Fivefold Ministry.
CHRIST GAVE THE FIVEFOLD MINISTRY
Ephesians 4:11
“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers.”
The Fivefold Ministry originated in Christ.
Christ gave apostles.
Christ gave prophets.
Christ gave evangelists.
Christ gave pastors.
Christ gave teachers.
The Fivefold Ministry is not a denominational invention.
The Fivefold Ministry is not a human organization.
The Fivefold Ministry is a divine administration established by Jesus Christ Himself.
THE FIVEFOLD MINISTRY HAS A PURPOSE
Ephesians 4:12
“For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”
Notice the assignment.
The Fivefold Ministry perfects.
The Fivefold Ministry equips.
The Fivefold Ministry trains.
The Fivefold Ministry matures.
The Fivefold Ministry builds.
The Fivefold Ministry prepares.
Everything about the Fivefold Ministry points toward growth.
Everything about the Fivefold Ministry points toward maturity.
Everything about the Fivefold Ministry points toward preparation.
The Fivefold Ministry serves God’s purpose by preparing believers for greater manifestation.
THE FIVEFOLD MINISTRY IS A GIFT
The Fivefold Ministry should never be despised.
The Fivefold Ministry should never be diminished.
The Fivefold Ministry should never be rejected.
The Fivefold Ministry is one of God’s greatest gifts to the Church Age.
Through the Fivefold Ministry:
The Gospel is preached.
The Scriptures are taught.
The saints are equipped.
The Body is strengthened.
The Church is established.
The testimony of Jesus is carried throughout the earth.
The Fivefold Ministry has accomplished exactly what God assigned it to accomplish.
THE FIVEFOLD MINISTRY BELONGS TO THE CHURCH AGE
The Fivefold Ministry belongs to the administration we commonly call the Church Age.
The Fivefold Ministry serves the Royal Priesthood.
The Fivefold Ministry serves the Body of Christ.
The Fivefold Ministry serves the purpose of formation.
The Fivefold Ministry serves the purpose of maturity.
The Fivefold Ministry serves the purpose of preparation.
Just as Aaron served the Age of Law, the Fivefold Ministry serves the Church Age.
Every administration possesses a ministry.
Every ministry possesses a mandate.
Every mandate possesses a purpose.
UNTIL WE ALL COME
Ephesians 4:13
“Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.”
This verse is one of the most important verses in understanding the Fivefold Ministry.
Notice the word:
“Till.”
The word “till” reveals movement.
The word “till” reveals progression.
The word “till” reveals destination.
The Fivefold Ministry exists until something.
The Fivefold Ministry serves until something.
The Fivefold Ministry prepares until something.
The Fivefold Ministry points toward something.
The Fivefold Ministry is moving believers toward the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST
The goal of the Fivefold Ministry is not merely attendance.
The goal of the Fivefold Ministry is not merely information.
The goal of the Fivefold Ministry is not merely activity.
The goal of the Fivefold Ministry is the fullness of Christ.
Every apostle points toward the fullness of Christ.
Every prophet points toward the fullness of Christ.
Every evangelist points toward the fullness of Christ.
Every pastor points toward the fullness of Christ.
Every teacher points toward the fullness of Christ.
The Fivefold Ministry exists to reveal Christ and prepare His people for greater measures of Christ.
Ultimately, the Fivefold Ministry points toward the fullness of Christ revealed in His people.
THE FIVEFOLD MINISTRY AND THE MAN-CHILD
This is where many believers become uncomfortable.
Many believers have spent their entire Christian life within the realm of the Fivefold Ministry.
The Fivefold Ministry has fed them.
The Fivefold Ministry has taught them.
The Fivefold Ministry has blessed them.
The Fivefold Ministry has strengthened them.
Therefore many assume the Fivefold Ministry is the final objective.
Yet the Scriptures reveal something greater.
The Fivefold Ministry prepares for maturity.
The Fivefold Ministry prepares for manifestation.
The Fivefold Ministry prepares for fullness.
The Fivefold Ministry prepares for what this book identifies as the revelation of the Man-Child.
The Man-Child does not compete with the Fivefold Ministry.
The Man-Child reveals the objective toward which the Fivefold Ministry has been laboring.
THE LIMITATION OF THE FIVEFOLD MINISTRY
The limitation of the Fivefold Ministry is not failure.
The limitation of the Fivefold Ministry is assignment.
The Fivefold Ministry can teach.
The Fivefold Ministry can equip.
The Fivefold Ministry can mature.
The Fivefold Ministry can prepare.
The Fivefold Ministry can form Christ within believers.
The Fivefold Ministry cannot itself be the final manifestation.
The Fivefold Ministry points beyond itself.
The Fivefold Ministry prepares for something greater.
The limitation is not weakness.
The limitation is purpose.
WHY CREATION IS NOT GROANING FOR THE FIVEFOLD MINISTRY
Romans 8:19
“For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.”
This distinction is essential.
Creation is not groaning for another sermon.
Creation is not groaning for another conference.
Creation is not groaning for another teaching.
Creation is not groaning for another impartation.
Creation is groaning for manifestation.
The Fivefold Ministry is necessary.
The Fivefold Ministry is ordained.
The Fivefold Ministry is glorious.
But the Fivefold Ministry itself points toward manifestation.
The Fivefold Ministry prepares the way.
THE MAN-CHILD AS THE OBJECTIVE
When believers fail to see the objective, they stop pressing.
When believers fail to see the destination, they settle.
When believers fail to see the mark, they stop pursuing.
This is one reason the revelation of the Man-Child is so important.
The Man-Child reveals an objective.
The Man-Child reveals a destination.
The Man-Child reveals a fullness.
The Man-Child reveals why the Fivefold Ministry exists.
The Fivefold Ministry prepares believers for maturity.
The Fivefold Ministry prepares believers for manifestation.
The Fivefold Ministry prepares believers for the fullness of Christ.
The Fivefold Ministry prepares believers for the reality toward which the Man-Child points.
PRESSING TOWARD THE MARK
Philippians 3:14
“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
Paul understood that there was a mark.
Paul understood that there was a prize.
Paul understood that there was a destination.
Paul understood that growth continued.
Paul understood that greater measures of Christ remained ahead.
The Fivefold Ministry helps believers press toward that mark.
The Fivefold Ministry helps believers move toward maturity.
The Fivefold Ministry helps believers move toward the fullness of Christ.
THE DIVINE ASSIGNMENT OF THE FIVEFOLD MINISTRY
The Fivefold Ministry remains one of God’s greatest gifts to the Church Age.
The Fivefold Ministry possesses a divine assignment.
The Fivefold Ministry possesses a divine purpose.
The Fivefold Ministry possesses a divine mandate.
The Fivefold Ministry prepares the saints.
The Fivefold Ministry equips the saints.
The Fivefold Ministry matures the saints.
The Fivefold Ministry points the saints toward the fullness of Christ.
And as the Fivefold Ministry fulfills its assignment, believers become increasingly prepared for the greater manifestations of God’s purpose that lie ahead.
The Fivefold Ministry is not the destination.
The Fivefold Ministry is the divinely appointed preparation for the destination.
And that destination is nothing less than the fullness of Christ revealed in His people, the liberty of the sons of God, and the consummation of this present evil age through the manifestation of the Man-Child.
CHAPTER 9
THE PURPOSE AND LIMITATIONS OF PENTECOST
Few events in Scripture have impacted the world more than Pentecost.
Pentecost changed history.
Pentecost changed the Church.
Pentecost changed the administration through which God would work during this present age.
The Holy Spirit was poured out.
The Church was born.
The Royal Priesthood emerged.
The Fivefold Ministry appeared.
The Gospel began moving throughout the nations.
Pentecost was glorious.
Pentecost was necessary.
Pentecost was ordained by God.
Yet one of the greatest mistakes believers make is assuming Pentecost was the finish line.
Pentecost was a beginning.
Pentecost was an administration.
Pentecost was a preparation.
Pentecost was a divine step in God’s progressive purpose.
To understand the necessity of the Man-Child, we must first understand both the purpose and the limitations of Pentecost.
PENTECOST WAS PROPHESIED
Joel 2:28
“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh.”
Long before Pentecost arrived, God promised it.
The outpouring of the Spirit was not an afterthought.
The outpouring of the Spirit was part of God’s eternal purpose.
The prophets saw it.
The apostles anticipated it.
The disciples waited for it.
The appointed time arrived.
The promise became reality.
PENTECOST WAS A DIVINE BEGINNING
Acts 2:1
“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come…”
Pentecost was not merely another feast day.
Pentecost marked the visible beginning of a new administration.
The Spirit was poured out.
Power was given.
Life was imparted.
A new covenant reality emerged.
The Church Age moved into manifestation.
Everything changed.
Yet Pentecost itself testified that God’s purpose was continuing to unfold.
THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS GIVEN
Acts 2:4
“And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost.”
The Holy Spirit became the great gift of Pentecost.
The Spirit empowered believers.
The Spirit instructed believers.
The Spirit comforted believers.
The Spirit equipped believers.
The Spirit revealed Christ.
The Spirit formed Christ within believers.
The Spirit became the active administrator of the Church Age.
Pentecost introduced a glorious measure of divine life and power.
THE CHURCH RECEIVED POWER
Acts 1:8
“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you.”
Power was given.
Authority was given.
Witness was given.
Ministry was given.
The Church Age was equipped to carry the testimony of Jesus throughout the earth.
The Royal Priesthood received power.
The Fivefold Ministry received power.
The Church received power.
The purpose was clear.
God was preparing a people for His purpose.
THE CHURCH RECEIVED GIFTS
1 Corinthians 12:7
“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.”
The gifts of the Spirit appeared.
The operations of the Spirit appeared.
The ministries of the Spirit appeared.
The manifestations of the Spirit appeared.
The Church Age entered a realm unknown under the previous administration.
The gifts strengthened believers.
The gifts equipped believers.
The gifts revealed Christ.
The gifts served God’s purpose within the Church Age.
THE CHURCH RECEIVED AN EARNEST
Ephesians 1:13-14
“…which is the earnest of our inheritance.”
This may be one of the most important distinctions in understanding Pentecost.
The Holy Spirit was given as an earnest.
An earnest is real.
An earnest is valuable.
An earnest is glorious.
But an earnest points toward something greater.
The earnest announces that more remains ahead.
The earnest testifies that the inheritance has not yet reached its complete manifestation.
Pentecost was glorious.
Pentecost was also prophetic.
WHAT IS AN EARNEST?
An earnest is a pledge.
An earnest is a guarantee.
An earnest is a first portion.
An earnest points toward completion.
The very language of the New Covenant teaches progression.
The Spirit was given.
The inheritance remains.
The beginning was given.
The fullness remains.
The pledge was given.
The completion remains.
Pentecost itself points beyond Pentecost.
THE PURPOSE OF PENTECOST
The purpose of Pentecost was not merely excitement.
The purpose of Pentecost was not merely gifts.
The purpose of Pentecost was not merely experiences.
The purpose of Pentecost was formation.
The purpose of Pentecost was preparation.
The purpose of Pentecost was maturity.
The purpose of Pentecost was to reveal Christ within His people.
The purpose of Pentecost was to prepare believers for greater measures of manifestation.
The purpose of Pentecost was to advance God’s eternal purpose within creation.
THE LIMITATION OF PENTECOST
The limitation of Pentecost is not failure.
The limitation of Pentecost is assignment.
Pentecost possesses a mandate.
Pentecost possesses a purpose.
Pentecost possesses a measure.
The Church Age has accomplished exactly what God assigned it to accomplish.
The limitation exists because Pentecost was never assigned to be the final administration.
Pentecost was assigned to prepare.
Pentecost was assigned to equip.
Pentecost was assigned to mature.
Pentecost was assigned to form Christ within His people.
Pentecost was assigned to prepare the way for greater manifestation.
WHY BELIEVERS OFTEN STOP AT PENTECOST
Many believers experience Pentecost and assume they have arrived.
Many receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit and conclude that nothing greater remains.
Many receive gifts and conclude that the journey is complete.
Many receive impartation and conclude that impartation is the destination.
Yet Scripture continually points beyond beginnings.
Paul pressed toward a mark.
John spoke of what “doth not yet appear.”
Romans speaks of creation still groaning.
The existence of expectation reveals that God’s purpose continues unfolding.
THE MAN-CHILD AND PENTECOST
The revelation of the Man-Child becomes important here.
The Man-Child reveals a destination.
The Man-Child reveals an objective.
The Man-Child reveals why preparation is necessary.
The Man-Child reveals why Pentecost is necessary.
The Man-Child reveals why formation is necessary.
The Man-Child reveals why maturity is necessary.
Without an objective, preparation loses meaning.
Without a destination, the journey loses direction.
The revelation of the Man-Child gives purpose to the process.
WHY CREATION IS STILL GROANING
Romans 8:22-23
“For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.”
Pentecost arrived.
The Spirit was poured out.
The gifts appeared.
The Church was born.
The Fivefold Ministry was established.
Yet creation continues to groan.
Why?
Because preparation is not manifestation.
Impartation is not manifestation.
Formation is not manifestation.
Creation is waiting for something greater.
Creation is waiting for fulfillment.
Creation is waiting for manifestation.
Creation is waiting for the liberty of the sons of God.
FROM PENTECOST TO FULLNESS
The Law pointed toward Pentecost.
Pentecost points toward fullness.
The Law prepared for Grace.
Pentecost prepares for manifestation.
The Law prepared for Christ revealed among His people.
Pentecost prepares for Christ revealed through His people.
Everything continues moving forward.
Everything continues advancing.
Everything continues maturing.
Everything continues progressing toward the fullness of Christ.
THE NECESSITY OF DISCERNMENT
The believer who understands Pentecost properly will appreciate its glory without mistaking it for the final destination.
Pentecost is glorious.
Pentecost is necessary.
Pentecost is indispensable.
Yet Pentecost itself points beyond itself.
The Spirit was given as an earnest.
The Church was given a mandate.
The Fivefold Ministry was given an assignment.
The Royal Priesthood was given a purpose.
All of these realities serve God’s eternal plan.
They prepare believers for greater measures of maturity, manifestation, and fulfillment.
Pentecost was never the end of the journey.
Pentecost was the divine beginning of a journey that ultimately moves toward the fullness of Christ, the manifestation of the sons of God, and the revelation of the Man-Child as God’s purpose advances from glory to glory until all things are gathered together in Christ.
CHAPTER 10
WHY CREATION IS STILL GROANING
Romans chapter eight may be one of the most important chapters in all of Scripture for understanding God’s progressive purpose.
It answers a question that many believers never ask.
If Christ has come…
If the Spirit has been poured out…
If the Church has been established…
If the Fivefold Ministry has been operating for two thousand years…
Why is creation still groaning?
Why is creation still waiting?
Why is creation still travailing?
Why is creation still expecting something?
The answer to these questions reveals one of the greatest distinctions in Scripture.
The distinction between preparation and manifestation.
The distinction between impartation and fulfillment.
The distinction between promise and completion.
The distinction between the present administration and the greater manifestation toward which God is moving creation.
To understand the necessity of the Man-Child, we must first understand why creation continues to groan.
THE EARNEST EXPECTATION OF CREATION
Romans 8:19
“For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.”
Notice what Paul does not say.
Paul does not say creation is waiting for another sacrifice.
Paul does not say creation is waiting for another priesthood of Aaron.
Paul does not say creation is waiting for another feast day.
Paul does not say creation is waiting for another ceremony.
Paul does not say creation is waiting for another shadow.
Paul says creation is waiting for manifestation.
This distinction changes everything.
CREATION IS WAITING
The language of Romans 8 is remarkable.
Creation is waiting.
Creation is expecting.
Creation is looking forward.
Creation is anticipating.
Something remains ahead.
Something remains unfinished.
Something remains to be revealed.
Paul does not describe a completed process.
Paul describes an ongoing process moving toward a destination.
The entire creation is focused upon that destination.
THE MAN-CHILD AND MANIFESTATION
This is one reason the revelation of the Man-Child becomes so important.
The Man-Child represents manifestation.
The Man-Child represents maturity.
The Man-Child represents fulfillment.
The Man-Child represents the completion of a process that has been unfolding through successive administrations.
Without manifestation, creation continues groaning.
Without fulfillment, creation continues waiting.
Without maturity, creation continues travailing.
The Man-Child stands as a testimony that God is moving creation toward fullness.
SUBJECTED TO VANITY
Romans 8:20
“For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope.”
Paul reveals something profound.
Creation was subjected to vanity.
Creation was subjected to limitation.
Creation was subjected to weakness.
Creation was subjected to corruption.
Yet creation was subjected in hope.
God never abandoned creation.
God never lost control of creation.
God never subjected creation without purpose.
Hope was built into the process.
Purpose was built into the process.
Redemption was built into the process.
The destination was established before the journey began.
THE HOPE OF DELIVERANCE
Romans 8:21
“Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.”
Notice the language.
“Shall be delivered.”
Paul is speaking of movement.
Paul is speaking of progression.
Paul is speaking of purpose unfolding.
Creation is moving from corruption toward liberty.
Creation is moving from bondage toward freedom.
Creation is moving from limitation toward fullness.
This is why creation continues to groan.
Creation senses its destination.
Creation senses its purpose.
Creation senses that more remains ahead.
THE WHOLE CREATION GROANETH
Romans 8:22
“For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.”
The groaning is universal.
The groaning is continual.
The groaning is purposeful.
Paul compares creation to a woman in travail.
Travail always points toward birth.
Travail always points toward manifestation.
Travail always points toward emergence.
Travail is not the destination.
Travail is the process leading to the destination.
This language becomes extremely important when we later examine the birth of the Man-Child.
WE ALSO GROAN
Romans 8:23
“And not only they, but ourselves also…”
The groaning is not limited to creation.
Believers groan.
The Church groans.
The Royal Priesthood groans.
The Fivefold Ministry groans.
The saints groan.
Why?
Because something remains unfinished.
Because something remains ahead.
Because something remains to be manifested.
The very existence of groaning reveals that God’s purpose is still unfolding.
THE REDEMPTION OF THE BODY
Romans 8:23
“…waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.”
This verse introduces another critical distinction.
Paul does not say redemption has no present reality.
Paul does not deny salvation.
Paul does not deny sonship.
Paul does not deny the Spirit.
Paul points toward another dimension of redemption.
The redemption of the body.
The whole man becomes the focus.
Spirit.
Soul.
Body.
God’s purpose encompasses the entire man.
This distinction becomes essential for understanding the necessity of the Man-Child.
WHY AARON COULD NOT END THE GROANING
Aaron could reveal sin.
Aaron could teach righteousness.
Aaron could preserve testimony.
Aaron could offer sacrifices.
Aaron could not remove corruption.
Aaron could not redeem the body.
Aaron could not bring creation into liberty.
Aaron served his purpose.
Aaron fulfilled his assignment.
Yet creation continued to groan.
The groaning itself testified that a greater administration was necessary.
WHY PENTECOST DID NOT END THE GROANING
Pentecost introduced glory.
Pentecost introduced power.
Pentecost introduced gifts.
Pentecost introduced the Royal Priesthood.
Pentecost introduced the Fivefold Ministry.
Yet creation continued to groan.
Why?
Because Pentecost was preparation.
Pentecost was formation.
Pentecost was maturity in process.
Pentecost was impartation.
Pentecost pointed toward manifestation.
The continued groaning of creation reveals that God’s purpose extends beyond preparation.
WHY THE MAN-CHILD MATTERS
Many believers ask:
Why does the Man-Child matter?
The answer is found in Romans 8.
The Man-Child matters because manifestation matters.
The Man-Child matters because maturity matters.
The Man-Child matters because fulfillment matters.
The Man-Child matters because creation is waiting for manifestation.
The Man-Child matters because creation is waiting for liberty.
The Man-Child matters because creation is waiting for the completion of God’s purpose.
Without understanding the destination, many fail to understand the journey.
Without understanding manifestation, many fail to understand preparation.
The revelation of the Man-Child helps reveal the objective toward which God has been moving throughout the ages.
THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN PREPARATION AND MANIFESTATION
This may be the most important distinction in this chapter.
Preparation is necessary.
Manifestation is necessary.
Preparation is glorious.
Manifestation is glorious.
Preparation serves manifestation.
Preparation is not manifestation.
Aaron prepared.
The Law prepared.
Pentecost prepared.
The Fivefold Ministry prepares.
Everything moves toward manifestation.
Everything moves toward maturity.
Everything moves toward fulfillment.
Everything moves toward the fullness of Christ.
CREATION’S DESTINATION
Creation is not moving toward destruction.
Creation is not moving toward meaninglessness.
Creation is moving toward purpose.
Creation is moving toward liberty.
Creation is moving toward fullness.
Creation is moving toward Christ.
Creation is moving toward the gathering together of all things in Him.
The groaning reveals the journey.
The hope reveals the destination.
The promise reveals the purpose.
THE NECESSITY OF THE MAN-CHILD
When believers understand why creation is groaning, they begin to understand why the Man-Child becomes significant.
The Man-Child is not merely another doctrine.
The Man-Child is not merely another symbol.
The Man-Child represents the objective toward which creation is travailing.
The Man-Child represents manifestation.
The Man-Child represents maturity.
The Man-Child represents fulfillment.
The Man-Child represents God’s purpose advancing toward completion.
Creation groans because manifestation has not yet fully appeared.
Creation waits because fulfillment has not yet fully appeared.
Creation travails because birth has not yet fully appeared.
But the Scriptures continually point toward a day when the groaning gives way to liberty, the travail gives way to manifestation, and the purpose of God stands revealed in a greater measure than ever before.
For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
CHAPTER 11
THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN SPIRIT, SOUL, AND BODY
One of the greatest sources of confusion in Christianity is the failure to distinguish between spirit, soul, and body.
Many believers read promises given to one realm and attempt to apply them equally to every realm.
The result is misunderstanding.
The result is disappointment.
The result is confusion.
A believer reads a verse describing the condition of the spirit and expects the soul and body to immediately reflect the same reality.
When that does not happen, he begins questioning the Scriptures rather than his understanding of the Scriptures.
The purpose of this chapter is to establish one of the most important distinctions in all of God’s Word.
The distinction between spirit, soul, and body.
Until this distinction is understood, the necessity of the Man-Child cannot be properly understood.
THE WHOLE MAN
1 Thessalonians 5:23
“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Paul identifies the whole man.
Spirit.
Soul.
Body.
Not merely spirit.
Not merely soul.
Not merely body.
The whole man.
God’s purpose encompasses the entire man.
God’s redemption encompasses the entire man.
God’s plan includes the entire man.
This distinction immediately changes how we read the Scriptures.
THE SPIRIT OF MAN
John 3:6
“That which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
The spirit of man is the first realm addressed in redemption.
When a man is born again, his spirit receives life.
His spirit is united with Christ.
His spirit becomes a new creation.
His spirit enters a new relationship with God.
The spirit becomes the dwelling place of God’s life.
The spirit becomes the source from which God’s purpose begins working outward.
A NEW CREATURE
2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.”
This verse has confused many believers.
A man reads:
“Old things are passed away.”
Then looks at his life.
His body still ages.
His mind still requires renewing.
His emotions still require transformation.
What happened?
The answer is distinction.
Paul is describing the reality of the spirit.
The spirit has been recreated.
The spirit has been united with Christ.
The spirit has entered a new realm of existence.
The spirit is a new creation.
ONE SPIRIT WITH THE LORD
1 Corinthians 6:17
“But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.”
Notice the language.
One spirit.
Not one soul.
Not one body.
One spirit.
The born-again believer possesses a present reality in his spirit.
His spirit is joined unto the Lord.
His spirit possesses life.
His spirit possesses union.
His spirit possesses relationship.
This is one reason the Man-Child cannot be understood apart from distinction.
The Scriptures address different realms of man’s redemption.
THE SOUL OF MAN
The soul includes the mind.
The soul includes the will.
The soul includes the emotions.
The soul includes the consciousness through which man experiences life.
The soul is not born again in the same manner as the spirit.
The soul undergoes transformation.
The soul undergoes renewal.
The soul undergoes growth.
The soul undergoes maturation.
THE SAVING OF THE SOUL
James 1:21
“Receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.”
Notice the distinction.
James does not say save your spirit.
James says save your soul.
The spirit receives life.
The soul receives transformation.
The spirit receives birth.
The soul receives renewal.
The spirit is recreated.
The soul is progressively conformed.
This distinction is essential.
THE RENEWING OF THE MIND
Romans 12:2
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
The mind belongs to the soul.
The mind requires renewal.
The mind requires transformation.
The mind requires growth.
The mind requires illumination.
The soul learns to agree with what is already true in the spirit.
As the soul comes into harmony with the spirit, greater measures of Christ become expressed through the believer.
SOUL PROSPERITY
3 John 1:2
“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”
This verse reveals another important distinction.
John connects soul prosperity with outward manifestation.
As the soul prospers, greater measures of life become expressed.
As the soul prospers, greater measures of harmony appear.
As the soul prospers, greater measures of Christ are manifested.
The soul serves as a bridge between the spirit and the body.
THE BODY OF MAN
The body is the outward realm.
The body is the visible realm.
The body is the earthly realm.
The body experiences mortality.
The body experiences weakness.
The body experiences corruption.
The body experiences limitation.
The body remains a central part of God’s purpose.
God is not redeeming only the spirit.
God is redeeming the whole man.
THE REDEMPTION OF THE BODY
Romans 8:23
“…waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.”
Paul points toward another dimension of redemption.
The redemption of the body.
The body remains part of God’s purpose.
The body remains part of God’s plan.
The body remains part of God’s objective.
This is one reason creation continues to groan.
The purpose of God encompasses the whole man.
THE WHOLE MAN AND THE MAN-CHILD
This distinction becomes extremely important when discussing the Man-Child.
The Man-Child is not merely a discussion about the spirit.
The Man-Child is not merely a discussion about the soul.
The Man-Child concerns the whole man.
Spirit.
Soul.
Body.
The Man-Child points toward maturity.
The Man-Child points toward manifestation.
The Man-Child points toward the fullness of Christ expressed through the whole man.
WHY DISTINCTIONS MATTER
Without distinction, confusion follows.
A believer reads a promise to the spirit and applies it to the body.
A believer reads a promise concerning the soul and applies it to the spirit.
A believer reads a promise concerning future manifestation and applies it to present preparation.
The result is misunderstanding.
Distinction produces clarity.
Distinction produces understanding.
Distinction allows each Scripture to be understood within its proper realm.
WHAT GOD HAS DONE
The spirit reveals what God has done.
The spirit reveals present reality.
The spirit reveals union with Christ.
The spirit reveals new creation.
The spirit reveals the beginning of redemption.
WHAT GOD IS DOING
The soul reveals what God is doing.
The soul reveals transformation.
The soul reveals renewal.
The soul reveals growth.
The soul reveals maturity.
The soul reveals Christ being formed within His people.
WHAT GOD SHALL DO
The body reveals what God shall do.
The body reveals expectation.
The body reveals hope.
The body reveals future manifestation.
The body reveals redemption brought to completion.
The body reveals the fullness toward which God’s purpose is moving.
THE NECESSITY OF THE MAN-CHILD
The revelation of the Man-Child becomes meaningful when the believer understands the whole man.
The spirit has received life.
The soul is being transformed.
The body awaits redemption.
The Man-Child stands as a testimony that God’s purpose extends beyond beginnings.
The Man-Child points toward fullness.
The Man-Child points toward maturity.
The Man-Child points toward manifestation.
The Man-Child points toward the complete expression of Christ through spirit, soul, and body.
This is why distinctions matter.
This is why discernment matters.
This is why understanding the whole man matters.
For God’s purpose is not merely the redemption of one aspect of man.
God’s purpose is the redemption of the whole man until spirit, soul, and body stand in harmony under the life, government, and fullness of Jesus Christ.
CHAPTER 12
FROM THIRTYFOLD TO SIXTYFOLD TO HUNDREDFOLD
One of the greatest principles in the Kingdom of God is the principle of progressive increase.
God rarely moves from seed to fullness in a single moment.
God moves from glory to glory.
God moves from faith to faith.
God moves from strength to strength.
God moves from one measure into another measure.
This principle is seen throughout Scripture.
It is seen in the growth of a child.
It is seen in the growth of a harvest.
It is seen in the growth of a nation.
It is seen in the growth of God’s people.
It is seen in the progressive unveiling of Christ.
The revelation of the Man-Child cannot be understood apart from the principle of increase.
The Man-Child represents maturity.
The Man-Child represents fullness.
The Man-Child represents the completion of a process that begins with a seed and advances through increasing measures of growth.
THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER
Mark 4:8
“And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.”
Notice the language.
The seed increased.
The fruit increased.
The measure increased.
The harvest increased.
God reveals progression.
God reveals growth.
God reveals development.
God reveals maturity.
The seed is the same.
The fruit differs according to maturity.
THIRTYFOLD
The thirtyfold realm represents genuine life.
The thirtyfold realm represents real fruit.
The thirtyfold realm represents a beginning.
The thirtyfold realm possesses value.
The thirtyfold realm possesses reality.
The thirtyfold realm possesses growth.
God does not despise beginnings.
God rejoices in beginnings.
Every harvest begins with a beginning.
Every manifestation begins with a beginning.
Every administration begins with a beginning.
The thirtyfold realm reveals that life has appeared.
SIXTYFOLD
The sixtyfold realm reveals increase.
The sixtyfold realm reveals maturity beyond the beginning.
The sixtyfold realm reveals greater fruitfulness.
The sixtyfold realm reveals greater development.
The sixtyfold realm reveals greater manifestation.
The sixtyfold realm is not separate life.
It is greater expression of the same life.
The seed remains the same.
The life remains the same.
The increase appears through growth.
This principle becomes extremely important when examining the Church Age.
The Church Age reveals genuine life.
The Church Age reveals genuine fruit.
The Church Age reveals genuine growth.
Yet the Scriptures continually point toward greater measures.
HUNDREDFOLD
The hundredfold realm represents fullness.
The hundredfold realm represents maturity.
The hundredfold realm represents the complete harvest.
The hundredfold realm represents the objective toward which the process has been moving.
The hundredfold realm is not another seed.
The hundredfold realm is the full expression of the seed.
The hundredfold realm is not another Christ.
The hundredfold realm is the fuller manifestation of Christ.
The hundredfold realm is not another purpose.
The hundredfold realm is the fulfillment of the purpose.
The Man-Child is connected to this principle of fullness.
The Man-Child is connected to maturity.
The Man-Child is connected to the hundredfold realm.
FIRST THE BLADE
Mark 4:28
“First the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.”
Jesus gives another picture of progression.
First the blade.
Then the ear.
Then the full corn.
Notice the order.
God works progressively.
God works patiently.
God works intentionally.
The blade is not failure.
The blade is a stage.
The ear is not failure.
The ear is a stage.
The full corn is the objective.
The entire process moves toward fullness.
THE PRINCIPLE OF MATURITY
One of the great themes of Scripture is maturity.
Children mature.
Sons mature.
Harvests mature.
Administrations mature.
Revelation matures.
Understanding matures.
The purpose of God unfolds through increasing levels of maturity.
This is one reason the revelation of the Man-Child becomes so important.
The Man-Child represents maturity.
The Man-Child represents fullness.
The Man-Child represents the completion of growth.
THE LAW AND THIRTYFOLD
The Age of Law revealed a measure.
The Age of Law revealed truth.
The Age of Law revealed purpose.
The Age of Law revealed preparation.
The Age of Law revealed genuine glory.
Yet the Age of Law was not fullness.
The Law pointed beyond itself.
The Law prepared for greater manifestation.
The Law served God’s purpose by preparing creation for a greater administration.
THE CHURCH AGE AND SIXTYFOLD
The Church Age reveals a greater measure.
The Church Age reveals life.
The Church Age reveals the Holy Spirit.
The Church Age reveals the Royal Priesthood.
The Church Age reveals the Fivefold Ministry.
The Church Age reveals growth.
The Church Age reveals formation.
The Church Age reveals Christ being formed within His people.
The Church Age possesses genuine glory.
The Church Age possesses genuine fruit.
Yet the Church Age itself points beyond itself.
The Church Age prepares for greater manifestation.
THE MAN-CHILD AND HUNDREDFOLD
This is where the revelation of the Man-Child becomes significant.
The Man-Child represents the hundredfold principle.
The Man-Child represents maturity.
The Man-Child represents fullness.
The Man-Child represents the completion of preparation.
The Man-Child represents manifestation.
The Man-Child represents the objective toward which previous administrations have been moving.
The Man-Child is not another seed.
The Man-Child is the mature expression of the seed.
The Man-Child is not another purpose.
The Man-Child is the manifestation of the purpose.
WHY PAUL PRESSED FORWARD
Philippians 3:13-14
“…forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
I press toward the mark…”
Paul understood increase.
Paul understood progression.
Paul understood maturity.
Paul understood that greater measures remained ahead.
Paul refused to settle.
Paul refused to stop.
Paul refused to confuse present experience with ultimate fulfillment.
The revelation of the Man-Child gives believers a mark toward which to press.
WHY CREATION IS STILL WAITING
Romans 8:19
“For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.”
Creation is waiting for fullness.
Creation is waiting for maturity.
Creation is waiting for manifestation.
Creation is waiting for the completion of God’s purpose.
Creation is not waiting for another beginning.
Creation is waiting for harvest.
Creation is waiting for the full corn in the ear.
Creation is waiting for the hundredfold principle to appear in its greatest measure.
This is why the Man-Child matters.
The Man-Child represents maturity.
The Man-Child represents manifestation.
The Man-Child represents the harvest coming to fullness.
THE DANGER OF SETTLING
One of the greatest dangers facing believers is settling in a realm that was intended to prepare them for another realm.
Some settle in thirtyfold.
Some settle in sixtyfold.
Some settle in preparation.
Some settle in process.
Some settle in beginnings.
Yet the Scriptures continually point toward increase.
The Scriptures continually point toward growth.
The Scriptures continually point toward maturity.
The Scriptures continually point toward fullness.
God never despises beginnings.
But God also never intends beginnings to remain beginnings forever.
THE NECESSITY OF THE MAN-CHILD
The revelation of the Man-Child helps believers understand the objective of God’s process.
The Man-Child reveals maturity.
The Man-Child reveals fullness.
The Man-Child reveals manifestation.
The Man-Child reveals why God established previous administrations.
The Man-Child reveals why God established the Fivefold Ministry.
The Man-Child reveals why God poured out the Spirit.
The Man-Child reveals why creation continues groaning.
The Man-Child reveals the harvest toward which God has been working from the beginning.
From thirtyfold.
To sixtyfold.
To hundredfold.
From blade.
To ear.
To full corn in the ear.
From preparation.
To manifestation.
From promise.
To fulfillment.
Until the fullness of Christ is revealed and the purpose of God stands manifested in a greater measure than ever before.
CHAPTER 13
THE MARK OF THE PRIZE
One of the most powerful truths in all of Scripture is that God has set a mark before His people.
God never calls His people to wander aimlessly.
God never calls His people to drift without purpose.
God always places a destination before them.
God always reveals an objective.
God always reveals a prize.
Throughout history, the people of God have often confused beginnings with endings.
They have confused preparation with fulfillment.
They have confused process with completion.
Yet the Scriptures continually point beyond present experience toward a greater manifestation.
The revelation of the Man-Child becomes important because the Man-Child helps reveal the mark toward which God’s purpose is moving.
PAUL’S TESTIMONY
Philippians 3:12
“Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after…”
These words are remarkable.
Paul was an apostle.
Paul had seen visions.
Paul had received revelation.
Paul had planted churches.
Paul had performed miracles.
Yet Paul says:
“I have not already attained.”
Paul understood progression.
Paul understood growth.
Paul understood maturity.
Paul understood that greater measures of Christ remained ahead.
PRESSING TOWARD THE MARK
Philippians 3:13-14
“…forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
Paul saw a mark.
Paul saw a prize.
Paul saw a destination.
Paul saw something worthy of pursuit.
This language reveals movement.
This language reveals expectation.
This language reveals purpose.
The Apostle was not merely celebrating where he had arrived.
The Apostle was pressing toward where God was taking him.
WHAT IS A MARK?
A mark reveals direction.
A mark reveals purpose.
A mark reveals destination.
Without a mark, there can be no pressing.
Without a mark, there can be no pursuit.
Without a mark, there can be no progression.
Many believers never press because they never see a mark.
Many believers never pursue because they never see a destination.
Many believers settle because they believe they have already arrived.
The revelation of the Man-Child helps reveal the mark.
The revelation of the Man-Child helps reveal the destination.
The revelation of the Man-Child helps reveal the objective toward which God is moving creation.
THE HIGH CALLING
Paul describes the prize as:
“The high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
The high calling is not a lower calling.
The high calling is not a beginning.
The high calling is not merely preparation.
The high calling points toward maturity.
The high calling points toward fullness.
The high calling points toward greater manifestation.
The high calling points toward the fullness of Christ.
The Man-Child becomes important because the Man-Child is connected to the theme of maturity, manifestation, and fullness throughout the Scriptures.
NOW AND NOT YET
1 John 3:2
“Beloved, now are we the sons of God…”
John begins with present reality.
We are sons.
We possess life.
We possess relationship.
We possess standing.
We possess inheritance.
Then John introduces another distinction.
“…and it doth not yet appear what we shall be.”
Now we see progression.
Now we see expectation.
Now we see purpose unfolding.
Now we see a mark beyond present experience.
John acknowledges present reality while simultaneously pointing toward future manifestation.
PRESENT REALITY
The Church Age possesses genuine realities.
The Spirit has been given.
The Gospel has been given.
The Royal Priesthood has been established.
The Fivefold Ministry has been established.
Believers possess life.
Believers possess sonship.
Believers possess inheritance.
These realities should never be minimized.
These realities should never be ignored.
These realities are glorious.
FUTURE MANIFESTATION
John continues:
“But we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him…”
The Scriptures continually reveal progression.
The Scriptures continually reveal movement.
The Scriptures continually reveal greater manifestation.
The existence of a promise reveals a future unveiling.
The existence of expectation reveals future fulfillment.
The existence of a mark reveals a destination.
The revelation of the Man-Child becomes significant because it points believers toward the theme of manifestation that appears throughout the New Testament.
THE DANGER OF SETTLING
One of the greatest dangers facing God’s people is settling in a realm that was intended to prepare them for another realm.
Israel settled in the wilderness.
Many settled under the Law.
Many settled in tradition.
Many settled in religion.
Many settle in beginnings.
Many settle in impartation.
Many settle in preparation.
Yet Paul refused to settle.
Paul pressed.
Paul pursued.
Paul reached.
Paul moved toward the mark.
THE MAN-CHILD AND THE PRIZE
The revelation of the Man-Child is important because it helps reveal why pressing matters.
If there is no greater manifestation, there is no reason to press.
If there is no greater maturity, there is no reason to press.
If there is no greater fullness, there is no reason to press.
The Man-Child represents maturity.
The Man-Child represents manifestation.
The Man-Child represents fullness.
The Man-Child represents the objective toward which preparation has been moving.
The Man-Child reveals why growth matters.
The Man-Child reveals why maturity matters.
The Man-Child reveals why believers should continue pressing forward.
THOSE WHO RECEIVED NOT THE PROMISE
Hebrews 11:39-40
“And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise.”
This passage reveals another important truth.
Many faithful men and women served God.
Many faithful men and women walked in tremendous revelation.
Many faithful men and women fulfilled their assignments.
Yet the Scriptures still point beyond them.
God was moving toward something greater.
God was moving toward fulfillment.
God was moving toward completion.
God was moving toward a greater unveiling of His purpose.
THE UNITY OF THE FAITH
Ephesians 4:13
“Till we all come…”
Again we encounter progression.
Again we encounter movement.
Again we encounter destination.
The Fivefold Ministry prepares believers.
The Royal Priesthood serves believers.
The Church Age matures believers.
Everything moves toward a destination.
Everything moves toward a mark.
Everything moves toward fullness.
WHY CREATION IS STILL WAITING
Romans 8:19
“For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.”
Creation is waiting because the mark has not yet been fully reached.
Creation is waiting because the prize has not yet been fully manifested.
Creation is waiting because the purpose continues unfolding.
Creation is waiting because God is still advancing His eternal plan.
The groaning of creation reveals that greater measures remain ahead.
THE MAN-CHILD REVEALS THE OBJECTIVE
The Man-Child reveals why the Law was necessary.
The Man-Child reveals why Pentecost was necessary.
The Man-Child reveals why the Fivefold Ministry is necessary.
The Man-Child reveals why maturity is necessary.
The Man-Child reveals why growth is necessary.
The Man-Child reveals why creation continues to groan.
The Man-Child reveals an objective.
The Man-Child reveals a destination.
The Man-Child reveals a mark.
The Man-Child reveals a prize.
THE NECESSITY OF PRESSING FORWARD
God never intended His people to stop at beginnings.
God never intended His people to stop at preparation.
God never intended His people to stop at impartation.
God calls His people forward.
God calls His people upward.
God calls His people toward maturity.
God calls His people toward fullness.
God calls His people toward greater manifestation.
Paul saw the mark.
Paul saw the prize.
Paul pressed forward.
The revelation of the Man-Child helps believers see the same mark.
The revelation of the Man-Child helps believers see the same destination.
The revelation of the Man-Child helps believers understand why God’s purpose continues moving from glory to glory until the fullness of Christ is revealed and all things are gathered together in Him.
CHAPTER 14
THE APPEARING OF THE MELCHIZEDEK ADMINISTRATION
Throughout Scripture, God reveals Himself through successive administrations.
Each administration possesses a priesthood.
Each priesthood possesses a mandate.
Each mandate possesses a purpose.
The Law possessed the Levitical Priesthood.
The Church Age possesses the Royal Priesthood.
Yet throughout both Testaments, the Holy Spirit continually points toward another priesthood.
Another administration.
Another order.
Another manifestation.
That priesthood is the priesthood of Melchizedek.
To understand the revelation of the Man-Child, we must understand why the Scriptures continually point toward Melchizedek.
WHO WAS MELCHIZEDEK?
Genesis 14:18
“And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.”
Melchizedek appears suddenly.
No genealogy is given.
No beginning is recorded.
No ending is recorded.
He appears as both king and priest.
This immediately distinguishes Melchizedek from Aaron.
Aaron was a priest.
Melchizedek was a king and priest.
Aaron ministered under the Law.
Melchizedek appears before the Law.
Aaron ministered through sacrifice.
Melchizedek appears with bread and wine.
The distinction is significant.
The Holy Spirit is revealing a greater order.
A PRIEST FOREVER
Psalm 110:4
“The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.”
This prophecy was not given concerning Aaron.
This prophecy was not given concerning Levi.
This prophecy was given concerning Christ.
The Holy Spirit points beyond the Levitical administration.
The Holy Spirit points toward another order.
The Holy Spirit points toward a priesthood connected with permanence, kingship, and divine administration.
JESUS AND THE MELCHIZEDEK ORDER
Hebrews 6:20
“…made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.”
Jesus is not identified as a priest after the order of Aaron.
Jesus is identified as a priest after the order of Melchizedek.
This distinction is essential.
The ministry of Jesus surpasses the ministry of Aaron.
The priesthood of Jesus surpasses the priesthood of Aaron.
The administration of Jesus surpasses the administration of Aaron.
Everything in Aaron pointed toward Christ.
Everything in Christ points toward fullness.
A CHANGE OF PRIESTHOOD
Hebrews 7:12
“For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.”
Notice the language.
The priesthood changed.
The administration changed.
The covenant changed.
The ministry changed.
The purpose remained.
God did not abandon His eternal purpose.
God advanced His eternal purpose.
The change of priesthood reveals the progression of God’s plan through the ages.
THE SUPERIORITY OF MELCHIZEDEK
Hebrews 7 repeatedly establishes the superiority of the Melchizedek order.
A greater priesthood.
A greater covenant.
A greater administration.
A greater manifestation.
The Holy Spirit is revealing progression.
The Holy Spirit is revealing movement.
The Holy Spirit is revealing increase.
Everything is advancing toward fullness.
KINGS AND PRIESTS
Revelation 5:10
“And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.”
Notice the language.
Kings and priests.
Not merely priests.
Kings and priests.
This language echoes Melchizedek.
The union of priesthood and government.
The union of ministry and administration.
The union of worship and authority.
The union of service and dominion.
The Scriptures continually point toward a greater administration.
WHY THIS DISTINCTION MATTERS
Many believers see only priesthood.
The Scriptures reveal priesthood and administration.
Aaron ministered.
Aaron served.
Aaron preserved.
The Royal Priesthood ministers.
The Royal Priesthood serves.
The Royal Priesthood proclaims.
The Melchizedek administration introduces another dimension.
Administration.
Government.
Kingdom authority.
Kingdom function.
Kingdom responsibility.
This distinction becomes important when examining the Man-Child.
THE MAN-CHILD AND MELCHIZEDEK
The revelation of the Man-Child is inseparably connected to administration.
The Man-Child is caught up unto God and His throne.
The throne speaks of government.
The throne speaks of administration.
The throne speaks of authority.
The throne speaks of Kingdom function.
The Man-Child is not merely a revelation of life.
The Man-Child is a revelation of mature life functioning within divine administration.
This is one reason the Melchizedek order becomes so significant.
THE MARK OF MATURITY
Throughout the Church Age, believers are taught.
Believers are equipped.
Believers are matured.
Believers are prepared.
The Fivefold Ministry serves this purpose.
The Royal Priesthood serves this purpose.
Everything moves toward maturity.
Everything moves toward fullness.
Everything moves toward greater manifestation.
The Melchizedek administration appears as a picture of mature Kingdom function.
THE THRONE CONNECTION
Psalm 110:1
“The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand…”
Psalm 110 joins together:
The throne.
The Kingdom.
The priesthood.
The Melchizedek order.
These themes continually appear together.
The throne reveals authority.
The priesthood reveals ministry.
The Kingdom reveals administration.
The Man-Child appears within this same framework.
Caught up unto God.
Caught up unto His throne.
Connected with divine administration.
Connected with Kingdom authority.
Connected with mature sonship.
THE LIMITATION OF PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS
Aaron served his purpose.
The Law served its purpose.
The Royal Priesthood serves its purpose.
The Fivefold Ministry serves its purpose.
Each administration possesses a measure.
Each administration possesses a mandate.
Each administration possesses an assignment.
The existence of a greater administration does not diminish the previous administration.
It reveals progression.
It reveals increase.
It reveals maturity.
It reveals God’s purpose moving forward.
WHY CREATION IS STILL WAITING
Romans 8:19
“For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.”
Creation continues waiting.
Creation continues groaning.
Creation continues expecting.
Why?
Because God’s purpose continues unfolding.
Because greater manifestation remains ahead.
Because greater maturity remains ahead.
Because greater administration remains ahead.
The revelation of the Man-Child becomes significant because the Man-Child is connected to manifestation, maturity, and administration.
THE APPEARING OF A GREATER ADMINISTRATION
The Scriptures reveal a consistent pattern.
Shadow gives way to reality.
Preparation gives way to manifestation.
Promise gives way to fulfillment.
Aaron gives way to Christ.
The Law gives way to Grace.
The Royal Priesthood prepares for greater manifestation.
The Fivefold Ministry prepares for greater manifestation.
The Melchizedek administration stands as a testimony that God is moving His people toward mature Kingdom function.
THE NECESSITY OF THE MAN-CHILD
The revelation of the Man-Child helps believers understand why the Scriptures continually point toward maturity.
The Man-Child helps believers understand why the Scriptures continually point toward manifestation.
The Man-Child helps believers understand why the Scriptures continually point toward administration.
The Man-Child helps believers understand why creation continues to groan.
The Man-Child helps believers understand why God moves from glory to glory.
The Man-Child stands within the stream of God’s progressive purpose, revealing the transition from preparation toward manifestation, from instruction toward administration, and from promise toward fulfillment.
For God’s purpose continues advancing until the fullness of Christ is revealed, the Kingdom is manifested in greater measure, and all things are gathered together in Him.
CHAPTER 15
THE BIRTH OF THE MAN-CHILD
For fourteen chapters we have followed the progressive unfolding of God’s purpose.
We have examined the eternal purpose before the foundation of the world.
We have examined the Age of Law.
We have examined Aaron and the Levitical Priesthood.
We have examined shadow and type.
We have examined the Church Age.
We have examined the Royal Priesthood.
We have examined the Fivefold Ministry.
We have examined Pentecost.
We have examined the groaning of creation.
We have examined spirit, soul, and body.
We have examined thirtyfold, sixtyfold, and hundredfold.
We have examined the mark of the prize.
We have examined the Melchizedek administration.
Now all roads lead to one question.
What is the objective toward which all these administrations have been moving?
The answer is found in the revelation of the Man-Child.
THE WOMAN IN TRAVAIL
Revelation 12:1-2
“And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun…
And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.”
The first thing we encounter is travail.
Travail is not the destination.
Travail is preparation.
Travail is process.
Travail is transition.
Travail reveals that something is about to emerge.
Travail reveals that something is about to be manifested.
Travail reveals that birth is approaching.
This pattern appears throughout Scripture.
Travail precedes birth.
Preparation precedes manifestation.
Process precedes fulfillment.
THE PRINCIPLE OF BIRTH
Everything in God’s purpose moves toward birth.
The seed moves toward birth.
The harvest moves toward birth.
The promise moves toward birth.
The Kingdom moves toward birth.
The purpose of God unfolds through manifestations that emerge from prior preparation.
The Law prepared.
Pentecost prepared.
The Fivefold Ministry prepares.
The Royal Priesthood prepares.
Everything has been moving toward manifestation.
Everything has been moving toward birth.
A MAN-CHILD IS BORN
Revelation 12:5
“And she brought forth a man child…”
The Man-Child appears as the central figure of the vision.
The Man-Child emerges from travail.
The Man-Child emerges from process.
The Man-Child emerges from preparation.
The Man-Child emerges from a long progression.
The Man-Child does not suddenly appear without context.
The Man-Child appears at the culmination of a process that has been developing throughout the ages.
WHY THE MAN-CHILD MATTERS
Many believers overlook the Man-Child.
Some never study the Man-Child.
Some never consider the significance of the Man-Child.
Yet Revelation places the Man-Child at the center of one of the most dramatic transitions in Scripture.
The Man-Child matters because manifestation matters.
The Man-Child matters because maturity matters.
The Man-Child matters because fulfillment matters.
The Man-Child matters because God’s purpose is moving toward manifestation.
THE MAN-CHILD AND MATURITY
The Man-Child is not presented as an infant.
The Man-Child is presented as a ruler.
The Man-Child is presented as one connected with authority.
The Man-Child is presented as one connected with administration.
The Man-Child is presented as one connected with the throne.
The Man-Child therefore becomes a picture of maturity.
The Man-Child becomes a picture of fulfillment.
The Man-Child becomes a picture of sonship brought to manifestation.
THE MAN-CHILD AND THE HUNDREDFOLD PRINCIPLE
The principle of thirtyfold, sixtyfold, and hundredfold helps illuminate the revelation of the Man-Child.
The seed begins.
The seed grows.
The seed matures.
The harvest comes to fullness.
The Man-Child appears within this same pattern.
The Man-Child reveals maturity.
The Man-Child reveals fullness.
The Man-Child reveals the harvest brought to manifestation.
The Man-Child reveals the objective toward which previous administrations have been laboring.
THE MAN-CHILD AND ROMANS 8
Romans 8:19
“For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.”
The language of Romans 8 and Revelation 12 share a common theme.
Manifestation.
Birth.
Emergence.
Revelation.
The Man-Child becomes significant because the Man-Child is connected to manifestation.
The Man-Child becomes significant because the Man-Child is connected to maturity.
The Man-Child becomes significant because the Man-Child is connected to the unveiling of God’s purpose.
THE MAN-CHILD AND SONSHIP
Throughout the New Testament, sonship is a major theme.
Romans speaks of sons.
Galatians speaks of sons.
Hebrews speaks of sons.
John speaks of sons.
The Scriptures continually point toward maturity.
The Scriptures continually point toward manifestation.
The Scriptures continually point toward the revealing of what God has been forming.
The Man-Child appears within this stream of sonship language.
The Man-Child becomes a picture of sonship brought to manifestation.
THE MAN-CHILD AND THE KINGDOM
Isaiah 9:7
“Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end.”
The Kingdom is not static.
The Kingdom increases.
The Kingdom expands.
The Kingdom advances.
The Kingdom unfolds.
The Man-Child appears within this context of Kingdom increase.
The Man-Child is connected to government.
The Man-Child is connected to administration.
The Man-Child is connected to Kingdom function.
The Man-Child is connected to the increase of Christ’s rule.
THE MAN-CHILD AND THE THRONE
Revelation 12:5
“And her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.”
The throne becomes one of the defining features of the Man-Child revelation.
The throne speaks of authority.
The throne speaks of government.
The throne speaks of administration.
The throne speaks of Kingdom function.
The Man-Child is not merely associated with life.
The Man-Child is associated with administration.
The Man-Child is associated with mature sonship functioning in harmony with God’s purpose.
WHY THE CHURCH AGE PREPARES FOR THE MAN-CHILD
The Church Age forms Christ within believers.
The Church Age matures believers.
The Church Age equips believers.
The Church Age prepares believers.
The Fivefold Ministry serves this purpose.
The Royal Priesthood serves this purpose.
Pentecost serves this purpose.
Everything points toward manifestation.
Everything points toward maturity.
Everything points toward fullness.
The Man-Child represents the objective toward which preparation has been moving.
THE MAN-CHILD AND THE END OF AN AGE
Every age reaches a conclusion.
Every administration reaches fulfillment.
Every preparation reaches manifestation.
The revelation of the Man-Child is connected to transition.
The revelation of the Man-Child is connected to consummation.
The revelation of the Man-Child is connected to the completion of a process.
This is why the title of this book is:
Man-Child — The Consummation of This Present Evil Age
The Man-Child stands at the intersection of two ages.
One administration concludes.
Another administration begins.
One measure gives way to a greater measure.
One level of manifestation gives way to another.
THE MAN-CHILD AND THE PURPOSE OF GOD
Ephesians 1:10
“That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ.”
The Man-Child does not exist independent of God’s purpose.
The Man-Child serves God’s purpose.
The Man-Child advances God’s purpose.
The Man-Child reveals God’s purpose moving toward fulfillment.
The Man-Child reveals God’s purpose moving toward manifestation.
The Man-Child reveals God’s purpose moving toward the gathering together of all things in Christ.
THE NECESSITY OF THE MAN-CHILD
The Law prepared for greater revelation.
Pentecost prepared for greater revelation.
The Fivefold Ministry prepares for greater revelation.
The Royal Priesthood prepares for greater revelation.
The groaning of creation points toward greater revelation.
The hundredfold principle points toward greater revelation.
The mark of the prize points toward greater revelation.
The Melchizedek administration points toward greater revelation.
All roads converge in the revelation of the Man-Child.
The Man-Child reveals manifestation.
The Man-Child reveals maturity.
The Man-Child reveals fullness.
The Man-Child reveals God’s purpose advancing from preparation toward fulfillment.
The Man-Child reveals the emergence of what God has been forming throughout the ages.
And as the Man-Child appears, the reader begins to understand why creation has groaned, why the saints have pressed forward, why God has moved from glory to glory, and why every administration has pointed beyond itself toward the fullness of Christ and the consummation of this present evil age.
CHAPTER 16
CAUGHT UP UNTO GOD AND HIS THRONE
Revelation 12:5
“And her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.”
This single statement may be one of the most profound declarations in all of Scripture.
The Man-Child is born.
The Man-Child appears.
The Man-Child emerges from travail.
Then immediately the Man-Child is caught up unto God and unto His throne.
The Holy Spirit intentionally connects the Man-Child with the throne.
The Holy Spirit intentionally connects the Man-Child with administration.
The Holy Spirit intentionally connects the Man-Child with government.
The Holy Spirit intentionally connects the Man-Child with authority.
The throne is not an afterthought.
The throne is the objective.
The throne is the purpose.
The throne reveals the mandate connected to the Man-Child.
THE THRONE IS THE CENTER OF GOD’S PURPOSE
Before there was sin, there was a throne.
Before there was Adam, there was a throne.
Before there was Israel, there was a throne.
Before there was the Church, there was a throne.
Before there was creation, there was a throne.
Psalm 103:19
“The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.”
The throne is the center of divine administration.
The throne is the source of divine government.
The throne is the seat of divine authority.
Everything proceeds from the throne.
Everything is governed from the throne.
Everything ultimately returns to the throne.
THE THRONE AND THE KINGDOM
The throne and the Kingdom cannot be separated.
Where there is a throne, there is government.
Where there is government, there is administration.
Where there is administration, there is purpose.
Daniel 7:27
“And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High.”
The Kingdom is not merely a doctrine.
The Kingdom is administration.
The Kingdom is government.
The Kingdom is authority functioning according to God’s purpose.
The Man-Child is caught up unto this realm of Kingdom administration.
THE MAN-CHILD AND THE THRONE
Notice carefully what Revelation does not say.
It does not say the Man-Child is caught up unto a denomination.
It does not say the Man-Child is caught up unto a movement.
It does not say the Man-Child is caught up unto a ministry.
It says the Man-Child is caught up unto God and His throne.
The Man-Child is directly connected to divine administration.
The Man-Child is directly connected to divine purpose.
The Man-Child is directly connected to divine government.
The Man-Child is directly connected to the increase of Christ’s Kingdom.
THE THRONE SPEAKS OF MATURITY
Children do not govern kingdoms.
Children do not administer nations.
Children do not sit upon thrones.
The throne speaks of maturity.
The throne speaks of responsibility.
The throne speaks of authority.
The throne speaks of stewardship.
The throne speaks of sonship brought to maturity.
This is one reason the revelation of the Man-Child is connected to fullness.
The Man-Child represents mature sonship.
The Man-Child represents manifested sonship.
The Man-Child represents sons functioning within God’s administration.
RULE THEM WITH A ROD OF IRON
Revelation 12:5
“Who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron.”
Notice what immediately follows the birth of the Man-Child.
Government.
Administration.
Authority.
Responsibility.
The Man-Child is connected to ruling.
The Man-Child is connected to administration.
The Man-Child is connected to Kingdom function.
This language echoes many prophetic passages throughout Scripture.
THE INHERITANCE OF THE SAINTS
Revelation 2:26-27
“And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
And he shall rule them with a rod of iron.”
Notice the connection.
Overcoming.
Authority.
Government.
Nations.
Rule.
The Scriptures continually point toward mature sonship functioning within divine administration.
The Man-Child appears within this very framework.
THE MAN-CHILD AND THE MELCHIZEDEK ADMINISTRATION
The previous chapter introduced the Melchizedek administration.
King and priest.
Priest and king.
Ministry and government.
Service and authority.
The throne becomes the meeting place of these realities.
The Man-Child is connected to administration.
The Man-Child is connected to the Kingdom.
The Man-Child is connected to the throne.
The Man-Child is connected to mature sonship functioning within God’s purpose.
THE THRONE IS NOT ESCAPE
Many believers misunderstand throne language.
The throne is not presented as escape.
The throne is presented as administration.
The throne is presented as government.
The throne is presented as responsibility.
The throne is presented as Kingdom function.
Throughout Scripture, those who receive authority receive responsibility.
Those who receive government receive stewardship.
Those who receive administration receive assignment.
The throne is not retirement.
The throne is assignment.
FROM PRIESTHOOD TO ADMINISTRATION
Aaron ministered.
The Royal Priesthood ministers.
The Fivefold Ministry ministers.
Yet the Scriptures continually point toward administration.
The throne introduces administration.
The throne introduces government.
The throne introduces Kingdom function.
The Man-Child appears at the point where manifestation and administration meet.
The Man-Child reveals mature sonship functioning within divine purpose.
THE MAN-CHILD AND THE KINGDOM AGE
The revelation of the Man-Child is inseparably connected to the Kingdom Age.
The Age of Law possessed its mandate.
The Church Age possesses its mandate.
The Kingdom Age possesses its mandate.
Each administration serves God’s purpose.
Each administration possesses a measure.
Each administration reveals Christ in a particular way.
The Man-Child stands at the threshold of Kingdom administration.
The Man-Child reveals a transition from preparation toward manifestation.
The Man-Child reveals a transition from formation toward administration.
THE THRONE GOVERNING THROUGH SONS
Hebrews 2:10
“For it became him… in bringing many sons unto glory.”
God’s purpose has always involved sons.
Not merely servants.
Not merely followers.
Not merely observers.
Sons.
Mature sons.
Manifested sons.
Administrating sons.
The throne reveals God’s purpose of bringing many sons unto glory.
The Man-Child reveals this purpose moving toward manifestation.
WHY CREATION IS WAITING
Romans 8:19
“For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.”
Creation is waiting for manifestation.
Creation is waiting for maturity.
Creation is waiting for administration.
Creation is waiting for the revealing of what God has been forming throughout the ages.
The Man-Child appears as a picture of that manifestation.
The Man-Child appears as a picture of mature sonship.
The Man-Child appears as a picture of Kingdom function.
THE INCREASE OF HIS GOVERNMENT
Isaiah 9:7
“Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end.”
The Kingdom increases.
The government increases.
The administration increases.
The purpose increases.
Everything moves toward greater manifestation.
Everything moves toward greater fulfillment.
Everything moves toward the fullness of Christ.
The Man-Child appears within this stream of increasing Kingdom government.
THE NECESSITY OF THE MAN-CHILD
The Man-Child is not merely born.
The Man-Child is caught up unto God and His throne.
The Man-Child is not merely manifested.
The Man-Child is connected to administration.
The Man-Child is not merely revealed.
The Man-Child is connected to Kingdom function.
The Man-Child is not merely mature.
The Man-Child is entrusted with responsibility.
This is why the throne is central to the revelation.
The throne reveals purpose.
The throne reveals administration.
The throne reveals authority.
The throne reveals Kingdom government.
The throne reveals the next stage in God’s progressive purpose.
As the Man-Child is caught up unto God and His throne, the Scriptures reveal the transition from preparation into administration, from formation into manifestation, and from promise into Kingdom function, as God’s eternal purpose continues moving toward the gathering together of all things in Christ.
CHAPTER 17
THE KINGDOM AGE BEGINS
Throughout this book we have traced God’s progressive purpose from eternity, through the Age of Law, through the Church Age, and into the revelation of the Man-Child.
We have followed the unfolding of God’s purpose from shadow to substance.
From preparation to manifestation.
From promise to fulfillment.
From Aaron to Christ.
From the Levitical Priesthood to the Royal Priesthood.
From the Royal Priesthood toward the administration associated with the Man-Child.
Now we arrive at one of the greatest transitions in Scripture.
The beginning of the Kingdom Age.
The Kingdom Age is not the beginning of God’s purpose.
The Kingdom Age is the maturation of God’s purpose.
The Kingdom Age is the unveiling of what previous administrations have been preparing.
The Kingdom Age is the increase of Christ’s government through mature sons.
THE AGE TO COME
Ephesians 1:21
“Not only in this world, but also in that which is to come.”
The Scriptures repeatedly speak of ages.
The Scriptures repeatedly speak of administrations.
The Scriptures repeatedly speak of times and seasons within God’s purpose.
Just as the Law Age had a beginning, and just as the Church Age had a beginning, the Scriptures reveal an age to come.
An administration associated with greater manifestation.
An administration associated with greater maturity.
An administration associated with greater Kingdom function.
THE KINGDOM OF GOD
Luke 17:20-21
“The kingdom of God cometh not with observation…
For, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.”
The Kingdom begins within.
The Kingdom begins as life.
The Kingdom begins as seed.
The Kingdom begins as Christ formed within His people.
Yet every seed is intended to grow.
Every seed is intended to mature.
Every seed is intended to manifest.
The Kingdom Age represents the increase of what God has been planting throughout previous administrations.
OF THE INCREASE OF HIS GOVERNMENT
Isaiah 9:7
“Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end.”
Notice the word:
Increase.
God’s government increases.
God’s Kingdom increases.
God’s administration increases.
God’s purpose increases.
The Kingdom Age is not a different Christ.
The Kingdom Age is the increase of Christ.
The Kingdom Age is the increase of His government.
The Kingdom Age is the increase of His administration.
The Kingdom Age is the increase of His manifestation.
THE MAN-CHILD AND THE KINGDOM AGE
The Man-Child stands at the threshold of the Kingdom Age.
The Man-Child is connected to manifestation.
The Man-Child is connected to maturity.
The Man-Child is connected to administration.
The Man-Child is connected to the throne.
The Man-Child is connected to Kingdom function.
The revelation of the Man-Child helps believers understand why God has been preparing His people throughout the Church Age.
The Man-Child reveals the transition from preparation toward administration.
The Man-Child reveals the transition from formation toward manifestation.
THE CHURCH AGE PREPARED FOR THIS MOMENT
The Church Age was not wasted.
The Church Age was not a detour.
The Church Age fulfilled its assignment.
The Church Age birthed the Royal Priesthood.
The Church Age birthed the Fivefold Ministry.
The Church Age revealed Christ within His people.
The Church Age formed Christ within His people.
The Church Age prepared believers for maturity.
The Church Age prepared believers for manifestation.
The Church Age prepared believers for the Kingdom Age.
THE FIVEFOLD MINISTRY AND THE KINGDOM AGE
Ephesians 4:13
“Till we all come in the unity of the faith…”
The Fivefold Ministry possesses a destination.
The Fivefold Ministry possesses an objective.
The Fivefold Ministry possesses a mark.
The Fivefold Ministry prepares.
The Fivefold Ministry equips.
The Fivefold Ministry matures.
The Fivefold Ministry forms Christ within believers.
Everything points toward the fullness of Christ.
Everything points toward maturity.
Everything points toward manifestation.
The Kingdom Age reveals the fruit of that preparation.
THE MAN-CHILD AND KINGDOM FUNCTION
The Man-Child is not merely a revelation of life.
The Man-Child is a revelation of mature life.
The Man-Child is not merely a revelation of sonship.
The Man-Child is a revelation of manifested sonship.
The Man-Child is not merely a revelation of growth.
The Man-Child is a revelation of maturity.
The Man-Child is connected to Kingdom function.
The Man-Child is connected to Kingdom administration.
The Man-Child is connected to Kingdom purpose.
THE THRONE GOVERNING THROUGH SONS
Revelation 3:21
“To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne.”
Notice the language.
My throne.
Not merely life.
Not merely blessing.
Not merely salvation.
The throne.
The throne reveals administration.
The throne reveals authority.
The throne reveals responsibility.
The throne reveals Kingdom government.
The Kingdom Age reveals the increase of Christ’s government through mature sons functioning in harmony with His purpose.
MANY SONS UNTO GLORY
Hebrews 2:10
“For it became him… in bringing many sons unto glory.”
God’s purpose has always been larger than individual experience.
God’s purpose involves many sons.
God’s purpose involves maturity.
God’s purpose involves manifestation.
God’s purpose involves glory.
The Kingdom Age reveals God’s purpose advancing through mature sons who have been formed through previous administrations.
The Man-Child appears as a picture of this maturity brought to manifestation.
THE LIBERTY OF THE SONS OF GOD
Romans 8:21
“…into the glorious liberty of the children of God.”
The Kingdom Age is connected to liberty.
The Kingdom Age is connected to freedom.
The Kingdom Age is connected to manifestation.
The Kingdom Age is connected to the unveiling of what God has been forming throughout the ages.
This is why creation continues groaning.
This is why creation continues waiting.
This is why creation continues expecting.
Creation is waiting for manifestation.
Creation is waiting for liberty.
Creation is waiting for maturity.
THE KINGDOM AGE AND THE NATIONS
Isaiah 2:2-3
“And all nations shall flow unto it.”
The Kingdom Age possesses a broader scope than personal experience.
The Kingdom Age concerns nations.
The Kingdom Age concerns administration.
The Kingdom Age concerns government.
The Kingdom Age concerns the increase of Christ’s rule.
The Kingdom Age concerns the outworking of God’s purpose throughout creation.
The Kingdom Age reveals Christ functioning through mature sons for the blessing and restoration of the nations.
THE END OF ONE AGE AND THE BEGINNING OF ANOTHER
Every administration reaches fulfillment.
Every preparation reaches manifestation.
Every seed reaches harvest.
Every promise reaches fulfillment.
The Kingdom Age does not reject previous administrations.
The Kingdom Age fulfills previous administrations.
The Kingdom Age reveals what the Law prepared for.
The Kingdom Age reveals what Pentecost prepared for.
The Kingdom Age reveals what the Fivefold Ministry prepared for.
The Kingdom Age reveals what the Man-Child signifies.
The Kingdom Age reveals the increase of Christ’s government through mature sons.
THE MAN-CHILD AND THE KINGDOM AGE
The Man-Child appears repeatedly throughout this transition because the Man-Child reveals the emergence of maturity.
The Man-Child reveals the emergence of manifested sonship.
The Man-Child reveals the emergence of Kingdom administration.
The Man-Child reveals the emergence of the hundredfold principle.
The Man-Child reveals the emergence of what God has been forming throughout the ages.
The Man-Child stands as a witness that preparation has a purpose.
The Man-Child stands as a witness that maturity has an objective.
The Man-Child stands as a witness that God’s eternal purpose is advancing toward fulfillment.
THE KINGDOM AGE BEGINS
The Law prepared.
Pentecost prepared.
The Royal Priesthood prepared.
The Fivefold Ministry prepared.
The Church Age prepared.
The Man-Child emerges.
The throne appears.
Administration begins.
The Kingdom Age unfolds.
The increase of His government continues.
The liberty of the sons of God advances.
The purpose of God moves forward.
And the reader begins to see that God’s eternal purpose has never changed.
From before the foundation of the world until the consummation of the ages, God has been moving creation toward one great objective:
The fullness of Christ manifested in His people until all things in heaven, earth, and under the earth are gathered together in Him.
CHAPTER 18
THE NATIONS SHALL FLOW UNTO ZION
As God’s purpose unfolds through the ages, the focus continually expands.
The Law focused upon a nation.
The Church Age focused upon the formation of a people.
The Kingdom Age reveals the administration of Christ extending through mature sons into the nations.
God’s purpose has never been limited to individual salvation alone.
God’s purpose has always been larger.
God’s purpose has always included creation.
God’s purpose has always included nations.
God’s purpose has always included the reconciliation of all things in Christ.
The revelation of the Man-Child becomes important because the Man-Child is not merely connected to personal maturity.
The Man-Child is connected to Kingdom purpose.
The Man-Child is connected to Kingdom administration.
The Man-Child is connected to the blessing and restoration of the nations.
THE MOUNTAIN OF THE LORD’S HOUSE
Isaiah 2:2
“And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains.”
Throughout Scripture, mountains often symbolize kingdoms and governments.
The mountain of the Lord’s house speaks of God’s government.
The mountain of the Lord’s house speaks of God’s administration.
The mountain of the Lord’s house speaks of God’s Kingdom being established in greater measure.
The Kingdom Age is connected to this increase.
The Kingdom Age is connected to the manifestation of God’s government within creation.
ALL NATIONS SHALL FLOW UNTO IT
Isaiah 2:2
“…and all nations shall flow unto it.”
This is remarkable language.
Nations flow.
Peoples flow.
Kingdoms flow.
Creation responds.
The purpose of God extends beyond individual experience.
The purpose of God extends beyond private spirituality.
The purpose of God extends toward the nations.
The Kingdom Age reveals God’s purpose affecting creation on a broader scale.
THE MAN-CHILD AND THE NATIONS
The Man-Child is connected to administration.
The Man-Child is connected to the throne.
The Man-Child is connected to Kingdom function.
The Man-Child therefore becomes connected to the nations.
The Man-Child is not presented as isolated.
The Man-Child is presented as functioning within God’s Kingdom purpose.
The Man-Child is presented as participating in the increase of Christ’s government.
The Man-Child is presented as part of God’s answer to creation’s groaning.
THE LAW OF ZION
Isaiah 2:3
“For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.”
Notice the direction.
Outward.
The Kingdom does not merely gather.
The Kingdom also sends.
The Kingdom influences.
The Kingdom teaches.
The Kingdom blesses.
The Kingdom transforms.
The Kingdom extends.
Zion becomes a picture of God’s government functioning through His people.
The Kingdom Age reveals this principle in greater measure.
MANY PEOPLE SHALL COME
Isaiah 2:3
“And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord.”
The nations are not portrayed as fleeing from God’s government.
The nations are portrayed as seeking God’s government.
The nations are portrayed as seeking God’s wisdom.
The nations are portrayed as seeking God’s ways.
The nations are portrayed as seeking God’s truth.
The Kingdom Age reveals the attractiveness of Christ manifested through mature sons.
THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE LORD
Habakkuk 2:14
“For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.”
This is one of the great promises of Scripture.
The earth shall be filled.
Not a corner.
Not a tribe.
Not a city.
The earth.
The knowledge of the Lord expands.
The glory of the Lord expands.
The government of the Lord expands.
The Kingdom Age reveals the increase of this knowledge throughout creation.
THE MAN-CHILD AND THE INCREASE OF KNOWLEDGE
The Man-Child is connected to manifestation.
Manifestation produces visibility.
Visibility produces testimony.
Testimony produces influence.
Influence produces increase.
The Man-Child therefore becomes connected to the expansion of God’s purpose throughout creation.
The Man-Child reveals Christ.
The Man-Child reveals maturity.
The Man-Child reveals Kingdom function.
The Man-Child reveals God’s purpose becoming visible.
THE NATIONS WALK IN THE LIGHT
Isaiah 60:3
“And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.”
Light influences.
Light reveals.
Light guides.
Light attracts.
The Kingdom Age is repeatedly described using the language of light.
As Christ is manifested, the influence of that light extends outward.
The nations respond.
The peoples respond.
The kings respond.
The Kingdom of God advances.
THE GROANING OF CREATION
Romans 8:19
“For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.”
The nations are part of creation.
The peoples are part of creation.
The earth is part of creation.
Creation continues waiting.
Creation continues expecting.
Creation continues groaning.
Why?
Because manifestation affects more than individuals.
Manifestation affects creation.
Manifestation affects nations.
Manifestation affects the earth itself.
The Man-Child becomes significant because the Man-Child is connected to manifestation.
THE THRONE GOVERNING THROUGH SONS
The throne is not passive.
The throne governs.
The throne administers.
The throne directs.
The throne influences.
The Kingdom Age reveals the throne governing through mature sons.
The Kingdom Age reveals Christ increasing His government through those who have been formed by previous administrations.
The Man-Child appears within this framework of Kingdom administration.
THE BLESSING OF THE NATIONS
Genesis 22:18
“And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.”
This promise reaches back to Abraham.
God’s purpose always included the nations.
God’s purpose always extended beyond Israel.
God’s purpose always extended beyond one people.
God’s purpose always extended toward the reconciliation and blessing of creation.
The Kingdom Age reveals this promise unfolding in greater measure.
THE KINGDOM WITHOUT END
Isaiah 9:7
“Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end.”
Notice again the word increase.
The Kingdom increases.
The peace increases.
The government increases.
The administration increases.
The blessing increases.
The influence increases.
Everything moves forward.
Everything expands.
Everything advances according to God’s purpose.
THE MAN-CHILD AND KINGDOM INCREASE
The Man-Child appears at a critical transition.
The Man-Child reveals maturity.
The Man-Child reveals manifestation.
The Man-Child reveals administration.
The Man-Child reveals the increase of Christ’s government.
The Man-Child reveals God’s purpose moving from formation toward influence, from preparation toward administration, and from maturity toward Kingdom function.
The Man-Child therefore becomes connected to the blessing of the nations and the increase of Christ’s Kingdom throughout creation.
THE PURPOSE OF ZION
Zion is more than a location.
Zion reveals government.
Zion reveals administration.
Zion reveals Kingdom order.
Zion reveals the habitation of God among His people.
The nations flowing unto Zion reveal creation responding to God’s government.
The nations flowing unto Zion reveal creation responding to God’s wisdom.
The nations flowing unto Zion reveal creation responding to God’s manifested purpose.
THE NECESSITY OF THE MAN-CHILD
The Law prepared for greater manifestation.
Pentecost prepared for greater manifestation.
The Royal Priesthood prepared for greater manifestation.
The Fivefold Ministry prepared for greater manifestation.
The Church Age prepared for greater manifestation.
The Man-Child emerges.
The throne governs.
The Kingdom increases.
The nations respond.
The knowledge of the Lord fills the earth.
The blessing of Abraham reaches the nations.
The purpose of God advances throughout creation.
The Man-Child therefore stands as a testimony that God’s purpose is larger than individual experience.
The Man-Child reveals God’s purpose moving outward into creation, outward into the nations, and outward into the earth until the knowledge of the glory of the Lord covers the earth as the waters cover the sea.
And as the nations flow unto Zion, the reader begins to see that God’s eternal purpose has always been moving toward one glorious conclusion:
The increase of Christ’s Kingdom throughout creation until all things are gathered together in Him.
CHAPTER 19
GOD ALL IN ALL
Every journey possesses a destination.
Every purpose possesses an objective.
Every administration possesses a fulfillment.
Throughout this book we have traced God’s purpose from before the foundation of the world through successive ages, priesthoods, ministries, and manifestations.
We have followed the path from Law to Grace.
From Aaron to Christ.
From the Levitical Priesthood to the Royal Priesthood.
From preparation to manifestation.
From Pentecost to the Kingdom Age.
From the travail of the woman to the birth of the Man-Child.
From the Man-Child to the throne.
From the throne to the nations.
Now we arrive at the final objective toward which every administration has been moving.
God all in all.
THE END REVEALS THE BEGINNING
Isaiah 46:10
“Declaring the end from the beginning.”
God always begins with the end in view.
God never loses sight of His purpose.
God never changes His destination.
God never abandons His plan.
The ages unfold.
The administrations change.
The priesthoods change.
The manifestations increase.
The purpose remains.
The destination remains.
God all in all.
THE GREAT CONSUMMATION
1 Corinthians 15:24
“Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father.”
Paul now carries us beyond individual administrations.
Beyond individual ages.
Beyond individual manifestations.
He brings us to the great consummation.
The end toward which everything has been moving.
The purpose toward which every age has been advancing.
The Kingdom itself moves toward a final objective.
ALL ENEMIES SUBDUED
1 Corinthians 15:25
“For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.”
Notice the word:
Till.
The Kingdom advances.
The government increases.
The administration continues.
The reign of Christ unfolds.
Everything moves toward completion.
Everything moves toward fulfillment.
Everything moves toward reconciliation.
Everything moves toward the victory of God’s purpose.
THE LAST ENEMY
1 Corinthians 15:26
“The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.”
Death entered the story.
Death is not the conclusion of the story.
Death is an enemy.
Death is temporary.
Death is destined for removal.
Death itself comes under the authority of Christ.
Death itself comes under the government of Christ.
Death itself ultimately yields to God’s purpose.
The Scriptures point toward complete victory.
THE PURPOSE OF THE KINGDOM
Many believers see the Kingdom as the destination.
Paul reveals something even greater.
The Kingdom serves a purpose.
The Kingdom advances a purpose.
The Kingdom accomplishes a purpose.
The Kingdom is the administration through which Christ brings all things into harmony with God’s eternal plan.
The Kingdom Age is glorious.
The Kingdom Age is powerful.
The Kingdom Age serves a larger objective.
GOD ALL IN ALL
1 Corinthians 15:28
“That God may be all in all.”
This is the destination.
This is the objective.
This is the purpose.
God all in all.
Not partially in all.
Not occasionally in all.
Not temporarily in all.
God all in all.
Every administration points toward this reality.
Every priesthood points toward this reality.
Every ministry points toward this reality.
Every manifestation points toward this reality.
THE MAN-CHILD AND GOD ALL IN ALL
The Man-Child is not the final destination.
The Man-Child serves God’s purpose.
The Man-Child advances God’s purpose.
The Man-Child reveals God’s purpose.
The Man-Child participates in God’s purpose.
The Man-Child becomes significant because the Man-Child is connected to manifestation.
The Man-Child is connected to Kingdom administration.
The Man-Child is connected to the increase of Christ’s government.
The Man-Child is connected to the reconciliation of creation.
The Man-Child serves the greater objective of God all in all.
THE RECONCILIATION OF ALL THINGS
Colossians 1:20
“And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself.”
Notice the language.
All things.
Not some things.
All things.
Things in earth.
Things in heaven.
Everything moves toward reconciliation.
Everything moves toward restoration.
Everything moves toward harmony.
Everything moves toward Christ.
This has always been God’s purpose.
THE GATHERING TOGETHER OF ALL THINGS
Ephesians 1:10
“That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ.”
This verse has echoed throughout this book.
Now we see why.
This is the destination.
This is the objective.
This is the purpose.
Everything gathered together in Christ.
The Law served this purpose.
The Church Age served this purpose.
The Royal Priesthood served this purpose.
The Fivefold Ministry served this purpose.
The Man-Child serves this purpose.
The Kingdom Age serves this purpose.
Everything moves toward the gathering together of all things in Christ.
THE LIBERTY OF CREATION
Romans 8:21
“Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption.”
Creation’s groaning is not endless.
Creation’s travail is not endless.
Creation’s waiting is not endless.
Creation’s expectation points toward fulfillment.
The liberty of the sons of God expands.
The Kingdom advances.
The purpose unfolds.
The creation itself experiences the effects of God’s victory.
THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE LORD
Habakkuk 2:14
“For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.”
This is not scarcity.
This is abundance.
This is not defeat.
This is victory.
This is not decline.
This is increase.
The knowledge of the Lord fills the earth.
The glory of the Lord fills the earth.
The purpose of the Lord fills the earth.
Everything advances toward God’s intended conclusion.
THE KINGDOM WITHOUT END
Isaiah 9:7
“Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end.”
The increase continues.
The government continues.
The peace continues.
The Kingdom continues.
The purpose continues.
Everything moves forward under the administration of Christ.
Everything advances toward God’s eternal objective.
THE MAN-CHILD IN THE STREAM OF GOD’S PURPOSE
The Man-Child is not an isolated doctrine.
The Man-Child is part of a larger story.
The Man-Child is part of a larger purpose.
The Man-Child is part of a larger administration.
The Man-Child appears within the stream of God’s progressive revelation.
The Man-Child reveals manifestation.
The Man-Child reveals maturity.
The Man-Child reveals Kingdom administration.
The Man-Child reveals the increase of Christ’s government.
The Man-Child reveals God’s purpose advancing toward completion.
THE CONSUMMATION OF THIS PRESENT EVIL AGE
Galatians 1:4
“Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world.”
Every age possesses a beginning.
Every age possesses an end.
This present evil age is not permanent.
This present evil age serves a purpose.
This present evil age prepares for something greater.
The revelation of the Man-Child marks a transition.
The revelation of the Man-Child marks a consummation.
The revelation of the Man-Child marks the completion of one administration and the emergence of another.
Everything moves toward God’s intended conclusion.
THE ETERNAL PURPOSE FULFILLED
Ephesians 3:11
“According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Notice the language.
The eternal purpose.
Not a temporary purpose.
Not a reactionary purpose.
An eternal purpose.
The purpose existed before the foundation of the world.
The purpose unfolds through the ages.
The purpose advances through successive administrations.
The purpose increases through greater manifestations.
The purpose remains unchanged.
God all in all.
THE FINAL VISION
When the reader reaches this point, he begins to see the entire panorama of God’s purpose.
Before the foundation of the world.
The Age of Law.
The Church Age.
The Royal Priesthood.
The Fivefold Ministry.
The groaning of creation.
The manifestation of the sons of God.
The revelation of the Man-Child.
The throne.
The Kingdom Age.
The nations flowing unto Zion.
The increase of Christ’s government.
The reconciliation of all things.
Everything gathered together in Christ.
God all in all.
This is the destination.
This is the objective.
This is the purpose.
This is the consummation toward which every age has been moving.
And as God’s purpose stands revealed, the reader discovers that the story of Scripture has always been one story, one purpose, one Kingdom, one Christ, and one glorious conclusion:
That God may be all in all.
CHAPTER 20
WHERE ARE WE NOW IN GOD’S PROGRESSIVE PURPOSE?
Every generation asks the same question.
Where are we?
What is God doing?
What season are we living in?
What is the present work of Christ?
What should God’s people be pursuing?
These questions are not new.
Israel asked them.
The prophets asked them.
The disciples asked them.
The Church has asked them throughout every age.
To answer these questions properly, we must understand God’s progressive purpose.
We must understand where we have come from.
We must understand where we are.
And we must understand where God is taking creation.
GOD IS A GOD OF PROGRESSION
Proverbs 4:18
“But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.”
Notice the language.
More and more.
Increase.
Progression.
Advancement.
Growth.
Maturity.
God moves progressively.
God reveals progressively.
God manifests progressively.
God unfolds His purpose progressively.
The purpose remains the same.
The manifestation increases.
LOOKING BACKWARD
When we look backward, we can clearly see the path God has taken.
God established the Law.
God established the Levitical Priesthood.
God established shadow and type.
God prepared the way.
Then Christ appeared.
Then Pentecost appeared.
Then the Church Age appeared.
Then the Royal Priesthood appeared.
Then the Fivefold Ministry appeared.
Everything unfolded according to God’s purpose.
Everything served God’s purpose.
Everything prepared for greater manifestation.
LOOKING FORWARD
When we look forward, we see the same pattern.
The Scriptures continually point toward maturity.
The Scriptures continually point toward manifestation.
The Scriptures continually point toward fullness.
The Scriptures continually point toward the revealing of the sons of God.
The Scriptures continually point toward the Kingdom.
The Scriptures continually point toward the increase of Christ’s government.
The Scriptures continually point toward the gathering together of all things in Christ.
The destination remains before us.
THE PRESENT WORK OF GOD
One of the greatest mistakes believers make is focusing entirely upon the past.
Others focus entirely upon the future.
The Scriptures teach us to discern the present work of God.
God is forming Christ within His people.
God is renewing minds.
God is maturing sons.
God is preparing vessels.
God is bringing many sons unto glory.
God is moving creation toward manifestation.
God is advancing His eternal purpose.
THE MAN-CHILD AND THE PRESENT MOMENT
The revelation of the Man-Child is not merely about a future event.
The revelation of the Man-Child provides present direction.
The Man-Child reveals the mark.
The Man-Child reveals the objective.
The Man-Child reveals the destination.
The Man-Child reveals why growth matters.
The Man-Child reveals why maturity matters.
The Man-Child reveals why believers should continue pressing forward.
Without a destination, preparation loses purpose.
Without a mark, growth loses direction.
Without a vision, people perish.
The revelation of the Man-Child helps establish the objective before the eyes of God’s people.
DISCERNING THE TIMES
Matthew 16:3
“…can ye not discern the signs of the times?”
Jesus expected His people to discern.
Jesus expected His people to recognize seasons.
Jesus expected His people to understand God’s workings.
Every age possesses signs.
Every administration possesses characteristics.
Every season possesses indicators.
The believer who understands God’s progressive purpose gains discernment.
He learns to distinguish preparation from manifestation.
He learns to distinguish promise from fulfillment.
He learns to distinguish process from completion.
THE DANGER OF CONFUSION
Many believers struggle because everything becomes mixed together.
Law and Grace become mixed.
Preparation and manifestation become mixed.
Spirit, soul, and body become mixed.
Aaron and Melchizedek become mixed.
The Church Age and the Kingdom Age become mixed.
The result is confusion.
Distinction produces clarity.
Distinction produces understanding.
Distinction allows each truth to stand within its proper place.
THE PURPOSE OF THIS BOOK
The purpose of this book has never been argument.
The purpose of this book has never been controversy.
The purpose of this book has been distinction.
To establish foundations.
To establish order.
To establish understanding.
To reveal God’s progressive purpose.
To reveal the significance of the Man-Child.
To reveal the relationship between the ages.
To reveal the relationship between preparation and manifestation.
To reveal the relationship between God’s eternal purpose and present reality.
THE CALL TO PRESS FORWARD
Philippians 3:14
“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
The call remains unchanged.
Press forward.
Press toward maturity.
Press toward Christ.
Press toward fullness.
Press toward greater manifestation.
Press toward the purpose of God.
The revelation of the Man-Child continually calls believers forward.
Not into pride.
Not into superiority.
Not into self-exaltation.
But into maturity.
Into Christ.
Into greater conformity to His image.
THE GROANING OF CREATION
Romans 8:19
“For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.”
Creation still groans.
Creation still waits.
Creation still expects.
The purpose of God continues unfolding.
The Kingdom continues increasing.
The government continues increasing.
The knowledge of the Lord continues increasing.
Everything moves toward fulfillment.
Everything moves toward manifestation.
Everything moves toward God’s intended conclusion.
THE INCREASE OF HIS GOVERNMENT
Isaiah 9:7
“Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end.”
This verse summarizes the entire journey.
The increase of His government.
The increase of His Kingdom.
The increase of His peace.
The increase of His purpose.
The increase never stops.
The Kingdom never retreats.
The purpose never fails.
The plan never collapses.
God continues advancing His eternal purpose throughout creation.
THE MAN-CHILD IN GOD’S ETERNAL PURPOSE
The Man-Child is not an isolated revelation.
The Man-Child is part of God’s eternal purpose.
The Man-Child is part of God’s progressive purpose.
The Man-Child is part of God’s Kingdom purpose.
The Man-Child is part of God’s plan to bring creation into liberty.
The Man-Child is part of God’s plan to increase His government.
The Man-Child is part of God’s plan to gather all things together in Christ.
The Man-Child serves the larger objective of God’s eternal purpose.
FROM ETERNITY TO ETERNITY
We began this book before the foundation of the world.
We began this book in God’s eternal purpose.
We have traced that purpose through the ages.
We have followed it through Law.
Through Grace.
Through Pentecost.
Through the Church Age.
Through the Royal Priesthood.
Through the Fivefold Ministry.
Through the groaning of creation.
Through the revelation of the Man-Child.
Through the throne.
Through the Kingdom Age.
Through the nations flowing unto Zion.
Through God all in all.
The purpose has never changed.
The manifestation has increased.
A FINAL EXHORTATION
Hebrews 12:2
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.”
Keep your eyes upon Christ.
Not merely upon doctrines.
Not merely upon systems.
Not merely upon controversies.
Upon Christ.
For the Law points to Christ.
Pentecost points to Christ.
The Royal Priesthood points to Christ.
The Fivefold Ministry points to Christ.
The Man-Child points to Christ.
The Kingdom points to Christ.
The throne points to Christ.
Everything points to Christ.
He is the beginning.
He is the middle.
He is the end.
He is the Alpha.
He is the Omega.
He is the First.
He is the Last.
He is the purpose of God revealed.
THE CONSUMMATION OF THIS PRESENT EVIL AGE
The story of Scripture is not the story of defeat.
It is the story of purpose.
It is the story of increase.
It is the story of manifestation.
It is the story of Christ.
It is the story of God’s eternal purpose unfolding through the ages.
The Man-Child stands as a witness of that purpose.
The Man-Child stands as a witness of maturity.
The Man-Child stands as a witness of manifestation.
The Man-Child stands as a witness of the transition from preparation to fulfillment.
And as the ages unfold according to God’s eternal purpose, creation moves steadily toward its appointed destination:
The fullness of Christ.
The increase of His Kingdom.
The liberty of the sons of God.
The gathering together of all things in Him.
And ultimately—
That God may be all in all.
CONCLUSION
THE PURPOSE OF THE AGES REVEALED
As we bring this study to its conclusion, let us return to where we began.
Before the foundation of the world.
Before Adam.
Before Moses.
Before Israel.
Before the Church.
Before the ages themselves.
We began in God’s eternal purpose.
Ephesians 1:4
“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world.”
The story of Scripture does not begin with man’s failure.
The story of Scripture begins with God’s purpose.
The story of Scripture begins with Christ.
The story of Scripture begins with a purpose hidden in God before the ages began.
Everything that followed has been the progressive unveiling of that purpose.
ONE PURPOSE THROUGH MANY AGES
Throughout this book we have traced God’s purpose through successive administrations.
The Age of Law.
The Church Age.
The Kingdom Age.
The Levitical Priesthood.
The Royal Priesthood.
The Melchizedek administration.
The Law.
Grace.
Manifestation.
Each administration possessed a mandate.
Each administration possessed a purpose.
Each administration possessed a measure.
Each administration served God’s eternal purpose.
None stood alone.
None existed independently.
Each prepared the way for greater revelation.
Each prepared the way for greater manifestation.
Each prepared the way for greater fulfillment.
THE NECESSITY OF DISTINCTION
One of the great burdens of this book has been distinction.
Distinction between spirit, soul, and body.
Distinction between preparation and manifestation.
Distinction between promise and fulfillment.
Distinction between the Age of Law and the Church Age.
Distinction between the Church Age and the Kingdom Age.
Distinction between priesthoods.
Distinction between administrations.
Distinction between beginnings and fullness.
Without distinction, confusion follows.
With distinction comes understanding.
When a believer understands where a Scripture belongs, he begins to understand what God is doing.
When a believer understands what God is doing, he begins to cooperate with God’s purpose.
THE MAN-CHILD AND GOD’S ETERNAL PURPOSE
The Man-Child is not an isolated doctrine.
The Man-Child is not an isolated symbol.
The Man-Child is not a side issue.
The Man-Child stands within the stream of God’s eternal purpose.
The Man-Child reveals manifestation.
The Man-Child reveals maturity.
The Man-Child reveals fullness.
The Man-Child reveals the transition from preparation into administration.
The Man-Child reveals the transition from formation into manifestation.
The Man-Child reveals the emergence of what God has been forming throughout the ages.
The Man-Child reveals the objective toward which previous administrations have been laboring.
WHY THE MAN-CHILD MATTERS
The Man-Child matters because creation is still groaning.
The Man-Child matters because creation is still waiting.
The Man-Child matters because creation is still expecting.
Romans 8:19
“For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.”
Creation is not waiting for another shadow.
Creation is not waiting for another ceremony.
Creation is not waiting for another beginning.
Creation is waiting for manifestation.
Creation is waiting for maturity.
Creation is waiting for the unveiling of what God has been forming throughout the ages.
The Man-Child stands as a witness of that manifestation.
THE CALL OF THIS HOUR
The call of this hour is not complacency.
The call of this hour is not stagnation.
The call of this hour is not settling.
The call of this hour is to press forward.
Philippians 3:14
“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
The believer must see the mark.
The believer must see the prize.
The believer must see the objective.
The believer must see the purpose.
Without vision, people settle.
Without revelation, people stop growing.
Without understanding, people confuse preparation with fulfillment.
The revelation of the Man-Child places the objective before our eyes.
THE INCREASE OF HIS GOVERNMENT
Isaiah 9:7
“Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end.”
This may be one of the most important truths in the entire Bible.
God’s purpose is increasing.
Christ’s government is increasing.
Christ’s Kingdom is increasing.
Christ’s administration is increasing.
The story of Scripture is not decline.
The story of Scripture is increase.
The story of Scripture is not defeat.
The story of Scripture is victory.
The story of Scripture is not darkness triumphing.
The story of Scripture is Christ increasing until all things are gathered together in Him.
THE LIBERTY OF THE SONS OF GOD
Romans 8:21
“Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.”
Creation shall be delivered.
Creation shall enter liberty.
Creation shall experience the effects of God’s victory.
Creation shall experience the outworking of God’s purpose.
The Kingdom advances.
The government increases.
The knowledge of the Lord fills the earth.
The purpose of God moves steadily toward fulfillment.
THE FINAL DESTINATION
The final destination has never changed.
Ephesians 1:10
“That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ.”
Everything gathered together in Christ.
Everything reconciled in Christ.
Everything brought into harmony in Christ.
Everything brought under the government of Christ.
Everything brought into the purpose of Christ.
This has always been the objective.
This has always been the destination.
This has always been the purpose.
GOD ALL IN ALL
1 Corinthians 15:28
“That God may be all in all.”
This is the final vision.
This is the final objective.
This is the final purpose.
Not merely redeemed individuals.
Not merely successful ministries.
Not merely restored nations.
God all in all.
The Law served this purpose.
The Church Age serves this purpose.
The Kingdom Age serves this purpose.
The Man-Child serves this purpose.
The throne serves this purpose.
The nations flowing unto Zion serve this purpose.
Everything serves this purpose.
Everything moves toward this purpose.
Everything exists because of this purpose.
A FINAL WORD
As you close this book, do not merely remember the terminology.
Do not merely remember the distinctions.
Do not merely remember the chapters.
Remember the purpose.
Remember the destination.
Remember the Christ who stands at the center of it all.
For the Law points to Him.
The prophets point to Him.
The Church points to Him.
The Fivefold Ministry points to Him.
The Royal Priesthood points to Him.
The Man-Child points to Him.
The Kingdom points to Him.
The throne points to Him.
Everything points to Him.
Jesus Christ is the beginning.
Jesus Christ is the ending.
Jesus Christ is the purpose.
Jesus Christ is the fulfillment.
Jesus Christ is the Alpha and Omega.
And as God’s purpose unfolds through the ages, through administrations, through manifestations, and through increasing measures of glory, one truth remains forever unchanged:
The Father is bringing all things into His Son until all things are gathered together in Christ, creation enters the liberty of the sons of God, the Kingdom fills the earth, and God becomes all in all.
Amen.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE GUIDE
Chapter 1 — The God of Purpose Before the Foundation of the World
- Ephesians 1:4
- 2 Timothy 1:9
- Titus 1:2
- John 17:5
- Isaiah 46:9-10
- Ephesians 1:10
Chapter 2 — The Three Great Ages of God’s Purpose
- Ephesians 1:10
- Galatians 3:24
- Exodus 28:1
- Hebrews 10:1
- Galatians 4:4-5
- Acts 2:17
- 1 Peter 2:9
- Ephesians 4:11-12
- Romans 8:19
- Daniel 7:18
Chapter 3 — Aaron and the Age of Law
- Exodus 28:1
- Romans 3:20
- Galatians 3:24
- Hebrews 10:1
- 2 Corinthians 3:7
- Romans 8:19
- Galatians 4:4
Chapter 4 — The Mandate of Shadow and Type
- Hebrews 8:5
- Colossians 2:16-17
- Galatians 3:19
- 2 Corinthians 3:18
- Romans 8:19
Chapter 5 — Why the Law Could Not Bring Fullness
- Psalm 19:7
- Romans 7:12
- Romans 3:20
- Galatians 3:21
- Hebrews 10:1-2
- Romans 8:22
- Hebrews 8:6
- Hebrews 7:11
- Galatians 4:1-5
Chapter 6 — The Birth of the Church Age
- Galatians 4:4
- 1 Corinthians 15:23
- Acts 1:4-5
- Acts 2:1-4
- Matthew 28:19-20
- 1 Peter 2:9
- Ephesians 4:11
- Ephesians 1:13-14
- Romans 8:19
Chapter 7 — The Royal Priesthood
- 1 Peter 2:9
- Ephesians 4:11-12
- Ephesians 1:13-14
- 1 John 3:2
- Romans 8:19
Chapter 8 — The Fivefold Ministry and Its Divine Assignment
- Ephesians 4:11-13
- Romans 8:19
- Philippians 3:14
Chapter 9 — The Purpose and Limitations of Pentecost
- Joel 2:28
- Acts 2:1
- Acts 2:4
- Acts 1:8
- 1 Corinthians 12:7
- Ephesians 1:13-14
- Romans 8:22-23
- Romans 8:19
Chapter 10 — Why Creation Is Still Groaning
- Romans 8:19-23
- Romans 8:20-21
- Romans 8:22
- Romans 8:23
Chapter 11 — The Distinction Between Spirit, Soul, and Body
- 1 Thessalonians 5:23
- John 3:6
- 2 Corinthians 5:17
- 1 Corinthians 6:17
- James 1:21
- Romans 12:2
- 3 John 1:2
- Romans 8:23
Chapter 12 — From Thirtyfold to Sixtyfold to Hundredfold
- Mark 4:8
- Mark 4:28
- Philippians 3:13-14
- Romans 8:19
Chapter 13 — The Mark of the Prize
- Philippians 3:12-14
- 1 John 3:2
- Hebrews 11:39-40
- Ephesians 4:13
- Romans 8:19
Chapter 14 — The Appearing of the Melchizedek Administration
- Genesis 14:18
- Psalm 110:4
- Hebrews 6:20
- Hebrews 7:12
- Hebrews 7
- Revelation 5:10
- Psalm 110:1
- Romans 8:19
Chapter 15 — The Birth of the Man-Child
- Revelation 12:1-5
- Romans 8:19
- Isaiah 9:7
- Ephesians 1:10
Chapter 16 — Caught Up Unto God and His Throne
- Revelation 12:5
- Psalm 103:19
- Daniel 7:27
- Revelation 2:26-27
- Psalm 110:1
- Hebrews 2:10
- Romans 8:19
- Isaiah 9:7
Chapter 17 — The Kingdom Age Begins
- Ephesians 1:21
- Luke 17:20-21
- Isaiah 9:7
- Ephesians 4:13
- Revelation 3:21
- Hebrews 2:10
- Romans 8:21
- Isaiah 2:2-3
Chapter 18 — The Nations Shall Flow Unto Zion
- Isaiah 2:2-3
- Habakkuk 2:14
- Isaiah 60:3
- Romans 8:19
- Genesis 22:18
- Isaiah 9:7
Chapter 19 — God All in All
- Isaiah 46:10
- 1 Corinthians 15:24-28
- Colossians 1:20
- Ephesians 1:10
- Romans 8:21
- Habakkuk 2:14
- Isaiah 9:7
- Galatians 1:4
- Ephesians 3:11
Chapter 20 — Where Are We Now in God’s Progressive Purpose?
- Proverbs 4:18
- Philippians 3:14
- Romans 8:19
- Isaiah 9:7
- Hebrews 12:2
Conclusion — The Purpose of the Ages Revealed
- Ephesians 1:4
- Romans 8:19
- Philippians 3:14
- Isaiah 9:7
- Romans 8:21
- Ephesians 1:10
- 1 Corinthians 15:28
The Man-Child Series
- The Man-Child — Caught Up Unto God and His Throne