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Face to Face

by Robert Burgess

“For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. {10} But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. {11} When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. {12} For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known (1 Cor 13:9-12).”

The Apostle Paul is here setting forth the example of Childhood versus Full Maturity within the Lord’s Body; He shows the early Church in comparison to the Fully Matured End-Time Church as a “Child,” and full of Childish ideas and Practices. This is quite an unusual statement coming from the man who was no doubt the most gifted and Anointed of all the New Testament writers; He is dealing with the fact of the End-Time Church coming into a state of Perfection (Teleios) in all things. The Apostle was admitting to the Church that they were then (2000 years ago) only able to Know “In Part,” and Prophesy “In Part.” He was pointing out that the early Apostles were only seeing through a glass “Darkly” so to speak, but that the time would surely come when that “Darkness (Vagueness, Mixture)” would be dispelled by the Light of the Revelation of Christ in the Coming of the fulness of His Spirit to the Church.

From this statement we are compelled to believe that God will continue to bring to Birth more and more fresh Revelation of His Word to His people living here at the End-Time; The wise man said:

“But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day (Prov 4:18).”

The Shining Light of God’s Holy Word is supposed to get continually Brighter and Brighter as we continue to progress in God’s unfolding plan and purpose in the Church; It is the opinion of some however, that the various Revelations of the early Apostles are as good as it gets; We must recognize the fact that although they held the Keys to the Kingdom, it is now up to us to use those Keys to further “Open” the basic Truths which were given to them only in-part, and expose them to the Light of the fulness of God’s Word.

Paul and others had no New Testament writings to guide them, they were only drawing their Revelation and Inspiration from the Old Testament; This was one reason that they saw through a glass “Darkly.” The other reason was that it was not time to fully reveal all that God had in store for the Church; We find little “Seeds” of End-Time Revelation scattered throughout their writings and wish they had elaborated more on subjects such as the “Manifested Sons of God” etc., etc. But they didn’t. Why?? Because the full Revelation of these things was ordained of God for yet another time, and another Generation to understand. I believe that if we were ever living in a time When God would begin to turn the “Letter (Water)” of His Word into “Spirit (Wine)” I believe it is now. Paul said concerning this fact:

“Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life (2 Cor 3:6).”

As I have said so many times, the word “Letter” here is “Gramma” and pertains to the “Outward form of Speech;” It has nothing at all to do with the Law of Moses except for the fact that people who continue to read the Word with the Carnal, religious mind are just as blinded to the “Spirit of the Word” as were those who saw “Moses (the Law)” through the Veil which hid his true “Face.” Paul said in another place:

“For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin (Rom 7:14).”

Paul, along with all the rest of the New Testament writers recognized the fact that the “Law” contained a wealth of Spiritual Revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ, and of His Kingdom; One which could only be recognized and properly defined by and through the Mind of Christ, the Holy Spirit.. It is so sad to think of the vast multitudes of people who, although they are “Baptized” in the Holy Spirit have never submitted themselves to the Spirit to be Taught to see and perceive anything beyond the Veil of the Letter that Killeth. Jesus offered the End-Time Church some Eyesalve to cure their blinded (or, In-Part Revelation) condition, but He required that a dear Price be paid for it.. The foolish virgins whose lamps were going out because of insufficient Oil of Understanding, were also told to go to those who sell and Buy enough of this precious Oil in order to enter into the Marriage Feast. We who have understanding realize that this Marriage Feast is called the “Feast of Tabernacles” and that this High and Holy Feast requires more Sacrifice than all other Feasts combined. There is a very costly Ointment called “Spikenard” that was shown as having been poured out upon Jesus’ Head in Mark 14:3, and also shown to be poured out upon His Feet in John 12:3; Why the apparent Contradiction of Scripture?? Was this precious Ointment symbolic of anything?? And was it poured out upon the Head or the Feet??

This is a fine example of how the Letter Killeth - there are many such apparent contradictions in Scripture that have caused people to stumble since the beginning of the Church Age. There are those who have stumbled over the Letter of Hebrews 10:26-27 (He that sinneth wilfully, etc.); Others are stumbling over “Hell,” the “Rapture,” and all kinds of apparent “Difficulties.” The anointing of the Head shows that the Head of the Body (Christ) is anointed with the Same Spirit as the Feet; We find in the Psalms another allusion to the “Precious Ointment:”

“A Song of degrees of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! {2} It is like the PRECIOUS OINTMENT upon the HEAD, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the SKIRTS (or, Feet) of his garments (Psa 133:1-2);”

First of all this song of “Degrees (showing a Progressive Revelation)” was sung on the 14th day of the 7th Month - the Day preceding the “Feast of Tabernacles,” this has much to do with the “Precious Ointment” for Burial that was first poured out upon the Head, even Christ (the Heavenly Aaron, the High Priest). When viewed in it’s entirety the Bible tends to bring a completely different message than it appears to when taken separately; These little chunks of Revelation can be used as “Wedges of Gold” to cause nothing but division and death within the Body of Christ. Jesus said;

“ It is written, Man shall not live by BREAD ALONE (or, Separately - by Private Interpretation), but by EVERY WORD (or Expression of Truth) that proceedeth out of the MOUTH of GOD (Mat 4:4).”

We are coming into the time and season of the Feast of Tabernacles, where this “Precious Ointment” which has continued to run down from the Head (Christ) to the Beard (Fully Matured ones), and will finally come to rest upon the “Feet Company” soon be brought to Birth. Since the anointing of Jesus’ head and feet was an anointing for “Burial” we cannot help but to perceive that a “Baptism” is in view. What kind of Baptism then, relates to the Feast of Tabernacles and to the “Feet” of Christ, in General?? Let me ask it this way; Did Water Baptism Cost you anything? Or, did the Mighty Baptism in the Spirit of God even cost anything?? No, we were never counseled to “Buy” the Baptism in Water or in the Spirit; Perhaps this is the reason the Foolish Virgins said to the Wise “Give us of your OIL.” The Outer Court baptism in Water, and the Holy Place Baptism in the Spirit didn’t cost anything, but to be qualified for the Third Dimension of God’s Grace it will wind up costing us Everything. The Baptism of the Most Holy Place is a “Baptism of Fire” which will consume totally all the Wood, Hay, and Stubble that men have tried to build upon the Precious Foundation of Christ; Nothing is left but ashes. This kind of “Burial” is a “Cremation” in Christ Jesus, some have already begun to experience this, and will testify that Buying this Ointment is a most costly venture, but well worth the benefits.

In case someone might ask how we reach such conclusions, we point to the Book of Hebrews the Sixth Chapter, and verse Two, where is stated the Revelation of the “Doctrine (Singular) of Baptisms (Plural).” There is virtually no understanding among the foolish virgins of this Doctrine. I have even heard some of them call it the “Doctrines (Plural) of Baptism (Singular);” And they go from there into “Infant Baptism,” Sprinkling, Dipping, “Baptism for the Dead,” and all kinds of corrupted ideas.

In conclusion, let us re-examine Psalms 133 in it’s entirety once again:

“A Song of degrees of David. Behold, HOW GOOD and HOW PLEASANT it is for brethren to DWELL TOGETHER in UNITY! {2} It is LIKE the PRECIOUS OINTMENT upon the HEAD, that ran down upon the BEARD, even Aaron's beard: that went DOWN to the SKIRTS of his GARMENTS; {3} As the DEW of HERMON, and as the dew that DECENDED upon the mountains of ZION: for THERE the LORD commanded THE BLESSING, even LIFE for EVERMORE (Psa 133).”

Time and space will not permit us to expand further on “The Blessing” as opposed to “A Blessing;” But suffice it to say that “Unity” among the Brethren, the “Precious Ointment,” and the Blessing of “Life Evermore,” has to do with the coming event known as “The Feast of Tabernacles” - The Wedding of Christ and His Bride.

Let us each and every one contend for the “Unity of the Faith!”

Lovingly, in Christ;

Robert Burgess

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