The Revelation of "The Ground"

By Robert Burgess

The title of this article is the result of many separate pieces of revelation which the Lord has bestowed upon us over the years of Ministry. This is definitely a Word tailored by the Spirit to those who are "Weaned from the Milk, and drawn from the Breasts;" this is not for beginners...
This Word may not agree with some things which the Church at large has received and passed on to following Generations, but I believe that this revelation was an open fact to the Patriarchs. We will endeavor not to cover too much ground too quickly, and if it seems to be too much, I suggest you lay it aside for awhile until you have time to pray and commune with the Lord on this matter; Then, if the Lord says so, pick it up again and resume the study. It is our prayer that these words will solve some puzzles and bring understanding to others which will, in time, bring clarity to many issues which are difficult to answer otherwise.

(Gen 2:7-8) "And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. {8} And the LORD God planted a garden eastward (1] in Eden; and there he put (2] the man whom he had formed."

Gen 2:7: Man (Adam) was formed of the dust of "The Ground" The word is 127. 'adamah, ad-aw-maw'; from H119; soil (from its general redness):-- country, earth, ground, husband [husband-man] (husband-ry), land. Adam literally means "Red Man."

1 "EASTWARD": Here we find the Lord doing something different.. Planting a garden somewhere else. Not where the Man was formed, but Eastward in another "Land" called Eden (from Ednah--or, Pleasure [some]. This remarkable statement tells us plainly that man was not formed in the "East" (ward), but in the West.

2 "PUT": This idea is one of "Transplantation" he removed him from one area, and placed him (Ordained Him) in another.

(Gen 2:10-15) "And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads. {11} The name of the first is Pison: that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold; {12} And the gold of that land is good: there is bdellium and the onyx stone. {13} And the name of the second river is Gihon: the same is it that compasseth the whole land of Ethiopia. {14} And the name of the third river is Hiddekel: that is it which goeth toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth river is Euphrates. {15} And the LORD God took (1] the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it."

Gen 2:10: A single stream or River of Life, as it were, while it was in Eden, but after it left that blessed and Holy realm, it became "Parted" into Four heads. These "Heads" are the "Four Corners" of the earth (or the Adamic family), red, yellow, black, white.. We will explore this more thoroughly as we progress (a good study for the individual is found in the respective names and characteristics of these "Heads").

1 "TOOK": Took the Man.. 3947. laqach, law-kakh'; a prim. root; to take (in the widest variety of applications):--accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, X many, mingle, place, receive (-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win.

(Gen 3:17-19) "And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed (1] is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; {18} Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; {19} In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return."

1 "CURSED": Cursed is the Ground for Adam's sake. God did not curse Adam directly, for to do so would be to curse Himself. This idea is foreign to the Gentile, but the Hebrew mind clearly understood the principle of such a curse, that it would return back on the preceding generation. Noah understood this when he cursed Canaan, the Son of Ham, after Ham committed abomination. For one to have cursed his own son would be to curse himself. Solomon was not cursed of God for "David's sake." But a curse was placed upon Solomon's seed for his sins of leading Israel into idolatry. The reader must read the article "The Truth about Generational Curses" in order to understand how the believer is delivered from the "Curse of the Law" through the Lord Jesus Christ who was "Made a curse FOR US (See Gal 3:13)."

Gen 3:19: Until thou return... Where? To the Ground (or Country, Land, Region) from whence he was TAKEN -- 3947. laqach, law-kakh'; a prim. root; to take (in the widest variety of applications):--accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, X many, mingle, place, receive (-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win.

(Gen 3:22-23) "And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: {23} Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground (1] from whence he was taken."

1 "THE GROUND": Not just any Ground, but "The ground from WHENCE (or, from where) he was taken.. Let us consider next that, from the Garden he journeyed toward the Western Hemisphere...

(Gen 11:1-2) "And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. {2} And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east (To the West) [1], that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there."

1 "From the EAST": Toward the Western Hemisphere, from whence Adam was taken. See Gen 3:23

The land of Shinar symbolizes a Comfort Zone of Spiritual complacency into which many Christians are drawn. It seems incredible to think that the whole of humanity was traveling together up to this point, but practically the whole body of Christianity (with the exception of a few modernists) believes it, as do we. But why? Were they on a mission? Was there a purpose in their minds that may have been lost along the way? And after centuries, and even Millenniums is it once again being revealed by God's Holy Spirit, and if so, WHY?? Hang in there, I promise you it will get better; it may get a little deeper, but a lot better!!

The "Legend" of Atlantis

Before we leave this period of time it is necessary to discuss briefly some things that took place there which are very important to understand later on. It is generally accepted that Genesis 10 and 11 are speaking of the same period of time, but from two different viewpoints. In Genesis 11 we see the confusion of tongues and the scattering of the people, in Genesis ten however, we see the division of the land masses. One verse stands out in particular:

(Gen 10:25) "And unto Eber were born two sons: the name of one was Peleg; for in his days was the earth divided; and his brother's name was Joktan."

6389. Peleg, peh'-leg; the same as H6388; earthquake; Peleg, a son of Shem:--Peleg.

Now the history of Peleg's birth is re-recorded in Genesis eleven.. telling us that these two chapters are during the same time period:

(Gen 11:16) "And Eber lived four and thirty years, and begat Peleg:"

The foremost geologists of our day have long embraced the idea that the continents were at one time united together until some major catastrophic event took place. This event is the great Earthquake for which Eber named his son Peleg (or, Earthquake). The Scriptures declare that this event was so major that the earth was literally DIVIDED. Now some have suggested that the "Division" in view was due to the scattering of the PEOPLE; we admit that the people were scattered, but why would Eber name his son EARTHQUAKE and not SCATTERED. There is a big difference here. There was no grounds for him to be named anything else, for the earth WAS DIVIDED and even modern geologists believe THAT! But now let us consider how it must have looked to the people standing on one shore watching the people on the other slowly going out of sight. When one stands watching a ship disappear over the horizon it looks like it is sinking. In fact, this is no doubt where the idea came from that if you sailed too far from land your ship would fall off into nowhere.. This is cataclysmic event in the history of the world is why so many peoples had a "legend" of a lost continent that "Sank into the sea." If we took a globe of the world and examined the continents closely we could easily see that their coastlines are very similar as if they were gigantic pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, which in fact, they are.

The multitude standing on the western side of this great gulf were darker skinned than those standing on the European side; while those further south were more of a Blacker complexion. How is this possible?? It stands to reason that when the languages were scrambled that the whites could only understand other whites, and so forth; so they hung together with people of like language and complexion. This explains why the Indians of Central and South America built Pyramids much like those of the Egyptians. In fact they are much closer genetically with Arabs than with Mongols as the scientists of old have proclaimed. They didn't get to America over a land bridge, they got here as a result of a gigantic EARTHQUAKE.

The Thick darkness

At this point we will take a giant step ahead in history to the times of the New Testament.
Jesus said; "For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be (Mat 24:27)." The direction the travel is very important to understand. The Sun (Son) makes it's way from east to west every day. The east is called the "Place of Light" by the Hebrews, and the west a "Place of Darkness." When the priest went into the Tabernacle to minister in the Most Holy Place their approach was from the East and their destination was in the West. David said; "As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us (Psa 103:12)." The idea in the Hebrew mind was centered on the Tabernacle, with the day of ATONEMENT in view. This was the day the High Priest entered into the Westernmost area of the Tabernacle known as the Holy of Holies, or, Most Holy Place.. This was God's dwelling place in the Tabernacle and the only piece of furniture was the Ark of the Covenant. As one proceeded from east to west here the Light got dimmer and dimmer. In the outer court there was plenty of light, but when one entered the Holy Place, their eyes had to become accustomed to another light, the more subdued light of the Golden Candlestick. Finally, after learning where everything was located in the Holy Place, the High Priest would plunge into the thick darkness of the Most Holy Place and there commune with God as He appeared in His Glory above and upon the Mercy Seat. Glory to God!! The Word records an encounter which Moses had with God ; "And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was (Exo 20:21)."

Solomon said of the Lord's dwelling place (1 Ki 8:12-13) "Then spake Solomon, The LORD said that he would dwell in the thick darkness (or, the Holy of Holies). {13} I have surely built thee an house to dwell in, a settled place (Temple, instead of Tent) for thee to abide in for ever."

The idea I am trying to convey by all this is, that for the last 6,000 years the LIGHT has been traveling from East to West. This is not just a fact of nature, it is a prophetic principle clearly realized by the wise student of the Word. Now get ready for "Deep to call to Deep."

The land down under, or the Lower Parts of the Earth?

"And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem (Luke 19:28)"

In the Hebrew mind, Jerusalem was the Highest Point on the face of the whole earth. When someone went to Jerusalem they always "Went UP" to Jerusalem. When they went away from there it is said they "Went DOWN" from Jerusalem, either to Jericho, Samaria, Egypt, or somewhere in the "Lower Parts" of the Earth. Ooops!! Did I step on someone's Roman Catholic Doctrine?? I am sorry, but that is exactly what it is, and that is Babylon's idea, not God's. The Scriptures say that; "When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. {9} Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth (Eph 4:8-9)?" This Scripture has always been used to reinforce the idea of a literal burning hell, down in the center of the earth; but this is a misuse of Scripture for the "Lower Parts of the Earth" as we have stated was the lands that were furthest removed from the summit of all the earth, the Temple on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem. Now we must realize that this Scripture is many faceted and can be correctly used in different ways (non of which speaks of Hell). Let us examine what the Old Testament has to say on this subject:

"My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. (Psa 139:15)"

I have had some argue that the "Lower Parts" of the earth were not the "Lowest Parts" of the earth. To which we reply: "That may be so, but if the Lower parts of the earth is Hell, where are the "Lowest Parts?" They must be LOWER than HELL, and therefore HOTTER than HELL; not much of a place to be "Curiously Wrought" I would think. But where WAS man made? Certainly nowhere near Jerusalem, otherwise that statement would be in direct contradiction to the "Volume of the Book." Lets examine what else the Word has to say on this..

(Isa 44:23) "Sing, O ye heavens; for the LORD hath done it: shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel."

It is ridiculous to say the least to attempt to fit this Scripture in with the doctrine of Hell being the "Lower Parts" of the earth. What pray tell me, would someone in burning agony do but shout, if he was able; but this does violence to the context of the passage. God is saying "Praise me with a loud voice... Shout GLORY TO GOD, HALLELUJAH!!!"

(Ezek 31:16) "I made the nations to shake at the sound of his fall, when I cast him down to hell with them that descend into the pit: and all the trees of Eden, the choice and best of Lebanon, all that drink water, shall be comforted in the nether parts of the earth."

Now here it clearly shows the contrast between the "Pit" and those who drink water (of the Word) who dwell in the "Nether" or, LOWER parts of the earth. The word "Nether" here is the same Hebrew word translated "Lowest" in Psalms 139:15...

The truth is that Jesus went to the most low down places FIRST in His ministry.. Nazareth was about as LOW as a person could GO in the eyes of the Hebrew. He went FIRST to the outcasts of Israel, to those in the GUTTERS and other low life environments. In fact, He avoided Jerusalem in his ministry for the first three years or so except to go up to keep the Feasts. What was He doing during this time?? He was "Leading captivity captive, and giving gifts unto men."

The Path of the Gospel

Now to take a different look at this. The Lower, or Lowest Parts of the earth in the Hebrew mindset is a place as far as the east is from the west. Everyone knows that if you travel west far enough you come around the world to the east again. Now suppose we imagine in our minds a Globe of the world, and now we turn it until Jerusalem sits up on the top. Now where are the "Lower Parts" of the Earth? They are the west coasts of North and South America. The Lord has been on a journey for two thousand years slowly, gradually making his way by the Spirit from the east to the west; to the "Lower Parts of the Earth."

Paul said: (Rom 15:24-25) "Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you (The Roman Church): for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company. {25} But now I go unto Jerusalem (first) to minister unto the saints."

Paul knew without any doubt that he was going to Spain; and at that time, Spain was as far west as anyone could go. He also knew that he was to go First to Jerusalem for what did Jesus say would be to order of spreading the Gospel?

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth (Acts 1:8)."

Notice the decline in altitude as far as the mind of the Hebrews were concerned.. Paul knew he must first go to Jerusalem, then to Rome, of all places, and then with the help of the Roman Church he would eventually arrive at Spain.. This was the route that the Spirit had revealed to him that he would follow. The route of the Gospel, if you please. Paul didn't go to Germany (through the Lutherans), or to England (the Methodists), but went from Jerusalem to ROME, of all places; then from Rome he made his way to SPAIN, of all places. The light of the Gospel moved from Jerusalem to Rome, and through Rome to Spain, then with the help of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, it traveled to the West Indies and then to North America.

Ooops!! Did I step on someone's Protestant Doctrine? I hope no one is offended by this, but Paul started his letter to the Romans by saying; "For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established (Rom 1:11)." Did he say to the Romans "Ye may Be ESTABLISHED??" Beloved, never underestimate the Power of an Apostolic Blessing upon anything. The plan of God seems foolish to those who have Him in a Box, but never fear, He is in control, and the outcome is in His Hands.

"Jer-usa-lem My Melting Pot"

Coming to the final conclusion of the matter, though there is much more than these few words that could be added; according to what Isaiah the Prophet said concerning the Lord: "Whose fire is in Zion, and his furnace (or, Literally, MELTING POT) in Jer-USA-lem (Isa 31:9)." Could it be in the mind of God that the USA could be the central figure in His City of Peace? If there ever was a "Melting Pot" anywhere on earth it is the USA; nowhere else on earth can you find Red, Yellow, Black, and White all living and working, and even Worshipping together. Why? What has caused it to be so?? For six thousand years it has been in the hearts of men to return to "The Ground" from whence he was taken. He was curiously wrought in the Western Hemisphere, in the "Lowest Parts" of the earth. He must return to the place of his origins; to the Dust of the Earth, not in Die, but to LIVE for man was not taken out of ACCURSED GROUND, but from GOOD GROUND. The types and shadows we could pursue here are endless. But suffice it to say that things have been going according to plan and right on schedule. Even to the appearance of the Black man in the America's nearly 400 years ago because of Slavery; it was a terrible thing, but according to God's Sovereign plan, as strange as it seems. God is reconciling all men unto Himself in a specific region, or Land called "The Ground," or "The Earth." Notice the following Scripture.

"And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth (Rev 12:16)."

Azusa Street

The most powerful revival since Bible times took place in a little converted stable in the "City of Angels" called Los Angeles, California. It was in the spring of 1906 that a little group made up of Blacks, Whites, Hispanics (Mexican Indians), and Orientals began meeting in homes in this bustling west coast city; there was no place else for them to meet, for they were all considered "Crazy" or else victims of "Strong Delusion;" for they believed that God would again pour out his Spirit upon all flesh, even to the extreme of baptizing them in the Holy Ghost with evidence of Biblical Signs and wonders, including Tongues.. No building in town was available to them, then suddenly, someone heard that a building could be had down at Azusa street but it was in "Terrible shape" and needed much repair and cleaning up. Foolishness, foolishness; But "The foolishness of God is Wiser than men." This little Building down on Azusa street became the "Mother Church" of the Mighty Pentecostal Movement. It was here on the lower side of the Lower parts of the earth, that the Lord Jesus began again to "Lead Captivity Captive, and give GIFTS unto MEN." Azusa is spelled "A THROUGH Z in the USA," Is it not fitting that after he descended into the Lower Parts of the earth and gave such wonderful GIFTS unto men, that as before, He should begin to now ASCEND UP on HIGH to be GLORIFIED and ADMIRED by all. Get ready Church!! Two Prophetic days are now expired, and as the Millennium draws nigh at hand, know that the THIRD DAY is the day of His Mighty RESURRECTION. He will surely arise from where he has descended with Great Power and Glory accompanied by tens of Thousand of His Saints of every Nation, Kindred, People, and Tongue. May the Lord Bless you, and bear witness to your hearts.

RRB 12/23/99

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