God's Reactions to Man's Defections # 13

The Overcomer (continued)

Harbingers in Every Sphere (continued)

Really, the focal point of this whole matter is not the two or more raptures. The fact is that the Lord has shown unmistakably that He has made no provision for a 'second-best' in the life of a believer or of the Church, but has called all His people to the fullest degree of faithfulness and devotion. There is a second-best, as seen in 1 Corinthians 3:15, etc. Let us not fasten upon unscriptural labels, such as "partial rapture' or 'selective rapture,' but upon the facts - that there are such people as 'overcomers', and also, evidently, those who are not, and that there is a difference of no mean importance between the two.

It is all just an appeal to take no chances - "make no provision for the flesh" - but to be utter for God, whatever it costs.

We are now able to come to the more definite consideration of the nature and function of this peculiar vessel for God.

There is a great difference between a people moved by mere disaffection, discontent, 'disgruntledness', difference of opinion, personal dislike or preference, and one moved by the constraint of a great Divine vision - by the inwrought reaction of God, registered with pain in the heart.

This inward heart-longing expression long ago in classic words: 

"By the rivers of Babylon,
There we sat down, yea, we wept, 
When we remembered Zion.
Upon the willows in the midst thereof
We hanged up our harps ...
How can we sing Jehovah's song
In a strange land?
If I forget thee, O Jerusalem,
Let my right hand forget her skill.
Let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth,
If I remember not thee;
If I prefer not Jerusalem above my chiefest joy."
(Psalm 137:1-2, 4-6)

The implications of these great heart-yearnings represent the crystallizing of the Divine purpose from before times eternal. The ultimate thing in the heart of God, and that into which all the interests of those in real oneness of spirit with Him will be gathered, is presented in what is known as -

The House of God and the City of God

When we speak of the ultimate thing, we mean that which is to be the eternal consummation of all the Divine method and means. The thing which is primary and final is the place, worship and glory of God in the universe. This factor will be implicit in all that we have to say. 

~T. Austin-Sparks~

(continued with # 14)