The Comeback Story of the Royal Seed

 The Comeback Story of the Royal Seed

(9/20/2020)

Word from God: “While everyone was busy looking after Jezebel they failed to take note of Athaliah.”[1]

Thought: Jezebel’s attack on the ministry was a distraction, Athaliah is a real threat to the kingdom, Jehoshabeath (Jehovah-Sworn)[2] will protect the royal seed, and the King will come back.

 

Text:

“But when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal of the house of Judah. But Jehoshabeath, the daughter of the king, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king's sons that were slain, and put him and his nurse in a bedchamber. So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of king Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the priest, (for she was the sister of Ahaziah,) hid him from Athaliah, so that she slew him not” (2 Chronicles 22:10-11).

 

“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: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy” (1 Peter 2:9-10).

 

Genesis 3:14-15, “And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:  (15)  And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.”

 

 

JEZEBEL = “Baal exalts,” “Baal is husband to,” or “unchaste”

 

When we say her name, it conjures in our mind an image and thought. She was a dangerous queen, the wife of Ahab, the king of Israel, but her true allegiance was to herself.

 

She refused the authority of Jehovah, and even killed His prophets: “For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD…” (I Kings 18:3-4). – No details, but just that fateful line.

 

The threatened to kill Elijah after he destroyed the prophets on Mount Carmel. Her intimidation tactic distracted him and he ran.

 

Refuse the distracting tactics of Jezebel and identify her by her traits:[3]

·       CONTINUALLY TESTIFY OF THEMSELVES: Through their revelations, insight, or spiritual sensitivity.

·       OFTEN SEEK RECOGNITION: Thrive on recognition from the pulpit by leaders, becoming offended or distant if they are not.

·       TRY TO GET CLOSE TO LEADERS:  Fellowship, Flattery, Prophecy

·       SELDOM WANT TO BE IN AUTHORITY: But will seek to be the power behind the throne (with hopes of being the King of the throne).

·       USUALLY ATTRACT THE WEAKEST MEMBERS IN THE CHURCH: Will begin to control and manipulate them with flattery and/or grand prophecies.

·       USE THOSE WEAK MEMEBERS:  To spread slander, discontent, and division, lies...

·       OFTEN TRY TO BE A MATCHMAKER: And try to control those relationships.

·       MOST OFTEN HAVE WEAK SPOUSES: (Like Ahab) But will proclaim them strong, spiritual, and greatly gifted.

·       STEAL PROPHECIES FROM OTHERS:  In order to look better.

·       USUALLY FEEL PERSECUTED:

·       OFTEN MAKE EXCUSES:  And never, or rarely, acknowledge their own sins.

·       USUALLY ARE WORKS-ORIENTED: Often fasting and praying hoping to be seen as spiritual.

·       OFTEN FULL OF BITTERNESS: Towards Father, or another male authority figure.

·       OFTEN HAVE FLAWED REASONING: hiding behind a pseudo-spirituality that implies that only the spiritual can understand.

·       OFTEN HAVE CHARISMATIC PERSONALITY: Constantly looking for people to listen to them, with hopes of having their own following.

·       OFTEN REFUSE SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY OF PASTOR:  Get their direction from God, have no need of a Pastor, or counseling.  Usually leave the church and have private meetings - - forsaking the house of the Lord.

·       OFTEN THE SOURCE OF THE JEZEBEL SPIRIT IS SHAME: A grudge one holds against themselves, others, or God.

Yes, Jezebel is dangerous, but most of the time her attack is a distraction, a feint, an attempt to get your attention on a possible danger and to ignore the real danger lurking in the palace hall.

 

What Jezebel seeks to have is control through manipulation, domination, and intimidation. She works behind the scenes causing division, mistrust, while feeding a spirit of offense with hope of getting you to reject the God appointed spiritual authority in your life.

 

“The issue is never the issue, the issue is almost always control” –James Rowe

 

You won’t win this battle in your flesh, it’s spiritual warfare:

Ephesians 6:10-20, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.  (11)  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  (12)  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  (13)  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  (14)  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;  (15)  And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;  (16)  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.  (17)  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:  (18)  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;  (19)  And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,  (20)  For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”

 

ATHALIAH = “afflicted of the Lord”

While everyone was busy looking after Jezebel they failed to take note of Athaliah

 

Jezebel had a sister-in-law who was married to King Jehoram of Judah. Her name was Athaliah and she was the sister of Ahab.

 

>>Some scholars believe that Athaliah was the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel<<

 

Regardless, she was a deadly force to be reckoned with. She was a contemporary of Jezebel and had watched and learned from her, silently learning how and when to make her own move for power.

 

The desire for power and recognition will destroy you, but usually not until it has hurt and possibly destroyed those in your way. Innocent people, God called people, and children of the King will not stop Athaliah from reaching her goal. Not if she can help it.  

 

Because she will stop at nothing to get what she wants, God will afflict her mind. There is no peace of mind for Athaliah. She was vexed, troubled, bothered, upset, worried.

 

When you want something so bad that you will take it, steal it, kill for it, and lie for it. Well, you have an Athaliah problem.

 

While Jezebel is busy manipulating, pulling the strings and intimidating – Oh, she’s a bully – people to achieve her agenda,

Athaliah sits in the queen’s chamber silently plotting, scheming, and biding her time.

 

The spirit of the antichrist controls Athaliah. She is driven to destroy the Royal Seed.

 

God told the old serpent, the devil, back in the Garden of Eden, that while he would bruise the heel of the seed of the woman, the Seed of the woman would crush his head. That passage in Genesis 3:15 is the first messianic prophecy in the Bible and it is a promise that there was One coming who would reverse the curse of sin.

 

Since that time, the devil has been trying to supplant the promise of God with the antichrist spirit.

 

Antichrist = “An opponent of the Messiah.”[4]

 

In another passage, Judah was promised that the scepter would never depart from His line. David was promised that from his seed would come the Messiah.

So, that old antichrist spirit rose up and influenced Athaliah, and she set out to kill all the royal seed of Judah. Every man and every boy of the tribe of Judah who had a claim to the throne she marked down until the right moment and then, when her son died, she had them killed…

 

JEHOSHABEATH = “Jehovah is an oath”

BUT, Jehovah had sworn that the Seed of the woman would crush the head of the devil, and that the Messiah [the Anointed One] would come through Judah.

 

This is a good time to tell you, “God keeps His promises.”

Joshua 23:14, “…not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spake concerning you…”

Delay is not denial.

 

So, Jehoshabeath [Jehovah is an oath] found one infant son of the royal seed and hid him away. He was hidden in the house of God. Do you want to know the safest place to stay when Athaliah is on the loose? Stay in the house of the Lord.

 

Jehoshabeath’s husband was Jehoiada the priest, and he hid and protected Joash for seven years in the temple. In that seventh year he gathered all the Levites and all the rulers and captains and showed this the Joash of seed royal and they made a covenant with him saying, “Behold, the king’s son shall reign. As the LORD hath said of the sons of David.”

 

2 Chronicles 23:11, “Then they brought out the king's son, and put upon him the crown, and gave him the testimony, and made him king. And Jehoiada and his sons anointed him, and said, God save the king.”

 

This is The Comeback Story of the Royal Seed – It doesn’t matter what plot the enemy of your soul has planned against you. When God has made an oath He will keep it, and He will never leave or forsake you.

 

Joash [Jehovah fired][5] is a type of Christ. We know how that the devil, the antichrist, tried to kill Jesus Christ – the Messiah:

1.    He was falsely accused and brought before Pilate.

2.    He brutally abused, beaten, bloodied, wounded, tortured.

3.    He was marched to the place of execution.

4.    Then the Royal Seed, the promised Messiah, was brutally staked and crucified to a cross.

5.    Naked. Alone. Rejected. Despised. Afflicted: “…he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”[6]

6.    He died. “On the cross crucified for me He died. He was nailed to the cross for me”

7.    He was buried in a tomb.

Yes, the Christ was buried. He was dead. Everyone has an appointment with death, but this death seemed to be the capstone of Satan’s career.

 

How could anyone come back from that?

·       You have been dealing with a Jezebel, who is trying to distract you from the ministry God has ordained for you to walk in.

·       You’ve been attacked by Athaliah, who want to kill you because your very existence is proof of God’s power and Lordship.

·       You’ve made mistakes, committed sins, chose paths, and listened to lies that told you that there no coming back from where you are this time.

·       Your marriage is trouble, your prayer life is non-existent, your job is in question, finances are down, sickness is all around you, you’ve hunkered down in a hidden place (secreted away in isolation like Joash of old), and perhaps you’ve just about given up all hope and haven’t the strength to lift the shield of anymore.

·       HOLD ON! Day three is coming! Resurrection power is on its way. the Royal Seed is coming.

·       On that third day, Jesus Christ rose from the dead and He said: “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth” (Matthew 28:18).

 

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is The Comeback Story of the Royal Seed, and He is here right now to help you with your own Comeback Story.

 

Comeback from depression, sin, anger, marital strife, financial despair, addiction, hopelessness.

Come to Jesus. He trades beauty for ashes, joy for heaviness, forgiveness for sin, peace for anger, unity for strife, miraculous provision for financial despair, freedom from addiction, and He is the God of Faith, Hope, and Love.

 

Jesus Christ is the Comeback King and you are His Royal Seed.

1 Peter 2:9-10, “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:  (10)  Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.”

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[1] The Lord spoke this into my spirit about 2-3 months ago while I was crossing my driveway.

[2] Strong’s. H3090.

[3] Source: Mark F. Kuntzman. (10-14-2007). The Jezebel Spirit.

[4] Strong’s. G500.

[5] Strong’s. H3060.

[6] Isaiah 53:5.

Progressive Revelation

“Progressive Revelation”

By: Stephen E. Kuntzman 

(Apostolic Life Cathedral, 2/26/19)

Progressive Revelation^[1]

 

Revelation of Truth is progressive and is best explained by this passage:

"For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear" (Mark 4:28).

 

Notice Albert Barnes' note on the progression of maturity in Mark 4:28^[2]:

1.    For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself - That is, it is done without the power of man. It is done while man is engaged in other things. God gives it its power.

2.    First the blade - The green, tender shoot, that first starts out of the earth before the stalk is formed.

3.    Then the ear - The original means the stalk or spire of wheat or barley, as well as the ear.

4.    The full corn in the ear - The ripe wheat. The grain swollen to its proper size. By this is denoted, undoubtedly, that grace or religion in the heart is of gradual growth.

a.    It is at first tender, feeble, perhaps almost imperceptible, like the first shootings of the grain in the earth. Perhaps also,

b.    Like grain, it often lies long in the earth before there are signs of life.

c.    Like the tender grain, also, it needs care, kindness, and culture. A frost, a cold storm, or a burning sun alike injure it.

d.    So tender piety in the heart needs care, kindness, culture. It needs shelter from the frosts and storms of a cold, unfeeling world. It needs the genial dews and mild suns of heaven;

e.    In other words, it needs instruction, prayer, and friendly counsel from parents, teachers, ministers, and experienced Christians, that it may grow, and bring forth the full fruits of holiness.

f.      Like the grain, also, in due time it will grow strong; it will produce its appropriate fruit - a full and rich harvest - to the praise of God.

 

Hebrews 12:29, “For our God is a consuming fire.”

 

It would appear at first glance that these two verses oppose each other, but when we take into account the progressive nature of revelation we see a parallel between plant growth and the spread of fire.

 

2018 California Wildfires:^[3]

The 2018 wildfire season was the deadliest and most destructive wildfire season on record in California, with a total of 8,527 fires burning an area of 1,893,913 acres (766,439 ha), the largest amount of burned acreage recorded in a fire season….as of December 21. The fires have caused more than $3.5 billion (2018 USD) in damages, including $1.792 billion in fire suppression costs. Through the end of August 2018, Cal Fire alone spent $432 million on operations. The Mendocino Complex Fire burned more than 459,000 acres (186,000 ha), becoming the largest complex fire in the state's history, with the complex's Ranch Fire surpassing the Thomas Fire and the Santiago Canyon Fire of 1889 to become California's single-largest recorded wildfire.

 

…On August 4, 2018, a national disaster was declared in Northern California, due to the extensive wildfires burning there.

 

In November 2018, strong winds aggravated conditions in another round of large, destructive fires that occurred across the state. This new batch of wildfires includes the Woolsey Fire and the Camp Fire, the latter of which killed at least 86 people with 3 still unaccounted for as of 4 December 2018. It destroyed more than 18,000 structures, becoming both California's deadliest and most destructive wildfire on record.

 

…Humans have been recorded as the main cause of wildfires in California. Various causes, both intentional and accidental, such as arson, unattended campfires, fireworks, cigarettes, cars, and power lines have contributed to this increase in the number of fires.

A direct contributor to the 2018 California wildfires was an increase in dead tree fuel. By December 2017, there was a record 129 million dead trees in California.

 

Wildfire defined: “A wildfire or wildland fire is a fire in an area of combustible vegetation occurring in rural areas.”^[4]

 

Wildfire types can be generally characterized by their fuels as follows:

1.    Ground fires are fed by subterranean roots, duff and other buried organic matter. This fuel type is especially susceptible to ignition due to spotting. Ground fires typically burn by smoldering, and can burn slowly for days to months.

2.    Crawling or surface fires are fueled by low-lying vegetation on the forest floor such as leaf and timber litter, debris, grass, and low-lying shrubbery. This kind of fire often burns at a relatively lower temperature than crown fires (less than 400 °C (752 °F)) and may spread at slow rate, though steep slopes and wind can accelerate the rate of spread.

3.    Ladder fires consume material between low-level vegetation and tree canopies, such as small trees, downed logs, and vines. Kudzu, Old World climbing fern, and other invasive plants that scale trees may also encourage ladder fires.

4.    Crown, canopy, or aerial fires burn suspended material at the canopy level, such as tall trees, vines, and mosses. The ignition of a crown fire, termed crowning, is dependent on the density of the suspended material, canopy height, canopy continuity, sufficient surface and ladder fires, vegetation moisture content, and weather conditions during the blaze. Stand-replacing fires lit by humans can spread into the Amazon rain forest, damaging ecosystems not particularly suited for heat or arid conditions.^[5]

 

A true revelation is an unveiling of existing truth of which the individual was previously unaware.  Others may already know that truth, but the revelation is a personal opening of biblical truth.

 

Romans 16:25-26, "Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith."

 

This concerns the revelation of the Church, which was spoken of in the Old Testament but not revealed in its entirety until the birth of the Church in Acts 2. Now, today, we read the Old Testament and see parallels, types and shadows which reveal the Church. These truths were always present in the Word of God, but not understood, unveiled, and revealed until the Church’s nativity.

 

According to David P. Johnson and Jared S. Runck, “progressive revelation indicates that divine revelation unfolds across the story of Scripture with ever-increasing detail and dimension; later revelation always and only adds to prior revelation and never detracts or overturns it.”^[6]

 

Galatians 1:10-24 speaks of Paul's travel through the Word of God and how Christ revealed the message of the Gospel to Him.  Then he met certain Apostles and found that the same revelation he had received from the Lord was the same Gospel they received and preached:

“For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother. Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not. Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ: But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. And they glorified God in me” (Galatians 1:10-24).

 

A true unveiling of revelatory truth will be “line upon line” and “precept upon precept” (see Isaiah 28:10). In other words, progressive revelation builds upon what you already know.

 

Sometimes God gives clear, sudden and supernatural insight, which Paul identified as either the gift of the Word of Knowledge, or the gift of the Word of Wisdom (1 Corinthians 12:8).

 

Things to remember:

Scripture interprets Scripture.

1.    Out of the mouth of two or three witnesses let every word be established:

a.    Deuteronomy 17:6, “At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.”

b.    Deuteronomy 19:15, “One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.”

c.    Matthew 18:16, “But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.”

d.    2 Corinthians 13:1, “This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.”

e.    1 Timothy 5:19, “Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.”

2.    Your revelation will never contradict biblical truth (the old illustration of a man who said God told him to divorce one woman to marry another - this contradicts all biblical precedent.  Only one reason in the New Testament for divorce (adultery, fornication).

3.    If it's "too good to be true" it probably is.

 

Deut. 29:29, "The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law."

 

1 Sam. 3:7-21, "(7) Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him....(21) And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD.” 

 

This implies that the revelation of God's Word is a matter of maturity.  As we grow in the wisdom and stature of God's Word we will receive (be entrusted with) more truth.

 

Truth is multilayered like an onion.

 

When we realize that God is revealing truth to us we are humbled and need to realize that while others may not know the truth - yet - we are responsible for the manner in which we share it.

 

With regard to Spiritual gifts, some people think that they are more Spiritual than others because of their gifting, but this is not true. Truly spiritual people are into the ministry of:

·       Reconciliation - 2 Corinthians 5:18-20, “(18) And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;  (19) To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.  (20) Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.”

·       Restoration - Galatians 6:1, “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”

 

The more of the Word of God you read and hide in your heart (by memorization and meditation) the greater opportunity you give God to reveal deeper truth to you.  As God reveals more truth you will hunger more and more for His continual revelation: "Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me" (Ps. 42:7).

 

"...The Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God" (1 Cor. 2:10).  A balance of God's Word and living in the power of the Holy Ghost will reveal Spiritual truth as well.  Simply put, there are some things people never see in the Bible because they are not Spirit led (1 Corinthians 2:14).

 

Amos 3:7-8, "Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy?"

 

When God speaks or reveals truth to His servant they can't help but be filled with a desire to speak it, regardless of the positive or negative consequences.

 

Jeremiah 20:9, "Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay."

 

Fire spreads and as long as there is fuel it will grow. Our hungry heart searching for more of Jesus Christ is the fuel that ignites the fire of progressive revelation, and when our hearts can no longer contain the fire the compulsion, a drive, to share the flame of the progressive revelation of truth that our Lord has revealed to us.

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^[1] Notes from an email to Dave Martin regarding progressive revelation dated 9/11/2006.

^[2] Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, Mark 4:28.

^[3] 2018 California Wildfires. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_California_wildfires. Accessed: 2/26/19.

^[4]  Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary (Third ed.). Cambridge University Press. 2008. ISBN 978-0-521-85804-5. Archived from the original on 13 August 2009.

^[5] Wildfire. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wildfire#Spread. Accessed: 2/26/19.

^[6] David P. Johnson & Jared S. Runck. (2017). Handbook of the Prophets, p. 8-9.