Sunday, September 18, 2022

 I've come to believe that God put certain scriptures in the Bible to test us. I've come to believe certain scriptures are for outer court ministers, some for inner court ministers and some are exclusively for those who desire to minister in the Holy of Holies. So, let's say there's a scripture for outer court ministers. It's truth, it's in the Bible. But to latch onto it and build one's ministry around it would mean you have no desire to go further in God. You're content to remain in the outercourt, to be seen by men, instead of the Holy of Holies where God alone sees you. Outer court ministry alone is for those who do not desire a deeper walk with God - a more intimate relationship.  These are the ones who will most likely perpetuate religion, traditions of men and doctrines of devills, though not all do this. But they are content where they are. Others desire the inner court -  they're not tempted by the crowds, the fame, the adulation- the glory of man. They're not as tempted by the gold. They're willing to make personal sacrifices on behalf of the people-  but they stop short of the Holy of Holies-  which requires our all, everything we are, stripped naked and laid bare before Him, clothed only in the righteousness of Christ -  seeking to minister to God, not just to people. Personally interceding on behalf of others, face to face with the One who made them for His pleasure. 

Outer court ministers do not understand inner court scriptures-  they tend to avoid them, or they misinterpret them, or worse -  they present false teachings concerning them. Some of them even blaspheme the Holy Spirit-  He who leads us into the Holy of Holies,  if we're willing to follow.

Money is an example of this principal. There are many scriptures about money, but some are for outer court ministers, some for inner court and some for those who seek the Holy of Holies.  Paul taught that a workman is worthy of his hire, but he said he personally would not accept offerings for himself, for the children do not lay up money for the parents -  just the opposite.  An outer court minister would look at those scriptures (1 Cor: 9:7-19) and decide to accept people's money (verses 7-14), but an inner court minister might decide not to accept money for himself (verses 15-19), unless told by the Holy Spirit to do it. He would far more likely take up an offering for the poor, or widows or orphans.

"All things are lawful unto me, but not all things are expedient: all things are lawful for me, but i will not be brought under the power of any" "All things are lawful for me,  but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me,  but all things edify not".

There are many things you CAN do but should you do them? The answer to this question depends on where you are. Are you in the outer court, the inner court, the Holy of Holies,  or none of the above? In some churches, they by design exclude inner court ministry, and they certainly never enter the Holy of Holies. Some do not even practice outer court ministry, the court of the gentiles so to speak but their entire ministry is a counterfeit of true ministry.
In other churches, there is a mixture of outer court and inner court ministries. Which one is dominant depends on where the pastor is. If the pastor is an outer court minister,  he will belittle or ignore inner court ministers, and most likely will despise Holy of Holies ministers. Consequently,  if those desiring to enter into the Most Holy place end up attending this kind of church, they will not be satisfied  with outer, or even inner court ministry. They will become dissatisfied and leave. Or be told to leave. Especially if they try to lead people where the pastor refuses to go, he won't allow it. The deeper the Church goes into Christ, into His kingdom, the more members will likely be lost -  anyone wanting to "play church", anyone wanting to sing about and talk about love, but never do it, never live it, never walk in God's love, will not stat in a fellowship desiring to please the Father - not man.

It's all a matter of the flesh vs. spirit. How much flesh are you willing to sacrifice daily on the altar of His will? If outer court people are humble and teachable,  they may remain in an inner court fellowship and be led there themselves, but to go there they must not lean on their own understanding.  The scriptures often have several levels of meaning in one scripture. They may mean one thing to a baby, another to a ten year old and yet another to an adult. If a baby clings only to what he was taught as a baby, he may reject meat when he's presented with it. He must stop drinking milk only at some point. 
And a few, typically a few inner court ministries may yet yearn for the deeper things of God, fot the Holy of Holies.  They may not be satisfied with what the majority are satisfied with. They may climb the mountain to meet with God face to face. They may lose themselves in Him. The world as best as I remember it, as Rich Mullins put it. The life they knew outside the Holy of Holies may one day fade from memory, till all we see and all we know is what He shows us and reveals to us.

No comments:

Post a Comment

All are welcome to share thoughts, comments or questions.

 I heard the Spirit say - " Isolation: Degradation or Consecration "?  He told me there are two kinds of Isolation  - one from the...