When we were last together in this series I asked if you knew why humility is a primary building material for you to build your house for the Lord, on His foundation of salvation, that will not burn up at the Judgment Seat of Christ?
Jesus exemplified humility so that we will clearly understand how to apply it to our lives. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus...who being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God...but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men...and being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross...Phil. 2:5-8.
This scripture explains clearly the importance of humility. Our Lord and Savior left the glories of His kingdom to become like a man - yet sinless - in order to pay the ransom for the sins of mankind. If a human being humbles himself before the Lord, repents and accepts Him as his Savior, he will be accepted into the Kingdom of Heaven. If the new believer walks humbly before men, he will build a house - temple - for the Lord that will not burn up at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
But sadly, many Christians allow sins of the heart to pollute the houses they build for the lord, by allowing lust, greed, pride, jealousy, envy, unforgiveness, hatred, anger, bitterness, resentment, criticism, malice, revenge, etc. to rule their lives. If our Christian identity is defined by these adjectives then we have not understood redemption, and what it means to be called a child of King Jesus. This house is defiled and will burn up at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
I believe that John the Baptist exemplified humility in clear language when he said...He (Jesus) must increase, but I must decrease...John 3:30. I remember when I first read these words, I asked the Lord, "How do I decrease so that I can glorify You?" Little did I know that trials and tribulations would reveal all the poison that was still residing in my heart from unresolved past experiences. Until I addressed these issues I would continually blame others for my condition, rather than myself.
If we are not defined - identified - by the attributes of Christ, we will continue to walk in the flesh, and the house we build for the Lord will be from wood, hay and straw, which will burn up at the Judgment Seat of Christ. If this happens, He cannot give us His reward. A child of King Jesus must build his house from gold, silver and precious stone in order to receive His reward. Why is the symbolism of precious stones so significant?
In my series "144,000" posted 2/15 through 3/29/2015 (part 46-52 of Riddles, Enigmas & Esoteric Imagery of Revelation), I explained the significance of precious stones in building the New Jerusalem in Heaven. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb...Rev. 21:14. The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones...Rev. 21:10.
Precious stones symbolize born again human beings - the Bride of Christ. Only precious stones will have on a wedding garment in order to enter the Heavenly Wedding Hall...Matt. 22:11-12. The treasures we store in Heaven that will build a house for the Lord were exemplified by our Lord Jesus Christ while He lived on the earth: love, humility, mercy, peace, forgiveness, patience, kindness, faithfulness, endurance, charity, gentleness, and self-control. These are the building materials that will build a house for the Lord that will not burn up at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them...Rev. 20:11. Although the word throne is used 182 times in the Bible, this text is the only place that describes - Great White Throne. It means the greatest stately seat of light. We see that the earth and heaven fled away...there was found no place for them. Where did they go?
The Apostle Peter explains this phenomenon...the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up...II Pet. 3:10. On Judgment Day, when Jesus Christ returns, the heavens will pass away and the earth will melt with fervent heat and burn up, along with the works that are in it - works of the flesh. Peter speaks in very clear language - no interpretation needed.
And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened...and another book was opened, which is the Book of Life...and the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books...Rev. 20:12. This text reveals that after all people have been removed from the earth when Jesus returns, all human beings whoever lived on the earth are standing before Jesus Christ.
In this mass of billions of human beings, how does Jesus differentiate between His followers and Satan's followers, so that all will understand clearly? Stay tuned...
God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~
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