Fear not: for I am with you: I will bring your descendants from the east, and gather you from the west; I will say to the north, ‘Give up’; and to the south, ‘Keep not back’: bring my sons from afar, and my daughters from the ends of the earth; Even everyone that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him. Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears. Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled… let them hear, and say, ‘It is truth.’ (Isa 43:5-9, KJ2000)
Since I have been sharing what God has put on my heart to write on the internet over the last 18 years, I’ve always marveled at how His spiritual people are so scattered across the face of the earth. In my idealistic way of thinking, I’ve wished that more of them were located closer to me so we could have face to face fellowship, but that has rarely happened. It seems as if He has seen fit to place His candles throughout the world so that His whole house might have light by which to see by.
God is gathering to Himself a spiritual people who have spiritual eyes and ears. They are His sons and daughters and they come to Him from far distances around the earth. T. Austin-Sparks wrote:
“But it may be that in these hours of our fellowship together a little more of the light of that story will break upon our hearts. There is a phrase in the Word: “Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty; they shall behold the land of far distances”, and that two-fold statement can quite truly, and rightly, be applied to Him. He is the King in His beauty; and He is also the Land of Far Distances.” (1)
“The Earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof.” He is both our King and His is the Land of Far Distances making up the Kingdom of God. His are a people having spiritual eyes to see and spiritual ears to hear who follow the Lamb wherever He goes.
I believe that there is another reason He has us so far apart before He assembles us together into His Holy temple in Heaven. We read in Proverbs, “Iron sharpens iron, so does one man sharpen another.” As we communicate and share what the Lord has been showing us there is a spiritual sharpening that is going on. But what do we read about iron in the making of Solomon’s temple?
And the house, when it was being built, was built of stone made ready before it was brought there: so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was being built. (1Kgs 6:7, KJ2000)
There is a spiritual lesson in the building of Solomon’s temple just as all those holy things in the Old Covenant were types of spiritual things in the New Covenant. God is doing a deep work in our hearts while we are in isolation from one another. We are being prepared to fit together perfectly once He assembles us together.
The problem with most “church assemblies” these days is that few of the stones fit together as they should and a lot of friction and straining happens as we try to force ourselves to come together in that system. Then we have the men at the top who get out their hammers and axes and try and do what only God can do. The result is that many of His people go away wounded and disillusioned with the whole church process leading to the further scattering of His “living stones.” Today, more and more people have left institutional Christianity, seeking something that is of our Father’s design, a relational family centered on Christ. But we have a promise given us in all this.
Fear not: for I am with you: I will bring your descendants from the east, and gather you from the west; I will say to the north, ‘Give up;’ and to the south, ‘Keep not back: bring my sons from afar, and my daughters from the ends of the earth; Even everyone that is called by my name.’
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Heb 12:2, KJV- emphasis added)
Be encouraged. Jesus will finish what He has started in our hearts. Only Father knows when His living stones are ready to be assembled. Only He knows when the Bride has made herself ready for the marriage feast of the Lamb. With Paul I pray,
And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calls you, who also will do it. (1Thess 5:23-24, KJ2000- emphasis added)
Amen!
A Wilderness Voice 
Thanks Michael.
Gilbert
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You are welcome, Gilbert.
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Thanks, Michael, the encouragement is much appreciated.
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You are welcome, Louise. I know you are in the land of far distances as well. I am glad you were encouraged by what I shared.
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Michael, as I was reading your article which describes so appropriately how God transforms our inward (wo)man into Christ’s image, I could not help but think of the first day when I dared to write a comment on your blog. You know, five years plus one day ago… 😉 It seems to me that there is a spiritual connection between what you wrote here about us few brothers and sisters who are so scattered on this earth and the poem to which God inspired me back then as I was reading different blog posts of yours. Do you remember…? 🙄
THE LIGHT OF SALVATION
by Susanne Schuberth (Germany)
His Life eternal here on earth
Who sees its beauty and its worth?
Although our eyes are opened now
It’s dimly view, through glass somehow
Into His realm, into His face
Beholding Him, receiving grace
Empowered by His Love, so true
To share His blessings, no one knew
Before God made them manifest
Giving His Spirit to these blessed
To you and me, to everyone
Who have believed in Christ, the Son
The Savior who leads all of these
Who see His heart while on their knees
Through wilderness, though dry and hot
Unto a mountain we knew not
Where we can share His glory too
All brothers, sisters, me and you
This mountain I am speaking of
With Tabor’s light which from above
Will draw our hearts so near to God
That we won’t evermore applaud
A man, a thing, that’s less than Him
Our hearts will merely be a hymn
That praises God all day and night
Beholding now His glory’s sight
That frees from any fear and pain
And from this world which is so vain
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Dear Susanne, to be honest, my memory is not as sharp as yours.
I had to go back to my article, “What Is Salvation” and read it and your poem once again. Yes! Your poem nails each point that I wrote about back then and this article as well. His Truth is timeless and His ways concerning His salvation through the working of the cross will never change.
I am so blessed that we have this common unity (communion) together IN Christ. You are such a blessing to me and those who also know you after His Spirit within you.
In His eternal love,
Michael
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What a sweet comment by you, Michael! ❤ Thanks! 🙂
Yes, His Truth IS timeless!
You have been a great blessing from God to me as well, my dear brother. Our spiritual fellowship has been His gift through and through.
Michael, you are very precious to me! ⭐
Your sister in His love forever,
Susanne
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Your reply has touched me deeply, dear sister. ⭐ ❤ ⭐
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That is wonderful to hear, my brother. 🕊❤🕊
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Thank you, my brother, for the encouraging word.
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You are welcome, Pat. I am happy you were encouraged by it.
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How awesome is our God! If we just open our spiritual self to Him, He is just in transforming our hearts to His likeness. His light shines in all of us willing to let Him in, willing to love Him for Who He Is. Willing to have and maintain a relationship with Him.
Both your writing Michael and Susanne’s poem captures His truth. Thank you for sharing.
“…for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” ~Col 2:1-3.
May His treasures of wisdom and knowledge keep embracing you both in the coming new year and always. May you both continue reassuring us all, that love is the essence in which God operates. God bless.
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LCB, thanks for your encouraging comment. It was a confirmation in my heart that we are on the right path in this spiritual journey Christ has placed before us.
I can hear the longing in your own heart for more of Christ’s “assurance of understanding” and “the knowledge of the mystery of God.” I fee led to share with you what I read in my daily “Open Windows” devotional today by T. Austin-Sparks.
I saw a door standing open in heaven, and… the voice said, “Come up here, and I will show you….” (Revelation 4:1 NLT)
…To Nathanael the Lord Jesus said, “Henceforth… ye shall see the heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.” Hereafter, of course, was the immediate hereafter, the days of the Holy Spirit which were coming so soon. With an open heaven you see, and you see God’s meaning concerning His Son.
That open heaven for the Lord Jesus was the anointing. The Spirit descended and lighted upon Him. It was the anointing, and it is the same for us. The open heaven is the anointing of the Spirit from the day of Pentecost onward upon Christ within us. That open heaven means a continually growing revelation of Christ.
Oh, let me urge this. I am brought back to urge this…. The open heaven at once brings God’s revelation in Christ to your very door, makes it available to you, so that you are not dependent in the first place upon libraries, books, addresses or anything else. It is there for you… you have your own open heaven, your own clear way through, and no closed dome over your head. The Lord Jesus is becoming more and ever more wonderful in your own heart, because “God, that said, Light shall shine out of darkness” hath “shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Cor. 4:6).
Dear sister (I hope I am not being presumptuous here), May He bless you with your own ever growing, deeper revelation of Christ in You and the fullness of all that is yours by the Holy Spirit in your high calling in the days ahead.
Your brother in Him,
Michael
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Thank you so much for your own encouraging words. Your summation is true, I do have a strong need/desire to know truth as Yahweh intended. Everyday is a learning experience with its ups and downs. of just how far society has diminished His grace.
The spirit we act upon is our calling card whether it comes from above or not, for we our known by our ‘fruits’. The fruits that are manifesting is in contrast to what He expects His children to adhere to. And foretold in Scripture’s to watch for.
Thank you for sharing T. Austin-Sparks devotional words, a man of true understanding. The ‘Open Windows’ strengthen’s my resolves that we are on the right path, and to always forge ahead with Yah’s armor on. The more Yahweh opens awareness to those who sincerely seek to know Him, the more we’re at peace within ourselves, even in the mist of chaos. Hope is a powerful feeling coupled with faith it conquers our fears. Sometimes to the sadness of those around us that haven’t quite grasp His mercy or love. And so we pray for courage, love of brethren, and for them yet not in the inner circle of His embrace to see, feel through our experiences just how awesome and forgiving is our Lord. Yahushua showed by example and we are told to emulate Him.
Your Scripture verses quoted are confirmation, that light overpowers darkness. And having this mindset separates us from the world.
The Good Lord gave us His Spirit of love not fear. His light can shine in us and by our actions, attitude, manners the world can see who we follow and the goodness He offers. A free gift in accepting Him into our lives. Praise His Holy Name!
Let me ended here by saying, I receive your blessings and also give them to you, that His light shine ever brightly in you. I pray in Yahushua’s Holy name.
Thank you for being a shining light! Shalom my friend and brother in Christ, A
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You are so welcome as to the sharing, dear TLC. ❤ Thanks a bunch for your encouraging contribution above! 🙂 The Scripture you quoted truly fits in here! ⭐
May God reveal His unconditional love to you more and more. ❤ May His wisdom and the knowledge of Himself ❤ increasingly become yours in the days ahead.
In Christ's love,
Susanne
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Thank you, Susanne. I receive your blessing and send them to you as well. May our Lord bless you wholeheartedly! You are truly a gift from Yahweh!
Shalom my friend and sister in Christ.
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Michael, you have blessed me and reminded me to really appreciate that Jesus has granted me fellowship both near and far off. I don’t take that fact lightly. I am praying that all HIS true children find fellowship and blessed relationships both close and far. Love you Michael
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Love you too, Chris.
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A beautiful and profound post, Michael. ❤
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Thanks, Anna.
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Amén este escrito Michael! Es reconfortante leer tu artículo y saber que somos piedras vivas diseminadas por toda la tierra las cuales están siendo perfeccionadas para luego ser unidas y formar el gran templo del Señor. No estamos solos por ahí olvidados. Saludos hermano! Bendiciones en el nuevo año!
Martha wrote,
Amen this writing Michael! It is comforting to read your article and know that we are living stones scattered throughout the earth which are being perfected and then be united and form the great temple of the Lord. We are not alone or forgotten. My regards, brother! Blessings in the new year!
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Yes, Martha, we are not alone for He said that He would never leave or forsake us even to the very end of this age. It is good to hear from you again. May this coming year be filled with His presence in your life.
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Amén Michael, que bello mensaje, tocó mi corazón esto que escribiste: “Dios está haciendo un trabajo profundo en nuestros corazones mientras estamos aislados unos de otros. Estamos siendo preparados para encajar perfectamente una vez que Él nos reúne”. Qué maravilloso trabajo que hace nuestro Dios en la profundidad de nuestro ser, en nuestro diario vivir. Algún día no muy lejano, encajaremos perfectamente los unos con los otros por la labor de Su Espíritu.
Patricia wrote:
Amen Michael, what a beautiful message, touched my heart what you wrote: “God is doing a deep job in our hearts while we are isolated from each other. We are being prepared to fit perfectly once He gathers us together. ” What a wonderful work our God does in the depth of our being, in our daily life. Some day not too far away, we will fit perfectly with each other for the work of His Spirit.
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Amen, Patricia.
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