*Who has the authority?
*The scriptures talk about authority - Jesus talks about authority...if authority is important, then they want to make sure that they either 1. Have authority or 2. Know who has authority.
To that I ask - what is authority?
Really...take a minute to define it.
To me - authority is like having the keys to a Ferrari. You can talk about the keys, you can shake them and say, "I have the keys to this Ferrari!" You can let others admire your keys and talk about how cool it is that you have the keys to a Ferrari...but if you don't have the actual Ferrari - your keys are worthless.
Authority and Power are two sides of the same coin. In the church we have come to be in awe of the keys and the assumption that they are Ferrari keys and that if there are keys there must be a Ferrari somewhere. And we assume the Ferrari is being driven around somewhere - just not where anyone can see it. Probably they take it for a spin on Thursday mornings on the Temple race track.
By their Fruit you will know who is of God and who isn't.
Show me a person who has the Power of God and I will show you Authority. It is the Power of God which should occupy our attention and the thing we should really be questioning and talking about.
Authority (and Power) doesn't come by man - nor the will of man. It doesn't come by your father or your mother or something that happens given enough time passing/seniority. It only comes one way: By God directly.
Now Melchizedek was a man of faith, who wrought righteousness; and when a child he feared God, and stopped the mouths of lions, and quenched the violence of fire. And thus, having been approved of God (given authority), he was ordained an high priest after the order of the covenant which God made with Enoch, It being after the order of the son of God; which order came, not by man, nor by the will of man; neither by father nor mother; neither by beginning of days nor end of years; but of God; And it was delivered unto men by the calling of his own voice, according to his own will, unto as many as believed on his name. (JST-Gen. 14:26-29)
I looked up every single scripture in the Old Testament and New Testament and Book of Mormon where it mentions "Authority". In the Old Testament it gives only two mentions: Esther 9:29 and Proverbs 29:2. I will cover authority that is mentioned in D&C in another post.
In the New Testament I will include all applicable mentions of "authority" in my writings below but I will omit all the ones where they talk about people, "lording their authority" over others.
It is important to make mention that the only people who were really obsessed with authority in the New Testament were the Pharisees. Likewise we see the same obsession with authority in the LDS church today. The two religions claiming authority from God, the Catholics and the Mormons, are both the richest religions on the planet. And both claim there is only one way back to God and it is their way via their authority.
Mormon 8:
32 Yea, it shall come in a day when there shall be churches built up that shall say: Come unto me, and for your [tithing] you shall be forgiven of your sins [obtain a Temple recommend and go to the highest kingdom].
In John 15:5 Jesus says, "I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."
What is the "fruit"? Is it a people full of wealth (i.e. things after the flesh) or is it a people after the Spirit of God (i.e. people who seek and act on Revelation from the Lord)?
Paul taught us in Romans 8 that, "...they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh (501c3); but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace...For as many as are led by the Spirit of God (rock of Revelation), they are the sons of God...For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God!!" (Rise up! Grasp hold of the iron rod and become the sons (and daughters) of God!)
Personally I'm not searching for who holds the authority anymore. I am seeking to align myself with God so that I am an extension of Him and then I can be of great use to Him. Then comes the power to bless and then I suppose I'd have God's authority.
What you will find as you read these scriptures below is that the "authority" Jesus spoke of was and is the ability to hear God's voice and teach others what He is saying. You also use that authority to bless and serve other people and to cast out dark spirits. If you take the sum total of all the things Jesus taught as recorded in the New Testament...100% of it wasn't about authority in the way that we think of it. He taught that authority is about turning back to God, seeking and doing His will, and loving your fellow men.
Jesus asked His apostles who people were saying that He is. They give a few answers such as "some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
Then Jesus says, "But what about you? Who do you say I am??"
This is an important moment. Who do YOU say that Jesus is? Not who President Nelson says He is, the 12, your family...but who do YOU say that Jesus is. And it's only when He asks that question that we see the power of God work through Peter to declare the Truth of ALL that matters.
Simon Peter answers, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God!" (this is the only place in the New Testament where that phrase was used)
Jesus must have had a big spiritual exhale here. Someone was finally in sync with the Lord and had received profound revelation. Jesus in the NLT says, "Simon, son of Jonah, you are happy because you did not learn this from man. My Father in Heaven has shown you this."
Then Jesus calls Peter, "Blessed" which is a title that comes with greater authority to serve others. It is upon that rock - the rock of revelation - which Jesus will build His congregation/church. And you will be happy once you receive this revelation because you did not learn about Jesus being the Son of God from man but by revelation from God to YOU! Then you will experience, to some degree, what the brother of Jared experienced.
13 And when he had said these words, behold, the Lord showed himself unto him, and said: Because thou knowest these things ye are redeemed from the fall; therefore ye are brought back into my presence; therefore I show myself unto you.
14 Behold, I am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people. Behold, I am Jesus Christ. I am the Father and the Son. In me shall all mankind have life, and that eternally, even they who shall believe on my name; and they shall become my sons and my daughters.
Thus it is this "rock of revelation" to which we must be immovable upon to become part of the body of Christ. Otherwise you have what we have in Christianity today...the eye saying to the hand, "I have no need of you" and the head saying to the feet, "I have no need of you" (1 Corinthians 12). "For it shall come to pass in that day that the churches which are built up, and not unto the Lord, when the one shall say unto the other: Behold, I, I am the Lord’s; and the others shall say: I, I am the Lord’s; and thus shall every one say that hath built up churches, and not unto the Lord." (2 Nephi 28)
When Peter recognized Jesus was the Son of the LIVING God - He received a revelation of the highest kind. The revelation from God to you that He is offering us salvation through His Son who is THE immovable rock and truly is the stone which will smite the image of "authority" and become a great mountain which will fill the whole earth (Daniel 2).
His church is comprised of all people who seek and receive revelation from Him. If each person sought and did His will - we would be of one heart and one mind and the gates of Hell would not overcome the body (v. 18). Receiving this revelation will cause watchmen to lift up their voice and sing praises because they will all see eye to eye (Isaiah 52).
BUT! Ruth!! Jesus gave Peter the keys of the kingdom of heaven - to bind on earth and in heaven and to loose on earth and in heaven. Now he has the keys to the church. Right?
I ask: what will he bind and loose?
When the apostles "bound" something, or forbade it on earth, they were carrying out the will of God in the matter. The authority to bind and loose comes with a responsibility to act in accordance with God's will and you do that by being a rock of revelation. This is the end summation of all who have an eye single to God's glory and to those who seek only to obtain and do His will.
Matthew 7: (see also Mark 1:22)
Matt 21
23 ¶ And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?
...
27 And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things. (see also Mark 11 & Luke 20)
Mark 1:
25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.
26 And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.
27 And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him. (see also Luke 4)
26 For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him. (they didn't use their talent/authority to bless others aka. make an increase)
Luke 22: (This scripture below is FIRE about Authority!!)
24 ¶ And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.
25 And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.
26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.
27 For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.
2 Corinthians 10:
7 Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ’s, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ’s, even so are we Christ’s.
8 For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, *which the Lord hath given us for edification*, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:
Rev. 13
2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
1 Nephi 10:
22 And the Holy Ghost giveth authority that I should speak these things, and deny them not.
Words of Mormon 1:
17 For behold, king Benjamin was a holy man, and he did reign over his people in righteousness; and there were many holy men in the land, and they did speak the word of God with power and with authority; and they did use much sharpness because of the stiffneckedness of the people—
Mosiah 13:
5 Now it came to pass after Abinadi had spoken these words that the people of king Noah durst not lay their hands on him, for the Spirit of the Lord was upon him; and his face shone with exceeding luster, even as Moses’ did while in the mount of Sinai, while speaking with the Lord.
6 And he spake with power and authority from God; and he continued his words, saying:
Mosiah 18:
13 And when he had said these words, the Spirit of the Lord was upon him, and he said: Helam, I baptize thee, having authority from the Almighty God, ...
17 And they were called the church of God, or the church of Christ, from that time forward. And it came to pass that whosoever was baptized by the power and authority of God was added to his church.
18 And it came to pass that Alma, having authority from God, ordained priests; even one priest to every fifty of their number did he ordain to preach unto them, and to teach them concerning the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
26 **And the priests were not to depend upon the people for their support; but for their labor they were to receive the grace of God, that they might wax strong in the Spirit, having the knowledge of God, that they might teach with power and authority from God.**
Mosiah 21:
33 And it came to pass that king Limhi and many of his people were desirous to be baptized; but there was none in the land that had authority from God. And Ammon declined doing this thing, considering himself an unworthy servant.
34 Therefore they did not at that time form themselves into a church, waiting upon the Spirit of the Lord.
Mosiah 23:
16 And now, Alma was their high priest, he being the founder of their church.
17 And it came to pass that none received authority to preach or to teach except it were by him from God. Therefore he consecrated all their priests and all their teachers; and none were consecrated except they were just men.
18 Therefore they did watch over their people, and did nourish them with things pertaining to righteousness.
Mosiah 27:
14...for this purpose have I come to convince thee of the power and authority of God, that the prayers of his servants might be answered according to their faith.
15 And now behold, can ye dispute the power of God? For behold, doth not my voice shake the earth? And can ye not also behold me before you? And I am sent from God.
Alma 5:
3 I, Alma, having been consecrated by my father, Alma, to be a high priest over the church of God, he having power and authority from God to do these things, behold, I say unto you that he began to establish a church in the land which was in the borders of Nephi; yea, the land which was called the land of Mormon; yea, and he did baptize his brethren in the waters of Mormon.
Alma 17 :
3 But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God.
Helaman 5:
18 And it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi did preach unto the Lamanites with such great power and authority, for they had power and authority given unto them that they might speak, and they also had what they should speak given unto them—
Helaman 6:
5 Yea, and many did preach with exceedingly great power and authority, unto the bringing down many of them into the depths of humility, to be the humble followers of God and the Lamb.
Helaman 11:
18 And behold, the people did rejoice and glorify God, and the whole face of the land was filled with rejoicing; and they did no more seek to destroy Nephi, but they did esteem him as a great prophet, and a man of God, having great power and authority given unto him from God.
3 Nephi 7:
17 And he did minister many things unto them; and all of them cannot be written, and a part of them would not suffice, therefore they are not written in this book. And Nephi did minister with power and with great authority.
3 Nephi 11:
21 And the Lord said unto him: I give unto you power that ye shall baptize this people when I am again ascended into heaven.
3 Nephi 12:
1 ...Blessed are ye if ye shall give heed unto the words of these twelve whom I have chosen from among you to minister unto you, and to be your servants; and unto them I have given power that they may baptize you with water; and after that ye are baptized with water, behold, I will baptize you with fire and with the Holy Ghost; therefore blessed are ye if ye shall believe in me and be baptized, after that ye have seen me and know that I am.
Moroni 8:
16 Wo be unto them that shall pervert the ways of the Lord after this manner, for they shall perish except they repent. Behold, I speak with boldness, having authority from God; and I fear not what man can do; for perfect love casteth out all fear.
D&C 88:
47 Behold, all these are kingdoms, and any man who hath seen any or the least of these **hath seen God moving in his majesty and power.**
48 I say unto you, he hath seen him; nevertheless, he who came unto his own was not comprehended (do you comprehend this yet?).
49 The light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not; nevertheless, the day shall come when you shall comprehend even God, being quickened in him and by him. (this happens as you increase in your Priesthood aka your Authority aka your...Relationship)
50 Then shall ye know that ye have seen me, that I am, and that I am the true light that is in you, and that you are in me; otherwise ye could not abound.
...
62 And again, verily I say unto you, my friends, I leave these sayings with you to ponder in your hearts, with this commandment which I give unto you, that ye shall call upon me while I am near—
63 Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
64 Whatsoever ye ask the Father in my name it shall be given unto you, that is expedient for you;
65 And if ye ask anything that is not expedient for you, it shall turn unto your condemnation.
66 Behold, that which you hear is as the voice of one crying in the wilderness—in the wilderness, because you cannot see him—my voice, because my voice is Spirit; my Spirit is truth; truth abideth and hath no end; *and if it be in you it shall abound.*
67 And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things.
68 Therefore, sanctify yourselves that your minds become single to God, and the days will come that you shall see him; for he will unveil his face unto you, and it shall be in his own time, and in his own way, and according to his own will.
69 Remember the great and last promise which I have made unto you; cast away your idle thoughts and your excess of laughter far from you.
70 Tarry ye, tarry ye in this place, and call a solemn assembly, even of those who are the first laborers in this last kingdom.
...
73 Behold, I will hasten my work in its time.
74 And I give unto you, who are the first laborers in this last kingdom, a commandment that you assemble yourselves together, and organize yourselves, and prepare yourselves, and sanctify yourselves; yea, purify your hearts, and cleanse your hands and your feet before me, that I may make you clean;
75 That I may testify unto your Father, and your God, and my God, that you are clean from the blood of this wicked generation; that I may fulfil this promise, this great and last promise, which I have made unto you, when I will.
76 Also, I give unto you a commandment that ye shall continue in *prayer* and *fasting* from this time forth.
...
83 He that seeketh me early shall find me, and shall not be forsaken.
The veil has been torn from top to bottom. I pray you do not stitch it back up again. I hope you read all the scriptures and didn't skim them because they contain all the answers to what authority is and who has it. And D&C 88 says it best about where to go from here. You can either get on your knees and work out, "Whom do you say that I am?" or you can...
BUT! Ruth!! Jesus gave Peter the keys of the kingdom of heaven - to bind on earth and in heaven and to loose on earth and in heaven. Now he has the keys to the church. Right?
I ask: what will he bind and loose?
When the apostles "bound" something, or forbade it on earth, they were carrying out the will of God in the matter. The authority to bind and loose comes with a responsibility to act in accordance with God's will and you do that by being a rock of revelation. This is the end summation of all who have an eye single to God's glory and to those who seek only to obtain and do His will.
Let's look at what the scriptures have to say about Authority...please read them. If you are really seeking to understand Authority - this will light the path.
Matthew 7: (see also Mark 1:22)
28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
Matt 21
23 ¶ And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?
...
27 And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things. (see also Mark 11 & Luke 20)
Mark 1:
25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.
26 And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.
27 And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him. (see also Luke 4)
Luke 9:
1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.
2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
Luke 19:
17 And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.
...
1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.
2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
Luke 19:
17 And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.
...
26 For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him. (they didn't use their talent/authority to bless others aka. make an increase)
Luke 22: (This scripture below is FIRE about Authority!!)
24 ¶ And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.
25 And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.
26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.
27 For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.
2 Corinthians 10:
7 Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ’s, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ’s, even so are we Christ’s.
8 For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, *which the Lord hath given us for edification*, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:
Rev. 13
2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
1 Nephi 10:
22 And the Holy Ghost giveth authority that I should speak these things, and deny them not.
Words of Mormon 1:
17 For behold, king Benjamin was a holy man, and he did reign over his people in righteousness; and there were many holy men in the land, and they did speak the word of God with power and with authority; and they did use much sharpness because of the stiffneckedness of the people—
Mosiah 13:
5 Now it came to pass after Abinadi had spoken these words that the people of king Noah durst not lay their hands on him, for the Spirit of the Lord was upon him; and his face shone with exceeding luster, even as Moses’ did while in the mount of Sinai, while speaking with the Lord.
6 And he spake with power and authority from God; and he continued his words, saying:
Mosiah 18:
13 And when he had said these words, the Spirit of the Lord was upon him, and he said: Helam, I baptize thee, having authority from the Almighty God, ...
17 And they were called the church of God, or the church of Christ, from that time forward. And it came to pass that whosoever was baptized by the power and authority of God was added to his church.
18 And it came to pass that Alma, having authority from God, ordained priests; even one priest to every fifty of their number did he ordain to preach unto them, and to teach them concerning the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
...
26 **And the priests were not to depend upon the people for their support; but for their labor they were to receive the grace of God, that they might wax strong in the Spirit, having the knowledge of God, that they might teach with power and authority from God.**
Mosiah 21:
33 And it came to pass that king Limhi and many of his people were desirous to be baptized; but there was none in the land that had authority from God. And Ammon declined doing this thing, considering himself an unworthy servant.
34 Therefore they did not at that time form themselves into a church, waiting upon the Spirit of the Lord.
Mosiah 23:
16 And now, Alma was their high priest, he being the founder of their church.
17 And it came to pass that none received authority to preach or to teach except it were by him from God. Therefore he consecrated all their priests and all their teachers; and none were consecrated except they were just men.
18 Therefore they did watch over their people, and did nourish them with things pertaining to righteousness.
Mosiah 27:
14...for this purpose have I come to convince thee of the power and authority of God, that the prayers of his servants might be answered according to their faith.
15 And now behold, can ye dispute the power of God? For behold, doth not my voice shake the earth? And can ye not also behold me before you? And I am sent from God.
Alma 5:
3 I, Alma, having been consecrated by my father, Alma, to be a high priest over the church of God, he having power and authority from God to do these things, behold, I say unto you that he began to establish a church in the land which was in the borders of Nephi; yea, the land which was called the land of Mormon; yea, and he did baptize his brethren in the waters of Mormon.
Alma 17 :
3 But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God.
Helaman 5:
18 And it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi did preach unto the Lamanites with such great power and authority, for they had power and authority given unto them that they might speak, and they also had what they should speak given unto them—
Helaman 6:
5 Yea, and many did preach with exceedingly great power and authority, unto the bringing down many of them into the depths of humility, to be the humble followers of God and the Lamb.
Helaman 11:
18 And behold, the people did rejoice and glorify God, and the whole face of the land was filled with rejoicing; and they did no more seek to destroy Nephi, but they did esteem him as a great prophet, and a man of God, having great power and authority given unto him from God.
3 Nephi 7:
17 And he did minister many things unto them; and all of them cannot be written, and a part of them would not suffice, therefore they are not written in this book. And Nephi did minister with power and with great authority.
3 Nephi 11:
21 And the Lord said unto him: I give unto you power that ye shall baptize this people when I am again ascended into heaven.
...
24 And now behold, these are the words which ye shall say, calling them by name, saying:
25 Having authority given me of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
25 Having authority given me of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
3 Nephi 12:
1 ...Blessed are ye if ye shall give heed unto the words of these twelve whom I have chosen from among you to minister unto you, and to be your servants; and unto them I have given power that they may baptize you with water; and after that ye are baptized with water, behold, I will baptize you with fire and with the Holy Ghost; therefore blessed are ye if ye shall believe in me and be baptized, after that ye have seen me and know that I am.
Moroni 8:
16 Wo be unto them that shall pervert the ways of the Lord after this manner, for they shall perish except they repent. Behold, I speak with boldness, having authority from God; and I fear not what man can do; for perfect love casteth out all fear.
...
28 Pray for them, my son, that repentance may come unto them. But behold, I fear lest the Spirit hath ceased striving with them; and in this part of the land they are also seeking to put down all power and authority which cometh from God; and they are denying the Holy Ghost.
___________
28 Pray for them, my son, that repentance may come unto them. But behold, I fear lest the Spirit hath ceased striving with them; and in this part of the land they are also seeking to put down all power and authority which cometh from God; and they are denying the Holy Ghost.
___________
Authority has been pounded into our heads by the LDS church our entire lives. When I first told others of my doubts about the church they mused, "where will you go?" because we are taught that the church is the only one who has the authority. This highlights our great mis-understanding of what authority is. When Jesus taught that His flesh was meat indeed and his blood must be consumed - many of his disciples left in dismay and no longer walked with Him. Seeing this Jesus asked His friends and Apostles, "Will ye also go away?" Peter responds (Ruth translation here), "Lord! Where in the world would we even go?? You have the words of eternal life. We believe You and we know that You are the Holy One of God!!"
If you want to know who has the Authority - it's Jesus and the Father. They have it.
If you want to know if you have the Authority to act in their name - you must ask Them.
If you know you don't have it but you want it - then you must ask Them that too.
47 Behold, all these are kingdoms, and any man who hath seen any or the least of these **hath seen God moving in his majesty and power.**
48 I say unto you, he hath seen him; nevertheless, he who came unto his own was not comprehended (do you comprehend this yet?).
49 The light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not; nevertheless, the day shall come when you shall comprehend even God, being quickened in him and by him. (this happens as you increase in your Priesthood aka your Authority aka your...Relationship)
50 Then shall ye know that ye have seen me, that I am, and that I am the true light that is in you, and that you are in me; otherwise ye could not abound.
...
62 And again, verily I say unto you, my friends, I leave these sayings with you to ponder in your hearts, with this commandment which I give unto you, that ye shall call upon me while I am near—
63 Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
64 Whatsoever ye ask the Father in my name it shall be given unto you, that is expedient for you;
65 And if ye ask anything that is not expedient for you, it shall turn unto your condemnation.
66 Behold, that which you hear is as the voice of one crying in the wilderness—in the wilderness, because you cannot see him—my voice, because my voice is Spirit; my Spirit is truth; truth abideth and hath no end; *and if it be in you it shall abound.*
67 And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things.
68 Therefore, sanctify yourselves that your minds become single to God, and the days will come that you shall see him; for he will unveil his face unto you, and it shall be in his own time, and in his own way, and according to his own will.
69 Remember the great and last promise which I have made unto you; cast away your idle thoughts and your excess of laughter far from you.
70 Tarry ye, tarry ye in this place, and call a solemn assembly, even of those who are the first laborers in this last kingdom.
...
73 Behold, I will hasten my work in its time.
74 And I give unto you, who are the first laborers in this last kingdom, a commandment that you assemble yourselves together, and organize yourselves, and prepare yourselves, and sanctify yourselves; yea, purify your hearts, and cleanse your hands and your feet before me, that I may make you clean;
75 That I may testify unto your Father, and your God, and my God, that you are clean from the blood of this wicked generation; that I may fulfil this promise, this great and last promise, which I have made unto you, when I will.
76 Also, I give unto you a commandment that ye shall continue in *prayer* and *fasting* from this time forth.
...
83 He that seeketh me early shall find me, and shall not be forsaken.
32 ... return again to their own place, to enjoy that which they are willing to receive, because they were not willing to enjoy that which they might have received.
33 For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift.
Lord, I pray that those who have awoken will now Arise. For what will it profit us if we awake only? We can not rejoice in the gift nor the Giver of the gift. Lord - let us Rejoice in YOU and You alone. Let us Hunger and Thirst after Your Righteousness all the days of our lives.
I stand in Awe
by Chris Tomlin and Nicole Serrano
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