THE HOUSE OF GOD

Bob Jones and Keith Davis

A few days prior to the end of 1999 and the beginning of the New Millennium (on the Gregorian Calendar), the Lord gave Bob a significant prophetic experience with profound implications. In it, He illustrated our need for continued preparatory refinement by the Holy Spirit.

THE VISION

In the vision, Bob was taken in the Spirit to a very appealing house. The Lord, standing to Bob’s left, allowed him to examine the exterior of this multi-level structure. Bob could easily recognize the superior construction and exceptional quality of this beautiful dwelling that had been prepared by its designer.

As Bob was making these observations, the Lord said, “Yes, this is a very beautiful house, unfortunately, it has no lights”. With this statement, Bob inquired how this could occur in a house so beautifully built. Immediately upon making this statement, Bob found himself under the house in a “crawl-space” allowing him to easily see the wiring of the house and the circuits built to provide electrical power to it. He readily ascertained that the wiring in this house was of the highest caliber allowing immense amounts of power to flow into the house in its original blueprint. Unfortunately, a “reducer” had been placed on the circuits diminishing the amount of power allowed to flow into these circuits thus preventing the house from being properly lighted.

A reducer is a piece of equipment that inhibits the total amount of power allowed in wiring. For instance, if the wiring of a house is 220 volts and you desire to use an appliance that only requires 110, a reducer is placed on the outlet limiting the amount of power through the circuit. This is done so that the excessive power does not destroy the appliance you are desiring to use. That was the situation Bob observed in this house. The reducer restricted the flow of power because the wiring and circuits in the house were not suitably functioning to handle the amount of power the house was designed to facilitate.

Upon even closer examination, Bob looked behind the reducer and observed the wires had actually been severed. His first reaction concluded the enemy had cut the wires to this house so God’s power could not flow to it. However, the Lord quickly corrected this presumption. It wasn’t the enemy who had cut the wiring, but the inhabitants of the house.

Bob was instructed that part of his job was to help “rewire” the “house” so an uninhibited flow of power could come to this habitation, to God’s glory. The “House” is the church and we are the channels through which God’s power is to flow. This is the house the Lord is building for His habitation. The wiring of the house represented Christian leaders and the purity of our spirit and soul to accommodate the flow of divine power to the earth. The “wiring” further symbolizes the level of our maturity and character.

Thus says the LORD, “Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. Where then is a house you could build for me? And where is a place that I may rest? “For My hand made all these things, thus all these things came into being,” declares the LORD. “But to this one I will look, to him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word. (Isaiah 66:1-2)

We are not yet equipped to safely accommodate the great release of Divine power the Lord is desiring to unleash that would illumine the “House of Faith”. On the night before the Lord was glorified through the sacrificial offering of His life, He concluded His teachings saying, “I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. (John 16:12) The Lord has many things to unveil to us in this generation, only we cannot bear them all now. However, He is desiring to do a quick work in us allowing full disclosure of Kingdom purposes through His people, provided we are willing to adhere to the leading of His Spirit with total abandonment.

THE APPROPRIATE GROUNDING

Upon further observation Bob noticed the “ground” wire was completely severed. As a result the “Hot Wire” had burned itself out because it did not have adequate grounding. In electricity, the “ground wire” is a connection in an electrical circuit that leads to the earth or to a large conducting object.  If this precaution is not observed, a failure of insulation or accident may occur leading to “shock” or “burn out”. The “hot-wire” is the circuit through which the power flows.

The Lord graciously explained to Bob the “ground-wire” was the “Logos” word of God and the “Hot Wire” was the “Rhema”. If the inhabitants of the house had allowed the “Rhema” of God to come without proper grounding in the “Logos”, burn-out or short circuiting would be the sure result. All “Rhema” must have its grounding in the “Logos” Word of God. A fully activated “Hot Wire” is very dangerous when not grounded. So is it with spiritual reality. If someone experiences a tremendous release of revelation and power that is not grounded in the “Logos” Word of God, the propensity for error and calamity is significant.

The “logos” and “rhema” serve as two witnesses in this illustration. If either of these two is not functioning properly, the tendency for disaster is great. That is why the reducer was placed upon the wiring so the great flow of power from heaven would not destroy the house and its occupants.

LOGOS & RHEMA

A word is a thought given expression. God’s attributes, nature and thoughts are addressed to us in the Word (Logos) of God. The Logos is identified with the will of God, or with the Ideas that are in the mind of God. Christ’s incarnation is accordingly understood as the incarnation of these divine attributes. The Bible is the divinely inspired, inerrant Word (Logos) of God. However, it takes the Rhema of God to properly appropriate the written Word.

But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is {a matter} of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. (2 Peter 1:20-21)

Rhema is a “Word” considered or given articulation. It is the divine appropriation of the written “word”. Simply, it is the inspired insight with understanding and application expressed to us. It is the power of inspiration in understanding the written “word” in perfect order.

But what does it say? “THE WORD (RHEMA) IS NEAR YOU, in your mouth and in your heart” that is, the word (Rhema) of faith which we are preaching, (Romans 10:8)

One of the most important aspects of the vision is to understand we are “grounded” in the revelation of the Word as given by the Holy Spirit.   The scriptures declare the written Word is not a matter of private interpretation; rather, men of old anointed with the Holy Spirit spoke from God. Very often, customary understanding of the scriptures derives its foundation in the doctrines and precepts of men taught as truth.

For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. (Romans 10:3)

This serves only as a false grounding and will result in ship wreck just as much so as if the grounding were not prepared at all. It is the Holy Spirit that is the Spirit of Truth guiding us into all truth. If we harbor traditional concepts of scripture that cannot be supported by the entirety of God’s Word, then we must be willing to open our hearts to the revelation of the Word as taught by the Spirit of Truth.

THE NOBILITY OF THE BEREANS

The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily {to see} whether these things were so. (Acts 17:10-11)

The Bereans were described as a noble group inasmuch as they readily received the Spirit of Truth working through Paul and Silas AND they searched the scriptures to affirm their message in the written Word. Paul delivered “cutting-edge” Truth that was contradictory to the previous understanding of the scriptures taught by the leaders of that day. Nonetheless, Paul’s message was securely established in the written Word, giving the true application of the scriptures concerning the Promised Messiah and the Kingdom of God. This is the virtuous example we should likewise follow.

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word (LOGOS) of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)

Charles Spurgeon once spoke of the “Logos” saying, “So, brethren, especially is it with the Incarnate Word. We are in the habit of calling the Bible “the Word of God.” I suppose that is accurate enough…of this incarnate Word, this everlasting Logos, we may say that he standeth forever. Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever.”   The Bible is not simply the Word of God; it is the revelation of Jesus Christ.

LITTLE CHILDREN, YOUNG MEN & FATHERS

Bob was then told to observe a worship service. In the service, the “Rhema” or “hot-wire” was going to be allowed to flow through the Praise and Worship. During the time of worship, the Holy Spirit imparted revelation to the people expressing the Lord’s desire to manifest healing to the people in their spirit, soul, and body. Unfortunately, following this release of revelation, the people initially continued in the service without giving proper attention to the revelation or “Rhema” of the Word.

The spiritual “children” in the service responded like a child receiving a piece of candy. They thought the release was certainly sweet and good giving a nice spiritual experience, however did not grasp the full purpose of its meaning. The “young men” recognized this as a revelation from heaven, yet lacked the maturity to establish understanding with application for the revelation. The “fathers” then spoke up acknowledging this was a revelation from heaven and the service could not continue until its full application found it’s place in the service and God was allowed to do all that He desired. The “fathers” responded to the “Rhema” by grounding it in the Logos and resting in it’s Truth until the Holy Spirit was allowed full liberty to accomplish every purpose He desired.

I am writing to you, LITTLE CHILDREN, because your sins have been forgiven you for His name’s sake. I am writing to you, FATHERS, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, because YOUNG MEN have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father. I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. (1 John 2:12-14)

In this illustration, the “Rhema” word of God disclosed the Lord’s desire to impart healing to the saints in the worship service. The grounding for this Word is derived in the written promises that healing is the “children’s bread.” The “Logos” clearly supported the “Rhema” manifesting the Lord’s expression for the people. The Holy Spirit will never sponsor something that is contrary to the Written Word. Furthermore, He is wishing to manifest in His church all the many good and precious promises in the Written Word that we have not yet fully experienced.

It requires the maturity of “fathers” to thoroughly recognize the release of “Rhema” and ground it in the “Logos” Word Of God so nothing is lost in a service. Maturity and character established in the hearts of the “fathers” allows the full manifestation of freedom for the Holy Spirit to do His bidding. These three categories of believers have less to do with biological age, but more with spiritual maturity and close encounters with the Lord in the “prayer closet”. It is in being consumed with the Lord and devouring His Word— His Word is the revelation of His Heart.

Your words were found and I ate them, and your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart; for I have been called by your name, O LORD God of hosts. (Jeremiah 15:16)

The Lord is insisting the lights be fully engaged in the house so all divine purposes are accomplished without one being lost. Without the maturity of the “fathers”, great spiritual opportunities are squandered because they are not recognized when released by the Holy Spirit. All revelation from heaven is more precious than fine gold. The admonition here is to develop the discernment and spiritual sensitivity to perceive these expressions of the Spirit and adhere to them, allowing full liberty in their accomplishment.

“It is written, MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ONEVERY WORD (Rhema) THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.” (Matthew 4:4)

If we hunger for the anointing of God in our lives, and even more importantly, if we thirst for intimate fellowship with the Lord, we must become totally absorbed in His Word. He will never do anything contrary to His written Word and His Word is His prescribed WAY into the Presence of the Father.

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms {and} hymns {and} spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (Colossians 3:16)

As the vision continued the Lord instructed Bob to begin the process of adequately “wiring” His church for the release of great power. The Lord acknowledged we are not yet properly “wired” and equipped to handle the great source of power to be dispersed in this generation. This symbolic expression emphasized the great need for continued preparatory refinement. It is imperative we are properly “grounded” and empowered with both the “Logos” and “Rhema” revelation of the Lord’s plans, purposes and will. It is the development of Godly character and maturity essential for the release of this magnitude of power. We must experientially know what it means to literally tremble with reverential fear at the sanctity of God’s Word. The Lord is desiring a spiritual Habitation— IN US. The Spirit is expressing Himself continuously; unfortunately, there is presently a famine in the “HEARING OF THE WORD”.

OUR SPIRITUAL UMBILICAL CORD

In many respects we are like a child in the womb of its mother connected to the mother through the umbilical cord. The “umbilical cord” portrays the Holy Spirit bonding us to heaven. It functions as a channel through which the grace and mercy of God flows to us perpetually, even as life flows from mother to child in the womb providing the issues of life.

Not only does the umbilical cord provide the source of life for the infant, it most importantly promotes growth and maturity to the point of birth. The love of the Father flows through our spiritual “umbilical cord” to cleanse us of all unrighteousness extending His grace, allowing the maturation and development in us to become sons and daughters of God. It is vital that the umbilical cord provide the uninhibited flow of blood, nourishment and life to the maturing child. If anything should block this flow, the life of the child would be in jeopardy. Our unbelief and precepts of man function as a block that inhibits the flow of divine life to us, prohibiting proper cleansing and nourishment creating a critical situation in the maturity of the believer.

For instance, many who enter into sin feel as though they need to do penance for the remission of their wrong act. Instead, the believer should simply do faithful repentance and believe the Word of God promising His blood is adequate to cleanse us of all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9) The flow of life through the spiritual “umbilical” cord is then dispensed to cleanse us and prepare us for birth into our calling and commission.

It is the religious spirit that deceives us into entering legalism and nullifying the grace of God with works. It is the power of Grace that we must understand the Lord is desiring to release into His church that will illumine her and prepare her in maturity for the greater measure of the Holy Spirit. Our works are an outward expression of an inward conviction done as a labor of love and appreciation for His work of Grace. We cease from ministering FOR God and begin to minister WITH Him.

If we continue perpetually in rebellious sin, it functions like the umbilical cord wrapped around the neck of the infant, suppressing the very flow of life from it until the child is aborted. Many spiritual purposes and movements are aborted in this manner. An examination of history will also reveal many great movements of God that were being prepared to be released in the earth that were lost in this manner.

It is imperative in this generation that we allow the Holy Spirit to prepare us according to His directives so we are equipped to handle the kind of power that it will take to become the generation of the righteous. Great and awesome exploits are prophesied for this generation. We must be conditioned and equipped for them. The performance of works to promote the remittance of sin, signifies we have lost faith in the cross and the grace of God. Works should be an outward expression of an inward appreciation for the grace of God and the love of God extended to us. It cannot be a substitute for the blood of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.

It is likewise mandatory in this hour, that we ground ourselves in His revelation of the Word through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit so we can easily discern the deceptions of the enemy that would inhibit the flow of life to us from the Father. If we find ourselves unknowingly agreeing with the enemy, it results in our abiding in the domain of Satan rather than the Father. It is through the Rhema revelation of the written Logos that we recognize the schemes of the enemy allowing the full release of power to us to escape and defeat the strongholds of the devil.

When we make our habitation in the Word of God…He will make His habitation in us. Grounding in the Word of God will actually have us rooted and grounded in Love, Faith and Truth (Eph. 3:17; Col. 1:23;1 Tim 3:15; KJV)    There are presently some individual believers who have tasted this reality. However, the Lord is desiring His corporate body to have their grounding in Him so He can lavish upon them the Presence of God allowing His Glory to fill the earth.