THE BELT OF TRUTH

Bob Jones and Paul Keith Davis

 January 11, 2002

With the ending of 2001 and the beginning of this new year, the Lord is continuing to release insight highlighting the transition that is taking place in the Church. One thing that has been promised by the Holy Spirit…2002 will be a much different year than the previous. Many of the trials, tribulations and difficulties experienced in 2001, were preparation for the provision of fruitfulness to be deposited in those of God’s people who have allowed this work to have its full benefit.

One of the issues of great importance that has been consistently emphasized by the Lord over the past several months and continues in this year, is the full manifestation of the Spirit of Truth. As the emerging army of believers, we must learn to embrace truth so the “fog” of deception and delusion can no longer have its way in the church. As we gird our loins about with the “belt of truth,” our foundation in Christ is firmly established allowing for the full release of His anointing for this season of the Spirit.

The following prophetic experience was again given to us to highlight this all important aspect of His work in this hour. It was God’s original intent through Adam for man to live on two levels… the natural arena and the spiritual dimension with God. In the latter we have a spiritual form that communes with God, now through the process of redemption in Christ. It is the “spiritual” form of man that the following article addresses important issues through the symbolism associated with the natural man.

THE LORD’S “FITTING” ROOM

In this experience, Bob was taken to a spiritual “fitting room”. This was a facility utilized to perfectly measure an individual to make certain that the garments provided for them are perfectly suited for their frame. This could readily represent the perfect application of the provision of the Spirit provided for each one of us that is thoroughly suited to our calling and purpose and divine destiny. It was very important to make certain that the measurements provided for these garments was meticulously followed allowing for a perfectly fitting garment to be prepared.

I advise you to buy from me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and {that} the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. (Revelation 3:18)

One of the admonitions given to the Laodicean Church is to be clothed with white garments that the shame of our nakedness would not be revealed. These are representing priestly and divinely powerful apparels with which we clothe ourselves spiritually. It is very important that each person go through this process to receive the garments provided by the Holy Spirit specifically designed and created for our individual calling and purpose.

Our ultimate calling is to be like Him and display His garments of Righteousness, Sanctification, Revelation and Power. I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, My soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. (Isaiah 61:10)

The Spiritual talents and abilities we receive must be nurtured and developed as we grow and mature in our relationship and communion with the Lord and our function in the realm of the Spirit. As we achieve a place of maturity and progress, we are then evaluated for increase and greater responsibility in the framework of the Kingdom.

THE EXAMINING ROOM

Following the experience in the “fitting room,” Bob, here representing the Church, was then taken to another room very similar to a medical clinic. As the doctor entered the room he began to examine Bob, not according to the flesh but by the Spirit. This physician was more interested in the condition of the spirit than of the natural body.

The physicians’ primary purpose was to determine if the Church is spiritually fit to meet the challenge of the coming year. This examination would be very similar to a soldier being examined before induction into the army.

The Lord is presently examining His army of believers to determine if the condition of their spirit is adequately suited for the challenges of the coming year. The year in which we are presently entering will be much different than the previous. The coming year will allow substantial fruitfulness and restoration for those who are spiritually mature and strengthened to become the trustworthy stewards of His mysteries and power.

When the physician placed His stethoscope over Bob’s spirit, He asked the question, “Are you suited to meet the coming challenges?” Although Bob was expecting the physician to tell him the condition of his spirit, instead the physician was asking Bob if his spirit had the maturity, stamina and quality to carry the anointing for this coming season.

It was then revealed that the “doctor” represented the “doctrines of Christ” clearly revealed in the scriptures. The revelation of His Word is the standard by which our spirits are appraised to determine its present condition and health. If our spirit is consistent with the revelation of His Word, then we will clearly pass the examination for the next release of His anointing.

EXAMINED BY THE WORD

There is presently an examination that has been taking place since this past Day of Atonement, evaluating the condition of our spirit according to the revelation of His Word for this generation. There is a present Word being released in God’s people that is preparatory for the coming move of the Spirit.

It is through His Word abiding in us merged with the Spirit that provides the garments of Salvation and Righteousness that will clothe and equip us for the battle. Any other spiritual raiment that we attempt to cover ourselves with will only become obstacles and opportunities for the enemy. That is, if we are carrying traditions, doctrines and perceptions of men rather than the true revelation of the Word, then those doctrines will only become cumbersome weights that interfere with our ability to meet the challenge of this new day.

Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:13)

Our minds are to be girded with Truth. The Spirit of Truth will provide the strength and power essential for the overcoming army to be dressed and prepared to take the ground allotted for us in 2002.

The Lord Jesus once said, “I HAVE FOOD TO EAT YOU KNOW NOT OF” (John 4:32)

This was clearly speaking of a spiritual provision that afforded the nourishment and strength He needed to meet the challenges of His day and fulfill the great call on His Life. Likewise, our spiritual man must continually be maintained with the “bread” that continually proceeds from the heart of the Father.

NEW GARMENTS FOR MANY

For many in the body of Christ, new garments are being prepared and released according to the level of maturity each has attained over the past season. The new garments represent an increased dimension of the Spirit of Revelation and Power as we call upon Him that He may answer us and show us great and mighty things which we presently do not know.

Perhaps there are many who have had spiritual experiences seeing themselves stripped and re-clothed with brighter and more glorious garments as we enter this new day in the Spirit and progress from Glory to Glory.

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18)

The One who examines and evaluates us is asking the question, do we have the strength to remain faithful to the Spirit of Truth?

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. (Ephesians 6:10-11)

The awesome power present in the experience when the question was asked, clearly communicated that we must not carelessly nor presumptuously answer this question with a flippant attitude. It is a serious and sobering question that must be answered in honesty and truth as we examine ourselves to appropriately respond to the Lord.

EXAMINATION OF OUR SPIRITUAL LUNGS

There were two areas that the physician was particularly interested in examining…the spiritual heart and the lungs. This again is spiritual symbolism representing a key aspect of our readiness for this hour in which we are living.

The examination of the spiritual lungs determined the capacity to attain the heights in the Spirit that the Lord is desiring for His church to enter during times of worship. The greater our lung capacity the better our ability to soar in the realms of the Spirit through praise and worship and enter behind the veil to receive divine counsel and insight for spiritual strategy and empowering. The Breath of God expressed in our worship will carry us to the exceptional heights in the Spirit to experience intimate exchange with Him.

This revelation also seemed to indicate that a greater anointing is going to be released for praise and worship during this season to also correspond with the release of revelation and power.

As we learn to worship the Lord in Spirit and Truth, we will also receive greater levels of insight as we draw nearer to His heart so we can be trusted with the keys to the Kingdom.

NO PLACE FOR MIXTURE

The prophetic church is being examined to determine if she will meticulously follow the Spirit of Truth and the revelation of His word allotted for this generation. There is no place for mixture in the coming battle. We cannot allow the leaven of our own thoughts and ideas to be injected into the purity of His Truth. It must be untouched by the hands of man.

Also righteousness will be the belt about His loins, and faithfulness the belt about His waist. (Isaiah 11:5)

It is through our faithfulness to Him and the allotment of His grace toward us that we are established.

Through self-examination we determine that it is not by our strength and ability that a healthy spirit is attained. It is the Lord Who is our Righteousness and our unwavering trust in Him will exercise our spirit to a place of strength and stamina necessary for the coming outpouring.

Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? unless indeed you fail the test. (2 Corinthians 13:5)

COMMITMENT

The next anointing is closely associated with commitment. Do we have the heart to fully commit ourselves to the Lord and His purposes in the earth? Are we able to commit spirit, soul and body to kingdom purposes in our generation? There is an angelic host being released for our day which closely work with the Spirit of Truth to establish truth in the hearts of believers and in the nations of the earth. Our resolution must be to continually follow the Word that perpetually proceeds from the heart of the Father.

With these profound questions, the Lord is anxiously watching to determine our response. In this place of the Spirit, the true revelation of our heart is expressed. It is not a place in which we can give lip service that is not consistent with the desires of our heart. If it is truly the intent of our heart to respond appropriately to these questions, then it will be established in the Spirit and the Lord as the great Physician will have His answer.

The coming outpouring of the Spirit will be equivalent to the increase in the river of the Spirit to the measure of the loins.