Stewards of Heavenly Mysteries

One of the great encouragements for this day in which we are living is the biblical promise related to the unfolding and demonstration of the Kingdom dimension of God and His Kingly authority. There are candid and profound prophetic promises identified in the blueprint and strategy of Heaven foreseen by the prophets and foretold in the Scriptures. Many generations of prophets and seers employed their revelatory gifting to forecast a day identified with the “promise” of God being fully manifested through a body of consecrated people.

Throughout the church ages, there have been admonitions and promises given to those who overcome the spiritual adversity of their day to be sealed into the Kingdom and rewarded with significant spiritual blessings. “To those who overcome” is a noteworthy identification directing the destiny of a body of people who are victorious in the struggle with our adversary who often counterfeits the genuine expression of God.

Therefore, this incredibly important issue of “overcoming” is not as obvious as one may think. There is a way that seems right unto man but the end thereof is destruction. The Lord clearly warned in Matthew 24 that a form of religion would emerge that was so close to the authentic that it would deceive the very elect, if it were possible. It stems from a subtle form of deception that is linked to the fifth “I will” of Satan and his misguided desire to be “like the most high.” (See Isaiah 14) This is his attempt to emulate as closely as possible through zealous religious activity and natural beauty, a form of religion that relates his wayward aspiration to steal the very life of God promised to His people.

Historically, this has been the case in each expression of revival and spiritual outpouring throughout the church ages. However, a day has now arrived in which the rewards of the “overcomers” will be delegated and experientially apprehended by those who are victorious in this struggle and clearly recognize the misleading attempt of the enemy to steal the birthright of God’s people.

One thing that has always been of particular significance to me personally is the promise made to the “overcomers” of the Pergamum church.

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, to him I will give {some} of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it. Revelations 2:17…

There is something intriguing and inviting about receiving a new name and partaking of hidden secrets. They are only hidden from the wise and prudent but freely revealed to the friends of the Lord as He promised in John 15:15.

Each time a new name was given in the Scriptures to God’s people, it always represented a change of their character and an impartation of Heavenly virtue for a specific task. Likewise, “hidden manna” is set apart and reserved to spiritually nourish a body of people who are willing to access this privilege.

Qualifying as an Overcomer

One of the great revelations to emerge in this generation is the qualification to be identified as an “overcomer.” There is a message of truth that has been delegated to each of the Church ages since the Day of Pentecost. It has been the Bread of Life for that generation coming from the Spirit of Truth to be embraced and experientially apprehended.

During the days of Martin Luther the manna for that generation was the message of justification by faith. This was fresh and unprecedented truth to the masses because of the religious structure of the day mandating association with an institution rather than the Savior.

Following that generation there emerged the message of sanctification coming from John Wesley, George Whitfield and many others of that day. It was another Heavenly release of manna in the progressive restoration of the spiritual birthright of the Church. With the turn of the 20th century there came the restoration of the “Charismata” with the gifts of the Spirit, speaking in tongues and the experience of the infilling.

There has been the Bread of Life given to each generation with an incentive or reward to those who overcome the religious structures of the day to embrace that message. We discover these incentives in the seven letters to the churches of Asia written by the Apostle John in his heavenly experience. Those seven letters also depict a clear spiritual appreciation of the past 2000 years of church history with the applicable corrections, encouragements and admonitions.

Manifesting Kingdom Reality

We are presently living in the transition from the Laodicean Church age into the manifestation of Kingdom reality. There is a tremendous display of Truth coming as manna for this day to transform and prepare a body of people to fully engage the Kingdom realm of Heaven and manifest that reality in the earth.

Even during the dark ages when the written Word was inaccessible to the masses, the Living Word manifested Himself to those who were genuinely seeking Him from a pure heart with right motives. Many historical accounts are recorded to validate this reality.

The apostle Paul was granted a great privilege to be a messenger in his day to present the Bread of Life to his generation. As a reward for that place of leadership and sacrifice, he is given the honor of presenting the “overcomers” of his day to the Lord as a chaste virgin.

For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin. 2 Corinthians 11:2

That same privilege is given to the messengers of each generation charged with the commission and mandate to present the manna of the day to the people of God. It will be the distinguished honor of God’s anointed governmental leaders to prepare and present a body of people as chaste virgins to the Lord to whom He is espoused.

There are messengers sent to each age with a divine mandate and deposit of Truth that is like a fire locked up in their bones that must be expressed and demonstrated. These are the stars in the hand of the Lord to present the revelation of Heaven to the Church. This present day has been identified with the promise of an unprecedented release of Heavenly manna through many messengers to groom a people to bear the likeness and nature of Christ. It will be a multiplication of the “light” given throughout the seven church ages. According to the prophecy of Isaiah,

The light of the moon will be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun will be seven times brighter like the light of seven days, on the day the LORD binds up the fracture of His people and heals the bruise He has inflicted. Isaiah 30:26

The loyalty of Eleazar, the servant of Abraham, will typify these messengers of God. Eleazar was sent with a message and with gifts to secure a chaste virgin for Isaac, the one who was to be heir of the promise. This future bride could not be just an ordinary woman…she had to be of the same heritage and lineage as Isaac to become bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh. This is the perfect typical scenario to be executed in this day as well. There are “Eleazars” emerging to be the loyal and faithful servants who are trustworthy stewards of the mysteries and power of God to secure a radiant and passionate bride for the Lord.

The Sealed Book

Daniel was shown the great deposit of mysteries to be unfolded in the days identified as the “end-time” but was not allowed to articulate the revelation that he saw. Rather, it is reserved along with the great mysteries that John observed and was required to seal. (See Daniel 12:4 & Revelations 10:4)

The manna is described in the Scriptures as the bread of Angels. It is associated with the provision of Heaven for the children of Israel as they wondered in the wilderness of Sinai. It was the perfect sustenance providing all that they needed. There was not one feeble or sick among them while they shared in this bread from Heaven. It was a symbolic representation of the Person who would identify Himself as the Bread who has come from Heaven providing all that we need.

Those who eat of this bread shall live forever without malady or weakness. This is further verified in the admonition stating that man shall not live by bread alone but by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God. It is not an optional duty but a mandated responsibility by the grace of God to be identified with those who overcome and share in the blessings and rewards of the “overcomer.” The revelation of His Word is the bread from Heaven. It is the perfect manna that will absolutely sustain us in perfection.

Throughout each church age portions of the Heavenly manna was delegated. The early apostles were entrusted with great revelation and insight into kingdom mysteries and a segment of the people embraced that revelation. However, compromise entered the corporate body in 325 AD with an organizational spirit that severed the free flow of manna from heaven. Only small measures of the bread of Life came for almost 1500 years until the promise of Joel 2:25 was remembered by the Lord. That restoration began with the great reformation.

We are now standing on the threshold of the generation long foreseen by the prophets and Patriarchs throughout the ages. The saints of this day will not only be granted access to the manna of Heaven and divine mysteries, but also the grace to apprehend their reality. This will be the generation to whom the Lord comes by placing His foot on the land and the sea, clothed in a rainbow with the OPEN book in His hand. For many generations the book has been sealed but the end-time generation has the unimaginable promise of living in the day in which the Lord Himself will break the seals. It is His promise to give the now open book to His betrothed ones to be eaten and consumed by a generation hungry for the reality of Heaven. (See Revelation 10)

Blessing the Bread

One of the great miracles performed by our Lord was the multiplication of the fishes and loaves. Herein, we have a prophetic picture of the Lord supernaturally providing bread for hungry followers, given to the disciples who then delegated it to the masses. The Lord took the bread and blessed it with a supernatural blessing that multiplied it so that all who were hungry had more than enough. The Lord will always make a way to provide bread for those who are hungry.

The prophet Daniel once made a statement for the ages; “there is a God in Heaven who reveals mysteries.” (See Daniel 2:28) That profound declaration is as true today as the day is was spoken. The Lord gives hidden manna and access to His mysteries to the victorious ones who overcome the religious structure of the day that is identified in the book of Jude. It is represented as clouds without rain that merely rely upon intellectual and psychological reasoning that is a thief to faith and denies the supernatural dimension of God.

As Daniel expressed, “this mystery has not been revealed to me for any wisdom residing in me more than in any other living man, but for the purpose of making the interpretation known to the king, and that you may understand the thoughts of your mind.” (Daniel 2:30)

Entrance to this realm is gained through the power and revelation of God that transcends the natural realm. The Lord desires to open His treasuries of the hidden things to those who embrace every word that proceeds from the mouth of God and do not reject the Living Word.

Manna Behind the Veil

Even as Moses was commanded to take 3 1/2 pints of manna and place it in the arc of the covenant behind the veil, so also has a portion of Heavenly manna been set apart and reserved behind the Heavenly veil. This mystery was typified in the Old Testament. The high priests would go behind the veil after following the careful prescription of Heaven for entrance to the Holy of Holies. Aaron and the subsequent high priests in those generations were allowed entrance to the Holiest Place to discover the manifest presence of God and the sacred elements ordained by God and bring the revelation of them to their generation.

In like manner the Royal priesthood is granted access to the very Throne of Heaven where hidden manna and the mysteries of the ages are held and reserved deep in the heart of God. The Spirit searches all things even the depths of God where His thoughts and ways are accessed. From there we ascertain the things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard nor even entered into the heart of man, but revealed by the spirit of revelation to those betrothed to the Lord. (See 1 Corinthians 2)

It is in the apprehension of this manna that the bride will be presented without spot or wrinkle as she embraces the hidden manna from behind the veil. These secrets are the fruit of intimate relationship and affectionate communion with the Lord. That is His deepest desire—Intimacy.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ

The hidden manna is none other than the revelation of Jesus Christ. The book of Revelations is the “apocalypse.” This is a great term meaning the unveiling, manifestation and divinely granted appearances of the Lord Jesus Christ. When we eat the open book it becomes a part of us and we become a part of Him. It is not sufficient to simply look upon the open book or hear expressions from it but we must consume it to satisfy the hunger of our soul for the revelation of who He is.

It will take all of eternity to fully apprehend the vastness of His nature and character but introduction is made to that lofty place on this side of eternity through the ones who overcome to sit with Him on His Throne as He overcame to sit with the Father.

This is the mystery of discovering the hope of His calling, the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints and the surpassing greatness of His power toward those who believe. (Ephesians 1:18-19) The Lord himself will delegate the manna of Heaven and the bread of Life to satisfy the many questions and aspirations of His people to appropriate the mysteries of the kingdom.

The New Name

In the blessing to the “overcomers,” they not only receive access to the hidden manna but also a “white stone” with a new name written upon it which no man knows save those who receive it. This speaks of the change of nature and character to be imparted to those who are victorious in this battle and share in this blessed promise. Abraham, Sarah, Jacob, Peter and Paul each illustrate this reality with the changing of their name to reflect the transference of their nature from earthly to Heavenly. Subsequent to the name change the promises are delegated.

Jacob wrestled with God and that juncture with Heaven created a point of demarcation in his life allowing him to be recognized as a prince before God and man.

The inauguration of the Church following the day Pentecost involved anointed vessels fully yielded to the Holy Spirit who began to comprehend and impart understanding into the great mysteries of the kingdom reserved since the foundation of the world. So shall it be at the consummation of the ages but in a multiplied fashion. The days following Pentecost were only the foundation and birthing. This stage will see the fullness of the mysteries being unfolded through vessels of our generation consumed with God and fully submitted to His plan and purpose.

Not Interpreted— But Revealed

The revelation of the scriptures and the hidden secrets of God are not to be interpreted, but revealed. According to the Apostle Peter, the scriptures and the mysteries they hold are not for private interpretation nor expression of the human will, but men of old were moved by the Holy Ghost and spoke from God. (See 2 Peter 1:20-21) The Lord’s awesome thoughts and ways are not interpreted through human reasoning nor natural wisdom but by divine revelation of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul also wrote,

For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles–if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace which was given to me for you; that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief. Ephesians 3:1-3

With the declaration and embracing of the Bread of Heaven birthed in the spirit of revelation that articulates the mysteries of the kingdom of Heaven, the end result always leads to affectionate and genuine adoration and praise to God. (See Daniel 2:47.)

A Carrier of the Heart of God

Paul was a carrier of the heart of God and it became his duty and privilege to access the hidden manna from behind the veil and impart it to the people of his day. Furthermore, he was also privileged to write His revelation plainly so that we who read it with spirit eyes may also run. Like the high priests of old, Paul was allowed into the Holy of Holies and permitted to share in the hidden manna, which is the Bread of Life. His oral and written proclamations continue to earn fruit unto eternal life that is credited to his account in heaven. Likewise, those who make known the manna for this day will reap immeasurable dividends in eternity.

There are those who are called in this generation in like fashion as the apostle Paul to access and delegate the hidden manna for this day. It will be the commission of this priesthood to make known the mysteries and secrets of God that provide the plans and purposes of Heaven orchestrated before the foundation of the world and provided for through the cross. Though hidden from the world, they are freely bestowed upon His covenant people and expressed through the spirit of revelation.

This will be done in accordance with His good pleasure and merciful intent for the things that He has foreseen and purposed in Christ. The Lord Jesus made provision for the maturity of the times and the climax of the ages to restore and unify all things under His headship and to consummate them through consecrated people joined to Him. This is the Bread of life and hidden manna for our day.

This mystery and hidden bread throughout the ages is now being manifested and revealed to a holy body of people. It will be the full expression and experiential apprehension of Jesus Christ living within a body of people…Christ in us the hope of Glory.

Becoming the Living Word

There have been forerunners and prototypes in years past but now an entire body of people is being groomed for this lofty purpose. This great and weighty mystery is the hidden truth of godliness. In the Lord Jesus, God was made visible in human flesh and vindicated through the Holy Spirit and preached among the nations. The Living Word or Bread of life once again desires to be made flesh through a body of people joined with Him in a holy consummation. As we partake of this bread it will become a part of our very spiritual fabric and DNA and will cause us to bear the attributes that were inherent in Christ. What a lofty and holy mystery this truly is.

Eye has not seen and ear has not heard nor has it yet entered into the heart of man the full understanding of this great blueprint of Heaven. Nonetheless, the Lord is pleased to reveal it to His people and those who are gladly embracing the Bread of Heaven proceeding from the Throne of God. These mysteries are reserved deep in the heart of the Father. They are locked away in the mind of Christ. However, as the prophet promised, he has noble plans for us and His thoughts are for our welfare and not our calamity. His thoughts are expressed through the Word and the Word becomes the Bread of life that we consume thereby giving spiritual language to Heavenly thoughts.