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The Creating of the Witness

Christians often speak of our need to "witness." Actually, what is meant by this is telling others what we understand about the Christian salvation.

"You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me." (Isaiah 43:10)

Notice that the emphasis, in the verse above, is on knowing God. It is not on telling others what we think may be true of God and His salvation.

I hope I am mistaken in this, but it seems to me that we have an abundance of preaching in the United States. However, it appears a true witness of God and Christ is not as abundant.

When we read of Paul’s determination, in the third chapter of the Book of Philippians, we notice his goal has to do with knowing Christ. Honestly, when you hear of some of the things that are said and done in Christian circles, you wonder if we know Christ at all!

We read in the New Testament that in the last days the Gospel shall be preached as a witness to every nation. The number of people who "accept Christ" is not the measure of a true witness. A true witness is borne only when the Person, will, way, and eternal purpose of God in Christ is presented, whether or not anyone is "saved."

It may on occasion be a good thing, and result in lasting fruit in the Kingdom, when a zealous believer tells someone about the salvation that is in the Lord Jesus Christ. But it might be better to refer to this effort as personal work, or as evangelizing or proselyting rather than as "witnessing." To bear witness is to describe something we have seen or experienced, without drawing a conclusion.

In court a witness is directed to just tell the facts he or she has experienced, and let others draw conclusions.

Notice what the Apostle John has to say about bearing witness:

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. (I John 1:1-3)

Most of us have not seen the Lord Jesus Christ living on the earth, as did John. But God in His own time and ways will reveal Christ to us. Then we can tell what we know, what God has shown to us. We then can actually bear witness. Speaking personally, I have had what may be an unusual number of Divine interventions during my 64 years as a Christian. I have mentioned several of these in my new book, Godwill Castle. These are actual events I have experienced.

Also, as is true of all disciples of the Lord Jesus, God has answered numerous prayers and has shown Himself to be absolutely true and faithful throughout my many years of patient, cross-carrying discipleship.

During the last few years the spirit world (Heaven) has become more real to me. Just when I thought I was going to be called home (I am 84 years of age), I am becoming aware of what is taking place in the invisible world.

What I am "seeing" is a very ordinary world, with people doing all the things people do. If I am hearing the Lord correctly, He has told me that many will be dying in the near future and He wants people to be prepared and not panic when a loved one dies, or when they themselves are facing death.

So much for going home! Oh well, I guess my work is not finished as yet. I have just finished three books based on my new perception of the spirit world: Godwill Castle, John and Mary Visit Heaven, and Heaven—God’s Wonderful World. This third book is being prepared for publication. It should be being advertised pretty soon. It is somewhat ironic that after have spent the last forty years telling believers that Heaven is not our eternal home (which is true!), I now am describing Heaven. Isn’t that just like Jesus?

When telling about the spirit world, I am bearing witness of what I am experiencing. I am not writing doctrine, as I have for so many years. Let me repeat this verse. I think it is of the essence:

"You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me." (Isaiah 43:10)

We can bear a true witness of God after He has dealt with us for a period of time. It may be true that we have had a dramatic Divine intervention at the time we first were saved, and we can tell about that as the Lord leads us. But for most of us, we come to know, believe, and understand God after a lifetime of problems and frustrations.

We may imagine that once we die and go to Heaven we will see God, and then we will have faith. This is not the case. Even if it is given to us to actually see God, that will not increase our faith. Faith is a gift from God, and it increases in us as God gently leads us from victory to victory.

I think those who have been appointed to high rank in the Kingdom of God are dealt with more severely than those of a lesser calling. The higher the building the deeper the foundation. The Lord Jesus Christ occupies the highest rank in the Kingdom of God, and He was tested more severely than any other individual.

"Can you drink of My cup and be baptized with My baptism," the Lord would ask those who dream of being a ruler in the Kingdom of God. We must be perfected in obedience before we are assigned to a position of ruler ship. Perfecting a human being in obedience to God is a long, painful process.

We are brought through fire, and we are not consumed because of God’s faithfulness. We are brought through water, and we do not drown because of God’s faithfulness. Fire, water, and seemingly endless problems until we learn to obey God at the moment and not worry about the future.

I like to say to people, "Jesus has been my best Friend for 64 years." This is a true testimony. It is my way of bearing witness, I suppose. It does not seem to offend anyone. I hope that the people who hear me will remember my words. America is approaching a time of chaos and destruction. Perhaps some individual who hears my statement will decide to call on Jesus for assistance during the dark hours ahead.

"Whoever will call on the name of the Lord shall be saved!"


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