DWELLING CONDITIONS FOR GOD
W. Becker
Exodus 24: 9–11; Revelation 21: 1, 2
I was impressed with these scriptures when our brother was speaking about lifting up our eyes. In Exodus 24 we find persons who were qualified to go up, to see things that we do not see with our natural eyes. What a moment it must have been for these persons to see the God of Israel. And this God is our God. We can say it through grace and through mercy, the God who makes Himself to be seen. How wonderful that He has made Himself manifest, so that we can see His glory and majesty in the face of Jesus. What a God we have! And if we ponder over His ways with His people it has ever been the desire of God to make Himself wondrously known to His people. And not only that, but He desired a dwelling place among them.
What specially impressed me is what is said in Exodus 24: 10, “And there was under his feet as it were work of transparent sapphire, and as it were the form of heaven for clearness”. I think that transparency and clearness are what divine Persons desire in this time, to form these features in the saints. What pleasure God must have in those who are prepared to be formed according to His own thoughts, suggested here in what was under His feet. We find this feature of transparency again in Revelation 21: 21, “… and the street of the city pure gold, as transparent glass”. There are other references in that section to transparency, suggesting
that the Lord desires that in this time of formation this feature of transparency may come more into evidence. It is brought about by pressure, and by exercise, and in character is like the pearl mentioned in the same verse. I was thinking that we should be encouraged, that we should, as our brother said, renew our strength and mount up and see the God who has made Himself known. Thus may we continue in the pathway of His testimony, for His honour.
As regards Revelation 21, this city was seen coming down; as we have often said, it is the masterpiece of God. I was thinking that as we, by the power of the Holy Spirit, appropriate this place of nearness to God we shall look out more and more for this wonderful moment,
“The holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of the heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband”. What a moment, beloved brethren! What freshness and what beauty the Lord will see in the vessel He has secured for Himself at such immense cost, for His honour and for His glory. It is something that will never get old, something that will satisfy eternally the heart of God, and our hearts. We should be persons who are satisfied and happy and bright, in view of these wonderful things.
So let us be encouraged through what we are finding. Let us be more concerned as to these holy matters, so that the praise of God is more and more enriched. What cause we have to prostrate ourselves before Him who has brought about all these things and who will bring us soon to the actuality of them. Let us thus be encouraged, and let us go on and see that we keep more in nearness to Him, for His name’s sake.
Word in meeting for ministry, Endbach
28 December 1976