TWO GODS
TELECONFERENCE
Concerning John 17:1-3
April 7, 2007
scottSTANLEY
(For purposes of clarity, brackets [ ] indicate either the author's paraphrase of scripture or editing for transcription.)
Below is a transcription of this days study only. To hear church interaction, please download teleconference.
I’m going to be doing a study keying on John, chapter 17, and I want to tell you before we even begin that I was sharing this with Martha yesterday, and for some reason, I don’t know if it’s the depth of it... I don’t know what it is, but it’s hard for me to get a handle on [this] the way I want, and I’m sure this is something that you’re going to have to do alone in quietness before the Lord. If you can do this with me this morning, it would truly be a blessing, but you know, I’m sitting here at a table with five other adults and it’s hard for me to concentrate the way I need to and to just keep focused. Let me have a prayer before we begin – let’s just ask the Lord’s blessing:
Father, how I thank you for life, and I thank you for my life. You have so blessed us, you’re blessing this church, [and] you’re blessing those who make an effort to receive from you. You are YAH, the only true and living God. I love to give a study and have people tell me the joys received, the blessings received... the growth that they are having. There is nothing like living in this world, a world that is in complete darkness – it’s corrupt and yet if we know you, we have light... we don’t stumble, we walk with you in fellowship. And it isn’t just bible verses – it really is the real thing. You are the real thing... You’re really there, you’re really listening – You really love us and we really know it. We feel it, we feel you in our hearts. We pray for your blessing today, Father. I pray that you would give me the words to speak and that those who have ears to hear be open to receive and to communicate their thoughts and feelings. Father, thank you for every blessing... I want to just say again, you are YAH and I love that. I love you and I thank you, Father, because I couldn’t love you if you hadn’t loved me first and shown me what that means. Thank you again for every blessing, in Jesus name, AMEN.
OK, let me start in John, chapter 17 – I want to read the first three verses:
John 17:1-3
1 ¶ These words spake Jesus, and [he] lifted up his eyes to heaven, and [he] said, Father, the hour is come; glorify [your] Son, that [your] Son also may glorify [you]:
2 As [you have] given him [authority] over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as [you have] given him.
3 And this is life eternal, that they might know [you] the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom [you have] sent.
Now, I’m sitting here at the table – I have my eyes closed because I have to do this. Giving these teleconferences, it really helps me to stay focused, but I wish every one of you would close your eyes... and I want you to close your eyes because I want you to get a sense of your inner kingdom – the universe that lies between your ears. You know, when you’re seeing, hearing, feeling, touching – you’re connected with the outside. But as much as possible, I want you to connect with your own heart. There is a whole universe between your ears. Anywhere you go in this universe... wherever you go (and our Father has given us symbols of the way we think – heavens, earth and sea)... wherever you go in your thinking, God is there. He is everywhere you go – I am speaking inwardly. He is all knowing and all powerful – think about it. “Power” is in knowledge – if you’re all knowing, you’re all powerful, and He is everywhere present.
But, at the same time, in your universe, there is another “god” present and it’s self. There is another god wherever you go in your thinking – it’s present with you 24/7 and it’s self. And we live on automatic, looking at the things around us, thinking that we have all the answers – thinking that we have the power to fix things, to understand things, to realize things. You see, there are two gods inside of every one of us. Whether you like it or not, you have a conscience, and God has designed you in such a way that He can be present with you also. There isn’t anywhere you can go that you are not dealing with two gods: The Father or yourself... and it’s interesting, when I look at John 17:3, this is life eternal – what? That they might know the true God.
You see, there’s only one God that is all knowing, even though you might think you know – whatever it is you think you know, the true God knows more... He knows a better way. He knows another way of doing it – He knows the best way, and until we learn to listen to Him and receive His direction, and allow Him to be God in our lives, then this inward universe that we have is not going to be in order... and if the inward isn’t in order, of course, the outward is going to reflect that. All of us have a universe, and eternal life is knowing the only true God. I’ve said before that this word “knowing” is the same word used when a husband knows his wife – it’s personal; it’s intimate – it’s to know by means of experience. This is eternal life – this is what it is, to know the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent.
Now, I want to give you an example of knowing, because when I look at it like this, it really has meaning to me. If we were to go back and read the story of Noah and the ark, we would be reading bible verses – it would be bible verses. We can read about that ark and we can read things about it: The size of it, the dimensions of it, how he built it, how long it took him to build it, what he was doing when he built it, what happened after he built it – the animals go in... all of these are bible verses to us. But there is one man that I want to speak of right now – Noah. This man literally felt the side of that ark. He could tell you the direction of the grain of wood. He could tell you where it was smooth here and rough here – he knew every nail that he put in it. He pitched it with pitch – Noah knew the ark by means of experience.
For you and I, it’s a bible verse – for that man, Noah knows the ark... and that is the word used of eternal life – that you might know the only true God. Listen, if you’re listening to this, and these things seem hard to obtain, God has designed us to do this! You have a heart; you have a brain-mind capable of knowing God. You know, in the scripture He’s called the invisible God. He is invisible – no man has seen God at any time, but because He dwells in the heart, because you have a mind capable of receiving, you can know Him personally and know Him in this way that I’m describing. And let me say again, this is what eternal life is. You see, all of the places in your mind, all of the places you can go, all of the people you can be – there are nations, peoples, multitudes and tongues – all of these things are between your ears, and right now you can choose to be any person you want to be. But the idea is to recognize the fact [that] you are on the throne making decisions, and there is a true God who has every answer for your life. And if you, being on that throne, make the decision to turn the decision-making over to Him and, as He leads you through your life, you follow through His direction – this is eternal life... that you might know the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent. When you read this – Jesus Christ whom He has sent, you’re reading that prophet of Deuteronomy 18 – He’s like Moses. He goes to God; brings God’s understanding to you... this is what “eternal life” is.
Now, I want to go back to John 17, and I want to look at verse two – I just want to back my way up these verses:
John 17:2
2 As [you have] given him [authority] over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as [you have] given him.
What does it mean, “to as many as you have given him”? When a person turns their heart toward God, God turns them to His Son. Remember in John 14, let not your heart be troubled; in My Father’s house are many mansions? Well, He says in there: You believe in God, believe also in Me. See, wherever you are in the world, whatever religion you’re of, if you’re honest to God, in your heart – with an honest heart, not caring where it leads you, only closer to Him – if you have that attitude, whether you’re Muslim, Buddhist, whatever you are, He will eventually turn you to His Son. God gives us to Jesus, who... who does He give? Well, those who come to Him with an honest heart – He will give you over to His Son. Now, look at this verse:
John 17:2
2 As [you have] given him [authority] over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as [you have] given him.
I’ve said before that for Him to have “authority over all flesh,” it has to be over His flesh. You know, when you go back and you look at Christ’s life, He didn’t have authority over everybody – over all flesh. He had authority over His own – the man lived without sinning. But there’s something else I want you to see – look at the first word of that verse: “As.” See, He’s connecting it to verse 1 – now let me read verse 1:
John 17:1
1 ¶ ... Jesus [lifts] up [the] eyes [of his understanding] to heaven [meaning: He’s in submission to God to give him understanding... He’s going to see this as God, his Father, sees it], and [he] said, Father, the hour is come; [give glory to your] Son, that [he might give glory to you as you gave him authority over all flesh]:
What does that mean? Let me ask you a question: Isn’t it interesting that He’s speaking in the third person – give glory to your son – which son? Does He mean the firstborn of Israel or the only-begotten – Himself? Think about it. Does He mean give glory to Me that I might glorify You, or does He mean the hour is come, I’m going to Calvary ... honor, give glory to Israel ? Who is “ Israel ” – those people who have ears to hear and who know He’s the Son of God. When He went to that cross, for those of you who hear God – you know you’ve developed a hearing ear, you understand the impression of the heart, you’re being governed by grace and you know that’s truly the Son of God – He glorified you on that cross, do you realize that? When He died on that cross, it was an expression that God so loves you, He gave His only begotten Son – that message is to go to the world, but the only ones who are going to receive it are those who are listening and those who know that’s truly the Son.
And what if He meant when He said this: Father, the hour is come now for Me to die and express to those who have ears to hear Your love; glorify Israel so that Israel might glorify You in their lives with a power, after overcoming the lie of having no value, recognizing they are equal to the Son of God in Your eyes – they are Your children. It’s time now to glorify them, that they might glorify You as You have given Him authority over all flesh. Now stop... I’ve got to go back. I’m going to read something to you; this is out of Genesis, chapter 1... Just listen to this – I want to read verse 28. Now listen:
Genesis 1:28-31
28 ... God blessed them, and [he] said..., Be fruitful ... multiply ... replenish the earth, ... subdue it: ... have dominion over the fish of the sea, ... the fowl of the air, ... every living thing that [moves] upon the earth.
29 ¶ And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.
30 ... to every beast of the earth ... to every fowl of the air ... to every thing that [creeps] upon the earth, [where there’s] life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.
31 ¶ ... God saw every thing ... he ... made... behold, it was very good. ... the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
How many of you are “sixth day Christians”? I can take you through creation week, and I can show you [that] on the sixth day God makes you in His image. He is going to have a group of people reach the measure of the stature of the fullness of Jesus Christ – who is that? His only begotten Son. If you’re going to reach the measure of Jesus Christ, the measure of His stature, you’re going to think like Him – you’re going to know you’re His son. You’re going to be a “sixth day Christian” so that God can rest – enter into His rest with you, and when I read these texts, Jesus is going to the cross... I’m telling you, whether this is what He meant or not, it’s a fact. When He went to the cross, He glorified spiritual Israel so spiritual Israel could glorify Him, because God has given them authority over all flesh. He has given us that promise, and if you think He is coming soon, if He’s coming in your lifetime... if you think that, there has to be a day where you reach the sixth day of understanding – you have to.... and you have to enter into a quality of eternal life – not simply a bible verse – where you know God as a man knows his wife.
There has to be an intimate relationship there. Let me tell you something, and I’m speaking for Scott Stanley : I wouldn’t want to live my life and have an opportunity to be in unity with Love and not take advantage of that opportunity – God is love. He isn’t reaching out to strike you dead if you smoke a cigar, or whatever it is you think... He wants you to walk at His side in fellowship and understanding the cross, meaning: I love you so much [that] I let you do this to my only birthed Son. Walking in fellowship with Him – that blood that was shed that day will continue to cleanse you from all your sin – who wouldn’t want that? I’m sick of the denominational: Go to church, sit on the pew, let them tell you about Jesus, raise your hand – you believe, yep, I believe – OK, well you’re in... You’re saved – next; what else? I’m sick of that.
I want to walk in fellowship with Him even as Abraham. Listen, I want a closer walk with Him than Abraham, because I know things about Him Abraham did not know – God is revealing it to His remnant church, and this is the opportunity He’s offering every one of you – why would you want anything less? If a person says they believe they can get to that point, why don’t you try to get to that point with them, and walk hand in hand, arm in arm, shoulder to shoulder in unity into the understanding, or the kingdom of God ? Now, let me show some other texts – let’s turn over to Revelation 10, and I just want to talk about people who are in unity this way. We’re coming to the end of this thing... listen, how do I know that? Because of what is happening in His church – what He’s revealing to His children... I love this study. I love to talk about the love of God, but I love to talk about understanding the love of God and the effect it’s going to have on you. In Revelation 10, I want to cover some ground we did last week, but to get there, let me simply read, starting at verse 1 – I know these are symbols... I know Christ signified these things. If you can understand the symbol, you can have an inward connection with the Lord because He is speaking volumes all through the book, especially in Revelation when He gives you the symbols.
Revelation 10:1
1 ¶ ... I saw another mighty [messenger] come down from heaven, [he was] clothed with a cloud: [he had] a rainbow [on] his head... his face was [like] the sun... his feet [were] as pillars of fire:
Now, in the past we’ve proven this is Christ – there are verses that point to this. We know this is Christ. Verse 2: He has a little book in His hand... I’m telling you what the “little book” is – it’s the rest of the “perfectly sealed book” – it is the rest of who you are. He comes down to you having the rest of who you are. You see, He has been working with you throughout your life – you reach a point where you ascend into the heavens, knowing His love, and He begins to open your book to show you who you are, and this is the completion of His revealing you to you. This is the Day of Atonement – this is where you are strengthened to lead away “Azazel” – the goat god, the angry god. Well, in His hand He has a little book and it’s open.
Revelation 10:2
2 ... he [puts] his right foot [on] the sea, and his left foot on the earth,
... And if you’ll notice in verse 1, His feet are like fire. Well, let me tell you, “fire” would dry the “sea” and “fire” cleanses the “earth.”
Now remember, His promise to you is there’ll be a new heaven, a new earth and no more sea. So what you’re seeing here in symbolic language is a final cleansing that Christ is giving you. Now listen, you don’t want to read this verse and think: Oh, that’s going to happen to somebody at the end; oh look, that’s going to happen to so and so... You want to read this verse and say: I want this to be a reality in my life – whatever it takes; I want the Son of God to reveal me to me. If I’m prideful, lustful, angry, wrathful, all of these things – I want Him to show me and I want it to come to an end, and the way I have perceived all of these thoughts I’ve received from the world – all of it, I want Him to dry it up. I don’t want this worldly stuff anymore in my life. May He set His foot in my understanding; may He set His foot on my earth, my self, to cleanse me – may this be a reality in my life. Every one of you should have that prayer. What do you want to do? Go to heaven and just be there? I want to experience it now! The days of heaven on the earth – that’s what I want for my life... I want it for my family; I want it for my church family – anybody within earshot. All you’ve got to do is open your heart and receive what the Lord is saying – verse 3:
Revelation 10:3
3 [He] cried with a loud voice, as when a lion [roars]... when he ... cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.
What in the world is he talking about? Well, I want you to hold your place, look at Proverbs 19 (this is where my bible comes in so handy because I’ve got two of them – Proverbs 19... just make a note in Revelation to turn over here). Every time you read that, remember Proverbs 19, verse 12 – Jesus Christ is the king... what does it say?
Proverbs 19:12
12 ¶ The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion... his favour is as dew upon the grass.
Now, when I first saw that, and I go to Revelation 10 and I see the king, Jesus Christ, roaring like a lion, see, your first thought is He’s mad at me... He’s angry at me. Well, let me tell you – He is not. His anger is toward the lie you possess – see, He’s got the rest of the book open... the little book is open, and I can show you God’s anger is toward sin; it is not toward you. He is not putting sin upon you – you are doing that to you because of the lies you carry – that is what He is angry with. He is angry with those lies, the disturbances in your universe that prevent you from loving Him as much as He loves you. It prevents you from being in strength and power, and living a life in the fullness of Christ – that is what He’s roaring at... it isn’t you personally. Another verse I want you to turn to is Amos... I want to read Amos 3, verses 7 and 8:
Amos 3:7-8
7 Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he [reveals] his secret unto his servants the prophets.
8 The lion [has] roared, who will not fear? ... Lord [YAHWEH] hath spoken, who can but prophesy?
You see, when I see that, “who will not fear” – I think of that third angel’s message... how does it begin? “Fear God, give glory to Him” – why? Because His judgment is come upon you. When the lion roars, when the king roars, who can but prophesy? Who can but speak? When the Lord reveals your sin to you, who can but speak? Listen, do you have a hearing ear? Do you have the testimony of Jesus? If you do, that’s the spirit of prophecy and as He reveals things to your heart, who can but speak it? When the lion roars, who can but speak it? When the Lord speaks a thing, who can but prophesy? And that’s what I’m seeing here in Revelation 10, because He is revealing you to you. His anger is against the sin that you’re carrying, and He roars like a lion... and when He does, “seven thunders” – or a completeness of thunder – are uttered. “Thunder” is rebuke. There is a completeness of rebuke.
You see, it’s a finishing – He finishes you off. It’s a picture of the Day of Atonement. Now, I wanted to read that because I want to go down to verse 5... read what we did last week:
Revelation 10:5-7
5 ... the angel which I saw [that stood] upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven,
6 [He swore] by [the Father]... [the bottom of verse 6:]... that there should be time no longer: [Now get this...]
7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel...
Now, why are we reading this? Because if you just simply back up [to] the chapters before, the trumpets began to sound... and there were four trumpets of God’s love, and then there was a warning... I’m paraphrasing. If you’ve heard these trumpets, and you’re still on the earth – you’re rejecting the truth that these people are telling you of how much God loves you – Woe be unto you. The next two trumpets, 5 and 6, appear to be retaliation against the love of God. You see, if you could get this picture in your mind: You declare the truth of God’s love and then there is retaliation from some against what you’re saying. And then He says: Christ comes down with the rest of the book revealed.
You see, the way you’re responding against that retaliation – do you know God’s love? Well, let me tell you, it begins with kindness, and kindness begins with longsuffering... and when these people retaliate against you and you suffer the reproaches that fell upon Christ, we’re going to see if you know God the way a man knows his wife. We’re going to see the reality of God in your life. Let me tell you, for me personally, it isn’t a pretty picture – I get angry with my children over math, much less somebody coming against what I’m trying to teach. I realize I have a long way to go, and at times, I feel ashamed of myself at my response, but Christ is going to show me the rest of what I need to see, and He’s going to put His foot in my sea and His foot on my earth... He’s going to roar like a lion and who can but prophesy – and when He says there should be time no longer (verse 7), when that seventh angel begins to sound, there’s not a mystery anymore about God.
Now listen to me... if I were behind the pulpit, I would hit the pulpit right now! You’re looking at a verse that talks about there being no more mystery about God. Consider your life – just look at your life a minute... think of the wounds you’ve had all of your life. Think of how you’ve been misunderstood; think of the pain, the suffering, the struggles; think of the tears that you’ve shed – consider this with me. And here we’re talking about a Being in this universe that, He says: I don’t just simply understand love, I am love – I am what you’ve looked for all of your life... and I personally, Scott Stanley , I’m showing you a verse that says the day will come [when] this mystery about God is going to be done. Who wouldn’t want that? Don’t you want that in your life? Why wouldn’t you focus every ounce of your strength, every bit of your intention, every moment you could to understanding this truth – so that you can come to this place where the mystery of God is finished? Isn’t it interesting that before you reach this place of understanding God, He has to open your book?
You see, do you know what blocks you from understanding the truth about God? You do! You have crooked, corrupt understanding – God describes it as the “sea” and the “earth” – thorns are on the earth. You know, the other day my children were talking about roses and how they have these thorns: “Daddy, what’s a rose a symbol of?” “Well, ‘flowers’ are symbols of man’s glory – what’s good about man. But when you reach for that rose you get pricked.” It’s just interesting to me [that] He has to open that book before the mystery of God can be finished. Don’t think we haven’t been confused all of our lives. Listen, right now in your universe, where are you? Where are you in your universe? Because there are two gods there – either you think you know it all, and you’re all knowing, all powerful... or you know that there is a true God who is all knowing, who is all powerful, you see. Both gods are everywhere present, wherever you go.
The point I want to make here: When the seventh trumpet sounds, the mystery of God is finished. Now, I feel like I need to read that every time that I read Revelation 11:15 – that’s where I want to go next. I feel like I always have to read Revelation 10, so you get the gist of what he’s talking about:
Revelation 11:15-16
15 [So] the seventh angel sounded [right there I just put a note: The mystery of God is finished... When the seventh angel begins to sound, the mystery of God is finished. All right, well, the seventh angel sounded]; and there were great voices in [the heavens – where? In your heavens – we’re talking about in your mind. Now listen, the mystery of God is finished, and what do they say?]... The kingdoms of this world [the kingdoms of this world – in this universe] are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he [is going to] reign [over me] for ever ... [The book is complete; the mystery of God is finished...]
16 And the [twenty-four] elders, which sat before God on their [thrones], fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, [What is that? Let me tell you what the twenty-four elders are: “24” is “6 x 4” – “6” is the number of man; “4” is earthly completeness. You see, there are “four” of them, and they represent who you were before understanding the truth of Calvary . Christ symbolizes it [at Calvary ] ... twenty-four elders. I’m telling you what it is... it’s your old man. It’s pictured in those “four horses.”]
You see, all of us have gone through a process – when you give your heart to the Lord, you go forth conquering and to conquer... you’re on a “white horse.” But then it turns “red” – you see, that person you are changes, and then it turns “black,” you change again. And then it turns “pale,” you change again, and they are pictures of these four “old men.” That’s what “elder” means – it’s an old man... the four old men that you have been before recognizing what happened on that cross. Let me tell you something else, since I’m on this level with you – I’ve often wondered, if you start off on a white horse, at the end of the book, you come back on a white horse – what’s the difference? Because the second white horse is flying in the heavens. The first white horse you’re on is where? He’s on the earth; it’s two different things – it’s a purity, but it’s on the earth. When you come back in Christ’s army, you’re flying in the heavens – you’re living in God’s understanding. Verse 17:
Revelation 11:17-18
17 [They say], We give [you] thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because [you have] taken to thee [your ability], and [you have] reigned [in our lives].
18 ... the nations [Lord] were angry [you see – we were all children of wrath], [but now your] wrath is come, [upon those who are] dead [the wrath of God (Romans 1:18 ) is His separation from them], that they should be judged, ... that [you should] give reward [to your] servants [who?] the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear [your] name, small and great; and [you should] destroy [those that] destroy the earth.
Listen, that’s all we’ve done all of our lives is destroy our own earth, and it’s time to make a change. It is time to allow the Lord to reveal Himself in your life, to be alive unto God... recognize the two gods that you’re dealing with every moment of your life. You’re sitting on that throne, whether you like it or not – the question is: Will you let Him govern through you?