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The Daily Word of Righteousness
Ministry by the Spirit, #4
And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months. (Revelation 11:1,2)
The Christian people are becoming enraged because of the increase of wickedness in their nations. But God's judgment (measurement) in the present hour is not upon the nations ("the court which is without the temple") but upon the fervent saints who are worshiping at the Altar of Incense. Those who are carrying their cross, denying themselves for the Gospel's sake, are the first to experience the Divine judgment.
The elders and assemblies that love the Lord will flow with the wisdom and power of the Spirit. The remainder will continue in blindness until finally Babylon the Great (organized Christianity) is destroyed by the secular governments of the earth.
And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. (Revelation 17:16)
The concept of ministry by the Spirit is that the several ministries and gifts in the assembly operate to build up the members of the Body into the Head. Widespread participation by the disciples requires a shift in the role of the presiding elder, the conventional pastor.
While the presiding elder still may be supported financially by the congregation and may be responsible for the administration of the business aspects of the church, he now is required, along with the other elders of the assembly, to guide the members into their roles in the Body of Christ.
The office of the elder is one of rulership. The elders govern the household of God.
Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. (I Timothy 5:17)
Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. (Hebrews 13:7)
The importance of elders can be seen in the place they occupy before the Throne of God.
And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. (Revelation 4:4)
No apostles or prophets are seen "round about the throne" but there are elders in this place of honor.
Because the office of elder is one of rulership he must be careful not to dominate the people so their ministries and gifts are hindered.
The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. (I Peter 5:1-3)
To be continued.