“The universe, including this planet, was created for one purpose: to
provide a suitable habitation for the human race. The human race was created in
the image and likeness of God for one purpose: to provide an eternal companion
for the Son… The Church, then-the called-out body of redeemed mankind-turns out
to be the central object, the goal, not only of mundane history but of all that
God has been doing in all realms, from all eternity… From this it is implicit
that romance is at the heart of the universe and is the key to all existence.
From all eternity God purposed that at some time in the future His Son should
have an Eternal Companion, described by John the Revelator as ‘the bride, the
Lamb’s wife’ (Rev. 21:9). John further revealed that this Eternal Companion in
God’s eternal purpose is to share the Bridegroom’s throne following the
Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Rev. 3:21).”
Paul E. Billheimer answers many questions
in his book, Destined for the Throne. Questions such as, “Who is man?”
“Why is he here?” “What is the meaning of life?” “What is God’s purpose for the
church?” “What is the legal basis for the authority of the church?” “Why do
prayers go unanswered?”
Following are a few quotes that answered
some of my questions.
“Redeemed members of the human race, the only race in all creation that
was made in the image of God, will constitute this Eternal Companion. Since
this companion is to share the throne of the universe with her Lover and Lord
she must be trained, educated, and prepared for her queenly role… By practicing
in her prayer closet the enforcement of Heaven’s decisions in mundane affairs,
the Church is in ‘on-the-job’ training for co-sovereignty with Christ over His
universal empire. She must learn the art of spiritual warfare, of overcoming
evil forces in preparation for her assumption of the throne following the
Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
“As a part of Him, when He conquered the forces of darkness and left
them disarmed and paralyzed before He arose from the dead, we who believe were
participants in that victory… we were shares in that triumph… we were exalted
with Him. Because Satan and all the hosts of hell are beneath His feet, they
are likewise beneath ours. When He defeated Satan it was our victory… We forget
that we are actually a part of Christ and that Satan is subject to us… We must
constantly remind ourselves and affirm that we are in Christ-and because Satan
cannot touch Christ, he cannot touch us. (1 John 5:18) Satan wants the believer
to forget that he is risen and exalted with Christ, that he is now, in his real
person, that is, his spirit, united with Christ on the throne with all enemies
under his feet…
“God has given us the keys of the kingdom of heaven, but He does not
compel us to use them. He waits. The rest is up to us, His Church. In His
triumph over Satan He has given us the needed weapons. How well we use them is
our responsibility and may well determine our rank in the Bridehood.” (Matthew 16:18-19)
In Col.
2:13-15 we read that sin is basically a spiritual thing, a thing of the spirit,
and therefore must be dealt with in the spirit realm.
“…prayer is
an acknowledgement of need, of helplessness… All power originates in God and
belongs to Him alone… Prayer is where the action is… Prayer is striking the
winning blow…Service is gathering up the results… Therefore, prayer is where
the action is. Since this is true, then prayer becomes the highest privilege of
the redeemed because it places the intercessor as truly at the front line of
spiritual conflict and conquest as the pastor, evangelist, missionary, or any
other soldier of the cross. Moreover, the weapons available to him are as
effective as those available to the most potent spiritual leader… From
heaven’s standpoint, all spiritual victories are won… in the secret place of
prayer. The only power that overcomes Satan and releases souls from his
stranglehold is the power of the Holy Spirit, and the only power that
releases the energy of the Holy Spirit is the power of believing prayer.”
PRAYER
IS WHERE THE ACTION IS.
Blackmon, Selma, editor. the exchanged life news.
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