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High Calling

High Calling
Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15: 41-42, “One star differeth from another star in glory; so also is the resurrection of the dead”. In Revelations chapters two and three John speaks of seven levels of overcoming. When the children of Israel came out of Egypt there were millions of Israelites; one tribe of Levites; four priests; one high priest; and only one Moses who spoke to God face to face.
All through the Bible it speaks of varying and different levels of God’s people according to what they were willing to achieve; I want to in this article to speak primarily of the highest place.
The pathway to Glory was referred to as a ladder to Jacob Genesis 28: 12 and Nathanial John 1: 51; as a stairs to the Shulamite maiden Song 2: 14; and as steps of overcoming to John Revelation 2 and 3. Every Child of God is on some level of achievement whether Jew or Christian.
In Philippians 3: 14 Paul writes of the High Calling of God; the high calling of God is available to all God’s people.
In Philippians 3: 3 Paul writes that those of us who worship God in the Spirit; rejoice in Christ Jesus; and have no confidence in the flesh are the true Jews. Note: every level of growth in the Spirit is a type of the next level of growth; therefore natural Jews are a type of spiritual Jews.
When people live according to the light given on the level of law they are on the first step to glory, whether they are Jews or Gentiles. Jesus told the rich young ruler to have eternal life, keep the commandments Matthew 19: 17. Paul told the Romans that Gentiles who have not the law when they do by nature the things contained in the law they are a law unto themselves Romans 3: 14.
When a person is born again he is on the second step to glory whether Jew or Gentile. Note: all people must go at least to the second step before he can see or enter the Kingdom of God.
In Philippians 3: 4-6 Paul writes of his qualifications under the law and as a natural Jew; but in verses 7, 8 he writes that he casts it away and counts it as a manure pile that he may win Christ. Paul received Christ when he was born again why then is he trying to win Him? Paul was interested in the very highest places in Christ; you must attain unto and win those places.
In studying our Jewish roots there are things to be learned; but in living: follow the Spirit of God not traditions; do not put one foot on the first step and a second foot on the second step and stay there; always take full steps; we are called to take step upon step till we reach Glory.
Paul says, “Forgetting those things behind and reaching for those things before I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus”. John says the highest calling of all is to sit with Jesus on His throne Revelation 3; 21. Jesus told James and John to sit with Him on His throne they must drink of His cup of suffering and receive of His baptism Mark 10: 38.
In Revelation 14: 1-5 we see a group of saints the first to be redeemed from the earth. The first redeemed are symbolized as 144,000 Jewish men 12,000 from each tribe. In Revelation 21: 12 we see that each patriarch represented a gate into the city new Jerusalem. In Revelation 21: 10 we see that this New Jerusalem is the bride of Christ. In Hebrews 12: 22 we see that we are come to that heavenly Jerusalem.
The 144,000 it says are the first to be redeemed from the earth; therefore their resurrection is before the rapture of the rest of the church. The “first fruits” is symbolized by the first fruit tithe Israel gave to the Levites. The full harvest symbolizes the general rapture of all believers.
Let it be understood that both Jews and Christians are the bride of Christ. Let it be understood that there is going to be a first fruit to be resurrected before the rest of God’s people are resurrected.
The high calling that Paul is referring to and all that goes with it must all be attained unto by overcoming all odds. In the high calling you win Christ; attain unto that resurrection, and press on into all that is available in that calling; other Christians are resurrected at the general resurrection of the saints.
Many Jews today when they become Christians try to live in both worlds; but Paul was not satisfied with the first step or the second step, he says in verse fourteen of Philippians three that he was pressing on to the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Paul refers to in Philippians 3: 18-19 the many Christians who walk after the flesh: he calls them enemies of the cross; they live to fill their own bellies and refuse to take up their crosses and follow Christ.
In Philippians 3: 20 Paul says his walk is in heaven were Jesus is coming from.
A great many more things could be said about the high calling; but I want to show you how you may be a part of this high calling. If you would like to be of this company than set aside several periods of time every day to meet with Christ: read you’re Bible, pray, seek His face, and keep adding to the time till you become very close to Him.
In Philippians 3: 15-16 Paul says walk to the level God has brought you to and if you are lacking anything God will reveal that to you also. In Philippians 3: 21 Paul says God is able to do all that is necessary to change our vile body into the likeness of His Glorious body.
God Bless you, give it all you have, Brother Frank Overholt.
http://www.thetrueword.com, http://www.thetrueword.us, and frank@thetrueword.com.

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