And you’re a fool too! If you live like that, you’re a religious backslider! Some people will go to hell with their prayer beads in their hand, saying, “But I was praying!” Yes, but you never lived the Christian life and got right with God! You just played religious games!
“Well, I go to church!”
So what? The devil goes to church and even sings in the choir! Don’t use that as an excuse to ease your conscience!
“Yes, but my grandmother is a prayer person.”
Well, she’ll probably go to Heaven, but you won’t unless you get right with God for yourself.
“Well she’ll pray me into Heaven.”
That’s not the way it works. No one can pray you into Heaven, my friend! They can pray you into the consciousness of what it will take to get to Heaven, but they can’t “piggyback” you into heaven. You have to get it for yourself! You have to fall at the foot of the cross, cry out to God and get cleansed with the blood of Jesus Christ! You have to get right with Him and you have to do it for yourself.
“Well they’re praying for me.”
Roberts Liardon tells us that it’s good that they’re praying for you; they’re probably holding back a lot of self-inflicted troubles.
The “revelation” we all need to come to is; we’re all human but anointed by God. We have weaknesses. And when you get close to someone, you’re going to see signs of that weakness. What you need to do is say; “This person is still anointed, they’re still called of God; thus, I will not disconnect with them. I will pray for them. I will bless them.”
This is something we have to learn right now in the Body of Christ, because there will be great opportunities for people to disconnect from what God is doing and from those whom God is using and will be using right now in the earth.
That’s why we must learn how to discern people by the Spirit. When people walk up to me and say certain things; I never immediately disregard them. I don’t care what they look like and some of them look very dramatic! Their hair may be sticking out in all different directions; they may be wearing bizarre clothing that looks like it came from the 1930’s. But you have to go beyond that and see them by the eye of the Spirit.
Roberts Liardon tells us that if you study about some of the people whom God has used mightily in the past, you won’t by so quick to cut people off, because that person may be the next great person. Some of the greatest ministers in history had the most bizarre backgrounds.
So look at people by the spirit of God and become open to what the Spirit would have to say about them. You may see all kinds of things, and you may have heard all kinds of things about them in the natural, but what do you know by the Spirit of God down in you inner man, in your spirit? Be led by the Spirit, not by your suspicions.
Roberts Liardon tells us that you can know a ministry by the Spirit. You can know a situation by the Spirit. Be careful that the words of the opinions of men do not become stronger than the Word of the Lord or what you sense by the Spirit.
Many ministers today are building luxury cruisers. Others are too lazy to build, so all they have is a rubber raft, and they wonder why God can’t use them. It’s because they’re not building by the will and the power of God; they’re building by human desire and human effort.
Roberts Liardon tells us that it won’t work when a person tries to live in the realm of the Spirit by human effort. Have you ever seen those who try to “manufacture” false signs and wonders? I feel sorry for crippled people sometimes. They come to church and the minister tried to get them to walk, but there’s no anointing there for their healing, because the minister didn’t pray to get any. He watched television instead of seeking heaven, or he sought a promoter to promote him. When nothing happens, he accuses the crippled person of not having any faith!
I’ve got a question for you: How could Kathryn Kuhlman get up in front of 10,000 people — many of whom were skeptics, negative, curiosity-seekers, or devil-possessed — and while they were sitting there without a bit of faith, they got healed? Their healing didn’t depend on their faith. It was because Miss Kuhlman obeyed God and walked in the glory.
Roberts Liardon tells us that anyone can stand up and sound spiritual — but only those who pray and seek the face of God will come out with the Word of the Lord. You in the ministry need to get the power so that when you speak, it’s God who is speaking, not you giving a little seven-point prosperity sermon.
If you don’t get the true glory, you don’t have a ministry. If you don’t get the true power, nothing will happen. If you don’t get the true Word of God, you have nothing to say. Quit trying to make everyone believe you’re in a deep spiritual realm when you’re really in a shallow one!
Roberts Liardon tells us that we can see from the life of Jesus that the anointing is for ministry to people. Also, the anointing is a mighty weapon against the enemy – a forward thrust to destroy the works of the devil, not just a defensive weapon to ward off attack. The anointing sets people free and defeats the enemy. The anointing breaks the yoke of bondage; it is the power to change things.
The anointing is for service and not for show. Jesus did not use the anointing to be a superstar; He ministered to the needs of the people. He did not use the anointing for personal gain or His own private affairs. It was for the public and before the public. The anointing was not the dominant factor in Jesus’ life. The dominant factor was His relationship with the Father. The anointing is important, but it is not the most important thing in life – God is.
Roberts Liardon tells us that the anointing is for everyone in the Body of Christ. Ecclesiastes 9:8 says, “Let the head lack no ointment,” or anointing. We need the anointing to do the will of God, because we cannot do it out of the flesh. We cannot meet the needs of other people in our own strength and ability. It must be by the anointing of the Holy Spirit. “Not by might, nor by power, by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts” (Zech. 4:6).
Roberts Liardon tells us that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved (NIV).
If you want to be born again and receive this salvation and the assurance of living eternally with Jesus in Heaven, then pray this prayer from a sincere heart:
Roberts Liardon tells us that Lord, forgive me of all my sins. You said that if we were quick to confess our sins, You would be faithful to forgive (see 1 John 1:9). You sent Your only begotten Son to die on the cross at Calvary almost two thousand years ago because You loved us so much (see John 3:16). So I know that if I ask Jesus to be my Lord—as I do right now—He will come into my heart and live with me. Jesus, I believe You are the only way to God the Father, and I receive You now as my Lord, Savior, Healer, Deliverer, and High Priest. You are King of kings and Lord of lords, and I want to give my life to You as You gave Your life for me. I want You to be my best friend forever, and I will serve You all the days of this life and throughout eternity. Amen.
Roberts Liardon tells us that the Chinese teenagers passed through the first heaven, feeling the air upon their faces. Passing through the second heaven, they saw the stars as from a great height. But as they approached the third Heaven, they saw the lights of the heavenly city and the walls radiating the jasper light. The foundations reflected the light of the beautiful jewels composing them.
They saw this heavenly city as actually three cities in one, with one suspended above another, the largest below, and the smallest on top, similar to a pyramid. Bible students have often thought that the heavenly city is not a cube, but a pyramid; the boys of Adullam knew nothing of this at the time of their visions.
Entering through the pearly gates into a city of golden streets, the boys encountered angels in white who guarded the gates and welcomed those coming into the city. Within this city there was no sorrow, but only unspeakable joy. Angels filled the city, ready to escort the children from one place to another and to explain to them all they did not understand.
Roberts Liardon tells us that often, the angels gave the children harps and taught them to sing and play and also how to blow trumpets and taught them the music and language of Heaven. On earth, the children could be observed to dance, with eyes closed, in perfect rhythm around the room; in their visions, they were dancing with the angels and keeping time to the heavenly music. Frequently the children could be heard singing new songs they had never been taught.
Roberts Liardon tells us that after a visit with her friend, Mrs. Wickham, Rebecca was reunited with her Aunt Ann. She was able to tell her much about her own children and joined with her in anticipating their arrival in Heaven. Later, she was reunited with the daughter of friends, Mary Green, who immediately wanted to hear the news of all those behind on earth. Rebecca’s youngest sister and Mary became immediately interested in each other, having many similar pursuits.
Reunion of Mother and Son
Rebecca maintained her studies in Heaven and continued to learn much from the journeys she took with Frank through various parts of the Kingdom of Heaven. Her time was not only filled with study and heavenly responsibilities, but with society and enjoyment. She spent much time in her father’s home and on occasion, accompanied him as he instructed those who had recently entered the new life in Heaven.
Roberts Liardon tells us that Rebecca’s father approached her with a problem. He was attempting to help a young man who had committed a terrible crime on earth. Infatuated by a woman, the man had killed his own mother to obtain her jewels for this creature. He had been executed for it, but had truly repented of his sins. Still, he had left the earth life with the horror of his actions still clinging to his mind and was so grateful to God for His mercy in allowing him into Heaven at all, that he was willing to stay in the very lowest sphere. Rebecca’s father wanted to take him to the river of life, where the remains of the earth life might be washed away. This man had refused to see Jesus, feeling that although he was forgiven, he was unworthy to stand in His presence. And he was not in any condition to see his mother who was there, too.
Roberts Liardon tells us that not too long after Rebecca’s encounter with Mary Bates, Frank told her that they were to go to the great auditorium to hear Martin Luther speak about the Reformation, followed by a talk from John Wesley! He added that there might even be other speakers.
Rebecca had already visited this auditorium; it stood on a hill, constructed of an immense dome supported by columns of amethyst and jasper, with a platform of inlaid marble in the center.
Seats of polished cedar wood ascended on three sides to form the auditorium; behind the platform were purple drapes. Near the center of the platform stood an altar made of pearl. The dome overhead appeared dark so that only the gold carvings at its base were visible.
Entering the building, Rebecca and Frank found the congregation eagerly waiting as an invisible choir provided soft music. Soon, Martin Luther ascended the steps. She noticed that his intellect and spiritual strength amplified his physical presence; even in Heaven, he appeared to be a capable leader. He spoke with power and eloquence, and when he finished, John Wesley took his place, speaking on the theme of “God’s Love,” demonstrating what it had done for mankind and how praise and thanks even into eternity could never repay that love.
Roberts Liardon tells us that after Wesley finished, a silence fell upon those present, until the purple curtains behind the platform parted. Jesus stepped out upon the platform, and all those present burst forth in a hymn of praise to Him. Above the voices of the redeemed, the angel choir could be heard, and the glory of God filled the auditorium. Then, the hymn came to an end and all sank to their knees in worship. As their praises died away, they quietly made their way back to their places. Mary Bates remained in an attitude of adoration, and Jesus looked upon her with love. Mary then slipped back into her place, and Rebecca wondered how men could have been so blind on earth as to “crucify the Lord of glory” (see 1 Cor. 2:8).
Roberts Liardon tells us that suddenly Marietta heard a voice saying, “Come up here.” Looking up, she saw a circular pathway winding upward. She and the angel passed along this spiral on a cloud of light into a rainbow-colored tower. As they emerged from this path, they stood on a high plain, where Marietta could see the City of God on every side. Below her was the center temple of instruction. It was built of precious materials in a style of architecture beyond human description.
The temple rose from a circular lawn that was the most intense green. This lawn was filled with groups of large trees that bore fragrant flowers. Under the shade of the trees were beds of every type of flower, shrub, and vine. She could see fountains of living water. The water in some of the fountains was caught in basins made of diamonds, burnished silver, or white pearl.
Roberts Liardon tells us that an open trellis, on whose eastern side a door-less gateway appeared, surrounded the lawn. From the center of the gateway a stream of living water flowed from the fountains inside. The river of living waters divided the city into 12 sections. The river was bordered on either side by a wide avenue, intersected by 12 other streets.
