The Abiding Word (PDF)

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The Abiding Word

We are living in a day when we hear parts of Isaiah’s prophecy quoted quite often, i. e. “For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people...” (Isaiah 60:2) It does seem to fit in the day in which we live. However, we must read this prophecy fully and in its context to get the true revelation. This prophecy is really good news for the righteous. It is clear from the preceding verses of chapter 59 that this prophecy is given to Zion, but we also know that the Church of the Firstborn is referred to as Zion in Hebrews 12:22. So let’s read the first three verses with that thought in mind. Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory 3

The Abiding Word of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles (or heathen) shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. (Isaiah 60:1-3)

I’m convinced that by double reference this prophecy refers to the Church as well as Israel. Jerusalem is considered to be physical Zion, but the Church is considered to be spiritual Zion. So we must consider the fact that while there is darkness covering the Earth and gross darkness covering the wicked, in that same time-frame this prophecy reveals there will be great light for the righteous of the Earth. Today there are wars and rumors of wars, crime, and wickedness all around. But the words of Jesus in John chapter 14 and 15 give us 4

The Abiding Word

great insight into how to arise and shine in the midst of trouble and turmoil. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. (John 15:7-8)

The Word must abide in you for you to bear fruit and glorify God. Then in John 14:23, Jesus said: ... If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we (not just me, but we —the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost) will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

If you love Him, you will keep His Word in you. Your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost. Your human spirit is housed in the 5

The Abiding Word

temple of your body. Proverbs 20:27 reveals: “The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.” God’s Word abiding in your human spirit will create a lifestyle fit for God; and the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit will set up camp inside you producing light in the midst of a world of darkness. In these last days, we need the direction of the Holy Spirit in every decision we make. But there are so many who say, I never know what to do when bad situations arise. I’m always in the wrong place at the wrong time. It never works out for me.

They go on repeating past experience and giving voice to what the devil would want them to believe. They have overdosed on doubt 6

The Abiding Word

and unbelief. They need to try overdosing on God’s Word because there are no harmful side effects. You can tell when the Word of God abides in a person, because the Word will cause them to speak in line with what God said about them, i.e.: Whatever I do will prosper. No weapon formed against me shall prosper. I’m always in the right place at the right time! I’m led by the Spirit of God, and I always hear the voice of the Good Shepherd. God’s image of you is perfected inside you by speaking God’s Word after Him. The Word enlightens your innermost being. Your head may be screaming, “It’s not so! You’re lying! You’re never in the right place!” And in the past, you might not have been in the right 7

The Abiding Word

place at the right time, but you should continually affirm what God said about you. Don’t be caught casting out God’s Word in favor of what you have experienced in days past. The Word of God says that no weapon formed against you shall prosper, and whatever you do will prosper. If you believe that, even your mistakes should prosper. David said, “For thou will light my candle (lamp): the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.” (Psalms 18:28) It’s the Word in your mouth that causes your lamp (spirit) to give you light (Isaiah 54:17; Psalms 1:3; 119:130). In Psalm 19:14, David said,

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD....

This is what God wants us to do: speak only words that are acceptable to Him. Many things 8

The Abiding Word

acceptable to God are unacceptable to many religious people. Matthew 13 reveals the attitude of Jesus concerning those who don’t want to see or hear the truth. And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.

It is obvious from this verse that Jesus is referring to those who have ears to hear and also those who don’t have ears to hear.

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The Abiding Word Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. (Matthew 13:10-15)

Notice Jesus didn’t say that God closed their eyes, but rather... their eyes they have closed. It was an act of their will. The word “closed” is the same Greek word 10

The Abiding Word

from which we get our English word “squinted.” The Word brought the light of truth to them. But they squinted (closed) their eyes, because they were accustomed to darkness. Jesus stated, “... their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart... and I should heal them.” If the Word had entered their heart, they would have been healed and delivered, but they closed their eyes to the light and refused to hear with their ears. If you have been in a dark room long enough for your eyes to get accustom to darkness, when the door is opened you will close your eyes. That is the usual reaction when exposed to sudden light. This seems to be the point of this reference. Then He said to His disciples: “... blessed are your 11

The Abiding Word

eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.” (Matthew 13:16) Why were their eyes and ears blessed? Because they wanted to both see and hear the light of truth. The human spirit is capable of receiving God’s Word which produces great light even in the midst of darkness. In 1 Corinthians 1:30, Paul says Jesus is made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. Jesus was the Word made flesh. He is the light of men. He is the Word of God in physical form, performing the work of the Word on Earth. He healed the sick, raised the dead, and cast out demons to show us what God’s Word could do on Earth. Jesus died, was resurrected, and ascended to the Father, but His Word is still with us today to heal and deliver. The Apostle Paul tapped into it when he said, 12

The Abiding Word ... the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise... The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach. (Romans 10:6, 8)

This is one way in which God directs your steps: with His Word. Speak it out of your mouth, and it will get into your spirit and enlighten you. Then it will bring the desired results. Yet, there are many who are trying to operate with a head knowledge of the Word. It is not enough just to know about the Word, it must become an abiding revelation in your spirit. Proverbs 18:14 says: “The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?” The human spirit will sustain his infirmity. In other words, it will hold in or hold off his infirmity. The human spirit is capable of sustaining, holding 13

The Abiding Word

in, or holding off an infirmity. Speaking the devil’s words will cause your spirit to hold an infirmity or weakness. Speaking God’s Word will cause your spirit to hold off an infirmity. God’s Word should be the stabilizing force of your life (John 6:63). When that Word is conceived in the human spirit, the Holy Spirit has something to work with. It is the Word and the Spirit that bring the manifestation of God’s power. God is not looking for formulas or gimmicks or religious ideas. He’s looking for people who will allow the Word of God to abide within them in these last days of the end-time harvest. I believe God is going to pour out His anointing and power upon the Body of Christ in this great end-time harvest. The prophecy of Isaiah 60 is not doom and gloom for the Church, but is going to be a 14

The Abiding Word

glorious reality even in the midst of darkness. For in the same timeframe when there is darkness covering the Earth and gross darkness the people, our light will grow brighter and brighter because we are coming closer to the Kingdom of Light. Everything that can be shaken will be shaken in the end-time. But that which is based upon the foundation of God's Word will stand forever. So, regardless of what takes place on this Earth—wars, rumors of war. or solar storms, we must stand on the firm foundation of the Word. Isaiah 40:8 coupled with Psalms 125:1 would seem to give us the bottom line for the Year 2000 and beyond. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever. … They that trust in the LORD shall be as Mt. Zion, which cannot be removed, 15

The Abiding Word but abideth forever.

Maranatha! Charles Capps Ministries P.O. Box 69 England, Arkansas 72046

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