The City of God – Fellowship
“My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossoms
from the vineyards of En Gedi.”
Song of Songs 1:14
THE SECRET PLACE OF COMMUNION
“My beloved is to me…”
Throughout the Old and New Testaments, one proclamation resonates within the hearts of His Own: “My Beloved, My Shepherd, My God”. There are varying depths of relationship individually in the broad landscape of Christendom. However, there are those where this deep knowing of Him transcends the teachings and concepts of men. It is a knowledge born of relationship; the language between Him and His child is to be deeply personal.
“My beloved is to me…”
Those who speak of this ONE are no longer confined by doctrinal statements, and their speech reflects the bonds of intimacy. This relationship becomes the spring from which ministry flows. We see here that the Shulamite’s expression of Him flowed from her own experience with Him: “My beloved is to me…” This personal declaration of Him is the result of the imprint of His Person upon the deep places of her heart. These heartfelt utterances arise from artesian wells of love, not cultivated religious cliches. They are rooted in beholding the wonder of her Beloved.
“Many waters are not able to quench
the love…”
Song of Songs 8:7 (LSV)
Clouds of reason cannot dissuade; arguments and debates of the religious cannot disturb. It is the knowledge of His presence. Those who have touched this wonder can no longer tarry in the realm of man’s surmising and wisdom, carnal thoughts, and esoteric reasonings. The wonder and beauty of Christ eclipses all other things, rendering them dull and withering by comparison.
When the eye is single, and the heart is fixed on Christ alone, there is a fellowship in Him that is universal, intense, and pure. The fellowship that is of His Spirit will be as the “sound of many waters” as each heart pours out the “rivers of life” resident within them (John 7:38). The awe of His life within fuses His own into the One Body of Christ.
“But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light,
we have fellowship one with another…”
1 John 1:7
The fellowship that arises from like hearts who have beheld Him is not manufactured or manipulated. It is the interaction of hearts captured and subdued by His all-pervading glory. This fellowship can only be experienced by those who are beholding Him! The common faith binds such in a need to worship Him and to share the intimacy of their own experiences with others whose hearts are enflamed by their own love for Him.
“A bundle of myrrh [is] my beloved to me…”
Song of Songs 1:13 (LSV)
In this “dry and weary land,” there are those in whom the desire for such fellowship is an ache upon their hearts. The very love of God draws His own into the fellowship (sharing) of the Beloved with one another. The Life of Him within one seeks that Life of Him in another. It is this love that makes us vibrant citizens of the City of God.
“By faith Abraham…
looked for a city which hath foundations,
whose builder and maker is God”
Hebrews 11:8-10
The faith of Abraham sought out this City, a city not made by the hands and energies of men. David spoke of this “City of God” and was enthralled by her beauty and glory!
“Glorious things of you are spoken,
O city of God. Selah”
Psalm 87:3 (ESV)
There is a communion found in those who have touched this City, a bond between those who walk and feast in the fellowship of this City. The “Lamb is the Light” of Her, and the Glory of God radiates throughout its inhabitants. There is no sorrow there. Broken relationships brought about by pride, envy, and unforgiveness will not enter her dominion.
“But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of Life.”*
Revelation 21:27 (LITV)
Only those who live by the Life of the Lamb will be found in this Book and this City! Those who live BY His Life cannot hold unforgiveness, speak lies, or do detestable things.
“…every one that loveth is born of God,
and knoweth God. He that loveth not
knoweth not God…”
1 John 4:7-8
The true fellowship of The Spirit
is the fruit of His love, drawing us
into the community of faith. His love
is the binding agent by which we
are bound to one another.
Love is God’s signature in the lives of those who know Him. The life we live is governed by the love we hold. What people do reveals the motives by which they move. Those who catch glimpses of this City cannot settle for the pedantic systems of men and hearts that are lukewarm. In God’s house, fellowship is determined by the flame that burns in each individual. It is a fellowship (a sharing) that is the sum of the aggregate, and its intensity is proportional to the desire to worship and honor Him.
“Singers and dancers alike say,
“All my springs are in you.”
Psalm 87:7 (ESV)
The true ministers of the New Covenant church echo this sentiment:
“I have no greater joy than to hear
that my children walk in truth”
3 John 1:4
Paul, in his pleading to the people of God:
“complete my joy by being of the same mind,
having the same love, being in full accord
and of one mind.”
Philippians 2:2
As we grow into His heart, we discover that the condition of His Body affects us. We begin to share in HIS burden for His Church.
The scriptures declare (1 Peter 2:4-5) that we are living stones that are to be built into a “spiritual house” (singular). In contrast, we see the energies of men who build houses of wood and stone to draw people unto themselves, dividing asunder the unity to which we are called. Paul prophesied to the elders of the Church at Ephesus:
“and from among your own selves will arise men
speaking twisted things, to draw away
the disciples after them.”
Acts 20:30
Those who live by the Life of Him within seek nothing for themselves. They live to persuade others, to warn others, and to so minister Christ so that those who are His will have their own ardent pursuit of Him. Paul urges the people of God:
“Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.”
Colossians 1:28
Such expressions are the fruit of a life that feels Christ’s pulse and heartbeat for HIS BODY. While many in our day may labor over their church, they are blinded from touching the pure fire of God’s love for HIS Church.
“…in His temple doth every one
speak of His glory”
Psalm 29:9
Those who live and abide in Him can speak of nothing else. There is a communication of love, a release of His grace, within the atmosphere of those who assemble in His Name (His Nature, His Spirit).
“To see Thy power and Thy glory,
so as I have seen Thee in the sanctuary.”
Psalm 63:12
True ministry arises effortlessly from those who behold Him in the sanctuary of their own hearts. It is from this beholding of Him that the heart will declare:
“My Beloved is to me…”
The life we live every day, the burdens, the joys, the time spent in communion with Him, reveal what our Beloved is to each of us. The days of meeting in the name of a denomination, a teacher or a message are coming to an end.
“unto Him
shall the gathering of the people be”
Genesis 49:10
The New Wine Skin is arising, and it is into this New Vessel that the New Wine is poured without measure.
“And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed. But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins.”
Luke 7:39 (ESV)
The City of God is the Bride
“Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb. And he carried me in spirit onto a great and high mountain and showed me the great city…”
Revelation 21:9-10 (LITV)
* There is a foolishness in the false gospel of our day that blinds God’s people from this vital truth: how we conduct ourselves in this life determines our eternal inheritance in heavenly places. To assume that the slothful and the lukewarm will share in the privileges of those who endured the hardships brought about by faith, who overcame the temptations of this life, who followed Him ardently bearing their own cross, is a lie beyond comprehension.
“The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Revelation 3:21-22
Who are those who enter the City?
“Blessed are those doing His commands that the authority will be theirs to the Tree of Life, and they may enter into the city by the gates”
Revelation 22:14 (LITV)
“This is my commandment,
That ye love one another,
AS I have loved you.”
John 15:12
See Related Posts:
Brian Troxel
💚♥️💖🧡💝💯
Happy Sunday 🌞
Greetings 👋🇪🇸🏵️
Thank you.
BT
I much like your WordPress page; thanks kindly for the encouragement.
Burning blessings of Jesus’ beauty in your being and intimate blessings of affection from His holy heart as King of heaven.
Greetings 🌈
Grace to you and peace be multiplied from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. In what country do you reside?
🙏 Thanks
Blessings 🌈
Amen 🙏🤗
Thank you for stopping by – may we grow together in His love and purposes.
BT
2 Corinthians 3:18 AMP
And we all, with unveiled face, continually seeing as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are progressively being transformed into His image from [one degree of] glory to [even more] glory, which comes from the Lord, [who is] the Spirit.
To behold the Bridegroom’s beauty is to be beautified by His beauty, as beholding is becoming, which beauty and becoming blesses our Beautiful Beloved inimitably in intimacy, ineffably intensely than all else.
We behold the Son of Abba’s love, heaven’s highest and deepest deservingly dearest Darling by gladly, gratefully gazing, wooed and wowed, entranced and romanced, in mutually ravishing and lavishing love union, in affectionately abiding prayer communion with Him as the Word Eternal, in His written Word, and as the unoriginated, uncreated Creator marvelously, mightily manifested in the creation He ceaselessly, compassionately is the cherishing Caregiver of.
Such strength of singularity of spirit and simplicity of sanctification to the Savior, sitting in submission at His feet, still, acutely attentive, and knowing exquisitely experientially, richly relationally, that He is the One beautiful, beautifying God is excellently exemplified by Mary of Bethany. Jesus tells us she chose the better part.
From such state and station, service in the Spirit, by the Spirit’s why, where, and Way, the boundless beauty of the Beloved boldly, beneficently beautifies.
Luke 10:38-42 AMP
Now while they were on their way, Jesus entered a village [called Bethany], and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. 39 She had a sister named Mary, who seated herself at the Lord’s feet and was continually listening to His teaching. 40 But Martha was very busy and distracted with all of her serving responsibilities; and she approached Him and said, “Lord, is it of no concern to You that my sister has left me to do the serving alone? Tell her to help me and do her part.” 41 But the Lord replied to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered and anxious about so many things; 42 but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part [that which is to her advantage], which will not be taken away from her.”
Psalm 27:10 AMP
One thing I have asked of the Lord, and that I will seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord [in His presence] all the days of my life,
To gaze upon the beauty [the delightful loveliness and majestic grandeur] of the Lord
And to meditate in His temple.
Psalm 46 AMP
God is our refuge and strength [mighty and impenetrable],
A very present and well-proved help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change
And though the mountains be shaken and slip into the heart of the seas,
3 Though its waters roar and foam,
Though the mountains tremble at its roaring. Selah.
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
The holy dwelling places of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her [His city], she will not be moved;
God will help her when the morning dawns.
6 The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered and were moved;
He raised His voice, the earth melted.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our stronghold [our refuge, our high tower]. Selah.
8 Come, behold the works of the Lord,
Who has brought desolations and wonders on the earth.
9 He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth;
He breaks the bow into pieces and snaps the spear in two;
He burns the chariots with fire.
10 “Be still and know (recognize, understand) that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth.”
11 The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our stronghold [our refuge, our high tower]. Selah.
Yes amen… There is a lot to consider in the scriptures you shared. It is good to read them in the Amplified version. I use Vincent’s Greek definitions often and appreciate his contribution in his writings.
Blessings my brother
BT
Oh how I love this! It blessed my soul. 🙏
Thank you again – may His church arise in our day and in our land. It will be through hearts that feel His love (such as yours!)
Blessings
BT
Hello, Brian, I’ve been away for a bit, but it seems as if the church has forgotten their forst love. Going throught the motions is never enough. Even the thought of “enough” is empty if we’re not overflowing with his desire. Bless you brother.
Amen – so well said of the word “enough” I may use that quote often!
Blessings
BT
Yes sir, blessings
Been away for a week – Be blessed in Him!
BT
Going through the motions is majoring in the minors, spinning the wheels of one’s life, deepening the religious rut, removed from relationship of real richness. This exercise in vanity is void of the wonders, excellencies, and satisfaction resulting from responding to Christ’s calling to conscientiously, continually cultivate intimate, abiding communion with the transforming Trinity of living, loving Infinity, especially in keeping our kingly appointments in the unhurried quiet time in the undistracted secret place. From this spiritually energizing encounter and enabling exchange is the Spirit’s inimitable, that is, indispensable dispensation in ministry to others whose lives our Creator omnisciently ordained us to intersect.
Amen! The reality of relationship with the Father and his Son, and the Holy Spirit is the one need for a true full life with the only real satisfaction, the only true filling and fulfilling life source for each believer.
Everything else is only a mask that is even dull in its greatest measure, because what we’re really seeking cannot be maintained apart from Christ, who is life more abundantly, and who outshines all of the world’s glittery mess.
Blessings to you.
Absolutely and splendidly stated. Alleluia! Thank you fellow sojourner! Burning blessings of Jesus’ beauty in your being and intimate blessings of affection from His holy heart as King of heaven.
Bless you, my friend.
Yes – Amen.
BT
May the Martha’s learn of Mary’s finding the greater thing – the only thing. As Paul sat for three years in the wilderness to learn of Him may we also discover the activity of His Spirit as the result of our time alone with HIM.
BT
For at least several years, in my regular reading, I have been using a parallel Bible with NKJ in the left-hand column and AMP in the right. I like the NKJV for memorization and the AMP for multiple English words representing each key Hebrew and Greek word, helping to provide a more detailed, nuanced, and richer understanding of the original meaning.
Love to you always, my friend,
Stephen
It takes multiple versions to bring out the full wonder and the facets of His Being as our English language is a poor language to express His glory. Words in general fail but His Spirit uses such simple things to communicate His greatness.
Been busy with a family reunion and have a lot of comments to catch up on. Hope all is well with you.
BT
Our self-existing, self-sustaining, uncreated Creator is from everlasting to everlasting in any realm or reach of reality and every language of all the alphabet, ability, and action of actuality, and moment, movement and matter, visible and invisible, indestructibly, illimitably, infinitely more excellent and exquisite, more mighty and magnificent, more eloquent and exhilarating than the grand sum of all creation that is, was, and ever shall be.
The infinitude, the grandeur, and the supremacy of our Creator are indisputably inconceivable by man. In the saintliest spiritual state, the most masterly minds realize repeatedly the utter and unmitigated impossibility of conceiving, let alone communicating, except in enormously circumscribed and vastly disproportional, temporal terms, the ineffable, effulgent, eternal glory of the Father, as revealed in the cleanness of character, chiefest of claim and foremost, finest fame of Christ Jesus Name, the Way, the Truth, the Life, our forever first Love, our all magnificent Obsession.
Even so, as such and as much limitedly describable is the Person of Christ, of Himself, He proclaims, I am Alpha and Omega (Revelation 1:8, 21:6, 22:13), which we know are the first and the last letters of the Greek alphabet.
Yet, we read as but a single sample, the wonderfully providential use of the alphabet in the Written Word by the Spirit of the Living Word, the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the Ending, Who is therefore supremely the substantiality of and sufficient support for all meaning, purpose, and direction, sovereignly summed up in Himself in all time and eternity, cherishingly cheering us from on high with Isaiah 57:15 (AMP): For the high and exalted One, He who inhabits eternity, Whose name is Holy says this, “I dwell on the high and holy place, But also with the contrite and humble in spirit In order to revive the spirit of the humble And to revive the heart of the contrite [overcome with sorrow for sin].
The revelation of God in the alphabet is an overwhelming display the depth and the glory of His use where every letter of the language of men is to be a means to express Himself to all creation.
https://aword.info/psalm-25-introduction-part-two/
Blessings my friend
BT
Psalm 111:10 AMP the alphabet of wisdom
The [reverent] fear of the Lord is the beginning (the prerequisite, the absolute essential, the alphabet) of wisdom;
A good understanding and a teachable heart are possessed by all those who do the will of the Lord;
His praise endures forever.
From your blog post: https://aword.info/psalm-25-introduction-part-two/
“As with all of God’s expressions we find in this a revelation of God’s character and being. His Word is never hastily spoken or expressed without the full intent of His thought and heart. God, being who He is, is bound by the wonder of His Glory and Character. It is this unassailable truth that causes all who love Him to worship and praise Him.”
Yes! Alleluia! That is the immutable Living Word!
The phrase “heaven’s highest and deepest deservingly dearest Darling” is meant to describe the preeminence of Christ as most and best-loved by heaven’s occupants, in the highest of honor and most diverse of dimensionality, Being (being) esteemed by all in heaven as co equally precious and honor worthy with the Father and the Spirit.
To HIM be glory through us. Ever searching and ever desiring to love HIM more in the growing light of His wonder.
Yes! O God, mercifully, graciously, continuously create in us an ever exceeding holy heart hunger and soul thirst for YOU, to know YOU, go with YOU, grow in YOU, sow to YOU, show YOU to others, and to everlastingly drink deeply, dearly of the Living River of YOUR pleasure for YOUR pleasure.
“continuously create in us an ever exceeding holy heart hunger and soul thirst for YOU…” The sum and purpose of life!
BT