PREACHING ON OCTOBER 20, 2024:

Pastor Antonio Russo

THE TRANSITION TO THE LAST GLORY Part 3

After the interruption due to a visit, our Pastor resumed the third part of the message titled "The Transition to the Last Glory". Before proceeding, he spoke about the importance of the festival of "Sukkoth", or "Feast of Tabernacles", which is celebrated from the 15th to the 22nd of the month of Tishri in the Hebrew calendar, corresponding to September-October in the Gregorian calendar. This celebration originates from the instructions given by God to the Israelites in the wilderness, reminding them of their slavery in Egypt and the time spent in tents while crossing the desert under the guidance of Moses. The temporary huts, called "sukkah", symbolize dependence on God and His provision, with openings toward the sky inviting them to keep their eyes fixed on God for protection and blessings. The feast is not just a moment of historical remembrance, but also an opportunity to recognize God's continuous presence in the lives of the Israelites. During Sukkoth, the people celebrated the harvest of the fruits of the land, expressing gratitude for the blessings received. Israel celebrates three main feasts commanded by God: Passover (Pesach), Pentecost (Shavuot), and Sukkoth, the feast of the harvest. The New Testament also refers to the significance of the Sukkoth feast in the Gospel of John.

John 7:37-38; 37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

This statement by Jesus refers to the coming of the “Holy Spirit”, which would be given to believers after His glorification. This moment is of great theological significance because it marks the transition from the Mosaic tradition, centered on the laws and festivals of the Jewish people, to the new covenant in Christ, which introduces the living presence of the Holy Spirit in believers. Jesus’ invitation to come to Him and drink is an invitation to receive the fullness of the Spirit, a gift that represents the redemption and restoration of the relationship between man and God. The festival of Sukkoth, therefore, is not only a historical event linked to the Old Testament but also takes on a Christian significance as a foreshadowing of the promise of “salvation” and “spiritual renewal” through Jesus Christ. Now let’s delve into the theme of the “Transition to the Last Glory”, a passage we are called to undertake in our lives, where we must experience and realize seven points, four of which have already been addressed, and of which we will provide a brief summary.

1) Preparation for the Last Glory.

This point reminds us of the importance of preparing for the “last glory” or “final glory”, which is the time when God will manifest His full power and presence in the Church. This preparation requires a state of “personal sanctification”, emphasizing that we cannot expect God to do all the work, but it is up to us, as believers, to purify ourselves and be ready to receive His glory.

2) Defeating the enemy's attacks.

Each of us is called to defeat the enemy's attacks, meaning Satan, who tries to divert us from God's path. However, we cannot expect God to fight these battles for us; it is up to us, through prayer, vigilance, and faith, to resist the attacks of the devil.

Matthew 26:41; 41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Spiritual discernment is essential in this journey because it allows us to recognize the patterns and traps that the devil uses to divert our attention from God. The enemy can attack us in various ways, and we cannot assume that the attacks will be the same for everyone. Each believer must depend on the Holy Spirit to gain the necessary discernment and know how to defend themselves.

3) The Heart Will Be Tested: Intentions and Motivations.

Another important aspect of the transition is the testing of the heart, as God tests our "motivations" and "intentions": why are we serving God? What is the reason behind our actions? God examines our hearts to purify us from selfish or worldly motivations, and only those with a pure heart and holy intentions can overcome the purification process that God has established. This requires continual self-reflection and an adjustment of our motivations, making us willing to ask God to examine our hearts and reveal where we need to change.

Psalm 139:23-24; 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

4) Destroying the Spirit of Familiarity.

Spiritual familiarity can become an obstacle in our relationship with God. When we see Him merely as a friend, we risk losing the respect and reverence due to Him, which hinders us from receiving divine blessings and guidance. An example of this problem can be found in the story of “Jesus in Nazareth” (Mark 6:4-6), where the people, seeing Him as "the son of the carpenter", failed to recognize His divinity, preventing Jesus from performing miracles among them. Familiarity is not only about our relationship with God but also how we treat spiritual authorities in the Church. We must maintain an attitude of honor and respect towards pastors and leaders, recognizing that God has placed them in that position to guide us. Additionally, familiarity can damage marital relationships, emphasizing the importance of maintaining mutual respect and honor between husband and wife. When respect is lost in marriage, the divine blessing on that relationship is at risk. Marriage is a blessing and a divine institution, and as such, it must be treated with the utmost respect and seriousness. As believers, we are called to honor our spouse as a gift from God, living in a way that our relationship reflects the love and holiness of Christ.

5) The Purification of the Bride of Christ: The Church.

God is performing a deep purification in His Church, removing impurities and negative influences from the world to prepare her for the last glory and the return of Christ. This purification is necessary because many believers carry traumas and emotional wounds that hinder their spiritual life and authentic fellowship with others. God desires to heal these wounds, freeing His people from pain, rejection, and resentment so they can live a life of full freedom in Christ. The process of purification occurs through three main instruments:

1. The Blood of Jesus: The blood of Christ has the power to purify our sins and erase all iniquity.

1°John 1:7; 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

The Scriptures remind us that when we walk in the light, purification through the blood is essential for our sanctification.

2. The Word of God: It has a purifying effect on our lives, spiritually washing us every time we listen to it.

Ephesians 5:26; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

3. Holy Decisions: Purification requires our active participation by making “holy decisions” that lead us away from sin and towards living in holiness. The Church that Jesus will rapture will be pure and glorious, without spot or wrinkle.

Ephesians 5:27; 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

We cannot settle for a mediocre or compromised spiritual life; we are called to a life of holiness and purity. God is working to purify His Church, preparing her for the return of Christ in a difficult but necessary process.

6) The Fear of God: Respect and Reverence.

God is restoring in His Church the fear of the Eternal to prepare her for the last glory, a fear that is not dread but respect and reverence towards God, a holy terror that reveals our inner condition and keeps us from sinning. In Isaiah 6:5, the prophet, standing before the glory of God, acknowledges his unworthiness and exclaims, “Woe to me! I am lost!” a moment that highlights how the fear of God leads to an awareness of sin and the need for purification. Furthermore, when Isaiah says, “My eyes have seen the King” (Isaiah 6:5), it reminds us that, despite our condition, there is hope because we have seen the King of kings. The fear of God is essential to maintain spiritual revival, preventing us from compromising with sin. Today, the Church has lost this holy fear, living a superficial and compromised Gospel to avoid persecution. God calls us to speak and preach the truth boldly, for it is the truth that brings freedom and opens the heavens.

John 8:32; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Truth is necessary, along with wisdom and understanding, and God has not ceased to perform miracles, for “He is the Lord who heals you” (Exodus 15:26). The fear of God compels us to respect spiritual authorities as taught in the Scriptures:

1°Chronicles 16:22; 22 Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.

We must not speak ill of our spiritual authorities, for God has chosen and established them, and whoever touches them touches God Himself. The fear of God causes us to avoid judging or going against those whom God has anointed. When the fear of God disappears, sin prevails, but His glory holds us back from sinning.

7) The Presence of God as a Sign of Approval.

The presence of God in a person's life is the sign that they are walking in His will. We all seek approval, whether it comes from our parents, institutions, or those around us, but the highest approval is the presence of God in our home, as if He says, “I am there”. In Exodus 33:14, God says: “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest”, revealing that His approval brings peace and rest. Moses understood the importance of divine presence to the point that in Exodus 33:15 he stated, “If your presence does not go with me, do not bring us up from here”, preferring to remain in the desert rather than move forward without God. Joshua, who learned from his master, remained outside the tent of meeting even when the latter left, for he understood the priceless value of God's presence. The presence of God confirms two fundamental aspects in the life of a man or woman of God: “integrity” and “order”. Integrity does not imply perfection but honesty, and an upright person is transparent, loyal, acknowledges their mistakes without blaming others, and, above all, is loyal to God. Order is a sign of God's presence, for He does not manifest in disorder, while the divine creates space for His manifestation. In Psalm 17:1, we read: “Hear a just cause, O Lord”, which reminds us that we should not seek justice on our own, for the Lord is our judge. The verse continues: “Give ear to my prayer, which does not come from deceitful lips”, highlighting the importance of honesty and integrity even in our supplications to God. We conclude by urging every believer to pray for four things that demonstrate transparency in their lives.

1. “May God deliver him from the love of money”, “for the love of money is the root of all evil” (1°Timothy 6:10).

2. “May God deliver him from sexual temptation".

3. “May God deliver him from the love of power”.

4. “May God deliver him from being deceived or from deceiving others”.

We must say, “Lord, deliver me from the love of money, from the love of power, from sexual temptation, and from deceit”. Our hearts will be tested in these three areas: “money, power, and sex”, so we must always be vigilant over them. When we enter the realm of money, the love of it can become a trap. Some people have promised God that if they close a deal, they would give a tithe, but then they did not do it, thus demonstrating that they have lost the fear of God. We should all make a prayer to God, a covenant with Him, saying: “Lord, if we were to lose Your presence in our lives, take us to heaven the next day. We do not want to stay on earth without Your presence”. This is because it should not make sense for us to continue living without His presence.

Let’s think of David when he wrote in Psalm 51:11-12: “Cast me not away from Your presence, and take not Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit”.

In Psalm 17:2 we read: “Let my vindication come from Your presence; let Your eyes see the right.” Who is it that defends you? If you feel the need to defend yourself, you must lay down your weapons and let God defend you.

The verse continues in verse 3: “You have tried my heart; You have visited me by night; You have tested me, and You will find nothing; I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress.”

Why does David pray this way? Why does he ask God to protect him from the love of power, from the love of money, and from sexual temptation? Because, after the tremendous experience he had gone through, his eyes were opened. This prayer must become our prayer today, the one that rises from our hearts to God.