God's Order

Below is but a small measure of revelation that my father had received from the Lord. I hope this will be a blessing to you. All that is written below are the words of my father.

God's Order

In loving memory of my father
Robert Louis (Bob) Padgett
July 28, 1931-May 22, 2023

One weekend in 1977 I was present in a gathering of Christian believers in eastern North Carolina when the following prophecy came forth through a prophet.

Out of chaos, God brings forth His order.
Out of order, God brings forth His harmony.

There was more to that prophecy but that is all that I clearly remember. A pastor who was present told me that he could remember all of that prophecy, word for word, even after 2 years.

We might add to the above prophecy that out of harmony, God bringsforth His restoration.

Restoration comes forth out of God's harmony.

We are aware of a few believers who for many long years have been praying that the Lord would send forth a revival on earth. But unless we follow God's order, no harmony can exist and therefore no restoration will come about. Of course many Evangelical churches have man's version of a revival almost every weekend.

God has His order in both the natural and the spiritual realm. All of the planets in our solar system, the stars, our moon, and the sun are set in a very orderly manner. A fruit tree will blossom, bud, and bring forth fruit, in that order. We must sow before we reap.

For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself: first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. Mark 4:28

Please note that God's order existed BEFORE He created man and BEFORE He created the heaven and the earth. In fact, His order pevailed TWICE. Before the creation of the material universe, God ruled in the spiritual realm and His order and harmony prevailed. This was followed by: "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth" (Genesis 1:1). Then Lucifer, the shining one, rebelled against God and fell from grace. This caused the earth to become (not "was") without form and void (Genesis 1:2). A better translation is that the earth became a wreck and a ruin ... chaos reigned. God NEVER creates ANYTHING that is a wreck and a ruin. The Lord did not create the earth a wreck ("in vain," Isaiah 45:18).

But God reestablished His order, as recorded in Genesis 1:3 and verses which follow. This was followed in Genesis 3 by the fall of man, which resulted in the ground being cursed with thorns and thistles rather than the fruit of the trees of the garden (a second time of chaos and a time which now characterizes the affairs of men on earth). When things are out of order as they are today, they must be set in order, even at the expense of being misunderstood.

The third and last occurrence of the order and harmony of God prevailing was initiated by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and will be consummated by His second coming to earth.

God is very orderly and He has an order in all things, including restoration of the Church. If we look at the historical record of the true moves of God, we see that God has gradually been restoring all things back to His original purpose. God used Martin Luther to restore the truth of justification by faith. He used the Anabaptists to restore the truth about water baptism. John Wesley taught about sanctification and holiness. A.B. Simpson reintroduced the true healing ministry. The early Pentecostals, such as Charles Parham, brought back the baptism of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues. Then in 1906 the Holy Ghost began to move in many new ways in Azusa Street in Los Angeles. Next, in 1948, came an outpouring of the Spirit (called "latter rain" by some) in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada. That move of God saw a restoration of the gifts of the Spirit, the fivefold ministries, deliverance ministry, singing praise and spiritual songs, and the truth of the body of Christ.

Many years ago, through a Divine appointment, I met a godly man who always lived on the west coast of the U.S. He went to be with the Lord about 4 or 5 years ago at age 97. He was one of the most mature men of God I have ever met. Among his hundreds of articles, one book, many radio talks, and at least 65-70 years of ministry, the Lord gave him a real revelation about the Day of Atonement. In one of his articles about a rather controversial topic in the Christian Community, he said, "I believe my opinion is as good as anyone else's opinion." I knew that man well enough to know that he was not puffing himself up. One time he told me that he and another brother went to North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada in 1948 when what some called "latter rain" first broke out to see what was going on. He said that they saw a lot of God and a lot of flesh.

However, that event was not the "latter rain" that the Bible speaks about in seven different verses, six of which are in the Old Testament and one in the New Testament in James 5:7, 

"Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain."

Of course the early rain and the latter rain have nothing to do with natural rain. From that verse in James, the early rain consisted of the saints in the early church shortly after the Day of Pentecost, plus Paul, of course. The real "latter rain" will consist of the final group of overcomers, the manifestation of the sons of Cod, who will be revealed soon, just prior to the second coming of the Lord. Those overcomers are being prepared in the wilderness even now.

Nevertheless, all of the real moves of God in the past soon disintegrated. The life of the Spirit left as man took over more and more control of what God was trying to do. The spontaneity of the Holy Spirit has been replaced by the (well intentioned) preplans of genuine, Spirit filled pastors and elders who love the Lord but are not aware that they have limited the Holy One of Israel. Neither are they aware that they have been out of God's order.

There is only One who keeps the world in order ... and that is God. He is the One who causes all things to happen in their seasons and gives everything and everyone a purpse. All that is done is controlled by His providential and sovereign hand. All of the events of history have been fitted into God's timetable. It is by His power that all things exist and consist and are held together. His will and order even works for non-Christians!

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: Ecclesiastes 3:1

If we can agree that God has an order in all things, then we need to understand and agree with His order. In order to agree with His order we must make certain decisions. We all make choices or decisions every day. Some of these choices are inconsequential, such as what should I eat for breakfast today (if anything) or what clothes I should wear. Other choices we must make are not nearly so trivial, such as which woman, if any, should I marry or what job should I accept. These types of decisions make it imperative that we ask the Lord what is His will for us.

The reason that David never lost a battle was because he always asked the Lord if he should go out to war. Jesus said,

O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me: nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt. Matthew 26:39

If Jesus Himself earnestly prayed for His Father's will to be done in His life, can we do anyting less? When we agree with the order of God and put that agreement into action, we see the harmony of God come forth.

20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at His coming. 1 Corinthians 15:20, 23

After the centrality and supremacy of the Lord Jesus Christ is a settled point in our minds, and never to be downgraded, then we look at God's plan for us, as the Church which is His body.

Scripture is also very orderly. The order of words in the Bible is significant. Not only is what that is recorded in black and white significant, what is not recorded also offers some significance for us. For example ...

1 Corinthians 2:9, "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him."

As we shared in a previous message, we see lightning before we hear the crack of thunder. The speed of light is much faster than the speed of sound. Why? because God made it so. The spiritual counterpart of 1 Corinthians 2:9 says, first comes a heavenly vision, then we hear from the Lord, and finally the word is made flesh. That is part of God's order.

Another example ... Paul said,

Colossians 1:26-29, "Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: Whereunto I also labour, striving according to His working, which worketh in me mightily."

God is very orderly. The order of words in Scripture is significant. From Verse 28, His priority order is (1) preach Christ, (2) warn every man, and (3) teach every man in all wisdom. The purpose? to present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

Priority one is to preach Christ, not simply what Jesus has done or will do for you and me. We must focus on the Giver, not the gifts. Man has always been enamored by the supernatural. Today there is a growing "movement" to teach believers how to heal and deliver people ... a focus on miracles. Miracles ... signs and wonders ... that the Christian church so longs for today, seldom change hearts! Only when we, as born again, baptized in the Holy Ghost believers, recognize our need for Jesus, and want to live HIS way and not our OWN, will our heart be changed. We must focus on the Person of the Lord Himself... on His purposes, His will, His preeminence ... who He is! The Great I AM. Why do we not preach Christ more? Is it because we do not know Him? Paul, after 30 years of ministry said, "Oh that I might know Him."

Note that warning every man comes before teaching every man in all wisdom. Concerning Paul's number two priority, when was the last time you heard a warning from any minister? (we are all ministers) Paul said to the Ephesian elders, 

29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. Acts 20:29-31

Paul said, "I know this." How did Paul know this? Beause he knew the ways of the devil, who has always tried to thwart the plans and purposes of God. What Paul says in Verses 29-30 came to pass in the Church at Corinth; it came to pass in the Galatian churches; it came to pass in the Church at Ephesus, where, not long after three years of the best possible teaching through Paul, the believers at Ephesus left their first love. Do you think it has not and will not happen in our modern-day Spirit-filled churches? Please read again Verse 31, above. The Holy Spirit, through Paul, declares that believers should be warned night and day. Why do we not hear more warnings in our gatherings? Because men do not like to hear warnings and therefore we tend to prophesy smooth things to keep everybody happy. 

12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;

15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. Hebrews 3:12-15

From Verse 13, above, when was the last time you heard an exhortation from a minister? Who exhorted you today? Who did you exhort today? Note also the "if" in Verse 14.

Priority three in Paul's marching orders in Colossians 1:28 is to teach every man in all wisdom.

In our modern-day churches we have reversed the order given by the Holy Ghost in Colossians. We have made teaching every man our number one priority, with all of our training seminars, conferences, books, tapes, DVDs and Sunday sermons. We can see that by looking at the amount of time devoted to teaching in all of our gatherings. We have been saturated with teachings. Perhaps we do that because that is easy. It is very easy to give a nice teaching on a myriad of topics from the Bible. However, whether or not our teachings have been in all wisdom is a debatable point, based upon the lack of fruit that has developed. Why do we not teach in all wisdom? because we do not have the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. I doubt there has ever been a better teacher than Paul, other than Jesus Himself of course. Paul taught the Church at Ephesus day and night for three years. But just a few years later, in Ephesians 1:17, he prayed, 

"That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him." 

Why would Paul pray for something they already had? Do you think that the modem-day church also needs that same spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him?

Some more scriptures related to Gods order ... In the Old Testament, we see that the Levitical priests ministered and waited on their office in order (1 Chronicles 6:32). 

Then, in 

Chronicles 15:13, "For because ye did it not at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought Him not after the due order."

Psalm 37:23, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in His way." 

Isaiah 9:7, "Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this."

1 Corinthians 11:34, "And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come."

1 Corinthians 14:40, "Let all things be done decently and in order."

In today's Christian community, everybody and his brother now talks about "what is wrong" within the Church. Almost all of the self-appointed "experts" point out the apathy, the lukewarmedness within the Church and exhort us to get on fire for the Lord. Very admirable but is that all we need? Some also point out the many divisions within the Church, even within a specific local church. Both of those two points are certainly true, but is there a fundamental flaw in our Church community that goes deeper than those two lacks? If so, what is it? More importantly, what can you and I do about it? It does not take much discernment to see "what is wrong." However, it takes nothing less than the wisdom of the Lord to be like the sons of Issachar, to know what spiritual Israel must do in this hour.

1 Chronicles 12 lists the number of men from each tribe which came to Hebron to make David king. The numbers add up to 341,822, although most of the men of Issachar are not numbered ... only the heads of that tribe. It is also significant that 120,000 men came from the three tribes on the other side of the Jordan (outside of the Promised Land). They probably speak of those true Christians in denominational churches who have never been aware of the difference between being born again and walking in the kingdom of God.

1 Chronicles 12:32, "And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment."

Two hundred heads of the tribe of Issachar had understanding of the times and knew what Israel ought to do. Two hundred out of more than 340,000 is a very small percentage, but that is consistent with many other scriptural examples. During the great flood in Noah's time, only eight persons out of perhaps 2 million were saved. Gideon's army, the dimensions of the Tabernacle built by Moses, and Nehemiah 10:38 give similar percentages. All of those examples are prophetic of "many are called but few are chosen."

As we stated just a few minutes ago, it is quite possible that today there may be a larger number of men that have understanding of the times, but how many know what spiritual Israel ought to do? Have more good teachings? Have more conferences? Just love everybody? Teach Christians how to heal and deliver people? Go to "church" faithfully every Sunday, sing some nice songs, put a few shekels in the offering plate, lead a morally good life, listen to the pastor teach and preach, come back every Sunday and repeat the process, and wait for the time that we die and go to heaven? All of that plus $2 will get you a cup of coffee in most places, but none of that has got the job done in the past; and none of that is what the Lord is looking for today.

Now in this message we have tried to emphasize that God has His order in everything. Unless we understand His order and walk in His order, we will only see more of the same status quo that has existed for many long years. But in our next message we hope to share with you that which the Lord is waiting for us to do... things which we must do before the Lord brings about His restoration. More specifically we hope to share with you how the church has departed from God's order and what we must do to return to His order.

Until next time, may the Lord bless and keep you and make His face to shine upon you. And may we all be open to return to the Lords ways and to His order. Amen.